{florence, rome, capri, sorrento & athens . . .}

. . . one of the loveliest things about writing a blog is receiving so wonderful letters from readers from around the world -- thoughtful words and lovely thoughts, and sometimes, questions or requests for recommendations, such as glamorous reader katie's, who is planning an upcoming art history trip and would love any travel suggestions you may have for florence, rome, capri, sorrento & athens . . .


Hi Roseline,

I love your blog and read it everyday for the dreamy, enchanting images; you really have fantastic taste.

I'm going on a high-school trip with my art history class to Italy for 11 days this summer (2 of which will be spent in an airplane), and was hoping you might have some recommendations for while I am there. I want to feel like Audrey in Roman Holiday!

I don't know that you've been to any of the places I'm traveling to (Florence, Rome, Capri, Sorrento, and Athens), since I can't remember ever seeing any posts about your own trips there, but if you have or if you know anyone who has been to any of those spots, I'd really appreciate your suggestions.

During the day we're mostly going to museums,galleries, and the like, but we seem to have afternoons and nights free (although I think we may all be going to same places for dinner, because the itinerary says that breakfast and dinner are included). I know we're not staying in particularly nice hotels, so I was really hoping for a way to make the trip as fabulous as possible. My parents are paying for most of the trip, so I'm in charge of spending money (for lunch, shopping, extra activities), so I can essentially spend as much as I can make before the trip, although, being 17, I'm still going to have a relatively small budget.

We'll be going to Florence for three days, Rome for two, Capri for one (and spending the night in Sorrento since the accommodations on Capri are so expensive), and then Athens for two days, I believe. If you have any recommendations for any of those places, such as cafés, shops, beaches in Capri or Sorrento, or any other lovely spots, I'd so love to try to accommodate them into my trip.

Thank you so much for any suggestions and for your lovely, lovely blog,
Katie

{image: tati cotliar and melissa tammerijn by benjamin alexander huseby for harper's bazaar US, october 2010 via oh}

{travel diary: lake placid lodge, new york}

. . . often, in past weeks, thoughts have been drifting to the misty waters and dusky mountains of a time spent away, [not long ago], in the adirondacks, at what must certainly be one of the most romantic places in the world, lake placid lodge, where, despite having arrived very late from the city, we [p & i] were welcomed with a crackling fire and a glass of champagne . . .







. . . before retiring for the evening to one of the seventeen luxurious and private cabins at the water's edge, where a plate of fruits and cheeses and a bottle of red wine awaited, even at that very late hour of night, and spent our first evening in front of the stone fireplace . . .

[as always, so much more after the jump] x

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{take me away № 03 | tips for buying luggage}

With thanks to a lovely reader for the suggestion, this week’s {take me away} column shares and showcases an array of wonderful luggage options, from inexpensive, yet lovely pieces readily available at Macy’s, to exquisite investment pieces in Louis Vuitton's classic Monogram Etoile.



Whether you are looking to purchase your carry-on with a more conservative budget and splurge on your suitcase, or are looking to build a life-long lasting collection — or perhaps, are looking for the best quality set for a small budget, style and function needn’t be compromised. And so, below are some of our current favorites on the market, in an array of looks, price points, designs and functions, offering features to note and great style . . .





[read sarah's picks & tips for choosing luggage after the jump] x

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{take me away № 02 | luggage to last a lifetime}

As with many things, it is wise to purchase the best quality of luggage and travel accessories that one can afford. Luggage is an investment, and quality pieces will often last for a lifetime.



Well-made and designed luggage is aimed to make the process of your journey easier, and will take you through many years of adventures.



Whether you are beginning to put together your own luggage collection, are a well-seasoned traveler looking to replace the pieces you have, or searching for the perfect gift for someone you love, this guide will assist you in building a quality luggage collection.






No matter if you prefer a sleek, streamlined look with neutral colors, or a colorful, fun look with personalized details . . .



It is imperative to learn some of the basics of what to look for when selecting pieces . . .



[as always, more after the jump] x
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{travel inspiration: tinos, greece}

. . . rounded edges and a soft, charmingly uneven texture that catches the play of light and shadows, and shall never look at walls the same way again . . .

{images: photography by yiorgos kordakis via simple blueprint}

{take me away № 01 | perfectly packed: a list}

A wonderful trip must always begin with preparation and organization. Proper organization defeats any what-ifs and mishaps and can save you from little disasters that may unexpectedly occur.





Now, this certainly does not entail bringing one’s entire home within a suitcase or two, but it does make use of the essentials, as well as many additional small items that can come in handy at the most crucial moment.



Over the years, I have received advice from a lovely neighbour, who often travels the world, speaking at conferences as well as vacationing. Along with some of the wonderful tips she has shared, combined with a few other things learned along the way, I hope to assist you in planning for your next journey.





To be certain that everything is covered, one must make use of a comprehensive list. Attached, you will find a lovely list that I’ve assembled, suitable for all seasons of the year. Please download and print as many as you need, check the boxes and add any additional information that you like . . .




Some additional helpful packing & preparation tips:

01 Keep a copy of your list. There is always the chance that your baggage might be misplaced, and so, with your list, you have evidence of exactly what your luggage contained.

02 Keep in mind that only 100ml of liquid per container is acceptable on a plane. Often your local drug store will carry small, fillable containers that are the perfect size.

03 Download helpful apps ahead of time to assist you in your travels, such as maps, destination information, weather and even common phrases for that specific country (rather than packing physical maps, books and such).

04 Be sure to look into the country of your destination – will you need to pack an adaptor?

05 There are some wonderful tutorials on how to best fold your clothing, including full skirts, for travel.

06 Always keep a little sachet or two of your favorite scent within your luggage. Upon arriving to your
accommodations, you can also refresh your footwear by placing one or two within your shoes.

07 Add a special marker to your luggage so that you might distinguish yours quickly amongst the rest upon picking it up at the airport. I often tie a favorite ribbon of the moment to mine.

08 If you are flying, be sure to visit the airline’s website /airport for specific information on luggage weight limits, size and more.

~ sarah

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the “perfectly packed” list was developed & designed by sarah klassen for {this is glamorous} -- please click here to download


{images: 1, 6, 7 - ceilia lee on flickr ; 2 - tiffany nguyen on flickr; 3 - lipsticks & lightsabers; 4 - La Maison Champs-Elysees by Maison Martin Margiela via another mag via ~laura~; 5 - ; 8 - smythson of bond street}

{new york 3: chadwick bell at the standard}

. . . still sorting through a million photographs, including ones [p took] of the amazing mountain lodge in the adirondacks [can not wait to show you], and came across these ones of the chadwick bell spring rtw 2012 collection presentation at the standard -- again, had forgotten a camera, having only an iphone, and despite dim lighting and swirling motion, the photographs came out rather lovely . . .









{p.s.} as always, more after the jump . . .


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{new york 2: the lincoln center}

. . . tuesday morning was a dash across the street & down from the hotel to catch the first ever tory burch runway presentation -- the spring 2012 collection -- at the lincoln center . . .



. . . running quite late that morning, forgetting a camera and having only an iphone on hand, but as it turns out, was quite caught up with the show to take many shots, and so, a few glimpses here & there, collected from a few lovely places around the internets . . .



. . . the collection, a perfectly playful mix of layered textures and 1920's northwestern france-inspired swinging silhouettes, prints and patterns and beribboned shoes, may have made one a little wistful for summer's end, but very much looking forward to its return once again, if only to be frolicking about in pretty polka dots, sequined stripes, and raffia-ruffled pencils skirts . . .





{p.s.} as always, more after the jump & apologies if you have seen this collection elsewhere -- spent the remainder of last week in a cabin in the mountains, as you know, and only a few moments to update now xo


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{new york 1: 797 madison avenue}

. . . last week's very quick trip to nyc was filled with lunch dates and shows, events and soirées, and with a million photographs and so much to tell you, perhaps best to break things up into a few posts so as not to overwhelm . . . first stop was very early last monday morning: mimosas to celebrate the opening of the new flagship tory burch boutique on 797 madison avenue . . .



. . . and there were beautiful brass staircases against rich hardwood floors, floral wallpaper and patterned carpets . . .



. . . and after many emails, skype chats, and nearly a year of her writing for {this is glamorous}, it was wonderful to finally meet laily, in person, and on snow leopard patterned floor coverings . . .

{p.s.} so much more after the jump xo


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