Chicago: September 2013!

I am happy to announce that I have cemented my only big vacation of the year --Chicago! I am so excited about this, I have always wanted to visit the city, with or without Oprah on tv lol.  I have always heard of the city being one of the cities for culinary wonder, the spirit of the city (that is much like my own about my hometown), the city skyline and more!

I am ecstatic that Choose Chicago on Twitter even gave me some suggestions on where to go! Thanks for the help! I am literally counting down the days...

Chi town, here I come!

Day 3:: Fallon and Dinner in Flowy Bandage Dress

Day 3 was a personal fave of mine --I got to see a taping of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon!  He's hilarious as a SNL cast member and I've loved watching his shows when I can catch it so it was a treat to see him live!!! Unfortunately there were no cameras allowed in the premises so I have no photographical evidence lol...Although u can catch a slight glimpse of my bf and even me in one of the camera shots! lol.

After Fallon, we decided to catch a steak dinner at one of the better dining establishments --Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.  We got all dolled up and had a great time!

to find out what i wore...

Yankees Game: Casual in Cropped Cargos

Day 2: Yankees Game

It was game day for us on day 2.  We had decided to make the most out of our trip by catching a Yankees Game.  It was NY Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals -- a game day that almost wasn't to be.  It was up in the air since the weather had been up and down for days with the rain coming in and out making the possibility of a rain-out happening.  Alas, the skies parted and it didn't rain! To top things off, the Yankees won!!! It was a surreal experience that I would love to have again...Love!

NYC: Departure outfit:: Utility Jacket and Boots

Departure day...or night.

We officially crossed the border at around 11pm, at which time we had several hours to kill before our flight. To me it seemed ideal seeing as how our previous trip to NYC went off to a shaky start with a red-eye flight leaving us super tired...

I decided long ago to dress comfy for this flight --i initially decided and wore my aritzia fair aisle lambswool sweater, but a few hours in while at the airport, it proved slightly warmer than anticipated.  Luckily, I had my jacket to switch to in case the occasion called for it....

to check out what I finally wore to our departure to NYC..check it out!

Travel Series: TSA Compliance for toiletries

Ever lost all of your makeup and toiletries due to a stubborn non-compliance to the TSA rules when flying across the border? I tell you, it's no joke.  They are not kind--nor do they want to be--in situations where you disregard the rules for travel.

2008 was a good year for me, I traveled far and wide and got a lot of stampage on my passport (I even ended up keeping it for a souvenir!) and learned alot of lessons in travelling with comfort and style. 

Hence, the ziplock size, TSA friendly Carry-on Toiletry bag!

Travel Series: Perfume to go!

I love my mini bottles and cases that I get to take with me while on travel.  I hate having to leave something behind because it may get too heavy for my luggage...This is why the Travalo mini perfume bottle is good for me!

It's not so much like the other perfume travel containers for perfumes where you have to pour it in and gets messy.  This is quick, clean and painless!  Just attach to the pump on the perfume and it fills up in seconds!

I love it so much right now that I'm thinking of purchasing two more for other perfumes that I want to take with me in my travels!

This is definitely going with me to NYC!

Leather me up!

...err--for travelling, i mean.

I love to travel--in style...Who doesn't?

I feel more secure when I don't have just any old flimsy dollar store thing that I lug around when travelling.  I've tried the so-called substitutions, seen the XS Cargo luggages (not that i'm dissing that store, cause I still love it, just not for certain items) and even bought the dollar store containers that spill all over once you get to your destination.

It's not worth the time and effort!

I love this genuine leather Danier Leather Weekend Duffel bag, which I have in black (seen here in white) thanks to my bf.  It was supposed to travel with me to NYC this fall, but alas it wasn't so.  In any case, it's still a great investment for a frequent traveller.

It's got great features:

• Two ways of carrying - top handle and a shoulder strap
• Pockets - I can never get enough of them! It's a great way to stay organized, I say.  4 in the front, and one in the back.
• individual pockets inside for cell phone and other knick-knacks (if you're like me, you'll fully use them!!)

Great things in small sizes!

I love minis....cupakes, sandwiches and even make-up!  They are small and compact, easy to bring everywhere and not so bulky!

Imagine my suprise when I happened to visit the MAC store (err--the make-up brand, not the computer brand lol) at metro and found that they came out with a range of essentials in mini travel sizes! love!

I love the Fix + , it subs for my Evian mineral spray when I'm at home, but when I'm out and about it's abit of a hassle to carry around.  the size of the regular bottle doesn't quite fit in my already heavy bag!  It's great to have travel sizes not just for travelling, but also when you want to have some essentials handy when you're out and can't spare any time to re-touch at home.

Another great thing about travel sizes is that if you want to try something but don't want to commit to a full bottle that's going to take forever to finish, you can always buy the travel size for a trial run.  I sometimes buy travel sizes just in case I want to change to a new product, then I don't feel guilty leaving a half empty bottle un-used.

Here are other products they've made travel sizes for....

 If you don't lather these products on and finish the regular sized bottles in one sitting, then like me, you should be able to survive at least three weeks or so with these size of bottles.

I love my travel accessories, especially when they serve both style and function! I purchased a BCBG documents purse for trips recently and it proved very useful for my Vegas trip!

The Trendy Traveller: tips for travelling in style from the fashionably chic!

Since my mom is on a vacay, I thought it was a perfect topic for a blog...fashionable travel!

Those that know me well know that ever since I've been bitten by the travel bug, i am constantly itching to find the next destination to make the next stamp on my passport.  I love being able to travel and find new places to visit, or even just visit a favorite destination again.  Ever so often, even if I like to visit new places, my fave places to frequent are Vegas and New York.  The fact that they are different states with different weather temperatures, there's a slight difference in how one gets into the place.

When it comes to traveling, there is a fine line between looking disheveled but comfy and fashionably chic but just plain uncomfortable.  I've been in both situations, and I can say that there is a happy medium which, after many experiences, believe that I've reached.  It also helps taking a cue from the fashionable celebrities that not only do their celebrity thang but also travel for a living to do appearances for their work.  Who better to get tips from!? There is no denying--celebrities travel and they love to look good in case paparazzi show up with a few shots for the mags. 

Three celebs I love to get tips from for travelling are Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Aniston and Victoria Beckham...Each celebrity with a different style, and each gives their own take on what it takes to be travelling in style...they only way they know how!

1.  Kim Kardashian - trendy chic!

The reality star hits the mark in my books when it comes to travel style.  She's always chic and always beautiful for the papps when they meet her at arrivals or departures to snap a few pics.  she never misses with her flawless style--always the fashionista, she hardly ever looks frumpy but still manages to  make her travel outfit look comfy!

Tips: 

-Though skinny jeans/cargos or leggings may be the trendy travel wear, make sure that you at least wear a loose top so not everything is clinging on and making you feel uncomfortable!

-lovely boots -- utility boots flat to the ground, sky high heels or over-the-knees, fashion is key but always try to find something that's easy to slip off and slide back on for customs! =)

-nice medium sized bag to house all the important items like passport, wallet, sunglass case, (glasses case--if your me), a mineral spray *a must!* etc.

-glam squad--or if you don't have one, having a ziplock with the essential key makeup to touch up upon landing to look refreshed and at your best for any paps or even anyone that's meeting you at the airport!

2.  Victoria Beckham -- Taylored perfection!

Victoria Beckham is one of my style icons-- say what you will about her singing and time in the spice girls, but she is one fashionable lady!!! She always looks good in whatever she does, and rarely will you see a hair out of place!  Okay, her fashion may not always translate into comfy travel wear, but she still makes a mark in being a trendy traveller!

Tips:

-tailored pieces make your shape the best it can be, from a jacket to a blazer, it can take you from the aiport to a business meeting (which Ivanka Trump also suggests!)

-again, the bags! having a sensible-sized bag that fits what you need for a comfy travel!  


-Extra clothes to change into/out of -- comfort during the flight is key!

-big framed glasses a la Audrey Hepburn to hide the lack of sleep during a flight!  You will be thankful for this if you're ever in a thirteen hour flight!

3.  Jennifer Aniston -- california cool chic!

She always looks california cool chic--casual classy.  I've seen countless number of pics of her in mags and online, from going to the set for her next movie or her former show Friends, to running errands about town and being shot by the papparazzi...She doesn't play by the hollywood rules to be over-dressed for a flight, yet she manages to look chic and comfy at the same time!

Tips: 

-nice, comfy tops like racerbacks or boyfriend tees are good for travel

-a nice, well-fitting pair of jeans, like the boyfriend jeans or a straight leg cut.

-comfy jacket to get you through the colder flights and of course, a scarf!

-aviators to block the prying paparazzi lenses

In the end, it is really upto the person on what makes him/her comfortable the most in...I do know that one shouldn't totally look like a frumpy traveler just because it may be a 5 hour or even a 13 hour flight.  I've been to both being reasonably and practically dressed, there is no excuse for looking homeless when you travel.  It is my personal opinion that people should take pride in what they wear--even if they don't have the paparazzi following.

The 3-1-1 rule: leave the hassle at home when travelling to the US

Whenever summertime comes around, I think of travelling and vacations...

There is no better time to travel than during summer, when the weather will be 70% agreeable and it means less to pack and fuss over!

One thing that I think people travelling within North America should realize (and I think mostly everywhere) are the travel restrictions for carry-ons.  Nothing can kill you travel happy mood faster than TSA giving you the evil eye over your non-compliance with their carry-on rules.  You'd be surprised how common it is for people to get the restrictions wrong....