i can’t believe it has been almost 3 years since this post on my favorite travel items.  since then, i have racked up tens of thousands of more miles on various trips, for work and pleasure.  i am constantly honing my travel regime, and these are the products that make the process infinitely easier.

1) wipes.  these are the least glamorous items on my list, but one of the most essential.  after stretches of being on a plane every week and becoming promptly sick, i am now one of those crazy people who wipes everything down when i first sit down in an airplane seat.  the face wipes are great for refreshing in a pinch and even wiping stains off leather.

2)  cashmere travel set.  i recently read an article on how sometimes airlines don’t actually wash the blanket and pillow they give you between flights.  within 5 minutes, i ordered my own blanket, eye mask, and pillowcase set because ewwww. 3)  wireless headphones.  they keep me semi sane when seated next to, or on the same plane as, a screaming baby.  and they are pink. 4)  prepacked clear toiletry kit.  this is hands down the best thing to make last minute trips so much easier.  i keep this kit stocked with all the things i need for anywhere from 1 to 7 nights away.  therefore, i can grab it and go, without worrying if i have lip balm or q tips.  my kit includes:  shampoo, conditioner, face wash, day moisturizer with spf, night cream, eye cream, mouthwash, floss, toothpaste, toothbrush (i have an electric toothbrush but this is in case it runs out of battery or i forget it), floss, laundry stain solution, disposable razor, lip balm, q tips, cotton balls, tweezers, nail clippers, hairbands, nail polish remover wipe, and a small comb.  if i am traveling for work, i add in my foundation and lip gloss.  in my carryon, i keep another small bag packed with earplugs, ibuprofen, deodorant, and a hairbrush. 5)  ultra lightweight suitcase.  my old anya hindmarch suitcase served me well for over 6 years and hundreds of thousands of miles travelled.  when the zipper broke again and i found new holes in the lining, i realized it was probably time to let it rest.  i did a lot of research on the many options out there and finally settled on the rimowa salsa air.  it weighs only 4 pounds, and the double zip pockets in the interior allow you to compress your packed items. i also love the built in tsa approved combination lock.

rather than inundate this post with pictures from my trip to puerto rico, i chose my favorite three.

i was very lucky to ring in my 30th birthday earlier this month in beautiful cartagena.  we stayed at the casablanca b&b in the old walled part of the city, and it was something out of my south american dreams.  open air hallways filled with plush vegetation, white washed walls and furniture, and a semi-outdoor shower in the bedroom.  not pictured is the gorgeous rooftop plunge pool, perfect for taking a breather from the colombian heat.

our room door.  i wish i could enter my apartment through a door like this this… sorry for the mess – i forgot to snap pics before we started unpacking/taking over with our clutter. semi-outdoor shower. walkway to the lobby. the hotel surprised me with a cake to celebrate the day.  such a perfect finishing touch.

i spent a wonderful 10 days last month in france and was finally able to make it to corsica.  corsica has been on my “to travel” list for a long time, and it was everything i imagined – unpredictable and wild, warm and inviting, and of course, unspeakably beautiful.  i tried to whittle down my favorite shots for this post, and this is the best i could do.

{capu di feno, the surfer’s beach}

{bonifacio} {roccapina beach} {ajaccio}

i snuck away last month for a long weekend in jackson hole, wyoming.  between the animals and breathtaking scenery, it was the antidote i needed for crazy city life.

we also spent a day in yellowstone national park, which had some of the coolest hot springs i had ever seen.

teton national park old faithful hot springs in yellowstone  buffalo in yellowstone yea we saw a bear.  it was awesome. horses just hanging out on the side of the road.mama moose and baby moose