Southern Weddings

Hi everyone!  Aren’t you thrilled it’s December?  We sure are!  December means the holidays, which means gift guides!  This year, we’ve each put together a selection of our favorites, themed to the type of person we are.  Lara’s up first, and as you all know, she likes to travel.  In fact, she spent the last week in Breckenridge, Colorado, working on our fabulous Winter Shoot.  To help with all of that up and down and moving around, here are a few of her favorite no-fail pieces.  Take it away, Lara!  xo Emily

Well, y’all know I travel. A lot.  After more flights than I can count this year, I’ve come to appreciate a few must-have travel items that really get me through the long layovers and constant change in environment.  A few of my favorites:

1. My Swiss Army carry-on is definitely my number 1 favorite travel purchase I’ve made.  It is smaller than most roll-ons so I can get it on those tiny prop planes without having to check it and best of all… it has a side pocket for my MacBook!  Getting through airport security is a breeze with this thing.

2. A great bag with lots of pockets helps when you are trying to keep a business running on the road.  This great J Crew bag gives easy access to my iPhone, plane tickets, and other travel items.

3. I’ve learned the hard way this year about packing too much – especially toiletries.  The Molton Brown Globe Trekker Travel Kit for Women has everything you need and more to feel like you’re getting the royal spa treatment on the road… minus the bulk of big bottles.  Travel on airplanes can dehydrate your skin and leave you feeling less-than-fresh, making the delicious soft scents of these lotions a must-have.

4. Airline blankets give me the creeps.  They sit on planes for weeks at a time and who knows how many people have used them.  Nothing like bringing the comforts of home with you on the road with Red Envelope’s Monogrammable Chenille Throw.  So soft, comfy, and thin enough to pack in my carry-on.

5. A travel necessity that keeps your lips supple and smells divine: Smith’s Rosebud Salve

6. I’ve been using Frederic Fekkai products since I was 14.  They make my unruly hair soft and shiny and they smell like a slice of heaven.  The Brilliant Glossing Travel Kit has natural olive oil Glossing Creme that keeps my frizz at bay and my hair smelling good.

7. You have to have a great pair of jeans (with good pockets for ID’s and plane tickets) when traveling.  Love these J Crew Jeans.

8. If you’ve ever been to my house you know I am mildly obsessed with candles.  The grapefruit Jo Malone Candle makes any hotel room feel like home.

9. I first heard about Skullcandy from the Mammoth Men when I won a pair of earbuds on their Utah trip.  Whether running through an airport or on the treadmill, these Wood Earbuds stay in my ears and have great sound quality.  Did I mention they come in a bajillion colors, designs and materials?  I’m a Skullcandy fan for life.

10. I don’t own this Barney’s Compass but I sure would like to. Pretty, no?

11. Best travel tip I can give is to stay hydrated.  Many airports now carry Smartwater.  I love the taste but mostly the bottle shape.  It’s easy to fit in my purse and so far I’ve never had one of these bottles leak on my travel items. 

12. I love this Monogrammable Leather Excursion Case from Red Envelope.  Travelling light is so much easier when you stay organized and this travel case does the trick.  In fact, you really can’t go wrong with anything from Red Envelope’s Style category… love it!

13. Perfect for a laptop, magazine and work items: Travelsmith Organizing Tote

14. OK, travel essential alert!  I always bring food on the plane and when I travel.  I pack whole oats, Jay Robb Protein powder packs, Greens Plus Protien Bars, cereal to snack on and a case full of Luna Bars.  There’s nothing worse than being hungry on the road with nothing but fast food or expensive room service to order.  Luna Bars are my favorite because they come in dozens of flavors, never melt in my purse, and have essential vitamins and minerals to keep me feeling healthy amidst the stress of travelling.

15. Bringing a heavy jacket on the plane is always a pain.  Having a warm soft scarf like this J. Crew Italian Cashmere Scarf works just as well to keep me warm on cold flights without the bulk of a parka.

16. The Moleskin Travel Diary gives me a place take notes on each city I visit, map out my favorite locations and special spots, and have a place to sketch and dream on long flights.

OK, now that you know my favs, how about winning a few of them!?  Click here to go to my business blog for more details on how you can win five of the amazing items listed here! 

And watch for gift guides and giveaways from Katharine, Whitney, Sydney, and Emily here following this post today!

Happy Monday y’all!