The What We Covet Holiday Gift Guide 2012, Part 10: The Traveler

There are times in life where you just have to get away from it all. And even if you don't, I can guarantee you know someone who does. For your friends and family with a bad case of wanderlust, perhaps a set of travel books from Taschen is in order this holiday season!

The set pictured above includes 12 volumes covering four cities: Paris, New York, London, and Berlin. Each city has a book for hotels, shopping, and dining. The beautiful covers are a delight in and of themselves, but the information contained therein is sure to be invaluable for someone planning a European jaunt or just a nice long weekend in the Big Apple. The best part? Knowing that you've contributed to someone's globetrotting and memories they'll never forget!

Buy through Taschen for $59.99.

Image via Taschen.

-Cate-

Are We There Yet? Who Cares!

Today, we are participating in the ninth 20 Something Bloggers blog swap; the theme of this exercise is summer. Our blog swap partner is Stephanie of  Going with the Flo, and the topic is childhood summer vacations!

*** 

18 hour-rides squeezed into the middle seat. Not the most appealing view of a summer vacation.

But for me, the best part of my childhood vacations was the journey. As the baby of the family a number of the actual destinations are a bit hazy. Because I was so young when we first experienced places like Disney World I can recall Chip (of Chip & Dale fame) stealing my gum and family members sneaking away for Splash Mountain. (I was too young/short so I got to hang with Grams instead.)

On the other hand, I can remember waking up while it was still dark and jumping into a packed car. Hours into the drive we’d stop for a picnic breakfast at a rest stop park or a restaurant while my dad caught some Z’s in the car. We played car games, ate snacks and told stories.

At the time I’d rather be anywhere than that middle seat, but looking back I really did appreciate the closeness it brought to our family. Yes, it also brought fighting between siblings, but when I think of the trips I remember those drives.

Take time to enjoy the journey. It may be the strongest memories you create.

Stephanie Florence is a public relations girl exploring her first year in New York City. She can be found dancing, meeting new people and taking the approach of a student...always. 

The What We Covet Holiday Gift Guide 2011, Part 13: The Traveler

If you know someone who is always on the go and has as many travel bags as necessary but needs a special, personalized touch, why not spring for personalized luggage tags?

Truly, nothing is better than being able to readily identify your luggage at the baggage carousel in an airport. So give the gift of identification today and save your jet-setting friends from grabbing the wrong bag!

Buy through Neiman Marcus for $32.00.

Image via Neiman Marcus.

-Cate-

The What We Covet Holiday Gift Guide 2011, Part 1: The History Buff

It's that time again, and so for the second year in a row, we're bringing you the What We Covet Gift Guide! Cate will post on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for the next four weeks, and Maureen will post on Tuesdays and Thursdays during that time. Enjoy!

***

Last year, I wrote about a revolutionary war thing. Moving forward in American history, I've found something for the Civil War fanatic in your life: a guided tour of the Antietam battlefield. 

For those of you who don't know, the net result of the battle at Antietam Creek (near Sharpsburg, Maryland) was that it went down as the bloodiest single day in American military history, with combined Union and Confederate casualties totaling over 23,000. Gettysburg, about 50 miles away in Pennsylvania, may get more play as the bloodiest overall battle (at least 46,000 casualties), but Antietam paved the way for important historical events such as the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation.

If you're within striking distance of Sharpsburg, why not take your loved one who happens to enjoy historical excursions out to the battlefield for a guided tour? The National Park Service recommends contacting the Antietam Battlefield Guides, who offer basic tour packages starting at 2.5 hours; longer tours can be booked, as well. 

Having been to Antietam myself many years ago, I can personally guarantee that the experience will be moving and fascinating, even if you do not take a guided tour. The grounds are beautiful and peaceful, standing in sharp contrast to the bloody history in the soil.

Reserve a tour of Antietam through the Antietam Museum Store; packages start at $75.00.

Image (taken by famed Civil War photographer Alexander Gardner) via SimonSez.

-Cate-

That's a Wrap

When I was away on business last month, I noticed several of my colleagues wearing (presumably) faux-pashmina wraps, a defense against the over-zealous AC in some of our conference rooms. Bijoux Terner sells a viscose version in an array of colors for $10.00 each. And while they are not as luxurious as the real thing, they do hold up quite well to abuse. I bought mine at the Monarch gift shop at Detroit-Wayne County Metropolitan Airport (for the record, my favorite airport). Since that time, it has been shuttled back and forth with me and never once looked less than spectacular, even when somewhat wrinkled, making it the perfect option for a traveler.

Unfortunately, Bijoux Terner doesn't sell their items online. However, there is a site called the Pashmina Store that sells true pashminas, as well as blended and printed wraps, in a wide variety of colors. Check them out today if you're looking for the perfect accessory!

-Cate-

PS  Since writing my post yesterday, I discovered this awesome Bill and Ted t-shirt from Snorg Tees. Enjoy!

Also, if you love food, check out my new blog, Food We Covet. I started it to accommodate my recent food obsession. Posts will come about twice a week for now. Thanks for supporting my covetousness!

Where Did Your Lamb Go? It's My Arm Candy Now

Like every daughter, I've picked up many things from my mother. Right now, her love of tote bags is the most prevalent. I won't go into details about how many tote bags I own, but I will say that my Christmas present to myself last year was a L.A.M.B. Williamsfield tote in the Arakawa Alley print.

This black-and-white bag is so completely my style that I fell in love with it the first time I ever saw it. And I was very good. I resisted it for a long time. And then it went on sale at Zappos. Yeah. I have no self-control.

But the Williamsfield is totally worth it. It has expandable sides, which means that you can open it up wider and fit more things in it than you could with a different tote. It is made of PVC-coated canvas, so it can take a beating. And (with a little effort, considering the amount it will hold) it can go over your shoulder like a good tote should.

The first time I ever took it anywhere, I was on my way to Boston to visit my best guy friend, and it was the perfect carry-on for the plane trip. I've used for work many times, since it fits all of my notebooks and folders. It even coordinated very well with my Easter dress. I think that this bag will be in my collection for quite some time to come (probably until it dies from abuse), and I'm even considering buying it in a more summer-appropriate color. After all, I do love my totes!

Buy through Zappos for $215.88.

-Cate-