Baby Styler

[trip style = any]

Editor's Note: Have you checked out the online Trip Styler Store? Stop by for handpicked finds from around the globe. 

A few weeks ago, the stork delivered Baby Styler to my doorstep. Instead of arriving for his flight on time, he was wooed by the airport's duty-free boutique, stopped in for a virgin cocktail in the lounge and THEN sauntered to his gate {he's pretty small, he can't crawl that fast}. Needless to say, he didn't catch his plane on the day he was due to arrive, and the only flight headed to his final destination left 11 days later. He was fashionably late. 

A lot of people have asked me if Trip Styler will change now that Baby Styler's in the picture. Mostly, things will stay the same. I'm not going to add trip style = family to the above list of trip types because besides {not yet} taking Baby Styler to the spa—the wonders of which he'll soak in one day—I want him to experience the joys of glamping, the energy of urban travel, the warmth of beach breaks and the thrill of adventure. 

We'll stay at the same styled hotels, most of which allow kids, anyway. Case in point: As I plan a trip to California for our newly minted family of three {four with Dog Styler, but, sadly, he doesn't fly well}, I'm eyeing the Ace Hotel Los Angeles and the Parker Palm Springs, which both have a cool scene and such destination-worthy restaurants and lounges you don't need to go offsite to find good food, cocktails and conversation. {Sounds like my kind of "family-friendly."}

Baby Styler will come on many TS trips, and, once in a while, I may talk about this, but Trip Styler will maintain its MO as a travel lifestyle publication delivering trip style tips to aspiring jetsetters {of all ages}.

 PS. Since I chose not to broadcast being pregnant on Trip Styler, most of the photos posted on TS over the past nine months were taken from strategic angles as my belly grew. Next week I'll follow up with a few of the less strategic snaps from the Oregon Coast to Kuala Lumpur. 

[photo by @tripstyler]

Travel Beauty :: Interview with Eco Diva Beauty

[trip style = any]

Meet Charlene Swanson and Garcy Fry, the natural duo behind luxury online eco-boutique Eco Diva Beauty. Spreading the word about pure, effective, sustainable beauty products is this mother-daughter pair's mission, but that's not all. Eco Diva Beauty is trying to do something bigger: Inspire others to make positive changes in their life, starting with what they put on their skin—the largest organ in the human body! Curious what these conscious jetsetters slather on their bodies when they go afar? I chatted with Charlene and Garcy about their travel beauty secrets and dream destinations. 

What are your top destinations?
Garcy Fry: Mexico is my travel muse. It’s where I go to relax, bask in the heat and let the kids play on the beach. The people are so kind and gracious. And the food—I could live off fresh guacamole, salsa and fish tacos. Oh, and I love a margarita {or dos} on the rocks! Another locale I love is a little closer to home. Once our car broke down and we got stuck for a few days in Keromeos, a tiny town with a gazillion orchards and fruit stands in the interior of British Columbia. Ironically, it's become one of my family's magic weekend destinations for its quaint little diners, neat antique shops, picturesque parks, relaxing tube rides down the river and fresh fruit for days! 

Garcy in Mexico

Charlene Swanson: My all-time favorite destination is Italy. A recent quote I saw on Instagram by Giuseppe Verdi sums it up for me: "You may have the universe if I may have Italy.” To me, everything beautiful has originated from Italia {and it aligns perfectly with my innate love of luxury cars, fashion, jewelry, art, food, wine, the opera...}. My second go-to destination is what I call the sweet spot in the universe, California. North or south, it doesn’t matter; there are so many swoon-worthy locations in this state I would be hard-pressed to pick a favorite. I don’t know if it’s the sunshine and the ocean, but innovation and dreams manifest there.

Charlene in London

What is your travel beauty ritual? 
GF: True travel beauty is about hydration—drinking copious amounts of water, keeping your face dewy inflight and wearing an ultra-hydrating serum like May Lindstrom The Youth Dew or La Bella Figura Rainforest Hydration Treatment.

CS: On my recent excursion to California I brought One Love Organics Vitamin D Moisture Mist for on-the-go moisturizing, as well as the Tata Harper Travel Kit and La Bella Travel Serum Mood Booster {which I also use as a perfume}. And I don’t go anywhere without my W3LL PEOPLE Bio Extreme Mascara.
 
What are your three travel must-haves?
GF: A great pair of casual-comfy sneakers or flats. These days I’m loving Sam Edelman’s Black Becker Synthetic Croc Sneakers, a couple of scarves and at least 10 different lipsticks {for my 10 different moods}. 

CS: James Perse tees, Rag & Bone jeans and Manolo Blahnik leopard-print driving shoes {they dress up anything}!

What is your dream trip?
GF: My dream trip would be taking my family on a round-the-world tour to Australia, New Zealand, India, Africa, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Sweden, Ireland and Scotland. My in-laws did it for 10 months with my husband and his siblings when he was seven years old and they still talk about their epic journey. We're hoping to do the same for our kids when we are done having them!

CS: I'm planning on taking my dream trip soon! I would visit Spain, Portugal, France and spend a sabbatical exploring Italy to the fullest.

What are your favorite double-duty beauty products?
GF: I love Kahina’s Night Cream. I have it on my nightstand to put on my face before bed and I also use it as a hand cream. Like all of Kahina’s products, the scent is so light and divine and the texture is a whipped soufflé that leaves your skin feeling hydrated without any greasiness! I also love using W3LL People UNIVERSALIST Multi-use Colorstick and Vapour Aura Multi-Use Blush as lipstick as well as blush.

CS: I'm really sensitive to smells and don’t like anything overwhelming. I fell in love with May Lindstrom’s Jasmine Garden mist and went through a jar pretty quickly because I also used it to refresh my hair every day and night. I use Prtty Peaushun’s Skin Tight Body Lotion as a hand cream because it’s an amazing moisturizer and smells so darn good. I keep the travel size in my purse.

Interview by Lauren, Trip Styler's go-to travel beauty expert and industry insider, whose medicine cabinet contains as many products and potions as a Sephora store.

[photos via eco diva beauty]

Spotlight :: Stockholm

[trip style = urban]

Stockholm is hands down one of the coolest—and most scenic—European capitals. Situated on the Baltic Sea, Stockholm is spread out across 14 islands. If you walk from historic Gamla Stan to upscale Östermalm to picturesque Djurgården you'll see that each island has its own identity and all are worth visiting. {Check out our Södermalm Guide.}

I traveled to Stockholm this summer with friends and it was a highlight of my Scandinavian vacation. With a historic yet modern feel and a hip yet friendly vibe, it's a city—like New York—that will no doubt have you—like me—saying "next time..." I'm already dreaming up my return.

Eat

Make no mistake: Stockholm is expensive. Cocktails are $30 each. A running joke during my trip was that we'd go out for cocktail—singular—because they were too expensive to order more than one. After an evening at the photography museum, my friend and I met up with our Swedish friend and host for late-night cocktail and tapas at AG, a meat-focused restaurant and bar tucked away on a side street in Kungsholmen inside an old silver factory.

Some popular and pricey eateries have smaller, casual restaurants attached to them called bakficka, which translates to back or hip pocket. One such restaurant combo that I'd love to visit is Oaxen Krog & Slip on Djurgården. Dine at Krog for a fine dining experience and Slip for casual fare, with both menus focused on seasonal Nordic cuisine.

Another money-saving tip, besides going out for cocktail and eating in bakfika, is to look for restaurants that serve dagens rätt, a daily lunch special that typically includes a main course, salad, bread and coffee. I met up for a $15 dagens lunch with friends at meat-centric Köttbaren in Vasastan. For additional affordable lunch options, try one of the stylish restaurants at Mood Stockholm.

Do

Walk around the harbour and over to Djurgården, a beautiful island dedicated to the pursuit of recreation, culture and fun. The island is home to many of Stockholm's museums, as well as beautiful parkland. My favorite oasis in the middle of the city is Rosendals Trädgård, a garden and cafe in an idyllic setting. Buy a kanelbulle from the cafe and take it into the apple orchard for fika, where you can sit amongst locals sprawling out on blankets or picking wildflowers from the u-pick garden. Rent a bike at the entrance to Djurgården and cycle along the water's edge.

When the weather is warm, escape the city and spend a day or more on an island in the Stockholm Archipelago. It takes only 30 minutes to reach Fjaderholmarna, where you can visit a brewery and enjoy a meal of freshly caught fish.

Rub shoulders with stylish Swedes who could be mistaken for Alexander Skarsgård and Lykke Li at the Acne Studios flagship store. While you can buy Acne anywhere, what better place to pick up their famous Canada scarf than the flagship store housed in a former bank building that was the location of the 1973 bank robbery and hostage situation that gave rise to the term "Stockholm Syndrome"? For outlet pricing, visit Acne Archive in Vasastan.

More must-visit Swedish shops include Byredo for unique fragrances, Rodebjer for progressive women's fashion, Lotta Agaton for housewares {open thursdays only} and H&M-owned brands & Other Stories and COS.

Stay

Check in to one of the many stylish yet pricey hotels around the city. While I stayed in an apartment, I'd stay at any of the Design Hotels properties or either of the Story Hotels. {See our Södermalm Guide for more hotels.}

Photos

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Fika in the orchard at Rosendals Trädgård

Café at Rosendals Trädgård

Greenhouse seating area at Rosendals Trädgård

Street cart liquorice on Djurgården

Köttbaren restaurant

Oaxen Slip restaurant

Vintage café tram on the No 7 Djurgården Line

When to Go

The city is at its best and brightest from May to September, and summer kicks off at Midsummer, when you can join locals in a dance around a maypole and wear a flower crown on your head at the best—and most bohemian—party of the year.

Getting There

Stockholm's Arlanda Airport is located about 40 kms from the city centre. The easiest ways into town include the Arlanda Express train {20 mins/$39} or the Flygbussarna bus {45 mins/$18}. Taxi fares are posted on the side of the cab, but vary according to the taxi company. Look for the best rate instead of the closest cab.

This post is written by Trip Styler's Assistant Wayfarer/Editor Heather.

Related
Stockholm :: Södermalm Guide
Spotlight :: Helsinki
Spotlight :: Copenhagen {Part 1}
Spotlight :: Copenhagen {Part 2}
Jetset Style :: Scandinavia-Inspired Jackets

[images by @heatherlovesit except oaxen slip via restaurant]

Stockholm :: Södermalm Guide

[trip style = urban]

"I have found my people" I announced on social media after spending just one day in Stockholm, roaming around the city's hippest hood with friends. Popular with young, creative Stockholmers, Södermalm is an urban island known for its trendsetting shops and restaurants heavily influenced by Swedish design. It also has the benefit of being home to some of the most picturesque postcard views of the city. 

Do
Visit Fotografiska—a photography museum housed in an early 1900s industrial building next to the cruise ship docks—and one of Stockholm's most popular attractions for both tourists and locals. I visited on a Saturday night, which turned out to be date night in the dimly lit gallery, evidenced by the couples staring more longingly at each other than the photographs. Stay for brunch or dinner in the restaurant or, during the summer, in the outdoor grill with live music in the evenings.

Browse through carefully curated racks of Swedish clothing and accessories at Grandpa, where I could have spent an hour trying on leather bags by Sandqvist and jackets by Carin Wester, and at Bruno Götgatsbacken, where I found some great pieces by Hope. Don't miss other Swedish shops around the neighborhood like Stutterheim Raincoats, Nudie Jeans, Filippa K, Whyred and Acne Studios.

Eat
The best thing about Sweden, besides the beautiful blondes, might be fika, an afternoon coffee break accompanied by a lil' somethin' sweet. The perfect treat for fika is a kanelbulle {cinnamon bun}, also known as kardemummabulle when the dough contains cardamom. Less sweet than North American cinnamon buns, kanelbullar are topped with pearl sugar instead of icing sugar. Drop by Fabrique {next to Grandpa} to try one. I might even suggest that you stop at every bakery you see for some comparative kardemummabulle shopping. Skip the metro and walk off the calories as you navigate the cobblestone streets to Old Town.

Speaking of sweets, I loved Pärlans Konfektyr, a charming caramel shop inspired by the 1930s and 40s, where you can peek into the kitchen and watch the caramel makers hand wrap flavors like vanilla sea salt, salty licorice and rose.

For something more substantial, pull up a bright yellow and hot pink stool at Urban Deli or one of the other restaurants and cafés surrounding Nytorget Square, like Edith, Gildas Rum or Sardin.

Stay
I was fortunate to stay with a friend in Stockholm, but I spied a few hotels around Söder, like ABBA member Benny Andersson-owned Hotel Rival and more budget-friendly Scandic Malmen. Exploring the city for more than a couple days? Stay in one of the many spacious and stunningly decorated apartments for rent on airbnb.

This post is written by Trip Styler's Assistant Wayfarer/Editor Heather.

Related
Jetset Style :: Scandinavia-Inspired Jackets
Spotlight :: Copenhagen {Part 1}
Spotlight :: Copenhagen {Part 2}
Spotlight :: Helsinki

[images by @heatherlovesit except fotografiska via museum website, grandpa via store website, parlans via lillenord]

Genius Pack Hack

[trip style = weekend getaway]

Editor's Note: We just added a new member to the TS flight crew: Baby Styler! More details to come shortly.

Packing light is not for every traveler and trip, but with many US carriers charging for checked bags, and now Canadian carriers following suit—I'm looking at you Air Canada and WestJet—traveling with a carry-on LITERALLY makes "cents." 

In addition to saving an average of $25 per bag, bringing a carry-on also simplifies packing and unpacking, reduces airport time and guards against the dreaded moment when your bags don't arrive on the carousel. 

Enter the "pillbox packing" method, found online by Nicole, a TS reader and contributor. Used by The Army and a slew of savvy packers worldwide, this one-minute pack hack eliminates anything unnecessary. {Use this method right, and your efficient packing can still be en vogue!}. 

I'm not suggesting you only pack a T-shirt, underwear, toothbrush and sox for your next one- or two-night getaway; however, I was totally inspired by the simplicity of this method, and have decided a few small modifications {ie: bringing a small toiletries case with make-up and skincare essentials, and wrapping a belt, sweater, skirt, tank top or necklace into the bundle} could take this pack hack from wishful thinking to workable, and still allow me to toss it into my tote. See top and bottom photos for the before and after.   

PS - Find the skirt pictured above in the Trip Styler Store!

Related
Overnight {Without the Baggage}

[photos by @tripstyler]