Travel Beauty Month :: Best Fragrances For Trip Styles

Editor's Note: In addition to our regularly scheduled content, this month we're doing a once-weekly feature on Travel Beauty. Lauren, our beauty expert, has whipped up some incredible insights, interviews {think major LA-based skin care expert} and giveaways. See below for what we're giving away this week!

Everyone should have their own unique fragrance, something they wear that distinguishes them from everyone else and is suited to their personality. Finding this scent isn't easy, but once you do, you know right away. I discovered my own special scent many years ago in France while backpacking. One whiff of Hanae Mori's Butterfly, a blend of strawberry, blackberry, ylang-ylang, Bulgarian Rose, almond wood and many other unique notes, and I was in love. So much so, that I didn't want to tell anyone what I wore, but after a while a handful of friends purchased the same scent and Sephora started carrying it, the secret was out.

Butterfly is still a special fragrance to me, yet I do wear different scents depending on where I'm going. For example, I spritz Juicy Couture's Viva La Juicy when I go out with the girls, and Bond No.9's Saks Fifth Avenue For Her to brunch or as a daytime scent. Vacations call for different fragrances. Depending on your destination, the scent you'd wear while lying on the beach in Mykonos is different than what you'd wear while exploring the Kalahari Desert or shopping on 5th Avenue.

Here are my picks for the best fragrances for different trip styles. Let us know your favorites!

The Beach [trip style = beach]
This type of fragrance should be light and tropical. I immediately think of Comptoir Sud Pacifique's Vanille Abricot, a shockingly delicious blend of Apricot, Papaya Pulp, Jack fruit, Vanilla and Sugar Candy. The brand's Aloha Tiare would also be the perfect beach fragrance, with its exotic notes of Tiare and Frangipani flowers, ylang-ylang, Monoi, Coconut, Vanilla and Soft Musk.

Big City Trip [trip style = urban]
I know the perfect fragrance for big city travel: Velvet Rope by Apothia. It's fresh and exciting and was actually inspired by an icy cold martini! Blending Vanilla, Jasmine, Grapefruit and White Musk, this sexy scent pairs well with Christian Louboutins and the blackest eyeliner.

Rustic Countryside Travel [trip style = weekending]
When I think of the countryside, I think of flowers, especially Gardenias. Bond No.9 Saks Fifth Avenue For Her is a light, elegant blend of Jasmine, Tuberose, Gardenia, Vetiver and Vanilla, which I wore on my wedding day. This white floral fragrance instantly evokes feelings of green rolling hills and fields of wildflowers. Like all Bond fragrances, the bottle is gorgeous.

Exploring The World [trip style = active & adventure]
Adventure travel and exploring calls for a light, fresh, subtle scent. I recently tried Caudalie's Fleur de Vigne and think it's the perfect fragrance for a trip like this. With notes like Grapefruit, Grape Flowers, Pink Pepper, White Rose, Watermelon, Mandarin and Cedar, it's a warm fragrance that is never overbearing and gives you a hint of this fresh scent.

Win It!
August is travel beauty month at Trip Styler and we're giving away a fantastic gift each week. This week, one lucky winner will be able to travel with their favorite scent wherever they go with Travalo, the coolest pocket-size, refillable, spill-free and lightweight perfume atomizer. This genius invention gives you up to 65 sprays of your favorite fragrance and refills in seconds, directly from any perfume spray bottle. Perfect for your carry-on, no matter what trip style you choose!

How to Win
Comment on any Trip Styler post {this one or any other}.
Bonus entry 1: Subscribe to our email list {top right}.
Bonus entry 2: "Like" Trip Styler on Facebook.

{Open to residents of Canada and the USA. Entries will be accepted Aug 3-9. Winner chosen at random and announced Aug 9, and has two days, after prizing notification, to make contact.}

[photos sources online]

Off the Beaten Track :: Magic Carpet Ride

[trip style = glamping + active & adventure] {Photos: Ryan B. Robinson/Downtime Photo}

{Editor's note: This month we’re doing a four-part feature on the Pacific Northwest's off the beaten track destinations. See below for this month's earlier selections that sit in the shadow of bigger, fancier or legacy locales. This week we’re taking a magic carpet ride off the grid.}

Driving up BC's Fraser Canyon Highway, you pass through tunneled mountains, and when you emerge back into daylight, it's as though you've teleported to another time. Shops like "Barry's Trading Post" with "your one stop shop" written in script underneath, and your phone proclaiming the dreaded NO SERVICE signal make it more than apparent you're going off the grid. And what better way to spend a summer weekend?

Last weekend I drove three hours from Vancouver to overnight in a Moroccan-themed tent beside a frothy, raging river. I was a guest of REO Rafing's whitewater rafting, glamping and camping operation. After driving over the wide and chocolate milk-like Fraser River---which is lucky given the only way over used to be via a one-car, elevated cable tram---you reach a 14.5km half-paved, half-rocky residential-meets-logging road which escorts you down a semi-steep incline to REO's base camp.

The carefully selected headquarters are literally beside the Nahatlatch River, serving as a strong and constant reminder of what you're about to conquer the next morning. You can camp or glamp, but given my love for all things glamping, I glamped. The two nicest tents on the property are named after their themes: "Country" and "Moroccan." Luckily, I scored one of them and settled under a silky overhang into a carved wooden bed with linens and beaded pillows that made me want to break into song like Jasmine from Aladdin.

If I were Jasmine, I'd ride my magic carpet down the Nahatlach, but I was without Aladdin and his carpet, so the next morning, after a suiting up like a seal and listening to a 20-minute safety talk, my raft guide Mark instructed us on the ups and downs of charging class 3 and 4 rapids. In my humble opinion, we needed him more than he needed us. Like many of the other REO guides, he'd be rafting for 13+ years, so I was more than willing to battle one of BC's wildest rivers with him at the helm.

He yelled commands and each paddler on the eight person raft repeated them so the other members could hear the instruction over the roar and splash of the whitewater rapids. Paddle, back paddle, hold on, get down, on the job and high-five were a few rafting terms we became more than familiar with during our mastery of the 20km/hour wet rush. Crashing atop an overzealous wave, a member of our raft did a backwards somersault off the raft and became one with the river. No problemo. We were trained for this, and her rescue was quickly expedited by two willing men at the front of the raft. If she were to have stayed in the water for any length of time, there was a whitewater safety kayaker---who attends every river dance---to sweep her off her feet {and back into the raft}.

To say the Pacific Northwest's weather has been a little angry this year is an understatement. July has been more like Jul-ebruary. Driving up to REO in some of the worst rain we've had this summer, I was reminded that river rafting in BC---which incidentally has the most navigable sections of raftable river in the entire world---is the perfect cure for a wet summer. You're going to get wet anyway and there's always a hot chocolate and hot tub waiting at the end!

What to know

• REO has been in operation for 29 years and has a pristine safety record
• Because of the unseasonably cold and wet spring, this summer has delivered optimal whitewater rafting conditions throughout BC
• Overnight whitewater rafting packages start at $219/person
• If you want something a little closer to home, check out REO's Whistler options
• See my detailed review of REO on Trip Advisor here

Photos {Photo: Ryan B. Robinson/Downtime Photo}

{Photo: Ryan B. Robinson/Downtime Photo}

{River rafting is a signature adventure in British Columbia that attracts guests worldwide. For more information, or to find a safety certified member company anywhere in the Province, go to http://www.bcroa.com/find-bc-river-rafting-tours.}

Other Off The Beaten Track Features Lodges and Cabins Spotlight on Bellevue, WA

[Rafting photos by Ryan B. Robinson/Downtime Photo, grounds photos by @tripstyler]

Healthy on the Road :: Summer Paddling

[trip style = active & adventure]

Healthy on the Road is all about the unconventional workout while traveling, and there is no better season than summer for trying something new. Longer days, warmer weather, and hopefully some vacation time create the perfect storm for activities like hiking, sailing, biking, paddle boarding, surfing and kayaking to name just a few. These sports and activities can travel with you, or be awaiting you at your destination. So don’t fret about your gym schedule falling apart this summer, get active outside and enjoy this short season to the fullest!

Try Before You Buy Perhaps you already have an activity in mind which you’ve always wanted to try, or maybe you have the time and resources to get out there and try a bunch; whatever your situation may be, I have one word of caution: try before you buy. Don’t go crazy outfitting yourself with all sorts of gear before you've tried an activity at least once. Rent, borrow, take a lesson, and then decide if this is something you’d really like to go gangbusters with!

Stand Up Paddle Boarding This is the activity which I will be taking off the beaten path this summer. The popularity of this activity has been on the rise, and for good reason---it’s relatively portable, suitable for the beginner to the advanced, creates so many options for adventures and is a great workout.

Paddling I have always loved paddling---canoe or kayak---and appreciated the natural beauty these activities have provided me with opportunities to see, but I’m not such a fan of sitting! Stand up paddle boarding solves this problem. Standing means you can see a whole lot more of your surroundings (including the beauty in the water), while challenging your balance and core. It really is a complete, full body workout. As an added bonus, the flat board is relatively easy to throw on the roof of the car with some foam and bungees, saving you the need for a complicated roof rack system!

I am looking forward to doing lots of exploring on my board this summer on ocean, lakes, streams and waterways, and have already planned it will be a big part of my summer workout routine.

So, whether you’re on your own two feet, a board, a bike or a boat this summer, be safe, work hard and have fun, and enjoy the varied workout options the summer allows!

PS - If you want to rent a canoe, kayak or paddle board this summer in Vancouver, try Ecomarine Ocean Kayak Centre at Granville Island, Jericho or English Bay.

{When she’s not training clients or being trained by her dog Zuzu, Leah writes Healthy on the Road, published the first Thursday of every month.}

More Healthy On the Road… Healthy Road Trip Choices Make Any Trip Style Healthy The 20-min Exercise Itinerary Active, Relax, Repeat Healthy DIY Plane Snacks Hotel Room Exercises {You can do in your underwear}

[photo by wonderlane]

Spotlight :: Bellevue {Washington}

[trip style = weekending + urban + active & adventure + wine tasting]

Sunday morning did not start off like any other day. With my life jacket firmly fastened and my paddle gently sweeping through the glassy water, I spotted turtles instead of people and herons in place of buildings. On this peaceful morning, my main mode of transportation was a bright yellow kayak. The only reminder of the modern world was the entrance and exit to the Mercer Slough, where I paddled underneath what seemed like a bridge. Later on when I drove over this "bridge", I learned it was actually a series of concrete spaghetti-like structures that happened to be part of the I-90. In one glance I was away from it all, gliding through lilypads, and in the next glance, in the centre of it all, standing in the shadow of tall glass highrises.

This juxtaposition became my ebb and flow when I was invited to explore Bellevue this past weekend. One second I was admiring toy-like metal and mechanical animals dancing in a dim, strobe-lit room at the Bellevue Arts Museum, and the next moment I was in traditional and modern tasting rooms, twirling, sipping and sloshing the season's best in Woodinville Wine Country---only 15 minutes away.

If you spend 48 hours in the former whaling town, you'll discover activities you'd sooner associate with a waterfront metropolis than a quiet suburb. Previously I would just go to shop, eat and sleep. Now my Visa is happy to report that I've taken off the blinders that gave me shopping tunnel vision, to stop and look at what else is out there, counterbalancing the shopping with exercise, culture and upscale dining.

Bellevue's small-town-within-a-metropolis feel is what keeps me coming back. It's a worthy alternative to nearby Seattle, and one I've probably been to a half dozen times over the past year alone. In one weekend, I can shop and walk, eat out and kayak, drink coffee and taste wine, buy at Nordstrom and browse Jimmy Choo. Like the Mercer Slough flowing into Lake Washington, Bellevue is a setting where multiple trip styles converge. It's a place occupied by some of the biggest names in US business---Microsoft, Expedia and T-Mobile to name a few---but it has a lot more to offer than just Windows 7, travel search engines and former Bachelor couple Jason and Molly.

Shop The Bellevue Collection - A fusion of sophisticated shopping, dining, nightlife and upscale hotels. The Bravern - A luxury shopping experience resembling more of a Spanish villa than covered outdoor mall, anchored by Neiman Marcus, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, Tory Burch, Salvatore Ferragamo and Hermès. Don't miss the melt-in-your-mouth gelato at Vovito Caffe & Gelato. Nordstrom Rack - The Seattle-based department store's discount outlet.

Dine Purple Cafe And Wine Bar - A funky restaurant specializing in wine pairings and local seasonal ingredients. Try the Phyllo-baked brie. Bis On Main - Known for its consistent American French cuisine and the owner's art collection. If you were going to spot Bill Gates in Bellevue, it might be here. Monsoon East - Saigon-inspired Vietnamese cuisine in a modern setting. Barking Frog - With an impressive wine list and northwest cuisine to match, only 15 minutes from Bellevue. Must-try: deconstructed movie-theatre popcorn ice cream dessert. Cupcakes Royale - Rich and cakey cupcakes born in Seattle, bred in Bellevue. Try the Salty Caramel! Munchbar - shows MMA by day and cranks turntables by night. This resto-lounge and its cultured sister Piano Bash {dueling piano bar}, are your answer to nightlife in Bellevue. Try the crispy mac n' cheese bites or mini grilled cheeses with a tomato sour cream dipping sauce.

Stay Hyatt Regency Bellevue - $$ - Friendly staff, recently renovated with a serene winter bamboo garden. {See my trip advisor review here} Westin Bellevue - $$ -  Nice rooms, large pool and great weekend packages. {See my trip advisor review here} Sheraton Bellevue - $ - Efficient lower cost option. {See my trip advisor review here}

Do Kayak or Swim - at Enatai Beach Park only a 5-minute drive from downtown Bellevue. Walk - along one of the trails in the 320-acre wetland nature park known as the Mercer Slough. Jog - on the half-mile park loop at the tree-lined Downtown Park---a 2-minute walk from the Hyatt or Westin. Stroll - along Main Street and browse the smaller, boutique shops like Glassybaby, where each famed glass tumbler is handmade by a team of four, and multiple local restaurants feature their votives. PS - I hear locals collect every colour! Sip - drive 15 minutes to access 70+ wineries and tasting rooms in Woodinville Wine Country. Visit - the Bellevue Arts Museum, where the building is an impressive as the three storeys of art it holds dear. Don't miss the museum store---a great place to find unique gifts for people of all ages.

Getting There Bellevue is three hours from Vancouver and 20 minutes from Seattle.

[photo{s} by @tripstyler]

Summer Vacation Ideas :: Luxury

[trip style = luxury]

Sometimes we need a little inspiration to plan our summer getaway! Last week we talked about trip style = budget getaway ideas, and this week we're flipping the coin and going luxury. And while we're on the topic, don't miss next week's third summer vacation ideas installment about trip style = weekending to extend your business or personal/family-related trip.

Luxury Summer Vacation Ideas trip style = active & adventure I was recently at a Travel Alberta event where I learned about a series of adventures and lodges near Banff hosting heli-skiing in winter and heli-hiking in summer. Canadian much? I couldn't help but take notice when I saw imagery with glacier-fed lakes and snowy peaked vistas combined with woodsy luxe lodges and mountain climbing-worthy gourmet food. Aside from heli-hiking, Canadian Mountain Holidays also offer via ferrata trips {Italian for "road with irons" involving mountain routes with fixed cables, ladders and bridges}---the ultimate outdoor adventure scaling an 8,700 ft. summit by way of metal rung ladders, suspension bridges and narrow pathways... Cost: from $1,730 per person for 2 nights/1.5 days including guided hiking, accommodation, food, wine, gear and transfers.

trip style = spa Around this time last year I ventured into Vernon, BC {about a 5-hour drive from Vancouver} to stay at one of Canada's most unique spa retreats. Its uniqueness originates in Austria, where a member of the family behind Swarovski Crystals financed the $122-million contemporary, hill-top retreat, aptly named Sparkling Hill. The crystal-embellished building made my eyes open brightly with excitement, but the service was not yet up to snuff. When I wrote about it last year, I noted that I would return knowing the hotly-anticipated spa resort would iron out its kinks as time progressed. The beauty of Sparkling Hill is a must-see and the series of sauna and steam rooms a must-try, including the -110 degree Celsius cold sauna. Cost: from $495 for 2 people and 2 nights includes accommodations, parking, wifi, $100 spa credit per person, use of saunas and steam rooms and hot breakfast.

trip style = cruise Whether you cruise out of Vancouver or Seattle to Alaska, Miami or Ft. Lauderdale to the Caribbean or around the Mediterranean, sailing on a luxury liner is a great summer {and mostly all-inclusive sans alcohol} vacation option. I know the idea of being isolated on a boat is scary to some people, but finding a ship that matches your tastes is the key. For example, if you want to go sporty, do Royal Caribbean, if you want to go luxury, do Regent Seven Seas Cruises and if you want to combine yachting and sailing, do Windstar Cruises. And parents, if your kiddies are over 3---or younger in some cases---there is included child care on most ships! A great resource for finding cruises is Vacations ToGo; navigate to their 90-day ticker and browse cruising options all over the world. Cost: from $399 per person for 7 nights, departing Alaska and arriving in Seattle.

PS – Aside from our regularly scheduled content, don’t miss next month’s feature: Off The Beaten Path Escapes!

[images courtesy CMH, @tripstyler & Sparkling Hill]