Over 20 years ago, I purchased a long passport wallet from Hartmann made in their gorgeous belting leather. I liked the long size, wide width, and the fact that I could just grab it and go (clutch style). After everyday wear for two decades it needed to be put to bed. Sadness. My search for a replacement was futile until I found this gorgeous wallet from Cuyana that fit the bill (literally). Beautifully handmade in Argentina in four gorgeous on point colors, this is my new go to carry it all.
Must Have...Raden
This Raden Hardside suitcase in Black Matte finish is hands down the best travel item I have ever purchased, ever. It is sleek, lightweight, beautifully designed AND is loaded up with tech. Proximity sensors use Bluetooth technology via iOS app and their cases have an integrated 7,800mAh battery along with two 2.1A USB ports to charge your devices when you are on the go.. I love that the ergonomic carry handle doubles as a scale so that I am never surprised by extra fees at the gate. It boasts a reversed zipper lining with polyurethane overlay for waterproof sealing along with a built-in TSA-approved lock. The polyester interior lining with mesh pockets, double-zippered sides keeps any packing system (if you have one) neat and accessible. The double-spinning Japanese wheel bases and polyurethane tires have 360° maneuverability and make pushing or pulling even they heaviest case effortless. After test driving this on a few international trips this winter, I bought one for every member of my family.
Postcard from... The Manhattan Bridge
Straddling Flatbush and Canal Streets between Brooklyn and New York City is the Manhattan Bridge built in 1909. It is the last of the three suspension bridges built over the lower East River. A slow walk across is a good workout, a cultural journey, a history lesson, and a study in architecture. Grab a coffee to go, take a stroll, and stop to watch street life unfold along the banks from a birds-eye view.
Postcard from...Helsingor
About 45 minutes north of Copenhagen is the quaint town of Helsingor that boasts two must see attractions for anyone spending more than a few days in Denmark. The Maritime Museum designed by Bjarke Ingalls is housed in a repurposed dry dock and has a cafe and museum store that rivals the best independent boutiques and cafes. And the Kronborg Castle, pictured above, the inspiration for Shakespeare's Hamlet that opens to magnificent views of the the sea.
Postcard from ... Berlin
The capital city of Germany dating back to the 13th century Berlin is an veritable wonderland of culture, art, and innovation. Sitting just behind London as the second most populace city in Europe, its a city where centuries of history and the future itself can be felt at once. I was fortunate to be able to travel there for this year's Berlinale spending nearly all of my time strolling the streets and taking in their incredible art scene. The Bauhaus Archive is a must see for all of you Mies fans, as is C/O Berlin a gorgeous space dedicated to international photography. Make sure you spend some time in the areas of Mitte and Neukölln boasting great food and a down town vibe, and stroll along the East Side Gallery - an open-air gallery consisting of a series of murals painted directly on a 14,000 foot long remnant of the Berlin Wall.
Postcard from... British Columbia
I could wax poetic about Vancouver, B.C. ...the art, the food, architecture, the people, the quality of life... all world class and all noteworthy, but Capilano Suspension Bridge Park took my breath away. High pedestrian suspension bridges and boardwalks weave you through the boughs of 400-800 year old pine forests, lichen gleaming and mist on the rise, it is a sensational experience any day of the year. I trekked the treetops in teaming rain on an unusually cold day, and still the beauty eclipsed the weather.