Packing Tips

I'm leaving for China in about 2 weeks and will be going to Guilin, and may or may not still be going to Tibet....

Anyway, I got to catch up with my friend Ines (of the awesome neighbor variety) this weekend. Ines is a natural born traveler so I picked her brain and got some tips for China. As I was explaining to her, I always think I can pack light (and on the whole I do) but I always end up taking much more than I need. And since this trip to china is going to be a go! go! go! kind of a trip I really don't want to be hauling things around that I'm not going to need. These were her top tips:

• Take a backpack, and that's it.
• Take two pairs of shoes: one comfortable walking pair and one pair of flats that can be smashed into the bottom of the bag.
• Pack like you're going away for 3 days, not 3 weeks. You'll end up wearing the same 3 things everyday anyway.
• Don't bring anything you don't wear all the time at home. This is not the time to bring that green dress that you never wear but maybe you'll feel like it in Hong Kong.
• Don't bring anything that doesn't match everything else you're bringing.
• Bring a skirt.
• Bring a compass for when you get out of the subway and are disoriented.
• Before you actually put things into the bag, put it all out on your bed. Apparently this is the one that you need the most discipline for. It's too enticing to just start shoving things into your bag. Once you have everything out on the bed, eliminate half of it.

Can't wait. I'll take a picture once I get to that point!

Bastille Day Activities

I've started thinking about my annual crepe party (in honor of Bastille day) this coming weekend so thought I'd throw out some other plans since I can't invite everyone over to my place.

There is a celebration at bergamot station on sunday starting at 2pm that boasts the following activites (notice the third from the bottom -- everyone's a winner!):

- A true Provencal Petanque Tournament under the pine trees
- A Parisian Waiter's Race
- A children's village with fun and games
- Street performers
- Tahitian dancers
- Comedians, singers, artists
- French Market vendors
- Sidewalk cafes
- Fun prizes for all races
- Fabulous raffles including a trip to Paris!!
- Famous French food, wines and gastronomic delights!

Basic French Online

It's the little things that make all the difference. Maybe that's why I can't get enough of everyday french products. When I go to France I fill up a whole suitcase with body wash, toothpaste, and notebooks. basic french online will save you some of the hassle (and the airline ticket) as they offer some of the best basics:


Mir Dish soap:


Fluocaril Toothpaste:


Every french kid's earliest candy memory: Carambars:


Lemon Verbena and Lavender Linen Water from La Compagnie de Provence:


Carte Noir Cafe:

2007 Anniversary Edition of the Eames Plywood Elephant

"To celebrate the 100th birthday of Charles Eames, Vitra is introducing a limited edition of the Eames Plywood Elephant, designed in 1945 but never produced."

If $1,907 is out of your price range, you can always enjoy the elephants as part of the July 2007 downloadable calendar (it's free!).

Also, why didn't I ever know that you can actually buy prints from the Eames Office for under $100 in most cases. Some of my favorites:

Painless House Plants

Indoor plants make all the difference in a room's feel but can be a nightmare to take care of if you don't have a green thumb. I like succulents for their sculptural presence, the fact that they are inexpensive to buy, easy to propogate and even easier to care for.

Who's into starting a succulent swap?

Oooooh: Home things from Peek Keep

Thanks to Sunset Magazine for the Peek Keep tip. Peak Keep is a great online store that carries scandinavian design and lots of Lotta Jansdotter!

I LOVE these Botanical Etched Glasses--especially the fern:

A set of 6 juice glasses is $72. You can also use them as votives for another outdoor lighting idea!

These Snow and Graham Candles are on sale too for $20. I would order them in lily of the valley.

Tips! Alternate Uses for Olive Oil

Digg rounded up an interesting list from Curbly about alternate uses for olive oil around the house (and body). Out of the 25 tips the only ones I've personally tried are:

#13 Removing make up
#2 Wood furniture polish
#18 Fix a squeaky door

The most surprising is probably #9 Stop Snoring.

And the 2 I'm most likely to try:
#7 Care for your kitty
#21 Soften your skin

See the whole list here.