Shopping While Vacationing

On our January trip to Hilton Head, we picked up some fun cocktail napkins.

If you read my blog very often, you know hubby and I enjoy our "cocktails".  Specifically we enjoy our Martini's.  I make a really good one, by the way; always better then what you get when you order out.  They don't have or don't take the time to properly chill the martini glasses, which is a key component of a really good martini. 

Since we were there in January, you can see a Christmas flare to our fun cocktail napkins.  Hubby likes a Gin Martini, shaken not stirred and I prefer a Vodka Martini.  Most of the time I like a Lemon-Drop Martini, but am also partial to a Dirty Martini with nice olives stuffed with blue cheese.

While vacationing, one should purchase souvenirs that reflect the fun of the trip and make you smile.  We smile every time we use our fun cocktail napkins........even if they are "out of season".

How to shop when you Travel (Park City Utah)

Traveling and going on family vacations makes people happy. Being happy makes everyone want to remember. Most people like to buy souvenirs, something to remind them of the fun they had while on vacation....something to remind them of a particularly fun vacation spot. Yes, we hit t-shirt shops, but...that's not the best way I think to spend vacation dollars. I like to buy things I'll wear, and really use; not just a t-shirt advertising a location that will wear out soon. Here is an artistic craft item my Darling Daughter picked up. How cute is this! Firstly, it's purple...her signature color which assures it will go with almost everything in her wardrobe, it's handmade which supports a local artist. I'm always a fan of that. We were shopping in a fun, funky little shop in Park City, Utah called Olive & Tweed. I'm a crafter (knitting and crocheting), and so like to support fellow artists/crafters as does my DD.
I like to buy Christmas Tree ornaments, so each year when I decorate the tree I'm reminded of fun times on vacation. These don't say Park City, Utah; but I'll remember that's where I got them. For those who know me, they know I LOVE wine...so, naturally I couldn't resists. Picked up for a friend too. The golf bag...that's for hubby, he loves to play golf and in fact played 3 times there in Park City. Golf is very reasonably priced there for any of my readers who might consider going there. (I'll cover more about golfing there in another post, so please check back)
I LOVE LOVE LOVE shopping anytime there's an art festival while we travel. And, we were lucky enough to be in Park City when The Kimball Arts Festival was going on. In fact it was right outside our hotel. I purchased this hand made necklace from Deana Albers who traveled in from Bozeman, Montana for this popular art festival. This stone (please click to enlarge) is called Poppy Jasper Stone. Depending on what you where it can look reddish and black/ reddish and green. It's wonderful. I've already worn it twice and received compliments both times. I love the the claps, it slides and is one I can put on myself! Hubby's happy about that too. She had a wonderful display in her booth, all very high quality workmanship. Please look her up either HERE on her Esty page, or HERE on Facebook.
I also purchased Turquoise. The necklace and bracelet are made by a local artist, and went nicely with the scarf. I needed accessories for an up coming wedding. Why shop at the mall, or some store found anywhere USA? Buy local, buy from artist and crafters when you can. They make wonderful, long lasting pieces to cherish; as well as fabulous memories of your vacation. These items were purchased at Olive & Tweed, same fun and funky shop DD found her cute purple headband.

Souvenir's when Traveling

A souvenir (from French, for memory), memento or keepsake is an object a traveler brings home for the memories associated with it. Souvenirs include clothing such as T-shirts or hats, postcards, refrigerator magnets, miniature figures, household items such as mugs and bowls, plates, ashtrays, egg timers, spoons, notepads, and paintings plus many others.

The above is the Wikipedia definition for Souvenir. We all buy things when we travel, things to help us remember the vacation and the fun associated with it. I tend not to buy nick nacks or trinkets; but items I need or items that I will use repeatably. The pink fleece purchased in Savannah because the weather was colder than expected and I needed another layer. So, it's useful...serves a purpose. I had been looking for a fleece, have plenty of sweatshirts but no fleece so; this is an item I was going to purchase anyway and didn't therefore spend extra money.

The Vera Bradley purse is also an item I had been wanting, needed a new purse and would have purchased anyway. But, I think the prices are crazy and so hadn't purchased one. While vacationing in Hilton Head, hubby saw a sale sign and so.........got this baby at 50% off which makes it reasonable to me.

So, I've purchased items I needed, items I wanted, items I'm using and will continue to use and have meaningful souvenirs; but nothing to dust or get broken when knocked off the table or counter. This handy tip will save you money, but still give you the opportunity to purchase a special something in your travels. Stir clear of the tacky little knick knack souvenir shops, you'll be glad you did.

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