Kentucky home

Leaving to visit my old Kentucky Home and spend some time with my "folks and family" - I will be back next week y'all. Pardon my light posts while I sip fresh brewed ice tea and sing one of my favorite songs. I will share some Kentucky love along the way.

travel love

A delightful Mother of three came to me to create a special illustration to commemorate a special family trip to Central Park, New York to give to her husband.

When I lived in the city, I loved making a pilgrimage to Central Park.

A picnic, a walk, a run or just finding a bench to absorb the sites in the heart of the city can be like a mini-vacation.

There is something so special about traveling to a place that brings back wonderful memories.

Let me know if you need a special work of art to keep the memory of your travel love alive.

valise

pve design - illustration for Sheridan Road Magazine

I have always been full of fascination with words that mark a time and place and elevate an object. A "valise" sounds so much more elegant than compared with the title of "suitcase."

Do you have a weekend valise at the ready for weekend escapes? I am ready for an escape somewhere warm after all this snow!

last resort

There is nothing more exciting than traveling to a warm and sunny climate during the winter. Glossy magazines with glamorous spreads of resorts tempt me this time of year.

I imagine myself peerfectly packed and landing happily in a spot full of sun, along with a fun and fabulous itinerary. What is the last resort you visited? Was it wonderful? Love to hear about your latest travels?

Anyone game for a little virtual escape?

memory trip

pve design, childhood photo standing at the Biltmore house, age 12

My Mom sent me an envelope full of photos of me as a child. Looking over them was a trip down memory lane. One of my favorite memories was visiting the Biltmore Mansion. Look at me, I am rather happy sporting my shift dress and shorts ensemble that I sewed. The back of the photo says "age 12." My look, a center part, pigtails along with preppy shifts, t's, shorts and sneakers. What a trip. I do remember wanting to live in a house like this.

Did you have trips that you remember as a child that made a lasting impression?

Travel at any age is child's play.

When was the last time you had an escape with an envelope of old memories?

Memory trips are so much fun.

trunk show

pve design - "trunk show" illustration for J.McLaughlin

You probably thought that by the title of this post, that I would show you an array of swimming trunks, but no, just a stack of vintage trunks. We have a stack in our home perched on an amoire and I love the old leather. They were given to me by a dear old friend whose initials had been inscribed. He traveled first class with these trunks and even a trip on the QE II. If only these trunks could talk. What would your trunks say about you. Are your trunks gathering dust or are you a frequent flier?

Have a happy friday wherever your trunks may go!

ready, set, go

Even if this summer is all about staying local (for me) and not jet-setting off somewhere fab, a girl can dream with these unique "upcycled" designs.

"Get,Ready,Set,GO" at Etsy.

Vintage tourister bags given a hip silhouette, all ready to go (or stay) somewhere fun.

Who knew that these bags could be going places, the 2nd time around?

Now - all I need to go with are a pair of converse sneaks!

Get ready, set to go and "squeeze" the last bits of August out of 2009.

bon voyage!

Happy Landings

Happy Landings are always a great way to return home. Picture your luggage waiting patiently and positively no jet lag nor delays. Imagine returning home fully rested and ready to go back to work. If any of you are traveling, I hope that you have a happy and safe landings!
Thank-you again to "Architect Design" who was my guest blogger while I am away. My posts may be a bit scattered. We leave Paris for Brussels early friday morning.

Postcards home

If you travel to a foreign destination, one of the first things you should do is send home postcards to your friends and family. I always have a hard time finding things to write as I've barely begun the vacation; nothing is worse than arriving home before the postcard!

Postcards are one of the most exciting things to get in the mail, next to packages of course. I have a large postcard collection from friends and family from all over the world acting as a sort of a travel wish file. All the exotic locations in the world and you have a friend who can suggest an itinerary; beats having to do all the legwork yourself! So next time you leave home, don't forget to write; a handwritten postcard beats an email anyday!

A day at the beach

Now that our totes are packed -we're ready for a day at the beach. Don't forget the sunscreen! Here 2 friends share a look at the ocean under an umbrella; the view is always best when shared.

Beach tote

I love a good vacation to the beach; sun, sand and plenty of seafood restaurants nearby! Of course, thats probably not all you need. Sunblock, beach towels, books and magazines, toys for the kids, a bottle of water and maybe an ipod are all neccessities for a fun and safe trip to the beach. These sundry items add up and need to be carried in something!

Beautiful tote bags flood the market this time of year but make sure you get one that is machine washable and large enough for everything you'll need (and stylish to boot of course!). I always prefer a tote with a zipper enclosure so that nothing falls out on the trip to the beach; preferably with lots of pockets for organization so you know where to find everything.

Restoration hardware currently has a really useful and stylish tote on clearance in many colors that can also be monogrammed. If you're still looking for a beach bag, this may be the one HERE; Leaves more money for the bathing suit!

The flight

After our bags are taken care of and the flight is underway, we can take out our books, lean back and relax. If we're lucky we can fly first class and have all the comfy leg room and champagne a long trip requires (especially the champagne!). Here a chic traveler reclines in her single-loaded seat with her little dog nestled comfortably under her feet: The stewardess brings refills without having to be asked and warm, scented washcloths. We can just enjoy the view and our favorite magazine. Ahhhhh.......... Who wants to land when we have this kind of service!

Packing

Patricia left me a series of 6 beautiful new illustrations and I'm so pleased to be able to put my spin on them for you! I'll present these as a little story in the next few days all about the art of traveling.

After the tickets are bought and reservations made, one's mind will first veer towards packing. Of course, in the past one would always have a beautiful hard-backed suitcase like these to travel in style and protect one's clothes from wrinkling. Find a vintage hard-backed suitcase to travel in style; Check out ebay, local thrift stores or auctions. I hate to check luggage and always travel with an olive and tan leather Italian duffle that I always get compliments on. I feel confident that it's stylish and also practical!

possibilities from ebay!

Reading materials are probably as important as a toothbrush. Where would we be without either (smelly and bored is where!). Here Patricia chose some books by Capote, Dorthy Draper and Welty. I always like to bring along a few of my favorite design magazines and a New Yorker, too.

This looks like the beginnings of a great trip to me! Follow along with me in the next few days to see how this trip progresses.