Holiday Gift Guide

If you're doing some holiday shopping for the travel lovers in your life, I created a small gift guide with some favorite things - items I frequently use, as well as travel-inspired gifts. While holiday shopping can be overwhelming and excessive, I know it can also be fun and meaningful to exchange gifts with your loved ones.

If you’re looking to gift experiences, we’re offering gift cards that can be used for travel planning at two different levels:

$200 Travel Consultation Call: This is a wonderful option if you'd like to run any travel-related questions by our team to receive our feedback, tips, and recommendations, and might be a great fit as you are starting to conceptualize your trip.

$500 Travel Planning Services: For those looking to utilize our team in assistance planning an upcoming trip. Whether you want someone to plan your entire trip, or you just want help with specific requests.

TRAVEL BOOKS

Travel books are one of my favorite gifts to give and receive. It’s the perfect way to escape to the countryside or the beach from the comfort of your own home when travel isn’t possible. It’s also a great conversation starter when you’re hosting and these are displayed. It’s fun to daydream with friends about future trips together while poring over these books and adding new destinations to our wishlists.

MY FAVORITE TRAVEL GEAR & ACCESSORIES

After all of my years traveling via planes, trains, and automobiles; I’ve become particular about the travel gear and accessories I use. They have to withstand a lot of miles and not fall apart after a few trips. I’ve found that investing in quality pieces means you’re spending less in the end. So while that trendy new bag might be appealing, I rely on these classics.

TRAVEL-INSPIRED GIFTS

To remind your giftees of their favorite destinations, travel-inspired gifts are a great idea. In addition to the travel books, you can find destination-focused gifts such as candles, totes, and attire. For Anglophiles, royal-favorite Fortnum & Mason ships to the US and Canada! From their extremely popular hampers and gift baskets to tea and biscuits; Fortum & Mason never disappoints.

STOCKING STUFFERS

These gifts are perfect for stocking stuffers. From a nice passport case to leather luggage tags and card cases, I find that these are travel items that people don’t tend to purchase for themselves as often. Travel-sized beauty items are also great choices and are perfect for those long-haul flights.

FOR THE GUYS

Don’t forget about travel gifts for the guys! Sometimes the guys in your life can be the hardest to buy gifts for. I’m lucky in that my husband loves to travel as much as I do so I know he’ll appreciate these items when we’re off to a new destination or when we’re at home in London.

Regardless of whether or not you’re in the market for any items on this travel-inspired gift guide, I hope your holiday season is filled with lots of  love, joy & happiness!

This post contains affiliate links that I may earn a small commission from, at no cost to you. 

"Gal-on-the-go" gift guide

I’m pushing 20 trips so far in 2015. That's over 4 countries and 17 different cities. I’m pretty proud of the travel expert I’ve become over time, but these bragging rights also came with some moments of struggle.  I've learned that a few basic items can make your traveling experience significantly more enjoyable. So I've gathered them up to share with you here. Whether you're traveling yourself, or shopping for another "gal-on-the-go" this season, I hope they'll bring you (or the traveller you love) a little more simplicity. 

Diane von Furstenberg Adieu Hardside Spinner Suitcase

I’ve always purchased discount luggage from some sort of outlet store because nice luggage prices always seemed exorbitant. But after buying a cheap suitcase every year I felt like I was throwing my money away each time one fell apart.  So finding this Diane von Furstenberg luggage set was a game changer. It's durable, reasonably priced, comes with a warranty, and looks chic to boot. 

The Day Designer Black Spotty 2016 Planner

I had the pleasure of meeting Whitney English at the Storyline Conference in Chicago, and I fell in love with her stunning planners- known as "The Day Designer."  I'm a pretty digital gal. I use iCal and Evernote for almost everything. But The Day Designer goes way beyond the basic to-do lists. It allows me to get clear on my life on a day-to-day basis, no matter how chaotic the week or month ahead may be. It's filled with inspiring quotes (which make my heart pitter patter) and it's exterior design is chic + durable, making it an essential I tote along with me every day. 

Turkish-T Cashmere Wrap

Flying means some of the most inconsistent temperatures in a short amount of time. Layering is key, so I always try to wear a scarf that doubles as a blanket I can curl up in. Cashmere is the ideal fabric for this, and so this Turkish-T Cashmere Wrap is just what the doctor ordered. You can wear it as shown above, wrapped around you as a blanket, or dozens of other ways. I'll probably never fly without it again. 

Tieks Matte Black Ballet Flats

I’m always caught between a rock and a hard place when it comes to what shoes to wear while traveling. Either I look like an obvious tourist in tennis shoes, or my feet pay the consequences of matching the rest of my outfit. Enter Tieks. These flats are seriously comfortable, extremely well made, and fold up easily into your purse so you can carry them wherever you go. Before I recently opted-in for TSA pre-check, I loved how easy they were to slide on and off for security, while still looking put together and high quality. 

The Carry-On Cocktail Kit 

*USE BlondeAtlas2015 CODE AT CHECKOUT FOR 15% OFF THE ENTIRE STORE!*

Flights can be long. Throw in some turbulence, and you’re really in need of a cocktail. I fell in love with W&P designs carry on cocktail kit to give as gifts, but also to actually use myself. This small tin fits easily in your purse and gives you everything you need to make 2 delicious cocktails at 30,000 feet. Not to mention, they're good conversation starters when an attractive member of the opposite sex ends up in the seat next to you (hence the reason the kit makes 2 maybe?)

Aspinal of London Luggage Tags

I've made the mistake of failing to have a luggage tag (so naturally the airline then lost my luggage). I've also made the mistake of running late to the airport and having to waste precious time filling out those flimsy paper ones that usually rip off anyway. I finally decided to invest in these Aspinal of London Luggage Tags, and I'm wondering why I didn't' from the start. They're durable, chic and lost luggage is no longer (as big of) a fear. 

Frends "Taylor" Headphones in Rose Gold

Trying to listen to music for long flights can get painful with earbuds crammed in your ears for hours. Frends are comfortable, sound great, and double as an accessory around your neck when not in use.

ban.do 'Back Me Up' iPhone Portable Charger 

My phone battery goes dead so quickly anytime I travel. I even have 2 phones (I keep work and personal separate) and I still had battery issues this last trip to Paris. When one device serves as your camera, map, and means of communication (among many other things) it’s naturally going to be in your hands almost non-stop. So instead of having heart palpitations when my “10% battery remaining” notification comes on the moment I’m just walking into the Lourve - I learned having one of these little portable batteries is a quick-fix life saver. 

Cuyana Canvas + Leather Weekender Bag

Before my Cuyana weekender tote, I was that annoying girl on weekend getaways. Either I was lugging around 4-6 bags because I didn't have one that fit everything or I was the classic over-packer who brought an entire suitcase for a few short days. But now this one bag meets all my weekend travel needs. It's extremely high-quality, classic in style, and very spacious. Not to mention I've gotten compliments every time I've carried it. 

Holbrook Candle Company

*USE Atal CODE AT CHECK OUT FOR  $20 off $75!* 

I stumbled upon this quaint candle company on Instagram and fell in love with their brand vision of making unique candles that embody the aesthetic of world travel. As a traveler, I love bringing some of my favorite places back into my home. My favorite scents are Almafi Coast, English Tudor, Italian Villa and French Chateau (I also love Bali, which is a scent I got a sneak peek of that is coming this spring/summer!)

OPI Samoan Sand Nail Lacquer

I've flown home with chipped, haggard nails many a time. Eventually, I realized that painting my nails a neutral color was a fail safe, because even significant chips aren't too noticeable. My go to favorite is "Samoan Sand" by OPI. 

Stay tuned for more about these products in posts to come! They'll be tagging along with me on several trips in the near future.