Love Your Luggage

Lost luggage...what a blah!

I try to avoid this by packing light and avoiding check-in luggage altogether. But if I really need to, I make sure my bag is properly labeled inside:

And outside:

Both of these tags were made using plastic ID sleeves and if you want to make your own, check out the tutorial here.

Most suitcases come with free tags and there are many beautiful luggage tags that you can buy now, there seems to be no excuse not to have one! Now here's a little thing I do when I check-in my bags: I always attach those free airline bag tags even if my luggage is already properly ID'd. I guess it appeases my mind that my luggage has a tiny sign saying which airline it will board. I'm hoping that when the bag handler accidentally puts my bag on a Delta plane and sees the small "American Airlines" tag on my bag, he'll escort it to the proper aircraft. My bag and I are a team. We want to be safely reunited in our destination.

But sometimes by the time you get hold of these tags, it's also the time to check-in! And I do want to fill in the information on the airline tags (in case my bag tag gets lost...I know, it's an endless cycle!) in legible letters -- there seems to be no point if the kind soul who finds your bag can't read your handwriting.

So days before my trip, I make these print-outs on adhesive labels that I can just stick-on the airline tag. I make enough especially if there are different legs of the trip that will require checking-in my bags.

Don't you think this is a Tada! idea?

I attach these on my bags and send them off with a prayer. While it won't guarantee that my luggage won't ever get lost, it will help find their way back to me.

Polka Dot Pouches

Good Morning Everyone! I'm still in a "travel" state of mind, so this week I'm sharing some Tada! ideas that I hope you can use on your next trip.

Whenever I travel, I take an extra bag with me. It's usually something that I can fold and easily stash in my handbag. Like most girls, shopping is always on my agenda -- local supermarket, independent bookstore, cute boutiques and farmer's market. During my trip to San Francisco, I saw this sign at one of the stalls at the Ferry Building farmer's market:

I think that's a Tada!

Unless you didn't have your own bag -- which would be a blah! How would you carry all those lovely produce? Good thing there are reusable bags and baskets available for purchase. This stall owner's rule reinforces a new habit we have to keep: abolish the hazardous plastic bag and BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag) instead!

It makes me excited to see many shops joining the bandwagon with their sturdy and well-designed reusable shopping bags!

Remember this pink and white polka dot bag (reversible with a colorful stripe pattern on the other side)? I got it at a swap from fellow blogger Becky. I'm proud to say it has made its debut, helping me carry a loaf of crusty bread, a bottle each of lavender salt and lavender sugar, a pint of sweet strawberries, a pound of cherries and a cookbook! On another occasion, I used it to carry little presents to hand out to relatives and friends. Then when the rain threatened to pour, I stuffed it with a folding umbrella and my trusty scarf...just in case. Handy dandy indeed!

Another thing I like to pack is this polka dot pouch. I can put my passport & boarding pass inside and other documents like itineraries & hotel or car rental reservation details. I can also use it to store metal objects (watch, belt, loose change, mobile phone) that I need to remove from my pants before going through the airport security sensors. This will corral my valuable stuff while I'm busy putting on the shoes that I also had to take off!

Maybe you'd like to add these two items in your packing list.

Oh, and if you're not into polka dots like I am, go ahead and chose your favorite print!

Travel Time

Happy Monday Everyone! Gosh, I missed you! I just came from San Francisco and I had an awesome time reconnecting with family & friends, eating like there was no tomorrow, enjoying the outdoors, trying out little cafes, popping in & out of shops and bookstores and gathering inspiration for my little blog. Thanks guys for visiting and leaving those nice notes even if I wasn't around!

Maybe you'll be traveling soon or currently planning an adventure, so this week on blah to Tada! I'll be sharing some things I love to pack when the travel bug bites.

It's highly recommended to stay hydrated even on vacation but look, all the glass & plastic bottles add up! What a blah.

Here's a Tada! solution: bring your own water bottle! Keep it empty as you go through airport security and fill it from the water fountain before boarding the flight. During the trip, as the water level goes to low, the tap isn't too far behind. Now if you find yourself in a place where tap water isn't safe, get a giant bottle of filtered water from the store and refill your smaller & re-usable bottle as necessary.

If you're a coffee lover, take your own insulated mug. If there's a coffee maker in your hotel room, make a brew and pour into the insulated mug and you've got coffee-to-go! A little rinse and you can fill the mug with water for the rest of the day.

See you tomorrow for another travel tip! Enjoy your day!

Go Ahead and Clown Around!

Here's wishing you a fun, fabulous, blah to Tada! weekend!

Working on My Tan

Hi there Sweeties!
Thank you for coming over.
I apologize -- there are no blah to Tada! ideas this week.
I'm taking a little break under my umbrella-ella-ella-eh-eh.
You can stop by on Monday.
I'll be back by then!

Exploring the Outdoors

Thanks for visiting my blog today!

I'm afraid I have no blah to Tada! idea to share.
You see, I'm taking a little vacation this week.
I'll be back on Monday, inspired & ready to craft again!

Out for Brunch

Hello there! Thanks for stopping by.
I'm taking a short vacation this week.
I'll be back on Monday for fun blah to Tada! ideas.
See you then!