Jewels & Jaunts

[See details below on how you can win a gorgeous fleur de lis necklace from Chantale Jewelry Designs.]

Knowing it’s not always easy to select and plan the perfect jewels to accompany our outfits for each trip, I’ve asked one of my favourite Vancouver-based jewelry designers to share her expert tips on traveling with jewelry. Whether galavanting to Paris or Palm Springs, Chantale knows a thing or two about which pieces to bring, and how to transport our delicate decorations.

I’ve travelled with her necklaces and earrings for the past 10 years, and not one piece has EVER broken. Although times have changed, my once-all-the-rage chandelier earrings must have been packed and re-packed 50+ times, and the intricate, literally bejeweled, multi-piece Swarovski crystal danglies never once broke. This is a testament to the excellent skill and care that goes into to making Chantale’s hand-crafted designs, in addition to packing things right!

Jewels & Jaunts 101

1. Wear simple jewelry through security a) so you don’t hold up the line by removing multiple pieces, and b) so you don’t beep in the metal detector and take a trip to the body scanner!
2. Let your trip style and destination dictate which pieces you’ll bring. For example, the jewelry you bring to NYC will on the fancier side, whereas the jewelry you bring on safari will be on the minimal side.
3. If you go away semi-regularly, cut down your packing time by keeping a set of your basic, go-to jewelry cued-up for your next trip.
4. Always pack a long necklace that can be doubled or worn at its full length.
5. Bring pieces that can be worn apart or together for an eye-catching, layered look.
6. Pack your jewelry in little, clear ziplock bags {like the ones used for buttons when you buy a new garment}. Then, pack all your necklaces, earrings and bracelets together in one sandwich-sized ziplock. If you can’t fit all your items into this size of bag, you’re likely bringing too much. Plus, using clear bags means you can see all your jewelry at-a-glance and it stays organized!
7. Always clean your jewelry with a polishing cloth before you take off, so your adornments don’t look dull and drab.
8. When getting ready, make sure your jewelry is the LAST thing you put on. Lotions and potions can damage and dull your treasures and trinkets.
9. Keep your jewelry out of the direct sunlight.
10. Always lock up your jewel-filled ziplock in the hotel room safe.

Win This
Chantale has provided this gorgeous, hand-made {and apprpriately Canadian} necklace for one lucky winner to nab. Here’s how you enter:
1) Comment on this post and tell us your favourite piece of Chantale’s Jewelry, AND if you haven’t already, “Like” the Trip Styler page on Facebook.
2) For a second entry, share any Trip Styler post on Facebook with friends and tell us about it in the comment you leave (per step 1).
3) For a third entry, follow @tripstyler on twitter and RT this:
RT @TripStyler to learn how to win a fab necklace from Chantale Jewelry Designs & traveling with jewelry 101 http://ow.ly/3ENC1
Winner will be announced at the end of THIS week, on Friday, January 21, 2011.
*Open to residents of Canada and the US.

{Thank you to all those who entered. Katherine KW, you’ve won and we’ve contacted you via Twitter!}

[photos and jewelry by Chantale Jewelry Designs]