holiday gift guide

Holiday Gift Guide 2015

[trip style = any]

Ever since Trip Styler debuted in 2009, we've assembled a holiday gift guide. 'Tis the season once again! In past years it skewed gadgety or aspirational, whereas this year it's internationalhow à proposwith Italian, Japanese and Mexican finds to bundle you up, cool you down and transport you afar. 

{Clockwise from top left}

1/ Expandable Beach Bag :: Sourced on the palm- and juice bar-studded shores of Tulum, Mexico, enter the ultimate beach bag for those who like to pack smart. Featured in the Trip Styler Store, our totes sport leather straps and woven mesh that packs flat and compact, and then expands as you add your beach or pool essentials. 
Find our boho totes in yellow, brown, white, blue and pink in the Trip Styler Store

2/ The Kinfolk of Travel Magazines :: Flipping through the pages of this bi-annual magazine about travel and style is a journey until itself. Everything about the magazine is chic from the thick white-matte pages to the whitewashed photos from afar. 
Find it in select boutiques and online

3/ Modern Kimono :: Half blazer, half kimono, we spotted this tailored hybrid while in Japan, brought a few home for the Trip Styler Store, and wear ours almost once a week. It's chic, it's worldly and it's pulled together.
Find our mod kimonos in black and subdued black prints in the Trip Styler Store

4/ DIY Aperol Spritz Kit :: This summer in Italy we jumped on the Aperol train, and we never got off. It's a trip in a tumbler. Every time we drink Italy's libation of choice, we're transported to a cobblestone street in Capri. Gifting it to a cocktail-obsessed loved one is smart because it's easy to put togetherall you need is Aperol, prosecco and sodaand it will make it seem like you have your finger on the pulse of what people are sipping worldwide.
Find the recipe and ingredients in our That Travel Meal series

5/ Espresso Maker :: Another beverage {of the non-alcoholic variety} that became a regular for us in Italia was espresso, which we made in a Moka Express, an iconic, 1930s-developed espresso maker. So into the brewing technique and taste, we brought one home with us from Italy. Thanks to the wonders of the Internet, you don't have to go to the Boot to buy one.
Find it on Amazon {and watch this quick tutorial we put together} 

6/ Blanket Scarf :: Here at the TS HQ we've been wearing blanket scarves for ions because they keep us warm in cold climates and when the temperature dips at 35,000 ft.
Find them + a tutorial on how to wear these travel warm-ups in our latest Jetset Style dispatch

7/ Donation :: If you know the person who has everything or doesn't want things, consider making a donation in their name to an organization or cause they care about. {Not shown above}

Related
Holiday Gift Guide 2014
Holiday Gift Guide 2013

[graphic assembled by @tripstyler]

Gifts From Afar :: Holiday Sale

Oh the weather outside is frightful, 
But this sale is so delightful,
And if you've no place to go,
Shop our store, shop our store, shop our store!

So long Cyber Monday; hello December sale! Skip the mall and send your loved ones on a virtual vacay with 20% off gifts from the Trip Styler Store this holiday season.

From the beaches of Tulum to the medinas of Morocco, these one-of-a-kind finds have flown across the globe to reach your tree in time for Christmas.* 

A few of our favorite items include versatile kimonos from Tokyo, on-trend necklaces from Bali, vacation-ready clutches from Thailand and multitasking blanket scarves from Mexico {they triple as table runners and end-of-the-bed décor!}. 

Promo code: TSholiday2014 {20% off code valid today thru December 24th}

*North American orders placed by 11:59pm December 14th and local Vancouver orders placed by 11:59pm December 22nd will arrive in time for Christmas.

Tulum beach-weave bag & Thai golden triangle purse & Dubai cashmere scarf {coming soon!}

Tulum beach-weave bag & Thai golden triangle purse & Dubai cashmere scarf {coming soon!}

[photos by @heatherlovesit]

Holiday Gift Guide 2013

This post is written by Trip Styler fashion and lifestyle writer Heather.

You won't find a Kindle in our holiday gift guide — everyone else has that covered. You won't find Rimowa luggage or Louis Vuitton city guides either {cha-ching!}. You will, however, find 10 practical and moderately priced gift ideas for avid and armchair travelers. Merry Christmas and happy holidays from Trip Styler!

1/ KILLSPENCER Camera Strap This made-to-order camera strap by Los Angeles leather goods company KILLSPENCER is the perfect accessory for the safety- and style-conscious shutterbug. {$89}

2/ Stephen Kenn Encounter Collection iPad Case This gorgeous iPad sleeve by LA-based Canadian designer Stephen Kenn is crafted from vegetable-tanned leather. It's the ideal case for tablet-toting men and women and a Trip Styler favorite. {$85}

3/ dci Utility Charge Tool A genius device for avid travelers and mobile device users, this multi-charger is the Swiss Army Knife of the electronics world. One arm connects to your computer with a usb and three other arms charge your devices via an iPhone connector, a micro usb and a mini usb. Sadly, no bottle opener. {$16}

4/ Fresh Sugar Lemon Eau de Parfum Rollerball This compact and versatile rollerball is one of my all-time favorite scents. Whether I need to freshen up after a long flight or get energized before my morning coffee, this sweet citrus perfume with notes of bergamot, yuzu, orange blossom and lychee always does the trick. And in a pinch, it's the perfect deodorant substitute. {$23}

5/ Frends Headphones Want to kick up your headphone game? Nothing makes me want to ditch my earbuds more than these jewelry-inspired white leather and rose gold-tone headphones. {$150}

6/ Earth Tu Face Skin Stick Goodbye dry skin. Apply this 100% natural plant-based skin salve to your face, lips and body. Earth Tu Face was created by two herbalists in California and has quickly developed a cult following. It's so popular, this multi-use skin stick is constantly sold out at my local retailer. {$34}

7/ Nike Free 5.0+ Running Shoes These ultra lightweight and comfortable runners in classic black and white are the perfect shoes for travel. Not only can you wear them this winter with boyfriend jeans, an oversized sweater, a toque and a wool coat, you can also wear them to the hotel gym. No need to waste space on extra workout shoes in your carry-on. Customize them online for an extra-special gift! {$100}

8/ Cuyana Monogrammed Leather Tote A step up from the preppy-chic, monogrammed Lands End carry-all, this tote is made from local leather in Argentina and comes in various sizes and colors. Simple, personal and well made. {$150}

9/ Turkish Towel Ideal for the beach, a picnic, the plane and anywhere else you could use this compact, fast-drying cotton towel. I brought one to Croatia earlier this year and used it constantly. Comes is various colors, sizes and styles. {$18-$28}

10/ Restoration Hardware Bag Light Every Christmas Restoration Hardware carries the best items you never knew you needed, like this mini LED light that attaches to the strap of your handbag. Sure to save you the embarrassment of jingling your bag to look for your keys every day! {$8}

Trip Styler Tip: Personalize your presents by printing out your favorite Instagram photos and cutting or punching them into gift tags. DIY tutorial here.

2012 Gift Guides
Now Boarding :: Trip Styler's December Gift Guide
KinderHop :: Gifts For Families On The Go
Tis The Season Of Beauty

[graphics by @heatherlovesit]

Now Boarding :: Trip Styler's December Gift Guide

[trip style = any]

Publishing a Christmas gift guide has been a Trip Styler tradition since 2009. I look forward to it all year, and like Santa's head elf, I test and tinker with the finds leading up to the BIG DAY. A lot of doodads dance across my desk, but here's the distilled list of 2012's most fabulous travel trinkets.

Trip Styler's 2012 Travel Gift Guide

1/ Techtouch {aka iPhone-Ready} Gloves :: A metallic-tipped index finger and thumb make answering email or instagramming below zero tooootally possible. Cost: $7.49 for a 3pk from Target

2/ Mini Kittour Travel Bottles & Bags :: Mini Kittour's spill-proof bottles and jars transport your liquids and creams in travel-friendly sizes. I've been using these plastic and recyclable toiletry vessels for six months---literally, they are holding liquids in my toiletry case while I'm in Dubai---because they're uber-slender and air tight. Cost: Two jars from $6 + shipping from Mini Kittour

3/ 2013 Cities Calendar :: Part art, part smart, the hand-painted cities calendar is a wanderer's telescope into faraway lands. Next stop: London, Tokyo, Bangkok, Cairo and NYC---every month is a new adventure. Cost: $34 + shipping from Drake General Store

4/ Smartphone-Charging Purse {aka the Everpurse} :: Finally, a purse that keeps up with your travels. Gone are the days when your smartphone loses power right before you snap that photo of the Taj Mahal. Enter the "smart purse" {we love the Onyx Fabric Clutch} that contains a Duracell charging mat so your phone can stay juiced while you're out and about. Plug in the mat overnight, and you'll be amped for the next day of roaming. Pre-orders are being taken for a Spring 2013 delivery. Cost: $189 + shipping from Everpurse

5/ Stealthy Laptop Sleeve :: If there's no safe in your accom abroad and you don't want to carry your laptop or tablet around town, these v-neck or hoodie laptop sleeves come in very handy. Burglars will mistake your computer {read: lifeline} for a folded t-shirt, and the cotton cases are reinforced with multi-layer padding! If you're a DIY'er, talk to your grandma about a Christmas sewing project. Cost: From $39 + shipping* from Computer Apparel *shipping within the US is free for orders over $35

6/ All-Time Faves :: Travalo — a refillable, portable, spill-proof and on-the-go perfume atomizer, and Vapur — a collapsible water bottle. {Not shown above — see last year's gift guide for details}

Trip Styler Tip :: We're dishing out cool Christmas finds all month long. Look out for a KinderHop list and Travel Beauty picks!

Still stuck for ideas? Check out our past Christmas gift guides: 2010 & 2011!

[images sourced via web]