Jetset Style :: The New Tunic

[trip style = sun + urban + any]

With Spring right around the corner from the Winter of our discontent {to quote Shakespeare}, it's tempting to go overboard with optimism and bring out bare arms and bare legs too early. Thankfully, functional Spring fashion is all about transitional pieces to bridge the gap between Winter and Summer. What to wear when it's not warm enough to go bare? Enter The New Tunic.

My trip to California in February took me between Los Angeles and Palm Springs, where the days were hot and the nights were cool. The beauty of The New Tunic is that I could wear it as a short dress by day, and then over white jeans by night. It's not only the perfect piece for Spring, but also for vacations where the climate changes or the trip crosses over from sunny destination to urban setting {Palm Springs > Los Angeles}.

To avoid a "Mom in the Hamptons" tunic look, pair an oversized shirt dress over slim pants or wider cropped jeans. Choose a boxy tunic that hits a few inches above the knee. Works with or without a belt, with footwear that ranges from gladiator sandals to low-profile sneakers. If you need an extra layer, top with an oversized scarf or jean jacket.

Left to right: Kowtow geometry dress, Smock by Mohawk General Store shirtdress, Rachel Comey brighton dress, Apiece Apart leandro dress

Left to right: Aritzia Wilfred Free stone dress, Jesse Kamm imperial tunic, Rachel Comey clovis dress, & Other Stories cotton shirt dress

This post is written by Trip Styler's Assistant Wayfarer/Editor Heather.

Related
Jetset Style :: Spring Fashion
Jetset Style :: Jean Jackets
10 Days > 2 Cities > 1 Carry-On

[photos at top via stockholm street style, style.com, pinterest]

Travel Beauty :: Waterlining

[trip style = any]

If you only do ONE thing to your face when you travel—besides moisturizing and concealing—it's this: Apply a nude hue to your waterline. Waterlining, or the practice of tracing your lower lid's inner rim with a lightly-colored eye pencil, gives the eye-opening illusion you're awake and alert, which is a travelista's BFF after an early-morning wake-up or transcontinental flight. 

Think of like the anti smoky eye. While black kohl liners create a sexy squint for nighttime drama, the opposite is true for lighter shades—they brighten your eyes.  

Make-up artists use this genius hack to make on-camera personalities' peepers pop, and it's the single most important cheat in my travel make-up routine {and the reason I walk off long haul flights looking fresh instead of frazzled}. Bonus: When Baby Styler is teething and I feel {and look} like I'm in another time zone, waterlining masks my red-rimmed eyes, giving the illusion that I have a perfect baby.  

As for choosing a barely-there color for your waterline, it's a little like wedding dress shopping—there are a million shades of white. To help you decide what shade is best pour vous, I've sketched my waterline with three different shades: ivory, shimmer and nude:

Wearing a nude pencil. According to my make-up artist friend, this is one of the best overall shades and pencils for all skin tones: MAC Chromagraphic Pencil in NW20 {$29}. 

Wearing a silver shimmer pencil {drugstore brand} for a daytime glow like JLo. The look is subtle enough for everyday use, and it's my new favorite waterlining shade. 

Wearing an ivory pencil {drugstore brand}. This look is best for when you want your eyes to pop in a swinging '60s way, and the most obvious ocular enhancement. Apply only one pencil-swipe per eye or you'll look like you belong on stage at a go-go dancing club.

Trip Styler Tips 

• Waterproof liner has the best staying power
• Make sure the pencil isn't too sharp 
• Pull your lower lid down when applying the pencil for the most accurate trace
• Some make-up junkies swear by the long-lasting effects of shu uemura's Drawing Pencils {$28}, but it's always a good idea to keep your pencil nearby for re-application
• For an even more enhanced eye, line the inner corner of your peepers with the same eye-opening hue 

Related
Travel Beauty :: Concealer Map
Travel Beauty :: Jetlag Busters
Carry-On Creature Comforts

[photos by @tripstyler]

Roam+Board :: Pacific Sands Beach Resort

[trip style =  beach + weekend getaway]

What
Sprawled across the northern end of Cox Bay, Pacific Sands Resort is so close to the ocean that it's hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. At high tide I could almost reach out and touch the water from my Beach House balcony, while at low tide the water retreats so far into the Pacific that it reveals a sand bar big enough for a jumbo jet to taxi for a mile. 

Located on the western rim of Canada's Pacific coast in Tofino, British Columbia, Pacific Sands is the only all-suite resort in the area. Couple this with its 2,500 feet of coastline and rooms built toward the beach, and it's no surprise why a view of the swell comes standard with every stay. 

Starting with a collection of cottages in the 1970s, the 41-acre property has grown into a well-groomed beach resort with 77 suites—all with kitchens—ranging from one-bedrooms to Beach Houses {sleep 6} perched a few feet from the sand.

The sand summoned me every second: In the morning for a sea-sprayed run or surf session, in the afternoon for beach-combing, in the evening for a bonfire {paired with a glass of BC wine}. This cushy, front-row seat to the sea is why my family has been frequenting the shore-side stay since I was a mere twinkle in my parent's eyes. In keeping with the tradition, now that the Trip Styler crew has expanded, it's one the first places we took Baby Styler.    

Trip Styler approved.

Where
Located in Canada's surf city, Tofino, BC, five hours from Vancouver by car, including a 90-minute sailing aboard BC Ferries. Tofino is a place where waves rush the shore and salt air gives your hair the perfect beachy texture. It's a place where dressed up means jeans and a toque and fish tacos are an acceptable—and delicious—everyday lunch.

When
Year-round. Tofino is cozy in fall and winter, sea breezy in spring and fresh in summer.

Who/Why
This is your motto: "Life's a beach."          

Cost
Rates start at $200/night for a Lighthouse Suite and $460/night for a Beach House. All room categories include a patio or balcony facing the beach, full kitchen, gas fireplace, Pacific Sands rain slickers, WiFi, parking and use of outdoor BBQ gazebos. Bark woof—pets are welcome for $40/stay.

Photos

Cox Bay

A sunset slice of the 41-acre property 

The Beach Houses {each with its own washer-dryer}

When I return, I'll plant myself here to watch the sunset

Coffees from the resort's Beans on the Beach Espresso Bar featuring Victoria-based Caffe Fantastico beans {voted one of Canada's best boutique roasters} 

View from my Beach House

Master bedroom in my Beach House

Each suite comes with a kitchen

The Pacific Sands' CAD $11 breakfast delivery program sources locally-made muffins, granola, etc.

The view, captured from my balcony

Dog Styler striking a pose on the beach

Year-round waves and a soft, sand-bottom shore make Cox Bay a top choice for wave-riding locals and guests 

Heated outdoor showers for Mr. Trip Styler's post-surf warm-up

Storm-watching on a blistery afternoon

Obligatory portrait with Mr., Baby and Dog Styler in tow

A typical Pacific Sands afternoon, best enjoyed with a bottle of BC wine

More Roam+Board
Wya Point Resort - Ucluelet, BC
RIMBA Jimbaran Bali
Villa Samadhi - Kuala Lumpur
Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle
Four Seasons Chiang Mai
Four Seasons Hong Kong
Korakia Pensione - Palm Springs 
La Gazelle d'Or – Morocco
Mandarin Oriental – Las Vegas
Hotel Lone – Croatia

[photos by @tripstyler {except for first three}, taken while as a guest of the resort]

Vacation Rentals :: A Palm Springs Story

With so many unique hotels in Palm Springs, from retro resorts to hip hideaways, I've always chosen a hotel over a vacation rental. But a recent trip to my favourite desert destination inspired me to rent a holiday home rather than share hotel rooms with friends.

Vacation Rentals vs. Hotels

I love the comforts of home, aesthetic variety and neighborhood options of vacation homes. I love hosts who offer restaurant recommendations or touches like a bottle of wine or coffee and tea upon arrival. I love cooking my own meals if I feel like it. I love unconventional spaces like tree houses or Airstreams or houseboats. I love the privacy of my own space. I love living amongst locals in off-the-beaten-path locales instead of hotel strips.

All of this said, I love the ease of hotel booking. I love not having to clean and never having to leave the resort if I don't want to. I love meeting new friends and people watching. I love knowing what I'm going to get and how much it's going to cost. I love ordering food to my room. I love being right in the thick of it with the city on my doorstep.

There are as many great reasons to book a vacation property as there are to book a hotel. That's the ethos of Trip Styler. We have the freedom and opportunity to choose from any number of trip styles for any given trip.

Tips for Selecting a Vacation Rental 

• Establish a budget – Before diving too deep into your research, know your nightly cost {in your own currency, if applicable}. That way you won't be tempted by houses plucked off the pages of Architectural Digest.
• Select a neighborhood – Do you want to walk into town? Do you want a neighborhood with midcentury homes? Consider these elements and make use of Google Maps' Street View feature to get a feel for the area. 
• Decide on amenities – If a private pool is a must, avoid properties with shared pools. If you plan to cook, ensure there's a spacious kitchen and barbecue. Not all houses I looked at had a heated pool, which many assured me was a must-have in the winter.
• Count the beds {and baths} – If the house is Instagram-worthy but only has two double beds for five people, it might not worth the digital likes. Consider who's willing to share beds or take the couch before booking.
• Ask questions – Send Airbnb owners or property managers questions to get a sense of the hosts based on their responsiveness and helpfulness. I confirmed availability and cost and inquired about pool heating, neighborhood and wind factor, as properties on the northern side of town can be quite windy.
• Read the reviews – I'm a huge fan of reviews, but I always take them with a grain of salt. I pay close attention to reviews that mention any issues and how they were handled. Broken heater but owner responds immediately with several space heaters? That's a good sign. The beauty of Airbnb is that you can see a reviewer's photos, rental history and even their own properties for rental.

Things to Know

• Vacation rentals are not always cheaper than hotels – Our Palm Springs house was about the same price as two rooms at the Ace Hotel. 
• Vacation rentals require hours of research – I created a document with details on the all the houses I contacted, including photos, costs, neighborhood, style of home and record of communication. 
• Vacation rentals may be listed on multiple sites at different prices – I tend to research properties on Airbnb because it's the most visually appealing website, but I've never booked on the site {not for lack of trying} for reasons like availability, communication and cost. I found our Palm Springs rental on Airbnb, but booked it with the rental company. 
• Vacation rentals may have hidden fees – I encountered a sneaky fee when I rented our Palm Springs home because I was paying with a credit card. Other hidden fees to look out for include daily pool heating and cleaning fees. 
• Vacation rental owners can be flaky – I contacted about a dozen properties on VRBO and Airbnb and either I never heard back or was informed their calendar wasn't up to date by a third of them. 
• Vacation rentals may require contracts and deposits up front – The beauty of Airbnb is that everything is arranged through the website. Other companies may require contracts to be signed and deposits sent ahead of time or upon arrival in cash or money order.

My Palm Springs Rental Experience

I wanted a midcentury home right in Palm Springs with a heated pool and fun aesthetic. I needed beds for five people and a good kitchen for cooking together. I found 15 properties at our price point, contacted a dozen and shortlisted five. I ended up selecting this property {see photo collage at top of post} from a local vacation rental company. It worked well for our group with three bedrooms, a pool and hot tub, enough pool loungers for everyone, two outdoor eating spaces and two living areas. It was close to the airport, close to grocery stores and about 10 minutes from downtown. Would I rent this house again? Probably not—but only because there are so many properties to choose from and I want to experience them all!

>> View more Palm Springs vacation rentals on my Airbnb Wish List. <<

This post is written by Trip Styler's Assistant Wayfarer/Editor Heather.

Related
Top 5 Vacation Home Rental Sites
Roam+Board :: Korakia Pensione
Road+Board :: Parker Palm Springs

[top photos via oasis rentals except top left of author by @graceyvr, all other photos via airbnb]

Healthy on the Road: How to curb holiday weight gain

[trip style = any]

{Editor's Note: This post was written by Serena Matter, the Canadian Editor for DailySecret.com, and a travel and wellness enthusiast based in Vancouver, Canada.}

Five pounds. Sorry to tell you this, but that’s how much weight the average person will gain on vacation. Trying to keep off the pounds while traveling is one tough challenge, but it IS possible {and it doesn’t involve sweating it out for hours in the hotel gym, either}. With Spring Break and bathing suit season enroute, we’ve put together four healthy eating strategies that won't get you "choked up" over calories. 

Pack Snacks, Not Pounds
Let’s start with your first hurdle: the airport. No surprise, the food selection can be pretty dismal, pretty pricey, or both {unless you're lucky enough to score a pass to The Wing, Cathay Pacific's flagship lounge}. And airplane food is often even worse {unless you travel in biz aboard Emirates}. Since most of us don't travel with first-class tickets every time we jetset, make your time in transit a little more healthy and enjoyable by packing your own food, such as a mix of veggies and protein you picked up from Whole Foods’ salad bar the night before your flight. Pair that with some crackers and hummus, dried fruit, veggie sticks, healthy trail mix or protein bars and you’ll be treating your body like the temple it is.

Boost your Breakfast
Several studies have shown that your self-control is strongest in the morning. So why not take advantage of that willpower and begin your day with a healthy breakfast? Just think: When you start off on the right track, you can put your calories towards good use later on {read: decadent dinner or guilt-free dessert}. Besides, after breakfast you want to feel energized for a day of sightseeing, not stuck in a food coma from a stack of syrup-laden pancakes.

Practice Safe Saucing
Whether it’s ponzu aioli or chipotle mayo, sauces can up the calorie quotient of a dish substantially. Obviously you wouldn’t ask for your fettuccine with alfredo on the side, but wherever possible, ask for the sauce in a side dish. This allows you to control the amount, as restaurants tend to overdo it in this area anyway. Same goes for salad dressing—instead of pouring the dressing over your salad, just dip your fork in it before each bite. 

Trip Styler Tip: In addition to safe saucing, try sharing a main dish and a salad with your travel partner to up your veg content and maximize the menu. 

Make your Calories Count
We know; a huge part of travel is experiencing the cuisine of your destination, and all the unique flavors and ingredients that come with it. Don’t deny yourself the dishes of the region—just choose wisely. Instead of throwing back a few sugary cocktails, save the calories for something special, such as un pain au chocolat in Paris or Salt & Straw ice cream in Portland!

[photos by @tripstyler and sourced online]