Saturday Meanderings
After a 3 week hiatus from blogging, our international travels are over and I am back in Phoenix. Happy Saturday and I hope you enjoyed a patriotic and relaxing July 4th week. The last time I missed July 4th in the United States was in 2014 when we were stuck at JFK airport coming back from an Italy trip. Thank you so much for joining me today for another Saturday Meanderings where we chat about all good things this week.
Our Recent Trip
I am almost at a loss for words about our trip to Seoul, South Korea and Mongolia, as it feels like a life-changing experience. Why Mongolia? As I have mentioned in the past, my husband is on the board to the Peregrine Fund, a non- profit group that conserves threatened and endangered birds of prey worldwide. For their 50th anniversary, Scott bid on an expedition to Mongolia…and we won.
Since we just arrived back home a few days ago, I am in my jet-lagged fog and still processing how different and enlightening both Seoul and Mongolia in comparison to our own country. So more details to come on this trip.
Still Enjoying Roses
It’s hard to believe that my rose garden is still producing. With the higher temperatures, the flowers are smaller, but I’ve never had blooms in July. I expected to return to a completely barren rose garden, only to be delighted with new flowers. Unfortunately leaf cutter ants are taking over and I need to research how to get rid of them. If anyone has suggestions or remedies, please let me know.
The Perfect Travel Bag(s)
When you love your luggage, it is hard to move onto another piece. However, the carry-on Rimowa bag I invested in back in 2014, no longer meets airline specifications. It’s just too large now. So when the 21 inch DELSEY Paris Champagne white hard side luggage was on sale back in March, I bit the bullet and purchased it, along with the matching laptop backpack.
I am convinced that I cannot possibly fit enough in this smaller roller bag for a week’s worth of travel. But since I do not like checking luggage, I really have no choice but to try and make this new, smaller size work.
This roller bag is a DREAM! Not only am I able to fit enough clothes for the Seoul portion of our trip, but 2 pairs of shoes and all my toiletries..with room to spare.
The leather-like accents and style reminds me of vintage traveling accessories but with modern construction. In addition, the backpack slides over the handle so I am able to roll everything on board.
Currently, both items are on sale (30% off for the roller bag; 20% off for the backpack), but I’m wondering if they will be discounted even more during Prime Days next week? I hope to do a post on Prime Day deals and I’ll remind you to check these products out.
I’m a bit old fashion when I travel as I like to look nice (no pajama pants for me on an airplane) so these new luggage pieces complement my navy and white traveling outfit!
In summary, I am very happy with both pieces in regard to function and style.
From Around the Internet
If you are over 50 and need some fashion advice, Cindy Hattersley is a great resource. With our sweltering summer temperatures it’s hard to wear black here in Phoenix, but it’s a great color for summer travel. Check out Cindy’s latest post about Five Effortlessly Chic Ways to Wear Black this Summer.
Since my fashion sense is somewhat lacking, I get great ideas from Cindy.
This Salad, oh my!
Elizabeth from Pinecones and Acorns shares her favorite finds on Fridays. Check out this gorgeous salad! Wouldn’t it be perfect for a hot summer day? The original recipe is from Recipe Runner and I hope to make it this weekend…and maybe add some grilled chicken or shrimp for a complete meal.
Learning to Make Paper Flowers
Want to learn something new this summer~ how to make life-like paper flowers? Join this 3-day online event with 18+ FREE paper flower workshops taught by Abbi Kirsten! Abbi is a paper flower expert with 10+ years of paper crafting experience. The free event starts on Monday, July 10th. Of course if you want access to the classes for more than 24 hours, there is a reasonable fee.
You can find the link here.
Typically, I am not a very good DIY or craft person, but I did make a paper flower wreath recently and was very pleased with the results. You can see that project here.
Summer Home Tour
My sweet friend, Michele from Vintage Home Designs, has her home featured in Farmhouse Living as part of their summer home tour series. The 30 minute video is filled with so many great ideas and inspiration! You can see it here.
Passion for Plants
My daughter, Julianna, has a new found passion for indoor plants. She rescues those that are on the “nearly dead and on sale” shelves at plant stores. Recently, her collection tops 30+ indoor plants.
Personally, I only have a few indoor plants which are the ones that thrive with or without me, so I am learning a great deal from her about the care and keeping of various plants.
You are never too old to learn something new! If you want to learn more about plants from her, you can follow her on Instagram @plant_obsessed_witch.
Well, that’s a wrap! Have a wonderful weekend and I look forward to relaxing and getting back to a schedule.
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Welcome home, Mary, we missed you. I am so glad you had a fabulous trip and came home to gorgeous flowers. And that luggage, I am drooling over here. HMMMM… I may have to invest. Love all of your lovely shares today, that salad looks amazing and I will check out Cindy’s post as well.
Wendy, I am using the luggage again for our Chicago trip and I am so surprised that it holds exactly what I need. The smaller size is easy for the overhead compartment. Finally feel like I’ve got the packing/luggage thing down! Happy weekend.
What an awesome post. Looking forward to hearing more about your trip. Anything that makes traveling easier and more fun is extremely useful.
Mrs. Mary, what a wonderful trip! That’s a once in a lifetime experience, how lucky to win it. Your roses are beautiful. Our Louisiana heat is doing a number on our roses, they will have to be trimmed way back later this year. As far as the luggage, we have the DELSEY Paris also. My son was traveling to stay at my Father-in-laws house in Colorado for the summer and we purchased the suitcase for him. He checked his bag in and it held up wonderful. Like you said, just a good wipe down got the scuffs off. His suitcase is navy blue though. Love your daughters plants and her curiosities. Stay hydrated after you and your husband’s amazing trip and the Phoenix heat!
Crystal, good to hear about the wear and tear on the Kelsey Paris luggage. I bet it is very attractive in blue too! Great advice on staying hydrated. My husband is feeling a bit under the weather, but I am feeling good, albeit a little tired and hydrating ALOT. We have such a span of weather on this trip~from hot, hot and humid, cold and windy, to hot and windy and now very dry in Phoenix. Was consistent in taking my probiotics and vitamins on this trip and I think that helped alot. Stay cool in Louisiana!
Would love to order the white luggage but how do you keep it clean? Doesn’t it get scuffed and dirty?
Patti, this is the first time I’ve used the bag and backpack. They were carry on, not checked in. After 6 flights, there was one small scuff mark on the roller bag which I rubbed off with a Clorox disinfectant wipe. I always wipe down all my luggage after traveling, but these traveled really well. I don’t think I will ever check them because I plan to use them for carry-on only. However, it’s a polycarbonate material so I would imagine it would clean up nicely.
I know you had a wonderful trip. I can’t wait to hear more.
Rachel, thank you! I am so looking forward to catching up on your blog posts. I’m so behind but always learn something when I tune into yours!
That Eagle is amazing
Wow what a trip
Debbie, it really was a chance of a lifetime. Met the most wonderful people who have so little compared to us…and they were kind and gracious.
We are just HOT! Living on a lake helps, however…in Virginia…yep, HOT!! Looking forward to living vicariously through your Posts. franki
Franki, We are typically SO hot in July, but the mornings and evenings have actually been tolerable. We head to Chicago next week to see our son and hope to spend the balance of the summer in the mountains. I would love a place on the lake!Stay cool, my friend.
Welcome home! My husband and I spent time in Greece and Turkey this summer. The jet lag seems to be harder to work through the older I get. I hope that you can get some good rest. Hugs and blessings to you.
Renae, Greece and Turkey are on my bucket list! Would love to hear about your adventures. Hope to plan a trip to there and Italy next year. You are right about the jet lag..
Welcome home! I’ve missed your Saturday posts, and can’t wait to hear all about your trip! In the meantime, thanks for all the great ideas, and good luck with those ants! Happy Weekend, my friend!
Barbara, I hope to deal with the ants this week before our short trip to Chicago. It’s amazing how precise they are in cutting circular patterns in the leaf!
I’m so happy to get your luggage tip and the paper flowers. I’ve missed these every Saturday. How often does the luggage go on sale?
Andrea, it appears to be on sale now. I need to see how much I paid for it in March (don’t recall) but 30% off seems to be a good deal.