Traveling Routines... My Hotel Bathroom

(All pictures © Bren Herrera)

If still in St. Croix attending the amazing Food and Wine Experience which spans the entire week, topped off by a super sexy Taste event at Divi Bay Carina Resort last night. And can I tell you... you must make your way here! It's my 2nd time here for the same event and it simply does not fail. The weather is perfect, the people are extremely nice, and the culture is a fantastic break from the high speed race I live in and usually am comfortable with, a la DC and New York. Plus it's just sexy.

My days have been extended with some lush sights and glutunnous eating (because if I go too long w/out food, I kind of get irritable!) and require me to pack a bag with everything I'll need for 12 hours of trekking. But since my itinerary is so diverse, ranging from fancy dinners and coastal farm visits to ATVing it up in the "rain forest, " my attire, accessories and overall look has to switch up. And that means I have to do the bag switcharoo every night.

My mornings start in the bathroom where I asses my look for the day. I thought I'd be able to easily sift through what I thought was minimal jewelry and makeup... I didn't fare so well this trip, but a great improvement from my last hops. I couldn't really make it without these. No matter how chill the trip. 3 nail polishes for a week? Clearly, a bit too much, but fun to have just in case. The bronzer from Estée's new line. Love. Love. Some under eye makeup since I'm not sleeping enough... loving the creamy one by CoverGirl.  And Bobbi Brown's longwear cream shadow stick in Bark is the best thing I could apply for a natural look all day. It gave me some color in my eye without looking like I had dolled up to  walk the island.

Since I over-did it again, I decided to make use the huge bathroom space and hang jewelry on wall mirrors, use the wine glasses to hold the 20 rings or so (because who really needs 20 rings for 9 days and stick my brushes in the tumblers. If you think about it, it's totally practical to make use of the your entire hotel room especially if you're staying for 6 nights.

This is one example of a light day's goodies that I carry. A mish-mosh of lipsticks and gloss, my favorite mascara, earpiece (because I'm still working), and jewelry I ended up sliding off.

The only way I've justified bringing all this stuff, probably more than necessary, is that it keeps me connected to my own space and place. It's lovely being on the road, seeing the world, but nothing like holding on to your comfy spot. Silly, but my things that help keep my routine somewhat normal, make an extended stay that much better!

What are your must-haves when traveling, short or long stays?

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Chic Techie Updates for my iPad and Laptop

My friends! I've not forgotten you or my lovely B So Chic!, but if you read my last post, you know I've been out of town playing with food, wine, stunning architecture and sipping the most amazing coffees! Joy o joy! After almost 3 intense but incredibly phenomenal weeks traveling overseas with super limited Internet, I'm thrilled to catch up on what you've been doing and sharing some of my fabulous jaunts. I'm still wildly jet-lagged, begging for sleep so I've not been able to gather myself to fully unpack, let alone organize the 5k pictures I took. I was able to share one brief post of a lovely breakfast I enjoyed with a new friend via Facebook.

There's so much more to come from my international hops.

While I reorganzie my life before I travel again (in just 2 weeks), I've been keeping one eye open on giving my wireless gadgets a facelift... I'm saying, there's no reason for me to keep my iPad, etc... in such boring cases, which I've been doing as of late. Admittedly, sometimes boring works and means practicality.

But, after running around in NY this past weekend with some of my chicest friends, I realized how badly I was out of the cute case loop. Since I take my laptop and tablet everywhere I go, I figured it'd be a great investment to add some pretty pieces.

I ended up at Nordstrom Rack yesterday and found these two lovelies by Marc Jacobs from early 2012. I was only looking for an iPad case that would double as a case and clutch for my essentials, but I saw the black 13" laptop case and deemed it necessary! It's the perfect carry-all for my daily goodies -- all except my laptop, of course-- in such a chic way. Loving that it's pebbled leather and has bold gold hardware.

Now the real gem was the 'Supersonic' python print tablet wristlet. It was my focal point and a bit harder to find after seeing a girlfriend rock it. My local stores were sold out but a Sacramento one had it and shipped it to me (note: the Rack charges $11 shipping, which is insane). It's going to find itself as a stand alone clutch for limited needs, and ultimately in my handbags.

And because I love color and need to actually work on my iPad, I love this blue cover and bluetooth keyboard combo by iHome. Took it with me to Australia but b/c the Internet was such an issue, it was a bit cumbersome carrying around. No worries though! My upcoming trip to the islands will offer me great use for it! Too bad I'll be doing work while trying to get some sun in.

My next techie accessory update will be a basket like something to hold all the cables keeping me connected. The mess is disturbing! ;)

What do you carry you tablet in? Cute? Basic? Multi-functional?

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* tablet sleeves/cases via Nordstrom Rack; iHome cover and keyboard c/o Radio Shack in order to provide this review. All opinions and expressions are my own, always. 

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