Tag Archives: souvenirs

Oct23

Afternoon In Assisi

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Afternoon In Assisi

Ciao everyone and welcome to the next installment of my Italian adventure through AAA and Collette! After two amazing days in Rome, it was off to our next stops which was Assisi by day and Perugia by night. This was a bit of a hectic day to make the most of the two cities with the limited time that we had but it was actually one of my favorite parts of the entire trip. Assisi was absolutely gorgeous and I spent the night shopping till I dropped in Perugia. More on that later! For now, let’s chat about how we spent our Afternoon In Assisi:

As soon as we stepped foot in Assisi we were whisked off with a local tour guide to explore the Basilica of St. Francis. Although I am not religious, I was very excited for this tour as St. Francis is incredibly special to my family – my parents especially. I knew that this was an important stop for them and I was so happy to have been a part of it. The tour of the Basilica was just as beautiful as it was informative and the piece de resistance was visiting the tomb of St. Francis. Religious or no, I think everyone felt something when they entered the tomb. Your resident atheist and agnostic, me and Johnny, most certainly did and it was a remarkable experience. Photos aren’t allowed in many of the churches in Italy so you will just have to travel to Assisi to see the inside of the Basilica for yourself!

After our tour of the Basilica of St. Francis, we were famished for lunch and had a delightful meal at a quaint little restaurant called Wine Assisi. I, of course, had my mid afternoon libation – a glass of Prosecco and enjoyed a delicious “pizza sandwich” made with cheese and black truffles. It was DIVINE and the perfect option for lunch as it made me full without feeling stuffed. The cheese was so soft and melty and was unbelievable paired with the truffles. Take a look:

When our yummy lunch was done, we had an hour and a half or so to explore Assisi before we hopped back on the bus to head to Perugia. Johnny and I had such a lovely time ambling the streets with nowhere to go and popping in and out of shops as we pleased. Assisi was such a scenic little city and it felt like walking through history with each step. Even more so thanks to the knowledge we were armed with compliments of our local tour guide and tour manager. As we walked through Assisi, I also walked away with a few treats for myself. The stunning scarf from yesterday’s post as well as these charming salt and pepper shakers. I saw them in a shop window and they had to come home with me:

After our shopping and lots of walking, Johnny and I rewarded ourselves with a mid afternoon libation before it was time to head to Perugia. I also just had to snap this pic because hot dogs are Johnny’s fave lol – he has one tattooed which tells you all you need to know!

^^^ Lolololol I can’t!

I am so excited to talk about Perugia tomorrow so be sure to tune in. It was a MAJOR highlight of this tour!

What kind of souvenirs do you have from your travels? Will you be going on a vacation in the future? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct20

It’s In The Bag: Made In Italy Edition

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It’s In The Bag: Made In Italy Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of It’s In The Bag! It should come as no surprise that my primary mission in Italy was to shop till I drop and I was chomping at the bit to pop some tags. So much so, that Johnny and I went on a shopping excursion immediately after arriving in Rome. Of course, I was eager to buy clothing but I also wanted to treat myself to a nice purse as a keepsake that I could use every day so I could always have a piece of Italy with me. Not only was this goal necessary for fashion and sentimental reasons but it was also a necessity as the bag that I brought with me had seen better days!

I toted my mustard yellow vegan leather purse by Chillx because it had a sturdy lock and zippered compartments to ward off pickpockets. However, the vegan leather was peeling and the traveling to Rome only intensified it. The bag I purchased couldn’t have come a moment too soon and I threw my old purse out as soon as all of my items were swapped. Check it out:

^^^ You can learn more about the items in my OOTD in this post!

I am a well seasoned shopper and I tend to know within a second’s glance if a fashion item is a yes or no. And, as Johnny and I strolled through Rome and I took a quick look from the sidewalk into a local leather store, I just knew that the purse for me was in there. I walked in, the gorgeous oxblood mini messenger bag caught my eye, and the haggling for a better price proceeded. Outside of shopping, I was most looking forward to putting my Italian skills to the test and had been practicing diligently before my trip. This paid off quite literally because the store owner knocked the price of my purse down by thirty euros and I happily left the store with a great deal and timeless accessory. I was also glowing at the compliment from the salesperson that my Italian was very good!!! 😀

My new purse was joined at my hip for my entire vacation and I could not be more pleased with my purchase that was made within a half hour of being in Rome. Hey, I’m a gal who knows what she wants! Although I typically shy away from leather goods, all of my previous vegan leather purses had been tossed due to the peeling. I wanted something that was high in quality and would last forever and that was why my Made In Italy leather bag came home with me. It delighted me that all of the members of our tour group went gaga over it and their sentiments matched mine exactly. This truly was the ideal purse for me and I didn’t even bother looking at any more during the entirety of the trip. Why would I when I already had perfection?!

By the by, the scarf that you see in the purse pictures was purchased in Assisi and can we please talk about what a stunning combination it is? When the scarf wasn’t jauntily tied around my neck, I had it wrapped around the purse’s strap for an added pop. That oxblood paired with the navy blue and bright orange is simply divine!! ❤

With this purse by my side, Italy isn’t far away at all. It’s right there with me and will serve as a tangible daily reminder of my trip of a lifetime!

What kind of souvenirs do you like to purchase on vacation? What are some of your favorite Italian brands? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar28

Accessory Story: Earthbound Bracelet Edition

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Accessory Story: Earthbound Bracelet Edition

Howdy!! My sister and I had the most fantastic time in New Orleans and it was such fun to explore the city with Kristen. Prior to our cousin’s Saturday evening wedding we shopped till we dropped in the French Quarter. We hit up plenty of markets and quirky souvenir shops and had to laugh at the random CVS because it stuck out like a sore thumb. There weren’t many chain stores to visit but we did end up stopping in Earthbound as we have never been there before and the closest one to us is an hour away. It was a cool, hippie chic shop that boasted clothing, decor, and beautiful jewelry. They were also running a buy one get one half off sale which was a score! Kristen ended up purchasing a lovely bracelet for her daughter and treated me to this dynamite snake wrap bracelet. Check it out:

When I saw this bracelet on display, I literally clutched my pearls. I absolutely love snake themed jewelry and have several pieces in my collection. None of them are like this one, though! Unraveled, this bracelet stretches two feet long and then you can wrap it up as a bracelet or a necklace. All of my bracelets are just cuffs and this number by Earthbound is the perfect jewelry embodiment of a real snake. The salesperson at the store told me they got the bracelet back in stock the day before and that they sell out very quickly. I can definitely see why!

As this bracelet was a bit pricier at twenty dollars, I told my sister I would buy it and get the bracelet she wanted for the half off price. Instead, she got it for me and it was just the sweetest! The whole weekend away warmed my heart and it was so special to have a memento from her to commemorate our trip. I have worn it several times since our mini vacation and it’s impossible not to smile about it. Not only is this bracelet insanely fun to put on but it instantly takes me back to all of the amazing memories we created. Spending all of that time one on one with my sister was the greatest gift I could ever ask for and this bracelet from big sis to little sis was the cherry on top. ❤

Tune in tomorrow to check out an OOTD featuring my new hair and this fabulous Earthbound find. See you then!

Which store has your favorite jewelry? What is your favorite kind of accessory? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar19

New Orleans Souvenirs

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New Orleans Souvenirs

Hello! This past weekend was a great big adventure because my sister, Kristen, and I went to New Orleans! When we got invited to our cousin’s destination wedding there, I was so surprised when Kristen asked if I wanted to go together. I couldn’t let that quality sister time pass me by and we flew into New Orleans on the morning of Friday the thirteenth. This might be considered an unlucky date but it was the luckiest in the world because we had the best time. I can’t wait to tell you all about it! The food, the scenery, the unfortunate cancellation of our flight home. And, of course, ALL of the OOTDs. But, first, let’s talk souvenirs because we shopped till we dropped in the French District:

The French District was a blur of shops, restaurants, music, and lots and lots of bars. We got to explore it a little bit prior to a pre-wedding party on Friday and then got to peruse it fully on Saturday before our cousin’s beautiful wedding. After a delicious meal at The Market Cafe, we got our shop on to purchase goodies for ourselves and family. The only thing I really wanted for myself was a mask and I fell in love with the one I found at a quirky souvenir shop. The mask itself is gorgeous and ornate but what sold me was the amazing plume of feathers. I also couldn’t believe the price at just thirteen dollars! It was a total steal and I cannot wait to display it in the apartment. It is even giving me ideas for future Halloween costumes. 😀 I am so delighted with this purchase and out of every mask we saw, this one just screamed Lil Red the most!

At another souvenir shop, I stumbled upon the fun little New Orleans Voodoo coffin and I knew Johnny would love it for our knick knack shelf. It is the perfect memento for our spooky selves and I also had to get a few more treats for him too. My Johnny was gifted with a great shirt that features a skeleton playing guitar beside the skeleton of a dog and it says “New Orleans Howlin’ Blues”. Just right for the man who brings music everywhere he goes! I also got him a stick of alligator jerky against my better judgement because gross. However, I knew it would be appreciated so up to the cash register it went smh.

The French District also featured a couple of regular shops that seemed horribly out of place. This included a random CVS, an H&M, Urban Outfitters, and Earthbound. We had never been in an Earthbound before as the closest one to us is about an hour away. It was a really cool store and I walked away with a fabulous wrap around snake bracelet. As you all know, I am an avid fan of snakeskin patterned clothing and snake themed jewelry. It is just so edgy and sexy too! The wrap bracelet I got is dynamite and we were at the store at just the right time. The employee told us it got restocked the day before and sells out very quickly. I can’t wait to rock mine in a new OOTD soon so you can see it in all of is glory!

Stick around on lifewithlilred for all of the New Orleans content. This was the trip of a lifetime and I am so happy that I got to share it with my sister. ❤

What is your favorite part of New Orleans? Do you have a vacation coming up? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr30

Hawaii Haul

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Hawaii Haul

Hello!! In mid April, my mom, dad, and brother went on a guided vacation to Hawaii. This was their dream trip and we were all thrilled that they got to go on such a wonderful adventure. Although I was happy for their fun in the sun, I was missing them something fierce. Honestly, I couldn’t wait for them to come home as soon as they left! Prior to their departure, they asked all of the family what kind of souvenirs they might like. I answered with jewelry and my history buff husband wanted something from Pearl Harbor. I am pleased to report that my travelers delivered! Check it out:

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When I visited my family after they returned, it was like a mini Christmas on the dining room table. It was laden with gifts for the kids and grandkids and it warmed my heart that all of us were thought of no matter how far apart we were. Johnny received some guitar picks and a model of the USS Arizona Memorial. He was SO excited to build the model and when I returned home from work the following day, he was almost done with it already. In fact, he enjoyed the build so much that he plans on buying more from the brand. Both the picks and model are proudly displayed on our knick knack shelves.

For my gift, I got exactly what I wanted – a stunning necklace and earrings! I am loving the shell necklace and it will be a fabulous accessory this summer. I am going to wear it wrapped as a bracelet and the pretty, neutral palette will allow me to wear it with anything and everything. The piece de resistance, however, was the earrings for sure. The delicate gold cutouts of sea turtles blew me away and they are also highly sentimental. Sea turtles are my brother’s favorite and what he was most looking forward to seeing. Like the necklace, these earrings are going to enhance any outfit and it will be like a hug from my family every time I wear them. ❤

My family had the best time on their trip and I had the best time welcoming them home. I call dibs on next vacation!!!

Do you have any vacations planned? Where are you going? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct18

Finding Bigfoot

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Finding Bigfoot

Hello! One of the souvenirs that Johnny and I brought home from the Poconos was a Grow Your Own Bigfoot. It was a goofy buy but Johnny apparently couldn’t pass it up lol. When we returned home, we began the process of growing our Bigfoot friend in a measuring cup full of water. It definitely took longer than the instructions said for Bigfoot to expand to its full size but it was worth the wait! Check it out:

For six days, Johnny and I checked in on our progress constantly to see how our Bigfoot was doing. And, trust and believe, we used the word “crowning” more than I would care to admit. We both wanted to see the end result ASAP so it was quite a painstaking process. So, I made the executive decision to remove Bigfoot from his stump once it was cracked completely because we couldn’t wait any longer.

After Bigfoot was freed from the stump, we left it in the water for another day or so. Now, I am pleased to say that we have a happy, healthy Bigfoot in our apartment! Although this was a silly purchase, it was a lot of fun and brought us back to our youth because we both used to enjoy the “Grow Your Own” products. Our Bigfoot will also make a fine addition to our Spooky Shelf! 😀

When in the Poconos, it is an obvious must to buy a Grow Your Own Bigfoot in Jim Thorpe. I guess it’s time to call in a documentary crew since the real deal is currently chilling in our apartment! 😉

Do you believe in Bigfoot? Where do you think he is located? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct13

Vacation Souvenirs

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Vacation Souvenirs

Hello!! My family vacation in the Poconos was the absolute best and I am definitely ready for another one lol. It is so hard to go back to work after all of the fun, family time, amazing food, and relaxation! No vacation is complete without plenty of souvenirs and Johnny and I got several to enjoy in our kitchen and on our knick knack shelf. Check it out:

The favorite vacation purchase for me and Johnny is, easily, our Frankenstein and Skeleton Man plushies from the small store at Heckman Orchards. They are SO cute and we love snuggling up with them while we watch ten episodes of Criminal Minds in a row. 😀

The earrings (Which I’m obsessed with!) and the Grow Your Own Bigfoot were bought at a couple of shops in Jim Thorpe. The rest of our souvenirs came from Country Junction, which is the world’s largest general store. And, let me tell you, if you are ever in the area you just have to check it out.

Country Junction was a mishmash of a billion different things and it was like being in a carnival fun house. The actual general store was HUGE and it was the size of at least three Walmarts all put together. There was a section for everything from children’s toys to grilling supplies, pet care, and old fashioned candy. In almost every corner, there were gigantic statues that could move and talk including scenes from the Wizard Of Oz and a Jurassic Park-esque velociraptor. Oh, and did I mention that there was a full arcade with bumper cars too?! 😮

The madness wasn’t limited to the inside, no siree bob. Outdoors, there was a petting zoo, hay rides, playgrounds, and a small carnival complete with old school rides, fun houses, and food vendors. It was absolutely nuts lol. I so wish that I took pictures of this madness but the weather was rainy and Johnny and I were carrying all of our shopping bags by the time we caught up with the rest of the family.

Our purchases were pretty heavy because we bought a ton! I did some early Christmas shopping, got prezzies for my niece, nephew, and sister, as well as lots of treats for me and Johnny. I am particularly fond of the items that I bought by Our Own Candle Company. The Hot Chocolate candle smells delicious and I can’t wait to use the bar soap – the Peach scent is to die for!

If you have the time, definitely check out Country Junction online because you will be just as blown away/dumbfounded as I think everyone is that steps foot on the property!

Do you have anything like Country Junction in your area? What is your favorite one stop shop? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah