Travel Trinkets

One of my favorite things about traveling is packing snacks—
I love munching on them at the airport and whipping them out during flights.

I'm so excited about our family's upcoming trip to Washington DC. I told myself earlier this year I would try to channel all the traveling I did a while back, and so far the ball is rolling. (I still crave a European trip though and I'm not sure when I'll get to go.)

Last night I was compiling some accessories to bring to DC and stumbled upon this combination of silver/metallic jewelry.


Looking at my wrist, I loved the playful mix of trinkets, because each represented a story, a person, or a moment.

The bracelets are actually two necklaces combined. I'm not even sure if they're made of silver or stainless steel, or even something cheaper. I got them back when hair and makeup artist, Benjie Angeles, used to drop by the Summit offices years ago hawking an assortment of accessories, all at least one of the following: chunky, bohemian, intricate, or in this case, 'blingy.'

When traveling, I like to bring multi-purpose pieces, mostly beaded necklaces that I can twirl around my wrist, or cocktail rings that stylishly cap off my no-frills, wrinkle-proof portable outfits.

I'm particularly drawn to men's watches, so I rarely wear (or own) anything smaller, like the one I have on in this photo—a sleek and dainty Timex watch given to me by my dad's wife, Leena. She and my dad have been together for eight years now, and she has been nothing but sweet, delightful, and kind. She got my dad into loving dogs, and then cats, so their house is now filled with furry friends: four Chows and about seven Ragdolls and Bengals, if you don't count the kittens that arrive every now and then. My dad's favorite cat is Maurin, a name he'd coined by combining the cat's father's name, "Mau" and "rin" (Filipino for "too"). "Mau-rin," get it? (This post tells you more about my dad and his humor.)

And of course, there's my engagement ring, from the guy who used to leave M&Ms and other sweet treats at my desk; who also always packed a big "chocolate stash" in my suitcase every time I traveled out of the country.

As I no longer have many of the valuable things from my childhood and now mostly own colorful costume pieces, it's so refreshing and wonderful to know that I have something truly precious to take along with me, wherever life leads me.