Feed Your Wanderlust with Flea Market Finds, Part One

Indulging on delicious cuisine, meeting people, exploring new places, opening your eyes to other cultures and going on epic adventures are probably the top reasons why we love to travel. They’re certainly a few of mine. But there’s one other reason that keeps popping in my head whenever I’m planning a trip or choosing my next destination: SHOPPING!

Visiting a new country means a fantastic opportunity to buy indigenous, artisanal wares that you’ll be hard-pressed to find in your own country or city. You don’t know how many times I’ve started obsessing about a country all because of an Instagram photo (of a beautiful rug from Marrakech, a colorful bag from Cartagena or a darling hammock from Nicaragua.)

Often, when I’m not traveling, I keep myself sane by means of retail gratification (aka shopping!) Luckily, our flea markets here in Los Angeles are bubbling with products imported from Mexico all the way to Ghana, and it’s the perfect place for me to feed my wanderlust without having to leave home and spend a few thousand dollars.

Here are some of the imported, artisanal wares I found on Sunday at the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena:

Colorful baskets from Ghana – These normally cost about $45 at the market.

Purses from Colombia

Simple yet elegant umbrella from Thailand – This one was massive and only cost $175.

Singing bowls from Nepal – The medium sized ones are $35 to $45 dollars. These are great for meditation.

Pastel pots from Mexico

Lanterns from Morocco – Some of these had bits of rust, but their designs are intricate!

Baskets from El Salvador – These are great for beach picnics or grocery shopping. The medium sized ones are about $55.

Moroccan-inspired rugs and poufs

Fabrics from South Asia

Fabrics from Ghana – These are from $35 to $45. There were a few different vendors selling the same stuff, so it wouldn’t hurt to haggle.

Rugs and tapestries from India

Rose Bowl Flea Market is a monthly market that takes place every 2nd Sunday of the month at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. General admission starts at 9am. Tickets cost $9 per person.

Quick Tips:

• Bring plenty of water, as water is not cheap inside the market.
• Wear a hat and cool clothing, and apply plenty of sunscreen. It gets pretty hot after 10am.
• Bring plenty of cash. Many vendors accept credit cards, but they might charge an extra fee. Most of them prefer cash.
• See something you like? Shop around first. There are many vendors in the market that sell similar stuff, and you’ll probably find a better price elsewhere.
• Bring a cart, if you plan on making several or large purchases.

 

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Duffel Bags

While everyone relies on wheeled suitcases when traveling, I personally adore duffel bags. Between my height disadvantage and the fact that I have almost zero upper body strength, stowing suitcases in overhead bin is not an easy task for me. Duffel bags, on the other hand, have no wheels and no hard parts to add to the weight, and are therefore easy for me to just toss over. They’re also lighter to carry around and can easy be squeezed into small spaces, even the larger ones.

Don’t get me wrong; suitcases have certain advantages too and I understand why lots of people prefer them. In fact, I still sometimes travel with a suitcase. Most of the time though, duffel bags are best for my traveling needs.

If you’re like me or if you simply feel like swapping out your bulky suitcase for a handy duffel, here are five fantastic ones to consider (including two from one of my favorite brands, Bando, that I myself have and use often):

ban.do the getaway ticket stripe duffle bag from Girlfriend Galas

cassidy faux leather duffel bag from Sole Society

ban.do getaway mega blooms duffle bag from ban.do

reclaimed vintage leather carryall from ASOS

novel duffle windsor wine offset stripe/veggie tan leather from Herschel Supply

Eye Masks for Midair Slumber

I’m amazed that some people can pass out on a plane without a problem. Not all of us have that talent, which means that people like me need a lot assistance just to get comfortable and squeeze in even an hour of shut-eye. A fluffy pillow, a warm blanket, a comfy outfit, a mild sleeping pill and/or alcohol… every little thing helps.

I think one of my biggest in-flight sleep deterrents is the fact that planes are almost always too bright. Even when they dim the lights and it’s dark outside, there’s still too much light, which is why eye masks come in handy for me. Still, many eye masks out there are unflattering. It’s bad enough that your hair’s all messy from the head rest, your skin’s all dehydrated from the lack of humidity, and your mouth’s probably hanging open as you’re slumped in your seat after dozing off. Not to worry; there are some super cute masks out there that give you a touch of sophistication, even if you are slightly drooling on the side of your mouth.

 

breakfast at tiffany’s inspired eye mask from TheSleepyCottage

pretty pink silk sleep mask from The Snoozery

mary green sleeping eye mask from Shopbop

french lavender aromatherapy cat eye mask from Naomilingerie

lavander eye mask from Holistic Silk

lacey lids sleep mask from Morgan Lane

silk eye mask from Net-A-Porter

floral print linen eye mask from Zara Home

starry eyed sleeping mask from Morgan Lane

Comfy Tees for Flying

It’s no secret that I absolutely hate flying. It’s the one part of traveling I admit I cannot quit enjoy or even just get used to. I hate being stuck a small space for hours, not being able to move freely and get comfortable. While the window views, in-flight movies and sleeping aids are good distractions and make flights easier for me, I still end up with getting restless and fidgeting and wishing the flight would end already. So I do everything that will help me feel as comfortable as possible.

One of the many things I try to do is to dress super comfortably. This means that my travel style is simple: soft, loose tees, loose-fitting pants, and flats or sneakers—plus a warm sweater or jacket to match. This combo always guarantees comfort and warmth for me without looking sloppy. The tees are especially important. I prefer graphic ones made of soft, airy material and fit well without being too constricting.

Here are some flight-perfect tees I found online:

c!ao graphic tee from Madewell

rocky horror picture show tee from UO

naf shirt from The Deep End Club

i’m pineapple graphic tee from Forever 21

fun icons tee from Truly, Madly, Deeply

good vibes tee from Sub Urban Riot