People who visit my home often notice that most of my treasured possessions make no sense to the naked eye. Sure, there are some antiques and other “valuable” items scattered in there, but the items that mean the most to me capture a moment in time. Or sometimes it’s how something mundane is seen in a new light. With that in mind I present Souvenir Stories.
Magnet door: 2024
Yes, it’s a door full of magnets. So what? A lot, actually. We’ve got well over a hundred on our back door and every one represents a moment in time. From magnets from every Disney park worldwide to one representing Maximón the Mayan trickster demon, the magnet door tells our family’s story every time we go outside.
I’m a bag lady, 2024
I’m sticking this in “Souvenir Stories” but to be honest, it’s just not! I have a secret stash that got unveiled while I was traveling and Deal Dad did some spring cleaning. To his horror, he discovered gobs upon gobs of plastic bags I was storing as if they were treasure.
Fortunately, he’s known me long enough to also know my fondness compulsion to save bags from my travels: I just love the thrill of returning library books in a bag from Iceland! It adds a little flavor to an otherwise dreary task.
My favorite Bangkok souvenir is not Thai silk: 1999
I just grabbed a snack out of my favorite bowl above and wanted to share one of my “souvenir stories” of an unexpected souvenir: my Cabbages and Condoms china.
If you’re in Bangkok, I highly recommend a visit to Cabbages and Condoms, a restaurant that not only serves great food, but gives back to reproductive health efforts. It’s in the Sukhumvit area at Soi 12…easy to find, and the food is good too, but what sets it apart for me is the gift shop filled with all sorts of unusual goodies including their own china. I love filling these bowls with salsa when friends come over…only once the salsa is gone does someone realize what the bowls say!
Misha bear, 2003
This one is about the little porcelain trinket above of Misha Bear. If you are born after 1988, you may not be aware of a little event in American History called the Cold War. I’ll leave the heavy lifting to Wikipedia, but as a child of the 70s the Cold War had some lasting effects on my upbringing.
Caught in the crossfire of the Cold War, at least to Americans, was dear Misha here. Of course in 2013/14 Olympic crossbranding is well, everywhere, but in 1980 Misha was a pioneer of marketing genius. I was fortunate enough to get a stuffed Misha bear for Christmas in 1979, which I still have and love dearly.
However, just three weeks later Misha was pulled from all US shelves as the 1980 Moscow Olympics were boycotted in response to the USSR’s invasion of Afghanistan. I’ll refrain from commenting on the absurdity of history…I think the events speak for themselves.
Fast forward to 2003, a dirt market in Warsaw behind my parent’s apartment building. For 1 Zloty (about a quarter at the time) I found this little guy all alone in the dustbin of Cold War History and took him home to keep his big brother company.
Sticky Mosaics: Life imitating art imitating travel, 2010
I’ve mentioned before that the kids learn lots while we travel, but not always in the ways I intended. Every once in a while, however, something does stick (pun intended) and both Deal Kids have an appreciation for art that I’m very proud of and don’t think would have developed nearly as deeply without such wide exposure.
In Deal Girl’s case, she has a special love for all things mosaic. She first saw Mosaics in Guatemala and has been picking them out wherever we’ve traveled ever since. She even sees Mosaic in places I don’t recognize. I think the idea of making the idea of grand art out of so many small bits appeals to her.
When you combine Mosaic with stickers with jewels (two things all little girls love), you get Sticky Mosaics. We first found them last year and have since been through about five sets. Highly recommend for any crafty girls out there!
Gas Station Football Glass. 2012
FIFA fever is rampant, and many of my travel friends, including Jamison and George have high-tailed it to Brazil to take in the action. I don’t think “World Cup” has made it to my “legend-wait-for-it-dary” list yet, but I am a little sad that I’m not in a country that is more passionate about (proper) football.
Sure, here in DC I can find all sorts of bars showing the matches but it’s just not the same as being in a country where the entire population has gone nuts. I enjoyed the 2010 Cup from Panama City, where I played $1 blackjack while football blared from every corner and the action at the sports book rivaled any I’ve seen in Vegas. That was fun, to be sure, but my favorite football memory isn’t from the World Cup at all.
2 years ago my visit to Tenerife coincided with the UEFA Euro Championship. Coming off back to back wins, Spain had a lot on the line. Fortunately, they delivered a smashing defeat to the Italians.
I viewed the match from a cliff-side bar just outside my hotel with a group of local families. Between sips of Ron de Miel, I joined in the celebration, no matter that my football knowledge consists of “don’t touch the ball”.
Getting gas on my way to the airport, I spotted this glass offered for 1 Euro with a full tank. I just couldn’t resist, even though I knew a gas station cup ranked among the sillier souvenirs I’ve collected over the years. I’m so glad I did as I cheer on Team USA with my gas station glass… filled with Ron de Miel on the rocks.
Confession: I’ve been wearing a Vinylmation Snuggie. Regularly. Out of the house.
I know better.
I watched every single episode of What Not to Wear with Deal Dad and we mocked those “Moms who gave up”.
I have a closet full of Dana Buchman, Michael Kors, Rachel Roy, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren and other designers who have great plus size lines (from Kohls, TJMaxx, Nordstrom Rack, and Thrift Stores, along with selective Macy’s clearance).
I even have my Target and Walmart faves which have to be better than this.
What happened-(and Why am I outing myself)?
Whatever you call it: winter blues, cabin fever, temporary insanity due to the kids already having eaten up their snow days (and ANOTHER BLIZZARD on the way)…it’s clear an intervention is needed.
I know how it started: my Vinylmation hoodie is a beloved souvenir from a trip to Disney 4 years ago. Deal Kid collects the Vinylmation statues, and I like them also because they’re fun to pick up when you travel around the world as each Disney store sells one unique to the location. I paid $12 for it at the Disney Parks Outlet across the street from Downtown Disney and it’s a men’s 2XL…clearly meant to be a “wear around the house item”. I LOVE it and it’s fondly known by the kids as my “snuggie”…needless to say Deal Dad rightly calls it romance repellent. As a “souvenir stories” item, it’s great.
As fashion? Not so much! But in the mornings, when it’s cold, I have a habit of throwing it on over my PJs before I get dressed. But this winter has been SOOOOO cold! And I just haven’t had the motivation some days to get dressed before I drive Deal Girl to school. And then there are the days that school is delayed, or cancelled, and we need milk, so we’ll just go to 7-11, or CVS, or the bank, and then it’s lunchtime and the kids are still here and I’m still in the snuggie…and I blink (between writing, answering random math problems, and throwing food down the pit) and Deal Dad is home from work and there I am: still in the snuggie!
(If you’re one of my single guy readers, I’ve just provided you with about a million reasons not to pop the question this Valentine’s day, haven’t I? Sorry bout that!)
And that’s why I’m outing myself: Clearly an intervention is needed. And if I need one, maybe you do too. Fortunately (and this is why I love him), Deal Dad has already given me one…details to come! If you see yourself in this post, please share and maybe we can help each other.
(And just for the record…today I am NOT wearing the Vinylmation snuggie.)
Original publish date: Feb 12, 2014.
Ortigia Sicilia: My Newest Aromatic Discovery, 2014
I’ve mentioned before that my favorite souvenirs are useful: fashion, food, fragrance. Today I’m sharing Ortigia Sicilia, a shoebox sized handcrafted perfume shop I found in Rome. It’s a bit hard to find, hidden a block behind the Via Corso; in fact I found it by accident. I’m so glad I did! They also have 5 other shops in Italy and 3 in Europe and are definitely worth seeking out.
I immediately fell in love with both the shop and all of the scents I tried. It was hard choosing one, but I finally went with the Orange Blossom. I especially appreciate that Ortigia sells rollerball TSA friendly sizes of perfume for 15 Euro.
Magic Man: 2014
The Deal Kids and I are fresh from David Copperfield, which was an astounding show, absolutely worth the hype. But even before the show, Deal Kid’s annual obsession with magic returned, and I blame Houdini. The magic shop, that is. Scattered all over Vegas are these amazing emporiums of all things a ten year old can’t resist: fake poop, fart bombs, and of course magic tricks.
Deal Kid has had a passing interest in magic since he was 5, but every year about this time it grows to a fever pitch as we just “must” get the trick those crafty sales folks are demonstrating. Last year Deal Kid confidently turned nickels into quarters (if only the slot machines would do that!). This year it’s the cups and balls trick…a variation of the shell game. With an hour or so’s practice he managed to fool us with aplomb.
Garrett’s popcorn: 2014
As I sit here munching on my Chicago Mix, which taste-wise might just be the perfect food, it occurs to me that souvenirs don’t even have to be from a “place”. To the uninitiated, Chicago Mix is 1/2 Cheese Popcorn and 1/2 Caramel, which seems on paper it shouldn’t work, but OH SO DOES. Garrett’s is my O’Hare routine, and most of the time I get it I’m not even going into Chicago. I just buy the jumbo bag from the shop in Terminal H and ask for a couple of empty small bags to munch on between flights. Garrett’s, at least in my mind, is unique to ORD.
However, I just saw on Garrett’s store locator that stores are popping up (pardon the pun) all over the place, even in airports such as (?) Sao Paulo, Brazil. Good news for you FIFA fans, I guess.
While I wish the company well, this expansion makes me a little sad. Garrett’s means Mag Mile, Cubs hats, and, well, O’Hare to me. I’ll even see a Garrett’s, if I wish, in two weeks in Las Vegas…but I think I’ll pass as it just won’t be the same.
History lessons from Bill the Cat, 2014
Deal Kid is almost 11 now, and he’s getting a more nuanced sense of humor. Not that a good flatulence joke won’t send him into guffaws, but he’s started to get into Pearls before Swine for instance. I decided it was finally time to bring out my prized collection of Bloom County books.
For you children of the 90s out there, Bloom County is about a good documentary of the 80s as you can get. From preppies to Reagan to the Cold War to commercialism to Vietnam Vets (disabled even) trying to find their place, Bloom County skewers everyone equally, and more importantly with a razor sharp wit and commentary that can only come out of the mouths of babes (and animals). Bloom County grew up with me, and I was the only kid in 9th grade wearing a Bill the Cat T-shirt (yea, I’m THAT kid).
At first, Deal Kid was skeptical. I had to prod him to get into the series, but by 1/2 way through the first book I heard first chuckles, then genuine side splitting laughter and begging for 15 more minutes before lights out.
And then something interesting happened: he started asking questions like “Who is Gorbachev?” There was even a conversation about a strip that skewered a Dad who was upset his white 4th grader had a black girlfriend. Deal Kid actually said “I don’t get it. What’s the joke?” and I realized he was confused because it doesn’t occur him having a girlfriend/spouse/kid of a different race is any big deal! He was genuinely surprised that in my own lifetime racism was alive and real (and still is in some places). It just doesn’t exist in his multi-cultural brain.
Have you shared any childhood faves with your kids? Were you surprised by the results?
Deal Kid adds: Bunny Suicides, 2014
This is a guest post idea from Deal Kid. We discovered The Book of Bunny Suicides last year in Belfast and Deal Kid and I have shared many laughs over the entire series. It’s SO sick, SO twisted, SO funny. If you’re a Simpsons, Pearls Before Swine, or Bloom County fan, “Bunny Suicides” is right up your alley.
Now that we’re onboard the Andy Riley train, we’ve graduated to the Great Lies to Tell Small Kids series, which is my personal pick.
Osito, our Mexico City mascot, 2015
Greetings from Mexico City! I’ll have a lot to share about our adventure over the next few posts but just wanted to give a shout-out to a last minute (great) idea: a trip mascot.
Credit goes to Deal Girl who grabbed “Osito” (little bear) at the last minute to come along. Turns out Osito is a conversation starter everywhere we go. Deal Girl isn’t exactly shy in the first place, but Osito wants to know EVERYBODY. He’s bi-lingual so Deal Girl is practicing her Spanish skills along with her ventriloquism. Apparently, he also loves vegetables, as he encouraged Deal Girl to order brussel sprouts with dinner last night- a first! (Ok, so he didn’t finish them, but it’s progress…)
I have to say I thought 8 was getting a bit old for something like Flat Stanley but Osito has been trip magic. He’s curious, full of energy, and brings out the best in both of us. I’ll be making sure each trip from now on has an Osito coming along for the ride.
Do you have a travel friend?
Galimard Create Your Own Perfume: Willy Wonka for Women, 2016
‘ve mentioned before that scent is one of my favorite souvenirs. I’ve discovered fragrances in Ireland and Italy but in Grasse, France I went a step further: creating my own signature fragrance. Attending the Galimard Create Your Own Perfume workshop was like being handed a Golden Ticket.
Grasse, just outside of Cannes, has been the center of the perfume industry for hundreds of years. While Fragonard has a more established “Museum” (gift shop), if you’re a perfume lover I’d strongly recommend a visit to Galimard to attend their perfume creation workshop.
The classes are capped at 32 people so I’d recommend booking in advance. Each student gets her own selection of 127 “notes”- individual ingredients. We were taught the difference between “base” (long lasting), “heart” (a few hours) and “top” (a few mintes) notes. Then we were let loose! We selected up to 15 individual scents for our perfect mix.
It was amazing to me how individual scents clashed or went together as layers. For instance I thought I loved a leafy note but the effect with my base was jarring. The process was much more detailed than I expected for a two hour class.
I selected a base of green amber and floral musk, middle notes heavy on lily and top notes of citrus. After two weeks to settle, I’m thrilled with the results.
At 49 Euro the two hour class would have been good value. The fact that you get to take home 100 ML of your creation makes it a no-brainer. Even better, you get to name your signature scent (mine is “Fleur de Vacance”) and are assigned a lot number so you can re-order your fragrance when you run out.
Have you tried perfume creation? Did you like the results? I’d love to hear about other classes out there.
What I’m Using to Stay Warm, 2016
Snowzilla has arrived with a roar. We’re over two feet with no end in sight, but the Deal Family is toasty warm. I’ve yet to brave the blizzard, but have been busy whipping up a souvenir from my recent Mexico City adventure: Abuelita hot chocolate. What makes Abuelita special? Well, it just tastes Mexican for lack of a better description. The chocolate is extra dark, almost mole-like, with a cinnamon kick that keeps you toasty warm inside.
Abuelita comes in bricks that I microwave with milk (about 4 minutes for 4 cups with one brick). I then stick the whole mix into the blender right before serving. You don’t have to put the brick in the microwave with the milk but I find it blends much better if softened first. Abuelita also makes a mean mocha when you 1/2 and 1/2 it with a dark roast coffee.
I first read about Abuelita in Jim Johnston’s Mexico City: An Opinionated Guide for the Curious Traveler (which I highly recommend for a unique view of the D.F.). He recommended it as a cheap gift or souvenir. The box I bought from the grocery cost $4 with a free mug.
Fortunately when we run out (which may be soon if the snow keeps piling up) I can re-order it from Amazon. I don’t think you can go back to Swiss Miss after Abuelita.
And the 1921? Well, that’s for the grownups. A splash of crema de tequila blends beautifully with Abuelita and both keeps us warm and helps with cabin fever. I’ve heard from friends that Bailey’s and Kahlua also work well.
