Little Black Guidebook

Want to hear something you might consider grody? I haven’t changed my socks in three days. I was so behind on life and laundry that I got to the bottom of the sock drawer and then went to my stash of travel clothes to find socks. This shoebox size tupperware contains my Exofficio underwear and Smart Wool socks. Now the Exofficio underwear belong in the travel box because they are admittedly quite ugly and should really only be used under circumstances where you need quick dry hotel sink friendly clothes, but why oh why have I left these socks in there that long? They are awesome. And while they are overnight dryable after sink washing, they are also WAY oder resistant, and they are plain comfy walking socks. If I don’t need fancy slack socks these would easily replace 3-4 pairs of my normal everyday jeans/casual wear socks and they last forever.

So, I’m now going through my drawer of yoga socks, running socks, hiking socks, life socks, etc. and ruthlessly purging all discolored, holey, or otherwise subpar socks and pulling my Smartwool socks permanently out of storage.

They come in a variety of styles, but my all time favorites is the Smartwool Adrenaline Light Mini Crew Sock which is the perfect combination workout/light-hiking/travel/casual sock. $16 so not cheap, but really does last and really does wick moisture and not stink.

I ran into Pauline Frommer’s blog “Traveling Light” on WeightWatchers.com of all places. Its all about how travel took its toll on her waistline (something I can empathize with). I didn’t know who she ways and then it hit me, duh, Frommers, like the guidebook. A quick google later and I stumbled upon this free book, “Spend Less, See More.” Its a 15 page pdf. I especially liked the tips dealing with contract of carriage as its a problem I’ve run into and not known how to deal with when I’m delayed and frustrated.

I looked at my Tripit.com account and was pleased to note that I already am starting to have quite a list of adventures ahead for 2010. I already have flights and reservations for 4 out of the next 7 months. Mostly just short little trips so far, but I used a good chunk of my Christmas bonus to buy 40 hrs of leave so I’m hoping to add a few more adventures in. Its so hard to be a world nomad and hold down a full-time job.

January 22-24 Miami, Florida

March 4-7 Nashville, Tennessee

May 19-23 West Point, NY; Philadelphia, PA

July 21-August 22 Paris, France; Brussels & Leuven, Belgium; Munich & Passau, Germany

via Piou

So chic. So French. I love these mod tea cups. This Friday I’m sipping Oolong tea that we bought in China last year while planning our upcoming trip to New York in May. Its going to be a good year.