Souvenirs

Over the past couple of days my main procrastination outlets (as usual) have been singing along to the glee soundtrack and fantasising about all things European.

Souvenirs are so fun and something that you cannot help but get caught up in. I came back from the states with a Shamu puppet and a star spangled banner accordion among other things and in hindsight I honestly keep questioning my judgement in the situation.

For that reason- to save cashola, time and room back home before I (eventually) venture to Europe I will have a concise list of souvenirs to bring back. Now this may sound horrible but my family have requested I do not bring them any souvenirs. My older siblings have both already been to Europe and consequently my house is now well equipped with glittering Paris photo frames and miniature Venetian vases so I am more than a-okay with that. So shopping will be reversed for personal use only. I'm going with the theory of making investment purchases (with the exception of postcards). Things that are practical, that can be used again and again but still are reminders of each city. So here is a preliminary list;

London/England:

1. Vintage Dress for the birthday I will be celebrating over there.

2. Type Trumps cards from the V&A museum gift shop. I love the colour scheme and layout of each of these cards and the concept appeals to the inner nerd in me. I think they would be fun to play but lovely to frame and hang as deco in my dorm room.

3.Umbrella. England if anything is known for its rainy rainy days. A travel sized umbrella would be a lovely memento, practical whilst living there but also for years to come- whenever it rains I could think of England.

I could go with the traditional James Smith & Sons Parrot umbrella and rock the Mary Poppins look or something more souveniry with a Cath Kidston London Umbrella. If all else fails there is always Harrods.

Paris/France:

1. French Knickers. Love the design & delicacy. From what I have read you can pick up nice sets just about anywhere. These Monoprix sets look lovely and are only about 30 euro.

2. Canvas Shopper Totes. Parisian beauties wonder the markets with woven baskets and canvas totes/ French supermarkets are plastic bag free. I would love to take that chic legacy home and replace our practical yet semi-hideous green bags.

Venice/Italy.

1. Lace Stockings. The Merletto Lace School in Venice has demonstrations and many hand crafted products for sale. When my sister visited Italy she purchased a set of lace stockings for her wedding (if ever there is one) and a personalised handkerchief for my wedding if ever there is one. Because white stockings remind me of little little girls, the 1980's and nurses I would love to get a natural pair of lace stay-ups. I think they would be a lovely accessory to any special occasion.

2. Limoncello. Even though this lemon liqueur is originally from the south, nowadays it is marketed largely in Venice. Served over ice after dinner, from the sounds this could become y drink of choice. It is also often mixed into Limoncello blushes or sunrises, into cheesecake, trifle and over ice cream. Having served the net there are a tonne of recipes to make your own but I think the original would be better.

Florence/Italy.

Florence is known for its leather production. I would pick up an overnight/duffel bag. Great for weekends away, overnight trips, carry on luggage, it would be a timeless and practical accessory.

Also wouldn't mind picking up a few small leather pouches to organise my handbag. One for cosmetics, one for bits and pieces and one for stationery.

Lucerne/Switzerland.

Last thing would be a Swiss army knife from Switzerland. One more than one occasion I have been in need of tweezers or a file and didn't have one on me. I think it would be a handy key chain to have.

Of course picking up chocolate bars and tasting foods from all of these wonderful places is a given.

At the end of the day I know I will probably be swayed to pick up a few tacky things along the way, the Harrods dominos set and the V&A London in a bag already look pretty tempting. I might set a budget and stick to that once it is reached it is reached, most advice books and posts that I have read recommend one hundred euros a day to include everything- meals, entry, shopping so we will see and as you can see from my list some places will warrant my spending more so than others.

I know some people collect certain things (keychains, shot glasses etc) but what would you like to bring back from europe?

I would love to hear.