Packing for a Destination Wedding in Ireland

So, you’re off to Ireland.  One of your mates is planning to tie the knot on the Emerald Isle (lucky bugger!) swapping a Caribbean beach affair to walk down the aisle of the little church in her fiance’s village.  Ay. So romantic.  Do you mind if I ask you what’s going in the bag?

My advice is to skip the sweaters. You can buy legendary Irish hand knit Aran Islands sweaters there, so save room in your suitcase.  Instead, be prepared for Irish mist (the soft, wet kind) and bring along an Isabrella, an umbrella that makes the sight of cloudy skies exciting.  Designed by the clever folks at What’s That Product Development and produced by OFESS, both Hong Kong based, these umbrellas are turning the world upside down, literally.

Try to imagine an umbrella that packs into a lightweight canister that’s shaped like a wine bottle (yes, you read that right).  Think ice wine or sake size, get the picture?  If not then you are way behind our friends at OFESS whose mantra is “Enjoy Rainy Days.” They hit on their wild idea accidentally while holding a wine bottle upside down and concluded it was like holding an umbrella on a rainy day.  We can’t help but wonder how many bottles they finished before this discovery, mind you, but the idea stuck; the neck becoming the umbrella handle and the bottle, the umbrella container.  Now if only they’d figured out how to include some wine, too, then we might be pleasantly stupefied.  No matter, it’s ready to pop in your roller wheels and become the ultimate accessory to channel that inner sommelier er, fashionista in you.  Why?  Well, that’s the best part. The company’s “Artist Collection” will rock the socks off the wedding guests and have them waiting in the apse to get the scoop.

Get this. OFFESS went out on a limb to invite 5 cutting edge artists from all over the world to tell their very own “Enjoy Rainy Days” stories and reproduce them on the Isabrella.  The finished product flourishes a unique graphic design on the UV protected nylon fabric which is an achievement of unique and extraordinary abilities, mind you.  It’s a bit like holding a painting over your head.  We’re crazy about Kayo Horguchi’s design (especially the stagecoach) … edgy yet elegant.  Kayo started as a fashion designer in Japan and we’ve heard her graphics are symbolic.  Could she be trying to tell us something about going somewhere in that coach?  Hmm, that’s a thought.

Let’s just say that once your Isabrella is opened, you’ll be hard pressed to close it especially with all the compliments.  Why, the Dolce dress you scored for the big day might even have to take a back seat (we’ve never heard of being wet and looking hot, have you?).  And when the wedding’s over rest assured you’ll be strutting your Isabrella down those Irish streets and getting in touch with your inner Galway Girl.

After the vows and the toasts, take to the rolling, lush green countryside of Ireland carefree with your little friend in your bag.  We mean the umbrella, of course, although we do suggest you chat up a lovely Irish lad to show you around.  Take it from the Squire.  Ditch your standard fold-up and splurge on an extraordinary accessory for an extraordinary country.

www.ofess.com

*Advice from Patty, an Irish lass:

Beyond the stereotypes that label Ireland as the land of Guinness and leprechauns, the country is the undiscovered gem of Northern Europe.  So, rent a car and explore the country. Cozy up in a local pub and enjoy organic Celtic music by a roaring fire. Bring a pair of walking shoes and hike a section of the Dingle Peninsula coastline for remarkable ocean views. Breathe in fresh, pure mountain air in the Wicklow Mountains.  Kiss the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle for good luck. The Irish people are gentle and hospitable, making foreigners feel welcome and in many ways, at home. And, the Irish are renowned for their clever toasts, so here’s one for the wedding to send you off to the Isle:

Here’s to lying, cheating, stealing and drinking.
If you lie, may you lie in the arms of your love.
If you cheat, may you cheat death.                                                                                                
If you steal, may you steal each other’s hearts.                                                                     
And if you drink, may we all drink to your happiness.

Island Fever

Picture this:  it’s summer and you’re leaning on the railing of a ferry charging through the sapphire blue Aegean and you can feel the mist on your cheeks from the chop as an island comes into view.  Not just any island – the one where your handsome Greek god lives, and he’s waiting for you so that you, too, can fall in love with all things Greek.  You’ve got 30 minutes before anchor, so you kick back on the deck, relax and scheme out your entrance.

The Greek islands are the primo place for sun lovers.  And here’s an insider’s tip: basking between June and September in the islands (and there are hundreds of them) is basking to the supreme.  We’re talking all of Europe (and the Brazilians, of course, who never miss a beach in season) stripped to their tinies frolicking in the crystal clear cerulean blue sea that laps the torrid, pebbled beaches. But before you pack your suits, let’s not forget the most important accessory: sunglasses, sunglasses, sunglasses!

Everyone loves sunglasses, and the good news is that we’ve discovered a brand that makes affordable, sporty shades that look sexy and are designed tougher than your average fashion sunglasses. Ryders Eyewear (around $40.00) makes sunglasses with anti-slip nose pads and athletic frames to shape your face. Each style of Ryders sunglasses has a name and personality. Try a wide or skinny lens, rock a dark or a candy colored frame, or bring several pairs and mix it up. Our favorites are the Grindhouse (a Ray Ban Wayfarer-esque lens with an edge) and the Rockslide (a Prada-esque shield lens with max coverage for greatest visibility).

Sure, Guido Contini knew a thing or two about shades along with every other Italian on the planet and let’s not forget Mrs. Onassis, ok?  At this moment she supersedes Holly Gollightly for nailing the Greek glamour factor. Why, maybe in the near future, I, too can have my own Greek island.  Hmmm, let’s see – what will I name it…?

Packing for a tropical vacation sounds simple. But, it’s not. Hot weather may mean fewer clothes on your body, but it doesn’t mean fewer clothes in your bag. Especially when it comes to bathing cover-ups.

Girls, dressing up a swimsuit with a hand me down cover-up isn’t going to cut it in the Caribbean anymore. In fact, glitz and glamour are part and parcel to any Caribbean stay nowadays and women are ditching woven sarongs for lighter, more revealing, crocheted and embellished ones. This Venus simple, white, soft v-neck look (on sale for $39) has a large side-slit and long sleeves that can be rolled up casually, or left down to accent bejeweled cuffs. The loopy stitches leave little to the imagination, but that’s the point isn’t it?  A little drama goes a long way on the beach or poolside, trust me, and it’s anyone’s guess where your night will be heading after soaking up some rays and getting comfy, cozy at the bar while showing off just a glimpse of that glorious tan underneath.  Hey, when you’re on vacation entrance making isn’t just for after dark.

My point?  Don’t really “cover up,” simply accessorize your suit in a much cooler way. Change the look daily by bringing some tunics, light sun-dresses and jeweled wraps. You’ll meet the baggage allowance weight, and feel like a sun goddess who was meant to be walking down that white sand beach.

Cancun, Mexico is great for the sun and the beach, yes. But, being a shopaholic myself, I just had to sniff out the local markets, too. I asked around the JW Marriott for best places to shop for authentic Mexican goods, and Mercado Veintiocho (Market 28) was the most highly suggested. So I hopped on a bus, road into downtown Cancun and had a blast strolling around the stalls jammed side by side in a huge four block radius. After ducking under tents, weaving down alleyways between stalls, and dodging pushy Mexican salesmen, I had scoped out the market and made my choices. Fifty-five dollars later, I had myself a little stash of the sweetest handmade Mexican gifts, all light and small enough to fit in a carry-on.

Shell and Hemp Jewelry

Cancun is the queen of jewelry. I felt like a kid in a candy store here—chunky bracelets, necklaces, turquoise, opals, strung-together shells and carved wood! Total jewelry-bliss. After a lot of browsing, I settled on a large shell pendant necklace and a thick shell bracelet. I couldn’t resist the temptation to buy a small, wood-beaded hemp bracelet (traditional to Mayan design) so I grabbed one of those too.