Have you used something today you brought home from a trip?

Yes.
My Inis perfume, but I can't remember if I bought this bottle in Connemara or at home at the Irish festival.

Not today but yesterday starrs. I used a pretty white champagne opener that a good friend in Italy gave me for the express purpose of how I used it, to open a cap on a bottle. I always think of him when I use it. And the other day I used the wood mortar and pestle that I bought years ago at a Farmer's Market in N Italy. Oh, I did today actually, I put some lovely vine ripened tomatoes in a pretty white bowl I bought in Italy.

I used some of the vanilla extract which I bought in Zihuatanejo 4 years ago. I use it all the time -- I bought so much, I may never again have to buy vanilla.

not today..but last night I used some herbs I purchased in Italy last summer...

I used my Spode coffee mug purchased in London...it's nice and big for my a.m. wake up.

I use the beautiful Pierre Frey - Yves Deslormes duvet cover I bought in Paris a few weeks ago. It makes me happy just to look at it on my bed. That and the little wash mitts we bought in Monoprix last year.

A friend was here for lunch so we sat outside and I served the cheeses in the wooden round tray with the fold over net cover that's for cheese that was given to me by friends in Provence.

Even as we speak, I'm wearing my great little ring-watch that my SO bought me in NY!

I rest my coffee spoon on one of several ceramic ltea bag holders each day. Today was a Green Harrod's one, shaped like a teapot.

Well, something DH brought home from a trip. A mug "Coffee From Hell", which he got in Hell, MI.
FYI Starrs, I love LaConner, WA. My brother lives near there.

Original artwork from all over the world has been hanging on my walls for years. I have received many compliments on my small mid-priced collection.

I guess I'm using stuff bought abroad on a daily basis....

I used what is left over of my tanned legs and arms from Kauai at the gym today.

I don't think a day goes by that I don't use a LOT of stuff from my travels.

Today I used saffron I bought at the market in Le Bugue, sea salt from Provence, bowls from Perugia, a mousepad from Paris, a jacket I bought in Rome, shoes I bought in Bordeaux, a scarf I bought in Amsterdam, a bracelet I bought in Kenya, my violet perfume from an autoroute stop somewhere around Montpellier, moisturizer from Sarlat, and earrings I bought in Castiglione di Lago.

Kind of amazing, now that I write it down!

I'm wearing a shirt I bought in Hawaii over Christmas, and served up some chips on a wooden plate I bought at the ABC store.

And I use my little herb grinder that I bought in Avignon all the time.

I don't shop much when I travel except for earrings and a few gifts, but we do buy something for the house everywhere we go. And I always try to bring back small pieces of art or photographs to hang in the house and in my office. My office wall is getting covered with photos from many of the places I've traveled. It's a great conversation piece!

godesstogo, my place is covered on walls with posters given to me through the years in France that I framed, a freebie that costs $$$ and my favorite photos that I snapped.

oh cc,
If I had to depend on good photos that I snapped my walls would be bare! I'm possibly the world's worst photographer -- and I've actually taken photography courses in art school and university. There's something about having that little machine between me and the thing... I could probably draw it faster. And better!

Last year in Paris, walking up near Parc Villette, I saw a chef's supply store. I went in and bought a chef's knife -- their own brand -- by playing mime/charades with the owner who didn't speak any English. I use that knife almost every day.

I use my spoon rest from Firenze lying next to my stove every day.

Continuing Neo's theme, I used a chef's knife and a pair of scissors I bought in 2000 in Toledo from a swordmaker, both still perfect, never sharpened. Neo - I stayed in the Parc Villette section on my first visit to Paris. Also today, I used a napkin from Avignon with lavender & olive motif. And a touch of a favorite perfume I found again in Paris. A bonanza of little joys!

Well, gtg in Dijon decorates my Facebook page

I usually don't buy souvenirs except food, but on my recent trip to Spain I bought a ceramic vase which is cylindrical. It sits right next to my stove and I use it to hold my cooking utensils.

I also bought a handpainted ceramic plant pot - I'm growing African violet in it.

Last year I bought a garlic holder in Germany - I packed it so well when we moved that I still haven't been able to find it.

Really, starrs? Me? In Dijon? Oh dear -- my hair!

I don't know how to use Facebook or I'd look it up.

By the way, I got a lovely Fete de Muguet ecard and note from Coco the other day. I told her that I wished I could pick up her apartment and move it to London so it could be myhomeinlondon in 2010!

A ballpoint pen. I always buy those in England. You can always use one, and they make great souvenirs for friends, too.

There's a fine photo of the Mersey ferry on my living room wall. I get to see that every day!

I buy orginal art and have it through out the house. It's a daily reminder of our trips and makes me smile every day. I figure the kids will let me take the art with me when they put me in "the home" LOL

Yes. I'm using it now, a watch my mom bought me for my birthday while we were on our last vacation. Oh, and a beautiful opal ring, gotten on that same trip.

And while it may seem a little gross to some of you, we ate a chocolate from our trip to Switzerland in March. We've rationed ourselves 1 chocolate a day, lest we run out before we get a chance to get more European chocolates fresh from our trip!

At a luncheon today, I wore my brand new red shoes that I purchased in Paris last week!

Later on tonight, I'll be taking a bath with my lavender soap from Chambord. oooh la la...

goddess, I'm a simple shoot and point- I don't care how others view them. THEY ARE MY PERSONAL VIEWS of my trip, Your photos are for your memories not for others to impress.

I used the last of some sunscreen I got at a Boots in London last year. Time for a trip!

Ah, cc. I see I haven't really explained my limitations. My photos are generally of a) my feet, b) half a mountain and some sky, or c) a blurry thing.

I do admit though that one of the pics on my office wall is one I took myself -- a beautiful fishing harbour in Nova Scotia. It must have been an act of God.

I used one of a set of dish towels I bought at a local market in Monterosso, and a small purse I bought at the airport in Johannesburg.

I also have artwork and ceramics from my travels all over my apartment.

What delightful stories! I so enjoy reading about everyone's purchases.

I have several leather bookmarks, all from Florence except for a few from England a friend gave me.

And my artwork, yes all from Italy. Just need to get my dear son-in-law to hang the rest.

Looking around, almost everything I have kept is from Italy, some items even handed down by my husband's parents.

And there is a present waiting for me in Italy, I just need to get back there in order to collect it!

This thread is very interesting. It seems we all love to travel and then relive our experiences and memories through the small stuff we can't resist buying.
I, too, have lots of paintings/prints from many of my international travels. But today, I used a very pretty paper from Japan to wrap a gift. The design on the paper- beautiful flowers and the pretty colors were very nostalgic. Reminded me how I admired Japanese salesgirls wrapping my purchases so neatly with their dainty fingers. I cannot wrap like them even if I try hard.
Really, traveling around the world is filled with so many simple pleasures.

Ileen, the Italians wrap packages so beautifully also, even clothes that have been dry cleaned (although sometimes I will admit that I wish they would put them on hangers). One of the first things I noticed about my son-in-law who is from Italy is how perfect he could wrap a present. My wrapped packages usually look like a child wrapped them, lol.

ileen,
you just gave me such a nice memory. We bought a small box of tea in a Tokyo department store and the sales clerk was so lovely. She was wearing her immaculate store uniform and seemed actually to want to help us and to have a chance to practice her English. We explained that the tea was just for ourselves, not a gift, but she wrapped it so beautifully we ended up giving it to my SO's mom.

You're exactly right about the simple pleasures. When we were in Italy, we loved the simplest meals best. When we got home, I regularly served sliced tomatoes with bocaccini cheese, olive oil, and black olives with fresh bread.

In France, one of our favourite mornings was sitting under the blue awning of a restaurant on the sand in Juan Les Pins, early in a summer morning, having coffee and baguette with butter for breakfast at the seashore.

Simple pleasures, indeed.

Wore a zebra-print scarf from Rinascente (Rome) yesterday. Had to re-align my poster from Kenney's Bookstore in Galway at the office today and used some stamped-paper wrapped pencils at work as well.
.Have my lamp with the murano shade on tonight. I'm out of Herbs de Provence so will have to pick some up this fall.

perfume perfume perfume.
duty free gauloises
wine

Well, there's the ceramic ladle and pasta dishes we had made for us in Montepulciano that we used this evening, the bronze sculpture from Les Baux that sits on a glass table, and the most glorious Italian soaps made by Acca Kappa that I use all the time. What wonderful memories!

Ever since I read the comment by another traveling female who said,"I always buy jewelry as souveniers and my husband never has to ask, "Now, how are you going to get that home?", I think jewelry is my favorite thing to buy also! I do have some pottery pieces that I like plus some fabric throws & pillows & pashminas. I also love taking MANY photos, whether or not anyone is interested in looking at them!

Yes, the purse I bought in Barcelona and Carlos, the wine guard, we bought in Pals (in Costa Brava).

Hi Starrs...now that we (NYC) have warmer Spring time weather, I will definitely wear my hand-made sandals that I purchased in Capri.
I also frequently use serving platters that I purchased in Positano.

Yes, my beautiful red leather purse I got in Rome. I carry it almost every day, even if it doesn't match, because it reminds me of a wonderful trip.

Eight years ago we traveled in Italy with two friends and in Venice stayed at the Rialto Hotel where are two rooms had little balconies on the Grand Canal. The friends gave me a square metal canister with a locking lid of "Rialto" coffee" which has a picture of the Rialto Bridge and you can actually see our two balconies in the background. I still use it on my counter for storing my coffee beans, and get some out every morning. It brings a smile to my face every day even before I get my caffeine.

Last night we used the olive wood mortar and pestle we bought in Assisi last month.

Every day I use the spoon rest from Ravello.

Byrd

Sitting on my stove is a lovely Alessi teapot that we bought in Florence in September. And last night I used some olive oil my son brought back from Italy on his spring break trip in March.

What is the oldest thing you have and use from previous travel?

Off the top of my head, I have some small, hand-painted ceramic bowls from the Old City, Jerusalem - circa 1972.
I used one recently to serve olives.

I have always shlepped stuff home.

I used my L'Occitane honey body wash that I got from the store next to the Opera House in Paris this morning.

Yesterday I used Balsamic Vinegar from Olivier & Co.from France.

Also DH...does that count? I DID bring him home!

Hmmm. Yesterday I wore a pendant I bought in Ireland in 2006. I have on my office wall a calendar of photos I took in Nova Scotia and Maine last August. I also have a postcard I bought while I was there (an aerial shot of Peggy's Cove).

Oh, and I'm wearing earrings I made of beads, and some of the beads I bought in London many years ago

The oldest item I have from a trip that I use everyday is a glass wall clock that I bought in Brussels in 1993 (or was it 1994)? It measures 10" in diameter and I honestly have no idea how I managed to carry it on my trip and bring it home without breaking it. Those were my backpacking days staying at hostels and taking overnight long-distance buses...

I'm wearing a crystal bracelet I got in Prague in 2006. I'm also wearing a tanzanite ring I got in Cozumel in 2003.

Right now I am wearing a sweater I bought in Turkey and slippers I bought in Thailand. And I just made some soup and used a wooden handcarved scoop I bought from a market place in Tunisia.

My favorite perfume -LouLou by Cacheral. No longer available in the US so I have to travel somewhere to replenish!

1) a marvelous pair of trousers I got at the Loft in Atlanta a couple years ago;

2) CK Bee I bought at the Free Shop in Lisbon last month;

3) A fantastic silvery bag I bought in Sao Paulo last X'mas.

My Alma (CO) Festival in the Clouds 2006 tee shirt. Has dogs dancing and using a hula -hoop. Certainly isn't as elegant or fancy as alot of you posters are using today. sigh

Used some Gueraude sea salt I keep in a little Venetian glass dish;
left the house wearing ballet shoes
from Verona; my Mandarin Duck purse,
a nifty necklace from a street market in Levanto and silver bangles
from Manzanillo....and on and on.

Put my morning coffee cup on one of the 6 coasters with a photo of Jerusalem - brought from Israel in 2006.

The Hawaii potholder when I picked up the tea kettle.

The Olympic NP mug for the tea.

The silver earrings from Santa Fe.

Today: pottery earrings that came from Nova Scotia 15+ years ago.
Yesterday: silver earrings I bought in Mexico last month.

Which is why jewelry is my usual "souvenir" purchase: takes little space & I'm sure to use & enjoy it for years.

I'm interested to see how many people bring back spices, oils, etc. As for all the people who listed perfume, I'm just jealous. I work in a scent-free environment, so I don't ever bother buying it any more -- it just "turns" before I get to the end of it.

I use two things every day that we bought in Paris. One is a wrought iron napkin holder and the other our toilet paper holder. This is also wrought iron and has an arm that you merely slide the rolls onto. The design is now available in the US but it wasn't when we bought this years ago. Two simple things, but also two things we cherish and that bring back memories.

Yes, I carry a small cosmetic bag I bought at Penhaligon's in London a few years ago. I love it!

Sure. Every single day I see and enjoy photos and art on the walls of my home and my office that I've brought home from our trips. And, of course, there's our hall clock which we bought in Rome.

Today: Ferragamo gold python mules (Florence), Furla bag (Rome), Furla wallet (Venice) and a silk scarf from Lake Como.

Monday and thereafter - the BMW I brought back from Munich.

Many of my kitchen items were bought on trips, too.

Yes, MsE I used my Inis perfume from Ireland too and I love my "Paul Smith" "Rose" perfume from there as well (never mind the "Jo Malone")

My parents travelled extensively for years and I got my fill of strange souvenirs with the name of a city or country written on them. To get them to stop with the nature of these gifts, I eventually told them to only buy me something in gold or silver!

Now I buy things that I use like an Alessi bowl from Santa Margarhita, Limoncello glasses from a supermarket in Livorno; pasta in the shape of tiny male members from the market in Florence... (you know everyone needs some).

Everynight in winter, we cuddle up under a mohair rug from Kinsale and use the Waterford and Tyrone crystal glasses from car boot sales and antique shops in N. Ireland.

Should we start a thread about British Car Boot sales? Love them.

My lemon perfume from Avignon. My silver carved ring from Hawaii. My Paris tapestry purse.

1. I used a Mozart mug I bought fr Salzburg for my morning latte. It's just a regular shaped mug with Mozart's face and sheet music on it.

2. my mango toothpaste from Salzburg

3. apricot body lotion from Munich.

4. Kenzo Amour perfume from Munich

The ulu knife I brought back from Alaska. A lot of people use it just for mincing or dicing, I use it for everything! The way it handles is awesome and since your hand is right over the middle of the blade, it makes cutting through frozen meat easy.

One of the things I bring back from trips are shot glasses and I rotate through these when I have a shot (I'm really bummed the one I got in Monterey can't be used).

Some more things since my previous replies:

1) A framed Mark Rothko print (reproduction) bought during my most recent London trip. It hangs on our living room wall.

2) Fair Trade Extra-strength tea bags from Marks & Spencer.

3) Bruegel painting placemats which we bought in Vienna in 2006. We ate dinner every night looking at these placemats!

4) Silk scarf I bought in Windsor (UK) in May. Haven't worn it lately though.

Today I used some oil from the Napa Valley Olive Oil Manufactory that I bought in St. Helena in October (thanks Kal!!!).

I deglazed the pan with raspberry wine I purchased in CA.

My favorite chef's knife I bought at a chef's supply store where no one spoke a word of English in Paris.

Specifically today, I used my pewter "ship in a bottle" keychain from Halifax and listened to one of many CDs I've bought on my trips.

Everyday I use (or look at) my Nova Scotia crystal mantel clock, my CN Tower clock, several photo frames (various trips), my bug encased paperweights (from Niagara Falls), my handblown paper weight (from Montreal), my frog box (from Perth - Canada), and at least one of my six cotton flannel blankets (bring at least one home from each Canada trip).

More days than not, I use my handpainted wristwatch and/or one of my two necklaces from Montreal, one or more of the various articles of clothing I've bought.

Most importantly, I use my dSLR that I bought one my second trip to Ottawa as often as I possibly can.

Oh, and I am also using two photos from each of my last two vacations for my Christmas cards this year. What isn't used for Christmas will be used for thank you cards, etc. in the future.

I buy all my earring in Mexico, so those are used everyday. My coffee mugs are from the ABC Store in Hawaii. My keychain is from Vermont.

Even as we speak, I'm wearing the earrings I bought in Montalcino in 2005!

I wore a sweater vest I got at Primark on Oxford Street and a pashmina style scarf from Covent Gardens just this past October. My earrings were from a glass blowers shop in Venice last fall. I enjoy them and the memories they bring back when I wear my "souvenirs."

I actually used two things today that I brought home from a trip. Last December I went to Rome, Italy and bought quite a few scarves and Murano glass necklaces. I wore the scarf today along with the necklace.

In London, 2003, I bought a 6" long print cloth zippered coin-like purse from the store "Liberty" (famous for it's fabrics). I have carried it in my purse ever since and keep extra pens, fingernail files, bandaids, dental floss, etc. and it is perfect for hiding tampons.

Starrs,
Great question! I am using lots and lots of Christmas ornaments I bought in Dublin over Thanksgiving weekend last year. I made sure to purchase enough so that the appearance of my tree would be unified (with all my treasured memories of past holidays)- yet give our tree a distinctively Irish flair!
My oldest daughter wears Inis Or (those of you that like Inis perfume should check it out if you haven't already) and she smells lovely.
I agree with everyone that lists their photographs and purchased artworks as things they enjoy on a daily basis.

Since I met my husband on vacation and we did come back home to the USA, I guess he "qualifies" !!!

I look at my Paris calendar every day when I go to my office.

It helps to pass the time between the last trip and the next trip.

Can hardly wait until March ...

A few years ago, I brought back the way I drink coffee - a pitcher of hot milk with a little bit of coffee made in my french press.

And since October, every morning that milk is heated up in a pitcher bought in Noron la Poterie, a small town near Bayeux, famous for its pottery.

Yes for today I used:

Clothespins from the UK to dry my clothes outside

Leather boots from Italy...

that's just today!

Oh and I am using a lot of Christmas ornaments from when I taught school in Germany. Also I buy other ornaments on holidays. I have some from England, Ireland, Belgium, Italy and Hawaii that I love to use every year at this time.

Today I used an apron I bought in Brazil.

Everyday I look at the beautiful ceramic wall clock we brought back from Rome. There are items and art and photos all over my house that come from wherever we've traveled so I pretty much 'use' them everyday.

1) Artwork by Arnaud Laval (Paris)- just hung them up after finally getting them beautifully framed (purchased 2006!)

2) Wearing hooded sweatshirt purchased in Vancouver Canada July 2008

3) souvenir dishtowels from Marseilles - the best!

junghans wristwatch purchased in bern, CH recently.

gold pfeil leather purse and keychain from rothenburg odt.

plastifique tablecloth from provence, with some lavender/provencal pattern. spills and dirt wipe off easily but has the look of cotton cloth.

damasquene letter opener from toledo, spain bought many years ago.

Today I'm wearing a wool sportcoat I bought at Blarney woolen mills.

My son was wearing a knit ski cap he bought in Munich a few years ago.

My well worn beautiful Fratelli Rossetti boots from Italy - which I have worn almost non stop since 2001 -; my hat from Muji in Japan (it was very cold in Himeiji that day and started to snow); my lovely Haan soap from Thailand; and I ate the pumpkin tortellini that I brought back from my most recent trip to Venice, with parmesan cheese from the lovely cheese man in Padua sprinkled on top!

It's always so much more fun to shop when on holiday and relaxed and in the mood!

Everyday I have "coasters" in my home to place cups of tea, coffee, etc. Most recently I put out the set from the Lot Valley, August 2007. My Christmas eve wine was served in Waterford crystal from a trip in 2000.

These objects remind me of the wonderful trips I have taken and help me plan for the future.

Happy New Year and travels.

We used the pottery wine glasses I purchased in France from a lady who has a little shop out in the country somewhere close to Vezelay.

I used my purple suede purse today, purchased in Positano last year. It's one of a kind and I get so many compliments on it.

Every night we sleep under the down quilt we bought in London years ago at an after Christmas sale. I also used an old British nutcracker today that we brought back last year.

Yes. My favorite earrings are from Prague and Hawaii.
Dishtowels from Germany
Coasters from Paris
Beer/water glasses from Germany
Last days of the calendar I brought back from Germany
I use a little paring knife we bought for a euro in Germany all the time.
I keep Lidl bag that keeps things cold in my car for groceries.
Hand cream from Berlin.

Seems we have a lot of things from Germany b/c we've been there 4 times in the past couple of years.

Marks & Spencer cotton underwear.

I have been wearing my alpaca sweater from Peru.

My 13 Longchamp bags that I have bought on every trip to Paris, Rome, St Maarten or Nice. What a collection I have gotten already.

Also a cute ceramic bowl from Barbados that I love and a platter from Positano.

Wooden keyring in the shape of Australia, bought in Melbourne, holding my house keys

Shoulder bag, bought in Munich

Glühwein cup from Basel Christmas market, now on my desk filled with coffee

And I'm wearing the pair of jeans I bought in Cuxhaven on the North Sea coast in 2007.

I am wearing an Irish sweater and have an Irish wool woven throw on the back of my sofa. Some little watercolors of various places I have visited are on the walls. Some of my photographs around. I have little cats (one in Connemara marble, one glass one about a quarter inch in a bottle about an inch high from Murano, a blue and white one from Delft, etc.) tucked into little spots about the house. My favorite is a jug I found in a rubbish pile near an old ruin in Ireland. I came across it when I was teaching there more than forty years ago and it has always been on my kitchen widowsill with flowers in it. the flowers come from my garden in rowing season, but during our bleak New England winter, it has something from the grocery flower corner.

Just cuddled the plush wombat I adopted in Margaret River.

I have travel pictures hanging on the wall in my department....does that count?

Not today, but on my most recent trip to Barcelona, I bought a blue silk scarf at the airport. I've worn it quite a few times already!

Today I used the salad servers I bought in Tanzania and the woolly hat I bought in Anacortes Wa. I also wear the bling I bought in Ireland regularly.

I am wearing a wool sweater I purchased in Italy and am using a leather bookmark from Florence and cracked open some walnuts with a nutcracker a friend in Italy gave me and my glass of water is on a coaster from Italy. It is pretty hard not to use something every day that is from Italy actually.

LoveItaly's post just reminded me of something. I wear a black fleece jacket (bought in Hong Kong) everyday at home during the winter. It's an el cheapo fleece jacket (bought from the Hong Kong equivalent of Old Navy) so I never gave a second thought to it until I saw LI's post.

Every day I wear several pairs of eyeglasses I purchased in Germany and today I am also wearing perfume purchased there.

I use a bread basket I bought in Germany often to hold my warm bread and rolls. I also have a bookmark from Berlin I use, as well as others from other places I have been to.

The pair of 6 Euro fake Uggs I bought in a Dunnes Stores outside of Dublin. They are wonderful, warm and fuzzy and comfortable.

Hard to remember everything but I use something from a trip every day.
My copper pans are from France (an extravagance 15 years ago that seem like a bargain now!)
Seasonal stuff like Christmas ornaments bring back happy memories. I noticed a handmade glass fish from Vieques today (a new ornament that we bought this time last year so this is the first year we've displayed it) and a Disney ornament from our first trip to California in 1992.
I also buy a lot of scarves on trips and today I'll wear a very fine spun lacy mohair scarf bought in Brussels (but made of Mongolian mohair).

happy memories!

The salad servers we bought in Tanzania. Made a Vietnamese turkey salad.

This is a cool thread so I am answering again months later. Today - not much - just a harp necklace from Ireland and STILL carrying my favorite Paris design tapestry purse bought in Paris. I usually am wearing my gorgeous amethyst and fire opal/diamond chip ring bought for a great price in Scottsdale in 2008.

Tell me - what are your most recent travel purchases? I was in Switzerland in September and bought a watch with little black and red purse/lipstick/shoe charms, and a long sleeve white shirt with the Matterhorn in silver. (Switzerland was expensive - besides chocolate that was all I bought).

The past couple of weeks I've, unfortunately, had to use the hankercheifs I bought in Brugges in Oct.

My husband got some milage out of something we didn't buy, "See? We should have bought that Escher calendar while we were right there at the museum!" It has slipped my mind to order new calendars.

We always use are Bavarian kitchen towels and often refer to the art books we have purchased at the museums.

I gave up wearing watches a year ago. On a recent trip to the islands I almost missed my flight cause I worse no watch. So I said 'fudge that', simplicity is fine as long as it does not wreck one's life. I bought a Citizen Eco-Drive solar powered dive watch at SXM and could stop worrying about missing my flights. BTW... Love the watch.

I used to buy all sorts of antiques and collectibles on trips. Silver chalices, continental ivory, alligator belts with 14k gold buckles. Those were back in my 'suspender making days' where the rich life for me equated to unhealthy, fat and cluttered life.

Switched gears in 1999 to less consumption and more doing and now seldom buy stuff on trips. Trips are more purpose built around diving, beaches, kayaking, skiboarding, treks etc. I got all the gear I need now, so not much to buy...all that's left is to do.

Everyday we use the WMF flatware purchased in Montreal and Germany. Some of it has lasted for over 30 years. It is durable, attractive, and brings back memories.

OK, this isn't meant to be like "Oh, look, I've been so many places" but to note how varied the souvenirs we bring back may be and how they end up in our daily lives! Over the last couple of days, I put up the Christmas ornaments from lots of trips, sat under afghans from Stonehenge, Cardiff, and Devil's Tower, got my tea out of a Harrod's tea tin from Singapore airport, used a mug from somewhere (all our mugs are from travels), got some groceries out of a reusable grocery bag from the Grand Canyon, sorted pictures from one of DH's business trips to Germany, listened to the clock from the Black Forest, moved some magnets from London around on the refrigerator, hung up a scarf from a little kiosk on Oxford Street, looked at two of my favorite souvenirs (some old glass bottles, now with flowers in them, bought at a Stratford flea market—definitely junk but a story!—and some china platters from Harrods—also a story!), and noticed my DD wore her Eagle and the Child teeshirt as pajama top.

I usually buy practical things, although I do have the odd "dilberry" from various trips. Just off the top of my head, these are some of the things that I've brought home & are very much a part of my life. I use the little cheese grater I bought in Milan ('95) at least once a week. And I refill the olive oil bottles from La Chiara di Prumiano http://www.prumiano.it/
Place mats from Fiji and bedspread from Bali. Wine glasses from a trip to Venice; an heirloom tablecloth given to me by a very old lady in Scotland whose daughter in law didn't want it. I don't use it often, but every time I do, I remember Mrs.R. and my eyes mist at the tears of happiness we both shed those 30+ years ago. I because she would give a virtual stranger such a precious thing (her grandmother made it for her own trousseau), and she because I was so thrilled to have it. I travel with a bag I bought in Bali and at home with a leather one I bought in Thailand in 1989. I lugged the heaviest mortar & pestle home from Bali about 10 years ago and probably use it once a month or so; less useful as its original purpose is the kava bowl from a trip to Fiji. It split soon after hitting Australian shores and is now home to the flowers of the season & sits on a table in my back garden. Bright pink petunias at the moment. I'm looking at a bright hanging mobile of exotic birds from Venezuela and wearing a pair of shoes from Granada. And I should stop gossipping with you and dust "Margarita", a beautiful sculpture I bought in Margarita Island last April. She's sitting on her chair over there, a picture of insouciance, with one foot on the edge of her chair, resting her head on one arm, with her clay shawl draped just off her shoulders.

Tonight I'm breaking out the red leather handbag I purchased in Florence and the gold earrings from Sorrento for a special dinner tonight.

Every day I use a purse that I bought in Granada last June - unfortunately, it's starting to look a bit worn which is a shame as I really like it. I also use a soap dish and a garlic jar that I also bought in Granada.

And I've been wearing earrings that I bought when I was in Mexico a few weeks ago.

I have pendants from my UK trip and my Egypt trip that are worn at least once a week. One of my warmest sweaters was purchased in Scotland, as was my wonderfully soft and warm scarf that I use daily during the winter. I have Christmas ornaments from various trips that get put on the tree yearly. I have a wood/leather rocking chair from Costa Rica that was used daily when I lived with my parents (I need to get that to my house one of these days).

I love wearing and using the items that remind me of such wonderful memories.

I enjoy wearing the inexpensive watches I buy in German department stores. One has a dial that reminds me of the clocks in the train stations so when I look at it I think of my many times looking at those.

today I used the Laguiole bread knife I bought in the Aveyron,
the round hand carved box , the top has a carved boar, that I keep my keys in bought at a flea market in the Vienne. By my dining table hangs an oil painting of a boy and his dog, bought at the same place.

I wear my frames purchased on the LEft Bank nearly every day. A souvenir only I know about!

I used my small forest green suede coin bag purchased from a craftsman in Orvieto, Italy today. I keep it in the car for parking meter coins.

I use L'Occitane Body wash everyday which i brought from France =D