Souvenirs For A Minimalist

In a world of ever changing environments, I have needed a lot of grace, patience, and hugs over the last month since arriving home.

Yes, coming home for Christmas WAS ever so exciting. But soon the magic of it all wore off and I was left feeling like my trip to Europe never even happened. Was that real? Was I really that daring girl who went on big adventures in the great wide somewhere?

To cope with the oddness of being back in the states, I have learned how to take these experiences everywhere I go, and how to decorate them in each of my places of residence. I have compiled a list from my experience and advice from other fellow travelers. These are all budget friendly, and on the smaller scale so as not to weigh down your luggage or your life upon return. They are great for the back packer, the college girl on a budget, the minimalist. Here are my list of top souvenirs to scout for when traveling:

1. Tea Towels instead of T-shirts

We all have way too many t-shirts. Like, way too many. I am constantly binging the contents of my tshirt drawer. Yes, it is that bad that I have a whole drawer dedicated to t-shirts. Instead of grabbing another tshirt, opt for a tea towel. I hung mine above my four poster bed at home, and I plan to have them in my own home someday hanging over the oven handle, from the refrigerator, etc. Useful, add a pop of color when displayed, and a fun conversation piece. I got this souvenir idea from the souvi queen herself, Miss Kyndal Reimer aka my best friend and traveling guru.

I got this display idea from http://www.utahhomes-realestate.com/towel-display/tea-towel-hanging-display/. It would be even cuter, I think, with towels from different countries.

2. Tea instead of Mugs

Again, we all have a lot of mugs. Mugs are also quite heavy and not easy to transport as they crack and chip. I got this idea from a friend, she collected different kinds of tea wherever she went. When she arrived back home she would drink the tea and reminisce on the locations she visited. This would be especially fun for anywhere in the U.K., and no tea will ever be the same or as good upon returning to the U.S.

3. Postcards

Postcards can be found anywhere! They are a good way to stay in touch with others, but also to document your travels. It may be cloudy the day you see the Eiffel Tower, or there may be hords of people in front of Big Ben. This way you have a tangible memory to look back on. These are great for scrapbooking, framing, hanging on some bakers twine with polaroids (which are next on the list!) I enjoyed sending them to family and friends, and have seen them on my parents fridge, my best friends wall, my sister's apartment, and my fiance's desk. Taking the time to handwrite corespondance is truly noticed. It can also be a time capsule and you can look back on what you were experiencing at that certain point in time. Also, they are extremely romantic.

4. Polaroids

I got a polaroid camera in anticipation of studying abroad. I tried to take a photo in every iconic landmark I visited. I later realized that the spontaneous and silly ones with friends are the ones I look back on and cherish even more though. The group photo for a friend's surprise birthday party, the bachelorette party my girl friends threw for me, the overexposed photo of Lucas on the beach where you can't even see his face, the photo on top of Arthur's Seat that didn't even turn out. These are the ones that I love talking about and looking at. For a secret santa gift, my friend Elise gifted me with a mini booklet to house all of my polaroids which was such a blessing upon returning to just pull it out of my purse, and give others a mini run down of my trips. I plan on mounting these on my wall soon with some miniature clothespins and blue and white bakers twine. To be continued.

5. Magnets (and foreign currency made into magnets)

I was left with a lot of loose change in my coin purse. (Side note, upon leaving for Europe, buy a coin purse!!!! Coins are used more frequently and it will keep your wallet from being weighed down/disorganized.) I did not know what to do with these, or how to use them. All I knew was that I found them beautiful and wanted to display them. I searched on Pinterest and found the clever idea to adhere magnets to the back and use them as magnets! And that is exactly what I did. I made magnets with all of my euros pounds and pence. It just made sense (cents, sorry I had to throw a pun in there).

Here is the DIY skinny on Pinterest if you would like instructions https://www.pinterest.com/pin/284712007663805261/.

6. Usable every day wardrobe pieces

A maroon cardigan, weatherproof winter coat, wool scarf, my favorite eyebrow product. These are all items that yes, I could have bought back home, but they will forever remind me of the U.K. They don't just sit in a cupboard or a closet because I actually use them!

I rotated through these three blanket scarves during my time in Europe. Shoutout to Primark and H&M!!!!!!

7. Bracelets

This was a relative cheap/easy idea Kaitlin Kayla and I had upon our first stop: Santorini Greece. I got a bracelet from every location I traveled to (or at least tried to). This was a fun physical reminder of my excursions, and was a good conversation starter. Beware though: if any of them have metal you need to take them off for TSA and this can be a real hassle if you are in a hurry! My family and friends know that I love bracelets, and even gifted some to me for Christmas upon my return that I wear daily.

8. Something from your favorite location

For me, this was tulips from Amsterdam. I got them at the floating flower market in Amsterdam. As some of you know, I am a former Tulip Queen of Pella, Iowa. So visiting the Netherlands was a dream for me. In our Royal Court program, we even sang a song called "Tulpin Oit Amsterdam" translated "Tulips from Amsterdam." And yes, I did sing this song while browsing the tulip bulbs. I brought back tulip bulbs just like any Tulip Time enthusiast would do, but I had to follow some important steps. I needed to choose a variety that was cleared to be exported to the United States (it had a seal of approval). Upon arriving in North America, I had to market it on my customs sheet when flying into Canada. Yet, it was extremely worth it. I am currently force growing them in a glass vase with rocks and water, and their roots are growing!!!! I check on them everyday. I even had enough to give some to my mom and sister. I find my little shoots to be the cutest things ever, they give me so much joy!

9. Go Pro Videos

Once initially making the purchase of a Go Pro or camera (or you could even do this with a smart phone!) making videos of your travels and experiences is not that difficult. I would encourage you to make the video as soon as you can though, otherwise it might seem daunting and you may fall behind with a lot to do. These are what I find myself watching when I am missing my time abroad more than normal. Videos capture the whole essence of the environment: facial expressions, noises, movement, scenery. They really take me back.

10. Canvas Prints

This one, I need to give a shout out to my wedding photographer for. While settling into my new space in Ames, I received this large canvas print of Lucas and I's engagement picture in London. A huge gift to me was the fact that my loved ones could experience my new adventures and world with me. This made my transition back home easier because they just understood what I was talking about. Lucas saw my favorite sights, ate my favorite foods, met my new friends, walked the roads of Exeter and London, and contributed to my memories. I also got to make new memories with our wedding photographer which will make our journey with her even more spectacular. I plan to blow up other photos of my favorite scenic locations for our little townhouse in the coming years.

Whenever I see these items, I am instantly transformed back to my time abroad. Transitioning from England to home for Christmas for a month, and then transitioning back to college in Ames has been harder than I expected. But you know how I do it? A saying my mother always says "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!"

Being constantly reminded by my travels does make me melancholy, but it also empowers me. If I can navigate Europe without a cell phone, meet new friends from countries all over the world, start over at a whole new school, make a long distance engagement work, I can do just about anything.

xoxo,

Leah Joy