Tonight: Little treats to fake spring break, even if you’re traveling no farther than your couch. Plus:
Like a baby macaque learning to steal tourists’ sunglasses by watching its parents, I too have gleaned valuable lessons by observing my family. My mother’s absolute abhorrence of any kind of crowd, line, or traffic — at the airport, a seafood shack, on the Mass Pike — has genetically imprinted on my DNA. If this woman even glanced at a gaggle of people lingering at the doors of any establishment, we were gone. “This place is a tourist trap!” she’d shout, throwing the car in reverse. Of course, the same principle applies for travel. You’d never catch my childhood self anywhere warm and tropical during February, March, or April. Only a fool would head south over spring break. Imagine the crowds! As a grown-up, though, I’ve grown to really appreciate a spring breaker’s aesthetic: the tropical vibes, the breezy trees, the sandy toes. I’m still not a spring break person, but I find myself drafting off the energy from other people’s escapes. And it’s nice to pass that sunny enthusiasm along. So whether you’re reading this from a beach, or you’re staying local like me, here’s a smattering of gifts that embody that “I’m getting out of town” energy — sans the crowds and lines:
For anyone who is jet-setting: 52 excellent gifts for frequent travelers→
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My dear friend is bringing a group to Palm Springs to celebrate her birthday and is treating us to a beautifully planned weekend that includes caftans for all. She buys herself what she wants and is very much out of my income bracket. Is there anything Palm Springs vibes (I’ve never been) to gift her that travels well? — M.L. From gifting expert Samantha Schoech: This sounds like an amazing trip! (Also, a caftan party! Fabulous. I am on the record as a caftan-lover myself.) I am a huge fan of the Palm Springs aesthetic: desert meets mid-century meets color meets design meets glamour. Think aqua swimming pools, pink sunsets, and dusty palm trees, and you’re off to a good start. I’m not sure how big you want to go money-wise, but this blingy cocktail ring studded with aquamarine cubic zirconia has major Palm Springs doyenne vibes. There are a million tacky Palm Springs posters and prints out there, but there are also some beautiful ones that could be a nice reminder of the trip. This photo captures a famous Richard Neutra-designed home and 70s glamour beautifully. These hand-pulled and signed prints of modern chairs were recently shown at Palm Springs’ Modernism Week and are a subtler nod to the Palm Springs ethos. For something she can use on the trip (and beyond), I love this classic beach towel, this carryall pouch, and this handy map tote bag. And finally, she might be taking care of the party favors, but these motel keychains would be a fun and inexpensive memento to pass out to your fellow party-goers. Have fun!
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One last gift (for you): This flirty, luxurious, and currently on-sale silk pajama set includes a racerback tank and tulip-hem shorts. They look and feel sublime, and they’re machine-washable, too. Was this email kindly forwarded to you? Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox.
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