There was a canvas photo of me, my brother and my sister that hung over the couch in the Maine house where we vacationed as kids. We’re smiling, and a little sunburned. Whenever I see a canvas print I think of that photo and I’m back inside that little house – which once defined travel for me in a way – settling in after a long day of swimming or figure skating on the pond.

When Easy Canvas Prints contacted me to see if I wanted a new print of my own, I was excited to recreate that same feeling with a new memory. I jumped right to my honeymoon photos and chose one from our time in Tunis.

And guess what!

I’m giving away a print to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment below and tell me about a photo in your life that takes you back. I’ll also give you a second entry if you like Easy Canvas Prints on Facebook (just tell me that you did). Also, if you do decide to create your own photos on canvas, you’ll get 50 percent off and free shipping on your next order if you’ve liked their Facebook page. You can also follow them on Twitter.

I will randomly select a winner next Wednesday, January 25th.

Just one disclaimer: the winner must be a U.S. resident *excluding Hawaii and Alaska due to shipping costs.

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Easy Canvas Prints gave me the above product for free. The views expressed are entirely my own.

As much as I like to chronicle my adventures here on my blog, in a more tangible sense, I’m just not a scrapbooker. The last time I actually documented my travels beyond my blog was in 2004 when I returned home from studying abroad in Ireland. I purchased a white  binder – with the intention of making it pretty on the outside – and stuck my little memories between thin films of plastic and cardboard. Today, on the outside, it’s still blank canvass.

And the inside is sort of withering away – partly due to me peeling back the plastic to occasionally scan old memories for my blog, but mostly due to time and unfortunate neglect.

I’m not one to make concrete resolutions, but as we get closer to the New Year, one promise I’d like to make to myself is to be more organized, especially when it comes to documenting my travels.

How do you preserve your travel memories?

This exhibit, which extended throughout the airport, successfully stopped me in my tracks. It’s the Recycle Runway Collection, a traveling exhibition installed in airports, shopping malls, museums and other public locations displaying recycled fashion designs.

I’ve been in love with the idea of sustainable fashion ever since discovering Jute  & Jackfruit at Design Hive in Cambridge. And what I loved the most about this exhibit went way beyond the design. What I loved most was the message… “waste does not exist, only wasted resources.”

Brilliant.

Have you had the pleasure of traveling through Recycle Runway?

[photo courtesy of Bryce of Extension Mattie per her Etsy photo shoot: girls weekend in New Orleans Edition, in which I'm sporting a beautiful, hand-made light purple and gold flecked cozy cowl]

When my girls weekend crew and I were wandering the streets of New Orleans, a strange, yet stylish urge came over me as we went in and out of local shops. I suddenly wanted to buy a hat. So I did, and it was thrilling.

What a weirdo you’re thinking, right?

Well, I dress pretty conservatively – and by that I don’t mean that I wear turtle necks and slacks (haha, ‘slacks’) – I just mean that I never really take risks. Yes, I know that a hat is far from considered a ‘risk’ to most, but to me, it’s just not something I feel I can pull off in my day to day life.

When traveling though, I can wear a hat. I can be stylish. I can be anybody.

I wore the hat for the entire trip and told myself that I’d still wear it when I got home. It hasn’t been worn since. All won’t be lost though when I bring it on my next trip and wear it shamelessly.

What kind of person are you when you travel?

His latest note came from Inhabitat. Jenny Tranter found a fabulous line of vintage map-themed cushions printed on 100 percent GOTS certified organic cotton. My Bearded Pigeon has maps of locations around the world and I love all of them.

[Photo from My Bearded Pigeon via Inhabitat]

Talk about a conversation piece.

Have you come across any bits of travel inspiration like this lately?

I also took a little Holiday Shopping Break with Girls Pint Out. On Saturday the gang met up at The Rattlesnake to talk, and of course drink, good beer. Over catching up with old friends and meeting new ones, I enjoyed a lovely winter lager.

I also won a raffle thanks to Beeriety! The prize? A Winter Warmer gift bag filled with an impressive list of beer-themed items including: Cynthia Sylvia Stout Shampoo and a FIZZBANGER Bath Bomb from Lush, a St. Bernardus Christmas Ale and a Pretty Things Goblet.

And speaking of prizes, today is the day I announce the winner of my travel shoe bag giveaway from Extension by b. mattie.

So, without further ado…

Congratulations to Andi of My Beautiful Adventures! Remember you have your choice of three travel shoe bags…

Safari Travel Shoe.Bag

Red and Yellow Floral Travel Shoe.Bag

Sassy Travel Shog.Bag

Thank you everyone who participated and promoted the giveaway! I am so grateful to have such an amazing and supportive group of readers.

Have a great week!

And the thing is, when I ask it, I am usually catching him off guard. My mind tends to wander quickly from one topic to the next and then I randomly come out with ideas or questions without providing any context. You can’t really make a definitive decision on your next adventure right between “what’s for dinner?” and “it’s time to pay this month’s rent.”

There’s a time and a place.

But when we sit down to eat at our dining room table, the question of where to travel is hard to ignore…

And believe you me, I ask it. Lucky for Mike it’s asked at a time when we’re both relaxed and able to think beyond our busy days and figure out how to blend our dreams with our reality in a way that makes sense.

On our right wall, as part of our wedding gift, Lisa got us Ork Posters. One for Boston and one for Philadelphia, representing two homes that hold meaning for both of us.

On the opposite wall is another crafty creation from Bryce. She took photos all around Philadelphia and put them together to form Love, like in Love Park. Can you guess where everything is from? I can’t either.

And of course, in the center of the room is my map – scratch that – “our” map, which was built by my thoughtful husband. And to this day, is the best Christmas gift ever. I think of a new place as my “next” place to go every time I look at this.

Do you have little conversation pieces around your house that get you talking about travel? Or anything you’re passionate about for that matter?

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Don’t forget to enter my giveaway for the chance to win your choice of three travel shoe bags from Extension by b. mattie, my friend Bryce’s new Etsy shop! You have until Sunday, December 19th to enter.

While all of her items are adorable, the ones that I have always found to be most useful are her travel shoe bags. I don’t know about you, but when I travel I never know where to store my shoes. Sure, there are compartments in suitcases that work at times, but what if you’re bringing more than one pair? And what if you don’t want your shoes, that inevitably collect dirt from well, walking around all the time, to ruin the clothes that they are packed next to? I used to use plastic bags, but let’s face it, Bryce’s shoe bags are a greener and more stylish option. Don’t you think?

Bryce has worked really hard to get her shop up and running and I’m really proud of her. When someone commits themselves to something they’re passionate about, even if it means late nights, full weekends of knitting and of course, finding the perfect models to showcase their stuff (wicked stylishly I might add), it’s something to be admired.

So, I’m excited to announce that Bryce has offered to give away one of her adorable shoe bags to one of my readers! And what’s more, you’ll get your pick of three kinds!

Take a look…

Safari Travel Shoe.Bag

Red and Yellow Floral Travel Shoe.Bag

Sassy Travel Shog.Bag

Pretty, huh?

To enter…

Please leave a comment below telling me your favorite item at Extension by b. mattie for one entry. Go ahead, take a look.

For a second entry, leave a comment informing me that you’ve tweeted about the giveaway, and while you’re at it give us a shout @susanforshner & @ExtensionMattie, if you like!

For a third entry, leave a comment informing me that you’ve liked our Facebook pages transient travels & Extension by b. mattie. And feel free to say ‘hello!’

For a fourth entry, leave a comment informing me that you’ve linked to this giveaway on your own blog (please include link).

Here’s a bit.ly link if it’s useful: http://bit.ly/eDMOUa

I will use Random.org to select the winner and will make the announcement on Monday, December 20th. Therefore, all entries must be in by Sunday, December 19th at midnight.

Ready for another surprise? Bryce will make sure you get your travel shoe bag before Christmas!

Good luck!

Whether it’s antique jewelry, luggage, kitchenware, art or furniture, I’m a sucker for it all. Antiques come with a nostalgia that regular belongings just don’t have. The pattern on a particular set of dishes looks so much like the one in your grandparents’ house. And there are black and white photos of strangers that catch your eye because somewhere – probably in your parents’ attic – there are a few just like them of a people related to you.

On Sunday, Shannon and I perused the Cambridge Antique Market, a place where I could spend all day. It has five levels, including the basement, all filled with vintage pieces that will get memories you didn’t even know you had flowing like crazy. It’s a place that reminds you where you come from, with old sports memorabilia and paintings of local towns.

But I also love the place because it’s simply exotic.

On every single floor you’ll find pieces that touch all parts of the world.

In addition to the classic suitcases and priceless glassware and jewelry, I took some shots of an old Finland Stamp Dish and ashtray made of Mexican coins.

What is most fascinating to me is wondering what kind of journey and adventure these strangers set upon to get these pieces and bring them back.

Have you ever been to the Cambridge Antique Market?

Do you like antique shopping in your town?

Plus, I was thinking about how the first stop of our honeymoon will be a bit unconventional, so it will be nice to be adorned with some corny stuff to, you know, make it known exactly why we are traveling together…

Aren’t they pretty and fun? They are Wilton Bride and Groom passport cases and Anna Griffin Mr. and Mrs. luggage tags. I adore them.

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This was my “I’m too busy working and wedding planning to blog” cop out post. I wish it wasn’t so.

How are you guys doing?

As you may have noticed, I haven’t been giving your blogs much attention either. I’ll be back to my regular schedule soon!