A Traveler's Delight

In truth, the Grand Mademoiselle is not the most adventurous lady. Why spend hours packing, planning, waiting in long airport lines, and paying out the ears just to arrive in a foreign land where the food tastes slightly old, the streets are impossible to navigate, and the weather is always either too hot or too cold? No, no, the Grand M much prefers to look the part of the globe-trotting sophisticate while remaining comfortably secure in a familiar neighborhood. Call me quaint, perhaps even cowardly, but the pleasure of purchasing ethnic and colorful fashions is singularly satisfying. This season brings plenty of options for the Grand M as designers hop on board the cultured-eclectic-bohemian bandwagon with vibrant colors, unusual patterns, and tribal designs.


The Grand M is absolutely wild about the spring collection of sandals from designer J.P. & Mattie, whose romantic take on Thai culture infuse each creation with spirit and delightful liveliness. Slip on a pair of Dai sandals and feel yourself transported into another world, full of exotic aromas and unknown treasures. Each sandal is hand made in Thailand with an embroidered insole patched together from the deconstructed clothing of the native H'Mong hill tribe. The dyed hemp upper and rubber outsole make these thongs exceedingly comfortable, as if you could walk the dirt-packed trails of Thailand for hours. The most romantic part? Not only is each sandal unique so that no two pairs are alike, but every Dai is stamped with the phrase "J.P. loves the feet of Mattie" in Thai. Find these lovable sandals online at Barefoot Tess.


Pack all of your precious cargo in a playfully colored straw tote, like the Ombre bag from Anthropologie. The unique blend of purples, pinks, and yellows blended artfully into chevron-woven raffia is reminiscent of a sunset, the colors bouncing in the light reflected off the ocean's gentle waves. The Grand M is not normally a straw tote kind of gal, but this bag is simply gorgeous and worth breaking the rules for. Imagine the joy of stuffing your Ombre to the brim with fading maps of foreign locales or bargains hunted down in crowded bazaars.

Nothing speaks more loudly to the essence of an exotic destination than its jewelry, so pick a piece to compliment the color palette you've selected and don't be afraid to let your gypsy spirit run wild. The Corded Neckpiece by designer Johanne Mills is the perfect accessory for this look with its hand woven silk cord, aluminum chain, brass tubing, and shell bead detailing in a rainbow of bright, bold colors. The elegant draping and sweetly simple design add to the bohemian appeal of this unusual piece. While the Grand M wouldn't recommend wearing everything at once, each item can add a bit of whimsical, eclectic flair to any ensemble and the look conveys the worldly wisdom of an experienced traveler, even if you're just going out to buy milk...