The $2 Beach Bag

[trip style = sun + beach + all-inclusive + cruise]

Bagging the right beach bag is key to traveling light and in style. It took me over a year to find the perfect one: my fold-flat navy and white striped Baggu, but recently I found a close second that rung up as $2 at the till.

I didn't mean to be disloyal to my tried-and-tested Baggu, but in a moment of last-minute packing desperation {at 11pm before a 3.45am wake-up for a recent flight to Maui}, the cute, already-in-my-purse and virtually weightless $2 bag shown above and below won. It helps that it matches my favoured beach cover-up. After highly successful debut in Maui, the $2 bag came with me to Puerto Vallarta last weekend as well.

Will I give up my trusty Baggu for the cheap and weightless thrill that is my newest travel obsession? Not a chance, but when space is limited and cutting down on even the slightest bulk is helpful, the cheapie bag will be my travel BFF.

Buying A $2 Beach Bag I purchased my bag{s} at Daiso, the two-storey Japanese you-didn't-know-you-even-needed-that store that sells everything from water dumbbells to fako iPhone cords to collapsible dog bowls. Located in Richmond, BC {near the Vancouver Airport}, plan to spend an afternoon because 10 minutes won't cut it. You have to uncover its weird and wonderful wares in hefty time chunks, and while you're at it, grab a bubble tea. {I wish this pic showed more of the bags, but there were some cool prints. I got the upper and mid left red and blue bags. No Daiso or like stores in your area? A) you'll have to visit Vancouver, or B) bag a bag online.

Mah-jor Disclaimer Though the bags are lightweight and have the general-ish shape {NOT PATTERN} of a grocery tote, I'm not suggesting you interpret my advice as "I'm just going to bring my President's Choice or Trader Joe's grocery sack on vacation." No grocery bags allowed for travel!!! Finding the right beach/plane-to-pool bag takes time, so I'm just giving you a variety of options and ideas along the way.

Related How To Bag A Beach Bag Fashion Friday :: Life's A Beach

[photos by @tripstyler]

Postcards From Puerto Vallarta

[trip style = beach + sun + weekend getaway]

Hola from Puerto Vallarta, the friendly city taco'd between Mazatlan and Acapulco on Mexico's West Coast. Less than a 4.5-hour flight from Vancouver, I'm not sure why my travels haven't taken me to this city saturated in colour and local warmth before now.

Since I'm on location until I fly home tonight, here are few photos as an aperitif---think of them as your guacamole before the full Mexi fiesta {full details about the town, the restaus and the hotels, as well as why I'm here coming your way on TS shortly}.

Hasta luego, Trish

PV Postcards {My hotel, Marival Residences and World Spa}

{Lush and historic Puerto Vallarta}

{Tableside deconstructed guacamole before it's sliced and diced to a chunky perfection}

{Fiesta in Bucerias}

{Sunset in the Riviera Nayarit - a crescent-shaped, far-reaching, sandy bay dotted by villas and resorts, a half hour from Puerto Vallarta}

[photos taken by @tripstyler while a guest of air transat/nolitours in puerto vallarta]

Fashion Friday :: Life's a Beach

[trip style = sun + beach]

{Fashion Friday posts are published on the last Friday of every month by fashion blogger Heather.}

My Instagram feed has been filled with images of first snow this week from friends across the country. I imagine after a few mornings scraping their windshields, the novelty has worn off and those friends are already online bookmarking tropical destinations, hoping to swap their parkas for pareos and their boots for bikinis.

Even on the rainy West Coast, I'm dreaming of trading my umbrella for a tiny drink umbrella, preferably in a coconut, at a swim up bar, surrounded by surfers who speak very little English. Before I get carried away with an Ally McBeal-style daydream, I must remind you that the perfect styles for your sunny getaway are on sale now. And it makes sense that if you buy the perfect sandals or swim trunks now, you'll just have to find somewhere to wear them soon...right?!

Now What To Buy? Women (clockwise from top left) Rodebjer petite swimsuit {sale!}, We Are Handsome dutch frilled swimsuit {sale!}, Heidi Merrick carp tunic {sale!}, Osborn sandalia black sandal {sale!}, Miu Miu plunge-front swimsuit, Topshop chunky oversize sunglasses, Target braided hat, Madewell toe-strap boardwalk sandal, Zimmermann frill rash guard {sale!}, Lemlem bella patio dress

Men (clockwise from middle) Warriors of Radness coastal trunk {sale!}, Wings + Horns shorts {sale!}, Filippa K t-shirt {sale!}, Warriors of Radness renegade pullover {sale!}

More Fashion Friday Romantic Caribbean Resort Wear Falling for Portland Runway Style

Roam+Board :: Napili Kai

[trip style = sun + beach]

{Editor’s Note: I realize it's been awhile since we've dished up a dose of Roam+Board---oh so many properties are in the queue---but I wanted to get the party re-started with a casual, beachfront property outside of the Maui resort realm. Because I only feature properties I LOVE and think YOU would LOVE for R+B, while there I was already thinking ahead to my next visit.}

What
Started by a group of Vancouverites in the 60s, Napili Kai Beach Resort recalls vintage Maui in a way that made me want to break out into the hula (lucky for me, lessons are free). Winding its way over 10 beachfront acres along Maui's Northwestern shore, 11 low-rise condo clusters built over the 60s, 70s and 80s hover near the ocean---some so close, from the inside it looks like you're in a cruise ship cabin.

Built before the tidal wave of posh resorts started popping up along Maui's shores, Napili Kai perfected the easy-breezy Hawaiian vacation with tiki, plantation-style architecture hugging the crescent-shaped, sandy bay. Ocean-view pools scattered throughout the property followed, while the grassy beachfront hub makes you want to spread your beach towel in the shade of a palm or spend happy hour playing a round of shuffleboard with a glass sherry.

Taking a democratic approach to vacationing, every room has a lanai and there is NO resort fee {a big deal in Maui where some resorts charge up to $25 daily}. WiFi and parking and are also complimentary, as is use of on-site BBQs and snorkel gear. Sadly, not everything in life is free, you have to pay for the giant pineapple-coconut shave ice pictured above, but that will only set you back $5!

Where
Napili, Maui, between Ka'anapali and Kapalua. A 50-minute drive from Maui's main airport {OGG}.

When
Maui's 25-degree C average temperature attracts visitors year-round. High season tends to revolve around major holidays/breaks like American Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break and summer. Visit in fall, Jan/Feb and late-spring for fewer crowds and cheaper rates.

Who/Why
Single and multi-generational families who choose the sand-in-your toes, laid-back location over the glitz and glam of nearby resort areas.

Cost
Off-season rates start at $270 but this can be lowered when you book multiple nights in a row with the current 5th, or 6th and 7th Night Free promotions. Washers and dryers with complimentary soap on-site. Note that luxury, oceanfront rooms have been recently renovated in sleek neutrals with a similar design palette carried over into all room categories.

More Roam+Board
Nita Lake Lodge - Whistler, BC
Hester Creek Winery – Oliver, BC
Fairmont Banff Springs – Banff
Thompson – Beverly Hills
The Sorrento Hotel – Seattle
The LIT! Bangkok – Thailand
Hotel De La Paix – Thailand
From ice hotels to Anna Wintour’s steal-of-a-deal holiday escape, find all featured R+B properties here.

[photos taken by @tripstyler--except 1st and 4th courtesy Napili Kai---while a guest of Napili Kai]

Vancouver / Seattle Weekend Getaways

[trip style = weekend getaway]

Steeped in wild West Coast scenery, you don't have to escape far from Vancouver {BC} and Seattle for a cozy fall or winter trip style = weekend getaway. Plus, going in shoulder season, your getaway will be filled with peace and quiet and less $$$. Here are some not-so-obvious weekend getaway options for whatever trip style you’re feelin’ at the moment:

Last-Min Vacay It's friday afternoon or Saturday morning and in a fabulous fit of spontaneity you decide you want to get away that night. Applicable to most major cities in the US and Canada, enter Hotel Tonight, one of our fave all-time, last-min travel booking apps.

Storm Watch Pick any beachfront hotel along the upper West Coast and you've got pretty good shot at storm watching {with a cup of coffee and Baileys, of course} during the blustery days of late-fall and winter. Head to Tofino---one of the choicest, stormiest locations---on the westernmost side of Vancouver Island where you can find a romantic beachfront accom for close to $100/night.

Spa If the idea of being surrounded by millions of Swarovski crystals, bathing in a tub-for-two overlooking Lake Okanagan, or “refreshing yourself” in a -110 degree Celsius sauna appeals to you, then the $122-million Sparkling Hill Resort in Vernon, BC is right up your alley. By car it's about five hours from Vancouver or six hours from Seattle, and by plane it's about one hour {fly to Kelowna Airport}. {Don’t miss their current offer for two including 2 nights, breakfast for 2, 5-course dinner for 2, and 2 $150 spa vouchers from $930.}

Outdoorsy Glampers Something most people don’t know is you can rent vacation homes from the Washington State Government. Whether you want a lakeside retreat or beachside bungalow, they’ve got you covered. Accommodations like the red-roofed Lighthouse Keeper’s Residences at Cape Disappointment won’t … disappoint.

Wine + Diners Vines from three incredible wine regions thrive close to home. For those who like to “discover” the of-the-moment wine, or eat and drink their way through the Pacific Northwest, this weekend in wine country is for you:

• Vancouver – take a day trip and discover the wineries in your own backyard. Don’t miss Domaine de Chaberton, Lotusland Vinyards, Township 7 and others.
• Okanagan – internationally recognized for its perfect mix of mountains, lakes, fresh air and intense sunlight, the Okanagan’s wineries give Napa a run for its money.
• Washington – Did you know the Washington and France wine regions are situated along the same latitude?  Merveilleux! After Napa, Washington is the US’s biggest wine region with 650 wineries and vineyards to enjoy!

Train {or Bolt} Try out Portland’s famed food scene or shop ’til you drop {no sales tax} in Oregon’s biggest city. Amtrak Cascades rail service runs from Vancouver to Portland {return} departing twice daily {Seattle to Portland has more frequent daily departures}. For something a little cheaper and quicker, also check out the groovy and tech-savvy, BoltBus.

TS Picks If you're visiting any of these cities, also check out some of our fave hotels in: Whistler - Nita Lake Lodge Seattle - The Sorrento {boutique} Hotel, The Alexis Hotel, The Pan Pacific Seattle Vancouver - Fairmont Pacific Rim, Loden Hotel

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[photo by @tripstyler]