Hasta La Ideas

Candle holder

Claim your travel bag with a novel approach by the makers of the ubiquitous black notebook

The new year typically conjures grand schemes for traversing new terrain, and whether you’re packing for a weekend of backcountry boarding or finally taking that long-awaited trip around the world, keeping track of your belongings is the key to any successful journey. A great alternative to the feeble tag they offer at check-in is Moleskine’s set of sturdy luggage tags.

Devised by Italian industrial designer Giulio Iacchetti, the unmistakable tags are modeled after Moleskine’s signature “In case of loss” page found at the front of their notebooks. Crafted in four colorways—including basic black and the bolder hues of cerulean blue, magenta and lemon green—the trusty hardcover and signature elastic strap are sure to keep it securely attached to your bag.

Pick up a set online from Moleskine or Chronicle Books for $10.

Euro palette coasters set for all kind of hot and cold drinks… EXACT REPLICA OF ITS BIG BROTHER, DOWNSIZED 1:10FOR “HEAVY” DRINKERS.

From the beachside to the Big Apple, our choice locales and travel essentials of the past year

After yet another year of seemingly endless adventure, we look back on our favorite trips of 2011 and the items we bring when we take to the road. With the right gear and the right destination, a last-minute red-eye becomes a welcome surprise.

Hôtel Americano and GoToob

We loved the minimalist, Mexican style of this NYC hotel when it first opened, and it hasn’t lost any of its charm to date. To complement the no-fuss decor of the hotel and the collateral lack of counter space inherent to any Manhattan property, our accessory of choice is this highly functional suction cup fluid container for shower essentials.

The Tides Zihuatanejo and Patagonia Travel Duffle

The perfect accompaniment to the azure waters at Zihuatanejo is this colorful lightweight duffel from Patagonia. Easy packed away within its own pocket, this is the perfect bag-within-a-bag for the rugged luxury of this resort on Mexico’s Pacific shoreline. The pampered service at the Tides and endangered turtle breeding grounds nearby make this one spot we hope to return to in 2012.

Wanderlust Hotel and Lights-Out Sleep Mask

Our top choice for Singapore’s busy lifestyle, the Wanderlust Hotel is not without its share of neon lights and monochromatic furniture. To recover from rowdy nights out on the town—and survive what may be a long flight for readers in the West—we advise bringing along a sleeping mask, this one featuring a molded shape that helps induce uninterrupted REM sleep.

Public Hotel Chicago and Powerbag

As primarily practical travelers, we appreciated the Public Hotel’s commitment to deliver top-notch service at a manageable price. Taking advantage of their free wi-fi, the Powerbag delivers that extra bit of juice to our devices as we edit away in the hotel lobby.

Hotel du Marc and Pro Messenger AW Series

The old-world luxury of the Hotel du Marc—former residence of Madame Clicquot—calls for a traveler with camera in-hand. The Lowepro system marks our newly discovered favorite camera bag going into 2012, and certainly does the trick when snapping shots of something so grand as a French mansion-turned-hotel.

Four gifts she’s sure to love from vintage-inspired watches to handcrafted scarves

Men often wonder what women truly want. Love is definitely on the top of the list, but a gift once in a while wouldn’t hurt. Here are some ideas to inspire a surprise for your lady.

Timex Traveler Watch

For their most recent collaboration with iconic American watchmaker Timex, J. Crew has just launched their first ladies wristwatch inspired by 1960s. The Timex Traveler watch will wear well on a laid-back, well-heeled woman, incorporating contemporary crafting techniques with vintage details. This watch has no age or occasion, it fits in anywhere at anytime. This item is currently available at J. Crew for $98.

Band of Outsiders scarf

Shield her from the cold with the Wool and Alpaca scarf by Band of Outsiders. Practical and pretty—we love the handsome gray-on-white pattern—this is a wrap to ensure a pleasant entry into winter. The triangle scarf is made in Italy and is available at Band of Outsiders for $180.

Warby Parker Shades

For a gift that will make her feel good for both its style and charity—and one that won’t break the bank—Warby Parker sunglasses are a prime pick. The high-quality shades come in a range of styles, and for each pair purchased, a pair of optical glasses goes to a person in need. Find all women’s styles at Warby Parker’s website.

Lomography Bundle

If your woman is a photography lover or just loves the way the Plastic Fantastic cameras look, the Lomography Standard 2 Bundle is the ideal gift for her. The Bundle includes four of their most famous cameras: Fisheye No.2, Supersmapler, Colorsplash and Holga available online at the Lomography website for $224.