The Blog

  Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, or just because--there's always a reason to share a gift with the people we love. And sometimes those people are travelers! And sometimes those people are actually just ourselves. That's okay, too! Travel inspires so many great gifts (including JSC jewelry, of course!) and below you'll find just a few more of our faves to either take for the ride or enjoy while reminiscing of travels past or plan for the next big adventure.    QUE BOTTLE Do you know what takes up a ton of space in your luggage? Water bottles! But staying hydrated is super important. What to do? Cue the  Que Bottle! Que has created this super cute, silicon water bottle alternative. The bottles expand to fit up to 12 or 20 ounces of water depending on the model, then spiral down to be nice and compact when they're empty. They're great for trekking across Europe, days hikes, or just a little jaunt in the park. There are tons of colors to fit your style and Que even makes a handy little stainless steal cap with a loop so you can clip it somewhere to be more accessible.     SCRATCH MAP Is there anything more satisfying than a scratch off ticket? How about one that complements your wanderlust? And looks cool hanging in your living room? For those among us who love to log and list their adventures, the Scratch Map is a fun, visual way to keep track of where you've been and where you wanna go. Every time you cross a new destination off your to-do list, scratch off the gold foil to reveal pretty colors of accomplishment. Plus, they make new rainbow foil editions and scratch globes, too!         AIRPORTAG THROW PILLOW  Dream of  travel when you cuddle up to, you guessed it, an IATA Code pillow. Airportage Throw Pillow makes tons of square, squishy options to honor your favorite destinations all over the globe from to Auckland to Zurich. That's A to Z in travel talk. And you can choose the perfect size (from 16" X 16" to 26" X 26"), and  even customize them with passenger names, origin, and other flight info from the best trip ever. If you're feeling crazy, Airportag also makes comforters, shower curtains, backpacks, sleep masks, and kind of everything for house and home and travel.     HOMESICK CANDLES There's no place like home! And nothing smells quite like it. Homesick Candles knows that better than anyone and offers a whole product line based on the idea of olfactory memories. Their natural soy wax candles represent cities, states, and countries abroad with tons of different, complex scents that make us feel like we're right there once again. I mean, Vermont is a combo of apple, maple, and baked pie. Brazil is orange, mango, and ocean breeze. Who could argue with that?      ATLAS COFFEE CLUB Your coffee addiction, I mean, interest just might be your ticket to world travel! Indulge in your favorite morning pick-me-up and get a taste of amazing locations around the globe with Atlas Coffee Club. Each month you'll receive a bag of java from a new location complete with brewing tips, flavor notes, and an adorable postcard! Over 50 countries produce coffee so there's more than enough to sample. Choose your preferred roast and bean type and they'll do the rest. Bon voyage!     

TRAVEL MEMORIES: New Orleans   Why fly to the Big Easy when you can just spend days driving there? They say it’s not the destination, it’s the journey that counts and in this case, also the beignets. Cruise down memory lane to New Orleans. Feels like you can hear the jazz music floating through the streets and taste the po’ boy sandwiches already! Especially if you have po’ boy sandwiches around.  New Orleans isn’t just a place, it’s a feeling. NOLA is a celebration of song and an explosion of color. It’s movement and magic and history and art. It feels like the whole city is pulsating and the lucky visitor is welcomed to dance along.    A visit to Bourbon Street, while touristy without a doubt, is a fun place to start. The neon lights, radioactive drinks, and bustling crowds feel like everyday is Mardi Gras. And while you may think the namesake hints at what you’re likely to find mixed in your drink, it’s actually an homage to the name of France’s royal family at the time of the city’s development in 1721.  Right at the tippy top of Bourbon Street, be sure to check out Jean Lafitte’s BlackSmith Shop Bar, a dark and musty tavern that’s managed to survive two great fires and is considered the oldest structure in the entire United States used as a bar. It truly feels like time travel and you’ll be enchanted by the ambiance.    More drinks and memorable ambiances live at Carousel Bar where you can sip on something cooked up by head mixologist, Marvin, at an actual carousel in Hotel Monteleone; at Arnaud’s French 75 where you can (and really must) order its namesake cocktail, or feel a little extra fancy at Sazerac Bar .  Talented musicians and riveting jazz music blanket the streets...in a good way! You can hit up Maison Bourbon and The Jazz Playhouse along Bourbon Street or venture out to the greater French Quarter (and famed Frenchman Street) for renowned venues like Blue Nile, Preservation Hall, d.b.a., Tipitina’s and the memorably titled Chicken Wah Wah among many, many others. Stroll the streets and if you hear something good, pop in, drop a tip, and move on to the next amazing musical experience.      The French Quarter is both the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans and, as you may have guessed, one of the most delicious (as in lots of great things to eat!) For a cup of that famous Louisiana hickory coffee and mouthwatering desserts--they’re called beignets and are little sugar-dusted bites of heaven-- look no further than Cafe du Monde under the big green tent. Established in 1862, this iconic location is open 24 hours a day and always in high demand!  Still in need of some caffeination? Get your full coffee fix at French Truck Coffee, the unmistakable bright yellow shop where they make their own beans and they can be found at various locations around the city.    If you plan on eating pretty much nonstop from morning till well, the next morning in this kind of town, kick off your day with a must-have breakfast at Brennan’s  where it’s all about Creole cooking and Bananas Foster for dessert. Get your hands on a local favorite, the muffuletta sandwich, at Central Grocery and Deli which looks exactly as advertised! Class it up with outdoor seating in the courtyard of Cafe Amelie surrounded by a jungle of plants and high brow menu items.  If you’re looking for a little culture fix, New Orleans also offers an array of museums covering art, history, and even Mardi Gras. History buffs hustle on over to the National WWII Museum which uses personal storytelling and artifacts to begin to unpack this massive and world changing war. The New Orleans Museum of Art known as NOMA, boasts an amazing art collection that dates from Italian Renaissance to today as well as a five acre sculpture garden. IF you’re looking for something a little off the beaten path, the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, The Old Ursuline Convent Museum, or The Museum of Death might be right up your alley!    If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle, take a walk and take a look at the mind-blowing rainbow that is the Bywater neighborhood in New Orleans. Filled with Bohemian vibes, cute cafes, thrifty shops, the Bywater boasts some of the most colorful homes you’ve ever seen that are just asking for a photo op.   

Ah, the refreshing simplicity of a classic road trip! Just you, the open road, some good friends, and a state of the art GPS system. Each mile invites us to sing along with the radio at the top of our lungs or simply bask in the glow of a glorious sunset. And while you’re not getting lost (even with the best GPS system, believe me), you’re making the kind of memories that last. Buckle up and pack your bags, we’re reminding ourselves that life is sweet because well, as we sing with the radio at the top of our lungs, life is highway.  EPIC PIT STOPS WORTH PULLING OVER FOR   Road trips are all about where you want to go. But also where you want to stop. That's right: pit stops. Now, there are pit stops and there are PIT STOPS. We're talking about the off-road gems that are totally epic--the kind of places that make you whip out your camera and wonder why you haven't been here before!   Get ready to raise your pinky finger as you waltz through the grand halls and endless gardens of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.  @biltmoreestate #historichome   Nevada’s Valley of Fire isn’t called that for nuthin’. Stretch your legs and casually admire some prehistoric petroglyphs in the red sandstone that feels like you’re walking through a sunset.  @valley.of.fire #NVStateParks   Wonder where Hemingway got his inspiration? And a cocktail or two? The literary giant famously checked in to New Orleans’s Hotel Monteleone where the bar is an actual, revolving carousel. @hotelmonteleone #MonteleoneMemories Wanna learn more about the best of the best of NOLA?    ROAD TRIP FLICKS TO GET YOUR READY TO HIT THE ROAD        Remember that crazy time you and your bestie hit the road only to outrun the law and find yourselves flying over the Grand Canyon in your ‘66 Thunderbird? Oh, wait. I think that may have been someone else. Either way, road trip movies inspire some of our best adventures so grab some popcorn and start planning your next on-wheels getaway.   Thelma and Louise (1991) Little Miss Sunshine (2006) Easy Rider (1969) It Happened One Night (1934) Almost Famous (2000) National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) Y Tu Mamá También (2001) The Muppet Movie (1979) Planes,Trains, & Automobiles (1987) The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)   MUSIC MAKES TRAVEL SWEET    Your trip= 47 hours. Your playlist= 47 hours. Wait, how? Spotify’s very handy, sort of new “soundtrack your ride" feature lets you customize your perfect playlist to match your musical tastes and how long you’ll be out on the road. Sweet! Get started HERE 

  If East Hampton was a member of a 90s boy band it would definitely be the sporty one. You know, with all its surfing, swimming, fishing, and sailing stuff. But it would also be the artistic one. The land of magical sunlight and sprawling natural landscapes, East Hampton has long been the muse for painters like William de Kooning and photographers like Peter Beard who venture to the Long Island’s east end to get inspired. And you will, too! Get an eyeful of some fun facts about the East Hampton art scene. Read more HERE.   NOT TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY  The natural sunlight in East Hampton is really something to write...errr paint...home about! Maybe it's water molecules in the air that catch light in just the right way. Maybe it's something artists can only see. But what's clear is this so-called never ending golden hour's effect on everything from still life paintings to portraits.      SHIP HAPPENS In 1960, founding Director of the Department of Education at the Museum of Modern Art, Victor D'Amico and his wife Mabel bought a World War I Navy barge. Then they turned it into an art studio. I mean, what else? Today, The Art Barge sits in Napeague Harbor just outside Hither Hills State park and offers classes in ceramics, studio painting, and photography for artists and aspiring artists alike.         HOME AWAY FROM HOME  Believe it or not, when the prince of  pop art wanted to get away from it all, he high-tailed it to Montauk. Andy Warhol set up his relaxation station in a 30 acre, oceanside estate fondly known as "Eothen" meaning "from the east" back in 1972. And, of course, Warhol would invite friends over--pals like Mick Jagger, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Liz Taylor, and John Lennon just to name a few!      INSIDE THE STUDIO We may never know exactly what was going on inside of the mind of so-called "action painter" Jackson Pollock, but you can get a look inside his art studio. The Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center still stands today in a wooden farmhouse in the town of Spring, East Hampton and is where Pollock and wife Lee Krasner both lived and made art. Pollock set up shop in the barn while Krasner painted in the bedroom. Tours are available courtesy of the Stony Brook Foundation where you can still see stray paint from Pollock's work scattered across the excavated floorboards.     ART-CHITECTURE The new Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill East Hampton isn't just a building that houses art, it's a work of art in itself! The relationship between art, nature, and light that East Hampton is so famous for continues to play out in the space's innovative layout both inside and out. Designed by Herzog & de Meuron, the museum is constructed from natural up-cycled wood, illuminates much of the art using skylights, and overlooks a sprawling meadow filled with wildflowers.    EXPLORE

Two words. Two perfect hot, sweltering, summer day words. “Beach Day.” You can feel the sand beneath your toes and permanently stuck in your bathing suit bottoms just hearing it! A day at the beach can be so many things. It’s salt in the air, it’s blue skies that stretch on forever, it’s the perfect beach read, it’s the sunburn you never saw coming, and for some, it’s the surfing. The thrill seekers among us head to the beach to zip up their wetsuits and ride the waves. And probably still get a sunburn. Even if you’ve never stepped foot on a board, there’s something so quintessentially summer about surfing, you can’t help but feel like you’re riding the waves right there with them! This week we celebrate surfing and one of the reasons why life is sweet, especially in summer. SURFIN’ USA (AND BEYOND!)     The Beach Boys harmonized the praises of surfing in America but it turns out, chasing waves is a great way to travel the whole world. And if you have the balancing skills to be able to stand up on a big oval in the middle of the ocean, then more power to ya! From the Philippines to Costa Rica we’ve got your top spots to hang ten. Or you know, things surfers say!   Jeffreys Bay, South Africa UluWatu, Bali, Indonesia San Clemente, California, USA Oahu, Hawaii, USA Puerto Escondido, Mexico Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia Cloud Nine, Siargao Island, Philippines Playa Grande, Costa Rica Hossegar, France Nazaré, Portugal   TASTE OF SUMMER!   What’s better than an all inclusive trip to Hawaii??? Probably nothing. But in the meantime, some popsicles to honor one of the top surfing destinations will do! Just take one of Hawaii’s favorite drinks, the Lava Flow cocktail, add a little freezer time and you’ve got a poolside treat that’s a little taste of paradise. Ingredients 2 cups frozen pineapple chunks 1 cup pineapple juice 1/2 cup canned full-fat coconut milk 4 oz. coconut vodka (optional) 3 cups frozen sliced strawberries 1 1/4 cup apple juice 4 oz white rum (optional) Plus popsicle molds and sticks!  Directions Combine pineapple, pineapple juice, coconut milk, and coconut vodka in blender until smooth. Put aside. Blend strawberries, apple juice, and white rum then place to the side. Fill popsicle molds, alternating between the pineapple and strawberry mixtures. Pop in popsicle sticks and freeze for 3 hours. Cool down and enjoy!   Recipe and image courtesy of www.thelittleepicurean.com All About Art in East Hampton     If East Hampton was a member of a 90s boy band it would definitely be the sporty one. You know, with all its surfing, swimming, fishing, and sailing stuff. But it would also be the artistic one. The land of magical sunlight and sprawling natural landscapes, East Hampton has long been the muse for painters like William de Kooning and photographers like Peter Beard who venture to the Long Island’s east end to get inspired. And you will, too! Get an eyeful of some fun facts about the East Hampton art scene. Read more HERE.   EXPLORE

 Looks like someone’s got a birthday coming up! And not to gossip or anything, but she’s getting pretty up there in years. Break out the party hats and start singing because it’s America’s bday! She’ll be 244 this year. Doesn’t look a day over her bicentennial. And her slightly younger upstairs neighbor, Canada, will be hitting the big 1-5-3 on July 1st. These gals have seen a lot over the decades with all the proud moments and growing pains you’d expect. This year, the party might look a little different but you can still RSVP. And with a little creativity, tech savvy, and spirit it’s guaranteed to be a celebration that’ll go down in history.   It's a Celebration Independence Day might look a little different this year but she’s still going strong!     Los Angeles’s Grand Park is moving its annual block party online with all the comedy, live musical, cooking demos, and fun a patriot could dream of!   @grandpark_la #blockparty     You can (still) dance if you want to! Catch Chicago SummerDance’s special Independence Day SummerDance in Place broadcast to learn some new salsa moves and bust ‘em from the privacy of your living room.   @chicagodcase #chicago4th     Do sandwiches exist in cyberspace? The Wawa Welcome America Festival says yes! The longstanding Philadelphia festival and founding father of Hoagie Day is doing it all virtually!   @july4thphilly #celebratephilly    Oh, Canada Quiz   What do you know about the US Neighbor to the North?   YYZ is not just the name of a famous classic rock jam but an airport in which Canadian city? Poutine is a delish dish that comes from Quebec and is made up of french fries, gravy, and what other ingredient? The red and white Canadian flag features what symbol front and center? What nickname was given to Canada’s one dollar coin? Hint: Think bird with a real case of the giggles. You oughta know the name of this famous Canadian singer-songwriter whose music recently inspired a Broadway musical. Answers:  Toronto/cheese curds/maple leaf/Loonie/Alanis Morissette   Stay Cool in these American Art Museums The Metropolitan Museum of Art  New York, NY   The Art Institute of Chicago Chicago, IL   High Museum of Art Atlanta, GA   San Francisco Museum of Modern Art San Francisco, CA   National Gallery of Art Washington, DC   The Museum of Fine Arts  Boston, MA   Los Angeles County Museum of Art Los Angeles, CA   Philadelphia Museum of Art Philadelphia, PA   Rhode Island School of Design Museum Providence, RI     Guggenheim Museum New York, NY