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Meet Beth

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local milk is a journal devoted to home cookery, travel, family, and slow living—to being present & finding sustenance of every kind. It’s about nesting abroad & finding the exotic in the everyday. Most of all it’s about the perfection of imperfections and seeing the beauty of everyday, mundane life.

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  1. Cook
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  5. Cardamom + Rose Iced Latte / Japanese Ice Coffee

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A long time ago in a different life (or at least i A long time ago in a different life (or at least it feels that way) I was riding in a car at night with @whereissionnie to meet up with @ruthielindsey and @1924us for bonfires and general cabin shenanigans outside of Nashville. 

I remember the drive so well. It’s a conversation that always stuck with me. We talked about trauma and crisis. And I don’t know much, but I shared the only thing I know, a thing that has served me well through the natural undulations life is bound to bring.

And that is simply sometimes you have to cling to the mast. You aren’t doing anything but surviving but that’s the most important work of all. Because the storm WILL pass. And you‘ll be left standing.

And when it does you can mend the sails. Untangle the ropes. And get on with the business of sailing.

I’ve learned to give myself permission to do nothing but make it through. To sleep a little too late. To dance in front of the mirror and feel myself even when I look ridiculous. To load and unload the dishwasher and allow that to be a great victory. To dress like a cartoon character in nothing but white t-shirts and denim shorts.  To eat mac & cheese from a box and frozen chicken nuggets sometimes. To not respond to text messages. To flail and get back up over and over. To ask for help. A lot.

And also permission to feel it all. Rage. Grief. Joy. Hope and hopelessness. And sometimes all within the span of a few minutes. 

And most of all, whether navigating calm waters or stormy ones, what matters more than anything is the crew you’re doing it with. Surround yourself with solid people.

People that challenge you with compassion. And humor. People whose strengths buttress your weakness. People that don’t judge you. That believe in you even when you think they’re maniacs for doing so.

I know a disproportionate amount of us have had rough seas this year. Cling to the mast in the storm. Choose your crew wisely. No storm ever lasted forever. But there never was a last storm in the world. Accept that they will come and be prepared.

Uniform | Travel Essentials Guide

Wardrobe

09.29.2014

travel essentials

I’ve cycled the streets of Eck en Wiel & past the thick green carpet of an algae covered pond and thought I cannot be unhappy here. I have woken up hung-over and disoriented in Bruges with a train to catch and thought I cannot be unhappy here. I have hidden beneath a pier with a British sailor in a Spanish port town and thought I cannot be unhappy here. Up all night in Hania, ouzo soaked. I cannot be unhappy here. Through a hundred terminals and terminals and buses and trains throughout my life. I cannot be unhappy here. Happiness in and of itself, the peripatetic life for me.

Travel Essentials

Travel Essentials

I’m a homebody with wanderlust, and the ideas of traveling even when you’re home, of finding the exotic in the everyday influence my work & life just as much as the idea of nesting even when you’re abroad, of making a home wherever you go. I am always wandering; I am always home. Speaking of home… my new kitchen (remodeled by the wizardly duo the Jersey Ice Cream Co. was featured on Remodelista this week. If you’re curious where I cook & shoot, there you go.)

It’s no surprise to me that I travel for work a lot these days. I always intended it; I had to. Hence the birth of  Local Milk Retreats. If you’d like to, perhaps, travel to one of our workshop-retreats in the coming year, give the new site a visit and join the mailing list. There are talks of every where from Japan to Australia to Portugal to France as well as a handful here at home in the U.S. … we have so much in the works for you. The retreats are weekends away that combine the intimacy of small gatherings, the creative inspiration of travel & local foods, and hands-on practicums teaching both creative skills like photography & styling as well as down-to-earth skills like weaving, baking, and florals. They’re ultimately about slow living, relationships, local foods, inspiration, and creativity.

I am, on some fundamental level, an air plant. Tillandsia. Roots in the earth aren’t for me. I possess the deep love of home characteristic of a Cancerian, but to a certain extent I carry that home on my back. And that’s what you’re looking at. My little home away from home. My light on my feet. My creature comforts. My nesting abroad. And this really is my uniform. I’m awfully boring. Just ask anyone who’s seen me in the past month. All linen, all the time.

The laundry is spinning the next room over. My music is loud, my bag laid out on the bed. A cold glass of maté is close at hand with a dose of ginkgo tincture in it for good measure. It’s 10pm. I leave in the morning, 6:30am. And I am light, light. It’s nothing really, a 4 day jaunt up north to the Boston area for work. But to go is to go, no matter how near or far or short or long. And as soon as I set foot in that world between all worlds, the airport, I think I cannot be unhappy here. 

These are the essentials I don’t leave home without these days.

Travel Essentials Guide

1. For longer trips, this is truly my home away from home. Rolling Check-In bag by Filson.

2. Not one but two Blockshop Textiles scarves. I wear them as head wraps, scarves, shawls, and generally lay them around to be pretty and make me happy. You can find my head scarf tutorial on the app I’m obsessed with, Steller.

3. The best travel shoes, say what you will. Easy to kick on and off & comfy as all get out. Birkenstocks in Iron. And yes, I wear them with socks if I wanna. Planes get cold, and it’s my life.

4. The ultimate travel get up, a linen coat & dress because linen looks even better when it’s wrinkled. Natural dress by Fog Linen from Mr. Kitly. Linen coat by Stitch & Taylor from Orn Hansen

5. My carry-on & make-up bag are cut from the same cloth as my dress. I like to keep my palette monochrome & neutral when I travel. It makes fewer pieces go further. Linen bag & checked zippered pouch by Fog Linen.

6. My leather notebook case by Pear Tree Leather Co. is the BEST. It is the perfect size for a Field Notes notebook, my passport, credit & cash, and ID.

7. My Wild Unknown deck. Because you never know when you’ll need to know.

8. My medicine pouch from High Garden Tea in Nashville. It’s contents are personal but include citrine, obsidian, and a shark’s tooth. I wear it everyday for strength & protection.

9. My mini iPad. No, this isn’t an apple commercial. That thing is my BRAIN. Evernote for the win. And creating stories on Steller is my favorite flight past time these days. Well that and Cookie Jam.

10. P.F. Candle Co. travel candle. I always travel with a candle, a touch of home. Love this one in Eucalyptus & Neroli.

11. A jar of homemade sleepy tea & a tea strainer from Bellocq. Yes, I brew loose leaf tea on flights. And at night when I’m away. Helps adjust jet-lag and is just a creature comfort. It feels normal. My blend features hops, valerian, chamomile, lavender, and damiana.

12. Martine sunnies from American Apparel. I am a sunglasses hoarder. I try to only travel with one pair, a relatively cheap one at that. Round all the way.

13. My travelling apothecary: facial tonic for refreshing after flights by Marble & Milkweed; Clary Sage & Lavender hair powder by Lulu Organics because travel hair; a small bottle of Thayer’s Rose Petal & Witch Hazel facial toner. Because it smells great & makes me feel clean.

No one paid me or asked me to write about this stuff. I just like it all. F to the YI.

Want to travel together? Again…join the mailing list at Local Milk Retreats and let’s have some crazy adventures & create beautiful stuff together!

Travel Essentials

Travel Essentials

Travel Essentials

Travel Essentials

Travel Essentials

Travel Essentials

 

photos of me taken by Amanda Nolan Booker.

 

 

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tags: bag, birkenstocks, blockshop textiles, essentials, fashion, filson, fog linen, guide, linen, orn hansen, p f candle, packing list, shopping, steller, style, suitcase, travel

39 thoughts on “Uniform | Travel Essentials Guide”

  1. Glorija says:
    September 30, 2014 at 2:02 am

    wooow, such a lovely outfit.

    Reply
  2. Meghan says:
    September 30, 2014 at 2:27 am

    You have a certain grace to yourself, Beth. I can’t quite figure it out, but it’s there, and not at all boring. Everything around you is truly inspiring.

    Reply
  3. Tessa / Bramble & Thorn says:
    September 30, 2014 at 3:00 am

    Your photos are incredibly beautiful and evocative, and your travel essentials are fantastic!

    Reply
  4. Shivani says:
    September 30, 2014 at 8:41 am

    I’ve been hoping and wishing for this post – thank you for such a beautiful snippet into your life and travels. I love your warm earth-toned palette; I’ve long tried to create something similar in my life.

    Any chance of public appearances in Boston?? I haven’t yet made it to your home city but you are so welcomed in mine!

    Reply
  5. Eline says:
    September 30, 2014 at 4:48 am

    Oh wow, I think bringing your own loose leaf tea on travels is such a nice thing. I have just never though of it. I am wondering however, what do you do with the strainer after using it? It will inevitably be wet right (I’d probably dry it with my sleeve, but that’s probably not the most elegant solution), how do you solve it? Your photos are amazing and this is definitely some very nice travel inspiration, thanks!

    Reply
    1. beth says:
      September 30, 2014 at 5:24 am

      I just use the napkin that comes with the cup of hot water to wipe it off.

      Reply
  6. Thalia @ butter and brioche says:
    September 30, 2014 at 6:33 am

    You are one unique and stylish woman Beth. Wow is all I have to say after reading this post. I am definitely looking forward to the Australia 2015 retreat, will be keeping my eye out for more details.

    Reply
  7. _Our Food Stories_ says:
    September 30, 2014 at 7:49 am

    oh my…these pictures are so adorable dear beth!!
    great work!
    best wishes from berlin
    laura&nora

    Reply
  8. Caliper.Birch says:
    September 30, 2014 at 10:30 am

    I confess that I prioritize your blog over others when alerted by Bloglovin to your posts. This post is so thoughtful and soulful; and linen 24-7 is a wonderful look. As an fyi, the link to your Local Milk Retreats is down. Might you suggest an alternative way to access your offerings? (http://caliperbirch.blogspot.com/)

    Reply
    1. beth says:
      September 30, 2014 at 11:24 am

      Thank you…& I fixed the link!

      Reply
      1. Caliper.Birch says:
        October 6, 2014 at 10:09 am

        Wonderful and thank you.

        Reply
  9. cynthia says:
    September 30, 2014 at 10:41 am

    Yes yes yes!!! I love this so much. Doubly so because your travels are taking you to this little corner of the world — cannot. wait. P.S. I’m too in love with Fog Linen. It’s a problem. Help me not buy everything that gorgeous lady makes.

    Reply
  10. Jan Wirth says:
    September 30, 2014 at 10:45 am

    Hi, Beth – great article, good travel tips, and a lovely linen ensemble.
    We who live in Maine love our “nuthatch” linen made in downtown Rockland, ME.
    http://www.shopnuthatch.com.
    Check it out while you are in the Boston area.

    Reply
  11. jacob phelps says:
    September 30, 2014 at 11:20 am

    I couldn’t agree more about the birkenstocks!

    Reply
  12. melissa says:
    September 30, 2014 at 11:28 am

    I have to second the Marble & Milkweed tonic. I use it every day anyway, but nothing else will do for post-travel refreshment. I like to keep the little squirt bottles she sends with the seasonal kits and refill them from my big bottle, for travel purposes (because then it can go in my carry-on).

    Reply
  13. Lauren McGregor says:
    September 30, 2014 at 1:33 pm

    Excellent post. Keeping bookmarked forever <3

    Reply
  14. Cynthia says:
    September 30, 2014 at 2:42 pm

    Your description about being a homebody with wanderlust brought to mind this song https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hRhe-L2ZGRk
    (“Sometimes I” by Rising Appalachia)
    It’s a beautiful song, but the lyrics aren’t quite as clear on the video as on the CD. You can see a reasonable transcription of them here
    http://www.songlyrics.com/rising-appalachia/sometimes-i-lyrics/

    Yes. Everyone should have clothes that feel good and work. That they love.

    Reply
  15. Archana says:
    September 30, 2014 at 3:27 pm

    Birks actually suit you ! you are one of those rare creatures like Ashley Olsen who can make them work !

    Reply
  16. Katie says:
    September 30, 2014 at 3:39 pm

    aaaah yes yes yes i love this. “a homebody with wonderlust.” that is me exactly. hoping i can find a way to make travel my life like you have. thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  17. Jeffrey Chung says:
    October 1, 2014 at 2:50 am

    Love the natural tones of these photographs! Love your work 🙂
    http://www.jchung.me

    Reply
  18. Yelle says:
    October 1, 2014 at 2:39 pm

    have to say, gorgeous photos as always! makes me want to pack and be off!

    Reply
  19. Elle Dechene says:
    October 2, 2014 at 4:54 pm

    I saw your kitchen photo at Gardenista and had to come and check your blog. Lovely photos, I’m really enjoying it. Then I saw this: “I’m a homebody with wanderlust”. Well met, fellow Cancerian sun.

    Reply
  20. Annie says:
    October 2, 2014 at 10:12 pm

    You look very elegant and chic but I suspect you would no matter what you were wearing. Kind of an Audrey Hepburn grace. If I were wearing that linen dress I would look like the washerwoman.

    Reply
  21. Rosalie Carmichael says:
    October 3, 2014 at 1:32 am

    Beth, I wear a lot of linen and it is perfect for travel and I just go with the crushed look.

    Reply
  22. Sini | My Blue&White Kitchen says:
    October 4, 2014 at 4:44 am

    Loved this post so incredibly much, Beth. I’m a traveler as well and having spent 11 months traveling around the world with solely a 22 lb backpack on my back, I truly know what it means to carry your home on your back. Thank you for sharing your travel essentials; I found some old favorites as well as new loves.

    Reply
  23. Pingback: Weekly Collective: 1 - Soul Beet
  24. Alessandra // the foodie teen says:
    October 6, 2014 at 10:24 am

    ‘I’m a homebody with wanderlust’ describes me so perfectly! I adore the photos in this post – even more gorgeous than usual!

    Reply
  25. Christine says:
    October 6, 2014 at 11:28 pm

    I love the idea of “nesting abroad.” I’ve never heard that term before but I feel like it describes my travel style so well. I love to hole up in a cozy little room, surrounded by a mess of my most important things, living like a local. The last part of your post reminded me of this quote by Robert louis stevenson: “I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.”

    Reply
  26. Gisele Aisha says:
    October 7, 2014 at 5:39 am

    Travel essenties. I love this *.*

    Reply
  27. tom says:
    October 9, 2014 at 11:28 pm

    amazing pics

    Reply
  28. Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today says:
    October 12, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    I must admit that I miss a lot of what’s going on in internet since pregnancy hormones’s hit my head, but it’s always good to come here. Such a refreshing entry. We’ve stopped for a moment with Tomasz, but you made me excited about traveling again. I have my “must take” objects as well and now I’ll have to organize a small travel kit for my baby girl when she arrives. It’s so exciting. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  29. Arika M. says:
    October 13, 2014 at 10:02 am

    I want to be you. Except for the Birkenstocks.

    Reply
  30. michaela says:
    October 13, 2014 at 4:08 pm

    i travel frequently too and always find it interesting to see what other travelers find integral. never thought of the candle idea, but do agree with bringing good tea. there’s always hot water to be had in the air. enjoy your work.

    Reply
  31. michaela says:
    October 13, 2014 at 4:09 pm

    that should read “i enjoy your work” not mean that i am saying you should enjoy your work.

    Reply
  32. Andrea Kraenzlin says:
    October 17, 2014 at 1:28 pm

    How beautiful is it that you travel with a candle. It’s all about comforting yourself, that’s what I like about your list. The wild unknown tarot deck travels with me as well.
    You do beautiful work and photos.

    Reply
  33. sharon kitchens says:
    December 4, 2014 at 8:52 am

    Hi! I found you on Instagram via Modern Farmette. Your story and photos are beautiful. Love this post. I just got back from several weeks in East Africa and let me say you nailed this – I had my Filson bags (shoulder tote and roll extra large duffle) and Birkenstocks through the whole thing. Lot’s of moving around and they held up. Best investments. ox

    Reply
  34. Anna Oates says:
    December 14, 2014 at 11:20 pm

    I love, love, love that bag! And I never thought about carrying my own tea. It’s such a smart thing to do, as you said, with jetlag and such!

    Reply
  35. travel news says:
    September 19, 2015 at 7:03 am

    Very good info. Lucky me I discovered your blog by chance (stumbleupon).
    I have book marked it for later!

    Reply
  36. Sanjna says:
    May 10, 2020 at 3:24 am

    Nice & lovely. Your all posts are very informative. I have bookmarked it to read all your content.

    Reply

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travel with baby
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