I will never forget the time when I was on an airplane traveling home from Belgium and a wave of panic came over me. As I looked at my hand, I noticed that my diamond and sapphire ring was NOT on my finger, but was left in the hotel safe. While rushing to get to the airport, I forgot to take it with me.
Can you believe that when I got home and called the hotel, they found it and mailed it back to me? Luck was certainly on my side on that occasion, but I have not always been so fortunate. I have a talent for losing things. Thanks to my unique skill, I have lost valuable earrings, and a London blue topaz and diamond ring—which still makes my heart sink.
These events made me realize that it is a good practice to leave your most valuable accessories at home and to take cheaper travel-worthy equivalents along with you for ease of mind. This way, you won’t be devastated if they are lost or stolen. My rule of thumb is that if the value is more than $500, consider keeping it at home.
I apply this rule mostly to peripheral goods and jewelry, not necessarily to clothing or shoes that would be more difficult to misplace. While sightseeing or shopping, you can easily leave your Gucci sunglasses here, or your Burberry umbrella there.
While I’m not giving advice on buying counterfeit goods, these days you can find amazing gold-plated jewelry, stylish watches, and sunglasses for under $200 that look like a million dollars. Not to mention crystal or simulated diamonds that look just like the real thing and let you keep your engagement ring at home. You don’t have to sacrifice style at all. In fact, I am sure most women will agree that it is fun to hunt and shop for fabulous and fractionally priced travel accessories.
As I am writing this, coincidentally enough, I am watching a very popular cable-shopping channel with amazing rose gold over bronze plated jewelry. I think I will be adding a few pieces to my travel collection very soon.
I bid you all very happy, and not to mention sensibly stylish, travels!
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