sou·ve·nir [soo-vuh-neer] noun

1. a usually small and relatively inexpensive article given, kept,or purchased as a reminder of a place visited, an occasion,etc.; memento.
2. a memory
(Thanks, dictionary.com!)

For lots of practical financial reasons, travel is my hobby and primary daydream occupation, not my real job. To remind myself of adventures abroad when I’m slogging through a tough week at work, I wear the jewelry I buy during these adventures. Over the past few years, this practice has netted me some pretty things, some crazy things, and lots of lovely memories. Last week, the marvelously talented EastCoastTKO and I were discussing the merits of buying jewelry on vacation and she inspired me to dig out some of my “wearable memories.”

Morocco (2010)

Spain (2011)

Spain was full to the brim with beautiful things. I spent a few days in Cordoba, where I made the requisite visit to the cathedral, the famous Mezquita. It was stunning, strange, and beautiful. The next day, at equally-fascinating (and budget-friendly) Medina Azahara, I found this beautiful leather bracelet, inspired by the red-and-white stone arches of the Mezquita and the ruins of the Medina.

France (2012)

While I definitely enjoy nice jewelry, I can’t resist something fun and unexpected. After days of consuming macarons every time I found them, particularly salted caramel ones, I simply couldn’t resist this fun macaron necklace in the boutique at Musée des arts décoratifs. It reminds me of light, tasty macarons, and the countless flavour combinations that haven’t quite made their way across the pond yet.

Good memories = wise expenditures

In my heart, I wanted it badly. In my head, I assumed (correctly) it was a budget-buster. Immediate reaction: “If this is €300 or less, I’m going to buy it.” Having spent enough time in the Puces to know that the threshold I set was remotely reasonable, I did not ask the price. That way, I was spared the heartbreak of not being able to afford it and the guilt of buying it and feeling bad about spending that much money on jewelry when I got home. Post-trip research suggests it would have been at least USD$800, and probably more. On the upside, I saved myself the heartbreak of walking away from it.

What are you favourite “wearable memories?” What about the things you left behind? Fire away in the comments!