Wooly Wonders

 Yes, Christmas has brought some wonderful new clothing my way…and I will write about my new favorite footwear today.  I’ve never been one to wear slippers around the house or even socks for that matter.  This has changed for me in the past 2 weeks for a couple of reasons: 1. I am living in very snowy and cold central Bulgaria with only one heated room, 2. I have the best pair of wool slippers ever.  My new slippers were purchased in Austria and are made by a company called Giesswein that specializes in boiled wool products.  They are warm, easy to slip off and on, and have a very handy non-slip coating on the soles.  They are also super cute.  They make clothing and footwear that is know for it’s high-quality craftsmanship and design.  You can visit their homepage for more information on their products and also search for online vendors. www.giesswein.com  

Sweet

 I’m enjoying a new pair of pants from Sweet Grass Fibers.  They are stylish, have a great fit, and are made with sustainable alternative fibers.  Here’s a quick quote from the company, “Style, like beauty, comes from within.  Feeling good from the inside out starts with knowing that the clothes on your back were made responsibly from fibers grown without harming soil, water, air or people.”  I like their designs, they have a good selection of clothes for home, work, and leisure.  They have an online store and also sell through some local retailers, see their site for info on where to buy: www.sweetgrassfibers.com .

Personal Preference

Happy New Year!  I’ve just returned from an amazingly beautiful trip to Austria.  In response to the many questions that I get about how to travel independently and find cozy, friendly, safe, interesting, and reasonably priced lodgings I thought I’d put out a little blurb about my favorite tool…it’s called Trip Advisor.  I usually start by plotting out the regions or exact cities or attractions that I want to make sure to visit.  Then I search Trip Advisor and see what other travellers have to say, check out their candid photos, and then find the direct contact information for the property.  I prefer Inns, Bed and Breakfasts, Pensions, and small Family run Hotels.  They usually provide a very good value and give you a much better insight into real life and local culture.  I sometimes also use popular travel guides as a reference or starting place.  Then I cross reference what other travellers have to say on Trip Advisor.  This latest trip the highlight was most certainly the time we spent in Hallstatt, Austria.  We stayed at the Pension Hallberg and were so impressed by the gracious hospitality of the owners and the stunning natural surroundings.  Brief chats with people who have such a deep knowledge and love of the local area provide a satisfying experience and chance for a more meaningful cultural exchange.  Contact me if you’re interested in my personal list of great B & B’s and Inns that we’ve stayed in during our recent travels.