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The Gable Edit | Treasured Travel Finds 🕵️‍♀️

Travel Treasures: Stories Woven Into What I Wear

As travel season gears up, I’ve been reflecting on the journeys I’ve taken with loved ones—and the memories I carry home with me, quite literally.

Despite my extreme fear of heights (yes, I’m that person who won’t look down at scenic overlooks), I’ve found myself in elevated destinations I once only dreamed of. From mountains to medinas, my heart races just as fast from beauty as it does from altitude.

If you’ve read a few of my posts by now, you know I’m a sentimentalist. That extends to how I collect memories. For years, I’ve been drawn to travel keepsakes—but I’ve traded classic magnets and keychains for something more wearable. These pieces help me carry the spirit of a trip with me every day.

How It Started: The Magnet Era

It all began with magnets. Tiny tokens from everywhere—gift shops, airport kiosks, museum lobbies. I loved them...until I realized they were just taking up space (and dust) in my one-bedroom Manhattan apartment. Eeek.

How It’s Going: Closet Full of Memories

I’ve shifted toward wearable keepsakes—pieces that aren’t just souvenirs, but part of my life. Clothes that remind me of a moment, a place, or the person I was with when I found them.

It started with a cardigan from Rhodes, a fortified Greek city where I stumbled upon the perfect ivory knit. I wore it everywhere...until I learned the hard way about the powers of a British washer/dryer combo. R.I.P., dreamy cardigan.

Now, I travel with intention—and space in my suitcase—for wearable art. Here are a few favorite finds:

1. Morocco with the Js

Two kaftans came home with me (check out previous blog post!), but the daily MVP? A perfect park-and-beach-friendly bag I found in a boutique off one of Marrakesh’s souks. Jane picked a monogrammed version, but mine felt like me—a little more eclectic. Now it’s a staple for Central Park picnics and proudly on display in my apartment.



2. Cuba with PapPap

My dad always wanted to go to Cuba. One day I sent him a guidebook as a clever thank you to time we spent together...one week later, he’d booked a Penn State Alumni trip. My response? “Lol—that’s not happening without me.”  Well first [before I knew the alumni part] I said 'that's funny, that's illegal' then i got to that second thing...

So off we went. The trip was eye-opening and unforgettable. My treasure? A hand-crocheted shawl from a local artisan. It layers beautifully, adds just the right boho touch to any outfit, and reminds me of dancing in Havana.



3. St. Kitts with the GGs

(GGs = Gable Gavejians: my sister, brother-in-law, niece, and nephew)

On a sunny Caribbean getaway with the GGs and my dad & MJ, we went on a batik excursion. I left with the most sunshiney 🌞 skirt I own. It still brightens my summers in NYC—and is always packed for island escapes.

4. Victoria with Mama Jane

On a mother-daughter Alaska cruise, we stopped in the postcard-perfect town of Victoria, British Columbia. After tea and a visit to the Royal BC Museum, we wandered into a charming Irish shop. There it was—my dream sweater. Think cozy buttons, classic cut, total professor chic.

It’s the closest I’ve come to replacing my beloved Rhodes cardigan. I wore it to my Vanderbilt reunion with Jen (aka “The Little Londoner”) and Liz (nickname TBD), where we took in the Nashville Parthenon. Yes, the one that’s a full-scale replica of the original in Athens—dreamy!

The Downside of Travel Treasures

Here’s the tricky part: when you collect pieces that carry memories, they become impossible to part with. They rarely make it to the donation pile. Even when they’re a little worn, a little out of season, they remind me of a moment I’m not ready to let go of—unless, of course, they meet the same fate as that poor Rhodes cardigan in the London washing machine.






About Sara
Style has always been my secret language — a way to tell the world who I am without saying a word. I’m a marketing exec by trade, a scarf enthusiast by choice, and someone who believes that great style doesn’t follow rules, it follows instinct.

The Gable Edit is where I share what’s catching my eye: from emerging trends to timeless staples, with plenty of scarf styling tips woven in (pun absolutely intended). Whether it’s the perfect pop of color or the accessory that pulls it all together, I’m here to help you find your own edit — and have a little fun along the way.




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