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Chic Traveler: Merritt Loughran
Occupation: Founder and President, mml PR
Hometown: Santa Monica, California and soon to be bi-coastal with plans to open a second mml location in NYC!
Dream destination?
Okavango Delta in South Africa and then a jump over to the island of Mauritius. Also, Tulum, Mexico. I am planning that trip now as a quick getaway for my husband and I!
What’s always inside your carry on?
Arcona Triad Pads, TONS of magazines, Mike and Ike’s or Swedish Red Fish and my iPhone and laptop.
What’s on your plane play list?
What playlist? I am answering emails and catching up on BRAVO TV reruns on Virgin Airlines.
Your guilty pleasure while traveling?
BRAVO TV and sleeping on the plane – I am that girl!
The Stephanie Johnson bag / bags that always make the trip?
My ML Traveler and Jumbo Zip Cosmetic. If I am going to a beach destination, I love the small Side Handle Tube that easily fits sunscreen, lip balm, my iPhone with LK for Cellairis case and CASH! Just in case we don’t have time to run back to our hotel before grabbing a sunset cocktail.
Any tips or must-pack items for making your hotel feel more like home?
A small silver frame with a seaside picture of my two children in it and 4 small conch seashells plucked from the beach in Naples, FLA. I keep them on my bedside table. They remind me of home. Also, a R. Nichols candle – SURF scent. He is a local LA craftsman and a genius candle maker.
Is there a particular destination that inspires your creativity?
Harbour Island in the Bahamas and walking for miles on any beach in Malibu. And any place where the only mode of transportation is a golf cart.
What’s the most stylish city/locale you’ve visited?
Istanbul, Turkey.
Anywhere in particular where the fashion/beauty/women’s personal style really blew you away?
I was surprised at how chic the ladies were in Mumbai, India. The way the Indian women use makeup and color to define their own personal style. The jewels and the beautiful prints were inspiring!
Any travel misadventures you’d like to share?
Note to self, hard to talk your way into the Bahamas if you forgot your passport. But it CAN be done!
If you were introducing a world traveling friend to SJ for the first time, what’s the first piece you’d recommend they buy?
The ML Traveler. I am biased [Stephanie’s note: the ML is Merritt’s namesake!]. It is the perfect carry all for a weekend away or a week in the West Indies.
Next on your Stephanie Johnson wish list?
The Tuscon Sky Mary Alice Tote
What’s your favorite SJ piece to give as a gift?
SO hard to choose! I love the Jumbo Zip Case – especially in St. Lucia.
Is there a favorite possession you’ve acquired during your travels? What is it?
I have a Tahitian print from our honeymoon in Bora Bora that I adore. And I collect baskets and bowls filled with seashells from AROUND the world. On my last trip to Naples, FLA I mistakenly took a crab home with me – still in its shell. Also I adore my African leather sandals and woven baskets from Kenya that I picked up after climbing Kilimanjaro. They have lasted over 25 years and I have never had to mend them.
Favorite travel ritual or souvenir?
I always visit a local museum and pick up a coffee table book of the museum’s permanent collection. I also pick up a snow globe for my daughter and ask friends and family to pick them up as well. My daughter’s collection has grown to include over 40 snow globes from around the world and she is only 9!
I also try and walk the local town, beach or city streets and capture photos of anything that inspires me.
Your personal travel style: (Do you like a luxury resort? A private hideaway? Do you prefer to lay on the beach? Explore the countryside?)
I am a chameleon – I like to lay on the beach for 2 or 3 days – then get out and explore. And I do admit – I love a luxury resort or a private home. Watercolor and The Mango on Harbour Island in the Bahamas are two of my favorite private homes to rent.
The one thing that you cannot leave home without?
My American Express Platinum Card. It takes me everywhere with some amazing perks.
Your happy place / Favorite travel destination?
Harbor Springs, Michigan and my Dad’s hunting camp called Valhalla in the middle of the woods in Michigan.
Do you have a favorite menu item you indulge in when you’re on the road?
Local beers and fresh seafood.
How do you pack for a trip?
I am not a list maker – but I do plan my outfits. I tend to travel with over 10 pairs of flip flops – I have an inordinate amount of them. And I wear a comfy pair of Chanel black flats on the plane for running through airports.
Favorite pre-travel or travel-friendly beauty routine?
I try to NOT wear makeup on the plane and heavily moisturize with Arcona Magic White Ice and I love bringing Arcona’s Lavender Hydrasol mist to keep my skin moist while flying. Also, I love NYX Butter Gloss to keep my lips moist, with a hint of color.
First drink in the air: H2O, champagne or OJ?
Water/for AM flights. Water then a cold beer for evening flights.
Go-to luggage brand?
Tumi and an L.L. Bean tote.
Checked bag or carry-on?
Depends on how many days I am gone. If less than two days – carry on. If more – I am checking bags.
Favorite airport? Why?
I love Detroit Metro Airport because I can grab a Coney Island 24/7. I also love the Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas and the West Branch Airport in Northern Michigan because both are so small and I always run into friends coming and going. Also, Jackson Hole airport for the food: great burgers and fries.
On your reading list?
I just read Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand – admittedly late to the game. LOVED IT! And I am currently obsessed with anything written by or about Diana Vreeland.
Plane food or bring your own?
Whole Foods – bring your own. Or the cheese platter on Virgin is amazing – but I miss the old flat Italian crackers. Please bring those back, Virgin America.
Any tips for breezing through airport security?
TSA Pre Expedited Screening for frequent fliers – don’t wear a belt or a lot of costume jewelry.
Window or aisle?
Aisle.
Your flight’s delayed: best way to kill time at the airport?
Mani/pedi and a massage. I always travel with my fave Essie polishes so I am ready for a mani/pedi at any time.
How often do you fly?
Twice a month.
Go-to flying ‘uniform?’
J Brand Jeans or black Vince pants, Chanel flats, James Perse tank top and a comfy Vince or C. Wonder sweater. And my new Sole Society Cassidy Weekend Bag.
Any tips that make frequent travel more efficient?
Keep it simple – stay in a place where you know the neighborhood. And always tip the bartenders in the VIP lounges around the world.
Business or economy?
Depends on who is paying. Private is always best – but hard to come by these days!
Chic Traveler: Marla Maples
Occupation: Actress, songwriter/singer, radio & talk show host, deep thinker, seeker and lover of the Divine in all!
Hometown: Bicoastal at last and looking forward to more time exploring the world & its many inhabitants!
Dream destination?
Machu Picchu
What’s always inside your carry on?
Lots of vitamins
What’s on your plane play list?
Abraham Hicks/Eckhart Tolle
Your guilty pleasure while traveling?
Airport massages
The Stephanie Johnson bag / bags that always make the trip?
The ML Traveler is a personal fave. I also use a jewelry roll and just recently picked up a Katie Folding Cosmetic. All I can load up!!
Any tips or must-pack items for making your hotel feel more like home?
I always bring a mini-aromatherapy candle and my spiritual books including the Zohar!
Is there a particular destination that inspires your creativity?
Anywhere in the mountains, by the sea or flowing rivers . . . but especially when they are together like Big Sur, the Oregon coastline or the Rockies.
What’s the most stylish city/locale you’ve visited? Anywhere in particular where the fashion/beauty/women’s personal style really blew you away?
I love Rome and how freely the women express their style.
Any travel misadventures you’d like to share?
The time Tiffany and I took a slow ferry to Tangier, Morocco with our filmmaker friend Marek. We were so excited to be in this mystical land, we were going to eat couscous, drink tea, shop the bazaar and Marek planned to take many photos of our adventure. Well he got his photos, as we paused to take a breath while running through the tiny stone pathways from the local men who were not too happy with Americans at the time. The most frightening time in my life, but we have amazing photos!
If you were introducing a world traveling friend to SJ for the first time, what’s the first piece you’d recommend they buy?
All of them!
Is there a favorite possession you’ve acquired during your travels?
Anything from Africa hand made by locals.
Your personal travel style: (Do you like a luxury resort? A private hideaway? Do you prefer to lie on the beach? Explore the countryside?)
I love adventure . . . and spiritual journeys. I’m much happier taking a trip with purpose. Traveling across Israel on a sacred trek, visiting orphanages in Malawi, or exploring ancient pathways in Spain or Italy.
Your happy place / Favorite travel destination?
The Galilee in Israel or just being home on the streets of New York!
Do you have a favorite menu item you indulge in when you’re on the road? Perhaps a dish or a type of cuisine you can’t get back home?
I try to be adventurous with eating and go for what the locals love.
How do you pack for a trip? (Are you a list maker? Do you pack in outfits? Throw caution to the wind and shop when you arrive?)
My fantasy is to experience the last description . . . be that free spirit!
Favorite pre-travel or travel-friendly beauty routine?
My Galvanic Spa
First drink in the air: H2O, champagne or OJ?
Water, then perhaps a glass of red. Then more water, water, water. . .
Go-to luggage brand?
Briggs & Riley
Plane food or bring your own?
Bring my own when I have time to cook it up, or wrap it up, but I always order non-dairy veg. just in case.
Any tips for breezing through airport security?
Lots of smiles & fun – leave the stress behind.
Window or aisle?
Gave up the window when Tiffany, my daughter, was old enough to ask.
Your flight’s delayed: best way to kill time at the airport?
Catching up on emails, texts, and calls.
Next on your Stephanie Johnson wish list?
An iPad cover. But first I need the iPad!
Chic Traveler: Winston Carney
Occupation: Bifurcated Business Owner – Interior Designer / Pilates Studio Owner
Hometown: Venice, California
From her offices in Venice, CA, a creative heart of Southern California, Winston Carney has helped record executives, venture capitalists, movie moguls, model moms, philanthropists and Hollywood talent realize the vision for their homes and offices. She begins by getting to know their personalities and how they see their lives in their environments. Winston takes the time to really listen to her clients throughout the process and empowers them to transform their ideas into multi-textured designs of intimacy, prosperity, community, strength and charm, rather than imposing a singular style on a project. Winston’s years of experience and success have taught her the patience to envision one project at a time, to maintain the focus and integrity of each client’s vision.
Dream destination? I’m an absolute Aman junkie. Full stop. Amanjena in Morocco has been on my wish list for some time. I can’t think of anything better than combining Aman and Morocco! Heaven on earth!
What’s always inside your carry-on? I travel with just a carry-on no matter if I’m going for a weekend or a month, so everything really! Including my slew of SJ pouches that keep me organized.
What’s on your plane play list? Nouvelle Vague 1, 2 &3, Waxbeat, Billie Myers, The Streets, Propellerheads, Royksopp, Miike Snow . . . I’m a music junkie, so I could go on all day!
Your guilty pleasure while traveling? Literally that no one can reach me – total escape really. It’s my nightmare that they’ll start letting people use phones on planes!
The Stephanie Johnson bag / bags that always make the trip? The Jenny Train Case; the Medium and Large Flat Pouches, filled with jewelry and oodles of other items.
Is there a particular destination that inspires your creativity? Anywhere in Asia. I’m a huge fan – it is such a wonderful feast for the senses.
What’s the most stylish city/locale you’ve visited? I just came back from Paris and had forgotten how wonderful the women look there – they make a great effort in the morning before they walk out the door. I love it.
If you were introducing a world traveling friend to SJ for the first time, what’s the first piece you’d recommend they buy? Oh please!! There isn’t just one! I can’t live without the Jenny Train Case. I also love pouches in any size, and a mini makeup case is a must.
Your personal travel style: (Do you like a luxury resort? A private hideaway? Do you prefer to lie on the beach? Explore the countryside? Well, you now know I’m a luxury resort hound though I have been known to back pack through the Himalayas with horsemen!! Even in luxury I have to explore – the days are full from dawn to dusk.
The one thing that you cannot leave home without? My SJ pouch full of my cables, cords, chargers, adaptors etc. . . . I’d be lost without them!
How do you pack/organize for a trip? With a carry-on you have to be organized before – everything is laid out so I know I can mix it all up.
On your reading list? Various newspapers, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, The Week and whatever book I am currently devouring.
Favorite in-flight pastime? Bad movies!
Plane food or bring your own? Generally, I don’t eat on flights unless they are international – then even in business I bring my own!
Any tips for breezing through airport security? Get yourself on Pre Check and Global Entry – it’s genius!!
Window or aisle? Aisle always!!
How often do you fly? Once a month, at least.
Go-to flying ‘uniform?’ A comfortable black dress, with leggings and flying socks packed in my on board tote!
Business or economy? Business if I can help it!
Do you work in-flight or use the time to unwind? Total down time. Even headed to a meeting, I like to be ready before I board the flight.
