Styling Your Space with Travel Keepsakes

In the last few years, I've had the pleasure of exploring some fantastic destinations for both work and leisure. My travels have taken me to New York City, Ireland, Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland (OR), Atlanta, and most recently, a delightful cruise with Dinogo through the Caribbean. It’s been an exciting journey, and I've cherished every moment.

It's no secret that I enjoy shopping. Whenever I travel, I make it a point to explore local shops. I do this for a couple of reasons. First, my local shopping options are quite limited, so when I’m in larger cities, I love visiting my go-to clothing and home decor stores to see what’s new. Secondly, I like to collect souvenirs from my trips—items that I can see, touch, or even taste, transporting me back to those experiences.

While I love to pick up gifts for friends and family, I always ensure I get a little something for myself—a souvenir to enhance my home decor. I can’t recall his exact words, but I remember Nate Berkus once spoke about decorating with items that hold meaning. He mentioned that he enjoys surrounding himself with things that remind him of his journeys, his loved ones, and his aspirations. He emphasized that when you incorporate meaningful items into your space, that’s when the magic of design and style truly comes to life, allowing you to have fun with it.

This idea has resonated with me, so along with capturing photos (which can also serve as decor—just look at my wanderlust gallery wall), I love to bring back a souvenir or two from my travels.

Following my adventure in Portland, I wanted to share some of the treasures I brought back from my cruise and demonstrate how I’m incorporating them (or plan to) into my home. Sound good?

During our cruise on the Dinogo Liberty, we visited four different ports, and I managed to pick up a little something from each one. Our first destination was Cozumel, Mexico, where I discovered this stunning carved vessel.

With its intricate designs and delicate cutouts, I thought this piece would be perfect for holding a candle. I adore small decorative items like this that don’t require much space yet are sure to spark interesting conversations.

Next, we journeyed to the stunning shores of Belize. After exploring a few local shops, I discovered this one-of-a-kind stone artwork that was handcrafted right there. I’m planning to create an art wall during my closet renovation (more details on that soon), and the colors in this piece are absolutely perfect. Plus, it never fails to bring a smile to my face.

While in Belize, I also found a tie-dyed tank top that says, “You better Belize it!” Although I’m not featuring it in today’s post, I’ll definitely share it on Instagram at some point. I love a clever catchphrase on a shirt, and this one holds special meaning since my friends and I had been wanting to plan a trip to Belize. I think they’ll get a kick out of it.

Sailing further south, we arrived at Mahogany Bay, Roatan in Honduras. This stop quickly became my (and my mom’s) favorite. The boat docked right by the beach, and we took a chair lift over to the pristine white sands. We floated in the water, soaked up the sun, and enjoyed massive piña coladas. It was truly a slice of paradise. After basking in the sun, we did a bit of shopping, and I was immediately drawn to this vibrant tray with golden trim.

Having visited several of the places highlighted, I thought this would be a delightful addition to my coffee table or perfect for serving drinks and snacks at gatherings. It also makes for an adorable display for vacation Instagram photos.

I was so enamored with this port that I ended up finding another gem—a woven bowl with (for lack of a better term) plates. The vibrant colors and rich texture really captivated me.

Although I haven’t decided on a permanent location for them yet, they are destined to be hung on a wall in my home very soon. Stay tuned for updates!

As our trip drew to a close, we made our way back north and arrived at our last destination: Costa Maya, Mexico. With the holidays approaching, I stumbled upon a beautiful pair of ornaments for my Christmas tree.

The vibrant colors and intricate artwork on each ornament captivated me from the moment I saw them. My mom also picked out a matching set for her own tree.

Fortunately, all of my finds fit perfectly into my carry-on bag and made it home without any issues. Now, I have souvenirs scattered throughout my house that remind me of the incredible and beautiful vacation I shared with my mom. As Nate mentioned, these items truly serve as reminders of where I've been, who I cherish, and the adventures I aspire to take.

Do you collect souvenirs when you travel? What’s your favorite item, and how have you incorporated it into your home decor?