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I LOVE to travel! Could I do it more? Probably. Will I travel more? Most likely and God-willing. Is it fun meeting others while traveling? Of course! Here are some things you can buy this holiday season for someone in your life who loves to set sail, take off, and hit the road in style and with a pop of color!

1) This canvas shoulder duffle is great for the calm, cool, and collected low maintenance, carry-on only, traveler. The canvas is comfortingly simple and utilitarian, while the screen printed design is both handsome and cheeky all at the same time.

2) It's always important to stay hydrated, but especially while traveling. Why not use this beautifully designed canteen to fill both of your cold and hot hydration needs. Double-layered stainless steel? Turns out they do make things like they used to, and then some.

3) Sure, we have all taken public transport, taxis, or rented a car, but with GPS and guides like this, why not take a bike ride though your favorite European city? It's a great way to gauge the lay of the land and work up an appetite to enjoy some local culinary treats. This box set written by Max Leonard boasts an 8 volume guide that covers London, Paris, Berlin, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Milan and Antwerp/Ghent.

4) Who doesn't like looking at a map and seeing where they have been or where they might want to go?! Well as my grandfather would say, "There are plenty of beautiful places in the US alone to visit." So let this print hang on the wall of someone in your life so they can daydream and then make like Johnny Cash to go "Everywhere Man [(or Woman)]."

5) When coming down from the baggage claim, luggage tags can help you pinpoint your suitcase from the get-go (not to mention make it easy for someone to return if lost!). I have my eye on these ones in mustard yellow and kelley green. And it's real leather made in the USA!

6) I remember when I got my passport; it was so handsome. But as time goes on, it could use some personalization. Cue: this passport cover. Choose from one of the 13 colors that speaks to you and prepare for your next worldly adventure and/or help someone else do the same.

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It wasn’t too difficult for me to come up a stationery and supplies gift guide for the paper lover! Not surprisingly, I naturally gravitate towards these gift ideas for anyone on my list. Can anyone have too many notebooks and writing utensils, really?

1) Watch out, Milton! This stapler will definitely have you keeping tabs on it. All office supplies should have this much personality.

2) These everyday memo pads are simple yet fun. And I have a soft spot for grids. The biggest challenge will be deciding which color to choose!

3) It’s all in the details! Our double-thick flat notes with bold edge painting will have your favorite letter writer at hello.

5) Chic and practical, this leather pencil case even has some helpful graphics embossed on the back (calculation for the area of a circle, anyone?).

4) Pencils are always a good staple to have around, even better if there are hilariously entertaining. The Carbon Crusader offers these with quotes from your favorite movies. Or create sets with your own sayings!

6) These beautiful Japan made spiral notebooks are sensible enough for the adult but not without a hint of back-to-school giddiness.

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You likely have to get Halloween candy on your list of stuff to do this weekend, and we thought we'd help you out. After taking an anonymous poll of the team, we feel very confident that you should stock up on the following and prepare yourself to be the most popular house on the block:

Kit Kat. Gimme a break! No, seriously.

Twix. Thus named after combining the words "twin" and "stix.” Twicks must not have gone over well in focus groups.

Reese's Pieces Peanut Butter Cups. C’mon, they’re even ET’s favorite!

Baby Ruth. Well, we are in Red Sox land.

Butterfinger. Created by the same guy behind Baby Ruth. Inside joke?

Skittles. Think you can beat the 16.13 seconds record to open a bag of Skittles and sort them by color?

Tootsie Roll. Roughly 740 tootsie rolls get made per second; that’s more than 60 million a day!

Candy Corn. Hmmm … votes for this one are still being disputed.

Joking aside, this is a pretty strong line up when it comes to Halloween candy. I'm lucky there was any of it left after placing a bag of it behind my desk earlier this week! If you're still not convinced by our top picks, then can we at least steer you away from some questionable choices? Let's at least agree to say no to pennies, toothbrushes, and the dreaded orange circus peanuts.

And with that, we wish you a treat-filled Halloween!!

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I love Halloween! I’m not so much into the haunted houses and scary aspects but the dressing up is right up my alley. My mom always made my costumes, and it was fun thinking of ideas and then watching them come to life. My favorite Halloween costume as a kid: a dalmation! I loved it so much I wore it two years in a row. Now I get to have fun making costumes with my two boys. Here are some amazing kids’ costumes I've been drooling over to inspire you!

1. Ice Cream Sundae
This one is great for babies! Easy to make with some tape, felt, and whatever onesies and leggings you already have laying around. Get the tutorial from Primary.

2. Madeline
I'm a sucker for book-inspired costumes, and this one is too sweet. No sewing required if you already have a blue dress. Find all the details and adorable photos on Say Yes.

3. Chicken
I have loved this particular costume for years. Something about it is so hilariously perfect. I don't know how practical it is with all of those feathers, but it's hard to resist, right?! Get the tutorial from Martha Stewart. 

4. Fox
This is for people who have a little more sewing experience than I do since there's a pattern involved. I also think you could easily adapt this by modifying a red sweatsuit. A little paint here and there, add a tail and some ears, and you're good to go. Get the pattern at Running With Scissors.

5. If You Give A Mouse A Cookie
CUTE! And so simple. You probably already have some overalls and your kiddo will love helping to make that awesome cookie. Get the tutorial at The House that Lars Built.

I hope you have a wonderful and sugar-filled Halloween!

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Summer always comes with a few givens—high temperatures, trips to the beach, and parties of all sorts. It also, sometimes, means a new Smudge Ink intern! Hello! My name is Ryan Eagle, and I’m the Smudge Ink summer intern! Sorry I’m using so many exclamation points; I’m just very excited to be here!

I’m also excited to share these printable summer party invites with you! When I was coming up with ideas for what to design, I thought of all the big summer parties I've been to over the years and what those involved. Whether it's a potluck or a cookout, there's always the same key component—food, and lots of it.

If you already couldn't tell by the throngs of people hanging by the grill, it's clear the hamburgers and hot dogs (or veggie burgers and grilled corn, in my case) are the stars of the show. I'll always remember the collective sigh of relief when the first batch of burgers were ready. Then everyone would eat, and the cycle would repeat.

Events like these take some planning and preparation, so hopefully these handy (and free!) invites will cut down on that time. Just fill in the blanks, pop them in a 7.25" x 5.25" envelope, and they're good to go. Now you've got some extra time to focus on what's really important—the food!

Click to download and print these fill-in party invitations now!

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