September 2, 2010
A hat is about more than simply keeping you warm. It’s a fashion opportunity—nothing polishes off your look like a well chosen hat. And the upcoming season offers plenty of opportunity with retro detailing making a big comeback in hat fashions for the fall & winter 2010/11 season. Look for vintage details like flowers, ribbons, buttons, and faux fur in cloches, berets, caps, fedoras and more.
The Little Traveler has beautiful styles arriving each day, so come on in to meet the hat of your dreams and define your style for the new season.
August 30, 2010
R.J. Linsey uses his thirty years of experience as a researcher, writer, and actor to create portraits of some of the most fascinating men in history. Lindsey draws upon his own family’s rich history; his ancestors served in the Virginia militia during the Revolution in 1776, settled the Great Plains by covered wagon, and joined the Kansas Volunteers during the Civil War.
His Franklin Roosevelt programs have appeared at the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC, and his voice as FDR was heard reading “A Christmas Carol” at the “Christmas in the White House” special exhibit at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Museum in Springfield, IL. His living history programs have been seen from Jerusalem to London. Organizations such as the Evanston Historical Society, the Rockford Midway Museum, and Rotary One Chicago have even directly commissioned him to create specific biographical presentations.
On October 19 at 9:00 a.m., R.J. Lindsey will appear at The Little Traveler with his presentation: Carr Van Anda with “Stories Aboard the Titanic” Tickets are $18.50 ( includes continental breakfast and a $5 gift certificate to be used that day), and can be purchased on-line or by phone beginning September 27.
On April 14, 1912 the H.M.S. Titanic struck an iceberg and sent out an S.O.S. At 1:30 a.m. Carr Van Anda, Managing Editor of the New York Times read that wireless message. Van Anda presents a slide program telling the story of the great ship from its construction to its final hours and the newspaper’s response. He takes a look at the personal stories of various first, second, and third class passengers and the twists of fate that brought them all together. Artifacts on display.
As a theatrical professional, Lindsey has appeared on stage and television. Lindsey earned a Masters degree from Illinois State University and is a member of Actor’s Equity, the Screen Actor’s Guild, and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
August 27, 2010
Come meet and toast Gunther, owner of Schlink Haus Winery in Germany, during his birthday celebration. Mr. Schlink always plans his US visit around our Festival of the Vine because he enjoys it so much! Mr. Schlink started his formal training in France and Germany. After marrying his sweetheart, he entered the business with his father Georg. In 1957 he started building his own import/export business in German, French and Italian wines. Presently he is working as the Senior President for Schlink Haus Winery all over the world. We’re very honored he chose The Little Traveler to help celebrate this milestone.
Discover new favorites at one of our many tasting stations during this year’s event, September 10-12. We will be sampling from dozens of vintners including Schlink Haus, Glunz and local wineries such as Lynfred and Illinois River, plus many more. In addition to our delightful selection of reds and whites, we will sample several seasonal wines such as Hollowine and Chateau St. Nick. And for chocolate lovers we will again be pouring the Chocovine! This delicious combination of Dutch chocolate and French cabernet is a Little Traveler favorite. And, as always, The Little Traveler’s samples are free!
August 27, 2010
Growing up on a farm just about 30 miles west of Geneva, I thought that it was such a treat to be taken to my mom’s favorite lunch destination, the Little Traveler. This was a favorite place for mom and her friends to reunite and catch up on life. Sometimes I was afforded the opportunity to “tag along.”
As time went on and I moved away, finally settling in SC, I began to appreciate the unique experience of visiting the Little Traveler each summer with my mom. Nowhere else seemed to offer such a wonderful opportunity to dine and shop for hours all in one store. One summer when I was coming home for a class reunion, she suggested that we have lunch at the Little Traveler to see if I might be able to find just the right dress for the occasion. Sure enough, we found a two-piece outfit that was the prettiest teal color with some crocheted detail that made it a one-of-a-kind outfit. She loved it the minute she saw it on me and insisted on buying it for me.
Sadly, six years ago this very month, my sweet mother passed away leaving an unbelievable void in my life. As I was making my decision as far as what I should wear for her funeral, I put aside the notion of wearing the traditional black outfit and decided upon that awesome teal dress that we shopped for together. It represented not just a singular moment of time we shared at your shop, but in a larger sense it represented the importance of spending quality time with the people you love most. Thanks for providing some great memories!
Beth Jacky, Lexington, SC
July 28, 2010
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August 2 – 8: Brighton Write-On
With a single $100.00 purchase or more you will receive a Brighton Polly Pencil Pouch, six printed pencils, and a matching notebook absolutely FREE!! (Limit one per customer). Retail value of $25.00.
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September 10-26: Brighton Bev To-Go
Receive a stainless steel printed tumbler featuring an assortment of our signature prints that will hold hot and cold beverages absolutely FREE with a single $100 purchase. (Limit one per customer). $25 retail value.
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October 29 – November 14: Brighton Keeping It Safe
From October 29 – November 14, receive the Brighton Madison jewelry case absolutely FREE!! (Limit one per customer) with a single $100 Brighton purchase. (Limit one per customer). $30 retail value.
July 12, 2010
The Little Traveler is ecstatic to introduce the new Vera Bradley colors for Fall 2010:
Hello Dahlia – Lush, sensual florals and bold, rouge undertones step into the spotlight in and oh-so-dramatic way with this playful, expressive pattern.
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Very Berry Paisley – Spontaneous, adventurous, artistically inspired. This season’s palette of berries and vibrant purples swirl and twirl in this eclectic, folkloric design.
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Slate Blooms – Bursting with possibilities, organic, oversized blooms pair with slate grey, winter white and mahogany to create a spirited, down to earth experience.
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Barcelona – Influenced by a Spanish tile motif, contemporary stripes of scarlet, cobalt, and yellow add a modern flair to old world charm. The effect? Timeless.
July 7, 2010
As the writer of this Almanack I have the pleasure of meeting with the buyers and managers as they show me their newest wares and explain their most popular products. During this last visit with Mr. R, one of the Little Traveler owners, I had the good fortune of being at The Traveler as one of his containers arrived from overseas. Standing in the Gift Gallery there was an excitement in the air. It felt like Christmas morning as I watched a steady stream of smiling faces come from the back room carrying everything from large metal wall art to bottles of wine to boxes of trinkets. Many stopped to show me the treasures and Mr R explained where he found them.
Through all the hustle and bustle a set of vases caught my eye. As a lover of art, I couldn’t help but notice the lines, the symmetry, and the colors. When I asked Mr. R about these pieces, he got a huge grin on his face and told me his story:
While traveling through the Asian market with his nephew, he came across these vases. The style, the design, the colors… they looked so familiar. He asked the vendor where he found these vases. As it turns out, the artist was in the market. The artist told Mr. R. that he had come across a picture of the original design on the internet and used it for the inspiration on his vases.
Imagine his surprise! This was the pattern that Mr R himself had originally designed over 30 years ago while working with artisans in Italy! Of course he couldn’t pass these up! Stop by and see this little piece of history prominently displayed in the Gift Gallery.
~ JS
July 5, 2010
Sleek black Swarovski pens topped with a sparkly colored crystal for just $9.50.
Sparkling Jewelry! Brides, bridesmaids and mothers-of-the-weddings will dazzle in stunning earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings and pins from Swarvoski. You have to see the elegant new arrivals in crystal and rhodium.
July 5, 2010
• Delight the dog lover in your life with a bottle from Dog Gone Wine. Choose from several refreshing flavors: Basset Hound Blackberry, Pomeranian Pomegranate, Poodle Pinot Noir, Pug Pear, Retriever Riesling and Sergio’s Sangria. The labels are as cute as the names! And they are delicious, too! These very light wines from Salem, Oregon, stay true to the fruit and appropriate to the season.
• Olé! Make it a fiesta with our Vittore Sangria– Perfect for summer on the patio with it’s 100% natural fruit juices and red wine from Valencia Spain.
• Summer sipping is more pleasurable with our Chenin Blanc from Graham Beck. Combining the flavors of pineapple, melon, peach and honey offers a crisp refreshing finish. Or choose their Pinotage – a Pinot Noir blend from South Africa offers a rich color and soft tanins that go well with your grilled meats and pizzas.
• Capucine Blanc 2009 – Chateau Ollieux Ramanis. This light, crisp wine is refreshing with your summer meals. Light on its feet with plenty of crisp citrus fruit bookended by floral nuances. An exceptional value with plenty of character.
• Finish off your evenings with our popular chocolate wine, Dutch Chocolate, a delicious combination of Dutch chocolate and fine red wine (as featured on The Today Show).
