Much Enjoyment, Few Souvenirs

by Katy on August 26, 2012 · 18 comments

Today is my last day on the East Coast and by tonight I will back in Portland, Oregon, warm and snug in my own bed. I’ve had an amazing trip visiting with friends Gretchen Rubin, Gretchen M. and Marie Javins in New York; and then hanging out with my college friend Jennifer in Boston and then hanging out with her family in New Hampshire.

And the best part is that I’ve been able to have a freaking blast without buying any souvenirs.

Here’s what I didn’t buy:

  • Maple candy shaped like the state of New Hampshire.
  • A “I ♥ NY” T-shirt.
  • Any licensed sport apparel related to New England Patriots, Boston Red Socks, NY Yankees or NY Mets.
  • A knock-off designer purse from a sketchy guy.
  • A mug from Bubba Gump Shrimp.
  • An Al Roker bobble-head.

Here’s what I did buy:

  • Four used but perfect looking (and clean) 25¢ handkerchiefs from a church thrift shop in Keene, New Hampshire.

Cause that’s now The Non-Consumer Advocate rolls.

Thanks again to The Today Show for inviting me to New York and inadvertently acting as my travel agent.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }

Bellen August 26, 2012 at 5:23 am

You passed up maple sugar candy in any shape? You are truly amazing!

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Kathleen Harris August 26, 2012 at 6:13 pm

Exactly–always buy the maple candy! 🙂

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Diane August 26, 2012 at 5:33 am

How could you pass up maple sugar candy…my absolute favorite from way back in my childhood! That and a lobster shaped barley lollipop! Those are the only souvenirs I ever brought back to my children from my trips back to New England.

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Diane August 26, 2012 at 5:34 am

and Welcome Home!

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Susan August 26, 2012 at 5:37 am

Katy, I wouldn’t want any of the things you had on your “didn’t buy” list either…

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Alison Wiley August 26, 2012 at 7:40 am

I’m with you. My policy is to give no company (that includes sports teams) any free advertising space on my body. That rules out lots of kitschy souvenirs. I’m always amazed by how many people are willing to PAY perfectly profitable businesses for their self-aggrandizing T-shirts (beer companies come to mind here). Wearing those things just further enhances the company’s profitability. If anything, the companies should pay people to wear those advertisements. Let’s stop the madness.

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Megg August 26, 2012 at 8:27 am

It’s actually Red Sox 🙂

-A Boston native and diehard Sox fan

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Diane August 26, 2012 at 9:30 am

🙂

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Katy August 26, 2012 at 6:16 pm

My deepest apologies. 😉

Katy

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Linda in Indiana August 26, 2012 at 9:44 am

Glad you got to go! You did good! And sooo glad you had an awesome time….and glad you shared with us all. I am impressed with your continued discipline…the shine goes off the apple mighty fast once you get it home:)!

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Theresa Maile August 26, 2012 at 11:26 am

I would not have been able to pass on the maple candy! It’s very hard to find it in California. Good for you! I hooe you took some tourist-y and corny pictures.

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Holly August 26, 2012 at 3:22 pm

I admire your restraint. I have a little thing I started a few years ago that I get one fridge magnet from every place I visit. I love looking at my fridge and remembering all the places I’ve been. They are cheap, functional, and don’t take up any space in my suitcase. :o) On our trip to Colorado my friend actually bought an extra bag (for which she had to then pay an additional carry on fee!) to carry all her extra souvenirs and things she’d bought. Crazy!

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Kate August 27, 2012 at 4:35 am

Keene is one of my favorite places!! My husband went to college there and we return every year for Pumpkin Festival in October. Such a quaint little town!

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JoAnn August 27, 2012 at 4:50 am

Thanks for sharing how you can “travel light” and still come home with “tons” of memories and enjoy the experience too! You continue to inspire me Katy! And what an awesome experience to be on “The Today Show” Way to go!

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Katy August 27, 2012 at 6:40 am

I ended up also bringing home a box of cannolis from a fantastic Italian bakery in Springfield, Massachusetts.

No complaints from my family on that one!

Katy

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Lili@creativesavv August 27, 2012 at 6:39 am

Shopping vintage or thrift shops is a tradition with our family, when on vacation. The experience of that sort of shopping is entertainment in itself. And any souvenirs we pick up this way are cheaper in price, but better in quality.

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Debra August 27, 2012 at 2:09 pm

It’s gotta be lemon meringue. Yumma!

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Pam August 28, 2012 at 5:28 am

Hooray for Keene, my hometown. Were you thrifting at the St. James thrift shop?

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