a very special 'Show Me Yours'

We were so moved after reading a recent email from Laura Dennis about her beautiful grandmother, Joyce Anne. Today we're honored to share with you their story and pictures of Joyce Anne with her Clover.


"There are precious memories and a story behind these photos and an amazing woman to follow; my grandmother, Joyce Anne Longfellow. She inspired me to follow my heart and that led me to the wilderness of Alaska. I've been running dog mushing tours in the Juneau, Alaska ice fields every summer since my grandma introduced me to the beauties of Alaska. My grandma finally got to come visit me this summer and bring along her new Clover Epiphanie camera bag that all her grandchildren chipped in to get her for Christmas last year.


She was so excited to have her new travel companion and wanted to show Epiphanie bags where their beautiful bags are going these days! To a glacier in Alaska!

After my grandma's adventure with me on the ice, her health turned for the worst and she passed just a month after taking her last photos. She was so excited to send them to you so I thought I'd do it for her.

Thanks for making my grandma look good while she traveled and did her favorite activity: photography." 

Thank you Laura for sharing your grandmother's story with us and giving us a glimpse into her precious life. We think it's so special that she encouraged you to live out your dream... hoping this story inspires others to do the same.

You can read more about Joyce Anne's legacy on her Facebook page and view her beautiful photography here on her website.

WHERE DID YOU HAVE YOUR EPIPHANIE? // CHICAGO

We're off to Chicago today with portrait photographer, Betty Elaine Simpson! Betty's husband recently took her there for a weekend trip, and Red Lola was her must-have accessory.


Betty's five favorite things to do in Chicago include:

One - Take pictures at Millennium Park. Just walk around and take the city in. You’ll find plenty of places for photos (including Union Station).

Two - Stay somewhere wonderful with a room on a high floor.





Three - After dinner, go have cocktails at the Signature Lounge atop the John Hancock. It is the best view of the city at night. Tip! The women's bathroom has the best view! Men have tried to go in there to look, ha.

 
Four - Shop! Magnificent Mile has some great stores...
Five - Visit the Art Institute of Chicago Museum and the Shedd Aquarium!


Thanks for sharing your photos and Chicago highlights with us, Betty! Looks like a fabulous trip!

What are your favorite Chicago destinations? Tell us by commenting below.


Attention all those who own Epiphanie bags! We know you've been to some fabulous places. Or live in some incredible, travel-worthy cities for that matter. We want to hear from you! Send a few shots of you with your Epiphanie bag, the travel spot + your 5 favorite things to do in that location to media@epiphaniebags.com.  Include a short bio about yourself and note "Where Did You Have Your Epiphanie?" in the subject line. If we publish your submission, we'll send you an in-stock Epiphanie bag of your choice!

WHERE DID YOU HAVE YOUR EPIPHANIE? // ITALY

In today's Where Did You Have Your Epiphanie? we join Melissa Shipley and her Black Lola as she journeys through Sorrento, Rome, Siena, Cinque Terre, Venice and beyond.

"Lola was perfect for the trip - especially after my Nikon blew a sensor on our first full day.  Luckily, we had brought along our digital point-and-shoot as a back-up.  I locked my Nikon and lenses in the hotel safe, rearranged the dividers in Lola, packed her full of guide books and water bottles, and had a great adventure!"

Melissa's five favorite highlights from her Italian adventure consisted of:


"1. Seeing ancient Rome. Maybe it is the art major in me, but finally being able to see the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the Roman Forum in person was so satisfying.


2. Stepping inside the Sistine Chapel. I don't think that there is any way to prepare yourself for the feeling you get when you step into the Sistine Chapel.  It truly is amazing.
2b) I know this is sort of cheating, but standing in front of the Pieta inside of St. Peter's was equally humbling.


3. Visiting the island of Capri and the Blue Grotto. We took a day trip to Capri from Sorrento, and it was one of my favorite days of our vacation. The entire island of Capri is beautiful.





4. Hiking the Cinque Terre. We spent a full day hiking between towns on the Italian Riviera. The natural beauty there is amazing, but the towns themselves were the highlight for me. Each of the towns had their own unique vibe. Sadly, about two weeks after we left, a serious storm caused major mud slides in two of the towns. I hope that they are able to recover, and I hope to make it back there sometime in the future.








5) Getting lost in Venice. We went into Venice with no real itinerary - we just wanted to wander the streets and experience the city (and take pictures).  We had the worst map ever, and I am sort of thankful for that.  Just wandering the streets and discovering new canals or tiny shops made for a fabulous two days."
 

Thanks for your sharing your adventure with Have An Epiphanie, Melissa! To our readers - have you been to Italy? What are your favorite travel spots within that country? Comment below!


Attention all those who own Epiphanie bags! We know you've been to some fabulous places. Or live in some incredible, travel-worthy cities for that matter. We want to hear from you! Send a few shots of you with your Epiphanie bag, the travel spot + your 5 favorite things to do in that location to media@epiphaniebags.com.  Include a short bio about yourself and note "Where Did You Have Your Epiphanie?" in the subject line. If we publish your submission, we'll send you an in-stock Epiphanie bag of your choice!

Where Did You Have Your Epiphanie? // France + Spain

Leslie Callan tells us where she had her Epiphanie:

"I recently took a trip to Paris, through the French Countryside and down to Basque Country, stopping in San Sebastian, Spain. I'd upgraded to the Paris bag in Purple in late January from the red Lola because I needed to be able to carry around more when I'm working on jobs without having to bring my large roller bag. This trip was last minute and unexpected with a couple of girlfriends- we were given stand by tickets and told we could go anywhere the airline flies, and we chose France because one of my friends had never been there before.

The last time I was in Paris was before I'd become a professional photographer. It was three years ago during a backpacking trip through Europe that I fell in love with photography. Such a full circle experience to be back in one of the most beautiful places in the world, this time knowing how to take photos without shooting in Aperture Priority. It was just a coincidence that I'd just bought the Paris bag and was going to Paris! (the best kind of coincidence)

The Paris bag went with me all the way up the stairs of the Sacre Coeur and Notre Dame, through Versailles and Bordeaux, to the ancient castles of Villandry and Rabelais, and to the beaches of Biarritz and San Sebastian."

Highlights of Leslie's trip include:

* visiting castles in the Loire Valley

* going to the Marche aux Puces in Paris (flea market)

* Versailles

* staging impromptu photo shoots with my friends in castles and monuments and wherever else we felt like it

* staying at a rustic bed and breakfast in Langeais


Longing for a Paris bag? Great news - this particular laptop + camera bag is 30% off (so only $129.49)! Sadly we are sold out of Purple, but we still have a few Black Paris bags in stock. So hurry and order today!

Where Did You Have Your Epiphanie? // McCall, Idaho

In this week's Where Did You Have Your Epiphanie?, Misti from Love that Shot takes us to the picturesque town of McCall, Idaho.


Misti writes, "I LOVE visiting McCall, Idaho. A small tourist community, nestled in the rugged mountains of central Idaho, with spectacular views of a pristine lake surrounded by majestic pine trees. It truly is a step back in time, with a slower pace and a laid back lifestyle. And this year, I had the opportunity to bring along my Lola!"


Misti's favorite things to do in McCall include:

1) I look forward every summer to the Vintage Boat Show held at the beautiful Shore Lodge Marina. It’s this photographer’s dream to shoot these classic boats! The detailing and care that went into restoring these beauties is amazing!

2) And while we're on the subject of boats, you can't miss the opportunity to cruise the lake in style or skim the waves in a jet boat!

3) The best place to stay? A cabin right on the lake, where you can walk out any time of day onto your own private dock and soak in the summer sun.

4) After a fun-filled day in the sun, I like to relax on the beach with a melon flavored shaved ice, and watch the boats sail by.

5) And speaking of ice, if you happen to travel to McCall in January, be sure to catch the Annual Winter Ice Festival as well, where you'll see fabulous life-size (and LARGER) ice sculptures!


Read more about Misti's trip to McCall here at the Love that Shot blog. Thanks for sharing, Misti! Absolutely beautiful!


Attention all those who own Epiphanie bags! We know you've been to some fabulous places. Or live in some incredible, travel-worthy cities for that matter. We want to hear from you! Send a few shots and your list of 5 favorite things to do in that location to media@epiphaniebags.com.  Include a short bio about yourself and note "Where Did You Have Your Epiphanie?" in the subject line. Thanks!