Wanderlust: a new global gift boutique for the home
Dec 09, 2025 01:26AM ● By Collette Hayes
After leaving her job at the United Nations, Courtney Smith now travels to buy merchandise for her store, Wanderlust. Her five-year-old daughter, Nora, travels with her most of the time and has already visited 33 countries. (Photo courtesy Courtney Smith)
Interested in taking a trip around the entire world at the low cost of a half-gallon of gas? – No bags to pack or passport needed, and you can skip the jet lag too. It sounds unbelievable, but it's true—Courtney Smith’s Wanderlust boutique has just opened its doors in Holladay City. When you step inside, you'll be whisked away to 197 countries around the globe.
Japanese rice bowls with resting chopsticks is one of Wanderlust’s bestsellers. (Photo courtesy Courtney Smith)
Smith has traveled to 120 countries and is more than willing to share her travel experiences, as well as budget-friendly travel tips, from her time traveling the world as a tourist and working for the United Nations. She has a personal connection and an intriguing story to accompany the gift items in her store, which come from all seven continents. When you visit her charming shop, be sure to ask her about her incredible experience swimming with whale sharks in the Philippines.
“I want people to know that if they want to travel, where there is a will, there is a way. You just have to do your research,” said Smith. “When people visit my shop, I’m excited to share information about traveling. For example, if you want to go to Japan this month, if you book your flight out of LA to Japan and take your own flight from Salt Lake to LA, you’ll save close to $6000. I’m great at finding cheap flights and finding everything on a budget. If you’re not quite ready to book that flight to Japan, right now, Japanese rice bowls with resting chopsticks is one of Wanderlust’s bestsellers.”
Nora takes a ride on a gondola in Venice. (Photo courtesy Courtney Smith)
A Holladay resident, Smith attended Cottonwood High School. After graduation, she decided she wanted to travel to Australia, but she lives by a strict travel code: if a flight costs more than $500, that’s too much to pay. Although she purchased a plane ticket, she also applied for a work visa to facilitate an extended stay, thereby alleviating concerns about the cost of a return trip. Once the work visa expired, and she still wanted to explore more of Australia, she applied for a student visa.
“Due to an extended trip to Australia, I ended up going to college in Sydney, Australia. I graduated from the University of Sydney with a degree in International Relations,” Smith said. “For ten years, I worked for the United Nations in the Human Rights Department, working directly with refugees. However, the pandemic prevented me from providing contracts in that role.”
After the pandemic, Smith considered returning to the UN, but now had her five-year-old daughter, Nora, to think about. “I realized this would be a great opportunity to start my business. I had always dreamed of owning a shop in Holladay. Since I grew up here, I consider it my hometown” Smith said. “I continued traveling with the focus of buying merchandise for my new store. Now, Nora travels with me most of the time and has already visited 33 countries. Honestly Wanderlust is just in my blood. A lot of my traveling has been just because I want to go to every country in the world.”
A London double-decker bus displays a variety of treasures from England. (Photo courtesy Courtney Smith)
The most delicious aspect of Wanderlust is the international, flavorful treats. Additionally, numerous global cookbooks can transform any ordinary meal into an extraordinary event.
“I try to provide all international products,” Smith said. “We have a unique collection of cookbooks from different countries, and I often try to find cookbooks in the primary language of the country. I’m a people person, and I love talking with customers all day, whether it’s about a cookbook or the beautiful lamps I just brought home from Turkey. My customers often become good friends.”
Many unexpected treasures can be found in the smallest of corners at Wanderlust. With a turn of a tiny crank, the enchanting melody of Vivaldi’s "Spring" flows from a miniature music box adorned with Egyptian motifs.
The candles and body care essentials available at Wanderlust are fragrant and comforting. The scent of Paris Luxurious Hand Soap transports one to the lavender and sunflower fields near the village of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence where these flowers gently sway in the warm summer breeze. The intoxicating scent rolls across the fields, heavily perfuming the air.
Glittering gold and priceless treasures can be found beside an ancient Egyptian sarcophagus. (Photo courtesy Courtney Smith)
Next to the vibrant cut glass of the handmade Turkish lamps sits an old brass oil lamp that resembles a genie’s magical lamp. It prompts one to pause and wonder if it might be the prison of a once all-powerful genie.
In April 2026, Smith will be on her way to Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Kazakhstan is the most unique place Smith has visited, and the Czech Republic is her favorite destination because she says, "It feels like stepping into a fairy tale."
“The cobblestone streets, castles, and colorful old buildings of the Czech Republic create a magical atmosphere that feels unreal,” Smith said. “On top of that, it’s surprisingly affordable, so you can explore and enjoy so much without spending too much. I also love the Gothic architecture — every corner seems to tell a story. The libraries are incredible, especially in Prague, where you can find some of the most beautiful reading spaces in the world.”
Smith gives back to the people and to the communities she visits. A portion of every Wanderlust purchase goes to charitywater.org, a non-profit organization striving to bring clean drinking water to every person in the world.
Wanderlust Location
