“Paris is not a city; it’s a world,” said King Francis I. And oh, how right he was! Seeing Paris is seeing an entire world of possibilities, centuries of architecture and culture. It’s a lifestyle so special to one single place you wouldn’t be … [Read more...] about Where to Stay in Paris for the First Time (& Where Not To Stay)
33 Essentials for Traveling with a Baby (& what to leave at home)
If the thought of traveling with your baby makes you nervous, you're not alone. I've had the pre-trip jitters every single time we traveled with Baby A during her first year, from her very first cross-country road trip at 2 months old to her first … [Read more...] about 33 Essentials for Traveling with a Baby (& what to leave at home)
What to Pack for Disney with a Baby & 39 Essentials for Disney with Babies
Our first trip to Disney with a baby was, to our surprise, a complete success. Baby A had a fantastic time - and so did we! We created a massive, detailed guide full of tips for visiting Disney World with a baby, but we wanted to create a guide just … [Read more...] about What to Pack for Disney with a Baby & 39 Essentials for Disney with Babies
What to Pack for San Francisco (& what NOT to)
Ahh, the City by the Bay: barking sea lions, clanging MUNI buses, steaming clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls, freezing cold Marine Layer... *marinates in nostalgia* We spent over 10 years living in the San Francisco Bay Area, and y'all, let me … [Read more...] about What to Pack for San Francisco (& what NOT to)
Ski Trip Packing List: 32 Essentials to Pack for the Snow
Powdery snow. Blue skies. The feel of the wind on your face. That one kid who is infinitely better than you despite being born years after you learned how to ski. Ahhh, ski vacations: there's a reason an entire genre of bad 80's movies were born from … [Read more...] about Ski Trip Packing List: 32 Essentials to Pack for the Snow
Traveling with curly hair: the low maintenance guide to amazing curls abroad
I always thought I had terrible hair. And I'm not just fishing for compliments here (ahem: the comment box is below. I'll wait.) For my entire adult life, my hair has just been ... not good: it's half-heartedly curly and wavy at the same time, super … [Read more...] about Traveling with curly hair: the low maintenance guide to amazing curls abroad
Where to Stay in Barcelona (& Where NOT to)
Catalan cuisine, neo-Gothic architecture, sandy beaches, rugged mountains, and a colorful history. Did we mention Catalan cuisine? Barcelona, Spain has every reason to be high on the list for travel bucket lists. The city is a blend of … [Read more...] about Where to Stay in Barcelona (& Where NOT to)
Allbirds Tree Skippers Review: Are they really worth it?
Once in a lifetime, a pair of shoes comes along that is so comfortable and versatile, it replaces all of the other shoes in your suitcase: the Chosen Shoe. In the of case of my husband and I, that shoe is the Allbirds Tree Skippers, and yes, we are … [Read more...] about Allbirds Tree Skippers Review: Are they really worth it?
The 6 Best Travel Ukuleles: Lightweight, Compact, & Weather-Resistant
Sometimes the best travel companion is an instrument, one that is small, pleasant, and perfectly portable - like the ukulele! While it makes sense that a ukulele is a perfect travel buddy based on size, ukuleles specifically designed for travel are … [Read more...] about The 6 Best Travel Ukuleles: Lightweight, Compact, & Weather-Resistant
What to Pack for Canada in Winter: 31 Canada Winter Essentials
Softly falling snow. Sticky maple taffy. Herds of Caribou. Canada in winter is a pretty freakin' magical place, whether you're soaking in thermal hot springs in Banff or eating poutine (the ultimate winter comfort food) in Quebec City. Canada is … [Read more...] about What to Pack for Canada in Winter: 31 Canada Winter Essentials
Costa Rica Packing List: 42 Essentials to Pack for Costa Rica
After four trips to Costa Rica, I've learned two things: one, my hair NEVER looks good in the jungle; and two, there are a few essential pieces of travel gear that will help you fully embrace the concept of "Pura Vida" ... and prevent you from … [Read more...] about Costa Rica Packing List: 42 Essentials to Pack for Costa Rica
How to Save Money for Travel (& How We Saved $30,000 for a Year-Long Trip)
Finances are often the biggest hurdle to travel. Everyone has a trip they dream about taking, but too often, that once-in-a-lifetime vacation seems like a faraway dream. Well, I'm not here to tell you that it's super easy to save money for travel. … [Read more...] about How to Save Money for Travel (& How We Saved $30,000 for a Year-Long Trip)
The Best Swim Leggings: Waterlust Leggings Review (by a Plus-Sized Traveler)
Some people are born to be on the beach. All year long, they dream about dipping their toes in bright blue water and frolicking on soft white sand, and they return from their beach vacation with sun-kissed skin, positively glowing with beachy … [Read more...] about The Best Swim Leggings: Waterlust Leggings Review (by a Plus-Sized Traveler)
The Best Credit Card for International Travel (& Why I’ll Never Travel Without It Again)
The summer after I graduated college, I took my first independent backpacking trip. I'd won a fashion design scholarship (RIP, my sewing skills pre-blogging) so I decided to use the cash prize to treat myself to 2-week trip across Europe. I … [Read more...] about The Best Credit Card for International Travel (& Why I’ll Never Travel Without It Again)
What to Pack for Maui: Essential Hawai‘i Packing List
Swaying palm trees and crashing waves. Turtles laying on sandy beaches. Sweet shave ice and fresh poke. Maui has long held visitors entranced by its charm and beauty, but Hawai‘i is so much more than a travel playground: its history and culture run … [Read more...] about What to Pack for Maui: Essential Hawai‘i Packing List
The 5 Best Swimsuits for Curves in 2023: Comfortable, Cute, & Field-Tested
I have a confession to make: I did not own a matching swimsuit until I was 28 years old. Yes, y'all: I spent 28 years on this earth cobbling together whatever mismatched swim separates happened to fit on my body. On my year-long honeymoon, I actually … [Read more...] about The 5 Best Swimsuits for Curves in 2023: Comfortable, Cute, & Field-Tested
How to Be a More Responsible Tourist: a Traveler’s Guide to Ethical Tourism
At the risk of starting this post with a generic travel cliche, being a responsible tourist is a journey - not a destination. You make responsible choices little by little, learning from your mistakes and aiming to do better each trip. There may … [Read more...] about How to Be a More Responsible Tourist: a Traveler’s Guide to Ethical Tourism
The 6 Best Travel Pants for Women in 2023: Field-Tested, High-Tech, & Cute AF
Finding the perfect pair of women's travel pants is no easy feat. But finding a pair of travel pants that are both technical AND cute? How about technical, cute, AND sized to fit on my tall, curvy Amazonian body? HA! Forget about it. How dare I have … [Read more...] about The 6 Best Travel Pants for Women in 2023: Field-Tested, High-Tech, & Cute AF