Ocean Life

I admit it- I’ve been M.I.A. due to life. Things have been hectic; however, recently someone asked me again- “Why aren’t you blogging? Why aren’t you writing about your travels?” The truth is- I’m not sure I want to recount everything I do on my vacations with the world. I’ve had some special moments (or some not so great ones!) and sometimes it feels as if words cannot do the experience justice. Or maybe you’ll find it to be boring? My return from Europe a year ago was one for the ages in epic proportions.

Anyway, I returned to the ocean not too long ago. I had wonderful weather and a calming, relaxing stay. One place I made a return to was Grand Turk in Providencales in Turks & Caicos. The water is absolutely breathtaking. Actually, let’s call it stunning.

There’s a nice view when you first get off the cruise ship and walk up towards the “cruise center.” The chairs are free and there’s a gigantic pool (free!) but the drink prices are non-tourist friendly Margaritaville prices. But hello!? Look at this paradise!

My favorite thing to do is to ditch the busy area and make my down the beach to the infamous “Jack’s Shack.” It’s an easy walk and you can’t beat the view or the scenery as you walk! I still cannot believe I was able to capture this image.

At Jack’s Shack it’s best to get there early- it fills up SUPER fast! They have pretty yummy food and drinks. You can choose to put your stuff on the beach or use the tables they have set up. I obviously chose table service because hello! It’s vacation! Plus, I’m a pale ghost. The photo of the sand above has more color than I do. As you can see below, I needed the shade of the awesome “Au Revoir” hat I made to keep me from frying early on.

Jack’s has some pretty unusual drink names, but they’re known for their “Sandy Vagina.” Yep. You can even grab a shirt with “Home of the Sandy Vagina” written inconspicuously on it. I can safely say that I really don’t remember what drinks I had this day, but we had a bar bill/food that was less than two people going on an excursion for the day. It’s a great area to jump back and forth between the water and the beach. As you can see below, the water is pretty miraculous. It’s clear. It’s warm. Hint: down the beach here aren’t many fish floating around. They all head to the crazy cruise people who feed them.

One of the many yummy drinks I ingested that day. As you can see, ample chairs and umbrellas for folks wanting to escape from the hustle and bustle of cruise-dom.

The one thing I haven’t told you…yet. Jack’s Shack is infamous for it’s four-legged super star, Topher. He’s a golden doodle, who obviously lives for the sand. He doesn’t swim in the water but he will play at the shoreline and “dig” for his items. He likes when you throw sand up to as he tries to “catch” it.

Overall, I love Grand Turk. It’s such a nice place. It’s quiet. The beach is one you never want to leave. More about other “new” places soon!

 

 

 

My muse…

You need to know I have no need for any of the above but somehow I manage to always find something I like. Or a trip I love.

Thoughts

“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”

Set your sights high…

A beautiful morning sky somewhere over Europe heading into France

 

My last trip to Europe didn’t start off to well. Ironically, I had booked this trip approximately two weeks before all hell broke loose, or well, just my foot. My friend, Erin, and I had made a joke four years ago during the Olympics that we would go to Rio in 2016. Well, not everything has been so great with Rio, and we still wanted to do a trip. I’ve been itching to go to Russia for a VERY long time but the idea of a visa process, cost, and sheer uncertainty in the world made it less than likely to happen. We stumbled upon a trip to Prague, Vienna, & Budapest in late August and decided to “jump” on it. Hotels. Done.

Erin and I decided after searching for airfare from two different destinations (Austin & Philadelphia) that it made total sense for us to add two additional days on our trip and head to Paris. You know what Audrey Hepburn says, “Paris is always a great idea.” Always. Trust me. Paris can make your day go from gray to sun in a few hours. Literally! More about that later 🙂

Our flight from Philadelphia to Paris was an easy six-and-a-half hours, which started off to be a great flight…until the French college students in front of us brought a flight attendant to talk about their “sick” friend. Great! We spent the first 30 minutes after take-off sanitizing our seats and debating covering our faces. We ended up a-okay! It makes me wonder how true the “airplane” air really is? Or maybe the flu shots work. Who knows. Food. Meh. Food allergies and American Airlines fails in their options. Very little options. It’s time to change Economy options. Tomatoes are NOT necessary in every freaking dish you serve.

Our flight landed in six hours and 20 minutes (yay!) and we had a quick, easy customs departure into the European Union (I always feel like there’s someone singing in my ears when I cross through Europe- I feel at home). Luggage was a breeze. Finding an Uber. Breeze. Getting from Charles de Gaule to the Eiffel Tower area in rush hour? What seemed like a thousand circles and one dart…and we arrive. Oh Champs-Elysees…we meet again.

Here we go round in (another) circle…

 

 

 

Oh the places you’ll go….

I’ll never forget the Dr. Seuss book dedicated to the childhood outlook upon adulthood. Leave it to Dr. Seuss to make sure a kid is thinking about 25 at the ripe age of five. But as I sit back and think about it…adulthood has provided me with some pretty amazing opportunities. When I really think about it I realize that my childhood dreams of “traveling” are a reality and well, they are more than I ever imagined they could be and continue to be.

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…” Dr. Seuss

How fitting is this quote for the person who wants to experience the world and be in complete control of their destiny? I saw this quote before booking my recent trip and let’s be honest- when you tell someone you’re going to Paris, Prague, Vienna, Bratislava, Salzburg, & Budapest, the common response is, “What? Why are you going there? Where is that?” And I won’t lie- so many people kept asking why I was going to such unsafe destinations. Welcome to America, folks. Geography 101 failed by likely 65% of the American population. I even had someone ask me why I was going to the Middle East. First, there’s perfectly safe destinations in the Middle East and two, why must I justify my vacation destinations to anyone but myself and well, my family.

All I can say is…this world is small. This world is beautiful. There are amazing people and crappy people in every part of the world. But I refuse to believe the world is as bad as the news makes you think every moment you turn it on. I still see the good. I still believe in the good. And Central Europe is full of the good! Expect a major update to the blog in the next few days. Lots of good things to discuss and share.

 

 

 

 

 

This is my obsession…

Ear Crawlers…the perfect earring and accessory to jazz up the ear in a classy way by only utilizing one hole! Thankfully, this trend is well served by one of my favorite retailers, BaubleBar 

I was the lucky recipient of these beauties for the holidays and my eyes are still on a few more pieces before Europe!

 

 

TripOMatic & TripAdvisor App

I’ll be honest- when I chose Central Europe in August for a March trip, I clearly was unaware of much. It’s cold people. Colder than it has been in the Mid-Atlantic region in the USA. So what do you do? You purchase this for under your clothing.

Cuddl Duds thermal layer ($16.99 @ Target)

What has been my savior for this trip? Tripomatic! I’ve been to Paris. I’ve been to France. However, I’ve never had to cram France/Paris into < 48 hours for someone else. Just thinking about all there’s to see AND do in Paris gives me heart palpitations. I discovered the easy to use app that allows you choose and arrange sights/places in the allotted time you have. Let’s just say we are going to be on our feet walking the jet lag out until wayyyyyy late that night. Sorry, Erin. You’ll forget about it once we are strolling the Champs-Élysées, viewing La Seine from the Eiffel Tower, and peering out over Paris from Montmartre.

These boots are made for walking (or somehow Uber will do!)

As you see above there’s a lot do do and a lot we won’t get to do. It’s a packed 12-14 hours of seeing stuff and I only scheduled one restaurant/café in there. I’ve set up stuff for Prague, Vienna, and Budapest thanks to Tripomatic and hope it keeps us on pace/track.

How delicious does this food look from TripAdvisor’s app?! I may find a Czech man and stay if these are my food options! 

Food is my other worry on this trip. I’m normally worried about food due to my odd food allergies. Italy turned out a lot better than I thought, but I know for a fact people probably thought I was the crazy American lady on a knee scooter with allergies to food. But they’re real and I want to live my life without ever being stabbed by an epi-pen! TripAdvisor  is suddenly fueling my days by making me hungry (hello! Do you know how appetizing some of these photos of food are?!) and telling me where we need to go and where we shouldn’t go. I’m stoked to try the wine bars with cheese plates in Vienna, Be Bop Bar in Prague with quirky bartenders and drinks, and St. Patrick’s Day in Hungary. Could it be any less Irish than in America?! I’m pretty sure I’ll be food blogging and buying clothes to accommodate the food coma we will be in!

When you’re all out of ideas…

How many times do you walk into a store and think, “Gosh. There’s so much here. I don’t have the time/patience/desire to pick and choose anything.” It leads you to grabbing the first few things that look cute but ultimately you’ve totally shopped in your “comfort zone.”

Self-admittedly I’ve come to known my style quite well- sweaters, sweater dresses, leggings (with a shirt covering my behind), and jeans. It’s worked and people typically comment I look good. There are those few items I’ve returned (like the faux fur short coat today that could have qualified me as a character on GoT) outside but the times are quite rare.

As I recently said, I’m heading to Europe Marxh 6th with my friend, Erin, who lives in Texas. Granted- I’m from the North, so my wardrobe is appropriate for Europe. Well, hers, she’d freeze to death. So, I’ve done my duty to remind her about what she’ll need. I’m feeling a little pressured with clothes for a winter trip. I’ve been to Europe for a total of around 42 days in my life-all in semi-warm temperatures. I’ve had crazy hair, the same pants (rain in Paris and London in September 2013), and thanks to this last trip- the same (different from 2013) pants, a royal blue fiberglass cast, and a knee scooter. Needless to say- I need a trip where my clothes are ON POINT. Paris for two nights during Fashion Week? Duh.

Here you find my European style staple- Kut from the Kloth jeans (they could fit over the cast) and just a blah-unlike me adventure. Oh hey, there’s Greece in the background. 

Last week I quickly set up a Personal Stylist appointment at Nordstrom (my second home) and pleaded for ideas for Paris in Winter. I showed up to meet Barb, my stylist, who couldn’t have been any nicer and on point with her selections. I’m still trying to figure out HOW she knew the colors to bring me. Gray, Black, Navy, Teal, & Burgundy. These are the colors you’ll find in my closet. Secretly I wonder if she can look at past purchases, but it seems like that’s unlikely because of financial institution rules.

Arriving in the dressing room was like heaven- there were things I would never touch. I’d never pull these items out and look. Some were in sections I typically stay away from (hello?! Who honestly spends $180 on a dress shirt?) but with the Half-Yearly sale- many items were more “affordable.” Barb was willing to stay with me as I tried on clothes, but I was comfortable enough to decide on my own what I liked.

As as you can see, there were so many varied options. Thinfs I’d never touch or look at but when presented to me made complete sense. Of course, some items didn’t work (hello! 5’11” here- dress pants just never fit right-too short!), or the shirt with sleeves two inches above my wrist. The soft, fuzzy Sesame Street character cardigan I LOVED but hated how it fell on my shoulders stayed there.

Somehow I fell in love with things I would have never chosen. I walked away with a sleeveless, long, black Trouvé vest;?a sleeveless, white, soft nubbed Nick + Zoe vest; a mandarin collar blue stripe Nordstrom collection tunic; and a Hinge long, super-soft cardigan. 75% of the items I purchased would have stayed in the store forever had I not had a personal stylist.

Halogen long cardigan ($79); Nordstrom Collection Tunic ($98.98; originally $180); NYDJ original skinny legging ($98). Side note: I’m looking far from glamorous in this selfie.

 

Moral of the story: let someone else pick for you once and a while- you might like it.

 

All things pretty are French

Ladureé yummies in Roma