Category Archives: Travel

Mar20

Travel Turmoil In New Orleans

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Travel Turmoil In New Orleans

Hello! My sister, Kristen, and I spent an amazing weekend in New Orleans for our cousin’s wedding. It has been a very long time since either of us have traveled by plane and we were both pretty nervous. Our flight from Cleveland to New Orleans went without a hitch and it was so exciting to be greeted by the warm weather when we landed as we reveled in our success. As our weekend went by, we were two gals on the go and were enjoying our sister’s trip so much… Until it all came to a crashing halt on Sunday afternoon:

On Sunday night we were supposed to take a late flight back home. It was going to be rough as the plane took off at nine twenty to go to Orlando. We then would have to spend a five hour layover there until we could go back to Cleveland. It was okay, though, because we were so ready to go home! At around four in the afternoon, I got a notification that our flight would be delayed. While this was a buzzkill, we were still going to leave that night so it was all good. We decided to go grab a coffee and sit outside and read for a while to kill time before we needed to be back at the airport. An hour later, a notification came that literally felt like a punch to the gut – our flight had been cancelled.

In this moment, all I wanted to do was throw an adult temper tantrum lol. We were absolutely exhausted and the rug had been completely pulled out from under us. Rather than cry as much as I wanted to, we handled our business and I am so proud of us. After some deep breaths, I gave us each a task. Kristen was going to find a cheap hotel in the area that we could stay for the night and I would find us a flight home. With every passing second trying to find a flight back to Cleveland, my heart sank further and further. The cheapest tickets were roughly six hundred dollars. Can you say ouch?! Then, I had a brain blast…

What if we flew into the Akron Canton airport instead? I altered my search and blessedly found a semi affordable option that would get us home. In fact, flying into Akron Canton was even better as it was closer to both of our houses. With that, we gathered our luggage and made the mile trek to our new hotel with suitcases in tow. It was honestly the longest mile of our lives and when we finally got to our hotel room, we sunk into the bed and it felt like laying on a cloud! Surely, after all of this we would have a good night’s sleep – right?

WRONG! We were so stressed out about the flight home due to the TSA strikes that we couldn’t sleep a wink. Could you imagine missing the plane due to the long lines and bag checks after already changing plans once? We sure couldn’t! We arrived at the New Orleans airport with over three hours to spare and we didn’t even need it. Everything was running as smooth as silk and by eight forty-five we were in the air to get to our layover in Raleigh, North Carolina. We anticipated a two hour wait to get back to Akron until we weren’t. The delays just kept coming and coming. It. Was. Awful.

We spent a solid six hours at the Raleigh airport waiting for our plane. Six hours filled with dread that our flight would be cancelled and we would have to rinse and repeat the same situation. During this time, we had lunch, finished our books, and watched some TV on my phone. And, finally, the plane we were waiting on from Florida landed. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever heard! The wait was grueling but at least we were going home. #blessed

The flight back to Akron took around an hour and I have never been so happy to be in the A-K-Rowdy. We landed in New Orleans to sunshine and returned home to snow and that was more than okay with both of us. After all of that, we had finally made it. There really is no place like home!

Have you ever had a rough travel experience like ours? What is your favorite airline to fly on? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar19

New Orleans Souvenirs

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New Orleans Souvenirs

Hello! This past weekend was a great big adventure because my sister, Kristen, and I went to New Orleans! When we got invited to our cousin’s destination wedding there, I was so surprised when Kristen asked if I wanted to go together. I couldn’t let that quality sister time pass me by and we flew into New Orleans on the morning of Friday the thirteenth. This might be considered an unlucky date but it was the luckiest in the world because we had the best time. I can’t wait to tell you all about it! The food, the scenery, the unfortunate cancellation of our flight home. And, of course, ALL of the OOTDs. But, first, let’s talk souvenirs because we shopped till we dropped in the French District:

The French District was a blur of shops, restaurants, music, and lots and lots of bars. We got to explore it a little bit prior to a pre-wedding party on Friday and then got to peruse it fully on Saturday before our cousin’s beautiful wedding. After a delicious meal at The Market Cafe, we got our shop on to purchase goodies for ourselves and family. The only thing I really wanted for myself was a mask and I fell in love with the one I found at a quirky souvenir shop. The mask itself is gorgeous and ornate but what sold me was the amazing plume of feathers. I also couldn’t believe the price at just thirteen dollars! It was a total steal and I cannot wait to display it in the apartment. It is even giving me ideas for future Halloween costumes. 😀 I am so delighted with this purchase and out of every mask we saw, this one just screamed Lil Red the most!

At another souvenir shop, I stumbled upon the fun little New Orleans Voodoo coffin and I knew Johnny would love it for our knick knack shelf. It is the perfect memento for our spooky selves and I also had to get a few more treats for him too. My Johnny was gifted with a great shirt that features a skeleton playing guitar beside the skeleton of a dog and it says “New Orleans Howlin’ Blues”. Just right for the man who brings music everywhere he goes! I also got him a stick of alligator jerky against my better judgement because gross. However, I knew it would be appreciated so up to the cash register it went smh.

The French District also featured a couple of regular shops that seemed horribly out of place. This included a random CVS, an H&M, Urban Outfitters, and Earthbound. We had never been in an Earthbound before as the closest one to us is about an hour away. It was a really cool store and I walked away with a fabulous wrap around snake bracelet. As you all know, I am an avid fan of snakeskin patterned clothing and snake themed jewelry. It is just so edgy and sexy too! The wrap bracelet I got is dynamite and we were at the store at just the right time. The employee told us it got restocked the day before and sells out very quickly. I can’t wait to rock mine in a new OOTD soon so you can see it in all of is glory!

Stick around on lifewithlilred for all of the New Orleans content. This was the trip of a lifetime and I am so happy that I got to share it with my sister. ❤

What is your favorite part of New Orleans? Do you have a vacation coming up? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb17

Don’t Trip Up: Business Trip Mistakes To Avoid

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Don’t Trip Up: Business Trip Mistakes To Avoid

A productive business trip requires plenty of planning ahead. Besides thinking about how that important meeting or sales pitch is going to go, you need to consider all of the fundamentals like how you’re getting there, where you’re staying, and what you will pack. Below are just some of the blunders that could trip you up if you’re not careful:

Ignoring your company travel policy:

If you’re the boss, you get to set your own travel policy. But if you’re an employee, it’s possible you may have to stick within a strict budget and potentially stick to certain providers when it comes to hotels, flights or even restaurants. Review any company travel policy rules before you book anything so that you know what your limitations are.

Booking last minute:

Unless it’s an emergency business trip, you should avoid booking accommodations and flights at the last moment. While you can sometimes access last minute deals by booking late, you may be stuck with limited hotel options and awkward flight times. Start looking into this at least a few weeks in advance so that they’re all sorted.

Choosing the wrong type of accommodation:

Not all types of accommodation are going to be fit for your stay. While a hostel could save you money, it might not give you the comfort and privacy you need when preparing for a presentation. On the opposite end of the spectrum, you don’t want to overspend on a plush hotel for a visit that may not even be that important. Don’t forget to consider short term rentals – some of these may be better suited to longer stays and they’ll give you more privacy.

Overlooking time zone differences:

It’s easy to forget about time zone differences and end up arriving later than planned. If you’ve got an early morning meeting, make sure that you’re not flying in late at night. If you have to communicate with people back at the office, make sure to also consider the time back home before calling.

Forgoing buffer time:

Consider allowing some ‘buffer time’ within your trip – this is extra time allowed for delays such as cancelled flights, late trains, heavy traffic, or accidentally arriving at the wrong building for a meeting. Arriving early before any business interactions are due and giving yourself plenty of time to get from A to B will allow you to stay relaxed and could avoid any late arrivals to important meetings.

Not packing these items:

There are a few key items that could be useful to bring on your business trip. These include:

  • Portable power bank: Bringing a portable power bank will stop you from running out of battery on your devices if you can’t find an outlet.
  • Portable Wi-Fi router: If connection is spotty and you need to conduct a presentation, a portable router could save the day.
  • Travel adapter plug: When traveling abroad, outlets may be different and will require an adapter.
  • Travel iron: This can help you to keep your clothing crease-free on the go.
  • Backup documents: In case you lose your phone or run out of battery, consider bringing paper copies of flight information, hotel bookings, or business meeting details.
  • Business cards: Useful to have for networking.

Not researching into cultural differences:

Finally, consider that there may be cultural differences – especially if you’re traveling to a different country. This could include different business customs. For example, in Japan, it’s common to use a bow instead of using a handshake and to offer a gift during business meetings. Punctuality attitudes can vary around the world too – in some countries, arriving five minutes early is advised, while in others arriving a half an hour late is not frowned upon.

With these tips, your business trip will go without a hitch!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Feb5

How To Plan A Trip That Doesn’t Rely On The Weather

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How To Plan A Trip That Doesn’t Rely On The Weather

Planning a trip that depends on good weather is such an optimistic personality trait. In some locations, it can make sense (like a beach or a desert, for example). But it also falls apart the second the forecast decides to act up, because of course it does. You do all the paper admin you need for your trip, be it visas for another country, renting cars, booking tickets, flights, boats, tours, hotels, and then everything you imagined you’d be doing in your head goes sideways because of the weather (well, the activities at least).

It’s great to make a full vacation schedule but it also is smart to plan for bad weather. Like it or not, it can definitely rain on your parade! What’s the best way to go about this? Keep on reading!

Build the Trip Like it Has Two Lanes:

The simplest way to stay sane is to plan a trip with two lanes: an outdoor lane and an indoor lane. It’s not exactly two fully scheduled itineraries, because that’s exhausting and nobody wants a vacation that feels like project management. See it more as Plan A and Plan B so you have two sets of options that can be swapped depending on the weather.

If you’re going to St. Annes on vacation or just coastal towns in general in the UK (as this is getting more common for tourists outside the UK), then the outdoor stuff could be cliff walks, beach time, visiting gardens, or walking in the cute touristy area. When it comes to indoor-oriented activities, you can check whats on Saint Annes local theater for live shows, look for shops, museums, or tasting sessions at wineries or restaurants.

Choose Indoor Plans that Still Feel Like the Destination:

A few examples were just mentioned above, but maybe you could consider them generic. But it seriously helps to pickout some destinations in advance that are indoor. If you want to visit London or Paris for the first time ever, sure, everyone wants to see the landmarks, but as you know, there’s famous indoor things to do as well. Like in London, there’s the Victoria and Albert museum that so many tourists flock to, and the Louvre in Paris, but they’re indoor activities, and they alone are like a destination. So, try to look around for that too for your upcoming trip. 

You Can’t Let Weather be a Dealbreaker:

You can’t control Mother Nature, and sometimes, you have no choice but to make the most out of the situation. Hopefully it’s not a horrible storm or anything, but just try and have fun anyways. Sure, if you’re camping or hiking during your trip, it can make it significantly less fun, and sometimes even full-on impossible, but for town and city trips at least, you can manage easily. 

Plan ahead for any bad weather during your travels and you will still have an amazing time indoor and out!

Featured Image By: Pexels Image

Dec6

5 Modern Travel Hacks You Shouldn’t Skip

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5 Modern Travel Hacks You Shouldn’t Skip

There are entire blogs filled with modern travel hacks that you can use to ease the stress of a vacation. However, there are some things that everyone should take note of that can really help things go more smoothly. From using packing cubes to first aid kits, here are some suggestions:

Prep Your Smartphone:

Your phone can be your best friend when traveling. You have all the apps and web access you need for traveling easier with a smartphone. With a phone you can check transport times, flight info, and accommodation availability in seconds, and you have access to advanced features like GPS for getting around more easily. You may not have access to your usual network, but you can save on roaming costs while travelling with an eSIM designed for easy access anywhere.

Pack with Cubes:

The laws of physics seem to go out of the window when trying to cram in as much clothing as possible into a suitcase, you know, that is too small! So what can you do? Fortunately, there are these handy inventions called packing cubes. Packing cubes are like mini travel bags you can place in your luggage. What makes them so useful is that they make it easier to use the limited space inside your suitcase much more efficiently as you fill the cubes and arrange them perfectly.

Modern Travel Hacks for Clothes:

Around 1 billion people per year travel to other countries. From the most beautiful places to visit in the fall to summer vacations, everyone has their idea of the best getaway. Something as simple as your clothing can ruin the best day, though, so always stay prepared:

  • Check if there are local storage lockers at stations or near tourist locations.
  • Always pack spare clothes and underwear just in case of an unfortunate accident.
  • Pack the opposite for the weather (such as a jacket if it’s sunny), as it can change.

Pack a Mini First Aid Kit:

You never know what can happen when traveling, and your adventurous side can get the better of you. Perhaps you feel like a Segway ride in a forest at 65 years old. It’s not the best idea, but heck, you’re on vacation. But alas, you realize you really shouldn’t have done that as you tumble off your ride like a drunken toddler. Maybe you are pretty far away from a local clinic, but you remembered to pack a little first aid kit. No more bleeding and an expensive bill avoided. Yay!

Stay Up-to-Date with Travel Info:

Traveling can be stressful, and the whole transportation industry doesn’t help. Delays, cancellations, and hackers are pretty common these days. Knowing your travel times is essential for organizing your day and making sure you never miss a departure. Things can change, and when they do, your plans need to as well. Make sure you stay up to date with travel info by using official websites or travel apps that can alert you ASAP when something changes.

Smart preparations for your vacation will ensure a stress free time in your dream destination paradise!

Featured Image By: Freepik

Nov7

Haunted Schoolhouse And Laboratory

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Haunted Schoolhouse And Laboratory

Howdy!! I had a most successful spooky season this year and I hope all of you had a blast too. I absolutely loved my pirate costume but my favorite thing was going to two different haunted houses! Johnny and I had a fabulous date night at the Factory Of Terror and on Halloween we went to the Haunted Schoolhouse And Laboratory with my big bro. We were so happy he wanted to come with us because haunted houses aren’t really his thing and we had the best time! The Schoolhouse And Lab has been a staple in Akron, Ohio for so long and I was most impressed with our visit. Check it out:

The last time I went to the Haunted Schoolhouse And Laboratory was at least seven years ago and honestly? It sucked ass lol. I don’t remember too much about going but I do recall paying a lot for tickets and being thoroughly disappointed by the experience considering what we paid. Because of that, I never bothered with it again until this past Halloween. Right from the jump I was amazed by how much this haunt has improved and I enjoyed every minute of it!

The Haunted Schoolhouse was definitely the main attraction and it was fantastic. It is set in an old brick building that is at least five stories tall and we got to explore all of it. Every floor was something different from scary nuns at school to a Texas Chainsaw Massacre-esque feature that I was most fond of. It is my favorite horror movie of all time! One of the coolest parts of this haunt was being banished to hell for the last floor by a nun. This floor took us into a dungeon style area complete with huge statues of Baphomet, cemeteries, creepy organ music, and exorcisms. After making our way down five floors, it felt like we were going into the abyss and it looked phenomenal. Just one floor alone of the Schoolhouse blew my past review out of the water and I couldn’t wait for more.

Once we emerged from hell, we went outside to the next addition of the haunt which is the Laboratory. This was set up like an alien takeover and holy WOW did it have some dynamite features. My only regret was that it wasn’t longer! For me, the best part of this haunted house was close to the beginning. Like the Schoolhouse, we began from the top down and were walking across sturdy theater catwalks. We were up fairly high and when Johnny told me to look down it was like staring into the mouth of a cave. It could have gone on for forever!

As we made our way through the floors of the lab, we saw a bunch of scenes of aliens causing mayhem. All the while we were walking through the most terrific lighting. It legit looked like we were making our journey in a swirling waist high sea of green. That was a really nice touch! At the final floor of the lab, we were greeted by a mad scientist who asked us if we were ready for the big show. Then, he turned on a huge orb that crackled with purple light and electricity. It was quite the send off because afterwards we were back outside into the Halloween night and delighting over our time together. ❤

The Haunted Schoolhouse And Laboratory is a haunt that I would happily visit again next year. This time around, the ticket prices were well worth it and then some and it was the perfect way to spend Halloween!

How did you celebrate Halloween? Did you go to any haunted houses this year? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct23

Factory Of Terror Date Night

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Factory Of Terror Date Night

Hello! If there is one haunted house to go to in the greater Northeast Ohio area, the Factory Of Terror is the place to be. It holds the record for the largest indoor haunted attraction in America boasting four different haunted houses, three separate bars, a dance floor, tarot readings, and axe throwing too. Every year you go is completely different than the last and you will never experience the same thing twice. It is absolutely amazing and my favorite place to go when spooky season hits.

Johnny and I had a date night to Factory Of Terror this past Friday and it was such a scary good time! I was also lucky enough to win my first radio contest EVER and scored two free tickets to the haunt. I couldn’t believe it and was literally on cloud nine. What’s better than a free night on the town to a place we planned on going to anyways?! SCORE! This was my third time going to the Factory Of Terror and I think it was the best year yet! Check it out:

^^^ Be sure to peep my TikTok for the video tour!!

Walking into the Factory Of Terror is like walking into a great big scary playground and the fun starts as soon as you set foot on the property. Character actors roam and are ready to sneak up on anyone that passes by. It makes something mundane like waiting in line for entrance wristbands into part of the experience and sets the tone perfectly for your night of spooky delight. After getting our wristbands, our first move was to hit the Poison Ivy bar for test tube shots. We opted for a blue concoction that tasted like straight up blue and was delicious!

After hitting up the Poison Ivy, it was off to the first haunt called the Forsaken Asylum. The bones of this haunted house hasn’t changed but the interior was totally different and transformed into a freaky hospital. It was filled with jump scares galore but the best part was twofold. Halfway through the house, there was a huge slide that you went down on a burlap sack. It was a wild ride! The ending was also excellent as it was a maze of mirrors. Johnny and I were running into the mirrors left and right and eventually a creepy doll character actor helped show us the way out lol. Not so scary after all and we were most appreciative. ❤

Next up was our favorite of the bunch – the Industrial Nightmare. This haunted house took us into the bowels of a factory complete with steaming pipes, compressed air switches on the ground, and glowing green lights to guide us through the pitch black setting. Everywhere we turned were “injured” employees from factory accidents and their scares couldn’t be beat. Some of the actors were legit perched on the ceiling, others were on bungee cords to leap out in front of you, and just being followed around in the dark was enough to send shivers down my spine. The highlight of this haunt had to be when the front of a train literally looked like it was coming straight towards you. I screamed so loud it could have shattered glass. It. Was. Awesome!!

The third haunted house holds a special place in my heart because it is Factory of Terror’s take on my favorite horror film, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. This is their staple haunted house called Massacre On Mahoning and while the theme remains the same every year, the inside always changes. For someone who is such a huge fan of TCM, going through this haunted house was a treat filled with tricks. Its setting was exactly what you could imagine if you are familiar with the story and was a pure celebration of one of the greatest, most influential horror movies of all time. I just loved it. 🙂

The last haunt to visit was called The Abyss and it simply delighted me and Johnny. For the first half of the haunt, we walked through almost complete darkness and were able to be guided by waist high walls to keep us on the path. After making it through this portion, we were welcomed into a sunken pirate ship and we were so there for it since we are being pirates for Halloween this year! The Abyss was so visually appealing once we made it to the light but it was also pure FUN. While we were waiting in line, we made friends with one of the actors and he made it a point to sneak up on us throughout the haunt. After we emerged on the other side, we all shared a great big hug and he asked us if we had a blast. It was a resounding YES on our part!! ❤

My first job was as a character actor at a haunted house and being at the Factory Of Terror hit me right in the nostalgia. This place is so incredibly special and all throughout the night I couldn’t help thinking how much fun it would be to work there. Our hats go off to the spectacular cast and crew that make the Factory Of Terror possible because the work that has gone into it is awe inspiring. We can’t recommend it enough if you are in the area!

What is the best haunted house in your neck of the woods? What are your Halloween plans? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep16

Cleveland Zoo Asian Lantern Festival

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Cleveland Zoo Asian Lantern Festival

Hello! Every summer the Cleveland and Columbus Zoo host the most wonderful Asian Lantern Festivals. It is a spectacular event that features light up and motorized displays, traditional music, and amazing performances. During a recent trip to the Cleveland Zoo, I was able to see a lot of the different displays but it was during the day time and when the sun goes down is when the magic happens. This past week, I was lucky enough to go to the drive through Lantern Festival with my beloved downstairs neighbor. It was the very last night to be able to do so and we had an absolutely fabulous time. The day turned to night as soon as we arrived at the zoo and we got to experience this stunning feat of artistry before our very eyes. Check it out and be sure to keep peeping my TikTok for a video tour soon!

^^^ How cool is that?!?!

This was my first drive through Asian Lantern Festival and I am so appreciative to the Cleveland Zoo for making this event accessible to everyone. As my neighbor does not get around the best, this was the way to go and I feel so happy that I got to be with him for his very first time seeing the big show. He booked us an eight PM time slot and our almost hour drive to Cleveland was spent chattering away about how excited we were. And, minus a few hiccups, we were downright giddy by the time we got to zoo.

We both kind of expected to be able to get right into the zoo upon our arrival and that was SO not the case lol. Traffic was completely flooded with festival goers and it took us a solid forty minutes to reach the zoo’s entrance. Then, it was at least another fifteen for the bottleneck we found ourselves in to break up so we could proceed with the tour. Note to self: It is NOT a good idea to drink an entire bottle of water during the drive to the zoo. I had to pee SO bad and bathroom breaks were not an option SMH. -_-

Blessedly, once we started being able to drive through the zoo at a steady clip my bathroom woes subsided because holy wow. It was even better than I could have imagined! During my last evening Asian Lantern Festival outing, it was still quite light out and we missed the majesty of the lights on a pitch black night. That is exactly how you should experience the fest because it literally felt like being thrown into a fairy tale. The lights, music, motion, and the cool breeze with the windows down was intoxicating. We could even see some of the animals in their exhibits when we reached traffic jams and that was an awesome bonus.

The displays at the festival included flowers, foliage, and regular zoo animals but also featured a heavy dose of the mythical. There were fairies and dragons as well as the creatures traditional to Asian legend. I loved the different fairies the best and also adored the undersea displays. The tunnel with the canopy of fish swimming in a swirling ocean was breathtaking. At my summer day trip to the Cleveland Zoo, I walked through that tunnel trying to visualize how it came to life at night. It was even more beautiful than my daydreams!

The Asian Lantern Festival has now drawn to a close at the Cleveland Zoo and all I can say is: Bring on the next one. The festival is completely different every year and I cannot wait to see how the zoo is transformed next!

What is your favorite yearly event in your neck of the woods? What is your favorite animal real or otherwise? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep14

The Bomb Shelter Shopping Trip

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The Bomb Shelter Shopping Trip

Hello! There is a super cool vintage store in Akron called The Bomb Shelter that Johnny and I have always talked about visiting but never bothered doing so until this past weekend. We are going to see Weird Al today and wanted to find some Hawaiian shirts to wear to the show. Johnny suggested hitting up The Bomb Shelter to shop their selection and I am so glad he did so. This was my first trip there and it was absolutely amazing. If you love vintage shopping and ever find yourself in the greater Akron area, this is a total and complete must. While we didn’t have any luck finding Hawaiian shirts, we sure had a good time browsing the massive property. Check it out:

^^^ The Bomb Shelter’s mascot lol

Walking into The Bomb Shelter was like stepping into a time machine and it was as wonderful as it was overwhelming. Every single area in the expansive warehouse was covered with vintage goods from floor to ceiling and I mean that quite literally. They had chairs, doilies, and pieces of art hanging from the ceiling! Each shelf and tabletop was home to wonders of yesteryear and you honestly would need a full few hours to really look through The Bomb Shelter and see anything and everything it has to offer. Johnny and I spent at least two hours browsing easily. And also sitting because he insisted on trying out Every. Single. Piece. Of. Furniture. And there was a lot!!

For all of the millions of things in The Bomb Shelter, it was actually very well organized. Of course, I loved browsing through the clothes and jewelry as did Johnny. And don’t tempt him with a shelf full of records! As much as I enjoyed the clothing, my favorite parts were where the old appliances and kitchen sets were featured. You could literally make your home feel like the 1950s with a shopping trip to The Bomb Shelter and a lot of money! It was SO neat to see furnishings, place settings, and decor that reminded me of those that were in my grandparents’ homes. It was a beautiful touch of nostalgia to simply see a set of cups that were like ones my grandma used to have that sent so many happy memories of childhood rushing back.

From movie memorabilia and toys and games to old presidential buttons and photography equipment, there was something for every collector at The Bomb Shelter. They even had a DeLorean in the garage portion of the store as well as a Yugo which we wanted to bring home with us so badly! It would have been all too easy to spend my life savings while we went on our shopping trip but I think we exercised self control pretty well. We walked away with a couple of trinkets and gifts as well as some “new” vintage jewelry for me. Peep those later!!

We may not have found what we wanted at The Bomb Shelter but it showed us what we truly needed. I can’t wait to go back!

Do you have a store like The Bomb Shelter in your neck of the woods? What is your favorite era of home decor? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep5

Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival

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Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival

Hello! A few weekends ago I went to the Columbus Zoo with my big bro and Johnny as an end of summer hurrah. We had the best time exploring the gorgeous park and made so many fantastic memories together. Not only did we see beaucoup animals but we were also treated to walking through the Lantern Festival. Every year, the Cleveland and Columbus Zoo creates a glorious display of different animals, mythical creatures, and flowers that all light up at night. While the Columbus Zoo beats out Akron and Cleveland as the best zoo by a long shot, I actually thought the Cleveland Zoo Lantern Fest was better. Check out some pics as well as an adorable shot of a Red Panda for good measure and let’s discuss:

The Columbus Zoo is a vast property and we easily walked over six miles during our visit. Due to its size, the exhibits at this zoo are absolutely gigantic and that is a great thing! However, it leaves little room for features like landscaping, pavilions to rest or have some lunch, and the Lantern Festival displays. In comparison, the Cleveland Zoo has many areas where exhibits aren’t possible and landscaping is the focal point. At the Cleveland Zoo, sprawling displays for the Lantern Fest were achieved simply because they could. Different displays seemed to stretch endlessly and it was marvelous to explore.

This is not to say that the Columbus Zoo Lantern Fest wasn’t good but it definitely didn’t live up to my expectations because it’s such a staple day trip in Ohio. Sans the stunning sea dragon that was the entire length of one of the ponds, all of the other displays were scattered and small as opposed to a full walk through experience. Of course, they made excellent use of the space they did have but it didn’t invoke the larger than life vibes of the displays at the Cleveland Zoo. It made me really thankful that I got to experience the wonders of the Cleveland Zoo Lantern Fest because it was like stepping into another world rather than an afterthought.

While the Columbus Zoo is the best one I have ever been to, it made me proud that little old Cleveland bested them at the Lantern Fest. Attending the nighttime walk through with my entire family, nieces and nephew included, is one of my favorite memories. It was like entering a fairy tale with the twinkling lights, displays that moved, and wonderful performances of music and acrobats. Hell yeah, Cleveland, because you did real good! 😀

Although the Lantern Fest at the Columbus Zoo wasn’t anything to write home about, it was still a fabulous day and one of my favorite summer outings!

Does your zoo host a lantern festival? What is your favorite zoo? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah