Tag Archives: travel

Nov1

Paperwork Priorities: Travel Admin To Take Care Of In Advance

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Paperwork Priorities: Travel Admin To Take Care Of In Advance

When you’re looking to travel, it’s sometimes easy to believe that you can just book a flight and head out. Okay, so technically, you can do that – but it’s not always the best way to go about things. Making sure that all bases are covered is important. If you’re a stickler for organization, then this is something that you’re definitely going to want to plan for in advance. However, it’s not always easy to know what pieces of paperwork you should be filling out.

If you want to make sure that you can enjoy your trip safely and responsibly, then there are certain pieces of admin that you should focus on. Both for planning the trip and enjoying it while you’re there, here are some key things that you should take care of well before your departure:

Apply For Any Visas:

As soon as your trip is booked, you should definitely look into the visa requirements. Of course, not every trip that you go on will need a visa, but if you are leaving the country, then it’s best to read up on the visa issuing details as early as possible. Then, if you do need a visa, you will have plenty of time to get your application in and secure your visa before you leave.

Get Travel Insurance:

Next, you should think about securing your travel insurance. Whenever you do any kind of travel, it’s essential that you have the right insurance. That way, should your trip get cancelled, you lose any luggage, or have an accident, you’re covered. This is a form of admin that you can iron out early on. By getting your coverage in early, you’ll have one less thing to do closer to your travel date. Speaking of lost luggage, it might be a good idea to use an AirTag to keep track of your belongings. Just be sure to research things like how long do airtags last, how to pair the device, etc so you don’t run into a glitch during your travels.

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Don’t forget your map and sunglasses!

Check On Health Insurance:

Another key thing to check out is the kind of health coverage that you need. If you’re traveling nationally, then you should be fine with the coverage that you have. But you will need to check if you’re covered abroad. Sometimes, your travel insurance will cover you. But it’s something that you do need to look into, and perhaps purchase if necessary, before you leave. Don’t just assume that you are covered, because we all know the old saying about assuming. Take the time to call your current provider or even shop around with different ones like MinnesotaCare Health Insurance Providers (or a similar company in your local area). Your provider should be well versed on the ins and outs of health coverage during travel so you can enjoy your vacation worry free.

Get Your Pet’s Paperwork:

If you’re taking your pet with you, you’re also going to need to get their affairs in order. If necessary, you should get your legit ESA registration confirmed as soon as possible. Remember to also bring any medications, special foods, and treats that your four legged friend might need, as well.

Get Your Shots:

You’re also going to want to think about the shots that you might need, too. Again, if you are staying in the country, then you may not need to do this. But if you’re traveling internationally, then you’re going to want to check up on any vaccinations that you may need. You can find all of the information that you need online for this, and you can also check with your doctor if you want to make sure that your shots are up to date.

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Order Foreign Currency:

Once all of your paperwork is a go, you’re also going to want to put your order for foreign currency in. Depending on where you’re going, you may even be able to pick this up from your bank just by heading in. If not, you can simply place your order and pick it up when it’s ready.

Prepare Your Travel Information:

As you’re finishing up, think about how you’re going to store all of your newly acquired info, should something happen. You can actually store your travel information safety online, should you need to access backup documents. From your passport to flight details, you’re able to keep copies of all of your important travel information in case you lose anything.

Arrange Transportation: 

Getting to and from the airport can be extremely stressful. There tends to be a lot of traffic and you may experience those pre and post flight jitters. Not to mention, if you transport yourself you will have to pay parking fees and those can get pricey. Enlisting the help of family or friends or arranging a heathrow chauffeur service (or your local area) is strongly advised. It will save you stress, save you money, and ensure that you arrive safely should you have any nerves.

Fill Out Your Pre-Flight Information:

Your final step is something that you can only do close to your actual travel date. Some airlines will want you to fill out your pre-flight information online. This not only saves you time when you get to the airport, but it can be a legal requirement, too. When you do book your trip, make a note of when you can do this and be sure to get your information in as soon as you can.

Traveling is a blast, but traveling with the peace of mind that all of your affairs are in order is even better. Get organized, get ready, and have the trip of your life!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Oct26

AnkhorRed’s First Annual Bloggers Conference Highlights

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AnkhorRed’s First Annual Bloggers Conference Highlights

Hi everyone and happy Thursday! Today, we are going to discuss three of my favorite things from Lil Red’s trip to the Big City for my bloggers conference with Kate from Ankhor You. Obviously, I could go on for literal days on end about the BC, but I don’t want to give you guys FOMO on what was an amazing trip! I know, I know, I’m far too kind. Anywho, let’s get started:

1) The time spent with Kate:

Honestly, it really didn’t matter where Kate and I had our bloggers conference, because I’m confident that we could make any location fun. Cemeteries, dollar stores, the middle of nowhere – but given these options, I’m glad that we were in NYC! If you think that Kate is the coolest, sweetest, most fashionable girl on the planet based on her blog, just wait until you meet her in real life… BECAUSE SHE IS!!!!!!

Kate was always someone that I was impressed by and admired before I met her, but our BC just solidified that for me even more. Not only is she as genuine and kind as she is via her blog, text, and FaceTime in person but she really is a modern day Renaissance woman, as she describes herself on her page. As a writer/skater/yoga instructor/amazing human/fashionista, she takes Manhattan by storm, and does it all while walking literal miles per day in the fiercest outfits you’ll ever see.

Kate is a person who follows her dreams and achieves them in her own way and I think that everyone can take a note from that. From binging on Harry Potter to walking down Fifth Avenue and eating hella food, being with Kate was everything that I hoped it would be AND MORE. And you better believe I miss her like crazy!

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^^^ SHE’S ALSO SO PRETTY OMGGGGGG!

2) Skating at Rockefeller Center:

As I mentioned yesterday, Kate and I are both former skater girls, which is how we initially bonded. Then, upon talking further, we realized that we are basically the same person, lol good times. Anyways, I knew that after reminiscing with her constantly about skating, that going together during our BC was a necessity. Although the TWENTY-FIVE DOLLAR ADMISSION into Rockefeller was steep and, sadly, it is nowhere near as big as it is on TV and film, we had a blast.

It was so much fun to be able to skate around the rink and (cautiously) make our way into the center to do a few tricks when it was safe for us to do so. I love going skating with my friends and family, and even though I was so far away from Ohio, I felt right at home with Kate on the rink. It was so special to be able to share the ice with someone who genuinely appreciates it as much as I do. I’m looking forward to skating with Kate again hopefully soon, but maybe next time we’ll be in Ohio where admission onto the ice is free or way cheaper!

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3) Eating (literally) all the food:

Sigh. I go to NYC and instead of writing about sightseeing or all of the amazing places that we went to, I choose to write about food. But I like to eat, SUE ME FOR IT. Kate took me to all of her favorite places like Maison Kayser, Le Pain, BareBurger, and Bonjour Crepes & Wine. For four days in a row, we ate like queens and, although my wallet and waistband weren’t thanking me, my heart and stomach definitely were. #fatandhappy

Going to New York and experiencing all of the different options to eat at was incredible, albeit a little overwhelming! In Akron, Ohio, we do have some specialty restaurants, but for the most part, we have a lot of chain dining. Think, Applebee’s, the Olive Garden, TGIFridays, etc. Being in a location where literally every restaurant is a specialty one was insane! I’m so happy that Kate gave me options of places that she knew that I would like, because we probably would have spent a majority of our bloggers conference waiting for me to pick a place to eat!! I miss Kate like crazy, but I would be a liar if I didn’t say that I miss all of the food, too! 😉

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So there you have it, my highlights from AnkhorRed’s First Annual Bloggers Conference! And let it be known that I LOVE YOU, KATE!!!! What is one of your favorite things to do in New York City? What places are on your travel bucket list? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct25

AnkhorRed’s First Annual Bloggers Conference

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AnkhorRed’s First Annual Bloggers Conference

Hi everyone and happy Hump Day! As you all know, Lil Red visited the Big City this month to visit my blogging (and real life) BFF, Kate, from Ankhor You. After literal months of constant texting and FaceTiming, we decided to take the next “big step” in our friendship and finally meet each other!

In case you didn’t know, Kate and I are both former figure skaters, so we planned our get together for October, when the rinks in New York are open. Kate jokingly called our hang out a “bloggers conference” and it was so funny and appropriate that it stuck. After what seemed like months of waiting…because it was quite literally months of waiting…October rolled around and the BC was a go! I Greyhounded myself to Manhattan (A ten hour ride!) and was greeted by Kate at the gate.

Saying that our first “real life” meeting was surreal is a true understatement. Yes, we talk every day and yes, we FaceTime almost weekly but talking via phone is never the same as meeting in real life. Anyone on CatFish can attest to that! But our initial meeting went exactly how I hoped it would go – with a big hug and infinite high pitched “eeeeeeee’s”. Although, I could do without the fact that I needed to go to the Port Authority bathroom immediately after and that I was blind as a bat because I accidentally fell asleep on the bus in my one a day contacts and had to take them out. Smh.

ANYWAYS, spending four days in NY and staying in Kate’s “doll house” apartment was magnificent, to say the least. The days were long and filled with walking, in heels no less! But the company was fantastic, the laughter was nonstop, and, as if things couldn’t get any better, a Harry Potter marathon on TV was there to greet us every evening.

Tomorrow, I will discuss some of my favorite highlights of my trip and some more NYC fun with one of my favorite people on the planet! Where is your favorite place to travel to? What is your preferred method of travel? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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Oct20

Stories & Snapshots Of “Haunted” Eastern State Penitentiary

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Stories & Snapshots Of “Haunted” Eastern State Penitentiary

Hello one and all and happy Friday! This is the second to last post of my Halloween Heaven guest bloggers series compliments of Les, who you might recognize as the author and photographer behind the post about Dreamland Park on my page. Once again, you can check out more of Les’s work at Photojournal Of Corker2. Now, sit back and enjoy his tale of a spooky tour through the infamous Eastern State Penitentiary:

Stories & Snapshots Of “Haunted” Eastern State Penitentiary

The Eastern State Penitentiary, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is one of the older prisons in the state. Built in the early 1900’s, it was made to keep prisoners in solitary confinement to reflect on the law breaking deed that they had committed. Each prisoner was kept in a single cell and locked up for twenty-three hours a day. There was no running water, no air conditioning, no books to read, nothing at all! There are four cell blocks, with each one consisting of two levels of eight feet long by six feet wide cells with no windows to let light in.
The Eastern State Penitentiary (ESP) has been known to be haunted for many years. Featured on Ghost Hunters, the film crew stayed there and caught some very strange things. There have been documented reports of voices from nowhere and ghostly figures that have no explanation at all.
I had been informed of this disturbing place, so I thought I’d give it a visit. The penitentiary is huge. I was allowed to walk through the entire prison with my camera in tow. It was also quite hot that day, with temperatures up in the high 90’s. I could only imagine what it must have been like to be locked up there for so many years. The famous gangster, Al Capone, was also an inmate at this prison for a number of years. He had his own fancy cell, not like all of the others. It was much better. It had a desk, furniture, table lamps, and a bed. The story goes that he was haunted in his cell by one of the men that he killed in the St. Valentines Day Massacre, even though he was not there when it happened. On a few occasions, Al Capone, would be screaming “Leave me alone!” in his cell and there was no one there.
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Here, we are looking down one of the four cell blocks in the prison. Each cell had a sliding metal door that you could not see out of. No talking was allowed back in the early days. The door at the far end leads to the outside. There are twelve cells on each side of the block.

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Here is Cell Block C. It is pretty much the same set up as all of the other blocks. It was here that I had a rather strange happening, which I can’t explain.

The ESP has had a reputation of electronic equipment not working right for one reason or another. Batteries fail or the camera just doesn’t work. With this in mind, I made sure that my camera was in excellent working order before I left for my visit. While walking around in the cell blocks, I had taken a number of images and my Pentax K100D was working just fine. Nothing was wrong and the pictures came out great.
Then, I entered Cell Block C and decided to shoot the picture that you see above. For some reason, I pressed the shutter and nothing happened. Weird. So I tried it again.  Nothing. Looked at the camera settings and they were all okay. Tried again. Nothing!  What the heck? So, I went down the block to the open door, stepped outside and pressed the shutter again. Worked just fine! I stood there for a few seconds and wondered why it worked out there but not inside. I gathered my bearings and decided to try one more time. I walked back to where I was before, focused on the shot, and pressed the button.  It worked! Now, what went wrong? Nothing that I could tell.

With that, I finished my tour and took a few more pictures with no problem. It was getting unbearably hot and I was eager to get into the air conditioning of my car. On the way back home, I was thinking of what could have gone wrong. The only thing that I could come up with was that a spirit from the past interfered with the camera in some way. Did it? I will never know.
The Eastern State Penitentiary has ghost hunts during the evening hours that you can sign up for and pay a small fee. If you want to learn more, just type in “Eastern State Penitentiary” and a complete story of this place will show up.
^^^ Thank you so much to Les for relaying his story of stepping foot into the Eastern State Penitentiary for an eerie tour through the past. Glad you made it out alive to tell the tale! Are there any “haunted” locations in your area? What is something that scares you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Oct17

Planning On Moving Abroad? Make Things Easier On Yourself!

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Planning On Moving Abroad? Make Things Easier On Yourself!

There are a lot of things to consider when moving overseas. Currencies change, cultures vary, and there are always moving arrangements to consider. Somewhere between all of the planning, packing, and stress, there are a few key factors that tend to get overlooked. Blending into the local environment isn’t always as simple as it might sound. This article is here to help take some of the stress off of your shoulders and help make your transition an easy one:

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Planning For The Unexpected:

No one can see the future, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t plan ahead for some minor issues. In the same way you’ll take extra care to pack your personal belongings, take a moment to consider what health coverage you will have in the event that you become sick. As you look for properties with a search like “housing in rotterdam” (or the location you are moving to), it can be helpful to see what is in the surrounding area. Is a hospital nearby? Reputable doctors? A convenient pharmacy? This is all important to know.

Depending on your new destination, it can be difficult to know where to go for advice when you feel sick. Unfortunately, Medicare coverage plans do not travel with an individual when they move overseas, unless you’re planning on moving to a U.S. territory like Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands. It might seem overwhelming when you consider having to find new health insurance, but don’t panic just yet.

The vast majority of countries offer an all-inclusive, government-sponsored health care plan. That means doctor visits, hospitalization, prescriptions, and more are all covered under one plan that usually costs a small percentage of your income. Even if you opt for a private plan instead of a public one, the cost is often one-fifth less than it is here in the U.S.

Should you get sick and need to see a doctor, you will require the same medical care that you would here. Thankfully, that coverage is easily obtained and you won’t have to worry when the unexpected happens. If you do require some time off of work from illness, services like an online medical certificate can be provided by registered doctors so you do not need to brave a clinic for hours on end. This is an especially useful tool if you are fairly new to the area and do not have a primary care doctor yet.

Adapting To The Culture:

There is no single sure-fire way to adapt to every culture on the planet, but there are a few things that you can practice that the majority of cultures do take part in. One of those things is to focus on living a little greener or eco-friendly. While we might not think about it, the amount of waste that we throw away here in the U.S. is astronomical compared to several other first world nations.

A simple rule of thumb is to take something like metal, plastic, or even cardboard and reuse it wisely. In most cases, that just means recycling it properly. Countries like Austria and Germany have the world’s leading recycling programs, which means that it is a large part of their culture.

While you might never get used to some customs, choosing to take part in a country’s recycling habits can help you blend in with them in a heartbeat. It shows that you care about the same things they do. Plus, it’s great for the environment!

Eliminating Some Stress:

It’s easy to pack a couple of bags when heading on vacation, but moving all of your belongings to a Studio apartment for rent Singapore (or your new destination) can seem like a nightmare. Just like you would turn to UPS or FedEx when you need an important package delivered, why not turn to international shipping experts when moving abroad?

What used to be a complicated and expensive process has been made much simpler by a few companies who specialize in shipping luggage overseas. This will help you to avoid extra costs on airline baggage fees (Which can add up fast.), while taking some the burden of moving off of your shoulders. One less thing to worry about is always a good thing.

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Choosing to move overseas is a big decision that requires a lot of planning and work. Thankfully, there are a few things that you can prepare for ahead of time to make the process go over as smooth as possible. Happy travels!

Sep22

Woot Woot!

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Woot Woot!

Hey everyone and happy Friday!! It’s a big friggen FIESTA up in here because guess what I did yesterday?! YES, I did eat Taco Bell. BUT that’s not all…

I PURCHASED MY GREYHOUND BUS TICKET TO SEE KATE FROM ANKHOR YOU IN OCTOBER!!!!!!!!!!!

The Bloggers Conference is officially on AF and I’m so excited I can hardly contain myself. Because I ball on a budget, I am saving over one hundred dollars by enduring the nine hour bus ride to Manhattan from Cleveland instead of flying. Of course flying is more convenient and obviously less time consuming but I now have one hundred dollars more for New York shopping money, instead! I’ll take it!

Lil Red has never been to NYC before so, needless to say, I am very excited. Kate and I are about to be two bad mamma jammas taking the city by storm. By storm, I tell ya! We have SO MANY ACTIVITIES planned as well as tons of photo shoots so keep your eyes peeled for many a collaborative post by yours truly and Ankhor You!

And, of course, I am still looking for Halloween themed guest posts for while I am away, so if you are interested in being on lifewithlilred and you can have a post ready by October 10th, then please email me at: sarah.mush6794@gmail.com 🙂

What are some must see sights in New York? What themes should Kate and I do for some Bloggers Conference 2017 photo shoots? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Giphy

Aug31

New England Fall Fun

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New England Fall Fun

Hello everyone and welcome to another fabulous post in my Falling For Fall series compliments of the sweet Ashley from Ashley Beth Beauty! One of the most well traveled areas in the US when fall time hits is New England. The beauty of the leaves changing on thousands of trees makes it an obvious travel spot, so what better way to learn more about New England than from a local?! Today, Ashley will be telling us about some amazing places to visit on your next NE vaca:

New England Fall Fun

Hey everyone! Today I’m going to talk about some different activities to do during your visit to New England this fall. From leaf peeping to apple picking and learning about the history of early America, there are many activities to do here, like the following:

New Hampshire’s White Mountains: If you want the ultimate fall experience in New England, visit the Omni Mount Washington Resort. It is in the heart of New Hampshire and there are plenty of activities for everyone to enjoy. The hotel itself is absolutely beautiful with the most breathtaking views. Since you are in the middle of Mount Washington, there are great hiking trails nearby with difficulty levels ranging from beginner to expert. If you have little ones, check out Story Land or Santa’s Village, which are both theme parks with shows, rides, and attractions. Another option is the Cog Railway. It is a three hour round trip train ride that will bring you to the top of Mount Washington. Talk about leaf peeping!

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Salem, Massachusetts Witch Trials: The Salem Witch Trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Salem, Massachusetts in the 1600s. Now the town of Salem brings the history and stories of these people to life. You can visit everything from the Salem Witch Museum to the historic House Of The Seven Gables. These are amazing activities for the history buffs, all while experiencing the beautiful foliage of Massachusetts. This city is located on the coast so you can learn a little history, shop, and check out Pickering Wharf.

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Vermont Maple Syrup Tour: Sugarbush Farm in Woodstock, VT is a 550 acre farm, which is run by the Luce family. You can visit this farm and learn about the process of making and collecting maple syrup. They also make cheeses that you are welcome to sample. Not only do you learn a lot at this farm, but the views are absolutely amazing. You can hike along the trails and the ride up to Vermont is just gorgeous. Visit here during the fall, and the leaves and clear sky will make for great photos and memories. Check out their website for more information at http://www.sugarbushfarm.com !

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Hope you all are inspired to take a fall trip to New England!

Xoxo

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Thank you so much again to Ashley from Ashley Beth Beauty for providing us with some fabulous New England travel info! Where is your favorite spot to visit in the fall? How does the area that you live in embrace autumn? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Playbuzz

Aug30

A Tale Of Two Scarves

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A Tale Of Two Scarves

Hi everyone and welcome to an ode to one of the it staples in every girl’s fall wardrobe – scarves! This piece is written by my friend, Embery, over at Cozy And Sage and I just know that all of you are going to love it. Please be sure to check out Embery’s blog for more if you enjoyed her post for my Falling For Fall series! Take a look:

A Tale Of Two Scarves

Scarves have always reminded me of fall. The cool crispness of the air and the snuggly warmth of a well-worn stole under my chin as I sip a warm caffeinated beverage and watch the autumn breeze play with the falling leaves is my ultimate pastime. Scarves work just as well for me in the office as they do out on the town. I always feel like I (hopefully) look not only a bit more sophisticated, but perhaps also a bit more prepared for the day enveloped in a proper scarf.

Every scarf that I own seems to have some sort of narrative attached to it, a little snippet of my life that is evoked every time I pull it from my closet. These are two of them:

 The Paris Scarf

My scarf obsession was born on an overseas trip to Paris almost a decade ago now. This burgundy and green darling emerged from the hustle and bustle of the shopping scene along the Seine as my very first scarf purchase. Desperately attempting to fit into Parisienne life, I purchased several stoles while I was there and wore them with gusto about the city during that September. In many ways, my very intentional nod to French fashion paid off, and I was often accepted as a local, initially. Of course, my obvious accent and my clearly American quirks gave me away almost immediately after I opened my mouth, but I found the people there to be quite forgiving. At least I felt more French draped in my new acquisition.

This “Paris” scarf, as my husband and I now refer to it, has accompanied me to many days at work, as well as countless trips to local coffee houses in pursuit of something (or anything) containing pumpkin and nutmeg. Whenever I wear it, I am reminded of those chilly fall days in Paris, seeking out coffee and Cȏtes du Rhȏne. This particular scarf is a polyester blend, I believe (although it did not come with a tag) and wears lightly, yet quite warmly, perfect for the cooler months. I generally wear it looped around my neck twice, sometimes twisted just a little, and then add a simple knot.

The Professional Look

My next scarf investment came years later from Macy’s at a time when I had finished school and was just becoming comfortable in my career. After years of studying and working in the trenches as an intern, I was finally beginning to grasp what being a professional meant. Rather than toiling away, working based off of other’s scientific decisions, I was at last making my own. After surviving the gauntlet of my internship, I was consequently being seen as an expert in my own right, rather than a lackey. To this day, I feel more scholarly and a little more erudite (optimistically, I realize) when I adorn myself with this piece.

Although the color is not particularly fall-ish, this scarf wears much too warmly for spring and is definitely a cold weather staple for me, as most of my wardrobe gravitates towards blues, browns, and black. This is an infinity style-scarf from Calvin Klein and is 100% acrylic. This one layers beautifully over light sweaters as well as long sleeve t-shirts. At times, this scarf can feel a bit bulky and occasionally I will use a pin or broach to keep it closer to the body and prevent it from interfering with my favorite fall beverage. I like to wear this one a bit twisted, as well, as it tends to keep the look slightly crisper and cleaner.

These scarves are still in my rotation, and every autumn when I pull them from their summer sleeping area, I am reminded vividly of these times in my life. Every scarf of mine bears a story, and these have been two of them. I hope you have enjoyed my post and thanks so much to Sarah for the opportunity to share it here! (You’re welcome! -Sarah)

Stay cozy! 🙂

Many thanks to Embery of Cozy And Sage for sharing her Tale Of Two Scarves with us! How do you style scarves into your outfit? What color is your favorite scarf? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun28

Movie Maven: A Lil Red Guide To Film Festival Etiquette

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Movie Maven: A Lil Red Guide To Film Festival Etiquette

Hello everyone and happy Hump Day! Summer brings about a variety of activities that some people spend the whole year looking forward to. Vacations, concerts, baseball games, and film festivals. I am sure that most of you already know that I am an avid movie lover. Of course, my favorite genre is horror by far but I love it all. Psychological thrillers, foreign films, comedies, rom-coms, the occasional Western, action, documentaries – you name it. The world of film is an all inclusive, creative, free for all with something for everyone, which is what makes it so beautiful.

Asking me about my favorite films always results in a five minute babble of my “I could watch this every day and not get bored” flicks. Every movie that you watch has the potential to become your new favorite and that’s what makes going out to the cinema, renting from the RedBox, and attending film festivals so exciting. You are twenty minutes in previews away with entering a new world for an hour or two. And even if the flick was the worst thing ever, you still got to eat popcorn and candy for the duration of the film. It’s a win/win for everyone.

A night at the movies is fun – but could you imagine a day at a film festival? A day devoted entirely to the up and coming films for the year? Talk about heaven! And another cool part about attending a film festival? The traveling! July 19th through the 22nd is the Anthem Film Festival in Las Vegas. And the movies that are seen in Vegas are sure to not stay there for long! Be sure to check out Vegas.com for the best hotel and flight packages for your stay and then let’s talk some film festival pro tips:

Be A Social Butterfly!

You already have one thing in common with literally every single person at the festival – a love for film. This sounds like the perfect icebreaker to me! Chat it up with anyone and everyone after the credits have rolled because you never know who you’re going to meet. From directors and actors to behind the scenes workers and industry professionals, a film festival is the best place to network if you are interested in any aspect of the vast world of cinema. Get your business cards ready and spread your wings, you beautiful and capable butterfly.

Dress To Impress:

You know how I said that you never know who you’re going to meet at a film festival? If not, let me repeat it: YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU’RE GOING TO MEET AT A FILM FESTIVAL!!! Dressing to impress is absolutely crucial for this reason. During the day, you can get away with a comfy cool look – an oversized button down, skinny jeans, and ankle booties are a great start. And don’t forget to bring a cardi for those chilly showing rooms!

The evening is a different story, though. Let your night time look transform you just as if you were walking the red carpet at a major premiere (Okay, maybe not that extreme, but you get the point!). Wear your best LBD and a killer pair of heels and then top it off with a bold red lip and a bejeweled clutch. And remember, it’s all about confidence and class with a heaping helping of personality when you’re strutting your stuff in your evening attire, honey.

Take Notes:

Having a notepad and a pen on you is a must. Keeping track of the films that you saw during your whirlwind of a day is vastly important when it comes to networking and the post film Q & A sessions. Write down your likes and dislikes, questions that you had throughout the screening, and important themes that you picked up on during the movie. All of your thoughts will make excellent conversation starters at the refreshment stand or while hanging around for the next film to start. Not only that, but surely you will want to remember such an exciting day, anyways, and jotting down notes throughout your experience is a great way to keep your memories fresh.

Tearjerker Tissues:

Alright, let’s get one thing straight: Literally no one wants to hear you with the sniffles after ugly crying when the handsome lead bites the dust, Linda. Do us all a favor and bring a travel tissue packet. THANKS!! (This goes for everyone – not just Linda!!)

A Good Attitude:

Are you going to love every film that you see? No. But raving negativity after the film ends is certainly frowned upon in such an esteemed setting. Differing opinions are fine, but voice your love or distaste appropriately. The movie that you hated could be the favorite film of the person sitting beside you. An appreciation for film in general and the time, money, and talent that’s involved in that world goes a long way during your chats in line at the ladies, the refreshment booth, or the post film Q & A. Remember that you’re in a professional environment and showing respect is always going to be a do as you go about your day at the festival.
If you’ve never attended a film festival before, the Anthem Film Festival in Las Vegas is a great place to start! What are your film festival do’s and don’ts? What are a few of your favorite flicks? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Featured Image By: JoeyBLS Photography
Jun3

Summer Travels On A Budget

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Summer Travels On A Budget

Hello everyone and welcome to my darling friend, Amy’s, post for my Salute To Summer guest bloggers series. Amy is the author of the blog, An Ambivert Lifestyle, and it is AMAZING so definitely take a look and give it all the love. As you guys know, my life motto is “ballin on a budget” so, naturally, Amy’s post about embracing a travel lifestyle while being smart with your cash speaks to me on a spiritual level. Take a look at Amy’s how to guide on how to make the most of your moolah on your summer vaca:

Summer Travels On A Budget

Traveling isn’t an easy task. Planning and preparing for the trip is one of the most stressful things that you can do to yourself. From working more hours and skipping nights out to save up to unexpected costs before your trip also contributes to this stress. Personally, as a full-time student and a full-time employee, it is extremely hard, but I have a few tricks up my sleeve to traveling on a budget and finding great deals. Being a college student and a frugal spender, I like to explore deals on flights on the internet, books, personal experience, and word of mouth.

Finding Deals on Flights

  • Student Universe – This company provides less expensive flights for students. They work with 80+ airlines to get cheaper flights listed than anywhere else. This site is truly magical. Not only do they provide deals on flights, but they also offer deals on tours, hotels, and group travel. For members, they provide even more deals for special rates.
  • Private Browsing – This is super important! Whenever you are searching for flights, go on “Private Browsing” on whatever internet browser you use. Airline companies pay big money to know what consumers are searching, so if you visited a certain flight over and over again, they increase prices so you can buy faster.
  • Skyscanner – This helps you scan flights of your choosing through all the different airline companies. You can also see prices on different dates, as well, for convenience.
  • Booking flights on Wednesdays! – This is such an easy trick. Almost all of the time, flights will be consistently lower than the rest of the weekdays since they consider this day to have the most amount of seats available, so prices are lowered to fill the planes.
  • Check social medias and your email! – Usually, airline companies will email deals and promo codes for flights for a period of time. These have saved my bacon many times.
  • Get a refund! – No, really! If you purchased a ticket and the fare has dropped since you bought it, call/email them to ask for a refund for the difference. It may not always work, but the fact that it has worked with certain airline companies is amazing! Websites such as Yapta and Orbitz track your purchased flights and let you know. Easy.
  • Champ through several stop flights – It isn’t easy and most of the time it isn’t fun. The majority of the time these stops are red eyes. It sucks, but being able to spend a couple hundred dollars to be able to buy that souvenir for you girlfriend’s cousin’s mom is worth it. Just make sure you pack a couple of books to beat boredom or play online games while you wait. If you are a fan of casino style games, look into some blackout bingo reviews because it’s a fun game to pass the time with.
  • Airfare Errors – This is your best friend. Websites such as AirFare Watchdog and Secret Flying can be used to allow you to beat the system and stalk for mistake fares.

While Traveling Do’s

  • Research ahead of time – If you travel to a foreign land, it’s best that you research where you want to go first instead of winging it. I have spent so much more money than expected when I have winged it.
  • Look up places that do not charge admission – You’d be surprised at how many museums do not charge admission fees throughout the world. I always do this when I go on vacations because it gives you something to do that’s fun, while keeping money in your pocket.
  • Foreign Exchange at your bank – Some people don’t know this but some banks will actually let you exchange currencies right there. Sometimes the rates are cheaper than when you’re traveling and it’s convenient to have the currency of the destination before you even get off of the plane.
  • Carry cash & don’t use your card – Having a fixed amount of cash on you helps BIG time with budgeting on a day-by-day vacation. It helps you not over spend and prevents binging on those miniature Eiffel Towers or flower shaped gelato. Plus, if you use your card, chances are that your bank will charge you an international fee.

Places to Stay Without Breaking the Bank

  • Air BnB – This is already a given, but I love them so much that I had to put them on this list.
  • Hostel World – Hostels are the cheapest way to travel. You get to meet different people traveling that will probably become your international long term friend. Hostel World allows you to look up every single hostel in the area that you’re traveling to. You get to compare between different hostels, prices for a private room and dorms, and amenities. They have a Best Price Guarantee as well, so they will provide the cheapest rates for every hostel.
  • Home To Go – Not too many people know about this page. It’s a very user friendly site where you get to look up Bed and Breakfast type places. They provide last minute deals and discounts up to 75% off for their members for certain places.
  • Tripping – This is a sight that lets you look up vacation rentals, hostels, rooms for rent per night, hotels, etc. Similar to Air Bnb.

Extras

  • Lonely Planet – Unique site that provides travel books and videos about different countries and their activities such as beaches, food and drink, art and culture, and adventure travel. They also provide services such as travel insurance, adventure tours, car rentals, flights, hotels, sightseeing tours, and airport transfers and shuttles. Another perk of this website is that they provide tips, as well.
  • Like A Local – This company is so great! This site allows you to be able to contact locals in the area that you’re traveling to be able to get suggestions, tips, and even ask to meet up. They provide suggestions for tours, food, nightlife, shopping, and sightseeing all at your fingertips. On top of that, you can also pay a local to be your tour guide for CHEAP. I’m going to be traveling to Munich at the end of May and a local posted that they charge 2 euros an hour to be your guide. I’m SHOOK. But it gets better, you are also able to download their phone app and purchase an offline, no internet, and no roaming charges map for $1.99 per city that can also use your GPS to locate where you are. If you’d like to be a guide as well in your home town, you can also sign up with them and be paid!

The most important part of traveling, of course, is that you have fun and enjoy! Only be on your phone to take pictures and make a new friend and take in every opportunity that you can to soak in and appreciate your new surroundings.

Wow! Thank you so much to Amy for such fantastic, invaluable tools to use while traveling on a budget. For more on Amy’s upcoming travels, be sure to check out her blog! How do you ball on a budget? Where are you traveling to this summer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah