Author: Alyssa

Travel, Travel Tips

How to Pack Faster

Alyssa tosses a packing cube into the air

I used to dread packing for a trip. Instead of a sense of excitement (I’m going on a trip! I get to do fun, travely things!), I found myself experiencing a slew of other emotions like frustration, confusion, and anxiety. It would take me forever to figure out what I wanted to bring, and then …

Destinations, Illinois, Packing Lists, Style, Travel, USA

Traveling Light: Essential Packing List for Chicago (in a backpack!)

Alyssa wears all black and stands in front of the bean

I was devastated when I saw the forecast for Chicago. (That’s a bit of an overstatement, but I’m okay with that). After a few weeks of delightful weather in Charlotte, we were headed North to Chicago, which hadn’t quite gotten the memo that spring had arrived. Snowflake and raindrop icons appeared on my phone’s screen, …

Destinations, Illinois, Travel, USA

36 Hours in Downtown Chicago Travel Guide

Much like most of my other travel guides, this one begins with a cheap flight. Poking around Google Flights one evening (as I’m often prone to do after a glass of wine…) revealed an inexpensive roundtrip flight from Greensboro to O’Hare – departing early one Saturday morning and returning late the following evening. Driving to …

Home Try On + In-Depth Style Reviews, Style

Quince Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater Dress Review

A black cashmere dress hangs on a peg rack

I know that it’s technically spring, but I still have some cool weather dressing on my mind as we get ready to travel to some Northern destinations over the next month. Fueled by the success of my recent Quince sweaters and silk slip dress purchases, my curiosity about the brand’s cashmere dresses recently got the …

Destinations, North Carolina, Packing Lists, Style, Travel, USA

Traveling Light: A Packing List for Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Alyssa wears a dress with a sweater on top in Winston-Salem

After every trip, I like to crack open my suitcase and share everything I packed for a recent weekend away. Today I’m sharing what I packed for three days in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In mid-March, Michael and I spent a lovely weekend in Winston-Salem: a charming city with two names and more historical firsts than …

Destinations, North Carolina, Travel, USA

Double the Delight: A Perfect Weekend Travel Guide for Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Alyssa stands in front of Reynolda House

In conjunction with my goal to get back in the air every month, I’m also making the time to explore my home region more deeply this year (there are four weekends in a month, after all!). A late spring opportunity to explore Winston-Salem simply couldn’t be missed – and because it’s so close to Charlotte, …

Home Try On + In-Depth Style Reviews, Style

A BIG Review of Universal Standard Denim (Updated for 2024)

Alyssa wears a pair of Universal Standard jeans

What clothing category do you find is the most challenging to shop for? Wait, wait, don’t tell me – let me guess: Is it denim? (It’s probably denim). At least, that’s always the category I struggle with most, and the one I seem to hear the most grumbling about. Jeans are almost always too short, …

Home Try On + In-Depth Style Reviews, Style

Springtime Flowers: A Review of the Flora Collection from GLDN

Alyssa holds a small bouquet of flowers while wearing jewelry from GLDN and is halfway out of frame

It’s finally here – happy spring, friends! I’m holding a little personal celebration for the season over here, and for so many reasons: it’s my favorite time of the year to travel (great weather! Cheaper fares!), it’s my birthday season, and the changing landscape around me is a constant reminder that each day is a …

Destinations, New York, Packing Lists, Style, Travel, USA

Traveling Light: New York City Winter Packing List

Alyssa stands on a street in SoHo in a Swiss dot top, black pants, and black boots

This is the second NYC packing list in the history of this blog – the first was way back in the fall of 2017 when skinny jeans were de rigueur and my Vejas were brand new (wow, look how bright and clean they were!). While my style has shifted some over the years, my love …

Destinations, New York, Travel, USA

36 Hours in NYC: Lower Manhattan

Alyssa stands in a barricaded street in NYC

I can’t believe it’s been more than five years since I stepped foot in NYC (well, I guess given the events of the last few years I technically can believe it – but considering Michael and I used to visit the city two or three times a year, it still feels strange). A relatively inexpensive …