Category: Style

Destinations, Massachusetts, Packing Lists, Style, Travel, USA

Traveling Light: A Winter Packing List for a Weekend in Boston

Alyssa wears all black with a camel coat

Opening up my suitcase—err, backpack—and sharing everything I packed for a weekend in Boston. Although I’ve always considered myself a “weekend travel blogger,” I suspect this year was the one where I truly took the most true “weekend” trips of all, departing on Saturday and returning on Sunday (in the past, I’d say I probably …

Charlotte, Home Try On + In-Depth Style Reviews, Style

US on Tour: My Experience Attending a Local Styling Session with Universal Standard

A sign on a house mailbox instructing attendees of US on Tour to ring the bell when they arrive

At the start of a week in mid-December, an intriguing email landed in my inbox from Universal Standard: “We’re bringing back in-person shopping (with a twist) so you can see, touch, fit, and feel just-launched and best-selling pieces with the help of our styling team. We’ll be coming with a brand new collection of styles, …

Charlotte, Destinations, North Carolina, Style, Travel, USA

Shop Local: 10 Charlotte Shops You Should Add to Your List

A Charlotte store with clothing and accessories

I frequently highlight small businesses in my travel guides, so I figured it’s finally time to share some of my home city’s best local shops and boutiques! Charlotte is home to nearly every major retailer (although, famously, not Zara)—but those shops receive enough attention as it is, so this post isn’t going to be about …

Destinations, Packing Lists, Pennsylvania, Style, Travel, USA

Traveling Light: A Backpack Packing List for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Alyssa wears an all black outfit on a sidewalk in Philadelphia

Revealing everything I packed in my backpack for a weekend flyaway trip to Philadelphia For better or for worse, the number of personal item packing list posts on this blog has grown significantly this year. This is largely due to the fact that I fly more budget carriers like Spirit or Frontier than I used …

Home, Style, Travel, Travel Products, Wish Lists and Gift Ideas

2023 Holiday Gift Guide: Budget Gifts Under $25

A collage of budget gifts under $25

This guide is always such a treat to assemble. Why? Because it grows more and more challenging as the years progress and costs rise. This post contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking one of these links (at no additional cost to you!). Thank you …

Home, Style, Travel, Travel Products

2023 Holiday Gift Guide: Little Luxury Gifts

A collage of items in the luxury gift guide

Sharing a curated selection of “luxe” gifts for this holiday season. Historically this gift guide has always had quotes in the title, and I’m continuing that tradition today. This post contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking one of these links (at no additional cost …

Style, Travel, Travel Products, Wish Lists and Gift Ideas

2023 Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for Kids and Teens

A collage of gifts for kids and teens for the 2023 holidays

Rounding up a few delightful + practical gifts for kids and teens on the go. Although Michael and I don’t have kids of our own, in many ways it almost feels like we do because we are in fact frequently surrounded by them. As the cool, traveling aunt and uncle (sometimes real, sometimes honorary), it’s …

Style, Travel, Travel Products, Wish Lists and Gift Ideas

2023 Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for Him

What is it with men’s gift guides? Like, men only like whiskey, cigars, and ties… That’s it? Our loved ones deserve better, so today I’m bringing you a highly curated selection of travel gear and garments for all relations at all price points – without a whiskey rock or paisley tie in sight. This post …

Style, Travel, Travel Products, Wish Lists and Gift Ideas

2023 Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for Her

A collage of travel and style items for women for the 2023 winter holidays

According to all of the blogging websites, I should have started posting my gift guides back in October, making publishing this guide on *checks notes* November 26 way, way too late. Sure, delaying these guides until now is a hit to my wallet (affiliate links are how I primarily fund the costs of running this …

Charlotte, Home, North Carolina, Style, Travel, Travel Products, USA, Wish Lists and Gift Ideas

2023 Holiday Gift Guide: Local Gifts from North Carolina

A collage of gifts from North Carolina makers

Happy Small Business Saturday, friends! As has become a tradition around here, I’m thrilled to share a curated guide of local gifts from my current home state in honor of this day. Today’s carefully edited list features a variety of unique and beautifully made items that support North Carolina artists and makers that you should …