Category: USA

Destinations, Florida, Travel, USA

The Gulf Coast’s Cultural Haven: A Day Trip Guide to St. Petersburg, Florida

Boats bob along in a marina in St. Petersburg, FL

At the start of the year, Michael and I resolved to visit one Florida destination each month. After a year of fun trips, we still felt like we barely scratched the surface of all the Sunshine State has to offer, and trying to choose the twelfth and final Florida destination for our monthly trips was …

Destinations, Florida, Style, Travel, USA

A Bit of France in Florida: Attending the Pétanque Amelia Island Open

standing under petanque sign

I first encountered the sport Pétanque (also called Boules) when I was researching for my very first trip to France back in 2014. Upon arrival, I witnessed the cutthroat nature and unshakeable camaraderie of the players Michael and I saw in the parks of Paris and so were inspired to attend the largest tournament in …

Destinations, Florida, Travel, USA

Small-Town Florida: A Day Trip to Mount Dora

Alyssa stands in the Modernism Museum in Mount Dora

You could say Mount Dora lives up to its “festival city” nickname, with so many events on the calendar. And indeed, a festival is how Michael and I found ourselves in the city one beautiful October morning as part of our mission to visit a different Florida destination each month. The Mount Dora Craft Fair …

Colorado, Destinations, Packing Lists, Style, Travel, USA

Traveling Light: An Autumn Packing List for Denver, Colorado

Pants, a necklace, a watch, and a cosmetic bag in a flatlay

In the days leading up to my trip to Denver, I put a call out on Instagram for cold-weather dressing tips because the forecast looked bleak. You guys really pulled through and I was prepared with my warmest clothes. This post contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a …

Colorado, Destinations, Travel, USA

A Perfect Holiday Weekend Itinerary for Denver, Colorado

A view of downtown Denver from City Park

When our families’ plans changed for the Thanksgiving weekend, Michael and I had to make a change to ours, too—and naturally, we took it as an opportunity to travel. With just a few days’ notice before the long weekend, we were left with limited options for flights in our price range and at times that …

Destinations, Florida, Style, Travel, USA

Miami Beach Photo Diary

Alyssa walks along Miami Beach

My “year of Florida travels” continues! …sort of. Michael and I savored our only weekend at home during the month of September, which meant we needed to squeeze another Florida destination somewhere else on the calendar. Thankfully our flight to Europe was booked out of Miami, and who am I to deny these perfectly-aligned circumstances? …

Destinations, Florida, Travel, USA

Wild Florida: Tubing on a Natural Lazy River at Ichetucknee Springs State Park

Alyssa tubes along the Ichetucknee River

Ichetucknee. Most children in North Florida know how to pronounce this word long before they can read, as tubing the crystal-clear river is a rite of passage in this part of the state. Crowds flock to this natural spring and river during the summer months to take a break from Florida’s intense heat. Depending on …

Destinations, Missouri, Packing Lists, Style, Travel, USA

Traveling Light: A Summer Packing List for St. Louis, Missouri

A graphic with a photo of the St. Louis Arch with text overlay that reads "Packing List: St. Louis, MO"

Sharing everything I packed in my carry-on for a weekend in St. Louis, Missouri Well, Michael and I finally made it to St. Louis, Missouri, and we did so in celebration of our tenth dating anniversary at that. With just shy of thirty-six hours in the city we had no excuse but to pack lightly—which …

Destinations, Missouri, Travel, USA

Travel Guide: 36 Hours in St. Louis, Missouri

Alyssa looks up at the St. Louis Arch

Ah, St. Louis, Missouri (also known as The Gateway City). It’s a place that has been on my travel list for quite some time, yet Michael and I didn’t solidify our plans to visit until less than a week before departure. In fact, we weren’t even planning to be in the Midwest that particular weekend—we …

Destinations, Florida, Packing Lists, Style, Travel, USA

Traveling Light: A Packing List for Jacksonville, Florida

Downtown Jacksonville from Fuller Warren Bridge at Night

On Monday I shared how Michael and I spent a weekend in Jacksonville, Florida, and today I’ll share my packing list for the weekend away. As a refresher, this trip took place over a weekend in July (i.e. smack-dab in the middle of the hot, sticky, sweaty Florida summer) and included a trip to the …