This week was one of my favorite kinds of weeks – it was the kind of week where we booked flights!
After talking with my boss (it’s really tough to take time off in April), Michael and I booked a return trip to Mexico City for my thirtieth birthday. I’m ridiculously excited. As in, words on a computer screen can’t convey my excitement, so I won’t even try because it will be embarrassing. Instead, I’ll just link back to my previous posts in the hopes that it will give you an inkling of why I feel the way I do: Here was our previous itinerary, here’s a description of our night out at a Lucha Libre match, and here’s what we ate.
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We also impulse-booked a flight to a city I’ve never visited before, despite living (relatively) close by: New Orleans. Like Asheville (which we flew to) and Alabama (which we drove to), New Orleans is just on the cusp of what is driveable/flyable for us.
We’ve never gone though, because it would take more days than a standard two-day weekend for the time spent driving to be worth it. I tend to loosely monitor flights to the city, hoping to one day stumble on a good deal, perhaps leaving late Friday night and returning Sunday afternoon. So when Frontier offered a flight for $29 each way, we pounced.
The catch? It’s not Friday-Sunday. It’s a one-day trip. As in, we leave early Saturday morning and return late Saturday night. We’re not huge partiers, so missing the nightlife won’t kill us, and I’m very excited to give a one-day trip a shot. Plus, we’ll save on lodging and have Sunday to recover. (And if you have any favorite stops in the Big Easy, please share them with us!).
Other than planning two back-to-back trips, here’s what I’ve found online this week:
Travel
Better late than never: The best places to go in March.
We frequent Arcade Bars during our travels – here’s why they’re not allowed to be called the most sensible name: “Barcades.”
Have you heard of tap? This free app helps you find places nearby to fill up your cup or water bottle with local H2O. Now there’s no excuse to forget your water bottle!
Hey there, Gumshoe, Carmen Sandiego is back (no floppy disc required)! Google Earth is hosting a web-based version of the 90s kid’s game, so why not test how well you remember middle school geography?
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Food
Bon Appetit just released a recipe for Croque Monsieur (i.e., Michael’s favorite French dish of all time) on their Basically site. We’re fortunate to have a local spot that makes one as good as we’ve had in France, but I’m bookmarking this for the days they’re closed!
A stop at a panadería is a must when visiting Mexico, but I look forward to attempting these conchas at home sometime.
Eater just dropped their new site Eater Travel, compiling the best places to eat in a bunch of cities around the world. Do you agree with the recommendations in your city?
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Style
With the launch of its Innovation line, Swedish Stockings has just released the first 100% recycled tights. I’m all set for now, but as my current pairs begin to wear down, I plan on replacing them with the Lovisa and Maria styles.
As much as I love my Vejas and my Converse, I don’t always love wearing branded items. I’m heavily eyeing these Nisolo sneakers [save 20% with code WAYWARDBLOG] as a well-made, yet logo-free, alternative.
And speaking of sneakers, I appreciated David Lebovitz’s musings on “les baskets.”
Sale Alert!
- Jamie + the Jones is offering 20% off everything with promo code 20FORYOU. I own and love the Blank Canvas Top and the T-Top (you can spot them in some of my packing list posts!).
- Today only, you can take an additional 25% off all sale items over at ABLE with promo code SPRINGCLEANING. There are some great deals to be had, like these booties for $88.50 (down from $168), this cute cropped sweatshirt for $25.50 (originally $78), and this summery jumpsuit for $51 (regularly $118).
Things I bought this week
1. Button Down, Massimo Dutti
2. Floral Maxi Dress, Ali & Jay
3. Petra Jumpsuit, Known Supply
4. Linen Open Back Top, Cuyana
I did two things that I always say not to do: I bought an item with a specific trip in mind and I impulse-purchased because I found a good deal (insert face-palm emoji!). So how’d it work out?
Well, I placed an order for this jumpsuit from Known Supply after receiving an email advertising their new organic cotton collection. I clicked the link and pictured myself strolling through Mexico City in the morning in this comfortable jumpsuit and sneakers, perhaps with a tee underneath or a jacket on top, with a tamale in one hand and a cup of champurrado in the other. I received it yesterday and sadly will be returning it as the cut seems a bit off (the torso felt very short, even after adjusting the straps). I have to cover the cost of return shipping, but will submit a request for a return shipping refund through PayPal no longer offered, so ultimately I won’t have to absorb any costs (yay!).
The second order hasn’t arrived yet, so I can’t tell you for certain whether I’ve learned my lesson or not! I’d previously eyed this linen Cuyana top but held off on buying it new as it contains viscose (rayon) blended with the linen (though it’s made from wood pulp, the production process is heavily polluting). When I found it on Poshmark for a steal, I immediately added it to my bag. That’s not so bad, right? I saw an item I’d previously considered secondhand at a great price, and I bought it.
But then I got sucked into the “bundle and save” tactic, and also added in this button-down and this maxi dress for about ten dollars more, justifying that either a) they’ll fit perfectly and I can wear them on all of our trips and to work and to weddings or b) they might not work out and I can resell them and recoup my costs. So, we’ll see…
Have you ever made an impulse purchase that turned out to be the best thing ever?