It’s a beautiful day!
(I mean, any day we book a flight is suddenly brighter).
Our anniversary is next month (we’ve been dating for eleven years, which totally boggles my mind), and as always, Michael and I are skipping any gifts in favor of taking a trip. When searching for fares, we found great deals to some of our favorite destinations, like Mexico City, New York, and Austin, but we decided that we wanted to get to know somewhere new instead.
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Cartagena is only three hours from Orlando, and though we spent a bit more on flights than we would for a domestic destination ($300 each), we should find ourselves saving elsewhere, like lodging. And of course, we booked it on Michael’s Chase card in case anything goes awry.
The one thing I anticipate will be different about this trip than say, traveling to Europe, is that I’ll purchase the daily travel plan for my phone (my plan includes access to data/talk/text in Canada and Mexico, but nowhere else).
So! Other than ordering plane tickets late at night (*ahem* with the help of a couple of drinks), here’s what I’ve been reading this week:
Travel
Kellie shares her tips for traveling with a carry-on and Alyssa shares the six things she always packs (site closed). On the flip side, this author makes the case for packing your suitcase irresponsibly (site closed).
While these “4 easy plane snacks” look a little more time-consuming and heartier than I would classify as easy and snack, they definitely look healthy and delicious!
An easy rideshare safety tip we should all be implementing.
The challenges of reducing plastic on airplanes.
Previously… Two years ago I shared that we were moving (which is timely, because we’re about to start searching for alternatives to our month-to-month lease!) and how we travel the way we do. Last year I shared tips for saving for trips and a roundup of summer travel shoes.
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Life & Home
A behind-the-scenes look at the weird world of stock photography.
Tips for shopping for scratch & dent furniture.
What a week’s worth of plastic looks like around the world.
The Luxe Strategist shares how to elevate a $15 stool.
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Food
Headed to (or living in) NYC? Here are 100 suggestions for where to eat/drink from Bon Appetit, no matter the situation.
Eater updated their list of the 38 Essential Restaurants in Mexico City, and I. want. to. go. back.
Tomorrow is le 14 juillet, and every year we make a different croque monsieur recipe. This year I think we’ll try Ina’s but on bread from our local French bakery.
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Style
Geneva shares five tips for shopping consciously online (with a great visual fabric guide!).
The ethical guide to dressing like a Parisienne.
What’s cool and what’s not (according to teens).
Things I bought this week
clockwise, top left | olive linen shorts* | orange linen jumpsuit* | patterned linen shorts* | striped jumpsuit* |
I know, right? Just last week I stated that I wanted to save money and would be spending less, yet here we are. In all that I’ve read so far about Cartagena, there was not a single person who failed to mention the heat, and my wardrobe is seriously lacking in linen bottoms.
I started my search on Poshmark, but the lack of the ability to return items makes me hesitant to order things if I’m unsure of fit. On a whim, I checked out the Lou & Grey site, and they just happened to be holding a sale. Shorts were half-off, and sale items were an extra 50% off as well. I was careful to select items that are not final sale and checked out with PayPal to take advantage of their return shipping refund (no longer available) if needed.
I don’t anticipate buying much specifically for this trip, but I am interested in having a few items in my wardrobe appropriate for more tropical destinations. The only other things I think I’ll pick up are sandals to replace my ones from ABLE that are starting to tear (I’d order them again in a heartbeat if they carried them in the same color I originally purchased) and a pair of linen pants. And who knows? Perhaps I’ll bust out my sewing machine and attempt a linen dress…
If you were heading to a tropical destination tomorrow, would you be ready?