Reflections

The Start of Something New(sletter) + A Giveaway!

Typewriter with the words "wayward news" on the paper

The start of the second half of the year seems like the perfect time to launch something new: the Wayward newsletter! Twice a month (give or take) subscribers will receive a list of the most recent posts, as well as links to interesting articles around the web, personal travel stories, and the occasional sale roundup. …

Home, Journal

Journal | 6.29.19

Happy Saturday (or rather, #Caturday, as we’re headed over to my parents’ house later today to cat-sit for their two new kittens)! It’s been a blissfully-unexciting week around here, and Michael and I are soaking it in. I don’t even imagine we’ll feel the Sunday Scaries tomorrow, as we’re only working three days this week …

Destinations, Minnesota, Packing Lists, Style, Travel, USA

Traveling Light: A Carry-On Packing List for Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Minnesota

A pile of clothes on the bed

I can’t tell you how much of a relief it was to pack for the Twin Cities. With a record-breaking heat wave at home (we were already in triple-digit temperatures in May), the forecast in Minnesota (highs in the 70s, lows in the 50s) looked absolutely dreamy. Looking for more packing list inspiration? Discover what’s …

Travel, Travel Products, Wish Lists and Gift Ideas

Summer Travel Style Wish List

Palm trees in Miami

Happy Summer! Weather-wise it’s felt like summer here since, oh, April or so – but now that the kids are out of school and the college students have returned to their hometowns for the next few months, my city has thinned out and I’m finally getting to enjoy a slower pace of life. This post …

Destinations, Minnesota, Travel, USA

The Essential Weekend Travel Guide for Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota

Alyssa standing on a bridge with downtown minneapolis in the background

The Twin Cities have been on my list for a really long time. The art, fashion, and food scenes are thriving and the ease of access to nature within the metro area is utterly appealing (in fact, I warned Michael before we visited to watch out – we might just leave with a desire to …

Home Try On + In-Depth Style Reviews, Style, Travel, Travel Products

Home Try-On: Three Packable Straw Hats Under $100

Alyssa is wearing a white linen tee and light blue jeans and is holding a straw hat. The image is closely cropped on her hand and legs.

The Quest: Find a stunning hat for summer. The catch? It has to be able to bounce back after 24 hours of being crammed into my travel bag. For some background: I’ve never really been what you’d call a “hat person.” I don’t like losing my peripheral vision or having to deal with the awkward …

Destinations, Louisiana, Travel, USA

Cajun Country: A Day Trip Travel Guide for Lafayette, Louisiana

A house in Vermilionville

One glance at the city of Lafayette’s name (and its former name, Vermilionville), and you’ll know you’re in Cajun Country. Despite being Louisiana’s fourth-largest city, I confess that I could not have located Lafayette on a blank map of the state before we booked our trip. So how did I end up there? Well, a …