The Best Things to Do in Sayulita, Mexico – a Fabulous Bohemian Beach Town
When we knew we were headed to the west coast of Mexico for an intergenerational spring break trip, I knew there were things to do in Sayulita, Mexico that I
5 Awesome Dessert Recipes (including an original chocolate cake)
As I’ve aged, I have come to appreciate baking much more. While I honestly don’t eat a lot of sweets, the creativity of baking is fun. There is also much
Top Things to Do in La Fortuna & Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica- And What You Can Skip
When deciding what things to do in La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano area in Costa Rica, I, of course, turned to travel blogs and articles. Personal recommendations and reading
15 Easter Basket Ideas for Teens & Tweens You Still Have Time to Get
As a follow-up to one of our most popular posts years ago, we’re sharing Easter basket ideas for teens and tweens you still have time to get. We are staring
Hiking Valley of Fire in Nevada – How To Spend One Day in This Park
During our (surprisingly amazing) trip to Vegas earlier this year, we had one day to spend in Valley of Fire State Park. This was, by far, my favorite day of
What to do in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica – Pura Vida Living!
I am not sure the world needs one more blog post on what to do in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. But here I am. Unafraid to share my own opinions
7 Things I Learned Wearing a Fitness Watch: Is it a Good Idea to Wear One?
For years, I was against wearing a fitness watch of any kind. I kept saying to anyone who would listen (and there weren’t many), “I don’t need a glorified pedometer!”
Best Things to Do in Stowe, VT in the Winter
“Everything here is just so cute,” my brother said. “I am sorry, but that’s just the best word for it.” And that is what a trip to Stowe feels like:
It’s Okay to Say No: A Book Review of “Hands Free Mama”
This post was originally published on another site, but I resharing it here as I think it is such a valuable conversation. Note: There are some affiliate links below. This
Best Things to do in Las Vegas That Aren’t Gambling
This is an article about taking a risk. It is an ode to the surprise that Vegas is. It is an invitation to create your own trip, wherever you go.
10 Things to Know About a Mud Run & Why They Are So Much Fun!
Somehow, I had committed to a mud run (Step Up For Soldiers). I am not really a runner. The first 5k I did was with my friend Sarah to get
Visiting Letchworth State Park in New York (“Grand Canyon of the East?”)
On our Road Warrior Trip (hauling our pop-up camper and making our way from Virginia up to Niagara Falls – and all the way back again!), we stopped at Letchworth State Park
What to Know About Visiting Costa Rica & How to Plan the Perfect Itinerary
It’s been pretty rare that I return to a country to vacation. With so many places to be discovered, I am always ready to explore the next place. But visiting
Is Massanutten or Wintergreen Better Virginia Skiing for Families?
It’s no secret that we love living in Charlottesville, Virginia. One thing we take advantage of? We are close to two different ski resorts. People often debate, too, which is
6 Things That Worked for Me Last Year
Inspired by Everyday Reading, I decided to get a little personal today and talk about what worked in 2023. Years ago, when I was a successful freelance writer, I learned
Best Books (I Read) in 2023
It’s my favorite time of the year: the annual round-up of the best books I read over the year! In 2023, I read over 60 books. I haven’t seen those
8 Things to Do in Chicago: How to Spend an Awesome Weekend in the Windy City
When I was lucky enough to head to a work conference solo (which I know how to rock), I wanted to also take my own advice and use the opportunity
How to Kayak a Glacier Lagoon in Iceland: A Top Iceland Experience!
It is impossible to understand, deep down, that the places we visit will never be the same again. As tourists, we take our snapshots and that’s how the place stays:
How to Have an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
This is a throwback post, which seems right as it celebrates a throwback party: The Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. Years ago, we had the honor of hosting a kid-friendly holiday
Are Kids “Worth” It? A Book Review on All Joy and No Fun
Many moons ago according to my Goodreads, I devoured the newly released book All Joy and No Fun: The Paradox of Modern Parenthood by Jennifer Senior. While at the time, I didn’t
About Watkins Glen, New York (It’s GORGEous!)
Watkins Glen State Park is where things went off the rails for us on our Road Warrior Trip (quite literally). Pulling in after a long drive from Gettysburg National Battlefield,
Things to do in Steamboat Springs, CO in the Winter (& Tips to Ski Steamboat Springs)
My winter visit to Steamboat Springs, CO was filled with lots of phrases like “best outdoor activity yet,” “my favorite yet,” and “absolutely wonderful.” There are so many things to
Hiking on a Glacier in Iceland – Walking on Vatnajokull in Skaftafell
This is a hard post to write. Hiking on a glacier in Iceland, hiking on “Europe’s largest glacier,” was a remarkable and unforgettable experience for me. As far as the
10 Ways to Prepare NOW for the Holiday Season
It might seem a little crazy to start planning for Christmas now. But I know if I spend time doing things that help me prepare for the holiday season now,
10 Things to Know about Skiing Snowshoe Resort, West Virginia – and other fun family adventures!
I love to ski. I have been to Snowshoe Resort, West Virginia quite a few times, including with the kids. It has been the largest ski resort within driving distance
Visiting Gettysburg National Battlefield: All the Tips You Need Because it is BIG!
We’ve revealed that the ultimate destination of our Road Warrior Trip was Niagara Falls, but our first stop was the Gettysburg National Battlefield. This place is HUGE, so I thought
What to See & Things to Do in Niagara Falls (Go to the Canadian Side!)
Our Road Warrior Trip had one epic goal: to see Niagara Falls. Is Niagara Falls the tallest waterfall in the world? No. Is it the “biggest?” Also, no. But it
Tips for Visiting Hersheypark, PA (with a review of the Hersheypark campground!)
On our late-summer Road Warrior Trip, pulling Shirley Jean all the way from the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia to the Canadian/NY border, our last stop was Hersheypark, PA. While
An Organized Art / Homework Station & 40+ Great Art Supplies and Kits for Kids
I don’t share much by way of home design, styling, or our renovations. I love unleashing my creativity on our home, but nothing ever feels finished. Additionally, most of the
Hiking Glymur Waterfall in Iceland: What to Know
“I am not going to be dramatic about this or make a big deal out of this, but this is as far as I want to go. You can continue
Classic Cocktail Hour: How to Make the Best Gin & Tonic
The gin & tonic drink is a summer classic, but there are some tips and tricks to making it the best ever. This drink, when made right, has all the
Things to do in Reykjavik, Iceland: The Best Tours, Things to See, and Places to Go!
We don’t really love big cities, Mr. Family Trip and I. We love seeing them, we love experiencing them, but after a few days, we’re usually ready to see land
A Perfect Night with an Oontz Beat: What We Miss As Parents
I wanted to roll in this night, live in it forever. The cooling saffron air, teasing my pallet with the first hint of fall, was lapping my newly styled hair
What to Know About Camping and Campervan Rentals in Iceland
We’re campers – we love camping, living outside, exploring nature. We bought a pop-up years ago and haven’t looked back. Yet camping in a different country was a totally new
An 8-Day Itinerary of Iceland: The Ultimate “Best of” Iceland
Iceland: the land of fire and ice. It is a place popular right now with tourists (particularly Americans) and for a lot of great reasons. What appealed to us? Low
Easy Ways to Love and Create More Peace in Your Life
This article was originally shared on a different site, but I still find the thoughts relevant to today’s world, so thought I’d take a moment to refresh it and share
The Best Travel Books to Read (Including Travel Book Classics and Newer Releases)
I read a lot – and by nature I read a lot of travel books. There are so many great travel books out there and many get overlooked. Below are
Yogaville in Virginia: All About it, The Bizarre History, and What a Retreat is Like Today
The Christmas before COVID, my parents gifted me a certificate to stay at Yogaville in Virginia. A large ashram located just an hour outside of Charlottesville, in Buckingham, the idea
101 Things To Do in Charlottesville, VA
We love living in Charlottesville, VA and raising our kids here! There are so many things to do. And while Charlottesville is small enough to feel comfortable and easy to
Visiting Congaree National Park: Which Parks are “Worth” it?
It’s not the most glamorous national park. While people fly across the country to visit Redwood and Arches, visiting Congaree National Park doesn’t have the same allure. The numbers tell
Why I Sleep with the Window Open (An Essay on Motherhood)
I get so tired of the whir of our nebulizer. I have spent countless hours, countless minutes, getting a secondhand inhalation of albuterol. Of course, the need to apply the
What to See & Do in Antigua Guatemala: A Quick Guide (with Lots of Pictures)
Antigua Guatemala was full of surprises, texture, warmth, and rest for Mr. Family Trip and me. This UNESCO world heritage city is small – with under 50,000 residents and the
Top 5 Things to do in Puerto Rico: The Easiest Caribbean Vacation You Haven’t Taken
I’ve been to Puerto Rico twice. But the first time I wore my Lollapalooza T-shirt the entire time and had my nose buried in my required Norton Anthology reading for
How to Start – and Keep – a Hobby
As busy parents, it is easy to allow the time we set aside for ourselves be the first thing to slip away. But time for ourselves can be the most
Ring of Kerry or Dingle Peninsula? Here’s Why We Did the Dingle Peninsula Drive
When planning a trip to Ireland, there is one big question every visitor has to answer: the Ring of Kerry or the Dingle Peninsula? These two beautiful circuit drives around
Visiting the Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs, CO
When my siblings and I went to Colorado to ski Steamboat Springs, I knew part of my trip would involve soaking my ski-weary legs in a natural hot spring. Before
How to Spend a Day in Killarney, Ireland & Killarney National Park
If ever there was a town that bewitched us with its magical charm, Killarney would be it. After days of traveling to other spots in Ireland, including the big city,
My Favorite Go-To Cookbooks (The 5 Cookbooks You Should Own)
Cooking and meal preparation doesn’t have to be hard or complicated. I think that easy meals are lovely, I think meal planning helps a lot, and I also think that
Are the Florida Keys a Good Family Vacation Spot?
Ah, the Florida Keys, the legend of Buffet songs, and the promise of a lazy day. Sun and sand and clear waters tease our imagination when we think of the
How to (and why) Go on a Solo “Mini”Retreat
Quiet. That was all I wanted – literal quiet. When you are a mom, in a busy life with a busy home, there is much to be grateful for. But