My 2018 Travel Plans

The new year is right has officially started and that means a whole entire year filled with endless travel opportunities! Because of my work schedule and different family obligations throughout the year, I try to plan my entire year's worth of travel at the beginning of the year just so I can properly allocate my time and money. Obviously, I have the spontaneous small trip here and there, but for the most part my bigger trips are set. This way I can take full advantage of any holidays and use my limited paid time off days to the fullest. People are always asking me how I travel so much and still have a full time job. This is my secret! I plan everything way in advance, utilize my vacation days wisely, and combine travel plans with holidays and weekends. While travel plans can change (life happens) throughout the year, at least I have an idea of what my goals are for the year.

My new year's resolution is the same every year- to travel to at least 3 foreign countries. I've been very lucky to be able to have accomplished this for the past 4 years. In 2016 I did a small tour of Europe so I hit 7 total countries during the year- Vietnam, Canada, the Netherlands, France, Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria. For 2017, I actually went to a total of 4 countries- United Kingdom, India, China, and Canada. I hope 2018 is no different and I can visit at least 3 countries successfully! Obviously nothing besides my January and Feburary plans are set in stone yet, but here is a sneak peak of the travel blog posts you can hopefully look forward to reading about.  Also, these are the trips that I'm about 90-100% sure that I will be taking, but there are defintiely going to be more trips than the ones listed here happening.

January

Quebec City, Canada- The plan is to visit my first foreign country early on! I've always wanted to try dog sledding and I've heard that Quebec City is one of the best places to do it.

Austin, Texas- Back to my good ole' college town I go! Since I am on my sorority's National Board I will be attending our annual National Board retreat here. I can't wait to taste all the delicious barbecue and eat those spicy kimchi fries!

February

Atlanta, Georgia- After reuniting with my friend, Rita, in DC this past summer and having so much fun, I've been itching to go to Atlanta to visit her. Luckily, I get President's Day off which allows for a 3 day weekend and trip to the South.

March

Wilmington, Delaware- I've discovered the joys of car rental and will be going on a solo trip here the first weekend of March. Delaware is the perfect distance away from New York (2 hours) and will give me the chance to explore a different state, but still feel safe. I haven't done a solo trip since Vienna, Austria in 2016 so I'm excited to be by myself and see everything I want to see on my own time.

April

Philadelphia, Pennslyvania- A sorority sister is getting married here and one of my best friends is a bridesmaid, so I'm looking forward to the wedding! Philly is one of my favorite weekend trips to take because of all the history and food- I went there 4 times in 2017 alone.

Charleston, South Carolina- My friends and I have been talking about how beautiful Charleston would be in the spring and are seriously considering a trip down there for a weekend.

May

Miami, Florida- My best friend is (finally) graduating from Pharmacy school! To celebrate, we will be going to Miami and spending some quality time lying on the beach, drinking mai tais, and exploring the Cuban cuisine. We rarely get to see each other so this will be a good time to get a cute girl's trip in.

June

London, England- Although I had a brief stop in London this past year where I got to take photos with Buckingham Palace, it only ignited my thirst to see the city. I plan to spend a week here exploring the giant city and also taking day trips into the countryside to see Stonehenge and Oxford University. Afternoon tea is on my list too!

Galveston, Texas- My sister is having her white coat ceremony (she's going to be a physicians assistant!) and I wouldn't miss for the world.

July

Seattle, Washington- My best friend recently bought a house in Seattle and I've been itching to see it. The only thing that has kept me from visiting so far is the 6 hour cross country flight... but I think this will be the year I take the plunge and just go. He's completely enticed me with all the hiking and sushi!

Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts- The Junior League girls and I have been in discussion over when the best time would be to visit the glamorous Martha's Vineyard and get the chance to wear our Lilly Pulitzer dresses. We feel like a summery July time frame would be ideal.

August

Chicago, Illinois- I'll be heading back to the city of the shiny bean for our sorority's annual National Convention. Can't wait to be reunited with this gorgeous view and all my sisters.

New Orleans, Louisiana- My sorority sister, Bobbie, is getting married and asked me to be a bridesmaid last year. We'll be hitting up NOLA for her last vacay as a single lady!

September

Houston, Texas- Heading back home to Texas to host Bobbie's bridal shower!

October

Dripping Springs, Texas- I'll be reporting for bridesmaid duty in this cute little country town outside of Austin for Bobbie's wedding.

December

Singapore and Malaysia- I've been wanting to go to these two countries for the longest time, but the stars have never aligned for me. 2018 will be the year! I'm very excited to try out that famous infinity pool at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

Family Vacation- We haven't set a specific location yet, but our annual tradition of traveling for the holidays is back on. Taking recommendations for the perfect spot!

Where are you planning to travel next year? Any wishlist spots?

Blogmas Day 25- Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!! I can't believe its finally Christmas! I also can't believe I've been able to write and post for 25 days. I can tell you this Blogmas thing has been kind of draining and stressful (somedays there was just nothing to write about!), but overall it was the kind of experience I was looking for. I got to celebrate Christmas on my blog in my own way and now I have memories of how I spent the 25 days of Christmas in 2017. If you missed any days, links are below! Remember to stay warm and make lots of joyous memories today :) See you all in 2018!

Blogmas Day 1 - DIY Ornaments

Blogmas Day 2 - Miss Lily's Review

Blogmas Day 3 - 5 Restaurants with Parental Approval

Blogmas Day 4 - NYC Christmas Markets

Blogmas Day 5 - Postcards from Yankee Candle Popup Shop

Blogmas Day 6 - Kathleen's unique Gift Guide

 Blogmas Day 7 - Best Christmas Vacations

Blogmas Day 8 - Travel Lover's Gift Guide

Blogmas Day 9 - Five Tips to Packing the Optimal Carryon

Blogmas Day 10 - Ugly Sweater Season

Blogmas Day 11 - Maison Pickle Review

Blogmas Day 12 - Postcards from NY Botanical Gardens

Blogmas Day 13 - Top 5 NYC Eats

Blogmas Day 14 - NYC's Most Inventive Ice Cream Desserts

Blogmas Day 15 - Postcards from NYC Department Store Windows

Blogmas Day 16 - Rosemary's Review

Blogmas Day 17 - Dessert Potluck Ideas and Recipes 

Blogmas Day 18 - Chaan Teng Review

Blogmas Day 19 - Kathleen's Travel Bucket List

Blogmas Day 20 - Annabel's Review

Blogmas Day 21 - Tsurutotan Review

Blogmas Day 22 - The Butcher's Daughter Review

Blogmas Day 23 - Home for the Holidays + Thoughts on Reunions

Blogmas Day 24 - Christmas Eve in Texas + KDrama Recommendations

Blogmas Day 24- Christmas Eve in Texas + KDrama Recommendations

Its so nice to be back home in Texas with my family. Everytime I come back I feel like its just a huge break from the hustle and bustle of New York City and my busy life. I love living in NYC and wouldn't trade it for the world, but it can definitely sometimes be overwhelming and tiring. Having the opportunity to step away occasionally allows me to rejuvenate and refresh myself, and it honestly makes me appreciate my life even more. There isn't too much to do in my Houston suburb so I enjoy the simple things in life that I often overlook living in a big city- waking up later with no set agenda for the day, breakfast in bed, watching TV all day in pajamas.

I've been asked several times to do a post on my favorite Korean dramas since I'm always watching them. I've been addicted to Kdramas (and I'm not even Korean!) for years now ever since my mom introduced them to me senior year of high school. They differ from American TV shows in that they typically don't continue on past one season (there are a select few that do have a season two at most) and range anywhere from 12 to 100 episodes. The story lines are usually less sexualized and more dramatic. I personally enjoy the romantic comedies because the stories are always so cute and it allows me to step away from my own life for a few hours. If you haven't seen any, I highly recommend checking one out. Below are a few of my favorites!

My Girl- This was my very first Kdrama and it was life changing! It was funny and cute, but touching at the same time and the leads had amazing chemistry. The plot had lots of ups and downs, but I loved every single minute of it. This was the drama that started my addiction!

Goong- Every girl's secret dream is to fall in love with a prince and become a princess and this drama makes that dream come true! The drama also explores the inner workings of palace life and the intracacies that comes with being a member of the royal family.

City Hunter- To this day, City Hunter is one of my favorite dramas. The story line is revenge driven (a common theme), but the specifics are different and unique. The fight scenes were good and having an attractive male lead definitely helped too!

Boys Over Flowers- Sometimes this drama made me cringe over its cheesiness and over the top scenes, but I became so enthralled by the character's relationships and emotions. It's based on a pretty popular manga and remained mostly accurate. If you think having one attractive male actor was nice, imagine a team of 4 of them!

Queen Inhyun's Man- This drama was highly overlooked in my opinion, probably because it came out around the same time as another similar drama that had more a popular cast (Rooftop Prince). But to be honest, it shouldn't have! I was hooked on every episode and wouldn't leave the house for days until I finished. The story line isn't too unique (time traveling), but the lead actor and actress had some of the best on screen chemistry that I've ever seen. They went on to date as well :) 

My Love from Another Star- This was the drama that made chicken and beer insanely popular. It launched super fans from all over the world, including myself. The characters had such strong personalities and their Romeo and Juliet style love story was beautifully portrayed. If you're looking for laughs, this is a good one.

Mask- A thriller with a romantic twist. This drama sucked me in every step of the way. I actually felt emotionally invested in the characters' relationship. I can't say more otherwise I'll ruin the many twists and turns, but I highly recommend!

Ojakgyo Brothers- One of the best family dramas to ever come out, in my opinion. It won tons of awards the year it was released and catapulted its main actress, Uee, into drama stardom (she was a singer before). It portrays the family dynamics well and with so many characters, it was able to remain interesting throughout the 50 episodes.

School 2015- The School dramas is one that has reoccurring season, although the cast is usually different and the plots are never connected to previous seasons. The series has been going on for a while now and portrays students in different genres (1988, 2017, etc...). School 2015 casted an amazingly talented lead, Kim So Hyun, who had to play two characters and did such a great job. The story was intense and heart felt.

Blogmas Day 23- Home for the Holidays + Thoughts on Reunions

It is Day 23 of Blogmas! In other words, Christmas is almost here! I'm traveling back to Texas today to spend the holidays with my family and reunite with some old friends. Although I've had the chance to go home several times this year, nothing beats coming home for Christmas time and seeing the house brightly decorated, eating homecooked meals, playing with our 3 puppies, and doing crafts with my sister. Since my family is not traveling this holiday for the first time in a while, I'm excited to get to open presents under the tree on Christmas morning and drink tons of homemade hot chocolate. I'm bringing back a DIY photobooth I had created for my ugly sweater Christmas party and I can't wait to force my family members to take pictures with all the props!

Another bonus of being home for the holidays is getting to see some of my oldest friends again. I went to elementary, middle, and high schools with some of these people and I haven't seen many of them since graduating college 2 years ago. As soon as I get off the plane today I'll be having lunch with 3 of my high school besties. We live in Houston, Dallas, Detroit, and New York, but we've stayed in close contact over the years and followed each other's lives faithfully. I love reunions like these because it gives us the opportunity to catch up and pick up like we were never apart. I'm excited to hear about their many achievements in life (switching jobs, getting married, raising a puppy, moving) over some delicious food! Because I live all the way in New York and I don't get to see a lot of my old friends often I truly appreciate the opportunities I get to meet up with them (whether in New York or in Texas) since I'm able to understand the value of old friendships. While there will always be new friends, there is something special about having friends who knew you when you were growing up through all those awkward phases. We're able to reminice about embarrassing high school crushes, senior prom, and how hard academics were back then. It all makes me so nostalgic! Even though we lead different and separate lives now, I know we'll always be there for each other.

Do you guys have reunions with old friends?

Blogmas Day 19- Kathleen's Travel Bucket List

A new year means that new travel opportunities are just around the corner! I always have a long list (and I mean LONG) of all the places I want to visit and the experiences I want to have. There is never enough time or money for it all, but someday I hope I can do everything on my travel bucket list. Since I'm wallowing in a case of the travel bug right now (I have not been truly traveling since October), I thought I would share some of the items on my list. They aren't listed in any particular order since I really would like to go to all of them.

Iceland- There is a lot of hype around the famous green Northern Lights, but what I really want to go to Iceland for is to scuba dive between two techtonic plates. In other words, snap an insanely cool picture between two continents.

Abu Dhabi- Who doesn't want the opportunity to try drinking coffee with 24 carat gold flakes in it? Plus, I've never been to the Middle East and am very curious what it's like there.

Bermuda- This little island is only a 2 hour flight from New York and offers some pretty cool diving opportunities (shipwrecks) so its no surprise why I want to go here!

Galapagos Island- Blue footed birds and giant tortosies? You see why this island made my bucket list. Because no humans permanently reside here, the animals and their habitats are not disturbed by outside factors. The animals are suppose to be very approachable since they aren't afraid of people.

Alaskan Cruise- My family and I have wanted to take a cruise to Alaska for a while now. The gorgeous scenery is suppose to be uncomparable.

South Africa- One of my coworkers recently returned from a 2 week trip here and could not stop talking about her trip and the many safaris she was able to experience. I've never been to the African continent so its definitely on my list.

Salar de Uyni Salt Flats- Located in Bolivia, this salt flat is the largest in the world (there is actually one of a smaller size in Utah). Its a tad expensive and hard to reach, which is the only reason why I haven't gone here yet. Some of my friends went last year and their pictures looked AMAZING.

Hong by Starlight Kayaking Tour- This breathtaking kayaking tour takes place in Phuket, Thailand and lets you explore sea caves and paddle through some of the clearest water ever. Its been on my bucket list for the longest time and I'm desperately waiting for the chance to go to Thailand to try this.

Prince Edward Island- Ever since I was a little girl, I've been obsessed with the book, Anne of Green Gables. I wanted to have red hair and braids and wear gingham dresses so badly! This Canadian island is where the author, Lucy Maud Montegomery, based her novel off of since its her home town. There are lots of Anne themed attractions now, such as Avonlea where Anne lived. Coming here would be a nostalgic trip for sure.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park- Located in the middle of China, this Park was one of the filming locations for the movie, Avatar, and is beyond beautiful. We just don't have this type of scenery in America.

What places are on your bucket list?

Blogmas Day 9- Five Tips to Packing an Optimal Carry-on

So many airlines these days charge extra fees for a checked bags so budget conscious travelers like myself are forced to only use a carry on luggage instead. Plus, there's always the worry that the airline will lose your luggage (this has sadly happened to me before) or you'll have to wait forever for your bag to come out on the luggage carousel. But there are two main downsides to only using a carry on: needing more space (especially because the clothing for winter destinations tend to be thicker) and needing more than 3 oz worth of liquids (lotion, contact solution, etc...). I’ve compiled this list of tips I’ve learned over the years to help with these carry on luggage concerns.

1. Roll your clothes up instead of folding them - This helps save a lot of space in your suitcase because it essentially makes your clothes as tiny as possible. Packing in an organized manner will free up unseen space so instead of throwing clothes into your luggage, roll and stack your clothes up and squish them together as much as possible.

2. Wear your thickest clothes and your heaviest shoes on the plane - If it is 80 degrees where you live, but you are heading to a wintery destination, still physically wear or hold your coats and sneakers. These items will take up the most room in your luggage and you want them out of it so you can add in other important items like mittens or scarves. Suffering in your heavy coat for a short while will be worth it!

3. Use Olay’s Daily Facial Cloths to wash your face and remove makeup instead of liquid alternatives - If your makeup remover does not fit in the 3 oz liquid limitation rule, then pack these facial cloths in your makeup bag to help cleanse your face after a long plane ride or on your vacation. It can do double duty as a makeup remover as well. The cloths are basically sheets of cotton paper that turn into foamy soap after wetting.

4. Scoop your irreplaceable lotion into empty contact solution cases for plane use - If you just can't find your favorite body lotion or facial lotion in a travel size container, then simply scoop out some of your lotion into a contact case and you'll be able to continue using it. This is a trick I learned from the beauty YouTuber, Michelle Phan, and its worked like a charm for me. It's how I keep my skin from drying out on the plane.

5. Use a soft case instead of a hard shell luggage - Soft cases expand more than hard cases and are usually much lighter. If you happen to fly on an airline that weighs carry on bags (Porter Airlines, China Southern), you will want your actual suitcase to be as light as possible so you can pack more. Also, a hard case packed to the max won't let you stuff that extra neck pillow or that comfy sweater in there!

Happy packing! And most importantly, Happy traveling!

Blogmas Day 8- Travel Lover's Gift Guide

Happy Blogmas Day 8! If you've been racking your brain trying to find that perfect gift for that friend who loves traveling more than anything (aka me!) or you just want to treat yourself (no judgement), here are a few ideas!

1. Sleep Eye Mask- If you've ever taken a redeye flight or a long haul you know that, getting good sleep on the plane is a must. Block out those pesky reading lights your seat mate is using or those harsh overhead plane lights with a blackout eye mask.

2. Swell water bottle- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Planes are very drying and it can be annoying to always get up to ask for a cup of water, so ask the flight attendant to fill up your water bottle when you board the plane. The water bottle will come in handy again during your explorations when there are no convenience stores to be found or when you don't feel like dropping another $4 for a bottle of water.

3. Passport holder- Protect your passport! I learned a lesson while studying abroad when rain dampened my passport, which had been in my non-waterproof backpack without a protector on, and went through a moment of panic that the passport would be unusable for my travel home. Luckily, that wasn't the case, but after that I consistently store my passport in a cute holder at all times.

4. Tumi Backpack- I've been using this Tumi backpack for about 2 years now and its my travel go to bag. There is a strap at the back of the bag that conveniently allows you to hook the bag on suitcase handles without falling. The backpack also has a built in laptop sleeve and miscellaneous pockets all over. 

5. Giant Toiletries Bag- You'll want to get one that can hold larger items, such as contact solution or lotion. Just in case spills happen while your bag is in motion, at least its contained within just the toiletries bag (I've learned this the hard way).

6. Nike Sneakers- Forget beauty, comfort is #1 to me when on a vacation where I have to walk a lot. The worst thing that can happen to you is getting blisters (that bleed) and having to cut your day plans short so you can go back to the hotel to bandage up. My Nike sneakers are the most comfortable shoes I own and a must for when I travel. Whether its an 8 hour walk around Paris or a hike up the Yellow Mountains in China, my Nikes have never betrayed me!

7. Sunglasses- It doesn't matter where you go, the sun is everywhere. But you definitely don't want it in your eyes. Investing in a pair of good sunglasses (and remembering to pack it) can be a lifesaver.

8. Sony Alpha A6000 Camera- Sadly, a vacation doesn't last forever. But luckily, pictures do! My tech saavy friends all recommended this camera because of its high quality picture taking abilities, but also its small convienent size.

9. Selfie Stick- Traveling by yourself? Never fear! You can still have great photos without having to bother that sketchy or annoyed stranger. The selfie stick has also helped me capture those photos that require a higher angle. I'm able to see above the crowds!

10. World Map- This is something that I've always wanted to have, but currently don't have the space for. I've seen on giant maps on walls where travelers will put a star or pin on the locations they've been. Its just an awesome visual reminder of all the places you've experienced and all the other places you have left to explore.

Blogmas Day 7- Best Christmas Vacations

Every Christmas it's been my family's tradition to go on a family vacation instead of ringing in the holidays at home. So far on past Christmas Days we have swam with the sharks off an island in Belize, posed for photos with Mickey and Minnie in DisneyWorld, skied for the first time in Vail, and sipped hot chocolate from a cabin in New Mexico. This will actually be the first year in a while where we will simply be enjoying Christmas at home in Texas and while I'm looking forward to finally putting Christmas gifts under a tree and eating a homecooked holiday meal, I'm also kind of bummed that we aren't traveling. ALTHOUGH, we are in family discussions as to where to go for 2018 Christmas! The issue with traveling during the winter time is that many placend feels somewhat less enjoyable when there is high winds whipping your face or you're so bundled up you can't even see your face in photos. That then leaves the classic island vacation, which in my opinion, can get kind of old after a while (especially if you have an active family like mine). I've been racking my brain trying to find the perfect Christmas vacation spot and here is what I've come up with. Disclaimer- These are the types of vacations I feel is best for my family based on our personalities. You may enjoy snow related activities that we typically stay far far away from.

1. Edinburgh, Scotland- I watch the Youtuber, Zoella's vlogs religiously and every December for her Vlogmas videos she always makes a trip to Scotland for the giant Christmas market, Edinburgh's Christmas. This Christmas market honestly looks like the most amazing thing ever. There are a variety of food vendors (think churros dipped in chocolate with coffee), tons of shopping, Christmas themed rides, and even a Christmas tree maze! Despite the freezing weather, I would love to go to Edinburgh one day and experience Christmas at its fullest.

2. Sydney, Australia- Since Australia is below the equator, it's actually summer there when it is winter in the US, which equals the perfect winter time destination. Plus, who hasn't heard of the gigantic New Year's Eve celebration that occurs at the Sydney Opera House? Add that to the fact that there are plenty of opportunities to interact with cute koala bears and kangaroos and you've got yourself a wonderful vacation.

3. Cancun, Mexico- If you aren't looking forward to a 15+ hour flight to Australia or simply don't have that many PTO days left, Cancun may be a much better suited destination for you as its only a 2 hour flight from Texas and a 4.5 hour flight from New York. Just imagine all the margaritas you could be sipping on those perfectly white sandy beaches and the colorful fish you could be snorkeling with in those clear blue waters.

4. San Diego, California- Don't have your passport ready? This even temperatured California city may be your perfect fit. It doesn't have the crazy traffic of LA nor the crazy weather of San Francisco. The city offers the beautiful Balboa Park, adorable pandas at the Zoo, and a stunning waterfront. What more can you ask for?

5. Bahamas- If you are looking for a vibe similar to Cancun, look no further than the Bahamas because this tiny island country also offers beautiful beaches and lots of water activities. You can also swim with wild pigs! Definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Have any of you guys ever visited any of these spots? Or did this list spark future vacation ideas?

Thanksgiving in Texas + What I'm Grateful For This Year

Happy belated Thanksgiving! If you couldn't already tell from the post title, I was back home to Texas for Thanksgiving! Last year I didn't accrue enough vacation days yet from starting a new job so I was unable to fly all the way home so I ended up just visiting a friend in Toronto (which wasn't celebrating Thanksgiving at that time) and it turned out to be the most miserable thing ever. I spent Thanksgiving Day looking at pictures on Facebook of my family and other families eating giant meals of turkey and mashed potatoes and pie and spending time with each other and I truly missed it all. So this year I made sure I had enough vacation days left over so I could be home for a week this Thanksgiving. And yes we did have two Thanksgiving meals because... why not?

2017 has been a hard year for many people (including myself), so I wanted to take time to give thanks for what I have in my life and remind myself that I shouldn't take things for granted. This isn't everything I'm thankful for this year because then this post would be way too long, but these are just the ones that I wanted to highlight.

Job Security - While the recession and high unemployment rates have been over for years now, I'm still so grateful for my job and the financial security it provides me. My job allows me to pursue my passion for traveling, it allows me to eat at all my favorite restaurants, live in a safe neighborhood, and treat my family. It's not always stress free to show up for work and get through the day, but I appreciate the life I'm able to live because of my job.

Pets- This year in July our family lost our longtime dog, Furry, due to old age. Furry first joined our family when I was 11 and he was a part of us for 14 years (over half my life). When we were forced to put him down because his arthritis made his daily life basically unbearable, it was extremely hard letting go. In fact, I'm positive that without the help of our 3 puppies that the recovery period would have been even harder. It made me realize the simple joy and happiness that pets can bring into human lives. Our dogs aren't the smartest or the most well trained, but they know how to love unconditionally. They don't care about your appearance or how successful you are in life or how popular you are. They just love us because we take care of them and they brighten up our lives with their presence.

Friendship- Two years ago when I moved to New York I was very nervous about my ability to not only make new friends in a new city where I basically knew no one, but also my ability to retain all my old friends who I wouldn't be able to see on a daily basis. 2.5 years later I can say that friendship is definitely one of the things I'm most grateful for. I wouldn't have made it through these past few years without both my new and my old friends. I'm so grateful for the way my old friends have been there to support me through the hard times and just lend a listening ear when I feel the need to complain or cry. I'm also grateful for my new friends who are always willing to explore New York with me, eat brunch with me (and trust me I'm always eating brunch), and keep me company in this big and busy city.

What are you grateful for this year?

Deep Dish Pizzas, a Shiny Bean, and Second Chances: My Chicago Adventures

The first time I went to Chicago was senior year of high school for an Orchestra trip and I was so tired from the excitement of going out of the state with my friends that I felt like I missed out on the actual trip. I also felt like I wasn't as interested in traveling back then and as a result, didn't fully appreciate my time in the city. So when my work trip perfectly aligned with a girls' weekend two of my sorority sisters had planned, I knew I couldn't waste a single moment of my second chance at Chicago. As soon as I stepped off the plane in Chicago, I was already impressed by their amazing airport!

We started out our girls weekend in Millennium Park at the shiniest and biggest bean that I've ever seen. Although the sheer amount of people there was definitely overwhelming, I still managed to sneak in a few fun photos. I would suggest coming here earlier in the day though to avoid the crush of people (and photos always look better with less people milling about anyways). The weather was gorgeous that Saturday and I throughly enjoyed my walk through the park. Don't forget to check out the Buckingham Fountain, which is just a 10 minute walk from the Bean! The Fountain reminded me of a smaller scale Versaille style fountain.

Next up on my Chicago bucket list was to drink bubble tea in Chinatown. And even though I do have a major obsession with bubble tea, the giant bottle of tea we received was even too big for me! I did really love the bottle it came in though because it was reuseable and could be put in your bag easily, which means I could take my time drinking the tea without feeling pressured to finish it quickly so I wouldn't have to carry an open cup. One thing that surprised me about Chicago Chinatown was that there weren't too many people walking around. If you've ever been to Chinatown in New York, the sidewalks are packed with people (local and tourists) taking in all the sights and smells or doing their grocery shopping. I thought Chicago's Chinatown would be a similar vibe, but it was pretty much empty on a Saturday afternoon.

As a pizza lover, I wasn't going to leave Chicago without savoring the famous Chicago deep dish pizza. I wasn't 100% sure that the thick crust would taste good to me over my usual thin and crispy crust pizzas. but both Giordano's and Lou Malnati's was delicious! And yes I did eat two different brands of pizza! Although, I found it weird that the tomato sauce would be on top as I personally prefer tons of cheese over sauce, but nevertheless, I still enjoyed the thick crust and various toppings.

Sunday morning we rushed to the Willis Tower (aka Sears Tower) to be one of the first people in line to take those iconic sky ledge photos, but sadly there were TONS of people already in line waiting for the 10am opening. But we weren't going to give up! My friends and I actually waited in 3 separate lines to take photos in 3 separate boxes. Definitely #dedication. The photos were worth it though! In the future if I were to come back, I think I would definitely come on a weekday instead because the number of people there was even more overwhelming that the Bean.

I stayed in the centrally located Hyatt Centric The Loop hotel and absolutely loved it. It was modern and serene and offered the peaceful getaway I needed from the hectic city below me. To be honest, I wasn't use to all the space after being cramped in my tiny New York apartment! Tip- There is a snack and coffee lounge on the 3rd floor of the hotel if you need a quick pick me up.

I'll be posting a separate post detailing all my Chicago food adventures so stay tuned! I ate a LOT when I there.

Keep Calm and Drink Wine: A Weekend in Long Island Wine Country

I've wanted to visit the Long Island wine country for a while now, but wasn't old enough to rent a car for the longest time. So the first thing I did once turning 25 was to book a trip with my friends to the North Fork region of Long Island for a winery adventure. I know there were several wine tour options where a giant bus brings you from winery to winery, but after much research we didn't feel like the nicer wineries were the ones that were being chosen for the tours so that's why we decided to go our own path.

First up, we toured the beautiful and classy Macari Vineyard where we had the opportunity to taste a flight of 5 wines with their gorgeous grape vines in the backdrop. While I enjoyed the white wines immensely, I found the red wines to be a little too dry for my taste. Although in general, I usually prefer sweeter wines. Macari also had a food truck in the back serving savory looking pizza, but we were already full from brunch so... definitely saving this for next time! The 5 wine flight costed $20, although there were other options for $25, $30, and dessert wines.

Our second winery for the day was the family friendly Baiting Hollows Farm Vineyard. In addition to creating wines, BHFV also rescues horses! A portion of its proceeds goes towards the caring of these horses, which is simply amazing. This winery allows you to choose the amount of wines you want to taste and allocates the cost accordingly. I chose to taste 3 wines, which ended up being $9. The Reisling 2014 was by far my favorite wine of the day and I even went home with a bottle. If you are looking for a peaceful wine setting, BHFV definitely isn't for you as there are kids running around, people dancing, and live music playing.

The best part of having your own car is that you get to stop whenever wherever you feel like it. We passed by the cutest little sunflower farm and decided to jump out for some epic photos with giant sunflowers! Later, we also passed by what we thought to be a Christmas tree farm, but turned out to be just a garden nursery with trees meant for landscaping. Still, it was interesting to see and smell all the trees!

One of the items on my East Coast bucket list has always been to do apple picking as that was something Texas never offered (probably because all the apples would die in the intense heat). Since we had some extra time, we decided to stop by Lewin Farms on our way home for some fruit picking (and eating). It was $8 to enter but the amount is credited towards the end cost of your picked apples. Picking the apples was an interesting experience and definitely made me appreciate Mother Nature and all the hard working farms that deliver fresh crispy apples to my neighborhood market.

Which photo was your favorite? Have you done wine tasting in the Long Island area?

3 Days in Montreal

Because of all the recent happenings in the news and in politics, there's been so much talk about how appealing Canada is. Personally, I don't know too much about our Northern neighbor. The last time I visited was when I was 8 and my parents forced me on a plane to Vancouver in the middle of winter for a reunion with family friends (definitely not my favorite memory). Since moving to New York however, I've realized that the eastern coast of Canada is only a 1-2 hour flight away, thus making it the perfect weekend getaway. So when my sister came to visit I immediately suggested we head up north to see what Montreal is all about. Here are the highlights from our trip!

OLD TOWN

The influences of Europe on this city are obvious. There were French signs and French inspired architecture everywhere. But both my sister and I felt like the cobblestoned streets of Old Town with its tiny shops reminded us of Prague the most. Take your time strolling around because there is so much to see here!

ST. JOSEPH ORATORY/ BIOSPHERE

Our two most favorite places were the St. Joseph Oratory and the Biosphere. The Oratory is simply beautiful to wander around (there is a gorgeous Journey to the Cross garden that is a definite must see) and best of all, it’s free! The Oratory and all its sites took us around 2 hours to explore so make sure you have time to wander around. The Biosphere is a museum all about the environment and is located inside a giant golf ball looking structure. If you like to learn while traveling, this museum is a good choice. It's actually located on its own separate island, but luckily there is a subway (yellow line) to take you there.

PARC DU MONT ROYAL

All the guide books said that hiking up to the top of Parc du Mont Royal to observe the view is a must and I can tell you from personal experience, the view is gorgeous! Tip- if hiking is not for you, there are a few buses that will drop you off close to the peak and you can just walk along a path for about 10 minutes instead of hiking for 45 minutes.

NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL

While the Montreal Notre Dame is not as magnificent as the Paris one, it’s still worth a visit. The outside facade appears to be an exact replica of the one in Paris and the inside is breathtaking as well. Make sure you bring cash as the $6 entrance fee is cash only. Bonus- we went during an organ concert and had the opportunity to hear their organist play several classical pieces.

CHINATOWN

What is a trip to Montreal without stopping by their famous Chinatown? Chinatown is located within walking distance of the Notre Dame so its the perfect place to stop for a quick snack or lunch after touring the Cathedral. It was not as big as I thought it would be (just a few streets), but it was packed with delicious Asian bakeries, tiny restaurants, and tons of pedestrians. Look how cute these Keroppi matcha buns are!

Have you guys been to Montreal? What was your favorite thing?

Best of Savannah

I’ve always had mixed feelings about Labor Day Weekend. On one hand we have a free day off from work, but on the other hand Labor Day signifies the end of summer and the closure of a bunch of my favorite NYC summer activities (free kayaking, beach, seasonal rooftop bars). As a result, I rarely travel over this weekend because I want to soak in the last feels of New York summer life.

This year, however, my friend and I decided to make plans to visit Savannah, Georgia because we had seen photos of the charming Southern town on Instagram and instantly fell in love. The vacation was everything we dreamed of and more (even though I did forget my sunglasses and my iPhone officially went to heaven). Savannah was so cute! But fair warning, there was a lot of walking involved. Savannah did not have a good public transportation so it was either walk or Uber everywhere.

We relaxed by the pool of our amazing hotel, The Westin Savannah Resort and Spa (its actually located on its own island across from downtown Savannah!), and had an amazing view of the river. Tip- look for hotels on discount websites such as Priceline or Hotwire. That's actually how we ended up with The Westin! The hotel even provided a free ferry service to bring us across the river to downtown.

We took Instagram worthy photos at the Wormsloe Historic Site. I loved smelling (and seeing) the giant Spanish moss trees. And yes, my friend and I did bring our hats to Savannah! The site is huge and the road of trees actually last over a mile. The first mile is a working road so cars are coming in both directions. Its suggested to have your Uber drop you off at the end of this 1 mile road for photos of the trees without the disruption of cars passing. We didn't know this in advance (and we weren't going to walk the 1 mile) so we ended up jumping in and out of the road to take photos and avoid cars.

We toasted our Southern vacation on The Bohemian rooftop, where we again had amazing views of the river. My blueberry vodka lemonade was delicious!

We toured the beautiful Owen Thomas House and had the opportunity to learn more about Savannah’s history. I would recommend coming here earlier in the day to reserve your tour time. The tours book up fast and you're only able to view the house through a guided tour. They also only allow same day tour reservations so you can't pre-book.

We meandered around downtown Savannah and saw all these gorgeous squares and Forsyth Park.

I fell in love with the beautiful houses!

Which picture of Savannah was your favorite? Have you guys been to any of these sites?