Category Archives: Life

10+ Packing Tips for the Holidays + Travel Checklist

November 19, 2018

Oh em gee. Can you believe Thanksgiving is this week?! With it falling early this year, it feels so strange to begin referring this time of year as the “holiday season.” Send help please; I am most definitely not ready for fall to be over yet!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on them and make a purchase, I may make a small commission. I also was able to borrow devices for travel from Verizon Wireless. All opinions are my own!

With the holidays impending, that only means one thing: lots of holiday travel. While I’m fortunate that all of our family lives within a few hours of us, a busy fall season with trips back to back led me to grow my travel packing skills exponentially. If you’re looking for a travel checklist to help you stress less, and packing tips to make sure everything fits into your bag, I think you’re going to like this post. And even if, like me, you’re not traveling this holiday season, it never hurts to save this post for later. Never know when you might need it!

10+ Packing Tips + Travel Checklist for the Holiday Season

If you’re ready to up your packing game, learn some packing tips for winter travel, and download a travel checklist, so you never forget your toothbrush again, then read on!

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How to Hygge This Winter

November 14, 2018

As I sit here working on this post, the wind is blowing away, the leaves making crisp rattling noises as they hit the side of the house. Earlier, the rain was falling gently, glistening in the fall sun. And me? Well, I’m inside, with my chilly toes hidden under blankets and a cozy pullover keeping my upper body toasty. What can I say, ’tis the season to get hygge! 

Disclosure: Thanks to prAna for providing some of the clothing featured in this post. All opinions are my own!

But wait, what’s hygge? A Danish and Norwegian term describing a mood or feeling of coziness, comfort, wellness, and contentment, despite the long, dark days of fall and winter. It was all the rage last winter, and I predict we’ll see a resurgence again as the temperatures drop. From beauty products to candles to books, there are a variety of products for sale that capitalize on the concept of how to hygge. However, there’s also a variety of things you can do at home that will inspire feelings of hygge, too.

Today I thought I’d share a few of those ideas as the weather changes, the nights get longer, and we begin to transition our homes, wardrobes, and mindset for the holiday and winter months.

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A Long Weekend in Oregon’s Willamette Valley // Where to Stay, Eat, & Visit

November 12, 2018

Known best as “Oregon’s Wine Country” the Willamette Valley is a 150-mile valley in central Oregon that is home to much more than just wine. It also happens to be where I spent 4 days back in September with a group of Seattle bloggers, Kate of All Things Kate, Emma of Emma’s Edition, Adria of Emerald Palate, and Marissa of Postcards to Seattle. As it was my first time visiting, I was grateful to have some more experienced travelers (Adria had previously visited last year) and the help of the Willamette Valley Visitor’s Association and Travel Oregon who put together an amazing itinerary of things to do in Willamette Valley for us!

Disclosure: Thanks to the Willamette Valley Visitor’s Association for providing accommodations, activities, and meals during this trip. All opinions are my own! Photos by Ashley Cook Photography

Of course, we discovered some other gems along the way, too, and today I want to share more about this whirlwind of a trip. It was such a busy trip that I had people ask me if I even slept! Surprisingly, I did, and despite one 5 am wake up call for our hot air balloon ride, I felt refreshed and rejuvenated at the end of our excursion! Or maybe that was the facial… ;)

Either way, if you’re itching for a long weekend vacation read on for why the Willamette Valley should be your next destination!

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My Living Room Update for Fall with Fred Meyer Direct

October 19, 2018

Who’s excited its fall?! It’s no secret that fall is my favorite season. From the fashion to the colors to the crisp chill in the air, there’s nothing quite like autumn! And as the season changes, the leaves fall from the trees, and Halloween creeps closer, I’m reminded that it’s time to change things up around the house with some easy fall room decor to bring all the fall vibes inside, too.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Fred Meyer. All opinions are my own!

Recently, I learned that Fred Meyer has launched Fred Meyer Direct. Yep, you can now shop Fred Meyer from the comfort of your home! And for those who haven’t shopped with Fred Meyer before, now you can join in on the fun, too!

While they won’t be delivering the entire store via Fred Meyer Direct, you can shop their furniture, home decor, electronics, and more all from home. Right now, shipping is completely free (no order minimum) and you can save 15% off your entire purchase with code FALL15. Beyond that, Fred Meyer has many things similar to what they carry in store, as well as completely new items like Novogratz rugs and doormats, throw pillows, bedding, and much more.

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5 Fall Essentials to Makeover Your Daily Routine

October 11, 2018

Ah, that pesky daily routine. It’s honestly something that I still haven’t mastered. Beyond getting up in the morning, getting coffee, and feeding myself, I’m really not the best at playing by the rules or following any sort of schedule. Must be that creative brain of mine.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com.

With that said, there are several hacks and modifications I’ve made over the years to make my days run more smoothly and efficiently. And when fall rolls around, the mornings get a little bit colder, the air feels crisper, and the blankets in bed feel even warmer and cozy, it can be hard to get things moving. That’s why I’m so excited to share a fun post in partnership with BabbleBoxx that features some great fall essentials to help makeover your daily routine!

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