Top Ten Tuesdays

Here are the TOP TEN things you should do to prepare for your next trip

Who's ready for a trip? I sure am! My birthday is in the month of March. There are so many things to do in the process of preparing for my Birthday Month. YESSSS! I celebrate the ENTIRE month of March. I have several trips planned with my loved ones. Planning and preparation is key in having a successful vacation and a stress free celebration. So here are the TOP TEN things to do to prep for a getaway...be it short or extended.

1. Check weather conditions: this will allow for more accurate packing and activity planning

2. Call ahead to make sure you don’t need reservations: this will save time, money, and frustration if you call a few days before your trip

3. Try to pack a carry-on ONLY: only packing a carry-on allows for shorter time in security lines

4. Pack light: this will allow you to fly through security check and off the plan once it lands

5. Plan out your wardrobe based on weather conditions and events/activities planned: choosing clothing based on these situations will allow you to pack light

6. Purchase disposable toiletries: this will allow you to only take what you need and open up space in your bags for souvenirs

7. Ditch the purse: this is to minimize digging for important information or money. Carry a small fanny pack or crossbody to keep personal items close

8. Check Groupons for activity discounts: this will allow you to get the bang for your buck and enjoy what the city has to offer

9. Check out public transportation options: train, subway, city bus are inexpensive ways to travel most large cities

10. Pack a meal for the flight: As long as it’s packaged and isn’t a liquid, you can bring as much food as you want through security. This will save money on food or snacks in the airport and the disappointment of no meals being served on airlines because of COVID

Feel Good Friday

Don't have a Valentine? Plan a Galentine's Day Party instead.

It’s Friday! The week is over and the weekend is here. Students are gone and I am ready to RELAX. But dare I forget that Valentine’s is next weekend...so I need to figure out a plan of action for next Sunday. Did you guys read my last post with ideas for a stay-at-home Valentine’s? If not, you should definitely check it out for ideas on how to celebrate with your loved one.

But what if you are SINGLE? Well let’s celebrate GALENTINE’S DAY. Here are a few ideas for a Galentine’s Day Party for you and your girlfriends. My youngest sister is very pregnant and we have chosen to celebrate at home. Here are a few things that helped us plan our girls' day in.

Have a dress code

Lazy day could be jammies or if you want more of a brunch atmosphere, choose a color scheme and you guys go crazy

Break out decor

Make a run to your nearest Dollar Tree, Walmart, Target, etc and get balloons and garland, mugs and napkins, and if you are really feeling FANCY look for some comfy blankets and pillows to add to the room

Plan a few games

Every great party has games. Try Valentine’s Pictionary, Valentine’s Scattergories, or Name that Love Song

Food of course!

You can keep it simple and order pizza. If you want to dress it up a bit, you can do a potluck where everyone brings an item. Start a group message and plan out a menu so you don’t overwhelm yourself with decorating and cooking a meal

Sweets

It's Galentine’s….you can’t forget the sweets. Take advantage of the no judgement zone since you are with friends and dive in. One cheat day won’t hurt.

Valentine's at Home

Here are a few ideas to help you plan a stay-at-home Valentine's Day date

Have a romantic dinner for two cooked by a personal chef

With COVID restrictions, it will be extremely hard to find that perfect table at her favorite restaurant. It will be even more difficult to avoid long waits, long lines, or a very hungry and very frustrated girlfriend. Here are a few ideas on how to celebrate Valentine’s Day from the comfort and convenience of home. Each will take a little planning but nothing should be too hard to accomplish to surprise that special someone.

1. Go to the dollar store and buy a few of their favorite things and then create a scavenger hunt for them to find the items.

2. Make a playlist of special songs & then dance to it in your living room.

3. Have a movie night with their favorite movies. Don’t forget the popcorn or some candy.

4. Have a nice dinner at home cooked by someone else.

5. Create an at-home wine and cheese tasting

6. Have breakfast in bed