The Best Home Base When Visiting the Cotswolds

If you're planning your first trip to the Cotswolds, one of the biggest decisions you'll make is where to stay. With dozens of postcard worthy villages scattered across the English countryside, it can be tempting to book a different hotel every night. But after spending time exploring the region, I can confidently say that Bourton on the Water is the best home base when visiting the Cotswolds.

At first glance, that might seem like an odd choice. Bourton on the Water is one of the most visited villages in the Cotswolds. During the middle of the day, the narrow streets are filled with tour buses, day trippers, and visitors snapping photos of the charming stone bridges crossing the River Windrush. You'll even find full news articles written about the unfortunate over tourism of the Cotswolds, and in particular, that of Bourton on the Water.

But here's the secret: If you are staying there, you get to experience Bourton on the Water at its very best! We didn't find it crowded or overrun at all!

The Ultimate Guide to Free Birthday Freebies: Companies That Want to Celebrate You

One of my favorite ways to save money {and do a little treat yo self!} is by taking advantage of offers that companies are already willing to give away. If you've followed me for any length of time, you know I'm not about spending money just because something is on sale, but I am about saying yes when something is completely free. Free is my favorite four letter word!

Your birthday is one of the easiest times of the year to score freebies. Restaurants, coffee shops, beauty stores, and retailers love celebrating their customers with complimentary treats, discounts, and gifts. Most of these offers simply require signing up for a free rewards program ahead of time, and then the birthday surprises start showing up in your inbox.

If you've never taken advantage of birthday freebies before, here's how to get started and some of my favorite companies that offer something special during your birthday month.

Would I Go Back? Reexamining East Africa, Safari and Gorilla Trekking

When people ask me about my favorite places I've ever traveled, East Africa is always near the top of the list. Actually, that's not entirely true. It's not just one place. It's a collection of countries, experiences, wildlife, people, and moments that somehow all blend together into one unforgettable chapter of my life. 

I've been fortunate enough to visit Zambia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and the island of Zanzibar over multiple trips, and every single visit has left me wanting more. Unlike destinations where you check off the highlights and feel satisfied, East Africa has a way of pulling you back. The landscapes are different. The cultures are distinct. The wildlife changes from region to region. Even after several visits, I still have a list of experiences I haven't had yet.

So...would I go back? Without hesitation! 

Travel Truths I Didn't Expect After Becoming an Empty Nester

When my kids were little, I used to dream about the day we'd become empty nesters. Not because I wanted them gone {although there were certain days!}, but because I imagined what life would look like once we weren't tied to school calendars, sports schedules, and PTA meetings. Since we had our kids when we were still in college, we didn't get any of that time to enjoy traveling just the two of us, so we were excited to get to experience that as well once the kids were grown. 

I pictured spontaneous weekend getaways, off season trips to Europe, and hopping on a plane whenever airfare dropped.

And while some of that has absolutely come true, there were a few travel truths I never saw coming. 

If you're approaching the empty nest years, or if you're already there, here are some of the biggest surprises I've discovered about traveling after your kids leave home. 

Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Scotland for the First Time

I must confess, Scotland wasn't that high up on my travel bucket list. Mostly because I had been to Ireland a few times and I {wrongfully} assumed they would be basically the same. Spoiler alert: they are not! I'm glad that I allowed myself to experience it for myself. The dramatic landscapes, winding roads through the Highlands, tiny villages, castles, lochs, waterfalls and endless views felt like something straight out of a movie. I mean, we simply stopped pointing out waterfalls we'd see because there were just so many of them! Scotland really did surprise me in ways I wasn't expecting.

Not in a bad surprise way, but in a good way. Scotland ended up being one of those destinations that felt easier, friendlier, and more relaxed than I anticipated. But there were definitely some things I wish someone had told me before I boarded that plane. 

If you're planning your first trip to Scotland, here are some things I wish I knew ahead of time that would have saved me time, stress, and maybe a few moments of standing in the rain.

What I Always Bring on Long International Flights

Long international flights are a necessary evil when you love to travel. I may love arriving in Ireland, East Africa, or Vietnam, but I don't know too many people who get excited about sitting inside a giant metal tube for 10, 12, or even 16+ hours!

Over the years I've taken my fair share of long-haul flights and I've learned that surviving them has very little to do with luck and almost everything to do with preparation. I used to show up with so many things packed into my carry on that I almost couldn't find anything. 

After enough overnight flights, awkward sleeping positions, dry skin, and regrettable packing choices, I've narrowed down exactly what I always bring with me. These are the items that make a long international flight feel less like an endurance event and more like the beginning of the trip itself.

The Irish Experiences I'd Prioritize if I Only had One Week

If someone told me I only had one week in Ireland and had to narrow down my choices, I wouldn't spend my time trying to cram in every castle, every village, and every famous stop on the map. Ireland rewards travelers who slow down, stay flexible, and choose experiences over checklists.

After several trips to Ireland, I've realized that the places I remember most aren't always the ones everyone talks about. It's the feeling of standing on a cliff with wind whipping around you, crossing a rope bridge over crashing waves, or stepping onto a remote island that has existed for centuries.

If I had just seven days in Ireland, I'd focus less on seeing everything and more on prioritizing the experiences that felt uniquely Irish to me. 

Here's where I'd spend my time. 

10 Travel Opinions I've Changed My Mind About Over the Years

One of my favorite things about travel is that it changes you. It changes your perspective, stretches your comfort zone, and sometimes completely flips your opinions upside down. 

I used to think I had travel figured out. I had strong opinions about the "right" way to travel and what worked for me. But after years of family travel, international trips, road trips, solo experiences, and seeing different corners of the world, I've realized that some of my travel beliefs have shifted dramatically. 

Some changes happened because I simply got older. Some came from experience. And some came after realizing that what works for one season of life doesn't necessarily work for another.

Here are 10 travel opinions I've completely changed my mind about over the years.

How to Sell Your Home Fast! Everything I did to Get Offers on Day One (Even in a Tough Market)

Selling a home can feel overwhelming and uncertain. It's emotional, stressful, and if you're like most people, you're trying to juggle real life while also preparing one of your biggest assets for sale. 

I've sold two homes and both received offers the very first day they were listed. Most recently, we sold our home in what many people would describe as a difficult market. We had just three showings and every single person who walked through our front door submitted an offer.

Three showings.

Three offers.

People often assume a quick sale is about luck, timing, or simply being in a hot market. While those things can help, I can tell you from experience that selling your home fast starts long before the "for sale" sign goes in the yard.

The work starts months before listing day.

And if there's one thing I've learned from selling homes successfully, it's this: Your house doesn't suddenly become ready when your realtor lists it online. Preparing your home starts with intentionally getting it ready for someone else to fall in love with it. 

Here's exactly what worked for us.

Affordable Luxury in Franklin, Tennessee: How to Experience Upscale Southern Charm Without Breaking the Bank

When people think of luxury travel destinations, they often imagine five-star resorts, extravagant meals, and price tags that make their credit card sweat. But Franklin, Tennessee offers something a little different. Just south of Nashville, this charming Southern town has mastered the art of affordable luxury...if you know where to look!

Franklin is undeniably upscale. Beautiful historic homes line the streets. Boutique shops fill downtown storefronts. Award-winning restaurant serve elevated Southern cuisine. Yet what makes Franklin special is that many of its most memorable experiences don't require a luxury budget.

Whether you're planning a girls' getaway, couples trip, or a weekend escape, here's how to enjoy the best of Franklin while keeping your spending in check.

Would I Go Back? Reexamining Vietnam

There are some destinations that leave an impression on you long after you return home. Vietnam is one of those places. 

As part of my "Would I Go Back?" series, I like to reflect honestly on destinations after the excitement of travel has worn off. Some places are amazing once and feel compete. Others leave you already planning your return before your suitcase is unpacked.

Vietnam firmly falls into the second category.

Not only would I go back to Vietnam, but I actually think Vietnam is a country that deserves a return visit. After spending time there, I realized how impossible it is to fully experience the country in a single trip. Vietnam is massive, layered, diverse, and constantly changing from one region to the next. The more I saw, the more I realized how much I didn't see. 

And honestly, I loved that feeling.

How to Resell Home Items on Facebook Marketplace to Make Money for a Move. No Garage Sale Needed!

Moving is expensive. Between packing supplies {remember the days you could ask for boxes at the local stores?}, truck rentals, deposits, cleaners, and all the little costs that sneak up on you, it can feel like your bank account is draining before you even load the first box. But if you're preparing for a move, you're also sitting on one of the best opportunities to make extra money...the stuff in your house!

We've all heard how important it is to declutter and honestly, who wants to move stuff they don't love anyway? You might as well take this time to purge all the things and start fresh in your new space. 

One of the smartest things we did before moving was start selling items around our home on Facebook Marketplace. Not only did it help us declutter before packing, but it also helped cover moving expenses in a meaningful way. And unlike a traditional garage sale where people expect everything to cost next to nothing {guilty!}, Facebook Marketplace gives you the chance to get real value for your higher-end items.

If you're getting ready for a move and wondering how to make extra money without taking on another job {because no one has time for that!}, reselling your home items can make a huge difference. Here's how I did it and some things I learned as a reseller that could help you.

Would I Go Back?: Reexamining Rome

Rome is one of those destinations that feels like it's on everyone's list. There's a new non-stop flight from Seattle on our local Alaska Airlines and maybe I'm just hearing the buzz from it, but everyone seems to be planning a trip. I get that Rome is one of those places that lives in your imagination long before you ever step foot there. There's history, ruins, art, food...I mean, it kind of has it all! It's a place people talk about as if it's an essential desitination. Almost like a rite of passage for travelers. 
And after visiting Rome ourselves, I understand why. 
But would I go back? 
That answer is a little more complicated.
This post is part of a new series called "Would I Go Back" where I give you my honest advice through experience and you can make your own decision. In case you missed the first post in the series, you can find it here: Would I Go Back: Reexamining the Amalfi Coast.

Things You Should Know Before You Start Thrifting and Reselling

There is something incredibly satisfying about finding a hidden gem at a thrift store. Maybe it's something you have been hoping you'd find, or maybe it's a vintage denim jacket, a barely worn pair of designer shoes, or a fun home decor piece that no one else noticed. When you start to move from casual thrifting to reselling the experience shifts. You're no longer just shopping for fun, you're shopping with purpose, strategy, and a keen eye for profit.
If you're just getting started with thrifting and reselling, there's a learning curve. The good news? It's one you can absolutely master with a little patience and a lot of curiosity. Before you fill your cart and list your first item, here are the most important things to know.

Would I Go Back?: Reexamining The Amalfi Coast

The first time you see the Amalfi Coast, it almost doesn't feel real.
Pastel buildings stacked into cliffs. Bougainvillea spilling over stone walls. The Mediterranean stretching endlessly in front of you. It's the kind of place that feels like it belongs on a postcard or maybe even a movie. 
And because it is often depicted on those things, this is a destination that often ends up high on people's bucket lists. With any iconic destination, there's always the lingering question after a trip...
Would I go back?
This post is part of a new series where I answer that exact question with honestly and practicality so that you can decide if a destination is truly worth your time and money. Not just whether it's beautiful {because many places are}, but whether the experience matches the effort, cost, and expectations.
So would I go back to the Amalfi Coast?
The short answer is yes.But not in the same way.

Vancouver, Washington: One of the Best Easy Weekend Trips from Seattle

If you're looking for an easy Pacific Northwest getaway, Vancouver, Washington might just be one of the most overlooked destinations in the whole region! Located just across the Columbia River from Portland, this charming city offers a walkable downtown, a beautiful waterfront, fantastic restaurants, and plenty of local character.
For travelers searching for weekend trips from Seattle or Tacoma, or even a day trip, Vancouver, WA delivers the perfect mix of convenience and charm! It's close enough for a spontaneous getaway but full enough of things to do that you can easily spend an entire weekend away exploring.
Between browsing vintage shops, walking along the waterfront, eating your way through local restaurants, and discovering the city's history, Vancouver is the kind of Pacific Northwest destination that gives you that off the beaten path feel. You'll leave feeling like you chipped away at one of those spots that no one else knows about, so get out there and enjoy it before anyone catches on!
Here's how to plan the perfect Vancouver, Washington getaway.

Hiking Brothers Point on the Isle of Skye: A Hidden Coastal Treasure

One of the highlights while visiting Scotland was spending time on the Isle of Skye. Most visitors flock to world famous sites like Old Man of Storr or the Quiraing, but tucked away and probably driven right by, is a hike that feels like Skye's best kept secret. It's called Brother's Point and I imagine it's what some of the hikes on Skye felt like before Instagram started inspiring more travel to the area. 
Despite its modest length, Brothers Point offers a breathtaking blend of rugged landscape, ancient history, and raw coastal beauty without the crowds that have overtaken some of the other Instagram worthy hikes in the area. Read on, because this is a hike you are going to want to add to your Skye itinerary!

What No One Tells You About Driving in Ireland

Driving in Ireland looks dreamy in the photos. You see the winding roads cutting through the impossibly green hills. Stone walls lining the countryside. A castle appearing literally out of nowhere. It feels romantic and cinematic and slow.
And it is.
But what no one really warns you about driving in Ireland is that it requires more focus than you expect. After multiple trips exploring far beyond Dublin and into the rural corners that lead to places like Sliabh Liag, Croagh Patrick, and the Rock of Cashel, we've learned that driving in Ireland isn't hard, it's just different.
And if you go in prepared, it becomes one of the best parts of the trip.

How Grief Changed the Way I Travel {And Why I'm Not Waiting Anymore}

Grief didn't just change my life. It changed the way I travel.
Before loss entered my world in a way I couldn't ignore, travel was something I carefully postponed. It was planned around responsibilities, schedules, and other people's availability. Trips lived in the vague future of someday, next year, when our schedules free up a bit.
Then my younger brother died.
He was only 42 years old when a very brief illness took him far too soon. He left behind two small children, a family that feels the emptiness of the loss, the heavy burden of uncertainty, and a lifetime of big dreams that never got the chance to be fully lived. Watching someone so young disappear from the future we all assumed he'd have shattered my belief that time is promised.
Grief stripped away the illusion of "later." And in all of that reckoning, it completely rewired how and why I travel. 

How to Get From Dublin Airport to the City Center Fast {and Cheap!}

Landing at Dublin Airport for the first time can feel a bit overwhelming. It's a bit of a journey from the airport to the downtown area where most people are going to want to stay. But friends, even if you are renting a car later in your trip, now is not the time to rent one! I promise you, you don't want to be driving downtown Dublin! You are likely arriving a little excited, a little jet-lagged, and you are wanting to get your trip started. You may not be spending a lot of time in the city, so you want to make the most of it. Don't pay for an expensive taxi or ride share. I'm telling you one of the easiest {and cheapest} ways to get into the Dublin city center. I've done this myself multiple times and I have all the tips. Keep reading!