My Travel Bucket List - Domestic

Let's liven things back up a bit, from the serious post on Friday. A couple weeks ago I shared my list of fifteen awe inspiring international cities and countries I want to see before I kick the proverbial bucket. So, today, I want to share with you all the places right here in the United States that I want to visit as well.

1. Disney World

I am almost 30 years old and have never been to Disney World. People are always shocked by this because I'm such a huge fan.

2. Wizarding World of Harry Potter

DUH.

3. Nashville

I love country music, much to the disdain of my rock-loving husband. Also, the lovely Emily from Ember Grey. lives there, and I can't pass up an opportunity to hang out with her and Christian.

4. Hershey, Pennsylvania

This one might be kind of obvious.

5. The Statue of Liberty

Patriotic and historical.

6. Las Vegas

I don't even want to gamble. There are far too many amazing shows to see!

7. San Fransisco

Technology Mecca.

8. The Grand Canyon

I know it's just a big hole in the ground, but it would still be pretty cool to see what nature has made for us.

9. Mile High Stadium in Denver

This one is really for Hubs. Go Broncos!

10. Chicago

I have heard some lovely things about Chicago, plus they are rumored to have the best pizza. We all know I can't turn down pizza.

11. Hawaii

My parents have been twice. My brother had been once. Multiple friends have gone. Now it's my turn darn it!

12. San Diego Zoo

It's supposed to be the best there is, and I want to find out for myself.

13. Boston

I'm a sucker for seeing and learning about the history of a place, and a lot went down in Boston.

14. Yellowstone National Park

Three words (and it's kind of an inside family joke, sorry) Big. Horned. Sheep.

15. Smithsonian Museums in Washington D.C. 

Again. History and stuff.


Am I missing any places? What's on your travel bucket list?

My Travel Bucket List - International

While we don't get very many opportunities (or have the extra funds), we love to go and explore new places. For me, the motivator to make a journey somewhere is to experience and learn about the history surrounding it. But, beautiful scenery doesn't hurt either. This list has changed so much over the course of my lifetime, but there are some tried and true locations that have stood the test of time (noted with an *).

1. Paris, France*

Because duh. I learned French in high school and fell in love with the culture. Plus I they have the best champagne and wine, so yay!

2. England* - All of it!

I've been to London/Windsor once in 2008. So far it has been my absolute favorite place I've ever been to. I could go back every year and not get tired of it. There is so much to see and learn about; All the history!

3. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Maybe not right this second with all the Zika happening and such. But, eventually, I would love to visit there and see the Amazon Jungles and stuff.

4. Tokyo, Japan

All the cool technology and the clothes! Plus, again, history to be learned.

5. Niagara Falls - the Canadian side

I've heard it's much better than the American side.

6. Athens, Greece*

I've heard it's beautiful. We've all seen the pictures, but to witness it in person? Yes please!

7. Australia

Home of the Great Barrier Reef and some unique animals. I'm not sure where else to visit here (so suggestions would be most welcome), but I've always wanted to go down under. haha!

8. Rome and Venice - Italy

Again, tons of history. Then all the foods and all the wines.

9. Switzerland*

Home of the most delicious chocolate in the whole wide world.

10. Glasgow and Edinburgh, Scotland

Because I'm Scottish (and English, Dutch, German, and Native American).

11. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Tulips. Seriously I'd be cool with just seeing the tulips.

12. Dublin, Ireland*

History, check. Beer, check. Nature, check.

13. Iceland

I hear it's beautiful there and who doesn't want to see the Puffins?

14. India

Such a rich culture to experience. Plus colorful clothes and spices!

15. Morocco

The design influence this country has on us is amazing.


Truly, I'd love to see the whole freaking world. But these are the top 15 places I want to visit that are outside of the U.S. I'm working on a list of locations that are inside the U.S. and could use some suggestions! Where is your favorite place to visit here in America?

What places are on your international bucket list?

I Like to Eat When I Travel + A Giveaway!

Hubs and I took some extra days off and had a long weekend. Thursday (4-21-16) was our second anniversary, and we decided to stop in Asheville, NC and take a little time for ourselves on the way to Winston Salem, NC for my cousin's wedding. Neither of us had been there before, so this was truly an adventure, plus it was full of firsts for Philip.

Finding fun places to eat is one of my favorite things to do when we travel. Pro Tip: Ask the locals where to get the best breakfast. Then you won't be stuck with a mediocre McDonalds or Waffle House breakfast that you can get just about anywhere. For lunch, Philip got to have his first trip to Mellow Mushroom to stuff his face with an amazing pizza (oh how I miss this place, my mouth is watering just thinking about it).

Friday, we visited the Biltmore Estate, and despite the rainy weather, we had a great time. The house is huge and so beautiful, I just wish we had more time to explore (I highly recommend getting the audio guide, you just get way more out of your visit with all the little insights and historic information for just $10 more). But we made it to Winston Salem just in time for the rehearsal dinner: roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, and steamed green beans. Are you jealous yet?

Saturday morning turned out to be gorgeous for the wedding festivities. The ceremony was beautiful and the omelet bar at the reception was perfection. I can't forget to mention that the wedding cake was donuts. DONUTS, people. How delicious and beautiful is that? I even got to take home part of our table centerpieces. With another recommendation from a local for dinner for more excellent pizza and pasta, we got to hang out with some of my extended family, which is always a good time.

When we drove in to Winston Salem, I spotted a Bojangles, so Sunday Breakfast was already planned. Another first for Philip. I mean, you just CANNOT pass up Boberry Biscuits, amiright? Then I made sure that I mapped out where all the Zaxby's were located on our route home so we could stop there for lunch. You guessed it, Philip's first Zaxby's. What a lucky man. All this great food in one weekend, makes my efforts to southernize my husband just a bit easier.

Now for the real reason you clicked on this post. The Giveaway! While it's not for food (whomp whomp) it's for something just as great, beauty products. That's right ladies (and gentlemen, if you're reading this) I've teamed up with some fabulous women so YOU could have a chance to win a $170 gift card to ULTA! Just use the rafflecopter widget below to enter.

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[ guest post ] How to Have Fun on Your Long Road Trip

Good Morning! While I'm away on vacation in Georgia with Hubs and playing with my mommy, I've invited a few of my favorite bloggers to entertain you! Today Melissa is sharing some amazing tips on how to stay sane when you take a road trip. Take away Melissa!

Hey, y'all! I'm Melissa from The Rambling Llama. I'm happy to take over Amanda's little corner of the internet while she's here in Georgia! Amanda and her hubs made the super long drive from Missouri to Georgia. Road tripping is something my family is very familiar with, so today I thought I'd share some secrets to getting the most out of a long road trip with your spouse (and family).

// Snacks are Key.
Let's face it! Fast food and snacks from the gas station can get pricy. Before you leave, load your car with lots of tasty filling snacks. Granola bars are  winner for us! We can usually get away with going to the dollar store a few days before we leave to get things that everyone loves. Along with the snacks, drinks are important. I of course prefer water, but capri suns are great for the kids. Heck, there's even great recipes to make your own granola snacks to save even more.


No one wants to be HANGRY

// Know your MPGs!
To get the most out of your journey, it helps to know how often you'll have to stop for gas. You may not be able to map out where exactly to stop for gas, but you'll at least be able to know how often you will need to stop based on how far you're going and your MPG's. For example, when we drive from Georgia to Jersey we know we'll have to fill up three times. This gets worked into our travel budget. Without stressing about stopping too much allows you and the driver to enjoy the ride a little more.

Just watch out for flying Mexican!

// Enjoy the ride.
Plain and simple. Just make the trip fun. Just because you're literally stuck in the car for hours on end, you don't have to be cranky about it!You may have taken the same road trip every year and know your route so well that you could do it in your sleep. But don't make the ride boring! Play I-Spy games. This helps keep the driver entertained.

// Crank up the tunes!
Road trip songs are the best! Before you leave, get some playlists together that will have you and the driver singing along. My husband and I have a bunch of mixed CD's we use just for road trips. We both sing and dance along. And hey, if you have kids, you DON'T need to keep the kids songs playing. Let's face it, y'all... those get old FAST. The kids can learn to appreciate Journey at an early age!

// Plan to Explore. This kind of goes back to enjoying the ride. Before you leave allow little wiggle room in your travel time to stop and explore. Y'all may not realize there's a zoo you haven't been to before or a random "state's biggest (fill in the blank)" Look up some random attractions on your route and explore! For example, there's a natural bridge in Virginia that someone might like to see!  This makes for great memories and pictures.



See? Road trips don't have to always be  long and boring! Make it fun and make it something you enjoy. 13-15 hours in the car is a long time, y'all. We don't want to kill your spouse at the end of it, right?



What are some things you do on road trips? What's your favorite road trip song?

Huge thanks to Melissa for helping me out last minute! This is why she's my bestie ya'll. Here is where you can stalk her like I do!

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Georgia On My Mind

If you haven't guessed yet, or read this post, I'm originally from Georgia. I miss it all the time and have hopes to move back one day. Don't get me wrong, I have a great life here in Missouri with my Love and our fur babies, but Georgia is where my family is, it's where most of my friends live, it's where my heart yearns to be on a regular basis. The first month here was fine, I had a new house to decorate, a new town to explore, and I was finally in the same space as Philip daily instead of a long weekend every few months. After I settled in, it really began to hit me how much I left behind. I took a lot of things for granted and now wish I had made an effort to spend more time with my siblings, my grandparents, and my friends.

Sunday Social