Grands Rapids Revisited, RebeccaWanderlusting

Grand Rapids Revisited

On April 10, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Grand Rapids, Michigan, US Travel3 Comments

It’s not often that I get the chance to revisit a destination, but there’s certain places I’ve been that I wouldn’t pass up seeing again. Grand Rapids, MI is one of these places. I know, it’s strange that out of all of the places I’ve been, Grand Rapids always sticks in my mind as one of my favorites. Maybe it’s how much fun we had last time, or maybe I just like the pace of things there, whatever the case may be, we’re heading back there this weekend.

Mike got me tickets to see Aretha Franklin at the Devos Performance Hall to make up for the cancelled Aretha concert in Chicago last November. She’s my favorite and Grand Rapids is one of my favorites, so making a trip out of it seemed like a no-brainer. The best part of revisiting a city you’ve been to before is you can skip all of the touristy things and jump ahead to the deeper cuts.

One of the best things about Grand Rapids is that it is chock-full of my two favorite things: breweries and antique stores. Last time we were there, we tried Brewery Vivant, Founders, Grand Rapids Brewing Co and the BOB for the breweries and checked out Warehouse One, Lost + Found, Century Antiques and Eastown Antiques for the antique stores. We may hit up some of the same places again, but I would like to check out some new spots too. Here are some of the shops and restaurants we’re hoping to try:

Captain’s Bizzaro’s Treasure World – to be honest I didn’t look any further into this than the name but… do I need to??
Bluedoor Antiques – their website makes everything in their store look dainty and Instagram-worthy and I’m dying to check it out in person.
Stella’s Lounge – a fun arcade bar with delicious burgers? Sign me up.
The Pyramid Scheme – a dive bar with a music venue in the back. They do have a show on Friday that we may check out, but either way this is a must-see on my list.
HopCat – a beer joint with lots of local brews and a casual menu that we’re both wanting to try.
Elk Brewing – a new brewery to try. Grand Rapids has a Brewsader Passport to try and get to all the breweries in the city and I really wish we would have known about this last time.
Anna’s House – this place is supposed to be super cute and we plan on checking it out for a filling breakfast before we head back to Chicago.

That’s all I’m planning for now. I’m really looking forward to this trip and I don’t want to over-plan too much. I hope we can raise a freshly brewed beer at the end of this trip and cheers to a nice relaxing vacation. And of course I’ll let you know how it goes!

Have you ever been to Grand Rapids? What was your favorite thing to do there?

Monthly Memo: March

On March 20, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Lifestyle, Monthly MemoLeave a comment

Hi All! Happy March! Life has been a little hectic lately. I recently started a new job, which I love, but resulted in working longer hours. It’s been mostly fine, but I’m definitely still adjusting to the new schedule. As you may have noticed, my writing has fallen behind a bit. But, I’m positive that things will be getting back on track soon! Contributing to the chaos, I’ve started a new, additional, blog focused on female empowerment with my friend Jen. I am really excited about this project, which you can check out here.

Mike and I are starting to look for a new apartment, which is fun right now but I’m sure will get a little stressful as we get closer to our move-in date in a couple of months. Having a pup makes it a little trickier to look for an apartment in Chicago, but we’ve found a few that we like the look of in our neighborhood (West Town). Brody is getting more and more comfortable with us. He used to favor Mike a little bit more, but he’s been coming to snuggle with me more lately. He likes to sit on my lap while I write, and rest his little head in the crook of my arm. It’s the absolute best.

As far as our travel plans are concerned, we have a trip to Grand Rapids coming up to see Ms. Aretha Franklin live. I’m also trying to plan a trip in May somewhere in the United States, but I’m not sure where quite yet. My travel plans were cut a bit this year with having the new job (no vacation days) and the fact that I just had to buy a new laptop to replace my old, broken one. The big plan for this year is to go on a Canadian Road Trip in the Fall to hit the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, Toronto and Montreal. I’ve started the preliminary plans, and it’s enough to hold me over for now.

I’ve been chipping away at my goals for the year, like reading more non-fiction (most recently: “My Life on the Road” by Gloria Steinem) and planning the above Canada trip. I’ve also discovered an amazing yoga studio just blocks from our apartment, called Yoga For All Beings, and have been loving it! I also come out of the classes in such a good mood. Plus, now that it’s warmer here in Chicago, I can start running again. There’s still quite a few things I’d like to accomplish, as always, but I can definitely say I’m making progress.

What about you? What are you reading? What have you accomplished during the month of March?

My Ten Favorite U.S. Hikes, RebeccaWanderlusting

My 10 Favorite U.S. Hikes

On March 5, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Top Ten, US TravelLeave a comment

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of the State and National Parks and all that they offer, so I think it’s high time I share a round-up of my favorite U.S. hikes within these parks. As you may or may not know, the National Park Service is offering ten free admission days this year to celebrate its centennial.

I’ve written about this momentous occasion before, but was reminded of it by Cotopaxi, the socially-conscious, Gear for Good creators that specialize in adventure-wear, like these backpacks, and donate some of their revenue towards making the world better. This inspiring company reminded me of the upcoming free-entry days for the National Parks. The next free days are on April 15 & 16 and on April 22 & 23, so hopefully my favorite U.S. hikes will inspire you to get out and find your own.

Clingman’s Dome, Smoky Mountains National Park: The top of this steep hike and cement overlook features one of the best views in the Smoky Mountains. We visited Gatlinburg, TN last summer with my family and it was one of my favorite trips. All of the hikes we took through the park were fantastic, but this one stands out in my memory for its view and its crossing of the Appalachian Trail.
Matthiessen State Park: Any hike at Matthiessen State Park is guaranteed to give you beautiful views and at least one waterfall. This state park is about an hour and half outside of Chicago and gives a much needed dose of natural beauty to us city dwellers. The trails wind through canyons and over bridges suspended over creeks and waterfalls, and sometimes hopping over stepping stones to clear pools of water filled by yet more waterfalls.
Starved Rock State Park: Starved Rock is very close to Matthiessen State Park and equally as pretty, making it possible to visit both in one day. There are sixteen different trails, but the Lover’s Leap hike and view are my favorite. We tried a good number of the trails and each held their own beauty. There’s also a beautiful lodge on one end of the park that is the perfect spot for a well-earned, mid-hike meal.
Muir Woods: On a visit to San Francisco, we rented a car and drove to Muir Woods to hike for a day. This beautiful park includes multiple amazing hikes, and we chose the Fern path. The hike was steep and we had to stop to catch our breath more than once, but the view from the top was so worth it. Fun fact: Muir Woods also served as the set of the film Return of the Jedi, so if you hike here, you’re hiking through Endor.
Kettle Moraine State Park: Every winter, the Wisconsin State Parks host candlelit hikes across the state in which they line the paths with candles in white paper bags. I enjoyed one of these hikes at Kettle Moraine State Park, which is just a little ways north from Lake Geneva. The hike, with the candles and sporadic bonfires along the way, is gorgeous and unique.
Hoh Rainforest, Olympic National Park: My family and I visited this area when I was young, driving from San Francisco up to Seattle and stopping at National Parks in between. This rainforest was the most exotic thing I had seen to date and it instantly captured me. I did not love hiking when I was a kid, but this particular hike amazed me.
Wave Organ to Baker Beach, Golden Gate National Park: One of my favorite memories of San Francisco was walking from the Wave Organ (just pass the Yacht Club on the harbor) to the Golden Gate Bridge and then on to Baker Beach and Presidio. This hike took much longer than we had originally planned, and it started to rain halfway through, but the beauty of the ocean and the bridge and the area surrounding it made it perfect.
Barataria Preserve, Jean Lafitte National Forest: Located near New Orleans, LA, this mystical boardwalk crosses over the home of alligators, lizards, snakes, egrets, and the biggest spiders you’ve ever seen. We traipsed through the humid swamp, searching through the mossy surroundings for a gator. We eventually spotted one, which made our whole trip. This park is other-worldly and provided a scenery like I’ve never experienced before.
Chimney Rock State Park: This state park is a little ways outside of Asheville, North Carolina and holds a special place in my heart as my first solo travel hike. The park is famous for its fantastic view from the top of the rock, which shows the canyon below and a portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway. I also hiked the trail that leads to Hickory Nut Falls; the scenic waterfall and it’s cool, clear water were the perfect cure for after the hot, tiring hike up the many, many steps to Chimney Rock.
Donut Falls, Big Cottonwood Canyon: Utah is chock-full of beautiful parks and scenery, but this hike will forever be my favorite. I visited this particular trail in November, when there was snow on the ground and falls were frozen, which just so happened to be the best time to see it. The trail to Donut Falls was gorgeous in of itself, but the main attraction was breath-taking. We climbed up the frozen waterfall and inside the cave at the top to see the actual “donut”. It was so worth the treacherous trip back down.

What are your favorite U.S. hikes? Which National Park do you love most?

Cindy's Rooftop Bar, Chicago Athletic Association, RebeccaWanderlusting

Girls’ Weekend at The Chicago Athletic Association

On February 27, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Chicago, Illinois, Uncategorized, US Travel5 Comments

This past weekend, a group of friends and I enjoyed a marvelous staycation at the historic Chicago Athletic Association. We, Jennifer, Jessica, Adrienne and I, were there to celebrate our beautiful friend, Sarah’s birthday with her. I have to say, it was by far one of the best hotel experiences I’ve had in a long time. I checked in first, as the room was under my name, and as soon I walked in I was lost.

The building is full of nooks and crannies and staircases leading to somewhere you’re not quite sure you’re supposed to be. I had to ask where the check in desk was, because it was not immediately apparent to me, at the information desk on the first floor, which also housed a Shake Shack, a gift shop through a labyrinth of hallways and a long, long line up to the famed Cindy’s Rooftop (more on that later).

Upon check-in, I received five tokens (one for each of us) for champagne in one of the six restaurants/bars at the Chicago Athletic Association, the Cherry Circle Room. After I got lost once again trying to find the elevators up to the guest rooms, I dropped off my bags in our double-bedded room and went back downstairs to get take some photos of the beautiful property.

Lo and behold, I was lost again and ran smack dab into one of my roommates for the evening, Adrienne. Gleefully, we made our way back up to the room together to set up for an evening of champagne and relaxation in our Wes Anderson meets your hip rich uncle’s spare bedroom room. We had snacks and booze and spa supplies and cards, all of which make for a perfect evening.

However, we did not get to much of what we planned in the room, as the Athletic Association had other plans for us. Once everyone had arrived, we left the room to get our free champagne and plan our evening in the Cherry Circle Room, which is adjacent to the Game Room, a bar with bocce ball and foosball and shuffleboard, on the second floor.

The Cherry Circle Room was fully committed for the evening which was fair, seeing how it was a beautiful, wood-paneled dream of a restaurant. They accommodated us in the small lounge just outside it’s doors, where they served us champagne in pretty flutes. We sipped and schemed; all of us agreed that we needed to see their ballroom before we did anything else.

After finishing the gratis bubbly, we took the elevator to the eighth floor and barged in on the set up of the evening’s event. As the staff graciously guided us back towards the elevator, we snuck peaks of the beautiful White City Ballroom. The gentleman who was ushering us good-naturedly back to approved areas overheard us talking about going up to Cindy’s and stopped what he was doing to personally escort us up via the back elevator, effectively saving us a good thirty minutes waiting in line on the ground floor.

That was the start of our good luck. Once in the bar, we ran into one of my old friends from work and the rest is a haze of champagne and charcuterie. We took the requisite photos on the terrace and marveled over the view from the top. We sipped champagne and cocktails and got a light dinner to share. It was amazing, and it was said more than once how unbelievable the service and libations were.

After having more than our fair share of expertly mixed cocktails, we made our way back to the room to continue the evening. After face masks (by Crude), nail polish, more champagne, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, and drunk snacks, we all fell asleep in our cozy hotel robes.

The next morning, we awoke early to headaches and the need to see the sunrise from the ballroom we only got a small glimpse of the night before. The trip was a secret mission through the employee entrance but it was successful. The pink sky from the east facing windows was too pretty for words; it shined over the glass front buildings and the bean, with the turquoise lake in the background.

The ballroom was just stunning; a perfect mix of modern touches and classic architecture. We also peeped into the Madison Ballroom, which featured city views and grand chandeliers. When we got back to the room, we fell back asleep for a morning nap, then took turns enjoying the luxurious shower.

After pampering just a little bit more, we worked our way down to the Milk Room for a satisfying breakfast of toast, bacon, and the best hash brown cakes I’ve ever had. They were crispy on the outside and creamy with sliced green onions on the inside. The Milk Room was located in the hotel lobby, and was a warm collection of wood, mismatched chairs and colorful pillows.

The food, along with the restaurant’s amazing coffee, brought us back to life enough to pack up he room and check out. I think we all needed this weekend, it was perfectly restorative and fun and we enjoyed every minute of it.

Have you stayed at the Chicago Athletic Association? Which restaurant was your favorite?

A Note on Solo Trips

On February 7, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Lifestyle, Travel Tips3 Comments

I love taking solo trips. I think they are great for the spirit and can lead to adventures that maybe would not have been possible when traveling in a group. That being said, I have personally experienced a slight downside to solo travel. There’s a certain guilt that can arise when you travel alone that starts when something doesn’t go exactly how you planned and continues on through each misstep or change in itinerary.

When I took my solo trip to Iceland and Copenhagen last year, I had a fantastic time. I came back knowing that I did everything I could and saw what I wanted to see and enjoyed myself. However, while I was actually on the trip, there were definitely moments of self-doubt and moments where I questioned my choices.

While I was in Iceland, there was a night when I was just wandering around, people watching. A gentleman I passed in the street, who was clearly intoxicated, lunged at me and grabbed my arm, mumbling in Icelandic. I cursed at him and speed walked away, heading straight back to my hotel. This cut my evening plans short and sent me into a tailspin of questioning what I was even doing and why I was there. I started the next day in a funk, but eventually pulled myself out of it, though the doubt hung over me for the rest of the trip.

Once I got to Copenhagen, even though I was in an amazing city, there were times when I just wanted to fill my time to make it go faster. I was a little homesick and I missed Mike, and I felt guilty for those feelings. Shouldn’t I be having the best time? Was I less independent because I missed the familiar?

What helped me most, funnily enough, was reading Bill Bryson’s “Neither Here Nor There” about his own solo travels through Europe. Mr. Bryson’s hilarious accounts of his hits and misses on his trip made me laugh and comforted me, especially as I read them while at a restaurant alone. I found solace in the fact that many other people have had low moments when they travel solo, and that not everything can be the highlight reel it might appear.

That’s the purpose of this little note. If you have taken a solo trip and felt guilty for any downtime or for any moment spent homesick or any night in, you’re in good company. Solo trips are great because you can do whatever the hell you want and no one is there to judge you, so don’t judge yourself.

Have you ever felt this way on solo trips? How did you cope?

Worldly Recipes: Ramen

On January 29, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Worldly Recipes1 Comment

The first time I tried this delectable Japanese dish was when Furious Spoon opened in Wicker Park, which is only a twenty minute walk from our apartment. We were instantly hooked and decided we needed to learn how to make it at home. Now, ramen is one of my go-to recipes during the week. The ingredients are relatively cheap and it’s quick and easy to make. Mike and I have the process down to a science, and it only takes about 25 minutes for us to pull it all together.

This recipe makes about five to six servings, which is perfect for dinner plus leftovers for lunch. One of the great things about this recipe is that it’s very versatile and can be changed to fit all tastes and flavors. Here’s my favorite version:

Ingredients:

(2) 32oz packages of 50% Less Sodium Beef Broth
(1) Pound of Short Rib
(4) Packages of Ramen Noodles
(1) Orange Pepper
(2) Cups Mushrooms (I use the stir fry mix from Mariano’s)
(1) Bunch of Radishes
(1) Bunch of Green Onions
(2) Baby Bok Choy
(2) Cloves of Garlic
(1) Teaspoon Ginger Powder
(2) Tablespoons Olive Oil
(3) Tablespoons Soy Sauce
Pepper and Sriracha to taste

Steps:

Empty the beef broth into a large pot and turn the burner on medium-high
Finely chop the garlic and add to the broth, along with the ginger powder and stir
Cut the beef into bite sized pieces and begin to cook in 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon soy sauce
Slice the pepper into thin slices and then cut the slices in half
Slice radishes, reserve half
Slice mushrooms, if they aren’t sliced already
Cook the vegetables in the remaining olive oil and 1 tablespoon soy sauce
While everything cooks, slice green onions and baby bok choy and set aside
Once the vegetables and meet are cooked, add them into the broth using a slotted spoon
Also add in a small handful of the green onions
When the broth begins to boil, add in noodles
Once the noodles are cooked, add in sliced bok choy and let simmer for a minute
Serve in bowls and top with the raw radish, sliced green onions and sriracha
ENJOY!

Have you tried making ramen at home? What do you like in your ramen?

My 10 Favorite U.S. Hikes, RebeccaWanderlusting

Top Five Friday #16

On January 20, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Top Five Friday, US TravelLeave a comment

US Bucket List

This year, I would love to explore new areas of the United States. There are so many fantastic destinations in my own country, it makes for quite a long list of need-to-visit places. I know I’ve said it before, but I think it’s worth noting again: every destination has it’s merits, and you don’t need to travel far to find a worth-while vacation. This also speaks to my need to be on a tighter travel budget this year, as traveling within the United States tends to be a bit cheaper than internationally. While this list could go on and on, here are the five destinations that top my US Bucket List:

Grand Haven, Michigan: I love Michigan. Ever since we visited Grand Rapids, I’ve been looking into other Michigan cities to explore. Grand Haven seems to fit the bill perfectly with its delicious looking restaurants, antique shops, and not to mention its beaches and lighthouses. We can sail on Lake Michigan, bike along the boardwalks and relax in the evening at one of the many breweries in town. It’s the perfect weekend getaway.
(photo via)
Adirondacks, New York: The Adirondacks is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States. I would love to rent a cabin in the wilderness there and hike, kayak and browse through the local artist galleries. I would also love to take the Amtrak train from New York City to cross “take an Amtrak trip” of my list of to-dos for the year. Overall, this destination seems like an excellent place to de-stress and enjoy the surroundings.
(photo via)
Albuquerque, New Mexico: Hot air balloon rides over the desert! What else do I need to say? That has always been on my bucket list, and I would love to travel to New Mexico to experience it. In addition to that, Albuquerque has hiking, rock climbing, rafting, and tons of other outdoor activities. Not to mention the numerous wineries, breweries and wide variety of restaurants to enjoy. It would be the perfect long weekend to get into nature and away from the city.
(photo via)
Charleston, South Carolina: What’s not to love about a picturesque, Southern city with history to spare?? Charleston has been on my list so long that I need to visit soon if only for the satisfaction of checking it off. I want to tour the old houses, enjoy the coast, and eat so much seafood. Charleston has so much to offer, and I would love to explore every little bit of it.
(photo via)
Olympic National Park, Washington: There is so much beauty to see in and around Olympic National Park, this trip would need to be at least a week or so long. The rain forests within the park alone, are worthy of their own trip. But then there’s Crescent Lake, numerous beaches and waterfalls… it’s such a gorgeous destination. I would love to fly into Seattle and drive to Olympic National Park, stopping at all of the parks and landmarks.

(photo via)

What’s on your US Bucket List? Do we have any destinations in common?

Neighborhood Spotlight: Chinatown

On January 17, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Chicago, Illinois, Uncategorized, US Travel1 Comment

This past weekend, Mike and I hitched a ride over to Chinatown to get a little color in this dreary Chicago January. We took an Uber there, but it is also easily accessible by the Red Line Cermak-Chinatown stop. Both of us hadn’t visited this area since college, so it’s been quite a few years.

Though the sky was cloudy, it wasn’t too cold out and there were plenty of other people milling about, so we were in good company. We walked down towards the main drag and under the telltale red and green gate. The street beyond it is lined with shops and restaurants, bakeries and grocery stores.

Some of the shops had already started decorating for Chinese New Year which is in a couple of weeks; the red lanterns were in bright contrast to the grey sky. We popped into a few stores, especially liking the candy stores. When I was in Shanghai a few years ago, I fell in love with a taffy like candy called White Rabbit, which they had in abundance in each of the stores. Also in abundance was all kinds of seafood and vegetables in each of the grocery stores we passed.

We also visited Chiu Quon, a bakery and dim sum joint, for a couple of fried red bean paste cakes. The bakery had lots of other sweet treats, including moon cakes and fortune cookies by the bag, and of course a wide selection of dim sum and dumplings.

We also visited the Buddhism Friendship Association, which has beautiful statues inside and a gift shop with jade jewelry and prayer beads and Buddha statues. When we were passing through, they were starting to put out food on a long table in the middle of the temple, so, not wanting to disturb them, we moved on.

We decided to go to the Phoenix Restaurant for dim sum, and wound up having to wait thirty minutes for a table. The waiting area was crowded with people, and more kept coming through to put their name in for a table, which we took as a good sign. The food was worth well worth the wait though, and we ordered plenty. As soon as we sat down, we were served a delicious green tea and presented with a large menu complete with pictures.

We ordered the xiao long bao, barbeque pork buns and turnovers, fried rice, shrimp and chive dumplings, spring rolls and red bean dumplings. They brought the food out a few dishes at a time, serving them with a chili sauce and another reduced soy sauce. The women pushing the carts full of food presented the dishes with a flourish and crossed each item off our receipt as they came. I loved the xiao long baos and the steamed barbecue pork buns.

After eating far too much, we walked around to work off the dumplings. Across the street from the restaurant is a beautiful square flanked by foo dogs and filled with Chinese zodiac statues. Many people were lined up to take photos with the rooster statue, as this coming Chinese New Year celebrates the year of the rooster.

The sidewalk just past the square was lined with yet more restaurants and stores (especially candy stores!), and we wandered through admiring the sights and smells. A lot of the storefronts on the top level were closed down, but the ground floor was still bustling. Once we got our fill, we walked back to the red line, first stopping to take pictures of the amazing street art just outside of it. All in all, it was a wonderful afternoon, and I’m so happy that we got the chance to explore a different neighborhood in our city.

Have you been to your nearest Chinatown? How about Chinatown Chicago?

Top Five Friday #20 - Favorite Travel Writing Tools, RebeccaWanderlusting

Budget-Friendly Ways to Indulge Your Wanderlust

On January 10, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Travel Tips, Trip Planning2 Comments

I have this problem where whenever I read about or see a photo of any destination in general, I want to go there immediately. It’s a problem because I usually can’t afford there, especially not right away. This results in a very long bucket list and endless pennies pinched. When I take larger trips, meaning further and for longer, I save up for them for months. I would like to think that a lot of people are in the same boat as me with this. I believe that travel is one of the best, most rewarding things you could spend your money on. That being said, I also believe you don’t have to spend a ton of money or travel very far to indulge your travel bug.

Personally, I try to take one or two dream vacations a year, and then go on smaller trips in the months between to satiate my wanderlust. I do feel some pressure to keep up with my fellow travelers, but unfortunately, for right now it’s just not something I can feasibly do. So here’s what I’ll be doing in the next couple of months to keep my travel bug at bay, and things that you can do as well, if you’re looking for budget-friendly ways to seek out some adventure:

Exploring my own city: Chicago has so many different neighborhoods and attractions, I feel like I’ve just barely scratched the surface. I want to explore the different cultural areas and check out museums I haven’t visited yet. And, if possible, I want to plan a little staycation at one of the great boutique hotels.
Take a Friday after-work through Sunday night trip: I budget my paid time off just like I budget my money; saving it for larger trips to faraway places. It is entirely possible to fit a fun vacation into 36 hours, as long as you plan accordingly. The key is to choose a destination with minimal travel time to maximize your time exploring.
Drive to the nearest State or National Park for a day of hiking: I’ve been to Matthiessen and Starved Rock State Parks in Illinois and Kettle Moraine State Park in Wisconsin, and am dying to cross more off my list. Wherever you live, there’s bound to be a State or National Park within a short(ish) drive that you could easily explore as a day trip.
Have a spa day: It’s not for everyone, but for me, a spa day is one of the best ways to relax and get away from the stress of everyday life. The best way to do it is to visit a hotel spa and stay to take advantage the pool and steam rooms and room service.
Drive or take an Amtrak Train to another city in your area: As I said, there’s no need to travel very far to find a worthwhile destination. Last month we drove the 3 hours to Galena, IL and had a wonderful, relaxing getaway. It’s absolutely possible to enjoy a nearby locale for a weekend away.

If all else fails, you can find me making a pillow fort at home with my favorite travel books or movies, dreaming and scheming for future trips.

What are your favorite budget-friendly ways to indulge your wanderlust?

Monthly Memo: January

On January 8, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Lifestyle, Monthly MemoLeave a comment

Happy Sunday!

Things have finally started to slow down from the holidays, which I am so grateful for. Life has been really hectic lately, so I’m happy to have a chance to relax and catch up on some things. Today in particular is shaping up to be a treat yo self day (I know I am way behind on this, but I have been binge-ing Parks and Recreation lately and I am obsessed). I plan on:

Reorganizing my closet
Doing some travel planning
Enjoying a face mask (Origins Clear Improvements Charcoal Mask)
Painting my nails (Miss Fancy Pants by Essie)
And trying out a new hair color (full disclosure: gotta cover up those grays!)

Then, I’m going to snuggle up with Brody and have a glass of wine while we watch the Golden Globes. Our little pup has been with us for two months now, and he’s getting more and more comfortable in his new home. He’s actually sitting in my lap as I type this, and that’s some progress. This morning I took him for a nice long walk around our neighborhood, which I think we both enjoyed despite the cold. Chicago has been freezing lately, which has me dreaming of warm weather and beaches.

As far as trip planning is concerned, I’m a little limited right now, but I’m trying to work around it. I’ve been looking into some cheap weekend trips, so hopefully I can pull something together in the next couple weeks. Or if all else fails, maybe a little staycation could be arranged. I received a scratch off map for Christmas this year, which is something I’ve been wanting for a while. Though, now that I have it, it’s only making me want to travel more!

This month I’m looking forward to keeping the tradition of January spa days with my friend, Amber, starting some different projects that I’m very excited about, and finding new and creative ways to beat the cold. I am also planning on getting back into a manageable workout routine. The holidays really derailed my morning runs, but I’m hoping to get back into it now. One of my other goals for the year was to read more classic novels, so right now I’m reading “Beloved” by Toni Morrison and am really liking it. What about you? What are your goals for this year? What are you currently reading? Tell me all about it in the comments!

Have a wonderful January, everyone!