27 in 27 Goals Recap + A New List | RebeccaWanderlusting

27 in 27 Goals Recap and A New List

On December 5, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Travel Goals, Travel TipsLeave a comment

What a year it has been. 27 was an interesting age to be; there were certainly a lot of ups and downs. I feel very proud of what I’ve accomplished in this year, and it makes me hopeful for the year ahead. Though there were some losses, I also feel like this year brought me some amazing new experiences. I always start the year with a list of goals correlating with the age I turn, and my list of 27 goals proved to be quite the challenge. I think I did pretty good considering. Here’s the breakdown:

Canadian Adventure – DONE! – I went to Toronto and Niagara in Ontario in October. Read about that trip here, here, here or here.
Take a Trip on an Amtrak Train – DONE! – An Amtrak train transported me in style from Union Station in Chicago to Union Station in St. Louis.
Run a Race – My friends, I tried my best to make this happen. I signed up for two different races this year and couldn’t do one due to an injury and the second one was cancelled on me due to a crazy storm. This one will have to be added to next year’s list.
Have an Article Published in a Magazine – DONE! Magnificent Mile– It was an online magazine but it still counts! I wrote something for Viva Lifestyle & Travel this summer about the here in Chicago.
Read More Non-Fiction – DONE! Out of the 25 books I’ve read so far this year, 15 of them were non-fiction.
Be Better About Networking – DONE! – Thanks to Shapr and attending local events, I can confidently say I am better at networking than I was at the start of this year.
Find a Collaboration – DONE! – I started the year with a new blog, co-written and edited with a friend of mine (which is now no longer a thing, but that’s totally fine – live and learn!) and am now endqqing the year as one-seventh of a wonderful group of women that host fundraisers for charities in the Chicago area.
Figure Out my Personal Style – DONE! – It was a lot easier to work with a personal style when I don’t have to spend all my fashion money on suits like I used to. I utilized Stitch Fix and shopping all the good sales to get some key items that suit my simple style.
Invest in a Solid Wardrobe Staple – DONE! – As I said in #8, I was able to get quite a few key pieces like some great black booties and a camel colored trench.
Go to Mexico – HALF DONE! This trip is booked but I won’t be going until next month.
Write More Fiction – There was not enough time this year to work on fiction writing, but I’ve got high hopes for the future of my fiction writing.
Make & Sell Some Candles – This was a lofty goal. I made the candles but just ended up burning them myself, so at least I did half of it.
Take a Yoga Class – DONE! – I found a yoga studio by my old apartment that I absolutely loved (Yoga for All Beings in West Town) and went to frequently. Now, I’m attending a gym in Wicker Park that offers a multitude of other classes that I’ve been exploring.
Learn to Meditate – DONE! – I tried out the Headspace App to work on this one and I’m not entirely sure that sitting still for so long is for me, but I’m happy that I pushed through to make it work.
Get a New Tattoo – DONE! See for yourself:
Explore a New Chicago Neighborhood – DONE! – Lincoln Square: neighborhood guide coming soon.
Get a New Job – DONE! – I started a new position as a Catering Sales Manager back in February and have been much happier since.
Go to a National Park – DONE! – The Gateway Arch in St. Louis.
Master Conversational French – I wish I could have accomplished this one! I’m switching over to Spanish now though in anticipation of my Mexico trip.
Get a Massage – DONE! – I visited the Spa at the Four Seasons for a massage and dinner by the pool earlier this year.
Buy a Piece of Art – DONE! – Technically I won my pretty flamingo print in a raffle, but regardless of how I got it, it’s here and it’s lovely.
Make Homemade Pasta – DONE! – This was not the most delicious meal I ever made. In fact, the homemade noodles looked more like soggy french fries than anything, but I’m glad I tried and I think it will be much better next time.
Take an Educational Class – DONE! – I’ve already talked about my creative non-fiction class quite a bit here but I would be happy to take another class with Gotham Writers any time.
Go on a Trip Without Writing About It – DONE! – It was our yearly trip to Wisconsin but it was still nice to travel without the pressure of having to come up with new content.
Organize a Clothing Swap – Nope. Just didn’t happen.
Make Something for the Apartment – DONE! – Two woven yarn wall hangings, one for over the bar and one for over the bed.
Go to a Play – DONE! – A Winter’s Tale outdoors in Forest Park in St. Louis.

21.5/27 GOALS DONE – I think that’s pretty good!

This year’s list includes a classic literature reading list, a few travel goals (a mother-daughter trip, a beach vacation and visiting a new country), seeing a favorite musician in concert, checking out some new Chicago attractions and mastering some new recipes. Here’s hoping 28 is my best year yet!

What are your goals for this upcoming year?

Favorite Midwest Road Trips

On August 25, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, US Travel, Wisconsin4 Comments

I love the Midwest. I was born here, raised here, and it’s here where I gained my love for travel. My family has always had the travel bug, and we often explored towns closest to us as our family vacations. Once I started traveling and branching out on my own, naturally I chose to explore this region first. I haven’t been everywhere of note in the Midwest quite yet, but I have amassed a list of my favorite Midwest road trips that are tried and true. If you’re in the Midwest and are looking for a fantastic weekend trip, these destinations would fit the bill perfectly. Without further ado, here they are:

Milwaukee, WI – An easy hour and a half drive up Route 94 from Chicago, Milwaukee is the perfect place for a quick weekend getaway. Between the lakefront, the breweries and the amazing restaurants, you’re in for a treat. When we were there last summer, I fell in love with the Milwaukee Art Museum, Lakefront Brewery and the Milwaukee Public Market.
Warren Dunes, MI – The Warren Dunes (not to be confused with the Dunes in Indiana, which in my opinion are not as pretty) are a short-ish (2 hours) drive from Chicago. The State Park is beautifully maintained and makes for a lovely day at the beach. Bring a blanket and a picnic to make a day out of it, and if you want to spend the night, you can camp in the park as well.
Starved Rock/Matthiessen State Parks, IL – Speaking of camping, you can hike one or both of these parks in one weekend, especially if you camp near by like we did. Both parks are completely stunning, but Starved Rock offers a little more in terms of trails and lodging. Matthiessen State Park is a hiking wonderland filled with inventive bridges over streams and beautiful canyons. You can do either as a day trip as well, if you’re strapped for time.
Cedarburg, WI – Taking a trip to Cedarburg is like going back to a simpler time. It’s a super cute town just north of Milwaukee with super cute restaurants and shops. We visited this lovely destination after Kayaking the Milwaukee River and had fantastic burgers at Morton’s Wisconsin Restaurant. I’ve been trying to plan a weekend trip here ever since.
Grand Rapids, MI – It’s no secret that I love Grand Rapids; it’s one of my favorite cities in the U.S. It has all of my favorite things: breweries, antique stores and a great live music scene. I’ve been there twice in the past two years and each time we’ve found new reasons to love it. It’s an excellent choice for a fantastic weekend away.
St. Louis, MO – While St. Louis is a little bit longer of a haul from Chicago, it is definitely worth the trip. It has history, (more) breweries, baseball and beautiful parks. I had such fun time exploring this fun city, and I can’t wait to go again to hit the spots I missed. I would recommend going to a Cardinals Game, the City Museum, Delmar Loop and Four Hands brewery.
Galena, IL – Galena is wonderful. There’s no other way to put it. The city is nestled in between hills and the Galena River and has a rich history, being the home of Ulysses S. Grant. The Helluva Half Mile is a stretch of shops, restaurants and bars and runs right through downtown Galena. Pick any of the great B&Bs (I would recommend the Lamberson Guest House) in the area to stay for a weekend away and you’ll be in for a treat.
Lake Geneva, WI – Growing up, we spent many summer weekends cruising around Geneva Lake in Lake Geneva. Besides housing one of the best lakes in the Midwest for boating and swimming, the town of Lake Geneva also has some super cute hotels, restaurants and stores. Plus, it’s just an hour and a half drive from Chicago, which makes it a convenient weekend or day trip. My favorite part of the city is the trail around the lake, which is a peaceful walking path from which you can view all of the very large and very beautiful houses on the water.

What are your favorite Midwest road trips? Where’s your favorite Midwest destination?

Save Money While Trip Planning, RebeccaWanderlusting

6 Unique Tips to Save Money While Trip Planning

On August 15, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Travel Tips, Trip PlanningLeave a comment

I’ve touched on this a little bit here and there, but this year did not start out very well. Slowly, each month it’s gotten better and better, due to a change in career, a change in neighborhood and an all-around change in attitude. I think one of the big things that has helped is for the first time all year, I’m planning a trip outside the Midwest. Oh man, it feels so good to be making travel plans again!

Mike and I are heading to Toronto in a couple of months, and planning all the details has been such a joy. More on the specifics of this trip later, but I forgot how much I love looking into new destinations and picking out hotels and restaurants. I got a little bit carried away and started planning a trip to Puerto Vallarta for my birthday in December too.

It was one of my goals this year to visit Canada and Mexico, so I’m trying to make it happen as well. Because I’m trying to fit in two larger trips for the last few months of the year, I’m currently saving up and working on a budget to make it doable. I’m always on the lookout for new ways to save some money, especially when traveling as it’s my most expensive habit. I’ve tried out quite a few different tips and tricks to save money while trip planning and here’s what has worked best:

Be flexible: The best way to start trip planning is by having no plan at all. If you’re flexible with your travel dates, you open yourself up to the cheapest options available.
Clear Your Search History & Utilize the Right Websites: Your search history can impede your ability to get the best deal out there on airfare and hotels. Before you start your trip planning online, clear your search history and use the right websites to find the best deals. My personal favorites are skyscanner.com, rome2rio.com, and tripadvisor.com.
Join Ibotta: This app allows you to get money back from your everyday purchases and in the way of rebates, which can be used towards your travels. You can also use it to search for deals on popular travel booking sites.
Check Groupon/LivingSocial: Either of these sites can provide you with discounts on hotel rooms, dining, and activities. We’ve used both to save money at restaurants when we travel or to book tours and attractions.
Master Travel Credit Card Points: I am, admittedly, a novice at this skill, but it’s still a great way to get money back when you pay for trips with your travel credit card. (If you’re looking for a great resource on this, check out The Points Guy).
Use Raise Marketplace: I just started using this online hub for discounted gift cards and it’s quite the handy resource. On it, you can purchase gift card for your trip from airlines, hotel brands, AirBnB, and more for a percentage off the total. As an added bonus, use my code (WANDER20) for $20 off your first purchase (of $40 or more).

How do you save money while trip planning? What are your best travel budgeting tips?

Top Five Friday #18

On June 16, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Top Five Friday1 Comment

Favorite Travel Memories

This year my travel plans are lacking, because, well… because of a multitude of reasons. Mostly budgetary, but also because I started a new job with an unpredictable schedule and no vacation days quite yet. This has me looking to past trips and trying to live vicariously through travel memories. Appreciating all the places you’ve been is a huge part of travel, and I don’t think we do it enough. We, the collective we as travelers, seem so focused on getting to the next place and collecting more and more countries and experiences. When I get down about not being able to travel as much, looking through old travel photos and reading old posts cheers me up like nothing else. So without further ado, here are my favorite travel memories (s0 far):

1. Asheville, NC: My firs successful solo trip was to Asheville, North Carolina. I chose Asheville because I got some glowing recommendations from some of my friends, and sure enough, I loved it too. The scenery is beautiful and the people are so dang nice. The memory that stands out to me as my favorite is hiking to the top of Chimney Rock and getting there red-faced and triumphant. The view was one of the prettiest I’ve seen. Also. for a non-driver, I was pretty proud to have driven there and back without any accidents.

2. Seoul, South Korea: At the time, my cousin Katie lived in Seoul and had invited me to visit. I think it surpised us both when I bought my ticket. I stayed for nine days and it was the perfect combination of exploring by myself and having her as my guide. She lived right by Namsan Park, and I loved walking around and hiking up to the top to see Seoul Tower and the amazing view of the city. My favorite memory though was taking a train and a ferry to Nami Island and then getting the most delicious dinner of Dak Galbi afterwards and it was perfect.

3. Chattanooga & Gatlinburg, TN: My family used to go on a vacation every summer when I was growing up. Then, when my sister and then I went off to college, we stopped going so much. Last year, however, we finally got to take another trip as a family (plus two significant others and one baby) to visit my mom’s side in Chattanooga and hike in Gatlinburg. Both parts of the trip were amazing, especially visiting my family in Chattanooga. and then staying in a log cabin in Gatlinburg. Hiking in the Smoky Mountains stands out as a favorite memory, especially because the views were just perfect. I loved every minute of this trip, so much so that I cried for the first thirty minutes of the way home because I didn’t want this trip to end.

4. Iceland & Copenhagen: This trip definitely made my bank account take a hit, but it was so, so worth it. It was such an amazing thing to plan and execute this trip and not have any regrets when I came home. I’m not even sure what I’d call the highlight of the trip, because there were so many unique experiences. I will say that the Elding Whale Watching Tour and the South Shore Tour in Iceland took my breath away. And what I liked most about Copenhagen was just wandering around the city, popping into cafes and museums. It was the perfect balance of outdoor adventure in Iceland and city exploration in Copenhagen.

5. New Orleans, LA: This was the first trip Mike and I ever took together and though there have been many since, this will always be my favorite. We drove there and back, which was a real test for our five month old relationship. But, we survived without any crazy fights. The standout memory for me is walking around on our first day there in the pouring rain, running from awning to awning until we just didn’t care any more and got soaked. I also really, really enjoyed walking through the swamps and trying to spot crocodiles. I loved this whole trip and will forever remember it as the moment when I fell for Mike.

What are you favorite travel memories? Where have you gone that still holds a place in your heart?

Top Five Friday #4

On October 9, 2015 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Top Five Friday2 Comments

Audiobooks for Road Trips

Audiobooks are essential to road trips. Not only do they make the ride go by faster, but they give you a reason to WANT to get back in the car and keep going. A good audiobook needs to be enthralling, something that captures your attention from the get-go. Below are my top five audiobook suggestions for your next road trip:

“Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone” by J.K. Rowling: Really any of these books will do, but if you’re going to start something, you might as well start at the beginning. All of the Harry Potter audiobooks are read by Jim dale, who does amazingly unique voices for each character. Even if you’ve already read them, listening to it being read by Mr. Dale is worth your time, I promise. (Duration: 8.5 hours)
Image from Amazon.com
“The Shining” by Stephen King: Stephen King is, without a doubt, my favorite author. Many of his books would be a great choice to occupy your time as you drive. I chose this one because it’s a.) very scary and b.) very exciting and will make your road trip go by that much faster. You will listen with bated breath, needing to know what will become of the Torrance Family. Bonus points for you if your road trip ends with a creepy, historic hotel. (Duration: 16 hours)
Image from Amazon.com
“Bossypants” by Tina Fey: Read by Ms. Fey herself, her accounts of her life thus far will make your drive so much more amusing. You’ll be laughing out loud and not caring if you look crazy to your fellow highway drivers. It’s a good mix of interesting life experience and hilarious anecdotes to keep things entertaining. (Duration: 5.5 hours)
Image from Amazon.com
“Dark Places” by Gillian Flynn: This book, penned by the author of “Gone Girl”, will definitely keep you on your toes for its entirety. The complex characters and plot twists ensure that it will have your full attention. “Dark Places” is a dark thriller that you won’t want to stop listening to until you know whodunnit. (Duration: 13.5 hours)
image from Amazon.com
“Me Talk Pretty One Day” by David Sedaris: This compilation of short essays is so relatable and funny. It’s read by the author, and will have you crying with laughter. My only advice would be to keep a pack of Kleenex on hand to keep the tears from obstructing your view of the road. (Duration: 6 hours)
Image from Amazon.com

What are your favorite audiobooks to keep you entertained on a road trip?

Top Five Friday #3

On October 2, 2015October 6, 2015 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Top Five FridayLeave a comment

Carry-On Essentials

I like to think of myself as a pretty organized packer. I make lists, I pack ahead of time, and I have a straight forward system for the morning of the trip to pack up my last minute items. I always strive to only pack carry-on when flying, due to my impatience with baggage claim and fear of having luggage lost. However, when I’m forced to check a bag, there are a few things that absolutely need to be in my carry-on for the flight. I’m a pretty low-maintenance traveler, but I do get a little cranky if I forget to pack any of the following items:

1. Make-Up Remover Wipes: I absolutely need these for every trip. I always feel so greasy after a flight, and it makes me feel infinitely better to be able to wash my face. These wipes are an easy way to freshen up without much hassle. I prefer Simple Brand, but any kind will do.

2. A Good Read(s): I refuse to travel without a book to keep me company. And while I love actual paper books more than I love electronic ones, my iPad is more space-friendly when I travel. I tend to burn through books with that much time on my hands so my iPad allows me to bring back-ups without bringing an extra carry-on full of paperbacks (yes, it’s happened before).

3. A Scarf: It really is one of the more versatile and useful things you can bring with you on a flight. You can accessorize with it, use it as a blanket, put it up as a makeshift curtain between you and your seat mate…whatever you want. I like wearing a scarf on the plane because it jazzes up my usual travel outfit of leggings and an over-sized t-shirt.

4. Concealer: Like I said, I’m not all that high-maintenance, but I do prefer to step into a new city with the confidence of having hidden under-eye circles and pimples. I like to have a good concealer on hand to handle these problem areas, which somehow always seem to worsen after a flight. I prefer Benefit Erase Paste, but again, any brand will do.

5. Empty Water Bottle: I think this is a pretty well-known airport hack, but it’s definitely worth over-mentioning. Bringing an empty water bottle in your carry-on allows you to take it past security and fill it up by your gate to avoid overpaying for an airport bottle of water. The water fountain is free, people, take advantage of it! I won’t bore you about the importance of staying hydrated while traveling, so just think about it on your own.

What are your carry on essentials? Do you have any baggage/airport hacks you stand by?

P.S.- Things that didn’t quite make the cut: headphones (an obvious choice), ZZquil (only necessary for the really long trips), snacks (another obvious choice, for me anyways), Notebook/pencils (duh) and Nivea Crème (no need for more emphasis on the importance of hydration).

P.P.S- The products are linked for your convenience, not for my benefit. 🙂

Top Five South Korean Foods, RebeccaWanderlusting

Top Five Friday #2

On September 25, 2015September 25, 2015 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Top Five Friday1 Comment

South Korean Foods

Apparently, its South Korea week, and I’m totally okay with that! One of my favorite parts of traveling is trying new cuisines. Sampling dishes the destination is known for is a great way to literally take in the culture of a new place. Seoul opened up a whole new world of delicious treats for me. That trip instilled a deep love of South Korean foods that I now actively seek out whenever I can. It was hard to narrow it down to just five favorites, but here they are, listed in no particular order:

Korean BBQ, as a whole: I could eat Korean Barbecue every night and be happy. The process of cooking the meat and snacking on pickles, fish cakes and potatoes as you waited is so satisfying. The banchan (side dishes) are perfect compliments to the grilled meat, and good on their own too! Every restaurant that I had barbecue in Seoul, I was not disappointed. Wash it down with some Cass Beer and Sprite and you’re set for a beautiful evening.
Red Bean Bao/Donut: An ode to the red bean: Oh how I love you so. Sweetened and encased in dough. Wherever you are, that’s where I’ll go. But seriously, I wish there was a red bean bao vender on every corner in Chicago. Fried or steamed, I don’t care. The red bean pastries were my favorite sweet treats from my time in Seoul.
Bibimbap: It’s the perfect bowl of rice with sauteed vegetables, meat and possibly an egg or some spice. What more could you want? I have been practicing the art of bibimbap at home, despite the six pans the process dirties, just so I can enjoy it whenever I want. I like mine a little spicy, with some Korean hot pepper paste (gochujang).
Kimchi: I can eat Kimchi out of the jar with a fork, because I love it. But it also compliments mostly anything. I love the spice of it, and the vinegary delicious crunch. I had never even tried it until I went to Seoul, but now I am so happy to have it in my life.
Dak Galbi: This dish is very popular in Chuncheon, which is where I first had it after we returned from Nami Island. This spicy rice cake and chicken dish is absolutely amazing. They mix the ingredients in a pan at your table and after you feel like you can’t possibly eat any more, they mix the leftover sauce and scattered vegetables with white rice to make a delicious fried rice. It’s perfect.