The Benefits of Shopping Local

In today’s ease of convenience, it’s easy to hop online to purchase this, that, or the other. It’s something I find myself doing for certain items rather than calling around or making an effort to step into a store. Growing up in a small business, it was impressed upon me to try to find whatever it is I need locally …

Essential Items for Traveling on a Plane

What traveling all over the world has taught me is that there are frivolous travel items and essential items for traveling on a plane. I’ve packed in every which way, and have narrowed down a list of things that I always take on trips with me, no matter if it’s domestic or international. The list is going to be geared …

Fabulous Finds: The Best Products on Amazon I’ve Purchased

Shopping small is a huge part of my life, but there are some items that I either can’t find locally or I simply don’t know who sells them around me. Therefore, I turn to Amazon. Since I have Prime, much of what I order gets free shipping, which gives me a bit of license to order things at my leisure. …

Living Sustainably: Everything You Do Counts

The older I get, the more conscious I get about living sustainably. I’m not perfect at it, but I’ll die trying. Too often I hear people say things like “I don’t have time to think about that” or “What does this one thing I do really matter?” Well, it does matter. Everything we do matters, and to those who have …

My Favorite and Best Winter Coat Brands

For years I have purchased various winter coat brands even though I live in a near-tropical climate. There is something about winter and being outside with a sufficient coat that excites me, so I continue to buy coats. I’ve got anything from leather jackets to serious cold-weather coats hanging in my closet. In fact, I have an entire closet dedicated …

What to Wear at the European Christmas Markets

People from all over the world flock to the European Christmas markets. You hear many different languages spoken while you’re walking around with stars in your eyes, wondering how you waited so long to go. When I decided to sign up for the group tour headed to Europe for the Christmas markets, I wondered what I was going to pack. …

The Color of the Season: Red

What do you associate with the color red? Some first words as I’m writing are: blood, power, sexy, feminine, powerful. Since red is the color of the season this year, I feel like my wardrobe was born ready. Red seems to have taken a back seat to a lot of other colors over the years, and I am absolutely delighted …

Easy Ways to Cut Down on Plastic and Paper

Plastic. It’s such a fascinating, innovative product. There are so many benefits of it, but lately I’ve been looking for ways to cut down on plastic and paper. I’m not a person that is totally anti-plastic, but overusing it doesn’t sit well with me. Once in a while, I take stock of how I’m using items around my house and …

How I’m Always Ready for Travel

Being a prepared traveler has come with experience, time, and age. I’ve always been a particular packer, but in my latter years I’ve been much more thoughtful about what and how I pack. There are some trips that I want to carry-on only, some that I want to take a checked bag. Thinking through the method of packing and assembling …

How to Dress for Success

Fashion and clothes have been an interest of mine for a long time. While I wouldn’t have considered myself a “classy” fashionista in my younger years, my taste has evolved and my style has drastically improved. I have much more confidence in how I show up to the world in my outfits. Time is spent choosing what I want to …