travel
Small Town Travel – 5 Fun Things
October 29, 2018
in Travel
My husband and I grew up in pretty small towns. I’m from the Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon, and my husband spent the majority of his life living in Pullman, Washington. Our families still live there, so we go back to visit pretty...
I’ve lived in Oregon for the past 28 years, literally my entire life. When I was young, I dreamt of moving to NYC and becoming Carrie Bradshaw’s sidekick, but the longer I live in Oregon and the older I get, I really can’t imagine living anywhere else in the US! We pretty much have it all here – small towns, big cities, lush green forests, dry deserts, and even a beautiful coastline. And with all the festivals and activities going on, you’d be crazy not to want to visit Oregon! Also, stay tuned to the end of this post for an AMAZING giveaway!!
*This post is not sponsored and may contain affiliate links. All content and opinions expressed are my own.*
Visit Oregon - Top 10 Things to do/see/love!
1. We have all 4 seasons! If you’re from the Southern United States, you probably wonder what fall and winter are all about. In Oregon, we get the beautiful reds and golds of fall, and snow in the winter!2. Different climates – depending on where you are in Oregon, you could experience the hot and dry desert, lush and rainy Northern Oregon, sunny and beautiful Southern Oregon, or the sandy shores of the Oregon Coast.3. Flower Festivals – between the Lavender Farms, Rose Gardens, and the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to explore Oregon’s beautiful gardens!4. “Keep Portland Weird” – a trip to Portland, OR wouldn’t be complete without snapping a pic of the iconic “Keep Portland Weird” wall sign and the neon Portland Oregon sign!5. 363 miles of coastline – if you ever get the chance to visit Oregon, be sure to stop in at the coast! It really doesn’t matter which part you visit, as each little town how it’s own fun vibe, fun hikes, and a gorgeous ocean view!
6. ALL the outdoor activities you can imagine! In the winter you can ski, snowboard, or snowshoe. Take advantage of the warmer months by going for a hike, white water rafting, camping, fishing, or wine tasting!7. The Oregon Trail – looking for a little history? Visit some historical spots from the Oregon Trail in Southern or Northern Oregon!
8. Everyone is friendly here 🙂 – sure, you get your assholes just like anywhere, but in general, the vibe in Oregon is pretty darn upbeat and friendly. You definitely won’t get any weird stares if you ask for directions!9. We love our soccer team! You’ll have a hard time finding a state who loves their soccer team more than Oregon loves the Timbers <310. We’ve got something for everyone! Whether you’re a city person or a country lover, or something in between, you’ll have no problem finding somewhere you love if you visit Oregon 🙂
Have you ever been to visit Oregon? If not, what’s stopping you!? Leave me a comment below with the thing you loved the most, or if you’ve yet to visit, what you’d most like to see/do!
xo,B
Photos taken by: Rachel Cossette PhotographyPhotos edited by: MeOutfit Details: Dress is from Lulu’s (size M) | Panama hat (similar here) | Woven bag from Target (similar here)
Don’t forget to enter the giveaway!! I’ve teamed up with some of my favorite Bloggers and YouTubers for this giveaway and one lucky person will win $500 in PayPal Cash! The Winner will be announced by 7/5 on this page. You’ll receive 3 points for each entry. By entering this contest you’re subscribing to the hosts email list. Be sure enter the contest below! Good luck!
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When I travel, I like to see as much as I possibly can. The island of Oahu is pretty small, so I knew the best way to see it all was going to be by car. That’s why the hubs and I planned the ultimate Oahu road trip for our babymoon!
*This post is not sponsored and may contain affiliate links. All content and opinions expressed are my own.*
The Best Route to take for the Ultimate Oahu Road Trip!
We were really lucky to be able to rent a car and take a road trip around Oahu. Not only was it the best way we could think of to see EVERYTHING, but it was also a bucket list item for me! We ended up renting a Toyota Corolla from Enterprise and it was perfect for us. Plenty of room for all our beach necessities, really comfortable, and it got great gas mileage. We only had to get gas once and it was when we returned the car (5 days after picking it up!).It’s pretty easy to make all these stops in one day, depending on how much driving you want to do. We decided to split it into two days (I’ll explain why below), but you can definitely make it in one if that’s all you have!First Stop: Waikiki
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Hat is from Forever XXI or H&M (can't remember :p), Purse is from Lulu's
Maternity Jumpsuit from Topshop, Kimono from Forever XXI, Purse from Lulu's
I recommend starting your morning in Waikiki. This area gets pretty packed, so it’s nice to walk the beach before it’s completely full. Start the day with a calm walk in the sand, then head to breakfast!
My favorite breakfast/brunch spot in Waikiki is definitely Heavenly Island Lifestyle. We only went here once but OMG I wanted to go back so bad! Eihab had the Salmon & Spinach Eggs Benedict, and I had the Blueberry Compote & Acaà Berry French Toast. Oh my lawwwd it was divine! The service was also amazing. They originally brought Eihab the wrong dish, and within two minutes had realized their mistake and brought us the correct dish. I also had a side of local plain yogurt with berries (I couldn’t stop eating!). All the food is locally sourced and so delicious, I highly recommend checking this spot out!
Second Stop: Leonard’s BakeryI know you just ate, but trust me, you don’t want to miss Leonard’s! They have the best malasadas (a type of Portuguese donut) and they make a great snack for your next stop!
Third Stop: Diamond Head State ParkLast week I wrote a whole post about this beautiful hike, so be sure to check it out! This is definitely a must see if you’re in to stunning 360° views! Continue on from Leonard’s and within minutes you’ll spot this beautiful mountainous crater. The hike is about 1.6 miles round trip, and be sure to enjoy some Hawaiian Shaved Ice when you get done (Eihab said it was the best he’s every had!);
Fourth Stop: Sandy BeachAfter hiking Diamond Head Crater Trail, you’ll probably be ready for some beach time and possibly a snack. Head to Sandy Beach (it’s about a 10 minute drive) for a little break and the best garlic shrimp you’ll ever have in your LIFE. This beach does have a pretty strong undertow, but it’s still nice to take a break and walk through the water to cool off!
Hat is same as above, earrings are from Adorn on NE Fremont, dress is Bobeau from Adorn on NE Fremont
Fifth Stop: Lanikai BeachOahu has some of the most beautiful beaches, so it only makes sense to hop from one to another! From Sandy Beach, head North to Lanikai Beach. The water is so clear and actually pretty warm! There aren’t public bathrooms or parking and it can get pretty crowded, but it’s a must see! If you get hungry, stop in to Boots & Kimo’s in the small town of Kailua for some famous Hawaiian Pancakes and beef ribs!
Sixth Stop: Laniakea (Turtle) BeachAfter you leave Kailua, plan on being in the car for awhile. You’ll want to head north/northwest along the coast until you get to the North Shore. This is a gorgeous drive because you get to see amazing coastline, as well as Jurassic Park-esque jungles. It was pretty surreal to feel like we were literally driving through the movies!Once you get to the North Shore, you’ll see lots of spots to stop. We stopped at this commune type place with some food trucks and stands for a quick break, then continued on. We decided we wanted to split our roadtrip into two days so we could watch the sunset on the beach. We ended up stopping at Laniakea Beach, also known as Turtle Beach, in the hopes that we’d see the sunset and some turtles! We didn’t spot any turtles, unfortunately, but the view of the sunset was absolutely incredible! The beach itself has a lot of seaweed so not the best for swimming, but if that’s something you want to do, Sunset Beach is really close by and perfect for getting in the water.
Hat is "Sydney" from Tenth Street Hats, Kimono is Veronica M from Adorn on NE Fremont, One-piece suit is from Target
Seventh Stop: Dole PlantationWhether you continue on from the North Shore or come back the next day, the Dole Plantation is a must see. There’s a lot to do for kids and adults, like pineapple tasting, a Pineapple Maze, and viewing of the tiniest and cutest pineapples you’ll ever see! Be sure to get a cup of Dole Whip for a treat!Eighth Stop: WaikikiTo round out your trip, head back to Waikiki. You’ll notice a lot more people on the beach, but be sure to take some time to walk out to the pier and watch the surfers. We loved doing this to end our ultimate Oahu road trip because it made us feel like we had gone in a circle and seen everything we wanted to!
Dress is Velvet by Graham and Spencer Taya Crew Neck Dress from Adorn on NE Fremont (but it's on sale at Revolve.com for $70 off!), Flip-flops are from Target
My sunnies were gifted and I have no clue where they're from, Eihab's sunnies are Ray Ban's
What stops would you add for your ultimate Oahu road trip? Leave me a comment and let me know!
xo,B
Top 5 Travel Essentials
March 28, 2018
in Travel
Happy Hump-Day! To keep the travel theme from last week going, I wanted to share with you a few items that I literally always bring with me when I travel. I’m not going to list the obvious things (underwear, deodorant…you get the gist), just my top 5 travel essentials that make traveling amazing!
*This post is not sponsored and may contain affiliate links. All content and opinions expressed are my own.*
My Travel Essentials
1. SunglassesSeriously, nothing is worse than the sun in your eyes when you’re trying to explore. Plus, those squinty-eyed photos? Not IG worthy, my friend. I love switching up my sunnies depending on my look, and I’ve linked a few of my current fave’s below!
2. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Sunscreen SPF 50This is my go-to sunscreen for two reasons: 1.) it’s non-greasy and hydrating, so I can actually wear it on my face, and 2.) it’s super long lasting! I only have to apply once during the day and I have all day coverage. #yassss I will say though, this stuff dries pretty quickly, so make sure you don’t miss a spot!
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3. Water bottle and snacksOne thing I’m notorious for is always having snacks with me. Even before I was pregnant, I would get downright HANGRY if I didn’t eat every couple hours, so having food with me at all times is essential. Some of my favorites are Welch’s Fruit Snacks, Kind Oats & Honey with Toasted Coconut granola bars, and Goldfish snacks. I also always have my Corkcicle canteen with me because it keeps my water cold for 24 hours!
4. CashOk, this one might sound kind of weird…but it’s absolutely essential! If you’ve ever been stuck in a foreign country with no cash and an ATM card that won’t work, then you know what I’m talking about. Seriously, even if it’s just $100, bring some cash and hide it away, you never know when it might come in handy.5. Beauty products and makeupThere are a few beauty products I always travel with, regardless of if I’m off to the city, a tropical vacation, or a backpacking trip. The first is a cleanser. I usually either take a trial size if I have one, and if not, I just take whichever cleanser I’ve been using lately. I recently started trying this Julep cleansing sponge though and I think it would be perfect for travel!Second, is a face mist. Caudalie Beauty Elixir is my go-to, always has been (and probably always will be). It even comes in the perfect travel size!Third is a moisturizer. It’s important that it be hydrating but also still be able to layer over my sunscreen, so I’ve been using the Aloette Get Hydrated Oil-Free Moisturizer. It has aloe vera extract which serves a dual purpose – soothes the skin if you happen to get a sunburn, and helps to reduce redness.The last beauty product I always travel with is an under eye cream. I don’t really have a ride-or-die in this department, but lately I’ve been using the Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream to Brighten and Depuff. It’s great for my dark circles!I only travel with three main makeup products every time – mascara, a brow pencil, and brow gel. That’s all I really need for the basics, and I’ve linked the products I use above!
Do you have any items you can’t travel without? Leave me a comment below and let me know!
xo,B
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in Oregon, Southern Oregon, Style
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48 Hours in Southern Oregon
November 14, 2016
in Oregon, Southern Oregon, Style, Travel
Hello my lovely b-listers! I hope everyone had a great weekend! I went down to Southern Oregon for some family time. The weather was perfect all weekend! Here’s a recap of what I did and what I wore, plus a bunch...
Hey loves! My Italy travel highlights video is finally up, so if you didn’t get enough of Italy from my five million posts, then be sure to check it out!!!
xo,
B