2021 Life Update: Travel Plans, Accepting Change, and Pursuing Dreams
Welcome to 2021 and a different kind of post, something I’ve never done before… a life update. To be honest, I’m not sure where to even start, but I’m going to give it my best shot. I believe in being raw, open, and honest with my thoughts and feelings. I hope you find something that resonates with you or sparks new thoughts, creativity, and reflection. Or perhaps, you’re simply interested in hearing about my life… either way, keep on reading. It’s no secret that 2020 has been for lack of better terms, a sh!t show. I remember traveling back from Australia in February thinking things would all blow over in…
Fifth Month Blogging Report
My fourth month blogging was my most successful with the highest page views received since I’ve started! While that was an exciting moment for me and I celebrated my accomplishments, this month has been very different. Keep reading to find out below how my fifth month of blogging evolved and hear my thoughts as I touch on the concept of time management and priorities. Before I dive into my fifth month of blogging, check out: First Month Blogging Report Second Month Blogging Report Third Month Blogging Report Fourth Month Blogging Report Why am I sharing blogging reports? First and foremost, I am sharing blogging reports as a way to document…
Things To Do in Leavenworth: Where to Stay, Eat, and What to do
Leavenworth is a small Bavarian-style village nestled in the Cascade Mountains of Washington. However, this quaint town was not always a German-inspired destination. After a fall in the logging and sawmill business in the early 1900s, Leavenworth was left merely a ghost town until town leaders came together in 1960. To attract visitors, the city renovated the town to mimic German Bavaria complete with the alpine hills. Today, Leavenworth is a year-round destination attracting visitors to its charming Bavarian-style and Winter Wonderland festivities. Related: How to Travel During the Pandemic How To Get To Leavenworth The best way to reach Leavenworth is via road trip. Which makes the whole trip…
Glamping 101: Packing Guide, Essentials, & Food
Glamping is where luxury meets camping! You may be wondering what the difference is between camping and glamping? When camping, you bring a tent and all of your amenities to a chosen location often secluded in nature. When glamping, a cozy accommodation is already set up for you. Glamping sites often include electricity, refrigerators, coffee machines, etc. while still enjoying nature. True story: I have never been camping. Yes, really, never. I thought the perfect way to break the ice would be to try glamping! Let me tell you, I loved it! So, whether you’re trying to break the ice like me, wanting to try something new, or get out…
How To Stop Procrastinating: 5 Simple Steps
Procrastination by definition: the action of delaying or postponing something. Many of us fall into the trap of procrastination – continuously delaying a task until it’s too late. Then, we are stuck wondering why we hadn’t started earlier which in return triggers us to feel guilty about procrastinating in the first place! Oh, what a cycle. So, how do we break the cycle and stop procrastinating? True story: I procrastinated starting a blog for YEARS. Here I am today, over four months into my blogging journey and loving every moment. My procrastination stemmed from doubt and fear, worrying about failure, and if I had the knowledge to start my blog. Truth…
Hood River Lavender Farms: Day Trip from Portland, OR
I’ve had the pleasure to live in the Pacific Northwest my entire life. I am constantly exploring what this beautiful region has to offer through hikes, parks, and new adventures. But, I also dream of places such a Provence and the breathtaking lavender fields! Well, I discovered that Oregon has its own little piece of Provence right in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. Get ready to plan your next day trip from Portland or road-tripping pit stop to the Hood River Lavender Farms. About the Hood River Lavender Farms Hood River Lavender Farms is a locally owned organic lavender farm located near Portland, OR. The farm offers breathtaking…
Fourth Month Blogging Report
We are four months into this adventurous blogging journey and I am loving it. In last month’s blogging report, I dove deep into how I tripled my blogging traffic in one month! I continue to grow, both in blog traffic and my knowledge of blogging. Keep reading to find out what I did and what worked for me this month. Before I dive into my fourth month of blogging, check out: First Month Blogging Report Second Month Blogging Report Third Month Blogging Report Disclaimer – This post contains affiliate links to products that I use and trust. This means I may receive a small commission (at not extra cost to you)…
USA Travel Bucket List: 50 Epic Adventures
The United States is full of beautiful landscapes, breathtaking waterfalls, lively cities, and plenty of adventure to go with it! There is so much to see and do across all 50 states that it’s hard to narrow it down. All 50 items on this list are an adventure in their own way and there are a few not so common ideas to fuel your inner thrill-seeker! Pack your bags and get ready for epic exploration with this USA travel bucket list! 1. Capture the light beams at Antelope Canyon To note: you must book a tour with a Native Navajo to explore the Antelope Canyon. You can capture the stunning…
Where to Go Next: 5 Vacation Alternatives for 2020
Summer is in full effect and unfortunately, many of our travel plans have been canceled or postponed. However, after all of the craziness, we all deserve a much-needed vacation. Skip the international travel and explore your homeland with these 5 vacation alternatives! Glamping/Camping Have you ever heard of glamping?! It’s a glamorous version of camping. The big difference between the two is that when go glamping, a sheltered frame such as a Yurt or Tipi is already set up for you! Glamping locations may include additional amenities such as a fridge, a mattress, and a private bathroom. Either way, both traditional camping and glamping are set surrounded by nature and…
What It’s Like to Travel During a Pandemic
In Washington State, lockdown measures were lifted in early May, but I have remained in self-isolation apart from mandatory grocery runs till now. As travel slowly started to resume and my travel bug wouldn’t budge, I decided it’s the perfect opportunity to plan a mini trip to a bucket list destination. This past week I took a road trip to Leavenworth, Washington, and spent three days exploring the small German village and surrounding area. This is a whole new way of travel and this is everything you need to know about traveling during the pandemic! Disclaimer – this post contains affiliate links to the products that I use and trust.…
Third Month Blogging Report
Another month of blogging is complete which means it’s time for my third- month blogging report! This month was incredibly motivating for me as my traffic increased 3x the amount from the previous month. Keep on reading to find out what I did and what worked for me this month. Before I dive into my third month of blogging, check out: First Month Blogging Report Second Month Blogging Report Disclaimer – This post contains affiliate links to products that I use and trust. This means I may receive a small commission (at not extra cost to you) if you make a purchase using any of my links below. Thank you…
How to Make the Most Out of 2020
We are halfway through 2020 and it would be an understatement to say that it has been a challenging year! All of us have spent the last six months self-isolating, adjusting to new work routines, finding new activities to keep us busy, worrying about our friends/family, and trying to stay healthy on top of it all. We have been completely thrown out of our norm, but we can’t continue like this forever. The year is not lost! It’s time to take control and make the rest of 2020 yours! Here are 5 opportunities to make the most out of your 2020. Stay Connected Stay connected with your family, friends, and…
5 Healthy Habits You Should Continue Post Quarantine
As various Countries, Counties and States begin to release lockdown measures and we slowly resume into a “new normal”, take some time to think about the healthy habits you’ve created during quarantine. This time in lockdown has been challenging for all of us as we strayed away from our normal routines and developed new ones. Stick with the healthy habits you’ve created as you begin to transition out of quarantine. Here are 5 healthy habits you should continue post quarantine: Disclaimer – This post contains affiliate links to products that I use and trust. This means I may receive a small commission (at not extra cost to you) if you…
10 US Travel Bucket List Destinations
As the future of travel continues to change and international travel slowly resumes, we are all left dreaming about where our next trip may be. However, we often forget about the beautiful travel destinations hidden in our own backyard! I’m mixing small hidden gems, big cities, and a few uncommon US travel bucket list destinations to help inspire you to plan your next trip! Related: 10 Beautiful International Places to Travel (Post Pandemic) Leavenworth, WA Leavenworth is a Bavarian-style village nestled in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. The small alpine village offers a little slice of Germany in the Pacific Northwest with events such as Oktoberfest and holiday markets…
10 Beautiful Places to Travel (Post-Pandemic)
It’s no secret that travel will change post the pandemic with new safety procedures and processes. As some predict a second surge in the Fall/Winter months, the future of travel remains unknown. For me, the excitement of researching, planning, discovering the beauty of a new country and experiencing the culture motivates me to work harder each day. Today, I’m sharing my top 10 beautiful places to travel to post-pandemic! Related: How I’m Planning for Future Travel Iceland The mystical landscapes, waterfalls, hot springs, geysers, lava fields, and caves are unique to Iceland and nothing like you’ll see anywhere else! Visiting Iceland over the Summer months is great for hiking and…
Second Month Blogging Report
I can’t believe two months have passed since I’ve started blogging! Perhaps the time is going by quicker due to the current state our world is in. First, I am incredibly proud of myself with my dedication to this blog and to further learn about blogging itself. The truth is, starting a blog is easy but maintaining a blog and reaching the goals of your voice being heard is the hard part. My goal with this blog was not to make an x amount of money but rather to share my experiences, thoughts, and knowledge with all of you. If one person finds a post on my blog useful or…
Perfect 3 days in Vancouver BC – Travel Guide
Perched on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver is one of Canada’s most vibrant cities with lush nature, diverse culture and plenty of activities to do. Vancouver has something to offer every type of traveler and is the perfect first solo trip. Plan your visit to Vancouver BC using my travel guide below! Related: How to Plan for Future Travel WHERE TO STAY We stayed at the Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver – a Marriott owned boutique hotel located in the heart of Downtown Vancouver. We didn’t spend any time at the hotel itself, just to sleep and we would be out of there bright and early! However, the hotel offers…
How to Self-Care at Home
Self-care is the best gift we can give ourselves mentally, emotionally, and physically. It is establishing and maintaining a healthy relationship with our bodies to improve our mood, boost confidence, reduce anxiety and stress. Practicing self-care is especially crucial during this overwhelming time. Follow my tips and tricks below on how to take a “self-cation” aka how to self-care at home. Disclaimer – This post contains affiliate links to the products that I use and trust. This mean I may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase using any of my links below. Thank you for the support! Sleep Sleep has a…
How to Create Instagram Story Highlight Covers
Instagram story highlight covers are a great way to step up your Instagram game! It adds a clean cohesive look to your page and creates a lasting impression on someone who is visiting your Instagram. There are several ways to add highlight covers to your page; purchase a template, pay for the story highlight covers to be made, or get creative and DIY! I recently created my own – here is my version on how to create Instagram story highlight covers for free! You may love: What I’ve Learned in my First Month Blogging Create Instagram Highlight Covers Using Canva STEP 1: Start by signing up or logging in to…
What I’ve Learned in my First Month Blogging
It’s been one month since I posted my very first blog post! Time really does fly! In my first month of blogging I have learned and focused on launching and designing my blog, writing posts, maintaining a social media presence, connecting with other people, and learning all about blogging itself. The process of starting a blog is relatively easy; choose a domain name, sign up through a content management system (WordPress), and a host site (Siteground). Ta-da! You have a blog! What comes after is the hard part! Content creation, SEO, social media, connecting with a community, increasing traffic, engaging images, analytics, ads, affiliate marketing… all while managing a 9-5…
How I’m Planning for Future Travel
In early January right before my trip to Australia, I purchased round trip tickets to England and started planning my Fall 2020 England and Europe trip. At this time, the spread of COVID-19 was minimal and had not reached the US yet. I returned from Australia mid-February and completely stopped planning my travels. I thought to myself; why would I continue planning a trip when we had no clue when travel bans would be lifted and when we would recover from COVID-19. Then, it hit me. I don’t have to purchase tickets and book accommodations now, but I can still use my time to plan a fantastic trip, whether it…
What to do at Home While Self-Isolating
Many of us are weeks leading up to months of social distancing and self-isolating already! I’ve been exploring options of what to do at home while self-isolating. I truly believe filing our time with activities that challenge us and occupy our time in a healthy way is going to be key to get through this difficult time. Perhaps you’re getting antsy, you miss the outdoors and your routine, but before you go run outside (please don’t do that), try a few of the ideas below to fill your time with purpose while you’re at home self-isolating: Disclaimer – This post contains affiliate links to the products that I use and…
Best TV Shows to Binge Watch
Did someone say binge watching? That accurately describes my social distancing routine! I’m mixing the old and the new to give you a list of 11 fantastic binge worthy TV shows to watch right now and as you’ll be able to tell, I love drama, crime, thrill and suspense! In no particular order, here are my picks for the best TV shows to binge watch: 1. Ozark Available on: Netflix About: After a money laundering scheme goes wrong, financial advisor Marty Byrde must make amends with a Mexican Drug Cartel by creating larger laundering operations to keep his family safe. Season 3 released on Netflix – I finished the entire…
7 Tips and Tricks for Working from Home
In the past few months, working from home has become a new norm of life for many of us. Due to the pandemic, employers have rolled out mandatory work from home policies and as time passes, it looks like these policies may be in effect for the remainder of the year or indefinitely for some of us. I’ve worked remotely on multiple occasions and I am here to help you successfully transition into your new home office with my 7 tips and tricks for working from home! 1. Stick to your Normal Routine We are naturally creatures of habit; thus, when our routine is disrupted we can feel frustrated, unmotivated,…
Welcome to my Blog!
Welcome to my blog: With Love, Meli! That’s me! Living my best life and feeding a Kangaroo while visiting Australia! I’m beyond thrilled to start sharing my experiences, thoughts and stories with you all. The goal is: informative blog posts that cover lifestyle and travel. 5 Quick Facts About Me: I live in the great PNW, but I am originally from Eastern Europe. I do not travel full time; perhaps one day! My favorite place I’ve traveled to so far is Costa Rica. I live for cultural experiences; both while traveling and locally. One of my life goals is to spread kindness and knowledge through my everyday life interactions, traveling,…
