favorite new travel app: FIELD TRIP

field trip is my new must-have travel app.

imagine walking down the street in a new city,

or your own, and learning all of the local facts

& sights as you go? that would be a dream, right?

well, this app takes you in that direction.

download it for free, and suddenly you

have your own map filled to the brim with

historical facts, good food, hidden gems, &

things you might not otherwise know. i love
that this app helps you learn about things ranging
from current, up-to-date hotspots all the way back
in history to local stories and facts. the best part is
that the info pops up on your phone automatically
as you walk by places, so you can't miss places!

to quote the google play store, "field trip is 

your guide to the cool, hidden, and unique things 

in the world around you. field trip runs in the background 

on your phone. when you get close to something interesting,

 it pops up a card with details about the location."

you have to get this app to discover and learn new things
every day ... at home or while traveling! it
helps me feel like a local and be "in the know."

i used this most recently in south africa and
i learned so much about the history of apartheid
evidenced throughout different neighborhoods,
as well as some of the best new eateries!

**ps i'm not paid to promote this app, it's 100% free on itunes or play store.
my husband may or may not work on it at google so i do have extra love for it!

field trip says it so well ::

"it's your world. explore it."

see more travel websites & apps i love HERE.
what are your favorite travel apps?

cautious travel trips

having just returned from south africa, i've been thinking about 

cautious travel. although i had no problems there and it was absolutely

lovely, it was a place where i had to be more aware and think about being

cautious while preparing and while there.

cautious travel almost sounds like an oxymoron to me, because part of the reason 

we LOVE travel is that it involves being carefree and not worrying or being cautious.

however, the world is a big place and when you're somewhere completely new,

sometimes you need to take some steps to cover your bases in order to really 

enjoy a vacation and let loose.  anywhere that you travel as a tourist can make 

you a target for theft or other concerns, so it's something to be aware of. 

so, here are a few of my...

1. before you leave, take photos of each important document. thanks to technology, you can always be backed-up! i have a photo of my passport, drivers license, insurance cards, and any credit cards on my phone and i send them to my email so that if anything is stolen, i can at least access a copy online from anywhere. this helps you know what was in your wallet if it's stolen, and it's helpful for replacing passports etc.
2. as much as possible, create an itinerary and share it with someone at home. i love to be off the grid and this may sound extreme, but you want to be sure you're easy to locate if anything happens ... either on your trip or at home! 
3. separate your money before you leave. be sure you have two or more credit cards, an ATM card, and phone numbers to cancel credit cards/access more funds if needed. part of this includes calling your credit card company to let them know you'll be out of the country so that your funds don't get blocked or frozen!
4. be sure that you have good insurance ... either your own that will cover you while abroad, or travel insurance. i'm usually tempted not to select travel insurance when booking travel plans, but the idea is true that if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford travel. remember peace of mind is worth it!
5. if you are traveling somewhere third world, look into vaccinations or precautions like malaria pills. getting sick while abroad is not worth the risk -- and in some countries, you won't be allowed to enter without the required vaccinations. so, be sure to look into this!
6. while researching your trip and asking for advice on where to go, don't forget to ask where not to go. you can ask locals when you arrive as well, because sometimes neighborhoods change over time. we've known plenty of people come to san francisco and accidentally wander through the tenderloin at night since it's so close to union square. be aware of where you are and avoid certain areas at certain times!
7. when you arrive, store your valuables at your hotel. don't forget to unpack them before going out to explore! if the hotel has an in-room safe, it never hurts to use it. either way, store them out of sight and in places you won't forget about them.
8. act like a local. of course you can have your camera out and enjoy being a tourist, but be aware that people could be watching or targeting you for theft. don't flash cash when you go to the ATM, pull out your phone and wallet discreetly, be very aware of pickpockets and distractions, and don't look too clueless making you an easy target!
9. have an emergency plan. whether you're alone or traveling with someone else, be sure to make a plan for if someone gets lost, mugged, etc. if you are abroad, think of somewhere to meet and how to communicate in an emergency. 
10. lastly -- if anything does happen, don't let it ruin your trip! unless you are seriously injured or harmed, a theft will only be worse if you don't enjoy the rest of your time. remember that travel is unpredictable, and it's a learning experience. if you've prepared the steps above, you can know that you've done all you can to be cautious, and enjoy the trip!

over to you! what are some of your cautious travel tips?

travel tips: how to survive a red-eye

red-eye flights always seem like the greatest idea 
when i'm booking them. you basically get an extra
day somewhere without paying for a hotel because 
you fly overnight! so smart- right? right, until you 
are actually sitting on the plane for 6 hours unable 
to sleep, willing to give ANYTHING for a bed, and
 then landing early in the morning feeling like you 
were hit by a train...has this ever happened to you?

i still believe in red-eyes and love waking up to
a new place and not wasting any time during the
day flying, but you have to do them right.
since we are leaving on one of these tonight,
here are my tips for surviving a red-eye...

make it a direct flight

it will be really rough if you've booked connections during a red-eye. even if you sleep on one flight, the ordeal of getting out, walking through an airport and to a new plane will really throw you off. if it's possible, book nonstop red-eyes.

dress comfortably

this goes for most flights, but don't try to wear anything fancy on a red-eye. don't wear PJ's, but wear stretchy, comfortable clothes that will help you relax. i never wear earrings, makeup or jewelry on red-eye flights either, because i don't want to be uncomfortable or lose anything while trying to sleep.

book the window seat

especially if you're traveling alone, the window seat is a secret weapon. you can bunch your jacket or pillow up against the wall and feel a lot more comfortable than sitting straight up in your seat. this way you also avoid awkwardly dozing off onto your neighbor's shoulder :) i always prefer the aisle on every other flight, but overnight i pick the window.

come prepared

don't expect an airline to tuck you in for the night! some provide more than others, but come prepared with things that will help you rest and sleep. ideas are: a sleep mask, earplugs, music + headphones, sleeping pills (i've never taken one in fears that i won't wake up and they'll have to drag me off the plane, but lots of people swear by them on flights), and definitely a blanket / sweater/ scarf. planes get cold and there is nothing like trying to sleep while shivering!

pick a pillow

there are some amazing (and hilarious) inventions for plane pillows. from basic neck pillows to the ostrich pillow to the relax ally headband to the skyrest (chase's DREAM haha) there are lots of options. our most recent favorite is the hoodiepillow because it is two-in-one comfort and warmth! it inflates so it's easy to pack, and it has helped us both with sleep on flights.

limit food + drink

everyone says to HYDRATE on flights, and this is true -- but for a red-eye, i stop eating and drinking a few hours before. it's hard because i LOVE snacking on flights, but it's not fun to have to wake up for bathroom runs after finally getting yourself to sleep. eating a good meal before and then getting on the flight an hour or more later helps your body realize it's sleep time. eating always keeps me awake! 

do your bedtime routine

even though you're clearly not at home, your body will be more in the sleep mode if you follow some of your regular night time routine. wash your face, brush your teeth (but DON'T use the plane's bathroom water -- use bottled) take contacts out, etc.

have a backup plan

there are always those flights that are just rough. you might have a baby crying, you might not feel well, it might not be a possibility to fall asleep which can really drive you crazy. in case of insomnia or other factors that prevent you from sleeping, bring a loaded movie or book to at least focus on...i bet it will make you fall asleep anyway, but it will help you feel less desperate if the whole sleep thing isn't happening.

take it easy

often we take red-eye flights to places like NYC or busy cities where we want to hit the ground running -- don't overdo it. plan accordingly that upon landing in the morning you won't feel too refreshed, so plan a relaxing breakfast, a stop at a juice store, or something to get your energy up and help you recover before taking on the day.

^^ jetBlue is a good airline that hooks it up
on the red eye flights...like so!

i hope these help on your next red-eye!!
xo

travel tips: how to cure the travel bug without a trip

if you're like me, you always have the travel bug.

it doesn't come and go, it resides permanently inside 

you. but - due to jobs, finances, & responsibilities, etc - 

sometimes it's not possible or realistic to go on an 

exotic trip in the near future.. so, what do we do? 

here are some simple tips:

1. try a new restaurant: it's easy to get in routines and eat at the same place over and over -- we do it too! but picking a new restaurant to try can feel like a mini vacation and something different you haven't experienced before. if you're REALLY craving a trip, pick an exotic restaurant with a type of food you haven't tried before! {peruvian, anyone?}

2. walk/bike/drive down a new road: there are times in the city where i look around and think: "i have NEVER walked down these street before!" i love seeing new buildings, corner stores, and just a new road. every week when we walk to church i make us take a little different route so we can walk a new road we haven't been on...chase is nice to put up with this :)

3. watch the sunset somewhere new: sunsets always connect me with a place and make me appreciate this world and how it's linked together. find a good view and watch the sunset and realize how lucky we are to be on this earth!

4. go OUTSIDE: sometimes we have the travel bug because we're spending too much time inside -- at work, in the car, at the movies, at the store, at home...it can be draining and dull! make a point to go outside -- even if you work outside for an hour, read outside, or go exercise you'll feel a lot happier and more adventurous :)

5. go see something you haven't: i can PROMISE you there is something in your town/city that you haven't seen. even if it's small, or odd, go see something new. of course i feel like we've done all the major SF sites so many times, but there are millions of new things and places to see! look things up online and you're bound to find plenty of uncovered gems in your own city.

6. book a tour where you live: this is one of our favorite things to do. as fun as it is to tour and learn about new places, shouldn't we know just as much about the place we live? we love learning and knowing all about where we live and feeling more connected to it.

7. read a new book about somewhere far away: one of the reasons i always loved books growing up is that they took me to other worlds when i couldn't. look up books that are set in the next place you want to go, and let that book take you there in your mind! sometimes imagining it is even more fun :) this is a good one that took me all over, especially paris + the french riviera...i wrote about it a little bit here.

8. bring a destination to you: this one sounds cheesy, but it's the best. plan a little themed dinner party or date night around a destination! if we're craving hawaii, we go get plate lunch at L&L with our favorite hawaiian sun guava juice and some pineapple. if i'm missing paris, we have a crepe night with friends and listen to carla bruni. i love being taken somewhere new in my mind!

9. write / paint / create something new: one of the draws of travel is that it allows us to feel creative and refreshed. we crave the newness of it that lets our soul loose. bring this energy in a different way but creating something of your own! i am not too crafty and i definitely can't paint, but i love to write, make books of our travels, or work with chase to make something for our place. create a travel wall, paint a wall a new color, do something to feel that creative energy!

10. plan your dream trip: even if you can't book it right now, do some research and plan details of your dream trip -- so when you book it, you know all about it! this also gets the creative juices flowing and helps you explore a place even if it's just online :)

11. learn a new language: craving a new culture? learn something new! take language classes online, a pasta-making class, or something that will connect you with another place.

12. re-live past vacations: part of the reason i love documenting our adventures is that i get to re-live them later! i can't tell you how many times i have gone back and watched this video or gone through pictures from past trips and remembered experiences. travel stays with you and that's why we love it! don't let the memories fade!

14. scrapbook: when you want to focus on adventures and travel, create a book from one of your vacations. this always puts my mind in a vacation mode as i permanently document a trip in a photo book.

15. photograph your home/hometown/ simple things. there's beauty to be found everywhere, and especially in the familiar! i walk around SF with our big camera all the time because as much as i love documenting new places, i love documenting the simple things in our everyday life even more. that's what i have the most fun looking back on because it's our real life in between all the big trips and events. so document what you love where you live.

those are a few of my tips for easing the travel bug

when it's not possible to take a trip soon.

what are your temporary cures?

(because there is no CURE, only temporary remedies :)

xo

travel tips: staying healthy while traveling

i've been away from the bay for the past 2 weeks, and still have a week before returning.

in this time i've gone all through beautiful colorado, then back to salt lake city to spend

time with family before my parents move away for 3 years! it has been the BEST but it

has reminded me of how important it is to stay healthy and feeling good while away from

home. i'll be gone almost 3 weeks, and when you're off routine it's not always easy to keep

the same habits, eat well, exercise, sleep enough, because you're traveling and seeing new

things! in light of this, here are some tips for staying healthy while traveling...so that you

can enjoy your trip and come home feeling great too! here are my tips for.......................

1. go out in the morning before your day starts. schedules can be full on a trip, and things can change during the day...so by going for a run / walk in the morning, you'll make sure to fit in some exercise, wake yourself up, and get energy for the rest of the day.

2. eat a healthy breakfast! we love eating treats all day and trying things on trips, but we try to have a healthy breakfast that will fuel us for the day. i love to find a juice bar, fruit from a local market, or even just some oatmeal to start the day.

3. use exercise as a form of sightseeing. eating is one of the best parts of travel, but if you are active on your trips then the food is just your fuel as you bike, hike, walk, and run around new places! we love using runs to sightsee in the mornings -- it makes the run fun because you are taking in new sights, and you get a feel for the new place while working out!

4. pack smart -- bring comfortable clothes that you can be active in and walk around in.

5. look up good running / bike routes online or ask a local running store -- they might even have free running groups you can join and feel like a local!

6. bring healthy snacks. i always get hungry when i'm out and about exploring a new place, so i like to have a bag of almonds or some fruit with me so that i can keep going and feel good.

7. sleep is not my biggest priority when traveling because i figure i am only there once and can sleep on the way home, but it is important to prioritize it and make sure you're getting enough rest so that you don't get sick -- that will defeat the entire purpose. give your body some type of structure and try to adjust to jet lag / different time zones as best as you can.

8. hand sanitizer is one of my favorite things...i may be a little too obsessed! but, it is so nice to have a mini bottle with you at all times, no matter where you are. when traveling you are always touring things, touching railings, holding onto subway poles, etc. germs are everywhere! i love to have hand sanitizer so that when we get a treat or have a meal or take a break i can keep my hands clean.

9. be smart about the place you're traveling: make sure you're aware of whether or not the water is drinkable, if you need immunization, and which foods to avoid. if you have a weak stomach, make sure to take things slow and eat simple things at first so that you're not sick the first day in.

10. drink WATER! hyrdating and travel go hand in hand. i have learned this so many times the hard way. flying dehydrates us, walking dehydrates us, we forget to drink water, and we need it. i feel one million times better when i carry a bottle of water around and drink up so that i feel good and can enjoy my trip!

what are your healthy travel tips?

is anyone a fan of things like airborne or other supplements to prevent sickness?

xo

travel tips for road trips

until last week when we drove down to LA,

we hadn't taken a good road trip in a while.

we love planes and how they get us right where we

want to go, but there's something nostalgic and

magic about a good road trip. summer is the season

for them, and since we just took one down the coast

i thought i'd post a few trips for great road trips!

{plus, we leave on another one today for 

memorial day...so it was only fitting!}

1. be flexible.
trust me. i know about wanting to have a schedule and itinerary on a trip, but part of the beauty of a road trip is the flexibility..... so don't take that away! you can have a plan, but make sure to stop at random lookouts, take breaks, and be spontaneous. it's part of the fun of driving yourself. there are fun apps like roadside america for finding unique stops! find hidden gems, stop at lookouts, and take the scenic route. a road trip is not all about the destination, it should be about the journey too! 

2. be smart about your start.
especially on summer weekends, it will make a major difference if you get an early head start on the road before other cars. it makes time pass faster because you're up and driving in the early hours while everyone is still asleep! if you can't leave early in the morning, try to leave later at night after rush hour and maybe go halfway. a roadtrip is much more relaxing without lots of traffic at the beginning :)

3. gas up.
 i have never run out of gas {knock on wood} but we have had some tense close calls where you're on empty and there's not another gas station for 30 miles...haha! these are some funny memories of holding our breath until we pull into a gas station, but it's better to just be ahead of the game. fill up midweek before prices go up on weekends, and if you're low and pass a station -- err on the side of caution and fill up. 

4. pack snacks.
this is one of the most important ones for me. there is NOTHING worse than being trapped in a car with nothing to eat! then stopping and having gas station hot dogs as your only option. no! go to the store and get favorite snacks, and make or buy some great sandwiches or burritos that you can eat on the road. bring a cooler with veggies, peanut butter, apples, bananas, and water...and some treats to stay awake of course! 

5. bring good music.
music can be the best part of a road trip...so don't start your trip unprepared. make a mix, find a great pandora station, or choose some podcasts/ books on tape to keep you entertained. if you plan them ahead of time, you'll be glad!

6. stop & stretch.
make sure to get out and stretch/walk around anytime you stop. it's important to circulate your blood and move around so you don't get sore! i've even done some roadside yoga with the sunset before...i recommend it!

7. don't get lost.
roadtrips become less fun when you miss a turn and add hours to your trip. it's fun to take breaks for little side excursions on purpose, but have a map app running so you always know where you are and where you're headed. it will also advise you on traffic and accidents, which is essential in certain cities so you can adjust your route!

8. be comfy.
don't "dress up" for a road trip. you can look cute, but comfy! i almost always wear leggings, a t-shirt, flip flops, and a hoodie so that i am as comfy as possible and can relax. bring sunglasses for driving too!

9. be careful.
when you're on a long drive, it can be easy to look down and realize you're going 95! don't let the open road tempt you -- be careful and follow the rules. it's not worth an accident, road traffic injury, or ticket! 

10. go with good company.
road trips with other people are not only less expensive, they are more fun. you can chat, sing, play games, and switch drivers. plan your roadtrip with others so you stay safe, cost-effective, and entertained. this weekend we have the best company, our favorite friends. i'm sure the drive will go so fast because of this!

hope these help!

tell me where you want

to take your next roadtrip to!

xo

travel tips: jet lag

when we got back from europe last month,

we had to get right back in the swing of things..

finishing our move, catching up at work, 

a visit to napa, and lots of visitors on the way. 

no time to catch up on sleep! because of this, 

i had to be smart about minimizing jet lag and 

taking care of my body so i could handle it all! i've 

had some trips where the jet lag wasn't too bad, 

but i've had other times with terrible jet lag (including 

fainting after returning from china...) jet lag can range 

from feeling drowsy to being up all night, to extreme 

thirst, to night sweats. we want to feel as good as possible 

when landing in a new country and returning home from 

an international trip. i've already done a post on flying smart, 

but i thought it was about time to do a post with some quick 

jet lag tips. so here are just a few! they won't stop jet lag, 

it is just one of those things that comes with this travel 

thing we love...but they should help minimize it! 

• DRINK WATER! i already try to drink lots of water every day, but it's especially important to hydrate before a long flight that will dehydrate you. continue drinking lots of water after landing as well! eat healthy and take care of your body from the start. avoid caffeine/alcohol because they just dehydrate you more.
• when you board a flight, set your watch or phone to the time at the destination so you get your mindset into that time and can try to sleep accordingly.
• spend time outside in the sunshine and fresh air when you arrive. this tells your body that it's time to be awake!
• depending on when you arrive at your destination, try your best to stay awake and go do something until night time when everyone else falls asleep. growing up on every international trip my dad would FORCE us to stay awake until nighttime in the new place...it was so hard!! when i went on my study abroad i landed in paris and went to the hotel and decided since it was my first international trip alone, i would let myself sleep for an hour or two....my friend and i woke up 7 hours later right when it was time to go to bed in france! we were up that ENTIRE night and it took us a lot longer to adjust. lesson learned, dad! :) try to wait until around 9:00 pm to sleep wherever you are. 
• use a jet lag app like jetlag genie or jet-lag rescue. 
• some people take a dose of melatonin when it's time to sleep. i've heard good things, but i've never tried this myself. 
• if you're preparing for an international trip ahead of time, you can adjust your sleep schedule one hour per day the week before. if you'll be flying east, adjust your sleep schedule one hour earlier each day. if you're going west, adjust your sleep schedule one hour later each day. this is for hard core people, i've never done this but it would sure help!
• get "earthed."  seriously, connect with the ground. take off your shoes and dig your feet into the sand/grass/ground and connect with the earth where you are. it sounds strange, but it's the jet lag secret to getting on a new time zone + connecting with a new place.
• be positive! let's be honest...despite these tips, jet lag can happen and it doesn't feel good. in these moments, stay positive and remember WHY you have jet lag...because you've been lucky enough to be on a long flight across time zones to a different & beautiful place! this thought will help you get through it.

^^ having a cute + comfy travel outfit 

helps so that you can sleep & relax on the 

flight, but be ready to go when you land!

^^ remember..jet lag = worth it :)

it means you're going 

somewhere new and far from home. 

^^ lots of {healthy} snacks help!

eat little meals to give your body energy.

^^ airport hydrating

^^ and, have a cute boy around to

carry your bags so you can save energy :)

comment with any other tips you have to 

lessen jet lag! i'd love to know!

xo

ps...speaking of flying,

loved this clip that chase sent me...it's so true!

every single time i fly i am baffled that we 

are casually flying through the sky and landing 

across the world. it's incredible. let's not forget 

that, even when it doesn't go perfectly!

pps... look at these "dirty little secrets"

told by airline pilots + flight attendants

all about flying. good to know! article here.

travel tips: traveling as a couple

traveling together 
is one of our favorite things,

and it's something that strengthens our 

relationship. sharing adventures and seeing 

new things together bonds us and makes us

our happiest selves. but, it's not always easy. 

like any travel companion, your spouse or

significant other can sometimes have 

different opinions, needs, wants, etc. while 

on a trip. after being together 24 hours a

day in a new place with different languages 

and lack of sleep, it can get tricky.

before we got married, chase definitely knew

that travel was my favorite thing and he promised

we would always travel together. we went on

lots of trips together while we were dating,

so i already knew we were a good fit :)

luckily we have lots in common and have 

similar interests and tastes, so we do pretty

well on trips...but there are definitely some

rough moments! it is worth figuring out, 

because you get memories and experiences

that will last forever. here are some tips for:

1. make sure you both look over the plan before the trip.

if one of you feels like you've planned it all and something

goes wrong, there will be tension-- trust me. the person

who didn't plan will feel like the planner made a mistake,

and the planner will resent the other person for not

helping and looking it over...haha. have equal investment!

2. know your strengths and weaknesses. it's good to be

aware of what you are each good at & not so good at,

so that you can fill in your strengths where the other 

person is weak, etc. for example, i really love doing

the research for trips and knowing where we want to go, 

but i love to have chase do the actual navigating to the

places once we are there. this happy balance works for us!

3. figure out early on what kind of traveler 
you both are. for example, i like to have a plan, 
and chase likes to discover things as we go. so, 
we compromise and make a plan together before 
trips, but leave room for flexibility so we can
go off of the itinerary and explore new things..

4. bring food. hanger (hungry anger) is real,
especially when traveling. i am insane when
i pack food for a flight ---- my whole purse is
full of trader joe's treats, pb&honeys, chocolate,
fruit, almonds, etc. this helps when you're tired,
hungry, and stuck without food or on a plane
where food is $$$ and not too good. this
has saved us (mostly me) many times!

5. have a sense of humor...whether a flight
gets delayed, luggage gets lost, the hotel is bad,
or someone is rude, you are bound to have some
unpleasant experiences. being able to laugh
is key, because lots of times there's nothing
else you can do. chase is so good at this and
has saved us in many situations by making 
me laugh and easing the situation. for example,
when our bags got lost in lisbon and we sat
in the baggage office with the grumpy employee
who was not being helpful, chase spoke a fake 
language to me really loudly with an italian
accent for 30 straight minutes. literally didn't 
stop.  the guy was so confused and i was bent
over laughing until our luggage appeared.

6. have solo time. if one of you is tired or
wants to see something different, don't be
afraid to split up for an hour or two...just
make sure to have an exact meeting point if
you're in a foreign country with no cell phones!

7. plan to splurge. even though we're young
and follow lots of budget travel tips, we
like to splurge once in a while on trips.
plan on spoiling your significant other.
i always have something in mind i
want to get for chase on a trip..
whether it's a clothing item, an
experience, or a nice dinner you've
heard about, plan to surprise your
love with something fun on the trip.

8. mix up your trips. don't plan
lots of sightseeing trips all in a
row-- you'll get so tired of the
busy, stressful planned out trips.
schedule a relaxing beach getaway
or cruise one year, and then a big
backpacking adventure the next
year. this way you'll keep things fresh!

9. document. take pictures, take videos,
capture the moment! this sounds obvious, but
when it's just the two of you, remember
to ask people take pictures for you, film
things, and capture the memories 
that are so fun later.

10. live in the moment. despite 
my love to document trips and 
see all that i can, it's so important
to live in the moment and just
hold hands with your loved one
at an amazing place and take it
in. really share it together. talk 
about what you love about places 
you've been, where you are, and 
where you want to go. bond through 
a place. create memories and fall
more in love. that's what it's all about!

////

so those are my ten tips.
but most of all.....

^^ on plane rides, train rides, boat rides,

on the couch at home, in the car, in

church, out to dinner, in movies...

 the biggest tip of all is to find someone you 

want to sit next to for the rest of your life.

if you can find someone who you can travel

on a trip with, it means you can definitely

travel through life with them...the most

important thing of all! :)

xo