Things To Do In San Diego

Are you thinking about visiting San Diego? With beautiful beaches, palm tree lined streets, and plenty of sunshine—that alone can keep you occupied. If you're looking to do a bit more on your visit, I'm sharing some of our family's favorite things to do and places to eat while visiting San Diego.  

I can't believe it's been over 15 years since my brother in-law moved to California. I always admire those that can pick up their things, their lives, and make a major move. We've moved around our state before, but have never really done a major move. I'm thankful that we have both Eric's brothers and my brothers in some awesome places to visit. Of course we would selfishly want them all closer to us, but the trips are pretty epic when we all get together. 

When we make a trip to San Diego we have some staples that we try to do every time and also add in some new sights or areas to checkout as well. I recently shared more about our family adventures in California and some of the amazing places we got to explore. Now that our first nephew is out there (gosh I miss that little guy), we're hoping to incorporate more frequent trips. 

One of the great things about San Diego is the scenery and so many things you can do in nature. My family loves being outside and San Diego was the perfect escape for us during the winter. You can visit some major attractions or go on a free hike and feel satisfied depending on your priorities. You can visit the downtown Gaslamp Quarter filled with museums and theaters or hang out in a beach town and feel like you're miles away from it all. Whatever your preference is, I'm highly confident you will find something to enjoy in San Diego.

EXPLORING OUTSIDE: 

my family loves to be outside and thankfully are easily occupied. If there are sticks and rocks around, my crew will have the best time (#boymomlife). It can be a bit tricky with kids since there are so many cliffs and areas to be careful around. We look at these moments as a teaching opportunity and a great reminder about safety and staying close. Some of our favorites are Torrey Pines and Sunset Cliffs. You can also enjoy a scenic view from the Mount Soledad Cross. If you're headed downtown a nice place to check out is the Seaport Village filled with shops, plenty of places to eat, entertainment, and seasonal festivals. 

BEACHES:

ahhh, southern California's ideal weather and ocean waves that crash along the pacific are something I would imagine I couldn't get board of. We have beaches here on the east coast, but let's face it, the scenery I'm used to seeing is not like how it is in southern California. There are so many great beaches to choose from in San Diego that it's hard to narrow down the best. I think a lot has to do with preference and what you enjoy. Are you looking for the calm and scenery of Torrey Pines State Beach or the feel of a beach town like Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, or Pacific Beach. If white powdery sand is your thing than Coronado Beach might have what you're looking for. You can also head over to the elite shopping and views of the beaches in La Jolla and catch a glimpse of the seals hanging on near the shore. Are you traveling with a pup? There's a beach for that. Dog beach is filled with many furry friends and many of them who will hop on a surf board and go to town.

BALBOA PARK:

this iconic park is a major attraction in San Diego. There is so much to see and do. You could spend all day here, make a quick visit, or come back multiple times. It all depends what you want to get out of it. Balboa Park has many different features that make it so special along with the beautiful buildings and well kept grounds. There are 16 different museums, a botanical garden, trails, restaurants, and much more.

SAN DIEGO ZOO:

the San Diego Zoo is a zoo located inside of Balboa Park.  There are more than 3,500 animals and over 650 species. See what I mean when I say you can spend several days coming back to visit the park? The zoo has so many things to see and explore and my kids love seeing the animals and learning more about them.

SEAWORLD:

if you're into exploring more about marine mammal life, then SeaWorld is a great option to check out. They also have many rides and attractions and of course the shows where you get to see some of your favorite dolphin, seal, and whale friends up close and personal. 

ENJOY THE CHARM OF OLD TOWN:

old town has a lot of charm and culture to explore and learn more about. It was California's first settlement in 1769. If you make a visit, you'll see many different vendors and unique shops as you stroll through vibrant colors and historic buildings. There are museums, a theater, and so much more to explore.

WHERE TO EAT:

there are so many great places to eat in San Diego with a variety of different options. What I can say is, coming from someone on the east coast, I'd probably avoid the pizza and focus on some more coastal food or authentic Mexican. Of course that opinion may vary, but I can get my pizza fix at local places around me, so I like to indulge my senses with other tastes. A very popular spot in San Diego, and for good reason, is OB Noddle House. We go every time we visit, and usually multiple times. Their sizzling fish is so good and you can't go wrong with any of their pho. For some of the best burgers around Hodads is a great option. For brunch we love Voltaire Beach House. If you're looking for some unique and delicious breakfast options, Breakfast Republic is worth checking out. There french toast trio was amazing! If you're looking to have an all out brunch experience and make an event out of it, then I would highly recommend Bali Hai. I would also recommend making reservations to avoid a wait. Their champagne brunch is where it's at. They also have some of the best mai tias I have ever tasted.

No matter what part of San Diego you choose to explore there is so much to love about it and an area for everyone to enjoy. Have you ever been to San Diego? 

Things To Do In Charlotte

I can get easily excited about a lot of things, and one of them is exploring new places. We have some repeat areas that are fun to visit, but when you know there is a whole world out there to see it's hard not be drawn to areas that you haven't seen before. At least for me, that is. Like, Charlotte. I had never been before and if it wasn't for the deal of all deals that we found on flights, I'm not so sure it would have been on my list. Not in a bad way by any means, it just wasn't one of those cities that was high on my list of must-go places. 

When my sister mentioned doing a girls weekend with her and my mom, of course I was up for it. It was exactly a year since her epic bachelorette party in Bermuda and while we might not have had the views or most beautiful scenery that we were graced with on that trip, we found a lot of things fun about visiting Charlotte. 

Charlotte is coined, The Queen city because it was named for King George III of Great Britain's wife, Queen Charlotte. Like most cities, Charlotte has various parts and neighborhoods you can explore. What I really enjoyed is that overall it did not feel like a huge city or one that was difficult to manage. We had no problems getting around and were able to easily navigate things. 

In my opinion, it's not a very busy city. It reminded me a bit of Pittsburgh how it seems like majority of the hustle and bustle is more Monday-Friday when a lot of the businesses are open. This made it great for us because we got to explore a lot without feeling crowded or rushed out of places with still plenty to do for a weekend getaway. What we did was double checked the times of some of the restaurants and places we wanted to checkout because some of them were only open during certain times. I would recommend doing this if you are going over a weekend and also calling to make reservations to confirm.

I wanted to share more of what we did and places we checked out in Charlotte in case you are thinking about a trip or even have a visit coming up. In talking with some of the locals, they mentioned it's a big pass time city. Meaning, a lot of people come out for work trips and or even to visit their sporting teams as both the Charlotte Hornets and Carolina Panther's stadiums are right in the heart of the city.

Even though Charlotte has a lot of high-rise buildings and even more coming as the city is quickly on the up, it's not overly huge and a trip that you can easily do in a few days and feel like you got to experience a lot of what Charlotte offers. 

BRUNCH:

it's no surprise brunch is one of my favorite meals, ever. Gosh, there is so much to love about it I could brunch all the time. Charlotte had some fun brunch spots to check out and some had great outdoor seating with gorgeous views of the city. We enjoyed brunch at 204 North with some tasty menu options. We were lucky to get a table right by the front window for some natural light and views of people passing by. The only thing I wasn't really impressed with was one of their appetizers we got, they switched out crostini's for crackers and in my opinion it ruined the whole dish. If you stay away from the cheese platter, I think you'll be ok. The next spot we went to was a bruncher's (is that a thing? Maybe it should be ;) paradise. Fahrenheit Charlotte had spectacular rooftop views with an expansive brunch menu, their brunch pizza was one of the best brunch menu items I have ever tasted. As far as I know it's only offered as a special from time to time. They had $5 mimosas and bloody mary's with a cart that came around and you could pick what you wanted to add to your drink.

ROOFTOP LOUNGES:

speaking of views, let's talk more about those rooftop spots. I would put Fahrenheit Charlotte back on the list as lounge spots as well. We also loved Nuvole Rooftop TwentyTwo which was a great spot to checkout for some night time views. When we went they didn't even open until 5pm. If you caught my insta stories you might have shared in those views with me. Some other great spots are City Lights Rooftop, Whiskey Warehouse and if you're looking for more of a trendy night scene then 201 Rooftop at Epicenter would be a place to check out. 

WHERE TO STAY:

as much as I love a good Airbnb, there are a lot of nice hotels in Charlotte with reasonable room rates that were actually better than the prices of some Airbnbs we found. I also enjoy a treat every now and then with the luxurious feel of a hotel stay. We decided on the Omni Charlotte and really enjoyed our stay. It's conveniently located in the city with many attractions within walking distance, spacious rooms, and they also had a great pool deck. We also checked out the Ivey's Hotel which looked amazing, but in keeping with a budget, we decided maybe next time. It's located down the street from where we stayed and the nice part is, majority of the hotels are around each other. 

SOUTH END AREA:

what I really liked about Charlotte is how you can enjoy the feel of the city with parks, restaurants, and amazing views, yet take a 7 minute Uber ride (at least from where we were) and head to the south end area where you are greeted with a completely different feel. One of my favorite cities is Philadelphia, and if you've ever checked out the Fishtown area, it reminded me of that. South End is very trendy, a bit hipster, but something for everyone. It has a lot of restaurant options and trendy micro breweries to check out along with some shopping and an array of street art. I already shared we checked out this popular confetti heart wall that makes for a great backdrop to be able to snap some fun pictures. We ate at Superica, Hawkers, and heard great things about Barcelona Wine Bar and also found out they have several locations in other states. Some breweries to check out would be Triple C, Wooden Robot and Lenny Boy. And if you're looking for a sweet treat, there must be something special going on at Jeni's Ice Cream because the line was out the door for over an hour. We were so tempted to wait to see what they hype was all about, but we will have to always wonder, for now.

THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS:

even though we were on a girls trip without kids, I saw a bunch of different things that if my kids were with me would could have done. I figured I might as well share them incase someone is thinking about a family trip. We stopped in Discovery Place Science and this is where I ended up getting all of the boys souvenirs. They had so many fun things here that I loved how education was incorporated. I can only image the science center in itself has a lot to offer. We also heard a lot about Carowinds and could see it from some of the rooftop spots. There's also a Raptor Center and Sea Life center about 20 minutes outside the city. 

PARKS AND OUTDOOR SPACES:

it's always nice that even when you're in a city surrounded by buildings and tons of concrete, you have the option to escape a bit and enjoy some outdoor spaces and city parks. Some of them had great views and others felt like you were miles outside of the city, yet you weren't. A few I would recommend to check out would be Romare Bearden Park, Freedom Park, First Ward Park, and Marshall Park. I'm sure depending on what time of year you go these might even have more going on with festivals and vendors to explore. 

What To Pack For a Trip To Europe

I don't know about you, but before any trip I go on, I usually write out a list of all the things I can think of that I need, and then build from there. I tend to be more relaxed about local travel if I know I can pop into a store and pick something up if I forgot it. But Europe, I want to make sure I have majority, if not all that I need. 

I also love to jump on Pinterest or Google and get ideas from others to make sure I'm not forgetting anything obvious or something I might not have thought of. That's why I put together my essentials and what I would recommend to pack for a trip to Europe. 

This was my ninth time visiting a European city which makes me no expert by any means, but sometimes once you've done something a certain amount of times you learn a little bit more about what works and what doesn't. Now, of course this also depends on the time of year you are traveling, and where you are traveling to, but from what I've seen, traveling anywhere between April-October my list has been relatively the same. 

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Luggage:

I think this goes without saying, but, what I will say is, do yourself a favor and get some decent luggage. Long story short, someone had purchased a few luggage pieces for us as a gift (which was really thoughtful) but they weren't necessarily something we would have picked out for ourselves. When you're navigating through airports, cobblestone streets, or just around in general, you need something that has great wheels and is easy to maneuver. We also love luggage that provides great packing options with side pouches and zipper compartments. 

Packing Cubes: 

If you caught my insta stories when we came home from our most recent trip to Barcelone, then you probably saw how much I love using packing cubes. Each of the boys have their own color which makes it so much easier to pack for them and keep everything organized. I am also amazed at how much you can actually fit into each of them.  

Backpack:

I don't travel or go on outings without a trusty backpack. Backpacks have become a necessity for me when traveling and serve as my purse, diaper bag, camera bag, and carrier of all things. Something you need to look out for in most major touristy cities is pickpocketing. Thankfully we've never been witness to this, but I also like to think making things more difficult to get into helps with that.

Reusable Bag: 

Speaking of bags, my Baggu bags have been a lifesaver when we're away. Some European cities do not include plastic bags when you go shopping and you have to pay extra if you need one. Packing one of my ever-easy-fold-up-into-a-tiny-almost-nothing-bag, has made things so much easier. I can throw that right in my backpack and take it when I need something extra. I also use it as a beach bag for when we are visiting areas that have beach access. I really cannot say enough good things about the easy and practicality of these bags.

Comfortable Shoes: 

I think it's common sense to know we should bring comfortable shoes but I know sometimes fashion and style can cloud our judgement. If you caught my most recent post about our family trip to Barcelona you might have noticed my espadrilles that got a lot of use out of them. I probably sound like a broken record over here, because if you're a frequent reader, then you know my love runs strong for my Soludos. They are just so dang comfy, versatile, and worth every penny to me. If you're going during a time where you could wear sandals I would also highly recommend packing sandals that have straps. A lot of cities can have cobblestone streets or uneven walkways in general. 

Layers:

All of the times I have visited a European city I have needed some sort of layers. I have yet to really experience any type of humidity but it can get really hot in the summers and very iffy in the spring and fall. My tried and true has always been my jean jacket. I feel like you can't go wrong with a denim jacket which usually goes with most outfits. I also like to bring a stylish scarf that I can wear if necessary or if it's not needed I can always make into something to wear on my hair or tie around my waist. 

Hat:

I'm a hat person in general, so packing one for my trips has turned into a must. They are tricky to pack but if you play your cards right and pack them around things that won't crush them, or just wear it on the plane, then a hat can come in really handy. 

Sunnies:

I probably could have grouped packing a hat and bringing your sunnies along into one category because they are hands down my two favorite accessories. Maybe these last two have been a little biased based on my liking, but I kind of feel like, how can you go anywhere without a fun pair of sunglasses? 

Dry Shampoo:

If you're a guy and reading this this might not apply to you, unless you have some luscious locks that you can use this on, but I always pack a travel size of dry shampoo. The water in other countries is just different and if I'm on vacation I'm usually not carving out a lot of time to do my hair. A little dry shampoo can help during those in-between days.  

Adapter:

I try to disconnect as much as I can when I'm away but no matter what, you're going to need a travel adapter to access your things. If I'm packing a curling iron, phone, or need to charge my camera battery, I need a means to be able to do that. We stayed at two different places when we were in Amsterdam and left our adapter in one of the hotels. We searched around to buy another one and ended up over paying because most places know that it's a touristy thing to purchase. 

I feel like other than that, your list is more of your personal style and what else you think you would need to bring along. There are trips where I feel like I packed so on point and others like I overpacked, and of course I've also had times where I wished I would have brought something else along. I think that I've gotten better with time and now have a good system down that works for us. 

What about you, are you a light packer or do you tend to bring all the things? 

7 Ways To Make Travel More Affordable

I probably sound like a broken record over here but I really enjoy traveling. There's something about being in a new places (or familiar ones), having time away from work, and feeling like we're getting to see the world outside of our little bubble—that means so much to me. 

I think some of it also stems from coming from a large family my parents just weren't able to take us many places. We did a lot of local trips which were fun, but I always wondered about getting on a plane and seeing other places. I saved up in high school and was able to go on my senior trip to Disney which was also the first time I was ever on an airplane. I knew that when I got to a point that I could support myself, travel would be a priority and something I wanted to experience with my own family one day. 

Now that we have two boys and one on the way, we get asked a lot about how we're able to pull off traveling with kids or the ability to go on multiple trips a year. It's usually followed up by a comment like, wow I wish I could do that! And the truth is, I do wish everyone could do that. I know the joy that we get from going away and I think everyone should experience that if they truly want to. Aside from being hard workers, and being blessed with marrying an amazing man that has an entrepreneurial mindset, we are also really savvy when it comes to booking our travel. 

I know everyone's situation is different and sometimes travel just isn't an option, and that's ok. You can always make the most out of your general area, but for those that want to get away, take a long weekend, or even some day trips, there are ways to make it happen. 

Since this is a question we get asked a lot, I figured it was time to finally put it together in a blog post and share some of the resources that have helped make our trips attainable. 

1. SET YOUR PRIORITIES: 

This is a big one for us when deciding about an upcoming trip. We think about, would we want to explore the beaches in Curacao or have a couples day in NYC. Once you have a clearer idea of what you would like to accomplish out of your trip, it will help point you in the right direction to start narrowing down locations and begin your search. 

2. CONSIDER REVIEWS: 

I do a lot of research about locations and hotels on TripAdvisor and take each reviewer with a grain of salt. I say that because, I look at their contribution rate. If it's someone who's only done one review and it's a horrible one, chances are that isn't going to be a deciding factor for me because I don't take them seriously as an experienced traveler, or sometimes people want a five star experience on a three star budget (we'll get into that later). 

3. WATCH FOR DEALS: 

This is a huge one for us and how we always book our trips. I typically start looking for trips about 8-6 months out to get an idea of pricing and what's realistic. I've also booked as late as three months out, so it all depends on your travel needs. I never (well maybe I shouldn't say never) book through a travel agent. We did once when we went on our honeymoon to Aruba. It was an ok experience, but to be honest, after finding coupon codes online, and better flight options, the travel agent was matching the price that I found because it was better than theirs. The positive I see with that is, if you are traveling in a large group it probably makes things easier and most of the time you are able to work out a payment plan with them, where as online you pay for it upfront.

I always search combined package deals, then separate with flight and hotel, to see how much you can save. I love sites like Cheap Caribbean for island vacations, Travelocity, and if I only need a flight my favorite go-to site is Skyscanner where you can Compare prices on flights with Skyscanner. We also have alerts come through from the airlines we frequently follow and sometimes they will run some great deals if it's a location you're interested in seeing.

Would you believe that our last Italy trip was booked through Groupon? Yup, you read that right, Groupon. I was so skeptical at first, but my in-laws have been on some amazing vacations through them so we decided to check it out and were really happy with the experience. When you see the packages of flights and hotels included for only $899 to Paris, that's actually how much it is. The only downfalls with that is, you have a time frame instead of being able to pick your own set dates for travel and they already have the hotels picked out for where you'll stay. You know all of this ahead of time, so you can also research the hotels and see if they are up to your standards, and with the dates, it will always say, for example, travel between 6/24-7/14 and then once you purchase the Groupon you get to look and see what the exact travel dates are within that time frame and select your dates of travel from there. If you have the ability to be flexible with your dates, then this is a great option. The packages also only fly out of certain areas, but thankfully for us, our airport is a major hub for most international travel. I also love using RetailMeNot to see if there are any coupon codes I can use for the sites I'm searching on.

4. CONSIDER OFF SEASON: 

You've probably heard this before, but considering a different time of year to travel can save you a ton. Obviously peak seasons vary for different locations, but most expensive times are going to be around spring break, major holidays, etc. I worry about this because once the boys are in school we might be at the mercy of their schedule which is usually when everyone else wants to travel, too. I won't say I might not be that parent to pull them out to go on a trip outside of their regular days off. We'll see and cross that bridge when we get there.  

5. CONSIDER HOTEL ALTERNATIVES: 

This is something that's becoming more and more popular and a great way to make travel more affordable. With popular sites like Airbnb and Homeaway, you can travel now and have so much more than just a hotel room. I think there are pros and cons to both. Being in a hotel has more of that vacation feel, but also comes with a premium and might not be the best option for a large family that needs more than one room. We've done an Airbnb for our Amsterdam, Prague, and stay in Naples, and had great experiences with all. Depending on where you go, you can also consider vacation rentals if you are traveling with a large group. We're also looking forward to exploring camp sites more once we get our Airstream on the road. I mentioned before people wanting a five star experience on a three star budget. There's nothing wrong with wanting to stay in a really nice place with all the amenities, but that also comes at a premium. If you're ok with a safe, comfortable, and clean place, then you will also save a lot of money on your accommodation choices.

6. SHORTEN YOUR TRIP: 

As much as it's nice to get away for a chunk of time, I have my pros and cons about this too. Our trips are typically anywhere from 7-10 days but we have done some as short as 5 days or even long weekends, and still had a blast. We also see that the more we are away from work the more it feels like playing catch up when we return. I am very fortunate to have 4 weeks vacations plus sick and personal time, so for me, I enjoy taking smaller trips here and there instead of only having one big trip a year. But again, it's completely your preference. My advice is, if there is a location you really want to see but maybe can't do that long extensive trip, consider knocking a few days off and playing with the dates to see how much you can save.

7. MAXIMIZE YOUR CASH BACK OPTIONS: 

This is probably one of my favorite things because I love, love, love getting cash back. Ok, hear me out here because this could be a big one for you. We've been able to save almost $100 plus off every trip. We do not have specific credit cards for airlines because for one, I don't want anything that I have to pay an annual fee for, and two, I don't want to be bound to one airline in case it makes more sense or is cost effect to fly another. We are rewards members through multiple airlines and pick and choose how we want to use those miles if it makes sense. We do typically use our American Express card to book travel because they have a great policy that covers your trip without you having to get trip insurance (now that's our card perk specifically, not sure if it's like that for all). In fact, three years ago we booked our five year anniversary trip to Hawaii before we got pregnant with little nugget, but since we booked it so far in advance, seven months out, my doctor didn't recommend me flying at that time and I also wanted to be able to jump in waterfalls and do adventurous stuff without feeling exhausted. American Express got us everything back for that trip with the proper doctors documentation. Anyway, I will get to Hawaii one day. So back to the cash back option, if you aren't signed up with Ebates yet, I would highly recommend it. Use my referral link here, please :). Now let's talk about how you can maximize your cash back options. Even if you have a credit card where you get cash back (which I hope you do at this point) you can still shop through Ebates and pay like you would for anything else. So what do we do with our Groupon trip and other travel sites? I clicked through my Ebates account to go to that site, apply a coupon code that I found online and purchase the vacation, I now get the cash back through Ebates, then I also get cash back on top of it from our credit card. It's basically double cash back. We also use travel rewards that we had accumulated through our credit card just from basic purchases. Before we knew it, we were off to Italy for cheaper than it would have cost us to go to an all inclusive at an Island. And after we hit purchase, I heard pizza calling my name. Now that my friends is maximizing your deals and cash back options.

I hope you enjoyed these travel searching tips and I would love to hear if you have any other ones that you like to use...

Things To Do In Charleston

If I haven't told you all 6,542 times, I really enjoy traveling. Like really love seeing new places. I recently came back from a girls trip to Charleston and in a few days my little family and I are headed to Italy for mine and Eric's 8 year anniversary trip.

I love traveling with my husband, and my kids, but there is something really special about a girls trip that is just good for the soul. I think as a mom it takes the pressure off of making sure your kids and family are having a good time and really allows you to just be yourself,  and gasp, relax! 

Even though we did a lot of walking on this trip, and saw as much as we could, in the short time we were there it didn't feel rushed or overwhelming. 

Charleston is a great town to visit with so many good places to eat, shop, and explore. If I had to think of one word to describe it—charming is what comes to mind. And no, it's not because of the show, which I actually don't even watch. I loved the old cobblestone streets, churches, and original buildings. And somehow it all ties in together with a newer and trendier feel, like history meets hipster in a way.

Instead of giving you the play by play of our every waking hour, I'm going to highlight some of our favorite places that I would recommend. If you're thinking about making a visit you can check them out and consider adding them to your itinerary.

I've never really been a person that says you have to try a certain place because I think everyone's travel goals and tastes are different. I love finding guides or recommendations on Pinterest and then deciding what I want to add to my list. Much like the idea of this post. If this post is something you like and find beneficial then any shares would be much appreciated. Ok, enough about that, I'm sure you're anxious to hear more about Charleston, so let's get right into it!

1. FOOD

I'm going to start with food because we did so much eating and I wasn't even mad about it. There are so many great places to choose from when it comes to options of where to eat and drink. The first day we were there, we got off the plane bright and early and headed to our Uber for the short 15-20 minute drive to town. We left our luggage where we were staying (Quarters on King) and headed to our reservation at Maganolias for brunch. I don't think anyone was disappointed and we all left with full bellies and excitement to explore more. If you're looking for a bit of an upscale atmosphere and enjoy seafood, I would recommend to check out High Cotton. The food was so fresh and absolutely delicious. For some quick bites and places to enjoy a few drinks, we had a good time at Poogan's Smokehouse, and Closed For Business. If you're looking for a good fried chicken sandwich I loved the one I got at Craftsman Kitchen, and if you enjoy rooftop spots with a view of the waterfront, than I would definitely recommend The Rooftop at Vendue.

2. WATERFRONT PARK

Speaking of views of the waterfront, if you have a chance to take a stroll down at waterfront park it's a really pretty area with a pier, the famous pineapple fountain, and a few splash pads for the kids. I think we were all really amused when we saw a huge doggy living his best life sitting in the fountain with the water splashing on his back.

3. SHOPPING

If you're looking to go shopping then heading to King Street is where you'll find tons of cute boutiques and other well known retailers. Keep in mind that because they're in a tourist area I happened to think the prices were higher and reflected that, but that's really anywhere you go. If you get a chance to pop into Chubbies they will have a free beer waiting for you and a tiki bar that they ring you up at. Not to mention the retro swimsuits were really cute but this baby bod will not be fitting in any of those this summer.

4. BEACH TIME

Now if I were to come back here with my family I would more than likely look to stay at the beach and then travel into Charleston to eat or shop. We visited Folly Beach and my little beach loving heart got all giddy to put my toes in the sand and see the water. Although, seeing the water it didn't look much different than what we see at the jersey shore, but that's the Atlantic for you. We ate brunch at Lost Dog Cafe and that might have been one of my favorite meals on this trip. I got the crab and shrimp cakes benedict (it's actually my picture up above the food section), and oh my word, delicious!

5. VISIT A PLANTATION

I had mixed feelings about this one because the back stories just break my heart. Aside from the history of them, they are beautiful grounds and so common in the south that we did make this apart of our trip.

6. GHOST TOUR

I really wasn't sure what this was going to be all about because I'm not one to really believe in ghosts and get wrapped up in that stuff. A few of the girls on our trip had done them before and apparently Charleston is very well known for some lingering spirits. We did a walking tour and visited different areas and heard about the history of these spaces and then ended up in a graveyard at night. News flash, we didn't encounter anything, but it was interesting and something I can say we did.

7. RAINBOW ROW

If you like finding "instagram worthy" spots to take pictures then you've probably already heard of rainbow row. It's a cluster of historic houses on East Bay Street that boasts of bright colors and picturesque scenery. Now, I have to be honest, rainbow row was not exactly what I thought it was going to be like. You have to get creative with taking a picture to have it come out how you would like, and if you're using a DSLR camera, I would recommend bringing a wide angle lens. It wasn't a very busy street, but these are residential houses so there are cars parked and it's not as open as I thought it would be. It was still fun to see and we did get our pictures :)

So what about you, have you ever been to Charleston before or is it a place you would consider visiting? 

Things To Do In Amsterdam

I'm headed to Chicago tonight to visit my brother for the weekend and one of the posts I've loved putting together was my Chicago Long Weekend Favorites. I thought it would be fun to do something similar with our most recent trip to Amsterdam.

One of the first things I do before going on a trip is jump on google to find out what are the must sees or things to do in the area. I like to have a general idea of what I want to accomplish on my travels, but the worst thing for me is feeling like I need a vacation from vacation. What's really the fun in that? I always make sure to have days of relaxing and try to keep an open mind to just go with the flow. This is pretty much our attitude when traveling with the boys too and since it's been working for us so far, I don't see us changing our approach anytime soon.

Here are somethings I would recommend for you to check out if you ever travel to Amsterdam.

LET'S DO THIS
One of the highlights of our trip was swinging over the edge on the A'DAM Lookout. This swing takes you over the edge of a building and provides amazing views of the city all while you're high in the sky and can boast that you were on Europe's highest swing. It's a short ferry ride from the city and definitely worth it for a little thrill. Not into heights or you'd rather keep your feet on the ground? No worries, there's plenty for you too...
Canal Cruise
Bike Around the City
Visit the famous Flower Market. Bloemenmarkt was so pretty and was really cool to know it was a floating market.
Flea Markets
Vondelpark
Brouwertij't IJ Brewery. This brewery was really cool and was right next to an old windmill which gave it that authentic feel.
Ice Bar
Explore Museums, there is so much history here
Hannekes Boom this was a really cool place to grab a drink during happy hour. It was right across the canal from the Nemo Science Center and had a really fun crowd. They even had an outdoor tree swing.
Heineken Experience

ALL THE FOOD
I don't have specifics for the restaurants we checked out but here are the foods everyone should try when visiting...
Cheese, yup cheese. You can find all the cheese here in many difference flavors.
Poffertjes, they are kind of like mini pancakes
Stroopwafles
Bitterballen, they are basically mini krokets
And speaking of krokets, you might as well indulge in them too

There are so many things to see and do here that there is something for everyone. You can read more about some of our adventures {here}. Get your walking shoes ready because it's a city that has too much going on not to walk around and take it all in. 

Packing For a Weekend Getaway

With the anticipation of Memorial Day weekend quickly approaching, I don't know about you, but it has summer fun and weekend getaways written all over it. We always start off with our weekend down the shore. In fact, majority of our weekends will be spent here soaking up all the beach and family fun. 

My in-laws have a small house that we are fortunate to be able to stay at, but it still involves packing up the kids, and the dog, and making the hour and half drive. Regardless of where you're going they all have at least one thing in common, packing.

For me, packing is like banging my head up against the wall. I'm either eager to get going on it or procrastinating like it's an assignment for school that I should have started weeks ago. Remember those days?

Most recently we spent the weekend away for a friends wedding and silly me decided to pack for what the forecast said. Well, wouldn't you know the forecast was wrong and instead of trusting my better judgement and packing what I thought I needed, I packed for the weather. I think you should always take the weather into consideration, but we all know those forecasts are nothing more than a predication that don't always come true. So now, I made a promise to myself to pack for what I need and add in a few transitional pieces in case the weather decides to play tricks on us.

1. Start With The Right Bags: I tend to always want to over pack and never feel like I have enough. Now that we travel with the boys I try my best to take a less is more approach, because honestly, it can be exhausting trying to remember everything. I try to pick bags that allow the most space without being bulky. My got-to bag has always been my Tory Burch Tote. I've been using this thing for years and it always seems to hold just the right amount of stuff. 

The boy also love using their Rolling Traveler and happen to think it is the coolest thing ever because the wheels light up. If you remember my post about Preparing Your Kids to Travel, I also get them involved in the packing process for a short getaway.

2. Think About What You Actually Need: This is always a tough one for me because like I said I tend to want to over pack. But if I really think about it, I don't actually need all that I want to bring. What works for me is when I layout what I want to bring before I officially pack it. If I just start adding things to my bag it usually never turns out right.

After I layout out what I want to bring, I reach for pieces I can wear multiple ways. For example, a certain pair of jeans that I know I can wear more than once and just switch my tops up. After I look at my options, if it doesn't feel like overkill, then I start adding it to my bag or by process of elimination decide on a few things to leave at home.

3. Versatile Toiletry Packing: What I mean by this is, I always go for my travel size things and decide if there are things that both the kids and I can use. Do I really need to bring two separate shampoos, soaps, etc.

I also like to go through my makeup and decide what I'll really use. I don't know about you, but I have a few shades and things in my makeup bag that rarely get used. I go for my everyday staples and from there usually pack them in a smaller plastic or ziplock bag, and then pack them in my clutch or crossbody bag. This allows me to free up some space and not worry about bringing my larger makeup bag along. This also doubles as an extra bag that I can use.  

4. Things That Will Actually Occupy The Kids: This has been an area of trial and error for us. I'm always really good about running to the dollar store before a trip and picking up new things for the nuggets to play with. Well, some of them have failed, miserably. I remember being on a flight and they opened this one toy, looked at for .10 seconds, and said what else do you have. It just didn't hold their interest or attention. Sometimes reaching for something new isn't always the answer and packing a few favorites can go a long way. We always go for things that are smaller and can fit in my bag to bring out at a restaurant or for them to hold in a stroller as well.

5. Don't Drive Yourself Crazy: Unless you are going to a remote island where buying things would be more of a hassle than not, if you forget something, you can always buy it. I'm not saying not to think things through or have a plan in place, but if something doesn't make it into the car—it's not the end of the world.

I remember one of our first trips we forgot the pack of diapers sitting right on the counter. Of course we didn't realize this until we were in mid-change with a bare baby butt in the back of the car. Luckily I had one stashed in the glove box so it wasn't a huge disaster. After that we found a place to stop and pick some up. We also left a sippy cup sitting in a booth at a restaurant once when we were in Lancaster and there wasn't much around. We had to improvise with the tervis cup we had. No one went thirsty and sometimes you just need to make things work. 

Preparing Your Kids to Travel

If you haven't noticed I'm pretty excited about our upcoming family vacation. Traveling has always been a love of mine and I hope to pass that excitement down to my boys. I never wanted us to be a family that says, Oh we haven't been anywhere in years. 

I know everyone's situations and priorities are different, but for me I would rather have experiences and memories than collecting things.  

In previous years I shared tips for traveling with a toddler and what to pack in your beach bag. For the most part our packing style is still the same. Now with two little nuggets I am taking a different approach with how we are preparing them for travel.

We've been flying with A since he was 7 months old, and to be honest, it was so much easier when he was a baby. I would nurse him for takeoff and landing and then he would pretty much sleep the rest of the flight. On our last family vacation I was probably out of my seat most of the flight walking up and down the aisles with them. I can only image how this flight will be, and with a layover none of the less. I need all the mama prayers I can get.

With the logistics of the trip aside, here's a look at a few ways we've been preparing the boys for travel...

CANDID CONVERSATIONS: we've been talking to both of them a lot about how we are going to get on an airplane, go to an Island, and the process of everything in between. Now that A is even older he asks a lot of questions. Mainly questions about the plane, particularly to takeoff and landing. I think it's important to let them know what to expect and give them as much detail as possible—of course within reason.

SHOWING THEM PICTURES: we've been showing them pictures of previous trips and reminding them of how we traveled before and all the fun we had. It blows my mind that A still remembers feeding the Iguanas in Aruba. We've also been showing them pictures of where we will be going and what the hotel looks like. This has gotten them really excited to check out some of the amenities and sleep in the big bed.

INVOLVING THEM IN PACKING: this has probably been the biggest help with getting them ready to travel. It allows them to make decisions about what they want to bring along, picking out toys to play with, snacks to pack, etc. I promise, there are clothes in the bottom of their suitcase but their toys had to be on top so they know they are in there.

GEOGRAPHY: both of the boys have globes in their rooms that they are familiar with. Little nuggets we actually picked up on our trip to the Dominican. For the past few nights they've been taking out their globes and asking us to show them the country we are traveling to and where the airplane will be flying over. This probably isn't the most effective thing for a younger child since you can see my little nugget was more interested in licking the globe and pretending like it was a giant lollipop. A on the other hand keeps looking at his globe everyday and asking what other countries we are visiting next.

EXPLORING CULTURE: we've also been talking to them about different cultures and how people all around the world speak different languages and may eat different foods.We're trying to prepare them for new sounds and sights they might see.

I'll be taking a little break from blogging to enjoy our time together as a family. I do have a fun Friday Favorites previously planned so you might want to check that out. I might be sharing a few things here and there on instagram (@beautifully_candid) if you'd like to follow along for the fun. Overall I'll be disconnecting for a few days and enjoying some sand and sun. Looking forward to catching up with everyone when we get back!