Category: Home

Home, Journal, Reflections

Setting Intentions for a New Year: 2024 Edition

The sun rises over San Francisco

3… 2… 1… Happy New Year! Although it was just yesterday that I shared my Year in Review post for 2023, it was also last year. Much like celebrating a birthday, the dawn of a new year isn’t an instantly transformative experience – we’re all still exactly the same people we were yesterday. But as …

Home, Journal, Reflections

2023: Year in Review

A collage of photos taken during 2023

Reflecting back on 2023 through the lenses of life, travel, and this blog. This again? I know the “this year went by so fast” schtick probably feels a little tired, but man, it feels like just yesterday that I was reflecting back on 2022. This post contains a few affiliate links – if you decide …

Home, Style, Travel, Travel Products, Wish Lists and Gift Ideas

2023 Holiday Gift Guide: Budget Gifts Under $25

A collage of budget gifts under $25

This guide is always such a treat to assemble. Why? Because it grows more and more challenging as the years progress and costs rise. This post contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking one of these links (at no additional cost to you!). Thank you …

Home, Style, Travel, Travel Products

2023 Holiday Gift Guide: Little Luxury Gifts

A collage of items in the luxury gift guide

Sharing a curated selection of “luxe” gifts for this holiday season. Historically this gift guide has always had quotes in the title, and I’m continuing that tradition today. This post contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking one of these links (at no additional cost …

Charlotte, Home, North Carolina, Style, Travel, Travel Products, USA, Wish Lists and Gift Ideas

2023 Holiday Gift Guide: Local Gifts from North Carolina

A collage of gifts from North Carolina makers

Happy Small Business Saturday, friends! As has become a tradition around here, I’m thrilled to share a curated guide of local gifts from my current home state in honor of this day. Today’s carefully edited list features a variety of unique and beautifully made items that support North Carolina artists and makers that you should …

Home, Style, Travel, Travel Products, Wish Lists and Gift Ideas

The Best Travel, Style, and Home Sales for Cyber Weekend 2023

Two piggy banks with text overlay reading "Cyber weekend sale"

It’s here!: My annual roundup of all the best travel, style, and home sales for Black Friday + Cyber Monday. The sales this time of year are so fascinating to me – it’s been wild to watch the transition from waiting in line early on Friday mornings to week-long promos offered online. As annoying as …

Home, Journal, Reflections, Travel, Travel Tips

How I’m Approaching Travel Differently in My Thirties

Alyssa looks out over Mexico City

I recently celebrated my thirty-fourth birthday by doing the thing I love the very most: traveling. This number doesn’t signify a major milestone by any means, but it does mean I’ve just entered my mid-thirties – and it made me stop to reflect on how traveling at 34 looks far different than traveling at 24. …

Home, Travel, Travel Tips

Knitting on the Go: Three Portable Projects for Your Next Road Trip

Alyssa stands in front of a VW bus knitting a tank top

Today’s blog post is an especially exciting one as it combines my passions for slow fashion and travel – and it involves getting a little crafty! It didn’t take me long to jump from casting on my very first knitting projects on my sofa to considering the possibility of traveling with my works in progress. …

Beauty, Home, Style

A Review of Every Fragrance from Riddle Oil

The Riddle Oil sample kit is open on a "marble" table

My relationship with fragrance has always been a strong one. It’s always one of the last things I reach for before heading out the door – and if I find I’ve forgotten it, I wind up feeling almost a little bare in public. At the same time, my relationship with fragrance is also a little …