Category: Travel

Destinations, Massachusetts, Packing Lists, Style, Travel, USA

Traveling Light: A Winter Packing List for a Weekend in Boston

Alyssa wears all black with a camel coat

Opening up my suitcase – err, backpack – and sharing everything I packed for a weekend in Boston. Although I’ve always considered myself a “weekend travel blogger,” I suspect this year was the one where I truly took the most true “weekend” trips of all, departing on Saturday and returning on Sunday (in the past, …

Destinations, Massachusetts, Travel, USA

36 Hours in Boston and Cambridge

Alyssa looks out over the courtyard at the Gardner Museum in Boston

A quick weekend getaway guide to Boston and Cambridge – perfect for second-timers. As a travel blogger, I find myself spending more time than I’d like touring my site’s analytics. It’s tedious, but I get to learn so much about the kind of content you’re interested in. And when $75 round-trip tickets popped up for …

Destinations, Food, Massachusetts, Restaurants, Travel, USA

A Review of Moëca in Cambridge, Massachusetts

A chalkboard with illustrations of fish at Moeca in Cambridge

Tucked just around the corner from Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge is a cozy neighborhood seafood spot that’s been making waves ever since it opened in mid-2022: Moëca. Striving to prepare fresh, sustainable seafood based on the current catch, Moëca’s menu changes daily. But no matter what the boat brings in, as a sister concept to …

Charlotte, Destinations, North Carolina, Style, Travel, USA

Shop Local: 10 Charlotte Shops You Should Know About

A Charlotte store with clothing and accessories

I frequently highlight small businesses in my travel guides, so I figured it’s finally time to share some of my home city’s best local shops and boutiques! Charlotte is home to nearly every major retailer (although, famously, not Zara) – but those shops receive enough attention as it is, so this post isn’t going to …

Destinations, Tennessee, Travel, USA

Photo Diary: Dollywood at Christmastime

Alyssa walks in front of the train boarding area at Dollywood

Sharing a sweet little look at Dollywood all decked out for the holidays. Grief is a strange beast. Sometimes it renders you unable to move in its wake – and sometimes it drops you at Dollywood. My grandmother loved Dolly Parton, and all she wanted for her birthday this year was for our family to …

Destinations, Packing Lists, Pennsylvania, Style, Travel, USA

Traveling Light: A Backpack Packing List for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Alyssa wears an all black outfit on a sidewalk in Philadelphia

Revealing everything I packed in my backpack for a weekend flyaway trip to Philadelphia For better or for worse, the number of personal item packing list posts on this blog has grown significantly this year. This is largely due to the fact that I fly more budget carriers like Spirit or Frontier than I used …

Destinations, Pennsylvania, Travel, USA

36 Hours in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia City Hall

A quick weekend guide to Philadelphia – perfect for second-time visitors and those looking for more off-the-beaten-path recommendations.

Destinations, Food, Pennsylvania, Restaurants, Travel, USA

Four Outstanding Coffee Shops to Try in Philadelphia

A sign for Persimmon Coffee in Philadelphia

Call off the search! Here are four places for a guaranteed excellent cup of coffee in the City of Brotherly Love.

Travel, Travel Tips

14 Things You Should Know Before You Fly Frontier Airlines for the First Time

A view of a Frontier plane from the window of a Frontier plane

Curious about flying Frontier Airlines? Here’s everything I wish I knew before I first booked a ticket with the budget airline (honest + unfiltered!).

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 …