Destinations, Packing Lists, Style, Travel, USA, Virginia

Traveling Light: A Packing List for Richmond, Virginia

Alyssa jumps on large stepping stones in Richmond

You know I love to open up my suitcase after every trip and show you what went inside, and today I’m sharing an early spring packing list for a weekend in Richmond, Virginia. Richmond is just within what I consider to be my driving radius for a weekend away – any further than the 4.5 …

Destinations, Travel, USA, Virginia

The Perfect Weekend Travel Guide for Your First Visit to Richmond, Virginia

Alyssa walks in front of a colorful mural in Richmond's Carytown neighborhood

A generous invitation brought us to Richmond, but the city’s walkable streets, phenomenal food scene, and remarkable cultural opportunities made me never want to leave. Richmond has been on my list for a long time – it was even on the short list of cities I considered moving to before I landed in Charlotte – …

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

ABLE Mother’s Day Sale + Gift Guide

A striped tee hangs from a wooden hanger

Well, I wasn’t going to share a Mother’s Day Gift Guide this year (I’m currently neck-deep in writing several destination guides – a lovely, but busy, place to be!), but one of my favorite retailers is offering readers such a good discount, it would be negligent of me not to share! This post is not …

Destinations, Travel, USA, Virginia

Checking In: A Review of Linden Row Inn in Richmond, Virginia

Alyssa walks in front of Linden Row Inn and swings a tote bag from the hotel

Welcome to Checking In, a series of posts dedicated to the places we stay when we travel When is a hotel more than just a place to sleep? When it embodies the spirit of a destination, woven into its history like threads in a tapestry. For Richmond, nowhere quite fits that description like an inn …

Travel, Travel Tips

How to Pack Faster

Alyssa tosses a packing cube into the air

I used to dread packing for a trip. Instead of a sense of excitement (I’m going on a trip! I get to do fun, travely things!), I found myself experiencing a slew of other emotions like frustration, confusion, and anxiety. It would take me forever to figure out what I wanted to bring, and then …

Destinations, Illinois, Packing Lists, Style, Travel, USA

Traveling Light: Essential Packing List for Chicago (in a backpack!)

Alyssa wears all black and stands in front of the bean

I was devastated when I saw the forecast for Chicago. (That’s a bit of an overstatement, but I’m okay with that). After a few weeks of delightful weather in Charlotte, we were headed North to Chicago, which hadn’t quite gotten the memo that spring had arrived. Snowflake and raindrop icons appeared on my phone’s screen, …

Destinations, Illinois, Travel, USA

36 Hours in Downtown Chicago Travel Guide

Much like most of my other travel guides, this one begins with a cheap flight. Poking around Google Flights one evening (as I’m often prone to do after a glass of wine…) revealed an inexpensive roundtrip flight from Greensboro to O’Hare – departing early one Saturday morning and returning late the following evening. Driving to …

Home Try On + In-Depth Style Reviews, Style

Quince Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater Dress Review

A black cashmere dress hangs on a peg rack

I know that it’s technically spring, but I still have some cool weather dressing on my mind as we get ready to travel to some Northern destinations over the next month. Fueled by the success of my recent Quince sweaters and silk slip dress purchases, my curiosity about the brand’s cashmere dresses recently got the …

Destinations, North Carolina, Packing Lists, Style, Travel, USA

Traveling Light: A Packing List for Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Alyssa wears a dress with a sweater on top in Winston-Salem

After every trip, I like to crack open my suitcase and share everything I packed for a recent weekend away. Today I’m sharing what I packed for three days in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In mid-March, Michael and I spent a lovely weekend in Winston-Salem: a charming city with two names and more historical firsts than …

Destinations, North Carolina, Travel, USA

Double the Delight: A Perfect Weekend Travel Guide for Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Alyssa stands in front of Reynolda House

In conjunction with my goal to get back in the air every month, I’m also making the time to explore my home region more deeply this year (there are four weekends in a month, after all!). A late spring opportunity to explore Winston-Salem simply couldn’t be missed – and because it’s so close to Charlotte, …