SAVING & BUDGETING | INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

I cannot tell you how excited I am to finally be planning my trip to Europe for 2018. I love traveling and I have been itching to go on my next trip, but mostly I’m excited about this trip because this is the first international trip that my boyfriend and I will be going on together (and his first trip out of the country).

Once I “announced” that I was going to Europe I noticed that a few people in my personal life asked how I am able to afford to travel. This is a fairly reoccurring question every time I travel internationally. As a disclaimer, I am not what I would consider a frequent traveler, but in my circle of friends and acquaintances, I am one of the more traveled – especially when it comes to international travel. I don’t have a large income, nor is my family independently wealthy, so how can I travel?

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STAYING AT THE MIRABELLE INN IN SOLVANG, CA

“The Mirabelle Inn brings you back to an era when service and elegance pampered the weary traveler by a staff, well prepared for the task. This boutique hotel is designed to provide the special details and touches to make you feel at home and attended to, like nowhere else in the Santa Ynez Valley. A well-trained staff, a proper service attitude, make your stay memorable and comfortable beyond your imagination. From the moment you cross our threshold, our staff is empowered to make your stay special.” The Mirabelle Inn Website

This couldn’t be truer! My boyfriend, Josh, and I stayed at the Mirabelle for our six month anniversary earlier this month and I can safely say that it is the BEST hotel I have ever stayed in. The Mirabelle Inn is located in the absolutely stunning European-style town of Solvang, CA, at the foot of the Santa Ynez Mountains. Solvang is located along US Highway 101, four hours south of San Francisco.

HOLIDAY GUIDE | 10 GIFTS FOR HER, $50 AND UNDER

This year has flown by! Seems like we are always saying that, but I honestly cannot believe how quickly 2017 has gone by. However, the holidays are here and I couldn’t be happier. Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday – the decorations, the crisp weather, the cozy nights in, the get-togethers, I could go on and on. Christmas is also known to bring on lots of stress when it comes to trying to figure out what to buy for everyone on our Christmas list, and how much is it going to cost us!

EASY & SIMPLE LUNCHES | LIMA BEAN AND GARBANZO SALAD

As I’ve gotten older I’ve become more conscious about my food choices. I’m by no means an expert or perfect when it comes to my dietary needs – this is definitely a journey. However, I’m taking small deliberate steps towards a healthier lifestyle. So today I want to share my current favorite go-to salad of choice. This is the perfect Spring and Summer salad (in my opinion) as either a side or an entree (just add a bit of protein).

MY IN-FLIGHT MUST HAVE ITEMS FOR A LONG HAUL FLIGHT

Every year or so I get bit by the travel bug, and although I don’t think I’ll be able to take my usual biennial trip I thought I’d share with you all my in-flight must have’s for a long haul flight.

I hope this list will help those of you who will be traveling soon, and please feel free to share your trips with me. I’d love to live vicariously through you!

Let’s get started …