My Top 5 Travel Sites

Anyone who knows Seth and I know that we love to travel.  I mean, we're kind of obsessed.   Even if it just means getting away for the weekend for a little adventure.

Those who know us well also know that we live on a pretty modest budget.  So how do we get to travel?  We just make it happen.  We save and pick up random jobs and eat at our moms' houses more often than we should admit.  But more than anything-we plan!

Currently we are planning a trip to Ireland with my family over the summer thanks to an incredible deal on Groupon for group travel.  Not only is this number one on my travel list, but we are road tripping it on the way to and from New York.  Can it just be June yet!?

There are a few travel sites that have been a huge part of our adventures:

1.  Groupon.  Now I have to admit, this one can be totally hit or miss with the accommodations.  We once spent an entire weekend on a retired steamboat turned hotel where the water never got hot and our power cut off so many times that the sweet girl at the desk showed us where the breaker box was.  It sure was charming though! Side note-I hope we make it home from our awesome Ireland trip in one piece!  It was a really good deal. 

2.  Travelzoo.  I know you have probably heard of these before, but we were able to stay at the ACE hotel in NYC (bucket list, anyone?) for the cost of a cheap hotel in Jersey.  Travelzoo is the only reason we were able to make our New York adventure happen!

3.  Airbnb.  I'm obsessed!  This one is fairly new to me, but I think this will change our travel plans from here on out.  Airbnb lets you rent out rooms or entire homes/lofts/apartments/etc. from registered individuals.  As of right now we are looking to rent someone's two bedroom loft in NYC for about $130 a night, and we get to split that cost with my family! Some of the owners even go a step beyond and leave you bikes or other fun things-and I can't think of a better way to see a city than to live like a local! If you are worried about specifics-airbnb provides neighborhood selection and reviews of the owners, too. 

4.  Roadtrippers.  Okay, this website is seriously awesome.  Seth has already mapped out our trip from SC to DC and then NY and we have tons of (free) stops planned along the way!   You can choose anything from the typical tourist traps, like the world's largest chest of drawers, to vintage shops to free museums.  Yes, please!

5.   Geocaching.  This one might not be everyone's cup of tea, but for those with a sense of adventure, those who like puzzles, or those who just love free stuff, this might be one of the best activities for you. If you don't know about geocaching, go read about it now! In short, it's a worldwide scavenger hunt with treasures, or caches, all over the place.  You will be amazed at how many are close to you!  Whenever we go to a new city, we head downtown and use our geocaching app (totally worth the one time $10 charge) and we start our search.  Not only is it free (minus the app charge, of course) and so much fun, it gets us exploring parts of the city we might not have seen otherwise!  This is a great one for kids too, but we love doing it just the two of us.  

There you have it...my top 5 travel sites.  Do you have any other great ones I should know about?  Please share!

2014.

I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I can hardly believe it's 2014.  2014, guys.   If I'm being really honest, I accidentally wrote the date as 2012 in December.  December of 2013.

I remember being in elementary school and reading in my Weekly Reader magazine about the new state quarters and how they would all be produced by 1998.  At the time I thought, "Man, that is so far away!  I'll be so old by the time that happens!"   I remember feeling like that was forever away, and not really being able to imagine how different life would be.  For the record, it wasn't that far away-in 1998 I was in 6th grade.

But that's neither here nor there-just a point to say it's so hard to believe IT'S 2014.  

I have some big hopes for this year.  I won't call them resolutions because the minute I do they will feel more like a chore, and these are things I really hope for myself this year.   If I make it feel too much like a chore I'll just let myself get overwhelmed and, well, that's counter productive.

1.  Collect moments, not things.  This is a huge goal for me this year and will involve several of the ways I want to grow.  I'm not going to lie-I like things.  I like to collect and decorate and make things pretty.  I'm pretty thrify with my spending, and I would be lying if I said I would give these things up completely, but 2014 is going to be about experiences.  We are planning some pretty incredible trips this year, and every penny counts.  I'd much rather have a special memory with my husband or family than something else to wear or shove in my happily cluttered home.  

2.  Remember the grass isn't greener on the other side.  This year I want to make a conscious effort to be more grateful.  I live a very blessed life and I need to remember that.     

3.  Learn to say 'no.' Mostly so I can say 'yes' where it really counts. 

4.  Share more.  More laughter, more tears, more reasons, more cheers (can anyone name that song?).    But really-share more where it might help someone.  Share more joy and positivity with others.  Share more quiet time with my husband, laughter with my mom, talks with my sister.  #3 might really help me with this one.  Hopefully I'll share more here, too. 

So that's it. That's how I want to spend my 2014.  What are your hopes for this year?

Craft fairs!

Ashley and I have done our first (2) craft fairs!  Two weekends ago we were in Inman, SC for Harvest Day, and yesterday we set up in Easley, SC.  We have had SO much fun preparing, working together, and meeting people over the last few weeks.  We still have a lot to do, but we are learning so much along the way!

Next week we will be setting up in Landrum, SC.  If you're anywhere nearby, come check us out! 

One day we might not have to set up at craft fairs only...if anyone has an empty store front that they want to let us set up shop in for free, we'll gladly accept! ;)

Silly things, like diamond rings
Fall between, other things like you and I
We used to have a coffee pot, we used it alot
To sit around and talk about, everything
We'll always want, but we'll never get
But a dreamers still a dreamer, till you wake them up
And sit them down and explain to them
The sky is up and the earth is down
Amongst other things, like human beings
They really aren't what they seem

-Wild Child

Coffee Date: Fix Coffee

My husband and I went to Fix-a coffee shop in downtown Greenville.  Despite it's tiny appearance and odd shape from the road, Fix is a great place to spend an afternoon (and the atmosphere is one of the best parts!).  We love the eclectic decor (I'm a big fan of the robot!) and quirky book selection, not to mention the iced Chai lattes! mmm...

My husband-keeping his reading selections classy. 

If you are looking for a fun, inexpensive date place, or even a place to hang out with friends or just get some inspiration yourself-I highly recommend Fix!

Happy Monday! 

-Megan

Home Tour: Our Bedroom

All of the school-related things have kept me pretty really busy this week, and I'm itching to make/photograph something.  The closest I got this week was to snap a few pictures of our bedroom for the beginning of our home tour!  

I really love our little home, and we have had so much fun making it ours.  One of my favorite spots is our bedroom.  I love to cluster similar items, and I have done it throughout our house.  (See the vintage cameras on the headboard, and the W's on our wall?)  

Scarves are one of my favorite accessories, and they make pretty decorations, too!  I have these three hooks on a wall in our bedroom, and I change my scarves out with the season.  This makes them easily accessible and a sweet display!

I also like to save sentimental things.  The trees on our bedside tables are centerpieces we made for our wedding.  I used to use them for a jewelry stand, but I have a little bronze tree (bottom left) for that now.  I also really like to display my perfume-the bottles are just so lovely!  I made a 3 dollar stand (top right) by adhering two plates to a candlestick.  All the items came from the dollar store, so it was such a cheap fix!

What are you proud of in your home?

TGIF!

-Megan

Mod-Podge Mondays: Insta-Coasters

Today I've got a super easy project with really cute results.  

I'm slightly addicted to Instagram (follow me!), and I love that I can print my pictures and have them in my home now through Postal Pix.  If you have never used Postal Pix before download it now.  Seriously.  Download it right now.

Our house is covered in Instagram pictures thanks to Postal Pix, and I'm always trying to find new ways to display them.   This weekend I decided to make some coasters to show off a few of my favorites.

What you'll need:

• Scrapbook paper
• Your favorite Postal Pix prints
• 4x4 tiles (these cost 50 cents or so)
• Felt feet
• Mod-Podge

I started by cutting scrapbook paper to fit my tiles.  I chose a really simple one with tan polka dots, to give the background of my coasters a little something extra.  Mod-podge the pieces on and let dry.  Next I used Mod-Podge to adhere the Postal-Pix to my tiles.  I put five layers on, letting the coasters dry between each layer.  This gave my coasters a seal that will protect the prints, even from the perspiration from a moist glass.

Once they were totally dry I added some felt feet to protect my furniture.  So easy!  

I thought about how cute this would be as a backsplash too.  Maybe a little busy, but my house is full of happy clutter!

 Scrapbook layer first.

 If you've never used Mod-Podge on photos, it will look white.  Don't panic! It will turn clear as it dries. 

 Final product:

What do you do with your Postal-Pix?  If you have a project let me know, I'd love to feature you on my blog!

Happy Monday!

-Megan

This Weekend in Instagrams

This week has been so busy! A healthy busy I suppose, but it's left little time for the things I really enjoy!

Here's a peak at my weekend...

Saturday night we had a date-night in.  I made quesadillas and we watched Jeff Who Lives at Home.

This week I took a grad class.  A whole 3-hour course crammed into one week with a few follow up assignments.  I learned a lot, but boy was I ready for Friday.  As I sat in class Friday I realized everything with me was yellow! Okay, so maybe I was a little bored. 

My sister and her fiancee just got back from Mexico and brought me these fun goodies.  I can't wait to do something with that coffee bag!

My loves napping.  Expect a home tour soon! I love our little home so much!

My first washi tape!

Insta-coasters.  I made them this weekend, and I already can't wait to make more! Expect a tutorial this week!

What fun things did you do this weekend?

Happy Sunday!

Megan