What I Always Bring on Long International Flights

Long international flights are a necessary evil when you love to travel. I may love arriving in Ireland, East Africa, or Vietnam, but I don't know too many people who get excited about sitting inside a giant metal tube for 10, 12, or even 16+ hours!

Over the years I've taken my fair share of long-haul flights and I've learned that surviving them has very little to do with luck and almost everything to do with preparation. I used to show up with so many things packed into my carry on that I almost couldn't find anything. 

After enough overnight flights, awkward sleeping positions, dry skin, and regrettable packing choices, I've narrowed down exactly what I always bring with me. These are the items that make a long international flight feel less like an endurance event and more like the beginning of the trip itself.

The Irish Experiences I'd Prioritize if I Only had One Week

If someone told me I only had one week in Ireland and had to narrow down my choices, I wouldn't spend my time trying to cram in every castle, every village, and every famous stop on the map. Ireland rewards travelers who slow down, stay flexible, and choose experiences over checklists.

After several trips to Ireland, I've realized that the places I remember most aren't always the ones everyone talks about. It's the feeling of standing on a cliff with wind whipping around you, crossing a rope bridge over crashing waves, or stepping onto a remote island that has existed for centuries.

If I had just seven days in Ireland, I'd focus less on seeing everything and more on prioritizing the experiences that felt uniquely Irish to me. 

Here's where I'd spend my time. 

10 Travel Opinions I've Changed My Mind About Over the Years

One of my favorite things about travel is that it changes you. It changes your perspective, stretches your comfort zone, and sometimes completely flips your opinions upside down. 

I used to think I had travel figured out. I had strong opinions about the "right" way to travel and what worked for me. But after years of family travel, international trips, road trips, solo experiences, and seeing different corners of the world, I've realized that some of my travel beliefs have shifted dramatically. 

Some changes happened because I simply got older. Some came from experience. And some came after realizing that what works for one season of life doesn't necessarily work for another.

Here are 10 travel opinions I've completely changed my mind about over the years.

How to Sell Your Home Fast! Everything I did to Get Offers on Day One (Even in a Tough Market)

Selling a home can feel overwhelming and uncertain. It's emotional, stressful, and if you're like most people, you're trying to juggle real life while also preparing one of your biggest assets for sale. 

I've sold two homes and both received offers the very first day they were listed. Most recently, we sold our home in what many people would describe as a difficult market. We had just three showings and every single person who walked through our front door submitted an offer.

Three showings.

Three offers.

People often assume a quick sale is about luck, timing, or simply being in a hot market. While those things can help, I can tell you from experience that selling your home fast starts long before the "for sale" sign goes in the yard.

The work starts months before listing day.

And if there's one thing I've learned from selling homes successfully, it's this: Your house doesn't suddenly become ready when your realtor lists it online. Preparing your home starts with intentionally getting it ready for someone else to fall in love with it. 

Here's exactly what worked for us.

Affordable Luxury in Franklin, Tennessee: How to Experience Upscale Southern Charm Without Breaking the Bank

When people think of luxury travel destinations, they often imagine five-star resorts, extravagant meals, and price tags that make their credit card sweat. But Franklin, Tennessee offers something a little different. Just south of Nashville, this charming Southern town has mastered the art of affordable luxury...if you know where to look!

Franklin is undeniably upscale. Beautiful historic homes line the streets. Boutique shops fill downtown storefronts. Award-winning restaurant serve elevated Southern cuisine. Yet what makes Franklin special is that many of its most memorable experiences don't require a luxury budget.

Whether you're planning a girls' getaway, couples trip, or a weekend escape, here's how to enjoy the best of Franklin while keeping your spending in check.