rachelteodoro
I love a good resort vacation and I love traveling the world. But the one vacation that actually feels like a vacation to us is a trip to an all-inclusive resort. We started sneaking away as a couple when the kids were much smaller for a few days here and there. We even brought our kids to a few all inclusive resorts where they quickly became a favorite for our family. Unlimited drinks, food and a beautiful beach, what more could you ask for? We realized it had been about five years since the last time we went to an all inclusive resort {thank you global pandemic}, and my husband was insistent that we stay at the Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort. Because I can be happy at a Motel 6 or hanging in a hammock on the beach, my husband's standards and desires typically come into play in our resort selection. Just because my standards are different, doesn't mean that I don't have opinions! As someone who has stayed at more than a dozen all inclusive resorts in more than five countries, this is the review you are going to want to read before you book!
rachelteodoro
A simple conversation in my dm's about reselling a few weeks ago had my mind racing with a new challenge. I have been reselling items for more than 25 years. I often resell to sustain my thrifting habit, but it also generally covers the majority of my clothing and home decor budget. Let me explain, I usually plan to buy one item when I'm thrifting that I plan on reselling with the intent that the profit I make by reselling that item, will pay for my thrift trip. Any of the other items I buy basically cost me nothing. But what if I could commit to reselling for 30 days and any of the money I make during that time would go towards travel? Travel is something we prioritize in our budget, but I know that not everyone does. And people often wonder how they can travel more. What if the answer to traveling more was sitting in your closets?
A few years ago I did a very successful challenge I called Money Making March. My goal was to help show others how they could put $500 back in their pockets in just one month by reselling items they had. But what if we take this challenge one step further. The goal? To resell items you no longer need and make enough money to travel anywhere in the world. Where will you go? That all depends on how much money you make!
rachelteodoro
I was recently cast in my very first commercial and naturally it was filming in Los Angeles. I say this like this is some every day occurrence, but friends, it is not. But it did take me to LA for a mini trip and I was left with more time on my hands to explore than I was anticipating. And explore I did! When people think of LA they often think of Hollywood, Santa Monica, or maybe even Disneyland. But I found that Pasadena is a destination in its own right. With its charming Old Pasadena district, world-class dining, cultural attractions and basic proximity to all the major LA hot spots, Pasadena makes a great home base for your Southern California adventures! I've got some tips to make the most of your visit.
rachelteodoro
Transitioning to an empty nest is a huge milestone in a parent's life. It kind of feels like this goal you've been working towards from the minute you started the clock on parenting. As young parents who didn't have a lot of time to experience adulthood without kids, it was something we were very much looking forward to as the next milestone in our own relationship. One of the biggest questions we get from those people who aren't far behind us, or who may be really far behind us and in the trenches of parenthood is, "what is your life like now, or how has your life changed since you became empty nesters?" Here are a few of the things I've noticed from personal experience in the past few years.
rachelteodoro
Sometimes I stumble backwards into a new way to save money. If you're a savvy traveler like me, who knows that every penny you save is more money you can spend on more travel or experiences, then this tip is for you! It feels like one of my more genius ah ha moments that I learned while traveling abroad, and I'm happy to get to share it with you!
rachelteodoro
Booking airfare can be one of the most stressful parts of travel planning. Especially because it's often one of the most expensive parts of trip planning. There's always that nagging thought of "what if the price drops after I buy my ticket?" Thankfully, there have been some changes in recent years {thank you global pandemic for SOMETHING}, and you just might be able to get a fare adjustment for airline tickets you've already purchased. I'm going to walk you through step by step what I do so that you can set up price alerts easily and point out which airlines make the process the easiest!
rachelteodoro
I love a good historical fiction book. It seems to be the genre that I keep going back to time and time again. Maybe it's because I didn't pay enough attention in history class so I literally am shocked most of the time at how things play out. Or maybe it's because those books transport me to a time that allows me to step out of my reality for a bit. I'm an avid reader, finishing one book a week, and through the years I've come across some really great historical fiction books that I always recommend to friends. If I hear you've read a book that's historically based, girl, you better believe I'll be recommending one of these to you until I find one that you haven't read! So buckle up and take notes, you aren't going to want to miss this list!
rachelteodoro
There is no way to fully prepare for the loss of someone that you love. When my 42-year-old brother died suddenly after a very brief illness, I found myself thrown into a new and heartbreaking reality. People often say, "Let me know what I can do," but the truth is, when you're grieving, you don't know what you need. Decision overload becomes all too real. During that first week, I did notice that there were some practical tangible and thoughtful gestures that made my family feel seen and loved by those around us and that made all the difference. If you've never experienced loss before, these things might help you relate to someone you love that's walking through it.
rachelteodoro
Turning layovers into mini-vacations is a smart way to make the most of your travel experiences without incurring additional airfare costs. Many airlines offer free stopover programs, allowing travelers to explore an extra destination en route to their final stop. When I discovered this little trick, I thought it was so genius! I haven't stopped telling people about it and I highly encourage it so that you can make the most of your travel. You're already doing the travel, why not add in the option of exploring another country?!
rachelteodoro
We've all been there. You've picked up a book with high hopes--it's the latest bestseller, a beloved classic or a friend's passionate recommendation. Yet, as you flip through the pages, you feel a sinking realization: you hate it. Maybe the characters are shallow, the plot drags, or the writing style doesn't resonate. Instead of powering through in misery, it's time to take a step back and reassess. Here's how to handle this situation and make your reading journey more enjoyable.
