Parents Weekend Prep Guide: Everything You Need to Know to Prepare for a Parents Weekend Visit

You might be a seasoned college parent like we are or maybe you're brand new to this phase of parenting, regardless, attending your child's college Parents Weekend is a bit of a milestone event. It's a chance for you to get to step into your student's world, get a peek at their day-to-day life, and reassure both of you that everyone is adjusting. It's also a great time to remind your boys to wash their sheets and towels more often and for the girls to beg for some shopping time...you know, for bonding and stuff! You'll be reminded of how expensive kids are and while you'll roll your eyes at the total as you stock them up on supplies, you'll be grateful for that little squeeze and quiet thank you.
But keeping it totally real, sometimes planning a visit to your child's college campus isn't always simple. Especially if you are like us, and are visiting from out of state. You'll need to navigate hotel bookings and campus schedules and try to manage emotions {yours and theirs}, and there's a lot to think about and keep in mind. After going through this many many times and talking with other parents in the same boat, I've gathered my best tips to help you prepare for a smooth and memorable Parent's Weekend experience.

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An Aviation Journey: From High School to Commercial Pilot

"So what was your path to aviation?" I've embarrassingly {just ask my son!} asked to many a pilot while waiting for flights. If you are wearing a uniform in an airport, I have probably approached you. Mostly because, like all things in parenting, just when you think you have it all figured out, one of your kids throws you a curve ball! Our youngest son Owen has always loved airplanes and aviation. I think his love for flying escalated when his Boy Scout troop had a free discovery flight through the Young Eagles program with an eager pilot when he was nine. The pilot flew over our house and let Owen take the controls. If there's one thing I've learned about flying and aviation, it's that pilots LOVE to talk about airplanes! So asking that question, I often know I'll be able to engage in a pretty interesting conversation! Now as a mom of a pilot, I typically have several conversations weekly {no joke!} about the path to take to aviation and how as a parent you can support your child. This is mostly a way for me to write everything down in one place as we get further removed from the process in an attempt to share our experience. It won't all apply to you or your situation, but it's a good jumping off point. If there's one thing I've learned in the world aviation it's that every path is different! This has been ours...so far!

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How to Visit Giant's Causeway After Hours and Have it All to Yourself!

Popular tourist spots are popular for a reason. But can I make a confession? I hate crowds! There, I said it! I think that I unlocked the secret to visiting one of the most popular natural attractions in Northern Ireland, the Giant's Causeway, without all the crowds! For me, it makes my visit that much more enjoyable when I'm not fighting selfie sticks and groups trying to get that perfect Instagram shot. Want to know how you can get the Giant's Causeway virtually to yourself? Read on!

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Trash to Travel Challenge: What I Learned in a Month of Reselling to Create a Travel Budget From Nothing

I started this trash to travel challenge on a whim. Any time I post about reselling {often in my Instagram stories}, I always get questions about how I do it. A quick response to someone who dropped into my DM's, had my mind spinning, and the challenge was created. You see, when I started reselling items about 25 years ago, there weren't many platforms out there. You were often limited to reselling by having a garage sale, and while I love going to them, I don't always like having them! Things have changed so much, and nearly everyone has access to reselling their items for a profit, they just need that little push. As I've shared my experience during my trash to travel challenge, I have heard from many people that I have given them the push that they needed to start listing. After 31 days challenging myself to resell items and create a travel budget from nothing, I learned a few things too. Yes, even with decades of experience, I took away a few nuggets. Are you ready to see what they were?

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Should You Tip at an All Inclusive Resort?

When booking an all-inclusive resort vacation, one of the biggest perks is the promise that everything-from meals and drinks to activities and entertainment-is included in the upfront price. This often extends to tipping, with many resorts advertising that gratuities are covered. I've stayed at dozens of all-inclusive resorts and I've noticed that the tipping culture is changing. This might leave travelers wondering: should you tip at an all-inclusive resort, even when it's supposedly included?
Let's dive into the pros and cons of tipping to see if you can decide what feels right for you!

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N Concourse Seattle Tacoma Airport: Where to Eat and What to Do During a Layover or Before a Flight

I spend a LOT of time at the Seattle Tacoma International Airport. Like a lot of time! Not only do we have three kids who live out of state, we also enjoy traveling. It's not uncommon for me to be at the SeaTac airport {or as it rebranded itself a few years ago SEA}, several times a week. We all love our local Alaska Airlines and the ease of so many direct flights to most of the places that we want to go.  If you are flying in or out of Seattle on Alaska Airlines, you might just find yourself in the N concourse. The N concourse at SEA just completed their final phase and if you’ve got some time before a flight, or heck, if you want to get a local taste after you arrive, here are some of my favorite shops, dining and entertainment in the N concourse. You might want to get to the airport early to enjoy all of them!

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Doha Layover Guide to Getting Rest

When a couple travels together, you might have different travel styles. I'm less, how do I say this, precious, and my husband has a bit more dignity. I would happily save money during a long layover and stretch out on the airport floor using my backpack as a pillow, but he would much rather stick to his normal regularly scheduled programming with a warm bed and private room. We found ourselves with a long layover in Doha, Qatar, a major hub for international travel on both ends of our trip to Africa during the evening hours, not ideal for exploring the city. We {read he} was looking for a place to rest, and we tried two of the best options within the airport-the Oryx Airport Hotel and Sleep n' Fly pods. Here's a  little comparison of both as well as some other ideas for spending your layover in Doha.

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A Couple's Review of Secrets Playa Mujeres Resort in Cancun, Mexico

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!

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Trash to Travel Challenge! Turn Clutter into Cash for Your Next Adventure!

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!

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The Perfect Weekend in Pasadena, California

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.

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What It's Really Like After the Kids Leave Home: Reflections of an Empty Nester

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.

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Thinking Outside the Box to Save Money Abroad: Using Tesco Clubcards

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!

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Save Money on Airfare! Step by Step Guide to Getting a Fare Adjustment

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!

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My Favorite Historical Fiction Books I Always Recommend to Friends

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!

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What Really Helped After Losing a Loved One: Practical Tips for Support During Grief

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.

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How to Make the Most of Stopovers: Turn Layovers into Mini Vacations

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?!

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What To Do If You Hate the Book You Are Reading

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.

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