Adventures Abroad

Adventures Abroad
Machu Picchu
Showing posts with label budget. Show all posts
Showing posts with label budget. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

New Adventures in Traveling Cheap

Hello, fellow travelers!

As the days grow longer and summer nears, I’ve realized I have had so much on my plate the last few weeks. We have recently ripped up our carpet and installed hardwoods/laminate, started gardening, and even found out that B and I are expecting. Yes, it has been quite an adventure without ever leaving our hometown. Yet, this is not the post to discuss all of those things, but instead a post to inform you of some new things to check out. And yes, don’t fret; I will eventually post about my Russian adventures.

As a marketing manager, part of my normal routine in the mornings is to check for new and exciting things happening in the world. Occasionally, I find myself with a case of wanderlust and look for great travel advice. Today the travel advice was not for me, but for you all looking to travel abroad, but perhaps too scared to look at the possibilities of exploring the world around you. Did you just say you have a budget and/or can’t afford to travel? Wrong.

Here are a few great websites that I stumbled upon:

Vayable

Vayable is a great website to book daytrips in new cities for super cheap with a REAL local as your guide! Now, if you ask me, it can’t get much better than that! And hey, maybe you will realize that this is your dream job. Check it out, book it, and let me know your thoughts!
 

Camp in my Garden

Camp in my Garden is a website that offers a private garden as your very own campsite. How cool is that? Have you ever wanted to go camping in the English countryside? Well, now you can!
 

Norwegian Air

This airline may not offer too many airport destinations from the U.S., but they sure do offer cheap flights to the UK, Europe, and more. Has London been on your list for a long time? How would you feel if I said they offer a flight from JFK to London, one-way, for $249? Uh, hello, go check them out and start booking your next adventure!

 

If you would like to read more about traveling on the cheap, please check out this Time article! http://time.com/money/3652490/budget-travel-tips-tools-matt-kepnes/

Happy travels!

Katie

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Creating a Home: Antique Markets

Hello, fellow bloggers!

How many times a day do you look at Pinterest and wish that your home could look like the pictures featured on the site? Well, it can with a little bit of bargaining and hunting.

This weekend is the best time to head to Dulles Expo Center's antique show that goes until the 5th of May. Of course, there is a small fee to get into the expo: $8.00.

What should you expect?
Zebra Skull from Africa!

  • Great people
  • Decent prices that are negotiable 
  • Amazing finds
  • The perfect pieces to fill the empty spaces in your home!
How to prepare:
  • Grab a tote bag before you leave the house!
  • Set up a budget! 
    • My budget was $200 and I only spent $140.
  • Have an idea of what you want.
    • Eclectic pieces?
    • Midcentury pieces?
    • Girlie vases and dishes?
    • Furniture
  • Take a car that can hold furniture just incase you find that epic piece you can't leave without!
Great midcentury table!

What did I find?


B and I went today to search for great mid-century furniture and small, eclectic pieces for our home. I had a decent budget of $200 and left with extra money <-- so I did great, right?

The painting was sold already, but who says an artist like
myself can't paint something similar?!

I spent:
My finds :)

*** All of the prices came down from the original.

What do I plan do do with them?
  • The books will be used to decorate my travel bedroom for the lucky guests that stay the night with us.
  • The door knocker is for our front door.
  • The rock is a beautiful touch for the travel room.
  • And the cute bird found a place on my plant shelf next to my orchid.

Perhaps one day I will show you the end result of my travel room!

Me exploring my new book!
Until then, enjoy hunting for treasures at antique markets!



Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Books: Helping Us Survive the Holidays

Hello, fellow travelers!

During the holidays, one may find oneself in need of some entertainment or relief from a family like the Griswolds. 
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Many of us find ourselves on a long flight back home or off to a vacation in a far away land. So, the question is how do we entertain ourselves? Personally, I find curling up with a good book is the best way to pass time.


Soon to be B and I!
Books Worth Reading:
  • 50 Shades Trilogy: $27.75 
    • FIFTY SHADES OF GREY: "When college student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating.  The unworldly Ana realizes she wants this man, and Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian’s secrets and explores her own desires."
    • FIFTY SHADES DARKER: "Daunted by Christian’s dark secrets and singular tastes, Ana has broken off their relationship to start a new career. But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and while Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Ana is forced to make the most important decision of her life."
    • FIFTY SHADES FREED: "Now, Ana and Christian have it all—love, passion, intimacy, wealth, and a world of possibilities for their future. But Ana knows that loving her Fifty Shades will not be easy, and that being together will pose challenges that neither of them would anticipate. Just when it seems that their strength together will eclipse any obstacle, misfortune, malice, and fate conspire to turn Ana’s deepest fears into reality."
  • Lolita: $10.85 (I am currently reading this one.)
    • "Awe and exhiliration--along with heartbreak and mordant wit--abound in Lolita, Nabokov's most famous and controversial novel, which tells the story of the aging Humbert Humbert's obsessive, devouring, and doomed passion for the nymphet Dolores Haze. Lolita is also the story of a hypercivilized European colliding with the cheerful barbarism of postwar America. Most of all, it is a meditation on love--love as outrage and hallucination, madness and transformation."
  • A Walk in the Woods: $7.99 (I am currently reading this one as well.)
    • "The Appalachian Trail trail stretches from Georgia to Maine and covers some of the most breathtaking terrain in America–majestic mountains, silent forests, sparking lakes. If you’re going to take a hike, it’s probably the place to go. And Bill Bryson is surely the most entertaing guide you’ll find. He introduces us to the history and ecology of the trail and to some of the other hardy (or just foolhardy) folks he meets along the way–and a couple of bears. Already a classic, A Walk in the Woods will make you long for the great outdoors (or at least a comfortable chair to sit and read in)."
  • Me Talk Pretty One Day: $10.87
    • "A recent transplant to Paris, humorist David Sedaris, bestselling author of "Naked", presents a collection of his strongest work yet, including the title story about his hilarious attempt to learn French. A number one national bestseller now in paperback."
  • The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Trilogy: $35.51
    • "All across America, readers are talking about Stieg Larsson’s best-selling novels, set in Sweden and featuring Lisbeth Salander—'one of the most original and memorable heroines to surface in a recent thriller' (The New York Times). The trilogy is an international sensation that will grab you and keep you 'reading with eyes wide open' (San Francisco Chronicle). '[It] is intricately plotted, lavishly detailed but written with a breakneck pace and verve' (The Independent, U.K.), but 'be warned: the trilogy is seriously addictive.' (The Guardian, U.K.)."
  • Anna Karenina: $12.24 (I plan to read this on my way to Germany!)
    • "Described by William Faulkner as the best novel ever written and by Fyodor Dostoevsky as “flawless,” Anna Karenina tells of the doomed love affair between the sensuous and rebellious Anna and the dashing officer, Count Vronsky. Tragedy unfolds as Anna rejects her passionless marriage and must endure the hypocrisies of society. Set against a vast and richly textured canvas of nineteenth-century Russia, the novel's seven major characters create a dynamic imbalance, playing out the contrasts of city and country life and all the variations on love and family happiness."
    • "While previous versions have softened the robust, and sometimes shocking, quality of Tolstoy's writing, Pevear and Volokhonsky  have produced a translation true to his powerful voice. This authoritative edition, which received the PEN Translation Prize and was an Oprah Book Club™ selection, also includes an illuminating introduction and explanatory notes. Beautiful, vigorous, and eminently readable, this Anna Karenina will be the definitive text for fans of the film and generations to come."
  • Tigers in Red Weather: $17.15 (I'm intrigued by this book and will read it soon.)
    • "Nick and her cousin, Helena, have grown up sharing sultry summer heat, sunbleached boat docks, and midnight gin parties on Martha's Vineyard in a glorious old family estate known as Tiger House. In the days following the end of the Second World War, the world seems to offer itself up, and the two women are on the cusp of their 'real lives': Helena is off to Hollywood and a new marriage, while Nick is heading for a reunion with her own young husband, Hughes, about to return from the war.

      Soon the gilt begins to crack. Helena's husband is not the man he seemed to be, and Hughes has returned from the war distant, his inner light curtained over. On the brink of the 1960s, back at Tiger House, Nick and Helena--with their children, Daisy and Ed--try to recapture that sense of possibility. But when Daisy and Ed discover the victim of a brutal murder, the intrusion of violence causes everything to unravel. The members of the family spin out of their prescribed orbits, secrets come to light, and nothing about their lives will ever be the same.

      Brilliantly told from five points of view, with a magical elegance and suspenseful dark longing, Tigers in Red Weather is an unforgettable debut novel from a writer of extraordinary insight and accomplishment."
Budget Friendly Route:
  • Head to your local library to rent!
  • Borrow from friends and family members who already own them.
  • Go check out a used book store!
  • Head to your local Salvation Army for cheap books!
  • Ask Santa to bring you books for Christmas ;)




Check back soon for Christmas present ideas!

Happy reading!









Monday, November 26, 2012

Menswear

Hello, fellow bloggers!


It has been awhile since I last posted and I apologize. I'm sure we all know that life gets a little hectic around the holidays. Anyways, fear not because I am going to do another fashion post for all the fashionistas looking for fun fashion ideas. 

Topic of the day: Menswear

  • How do you feel about it?
    • I personally love menswear because the clothes are comfortable, cute, and in your closet...or maybe your boyfriend's closet. 
    • Also, it is my belief that men can't resist a girl who dresses like this. I think there is a sense of "she is wearing my clothes..." Yes, you can finish the sentence yourself!
  • Can anyone pull it off?
    • Yes, everyone can wear menswear! All you need to do is find the cozy pieces hanging in your closet and throw them together!
    • Don't worry if it looks a little sloppy!
  • How to put it together:
    • Do layers!
    • Do find one great blazer!
    • Do keep jewelry simple!
    • Go for bright lips and mascara!
    • Feel free to curl, straighten, or just toss your hair into a messy bun!
    • Grab some oxfords or loafers...or some bright flats to spice it up!
    • Do have confidence!
Are you ready for my version?

What I am wearing:
  • Target Sunglasses:
    • I've owned these since summer. I think they cost about $10.
  • H&M blue shirt
    • I bought this 2 years ago for about $14.
  • JCrew: 
    • White Shirt: I've owned this for a year and it was about $25. 
    • Blazer: I bought this a few months ago because it was the perfect blazer for me. It was a little pricey (~$200), but I  get a lot of use out of it. 
  • Diesel Baggy Jeans: I bought these yesterday for $26 instead of the usual $200. Yes, you read that right! 
    • Head to the outlet malls for great deals! 
  • Brown Socks: 
    • I've owned these for awhile....probably about $2.50.
  • Brown Oxfords: 
    • I bought these at Target 2 years ago for $10. Yes, the shoes were on sale :)
  • Chanel Lipstick: Rouge Allure 98: Coromandel
    • It is like an orangish red and my favorite!
* Grand Total: $287.50 
  • Remember, this is over the last 2 years!
  • For a budget friendly option, dig in your closet for loose fitting pieces and throw a cardigan on! And it is okay to look a little sloppy because you are going for a girl-next-door vibe! 
Random fun pictures of my menswear:

The tree in the front yard that fell from Hurricane Sandy!

Look, I can balance on a tree with coffee!


Brown Oxfords are perfect for climbing fallen trees!

Gingerbread Lattes scream winter!

Recommendations if you need new clothes:
  • JCrew:
    • Schoolboy Blazer: $198
      • I love this blazer! It is the perfect cut and there are tons of pockets.
    • Perfect Shirt: $88
      • I have this in a green color and I love it! The shirt is cut perfectly. Oh, and did I mention it is so comfortable you won't want to take it off?
  • H&M
    • Perfect place to dig for loose shirts, sweaters, etc.
  • Target
    • I always buy cardigans from here! 
  • GAP:
Need more inspiration:

Will you be trying the trend? If so, let me know what your version was!


Thursday, October 11, 2012

Fall Trend: Knee High Socks and Shorts

Hello, fellow fashionistas!

Previously, I talked about Falling For Fall's Fashion and I decided to try the knee high socks and shorts trend. So, if you read the whole blog post, then you clearly thought to check back for pictures of me.  Oh, and don't worry, I will tell you where I got my simple necessities for the outfit!

What I decided to wear on this chilly day:


1.) A smile is the best accessory!


2.) A simple, yet cozy, gray sweater
3.) Black tuxedo shorts with a black belt


4.) Gray knee high socks (Yes, I know they look blue in the picture)


5.) Black booties with cute buckles



6.) A simple necklace


Where to find this outfit:

  1. Sweater: 
  2. Shorts:
  3. Belt:
  4. Necklace:
  5. Socks: 
  6. Shoes:
Grand Total: $215.88

Budget Friendly Option:
  • Shop in your closet!! 
    • I guarantee you already have these pieces laying around. 
    • Mix & Match to make your own personal version!
      • Try out an orange sweater and stockings.
    • Instead of a necklace, add a chunky scarf!
    • Try pearls!
    • Or, throw on a blazer to finish up the outfit!
  • Remember, fall trends only work if you feel comfortable and confident in what you wear!
  • Oh, and always have fun with your outfit!!

Hair & Makeup:

  • H: I prefer Parisian hairstyle: Dried and natural!
    • However, you can try a bun, straight, or curly hair!
  • M: Today, I chose black eyeliner and mascara.
    • However, winged eyeliner would look great too!
Need help or inspiration:

Did you try out the trend? If so, share your pictures and story with me!
If not, give it a shot and show the world how confident you really are!






Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Falling For Fall's Fashion

Hello, fellow bloggers!

I realized that I have been M.I.A. for quite some time and I apologize. The only adventures I have been going on are to farmer markets, Starbucks, and to the mall. Yes, I know you think it is unexciting. However, you are wrong. I have learned quite a bit about fall fashion and decided I should share my knowledge. After all, fall brings out the best in fashion!

What are some great fall trends?


  • Shorts with knee high socks!

  • Comfortable dresses layered with: scarves, jackets, or jewelry

  • Jeans with a leather coat

  • Oversized cozy sweaters with: tights, jeans, or knee high socks

  • Country chic: 
    • Plaid shirts
    • Cowboy boots
    • Blazers


Where to find the trends?

What fall makeup trends should you try?
The queen of brown eyeliner!
Lancome Lipstick!

Well, I have not tried the knee high socks and shorts trend yet, but I plan to. Come back and I'll have some pictures of my new trends. Have fun being fashionistas!

--Do you have any fall trends that you tried and want to share? If so, what are you waiting for?--


Wednesday, August 29, 2012

The Unicorn Winery & A Taste of Fall

I caught an orange leaf falling!
Hello, fellow adventurers!

I don't know about you, but I have officially spotted a few red and orange leaves peaking through the woods. And yes, we all know what that means...fall is right around the corner! Yet, I must ask, are you ready for fall?

Okay, I'm sure you are ready for fall, but don't you want to enjoy the last bit of summer? Grab a group of friends and head to a winery! The weather has been absolutely beautiful and will make your trip very memorable!

My Suggestion:
The Unicorn Winery

  • It is not huge, but it is definitely cute! 
  • They have a beautiful patio outside so you can sit and enjoy the pond. Oh, and relax!
  • The vineyards are beautiful and if you are lucky, you might catch a few grapes on the vine.


Location:
489 Old Bridge Road
Amissville, VA 20106

Phone:

  • (540) 349-5885

Hours of Operation:

  • Monday-Friday: 12 p.m.- 5 p.m.
  • Saturday-Sunday: 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Wine Tours:
  • Completely free!
  • Have a guided tour through the small winery and discover what really goes into making wine.
Barrels full of wine!
My Wine Suggestions:

  • White:
    • Chardonnay 2009: "Full bodied, lightly oaken with slight hints of vanilla, butterscotch & apricot. Wonderful fruit flavors that pairs nicely with lobster, scallops, and cheese."
      • Price: $16 bottle/ $5 glass
    • Traminette 2011: "Light & fruity with beautiful distinctive aromas; experience the citrus flavors of orange and grapefruit followed by hints of basil."
      • Price: $16 bottle/ $5 glass
  • Blush:
    • Slightly Embarrassed: "Unicorn's unique blend of Seyval, Chardonnel, and Chambourcin that provides an off dry taste experience. Hints of Cherry, Raspberry, Strawberry. Great for picnics!"
      • Price: $15 bottle/ $5 glass
  • Red:
    • Crimson Sunset: "Chambourcin grape with this style of wine making has a subtle sweet pomegranate and currant flavor. Most popular served chilled, can be served at room temperature. Pairs nicely with steak, hamburgers, and pizza. A red wine on training wheels!"
      • Price: $16 bottle/ $5 glass
  • Wine Tasting:
    • Try all 9 of the wines offered for $5! Yes, only $5 for a wine tasting! If you ask me, that is a great deal!
    • Types of Wine Offered

Food:
  • Unfortunately, they do not offer a lot of food, but you are welcome to bring your own snacks.
  • I suggest trying the "Simply Cheddar" ball for $9 and crackers for $3. 
    • "...Is a cheese ball made with only the finest aged extra sharp cheddar cheeses without using any processed or cream cheese. It has a little onion for bite and fresh chopped pecans on the outside for crunch."
    • Created by: Linda Weaver


Have fun at the Unicorn Winery!
B and I enjoying a glass of Crimson Sunset.


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

The Paris Review


Hello, fellow dreamers!
Paris notebook is from Target: $4 for 3!
Perfect for notes on the go :)

If you have been following my blog, then you know that I went to France. Well, I am finally back and ready to share my adventures. 

I have so many stories to share that it will take more than one blog post to do so. Thus, I decided the first would be my review of Paris. Within the next few days, expect to see posts about Cannes, Nice, food, style, and a story of adventure.

Paris:
"America is my country and Paris is my hometown." -Gertrude Stein

Where did I stay?
Hotel Rivoli: 50 euro (Do not get this confused with Hotel Paris Rivoli)
  • Pros:
    • Great location! Near the metro, shopping, restaurants, cafes, and the Louvre.
    • Most rooms have a sink and/or shower
    • Affordable...for Paris!
    • Employees are quite pleasant
    • Most rooms have a balcony with a great view

View from our balcony
  • Cons:
    • No toilet in the rooms, but it is located in the hallway.
    • No elevator, so you may have to walk up 1 to 6 staircases.
    • Curfew of 2:00 a.m.
    • No free breakfast
    • No wifi. Well, I heard there was wifi, but they only have ONE piece of paper with the code, which means it is hard to get your hands on! 
How much do meals cost?
Let me start by saying there is a reason why Parisians are skinny and model like. They not only walk everywhere, but they barely eat...well from what I could tell!
  • Breakfast:
    • Most cafes serve espresso, croissant, and orange juice.
    B acting goofy?
    • Expect to pay anywhere from 3-6 euro for this small meal.
    • B and I ordered 2 espresso and 1 croissant: 6,50 euro (this was an expensive espresso bar)

  • Lunch:
    • Good luck finding it...just kidding! However, expect to find it before 3 or you may not get lunch. Most cafes serve sandwiches for roughly 6 euro. B and I usually split a sandwich. 
    • If you find yourself not hungry, then grab an espresso, beer, or wine and people watch. Paris is one of the best cities to people watch!
  • Snacks:
    • I suggest heading to the park near the Louvre because there are a few cafes that offer little pick-me-ups. 
    • My suggestion would be to grab a cappuccino and Cape 2 Boules for 6,50 euro. It is a bowl of delicious chocolate ice-cream!
    • Or head to a boulangerie to pick up some macaroons for roughly 1,50 for one.
  • Happy hour:
    • Best people watching ever! The drinks are cheap and most cafes offer olives to snack on.
    • My suggestion is Bastille Restaurant near the metro. Grab a glass of St. Amour: delicious, fruity, and non-dry red wine.

  • Dinner:
    • Parisians eat late. Plan to eat around 10:00 p.m.
    • My suggestion is to not just eat french food, but experiment with the french version of Thai, Chinese, and everything in between. I enjoyed most dinners in Paris.
Best Chinese food for 8 euro!

Getting around:
B's face says what Paris walking does to a person.
Take the metro for most places and walk for the rest. 
  • A "box of tickets" is 10 metro passes for 12,70 euro. 
  • If you choose to walk, then be prepared to feel like your feet are bleeding. Walking around Paris is fun, but quite exhausting. Please wear comfortable shoes...like oxfords!
  • Taxis have a sitting fee of 2,60. I suggest only taking a taxi if you are pressed for time or you are lost. They are not budget friendly.
What to see:
  • Eiffel Tower or Tour Eiffel
    • If you are under 24 expect to pay 9 euro to get to the top.
    • If you are older than 24 expect to pay 10 euro to get to the top.
    View from the top!
    • Don't want to pay? No worries, the Eiffel Tower is much prettier from the ground. Find a great place to sit around 9:15 p.m. and let the show begin. The beginning of every hour after it lights up, it literally sparkles!! It is absolutely amazing....and romantic!
    • If you go up, be advised that the first part is rough. I counted close to 700 stairs to the second level. However, take the elevator to the wee top :)
  • Notre Dame:
    • It is free to get into the church, but to get to the top expect to pay about 8 euro. 
    • Please be respectful and turn off your flash inside the church.

  • Louvre:
    • Expect to pay about 10 euro. 
    • The museum is huge and you will not see it all in one day.
    • B and I headed straight for the Mona Lisa. It was amazing, but it was crowded. Then, go explore the rest of the museum.

  • Pont Des Art bridge:
    • It is a bridge filled with locks and the Seine is probably filled with keys to unlock them. Very romantic!
B and I put the lock on the bridge and tossed our keys into the Seine. 
  • Versailles:
    • Expect to pay about 15 euro, which comes with an audio headset.
    • B and I did not enjoy this as much because it was super crowded.
    • The gardens were my favorite. 
    • How to get there:
      • Metro: for 2 people round trip expect to pay 14,70 euro
Me out in the gardens.
Stay tuned for more adventures in France!
Au revoir!!