I'm in Love! (with an airline)

I've never been one to dedicate myself to a specific airline every time I fly. I book the cheapest ticket possible, and that's that. Imagine my surprise when the cheapest flight I found, also turned out to be on what would become my new favorite airline. I'm a pretty laid back person in general. It takes a lot to disappoint me, but it also takes a lot to thoroughly impress me. In August I went on four flights with JetBlue, and I was thoroughly impressed each time.

My first flight was a cross-country red eye to Boston. I was pleasantly surprised to see ear plugs and an eye mask waiting for me on my seat when I boarded. If you've ever taken a red eye flight, you know that these are essentials. Although I spent most of this flight sleeping, I did have a pleasant interaction with the staff before I fell asleep. There was some confusion with seating in my row, so when I told the flight attendant that I was fine sitting anywhere, she decided to upgrade me to an "extra space" row. I was lucky enough to sleep with legs outstretched on the quiet, comfortable plane.
My next flight was a short morning flight to Buffalo. This is when I noticed all of the amenities that JetBlue offers. They are one of the few airlines that still offer free unlimited snacks and drinks. I'm talking name brand snacks here; popcorn, doritos, animal crackers, blue corn chips, pretzels, cookies, and many more. There was also a nice selection of paid meals to choose from, and they were all reasonably priced.
When I flew on the 1.5 hour flight back to Boston, I was greeted by the most adorable little water bottle on my seat. Although it was a small thing, it was just another pleasant surprise that I wasn't expecting.

Then, on the long haul back to Portland, I took full advantage of my favorite part of JetBlue flights. Every Jet Blue plane that I was on had a small screen on the back of each seat. I was surprised to find that the planes had cable, which certainly made the flight go by much more quickly. If I can watch Castle and Friends on a flight (which I definitely did), you can color me a happy passenger.  All I needed was a pair of headphones and all of my favorite channels were available to me. There was also Sirius XM radio channels, and a channel which showed a live radar of where the plane was currently flying. If anyone forgot to bring headphones, they were made available to all passengers for a cheap $3.
As I landed in Portland, I was surprised yet again by a hot lemon towel provided to me by the flight attendant. Was I in first class and I just didn't know it? No. We're talking about a budget airline here. Jet Blue seems to consistently go above and beyond to make it's passengers endlessly comfortable. Four flights later, and I can't imagine using any other airline for my travel purposes. Next time you're hunting for plane tickets, keep an eye out for JetBlue, you won't regret it.

How to Cure Your Wanderlust Without Traveling

We're always thinking about our next chance to get away. We sit at work and daydream about some magical location that will solve all of our problems and cure our wanderlust. However, these faraway destinations are not always readily attainable to us.  If you need a break but can't afford the plane ticket, try these ideas to scratch that itch.

Explore your own backyard
When you can't go on your dream vacation, try exploring your home town, or the next town over. Book a hotel room downtown, and enjoy the room service and swimming pool.

Go on a hike in the middle of nowhere.

 Hit up the "touristy" destinations in your city that you probably never considered before. Act like you're from out of town and see your home through a fresh set of eyes. Even if you were born and raised there, chances are there will always be something new to discover.

Spice up your everyday routine
Human beings naturally fall into a routine. We eat the same breakfast, drive the same route to work, and go to the same restaurants. While routine can be comfortable, it can also make you feel like you're stuck in a rut. Make an effort to try new things, even if they are small changes. Take a walk on your lunch break instead of eating at work. Wear a new perfume/cologne. Wear that daring outfit that you've been considering, Shake things up.

Plan your next big trip
Aside from actually traveling, planning your big getaway can be the next best thing. Think of your dream trip and plan every piece of it, from the flight times to the restaurants you'll eat at. Read hotel reviews, and pick your favorite. Think about how long you'll stay, the best time of year to go, and all of the fun things you'll do while you're there. Read books about your destination, and study the language if it's different than your own. Preparing for your trip can make it feel more real and exciting.
These tips should tide you over while saving for your next vacay, and before you know it, you'll be on your way!

East Coast Living - My Favorite Things in Buffalo, NY

The West Coat will always be my home, but ever since my 2nd family moved to New York, the East Coast holds a piece of my heart as well. There are so many things that are unique to New York, and every time I visit, these things become more and more familiar, and make me remember that this will always be my 2nd home. I've been in Buffalo, NY for about a week now, and I've visited my old favorites, and discovered some new ones. So, without further ado, my favorite things about Buffalo, that just aren't the same anywhere else.

1. Wegmans
I never knew how grand a grocery store could be until I walked into Wegmans. It is the supermarket of all supermarkets. This store has everything, and I do mean everything. I'm almost surprised there isn't an amusement park hanging out in the back corner. Naturally my favorite part of Wegmans is the food. A huge portion of the store is dedicated to feeding it's shoppers, and their customer service is no joke. They have a slew of hot meals, a salad bar, a deli, and pretty much anything else you could ever hope to eat. If the West Coast is ever lucky enough to have Wegmans, I will be a very happy lady.

2. Food for days
Of course, New York has countless restaurants that are special to the East Coast. Mighty Taco (move over Taco Bell), Duff's, Fat Bob's, the list goes on and on. Aside from restaurants, there are specific foods that run rampant over this side of the US, that just aren't the same anywhere else. Wings, Beef on Weck, and Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip are just a few that come to mind. It's not an Buffalo experience until you've ate your way around the city. Don't forget to stop by Tim Horton's for a coffee experience that is unique to the East Coast as well.

3. The Architecture 
I've come to realize that one of the things that makes me love Buffalo so much, is the wide array of beautiful buildings. Buffalo is an old city, originating around 1789, and the architecture of the churches, museums, and even houses is something to be admired. There is history here, and you can feel it.

4. Niagara Falls
Of course this list wouldn't be complete without the falls. Niagara Falls consists of three waterfalls, and it's truly something special. The falls are epic to say the least, and no trip to Buffalo would be complete without taking some time to admire them. This trip I was lucky enough to head over to the Canadian side of the falls, and I have to say the view might be even better when you're facing them head on. The Horseshoe Falls live on that side as well, so if you have a passport, be sure to check it out.

5. Thunderstorms
Every time I've visited Buffalo, I've been lucky enough to witness the incredible thunder storms that roll through the city. Maybe I'm in the minority, but I love a good thunderstorm, and we just don't get them on the West Coast like they do here. I generally suggest cuddling up indoors and listening, but you always can do what we did yesterday and run around outside, dancing in the storm.

Packing for Weeks of Travel With Just a Carry-On

Ah, the great debate; to check a bag, or not to check a bag? After many trips of paying ridiculous fees for simply bringing my stuff with me, I’ve basically sworn off checking luggage. “But what if I’m going on an extended trip?” you say. “I NEED 8 pair of shoes, and my entire bathroom cabinet, I NEED them.” No worries, I’ve got you covered. It IS possible to pack everything you’ll really need into a carry-on bag, and I’m going to tell you how.

First of all, get a functional carry-on bag. My favorites are the ones that double as a backpack. As fun as it is rolling a bag around the airport and sidewalks, backpacks are so much easier. The one I have is from REI (naturally), and the straps zip into the bag to turn it into a more streamlined suitcase. Make sure that your bag meets the carry on size standards as well. There’s nothing like being forced to squeeze your bag into that fake little suitcase and finding that it doesn’t fit.

Use packing cubes! I am such an advocate for packing cubes. It’s actually pretty amazing what you can squeeze into those little things. They do a wonderful job of condensing what could otherwise be a messy and bulky bundle of clothes. Mine are water resistant, expandable, and made of ripstop nylon. I use one for shirts, one for pants/shorts, one for toiletries, and one for undergarments/swimsuits. The four of them stack nicely in my carry on, and only take up about half of it’s space.

Pack for one week, and do laundry. Nearly any seasoned long-term traveler will tell you that whether you’re leaving for one week or four, pack what you would need for roughly one week. You can always find a Laundromat to wash your clothes, or even bring a small bottle of concentrated laundry wash, and wash them in your hotel/hostel. Or you can really rough it and just wear the same clothes more than once without washing (underwear excluded).

Wear the bulkiest of your clothing on the plane. This includes shoes! Bring no more than 2-3 pair of shoes with you, and wear the bulkiest pair on your flight.  For me this usually means wearing my boots or sneakers, sweatshirt/jacket, sweats, etc. I always keep a tank top and shorts on underneath, so I can remove layers if need be. This also means I don't have to pack any pajamas, because I'm wearing them! 

Stick to one color palette. The easiest way to pack light on the clothing? Make sure everything you bring goes together. I tend to stick with neutral colors. Khaki shorts, white shirt, grey sweater, black jacket, etc. If all of your clothing goes well together, you can mix and match outfits, and no one will even be able to tell you wore the same 6 shirts your whole trip. Also, look for travel clothes that wick moisture and dry quickly. This will make it easier if you do need to wash them, and will keep you dry if you’re in a warm climate.

As far as liquids, gels, and aerosols go, pack only what you need and buy the rest when you get there. I generally pack only the most necessary of makeup and my face wash. When I arrive at my destination, I can buy my shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, razor, shaving cream etc. These days you can buy most of those things at a dollar store, or certainly the local drug store. For whatever you do need to carry on with you, buy spill proof containers under 3.4 oz and keep them all in a clear zip lock bag, no larger than 1 qt. Make sure you take that bag out of your carry-on when going through security, and you should have no problems. 

Keep the most important things in your “personal” bag. When carrying your luggage on, you’re allowed one piece of luggage and a personal bag, such as a purse or a briefcase. I keep the most important items in my purse. This generally means my wallet, phone, camera, chargers, headphones, kindle, sunglasses, and anything else that I need to be readily available.

The benefits of flying with only a carry-on are plentiful. The process at the airport is much easier, you’ll save yourself a lot of money, you never have to stop at baggage claim, or worry about the airline losing your luggage, and getting around is so much simpler with only a backpack. Everything becomes streamlined. Imagine everyone else anxiously awaiting the arrival of his or her suitcase at baggage claim, while you’re walking out of the airport and off to enjoy your destination.