Overseas Packing

When packing up to live overseas, there is a weird balance of what to pack. You never know exactly what you'll need and you never know if you'll be able to find certain things where you're moving. We were allowed two 50 pound bags each but when you think of the clothes and housing items that you need to bring with, those 50 pounds might as well been 10. Also, we were told that the washers are not exactly the most gentle machines (I have the holy clothes to prove it). So we shouldn't bring out highest quality or most expensive clothes with.

What I did want to bring that was more expensive and high quality were hair appliances. I brought with me my hair straightener because even the cheaply made ones here are expensive and my curling iron; because those are just about impossible to come by where we live. I bought good brands because I wasn't sure that if they did break, if I would be able to replace them easily. I didn't want to chance it. So, needless to say that after almost three years of living abroad with the same straightener, I am long overdue for an upgrade and thankfully the people at Missiko agreed and sent me their Hanna Pro Flat Iron to try out.

And I have to say, this flat iron was rated so high for a reason! I'm not sure if it is because my old flat iron was so old, or maybe this thing really is just that good; but my hair has never felt better after using it. It straightened my slightly wavy hair easily and quickly without having to go over the same area twice like I have been doing with my previous appliance. And it left my hair silky and shiny, a rarity for my usual dry hair. One of my favorite parts about it though is how light it is! When we travel, every ounce counts and I have things like hair appliances talking up more weight and room than we have.

If you're in the market for anything from hair straighteners to blowdryers, then Missiko has got you covered. Check out their full selection here.

*product was given in exchange for a review however, all opinions are my own

How to Have Adventures at Home-Chasing Happy

Can I just say how much I adore blogs out there that scream positivity and encourage others to do the same? And can we agree that we can all use a little pick me up...oh I don't know, just about every day? One of my favorites is written by Kenzie of Chasing Happy. This girls screams positivity, and you can't help but feel instantly brighter when reading her sweet words of encouragement, looking at what she has created next or when she gives great, relatable advice on how to pretty much live your life better; or some of my favorites, how to blog better. That's why I'm so excited about the piece that she's written for you all today. I know you're going to love her as much as I do!

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Hello there, beautiful people! I'm Kenzie from Chasing Happy, a blog about creativity, happiness, and real life. I'm so glad that Chelsea is having me on her blog today--I love meeting new people in blogland! Hi, hi, hi! The thing I love about Chelsea's blog is how much it feeds my wanderlust. I don't know about you, but I'd sell all my stuff to travel the world in a heartbeat, if I could. My husband might have an issue with that, though, so for now I content myself with taking vacations and stalking reading blogs like Chelsea's. But what's a girl to do on a long weekend (like this one!) when it seems like everyone has exciting travel plans? If you're stuck at home like me, here are a few ideas on how to scratch your adventure itch in your own city.

Visit a local tourist attraction

Head to a museum, snap photos of a public sculpture, explore an historic building, or sip coffee at a popular coffee shop. As a local, these little gems might have escaped your notice--but now's your chance to experience them with new eyes. Explore your city with the perspective of a visitor: what's unique about these attractions? What stories would you tell about them "back home?"

Go out for an exotic dinner

One of my favorite parts of any new place is the food. But most cities have exotic food of their own. Here in Nebraska, we've got Indian, Korean, Sudanese, authentic Mexican, Brazilian, Spanish, French... it's a huge variety. And this is Nebraska. If we have it, you have it, too. Probably even more. Treat your taste buds to something new!

Watch a foreign or inspiring movie

Even if you can't go anywhere, you can pretend you did by watching a carefully selected movie. Pick a foreign film to feel like you're in a different country, or rent a travel flick to live vicariously through someone else's adventures.

Start planning

Page through a travel guide and plan your next trip, even if you don't have a date in mind just yet. Anticipation can give you a huge happiness boost, and planning a vacation is a great way to create that excitement.

Have a spa day

Try recreating the typical vacation experiences, like a day at the beach (or pool, locally) or an afternoon of spa treatments (or even just a mani/pedi). The actual activity is probably pretty similar from place to place, so just close your eyes and pretend you're in Mexico.

Book a hotel stay

If all else fails, get out of the house. Reserve a hotel room and fake it. Ask the concierge for recommendations on things to do, lounge in bed and watch TV, order room service... do whatever it is you would if you were really out of town. With a little creativity, even a long weekend at home can feel like an adventure--you just need an open mind and a free spirit. Test out some of these ideas this weekend, and be sure to stop by Chasing Happy and tell me about your adventures!

10 Things I Wish I'd Known Before Travelling the Silk Road-Guest Post

I have a very special treat for your guys today. Delia's blog, World in Words is a new find for me and I could not be more smitten by her creatively articulated travel stories. She left her job as a politics correspondent in the UK to travel the Silk Road from Turkey to China. I mean seriously, how awesome is that?! After you read her post below on things she wished she knew before leaving for her travels, you seriously need to head over to her page because she has some of the most unique travel experiences I've ever read! Here are some of my favorites to get you started: Walking in the Pamirs, How to Survive a Sleeper Train and Darvaza Gas Craters. Oh and Horse Riding in Kyrgyzstan; because those photos are beautiful!

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I've not confessed this to many people... but at the bottom of my rucksack, underneath my medical kit, trainers and other essential items, is a Lada car window handle. And no, since setting off to travel the Silk Road across Central Asia more than three months ago, I've not needed it once. Not once. Truth be told, with it being a road less travelled, I just wasn't sure what to expect. Yes, I hoped for amazing blue tiled mosques in Uzbekistan, a bizarre dictatorship in Turkmenistan and horses on green hills in Kyrgyzstan but that's sort of where my expectations ended. Despite doing quite a bit of research online (and having a guidebook) I failed to really comprehend what I would need to take with me and just what lay in store.

The street of mausoleums, Shah-I-Zinda in Samarkand, Uzbekistan

So, without further ado I would like to dispel a few myths to help others who may be interested in travelling Central Asia:

1) You do not need to take your own car window handle (we read online that this was a MUST pack item due to old knackered cars having no window handles). Most cars have electric windows, and while many of them will not work - your Lada window wrench will sadly be no use whatsoever (it won't even open cans of tuna. Fact.) You will be better served taking a portable fan - perhaps one of those fancy pants battery operated ones that sprays water.

Matty (boyfriend and partner in travel crime) brandishing the single most useless item to travel with.

2) The taxi drivers in this corner of the world play TERRIBLE music at high volume for hours on end. The only solution to this is to bring along an aux cable so you can plug in your iPod or music of choice and take control of the party. Oh, and there's not a lot of public transport in Tajikistan, Kyrgzstan and even parts of Uzbekistan so this really is a serious concern. Otherwise you could be listening to Uzbek dance trash for hours on end like this:

Our 'shared taxi' in Uzbekistan, heading to the Tajikistan border

Or this:

Another day, another journey: My travel buddies Donagh (left) and Matty (middle) on a 12 hour journey to the Pamirs in Tajikistan

3) The toilet paper here (which doesn't actually look like loo roll, more like a bandage - the very reason I went a day without using it at all when we first got here) is incredibly scratchy. It's been christened (by us) as the Chuck Norris paper - because it doesn't take sh*t off anyone... To be honest you're unlikely to bring away enough toilet paper for your entire trip so this is just a warning - get yourself mentally prepared.

4) But while we're on the subject - the bog roll is the least of your worries. The Central Asian 'toilets' are perhaps some of the worst in the world. Of course when I say toilets I mean holes - many of which have a metal wire across them to reinforce the hole, with the unfortunate consequence of catching everything that falls their way... If you get my drift. You will find holes side by side and the locals will think nothing of sidling up besides you - or watching you and asking you where you are from while you are busy squatting. Other holes will just leave you in fear of losing a leg down them, I mean look at this: 

 

5) Wi-fi: There is wi-fi in Central Asia! And it is quite widely available we had it everywhere from the capitals to the more rural towns like Karakol in Kyrgzstan - although it is almost always painfully slow. If you need a reliable wi-fi connection on the Silk Road the best thing you can do is buy local 3G SIM cards (for about $2) and then buy a 3G package (about $10 for 1GB) which is much faster than wi-fi. We caught on to this in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and our 3G package still had loads of Internet left when we left the countries about two weeks later, despite going on the Internet a lot and uploading picture-heavy blog posts like this :)

Left to right: Me, Matty and Donagh in a remote homestay in the Pamirs, Tajikistan. I admit we had signal of no kind here.

6) What to pack: Central Asia is not as conservative as you may think. Personally, I thought I would need to be covered from ankle to wrist in many countries but it's just not the case. A long skirt and t-shirt is ideal but knee-length skirts and vest tops are also fine in many places - for more details on what to pack and a brief dress code for each country click here. 

Me sporting the most conservative outfit I took on the trip... at Kah Kaag fort in Tajikistan as the sun said its goodbyes for the day

7) Need your hair done on the Slik Road? Fret not. I braved getting my highlights done in Dushanbe, Tajikistan and admittedly I went uber-Barbie-blonde but it gave my roots the lift they needed. If you're wondering what sort of refreshments might be on offer at the salon, forget tea and coffee but think more corn on the cob. Nice touch indeed. Plus it only cost about $30. Bargain.

   

8) The food. Oh, the food. Believe everything that it is said about Central Asian food - and expect worse. It just ain't that great and is certainly not the reason for visiting this stunning corner of the world. Expect kebabs (great), lots of fatty meat, bland sauces and more fatty meat (not so great). Until you hit Kyrgyzstan and China that is, when the food suddenly takes a turn for the better. If you're vegetarian expect a diet of rice, cucumbers, tomatoes and bread. 

Matty tucks into another kebab....

9) The booze. Praise the booze. Expect to be offered vodka at 10am in the morning - this is ok. In fact just get used to drinking vodka at all hours and forget any hopes of having it with a mixer. Vodka in Central Asia is drunk neat, but make sure you have something to hand to follow it with - tomatoes work brilliantly but sprite is still my number one chaser. There is also plenty of beer in these countries - just keep an eye on the alcohol percentage as many are a tad on low side (about 3%). But the best tip I can give you is - when you get to Uzbekistan make sure this is your beer of choice, delicious:

 

10) Getting visas on the Silk Road may lead you straight to the vodka bottle. This is ok and normal. The single biggest headache on this journey will be picking up visas. The key is meticulous research - one of the best sites we found was Carivanistan - which is constantly updated with travellers most recent experiences. The situation changes every few weeks - we were denied visas to Afghanistan because the 'rules changed' in Tashkent and we had troubles getting our Turkmenistan visas in Armenia because they're not talking to Azerbaijan which was our exit port. To see where and how we picked ours up along the road click here. But fret not, you're never more than a few metres away from a shot of vodka.

   

But perhaps the best advice I can give you if you are planning to travel Central Asia is that you are in for a trip of a lifetime. From the incredible high altitude world of the Pamir Mountain range in Tajikistan to the evocative cities of Bukhara, Khiva and Samarkand in Uzbekistan that conjur up images of ancient Silk Road traders; you will be enthralled almost every step of the way. It's a journey like no other. Just don't take a car window handle.

Staring into a burning gas crater in the Turkmenistan desert

Where sleeping dogs lie... A high altitude cafe at 4,300 metres on the Pamir Highway

Designer Hostels

If you're anything like me, I travel on a budget but hostels aren't exactly my first choice of a place to stay when I go on vacation. They can have somewhat of a negative connotation when they're thought of. Dirty, cramped, dangerous. These are just a few of the thoughts that come to mind. But Hostelbookers is changing the name of the game with their selection of design hostels. Traveling is expensive already, not to mention the cost of hotels. With these hostels, you get high end, clean, modern rooms at a fraction of the cost!

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If you like the idea of staying in a luxury hotel but don’t like paying the hefty price tag, consider the new designer hotels and hostels from Hostelbookers where you can Stay in Style for a fraction of cost while having a blast! Check out these cheap-chic, budget-boutique accommodations where classy comfort is just the beginning!

 The Cat’s Pajamas Hostel – Berlin, Germany

Berlin’s playful sense of humor pervades this “alternative hostel experience” where the halls – intentionally painted in eye-popping graffiti -- lead to sunny rooms outfitted with designer furniture. Spacious ensuite facilities including make-up stations framed with lighted mirrors and equipped with hair dryers. The helpful staff takes immaculate care of the well-equipped, expansive communal kitchen with big tables that encourage patrons to dine together and get acquainted. Located in Berlin’s multi-cultural Kreuzkoelln district on a tree-lined boulevard, the neighborhood’s dining experiences run the gambit -- from Katie’s Blue Cat British bakery to Paleolithic cuisine at the Sauvage restaurant. Walk to Hermannplatz to catch a train to Berlin’s historic city center or experience Karstadt, Germany’s favorite department store that carries everything from tools to groceries to furs.

Sleepbox Hotel -Moscow, Russia

Despite the rather intimidating futuristic layout, the “sleepboxes” in this designer hotel offer a level of comfort and privacy hitherto unknown at such affordable prices. Available with single or double beds dressed in luxury sheets, the “sleepboxes” are soundproofed, well-ventilated and have a compact “nano” layout that includes a closet, shelves, hooks, sockets, an LED TV and, of course, free Wi-Fi. Each floor has spacious, clean communal bathrooms (a towel set is provided) and there’s a laundry and bicycle rental desk. Dine out at the neighborhood Botanika restaurant, a local favorite featuring a homey atmosphere and fresh Asian cuisine, then kick up your heels at the Help! Bar, famous for award-winning cocktails but renowned for a strict security policy discouraging coarse behavior. Walk to the nearby Belorusskiy station to catch aero express trains to the Sheremetyevo airport or ride the Paveletskiy Train to access the Domodedovo Airport.

Tattva Design Hostel – Porto, Portugal

Some claim staying at this hostel is practically a spiritual experience, which seems to be what the designers had in mind when they incorporated the power of the five elements (earth, water, air, fire and sky) in every aspect of their facility. The result is a harmonious blend of public and private spaces dressed up in chakra-spinning colors and mind-soothing contours. The building is a World Heritage site with a commanding view of Porto from the outdoor terrace and the bedrooms’ windows and balconies. Breakfast is free at the spacious restaurant and there’s a fully-equipped communal kitchen for self-prepared meals. Relax in the reading room or dive into the Aquarium Lounge (yes, there are fish tanks) for refreshing cocktails. The tour desk organizes fun events like pub crawls and walking tours to the impressive Porto Cathedral and across the Douro River on the pedestrian deck above the Dom Luís Bridge.

Interlaken Youth Hostel – Interlaken, Switzerland

The keystone of this sparkling new facility is the cozy lounge that invites guests to mingle around a welcoming fireplace. Precisely arranged bedrooms are hygienically clean and maximize space with auto lockers big enough for backpacks. Their in-house restaurant serves up free breakfasts, healthy meals and supplies snacks to take into the game room to enjoy during a round of pool or internet surfing. Right next door to the Interlaken-Ost Railway Station, the hostel sits at the base of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains, site of one of the most spectacular sightseeing trains in the world and a playground for hikers, skiers and nature lovers.

**This is a sponsored post but all opinions stated are my own

Shopping AND a Great Cause!

Every once in a while in the blogging world, you find a rare gem. I have been fortunate enough to have found several of these and Kristyn from Milk + Crown is definitely one of them. She is such an inspiration to women everywhere. She often writes encouraging notes on her blog and even highlights different women in her Wonderfully Made series about what they love about themselves and what confidence means (you can check out my post in this series tomorrow!). 

Well she's won my heart over again! This time it's because she's trying to raise money for clean water through the sales of her jewelry line. How awesome is that?! And I know you won't have a problem finding something to buy because this girl's jewelry is gorgeous! I am currently swooning over this one and this one. Ok...and this one too. Below Kristyn talks more about her cause, what she is trying to do, and how you can help her!

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Hi Lost in Travels readers! I'm Kristyn and I blog over at Milk + Crown where I enjoy sharing my short stories and bits of my daily life and style. I also run a jewelry shop by the same name--which is why I'm here to talk to you today!

When I opened my jewelry shop this summer, I knew I didn't just want to create beautiful, simple jewelry for women. I love design but I wanted to make an impact on a cause that was dear to my heart at the same time. After hearing about The Mocha Club's Purpose Project, I decided to take a leap of faith.

The Purpose Project is all about reaching a goal for a good cause--in the span of a month. Here's how it works: for every piece of jewelry purchased from Milk + Crown in the month of August, $10 will be donated toward The Mocha Club's Clean Water Project, which builds wells in Sudan, Kenya, and Malawi so children can have access to clean water. It takes $300 to provide water for 10 orphans--which means I need to sell 30 necklaces in 30 days. 

With your help, everyone wins. Not only will you enjoy getting a lovely package in the mail, you will be helping orphans gain access to water--a necessity we so often take for granted in our daily lives. While you enjoy a beautiful gift, a child overseas will enjoy an even greater one.And every time you look at your necklace, you will be reminded of the impact it has made on someone's life. 

There are other ways you can help out too! Tweet, Instagram or Facebook about my project, using the hashtag, #30in30jewelry and the corresponding photo to spread the word. Tell family, friends, coworkers, even future brides! And please, pray for me. If I reach my goal, I will push myself to create and add 10 new pieces of jewelry to the collection by September 1st--something I have wanted to do but was afraid to. 

Thanks so much friends, for supporting my shop and the cause on my heart! I hope you take the time today to check out my jewelry :) You can find my project profile on The Mocha Club website here. And, take 15% off any purchase in August when you use the code 'MARVELOUSCARA' at checkout!

**This is not a sponsored post. I just love this girl, her jewelry, and her cause. 

5 Japanese Fashion Trends You Wouldn't Expect-The Nectar Collective

We're baaaack! Unfortunately. Why does it always seem like vacation is just one day too short? I can't complain though, we had an amazing time exploring Cambodia and getting some much needed R&R, a rarity for us. So while I recoup...and catch up on the laundry and cleaning...I have a good blogging friend of mine, Melyssa filling in for me. Have you met Melyssa yet? If not I strongly advice you go check out her page (as soon as you read her post below of course). This girl is like a ball of sunshine and is quickly spreading joy through the inter-webs through her posts about positivity and DIY projects that can't help but put a smile on your face. She also has a pretty awesome link up and is my partner in crime for the Snail Mail Collective (which the pairings are now closed but you can always sign up next month!). But enough of what I think, let's get on with the main even! Below Melyssa shares some...unique fashion trends of Japan.

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Hey everyone! My name is Melyssa and I blog over at The Nectar Collective. I'm a California girl currently living and growing in Tokyo, Japan with my dog, Monja. I blog about all sorts of things, but generally stick to travel and positivity. I'd love for you to join me! Now that I've lived in Japan for a couple years, I've caught onto a lot of the fashion trends and traditions that pervade this little country. I also think Japanese city-dwellers generally have impeccable style and sometimes I find myself in Harajuku observing how much more swag everyone has than me. However, there are some other fashion trends in Japan that you might not have expected or known about. Today, I'm sharing five of those lesser known Japanese styles so that if you ever come to Tokyo, you'll fit in like a native (I'm still working on that one).

1. Scrunchies

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I'm pretty sure if I ever rocked a scrunchy in California, someone would utter the words, where'd you get that? The 90s?  Unfortunately in the States, scrunchies are still associated with Lisa Frank and teeny boppers (the Huffington Post even wrote an article when Hillary Clinton wore one), but in Japan, if your ponytail doesn't have a scrunchy, then you might as well just not wear clothes because girl, you're already naked. Scrunchies are everywhere and people typically buy big, fluffy ones to match their outfits. When one of my students graduated from my school last year, she even gave me a homemade scrunchy as a parting gift. I haven't really bought them yet, but trust me, the temptation for a big teeny bopper head is real, folks.

2. Skin color tights

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In the States, I can't imagine one occasion where people would opt for nude, or skin color tights. But in Japan, oftentimes if people show their legs (with skirts, shorts, etc), they will wear nude tights. I'm not sure whether this is to make their legs look more even toned or because Japan is a pretty conservative society. Probably both. But sometimes when I wear skirts to work, I feel kind of skanky if I'm not at least wearing some beige tights. The struggle is real.

3. Heels

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Women in Japan tend to be on the shorter side, maybe 5'2" or 5'3" in general. However, just like the rest of the world, being a little taller is usually favored. This means that pretty much every Japanese woman wears heels. All.of.them. I see people rockin' six-inch pumps on their way to work like it's no big deal. It's also nearly impossible to find pure flats (i.e. shoes without a small heel or wedge). And shoes are generally small. The biggest size you can find for women's shoes is about an 8.5 or a 9 in US sizes. I'm 5'9" and wear a size 10 so basically I'm a gigantor in Japan! This both means that I don't wear heels because I already tower over everyone and that I can't find shoes here because they're all too small. Shoes and I are still trying to mend our broken friendship. I'll let you know how it goes.

4. School uniforms

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You know that stereotype about the "sexy schoolgirl"? It's kind of real. Every Japanese school, public or not, requires its students to wear a uniform to school. (Sidenote: these uniforms cost hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars). But Japanese kids take it a step further. I see them wear their school uniforms all.the.time. It's like their skin. Lots of schools, like the one I teach at, have kind of maternal uniforms with knee-length skirts and hi-cut blouses. But you'll still find plenty of schools with uniforms that look more suitable for a sorority party than a classroom. You'll also see school uniforms all over the place in general, since students and even adults often wear them on weekends or buy clothes that resemble uniforms because that sexy schoolgirl stereotype lives in Tokyo, too (don't believe me? Here's proof).

5. No tattoos

Yakuza had full-body tattoos like this. via

In California, I feel like everyone has a tattoo. Because of this, they're generally accepted, at least among our peers. But in Japan? Well, tattoos are still associated with the Yakuza, which is basically Japan's mafia. Because of that, no one really has tattoos and they are not looked at in a positive light. Some establishments, like onsens (public baths), might even turn you away if your skin is tattooed. Of course, there are still the rebels who do have tattoos (though usually small and easily hidden), but this is still pretty rare. Basically, that sunflower you always wanted to tattoo on your forehead may not fly in the land of the rising sun.

Thank you so much for having me, Chelsea!! If you want to learn more about my adventures in Japan or want to figure out how to infuse your life with positivity, then come say hello on my blog, The Nectar Collective! I'd love to meet you. :)

Now, tell me, what did you think about these Japanese fashion trends? Are there are trends in YOUR country that aren't popular in other parts of the world? Let's chat in the comments!

What I've Learned From Dogs-Duchess of Plumewood

If you're having a bad day, I have just the thing to set it straight. Because cute puppy photos always have a way of doing that. I told Jeremy that I would love to get an English Bulldog. He quickly nixed the idea, for no reason other than he wants a massively sized dog when we get back home. Which I can't completely blame him for since our country of choice right now only has teeny lap dogs that they so lovingly dye all sorts of strange colors. So whenever we do see a large dog, or even a 'normal' sized one, we can help but stare and start picking out names for our future dog (who's name will be Hank by the way. Not that we're getting ahead of ourselves or anything). Enough about my dog dreams, read on as Katherine tells her story of how she picked her dog, Winston and see why I just can't resist these adorable English Bulldogs!

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Hi everyone I blog over at The Duchess of Plumewood and I am so excited to be guest posting on Lost in Travels today! I love love love all of Chelsea’s stories and photos and I am so honored to be a guest post for her while she is off trekking Cambodia! Who is excited for those pictures!?

I wanted to share a special story with you today. I have a handsome little bulldog, Winston, and I wanted to share how much has taught me about life and myself.

I decided to get Winston in my first year of law school. Your first year of law school pretty much ruins your life. (well so you think) And to add a puppy to that mix threw my family’s collective mind for a fricken’ roller coaster loop because I didn’t know anything about taking care of a dog. I had never had a dog growing up because my mom is allergic so we had cats. I absolutely love my cat but as anyone who has had both animals knows cats and dogs are different, aside from the obvious duh, cats are incredible self-sufficient and dogs need you for pretty much everything. I was working through contracts, torts, civil procedure, and every other class with a purring kitten on my lap and I crazily thought why not add a dog in the mix?

I started researching what breed of dog I wanted (confession: I’m such an anglophile so I knew my pup had to be British) and I squarely landed on English Bulldog. The name was easy; I wrote one of my undergraduate theses on Churchill and De Gaulle so I knew he had to be Winston. And boom just like that 2 weeks later I had a deposit down with a fantastic breeder. I picked Winston up on the last weekend in January of 2012 and the ride home with my new pup in his kennel in the backseat was one of the most enjoyable 2 hours I have ever spent in a car. I couldn’t even cuddle him since I was driving but my heart was already overflowing with joy! The first weekend was exhausting: up every three hours, accidents, whining, no sleep (I slept next to his kennel so he would stop yelping but I didn’t let him out), and definitely no studying. I would rush home from classes every day to take him out and play with him. I finally made myself study a week later when I was getting regular sleep. For a month I was the happiest girl in the world. Then a month after I got Winston I broke up with my boyfriend of 5 years.

Winston was the reason I got myself out of bed for those first couple of weeks. Not law school, not Poppy (my cat), not I, but Winston. I knew he needed me. I knew he wasn’t going to be able to understand why his mom was ignoring him. My wrinkly man saved his mama. To this day my mom, who rolled her eyes, shook her head, and fought me so hard when I told her she was going to have a grandpuppy, thinks Winston is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Dogs teach us an incredible amount about life and I would love to share myWinston’s short list with you.

Wise Lessons from Winston:

1.  If at first you don’t succeed, try again. If you still aren’t getting it, forget it, take a nap, and then try again: Winston is so stubborn but good stubborn. He tries so hard for something and he will not give up until he gets it. Such an admirable quality in life, I would like to say that rubbed off from mom but…

2. Peanut butter always makes you feel better: whether it’s in a Kong or on a spoon peanut butter just makes you feel like life is good. It’s true, go try some!

3. When in doubt, get Mom: when anything goes wrong Winston is at my side. If there’s a horse, lightening, he gets hurt, he comes to me. Anytime I get hurt, I need help I call my mom. Moms love you no matter what you do, it’s unconditional.

4. To be best friends you’ve got to be comfortable facing the smiles and facing the sh*t: Winston has to smell their faces and their butts. He’s taught me a lot. You’ve got to find the friends that you can deal with when times are good and when times are bad.

5. The sunshine is the place to be. Until you get hot, then move to the shade: when things are great soak it up and revel in it; but there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. You need change and make the change work in your favor whatever you do.

I literally thank God every day that he put that crazy awesome idea into my head to get Winston. He knew He knew I was going to need him. He knew. He knew there were things that only Winston could teach me. And for that I am so grateful. That is why I thank Him every day and why Winston is going to get an extra-long belly rub tonight.

Chelsea thank you so much for letting me take over Lost in Travels! I hope everyone enjoyed Winston’s Wise Words. Drop by The Duchess of Plumewood and say hi! 

Under the Tuscan Sun - The Bradley's

I love bloggers who leave you feeling inspired, that are encouraging with their zeal for life. Elizabeth from The Bradley's is one of those people. Her blog covers a wide arrange of topics such as family and healthy living; but it all centers around her family and living abroad and working abroad; currently in Thailand. Jeremy and I have always dreamt of living abroad and raising a family but still don't quite know what that looks like or if it will happen for us in the future. I think that's part of the reason Elizabeth's story appeals to me, she took her dream and made it into a reality.  Read on for Elizabeth's story of their 'dream' location.

For 6 months our family took the plunge and relocated to the very place author Francis Mayes wrote about in her best seller Under The Tuscan Sun. I even had the pleasure of having lunch with her on one occasion, during the Tuscan Sun Festival. Living in such a remote hilltop town was a unique experience to say the least, and had its ups and downs.

When our daughter was around 2.5, our family decided to relocated to Tuscany after my husband finished his teaching contract in Korea. Despite our loving Asia, I had always intended on raising our kids near where I grew up ( France) and because of how many awesome, affordable places were available for rent in the Tuscan countryside, as well as the plethora of arts and culinary delights abound, we decided to move to Cortona. We had enough savings to live off of until my husband found a teaching job in Florence or more locally, and I had the dream in the back of my mind of us buying and renovating a small rustico.

Upon arrival, we stayed at an old monastery just outside of the town, which was to be honest the highlight of our stay. Nearly empty, the monastery grounds served as the nicest possible place for our daughter to run around while my husband visited various houses while looking for the perfect rental for us. The food was spectacular too...until the dining room closed due to their not being enough guests, forcing us to hike up the steep hill into the village every day for food.
Billy and the rental agent agreed that if we were not going to have a car, we should get an apartment in town. It just so happened that a gorgeous apartment with two balconies and bedrooms opened up  across from the San Francesco church. To date I have never seen a nicer apartment, with 360 degree views of the Tuscan countryside. It was spectacular and we were elated to move in.

As winter came, the throngs of tourists that mobbed the small streets dissipated and my Mom granted us a visit. We also met our soon to be BFF Claudio, a local chemist and herbalist that had a store close to our apartment. My Mom stayed at a small hotel near the top of the hill ( Corys Ristoarte) which is also where Billy's family stayed when they visited shortly afterwards. We had some tremendous meals at the restaurant and enjoyed many walks throughout the cobble stone streets.

Apart from some of the wonders of living in rural Italy, there was also a downside. First of all, Cortona is a very conservative Catholic town and the gossip mill is in full circuit. So doing anything outside of the box ( such as homeschooling, working from home, etc) isn't exactly well received, or at least it wasn't for us. Second, getting groceries as well as oil to heat our home was a challenge; Billy had to take the bus down to nearby Camucia to get the essentials, then hike up the seemingly nevereneding hills that redefine the word steep. Lugging everything up the hills and up two flights of stairs was challenging. At the end of the day, we decided that Cortona wasn't right for us, for a number of reasons, and my husband was itching to get back to Thailand, which is where we currently live. I often wonder if things would have been different if we had indeed found a small house in the countryside instead of living in the center of a small town. Or if we had decided to move to Venice instead ( my favorite place on earth...). Regardless, we had many wonderful moments living under the Tuscan sun!

You can follow our adventures on our blog, via Bloglovin or on Instagram