Foreign Currency

The only time I complain about having too much money is on the last day of a trip in a foreign country.  If I have local currency in my wallet, I try to spend it as quickly as possible.  Inevitably, I come home with at least a few coins.  Other world-traveling friends have complained about the same thing (first world problems, I know!).  So the beautiful paper and coins sit at home in boxes and junk drawers collecting dust.  As we continue to travel, it continues to accumulate.  (Disclaimer: At the risk of sounding like an ungrateful brat with money to throw away, let me clarify that the amount brought home from a trip is typically under $20 USD.  Many times it’s under $10 or $5 USD, so barely enough to buy a couple gallons of gas or a latte!)  Like most twenty-something white girls who need advice, I turned to Pinterest for help.  Here's what they told me to do.

 

Turn coins into magnets...

Treat Yo Self

Today I left the laundry on the floor, the dishes in the sink, and the lawn un-mowed.  (It will still be there tomorrow... unfortunately!)  It was time for a "me" day.

I'm usually really bad at this.  In my free time I like to get chores done or catch up with friends.  I don't particularly like doing things by myself.  But today it was a treat!  I haven't gone to a movie in months, so I picked out an indie film that I knew my bf wouldn't want to see, a quirky Woody Allen type.  I'm wrapping up the day with Indian take-out and the latest episode of the Kardashians.  What do you do enjoy doing when you have a day to yourself?

Snacks on a Plane

I'm up early on a Saturday morning because I'm jet lagging from my Euro trip!  I returned Wednesday from a jaunt to Eastern Europe with a couple of girls from work.  Since it's June, of course I'm working on my "summer bod", and a lot of that effort has been for naught thanks to an overly indulgent birthday weekend, followed by this trip.  Since I always succumb to eating airplane food, mostly out of boredom, I tried to be healthy, at least at the start!  Here's what I packed and brought on board with me the day I left...

Party Time!

I mentioned earlier this week that my birthday is coming.  I'm trying to take some time today to enjoy my few remaining hours as a 27-year-old person.  Isn't 27 still considered "mid" twenties?  At 28, you are definitely in the "late" twenties category.  There's no getting around that.  But I'm fine with it.  (That's what I keep telling myself.)  Candidly, I'm way OK with getting older.  I already feel it.  I can't knock 'em back on a week night and feel hunky dory at work the next day.  Plus I need more sleep and don't like hanging out in packed, loud clubs.  The older I get, the more socially acceptable it is for me to spend my weekend nights at home with a nice glass of wine alone with a friend or two.  Wait, when did I start caring about social norms?

Exhibit A.  This is me, just hanging out at home last night. 

Girls' Getaway in Austin

My birthday is this week and let's just say I'm closer to the big three-oh than I've ever been before.  As my friends and I get older, impromptu weekend trips become more difficult with work/family/life responsibilities growing on the reg, so I cherish every second I get to spend with my girls on vaca!  This weekend my crew and I met in Austin- one came from SoCal and the rest of us from Dallas.

Vacation Wardrobe Styling

I used to be a notorious under-packer, which is strange for a chick.  My motto was, “There’s nothing I’ll forget that I can’t buy at my destination, besides contact lenses and medication!” And strangely, it rhymes.  Maybe it was a subconscious strategy to create and excuse to go shopping.  Now I'm trying to be more organized.  I’m heading to Austin tomorrow for a girls getaway with some extremely chic ladies so I have to bring my A-game in terms of wardrobe.  I read that celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe starts planning what she or her clients are going to wear to an event days if not weeks in advance so she can perfect the look.  I’ve recently tried to adopt this approach, especially when it comes to packing. 

Wedding Season

It's here.  And it's been great!  But I'm excited to spend this weekend at home (at least until Sunday when I go to Oklahoma for Mother's Day like the good daughter I am).  Weddings are high-pressure events for those of us in the wedding party.  I have responsibilities like making sure the bridesmaids' bouquets make it to the reception so they can double as center pieces on the dining tables... This stuff is hard work after a day of hair, nails, makeup, and wedding rehearsal.  We bridesmaids have to perfect our step-together-step-together down the aisle and stand around for all of the pre and post ceremony photos...  It's exhausting!  We are also expected to be the first to start a conga line on the dance floor, and we really should stay for last call.  My boyfriend and I had back-to-back weddings last month, plus a few weekends of showers and bachelorette parties, so you now know where all of my discretionary income is being spent.  With love, of course.

Our first wedding weekend took us to La Jolla.  No complaints there!  We flew into San Diego and rented a car for the short drive north.