Posts in LIFESTYLE
GOOD BOOKS TO MAKE IT THROUGH A PANDEMIC
 
 
Good books to read now
 

I don’t know about y’all, but I’ve been reading a ton during this pandemic (or should I say listening 😜). These are some of the books that I have read and enjoyed most recently. If you’re looking for a good book to help pass the time, then check one of these out!


THE UNHONEYMOONERS

Just finished this quick, fun read! Great for the summer and to help squash your travel woes.

 

IN FIVE YEARS

Sad but good!

THE HENNA ARTIST

Super intriguing book about a local henna artist sub cumming to the local gossip.

 

THE NIGHT TIGER

People become intertwined as an old Chinese superstition is played out.

 

CITY OF GIRLS

Coming of age story.

 

THE LOST GIRLS OF PARIS

Hidden women who helped to win the war.

 
 

THE SCENT KEEPER

This book was so different than what I normally read and I really enjoyed it!

 

ABOUT ME:

I was born in Mississippi but raised a Tennessee girl! I attended undergrad at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where I received my degree in Biochemistry. I then proceeded to go to pharmacy school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center with my last 3 years in Knoxville. (Go VOLS!) 6 years ago I followed my sweetheart to Dallas, Texas, where I have been ever since!

I am currently a practicing Inpatient Pharmacist with a love for traveling. I love to get off the beaten path and go places/do things that are not the normal “tourist” thing to do. I love hiking and adventure travel!

Follow me: @thatblondetravels


Disclaimer: This Good Books to Make it Through a Pandemic list contains Affiliate Links for products I’m currently using. By using these links you won’t pay any additional fees but support me to keep this site running!

 
AWAY'S NEW EXPANDABLE LUGGAGE REVIEW
 
Away Expandable luggage review

I am an over packer - there I said it. It feels good to get that off my chest so now we can move on to more important things, like Away’s new expandable luggage!

I recently acquired Away’s new expandable luggage because I needed a new suitcase for an upcoming trip. The plan was to be in Peru for 2 weeks and then return and leave the next day for Manchester and Edinburgh. ‘Rona happened and messed up my travel plans, hence not actually needing another suitcase after all.

Away+luggage
Away+expandable+luggage

Regardless, I was able to test the new suitcase out on our girl’s trip in February to Mexico. I know, I know, why do you need a medium size suitcase to go to the beach?!? (We’ve already established that I’m an over packer..sooooo - let me live! LOL!) I really did just want to test this new bag out though so I could make sure that it would work for me and I got a free checked bag so, why not?

Away expandable luggage
away expanded.jpeg

Compared to their normal Medium hard sided luggage - this bag can fit a lot more. I often have trouble getting the regular medium to fit all of my stuff so this is really nice.

All-in-all, I really loved this new Away bag! I had actually ordered another suitcase set that was recommended by another blogger off of Amazon. It was terrible. The set was $130. The wheels did not glide well and the zipper was crap (I could see it busting open after one use.). I know that Away bags can be rather pricey, but I believe that they are completely worth it! Not only are the bags great, but their customer service is phenomenal as well. I had my handle get stuck open on a trip and I mailed it to them and they fixed it at no charge and no charge on shipping either!

Just think of these bags as an investment into your travel future. Your future self will thank you!


All images provide by Away Travel

 
LO & SON'S BAG SALE
 

Disclaimer: This post contains Affiliate Links for products I’m currently using. By using these links you won’t pay any additional fees, but support me to keep this site running!


I travel A LOT. I own two bags currently from LO & SONS and they are the best! They fit so much in them and they really help to keep you organized while traveling abroad.

I just noticed that they’re having a sale (up to 50% off) a lot of their bags.

Here are the ones that I would recommend:

THE OG 2 LARGE

I have this one in black with the gold hardware. Originally 333 - 338 and on sale for 233.10 - 236.60.

 
The O.G. 2 Large: Lightweight Overnight Tr...

The Lo & Sons O.G. 2 is a lightweight yet super functional overnight travel bag designe... [More]

Price: $236.60
 

THE CATALINA DELUXE

I have the onyx. Originally 153 - 158 and on sale for 107.10 - 110.60.

 
The Catalina Deluxe Large: Women's Weekend...

The Catalina Deluxe weekender is available in 13 different colors: dove grey, thistle, ... [More]

Price: $158.00
 

THE WAVERLY 2

I just bought this one. I have been on the hunt for a small cross-body/belt-bag for when I travel. I bought the black with gold hardware (sensing a trend haha) in the saffiano leather. I got the saffiano over the nappa leather since the saffiano is specially treated to be scratch and weather-resistant so it doesn’t show as much wear.

 
The Waverley 2 Large - Convertible Leather...

The Lo & Sons Waverley 2 was designed with an adjustable strap which allows to convert ... [More]

Price: $175.00
 

If you buy one, let me know what your thoughts are! :)

 
HELLO 2020
 
2020 blog update and 2019 recap

I hope that everyone had a great holiday season spending it with loved ones and friends! I took this time to relax and recharge.

I spent Christmas in Mississippi with my family. We ate so much food! I am still detoxing from that. I spent New Year’s at the hospital working and then went to bed early since I also worked the next day. (I know, no fun!)

This post is slightly delayed but I wanted to make sure that I had enough time to reflect and recharge for the upcoming year. The year 2019 was a busy year for me. I started my own travel agency and lifestyle/travel blog, “That Blonde Travels”, went on some memorable back to back trips (see Iceland and Spain and Eastern Europe), and planned a ton of amazing trips for people!

I wanted to take a moment and share my 2020 goals and travel plans with you. I want to make this space as useful and inspiring for you as possible, so if there’s something you want to see on my blog (or elsewhere), please share it with me in the comments below to help me plan out my areas of focus for 2020.

MY 2020 GOALS

Here’s what I want to achieve in the first half of 2020:

Work on cohesive branding for my travel business plus blog. This is something that I neglected during the start of my business and I want to make sure that the branding really reflects my personality and vision.

Edit photos from past trips. I really want to focus on editing my photos so that I can post some of my own shots to my blog and also for a more cohesive look on instagram.

Make additional updates to my website. I want to update my homepage better highlight my business and get more readers on my blog, create a better landing page for Instagram, update my email list opt-in, and add an ‘about me’ section to the bottom of blog posts for new readers.

Spend time learning SEO and updating all my webpages to get more unique views.

Launch a new webshop. I want to make pre-built itineraries to popular destinations that people can purchase and do-it their-self.

MY 2020 TRAVEL PLANS

January – Spending the month recharging and getting trips ready for the rest of the year.

February – I’ll be heading on a girl’s trip to one of my favorite resorts in Mexico, Excellence Riviera Cancun.

March – I will be heading to London and Paris with my cousin due to a super cheap flight deal that I found! I cannot wait. I have never been to these cities. I can’t wait to eat and see all the things.

April – We’re heading back to the Masters in Augusta, GA. For those that have never been, this is such a fun experience and the food is delicious!

May – My group trip to Peru is taking place this month. If you haven’t checked it, then please take a look (It’s going to be amazing!)

June – I am heading back to Mexico with my hubby to check out an amazing new resort that I have already booked for 2 couples. The food is supposed to be excellent so I can’t wait to try it out!

August – We are going on a Safari in Kenya and then extending the trip to either Norway or Amsterdam + Bruges + Brussels or Paris (still haven’t decided). I really want to do Norway but I feel like I need more days there than 7.

September/October – PTO freeze at my hospital due to our new 200 bed tower opening so unfortunately no vacations planned this month.

WHAT’S NEXT

At the moment I have at least 15 blog post drafts sitting in my notes, some from my time in New Zealand, Spain, and Eastern Europe. So, I’m pushing to get those out to you over the next few months.

Thank you for your continued support and for all the kind messages. They keep me going, and they inspire me on a daily basis. Cheers to 2020, let’s make this year one to remember!

Winter 2020
Winter 2020
 
FESTIVE FRIDAY: BOOKS TO HELP YOU GET INTO THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT
 
 
Holiday reads
 

Written by: Lauren Pijut

www.thatblondetravels.com


Books to help you get into the holiday spirit

The holidays are the perfect time to curl up under a blanket with a festive book and cup of hot chocolate. Today, I'm going to share my favorite holiday book authors.

The first is a series by Elin Hilderbrand called 'The Winter Series'- there are a total of four books in this collection. It follows the same family, owners of a charming bed and breakfast, through four Christmases on Nantucket. You may laugh and cry, but you won't be disappointed!

Her new winter novels are part of the Paradise Series, set in the Bahamas, the second one just came out this October. I have read the first book in this series and must say I prefer the ones set in Nantucket so far. It's hard to get in the holiday mood when it's taking place at the beach, at least for this mid-western gal!

 
BOOKS TO HELP YOU GET INTO THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT
 

One Day in December was a Reese Book Club x Hello Sunshine Book Club Pick last year. I devoured this book- it is basically a Hallmark Movie. So if you are into the cheesy romantics- this one is for you!

I haven't read read books by Mary Kay Andrews or Nancy Thayer, but I know they release new holiday reads every year!

Is there a book or author that gets you in the spirit?! Comment Below!!


Disclaimer: This Holiday Reading List contains Affiliate Links for products I’m currently using. By using these links you won’t pay any additional fees but support me to keep this site running!