Whether you are getting on a plane or taking a road trip, all of these items are my “go to’s.” I don’t leave home without them.

Packing Cubes

I try to pack in a carry on - but even if I’m checking a bag or heading off to a week at the beach these things just help. I’m always amazed at what I can get in my bag and they also help me keep items organized. Definitely a game changer.

Packable Fragrance (small enough to get through security)

The fragrance from Maya is both fresh and has staying power. It’s a roller so easy to apply. AND it is so easy to pack because it is so small! I also love the price point and it lasts forever!

Dry Shampoo

It’s a must for on the road (and let’s be honest in everyday life) but with this travel size, you can refresh the hair while also getting through security. This is my favorite brand but here is another option that is a little less expensive that also gets the job done!

Exercise Bands

You never know what your day is going to look like and depending on where you go, there isn’t always a gym to take advantage of. These bands are great and I use them both on the road and at home.

Bed/Pillow Spray

A new additional to my arsenal of goods, I love that this spray is focused on a scent that encourages rest. It also just feels kind of luxurious to spray your linens before you hop into bed after a long day of travel.

Electrolytes

Staying hydrated is actually one of the hardest things to do - especially when you fly. I have a tendency to get the air bloat that comes with flying the friendly skies so electrolytes are helpful in getting things back on track while on the road (especially for long flights). I especially love this brand.

This waterbottle

Speaking of hydration, having a water bottle on hand all the time helps you stay hydrated and I love this one. I’m definitely a Stanley fan - so when I found this lightweight option I went for it!

My favorite backpack

I get compliments on this thing ALL THE TIME! I chose it for several reasons - the storage and varying compartments. The ability to have a charging port for those times where charging ports aren’t available. The spot for a water bottle AND my favorite, it easily slips over the handle of my carryon so I can roll all of it together and save my back/shoulders.

Depuffing Mask

This is a splurge, but worth it on the road and off. My puffiness shows up more on the road due to not getting as much sleep or hydration, but also because of the types of foods eaten. BUT, if you have a high salt/alcohol kind of day this stuff can work magic the next morning. Ten minutes can get the job done but if you have a little extra time leave on for 30 and you will be shocked at it’s magic!

Eye Patches

I love these and I pop them in the fridge once I get to my hotel . I use them at night or in the morning. These also help with depuffing but they also just make my dry eyes feel better. There is something about the recycled air or a new climate that shifts my skin and as I’ve gotten older, my eyes don’t just feel it, they show it.

Bonus - for the eyes, this stick. You can use it under or over makeup and it’s great for other areas like your neck lines that might be poppin’ after a long trip.

I hope your summer travels are full of wonderful places and memories with the folks your love the most and I hope these travel faves/tips help these times be just a little more manageable.

And as a heads up, I’m going to be working on an Atlanta guide - sharing a ton of my favorite spots and restaurants - perfect for a staycation for my local friends or a weekend trip for those looking to enjoy my beautiful city!

They were microsuede and we got them from Ashley. Dark in color, they held up well against the dogs and small kids. BUT, they weren’t beautiful and stylish and didn’t feel high end, but they served a purpose and met our budget.

So I was thrilled when I got to finally purchase a beautiful sofa from West Elm. It was delivered right around my birthday and I’m not sure I could be so excited about a piece of furniture.

But like many bright, shiny new things, within three months this coveted couch was showing me that it was most definitely not a great pick. I noticed it started pilling - this great fabric that was supposed to be high performance - and then early on we noticed the pillows started to sag. As more time went on, we could feel the wood and metal through the cushions on the seats and backs of the couch and now after three years, it looks absolutely awful. It got so bad, in fact, that my husband had to stop sitting on it because it was hurting his back.

I learned my lesson - research, research, research… and much to my dismay, Macy’s rose to the top. Not a brand I had considered, but after we went to look there was no denying the quality of construction - and the price point was closer to what we were looking for. Additionally, they had over 100 fabrics to choose from and the sectional could be customized to meet our needs. AND the service from start to finish has been amazing.

So what did we go with? We chose the Radley sectional in Contessa Ivory. It’s a thick poly upholstery, feels great, and is supposed to hold up to the wear and tear of dogs and kids. Also, the construction (firmness) of the couch and pillows doesn’t even compare to what we had before. While I know we are still in the honeymoon phase with our couch, I already know it will hold up better to what we had before.

For those asking about the fabric, here is a pic of the swatch up close and personal.

I’ve been pretty open about my weight loss struggles over on the gram. Being in my mid-forties and perimenopausal I’m learning that weight loss just isn’t as simple as the traditional health world makes it. Diet culture preaches calories in and calories out - but as someone who has been trying to lose weight for more than five years (with the scale only increasing), I’ve learned that that just isn’t always true.

For me, thyroid, insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, hormones, chronic underrating, and sleep apnea (not to mention genetics) have all played a role in my body holding weight. The good news, I feel SO much better than I did two years ago - there were days where I could barely get out of bed because my fatigue was so bad. It’s taken me two years to get many of my labs in a better place. It took a year for sleep. So while I’m frustrated with the lack of weight loss, I’m realizing when things are really out of whack it takes a lot of time and effort to right the ship.

Our most recent strategy is increasing calories (I was eating anywhere from 1500-1700 a day) to 1800 and increasing protein from 90 grams daily to 135. The hope is that with my strength training (and all the other things I’ve put into place) I’ll start seeing those body comp changes.

I have struggled with disordered eating my entire life - so tracking calories has always been triggering for me. But this time around, I’m actually finding it freeing - which again is a mark of progress (which is a story for another time - progress is not always a number on the scale).

At first the protein amount was overwhelming. We - especially women - historically don’t eat enough calories or protein - so I understand why this was hard for me. But I have found several things that have helped me reach my protein and calorie goals daily - even while traveling on the road.

Protein Round-up

• Protein Powder - my favorites are Be Well in vanilla and Active Stacks in chocolate. Part of my daily shake and if I’m short at the end of the day I do a version of this (which really feels like a treat) if I need to add protein.

• Vital Proteins - this goes in my shake or coffee in the morning - just one scoop and gives me an extra 10 grams. Since it doesn’t have a taste or texture it’s an easy way to add a little bit here and there.

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Coat | I couldn’t justify a Canada Goose (if you don’t know what this is you can find it here but it’s quite the investment). After consulting with quite a few friends up North I landed on this coat and I LOVE it!

Gloves/Hat/Socks | You can find a ton of options out there but I’ve become a big fan of this brand. These kept me warm for hours (especially my toes and fingers) through hours of walking all over Manhattan in 20 degree weather.

Boots | I also asked a ton of locals which brands to consider and this one came out on top. I love this winter boot. It is comfortable, waterproof, and does great in the snow. If you are looking for something a little dressier, I also found this boot on major sale before Christmas and grabbed it up. I like this enough that I’ll probably grab another pair next year in another color when they go on super sale again.

Scarf | I’m not a huge fan of scarves, but they are a MUST in cold weather. I love this one from Target and the neutral color goes with everything.

Tips | The biggest tip is layer. I wasn’t exactly sure what this meant when every Northern friend shared this with me (like I need details) but I learned quickly. Example: Start with a long sleeve shirt, add a sweater or for me, I like a nice cardigan. Add a scarf, then your coat, hat, gloves and boots. Why this combination - because when you go into a building you most likely will remove everything but your shoes and your long sleeved shirt (and pants of course). Cold places keep things toasty inside so you can get hot quick.

Choose a longer coat - either mid thigh, to your knees, or all the way to the floor. May sound silly (for those of us that come from hotter regions) but it makes a world of difference when you are out and about in the elements.

Shop now for end of season sales (this stuff ain’t cheap) or Poshmark - where I found my Sorel boots.

A couple more of my faves|

These leggings - size up

This sweater - size down

… and this one too

oh, and I have these on my list too (for those days I just don’t want to mess up my hair in a hat).

Do you have any cold weather faves. Please do share.