Wanderings: Arthur’s Seat, Scotland

An actual Europe post?!?! WHAT?!?! Look who is being productive!! I thought this would be a great first post on our incredible Europe trip! Hiking Arthur’s Seat was one of my favorite (and most sweaty) parts of our Edinburgh stay! I would say that this should be top priority on everyone’s Edinburgh bucket list!! Also, one of my best friends, Adele, is heading to Edinburgh next week so I thought I would give her yet another thing to look forward to!! So Adele, this one’s for you! Today we will be making the trek up Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, Scotland!

Now from the bottom this thing looks like a mountain (while hiking it also feels like a mountain) but it is technically considered a hill. It is located next to Holyrood Palace, which is where the Queen stays when she comes to visit Scotland. It’s a beautiful house and you can tour it when she isn’t visiting!

You can start the trek by going left or right to get up to Arthur’s seat. Left is quicker and less of a trek. Right takes you on a bit of a wander around the base and middle of the hill (which is also scenic). Really either way you go you are in for a treat! I suggest left, because we went right first and were a bit confused on how to actually get to the top! (Side Note: If you want to click on any of the photos in the galleries below it should blow them up to normal size for you. It’s just impossible to have all of the full size pictures in one blog post. It would be insanely long! So please click away!)

I probably should have said this sooner, but I definitely suggest wearing hiking boots. The way up and the top tends to be a bit slippery, so you will definitely want some traction. I also suggest not wearing a ton of layers, even if it is 40°F. That hike up there can get a bit sweaty, trust me! I had 4 layers on and was dying.

The views while going up the hill are incredible.

You can see all of Edinburgh laid out beneath you! You can see the hill that Edinburgh castle sits on. You can hear church bells ringing off in the distance. It really is a dream and pictures just do not do it justice.

❤ My adventure partner

There are several places to sit once you are near the top. If you are really feeling fancy, try to bring a picnic basket with you and have a picnic! You’ll have the best view in the whole city!

Once at the top I suggest you just take it in. To this day sitting at the top of Arthur’s Seat is one of my fondest memories of our whole trip. Enjoy every moment.

❤ Abbie

P.S. Another huge “thank you” is in order to my husband Jackson for taking some killer shots of me. He really is the best.

So What’s the Deal with AirBnB?

AirBnb seems to be one of the newest trends in travel. If you are unfamiliar with it, let me fill you in! AirBnB is a service where you can rent nights in people’s homes, instead of staying in a hotel. The idea is genius, but is the execution as good as the thought? Today, I’m going to share our AirBnB experiences and hopefully this will help you make your decision about using this service!

Courtyard of our AirBnB in Edinburgh, Scotland.

So how does it work?

First, sign up with the site and make a personal profile. You can’t rent anything until you complete your profile. Once you’ve done that, you can choose your location, dates, and room sizes. The really cool option is that you can rent anything from a couch to an entire home. The price of the location is on the main page to make sure it’s within your budget. Once you choose your place to stay and dates, you can request to book your stay. The owner of the location will email you giving you all the information you need to know about the home and the approval to stay. You can also email back and tell them a little about you! Then you are all set!

What makes this different than staying in a hotel?

Staying with AirBnB is always a unique experience. You are literally staying with normal people (who know the location well, because they live there) and in regular houses. The stay feels more like home, in our experiences. You also will pay (9 times out of 10) less than you would for a hotel. We would find homes for rent right in the middle of big cities for almost half than a price of a hotel in the same location.

Inside our AirBnB in London, England.

What are some perks that are unique to AirBnB?

The hosts are a huge help. All of our hosts were very friendly and informative. In almost every occasion, our hosts gave us maps, pamphlets, and advice on what to see in their city! Locals know better than anyone what to see, where to eat, and how to get around! That alone, was enough to make each trip a success! You also get the perks of staying in a home. Whether you rent an entire place or just a room, you get privacy. Most places allow you to use their appliances as well. When we were staying in Cork, Ireland we needed to use a washer and dryer, and our AirBnB hosts let us use theirs! We used the kitchen when staying in Edinburgh, Scotland. You can save a lot of money by using the kitchen provided, rather than eating out! Those are just some of our favorite perks!

Free breakfast in our London stay.

Is it safe staying with people you don’t know?

We never felt unsafe at any of our AirBnB homes. While AirBnB doesn’t preform background checks on all hosts or guests, they do allow you to see past guests’ comments which can allow you to weed through the homes. Reading comments and ratings is actually one of my biggest suggestions! Guests are required to leave comments after every stay, so you really get to see what it was like! Trust me, in my searching I’ve seen stellar comments to scathing comments; at least people are honest! You can also check out the neighborhood guides on the hosts page to see what it would be like to stay where they live! Also, it’s way safer than staying in a hostel. I never felt nervous or anything about leaving our stuff (including expensive camera equipment) in our room while we weren’t there. It’s more expensive than a hostel, but you’ll feel much safer in the long run.

View from our AirBnB in Cork, Ireland.

Are there any downsides to choosing AirBnB?

The only downside we experienced was in Paris, when we rented an entire loft. Our host kept changing plans on how to get the apartment key and give the key to back after our stay. It wasn’t awful, but it was a tad inconvenient. So, I guess the only inconvenience is in the arranging of arrival and departure. However, we only had an issue at one out of the four locations we stayed.

View from our AirBnB in Paris, France.

Would I recommend AirBnB?

Absolutely. To be honest, in all of our experiences we had a fantastic stay! It was great to be able to meet new people and stay in cool places! We also saved a ton of money by choosing AirBnB. Our stays ranged from $50-$70/night, where a hotel would have cost us at least $100+/night. Overall, I would 100% recommend AirBnB!

Behind our AirBnB in Dean Villiage in Edinburgh, Scotland.

I hope this has been a helpful guide! Have a fantastic day!

❤ Abbie

That’s Fall Folks!

These punny titles are becoming harder and harder to come up with! I hope y’all are having a lovely Friday! Today I’ll be sharing one of my favorite fall looks! I had so much fun setting up this mini shoot, because let’s be honest, who doesn’t love fall? You get to mix leather and suede, plaid is everywhere and hats are all the rage. It’s literally the best time of year. So let’s enjoy this cozy picnic-inspired Fashion Friday!

First things first, I’m dying over this lipstick. It’s currently my favorite shade I own! It’s called “Verve” by Mac. Their matte lipsticks are amazing! I’m also really into statement necklaces lately. They really can spice up an outfit! Mine was given to me by my wonderful Mother-in-Law! I just love it!!

I was going for a boho-chic look. I love the long vest over a chambray button down. The vest is from Aerie. I’m also loving my burnt orange hat from American Eagle. It seems like the perfect shade for fall!

I wore my new chukka boots to kinda make this look more outdoorsy. With some cute booties you could easily dress this outfit up for a date night. My chukka boots are off Amazon by a company called Sebago. You will definitely be seeing more of these boots!

Here’s my little picnic basket! It broke while I was taking the picture…  wahh waahh.

Jackson got this mug from a Poler pop-up shop while we were in New York on our honeymoon. It’s the perfect little tin cup! Definitely check out their other stuff too, it’s super adorable and perfect for the outdoors! You can find them at http://www.polerstuff.com

I seriously loved doing this mini fall shoot. I wish I were able to do shoots like this more often! I hope you enjoyed it and get to go on a little fall adventure of your own!

❤ Abbie

Wandering Wednesday: Jekyll Island

One of my favorite things to do is to take a little more time on a road trip. That might sound counterproductive, but I find that when we take some extra time it leads to exploring. So that extra hour of time that we gained by leaving early can be useful for stopping at a cute restaurant or checking out a cool park! Some of my favorite places were found by just driving by and deciding to stop! For example, when we found this insanely beautiful little park in the middle of nowhere in Georgia! Happy accident!

Today, I’m going to share with you another place we decided to just wander around, Jekyll Island! You can find this adorable little island off the coast of Georgia. You drive down this seven mile strip of road with beautiful swamp areas surrounding you. There are signs warning of sea turtle crossing as you journey along. You do have to pay $5 to get onto the island, but it is well worth the money. As you get onto the island we were pleasantly surprised to find an adorable little community. Tons of cute houses and small hotels dot the tree-covered island. There are many different places to see, and I hope in the future I can do a more thorough post on this adorable little place.

We mostly stopped for the famous driftwood beach. After a little bit of driving around, we finally found the beach. You have to pull off to the side of the road and walk through the woods a little, but on the other side is an incredible sight.

Hundreds of huge pieces of driftwood are embedded into the Georgia shore. Some of these pieces are at least 10 feet tall.

The driftwood stands like pieces of art. It is a beautiful sight.

I wish we could have stayed longer and enjoyed the view. We plan to someday travel back when we have more time and can explore the island even more! However, this just goes to show that wandering can often lead to something beautiful!

Hope you have a dreamy Wednesday! Go wander!

❤

Abbie

Wandering Wednesday: Myrtle Beach

Well y’all, I’m back from a much-needed vacation. I got the pleasure of spending five days exploring and relaxing on the beautiful South Carolina coast! Last September (on my birthday to be exact) my Dad retired from the Sandusky Fire Department! As his retirement gift he wanted to get our family back to Myrtle Beach where we had vacationed something like 8 years prior. So, that’s exactly what we did! Today, I’m going to share with you some of the fun things to do in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina!

 It’s a beach, so obviously relaxation is key. The really cool thing about M.B. is that it’s on the Pacific Ocean, so there are almost constant waves that are perfect for boogie boarding. And those waves wash up a lot of cool stuff too, like seashells and shark teeth! The amount of shark teeth you can find just walking to the pier is crazy. My dad found 28 teeth in less than a mile walk! Fun fact! Did you know most shark teeth that are found are black because they have been buried in the sand and start to soak up the minerals found there? And most are super old so they are more like fossils than actual teeth!

If you are tired of chilling and you want some fun stuff to do, you can walk down Ocean Blvd. and you will pass tons of things to do. Whether it’s riding the huge ferris wheel, talking a stroll down the pier, or eating some yummy food, you are sure to have a good time! I suggest getting these delicious smoothies made inside a pineapple! You can find them at Le Cupcake Cafe on N Ocean Blvd. So yummy. 

Putt-Putt is a family tradition at Myrtle Beach! We stopped and played a game at Captain Hook’s Adventure Golf! Very cool place! I mean how often do you get to play putt-putt inside of a skull cave?!

 

And if being on the ground is just not thrilling enough we highly recommend taking a trip by helicopter! You’ll see signs all over Myrtle Beach advertising for Helicopter Adventures (although the signs say $20 it’s more like $40) taking you on a tour of M.B. We hopped in a helicopter and got to see some pretty amazing sights! It is a bit pricey, but really, how often are you going to get that kind of an opportunity?

You should also check out the Fun Plaza Arcade! I only have one word, skeeball. You’re welcome, earth!

Lastly, Myrtle Beach is a great place to propose! Yes, you read that right! I would not be able to write this post without at least commenting on one of the most exciting moments of our trip! My brother Michael finally proposed to his amazing girlfriend (now fiance, obvi) Paige! I’m so crazy excited for these two and we feel so honored to be a part of that special day!! Love you both!!

As you can see Myrtle Beach is full of fun things to do, but it’s also the perfect place to relax! I hope one day you get to make the trip!

❤ Abbie

And one more thing…

Congratulations Dad! We are so proud of your hard work as a fireman all these years!! In a world that finds it hard to thank people like fireman and police officers, we sure do appreciate the sacrifices and the times you put your life on the line for others!! Love you!!

Shaaawl-Right, It’s Fashion Friday!

Feliz Fashion Friday my friends! Last month Jackson and I traveled up to Louisiana to see his sister Julia graduate. Well, on the way home we got to stop for the night in Pensacola. We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to hit some historical sites the next morning, so stay tuned to see more about this super cool fort and lighthouse we visited! You are going to get to see a sneak preview today because Jackson took some pictures of me for today’s Fashion Friday while we were there! This outfit has quickly become a favorite of mine, so I’m excited to share it with you!

I got this adorable shawl from Aerie! It’s very lightweight and perfect for hot Florida days! I belted it with my favorite bow belt from New York and Company. It’s amazing what a belt can do for an outfit! Nothing like a good belt to give you your shape back!

I paired the shawl back to some medium-wash jeans and some brown sandals! I love the unevenness of the vertical stripe pattern in the shawl. Vertical stripes are almost always more flattering than horizontal. It’s all about elongating and not widening!

 You also can’t really tell from these pictures, but I didn’t belt the shawl all the way around. I belted the front and around the inside of the shawl so that the back just hangs straight. It becomes more cape-like. I really enjoy this outfit and I hope it gave you a little inspiration! Thank you to my sweet husband for totally rocking it with the pictures and giving this post the punny title! Have a happy Friday y’all!

❤ Abbie

Wandering Wednesday: Brooklyn, NY

Happy Wandering Wednesday y’all! I’m excited to be sharing part two of our honeymoon trip to New York today. I shared part one awhile back and I’m finally getting around to the second half! Today we will be wandering around Brooklyn and Coney Island!

When we went to NY I really wanted to venture over to Brooklyn. I had heard of a lot of things about the Brooklyn Flea, Smorgasburg, and Williamsburg so we made it a point on our to-do list! Also, what would be a New York trip without seeing the Brooklyn Bridge? So first thing we are going to visit is the Brooklyn Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge Park!

 

And all I can say is ‘What a view!’ We honestly could have sat at the park all day and just watched the city from across the river. So beautiful!

Next stop is Smorgasburg in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn. Williamsburg is basically hipster central. And Smorgasburg is a huge food truck and food stand festival that happens on Saturdays. It is so stinking cool. There are tons of vendor set up in the park and you can get everything from fish and chips, to crazy Mexican dishes! I got the Cemita and it was phenomenal! Smorgasburg is a definite must-do if you go to Brooklyn!

While you’re there check out all the awesome street art! It’s everywhere! You could make a day out of walking around and finding cool murals and paintings! The above were some of our favorites!

Next, we went on over to Coney Island! It’s one of those places that you have to see just because it’s so historical! It’s incredible to walk on the boardwalk by all the rides and think about when it was booming in it’s heyday! You almost expect it to be like it was back in the 1920s, but I assure you it’s not the same any longer. Times have changed, but it’s important to remember the historical significance to places like this!

And you have to check out the original Nathan’s Hot Dogs while you’re there; it’s another classic! Well, this is it for our trip to Brooklyn and Coney Island! Maybe someday you can make the trip! I’m going to leave you with my favorite mural in Brooklyn!

❤ Abbie and Audrey

Wandering Wednesday: St. Petersburg, Fl

Happy Wandering Wednesday everyone! Today we are going to take a nice trip to beautiful St. Petersburg, Fl! There’s no snow here, just a nice cool breeze and sunshine! So let’s get exploring!

St. Pete is a beautiful ocean-side city with a blossoming arts district! There are murals all over the city and it makes for a fun time to just walk around and see how many you can spot!

There are also lots of yummy places to eat and it gets a little hard to choose where to go! Today my bff Grace and I decided to eat at King’s Street Food Counter.

This place is amazing with its adorable diner inside and a cool lounge area outside!

And the food is delicious!! King’s is known for their hot dogs and grilled cheeses! Grace got the Sleepy Dog which is maple apple chicken sausage, bacon, sunny-side up egg, and american cheese goodness!

I got the Pear-fect Grilled Cheese which is made up of gorgonzola, pear, carmelized onions, and bacon! They were both incredible. King’s should definitely be your first stop on the St. Pete food list!

Make sure you stop and check out some of the adorable little boutiques and shops! Art Pool is one of our faves! It’s a cute vintage clothes and homemade goods shop!

They also have a phenomenal record collection!

You should also check out Plain Jane, an adorable clothing boutique! They are sure to have lots of cute little trinkets to take home!

Finally, no trip to St. Pete would be complete without checking out the awesome Dali Museum! It showcases the incredible artwork of Salvador Dali! It’s a definite must-see!

Hope you get to check out St. Petersburg, FL sometime soon!! It’s a fantastic day trip!

❤ Abbie

Wandering Wednesday: Memphis, TN

Hello my wanderers! Hope your Wednesday is going swimmingly! Today we are going to take a trip to the south and visit good ‘ole Memphis, TN. I actually grew up in a suburb of Memphis, so it’s always a pleasure to talk about a place I once called home. Today we are going to focus on classic and historical locations in downtown Memphis. Let’s get wandering!

The first place you have to see is the Peabody Hotel. Not only is this place famous for being incredibly beautiful, but it also has some fun quirks that make it totally unforgettable!

For example, have you ever seen ducks treated like royalty? If you go to the Peabody, you will! Every day at 11am and 5pm the Peabody ducks march their way from the elevator onto a red carpet and into the lobby fountain to swim around for a bit. Yes, you read that correctly. The Peabody duck march has been a tradition for over 90 years! If you’re lucky enough you can even take part in the duck march ceremony! It’s a Memphis tradition and a must-see event!

Another classic Memphis hot-spot is The Arcade Restaurant. It is Memphis’ oldest cafe and has been around since 1919! I highly suggest getting there for breakfast because it is phenomenal!

Next, hop on one of the many trolleys and take a riding tour around the city! The trolleys are something that really makes Memphis it’s own and they travel all around downtown!

You might pass by the Orpheum Theater on the trolley. If you do, try to stop and take a peek inside. The Orpheum was built in 1890 and was called the classiest theater of it’s time (outside of New York, of course). If you ever get the opportunity to see a show or a concert in the Orpheum don’t miss out! The beauty of the theater alone is enough to make it worth it!

The last place I’ll talk about today is Dyer’s Burgers. This diner is absolutely adorable and did I mention delicious! Their burgers are incredible and, like any good diner, their milkshakes and root beer floats are where it’s at. It’s located on the world famous Beale St. so you can’t miss it!

Memphis is a really fun city and it’s growing rapidly. The art and foodie communities are really starting to make an impact in the midtown area, but that is a topic for another Wandering Wednesday!! So keep posted and go enjoy some classic Memphis locations!

❤ Abbie

Wandering Wednesday: Oxford Exchange, Tampa, FL

Happy Wandering Wednesday y’all!! Sorry that it has been forever and a day since I’ve posted anything, but I have been working a lot. The Holiday season is always crazy for us retail workers!! So today’s post is going to be super chill and we are going to visit the coolest restaurant/ bookstore/ coffee shop that I have been to! Enter Oxford Exchange! This beautiful place is in downtown Tampa, FL across from the stunning University of Tampa (which we will wander at a later date). So let’s get started!

Oxford Exchange is in the building that used to be the stables for the old Tampa Bay Hotel (which is now University of Tampa). The building itself was built in 1891, but it didn’t become Oxford Exchange until 2012. The owner of O.E. got inspiration for the restaurant/ bookstore/ coffee shop when touring around England! After falling in love with the architecture and design of many of England’s famous buildings, he traveled back to dear old Tampa, and created a place that looks like it should be in England!

When you walk in you are immediately immersed in beautiful black and white checkered floors and dark bookshelves lined with books! There’s a long hallway that leads to the coffee shop and seating areas. O.E. proudly serves Buddy Brew coffee and amazing teas!

After you enter the coffee shop area, you can pass through a doorway into a little shop with gifts like adorable handmade necklaces and beautiful serving plates!

You enter the restaurant through the gift shop. They have two dining areas, one is surrounded by painted brick walls and the other is in a courtyard with a beautiful glass ceiling! I definitely suggest you eat at O.E! Some of our favorite dishes include the Black and Bleu Burger (or any burger for that matter), the O.E. Grilled Cheese (pear and bacon jam, need I say more?), and the Chicken Burger! I also suggest getting tea to go along with your meal! The menu does change up often and their brunch is phenomenal if you ever go at that time!

If you ever get the chance to visit Tampa, I highly suggest you add Oxford Exchange to the top of your “places to eat” list! You will never be disappointed!! Happy Wandering Wednesday everyone!!

Ps. It also helps if you take someone handsome with you. 🙂