One of my first adult trips abroad was to London, England, when I was just 22 years old. I booked a single roundtrip ticket and had no intention of inviting anyone along- the goal was to find a three-star accommodation downtown and nestle inside a cozy coffee shop for a week, people watch and write.… Continue reading | A NoVa Weekend Itinerary, In The Spirit Of Friendship |
| Checked Out: August Book Review |
Confession: I haven’t read too many self-help books in my thirty-year lifetime. In the past three years, however, my personal outlook has moved from “ignorance is bliss” to “holy sh*t, who/ what/ where am I?” Things have changed quite a bit. I wake up married, blissfully bound by “till death, do us part.” When the… Continue reading | Checked Out: August Book Review |
| Checked Out: July Book Review |
As mentioned previously, one of my favorite books of all time is “The Aviator’s Wife,” by Melanie Benjamin, a historical, imaginative account of one of the world’s most well-known couples: Charles Lindbergh and Anne Morrow Lindbergh. I knew a little about Charles Lindbergh from elementary school days and my current close proximity to the Smithsonian… Continue reading | Checked Out: July Book Review |
| Putting Meaning Into The Mailbox |
Did You Know… “That according to a survey done by the post office, last year the typical home received a personal letter about every seven weeks; in 1987 it was once every two weeks. Increasingly, most of us are emailing the things we used to send through traditional mail like bills, cards, notes and invitations.”… Continue reading | Putting Meaning Into The Mailbox |
| Strolling Down Memory Lane, Past Rome, Florence, & Chianti, Italy |
Imagine this: You are embarking on a twelve-day journey to Italy with your own “famiglia” by your side. As you board the aircraft, soon departing for Rome, you smile knowing that your dream apartment in a foreign paradise awaits you. An apartment with six bedrooms, a well-appointed kitchen, and a modern, minimalistic living room dressed… Continue reading | Strolling Down Memory Lane, Past Rome, Florence, & Chianti, Italy |
| Checked Out: June Book Review |
“The Great Gatsby” is one of my all-time favorite books, so F. Scott Fitzgerald has long been a legendary name in my mind. I knew little of his character, however, and the life he led; was only well acquainted with Daisy Buchanan, Jay Gatsby, and Nick Carraway from his most acclaimed novel. So when scrolling… Continue reading | Checked Out: June Book Review |
| Checked Out: May Book Review |
I read Celeste Ng’s “All The Things I Never Told You” in 2016 and loved it: After ten years of reading nothing but Nicholas Sparks, Jodie Picoult and Luanne Rice I finally got my hands on a book that didn’t involve wholesome lovers and happy endings. I suddenly craved something a little more thematic, diverse,… Continue reading | Checked Out: May Book Review |
| Checked Out: April Book Review |
I brought “The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto” on my trip to Italy, thinking that my days would be spent in our private villa, sipping Chianti, nibbling on prosciutto and provolone roll ups while combing through this 512-page book. Mitch Albom is one of my favorite authors, so even though the weight of the hardcover… Continue reading | Checked Out: April Book Review |
| Through A Wanderer’s Eyes: Banff, Canada Spotlight |
As I prepare to pack my suitcase and embark on my upcoming trip to Italy, waves of excitement pour over me and derail all of my to-do lists. I have a one track mind at the moment: The will to roam is trumping all other aspects of my life. I cannot wait to start blogging… Continue reading | Through A Wanderer’s Eyes: Banff, Canada Spotlight |
| Checked Out: March Book Review |
My March Book Review doesn’t need a build up: I’ll come right out and say it. “The Alchemist,” by Paulo Coelho, took my breath away. While on a work trip earlier this year, I got into a “book bucket list” discussion with a friend when he asked me if I had ever read “The Alchemist.”… Continue reading | Checked Out: March Book Review |
| The Cherry On Top: Washington, DC |
My husband took me to see the cherry blossoms for the first time in 2016. In addition to the beautiful scenery, I remember the crowds, as well as his utter dismay. I took some photos of the blooms, snagged myself a funnel cake, and then I was done- It was too difficult to navigate through… Continue reading | The Cherry On Top: Washington, DC |
