“Goodbye! So long! Bon Voyage! Don’t forget to write!”

I am beyond excited to be working with Princess Cruises and sailing in the Western Caribbean this week. I can’t wait to report back to you on all of my adventures! Princess promises that when you cruise with them, you “Come Back New” and I am really looking forward to it.

THINGS I LOVE:

This fan is the fan to end all fan purchases. It blows air so powerfully that it feels like air conditioning. We have a couple of them strategically placed in the house and with them, we manage to get along without air conditioning for all but the most dreadfully hot days.

This bag. I don’t want to travel without this thing. It has a little pocket that slides down over the handle of my carry-on roller bag. It makes navigating airports infinitely easier and holds an incredible amount in it. I cannot believe what I can fit into this bag and it still fits under the seat in front of me.

These swimsuit separates. I don’t know about anyone else, but I honestly despise most swimsuits. I dislike bikinis because that’s just too much skin for me to show, but I equally despise one pieces because I always have to hike up or tug down and I still feel exposed. On the other hand, these board shorts are still cute, sporty, and don’t flash too much skin. And these tops? I can cover as much as I want between the top and the rash guard shirt that keeps this pale girl from getting burnt to a crisp.

This ice cream scoop is the Cadillac of ice cream scoops. It’s got heft and a tip that will cut into even the hardest-frozen ice cream. This means that I don’t have to wait for ice cream to soften to get my ice cream fix. Plus, it is quite literally guaranteed for life. If it gets dinged, doesn’t work, breaks in two, they replace it completely. In my book, that makes it worth every penny.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE BLOG and WHAT LOOKS TASTY:

Have you seen this Lady Grey Infused Vodka and Lady Greyhound Cocktail? Lady Grey infused vodka, fresh grapefruit juice, sage, and a little honey combine for this bright and sunny, ultra refreshing twist on a classic greyhound.

If you haven’t tried this Slow-Cooker Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa yet, you’re missing out; this Mexican Barbecue Shredded Beef is garlicky, tender, shredded beef braised low and slow in a spicy, smoky, flavourful barbecue sauce for flavourful, versatile meals!

FUN DISCOVERY OF THE WEEK:

I’ve mentioned that my 18 year old and his best friend (my god son) are travelling through the UK and Europe for the next 6 weeks. I’d love it if you would follow along on both of his instagram accounts. His personal one is @aidanlindamood and his business one is @aidanlindamoodphoto. He is posting occasional travelogues on Instagram stories! That way we can connect and you can tell me I’m doing a great job not panicking. Ahem.

BOOKS ON MY NIGHTSTAND:

A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy O’Toole. What a read! This was recommended to me by my friend, Elise Bauer, and boy am I glad she insisted I read it. The story itself makes it hard to put down; it’s a tale of a man who is allergic to work, deep thought, thinking of others, and basically anything involving effort to benefit anyone but himself. It’s been described as a modern Don Quixote where Don Quixote really isn’t likeable.

Somehow, though, Mr. O’Tool managed to create a character who -while repulsive- keeps me laughing hysterically. The backstory of how the Pulitzer Prize winning novel got published is every bit as fascinating a the story itself and lends a poignancy to it. In short, READ THIS!

BRAIN FOOD QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”

– Ibn Battuta

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