Behind the Curtain: July 2016

I’ve come to look forward to these monthly posts about what I’m into beyond travel because there’s so much more to my life than where I go, despite the fact that it’s something I love. It’s funny how many people respond with their obsessions or agree with mine! As with last month, I’m sharing the things I’m obsessed with at the moment. Thanks for following along! Be sure to share what you’re loving this month below!

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Reading

I haven’t read as much as I would have liked to this month, but for cheap reads that are actually good, sign up for the daily deal emails through Goodreads. I found Where’d You Go, Bernadette for only $2. I’ve also found the inexpensive books in Amazon’s daily deals store as well as a site I was just introduced to: BookBub.

Thanks to my pal Liza for the recommendation! Now I’d better get started reading! To see what else I’m reading, check out my Goodreads Profile here.

Listening

There’s a new season of Undisclosed, one of my favorite podcasts, out now, joined by actor Jon Cryer. This season’s case is one that literally hits close to home, as the crime took place near where my grandparents live in Rome, Georgia. After the first episode, I didn’t get sucked in as quickly as I did in the Adnan Sayed case, but I think that will change as future episodes go on. The addendum episode answered questions I had about certain details, specifically if a crime took place at all. I can’t wait to hear what happens next!

Watching

I am not ashamed to admit that my current binge show is Gossip Girl. I watched the first two seasons when it was on but then gave up on it. It went on for much longer afterwards and it’s interesting to see the plot twists and character developments from people you didn’t like at first but grew on you. I’m taking a break from my usual fantasy genre for a little trashy goodness.

Loving

This category is becoming my favorite! In this month’s products, let’s start with Bohemian Pants. I lusted over a pair of harem/hippie pants for my entire time in Southeast Asia and kept waiting until later to buy them but waited too long. I left without a pair and regretted it. So when the folks at Bohemian Pants asked me to try out a pair, I didn’t hesitate. They made for the ideal uniform at a recent music festival!

I’ve also invested in some essentials to make my travels and lifestyle easier on my skin. One such is the travel-sized Vafee essential oil diffuser. Not only is it great for lavender and great-smelling oils, but also acts as a dehumidifier for my sensitive skin. It doesn’t hurt that it creates white noise and takes up hardly any room. This item will now be packed on every trip!

And lastly, I’ve just now gotten into a skincare routine after almost three decades. Washing your face daily is important, people! I got to try out a few products from Arbonne through one of my travel pals. While I can’t use all of the products thanks to my eczema-prone skin, I think I’ve fallen for the eye cream. I have permanent dark circles under my eyes through heredity, but their RE9 Corrective Eye Creme seems to be repairing them. Just a few touches twice a day.

Okay, one more: my sister bought me a kangaroo onesie for my birthday!

Working

The past month has been a lot of playing catch-up, but I’m excited that I got to see my hard work firsthand with the latest issue of The Knot’s Georgia print magazine. Grab a copy if you’re a bride-to-be in my home state! I’ve continued work on Her Packing List as well as guest posts for some of my favorite blogs and new pitches.

And to sharpen my craft, I’ve been working my way through the Travel Writing for Bloggers course through Travel Blog Success (included with the main course!). It includes homework, which gives me the chance to have fellow writers critique my work, something I’ve needed for a while. See what else I’m working on via my Contently profile.

Traveling

My time in Georgia hasn’t slowed me down at all, starting with a trip to LaGrange and Columbus in southwestern Georgia. I finally made it to landmarks I never saw on childhood field trips to Warm Springs and Pasaquan. The next weekend I got to spend my first birthday in nearly a decade not working 12 hours by heading to Dahlonega in Georgia wine country for a weekend with my nearest and dearest.

Not long after, I went to Birmingham, Alabama for Sloss Fest, a music and arts festival, and to see the city. More on that soon as well! Next up is a full week in Las Vegas and another in New York for trade shows. Wish me luck!