The Top 5 Travel Tips You Should Know

I love traveling because it can be extremely beneficial. It can make you see things in a new way, teach you in a way that a classroom cannot, help you learn who you are, and give you some pretty neat stories to tell later. As of right now, I have been to eight countries and way too many states to list, but I am nowhere near done with my journey. Here are five things I’ve learned for making the most out of every trip.

1—Pay attention in foreign language class. Being able to communicate with someone who does not speak English is not only cool but being able to read key words on buildings or signs can help you get around so that you don’t confuse a library with a movie theatre. Another benefit of being (somewhat) bilingual is talking to the locals. Spanish has helped me meet some truly amazing people in Europe, Honduras, and the Caribbean. Knowing just two languages can go a long way.

2—Try new things. I am always down for an adventure, whether it is ziplining, swimming with turtles, or exploring a city. This year, in the Caribbean, I tried quenepas. They are a little, round, green fruit. A local lady was selling them roadside, and I gave them a shot. I am glad I did, because they are sweet, tart, and delicious! Trying new things is important because if you don’t, you will miss out on great things that are just outside of your comfort zone.

3—Take time to learn about the culture. Something I love to do is find things that are different from my Pennsylvania hometown. One of the things I have found to be very different in every country I visit is shopping. Saint Martin, where I spent two weeks this summer, has a capital called Phillipsburg. There, many street vendors sell handmade jewelry, hats, trinkets, clothes, art, shoes, and pretty much anything else imaginable. It is a lot different from my local shopping mall.

4—Make new friends, but bring the old ones along. Traveling with a friend can be an experience that helps the two of you become closer. The girl in the picture above has been one of my good friends since first grade, but the two-week trip we took this summer took our friendship to a whole new level. Traveling together, however, didn’t stop us from meeting tons of new people and making some great friends.

5—Relax. Taking some time to relax, unwind, and spend time by yourself or with your travel partner can be the best part of your vacation. Your trip is supposed to be a break away from your regular life, so designate a day or two of your vacation to simply relaxing. Get a massage on the beach, lay out by the pool, or sleep in past noon. It’s your vacation; you make the rules!

What are your favorite travel tips? Let me know in the comments!

Simple Changes I Made for a Healthy Lifestyle

My freshman year of college, I immediately joined multiple organizations, met a ton of new people, and made countless great memories. That was great while I was first adapting to college life, but I quickly realized that I was not making enough time for myself. After some self-reflection, I decided I needed to change for my second semester, and spend more of my energy focusing on myself. Here are a few simple ways that I worked on becoming my best me, inside and out.

Stretching

I love to stretch for five or 10 minutes every morning, right when I wake up. Stretching is a great way to loosen my muscles, get an extra boost of energy, and ensure that I’m ready to start my day.

Running Stairs

Treadmills are by far my least favorite way to get cardio in. I get bored running in one place and looking at the same view throughout my whole workout, so doing cardio on the stairs adds that extra flair that I need to stay motivated and get through the workout.

Staying Hydrated

Drinking water is one of the easiest ways to get healthy fast, inside and out. Water has no sugar, fat, or calories, unlike many other beverages. Ever since I started drinking a lot of water, my skin has cleared up, I have more energy in my day-to-day life, and I’ve been getting sick way less often. Water is honestly a miracle worker!

Yoga

This has recently become my latest obsession. Yoga has helped me to improve my strength, flexibility, and balance. Not only is it a great way to get in shape, but it also has positive benefits for mental health. Yoga is my favorite way to boost my concentration before a big test and is my go-to stress reliever.

Using a Fitbit

I love my Fitbit because it is a constant reminder to be healthy. It reminds me to get up and move around every hour so that I am never sitting still for too long. On top of that, it tracks so many other important things, like my sleep schedule and heart rate.

Smiling

Positivity is extremely important, not only for mental health but also in every situation in life. Even if I’m having a particularly bad day, I try to find a reason to stay positive anyway. It’s been proven that smiling, real or fake, improves your mood, and I really do find that to be true. Plus, smiles are free, and who doesn’t love free stuff?

Do you have any other simple tips to lead a healthy lifestyle? Let me know in the comments below!

Slay Today and Wear Crochet

When I saw a lot of my favorite fashion-forward celebrities, like Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid, wearing head-to-toe crochet, I knew that this trend was going to be everybody’s summer go-to. With the summer heat in full swing, these additions to your wardrobe will help you to stay cool, be comfortable, and look stylish all day long!

The transition from spring to summer gave me a solid reason to hit the mall with some of my girls. I decided to splurge on a few new staple items that I knew would be wearable in many different scenarios and locations. Whether you’re channeling your inner Sharpay Evans and lounging by the pool or taking a romantic walk on the beach with your boyfriend, you could definitely use a simple, white cover-up.

I am loving this trend because of how versatile it is. Anybody, no matter what their typical style is, can take this look and make it completely their own. My sister and I have polar opposite tastes when it comes to fashion.

Do you prefer more neutral and subdued colors, like me? Throw on a tan crochet top over a white bikini. Accessorize with a simple necklace and you’re good to go. I love wearing this top because it is super girly. The dotty fringe on the bottom adds a whole new dimension to the look.

Do you like to send out an edgier vibe, like my sister? You can’t go wrong with a classic black bikini and your favorite pair of distressed denim shorts. The black belt and purse pull the look together nicely, and from there, you can easily add a pop of color with some crochet. On her, I matched the pink details on the bikini to a long, flowy, pink cardigan to complete the look.

Crochet; Do It Your Way!

This is the beauty with crochet; the possibilities are endless! If you wake up early on your vacation to watch the sunrise, it might be a little chilly. Luckily, there is a quick and easy fix. Just throw on a crochet sweater to keep warm. Then, have your best photographer friend snap an artsy picture of you with the sun rising over the ocean waves in the background. You’ll be sure to rake in the likes.

Later in the day, when it’s 90 degrees and sunny, you can pair some super cute crochet shorts with a denim vest over your swimsuit for a girl-next-door look. Oh, and major bonus points if your denim jacket has crochet detailing that matches your shorts.

Are you as obsessed with this trend as I am? Let me know in the comments. If you wear crochet this summer, don’t forget to share a photo on social and tag @Cfashionista!