 Did that picture scare you? Hello, How goes it? October is almost over (insert scream here!) And while it almost feels sacrilegious to even think about Christmas, I am planning out my seasonal shopping and travel this week. I’ve already begun a gift list, started shopping & now its time to decide if we head to the snow or the tropics for the break.  But the holidays aren't all about shopping, there is food to consider too. I have even been researching some festive vegan desert recipes to try!  In my defense, because I know you’re all reading this post in absolute horror right now, it all started with trying to plan a holiday get away. I know, I should already have the shit locked down. To make it even worse, I have friends planning their 2020 holidays, asking me to rsvp to galas and crap, (damn overachievers!) Meanwhile I'm having trouble planning/committing to dinner tonight. Work has been good lately, but its left me too busy to even leaf through the many vacation advertisements I receive. So lets get planning now, because better late than never.  According to CNN (As of last November) the 15 the best places to have a Christmas break are:
 11. Salzburg, Austria - Love Austria and never get to spend enough time there. 12. Santa Claus, Indiana - How is it I've never been? 13. Strasbourg, France - Okay, we all know I will pick France. 14. Queenstown, New Zealand - On my list to visit soon. 15. Valkenburg, The Netherlands - Love the Netherlands, so a holiday visit would be cool. What do you think? What is your favorite holiday destination? Are you escaping the cold for a tropical vacation? I enjoy that myself - some years we have gone sailing to the tropics and others we have searched out the Christmas markets in Europe. Still not sure what direction we will go. I'd love to hear your suggestions  (Santa Fe, New Mexico) Then a again, we may stay closer to home this year...
 Used books are often treasures that are out-of-print or rare. Hi, So I am off my "book fast" and currently building my TBR stack. I enjoy spending time browsing online and in person at used bookstore because you never know what you will stumble upon. Some authors might argue that books shouldn’t be sold in this manner since they don’t earn royalties on used books. I understand that, but as is the case with libraries, used book stores are a great place to discover authors and their work and add to your collection. If you are like me, once I find an author I like I usually purchase the entire catalogue.  Ignore the stickers...  Today's treasure were:
Another reason I'm drawn to used books is they offer a sense of their personal history. “To Jim, with love, Margret” makes me wonder about Jim and Margret and about their connection to the book. How did the book find it's way here? How many hands did it pass through? I rarely see a book with lots of highlighting and comments in the margins. Most often they maybe a bit worn from repeated reading, but I actually take that as a positive sign. So other than book shopping it was a normal day of work and usual errands. I plan on taking next weekend off to read and finish the details of my upcoming December trip.  I admit I love travel planning! After much research I have narrowed it down to two lovely guests houses for my next trip. This weekend I plan on booking one as I map out the rest of the adventure. This jaunt has a lot of moving pieces as I have a multiple state expeditions planned and have to schedule in work around sightseeing. I know by December I will be ready for some warm weather, but I'm happy now to pull out the boots and jackets.  Overall I'm enjoying the cooler weather this week. How about you? The fall weather is so nice! I dug out warmer leggings and last years boots earlier in the month and was pleased to see the boots are now a bit big on my legs. #ThankYouYoga While I'm still not where I want to be, the scales has finally started tipping in the right direction. Plus I feel so much better as well. Between yoga, walking more and eating better I feel much more like myself again. Now I'm ready to go adventure! Just as I was ending this entry, the post arrived with MORE BOOKS!  I purchased these online from Thrift Books and they are in excellent condition.  So excited to dive in!  Warm reading "nest" is calling... See you at the airport (or a used book store)~  Yes, it's VEGAN leather! Hi there lovely reader, How are you? Are you as excited about winter travel as I am? Probably or you wouldn't be here. Until I can hop on the next train, plane or boat I'm at home working away to pay for all those upcoming adventures. So being I haven't done one of these "whats in my bag" posts in a long time I thought I would overshare with you today. (I did a What's in "My Shopping Bag" in 2016. If you want to go back down memory lane.) I actually changed out my trusty black bag for a more "fall vibe" this week. What do you think? It's a vegan leather bag from Vince Camuto I received from FFF. (I think it was in the autumn box, which I don't think I've even reviewed yet? ) Opps! I really like this vegan leather bag. I find it roomy, without being bulky. One downside is that it doesn't have a snap. A snap would make it perfect.   Pretty. no?  See? It needs a snap.  So how much stuff do you pack into your work bag? I usually have files or notes, depending on what meeting I'm going to or what I'm doing that day. Other than that I try to keep my load to a minimum.  So of course I have my Mac and art supplies....  But also a lot more...  I carry cords, a charger and ear buds. You probably do the same.  Plus external hard drive, a hair clip, pens, lipstick, lip balm, a mala and a tigers eye bracelet. The jewelry is for when I need to look more put together. They match most of what I wear day-to-day and can dress up my outfit if I suddenly have a meeting that requires me to look more professional. Same goes for the lipstick. The jewelry is from www.Serenityreikiclinic.com as are the small bags. I use them to corral the small items.  I also carry a sketchpad and copic pens and assorted pencils.  So I can make art anytime!  Everyone usually asks about the earbuds...  Wireless is soooo nice! So thats currently all that's in my work bag. Half the time I don't even bother with carrying a purse. I just add my wallet and keys to this bag and off I go.
So tell me, what 'must have' essential am I missing? Or what is the one thing you can't live without in your bag? I'd love to here. Until then~  What's your Halloween Name? I'm Magical Candy Web (two part last name for the win!)
Let's hear yours! Enjoy your day-  One of the greatest challenges for a global wanders is finding community. There are times when I personally crave being alone and everything solitude offers and other times when I want a connection. I find connecting with other people can be difficult because not everyone understands my life. Finding kindred spirits takes more effort and usually isn’t the person living next door. The more I travel, the more I learn, the more I find my personal culture changes. Which is great, because part of the reason I wander is to keep growing and learning, but it also makes it difficult to relate to other people. Do you find this to be true as well? All I can say is thank goodness for the large, online community of other wanders! Now you can find your tribe and stay connected even as you wander further a field.  Meanwhile closer to home- Last week I missed a memorial service for a good friend. I was across the country and probably could have made a better plan to attend, but I didn’t. I so dislike these services. To me they are not a celebration of persons life, but a heart wrenching reminder of all that was left unsaid and undone. While I understand this is a type of closure some people need, my mourning is a private affair. I will be attending a personal service with her other friends next year. (We are scattered all over the globe and need time to organize everyones schedule.) No matter how long it has been since we have come together, we will be united by her memory. Just the act of sharing a meal with former colleagues and co-workers from our mutual past reinforces our personal connection. Stories will be told, memories shared. Hopefully there will be more laughter than tears, but I know both are therapeutic.  But I dislike the fact it takes a funeral to bring us together. How do you build a community while you wander? Do you have these same issues or is it just me? Leave me a comment and let’s discuss it further.
See you at the airport~  How are you? It's a chilly 42' this afternoon in overcast New Mexico. (I love it!) And because I have a MEGA amount of traveling coming up I am out walking around trying to do anything but work, lol. So behold the beauty of a chilly afternoon walk...  Its cold, but still nice to be outside.   40 layers of clothes, lol  Layers of socks too! More videos soon, I may even finally post the Iceland videos. Better late, than never.
Catch you later~  So simple, so elegant and so TRUE. If traveling is important to you, then stop buying goofy shit you really don't need and start saving money.  Start planning your next trip today! Believe it or not, if you get serious about a goal and start a budget you can save enough to travel. It may take awhile, but so what? The results will be so worth it!
See you at the airport~  Hello fellow rebels ~ Are you as tired of work as I am? AGGH! I'm ready for a loooong vacation. I know when I get stressed at work I cannot create or do much of anything. It seems I'm spending more time doing paperwork or sitting in meetings lately than actually working...sigh. So what to do? I find doodling really eases my mind and lets the tension flow out. While I'm making phone calls or when I need to just take a break from EVERYTHING - I draw. I do color some of my random drawings, but I think just the act of free drawing really helps the mind settle down and relax.  Don't judge me by my doodles...  Everything we draw doesn't have to be a masterpiece. Some times just the act of doodling will really clear your mind and release tension.  Also the colors you choose can tell a great deal about your mood.  The main idea is to have fun! Remember when you were a child and you drew and colored? We did those things for no reason other than to have fun. No pressure or stress - just fun.  And yes I have one blue eye and one green eye. Some days it is more noticeable than others. But enough about my eyes...I actually did accomplish a lot today & I think taking a break to color and doodle really helped. I've been using this trick for about three years now and it really surprises me how easy it is. What do you do to beat stress and relax? Share your ideas below..
Catch you later~ |
Author Welcome to my (I'm excited to travel again) blog, my healthy Vegan lifestyle blog and my life! It's a lot, but it's my passions and I just love to write about it. Visit the "About Me Page" to learn more. 
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