Can you pack everything into a carry-on? ✈️
That’s always been our family’s standard practice when we travel. Trust me, you don’t need nearly as much as you think.
The first time we went to Europe, we were gone for 26 days (14 of them in Italy), and I never once missed having a large suitcase. The key is building a simple capsule wardrobe, packing smart, and leaving a little extra room for shopping. 😉
Here’s what I typically pack in my carry-on for summer travel: (btw, I have the free Italy-Packing-Checklist printable up on the blog.)
• 1–3 dresses
• 2 t-shirts
• 2 tank tops
• 1 button-up shirt
• 1 long linen shirt (doubles as a beach cover-up)
• 1–2 pairs of shorts
• 1–2 skirts
• 1 pair of lightweight or linen pants
• 1 pair of walking shoes
• 1 pair of walking sandals
• 5–6 days of undergarments
• 1–2 swimsuits
• 1 lightweight sweater or jacket
• Pajamas
• Scarves (perfect for tying back your hair, adding an extra layer, or covering shoulders for churches)
• Packable hat
• Toiletries
• Laundry sheets (for sink laundry on longer trips)
Everything above fits in my carry-on. We also each bring a backpack with our flight essentials like headphones, chargers, snacks, medications, and anything we want easy access to on the plane.
If you’d like my full packing checklist, I have a free printable over on Staying Blonde.
Do you travel with a carry-on only, or are you team checked bag? 👇
#carryononly #traveltips #packingtips #europetravel #amalficoast
May 30
Would you stick your IPhone in the ocean?
I learned that my iPhone 14 is supposed to be water resistant. I recently lost it for about 15 minutes in the ocean in Maui and, believe it or not, it still worked fine. I figured that it should be fine capturing some fish for about 15 seconds in Cozumel . 🐠 #iphone14promax #coolfacts #wouldyoudoit #clearwater #cozumel
May 30
If you’re planning a trip to Italy with kids or teens, this 2-week itinerary worked so well for our family.
Here’s our exact two week itinerary:
📍 3 nights in Venice- Getting lost in the canals, riding vaporetto boats, eating way too much gelato, and soaking up all the magical vibes.
📍 3 nights in Cinque Terre- Colorful villages, beach time, pesto pasta, cliffside views, and slow Italian summer days.
📍 Quick stop in Pisa- Just enough time for the obligatory leaning tower photos and a little exploring before heading south.
📍 4 nights in Rome- Ancient history, late-night pasta, Trevi Fountain wishes, Vatican City, and approximately 47 gelato stops.
📍 4 nights on the Amalfi Coast- The perfect ending. Beaches, a day trip to Pompeii, boat days, and lemon everything.
It was the perfect first Italy trip as a family. Busy enough to see so much, but slow enough to actually enjoy it.
Save this itinerary. I also, the entire itinerary, including links to where we stayed, and what we did is all on the blog. Link in my bio.
#italytravel #italyitinerary #familytravel #europeansummer #italysummer
May 28
Did you know the little fountains, or Nasoni , scattered all over the streets of Rome, and honestly throughout much of Italy, are flowing with clean, safe, ice-cold, drinking water?
Even cooler? Many of them are still fed by aqueduct systems originally built by the Romans over 2,000 years ago.
And yes… you really do just stop and drink from them while walking by. ❤️
Would you drink it? Also, is it that obvious that I have a European summer on my mind?
#rome #italytravel #europeansummer #traveltips #coolfacts
May 27
Is it really a toxic trait though… or just a life goal?
#europeansummer #toxictrait #italysummer #goals
May 26
Fun fact: probably all of my bulldog knowledge came from this dog on Tom & Jerry. 😂
No one warned me about that Bulldog puppies are SO vocal… especially when they don’t get what they want. 😵💫
Poor little guy is definitely not a fan of the kennel, but for now he has to mostly stay in there until his drainage tubes and stitches come out. The second he’s free, the puppy energy kicks in and he’s ready to run, jump, and play like nothing ever happened.
I’m starting to get worried about just how much energy this little puppy might have once he’s fully healed. 😳 #bulldogpuppy #englishbulldog #englishbulldogpuppy #funny #rescuepuppy
May 25
Did you know sargassum is usually at its worst in the Riviera Maya from May through October?
If you’re visiting during seaweed season and dreaming of those crystal-clear Caribbean waters, here’s your sign to take a day trip to Cozumel. It’s one of the easiest (and prettiest) escapes from the sargassum.
Just hop on the 35-minute ferry from Playa del Carmen, grab a taxi to Playa Corona or one of the west coast beach clubs, and enjoy calm, clear turquoise water all day long.
Honestly, it felt like a completely different world compared to the seaweed-covered beaches on the mainland.
I have all the details, tips, and ferry info over on Staying Blonde. #mexicotravel #rivieramaya #sargassum #seaweed #cozumelmexico
May 25
Too many emotions to unpack right now. My oldest graduates in just under two weeks and I am not ok. 😂😩
#momlifebelike #momlife #senior #gradution #momhumor
May 22
Wanted to give a little update on Spud. First of all, thank you so much to everyone who has reached out and shown love and support to this little guy. He wishes you all plenty of belly scratches and bones. ❤️
He’s home now and recovering. He currently has drainage tubes that need to be changed every 6–8 hours, which is especially “fun” considering I either get lightheaded, nauseous, or completely pass out at the sight of blood. 😅 Thank goodness Tom has stepped in to handle that job.
Spud is also on a lot of medications and antibiotics right now, which are keeping him pretty sedated until he can get the drainage tubes and sutures removed.
We did get a bit of good news though. During the pre-scan before surgery, they determined it was not a hernia, but instead an abscess that started in the bruising and swelling from the impact. They sent out a culture to learn more about the infection, so we’re continuing to hope for more good news. It’s hard not knowing what kind of condition Spud was in before we found him, so we’re all learning as we go.
Even all drugged up, he is still the sweetest little guy ever. Thank you again for all the support, messages, and kindness. ❤️
I promise I’ll share more videos soon. I’m just running very low on sleep and feeling behind on literally everything at the moment. #englishbulldogpuppy #puppy #puppystory #update #thankyou
May 22
We need all the good vibes we can get for this little guy today. ❤️ Spud is headed into surgery after his hernia got even bigger overnight. 😬
This puppy has been one curveball after another since being thrown from that Jeep, but he’s still the sweetest little guy and we’re doing everything we can to help him heal.
A few people suggested setting up a GoFundMe to help with the medical bills related to the incident, and I think I finally figured it out. The link is in my bio if you’d like to help. Again, no pressure.
Also accepting prayers, positive thoughts… and possibly torches and pitchforks if anyone wants to help me track down whoever did this. #englishbulldogpuppy #puppy #puppylove #update
May 21
If you saw my story, you know we ended up in the emergency room last night, so I wanted to give a quick update.
I really thought we were going to get lucky with his injuries… but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.
At this point, I’d really love to track down the person in the Jeep and hand them this vet bill. Maybe a little jail time too while we’re at it.
Seriously though… some people just suck.
Thankfully, he’s being taken care of and getting lots of extra love right now. ❤️ #puppy #storytime #update #englishbulldogpuppy #emergencyroom
May 20
Mentally, I’m here today and desperately trying not to think about the puppy in surgery. 😬
Did you know that the beaches on the west side of Cozumel usually stay crystal clear like this, even when Playa del Carmen and much of Riviera Maya is covered in seaweed.
While in Mexico, Amy and I hopped on the ferry for a little escape and spent the most relaxing beach day at @playacoronacozumel during our recent Riviera Maya trip… and honestly, it was exactly what we needed.
If you’re headed to Riviera Maya and the beaches are covered in seaweed, this is such a great little getaway for a crystal clear beach day. I shared all the details on how to get there, what ferry to take, and where to go over on Staying Blonde. Link in bio!
#cozumel #mexicotravel #rivieramaya #traveltips #traveltips
May 20
You don’t need a gym… you just need a puppy. 😂🐶
This stubborn, curious little 25 lb potato is giving my arms the workout of a lifetime. Between carrying him, chasing him, and rescuing him from whatever chaos he finds next, I’m basically doing strength training all day long.
I know I’m probably babying him way too much… but honestly, how could you say no to that face?
#englishbulldogpuppy #puppy #dogmomlife #funnyreels #justforfun
May 19
