7 Things That Totally Changed My Air Travel Game

Travel, , , , , , , , ,

*This post may contain affiliate links.*

Preparing for a flight is a bit like a puzzle. I love making sure all the pieces line up so I have everything I need (all in a carry-on, of course!) and that I have the best possible experience.

Lately, I’ve been struck by how a few key items have become integral in that process. The stuff that makes packing efficient, flights comfortable, and arrival stress-free. They are my tried-and-trues!

Wanna see what I consider to be my absolute essentials for traveling by plane? 

1. Tom Bihn Synapse 19

Tom Bihn’s website heralds this bag as “a supremely organized backpack” and I tend to agree. While it is the same size as your run-of-the-mill booksack, the genius lies in its design. There are all sorts of pockets and compartments that allow you to pack like a pro! This bag made one-bag travel a reality for me and I can’t imagine boarding a plane without it. In a recent Uber to the airport, my driver balked at my lack of luggage and I’d never felt so proud. All thanks to my Tom Bihn!!!

More here, here and here. 

 

NOMATIC packing cube2. Nomatic Compression Packing Cube

Since first discovering packing cubes, I’ve tried several kinds. However, after a few trips with this guy…I AM HOOKED. Everything smooshes down so small!

More here. 

 

3. Tom Bihn Side Effect

This is an awesome place to store all the little things you might need access to without having to sling a backpack off your back (See also: purse, lol). So it’s the perfect companion for my Synapse. You can also detach the strap and use it within your main bag to store items like cords, toiletries, or underwear. Then pop the strap on once you’ve reached your destination and *BAM* purse. Very versatile little piece. I actually have TWO!

More here.  

 

4. Hero Clip

This little doodad let’s you hang your bag, water bottle, hat, beach towel, etc. off of just about ANYTHING. Hang your backpack off of the nearest tree branch on a picnic. Hang your purse off the table at your favorite dive bar. Hang your water bottle off your exercise bike. Hang your day bag off your wheely suitcase as you whisk it through the airport. You get the idea… Oh, and my #1 use for mine? Hanging my Tom Bihn up in bathroom stalls. (TMI?)

More here. 

 

5. Tangle Teezer

Back when I traveled like every weekend for speech & debate, I would throw a big, plastic paddle brush in my suitcase and 9 times out of 10 it would be broken by the time I was back home. NO MORE!

More here. 

 

6. Yube Moisturizer

Yu-Be’s highly concentrated glycerin formula isn’t greasy. It just soaks right into the skin! It’s also enriched with Vitamin E and B2 to nourish and repair. Perfect for dealing with that dry cabin air.

More here. 

 

today's playlist finding delight7. Podcasts <- shameless plug HERE, lol

I love a good book while up in the air, but those hours in the airport are all about people watching. Podcasts let you do both! I’d love if you checked out mine but here are some other rad options!!

 

What products are your favorite when traveling by plane? 

P.S. CLICK HERE for my top air travel tips.

How to Make Time for Books

Books, Brainpower, , , , , ,

After a book binge on the topic of polygamy (I know…I’m weird), I’m currently reading Honeymoon in Purdah by Alison Wearing.

WHAT ARE YOU READING?

If the answer is nothing…that’s ok. I’m here to provide some gentle encouragement that if you want to start making more time for books, you CAN! With all the back-to-school vibes hanging out in the air, I totally believe now is a great time to recommit yourself to lifelong learning. Reading books is such an important part of that.

So, you’re on board. (Woohoo!) But how can we make more time for books in our busy, busy lives? Here are a few ideas…

1. Schedule Reading Time

I am one of those people who has lots of aspirations but not a lot of follow-through. (See also: this post.) So I can saaaaay I wanna finish a book a week, but if I don’t actually set aside dedicated time to do said reading…it’s probably not gonna happen. That rogue 30 minutes in my day will go *poof* and I’ll still be sitting at my computer clicking around on pointless stuff.

INSTEAD! I really study my planner (I use this one) for those free pockets of time and schedule in the stuff I want to do.

I’ve also written a post about how you can “set and forget” self-care that you can check out HERE. If hunting down reading time doesn’t sound like your bag, no worries! Pick a recurring time slot and stick to it.

2. Read Books You Like

This might be a no-brainer but I think it’s important to point out. If you want to make reading a habit that you’ll stick with, then you’ve gotta read books that interest you! After all, you want reading to be something you look forward to.

A great way to find MORE books you like is by talking about books. Share your favorite reads with friends and family and get their recommendations. I like to keep a list of book recommendations I’ve gathered from folks I know and cool reviews I come across on the internet.

Then, bring that book you like with you wherever you go! If you get stuck waiting somewhere you can pull out the book instead of your phone. It’s amazing how a random 10 minutes at the pharmacy here and a 15 minutes in a parking lot because you’re chronically early to stuff (just me?) there really starts to add up.

Oh and, NOTE: If you don’t end up liking a book? GUESS WHAT!? You don’t have to finish it! I had a weird aversion to ditching books until like really recently and I gotta say…this way is much better. Frees up a lot of time for the books you’re actually going to enjoy. So, there ya go–I grant you my permission, for what it is worth.

3. SHARE!

Sharing is WHAT? Accountability! 

I love, love, love posting about what I’m reading (and what I’ve just finished reading) on social media. I’m sure it’s not the most thrilling of content but it holds me accountable with my reading goals. (I also enjoy tracking my reading privately which you can read more about HERE.)

Other fun ways to share about books include joining a book club, reading a book with a friend, or tracking on the Goodreads app. Find what is fun for you!

With that in mind, I’ve been thinking about kicking off an email-based book club in January 2019. Would anyone be interested in that!? Let me know below and subscribe to my email list so you’ll be in the loop!

Ok, over to you! How do you make time for books? Share your secrets (and stuff I missed) below. 

 

P.S. If you’re basically blind but also wanna double down on reading time by adding in a dose of self-care…you’ll have to wear your glasses over top of your face masks. It’s a LEWK! 🙂

DIY: Autumnal Bunting

DIY, How to's, , , , , , ,

autumnal bunting

As I mentioned yesterday, I’ve been giddy with excitement about the new season. So I decided to lean in and put up FALL DECOR! I started poking around in some boxes and remembered that most of my seasonal decor was heavily downsized in the move. But…NEVER FEAR. Where there is a will to give your home an autumnal makeover there is a WAY to give your home an autumnal makeover, mk?

SO…this is your semi-regular reminder from me to you that if you are a hoarder of craft supplies (*ahem*), it’s always best to evaluate your stash before hittin’ the stores. 

A little fabric, a little glue gun action, and a little leftover rope…and wam-bam, thank you MA’AM! An autumnal bunting was mine in less than 20 minutes flat.

To recreate something similar, all you’ll need is:

  • fabric
  • felt leaves (which you can cut out yourself or get a pack at the Dollar Tree)
  • glue gun and glue sticks
  • rope, ribbon, or twine

To assemble, just:

  • cut your fabric into squares
  • fold the top of the fabric back and hot glue the edge down to create a little tube for your rope to string through
  • glue on the leaves
  • string the fabric squares along the rope
  • tie loops at the ends
  • and ENJOY…

Do you ever create seasonal decor with items you have on hand? How are YOU decorating for FALL? Thanks in advance for the inspiration! xoxo

P.S. Check out this post to learn how to make a ZERO COST, 30 SECOND fabric pumpkin! I’ll definitely be making a few of these, too!

mid-week round-up

Wednesday Links, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

finding delight mid-week round-up

What are you up to this week, babes? I’ve been riding the high of seeing a new project come to fruition! Our podcast went live on Sunday and it has been so fun to hear feedback. It has also been fun to feel my power season approaching. Down in mono-season South Florida, I had forgotten how much I LOVE early Fall. The other night we had stormy/chilly weather and I was practically giddy with candle lighting and chicken noodle soup eating. Hope you have a good Wednesday, and here are a few articles and links for you to peruse…

Hard words: Why aren’t kids being taught to read? 

I recently got an oil diffuser and have been loving geranium in my office and lavender for sleepy time…excited to learn more.

15 surprising things about parenting (50 children!) in Nepal.

Related: Here’s the nonprofit foundation in Nepal run by the supermom above!

Shaker cards! (Perfect addition to pocket letters.)

What’s going on with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s divorce?

Fruits & vegetables as medicine.

One in five American teachers now works a second job.

Female janitors working the night shift take safety into their own hands.

What it was like to be a nurse and a woman of color in apartheid South Africa.

An oral history of the women who transformed Rolling Stone in the the mid-70s.

Vantablack aka the darkest color on earth.

Finally, EPISODE 1 of Uncovered the Podcast for your listening pleasure. 🙂

P.S. A few Finding Delight posts you may have missed — Carol Rossetti’s Colorful Illustrations and 5 Ways to Make a Difference in Your Neighborhood.

3 Things to Remember When Your Blog Becomes a Side Hustle

Career, , , , , ,

3 things to remember when your blog is your side hustle[* This post may contain affiliate links — because my blog is my side hustle!! 😉 ]

Congratulations! Your blog has graduated from a fun hobby and creative outlet to something that is pulling in a bit of money on the side. This is an amazing development! But now what???

If you’ve decided to roll with it and turn your much-loved baby blog into a full-fledged side hustle, there are a few things to keep in mind.  Blogging can be a fun way to make some extra cash, but only if you’re prepared to put in a fair amount of work. While Finding Delight is by no means my full time job, I do consider it profitable enough to be included in the lil pie chart in my brain that is titled “work.” Unfortunately, there are a lot of resources out their for folks lookin’ to turn their lifestyle blog into the whole dang pie but not that many for those of us who are happy with keeping it at a good, hearty slice. 

With that in mind, here are a few things I wish I had implemented as soon as I decided to consider my blog a money-making side hustle…

Keep It Separate

First, successful blogging is just one chunk of your life. So it needs it’s own chunk of time! Schedule dedicated time for your blog that is separate from the hours you need for your main income source but also separate from your home life, too. It took me awhile to get a hang of this and I would often let blog stuff leak into both realms. My saving grace in this department was definitely my perfect planner. This thing lets me schedule my day down to the half hour–which might sound crazy to some! But if I can see where in the week I have “blog work” scheduled (always highlighted in a pretty pink!), I’m less likely to pop into WordPress when I should be working or email that company back when I’d rather be hanging out with my husband. 

Making Time For You

I think there’s a tendency among bloggers to stack their plates too high. When something that started out as a hobby becomes a part-time job, it can be hard to reconceptualize. It doesn’t feel like work. However, you might find that there is great potential and power in slowing down and allowing some time for yourself. Last week I didn’t put up a single blog post because I wanted to give my full attention to a new project I was really excited about. And that’s ok! Sure there are things I do, like affiliate linking, that allow my site to make money without me around. But for the most part, I just don’t worry about it anymore. Think about this time away from blogging as the space in which content can be born! You allow yourself time to read books, or play games (www.finalfantasyxvapp.com#home), or travel, or bake a cake…whatever it is that you enjoy…and then you’ll have these rich experiences and opinions to share with your readers later!

Know The Reader

If there is anything that means success in the literary world, it is the ability to know your readers well, inside and out. And the same goes for blogging – if you can make sure that you really have a strong grasp of your audience, then you will be able to provide enjoyable and useful content. This becomes a careful balance when your blog is a side-hustle. You might start to feel pulled in a lot of directions. I know I did. You want to create the content you enjoy creating…but also get paid to do so by brands. You want your friends and family to continue stopping by…but you also want to grow your audience to include new folk. I put new posts to the test with a series of questions:
(In order of importance)
Will I enjoy creating this?
Will the readers I currently have gain something from this?
Can I optimize or monetize in some way?
Could this encourage new folk to join my tribe?

Any blogging-as-side-hustle hopefuls out there? I’d love to hear your questions, challenges, or thoughts! ❤
And bloggers who already have this blogging-for-biz thing nailed down — What would you tell someone just starting out on this journey? xoxo

I have a podcast!!!

Media, Personal, , , ,

uncovered the podcast

Exciting news!!! My friend Katie and I have been talking about starting a podcast together FOR YEARS. And guess what? We finally did it! Our very first episode of Uncovered the Podcast went live yesterday.

So what is our podcast about? CELEBRITY MYSTERIES! Each week, we research the most curious situations involving famous folk…

  • Recent pop culture conundrums,
  • Solutions to the puzzles time (and fame) forgot. (We NEVER forget!), and
  • Celebrity conspiracy theories ranging from completely impossible to totally plausible.

…and then present our mystery to each other (and YOU!) along with theories, rumors, fun facts, and weird tidbits.

We’re not saying everything is true, we’re simply uncovering the possibilities.

In episode 1, Katie deep dove into the mysterious world of Dave J. to find out if Jon Benet Ramsey is alive and well and living as a pop music superstar and I explored the possibility that Jamie Lynn Spears’ teen pregnancy spawned a massive cover up by Nickelodeon executives.

Love celebrity gossip, conspiracy theories, unsolved mysteries, or just listening in on a fun chat between two besties? This might be the podcast for you!

It would mean the world to me if you gave our first epi a listen. (& let me know what you think!!)

We are available on iTunes, PodBean, and Castbox. Katie and I will be putting out new episodes every Sunday.

If you, like me, spend your Sundays knockin’ out chores and implementing self-care, then you know podcasts can be an integral part of that process! So, SUBSCRIBE to Uncovered and you’ll have something new waitin’ for you every Sunday! xoxo

P.S. As you might imagine, pictorial evidence is part of the fun when you’re covering celebrity mysteries. So we have an INSTAGRAM for all that jazz! Would love if you’d follow us there!!

What are some of your favorite podcasts? Do you love weird celebrity conspiracy theories as much as me and my co-host Katie? Let me know! 

List 7: Blog Goals

Personal, , , , , , , ,

A new series in which I share lists which I hope will help you to get to know me better. Why? Because I started this blog what feels like forever ago and there’s bound to be some new faces peering in once and awhile! So these posts are kinda like an introduction (or a reintroduction for those who’ve been with me since the jump!). A nice to meet ya, so glad you stopped by, now STAY AWHILE! Why lists? Because I love making ’em! (+ it’s the summer and I can give myself some grace when it comes to not posting overly-elaborate blog posts.)

PRE-P.S. This will be my last list in this summer series. HOWEVER, I’ve really enjoyed sharing a bit more about myself in this manner…SO – I’ll plan to keep adding lists here and there throughout the coming year. It just won’t be every Thursday. Hope you enjoy!

My blogging goals…

Continue to organically grow my readership and network.

Find more ways to meaningfully engage with other bloggers.

Reach out to more brands about collaborations.

Brainstorm (and keep track of) series ideas, not just post ideas.

Create an email onboarding sequence to send out when someone subscribes to my mailing list.

Start a Finding Delight book club.

Write an ebook!

Tell me a few of your blogging goals in the comments below! xoxo

[And in case you’re curious…

LIST 1
LIST 2 
LIST 3
LIST 4
LIST 5
LIST 6]

mid-week round-up

Wednesday Links, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

We’ve made it to Wednesday, folks! If you’ve got a long weekend on the horizon you may find it a bit hard to focus these next few days. I hear ya! I’m hoping this weekend provides a lovely summer send-off. As for last weekend, we met our friend Chad in Nashville and attended a film festival. So fun! Do you have any end-of-summer plans coming up? Tell me below! xoxo

Forget sun signs. Your zodiac is whoever won best actress the year you were born.

The ghosts of St. Joseph’s Catholic orphanage.

5 things to do when you feel overwhelmed by your workload.

The distracted state of the union.

From successful criminal defense lawyer to…chocolatier?

Inside a radical experiment to transform the lives of incarcerated women.

Farmworkers are dying from extreme heat.

How Disney’s caricature-esque women came to define “the fairest of them all.”

The airport prank that has people understandably riled.

Related: Travel Tips for Airports

Puerto Rico’s year of fighting for power.

Pictures from an abandoned theater.

Related: Urban Exploration as a Cheap Hobby

Time to stock up on autumnal craft supplies.

P.S. A few Finding Delight posts you may have missed — A Pocket Letter Inspired by Children’s Book Illustrations and Gift Ideas for Dudes.

Sunshine Blogger Award Q&A

Career, Personal, , , , ,

sunshine blogger award

The Sunshine Blogger Award is an accolade given by one blogger to another in recognition for work that they find creative, inspiring and positive. I was super honored to be nominated and leapt at the chance to join in the fun!

The rules of the award are:

  • Thank blogger(s) who nominated you in the blog post and link back to their blog.
  • Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you.
  • Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions.
  • List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post and/or on your blog.

Recently, Finding Delight was nominated for the Sunshine Blogger Award by my sweet friends over at Sweet Tea, Science!

Meridith and Rachel are the masterminds behind Sweet Tea, Science. They are Kentucky gals like yours truly (we all went to Western Kentucky University) and sassy scientistas. They blog about their lives in the STEM-world as they complete their PhD’s. (Rachel in Ecology and Meridith in Statistics.) Some of my fave STS posts include:
Public Speaking Hacks for Scientists
What’s in Her Bag: International Conference + Honeymoon Edition
Day in the PhD Life: Statistician 
Guide to Graduate School Grief
Field Work Flashback
You can also follow Sweet Tea, Science on Twitter HERE and Instagram HERE.

The ladies of Sweet Tea, Science asked the following questions:

How do you take your tea?

Sweet, of course! But I’ve switched from sugar to stevia. 😉

What motivates you to blog every week (or as often as you blog)?

I genuinely enjoy doing it! There have been times throughout this little blog’s life where writing posts has had to take a backseat…but I think keeping a full editorial calendar is fun and I don’t beat myself up if not every idea comes to fruition.

Long before Finding Delight was a twinkle in my eye, I kept an online journal for 4 years — from my junior year of high school through my sophomore year of college. I really liked having a place to share about my life where I could connect with other people doing the same. I enjoyed knowing that someone would read what I wrote. I felt like it was the perfect creative outlet for my little introvert heart. Blogging is just my flashier, more grown up version. 😉

From a more practical standpoint, I work as a freelance marketing consultant and web content manager. My blog is a great way for potential clients to get to know me (freelancing is all about selling yourself alongside what you can do!).

What’s your favorite way to keep in touch with folks that have graduated/moved away?

While I love snail mail and social media, nothing beats taking an hour long walk through my neighborhood while on the phone with a bestie.

Where would you like to travel to next? Is it for work or pleasure?

Savannah, GA to meet my nephew! Besides that, I’ve always wanted to go to Iceland and Australia.

How has a mentor inspired you to take a risk? Or how have you inspired yourself?

A mentor gave me the push I needed to start this blog! During a conversation about how I could get to where she was in her career, her biggest advice was to start a project that would encourage me to write every day, as well as practice design, branding, and marketing. Finding Delight was born shortly after!

At the time, sharing about myself on the internet felt like a HUGE risk! I thought, “My life isn’t all that exciting. Will anyone even care? What if no one reads it.” But, of course, that wasn’t the point.

What is your favorite post you’ve written? Link that post! Go you!

I stopped paying women compliments on their appearance and here’s what happened…
How to Eliminate Decision Fatigue
A 30 Day Mantra Challenge (+ FREE activity guide)
and all the posts about my wedding.

What is your favorite post someone else has written? Link that post! Go them!

Nice Girls vs. Kind Women
Handmaids, Hospitals, and the Pageantry of the Newborn Nursery Window
My Sister’s Home Makeover
You’re Totally Allowed to Buy That Latte
I Talked to a Woman for 4 Hours on the Train

Where do you do your best blogging work? What sort of environment?

At my desktop computer – although I’m known to fire off a few paragraphs into my phone notes when inspiration strikes. Here’s a look at my desk set-up. It has stayed pretty much the same since our move to Alabama…except now, instead of being about a foot away from our bed, I have my very own home office!! *trumpets*

What is that one productivity tool (app/website) you enjoy using for your blog?

I’ve recently started using Asana which has really helped me visualize larger projects as a bunch of smaller tasks as well as keep track of deadlines. I enjoy assigning due dates to my goals (even when they’re totally arbitrary) because it helps me stay on track. Plus, sometimes a unicorn flies across the screen when I mark things complete–and I’m all for that!

What is a big career challenge you have overcome?

I think narrowing the scope of what I wanted to do. Starting out, I faced two big personality traits; 1) interested in everything, and 2) decisionphobe. That meant I was excited about a lot of possibilities, but would stall out in planning mode. Once I realized I can be interested in things without needing to make money doing them, I had a lot more time to build a career around things I was actually good at.

If you could only read one book, over and over, for the rest of your life, what would it be?

I don’t want to live in a world with only one book! (Perhaps that would be enough incentive to start writing my own!!) I don’t often re-read books because my reading list is just too long for circling back around! But if I had to, I would choose one of these.

My Nominations:

  1. A Silent Observer
  2. This Curvy Life
  3. Views From My Garden Bench
  4. Little Things With Jassy
  5. The Barefoot Angel
  6. Katnapped
  7. Em Busy Living
  8. Dreamer Achiever
  9. Chaus’ Adventure
  10. Miss Portmanteau
  11. Hello Whitney

My Questions:

  1. How did you first get involved with blogging?
  2. Besides the comments section, where do you chat and connect with other bloggers?
  3. What’s the hardest blog post you’ve ever written? Was it worth it?
  4. What’s your favorite book?
  5. What three goals are you focusing on right now?
  6. Where do you get inspiration for your blog posts?
  7. What are some positive things blogging has brought into your life that you didn’t expect?
  8. Is there a post you’ve always wanted to write but never have? What’s holding you back?
  9. What’s your favorite social media platform? Why?
  10. Is there someone who doesn’t have a blog but you would read every thing they published if they did?
  11. What have you recently achieved that you’re super proud of?

6 Ways to Use PicMonkey

Career, How to's, , , , , , , , , , ,

If you need to edit photos, make graphics for your blog or social media accounts, or just want an awesome template for an Instagram post, you need to check out PicMonkey!

I’ve been using PicMonkey for years. I rave about it to friends and clients. But I’ve never written a dedicated post about this sneaky lil blogger hack.

So, in case you’ve never heard of PicMonkey before, it is an online image editing tool that is super user friendly and perfect for all my influencers, bloggers, entrepeneurs, and marketing mavens out there! What can you create with PicMonkey? SO. MANY. THINGS!

Here are 6 ways I use PicMonkey for my blog, clients, and personal life…

1. Photo Editing

I love snapping photos on my adventures! Before I pop ’em into a blog post, many of them get a quick edit in PicMonkey. Because my posts aren’t super photo-driven, Photo Shop just doesn’t seem like a worthwhile investment at this time (and I don’t really have time or the desire to learn how to use it — just being real). So this is a great alternative! I usually crop or straighten my photos as needed. Then, adjust the exposure and color. Sometimes I’ll sharpen them, too. Here are a couple images I edited with PicMonkey…

2. Invitations

There are a ton of templates available to make custom invitations for everything from birthdays and graduations, to surprise baby showers and special promotional events. Chet and I actually used PicMonkey to create the “Save the Date” cards for our wedding!

save the date with picmonkey

3. Graphics

I manage website and social media content for several of my clients. PicMonkey is a great way for me to quickly create a graphic for their blog posts or online newsletters. All I do is keep a spreadsheet with each of my clients, which PicMonkey fonts are suitable for their brands, and any HEX color codes. All I need is an image and bada-bing, bada-boom–I’ve got a custom graphic!

everything you need to know to find your blogging niche

4. Cover Photos

Social media cover photos are a fun way to show off a bit of personality, as well as cross-promote across different platforms. I usually opt for a simple look, but I recently created this Twitter cover photo in PicMonkey and thought it was pretty cute! There are a ton of templates available and there’s no going back and forth to get the right size for the right platform.

5. Collages

I also use PicMonkey to create collages. This is how I first discovered PicMonkey — googling an easy way to include multiple photos in a single image. Below, you’ll see a collage I created for my About page as well as the format I used when I was making monthly favorites posts.

6. Brand Boards

Finally, who doesn’t love a good inspiration board??? If you want to put together a cohesive vision for your brand, then I highly recommend checking out the brand board templates on PicMonkey. As an example, I put together a board for Finding Delight. This is to help guide my aesthetic and posts for Fall 2018 and the sort of vibe I’m hoping to convey with my content in the upcoming season. This one is for my personal use, but this is also a great tool for sharing the feel of your brand with others or creating media kits for companies who want to partner with you.

finding delight fall 2018

Have you ever used PicMonkey? What are your favorite features?