Trin's Weekly Wander

Santa Fe is one of those places that speaks to your soul .  It’s a mix of bold color, historic charm, and mountain air that makes you want to breathe a little deeper and move a little slower. If you’re craving a relaxing yet meaningful escape, here’s how I’d spend a weekend in Santa Fe, New Mexico : 🎨   Art & Inspiration Everywhere Start with Canyon Road —lined with galleries and outdoor sculptures—or check out the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum for an iconic dose of creativity. 🍽️   Eat Your Way Through Town Santa Fe’s food scene is full of flavor and warmth: Cafe Pasqual’s : funky, filling brunch The Shed : unforgettable red + green chile Coyote Cafe Rooftop : best spot for golden hour cocktails and views 🧘   Slow it Way Down Treat yourself to a spa session at Ten Thousand Waves , hike the Sangre de Cristo Mountains , or journal with a lavender latte in the Railyard District . 🛍️   Shop Local Treasures Explore the Santa Fe Plaza for pott...

Finding cheap flights feels like winning the travel lottery—but not every deal is as good as it looks. ✈️  Just because it’s $79 doesn’t mean it’s a good experience (or even worth it).  So how do you tell a deal from a dud ? Here’s what I check before I book (or recommend) any flight for myself or my clients: ✅   Check the Total Travel Time That $149 flight with three layovers and 17 total hours?  Not really a win.  If you’re wasting a full day in airports, you’re paying in time—even if you’re saving in dollars. 💼   Watch the Baggage Policies Many low fares don’t include carry-ons or seat selection.  I always check what’s included before I click “book.” A seemingly cheap flight can cost more once you add in the essentials. 🛬   Pay Attention to Departure & Arrival Times A 6 AM departure or midnight arrival might save a few bucks—but cost you sleep, transport hassles, or an extra hotel night. 📱   Use Trusted Tools Apps like Google Flig...

Travel planning doesn’t have to be complicated—especially when you have a few good tools in your pocket.  These are my go-to apps for planning, organizing, and staying stress-free on any trip. Bonus: they’re all free ! 🙌 1.   Google Flights For comparing flight prices across multiple airlines. 🧠 Pro Tip: Use the “Explore” feature when you don’t have a set destination yet. 2.   TripIt All your booking confirmations get turned into one easy itinerary.  No more digging through your inbox at the gate. 3.   Rome2Rio Helps you figure out how to get from point A to point B—by plane, train, ferry, or even rideshare. 4.   Google Maps Lists I create custom lists for each trip: “Must Eats,” “Landmarks,” “Coffee Break Spots.” Then I pin them in Maps so they’re ready when I land. 5.   Pinterest Yes, Pinterest!  I use it to visually plan trip vibes, outfits, and even build mini boards for clients. 💼  When the Apps Aren’t Enough… I’m ...

I won’t lie—traveling with a toddler is a whole adventure in itself.  But it doesn’t have to be stressful or chaotic.  In fact, with a little prep (and a lot of grace), it can be fun —and full of beautiful memories. Here’s what I’ve learned about traveling with littles and actually enjoying the journey: ✈️ 1.   Pick toddler-friendly flights + routes Early morning or nap-time flights are golden.  Fewer crowds, less crankiness, and better chances for in-flight sleep. 🎒 2.   Pack smart, not heavy A small backpack with: Favorite snacks Surprise toys (Dollar Tree wins!) Refillable water bottle Change of clothes (for both of you—trust me) Headphones + tablet (pre-downloaded shows = sanity) 🧸 3.   Lower your expectations.  Raise your flexibility. Delays?  Meltdowns?  You’ll survive.  Embrace the chaos and celebrate the little wins (like making it through TSA with a smile). 🧘 4.   Build in slow time Don’t overpac...

If you’ve been cruise-curious but not ready to commit to a full week at sea, you might’ve come across a 3-day cruise and wondered: Is it even worth it? Short answer?   Yes—but with a few things to consider.   Here’s my take after booking both short and long cruises for clients. ✅ The Pros: Budget-friendly : You get the cruise experience at a lower price point—great for first-timers! Perfect weekend escape : Ideal for a girls’ trip, couples’ getaway, or a “mom break.” Minimal packing, max fun : Three outfits, one swimsuit, and you’re good to go! Cruise perks, fast : Food, entertainment, views, and vibes—all in a compact itinerary. ❌ The Cons: Less time to relax : Just when you’ve settled in… it’s time to pack again. Limited destinations : Usually only 1 or 2 port stops (if any). Crowds + tight schedules : Short cruises often book up quickly and feel more “go-go-go.” Trin’s Take: If you’ve never cruised before and want to dip your toes in the water, ...

Packing smart doesn’t mean packing less—it means packing better .  I like to keep my summer travel bag light, organized, and full of the essentials that make me feel calm, comfortable, and a little extra cute on the go. Here’s what’s in my bag this season—and a few tips that’ll help you build your own easy-to-pack travel kit: 🎒 The Essentials: Passport + printed copies of travel docs (yes, I still print—just in case!) Hand sanitizer + wipes (because… travel) Vanilla lip balm + hand cream – my go-to for keeping skin happy in dry airport air AirPods + downloaded playlists – including my cozy country travel playlist 🎶 Collapsible water bottle – saves money and space Sunglasses + wide-brimmed hat – sun-safe AND photo-ready 😎 👚 Travel Outfit Tip: I always layer a soft oversized cardigan over a basic tank + leggings.  It works for cold airports, hot destinations, and everything in between. 📦 Bonus: My Travel Mom Tip Pack a mini pouch with: Bandai...

Charleston is one of those places that feels like it was made to be remembered.  The colors, the charm, the pace of the city—it’s slow and sweet, like southern tea on a summer afternoon. Here’s why I keep recommending it as a top travel pick for couples, families, solo trips, and weekend escapes. 🌸 1.    The charm is effortless From the rainbow-painted houses to the historic cobblestone streets, Charleston doesn’t try too hard—it just is beautiful.  Walking through it feels like stepping into a soft pastel daydream. 🥘 2.    The food scene is unreal You can eat your way through this city and never be disappointed.  My picks? Poogan’s Porch for southern comfort brunch Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit for grab-and-go deliciousness Husk for something a little fancier—but still so comforting 🛶 3.    So many ways to unwind Whether you want to take a carriage ride, tour the waterfront, visit plantations and gardens, or just relax...

Planning a trip should feel exciting—not exhausting.  But let’s be honest, sometimes it feels like a full-time job just to figure out where to go, let alone how to get there, what to pack, or how to stay on budget. Here’s my simple, step-by-step system for planning a trip from scratch—without losing my mind or needing five different spreadsheets. 💁‍♀️✈️ 🗺️ 1.    Pick the vibe before the location Instead of asking “Where should we go?” , I ask: “Do I want cozy or tropical?  Relaxing or adventure-filled?  Solo, family, or romantic?” Once I know the vibe, the destinations start to narrow themselves. 📅 2.    Choose your dates + budget Flexibility = savings.  I check a few different dates using tools like Google Flights and set a rough budget before diving into options.  Otherwise, it’s way too easy to spiral into 12 tabs and dream vacations I can’t book (yet 😉). 🧳 3.    Book the essentials first I always book flights and accommod...