Monthly subscriptions are everywhere these days and available for just about anything. Somehow over the past few years, companies realized a great money maker. Give people a free box or a discount on something cool, then hope you can no longer imagine life without receiving it regularly. Some monthly subscriptions make perfect sense, like coffee,…
Better Breakfast Month: September
September is Better Breakfast Month, something that we should all be actively pursuing. It may not be 100% accurate that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. However, eating a good breakfast does have an endless number of positive health effects. Why raise awareness about breakfast in September? We should honestly be doing…
National Make Your Bed Day: September 12th
National Make Your Bed Day seems like a very silly holiday. To be honest, I only make my bed when I have company over. At a Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program, participants learn that the sleep environment is a major component of a restful night’s sleep. In a survey conducted by the National Sleep Foundation, people…
10 Facts About Chickens That Will Blow Your Mind
This past weekend I got to learn some facts about chickens while visiting a new friend who loves birds. You should follow her on Instagram. Along with her son, she taught us so much about chickens! It was a wonderful experience and now we’re considering getting chickens ourselves. They are cute, smart and so much…
7 Ways to Make Extra Money: Youth Time Magazine
Most adults spend at least 40 hours a week working. In today’s economy, many people look for creative ways to make some extra money on the side. There are various ways to earn extra cash both online and offline. Some are one-off opportunities, such as reselling valuable antiques on eBay or renting out your home…
The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes: Book Review
The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes is the second book I read by the author. Yes, I am one of those weird people who happened to read The Arsonist first. I loved it so much that I bought this book immediately. Since all of the reviews on her other book complained that…
Ballad of Mulan: The Legend That Inspired the Movies
The Ballad of Mulan is the original legend of Hua Mulan – the one that inspired the animated Disney movie and now the most recent live-action remake. This newest Mulan movie did not come without controversy. First, there were rumors of non-Asian actors starring in the movie. Then, people got upset that there would be…
Tips to Minimize Screen Time: Youth Time Magazine
Screens have become an integral part of human life. Many of us check our phones first thing in the morning and right before bed. Most jobs involve further screen time, sometimes up to eight hours a day. Finally, a popular way for people and families to relax is to watch TV, play games, or go…
National Ampersand Day: Celebrating “&”
Today is National Ampersand Day! As a blogger, I have a deep appreciation & love for the ampersand. It is more than just a useful shorthand. It makes article titles look neater & it looks great in my Canva-made featured imaged. In fact, wouldn’t it be great if we scrapped the word ‘and’ altogether &…
Mulberry Vineyards: Historic Chepachet, RI
The Mulberry Vineyards are located in historic Chepachet in Glocester, Rhode Island. We discovered this great spot due to a recommendation from friends who live in the area. We arrived on a beautiful day, with a large crowd sitting at a safe distance on chairs and blankets brought from home. There was live music by…
Labor Day: History of the Holiday
Tomorrow, Monday, September 7th, people all over the USA will celebrate Labor Day. In fact, the entire long weekend is festive and companies use this occasion to offer sales on their products as well as services. But what do you really know about the history of this holiday? Other than the fact that it takes…
Green Sand Beach: The Big Island, Hawaii
Visiting the Green Sand Beach was one of my top 10 experiences in Hawaii. I spent four months living there as part of a study-abroad program but somehow, I never wrote much about it. Today, as I get my annual Facebook reminders about being in Hawaii this time eight years ago, I was inspired. So…
Bones Coffee Company: Their 5 Best Flavors
Bones Coffee Company calls themselves the world’s freshest small batch coffee, and I completely agree. After seeing their ads for months, I finally decided to order some and I couldn’t decide on just 5, so I got 10! They have a crazy selection of flavors with beautiful art, plus they offer free shipping on orders…
Jamestown Discovery Boat Tours: Rhode Island
Jamestown Discovery Boat Tours only river based tour boat on the James River at Jamestown Island. Their U.S.C.G. Certified pontoon boat is able to accommodate up to 28 passengers, however we only had 8 others on the boat with us. We had to keep our masks on throughout the ride except when we enjoyed our…
Fort Wetherill State Park: Abandoned Military Base in RI
Fort Wetherill State Park is located in a scenic part of Jamestown, Rhode Island. After turning my nose at seeing some old bunkers (they may as well grow on trees in my home country), I finally agreed to make the trip. Now, this may be one of my favorite places in Rhode Island. First, there…
Waterfall in West Warwick: River Walk, RI
There is a waterfall in West Warwick! When I moved to this town, I was excited about the central RI location and affordable houses. A beautiful waterfall and a scenic River Walk were a great bonus! The River Walk also offers a view of the Royal Mills Riverpoint Apartments. But I’ll get to those in…
7 Anatomically Incorrect Halloween Decorations
I love this time of the year and I find anatomically incorrect Halloween decorations especially amusing. All holidays have traditions that don’t seem to make too much logical sense. Like, how can Santa fit down a chimney after eating so many cookies? Why is there a human-sized Easter bunny and what is it doing giving…
Photography 101: Cheap Tools for Aspiring Photographers
Photography 101: in a world where most people have a smartphone, there are many people who dabble in photography. I am one of those people. In the past I had a DSLR and even enjoyed organizing a few super amateur photo exhibitions. Finally, I decided to step it up and actually learn about photography! While…
10 Insanely Expensive Nerdy Gifts on Etsy
Full disclosure – I am a total nerd and would buy every single insanely expensive and nerdy gift on this list, if I had the money. Unfortunately, I don’t, but it’s still fun to browse and see what’s out there! If you’re a broke nerd like me, maybe you’ll enjoy this list of super expensive…
10 Hilariously Useless Apps (& Their Priceless Comments)
These days, we all rely on so many incredibly useful apps. We use apps to communicate, shop, bank, lose weight, watch videos, listen to podcasts, the list goes on. These apps are all incredibly useful and it sometimes seems like we can’t live without them. But there are nearly three million apps on the Google…
7 Myths About Waldorf Schools: Alternative Education
There are so many myths about Waldorf Schools that just plain aren’t true. I went to Waldorf School in Rhode Island from Kindergarten until 8th grade, then for four years in high school in New Hampshire. Now, I teach second grade at the very same Waldorf school I attended! I think it’s safe to say…
Eco-Friendly Travel: Youth Time Magazine
Becky was about 10 years old when she read two books that had a lot of influence on her. The first was a non-fiction book about the destruction of the rainforest. The second was a novel that made her fall in love with the Amazon, “Journey to the River Sea” by Eva Ibbotson. Combined, these…
15 Creepy Places to Visit this Fall: Haunted Halloween
Yes, it’s still August but I’m already thinking of all the creepy places to visit this fall! Although, when I say visit, I don’t necessarily mean in person. It is my goal to see all of these places at least once when it’s safe to travel again. Until then I will plan, research, and tell…
The Arsonist by Stephanie Oakes: Book Review
I finished The Arsonist by Stephanie Oakes last night and I have no idea when or if I will ever stop raving about it. Never have I been angrier about a review on Goodreads. Not that 3.99 stars is terrible, but it just isn’t fair for this mind-blowing book. I will do my best to…
Understanding Cryptocurrency: Youth Time Magazine
Cryptocurrency has been around for almost 12 years. In 2008, an unknown person or group of people going under the name Satoshi Nakamoto invented it. It made the headlines; and many people bought some, then Soo forgot about it while it grew in value. Today, a single Bitcoin is worth almost $12,000, and there are…
Independence Day of Ukraine: August 24th, 2020
Independence Day of Ukraine takes place on August 24th, 2020, one day after Ukrainian Flag Day! Independence Day of Ukraine is the main state holiday in modern Ukraine, celebrated on 24 August in commemoration of the Declaration of Independence of 1991. That’s a year before I was born! Is it appropriate now to show off…
Ukrainian Flag Day: August 23rd
Today is Ukrainian Flag Day! It is celebrated annually on August 23rd. It was on the day of dawn of independence in 1990 that a blue-yellow flag was hoisted above the capital’s city administration. After the failure of the coup in Moscow on August 23, 1991, a group of Ukrainian MPs brought a blue and yellow flag…
Saturday: Rest Day? Bad Luck Day? History of the Weekend!
Saturday is personally one of my favorite days of the week! I work a regular Monday – Friday job so the weekend is my downtime. But Sunday is way too close to Monday for my liking, so I live it up or rest it down on Saturday. However, not everyone likes this day that was…
Moving to China: 10 Reasons to Consider Relocating
Moving to China is something that my husband Isaac and I did on a whim. We were happily living in Prague, Czech Republic but we were bored and had never explored Asia. Isaac is a teacher, so when he got a spam email suggesting that he apply for a job in China he laughed and…
Blogging Masterclass on Udemy for $15
The Blogging Masterclass is the second class I completed on Udemy, a global marketplace for learning and instruction. It is a great place to find online classes with certificates on a every topic you could possibly imagine. I discovered Udemy while researching free online wine classes but today it is often advertised on Hulu. The…
Human Cyborgs: Neil Harbisson – Youth Time Magazine
The definition of a cyborg is a person whose physical abilities are extended beyond normal human limitations by mechanical elements built into the body. Based on this loose definition, many humans can be considered cyborgs. However, there are people who have actually been legally recognized as cyborgs. Neil Harbisson may have been one of the…
15 Octopus Facts: 8 Tentacles, 3 Hearts, 9 Brains
These octopus facts show just how fascinating these creatures are. Despite my love for all things cuddly, especially dogs, the octopus is my favorite animal. Although surprisingly, they have a lot in common with each other, but I’ll get into that in just a bit. Octopuses (not octopi!) are interesting animals and there is so…
10 Pumpkin Scented & Flavored Things
After three heatwaves this summer, pumpkin scented and flavored things have a bigger appeal than usual. As September slowly approaches, a pumpkin spice latte sounds more necessary than basic! Although it is difficult to picture the humidity disappearing and the leaves turning colorful, fall is just around the corner. Normally, I try to hold on…
10 Czech Cities To Visit From Prague
There are many great Czech cities to visit. This beautiful country may be small, but it has a lot more to offer than it’s amazing capital city of Prague. Plus, because it’s so small, you can get to all of these places hassle-free. Rent a car or get a super affordable bus ticket and explore…
National Roller Coaster Day: August 16th
National Roller Coaster Day takes place annually on August 16th. This is a popular time for people to visit theme parks and enjoy their favorite ride. Even though that might not be possible today, we can still celebrate roller coasters from a distance. Plus, there are some fascinating facts about these large metal beasts that…
World Honey Bee Day: Raising Awareness
World Honey Bee Day is celebrated globally on the third Saturday of August. On the surface, bees seem like one of your typical insects, however, bees have been declared the most important living beings on this planet. That’s right, not just the most important insect, THE most important LIVING BEING. And their rapidly declining population…
Burčák: Why Do Czech’s Drink Wine Before It’s “Ready”?
Burčák, also known as young wine, is a popular late summer/early fall beverage in various European countries. But Burčák is not just young – it is partially-fermented wine in an earlier stage of production. Czechs feel strongly about the six-week Burčák season and some even believe that it is healthiest to drink at least seven…
National Prosecco Day: August 13th
National Prosecco Day takes places every year during the middle of August. It is supposed to remind us to relax, sip a chilled delicious beverage and enjoy what is left of summer! It is a super popular beverage all over the world and by the end of 2020, the worldwide consumption of Prosecco is expected to…
The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney: Book Review
The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney is one of a handful of books that I have read at least 10 times. I first read it in late middle or early high school and I enjoy it just as much now as I did then. In fact, I’m overdo for a re-read…
Medical Tourism for Healthier Adventures
Travel of any kind can be a healing experience for mind, body, and soul. Research shows that the simple action of planning a trip can alleviate stress and boost happiness. Plus, if you travel to a sea-side location, you get extra health perks from the ocean air. Medical tourism, however, takes this one step further….
Facebook Marketplace: 5 Annoying Situations
If you have ever sold an item on Facebook Marketplace, you are familiar with the the annoying situations that often come up. Smooth transactions with fewer than 10 back-and-forth messages are incredibly rare – usually one of these situations happens instead. Read on to cringe with me! 1. The One Who Never Answers *crickets* This…
Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls by Lynn Weingarten: Book Reads
Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls by Lynn Weingarten is a book that I put down after a chapter. I was binging psychological thrillers and this seemed too young for me at first. The characters are in high school and I graduated nine years ago, so I just couldn’t relate. A few months later, I picked…
Violet by S.J.I. Holliday: Book Review
Violet by S.J.I. Holliday is a unique book that grabbed my attention from page one. Not just because it was incredibly dark and mysterious – there was a gross perverted Russian man involved. I loved that the book was set on a trip in various countries, most of which I have been to! It was…
Switching Homes: Unexpected Hurdles When Buying & Selling
Switching homes can be extremely exciting, but also quite stressful. As a homeowner, you think you already know a lot of the things you will need – gotta get your documents in order, you’ll have to contact an agent, and you’ll need to have a lender in mind to get a new mortgage. When my…
Eco-Friendly Fashion Battles Pollution: Youth Time Magazine
The fashion industry is one of the world’s biggest polluters, accounting for 20% of the world’s water waste. Natural materials take a shocking amount of water to grow, but the alternative is equally horrifying. Polyester is often used in clothing because it is cheap and flexible, plus it is used as a “vegan” leather alternative….
International Beer Day: August 7th
Today is International Beer Day! Imagine my frustration learning that my birthday, August 6th, is National Root Beer Float Day (yuck) while the day after is so much better? Yes, complaints have been made to my mother. If my birth was an Amazon purchase I would have given her 4 stars. ‘Giving me life was…
Tesla 101: Is Owning a Fully Electric, Self-Driving Car Worth It in 2020?
Humans have been dreaming of cars that drive themselves and fly for years. The only flying Tesla, so far, is the one that Elon Musk launched into space in 2018. Earth-bound Teslas do not have the ability to fly, at least not yet. They can, however, drive themselves with incredible accuracy. These pricey vehicles are…
10 Freebies You Can Get On Your Birthday
Getting freebies is always fun, especially on your birthday! It’s my birthday today, which you may not care too much about, but there are businesses that do. It turns out that lots of places will actually reward you for being born. There are hundreds of companies that will give you freebies on this special day….
No Power for 3 Days (Isaias): What to Do?
Whelp, turns out that Isaias was not overhyped by the media after all. Although there was only about 15 minutes of rain and strong winds where I am located, it caused extensive damage. It brought down a giant tree branch that got tangled in our electrical wires. Plus it took out the power all over…
Antoine Repessé: Motivational Zero-Waste Photography
Antoine Repessé made a big impact on my life with his photography of the daily waste that regular people create. I was completely unaware of the effect of my consumerism until about three years ago when I met a group of passionate zero-waste individuals in Shanghai. Around the same time I coincidentally discovered Antoine Repessé’s…
Mr. Nobody by Catherine Steadman: Book Review
Mr. Nobody by Catherine Steadman was on my ‘to read’ list ever since I read her first book, Something in the Water. So apparently people have given the author a hard time because Catherine Steadman is originally an English actress. She is best known for playing Mabel Lane Fox in series 5 of ITV drama…
10 Nautical Decor Items for Your Beach House
Nautical decor items can get a bad rap because they can be kitschy. But I am moving to a house by the beach and I don’t care what anyone says, I will have some nautical decor items all over the place! Whether you are decorating a beach house, a house that you wish was a…
National Mustard Day: Weird Food Facts
National Mustard Day is not my go-to thing to celebrate on August first. I usually begin this month pre-celebrating my August 6th birthday! But why not celebrate this wonderful condiment that dates back to ancient Greece? Learn about the different types of mustard, unusual uses for it and the many lies that come with it….
15 Eco-Friendly Bathroom Products for a Greener Earth
The following 15 eco-friendly bathroom products can help you make a difference on this planet! The zero-waste movement has picked up steam in the past few years. Many people now say no to straws and carry a reusable bag when shopping. It can be a lot harder to waste less when it comes to bathroom…
5 Heat Records That Shocked the World
Heat records are not uncommon these days as Earth’s temperature continues to rise. Summer lovers may be excited to enjoy an extra hot day, but neither human bodies or our creations are built for extreme temperature. This is a problem that is slowly getting out of hand. Some countries are already changing their infrastructures to…
10 Tips for Etsy Sellers to Boost Sales
These 10 tips for Etsy sellers can help you if you are just starting a store or hoping to boost your existing business. A year ago I would have laughed at the idea of giving Etsy advice to others. I started my store in November 2018 and I didn’t hit 100 sales until May 17,…
Middle of Nowhere Diner: Rhode Island
The Middle of Nowhere Diner is located, as the name suggest, in the middle of nowhere. My husband Isaac and I discovered it on our way back from a hike at Step Stone Falls. Yesterday, I wrote about the Next to Nowhere Creamery, a place that serves delicious ice cream. It is located right next…
Next to Nowhere Creamery: RI’s Best Ice Cream
Next to Nowhere Creamery has delicious ice cream. Isaac and I discovered it on the way back from a hike at Step Stone Falls. As a Rhode Island native, Isaac had obviously heard of the Middle of Nowhere Diner but I was incredibly amused by the well-fitting name. I wasn’t hungry enough to stuff myself…
Chanterelle Mushroom: Foraging Guide
Chanterelle mushrooms are a relatively new mushroom to me. Although I grew up picking mushrooms and could accurately ID several kinds by the age of 5, I only discovered chanterelles when I moved to the USA. The other day I went on a pretty unsuccessful mushroom hunt and they were the only mushroom I found….
Bolete Mushrooms: Foraging Guide
Bolete mushrooms are by far my favorite mushroom to forage, cook and eat. They are easy to identify because they have a spongy bottom. They are also one of the mushrooms that you should be extra careful with because there are inedible as well as poisonous types of boletes. As always with these guides, I…
5 Unexpected Uses for 3D Printing: Youth Time Magazine
3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is the process of making three-dimensional solid objects from a digital file. Successive layers of materials are laid down until an object is created. The beauty of 3D printing is that complex shapes can be created using less material than traditional manufacturing methods. The materials used are not…
10 Craft Room Storage Tips to Save Space & Money
These 10 craft room storage tips helped me turn a small space into my dream craft room! But let’s rewind for a minute… Have a craft room, they said. It will be fun, they said! In reality, a room that was once a cozy bedroom became a dangerous mess, not to mention a fire hazard!…
10 Reasons to Live in Prague, Czech Republic
There are many more than 10 reasons to live in Prague, but I’ll need to write an entire book to get them all so bear with me for the condensed version. I didn’t realize how lucky I was to grow up in the city of one thousand spires until I left it. After 20 years…
Precious Plastic: Youth Time Magazine
Precious Plastic is a community that understands that single-use plastic is a huge issue in today’s world. Reports predict that by 2050, the plastic in the ocean will outweigh the fish. This is not only because plastic products such as bottles, straws, and bags are being created at exponential levels. Animals are dying because of…
5 Places You CAN Put Glitter But Shouldn’t (NSFW)
Glitter can be a beautiful thing, or your worst nightmare. Especially when it ends up in one of the 5 places you CAN put glitter but shouldn’t. Personally, I am anti-glitter because it is super harmful to the environment and can be a health hazard. A lady literally lost her eye because glitter from her…
Durian – Stinky but Nutritious: Weird Food Facts
Durian is not a fruit that too many people grow up eating. Growing up in Europe, I was blissfully unaware of this bizarre-looking and atrociously stinky fruit. It wasn’t until my Singaporean friend chose durian as a topic for our annual speech contest at school that I ever heard of durians. Ever since she described…
VARK Qs to Determine Learning Style: Youth Time Magazine
Today it is widely understood that not everyone learns the same way. Many schools have special programs for people with dyslexia; standardized tests are being questioned; and alternative schools are gaining popularity. It was Neil Fleming who began research in the early ‘90s to determine why some teachers were more effective than others. He then…
NUGGS 2.0: Vegan Chicken Nugget Review & Comparison
A year ago I tried an older version of NUGGS. I wanted to love them, but my honest opinion was that they tasted like cardboard. The only thing was, I prepared them without any oil in the air-fryer, so that could have been a big reason I hated them so much. So when I got…
Walk 10,000 Steps a Day: Random or Healthy?
Walking 10,000 steps a day is always on the list of things to do to be healthier. 10,000 steps is also the standard goal setting on most fitness trackers and watches. Distance-wise, 10,000 steps is between six and seven kilometres if you are walking – at least that’s what my Apple Series Watch tells me….
10 Basic Skills that Everyone Should Know
There are way more than just 10 basic skills that everyone should know. Being a human in the modern world is complicated. We juggle millions of chores, work assignments, relationships. Every day we make decisions that can be big, small, cost us money or time. The following 10 skills are just a few examples of…
World Emoji Day: July 17th Holiday
Today is world emoji day and I hope that you spent it sending emojis. You may wonder why we are celebrating emojis. They are unprofessional and can be confusing, right? Meh. Was it unprofessional for the Egyptians to use hieroglyphics? Is it confusing to add an emoticon at the end of a ambiguous sentence to…
John L. Curran State Park & Management Area: Rhode Island
John L. Curran State Park & Management Area is a hidden gem located in Cranston, Rhode Island. Isaac and I discovered it the way we discover most cool parks. We searched our house on Google maps and zoomed out until we found a green spot. We saw the two ponds, got in the car and…
5 Health Benefits of Living Near the Water
Many people enjoy or dream of living by the water. There are many reasons to like being close to water *cue Moana singing*. However, there are even more health benefits of living near the water! Swarms of mosquito and fear of hurricanes aside, there are many reasons why living by the ocean or a lake…
Ordinary Individuals Making Extraordinary Differences: Youth Time Magazine
We share planet Earth with over 7.5 billion other people. It can be easy to think that just one individual cannot make a difference. This can be a dangerous thought if everyone in the entire population makes a decision that can harm the planet. When it comes to plastic pollution, people often say, “But it’s…
Map of the World: Inaccuracies & Political Bias
When you picture the map of the world, what is on top? What is in the middle? What if I told you that this is different depending on where you live? And what if I also told you that most maps are not geographically accurately, but they rather politically biased? Asia-Australia Centered Map of the…
Run Motivators: Pizza, Pizza! 40K Challenge
Run Motivators is one of my go-to companies for virtual races. They have amazing medals, really fun challenges and a great support team. Although I have written about many other virtual race companies, this one was actually one of the first I bought a medal from. I ordered my Pizza, Pizza! 40K Challenge medal several…
10 Free Apps to Track and Organize Your Life: Youth Time Magazine
In our increasingly fast-paced and busy lives, it can be hard to keep everything organized. Humans are great at using technology, working really hard, and multitasking. However, many of us are losing our aptitude for managing our basic daily needs, such as drinking enough water. One study has shown that most Americans don’t drink enough…
Word Genius: Daily Vocab Expander
Word Genius sends me an email or two every day. I waste a lot of time clearing spam and emails that I once thought I’d want to subscribe to. However, I always open and enjoy my emails from Word Genius. You can subscribe to get a word a day and I feel like I have…
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware: Book Review
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware is definitely my favorite book by the author. While I had a few issues with it, the ending in particular, I loved almost everything else. The story was unique, the twists were crazy but the ending was just a little rushed. Ruth Ware’s books have been hit…
National All American Pet Photo Day: July 11th
July 11th is National All American Pet Photo Day! Who knew that I was incorrectly celebrating this day every day of the year? My bad. Today actually had five things to celebrate. This includes National 7-Eleven Day, National Blueberry Muffin Day, National Cheer Up the Lonely Day and National Rainer Cherry Day. I am finding…
10 Celebrities that Eat Bugs
Celebrities that eat bugs don’t all do it for the right reason. Which is a shame, because celebrities are often trendsetters in today’s society. Like it or not, famous people can have a lot of influence even if one doesn’t read celeb gossip magazines. Now, I am a big fan of entomophagy because it is…
Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris: Book Review
Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris was my third book by this author. Of course, I started with Behind Closed Doors, then devoured The Breakdown and finally got Bring Me Back delivered to my doorstep. Sans yellow Russian dolls, I already had a bunch of those laying around. You’ll get it when you read the…
Pickles Made Cleopatra Beautiful: Weird Food Facts
Pickles are a staple in many people’s homes. They are a popular hangover food in Ukraine, a fun street food in the USA when deep-fried and Cleopatra ate them as part of her beauty regime. Did I just say Cleopatra? Yes. Pickles have been around for a ridiculously long time. Some believe the first pickle…
Chicken of the Woods: Easy to Identify Mushrooms
Chicken of the Woods is an amazing mushroom that is known for its taste. Somehow, it tastes exactly like chicken! Sure, they say that about everything but it’s not just the flavor, it’s also the looks and texture. If you follow my blog then you may be feeling some déjà vu. Beware, chicken of the…
Jan Hus Day: Anniversary of Martyrdom
The name Jan Hus may not ring a bell to too many people who haven’t lived in the Czech Republic. Every year on July 6th, Czechs celebrate the day that he was burned at the stake in 1415. As shocking as it sounds, Czech history is full of macabre stories and holidays. To be fair,…
Ellis Artistic Wonders: $3 ‘Bad’ Pet Portraits
Ellis Artistic Wonders popped up on my Facebook newsfeed while I scrolled through adorable photos of dogs. It is not uncommon for artists to show off their work and accept commissions. This particular artist, however, stood out because she was creating simple sketches that she dubbed ‘bad pet portraits.’ I have been thinking of commissioning…
Fingerprinted Hearts by Amy Spitzfaden: Book Review
Fingerprinted Hearts by Amy Spitzfaden is an amazing book that has a little bit of everything. Love, friendship, family bonds and, of course, strong inspiring female characters. This was my second novel by Amy Spitzfaden and I really enjoyed it. I binge books and have read at least 150 since I have read Fingerprinted Hearts….
July 4th: Fun Facts About America’s Biggest Holiday
July 4th is arguably the biggest holiday in America. It celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Essentially, it is the birthday of the United States of America as an independent nation. The declaration was signed on July 4th in 1776, a reminder of just how young this country really is! But I’m not…
Live Concerts and Fireworks: Youth Time Magazine
Summer is finally here, and it wouldn’t be complete without music, concerts, and performances. In the USA, the first weekend of the month begins with various 4th of July performances in celebration of American Independence Day. This month you can look forward to free virtual events that feature various genres of music and unique shows…
National Day: Fried Clams, Chocolate Wafer & Beans
Every day is a national something today. Some days it’s not just one something. Today, for example, is a very confusing day. On July 3rd we’re supposed to be healthy and eat beans but also fried clams as well as chocolate wafers. A balanced diet involves a little bit of everything, right? Let me tell…
The Cabin by Natasha Preston: Book Review
The Cabin by Natasha Preston was a much anticipated read for me. I skipped seven books on my “read next” list after I loved The Cellar so much. Maybe I set the bar too high or I wasn’t in the right mood, but I really didn’t like this book. One of the things I hated…
Over-Reliance on Tech: Youth Time Magazine
We humans rely on technology to wake us up in the morning, remind us of our appointments, and to keep us connected to the rest of the world. Technology can bring a lot of convenience into our lives. But it can also make us rely a little too much on our phones, tablets, laptops, and…
Dice Facts: Oldest Gaming Implements Known to Man
Dice facts: dice are defined as small, throwable objects with marked sides that can rest in multiple positions. Although a traditional dice has six sides, the record number of sides is a whopping 120! But that’s not even the most interesting thing about them. Turns out that they are so old that they pre-date recorded…
The Dinner by Herman Koch: Book Review
Reading The Dinner by Herman Koch was an interesting literary as well as culinary experience. It was a unique read because the entire story took place over one dinner. The entire book is even split into courses: aperitif, appetizer, main course, dessert and digestif. The story itself is different and unexpected from anything else I…
Camp Nowhere, RI: $3 Food & Drinks
After being cooped up at home for months, a trip to Block Island broke our stay-at-home seal. While staying at home is still the safest way to prevent the spread of COVID-19, people are beginning to go stir-crazy. While it is still best to stick to outdoor activities like hiking, there are pubs like Camp…
Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware: Book Review
Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware was a much-anticipated read for me. My experience with her other books has been very hit and miss. While I did not enjoy Into the Dark, Dark Wood, or The Death of Mrs. Westaway, I loved The Woman in Cabin 10 and I enjoyed The Lying Game. Yes,…
What My Sister Knew by Nina Laurin: Book Review
What My Sister Knew by Nina Laurin is the third book I read by this author. The Starter Wife and Girl Last Seen were both great reads and this book was no different. This story had two timelines. One where Andrea is a teenager and another where she is an adult. Andrea’s twin brother Eli…
Planning a Trip is Good For You Even if You Don’t Go
A few days ago I read a blog post that listed some strange statistics. It claimed that 80% of people were so stressed to plan a trip that they would rather cancel it to avoid said stress. Now don’t get me wrong, I have felt stress while planning trips… but I’d like to share some…
The Breakdown by B.A. Paris: Book Review
The Breakdown by B.A. Paris is my second book by the author of one of the most disturbing books I’ve read. Behind Closed Doors was an intense book full of darkness and twists. I expected no less from The Breakdown. It wasn’t quite as crazy but I may have set the bar too high. It…
Motorcycle Tips for Women: Interview with Ichico
When I picture a typical motorcycle rider, I imagine a big, muscular, tattooed man with a bushy beard and probably some piercings. Ichico breaks that stereotype and has been riding since she was just 22 years old. She went from getting a license for a middle class (~400cc) bike to racing 200km/h (125m/h) on the…
Job Opportunities in Space: Youth Time Magazine
“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it, you will land among the stars.” This is one of Les Brown’s most famous quotes. Although it was used by the well-known motivational speaker to encourage us to dream big, it is now a literal possibility for humans to work or even live in space. Between…
ShadowQuillsInk: Editing Services & More
Creating content is an art and a skill. It takes talent, ambition, and a genuine love for breaking new grounds. But it’s also difficult, competitive, and utterly unforgiving to new creators, making it one of the hardest fields to break into. Especially online. That’s why ShadowQuillsInk is devoted to bringing indie creators together in one…
I Know Who You Are by Alice Feeney: Book Review
This was another book that I discovered by accident when buying a lot of books. I Know Who You Are by Alice Feeney is a book about an actress with a mysterious past. It took me a while to get into but the twists kept me reading and wondering! Alice Feeney is known for her…
Block Island, RI: Visiting During a Pandemic
Isaac and I have been extremely careful since we first heard about the COVID-19. We stopped going out even before the lock-down and have done our best to stay away from people on our weekend hikes that kept us sane. After such long months of being stuck at home, we finally had a reason to…
The Cellar by Natasha Preston: Book Review
The Cellar by Natasha Preston is the first book by this author that I have heard so much about. This wasn’t her best-rated book on Goodreads, in fact it had much lower ratings than all her other books. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and if this is one of her worst, then I can’t wait…
Harry Potter Read by Daniel Radcliffe – FREE
This is not a drill! I repeat, this. Is. Not. A. Drill. Daniel Radcliffe recorded himself reading the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone/Sorcerer’s Stone. But that’s not all! Other celebs will be reading other chapters in the book, and it’s completely free. The audio is available on Spotify but you can…
Sushi Began as Cheap Fast Food: Weird Food Facts
Yesterday, June 18th, was International Sushi Day! I don’t normally celebrate these holidays because there’s something like this happening literally every day. If I ate whatever food was being celebrated, I’d gain even more weight than I already have. Anyway, I decided to use this fun occasion to tell you a little bit about sushi….
The Lying Game by Ruth Ware: Book Review
The Lying Game by Ruth Ware is my fourth book by the author and I have no idea why I haven’t reviewed any yet! You’ll have to stay tuned for the others. My first experience with her had an amazing plot and buildup, yet a disappointing and rushed ending. The second book I read by…
The Avocado Was Once the Alligator Pear: Weird Food Facts
Alligator pears are delicious and I could eat them every day if I could. You may wonder why I am referring to avocados as alligator pears? I’ll get to that soon because this article will be all about avocados! Scroll to the end if you’re only here for the earrings, but I definitely recommend that…
The Starter Wife by Nina Laurin: Book Review
I discovered The Starter Wife by Nina Laurin purely coincidentally. It was abandoned along with with another book near a trashcan on a rainy day. Shame on whoever left it there, but one person’s trash is another’s treasure! Girl Last Seen was a great book and the moment I finished it, I ordered The Starter…
Plogging: An Eco-Friendly Sport – Youth Time Magazine
Some people enjoy running, while others enjoy picking up trash to help protect the environment. Then there are those people who combine the two and call it plogging! Plogging was born in Sweden in 2016, and by 2018 it had become a global “sport” of sorts. Today, plogging is known as a recreational activity that…
8 Books That I Will Read & Review Next
I have always loved to read but I have phases when I binge books like it’s my job (if only.) Currently, I’m reading I Know Who You Are by Alice Feeney and I plan on finishing it tonight. After that, there are three books that I have already reviewed. They are scheduled for posting in…
Figs Contain Dead Wasps: Weird Food Facts
We live in a strange world where humans spend less and less time outside. So many of us are disconnected from the natural world. Most things in our lives are virtual, processed and synthetic. Nothing depresses me more than those videos of children being shown vegetables and asking “what is this?” While I can confidently…
Book Review: I’m a Therapist, and My Patient is Going to be the Next School Shooter
Facebook has discovered that I am a bookworm and is now bombarding me with ads for all sorts of books. My husband is upset, my wallet is upset but I am so excited to get so many cool suggestions! One of them was I’m a Therapist, and My Patient is Going to be the Next…
Dropps: Eco-Friendly Detergent and a Naked CEO
Detergent pods get a bad rep cause some of the less intelligent individuals in our society confuse them with candy. Fortunately, not everyone watches pod-eating videos. People like me prefer to watch naked CEOs advertising awesome products in a fun and memorable way. I didn’t order Dropps right after watching the following ad and I…
The Other Woman by Sandie Jones: Book Review
The Other Woman by Sandie Jones: when a woman falls in love with someone, one of her biggest fears is that another woman will come between them. While most women who are fighting for a man’s attention are competing with another potential date, Emily is competing with someone who Adam can’t leave: his mother. The…
Japanese Toilet: FLIP Guide, Japan Travel
Japan is an amazing country to visit because of its fascinating culture, delicious food and kind locals. One of the less-expected perks during my trip was discovering toilets in Japan are the best toilets in the world! A lot of Japan is known by foreigners for being a perfect mashup of historic influences and futuristic…
TENVIS: Best Wireless Home Camera Review
Do you have a dog that you want to keep an eye on when you’re not home, or a kid who likes to play in a different room than you work in? There are many reasons why one may want to have a camera in their home. While I bought mine to spy on my…
Married for Four Years: Moët & Snail Cake
Four years ago, Isaac and I got married in Prague, Czech Republic. It was a small ceremony with just a few close friends and an after party at a pour-your-own-beer bar. We danced on the table, did shots of Becherovka and ate on adorably terrifying-looking wedding cake in the shape of a snail. Isaac and…
When She Returned by Lucinda Berry: Book Review
When She Returned by Lucinda Berry revolves around one of my favorite topics ever: CULTS! Well, just one cult. But you get the point. I read When She Returned right after reading The Perfect Child by the same author. When I say right after I mean I literally read the last sentence of one book…
10 Wine Drinking Essentials on a Budget
Drinking wine is one of my favorite hobbies. I used to be more of a beer girl, but it turns out that I prefer my beer on tap, especially in Prague, Czech Republic. So the quarantine threw me through a bit of a ringer until I decided to find a wine I loved. What started…
Magazine Subscriptions: Youth Time Magazine
Social media can be a great source of news in 2020. Unfortunately, the spread of fake news has become a serious issue, especially on these platforms. Magazine subscriptions are a great way to become more informed on a wide variety of topics. Although print journalism is said to be slowly dying, there are still plenty…
Digitization in Iceland: Youth Time Magazine
The job market is constantly changing as new technology is developed. It has been a common theme in human history to fear robots taking over our jobs. In a way, this has been happening for decades, albeit not in a sci-fi horror movie way. Technology has made its way into our daily lives and workplaces….
The Perfect Child by Lucinda Berry: Book Review
The Perfect Child by Lucinda Berry: Janie is a young child who loves and manipulates her father but fails to bond with her mother. The child comes in between the couple because the father fails to see her shortcomings including her treatment of the mother. This may sound familiar to a book recently reviewed, Baby…
CalorieKing: Nutritional Info to Aid Weight Loss
While writing my blog post about Fitvine, I needed to do some nutritional research and calorie comparing. That is how I discovered CalorieKing! CalorieKing is a unique nutrition website because it tells you how long it would take you to burn off the calories consumed. I have been counting calories and tracking my macros on…
Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman: Book Review
Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman was another book that came in my set of water-themed hardcover psychological thrillers. If you read as much as I do, I highly recommend checking out book lots on eBay and Facebook Marketplace. You don’t always find what you are looking for, but you might just discover something…
Adventure Travel with Lucian: Youth Time Magazine
Lucian is originally from Râmnicu Vâlcea, a small Romanian town near the Carpathian Mountains. The quaint town is surrounded by hills; and on a clear day, you can see the nearby mountain peaks in all their majesty. Today, he lives in Prague, Czech Republic and works in procurement. But he doesn’t stay in the city…
Top Tips for Travelling in Japan by Flip Guide
No matter if you are planning to move to Japan or travel here, there are many things here in Japan that might shock you. For a more comfortable and convenient time in Japan, here are some travel tips and travel hacks to help you have an amazing time here in Japan! Author: FLIP GUIDE Your…
The Never List by Koethi Zan: Book Review
I read The Never List last year when I was binge reading psychological thrillers like my life depended on it. Some of the stories I read have blurred in my memory. Others disappeared completely. Earlier this year, I picked out an interesting looking book from my extensive library. I was a few pages in before…
Start Your Own Blog for Free: Youth Time Magazine
There are many reasons why having a blog or your own website is a good idea. It can be a way to market yourself to a future employer, it can be a creative outlet, and it can be a way to make some extra money. Before you can create content and put it out into…
FitVine: Healthier Wine with Less Sugar
Thanks to Mr. Zuckerberg, I discover many things via Facebook ads. Since Facebook knows that I love to run and drink wine, it hit me with the most perfectly targeted ad: FitVine! Since I’d Just ordered over 40 bottles with Splash Wines, I was not shopping for more wine. But I couldn’t resist buying one…
Adultery by Paulo Coelho: Book Review
The name Paulo Coelho might ring a bell, and it should. He is the author of one of the best known books in the world, The Alchemist. I’m embarrassed to say that I have not read his other books yet. But I was definitely intrigued when I heard about Adultery. Classics meet 50 Shades of…
Virtual Brew Run 5k: Shirt, Glass & Medal for $25
Run before beer and you’re in the clear! That is my personal motto for this Virtual Brew Run. This run, like the ones I previously wrote about, is a virtual run that can be done at one’s own pace. While the other races that I have mentioned only include a medal in the base price,…
Girl Last Seen by Nina Laurin: Book Review
This book was nowhere near my radar. I discovered it coincidentally while scrolling on Marketplace, as one does while peeing. Turns out a crazy lady in my neighborhood was selling 20 books for $20. Most were by Jodi Picoult so I couldn’t resist making the purchase. But the book that caught my eye was Girl…
Best Rowing Machine: MaxKare Magnetic Rowing Machine for $246 Review
I received my MaxKare Magnetic Rowing Machine about a week ago and my entire body has been sore ever since. Since I didn’t act fast enough when the quarantine hit, I waited for almost a month to receive it. It seems like everyone had the same thought process – can’t go to the gym, let’s…
The River at Night by Erica Ferencik: Book Review
Once upon a time I paid someone $15 on eBay for a set of five hard cover books. Funny enough, they were all water-themed! One of these books was The River at Night by Erica Ferencik. It sat on my shelf for over a year until I finally picked it up and devoured it in…
East Coast Greenway: RI Hike, Bike & More
Last Saturday Isaac and I went on a 10-mile walk along the East Coast Greenway, also known as the Coventry Greenway. This path is popular for walking, hiking, biking, horseback riding, dog walking and even roller skating! There are 48 total miles (77 km) of path of which 32.5 miles (52 km) is protected greenway….
Canyoneering in Southeast Asia: Youth Time Magazine
Canyoneering is a fun activity that simply means exploring a canyon from point A to point B using a range of techniques. This can include walking, rafting, climbing, sliding, jumping, and more! This type of activity is especially popular in Southeast Asia, and many people travel to gorgeous canyons in that part of the world…
Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage: Book Review
I picked up Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage after being told by several people that it was unsettling. It was not only unsettling but it was also caught my attention right away. To my delight, it got crazier with each chapter, until…. well, I’ll got to that in a minute. “Meet Hanna. She’s the sweet-but-silent…
Noom Was Not for Me, but It Could Be for You!
I signed up for a free trial of Noom six weeks ago and I wrote about my first impressions here. Since then I decided to cancel my subscription but stayed on because I was offered a $20/month deal instead of the original $159 for 5 months. Today, after four days of avoiding the app, I…
Being Magdalene by Fleur Beale: Book Review
Being Magdalene is the third book in a series by Fleur Beale. The series is about a family growing up in a religious cult. The first book, I Am Not Esther, introduces us to this world and the characters. The second book, I Am Rebecca takes place several years later and focuses on another character…
Digital Fine Art: Youth Time Magazine
As human beings, we are often drawn to art because it is a way for us to channel our creativity. Some people are talented with a paintbrush while others prefer other mediums. Today’s technology creates even more opportunities to express ourselves artistically. Digital art, including digital painting, is gaining popularity and opening up a whole…
Apple Watch Series 5 as a Fitness Watch: Yay or Nay?
I got my first Apple Watch in November of 2019. I had previously used Fitbits in the past but after getting an iPhone, I wanted to check out the Apple Watch. For the first few days I absolutely hated it. Once I got used to it and figured out all the settings, I absolutely loved…
The Woman in the Wall by Patrice Kindl: Book Review
I had just finished Odd Child Out and was slightly tipsy from wine tasting. I wanted a find shorter book that would still be interesting. So I browsed my library, packed to the brim with second-hand books from Saver’s 50% off days. That’s when I found The Woman in the Wall by Patrice Kindl! The…
Medal Displays to Show Off Your Wins
Whether you are a runner, participate in sports competitively or have a bunch of childhood medals that you want to show off – good storage or a way to display them can be a head-scratcher. There are display stands that can be purchased. But you can also create your own and save some money such…
Virtual Train Rides & Tours: Youth Time Magazine
Virtual travel allows travelers to go anywhere, anytime without disrupting nature of the locals. It also offers a unique chance to see some of the world’s busiest places completely empty! In this article, you will find out how to take virtual train rides in Norway, visit Machu Picchu, and see breathtaking landscape of Alaska. This…
Odd Child Out by Gilly Macmillan: Book Review
Earlier this year Gilly Macmillian got me out of my reading slump with her book What She Knew. If you read my review of it, you’ll know that I didn’t love it or hate it. But I did enjoy it enough to buy The Perfect Girl, another book by Gilly Macmillan. Odd Child Out happens…
Yes.Fit – Virtual Fitness Challenges
Another virtual challenge? Yes! I’m obsessed. Virtual fitness challenges are all the rage and I’m not the only one who’s addicted. These Yes.Fit challenges aim to motivate people to get moving and get into better shape. There are many virtual races to chose from and they all have beautiful intricate medals! Many virtual races rely…
Fit2Fat2Fit by Drew Manning: Book Review
I discovered Drew Manning’s Fit2Fat2Fit on Hulu. The TV show, available on Hulu and other streaming websites is called Fit to Fat to Fit. I knew nothing about it and just wanted to watch something that would motivate me to work out more. The show led me to wanting to learn more about the original…
Trailforks App: The Best Hiking Companion
Isaac and I have been hiking every weekend! People often ask us how we find great hiking spots and honestly, most days we just find a green spot on the map and set the GPS. More recently, with higher distance goals, we have started doing a little more planning ahead of time. Trailforks is a…
Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris: Book Review
This book was recommended to be by another avid reader of psychological thrillers. She mentioned it to me with a warning, saying that Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris was dark. I laughed. After all, I grew up watching horror movies. Not just the typical ones like the Ring. I saw some pretty horrible stuff….
Vegan Cheese: 5 Top Choices
Vegan cheese does not have a great reputation. It is extremely hard to recreate the delicious creamy gooeyness of dairy cheese. Unfortunately, a lot of people can’t eat the real thing due to allergies or other reasons that include health, religion, ethics, etc. I personally have a mild lactose intolerance, plus even a small amount…
It’s Always the Husband by Michele Campbell: Book Review
I spent all of 2019 reading psychological thrillers. I read some super dark books and it was nice to take a break from the violence. But part of me began to miss that world. That is why I picked up It’s Always the Husband by Michele Campbell. It actually showed up in a Facebook ad…
Big River Management Area: The Best RI Hiking Spot
I have been exploring hiking spots in Rhode Island ever since I moved here about a year ago. For such a small state, it has a surprisingly impressive amount of diverse spots to explore. I have managed to visit quite a few of them during my brief time here. So far, my absolute favorite has…
The Hypnotist’s Love Story by Liane Moriarty: Book Review
Finally, my mission to reading all of Liane Moriarty’s adult books is complete. It has been my mission ever since I fell in love with the author a year ago. After my disappointment at Three Wishes, I almost put off reading the remaining two books. But The Last Anniversary was awesome and so was The…
Apothic Red Blend: My Favorite Wine
I do not consider myself picky when it comes to wine. In my early 20s I was happy drinking $2 bottles of wine in Prague. A few years later, I was paying ten times more in Shanghai for fake imported wine that could not have been worse. Suddenly, I found myself tolerating most wines but…
Amerithon: 3,521 Miles for a 6-Piece Medal
The Amerithon is an amazing challenge by Run the Edge. The goal is to complete 3,521 miles (5667 km) by doing any sort of activity. Whether you are running, walking, biking, swimming, you can accumulate miles however you want. If 3,521 is too much of an intimidating number, you can complete the race with another…
The Institute by Stephen King: Book Review
Stephen King’s The Institute is one of Stephen King’s latest releases, and it proves that the master of horror and science fiction is not out of steam yet! He keeps churning out voluminous masterpieces – and The Institute doesn’t disappoint. I’ll only give a small snapshot of a Goodreads summary, because in my opinion it…
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: Book Review
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson is an f-bomb filled self-help book that presents a counterintuitive approach to living a good life. I picked up this book after reading Brendon Burchard’s High Performing Habits. The two books couldn’t be more different, but there were a few similarities. In particular, both…
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng: Book Review
I just finished Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng in just four days! Since I’m quickly running out of TV shows to watch, I was in a hurry to watch the show on Hulu. I read the book without even seeing a trailer for the show. After just a few chapters, I was hooked and…
Udemy Online Courses: Everything You Want to Know About Wine
I discovered Udemy while writing articles about ways to stay busy while we’re stuck indoors. Luckily enough, I discovered the website during a 48-hour flash sale. This made all courses 90% off! Of course, I ended up snagging 15 classes worth $2,000 for just over $150. I did notice that there seems to be other…
Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty: Book Review
Nine Perfect Strangers is my favorite book by Liane Moriarty. You may gasp and say, “but what about Big Little Lies?” Meh, I enjoyed it but I didn’t fall head over heels for it. It also took me a few tries to get into. Nine Perfect Strangers, on the other hand, had me hooked from…
Iceland: SDGs & Youth Organizations – Youth Time Magazine
Iceland is one of the most unique countries in the world. It has the smallest population of any NATO member and is the only one with no standing army. At the same time, Iceland ranks high in economic, democratic, and social stability as well as in equality. In 2018, it was ranked the sixth most…
Owning a Tesla – Expectations vs. Reality
Do you have a Tesla? Thinking about buying one? If you are, please use my referral code, we’ll both get 1,000 free supercharger miles! Owning a Tesla has been quite the experience – here are my expectations vs. what I experienced in reality after a year of owning this wonderful car. Was it Expensive? This…
The Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarty: Book Review
I just finished The Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarty and I really enjoyed it. I picked up Little Fires Everywhere right after and despite the dramatic start, I am not as excited about it as I was about The Last Anniversary. It was a nice surprise after the disappointing read that was Three Wishes. Since…
Nuggs: Vegan Chicken Nugget Review
Nuggs are a very popular vegan chicken nugget that’s advertised all over the internet. I actually bought some to try because of the fun ads and great price. Their tag line is “don’t be a chicken” which I found absolutely hilarious. Sadly, if prepared in a healthier oil-free way, these Nuggs tasted about as good…
High Performing Habits by Brendon Burchard: Book Review
I just finished High Performing Habits by Brendon Burchard. Before you read my review, I wanted to share a few facts with you. First of all, this is the first self-help book I have ever read. Second, I took a photo of it on a shelf with Steven King because I was more scared of…
Insurance Risks of Connected Cars: TU Automotive
Connected cars are here and will only get more connected as the industry players vie for control of the user’s data. The original article was posted on TU Automotive and can be found here.
Love Day in the Czech Republic: May 1st
“Love day? Did she just misspell labour day?!” you may be asking yourself. So technically, today is a public holiday in many countries around Europe known as labour day. Labour day, as you may already know, dates back to 1886 when workers had a strike in Chicago. But in the Czech Republic the holiday has morphed…
Best Apps for Making Friends: Youth Time Magazine
As little children we can just walk up to each other and become friends, even if there is no common language. The older we get, the harder it is to meet and connect with others. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, found out that 3 out of 4 Americans feel lonely. Today, there…
Burning the Witches on April 30th: Czech Holiday
Burning the Witches is a popular holiday in the Czech Republic that takes place on April 30th. Despite the negative connotation, it is a happy holiday where many participants like to dress up as said witches. Although a large bonfire is a necessity for this event, no humans are burned during this event, even if…
Noom: First Impressions of the Weight Loss App
Everybody and their mother has probably heard of Noom. They clearly spend a lot of money on advertising. I have seen them on every single social media channel and streaming service. Even my husband, who is clueless about weight loss apps heard about Noom in a podcast. I finally decided to try it, despite the…
MyFitnessPal: Weight Management App
I have been using MyFitnessPal on and off since 2016. It is a fitness tracking app that lets you log your progress. This includes the food you eat, the exercise you do and so much more. The basic app is completely free although the paid app has some features worth the investment. When I first…
Traveling Home During a Pandemic: A Pivotal First in My Life
Sitting down and finally writing feels so good and something I truly miss doing it as a hobby. When Olena asked me to write about my experience of a lifetime, I was all in to shed some light. The current state of our world right now is very uncertain, unpredictable, and at times scary –…
Three Wishes by Liane Moriarty: Book Review
Liane Moriarty is one of my favorite authors of all time. Her books such as What Alice Forgot, Nine Perfect Strangers and Her Husband’s Secret are among my all time favorites. Of course I’ve also read her more popular books Big Little Lies and Truly Madly Guilty, but these did not make my favorites list….
I Got A COVID-19 Test Last Week in Rhode Island
Last week, I was one of some 2,000 people tested for COVID-19 in Rhode Island that day. Rhode Island is one of the leading states in COVID-19 testing. They are one of the few states with rapid testing by CVS, along with Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts and Michigan. As recent as a few weeks ago, you…
Trader Joe’s Vegan Protein Patties
Move over Beyond Burger, Trader Joe’s Protein Patties are the best alternative meat product out there. These vegan patties only have 260 calories and 26 grams of protein and five grams of fiber. These are by no means a healthy food that should be consumed regularly. But they are delicious and a great treat for…
US Road Running: Virtual Races
US Road Running is one of dozens of companies that organize virtual races. I feel like a broken record because I have already written about two other companies that do this. However, they are all very different! In the future, I may stick to US Road Running exclusively because they are by far the cheapest!…
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty: Book Review
Today I received what I believe is the last Liane Moriarty book that I haven’t read yet. I ordered The Last Anniversary the moment I started reading Three Wishes. The author made her way into my heart the as I read my first book by her. Alice Forgot was a really great book and has…
Why Pick Wild Mushrooms?
Mushroom picking is a popular hobby all over the world. In the Czech Republic, it is a very popular activity and families will often go mushroom picking with young children. I grew up identifying and picking mushrooms from a very young age. It is a hobby that I still enjoy today! Connecting with the Natural…
Online Wine Tasting: Youth Time Magazine
Enjoying a glass of wine with dinner is a great way to unwind. But it can be really disappointing to bring home a bottle of wine with a taste that doesn’t match the cost. Sometimes it’s due to the brand, but other times it’s simply served wrong or paired incorrectly with a meal. Luckily, it…
New Asia House: Sushi in Warwick, RI
New day, new sushi place discovery – coincidentally called the New Asia House! The New Asia House is by no means a new restaurant. It has been on Quaker Lane in Warwick since September 2016. While their website isn’t particularly modern or informative, you can get a lot of information about the via Yelp. We…
Grounds & Hounds: Good Cause Coffee Subscription
Grounds & Hounds is an amazing coffee subscription that donates a percentage of their profits to help dogs. The subscription starts at $13.99 + $2 shipping and can be fully customized to suit your needs. The company also sells coffee normally with no subscription needed. They have a wide selection of delicious products. “20% of…
You by Caroline Kepnes: Book Review
You by Caroline Kepnes is an award winning thriller, known for being on the list of one of Suspense Magazines Best Books of 2014. It was also made into a TV-show featured first on Lifetime and then on Netflix in 2018. I first heard about it by seeing the ads on the NYC subway. This…
Morels: Easy to Identify Mushrooms
Morels are delicious mushrooms and one of the most desired wild mushrooms in the world. You can buy them dried in stores such as Walmart, but a mere 2 oz (57 grams) will cost you $24! This is because morels aren’t generally farmed – they are gathered in the wild. I am writing about them…
Pysanky: Ukrainian Easter Tradition
You can’t celebrate Easter in Ukraine without pysanky, or decorated eggs! The word pysanka (singular) or pysanky (plural) comes from the word pysaty which means “to write” in Ukrainian. The traditional folk designs are not painted on, but rather written or inscribed with beeswax. Ukraine isn’t the only country that decorates Easter eggs using wax…
Entertainment from Home: Youth Time Magazine
Hearing your favorite musicians perform live is an amazing experience. It can also cost a pretty penny and have other downsides such as crowds. Luckily, it is possible to enjoy real-life performances from the comfort of your home. Virtual concerts give you all the control and convenience. You can watch on your phone, computer or…
Gudetama the Lazy Egg 101
I discovered Gudetama when I lived in Shanghai, China. One day on the subway I saw someone with a backpack that was covered in images of a sad-looking egg with a juicy butt. I was immediately intrigued and started Googling. Turns out this lazy egg is a sibling of Hello Kitty and he is popular…
The Grownup by Gillian Flynn: Book Review
The Grownup was the last Gillian Flynn book that I had read. After Gone Girl, Sharp Objects and Dark Places I was dying for more from the author. She currently doesn’t have any other books published. If you haven’t already, I definitely recommend that you read The Grownup. What is the Grownup about? “A canny…
Gansett Cruises: Morning Narrated Mimosa Cruise
A great way to learn more about Newport, Rhode Island is on a cruise. There are many companies that offer tours in the area. You can pick from dinner cruises, sunset sails and child-friendly tours with live lobsters. The full list of tours is available here. I highly recommend checking out the Gansett Cruises, in…
Easter Pussy Willow Whips: Czech Tradition
In the past few weeks I have had dozens of views on my article about nudity in the Czech Republic. This PG article is all about the culture of being open about nakedness. Sorry to disappoint! This article is also about culture. While Czechs definitely have their kinky side, they use pussy willow whips to…
Social Distancing Run: Virtual Marathon Training Academy Race
COVID-19 has seriously impacted my workout routine. Prior to this craziness I actually managed to lose 15 pounds in just six weeks. In the past month, I have gained almost all of it back despite having a treadmill in my home. Thanks stress-eating. Yesterday I received an email that a race I registered for in…
Tesla Model 3 – A Year of Adventures
It’s hard to believe it’s been a whole year since I bought my Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus. Considered a luxury car by many, my Black Pearl has been through some rugged trials this year. Your jaw will drop when you read 10 of the many adventures this thing has brought us on. Use…
Adventure Travel with Jennie Morris: Youth Time Magazine
Jennie Morris is not your typical Florida native. After being raised in one place her entire childhood as one of four daughters, she went on to travel to 121 countries on 7 continents. Jennie doesn’t just go sightseeing on her trips. She spent a month skydiving every day in Namibia, swam with piranhas in the…
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn: Book Review
Gillian Flynn is best known for her bestseller novel that was made into a movie. Of course, I am talking about Gone Girl, a.k.a. the book that every single psychological thriller is compared to. While Gone Girl was a great book that broke the literary world, I was much more fascinated by Sharp Objects. It…
Repurposing Crafts: Youth Time Magazine
Crafting is a great way to put idle hands to work while letting your imagination run wild. There are endless kinds of crafts to pick from that can bring joy to your life. Even just a quick visit to Pinterest will make your head spin with ideas. Many new hobbies do require a shopping trip…
White Dog Distillery’s Moonshine Tasting, RI
Growing up in Europe I heard a lot of jokes made about moonshine. This led me to have quite the negative opinion about this misunderstood beverage. I remember trying a homemade batch that a friend made and it was okay. The second time I tried it was at a farmers market and it was pretty…
Whalers Brewing Company: South Kingstown, RI
My friend Matisse introduced me to Whalers back in September. Even though I live about a 45-minute drive away, we have met up there twice since! Whalers is great because of their beer, atmosphere and the fact that they are dog friendly. I’m excited to visit again once the world is successfully unplugged and plugged…
Splash Wines: 15 Bottles, $6.99 Each, Free Delivery
People have argued about the definition of irony ever since Alanis Morissette gave the world a list of ironically incorrect examples. According to my understanding of irony, it applies to discovering an amazing deal for wine the day after you decide to have a dry month. Thanks for the temptation Splash Wines, but I shall…
What She Knew by Gilly Macmillan: Book Review
Last year I read 45 books! I was excited to start 2020 reading up a storm. Somehow it didn’t happen. I picked up four books, got a few pages in and forgot about them. Finally, my fifth book caught and kept my attention. What She Knew by Gilly Macmillan was the first book I read…
OrsaraRecipes: Learn to Cook or Watch to Smile
I discovered OrsaraRecipes while writing an article about learning to cook for Youth Time Magazine. Browsing through various channels, I discovered adorable elderly people, apparently a popular trend. I was immediately drawn to Pasquale Sciarappa, an 81 year old Italian grandfather. Not only is he a great cook but he also has natural charisma and…
My Top 25 YouTube Videos By Views
As a YouTuber, I have my favorite videos. The one’s I’m proudest of making, or the ones that make me laugh (or cry) with nostalgia. For some reason, viewers and I seem to disagree on which videos are the best! That’s totally fine, I’m glad that people are watching. These are the top 25 videos…
Online Museums and Galleries: Youth Time Magazine
Museums and galleries are magical places that can transport you to unknown worlds. From reconstructed dinosaur skeletons to Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam, there is an exhibit out there to spark everyone’s interest. Walking through a museum can be a daunting task. There are hordes of tourists, strict rules of conduct, and a maze of halls…
Leyden Farm Vineyard & Winery: Review
I went to a wine tasting at Leyden Farm in July 2019 and finally got to writing about it! Until recently, these tastings were available for as little as $13 for two people on GroupOn. This includes two wine glasses with the logo and I still use mine to this day! Isaac, obviously, broke his…
Learn to Cook Italian: Youth Time Magazine
Cooking is a wonderful skill to have, one that creates a special relationship between you and your food. Creating delicious and beautiful meals from scratch is equal parts science and art. Luckily, cooking doesn’t have to be a talent you are born with. You can easily learn to be a great cook and to fall…
The Travel Bug Bite is Shutting Down
Just kidding! Look at the calendar. I was going to write a regular post today but decided to have some fun. Plus I wanted to share why I do what I do on The Travel Bug Bite! Fine, I also wanted to show off being on a roll and posting every day for the past…
Plant City: Vegan Restaurant – Providence, RI
Plant City opened in Providence, Rhode Island on June 14th, 2019. It has an extremely wide selection of vegan food featuring Italian, Mexican and a smoothie bar. They also sell retail vegan products and have an amazing bar full of cruelty-free alcoholic beverages and more! “PLANT CITY is the world’s first plant-based food hall +…
Back to the Roots: Grow Your Own Food Kits
Yesterday I wrote an article about starting a garden. But not everyone has the time or space to grow their own food. It is quite the time commitment and can cost a lot to get started. We spent several hundred dollars on the soil and raised garden beds alone! This is where Back to the…
Time to Start a Garden: Tips for Beginners (Like Me)
It’s that time of year to start a garden! While outdoor gardens or greenhouses are the best way to go, it is also possible to grow a bunch of things indoors. As long as you have the good light, anything is possible! We are finally starting our outdoor garden, indoors today. Last year we planted…
Elmhurst 1925: Delicious Alternative Milks
Before I cut dairy out of my life, I was obsessed with cheese. However, I was never one of those people who enjoyed a glass of cows milk and I could barely stomach yogurt. This changed when I switched to a plant-based diet. Today, I’ll sneak over to the fridge to sip on some almond…
Bring the Stage into Your Living Room: Youth Time Magazine
Going out to see performances can be a lot of fun. But what if you don’t have the time or want to stay in your comfy clothes? Turns out that there are so many ways to stream world-renowned productions directly to your TV. The Berlin philharmonic, Broadway, the Vienna Opera, the London National Theatre, and…
DoodyCalls: Pet Waste Removal Service
DoodyCalls is a service that looks amazing but one that I haven’t been able to try out for myself. I was really impressed with their ads, Facebook comment responses and customer service. This is why I want to share it with you without trying it out first hand. DoodyCalls is basically the Waggle of dog…
Poo-Pourri: Spray Before You Go
This week on my blog, the theme appears to be poop. Two days ago, you got to read about TUSHY, an eco-friendly and affordable bidet attachment. Tomorrow, you can read all about DoodyCalls, a service that picks up your dog’s poop for you. Today, you can read about Poo-Pourri, an evolutionary toilet spray that traps…
JOI Almond Milk Concentrate: Just Add Water
We live in Rhode Island where stores are still open. However, there are limits on how much you can buy per person and every time you go, you risk spreading the virus. The last time we went shopping was at Trader Joes. They only let 25 people inside at one time and didn’t let anyone…
TUSHY over Toilet Paper: Affordable Bidet Attachment
We live in an interesting time when many people in the world are hoarding toiler paper. Do they have chronic diarrhea? Are they building toilet paper castles and singing, “the poop never bothered me anyway?” We’ll never know. But we do know that there are better alternatives to toilet paper. TUSHY is an amazing and…
Khoo Restaurant: Emergency Take-Out Sushi
Recently I wrote about my favorite sushi spot, Ye Express. We eat there every time we get paid for our traditional pay day sushi! In the past month we went overboard and ate away our COVID-19 depression here. To our absolute horror, when dining in was banned in Rhode Island, Ye Express shut down completely!…
Oakland Beach: My Favorite Spot in Rhode Island
Rhode Island is known for its popular white sand beaches that draw crowds from all over the country. One beach that is less known, and thus not as busy, is Oakland Beach! It is quite small and the actual beach isn’t particularly special. However, this beach is home to Iggy’s Doughboys & Chowder House with an amazing…
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides: Book Review
It’s a strange time when most of the world is stuck indoors and people are either encouraged not to or not allowed to leave their homes. This is a great time to make a cup of coffee, tea, hot chocolate or all of the above and curl up with a good book. I highly recommend…
Tile to the Rescue: Hidden Keys & Wallets Beware
It happens to the best of us – it’s five minutes after you’re supposed to leave for work, you’re all ready to go, coat on, bag packed, dogs fed… but where are the damn keys? Come to think of it, where’s your wallet? Ugh, this happens every day. On the kitchen counter? No… Dining room…
Camp Bow Wow: Doggy Daycare & Boarding
Dogs make our daily life so much better. However, travel can get complicated and expensive. Especially if you’re the spontaneous trip taker type. One option is to take you dog with you and find a pet friendly hotel. This isn’t always possible or convenient. This is why I’d like to recommend Camp Bow Wow, an…
Adam Boro: Inspirational People Series
I am part of a YouTubers group on Facebook where we help each other by watching and commenting on videos. I was doing my regular weekly thread when I discovered a video by Adam Boro called “The best year of my ENTIRE LIFE.” The title made me roll my eyes, since I am used to…
10 Home Office Buys to Make Work From Home Better
I have been working from home for 10 months now and have done so in the past. Personally, I hate it. However, it is the best option for me at this time so I have embraced it. It took me a while to create the perfect set-up that helps me feel comfortable, more focused and…
Quarantine Activities: Safe Things to Do From Home
If you are reading this, you are probably already quarantined or will be soon. The world as we know it is gradually being canceled until further notice and there is nothing we can do to stop it. If you’re still skeptical about the necessity of quarantines, read this article. There are lots of ways to…
10 Do-Gooder Apps – Youth Time Magazine
You don’t need to have a lot of free time or money to make a difference. The following apps help you to give back without changing your daily routine. Donate to a good cause by tracking your exercise, eating, sleeping, taking a break from your phone, doing surveys while taking a bathroom break, taking photos…
Kvass: Ukraine’s Version of Kombucha
Long before hipsters (like me) drank kombucha, Ukrainian’s and other Slavs drank kvass. What is it? It’s a fermented beverage traditionally made from rye-bread. Today there are so many kvass recipes that go beyond bread and incorporate other healthy ingredients such as apple cider vinegar. Just like kombucha, kvass is non-alcoholic although it naturally contains…
Kombucha = Yum. Alcohol = Yum. Alcoholic Kombucha = 🤢
The moment I heard about alcoholic kombucha, I went on the hunt for it! I am your typical kombucha-chugging hipster and rave about my favorite flavors to anyone who will listen. While the best kombucha I have ever tasted was from a small local company, I do love G.T.’s Synergy and drink it regularly. When…
Edible Insects Buying Map
Eating insects is perfectly normal in many parts of the world. However, if you live somewhere where it’s not the norm, it can be tricky. Edible insects are super healthy to eat and many believe that they are the future source of protein. This doesn’t mean that you can just go outside and begin eating…
TwoTen Oyster Bar & Grill: $20 All-You-Can-Eat Sushi
TwoTen Oyster Bar & Grill is known throughout Rhode Island for their amazing seafood. I discovered them because of their sushi Mondays ad for $20 all-you-can-eat sushi! While my regular sushi spot is priced well, $20 of sushi leaves me hungry in a few hours. This was not the case after all-you-can-eat sushi. Since we…
Discover Iceland: Youth Time Magazine
Youth Time announced exciting news – this year’s International Youth Summer School will be held in Reykjavik, Iceland. But why Iceland? A country with no forests and an average temperature of 9°C in June? There is so much to see and so many natural places to explore! Iceland was one of the last places on…
The Pill Club – Get Birth Control Pills Online Hassle Free
One of the more stressful aspects of moving to a new country is healthcare. Back home, I was able to call my gynecologist and have her mail me a prescription for three months of birth control pills. I was nervous that it would take longer and cost more in the USA. Since it took me…
Who Gives A Crap – Green Toilet Paper that Does Good
My journey to a zero-waste lifestyle has been full of ups and downs. One of the biggest shocks for me after moving to the USA is that so much toilet paper comes individually wrapped in plastic. This is great if your toilet floods and you happen to store your toilet paper on the floor. It…
Ye Express: My Go-To Sushi Spot in West Warwick, RI
Ye Express is a great sushi place located on Main Street in West Warwick, Rhode Island. They have a great staff that is always friendly, and the owner knew our order by heart after our third visit. Ye Express has a great combination of American Chinese food, Japanese sushi and Western alcohol – they also…
Exo: The Cricket-powered Protein & Energy Bars
Replacing livestock with insects as a protein source can save the world. The UN has been telling us this for years now, yet few people consider bugs to be food. People will gladly put on bibs to devour shrimp or craw fish, pulling out their intestines with their bare fingers. Yet eating a a crunchy…
5 Browser Add-Ons: Youth Time Magazine
Technology often gets a bad rap for disconnecting us from other humans and from the real world. While it is true that burying our faces in our phones can do just that, there are many ways that our smart devices can actually make our planet a better place. Sometimes, this doesn’t have to require any…
Petco’s Dog Training: Review
A year ago, we brought our rescue dog Smiley to Petco for their Adult Dog Training program. Dog training is great for all dogs, even semi-perfectly behaved boys like Smiley. He was our first rescue and I was surprised at how easy he was to integrate into our lives. He was already potty trained, knew…
20 Quirky Earrings from Everyfelt
I am a huge fan of earrings. In middle school I wore a different pair every single day and it was all I asked for on my birthday. My collection of pretty sparkling earrings got more fun as I aged. Today, I wear the weirdest, craziest earrings that make a statement. I also sell quirky…
Succulent Studios: Subscription Box Review
Two weeks ago I wrote a piece about a succulent subscription box. It looks like an amazing company and you should read all about it here. However, the one that I have had personal experience with was in fact Succulent Studios. How did I manage to mess this up and write about a different company?…
AliExpress Online Shopping: Pros & Cons
Despite my environmental goals, I am a big online shopper. I am working on buying less and have successfully reduced my online purchases. However, it isn’t always possible not to shop online. Especially when it can save you a significant amount of money. This is why I’d like to share my experiences with AliExpress. What…
Crazy Hair Dye: oVertone Review
I am writing this while binging America’s Next Top Model. The girls are getting makeovers, some are leaving the show and others are merely simply. Then here I am, inspired to write about a super fun topic: oVertone hair dye! Like most girls, I have gone through many hair changes. I’ve had my hair dyed…
8-in-1 Zip Lines at Toroverde, Puerto Rico (VIDEO)
This was one of four activities that we did at Toroverde in Puerto Rico. You can read all about Toroverde here. This was probably my favorite activity!
Imperfect Foods: Greener, Cheaper Grocery Shopping
Ever since moving to America from China, my mission to lead a zero-waste lifestyle has become significantly more difficult. Until I discovered Imperfect Foods. In China, it was my experience that people were less aware of the negative impacts of plastic. Despite this, there seemed to be more opportunities to affordably shop for most necessities in reusable…
Paint Your Pet with Create Color Art Studio: Narragansett, RI
I am that basic dog mom that is all about her pup, or in my case, pups. Smiley and Pablo are both rescues from the Brooklyn ACC. They weren’t always living the best lives, but now they are because my husband and I are obsessed. Although we are both artsy, we cannot draw or paint…
Gather Glass Blowing Studio – Providence, RI
Blowing glass has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. A few weeks ago, I finally got to try it at Gather Glass Blowing Studio in Providence, RI. Using Groupon, I got a discounted ticket for $60. It was so much fun that I will definitely be coming back for…
Axe Throwing in Lincoln, Rhode Island
What came first, lumbersexuals or axe throwing bars? Whatever the answer, I now regret not dressing up more appropriately on my adventure to throw axes. There’s always next time! My first time axe throwing was in Lincoln, Rhode Island at the Axe Bar – R1 Indoor Karting. I first heard of axe throwing years ago…
BarkBox Subscription: Dog Toy Review
The BarkBox is the first dog toy subscription that I have ever tried. I recently wrote about Bullymake, which is very similar. I’m not here to compare the two since I love them both. However, I will say that BarkBox is more versatile and offers toys for calm dogs that don’t shred toys. We rescued…
Ice Bumper Cars: The Providence Rink, Rhode Island
The groundhog claims that winter is almost over, but I’m not so ure. I am prepared for several more months of gloomy coldness here in Rhode Island. While it has been a warm week, I expect temperatures to drop. This doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Take advantage of this and visit the Ice…
Toroverde, Puerto Rico: $99 Zip Line Day Pass
Puerto Rico is an amazing place to visit because of its beaches, the culture and the only tropical rain forest in the USA. Another perk is that it is home to the world’s second longest zip line! Toroverde is an amazing zip line park that offers various different activities all for the grand price of…
Going to Puerto Rico: Plans & Expectations
Tonight I will be on a flight to Puerto Rico! I could not be more excited to visit this wonderful island that I’ve heard so much about. The plan is to stay for a week and make the most of the trip despite the politics and weather. The three big things on my list are…
It’s Okay to Love Valentine’s Day & its Romantic History
Yes, you should love your SO every day of the year. No, you shouldn’t feel forced to buy anyone flowers, chocolate or anything else for that matter. However, it is inaccurate to say that Valentine’s Day is just a Hallmark holiday… it does have a romantic history. Although even if it didn’t, it’s okay to…
What do Snails, Cupid & V-Day have in common?
Valentine’s Day is based on St. Valentine who secretly married couples to spare the men from going to war. So how did snails or cupid become involved? Turns out that when snails mate, they use love darts that they shoot at their love interest. Some believe that this bizarre mating ritual is where the idea…
Bullymake Box: Dog Toys Review
The Bullymake Box is a dog toy and treat subscription box. Today there are many options when it comes to monthly subscriptions for dogs. This one is different because it specifically targets power chewers. As a proud owner of two 75 pound naughty boy doggies, I had to try it out! Also, all toys are…
Succulent Subscription Box – Yay or Nay?
Everything comes in a subscription these days and it can be annoying. I don’t want to pay a monthly fee to get discounts on lingerie, for example. But I love plants, which is why I subscribed to get two succulents a month with the Succulent Subscription Box. This post is not sponsored, and full disclosure,…
Relaxing at the Bodhi Spa – Newport, RI
A few weeks ago Isaac and I took the evening off to go relax at the Bodhi Spa in Newport, Rhode Island. Newport is one of my favorite cities in the state, so the scenic drive down was just the beginning of a great experience. The Bodhi Spa offers hydrotherapy, massages, facials, enhancements and body…
YMCA Gym: Pros & Cons
On January 3rd I signed up for the YMCA to help me with my weight loss resolution. It was the only gym in my area that not only had a bunch of classes but also a pool! I love to run on the treadmill but my joints can’t handle it unless I can swim afterwards…
Beyond Sushi: Vegan in New York City
Sushi was the one thing preventing me from going fully vegan when I first decided to change my eating habits. Like many people, I was just obsessed with raw fish. I would literally dream of eating salmon nigiri. One of the best culinary moments of my life involved eating raw fish in Ginza, Japan. Does…
Broadway Roulette: Review
I discovered Broadway Roulette just over a month ago. Even though I lived in New York City for almost a year, I didn’t get to see a show because of the price. I wish I had known about it when I didn’t live a four hour drive away. Broadway Roulette allowed me to see Chicago…
Dogs in a Hotel: Our Experience with Smiblo
Last weekend our rescue pit-mixes Smiley and Pablo (Smiblo) had their first experience staying at a hotel. I love our boys but I hate how much they limit us from traveling, so I wanted to give it a go. I am not going to lie, having dogs in a hotel was stressful but worth it…
Virtual Challenges, Real Medals: The Conqueror & Medal Mad
One of my New Year’s Resolutions this year was to get back in shape. I started running again on January 3rd and by the end of the month I had signed up for six races! Unfortunately, the soonest one is in May and I needed a little motivational push. This is why I looked into…
Vegan V-Day: Love the Planet, Animals and Your SO
Valentines day is around the corner and heart-shaped merchandise is flooding stores. It can be easy to get overwhelmed and end up reaching for the closest box of chocolate placed directly at eye level by rich advertisers. Or you can do a little bit of research and make the best choice for the planet and…
Blood at Maidan – Kyiv, Ukraine 2014
There was no physical blood present when I stepped onto Maidan Square in Kyiv, Ukraine. Yet signs of it were everywhere. Bullet holes pierced the shields and helmets that memorialized the fallen. Flowers, the color of blood, sat inside the cavern of the helmet. The space, once occupied by a human mind, was now an…
LuminoCity Festival: Is It Worth It for Adults?
LuminoCity was a light festival that opened it’s doors on November 23rd. It was open for just 29 days during this holiday season. I saw the ads on Facebook and bought tickets for the last day of the event on January 5th. Now that I live in Rhode Island, this also meant 7 hours driving…
Xuan Huong Lake Walk Around – Da Lat, Vietnam
Da Lat is a beautiful city in the center of Vietnam. Originally, we had only planned on spending a day and a half here. The moment we arrived and saw everything there is to do, we extended our stay to three full days. It was just that awesome. Two of our days were spent going…
Canyoneering in Da Lat, Vietnam
Canyoneering or Canyoning is a popular activity in Da Lat, Vietnam. In fact, visitors from all over the world are drawn to this small city that was once occupied by the French. Oui, c’est vrai. We happened to be the ignorant kind of tourists who had never even heard of such an activity. This quickly…
New Year, New You: Free Apps that can Help
Whatever your 2020 resolutions are, there is an app that can help you. I get many amazing app advertisements on Facebook. Naively, I click on most of them. I then take the time to sign up just to find out that it is not free. Don’t get me wrong, I pay for apps all the…
$89 Orchestra Seat Broadway Tickets: Catch? You Don’t Pick the Show
Today I spent a total of $198 on two orchestra seat tickets for a Broadway show. I chose the date and I upgraded from $59 for regular seats to orchestra seats. The one thing I cannot chose? Which show to see. Broadway Roulette will tell me the morning of! I discovered Broadway Roulette in a…
Waste Less: Easy Greener 2020 Resolutions
New Year’s resolutions seem to be more controversial than ever in 2020. It’s cliche, and writing down a list of resolutions won’t change your life. Working on goals and changing your lifestyle, however, can make all the difference. One of my goals this year is to waste less. 1. Plastic is Scary Plastic has been…
Great Gatsby Party: 2020 Begins
We welcomed 2020 at a Great Gatsby Party benefiting the RISPCA. The event was huge and we were lucky to snag two of the last 20 tickets. Ticket prices started at $60 for early birds and went up to $500 for the VIP section. We managed to snag a wingman ticket for two at $135….
The Travel Bug Bite: Who Are We?
I was bitten by the travel bug at the young age of three when my parents took me out of the comfort of my birthplace, Kyiv (Ukraine) and brought me to the Czech Republic. I found my home at the International School of Prague where I spent 13 years of my life traveling and discovering my…
Christmas in Vietnam: Confetti & Selfies
Christmas in Vietnam is not as new as you may think. This is because Vietnam used to be part of the French Empire. French influences can be seen all over the country. However, Christmas is the most popular in the capital city Ho Chi Minh or Saigon. Christmas Eve is more important than Christmas Day….
Christmas in China
Christmas in China has gotten big this last decade. Chinese schools, especially those that employ foreigners, enjoy Christmas holidays. All shopping malls, parks and public venues in major cities get as festive as New York City. There are also many events for both Chinese locals and foreigners to attend. I celebrated my first Christmas in…
Christmas in India: Decorated Mango Trees & ‘Christmas Baba’
Christmas in India is unique because 97.2% of the population is not Christian. They also don’t have pine trees, so they decorate banana and mango trees with fairy lights. The one who brings the gifts is Father Christmas, or ‘Christmas Baba’. The city with the most Christmas spirit is Mumbai, because of their larger Christian…
Venezuelan Christmas: Mass on Skates
If you’re been following this blog, I doubt Christmas tradition will surprise you anymore. Venezuelan Christmas isn’t complete without skates. The capital city of Venezuela, Caracas, sees thousands of participants for this festive, fast-paced mass. “Venezuelans are known for their love of fireworks and Christmas is no exception – residents awake to the sound of…
Zero-Waste Christmas 2021
Most modern holidays come with a lot of unnecessary waste. Single use plastic, paper packaging that ends up not decomposing in the landfill and presents that people don’t actually want or need. Having a zero-waste Christmas isn’t as hard as it seems. You can follow some or all of these steps to make a difference….
Mistletoe Kissing comes from Ancient Greece
Kissing under mistletoe is a fun, although sometimes awkward, tradition. Mistletoe is actually a parasitic plant that grows on trees and shrubs all over the world. It has also weaseled it’s way into our hearts and Christmas traditions. In ancient times, it was associated with fertility and considered an aphrodisiac. “The Celtic Druids are among…
Czech Christmas: Carp, Baby Jesus & Prophetic Shoe Throwing
‘Veselé Vánoce’ is how the Czechs say Merry Christmas. Prague is a popular Christmas destination because of their famous Christmas markets. At first glance, it looks like your regular Christmas festivities. But there are a few things that make Czech Christmas unique. Baby Jesus The Czech Republic is one of the most atheist countries in…
Sankta Lucia – Christmas in Sweden
St. Lucia’s Day is also known as the Feast of Saint Lucy or Sankta Lucia in Sweden. It is a Christian feast day that commemorates her sainthood. Her feast day also coincides with the shortest day of the year prior to calendar reforms. Scandinavians celebrate it. “In Scandinavia, where Saint Lucy is called Santa Lucia…
The Best 5 Binoculars For Birdwatching Overseas (Guest Post)
Do you love birding? Nothing sucks the fun out of birdwatching like a bad pair of binoculars. If you want to have the best birdwatching experience, you need the best pair of binoculars. A good pair of binoculars should offer a perfect combination of lightweight construction, adjustability, and features. Because, you will be carrying it…
Syrian Christmas: An Immortal Camel Brings the Gifts
The Santa who brings presents to American children was invented by Coca Cola in 1931. This was a full two years after they removed all traces of cocaine from their soda. Czech children, on the other hand, get presents from baby Jesus. Even though the Czech Republic is the most atheist country in the world….
Christmas Spider: Ukrainian Legend
In some cultures, Christmas is closely tied to things that are spooky. Ukraine is no different, with its tradition of a Christmas spider. Even today it is considered good luck to find a spider in your tree. If you want to enhance your luck, you can get a spider ornament that will bring you a…
The Mysterious Christmas Pickle Tradition in the USA
Christmas Pickles sound like something from Rick and Morty. But I’m not referring to the Pickle Rick episode of the show. I’m talking about the strange tradition where families hang a pickle-shaped ornament on their tree. Why a Pickle? This is where the mystery begins. The Americans point at the Germans. Supposedly Woolworth stores were…
Kentucky Christmas: Japanese Tradition since 1974
Japan is not crazy about Christmas. Or at least it didn’t used to be. Westernization is bringing new holidays to all corners of the world. Bizarrely enough, the mention of winter holidays in Japan doesn’t make them think of Santa. It makes them think of Kentucky Christmas. Kentucky Fried Christmas Chicken is popular all over…
Krampus Brings the Scary Back to Christmas: Austria
Growing up in the Czech Republic, I experienced some of the scarier sides of Christmas. Czech parents often hire actors who come dressed as Mikuláš (St. Nick) and the devil. Their job is to literally scare children into being good. It sounds silly, but when you’re five years old, a chain-bearing devil is pretty darn…
Newport Illuminated Boat Parade: Christmas in RI
The Newport Illuminated Boat Parade of 2019 took place on November 29th. The crowds were huge, the atmosphere was festive and the boats were beautiful! EDIT: Newport Illuminated Boat Parade: A kind person commented on this post and pointed out that I was confusing Newport, RI and Newport Beach in California! So I am rewriting…
Gifting & Reading Books for Christmas – Icelandic Traditions
Books are amazing because they have the unique power to take you on a wild adventure without requiring you to leave the house. They teleport you to worlds that do exist and those that don’t. Nothing is impossible in a book. People in Iceland understand the magic of reading and the holidays. So they combine…
Christmas Lanterns in the Philippines Have a Moving History
When most people think of the Philippines, they picture long stretches of white sand beaches. This is not wrong. The Philippines is one of the world’s most beautiful tropical paradises. However, they also have a long history of going all out for Christmas. Their love for the holiday doesn’t come from Coca Cola’s Santa but…
Gävle Goat, Christmas in Sweden
While Rhode Islanders decorate a termite for Christmas, other cultures have their own quirks and traditions. The town of Gävle [say: yeah-vleh] puts up a giant straw statue of a goat. Then they wait—and sometimes even bet—on whether the goat will make it to Christmas. The reason they worry about the goat is because every year…
Big Blue Bug: Rudolf the Red-Nosed… Termite – Christmas in RI
Move over Rudolf, bring in the Big Blue Bug! Because the residents of Providence favor a giant blue termite decked out in Christmas lights over the boring traditional reindeer. Rhode Island is a quirky little state when it comes to a lot of things. But who could have known that the smallest state with the…
Lobster Pot Christmas Tree: Block Island Tradition
Block Island is a popular summer destination for thousands of American as well as visitors from abroad. It is one of those places that is bustling in the summer and turns into a peaceful town during the colder months. However, it is still a fun place to visit during Christmas! Although the ferry ride to…
Vegan Thanksgiving 101: Meatless Turkey Options
This morning I read that one-third of Americans are considering going meatless this Thanksgiving. These numbers seem too good to be true, but I’m staying hopeful! I am also hoping to be mostly vegan this Thanksgiving for the environment, animal welfare and for my health. From my past experiences, a 100% vegan Thanksgiving is super…
Veselka – Best Ukrainian Restaurant in NYC
Moving to Rhode Island was a great choice for my family. However, one of the things that I really miss about New York City is Veselka. It probably sounds familiar to you because it is quite famous and is mentioned in the TV show Gossip Girl. ‘Veselka’ means rainbow in Ukrainian. At the prices they…
5 Fake Czech Tourist Things to Avoid, or Not
Many “traditional” tourist experiences in Prague are actually fake Czech. From trdlo, to nesting dolls to Kafka. Read to learn more!
Ukrainians in America: Diaspora near Rhode Island
One of the best things about America is that it is a melting pot of cultures from all over the world. While no cities and towns are quite as international as New York, it is not unusual to see various cultures living and thriving together. Looking more into this made me realize that there are…
United Skates of America: Halloween Skating, Rhode Island
United Skates of America offers old fashioned skating for people of all ages. They offer rentals, snacks and other refreshments.
Avocados to Save the Planet – Zero-Waste
Scott Munguia, a Mexican biochemical engineer named Scott Munguia has figured out a way to turn avocado pits into straws and single-use utensils.
The Highest View in Kyiv, Ukraine: Iron Maiden
Please get the images of heavy metal devils out of your head this instant. Ukraine’s Iron Maiden has nothing to do with the band. Although anyone who has seen it in person will agree that it is pretty metal. A little bit of history: This statue is actually called Rodina Mat (Motherland). It sits on…
Are the Dogs in Chernobyl Radioactive?
Last December, my mom organized a trip for me and my husband Isaac to Chernobyl, Ukraine. We went with a tour group and had a great trip learning about the tragedy that almost wiped out the entire continent of Europe. Oh and I’d like to point out that we went there before the Hulu show…
The Highest View in Kyiv, Ukraine: Iron Maiden
Please get the images of heavy metal devils out of your head this instant. Ukraine’s Iron Maiden has nothing to do with the band, although anyone who has seen it in person can agree that it is pretty metal. A little bit of history: This statue is actually called Rodina Mat (Motherland) and it sits…
Red Envelopes & Money Giving Parties
Money can be a taboo topic, especially when with friends or family. In China, however, it is not taboo to get excited about giving and getting money. This is why red envelopes are a fun tradition around the holidays! And by holidays, I mean any and all holidays. Taobao, the Chinese equivalent of AliExpress, owned…
Exploring Rhode Island: Narraganset, Newport & Providence (Video)
Rhode Island is the smallest state with the longest name! It is a popular tourist destination and has so much to offer. Check out this video of a day exploring Rhode Island!
Palisades State Park Drone Video: DJI Mavic Air
New York is a great place to fly a drone, especially during fall. Our DJI Mavic Air captures the autumn foliage in Palisades State Park perfectly!
Exploring Rhode Island: Narraganset, Newport & Providence (Video)
Rhode Island is the smallest state with the longest name! It is a popular tourist destination and has so much to offer. Check out this video of a day exploring Rhode Island!
Palisades State Park Drone Video: DJI Mavic Air
New York is a great place to fly a drone, especially during fall. Our DJI Mavic Air captures the autumn foliage in Palisades State Park perfectly!
King Richard’s Renaissance Faire: Massachusetts, USA 2019
King Richard’s Faire is a popular annual renaissance fair held in Massachusetts in October. This year was my first time visiting and I made the mistake of going on the very last day, and arriving 2 hours before it closed. In those two hours, I still managed to grab a drink, enjoy all the people…
Affordable Singapore Infinity Pool: Hotel Jen Orchardgateway
Everyone who visits Singapore wants to take a dip in the iconic infinity pools of Marina Bay Sands. I am not going to pretend that I am too hipster to go to the mainstream infinity pool with an absolutely priceless view of the Gardens by the Bay and the Supertree Grove. I do admit, that…
Can Travel Blogging Inspire Fictional Writing?
I’ve had a passion for writing for as long as I can remember. My parents still have the illustrated stories that I wrote in first grade. I could barely speak English but I turned the adventures I had with my friends into stories written in a mixture of English, Ukrainian, Russian and Czech. It wasn’t…
Are the Dogs in Chernobyl Radioactive?
Last December, my mom organized a trip to Chernobyl, Ukraine, for my husband Isaac and me. We went with a tour group and had a great trip learning about the tragedy that almost wiped out the entire continent of Europe. Oh, and I’d like to point out that we went there before the HBO show…
Travel Blogging as Inspiration Fictional Writing? – My Writing Story
I’ve had a passion for writing for as long as I can remember. My parents still have the illustrated stories that I wrote in first grade. I could barely speak English but I turned the adventures I had with my friends into stories. These were comically written in a mixture of English, Ukrainian, Russian and…
Flying to Prague, Czech Republic for Just $322
Sometimes, people in America ask my husband Isaac why he prefers to travel abroad when he could be exploring his own country. When we lived abroad the answer was “because it’s too expensive to fly to America.” We finally made the move to America in July 2018 and over a year later we have only…
Flying to Prague for $322: Czech Republic Travel
Sometimes, people in America ask my husband Isaac why he prefers to travel abroad when he could be exploring his own country. When we lived abroad the answer was “because it’s too expensive to fly to America.” We finally made the move to America in July 2018 and over a year later we have only…
St. Martin’s Day – Czech Thanksgiving
While the Chinese celebrate their singleness, Americans enjoy a day off in remembrance of veterans, Czechs are busy stuffing their faces with goose on November 11th.
Chinese “Singles’ Day” on 11/11 is like Black Friday
Happy singles day! Although I am not currently single, I can’t promise you that my husband won’t file for divorce once he sees how much I bought today. Why do I always become a crazy shopaholic on November 11th? Because AliExpress, my favorite place to shop, has everything on sale! To make things even better,…
Book Review: Sweetpea & In Bloom by C.J. Skuse
“When she was good, she was very, very good. When she was bad, she was deadly. Rhiannon is your average girl next door, settled with her boyfriend and little dog…but she’s got a killer secret. Although her childhood was haunted by a famous crime, Rhinannon’s life is normal now that her celebrity has dwindled. By…
Sweetpea & In Bloom by C.J. Skuse: Book Review
“When she was good, she was very, very good. When she was bad, she was deadly. Rhiannon is your average girl next door, settled with her boyfriend and little dog…but she’s got a killer secret. Although her childhood was haunted by a famous crime, Rhinannon’s life is normal now that her celebrity has dwindled. By…
Human Digestion System – From the Food’s Perspective
Hello, my name is Sally, and I am a chicken and vegetable salad. I am quite a nutritious salad, full of spinach, peppers, onions, sesame seeds and grilled chicken. Though I’ve enjoyed my time in the salad bowl, it’s time for what I was made for- to be eaten and digested by Isaac! Isaac likes to get…
Plant-based is NOT a Synonym for Healthy
I began my plant-based (or vegan) journey over two years ago. In that time, so many alternative products have hit the markets and now you can buy vegan ice cream, pizza and even cheese at most grocery stores. Since changing my diet, I have actually gained about 20 pounds by eating the wrong kind of…
Ikea to Use Mushrooms Instead of Styrofoam
Mushrooms are fun to go foraging for and they are super nutritious as well as delicious. Recent studies have even shown that it is mushrooms, or fungi, that helped create life as we know it. Not only did mushrooms facilitate the creation of life itself, but they might be the key ingredient in saving it….
Bali Tourist Traps – Fake “Traditional” Villages
Bali was one of the coolest places I have ever visited! It was a tropical paradise, everything was affordable and the food was delicious. One of my only disappointments on the trip was the time wasted at tourist traps that were pretending to be traditional villages. These so-called villages are mentioned in all the tour…
Plant-Based Eating Tips: Infographics
Plant-based eating is very trendy right now and it can be a little confusing to start. When switching to a plant-based diet it’s important to keep track of your macros and make sure you are getting all the nutrients you need! There are plenty of guides online, but what I found particularly helpful are these…
Why I Spent $79 on Gum – My Zero-Waste Journey
Today, my $79 piece of gum has finally arrived! It is a fancy chew, imported from Switzerland and the second main ingredient to xylitol are actual flakes of 23 carat gold. It’s created by the same people who invented the $1,000 ice cream Sunday made with gold. You can pick up your jaws off the floor…
Camping on the Great Wall of China
It was three years ago that we went camping on the Great Wall of China. It is an experience that I think about often for two reasons, because: 1. It was a unique and once in a life time trip that was absolutely amazing. 2. It rained overnight and we were only able to actually…
The Geography of Rhode Island
Encompassing only 1.212 square miles, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations is the smallest of the United States of America. Despite its size, it has a rich history, fascinating geography, and a diverse population of plants, animals and people. Rhode Island‘s landscape as we know it today was formed, along with much of New England‘s, by glacial erosion….
Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson: Book Review
One of my most recent reads has been Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson. It is basically the psychological thriller version of 50 First Dates. Except instead of a young woman going to the same diner every morning, Christine is waking up in a house that she doesn’t recognize next to a man that she…
Book Review: Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson
One of my most recent reads has been Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson. It is basically the psychological thriller version of 50 First Dates. Except instead of a young woman going to the same diner every morning, Christine is waking up in a house that she doesn’t recognize next to a man that she…
Czech Halloween – Dusicky & Anti-Vampire Measures for the Dead
Czech Halloween (Dusicky) and the reason Czechs take “anti-vampire” measures with their corpses…
Why I Traded in my Pixel 3 for an iPhone 11
I traded in my Pixel 3 for the iPhone 11 to play Tiny Wings. Just kidding, there’s more to it than that…
Traditional Ukrainian Halloween: Veles Night
Ukrainian Halloween is all about Veles, the pagan god of art, music, poetry, beauty, talent, happiness and love.
What is National Novel Writing Month?
Happy Halloween everyone! I hope your day will be fun and only the the good kind of scary. Speaking of fear, I have just signed up for my second round of NaNoWriMo to push myself to finish my novel. Since I know many people with writing aspirations, I’d like to share this in hopes of…
Fall Activities at Salisbury Farm: RI 2019
October is one of the best times to be in New England. People all over the country and even from abroad come to see the spectacular foliage. Being new to Rhode Island and still somewhat new to the USA, I have been looking forward to this for a long time. Naturally, all the typical fall…
I Puked on Mt. Everest: Altitude Sickness 101
I went to Tibet two years ago back when I lived in Shanghai, China. Recently it has been coming up in my Facebook memories and looking back, I see that I only posted about the good and happy moments of the trip. Although it was a positive experience that I would be happy to relive…
Why I Didn’t Go to North Korea for $300
Three years ago I was living in Shanghai, China with my husband, Isaac. We are travel junkies and love to visit unique places like Chernobyl, Tibet and we really hope to visit Antarctica once it gets cheaper than $10,000 per person (or when we win the lottery). When looking into potential travel destinations in Asia back in 2016, I began…
Vegan Guide to Block Island, RI: 2018
While the Oyster Bar’s half-shell platters and Winfield’s award-winning clam chowder are Block Island staples, local restaurants also cater to the growing vegan community. Vegan diets that exclude all animal products including meat, fish, dairy and eggs have been on the rise. The main motivations for a vegan lifestyle are health, animal welfare and the environment. Luckily, there are plenty of plant-based options all over the Island! Breakfast: Start the day…
Plastic is Scary: Green Halloween Costumes & Decorations
Single use plastic has found its way into every fiber of modern life (pun intended). Micro plastic can now be found in over 90% of birds, in virtually every fish and even in bacteria that lives in the darkest caves in the depths of the vast ocean. It can be found in our stores, homes,…
Revival Brewing Company: Delicious Craft Beer & More
Yesterday, on October 25th, 2019, Revival Brewing Company celebrated Halloween, their 8th anniversary and crew birthdays all at once. I had originally planned on having a quiet Friday in, but this was one event I just couldn’t miss. I discovered the Revival Tasty Room & Brewery simply because it was one of the closest breweries…
Don’t Scare the Planet on Halloween – Pumpkin Recycling & Other Uses
Carving pumpkins and consuming everything pumpkin-spiced are among my favorite October activities. I embrace the basic status and I don’t hold back. But I also take on the season with the environment in mind. This means that I bring my to-go cup for that PSL and I don’t let a single bit of pumpkin go…
Greener Grocery Shopping with Misfits Market
Ever since moving to America from China, my mission to lead a zero-waste lifestyle has become significantly more difficult. In China, it was my experience that people were less aware of the negative impacts of plastic. Despite this, there seemed to be more opportunities to affordably shop for most necessities in reusable containers. I now live in…
ThredUp: My New Shopping Addiction
ThredUp combines my two favorite things: eco (and wallet) friendly clothes plus online shopping! I have no idea how they keep up with demand and I don’t understand how they can afford to sell clothes for as cheap as $2… but I’ve just received my first order of 24 fabulous pieces of clothing that is…
Smiley the Beach Dog: Rockaway Beach NYC (YouTube)
Rockaway Beach is a great place to take your family, including your fur babies! You can only bring dogs here during the off season but it’s so worth it! Check out this happy boy on the beach for the very first time.
Reykjavik View from Hallgrímskirkja Church
Reykjavik is a quiet little city and the Hallgrímskirkja Church is the main landmark and a popular tourist attraction. Check out our video about the church and the view from the observatory.
It’s Official: We’re Moving!
Sorry for the delay in blogging! I got carried away with our move. I will resume writing posts every other day! The content of The Travel Bug Bite will keep changing and evolving. Prepare for more DIY home projects, less New York and more Rhode Island – our new home starting end of May.
Second Hand Shopping & Dumpster (Curb) Diving in NYC
Second hand shopping has been a passion of mine for a while now for two reasons. First, there’s the positive environmental impact of reusing an item that would have ended up in the landfill and negating the negative impact of production costs for a new item – especially if it’s clothing or furniture. Secondly, there…
10 Reasons NOT to get a Tesla
…and why they’re all FALSE! You may have some doubts about buying a Tesla, or maybe you’re considering grabbing yourself a Model 3 but your brother-in-law told you it’s a bad idea. This list will dispel some of the false rumors and misconceptions about this beautiful car! Don’t forget to scroll to the end and…
$2.75 Ferry in New York City
There are many fancy cruises you can take in NYC! You can also just take a one hour ferry ride for just $2.75. Check it out:
Cape May, New Jersey: DJI Mavic Air
Droning over a lighthouse in Cape May, New Jersey with the DJI Mavic Air!
36 Hour Layover in Iceland (Winter)
The best way to spend 36 hours in Iceland (winter time)!
Smiley in Central Park (Video)
Our rescue pit bull Smiley took on the most iconic park in New York City!
Droning on Block Island, Rhode Island
Block Island, Rhode Island is an amazing spot to fly our DJI Mavic Air!
The New York Mycological Society
There are strict rules about foraging anything in state parks and city parks. The laws aren’t clear at all, so it’s always best to ask someone more experienced. Whenever we go picking mushrooms, we bring a towel/picnic blanket to drape over the basket just in case.
Waiting for the Icelandic Geyser to Erupt
They second most famous geyser in Iceland erupts every 10-15 minutes!
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