Atlanta in Five Days or Less!

I've just returned from a quick trip to Atlanta to visit family. We had so much fun, just shopping, seeing the sites and eating great food!
I visited IKEA for the first time. This is a great store for people starting out in their first home! They have virtually everything you need and lots of fun fabric choices!
After IKEA, we shopped and had dinner at Atlantic Station, a fairly new development in Atlanta with a mix of mid-range and upscale housing along with plenty of varied shopping and dining choices.
We visited "Z Gallery" and "West Elm" among some other shops!

After a few days of endless shopping, we decided to get away from the hustle and bustle, so we drove up to Blue Ridge, GA and took the scenic Blue Ridge Railway ride. Located in the Chattahoochee National Forest, the railway starts off in a quaint little town full of antique shops and meanders along the Toccoa River.

The weather was unseasonably cool for Georgia in July, and the train ride was a relaxing break from the busy pace we'd been keeping for most of the trip.

It's so invigorating to just get away for a few days! We had a great time and a fun visit with family. Must do it again soon!

Rest and Relaxation!

Well, the day has finally arrived! I am leaving at noon for my annual girlfriend trip to the beach. I am hoping for lots of sunshine. The weather report is promising mostly beautiful, sunny days in the 70's and slightly cool nights.

I will try to remember to take some photos and post a recap when I come back after the weekend. I won't tell all, of course. We do have our motto: "What happens at the beach stays at the beach!" Nothing ever really happens, but it's still fun to have a motto!

Other than mixing mimosas in the morning and margaritas in the afternoon, we will be perfectly well-behaved ladies, as always.








<-----------But, if we happen to run into this guy.... all bets are off!

Beach Photo by Kamoteus (Fading Away)

Jack Sparrow Photo by matchity

Packing Light Makes for a Carefree Trip!

I have a strange fascination with packing. I love getting ready for a trip. I sometimes pack a week in advance even for a short getaway. I think the act of getting ready to go is part of the enjoyment and anticipation of the possible adventure that lies ahead.

I love to see how light I can pack. I want to be able to handle my own luggage wherever I go, if possible. To that end, I am always looking for ways to cut down on weight and bulk when packing for a trip. I keep sample sizes of toletries handy. Toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, hairspray, even contact solution can be found in travel sizes. Those little packets with nail polish remover wipes are great for packing. With products for which I have a brand preference, I simply fill a 1 ounce travel container from my larger container at home.

Pill organizers are great for taking either prescription meds, or just fill the sections with ibuprofen, tums or whatever over-the-counter medications you like to keep on hand. I keep small, plastic containers that can hold Q-tips, cotton balls, band-aids, etc. but a ziplock bag would work in a pinch. Those facial wipes that are dry, but suds up when you run them under water are lightweight and perfect for travel. I have several sectioned, zippered travel organizers to hold everything in place.

For clothing, I try to pack a basic wardrobe with interchangeable elements. Black and khaki colored basics are great and can be combined with a bright tank, colorful scarves and other accessories to add pop to your wardrobe! With black, it's so easy to dress up or dress down depending on the occasion. Rolling rather than folding clothes can sometimes make it easier to pack and also, reduce wrinkling. I take a small, empty spray bottle in case I need to spritz something that is wrinkled. One or two pairs of shoes will usually be sufficient if you take the right ones. If I'll be walking a lot, I take one pair for comfort and then one more for pretty!

Packing light is a bit of a hobby, some might say obsession, for me. But, it's fun and I know that I am preparing the way for an easy and carefree trip, where everthing I need is close at hand, but my luggage is not going to drag me down. Happy traveling!

A Little Work, A Little Play!

photo by mrbill



I've spent the weekend getting ready for a trip to the Beau Rivage Hotel and Casino on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The company I work for hosts a meeting there every year at this time and it is always very enjoyable. The food is great and the accomodations are beautiful


I wish I enjoyed gambling more, but I really find it boring. I've tried hanging out in the casino to be sociable with the other meeting attendees, but the odor of smoke is overwhelming. I much prefer to wander around the shops within the Beau Rivage. They have some great gift shops and upscale clothing stores, along with several good restaurants and a yummy coffee shop! Between meetings, I like to grab a cup of coffee and a mini fruit tart or a brownie, then sit out on the veranda to soak up a little sushine and read a book. It doesn't exactly sound like a wild and crazy hard-partying casino visit, does it? But, just getting away and relaxing in a beautiful, sunny setting is just what I need to recharge my battery!


photo by Triin