*Weekend Pass* to Rediscovering Venice Beach with Helena Sung

Are you conflicted about where you live? Always swearing you'd move when you get the chance?  Then you're like us and many others who from time to time need to do things to remind us why we love our city that has come to feel all too familiar to us. For Helena, she swore she was done with LA but life had other plans for her. This weekend, Helena showed us how she continues to romance Venice Beach.

Meet your love where you live neighbor, Helena of @helenasungxoxo! 

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How I fell in love with Venice Beach all over again.

I grew up in Los Angeles and moved away years ago swearing that I’d never live in LA again. Never say never! After living in San Francisco, Seoul, and Manhattan, I moved back to LA last year to be closer to family. One of my favorite neighborhoods in LA is Venice Beach – a funky beach town full of surfers, skaters, and amazing sunset views, like this one with the iconic Venice sign.

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What’s your favorite way to start the day?

Mine is going down to Venice Pier just before sunset to photograph surfers catching early morning waves. I feel such a sense of peace and tranquility being at the ocean as the sun rises and before the city wakes up. It’s my morning pre-work meditation.

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One of the many blessings in moving back to Los Angeles is re-connecting with old friends who are inspiring and creative.

My friend Kay @kay_m_s is a fashion designer and consultant with her own company @marshalldesignla. She recently started a local creative collective for business women to network (in person!) and support eachother. The rooftop at Hotel Erwin is one of our favorite local places to unwind, brainstorm, and watch the sun set!

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I recently discovered Artists & Fleas, a bimonthly outdoor market featuring local designers and vintage!

It’s definitely worth a visit to shop all the wonderful stalls at the market, like @katiedeanjewelry

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Just dance!

The Artists & Fleas market is so cool they have their own resident DJ @chromequeen of @redlightvinyl!! She has the coolest style and plays the best music that you can’t help dancing to!

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Whenever I can, I try to catch the sunset.

The spectacular colors framed against the palm trees sometimes have me feeling like I’m on a movie set. But it’s just another night in Venice Beach. Thanks for letting me share my little corner of the world with you! I hope you are exploring where you live and finding many things to love.
 

~ Your Love Where You Live Neighbor, 
Helen of @helenasungxoxo

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For more ways to connect with the people and world around you,
get everyday ideas @LiveLikeYoureTraveling

Everyday Bucket Lists to Break the Routine

You know the feeling and sense of accomplishment that comes from crossing items off a list. However, this isn't the kind of list where you're just "getting stuff done." Rather, with each item crossed off you'll know that you have enriched your life with experiences. So make good use of the precious time that you have.

Why do you need a bucket list? I mean, isn't it just a list? 
Much like anything else, it's about the approach and what you put into it that makes it unique. But a good bucket list has a few key elements. 

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4 Elements to Creating a Good Bucket list

1 - There is a sense of time to accomplish them by
2 - Requires self-reflection to dig into what you want to do, and what's important to you.
3 - Is created before you need it, so when the moment strikes, you don't have to think.  
4 - Is documented and easy to access, to review, add and cross off from. 

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Bucket List Ideas for Common Ruts

RESTAURANT BUCKET LIST
Fixes: "Ordering from the same 2 places nearby, AGAIN?" 

RECIPES / GROCERY BUCKET LIST
Fixes: " I am so bored with the same 5 dishes I make. "

TV/MOVIE BUCKET LIST
Fixes: "I can't believe we are watching this crap" syndrome.

NAUGHTY BUCKET LIST
Fixes: "Let me guess. I know exactly how this is going to go down."

PARTIES/GATHERINGS BUCKET LIST
Fixes: "I haven't seen "so and so" friends in forever!"

THINGS TO LEARN BUCKET LIST
Fixes: "I am so uninspired lately."

WEEKENDER BUCKET LIST
Fixes: " There's nothing to do."

JUST A TUES NIGHT BUCKET LIST
Fixes: "I haven't felt spontaneous in a long time."

Tools: I use Anylist, a checklist app that makes it easy to create shared lists. This way, all the lists are in one place and you can be alerted when someone adds something new...which just means more things to look forward to. Yay! 

Which kind of bucket list would be good for you? Let us know! 

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Photos by: Mu-Hsien Hsieh

10 Habits To Break For A Limitless 2017

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Every year at that magical moment when clock strikes 12 even if we were not thinking about new year resolutions, I know that somehow a thought probably flashed in your mind about the kind of year you'd like to have... It did for me. 

Whatever you are thinking and cooking in your mind take inspiration from travel and the kind of person you are when you're on a trip. Anything is possible! Let's stay in the travel mindset and here are 10 habits to conciously break to be LIMITLESS in 2017: 
 

10. Don't wait for the weekend!

A week has 7 days. ANY day is good enough for a party. Any day is good enough for a surprising move... #cheatonyourweekend and infuse your everyday with interesting activities! Lunch time visit to a museum, or a free concert, or treat yourself to a desert at a cafe just because. 

9. There is no bad weather!

Don't think that just because it's raining or cold or grey that your life must stop. Go and buy yourself a proper outdoor jacket and boots and #getoutside!!! When we travel we go sightseeing no matter the weather and so should it be during the regular days. Go for a hike, stroll, canoe ride, walk on the beach, eliminate "bad weather" as a concept and there'll be nothing to stop you.

8. Don't be spontaneous!

Look, spontaneous little adventures happen in movies but if you want to do exciting and interesting things YOU MUST PLAN THEM! You can't sit around waiting for fun things to "spontaneously" happen, go and make them happen! Romantic dinners? Meeting new people? Learning something new? All takes planning. Make a reservation at that cute place you've been meaning to try. Find a workshop to learn how to... make yogurt, build a table, trim a bonsai... Plan plan plan! And you will pleasantly realize that spontaneous adventures happen to those who plan ahead. 

7. Don't think you know who you are!

When was the last time you surprised yourself? Get to know the you you've never seen before. Do something out of character, test a limit. Try something you've never considered as "your thing". Is it skiing? Is it a drive in a sports car. Maybe a sailing lesson? Job change? Or simply a dress the color you never thought you could pull of. Put yourself in a new situation and perhaps you will surprise yourself.  

6. Presents are not just for special occasions!

When we travel we like to browse an interesting boutique and perhaps we discover a little treasure that we want to have. We also think of our friends and family and bring them a little something. It's a bit like a mini celebration. Well. Keep on doing that! Once in a while get yourself a present, yes ask for a gift wrap! Get a little surprise gift for your friend, or your mom or your...? This will make it possible to turn any day into a "special occasion".

5. Don't think you know your loved ones!

Keep on getting to know them. Invite them to do something they've never done. Bring your kids to opera or somewhere else that you enjoy but you don't think they would. You never know but you just might discover something you have in common but never knew. Do new things together and make new discoveries that you can share. It's like traveling together but... at home.  

4. Forget your age!

Yes that's right. Let's stop compartmentalizing ourselves by age brackets. What is that!!?? If you're young you can still participate in life in a meaningful and impactful way. And now I turn around and say the same to those of us over the age of "young". Keep on learning new things. Don't be afraid to teach. Love! Run! Read. Cook. Play. Dive. Dream. Swim. Dance.

3. Forget your name!

Our "persona", character, career, our "name" we've built up over the years if left unchecked can corrall us into a narrow path. Sometimes we are afraid to take a risk or deviate from what others expect from us. When we travel we are free of these pre-set values. We are free to reinvent ourselves anyway we want. So forget your name and reinvent yourself whenever you want!  

2. Resting isn't for the lazy! 

In order to be truly limitless and move mountains you must be in the right shape physically and mentally! In order to care and love others you must have energy to do that. REST! Recharge yourself regularly. Take care of your body, take time out to rest your mind. Enjoy the time to yourself guilt free. If you are not in top shape the world around you can't benefit from your mind, strength and love.  

1. Don't assume others will do it! 

And at NUMBER 1! It's all on YOU! Is there a business idea you've been kicking around? Maybe a huge world issue you've been thinking about... If you want something done about it YOU should do it. Don't worry about getting it all done, just pick a bite that you can do on your own to kickstart your idea or to tackle that big world issue. Don't assume someone else will get it done, or that someone else is more "qualified". Don't think of how to complete it just how to start it. And then... JUST START! 

We wish you a LIMITLESS 2017!!! 

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EXPLORE: Wadden Islands - My Inspiration

When I moved to the Netherlands of course I promised myself to #travelmyownbackyard and so we did. (Still do!) I have gotten to know that my new home is very diverse with so many gems to discover. A country that you can drive the whole length of in a couple of hours is actually full of surprises. One place that has really affected me is the Wadden Sea. An Unesco protected site of wonderous tiny islands. Windswept. Bravely staring into the North Sea. They are along the migratory path for birds and as the result a place where one can really witness the circle of life as it is born in the sea and goes on with the tides.

I was awestruck by these islands right away and for the past years I have been falling more and more in love with them and the Dutch North Sea Coast. The idea for a new brand began almost two years ago, even before I knew what product I wanted to offer.

For now I share with you photos of my very first trip to Ameland, one of the Wadden Islands... 

Be Healthful Retreat & Four Seasons - 5 Natural "Recipes" for that Island Getaway Feeling

Oh wait...relaxing is a purposeful activity? Due to the scheduled down time when traveling, we actually allow ourselves to choose activities that help us to slow down and enjoy the moment. When we're in a greater state of awareness, we tend to focus more on what we're putting in our bodies, eating well and re-fueling, which often sets the stage for personal insights and reflection. This very sentiment was at the core of a BeHealthful retreat I recently participated in held at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. Our intimate group of women learned beauty secrets from various cultures during a weekend stay with wellness workshops and activities.

Inspired by our weekend's activities which incorporated LLYT concepts of looking to nature for nourishment and beauty, and slowing down to savor more in our everyday life, I've pulled together 5 natural "recipes." These recipes can serve as rituals that will help you getaway more often and prepare your home spa so that you're able to channel Bali or the Caribbean at a moment's notice.  

Let’s savor together…shall we?  

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PHOTOS: MU-HSIEN INC

1 - Wake Up to a Stunning Water View

Wake up to a room with a view...bonus points if it has a view of the water. Is there a stunning lake, river or ocean near you? Make use of what ever body of water might be near you and feel a whole world away.

Behealthful Retreat guests were spoiled with lake view rooms, green juices in the morning, a detox box and other goodies to support a cleansing and nourishing weekend at the hotel and back at home.  

Getaway Recipe: Add Scenic View of Nature Near You + High Thread Count sheets + Abundant Fluffy Pillows, mix... and savor!

*Spa Day bonus: If you choose any of the Four Season spa treatments, even just a mani/pedi, as long as it's a 50 min. service, you'll have access to the pool, steam sauna, whirlpool, fitness center etc. Indulge and make a day of it with a friend!  Book a spa service here.

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2 - Indulge the Senses with Nature's Bouquets

Nothing transports my mind to a beachy spa more quickly than taking in intoxicating wafts of essential oils. Before I even step out of bed, my morning ritual starts with a spritz of aromatherapy spray on my face while I take in a deep <inhale>. The cool mist and vibrant scents instantly refreshes and gives me a spa moment...everyday.

Our DIY Aromatherapy Workshop was Lead by Sarah Baker, a plant-based nutrition & health coach and our event co-host. Much like any good flavor profile, I learned that in creating an ideal essential oil blend, 3 types of notes should be considered.

1 - A Top Note, Energizing and cleansing (ex. Peppermint, Eucalyptus)
2 - Middle Note, Robust for focus and healing (ex. Nutmeg, Frankensense)
3 - Low Note, Warm and calming, (ex. Cedarwood, Sandalwood)

Revitalizing Spray Recipe:
4 drops Grapefruit Essential Oil
5 drops Lemon Essential Oil
4 drops Peppermint Oil
Distilled water

Fill a 2 oz spray bottle nearly full of distilled water. Add essential oils. Shake to blend. Option to include a few drops of vegetable glycerine helps to attract moisture and assists in absorption of the essential oils into the skin. Start with less and slowly adjust the intensity of the scent desired.  

*Tip: Keep one by the bed, in your purse or your office desk. Good for whenever you need a pick-me-up!

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3 - Sip on a Nourishing Island Drink

Tropical vacation days almost always begin with an exotic juice or smoothie. Vibrant colors and wellness boosting ingredients will perk up your mood and fuel you for your day's adventures. *Bonus, fun smoothies pair well with annoying chores too. Ugh, need to organize that closet? Fix yourself a drink and watch how things almost become <gasp>...fun?! 

How adorable are these juices? And they tasted so delightfully smooth and complex in flavor. Four Seasons's Chef Michael Ross, proves that healthy food can actually be exciting and maybe even sexy? He prepared these juices to accompany a bento box assortment of healthy but sumptuous bites. On the menu for breakfast: Kale & Egg White tacos / Smoked Salmon Tartine / Quinoa Porridge / Greek Watermelon Yogurt with Chia & Marinated Watermelon. 

Get that tropical beachside feeling with these smoothie recipes:

Tropical Recipe
½ ea mexican papaya; chopped
1 ea mango; chopped
¼ ea pineapple; chopped
1 tsp agave
½ cup greek yogurt
½ cup bahia juice
1 cup ice
1 scoop protein powder

Acai Blueberry Smoothie Recipe
1 cup blueberries
½ pkg acai berries
1 tbl protein powder
½ cup greek yogurt
1 cup ice
1 tbl agave
1 tbl cranberry and pomegranate reduction
 

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4 - Take a Cooking Class Featuring Exotic Ingredients

Get that "WOW, I made this?!" feeling and learn to use ingredients that are outside of your usual grocery list rotation. Working with exotic ingredients will naturally connect you to new tastes and cultures around the world. *Bonus if they remind you of places you've traveled to, or want to visit soon!

We headed back into the kitchen where Chef Mike had prepared a demonstration for us to make a refreshing salad suited for spring and reminds me of the East Coast. I loved learning how to "segment" a grapefruit and other prep techniques. It was also my first time plating using the "swoosh" effect! I've included the recipe here so you can welcome spring into your home and try it out yourself.

Peekytoe Crab Salad Recipe

Pea Purée
3 cups fresh english peas
1 quart fresh spinach
3 avocados
24 oz veggie stock

Boil vegetable stock in a small rondeau. Add peas and cook until tender, but still bright green. Add spinach to wilt. Season with salt, no pepper. Place the mixture with avocado and purée hot until smooth. Pass through a chinois and then cool over an ice bath in med. sized bowls. 

Crab Salad
#3 Fresh Crab, picked through
5 oz mayonnaise
35 grams minced washed preserved lemon
1 cup minced chive

Delicately with gloves, mix with your hands to ensure you don't break up the large pieces of crab.

Grapefruit
3 grapefruits segmented with a sharp knife (reserve the juice) 
30 grams of sugar
1 cup grapefruit juice from segments plus water

Boil water/juice with sugar to dissolve and pour over grapefruit segments in an ice bowl. Allow time to cool down. 

Garnish
"Window pane" radish slices
French snap peas and micro greens
Finishing olive oil

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5 - Slowww Down with a DIY Body Scrub

Reward yourself after a long day of work or adventures! Focus on soothing your body with a much deserved exfoliating self-massage. Allow this act of self-care to bring you back to center, and to be in the moment, daily.

Vanilla Body Scrub Recipe:
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1/2 cup Coconut Oil
2-3 drops of Vanilla Essential Oil

Create this simple scrub by mixing ingredients in a bowl with a spoon or gloved hands to help melt the coconut oil. Massage with loving intention to exfoliate your body while in the shower. Rinse to remove excess.
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For more healthy recipes, DIY Home Spa Ideas, and updates on future BeHealthful retreats, head over to balancedbabe.com.

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IDEA278: Inspiring Views & Tips for An Enjoyable Hot Air Balloon Ride in Napa Valley

You'd think that a little basket and some fabric would make for a bumpy ride. But before I could look up while fumbling with my camera bag, we were already floating up into the air! Our lift off was so gentle. Despite being able to visually see that we were getting higher, I could barely sense that we were moving. I had always heard that going on an hot air balloon ride was a must in Napa Valley...and now I know why. 

We were lucky enough to get the one clear day out of a series of rainy days and up in the open air, it was peaceful and breathtaking. It's a rare occasion, where 360 views are part of the whole experience...we could see all the way to the ocean and spotted many of the small wineries and homes that make up this little piece of sanctuary in northern California. After challenging ourselves to try this unique form of transportation, we celebrated with the rest of our balloon companions at Domaine Chandon with bubbles and breakfast!  
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PHOTOS: MU-HSIEN INC

3 Tips for an Enjoyable Napa Valley Balloon Ride

1 - Go for the early morning rides. There's less wind and it makes for the smoothest experience.

2 - Go with the company that offers pick up from your hotel. Especially convenient if you're going for an early balloon ride and if you've had a few glasses of champagne after the ride!

3 - Bring an extra layer or hat, it can be much cooler up in the air. 

To experience this for yourself, get in touch with Napa Valley Balloons Inc. who happened to be the top recommendation from our concierge at Auberge du Soleil. 

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Get everyday ideas to create a sense of wonder @LiveLikeYoureTraveling  

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IDEA172: Go on a Food Tour to Travel your Own Backyard

As travelers, we sometimes forget to discover our own backyard. We are caught up with work, family, and getting things done around the house.  I live in Washington, DC and there is no shortage of things to do in the city. From free access to Smithsonian museums to new exciting restaurants there is always something interesting to experience. A food tour sounds like something that may be reserved for tourists. I beg to differ. I recently took a tour with Carpe DC Food Tours and I learned as much as I savored.  Now about the tour...

One of the most popular areas in DC right now is U St NW in the trendy Shaw Neighborhood.  Locals Mary and Stefan offer a food tour of this busting area via their company, Carpe DC Food Tours. Many can tell you that a trip to the District is not complete without a trip to the famous Ben’s Chili Bowl. Mary and Stefan know this and this is why the tour begins at Ben’s Next Door, the sit down version and neighbor of this iconic restaurant that has witnessed the many changes of the city.  Of course we start the tour with the famous “half smoke”, a sausage topped with rich chili. Delicious.  This is paired with local beer from DC Brau.

What makes the tour remarkable is that we’re not only popping in and out of the eateries, but getting to know what surrounds us.  DC has gone through many changes throughout the years and it is consider by many the epicenter of African American culture. The U Street neighborhood tells those stories on the murals, in places such as Ben’s Chili Bowl, and at the neighboring Howard University. Stefan, our tour guide and Carpe DC’s co-founder knows the history of this neighborhood thoroughly as he is currently pursuing his PhD in archeology focusing on neighborhoods such as Shaw.

We enter the beautifully designed Eatonville Restaurant where we indulge in a beautiful dish of a fried green tomato topped with avocado. (Pictured at the top) I devour this beautifully presented dish as we watch the DC brunch (Brunch in DC is a religion) crowd come alive at the openly colorful dining room.  The merge of fine dining with fast food comes together at out next stop, Fast Gourmet. This locally owned fast food restaurant is located at a gas station. Some of the nonlocal guests were a little hesitant but all worries faded away as we bit into the savory Colombian style corn empanada.

I don’t want to give away all the tour secrets so I will not divulge about the other food offerings. This is just a sneak preview.  What I will say is that the four hour tour is a cultural and edible snapshot of Washington, DC, past and present. You can see this through the contrast of the food that we eat, the streets we walk by and the coexistence of new and old DC.

In speaking to Stefan and Mary at the end of the tour, one thing is evident:  they are all about sharing the local DC experience with visitors and locals alike. As he enters into each eatery, you can tell he has a personal connection with the staff.  They also strive to be socially responsible with their sales. A portion of each ticket sold goes to feeding a homeless person via the local charity, Bread for the City.

Our tour group was diverse: a local couple on a date, two ladies in their late sixties, an Australian tourist, and myself. One thing is for sure, we all learned plenty of new things about the city and its consistent evolution. Carpe DC Food Tours is a delicious learning experience whether you are a local or a visitor. 

No matter what city you call home, food tours are a fun way to try many new tastes and see your town with fresh eyes!  

PHOTOS: JESSICA VAN DOP DEJESUS

Jessica van Dop DeJesus is a Washington, DC is a travel media specialist and the editor of the foodie travel blog The Dining Traveler. She began traveling as a young US Marine 18 years ago and has been to 42 countries on and off duty. Her content has been featured in publications such as Travel Channel, USA Today, Budget Travel, Edible DC, Telemundo, Hipmunk, and INK361.

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Get more travel your backyard ideas @LiveLikeYoureTraveling  

*Weekend Pass* to Discovering Street Art in Your Own City with Erika Holum

You guys...@erikaholum has been on our radar since her time living in London. She's been embodying the #livelikeyouretraveling mindset and tagging her travels and explorations in whatever city she happens to find herself. We are constantly inspired by her curiosity and awe! Over the weekend she shows us different ways to discover and savor *street art* in your own city...or abroad! 

Meet your street art hunting neighbor, Erika!

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PHOTOS: ERIKA HOLUM

Hi friends, I’m Erika, your global neighbor!

This weekend pass is designed to take you through what you might not already know about the street art in your city! Maybe you’ll take a closer look at that mural on your morning commute or walk a little slower through your city’s street. This takeover is noticing color, patterns, shapes, designs, and all the feels. We’ll learn some fun facts, take a look at all sorts of different street art, and most of all, have some fun! Are you ready to #livelikeyouretraveling on your city’s streets? Let’s go explore!

This photo is from my hometown of Houston, Texas, by muralist @anatronen1971

My favorite characteristic of any urban landscape is the street art.

The murals, messages, signs, and symbols brings a certain vibrancy and life to any old street. Welcome to #AlphabetStreet in London, England by @einesigns. 

Tip: If you find a large mural in the heart of your city, learn a little more about it! Ask around and chance are, it’s there for a reason. Whether it’s a political message, artistic flavor, or marketing campaign. There’s a method to the madness, and a opportunity to learn something new! 

London, UK

Street art can be as simple as a sweet little chat on the gorgeous façade of this Parisian boulevard.

Tip: Look for the sweet, yet subtle details of your neighborhood. What makes your cities streets unique?  

Paris, France

Of course, the original street art: flora. 

Keep in mind, your city’s bright foliage brings a joyful bursts of color and energy to your day. Be sure to lookout for all sorts of beautiful treasures growing in your city like this sweet flower shop near the London Bridge. And added tip: try to identify as many as you can!

London, UK

Ahh, let us not forget the gorgeous facades of cafes, store fronts, markets, and historic buildings in every city. 

This is one of my favorite people, @sheelysheils outside of a gorgeous café in Paris, France. Be a part of the art! Enjoy your city’s architecture, and look at the details of what makes your neighborhood or city’s business and buildings unique!  

Cafe in Paris, France

And of course, our dear old friend, graffiti art.

Graffiti art has been the choice of many people who state their views loudly (or rather, very quietly) on the city’s street. Whether you have a Banksy in your neighborhood or a few rambunctious teens, graffiti art does indeed bring character to the walls of any neighborhood. This is a simple and sweet favorite of mine, seen in a quiet alley of Paris, France, that states, “What is next?” It makes me think. What about you? What do the streets of your city say? I want to thank you all for following along to this Weekend’s Pass to Street Art!

Your street art hunting neighbor, @erikaholum. Cheers, friends! 

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For more ways to connect with the people and world around you,
get everyday ideas @LiveLikeYoureTraveling 

IDEA175: Amanda Blakely's 5 Favorite Ways to Live Like You're Traveling with Kids! [Toronto]

To live like you're traveling everyday takes determination, planning and lots of inspiration. Having two kids, I know, requires double the planning and double the inspiration since you're thinking how to take the whole family on a 'tour'. Luckily kids happen to be naturals at this whole adventure thing and ANYTHING you do as a family is hysterically exciting even a supermarket run! Bless their little hearts. I however, am not so easily amused and so I'm always on the lookout for travel loving parents that instil a sense of wonder in their kids and live like they're traveling as a family! One such role model is Amanda Blakely of Petits Genoux. Amanda together with her handsome boys recently took us on a virtual weekend getaway to her town Toronto, Canada.  

Meet your Toronto Neighbor, Amanda! 

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As a seasoned traveler, my wanderlust runs deep (from backpacking to business travel, I have circled the globe numerous times). Now as a mother of two, I am passionate about cultivating and passing along this love of travel to my children by placing an importance on collecting experiences, not things. Our first son, Atticus, was conceived in Australia and when my husband and I found out we were expecting, we hatched a master plan to spend a paternity leave traveling Central and South America with our new babe. It was an unbelievable experience to have as new parents.

We had the opportunity to expose Atticus to new cultures, cuisines and customs, while we got to practice this whole parenting thing together as a team (in some foreign lands no less). Fast forward almost four years and we've added another little boy to our growing clan and have been on many more adventures together. Some of our most treasured memories have been made while on the road as a family. BUT, for obvious reasons a nomadic lifestyle is not realistic for most families. So we're excited to share with you some of our favourite ways to live like we're traveling { as a family } in our own city. 

Traveling does not mean you must stray far from home or spend a ton of cash. To me, living like I'm traveling is about celebrating each day (wherever I might be - home or abroad) and approaching it with an adventurous heart and an open mind.

To our family, it means trying out a different park on the weekend, visiting a new coffee shop or a pop-up market. Allow yourself to be awed, surprised or humbled by what you uncover. It only takes a shift in perspective to walk the same road we have already walked a thousand times to really look up and notice the beauty that lies before us. Like most families, we spend a ton of time at our local parks, but sometimes you just need to break out of the routine and do something else equally kid-friendly. Toronto has the friendliest firefighters who always welcome little visitors to the station if they aren't out on a rescue. Here we are on one of our recent visits with @babybrainorganics.

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1 - Get out of the city. -  A Toronto tradition every Fall is to visit a local farm.

Not only is it the perfect opportunity to take in the colourful vistas of autumn (red, yellow and burnt umber leaves as far as the eye can see) but Ontario has an abundance of agriculture and with the harvest comes a bounty of delicious fruit and vegetables. We picked up a pumpkin and a bunch of apples to bake a galette on our recent visit to Whittamores farm.

2 - Explore the many neighborhoods of Toronto

We like to visit all the ethnic Burroughs for authentic treats (from little India to little Italy). But this little storefront belongs to Mean Bao Queen West outpost and is the home of our favorite Pulled Pork Bao.

3 - Attending a book reading and supporting a local or visiting author is a great way to feel like a tourist in your own town. 

Check Now Toronto for listings of readings (or other such events) from week to week. Here we are at my friend Lindsay Mattick's launch of #FindingWinnie last weekend. On Instagram: @LindsayMattick and Photo by @textstyles

4 - Jump on the bandwagon and become a sports fan. 

For the first time in over 20 years our hometown baseball team Blue Jays are making us proud. Visit a pub or try and get your hands on a ticket to witness history in the making as the Jays attempt (again) to win the World Series.

5 - Visit a new coffee shop and watch the world go by... 

(for the 5 glorious minutes it takes your kid to eat his bribe muffin) while you feel like you're a backpacker again.

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Thanks Amanda and family for letting us hang out (virtually) for the weekend! And a special thank you to the handsome guys Archer and Atticus!! 

Get more everyday ideas @LiveLikeYoureTraveling 

IDEA170: Throw a Surprise to Renew your Sense of Wonder

When we travel, a big part of the experience is the discovery of something new, never before experienced, seen, tasted, felt. Through this, our perceptions change and our preconceived notions dismantle. We grow. But how can we continue to learn and see things in a new light, when our surroundings and the people are more or less familiar? Is a journey to faraway exotic land the only way to stretch our minds? How can we infuse the elements of surprise into nearby travels? We asked our global neighbor Laura of Travel by Surprise to reveal the essence of a great surprise. Elements that we can borrow to create a sense of wonder in our everyday lives. 

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If life is about the journey and not the destination, we give that concept new meaning at Travel By Surprise: we take the destination out of the picture entirely. We send our clients to surprise destinations; they don’t know where they’re headed until we send them off. We worry about the details so that they can be fully present on the journey.

Recently, I planned a surprise getaway for my girlfriends. Without batting an eye, they all took off from work, packed their bags, and patiently waited for me to tell them where we were going. Behind the scenes, I had an amazing time meticulously choosing what each of my friends would enjoy, the sorts of design elements that would inspire them, and the activities that would allow us to really savor our time together.

Planning a surprise getaway—even a short jaunt in your own backyard—
allows you to get outside of yourself, to see the world from a different perspective, and enhance your sense of wonder. 

The surprise was wonderful. We were all squeals and giggles and laughs and hugs. The best part, though, was that I got to live with that delicious sense of anticipation for weeks—months, even—while I planned our trip. Anticipating that excitement and sharing in that joy allows me to live like I’m traveling every day, and what I love best about planning surprise trips for others.

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What are the elements of a great surprise? 

Not all surprises are equally epic. I’m sure we’ve all been to a flop of a surprise party, or had a well-intentioned prank go horribly, horribly wrong. Fortunately, my surprise trip for my girlfriends went off without a hitch. We had the most delightful weekend together, exploring our backyard in Northern Michigan’s wine country. To ensure that we had a spectacular surprise, I kept a few things in mind when scheming and dreaming about how to sweep my friends off their feet. 

1 - Personalize

Personalization is so important to an excellent surprise. Don’t just think about fun things to do, or what you might enjoy: truly consider what brings your friends joy, what makes them come alive, and what will foster genuine connection. Draw inspiration from their hobbies, interests, and personalities. It ensures that they will feel cared for, and that they will love what you’ve planned for them.  

For instance, my friends care a lot about beautiful design. My friend, Lauren, is an aspiring interior designer, and Kelly dreams of living on a farm. I took a cue from my friends and rented a design-focused farmhouse, the Honor and Folly Cherry Orchard Farm, built in the early 1900s, sitting on 20 acres, and neighboring a cherry orchard. Everywhere we looked were inspiring, handcrafted details that captured our imagination from the start. We stayed up late into the night telling ghost stories, and we took a leisurely morning sipping coffee. 

2 - The Extra-Ordinary

One of the joys of planning surprises is the “wow” factor. Kick off something magical and really solidify that you’ve embarked on something special by doing something extraordinary. We kicked off our weekend with bubbly and a delicious farm-to-table dinner at Mission Table. 

Not everything needs to be extraordinary. The “ordinary” can sometimes be just as surprising. I also asked each woman to bring their favorite poem on our weekend away; I wanted to learn more about each of these creative, word-loving friends through the poetry that inspires them. We spent a leisurely morning on the porch, delighting in the words of Gerard Manley Hopkins, T.S. Eliot, e.e. cummings, and Mary Oliver.  

Our surprise getaway really celebrated our friendship, blending both the out-of-this-world and the day-to-day. My friends and I are in a wine club together, so it was only right that we should go wine tasting. But instead of sipping wine in our living rooms, we sampled Northern Michigan’s finest wines while looking out over the vineyards at Bry’s Estate. 

3 - A Little Magic

When you plan a surprise, you open yourself up to a world of possibilities: what if they don’t like it? What if something goes wrong? What if…? You just can’t plan for everything. You can’t foresee the things that will go wrong: the wrong turns, the not-quite-as-right. But you also can’t plan authenticity: you can’t possibly know what conversations will be sparked, what connections will be remade, or what ideas will be inspired, rekindled, imagined. And that’s the best part! The more you plan and schedule, the less space there is for the magic.

The best thing to do is to let the magic work: leave room for the unexpected and welcome it with open arms.

Thanks for having me! It was so fun to have you along for our surprise girls' getaway and to share our tip of the mitten with you! 

Your adventure-planning neighbor,
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Laura, Travel by Surprise
PHOTOS: RYAN PRINS PHOTOGRAPHY

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