Lifestyle – Page 4

30 Things to do in Quarantine

Published on April 1, 2020April 1, 2020 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

Hi everybody! Long time no post. I think we can all agree 2020 has been one of the strangest years. The only comforting part about this whole situation is that everyone is going through the same thing. We are all trying our best to social distance, stay at home, and keep up with our health during this uncertainty. Although my blog is primarily a travel blog, during this time I thought it would be fun to share things to do and ways to see the positive side of this temporary situation!

Here’s 30 things to do in quarantine:

Have facetime dates with friends and family. My family has been using zoom, the video quality is amazing and you can zoom up to 100 people!
Create and listen to a mood boosting playlist. Music has really been my saving grace during this. Here’s the playlist I made on spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7JeJosg5uRd733Wrowf1cX?si=wtLMRc2ERqS0Kp2U1CTF1Q
Spend time outside! One of the positive outcomes of this pandemic is everyone seems to be spending more time outdoors. Fresh air can do wonders when you’re stuck inside all day.
Take rides! Another solution I’ve been taking advantage of to change up my scenery.
Journal. This is a once in a lifetime event that could be interesting to read back on years from now.
Clean. Clean. Clean. This is the time to finally declutter that spot in your closet or a box of random stuff that’s collected over time, we all have something. Now’s the time to tackle it!
Catch up on some new shows. Lately I’ve been enjoying The Tiger King, The Good Place, and I hope to watch The Morning Show next.
Try out some new recipes. I’ve been baking more than usual and it’s been fun having new treats in the house.
Do a home workout. Just because the gyms are closed doesn’t mean you can’t get a nice workout in at home. I’ve been taking advantage of home workouts on Youtube. I recently finished Heather Robertson’s 12 week workout challenge, it was amazing!
Go through clothes and shoes and donate! Now more than ever people are in need of clothes and shoes.
Boost immune system. I’ve been making ginger shots and taking one a day to help my immune system. I will share the recipe on instagram soon!
Read. Now’s the time to start a new book. If you’d rather listen to a book, right now Audible is offering any book for free, worth taking advantage of!
Make a list of things you can’t wait to do once the stay at home orders aren’t in place.
Support local businesses. Local places need the most support right now and most offer curbside, delivery, or take out options. Also be sure to tip!
Have a game night. Break out the board and card games.
Swap your winter and summer clothes out. By the time this is over, the warm weather will be here.
Start a blog or another creative outlet!
Take naps. This pandemic is a reset for the world and all of us experiencing it. Take the time to rest.
Practice self care. Paint your nails, give yourself a facial, deep condition your hair, go makeup free for a week.
Keep a routine. This is probably the hardest thing to keep doing when all you can do is stay inside. But, waking up and going to bed at similar time is good to continue to feel some normalcy.
Pick a home project to do. Paint a room, organize the cabinets, clean out the basement or garage.
Watch a motivational video. Despite all the negativity circling the internet during this pandemic, there are positive things to watch as well. This will help you feel good and stay optimist about the situation.
Go through old pictures. I have so many pictures to organize and go through. It’s also fun to look back on old photos.
Have a movie binge night. Watch all eight Harry Potters!
Learn a new language.
Take creative indoor photos. Document what you’re doing in quarantine through photos.
Cook a fancy meal. A friend of mine made a thanksgiving spread just because!
Build a fort out of blankets and pillows.
Have a picnic in your backyard.
Go technology or social media free for a few days or a week.

Day Trips from Florence

Published on October 18, 2018January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. Beck2 Comments

After having some time to explore and settle into Florence, I decided it was time to see what other magical towns surround me. Since there are so many day trips possible by car or train, I’ve been able to go on a few trips recently and I thought I would share my favorites so far!

Siena

Siena is a beautiful medieval town that’s a short car or train ride away from Florence. There is so much to see and do in Siena but I’d recommend going to the Cathedral and Piazza del Campo. The Cathedral alone is worth a day trip to see, it is the most stunning piece of architecture I have ever seen!

San Gimignano

Close by to Siena is San Gimignano which has become my favorite town to visit outside of Florence. Although it is quite touristy, the town offers such a unique atmosphere and it’s completely different from Florence. It’s the perfect town to spend an afternoon wandering through the medieval streets and taking in the stunning Tuscan views. Bonus: it’s also home to the world’s best gelato!

Greve, Chianti

If wine, cheese, and the countryside is most appealing to you, than a day trip to Chianti is perfect! I visited Greve because I was participating in a wine tasting/sight seeing tour but I wish I could have just spent the day in Greve! It was absolutely beautiful. There are several wineries in this area and I would highly suggest visiting a winery if you are visiting the Tuscan area. I learned a lot about the wine making process as well as how fresh olive oil is made.

Modena

Modena is about an hour and half away from Florence by train. I decided to visit Modena because I wanted to go to a Parmigiano Reggiano cheese farm! I spent the majority of my day touring a cheese farm that demonstrated how parmigiana reggiano cheese is made, aged, and packaged plus I had the chance to taste the cheese- which was heavenly. If a cheese tour isn’t your thing, I was pleasantly surprised that the city center of Modena has so much to do! There are several parks, piazzas, and food markets surrounding this small town that made for a memorable day.

Colle di Val d’Elsa

Colle di Val d’Elsa was the most enchanting town I was able to visit. It’s in the Siena region and it’s not known by many or any tourists. I had the entire town to myself with just the locals which was probably one of the most special experiences I’ve had in Europe. I spent my morning walking through the charming streets and found a spot in front of the beautiful scenery while drinking a cappuccino…it was an Italian dream.

Must Know Travel Tips

Published on June 6, 2018August 27, 2018 by Skylar M. Beck2 Comments

Traveling can bring a lot of happiness and life changing experiences but it can be an unlikely combination of excitement and stress. But, knowing some stress will occur can actually allow for more preparation. Through personal experience and advice I’ve learned along the way, I thought sharing some of those tips would be beneficial to others and myself as the traveling season begins.

Constantly Drink Water. Drinking water is one of the best ways to recover from long flights and jet lag. Even a shower is a great way to recover from jet lag when you arrive at a new place. Hydrating your body will make traveling more enjoyable and you will adjust to the time difference faster.
Pack Extra Clothes and Cosmetics in Carry On. This may be a given but it’s easy to forget when packing for a big trip. It’s common for luggage to get delayed or even lost for a few days when traveling. You will want a change of clothes, deodorant, and a toothbrush close by!
Be Smart about the Souvenirs You Bring Home. Unless it’s an item that will hold significant value for yourself or a loved one, most souvenirs are overrated and a waste of money and space! Pictures and memories will be much more valuable after the trip is over.
Write in a Journal. I have mentioned this in other travel posts but keeping a daily journal was something I’m so thankful I did while traveling. There are so many details that go into each day and reading the journal years or even months later will be so special.
Pack a Portable Charger! This is an important tip if you’re like me and constantly use your phone for pictures and maps! Trust me, your phone will die faster than you think.
Invest in an Around the Neck Purse. This is almost essential in a foreign country. You can carry money, passport, other identification in a secure spot. I always wore my neck purse and hide it under my clothes in new places. Pick pocketers are everywhere in tourist spots. Better safe than sorry!
Along with the previous tip…Have a Copy of Your Passport somewhere. You never know what could happen and having a copy of your passport will make things much easier if you need to prove identification or citizenship.
Use a SIM Card. International plans for cell phones are so expensive. When I traveled abroad for two months I purchased a SIM card which included a data plan and minutes to call home. It was much more affordable and I didn’t have to worry about finding wifi to contact my family and friends back home.
Download a Map App. I recommend google maps because you can type in anything (like a place you saw on Pinterest) and hit the walk option. I constantly used google maps to get to all my tourist destinations.
Explore Everyday!! Yes vacation is a time to relax but in my opinion you can sleep in and rest at home! When traveling abroad I had the best experiences starting my day early and ending it late. Especially on short trips, there’s no time to waste!
Buy Tickets Ahead of Time. This is a huge tip! For big tourist attractions, buying tickets online can save you a lot of time waiting in line.
Pack Comfy Shoes. I made the mistake of packing terrible walking shoes last summer and learned quickly how brutal Europe’s cobblestones can be on my feet.
Invest in a Four Wheel Suitcase. My suitcase continued to increase in size as I traveled and it was terrible pulling a two wheel suitcase everywhere, especially in large airports. Your arms will thank you later if you have a four wheel suitcase.
Embrace the Culture. It may feel strange being away from home, but do not expect a new place to be home. Embrace change and enjoy the new environment!
Be Aware of Culture Rules. It’s important to be aware of some rules a culture may follow. Even if some rules aren’t mandatory, out of respect it’s best to follow culture rules anyways. For example, in Europe, visitors are required to have shoulders and knees covered before entering a church.

Photo Diary: Palm Beach, Florida

Published on May 22, 2018May 23, 2023 by Skylar M. Beck1 Comment

Happy Tuesday everyone! After a much needed break, my usual Tuesday blog posts are back. I just returned from one of my favorite places to visit: Palm Beach, Florida. There is so much to see and do in Palm Beach; I always feel like I’m in a different world when I visit! Palm Beach is full of luxury that makes every corner photogenic. I couldn’t pass up any opportunity to capture beautiful pictures throughout the week.

Advice on Traveling Solo

Published on May 1, 2018March 30, 2019 by Skylar M. Beck2 Comments

Last summer I went on quite a few solo adventures. Since then, I sometimes forget how scared I used to be to do basically anything alone. I used to hate going to stores alone, I never would even think about going out to dinner alone, and I definitely didn’t think I could travel to 7 countries by myself. But I’m here to tell you, it’s possible and sometimes a little push is all it takes. Most things are scarier in your head than in reality…which is exactly what I learned.

Since it has almost been one year since my Europe adventure last summer, I thought I would share the benefits and tips I learned from traveling solo!

Benefits

Learning How to be Alone is One of the Most Valuable Lessons in Life. Before I left, the thought of traveling alone and being alone was scary to me. What if I ran into trouble? Who would I talk to? Who would take my pictures? Would I be lonely? I quickly came to realize that traveling alone made every new place and adventure a bit more meaningful because I didn’t feel pressure to experience it all with anyone other than myself. The first time I went to Florence, Italy, I visited Michelangelo’s magnificent ‘David’ and I ended up staying for two hours! I didn’t have to share that moment with anyone and it was magical.
You Get to Know Yourself. I honestly don’t think there’s any better way to get to know yourself. I learned more and more about my fears, limits and joys all while having the time of my life.
The Trip is YOURS. This is the BEST part of a solo adventure! I made my own itinerary, ate when I wanted to, spent extra time here and there, went back to places more than once…the list goes on. The trip becomes what you want it to be. I typically always have a long bucket list of places I want to see in a new place and it’s usually not very exciting to people I would normally travel with. Traveling alone allowed me to freely check items off my personal bucket list!
You’ll Feel Liberated. There’s nothing better than looking back and thinking “I did that!”
You Are Able to be More Aware and Present. Personally, I felt like I had the opportunity to take in my surroundings more than usual because I was experiencing everything alone. It was a rare experience where I truly felt present in the moment.

Tips

Don’t Be Afraid to Reach Out to Strangers. This is something I learned to do slowly because it’s outside of my comfort zone to strike up a conversation with strangers. But, sometimes strangers can be comforting while visiting a new place. I met a lot of people who reminded me of my family members or friends back home and it felt nice to have small talk with someone who brought me familiarly. Also, reaching out to strangers is helpful as a solo traveler if you need a picture taken!
Reflect Everyday. When I traveled last summer, I kept a journal with me and wrote about my day each night. There are so many little details that can easily be forgotten so it’s nice to have a written record of your adventure.
Take a Lot of Pictures. Some of the best memories can be captured with a photo and later bring you back to the feeling you had in that moment.
Pack Comfort Items. Although traveling solo is liberating and fun, it’s normal to miss home. I suggest bringing along something you can wear or carry that reminds you of home.
Research, Research, Research. When traveling to a new place, especially alone, it’s important to research safe areas and recommendations. During my time in Europe there were a couple cities that I should’ve researched more carefully when choosing a place to stay overnight. Last minute changes are even more stressful alone too so it’s best to be extra prepared.

17 Lessons 2017 Taught Me

Published on December 29, 2017March 12, 2018 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

2017 was an life changing year for me. This past year taught me so much about myself and my goals in life. The personal growth I gained will be something I will carry with me throughout my future. Here are 17 most memorable lessons 2017 taught me:

1. Do the things that scare you the most.

All of a sudden before I left for Europe this summer I started to feel scared. Maybe I shouldn’t go, I don’t know what I’m doing, how will I survive alone in a foreign country? Ironically, I stumbled on a quote that read: “Everything you want is on the other side of fear.” This hit me hard, it was the truest quote I could have read. I knew I wanted to see the world and travel. And once I arrived in Italy this summer and once I returned home I was thankful I overcame my fears.

2. Confidence can begin when you get to know yourself.

Traveling alone gave me the opportunity to only focus on myself. With my full attention on myself, I started to get to know myself more than I thought was possible. I learned my limits, my goals, my insecurities, my hopes, everything. And once I started to know myself, I felt more confident in myself which I was able to show to the world.

3. It’s okay to be alone.

Before this year, I was the type of person who felt uncomfortable being alone in a public place. I constantly worried what people must think of me. Do I look lonely out to eat alone? It was frightening. However, this past summer, I was forced to be alone. So much so that I began to enjoy it to the point where I usually prefer it now. Being alone doesn’t mean I was lonely, and people are never really thinking about me like I feared they were.

4. Learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom.

When I arrived to Italy this summer, I took a class for 5 weeks. However, most of my learning happened when I wasn’t in the classroom. I learned so much about different cultures and communication even with a language barrier. Having the ability to travel to so many different countries taught me more about the world than any teacher could in a classroom.

5. Physical health is important.

This year for the first time I really became serious about my health. I had always depended on sports when I was in high school and that momentum stayed with me throughout my first few years of college. But after traveling throughout Europe and thinking I could eat anything I wanted and still look the same… reality hit me. I was not making smart decisions about my health. Exercising is important but eating healthy meals is just as or even more important. It’s also important to remember that eating differently to improve health is not a diet, it’s a lifestyle. I want to carry my enthusiasm to live a healthy lifestyle in my future.

6. It’s important to branch out and meet new people.

Similarly, to #3, I used to be content with spending time with the same people. Mostly because I was scared to make new friends. This year I had the chance to meet several new people while I was traveling alone and it made such a difference. It was so satisfying to spend time with new people and to learn about their life. Making new connections is important and another fear that shouldn’t have stopped me from branching out sooner.

7. Being present in the moment is rare but necessary.

Being present in the moment is something so rare, especially with all of the distractions our electronic devices provide. While I was in New Zealand, I participated in several outdoor activities. Most of these activities were physically challenging but because of this I was able to be in the moment. During one of the hikes on the North Island, the mountain became very steep so out of fear for dropping my phone, I put it away in my backpack. By doing so it was as if my eyes were finally opened by all of the amazing beauty around me. I was able to sit along the hike to savor my surroundings and for once, I felt completely present in the moment.

8. Constantly remind yourself of your goals.

A lot will be changing for me next year and so this year I really had to think about my future and what I want. Once I determined my academic, career, and personal goals I decided to place reminders all around myself. I discussed this in depth in a previous post but since doing this simple task, I feel so encouraged to keep working harder because I have a vision that I want to achieve.

9. Save money.

This is a new goal of mine that I finally feel serious about. Budgeting is important and the sooner I start the better my savings account will be. Since I’m a student I don’t have much income yet but next year I want to make an extra effort to save as much money as possible.

10. Waking up early does help with productivity throughout the day.

This past year I started waking up earlier even when I didn’t have class or anything really to do. I was drawn to the thought of having more time throughout the day. This wasn’t easy for me at first but going to bed earlier definitely helped me wake up earlier in the mornings. By doing this I found I really like the mornings and having a small routine I can look forward to. *this routine has been lost due to the holidays* I hope to continue this habit in the new year.

11. I am my own best friend and that is enough.

There is clearly a theme between the lessons I learned…by getting to know myself I started to understand that even though I have some of the best friends and family members; I am the only person I can truly count on. Once I realized that I wasn’t as disappointed anymore when things happened to me. It’s a hard lesson but it’s also an incredible blessing.

12. Don’t take pictures just to post.

Social media is truly not important. I feel like it’s a common habit to fall into especially as a blogger who loves Instagram but not everything has to be documented. People usually don’t really care about everything going on in someone else’s life anyways. I started to recognize that privacy is important and should be practiced more often.

13. Attachment leads to disappointment (duh).

I know this is a given but I really started to understand this lesson more this year. The more I started going into situations with zero expectations, the better I felt. This is another hard lesson that I want to continue to be aware of and practice in the new year.

14. Being with my family makes me the happiest.

I think this lesson became more relevant to me since I was away from my family this year traveling. I started to appreciated home and where I was from more once I met other people and saw other cities. Being with my family is home in itself and those connections make me the happiest and most likely will always make me the happiest.

15. Collect memories, not things.

This is a lesson I learned this summer. I made so many incredible memories while I traveled that will stay with me throughout my life. The memories I made have a greater value than any souvenir I could have bought.

16. Be patient with all things.

Patience is definitely not one of my strengths. But this year I started to learn that when I am patient, eventually good things will come. There is so much uncertainty in life but I want to be patient with all things: love, school, my future. Being patient will allow me to enjoy the present rather than worrying about the future.

17. It’s about the effort you put into the process not about the end outcome.

This is another hard lesson. I think it was common for me to stress about the end outcome of a situation rather than focusing on the process to get to the end. Usually, the effort I put into the process will determine the end outcome in most cases. It’s similar to being present in the moment rather than worrying about the future.

My Favorite New Zealand Adventures

Published on December 23, 2017March 28, 2019 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

New Zealand was full of adventure!! Collectively, throughout the three weeks I did more adventurous activities than I ever have! I wanted to share my favorites to keep in mind if you are ever traveling throughout New Zealand:

1. Jumping off the Sky Tower – Auckland, New Zealand

Jumping off the Sky Tower was an incredible experience! It’s one of Auckland’s favorite activities for tourists. The jump isn’t like a free fall at all, the harness keeps you stable and tight the whole fall…which is only 10 seconds. The view of the city is breathtaking from this high up!

2. Snorkeling at Poor Knights Island- Tutukaka, New Zealand

I didn’t expect to enjoy snorkeling but it was a great experience! The fish are amazing at the Poor Knights Island. I was able to swim through multiple school of fish and touch jellyfish!

3. Tongariro Alpine Crossing Hike- Tongariro Crossing, New Zealand

I know I’ve talked about this hike in a previous post but this was definitely my favorite memory/experience from the whole trip!

4. Hooker Valley Track- Mount Cook, New Zealand

This hike was shorter and less intense than the Tongariro Alpine Crossing but just as beautiful! This hike was on the South Island which allowed me to experience the amazing Southern alps New Zealand offers.

5. Ziplining through the Ancient Forest- Rotorua, New Zealand

Ziplining through the Ancient Forest was such an experience. It felt so freeing to be gliding above huge trees. My friends and I wanted to zipline all day, it wasn’t long enough!

6. Horseback Riding- Rotorua, New Zealand

I have never rode a horse before so this was a new exciting experience for me and one that I loved! The views from the trek felt unreal and being on horseback made the afternoon truly feel like a fairytale.

Travel Talk

Published on December 13, 2017March 12, 2018 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

For the last two weeks I’ve been traveling throughout New Zealand. The whole experience has been incredible so far and I’m unbelievably thankful for the opportunity. While I’ve been in this beautiful country a lot of my friends and family back home have been commenting on my pictures and craving to know about every new experience I encounter. Because of this, over the past few days I’ve done a lot of reflecting about my travel experiences over the summer and right now. I think it’s too easy to believe a person has a perfect life or is constantly having the best time. With all of the social media constantly presented to us everyday, it is easy to make your life appear to be something it is not. This is concerning to me for many reasons. However, this is not to take away from the gratitude I feel from traveling; it’s simply to point out that just because a person’s life appears to be amazing, a picture does not reflect everything. Therefore, I want to introduce a new category to my blog called: Travel Talk. This will focus on reflections about my travel experiences that people may not see by looking at one of my edited photos.

So to begin…I’m currently traveling through New Zealand in a large group with fellow peers from my home university. Traveling in a large group is never easy. There are days when I want to separate from the group completely because I’m so irritated. And there are days I am thankful to have company. There are days when we have a long bus ride and have to stop for lunch at a McDonald’s or a grocery store because we are in a rush. And there are days where we have the chance to find a nice authentic restaurant with great wine and food. There are days where there isn’t any wifi or service which prevents me from talking with my loved one back home. And there are days where my hostel has the best wifi imaginable. There are days where I feel annoyed, angry, and homesick. And there are days where I am overwhelmed with gratitude, happiness, and peace.

All of these feelings and experiences are normal for any traveler. Yet, the negative experiences are something that is never discussed or presented. It’s important to remember that nobody’s life is perfect. Everyone experiences a range of emotions even while traveling in a beautiful place. There is nothing to be ashamed of for feeling low sometimes. It’s also perfectly fine to admit that even though this trip has been incredible so far, it hasn’t always been fun. I believe it’s important to look at the bigger picture when I find myself feeling down. Yes I may feel homesick some days but I’m in New Zealand right now!! Which is a place I never imagined myself traveling to.

This is a picture of me in Queenstown with a beautiful view from the Skyline restaurant. What you didn’t know: the food was terrible!

This is a picture of me hiking on the Hooker Valley trail which was one of my favorite hikes. What you didn’t know: At this point in the trip I hadn’t been able to do laundry so the clothes I’m wearing were already dirty.

Photo Diary: Tongariro Alpine Trek

Published on December 5, 2017March 12, 2018 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

Greetings from New Zealand! I’ve had trouble finding reliable wifi so unfortunately I haven’t been able to write a blog post. This past week has been incredible! I’ve done a lot of adventous activities. So far my favorite has been a 10 mile hike on the Tongariro Alpine Trek. The views from the trek were breath taking. I’ve never seen anything like it before, it felt like another world.