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Why San Diego Works for a Girls' Trip or Bachelorette Weekend
San Diego solves a problem most girls' trip destinations don't: it lets everyone get what they want. You can have beach mornings, a spa afternoon, a rooftop with skyline views, and a dinner that photographs well, all in one weekend, without doing the heavy lifting. That's the whole appeal. Nobody has to sacrifice their version of the trip for someone else's. It's also forgiving on timing. February through April gives you mild weather and thinner crowds than summer. A long wee
Emilee McElwain
5 days ago6 min read


Western Mediterranean Cruise Port Guide: Barcelona to Naples with Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean's 7-night Western Mediterranean sailing out of Barcelona hits six of the most rewarding port days in Europe: Barcelona itself, Palma de Mallorca, Provence, the Tuscany/Cinque Terre stretch from La Spezia, Rome, and Naples with Capri on the horizon. Two of us sailed this exact itinerary at different times and came home with two different takes on how to spend each day. This guide blends both, port by port, so you can build the version that fits your group. This
Emilee McElwain
Sep 89 min read


The Thailand Guide I Wish Someone Had Handed Me Before My First Trip
Planning your first trip to Thailand is so exciting. But if you're a type-A planner like me, I know it can also feel overwhelming. Between stepping into a completely new culture and the constant warnings about potential mistakes, it can feel like you'll never be "ready." Take it from someone who watched every YouTube video, read every blog, and took all the notes: you won't know everything, and that's okay. This is everything I learned, found genuinely useful, or wish I'd kno
Emilee McElwain
Aug 116 min read


I Went to Coachella for the First Time With 2 Pros. (First Time Coachella Tips: What to Know, Pack, and Do Differently)
I’ve been to festivals before. ACL, Life is Beautiful, the usual. So I thought I knew what I was getting into. I absolutely did not. I went to Coachella for the first time with my friend Shaheen and her sister Amber (check out their IG: aftertheencore_), who have done it 7 or 8 times and treat it like a full production. Outfits planned, content scheduled, backup looks ready. We all experienced the same weekend… very differently. Here’s what actually surprised us, what mattere
Alicia Smith
Apr 2210 min read


Fall in love with cruises: How I used wave season to save and actually get my mom on board.
Wave Season is the best time to book a cruise. From family-friendly and multigenerational trips to adults-only cruise lines, here’s why cruising is having a moment.
Alicia Smith
Feb 93 min read
The Wild World of Youth Sports: A Mom’s Guide to the Chaos We Low-Key Love
By: A Mom Who Swore She’d Never Do This Let me just start by saying—yes, I was that mom. The one who said, “We’re not doing all that travel stuff. It’s too much. We’ll keep it local, fun, low-pressure.” Fast forward to today: I’m mapping out a route from the hotel to the San Diego Zoo, with one eye on the tournament schedule and the other on the team group chat that’s 237 messages deep. I’ve seen the Instagram reels. You know the ones—parents sprinting across airport terminal
A Mom who swore she'd never do this
Oct 3, 20252 min read


Vegas with Friends: A Hot Mess, A Fever Dream, and the Time of Your Life
Going to Vegas with your friends sounds like the plot of every chaotic buddy comedy — and that’s because it basically is. One minute you’re landing with a carry-on full of hopes and sequins, and the next you’re half-asleep in a cab eating cold fries at sunrise, wondering what table you lost $300 on and how you ended up with casino chips in your bra.
Anonymous Writer
May 31, 20252 min read


Eight Relatives. One Ship. Zero Exits.
TLDR: I somehow convinced my entire family—eight of us—to go on a cruise together for the first time. What started as a fun idea quickly turned into a hilarious mix of planning spreadsheets, shoe rack debates, and clashing travel personalities. We haven’t even boarded the ship yet and the group chat is already spicy. But despite the chaos, I’m genuinely excited to make new memories with my family. Bon voyage, baby—let the cruise and comedy begin.
Alicia Smith
Apr 20, 20253 min read
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