I'll admit I don't take many true "vacations." Typically I go on trips which are planned out and full of adventure. But after planning a long weekend getaway with my best friend from college I couldn't wait to just lay on the beach or by the pool with a drink in hand. We decided on Virginia Beach as it was an easy flight for us and a short drive from where our friends live in northern Virginia. It ended up being a great choice and we had a sunny, relaxing time together.

Known for mild winters and receiving over 300 days of sunshine, Scottsdale makes the perfect destination to escape to no matter the time of year. We recently visited for three days in January and enjoyed 70 degree temps, fewer crowds, and a vibrant and colorful city waiting for us to explore. Scottsdale is also well known for it's pristine golf courses, so if you have a hubby who likes to golf like I do, it should be easy to sell them on this city. 

Located only a short drive from Phoenix, Scottsdale is easily accessible by air and many major airports offer affordable direct flights allowing you to make the most of that precious time off. If you're looking to extend you're trip a bit, a short two hour drive takes you to the red rock country of Sedona with breathtaking views and unforgettable hikes. We split our trip between the two cities and it worked out perfectly. Click here to read more about our time in Sedona. 

Northern Michigan keeps me coming back again and again no matter the season. But there is just something so magical about visiting during the fall as Mother Nature begins to paint the rolling landscape with vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows. "Up north" as we like to call it, is one of the first areas in Michigan to peak with color. While the exact time varies every year depending on a number of factors, the second or third weekend in October is typically the perfect time to plan a trip. This year I hit the road for the ultimate fall getaway with my mom in Charlevoix, Michigan. I had only ever passed through this quaint town or visited for the day so I was excited to have three full days to explore. 

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Visit Charlevoix. The itinerary was created by me based on personal research and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Labor Day weekend typically marks the unofficial end of summer, and my sister and I couldn't let the season pass without squeezing in one last girl's weekend getaway. We packed our bags and headed 4.5 hours south to French Lick, Indiana where we spent two nights at the beautiful French Lick Resort. It was my first time visiting and I had heard so many great things about the area, including the breathtaking history and architecture of the hotel itself. We were blessed with lots of sunshine and had two days packed full of adventure, with of course some time for a little pampering and relaxation.

Disclaimer: This trip was sponsored by Visit French Lick West Baden and French Lick Resort. As always, all thoughts and opinions about our stay are my own. 

I had honesty never heard of Hocking Hills State Park until a few months before we booked our trip. But a few Google searches later and I knew we had to check this Midwest gem off our travel bucket list. Located only 5 1/2 hours from Southwest Michigan, it made for the perfect anniversary road trip destination. It's also only about 50 minutes outside of Columbus so we decided to spend two days there before driving the rest of the way to Hocking Hills. Check out my foodie guide to Columbus, Ohio here - yum! 

Hocking Hills has 7 different hiking areas - all of which are relatively short and moderate making it easy to visit multiple stops in one day. We stayed for two nights and it seemed like the perfect amount of time to explore it all. Keep reading for all the details you'll need to know to plan your own trip and a breakdown of how we spent each of our days.

As much as I love to travel and explore new destinations, I also have those select few places that keep me coming back again and again. Northern Michigan is definitely one of those and is a beautiful area to explore no matter the season. We love Traverse City, Michigan for so many reasons and make it a goal to visit at least once every summer. Since we'd been there multiple times before, the focus of this trip was to discover new restaurants and wineries which made it seem like it was our first time visiting all over again. 

You can discover my other Traverse City guides here: 

• Pet Friendly Guide to Traverse City
• Wandering Through Northern Michigan
• 5 Best Hikes at Sleeping Bear Dunes

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When trying to decide on my travel plans for the summer, I knew I wanted to focus on road trips and discovering new Midwest cities. Located only 5 1/2 hours from Southwest Michigan, and home to a National Park (another one of my travel goals), St. Louis made the perfect choice for a long, weekend getaway. The city is home to numerous attractions and the food scene was unlike anything I'd experienced before with culinary kudos to so many different cultures. Be sure to spend time checking out the city's various neighborhoods which each offer their own unique flare. And of course you can't forget bout the 630 foot arch which in the heart of downtown! 

Keep reading to discover how we spent three days in The Gateway to the West.

"People don't notice if it's winter or summer when they're happy." -Anton Chekhov

I've recently decided to make this my new life motto. Living in Michigan all my life, I've experienced my fair share of winters and trust me, they can be brutal. I used to spend my days counting down until the summer sun was back again but there really is so much beauty (and fun) to be had in the snowy season!

I had the opportunity to pack my bags and hit the road to head north to one of my favorite Michigan towns, Petoskey, for an ultimate winter weekend getaway. We spent three days packed full of good food, wine, adventure, and even some fresh snow.

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Petoskey Area Visitor's Bureau. The itinerary was created by me based on personal research and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Nashville is quickly taking over as the bachelorette capital of the US with multiple groups of girls in matching tees flocking to Music City every weekend. I recently had the chance to attend a Nash Bash and I can completely understand why the city has gained so much popularity so quickly. Aside from its central location and major airport nearby, the city offers the perfect scene for both laid back girl's time and wild nights on Broadway.

Read on to find out how exactly how we spent an amazing long weekend in Nashville celebrating our bride to be!

Since becoming puppy parents to our mini golden doodle, Wrigley, our lives have been changed forever. He has been the sweetest addition to our family and brought us so much joy. As soon as we brought him home, I quickly realized that a lot of our plans were now based on whether our furry friend could come with us. We love to take him hiking, to breweries, to the beach and everywhere in between! But I have to admit, it's not always easy to find out which facilities allow dogs and it can involve a lot of research or calling around - especially if you're trying to travel somewhere you've never been before. So when I had the opportunity to team up with Traverse City Tourism and showcase all the pet-friendly attractions the city by the bay has to offer (trust me, there's a lot) I couldn't wait to start planning our itinerary. Find out more about how Wrigley and I spent three days in the Cherry Capital including our favorite wineries, restaurants, shopping and attractions.

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Traverse City Tourism. The itinerary was created by me based on personal research and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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