What do you do on a rainy day? Do you take all your adventures inside? Or do you go with the flow and dress for the weather? I like to still continue on with my initial plans whenever possible. Picking a great rain jacket Columbia Women’s Arcadia II Waterproof Rain Jacket (CA | COM) and rain boots Hunter Women’s Original Chelsea Boot (CA | COM) or if I am found a lot of walking perhaps a trail shoe. Columbia Women’s Strata Trail Low (CA | COM). It can be so beautiful, the rain has a way of making everything crisper and it somehow feels cleaner. Flowers, trees and grass get a well deserved drink. I also feel a bit thirsty for a warm drink it just feels right. Find a way to enjoy all of the weather. May I tempt you to get out on the next rainy day. Take a moment to breathe in that crisp air and look around at how water makes the green, just a bit greener. How the rain drops sound so beautiful on a tin roof. How that coffee tastes a little sweeter. How the World slows down for a moment and just breathe deep and enjoy! You might just catch a rainbow. 🌈

Summer is quickly approaching and to ensure you take advantage of all that you deserve, you should set your intentions. Building a bucket list of places you would like to visit, things you would like to accomplish and people you would like to visit. Make it fun, have people over for a drink and explore the endless possibilities. Take a bit of time to really think about summer, maybe you want to do less not more. Whatever you choose this bucket list is yours! Get out the good paper and fancy markers and start planning. Maybe even some scissors, glue and local pamphlets to help you get the creative juices flowing. Once complete start adding a few things to your phone calendar to help get the party started. Bring out your inner child and have fun.

This summer a friend and I have agreed to doing five day trips together. We always have the greatest time together and I so look forward to these adventures. We are going to match it up with the five senses: We have some ideas in mind like the smell of Lavender in the fields. Lavender at Ocean Breeze Farm Feeling the sand beneath our feet on the Bouctouche Dunes. Irving Eco-Centre: La dune de Bouctouche Taking time to listen to some local Acadian music. An immersive experience - Akadi Lumina Having a taste test of Lobster rolls or maybe trying another delicacy Experience Shediac - Activities, Accommodations and Restaurants in Shediac, NB of our beautiful province and potentially going to some art galleries. Whatever we choose we will be intentional on hitting the five senses and being mindful of our time together.

The weather can really put a damper on travel plans. However bad the weather, seasonal allergies take the cake. The spring brings with it seasonal allergies and that can really put a damper on a vacation. If you suffer like I do, being ready with Systane Ultra Lubricant Eye Drops (CA | COM) and allergy meds of your choice like Reactine Rapid Dissolve Antihistamine Tablets (CA | COM) is essential. You never know when an allergy attack will compromise a great vacation so be ready!

The wineries around Wolfville are wonderful. We ventured to several wineries located in the Grand Pre/ Gasperau region. We started the morning at Gaspereau, had a picnic snacklebox lunch and played a few games of washer toss. Drove a small ways down the Road to Benjamin Bridge, then off to Acadie for some sparkling. We then travelled to Luckett with its famous telephone booth and headed back closer to Wolfville. We stopped at Lightfoot, spent time on the deck at Mercator and finally arrived at Grand Pre where we sat on the deck for the tasting and headed in to their fantastic restaurant, Le Caveau for an exquisite meal. After dinner we went back to the Micro Boutique apartments for the night. Overall I highly recommend doing your own wine tour, however you must be mindful of having a designated driver.

We headed to Wolfville Nova Scotia to partake in some wine tasting around the Valley. This adventure never disappoints. It has become a yearly tradition. Despite the weather many laughs were had and many bottles polished. Port Williams was Day 1, Blomidon Estate, Beausoleil, Planter’s Ridge, and finished at 1365 Church St. Say hi to John he’s a host with the most. Had supper at The Church Brewing Nova Scotia Wineries Map | Visit Nova Scotia Wineries Day 2 Seven wineries on the list :) Finishing with an exquisite meal at Le Caveau (Grand Pré) Highly recommend doing a wine tasting around the valley. Just always remember to have a designated driver. We try to share flights in order to try more wine but drink less. Be mindful and listen to your body.

Why wait until you are planning a trip to take care of yourself? Today I had a pedicure and did my nails. A small price to pay to make yourself a priority if only for a moment. For you maybe it’s something else that makes you feel better, getting your hair done or possibly going to the gym. Whatever that is, take time to do it, don’t put it off! Travelling is always a great excuse for self-care however there is no reason to celebrate being you.

When we are home we have invested in a great bed. However a great bed can’t be packed in our luggage. So what I have found helps when traveling is keeping with the same nightly routine and trying to go to sleep at the same time. It could mean a few uncomfortable nights if there is a time change in play, but worth it in the end. I wear earplugs every night, I love my Loop Quiet 2 Reusable Silicone Earplugs with 24dB Noise Reduction (CA | COM) they help especially when those odd noises in new places keep you up at night tossing and turning. The loops are easy to keep clean. Light can also be a factor, make sure you try to turn off electronics so there is no blue light and when we travel I bring my eye mask. Sleep Eye Mask for Men Women, Lash Extensions 3D Sleeping Mask for Side Sleeper, Blackout Night Blindfold Eye Shade Cover for Travel (CA | COM) Getting a good night sleep is vital to having mindful mornings. On vacation you don’t want to waste your time being sluggish from a lack of sleep, so prepare ahead. If you know a hotel chain that has comparable beds to your own you may want to try and book there, although that is not always viable. Sometimes a simple thing like bringing a silk pillowcase Mulberry Silk Pillow Cases Standard Size with Hidden Zipper, Ultra Smooth and Soft Breathable Cooling Silk Satin Pillowcase for Hair and Skin (CA | COM) or your favourite pillow spray Aromasong Lavender Pillow Spray - All Natural Calming Linen & Bedtime Mist for Deep Sleep (CA | COM) can make all the difference. Whatever you do that can help. We have even used a small sound machine Dreamegg Sunrise 1 Sound Machine Sunrise Alarm Clock (CA | COM). Just give yourself the best chance of getting a goodnight sleep. Remember reduce naps and do not have caffeine, alcohol or snacks too close to bed time as those also affect your sleep.

It’s that time of year when the sunsets are breathtaking and the mosquitoes are out for a feast. If you are like me it is not the most pleasant time. For whatever reason I tend to be a mosquito magnet. I swell up from the bites and start looking like I have chicken pox. The itch is relentless. Recently I have found a new gadget, not going to lie it burns when using but presto the itch and the bump are gone. It works, it doesn’t prevent the bite but it sure does provide relief. The insect bite healer Beurer Chemical-Free Bite Relief Treatment Provides Relief from Itching and Swelling (CA | COM) is going to be a game changer this year. Also I like to have the executioner on hand while sitting out. The Executioner Wasp, Bug, & Mosquito Swatter Zapper - Batteries Included (CA | COM) and someone has recommended Summit Mosquito Dunks (CA | COM) to me. Sometimes being mindful is looking to squash out what bugs you so you can be in the moment!

Do you ever wake up and just think today is going to be a great day? On vacation it is easy to get excited over what adventure might await us. When you are home you can get caught up in what needs to get done. That can be draining, however when you take the time to reflect and to be open to all that the day ahead yields it can really be a great day for a great day everyday. Wake up and set your intention for the day. Think of all that you are grateful for and move ahead with positivity and be empowered to make everyday a joyous occasion. If you need a little help I recommend the tiny book Life is Tremendous. Life is Tremendous: Enthusiasm Makes the Difference eBook : Jones, Charlie, Mandino, Og: Amazon.ca: Kindle Store

Some days you need to help shine a little light on someone else. The gift of service always has a way of giving back. Helping someone to fix something or take care of something that they don’t feel comfortable doing is very rewarding. The energy that you give has a way of filling your own cup. Never get so busy that you don’t take time to shine your light on others. Sometimes you are the recipient sometimes you are the giver, either way you win. Help shine a little light on others and make this World a little brighter.

Have you ever left your home by car and just drove? Not sure of the destination, maybe calling out left or right and then driving? These mini adventures can lead to some interesting spots. Ministers Island in New Brunswick, Canada was one such adventure for us. Historic Site | Ministers Island | St. Andrews NB Waiting for the low tides to drive across the sea floor was an adventure all in of itself. The amazing history and curators on this island were an absolute joy of a day. Take time to reflect on where you have been that was an unexpected adventure.

Lately I have been enjoying my memory picture pop ups. Pictures I took a year ago are making a second appearance and do they ever bring back beautiful memories. We were travelling around Greece and it was definitely picturesque. It is not quite as good as being there but it is certainly a great reminder of why we travel. Sometimes pictures act like motivators at other times it acts like medicine. Where will we go next? How grateful we were to have been able to create such amazing memories. Take a little time to look at your pictures of former travel destinations and take a walk down memory lane. Let it motivate or heal you, whatever you need in this moment.

Today I take the time to remind you to play. Take time in your day to enjoy yourself, it could be a board game, a card game or maybe taking time in your day for a sport. Play is important even when we are away on vacation. A deck of cards can help pass the time in an airport and helps keep you connected with your travel partners. Stop the doom scrolling and play! You might just be surprised of the inner child it brings out in you.

When you travel you meet people. Sometimes you never see those people again and other times the people you meet become family. Today was a day where we reunited with friends who have become family. These reunions are always so special. Smiles all around, and lots of laughter. I am reminded how fortunate I am to have such wonderful people in my life. Take some time today to reach out to a former travel friend. Maybe agree to meet up somewhere in the future. Wanderlust together and form new memories.