A Southern Girl's Guide to Planning a Trip Around the World

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A picture of Blakely's misspent youth.

To be read phonetically.  

Note: The entirety of this content uses phrases directly from our Southern childhoods.  It is written from the POV of a supportive, but sassy Southern lady (as if there is any other type).

This trip is a doozie and I'm proud of y'all.  But thinkin of y'all in some foreign land gets us all as nervous as cats on a tin roof and alotta folks can't make heads or tails of why y'all're leaving.  Honey, you're as stubborn as a mule so I don't need to worry about you changin' course.

Now this trip won't all be easy.  Plans'll go cattywampus just about when you're all hot and bothered.  You'll want to bless out every good-for-nothin who gives you the short end of the stick.  Don't fly off the handle or get your pretty feathers ruffled.  Just take a breath, eat somethin wholesome, have a cocktail, put on some color, and get back out there.

Sugah, now, you can't go trampin around the world in your pearls and lace.  They'll be on you quicker than a duck on a June bug.  So cover up what God gave ya and mind your manners.  That doesn't mean they won't get onto you.  But you're in their territory so you gotta respect that.  Just say "yes m'am," "no m'am," "yes sir" and "no sir."  Honey catches more flies than vinegar.

Dahlin you know I think the world of you and the babies think you hung the moon.  So have a fabulous time.  But remember who you are and who's you are.  And y'all hurry back now, ya hear?

We aren't scared. We aren't scared.

Ohhhh no biggey.  Just a lion casually opening a car door to get to the humans inside...

Click here for the full article.

Do We Miss New York

Like all breakups, we needed separation to gain clarity.  Of course, next we went through the denial-bargaining-anger-grief phases.  Now we have emerged-- a bit shaken, but in one piece.  And we're finally ready to talk about it.

So here it is.  The first of our post-breakup posts.  We recommend you read it how it was written- with your favorite breakup pint.

What We'll Miss / What We Won't

Fancy cocktails / That cost $14

The Piano Guy in Washington Sq. / The Pigeon Guy in Washington Sq.

The Spring / The urine smell that follows

The Fall / That only lasts 5 days

Amazing West Village apartment / Tiny in all ways but rent

Everything being so close / Everyone being so close

World’s Best Restaurants / With the sauciest Maître D’s

The Shows / Time Square

Informed people / Protests

Living at the Center of the World / Fear of terrorist attacks            

Public transportation / RATS

The very best Police and Fire Dept / Sirens all night

But there are aspects of New York that are untouchable by our cynicism (as if New York needed our protection.).  The daily things like amazing tap water and personal drivers.  The museums and parks in a city so well laid out it gives evidence to smarter men having a bigger plan.  Challenging jobs that proved ourselves to ourselves.  The honesty that replaces manners and, with that, the freedom in knowing exactly where you stand with people.   The unique lives being lived in each window you see.  And the history on every street, every block, and every building of New York.   A history in which, by daring to live there, little you play a part.

New York, if you're reading this, we miss you already.

Match Souvenirs to Your Real-World Style

We've all been there.

You walk into a discount apparel store and, about 2 racks in, you get overstimulated by the cheap prices, buckets of purses, and plaid abundance.  One thing leads to another.  You fantasize about your new styled self pulling off some hipster-chic, oversized coveralls and that's when you black out.

When you finally come to, you're walking out with a bag of stuff you don't need, will NEVER wear, and give off a slight smell of stale cheese.  Just me?  K cool.

Well I run the same risk when visiting a new place.  I fall in love with the culture, the people, the history.  I hear the enthralling tale of the pottery master's rise to fame and become convinced I can work an Indian motif into our one-bedroom apartment.

I blame the tourist goggles.  I lose sight of my real identity and personal style and get swept away in my enthusiasm for new cultures.  Well that ends now people.  We're not doing a trip around the world to collect shot glasses.  But you don't need a World Trip to be proactive about your foreign purchases.  Below are 3 great articles I've found on the subject.  Read up and buy right.

And cheers to your real-world self meeting your travel self and loving her outfit.  Or at least her African mask collection. 

Article from Everygirl.com: 5 ways to Cultivate a Well-Travelled Home. Most amazing tip? Bring home spices from your trip and recreate your experience in the kitchen.  So simple and spot on.

Article from Huffington Post: The Souvenir Collections You Should Start.  Leave the magnets, shot glasses, and key chains where they belong- at the shop in the offending country.

Article from CNN: The Biggest Souvenir No-No's.  Great tips when purchasing for others.  Sorry, pal.  No one wants your leftover foreign coins.

Quote of the Day- Regarding the Hazy Areas

I wish the state department would just have this answered under any travel warnings:  'Should a reasonable person travel here.  YES OR NO.'

-Blakely about the "hazy" areas on the itinerary.  Kenya, Egypt, Israel.  Everyone has an opinion and no one agrees.

We love Europe. But we aren't going.

We feel that you should know (in the name of full disclosure.  And since we've become so close) that (brace yourselves) our itinerary doesn't include Europe.  

Whoa whoa whoa cool it.  Here's why:

1. Relative to other parts of the world, Europe is a fairly expensive region.
2. We've been very lucky in the amount of times we've gotten to travel within Europe.  
3. We feel most comfortable there.  And now is the time for discomfort. 
4. The Main Reason: Most places in Europe are amazing no matter what your age.  And now isn't the time for that.

We aren't ruling out a quick jaunt to Spain from Morocco or hopping to a Greek Isle from Turkey (see Blakely plotting already?).  But for now, we'll have to content ourselves with knowing that we'll always have Paris.