Travel

By Sydni Ellis Champagne and chocolate are always a good idea, but this month give your Valentine a little something more. Skip your regular restaurant reservations and escape to an island straight out of your dreams instead (but don’t worry, you can still bring a …

Celebrate the games, travel like an Olympian this year  By Carrie Dunlea Celebrate the annual Winter Olympics this year by taking a trip to any one of three former host cities in the United States. No athleticism is required unless you want to strap on …

By Sydni Ellis There’s a reason so many big-city characters travel to small towns in Hallmark movies. The charming town squares, twinkling lights, friendly neighbors, festive parades, sweet Christmas tree farms, romantic horse-drawn carriage rides, and snow everywhere — what’s not to love? If you’ve …

A Chicago Christmas is Unlike Any Other By Sydni Ellis Stepping out of Chicago’s Midway Airport in 2016, I was greeted by soft snowflakes tickling my nose and covering my hair in white. It was the first time my husband and I had returned to …

Ride horses, hike trails, and connect with nature By Sydni Ellis Golden light illuminates the sky, as deep red, orange, and yellow-tinted leaves are crunched underfoot. A comforting chill fills the air, as we spot pumpkins in the grocery store and smell apple pies baking …

To local wineries, distilleries, and breweries to discover your new favorite after-work drink By Sydni Ellis Who hasn’t turned to wine after a long day, grabbed a celebratory beer with friends, or treated yourself to a kids-are-finally-back-in-school cocktail? We all have our favorite drinks and …

By Sydni Ellis Starting with lazy summer sunshine and ending with the chaotic energy of back-to-school season, August is such a unique month. In Texas, it’s also one of the hottest, with temperatures ramping up just before fall. August is a time of lasts — …

Explore parks, cities by bicycle this summer By Sydni Ellis I learned how to ride a bike on a pink glitter bicycle with white wheels, a cute basket, and rainbow tassel handles. As a kid, I spent countless hours exploring the neighborhood streets with my matching …

By Sydni Ellis If I could bottle up a bit of June’s dreamy, luminescent sunshine, I would spritz it all year long to prolong that magical early summer feeling. It’s practically impossible to feel sad this time of year when the outdoors beckons you every …