If I am headed to Los Angeles, I 100% every single time will be stopping at Erewhon for that damn Hailey Bieber strawberries and cream smoothie. Not only does it taste fire, but I feel like just maybeeee my skin looks clearer for a week or so after I have one. And I just feel so clean girl heathy chic.
I have combined a few recipes I find online to make the most similar dupe possible. It probably (definitely) doesn’t have the same health benefits without the expensive supplements and whatever, but it works!
This recipe yields two servings. I will drink one right away and freeze one to have later.
the recipe
2 frozen bananas
3 cups frozen strawberries
2 cups vanilla almond milk
1/4 cup coconut water
6 pitted dates
1 small avocado
4 tbsp collagen powder
2 tbsp coconut cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 scoop of sea moss if you’re glamorous (not required)
Once everything is in the blender I blend until smooth. The dates will be the hardest part to get broken down. I also usually freeze fresh fruit versus buying frozen. I had a bad experience finding rocks in my frozen strawberries once and am traumatized LOL.
Try it out and let me know what you think! Perfect for a hot girl walk around the neighborhood as the weather warms up.
Let me be very clear, I have only been to los angeles a total of 3 times in my life. However, every time I have gone, I have had the best nights out ever! Luckily, I have amazing friends that know the best spots to go for a memorable night. TY in advance Abby for being my LA tour guide always!
desert 5 spot
I celebrated Abby’s birthday with her here in 2025 and it was not a miss! Desert 5 Spot is a western-themed bar but with chic flair. I loved the cowboy boots mirror ball as pictured below.
My favorite part of this bar was the live music with intermittent line dance breaks. Of course I don’t know a single line dance, but it is REALLY entertaining to watch those who give it their 100% .
If you’re not into line dancing, there is still plenty of room for normal shimmying. We liked hanging out on the rooftop wraparound patio with beautiful views and good ambience!
bar lubitsch
For my 24th birthday, we started our crawl here at the Russian-themed Bar Lubitch. You enter into a very non-assuming bar area with GREAT cocktails (get the cucumber gimlet) and the most perfect photo booth.
Once you make your way past the photo booth, the real party is in the back room. We were busting down song after song on the dance floor. The management was also nice enough to let me know that my phone in my back pocket was probably a bad idea and to keep it in my purse, LOL.
Loved this place, definitely would like to go back.
no vacancy
To be so honest, this was one of our last stops and is a bit woozy, but what I remember was awesome. The outdoor section of No Vacancy was super moody and good vibes. The stage out back had a few occasional performers come out that danced? I think? Honestly, Abby and I couldn’t really remember….
We got super lucky as I chatted up an engagement party who had a table and offered us their bottles as they were leaving. So maybe just linger around the tables and chat people up to try your luck!
I do not have any images from this bar so you will just have to imagine it. Rumor has it I may or may not have been giving a friend a foot massage at this bar when her shoes started hurting her. Be sure to add that into your mental imagery of this cool vibe place <3
In December of 2026, I booked a yoga retreat on Lake Atitlan in Guatemala with Eagles Nest Atitlan. I was looking for a retreat that was more or less all inclusive in Central America and this checked all of my boxes. I booked the reservation, my flights, and closed my computer.
I got an email later asking if I would like to book a shuttle from the airport to the retreat for $150 one way. Do I look like I am made of money??? I would figure it out one way or another how to get there. Thankfully, I did my research ahead of time and came prepared for what was in store.
step 1: guatemala city to panajachel
I booked my shuttle ticket through Guatego ahead of time to pick me up from the airport at 1:45pm. My flight was landing at 1, so I figured that was probably enough time to get through customs and find my driver.
They sent a very stern “we will only wait 5 minutes for you” message and if I missed it I would definitely be SOL because the next shuttle wasn’t until around 6pm.
Customs took a smidge longer than expected, and I found myself running out the door. The Guatemala City airport exit is a lot more overstimulating than one might expect! There are many taxi drivers offering to drive you wherever, family members greeting their loved ones with big, flashy balloons, and a lot of people in not a lot of space.
I made it through the crowed and exited the airport to be sure I knew where my shuttle driver was picking me up. I figured I would get my eyes on this spot, then go back into the airport vestibule to find an ATM to take out some Guatemalan Quetzal (cash). Unfortunately, once you exit the only way back in was through security again.
I wasn’t super stressed about not having cash at this point. I knew I would eventually need cash for the ferry and tuk tuks, but we had a stopover in Antigua and there must be an ATM there, right?
I connected with my shuttle driver and took the back seat. I notice that there are no outlets, so I am immediately mindful of how much I am using my phone. I knew I had a long trip ahead of me. Our shuttle ended up leaving with 3 less passengers as they had not been as lucky as me to make it through customs in time.
We were off to Antigua! I spent my time napping, reading, and journaling during this trip. I was especially obsessed with the Chicken Busses which are reclaimed school busses decorated beautifully and used as public transport for the locals.
After about 3 hours, we made our stop in Antigua. My plan to find an ATM here was quickly lost after our “stopover” consisted of me stepping from one shuttle into another and immediately leaving the city. I’m still not stressed though!
By the time I got on the second shuttle, the sun was setting so reading and journaling were off the table. I used this shuttle to continue catching up on sleep. About an hour before our destination I made a bit of an alarming realization.
The last ferry to get from Panajachel to San Marcos leaves at 8pm, and it looked like we were going to get to Panajachel at 7:45 pm. Which left very little time for me to find an ATM and the docks, lol. I’m still not really stressed, honestly. One way or the other, I am making it to this damn yoga retreat.
step 2: panajachel to san marcos
As we arrived to the docks in the shuttle, our driver’s accomplice met us. He, in broken English, explained that the last ferries have left and our only option is to pay for him to take us on his private boat. But don’t worry, he takes card!
The crew he was telling this to included me, 2 British girls, and a Mexican man (A). A came in clutch here because he was the only one of us that spoke Spanish. He was offering us the discounted price of $13 per person if the 4 of us went with him (the ferry is typically $3 per person).
Personally, I am completely down for this option. $13 is not ridiculous to me and I don’t have cash! Once we walk down to the docks, the other public ferry operators are yelling “last call” and the 2 girls take off. Apparently to them $13 WAS ridiculous….
This left me and A. The private boat operator now was saying that because they bailed, the price would be raised to $26 per person. Honestly, I’m still ok with this LOL. This seems to be my only option at this point and I still don’t have cash. A and I chat and A thinks he can get him lower on the price.
I watch like a damsel in distress as they have a bartering match in Spanish over the price. Finally, they settle on $19, which- you guessed it- I’m fine with! We boarded this boat in the dark and set sail across Lake Atitlan to San Marcos.
A offered to put his card down and then I could give him back cash once I found an ATM. The ferry ride was about 20 minutes and we pondered if there was a Loch Ness Monster-adjacent entity living in this lake (or anything else that could kill us)
step 3: downtown san marcos to eagle’s nest
Once we landed at the dock, there is a narrow street of vendors leading from the water to the main downtown of San Marcos. I figured A was just going to accompany me to find the ATM, but he decided to part ways towards his hostel. This left me wandering the streets alone at 9pm for an ATM.
To get to the retreat, I could either hike up a very steep volcano in the dark or hire a tuk tuk to drive me up. I figured the latter was slightly safer at this time. The downtown wasn’t super massive, so I figured I could just wander around and come across an ATM.
While I found many beautiful Christmas lights, dogs, and locals cooking delicious-smelling food, I did not find any cash. Let me just remind you that I have not had access to a bathroom or any food since the airplane approximately 10 hours prior 🙂
I eventually decided wandering around aimlessly was probably a bad idea. I approached one of the tuk tuk’s and was surprised to find the driver to be a boy who couldn’t have been older than 8 years old. I held up my phone at 10% with “Where do I get cash” in google translate to Spanish. He pointed me to a little bodega and finally I had my quetzals.
I came back and found the same little boys and they offered me the ride for $2. I honestly loved this random little ride with these boys and felt like I was funding the livelihood of Guatemalan youth. Even if at the end he told me it was actually going to be $2.50… Sneaky little boys.
Finally, I had made it to the entrance of the retreat. Any by entrance, the beginning of the 10 minute hike through the jungle to the retreat. Of course my phone was dead by this point, so I was just vibing with my moonlit hike and made it there in one piece!
The most clutch part of this experience was having a super light backpack so it was easy for me to quickly transition from transport to transport. At no point did I ever feel truly unsafe or stuck. I guess that is just the magic energy of Guatemala!
At the end of the trip, I was greeted with a bowl of warm soup and super great vibes at the retreat! And THANKFULLY a bathroom. I had officially made it in once piece and was excited to finally able to relax! The end.
In December of 2026, I made my first trip to Central America in Guatemala (and did it all by myself). Being the cheap girl I am, I was not going to spend the extra $30 to bring a checked bag, so all I had was a personal item sized backpack. Continue reading to find out what was in my bag!
backpack
I borrowed (stole) the Outdoor Adventures Mist Hydration Backpack from my parent’s house. This was the perfect bag for me that had plenty of different pockets to keep things separated and safe. The water holding portion was long gone so I had extra space to put my things.
It counts as a personal item on flights, is very light, and super cheap. This isn’t sponsored but I wish it was lol. I am looking forward to bringing this along for many more trips!
clothes
I was headed on a yoga retreat, so I prioritized packing items I could move in but were also comfortable for long travel days. I also was going to be in warm, potentially rainy Guatemala weather.
My most-used items ended up being my thin long sleeve shirt that was just enough for nippy mornings without being too hot. I also never travel without my birkenstock-dupe sandals that are so comfortable for long walking!
I was lucky that my backpack had multiple pockets so I could store my travel-sized toiletries for easy access. 3 things I will never travel without are my makeup eraser washcloth, my solid shampoo/conditioner bars, and my carmex lip balm!!!
I had to be very careful about everything else I brought as my space was quickly weaning and I had to make sure I had everything I absolutely needed. My journal and a book were non-negotiable! FYI, Guatemala has the same outlets as the US, so no need to buy an adapter.
I am typically not much of a souvenir girl, but I was going right before Christmas and of course waited until the last second to buy gifts for family. I had just the tiniest bit of space left in my luggage for a few gifts and treats for myself!
Handmade crossbody bag
Handmade headband
6 postcards
2 handmade shot glasses (gifts)
Jade necklace and bracelet (gifts)
featuring my new headband and bag
All-in-all, I felt very accomplished with my backpacking game and felt like I had everything I needed. If I had a smidge more space, I would’ve added a windbreaker/rainjacket and a hairbrush, but I was just fine without both! An additional consideration is a towel, but I checked that my accommodations would provide them for free ahead of time.
From June-August of 2025, I was on my first physical therapy clinical rotation in Cape May, NJ. I was working in an outpatient physical therapy clinic treating orthopedic conditions (think joint replacements, strains, broken bones, etc.).
I had a really mixed experience at this clinic. I enjoyed my patients, the location, and the autonomy I was allowed as a student. On the other hand, I was lacking in mentorship, had an extremely busy schedule, and was frustrated with the experience I was having with my advisor.
In an outpatient clinic you see each patient 2-3 times per week. I was only there for 8 weeks, so most of these patients I had been seeing the entire summer and developed great relationships with. I don’t know what it is about goodbyes, but for some reason I always cry. This day was not excluded from this pattern as I was given thoughtful gifts and said farewell to patients.
I think I may have even been loud enough about wanting a grand farewell that a patient I didn’t even see that often brought me an ice cream cake. I was gifted books, gift cards, and very sweet notes of appreciation. I was having a really great day and looking froward to an even more fun evening. As my farewell gift, the staff were going on a booze cruise in Wildwood, NJ together at sunset.
I was on top of the world and feeling so proud of my time here. One of my last requirements to finish clinical is reviewing the rubric students are graded on by their clinic advisor that is sent to their school, which determines if we pass or fail.
We sit down in this meeting and my ego is instantly popped. I see the words “decreased in competence and initiative” in the very first box. WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!? I felt every single human emotion in the span of 5 seconds, but landed on rage as the winner. You’re meaning to tell me, after a summer of teaching myself, this is how you’re summing up my experience to my school? BUT, you still like me enough to pay for a booze cruise to send me off?? Honestly none of it makes sense to me to this day.
I held it back as best as I could and stayed professional. I let it roll off my back and knew that the patient’s didn’t share his opinion and that was what mattered to me. I also knew there was no way I could fail this clinical. I finished the day quietly and let a single tear creep out as I headed to my booze cruise.
Flash forward about an hour as I watch this same man shotgun a White Claw on the side of a boat in a mildly-offensive golf shirt with a lei on. We only booked an hour, so he wasted no time pouring drinks. I just kept asking myself what the hell was going on. But hey, I will never say no to a free boat.
As we finished our trip, I promised I would come back the next week before officially leaving NJ (I didn’t…) and Irish goodbyed that man and my strange strange experience.
Leaving confused, tipsy, and with really mixed emotions about the experience, I found myself in Stone Harbor. Something about everything going on told me I needed to take myself out to dinner and specifically for a margarita.
Some people have a really hard time asking for a table for 1 at a restaurant. I don’t have whatever gene that is. I would take myself out to dinner every single day if I was rich. This night, I had a coconut margarita, chips & guac, elote corn, and fish tacos at Agave. YUMMMM.
Once I finished my meal and reset my vibe, I was ready to celebrate. I texted my friend living in Philadelphia and asked how soon she could be here. I was DETERMINED to have a damn good last day. Once she said 2 hours, I knew I had just enough time to run into the ocean in the dark, get home, shower, and be ready to party.
So anyways, that was the weird story of my weirdest last day of work. The moral of this one is that it really doesn’t matter what anyone thinks of you, so you should probably just do whatever you want all the time. You’re the only one that can fix your own vibe!
Spending a summer living on the Jersey Shore was one of the best choices I have ever made. I loved absolutely every second and daydream often about the next time I will be able to make it back to Sea Isle City.
While I was officially living in Ocean View (the mainland counterpart of Sea Isle), I spent the majority of my time in Sea Isle, Cape May, Avalon, Stone Harbor, and Strathmere. I have collected a few options to mix and match to create the most perfect day ever in this really special place.
coffee
Talk to any Sea Isle lover and they will tell you THE spot is Sidney’s Coffe & Eats in Strathmere. If they have it on the menu, I recommend the chocolate covered strawberry latte. I loved this spot to sit and cram out some work on their covered porch. I don’t even have a second coffee recommendation because I felt like I was cheating on this place going anywhere else.
breakfast
For breakfast I am giving you two options. If it’s raining, I’m sending you to Avalon Coffee Co just a few minutes down the road. The bagels here are the best I had on the shore and I dream of the fresh orange juice. This is a good spot for a rainy day because it is surrounded by a lot of shops to spend your time exploring in when the beach isn’t an option.
If it’s a nice day, why are we wasting time getting breakfast?? Get up early to find a good parking spot. The paid spots may look enticing for convenience, but take the extra 5 mins to drive just a few blocks North or South for the free street parking.
Then, while you are walking towards the beach, take a pit stop at The Juice Pod on the promenade for something quick and fresh. I loved their acai bowls to start my beach day on a hydrated, cooled-off note.
lunch
Because I was driving in from Ocean View each time I had a beach day, without fail I would be stopping at the Wawa right on the corner of Route 9 and Sea Isle Blvd. It will be packed 24/7, so come in with a game plan. I would build my own hoagie and pick up fruit, chips, and a gatorade (perhaps to be enhanced with a little Malibu rum later down the line…..). BYO cooler and watch out for overzealous seagulls.
My other recommendation would be to take a break from the sun and walk to Panzini’s Pizzeria. This was the best slice I found and they have decent lunch deals. The seagulls love Wawa, but they ESPECIALLY love swooping down on an unassuming pizza slice, so be extra diligent!
to do
Obviously I will always recommend spending every second you can on the beach cycling between a good book, swimming in the ocean, and absorbing as much sun as possible. Keep some cash on you for the beach tags. Memorial Day-Labor Day, Sea Isle beach tags are $10 daily by cash. OR you could drive up to Strathmere where the beaches are free hint hint.
Some other areas to check out for shopping and bites are the Sea Isle promenade, Dune Rd from 20th-26th st in Avalon, and Washington St mall in Cape May. Skip the kitschy tourist stores and opt for Shop Local (Cape May), Victorious (Cape May), She Be Surfin’ (Avalon), and Sessoms’ Gifts and Candies (Sea Isle).
If you have especially a lot of time on your hands, I HIGHLY recommend going to the Cape May Zoo. I cannot believe this zoo is free for everything it has to offer and you could definitely spend a full day here no problem.
If all else fails, take the time to start in Cape May and head north on Ocean Drive with your windows down and favorite music on.
dinner
My favorite way to end a day in Sea Isle is with sushi, edamame, and miso soup from Sushi Ocean View. You MUST get the sunset roll, no debate. Note that the entire show here is run by one baddie, which means sometimes the wait is a bit longer. I recommend ordering ahead then picking up takeout and enjoying it on the beach while watching the sunset. Thank me later.
If you’re looking for other sit-down places to eat, I was very impressed with the famous Mike’s Seafood. It is BYOB, pretty busy, NOT cheap, but worth the hype if you can swing it!
Some other favorites included La Dona in Cape May (get the elote!!!, byob), Tuckahoe Inn in Ocean View (great sunset and great drinks), and The Watering Hull in Stone Harbor.
sweet treat
You’re on vacation, you deserve a sweet treat! My pick will always be an ice cream cone. The best I found were at Yum Yum’s right off the promenade and Custard King conveniently across from Sushi Ocean View.
Honorable mention to the fried oreos that I tried for the first time from Drifter’s at 2am while very drunk.
nightlife
Surprisingly, I didn’t spend much time out while on the shore. This was primarily because I didn’t know many people my age in the area and I think you’re considered to “have a drinking problem” when you’re clubbing alone like that. However, my favorite spots to take friends who came to visit were Shenanigan’s and Ocean Drive.
I liked Shenanigan’s because sometimes they have a bubble machine with fog-filled bubbles. Ocean Drive is a bit more of a younger crowd and gets busier. I HIGHLY recommend going to Ocean Drive when they have dueling pianos going on. Both are cash only and have ATM’s outside.
If you’ve never been before, I HIGHLY recommend making the roadtrip to Sea Isle City 🙂 <3
If you’re planning a trip to Maui, Haleakala is likely coming across your research as a MUST SEE WORTHWHILE EXPERIENCE!!! Personally, I was a bit skeptical. My mind was changed once I experienced it. I break down below how we did it and some tips to make the most of your experience.
ahead of time:
First, you will need tickets. We booked our tickets about 2 months in advance. I don’t know how much in advance they typically fill up, but I know there were none available day-of. NOTE: this is different from the park admission fee. We have annual national park passes, so this was free but otherwise would be paid at the entrance.
Secondly, you will need a method of traversing up the volcano. You can either book a tour with a shuttle or drive yourself. The third option would be hiking, but why would you EVER want to do that?!?! We chose to drive ourselves since we had a car and wanted to be on our own timeline.
Finally, you will need to be prepared for the elements. Because the peak is higher than the clouds, it is FREEZING and WINDY all year long. Most people do not pack winter wear for their Hawaii vacation, so consider making the trip in your PJs and bring lots of blankets. Additionally, if you are sensitive to altitude (lower oxygen levels, altitude/motion sickness, or difficult-to-pop ears), take the proper precautions ahead of time!
day of:
If you are driving yourself, you should plan to be at the base of the volcano 60-90 minutes before the sunrise to allow for time to make it up, parking, and finding a spot to watch the sunrise from. Maps it ahead of time, it may be a lot further than you expect (it was 2.5hr from Kihei, meaning we had to leave at 2am to make it in time). Follow the crowds to know what side of the peak the sun will be rising from (try to find a spot near the gift shop). We were wrapped in blankets and in multiple layers and still pretty cold. A warm beverage and folding chair would be great additions if you plan for them!
why we loved it:
Let me set the scene here: I am freezing cold, my ears still haven’t popped, and I am SO tired. This seems like the perfect storm to be having a horrible time. However, I was smiling and laughing like a little kid with the wind whipping my face.
This experience really is magical. Because the clouds are below you, you are guaranteed a beautiful sunrise no matter what the weather is. There are also local Hawaiian singers performing sun salutations as the sun rises. And truthfully, the whole thing is pretty quick to be braving the elements for. From start to finish it was about 30 mins. It felt very spiritual and connected to nature, especially for someone who doesn’t necessarily reach for the nature excursions while traveling.
After you’ve been amazed by the show, there isn’t too much to do on the peak. There is a cute little gift shop worth stopping in. I guess you could hike…. not me though. We took a bunch of photos and then made our way driving back down. In the area, we stopped in Makawao to grab a bite and bev at Espresso Mafia. Waking up early was rough, but meant we started the day on a magical foot. We spent the rest of the day surfing and catching up on sleep on the beach!
So long story short, yes you should definitely add a trip up Haleakala to your Maui itinerary!
