The One Item I Never Travel Without–Worth Its Weight in Gold!

March 30, 2022 by 22 Comments

It's spring break time for many families right now, including my grandsons. In my area, spring break starts next week. Do you have plans to travel for spring break or this summer? After the last few years of everyone staying home so much, I have a feeling this is going to be a huge summer for travel. If you've been reading BNOTP for a bit, you know I love a beautiful handbag, especially wicker bags for … [Read more...]

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Let’s Take a Virtual Vacation: Hawaii, Ireland, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya and More!

July 15, 2020 by 8 Comments

I'm sure this isn't the summer you planned or the one you envisioned. Instead of a relaxing beach trip or a trip to the mountains, instead of traveling across the country to visit friends or family, instead of a trip to Europe or other far-flung places, most of us are staying home away from the airports and crowds. Home feels safer right now, at least it's familiar. So how about today we take a few … [Read more...]

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The Treasures I Brought Back From England & How I’m Using Them Here at Home

November 11, 2019 by 48 Comments

Welcome to the 563rd Metamorphosis Monday! No major Before and Afters to post today so I thought I'd share some random updates along with the special souvenirs I brought back from England this past summer. By the way, I decided to give having my groceries delivered from Publix a try--a suggestion left in the comments on a previous post where I shared about Dorothy Lane Market in Oakwood, Ohio. The … [Read more...]

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Dorothy Lane Market: The Only Grocery Store Where I Actually Look Forward to Shopping

November 7, 2019 by 63 Comments

Welcome to the 581st Tablescape Thursday! I'm making the long trek back home today. I was set to do that yesterday but my son asked me stay a day longer for an event we attended last night together. But today is the day! I didn't get a chance to set a table this week. I thought about posting a roundup of Thanksgiving tables or something similar, but then I decided on something completely different … [Read more...]

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How I Clean My Travel Tote and Protecting It From Damage on Future Trips

September 21, 2019 by 24 Comments

When I traveled to England earlier this summer, I had an experience while going through security that sent me on a search. Whenever I fly domestically, or even sometimes when traveling via car, I use this blue and white bag as my travel tote. It holds everything I need and is the perfect size to be my "Personal Item" when flying. I decided to use it on an international trip for the first time when I … [Read more...]

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How I Replaced 3 Travel Toiletry Bags with 1 Awesome Hanging Bag

August 19, 2019 by 36 Comments

Welcome to the 551st Metamorphosis Monday! How do you pack your toiletries for travel? In the past, I've always used a combination of things. This bag below came as a gift when I purchased a cosmetic item--forgotten what now, it may have been a Clinique product. It has always been my catchall bag holding all the items that wouldn't fit in my smallish toiletry bag.   I purchased these … [Read more...]

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Two New Dresses I Loved Wearing During My Time in England

July 27, 2019 by 37 Comments

I was only gone 10 days, but it feels like I was away for months! It's such a strange feeling, returning home and driving down the old familiar streets. One minute you're in London and just beginning to adapt to where everything is and finding your way around, then that very same afternoon you find yourself back home, and it feels like you've been away for ages. I'm always overjoyed to see home again. No … [Read more...]

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Dramatic Luggage Before & After & The Best Amazon Prime Deals, Including iPads!

July 15, 2019 by 21 Comments

Welcome to the 546th Metamorphosis Monday! Update: While I'm in England, I'll be posting photos frequently on Instagram. It's the fastest way to share the beautiful cottages and gardens of England since WiFi may be iffy for writing blog posts. Follow Between Naps On The Porch on Instagram here: BetweenNapsOnThePorch. If you haven't joined Instagram, it doesn't matter. Just bookmark that link above and … [Read more...]

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The Away Bigger Carry-On Bag: What Actually Fits Inside?

April 22, 2019 by 43 Comments

Welcome to the 534th Metamorphosis Monday! I'm back today as promised to share what fits inside this Away "Bigger Carry-on" bag that I purchased recently.   Here's how the Away bag looks when you open it up. The left side contains a zippered mesh pocket which is where I carried my laptop to Egypt and back when I purchased the aluminum version of the Away bag. You may recall, I returned … [Read more...]

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A Pop of Color for the Office & Answering Your Questions About the Bucket-List Travel Map

April 1, 2019 by 37 Comments

Welcome to the 531st Metamorphosis Monday! Recently when I shared this adorable bow hat I had just ordered...   ...I received a few comments/emails about the travel map I have hanging just below the hats. Today I'm answering your questions about this map, how it works and an updated view.   I snapped this picture early this morning so the light is still really soft here in … [Read more...]

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How to Pack a Hat in Your Suitcase for Travel

March 18, 2019 by 28 Comments

Welcome to the 529th Metamorphosis Monday! Back in 2015 when I first started traveling, my very first trip was for a safari in Kenya. In reading about what one should pack for a safari, a hat was always right at the top of the list of recommendations, particularly a Tilley hat. I found one on Amazon that I really liked. The ribbon around the crown of the hat made it feel more feminine than the other … [Read more...]

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5 BNOTP Readers Are Going to England + A Bucket List Upgrade for My Flight

February 23, 2019 by 54 Comments

From time to time I get comments or e-mails from Between Naps On The Porch readers asking if I would consider putting a trip together. I love that idea but I've never really planned a trip before. For all the trips I've taken, I've always left the details up to the experts. Recently Laura, a friend, and a retired College English professor, put together a 10-day Literary Tour to England with the help of a … [Read more...]

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An Away Luggage Update and Help Me Choose a New Carry-on Bag

January 15, 2019 by 72 Comments

Before I left for a trip to Egypt last October, I purchased this snazzy, aluminum, Away carry-0n bag for the trip. Over the last few months, I've had several comments and emails asking how that bag worked out. Though I loved the bag, I sadly decided to return it after the trip. In today's post, I thought I'd share what I loved about the bag, why I returned it and what bag(s) I'm considering buying … [Read more...]

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Jane Austen Fans: Would You Enjoy a Literary Tour of Southern England?

January 2, 2019 by 21 Comments

Happy New Year! I hope 2019 has had an awesome start for you! It's always around this time of the year that I'm finally able to accept the cold weather and have begun to embrace it. I love a good excuse for staying inside and curling up under a throw with a good book or just watching a favorite old movie.   A Travel Opportunity for the Classic Literature Lover, especially the Jane Austen … [Read more...]

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How I Foiled a Pickpocket Thief in the Khan Al-Khalili Bazaar in Cairo

November 13, 2018 by 74 Comments

After visiting the Hanging Church in Cairo, I was less than thrilled when our guide announced we were next headed to the souk, also known as the Khan Al-Khalili Bazaar. When I hear the word "souk," it brings back terrible memories of all the souks we visited during my trip to Morocco with Overseas Adventure Travel in March 2017. In Morocco, the souks were always super crowded, smelled bad, and were … [Read more...]

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What Do Travelers Really Wear When Visiting Egypt?

October 27, 2018 by 33 Comments

It's 4 am here. Last night we arrived back in Cairo, having completed the Aswan-Abu Simble part of our trip. I can't wait to go through all the photos I've taken to share some of the highlights of this tour across Egypt! It will take some time to go through all the photos I've taken and to organize them for a post, but I hope to share those soon. I've received a few comments here and on Instagram … [Read more...]

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An Egypt River Cruise: Sailing & Dining on the Nile River

October 24, 2018 by 23 Comments

Welcome to the 526th Tablescape Thursday! We've had a lot of early mornings on this trip across Egypt and tomorrow will be another one as I'll be rising at 4:30 AM for a trip to Abu Simbel. The WiFi on our boat is the pitts. If you use more than a certain amount, it logs you out and you have to request a new password at the front desk to continue. I've lost count of how many new passwords I've had to … [Read more...]

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The Giza Plateau & Last Remaining Member of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World

October 20, 2018 by 46 Comments

Hello from Egypt! How has your week been going? The last few days have been a bit of a whirlwind. I had hoped to post before now but it's taken longer to go through photos than I had expected. I've been posting a bunch on Instagram, though...so be sure and follow there for daily updates. You'll find BNOTP on Instagram here: BNOTP. If you ever visit Egypt to see the pyramids, I can definitely recommend a … [Read more...]

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5 New Items I’m Packing for Egypt, One I Should Have Purchased Ages Ago!

October 9, 2018 by 54 Comments

It's countdown time--I'll be leaving for Egypt in less than a week.  This trip seemed so far off when I shared the details in this previous post: Pyramids, Mummies and Cruising the Nile River. Before every trip abroad, I usually pick up a few new items. I love trying new things, especially if it will enhance some aspect of the trip or prevent a problem.   2-Stage Filtered Water Bottle, … [Read more...]

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Protect Your Suitcase from Scratches with a Pretty Luggage Cover

October 8, 2018 by 51 Comments

Welcome to the 506th Metamorphosis Monday! How was your weekend? This is a long weekend for some folks since today is Columbus Day. It's also Thanksgiving for our northern friends in Canada. Happy Thanksgiving, Canada! I spent the weekend getting some things done I've been putting off--like spiffing up the screened porch for autumn. I haven't done any decorating on the porch, yet--but I did take time … [Read more...]

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Packing for Travel to Egypt and a Cruise Along the Nile River

September 29, 2018 by 51 Comments

In a few short weeks, I'll be heading off on a new adventure. I'll be leaving for a 16-day trip to Egypt. This will be my third time visiting the continent of Africa--somehow it keeps drawing me back. It's going to be quite hot in Egypt, I'm guessing very much like the summers here in Georgia but with less humidity since it's really a desert environment. Today I'm sharing the wardrobe I plan to pack, … [Read more...]

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Genius Ideas To Make Travel A Lot Easier

July 16, 2018 by 21 Comments

Welcome to the 494th Metamorphosis Monday! I don't have a typical "Before and After" to share this week, so I thought I'd share some products that could definitely transform the way you travel, making your travels a lot easier. Recently Zenda left this comment below on this post: My 5 Essentials for Traveling Internationally. Susan, I wanted to thank you for recommending the anti-theft travel bag. I … [Read more...]

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Dining at Mama’s Fish House in Maui, Hawaii

June 21, 2018 by 88 Comments

Welcome to the 508th Tablescape Thursday! When I announced I was visiting Maui, one restaurant that was recommended to me over and over again was Mama's Fish House. Even after I got to Hawaii and started asking the locals for recommendations, Mama's Fish House was always one of the first places mentioned. During the helicopter tour I took over Maui last week, our pilot, Mike, was continually pointing … [Read more...]

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Would You Jump Off This Rock Into the Pacific Ocean?

June 13, 2018 by 35 Comments

My body is still on Atlanta time. I normally wake up around 3 AM each day, roll back over and try to go back to sleep, only to wake up again in an hour or two. My body just won't get the message that it's in the Hawaiian Time Zone now. lol Early this morning I looked out the window of my bedroom and noticed they were busy putting up tables on the lawn for tonight's Luau.   Here's how it … [Read more...]

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Where I Find the Best Travel Deals & Some Amazing Deals Available Right Now

June 6, 2018 by 29 Comments

Recently I shared a post where I highlighted a few items I always take when I travel abroad. If you missed that post, you'll find it here: 5 Essentials for Traveling Internationally. I love the comments you leave on posts--always learn new things from you with each and every post. The interactions and discussions in the comments are wonderful, appreciate those so much. On that particular post linked … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Best Travel Deals, Egypt, Germany, Holland & Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Travel, United States Tagged With: , , , ,

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My 5 Essentials for Traveling Internationally

May 8, 2018 by 30 Comments

It's that time of year when a lot of us are thinking more about vacation and travel. Recently, a friend and I scheduled a trip for fall. (Read more about that here: Pyramids, Mummies and Cruising the Nile.) When I travel, sometimes there's very little time to prepare if I've jumped on one of the "last-minute-travel-deals" that some travel companies offer, but in the case of the fall trip, there's plenty … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Best Travel Deals, Egypt, Germany, Holland & Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Travel Tagged With: ,

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Pyramids, Mummies and Cruising the Nile River

May 6, 2018 by 76 Comments

Happy Weekend! It is absolutely gorgeous here, the kind of day that pulls you outdoors. I'll be heading outside for a hike this afternoon with my son, dil and grandsons. They have so many natural areas and parks here to enjoy, all perfect for hiking. I hope you are enjoying beautiful weather, be it spring or fall depending on where you live. Back in 2015 when I thought I was a year away from turning 60 … [Read more...]

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Seeking A Dream-Like Experience

March 21, 2018 by 35 Comments

Thanks sooo much for all your input yesterday on my cushion dilemma on the porch. So many great ideas and suggestions! A few days ago, a couple I follow on Instagram posted a beautiful picture taken on Sea Island where they were vacationing. It was a beautiful alley of Oak trees and very similar to the iconic photo so often shared in magazines of Oak Alley Plantation. In the Instagram post, they … [Read more...]

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Travel Insurance: Does It Work and Is It Actually Worth Purchasing?

February 27, 2018 by 57 Comments

When you travel, do you usually purchase trip insurance? I remember when I booked my very first trip out of the country in fall 2015, the travel company with whom I booked my trip recommended trip insurance.   I did purchase insurance, but not from them. I shopped around a bit and ended up going with a company that was recommended by the insurance/investment company with whom I insure my home … [Read more...]

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Inside Ballynahinch Castle: Take a Tour of this Romantic Irish Castle

February 2, 2018 by 22 Comments

I've been dying to take you inside Ballynahinch Castle ever since I returned from Ireland, but it has taken a while to get through all the photos I took. Pictures could never do this beautiful castle justice, but at least they will give you a little idea of how magical it feels to stay there. In this post I'm sharing a mix of photos, some taken by me and some from the Ballynahinch Castle website. Those … [Read more...]

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Christmas in Cologne, Germany

December 24, 2017 by 38 Comments

Welcome to the 465th Metamorphosis Monday! Merry Christmas! Since Met Monday falls on Christmas Day this year, I'm putting this post up a bit early. I guess my Before and After this week is a travel one since I'm spending Christmas in a way I've never done before: floating down the Rhine River stopping every so often to visit the Christmas Markets and historic sites we find along the way. The … [Read more...]

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Packing for The Netherlands, Germany & France at Christmastime

December 19, 2017 by 59 Comments

I've received a few comments asking if I would share what I will be wearing during my upcoming trip to Germany. I'll be packing the usual suspects: pants, sweaters, turtlenecks, scarves and boots, but I'm finding packing for this trip a lot more challenging. The problem is sweaters are really fat and fluffy, so they take up a lot of space. But I love sweaters so I'm determined to take several, even if I … [Read more...]

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A Christmas Markets Trip Along the Rhine & Soup to Warm You On This Cold Day

December 12, 2017 by 68 Comments

I had a big decision to make today. So what did I do? I procrastinated and started cutting up vegetables, instead.   This is the best vegetable beef soup! It smells so insanely good while cooking...makes the whole house smell that way, too.  It's made from a recipe I found in an old Southern Living magazine, if I'm remembering correctly. I always change the recipe a bit by adding some stew … [Read more...]

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A Special Delivery

September 27, 2017 by 81 Comments

This is turning into a busy week. My main desktop computer was rebuilt and got a brand new hard drive. I picked it up yesterday and it's wicked fast! So happy to have that done and to have my computer back! I'll be getting a quote this week on having part of my backyard fence rebuilt and the hall/basement staircase door is being replaced again on Friday. The deck cleaning, staining, and rail painting is … [Read more...]

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A Tour of Lough Eske Castle, County Donegal, Ireland

September 13, 2017 by 31 Comments

Thanks so much for all your well-wishes over the last few days. I can't speak for all of Atlanta, but my immediate area seems to have fared quite well. Hurricane Irma was mostly a tropical storm when she arrived here, so though we got plenty of wind and rain and the lights flickered a few times, we never lost power. My biggest concern was that a tree would come down, but thankfully that did not … [Read more...]

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Answering Your Questions & What I Brought Home From Ireland

September 2, 2017 by 46 Comments

It's 5:30 AM as I write this, I've been up since 3 AM. The previous two mornings, I awoke at 4 am. This pretty much happens every time I travel to Europe. I'm not sure when my body will get back on Georgia time, but for now I'm enjoying the peace and quiet you experience when you get up before the birds even open their eyes.   It's amazing all the stuff you can get done when you awaken at 4 … [Read more...]

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Tour the Belleek Pottery Factory, Beautiful Pottery Still Hand-Crafted in Ireland

August 31, 2017 by 43 Comments

Welcome to the 466th Tablescape Thursday! While away in Ireland, I created a post sharing a few pics inside the Belleek Pottery Gift Shoppe located inside the Belleek Pottery Factory in County Fermanagh. If you missed that post, you'll find it here: Shopping in Belleek Pottery.   Today, I thought we would go back inside to tour the "factory." I put factory in quotes because it's not very … [Read more...]

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How I Packed For Travel for Ireland in August

August 30, 2017 by 56 Comments

It feels so good to be back home! I got back in yesterday afternoon and after catching up on some email and doing a bit of unpacking, I was sound asleep by 8:30 PM. That was 1:30 AM, Ireland time and was as long as I could force myself to stay up. I awoke at 4:00 AM and spent the day unpacking, washing clothes and picking up/sorting mail/packages that were being held. I have some delicious books to share … [Read more...]

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Tour Historic Dunboyne Castle, A Beautiful Irish Castle

August 21, 2017 by 31 Comments

Welcome to the 447th Metamorphosis Monday! Good Morning! It's 7 AM here and I'm writing this on my second morning in Ireland. The first is a bit of a blur since I didn't sleep at all on the plane ride over. Rather than bore you with that, how about a tour of  the lovely castle where we stayed on our first night in Ireland. This is the older section of Dunboyne Castle. I'm not sure if they have actual … [Read more...]

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A Peek Inside My “Personal Item”

August 5, 2017 by 45 Comments

Two weeks from now I'll be taking off for Ireland. (If you missed that post, you'll find it here: Luxury Travel to Ireland Without the Luxury Price.)   I purchased a Frye leather tote bag to use on this trip. When it arrived, I loved it so much, I purchased it in a second color called, Walnut. I love the contrast stitching on the "walnut" bag and the warm, rugged appearance of the "saddle" … [Read more...]

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4 New Items I’ll Be Taking and Wearing When I Travel to Ireland

July 22, 2017 by 61 Comments

Can you believe it's already been a whole month since I first shared about the upcoming trip to Ireland for the Deluxe Irish Castles Tour. That trip is a just a month away now---hard to believe!   One of the fun things about travel is it gives you a good excuse to add a few new pieces to your wardrobe. Isn't that pretty much a requirement for any vacation! ;)   Ireland is known … [Read more...]

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Luxury Travel to Ireland, Without the Luxury Price

June 20, 2017 by 80 Comments

Ever since I saw the movie, Waking Ned Divine, I've wanted to visit Ireland. Have you seen that movie? If you love comedies with endearing, quirky characters similar to those in Doc Martin, great scenery, beautiful Irish music and happy endings, you'll love it! It's one of my most favorite movies. After seeing Waking Ned Divine, Ireland immediately went on the bucket list. I spent much of this past … [Read more...]

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Morocco & Two Fascinating Tours: Fossil Tables & Beautiful Leather Jackets

April 26, 2017 by 54 Comments

When I was in Morocco, we visited some truly fascinating places. I wish I could have put you in my pocket before I left and taken you on every inch of this trip. At least I can share those parts that I think you'll find interesting or maybe even helpful. Whenever I do share something from my travels, I always ask myself, is this something I would find interesting or fascinating even if I didn't really … [Read more...]

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5 Items I Always Take When Traveling Internationally

April 11, 2017 by 30 Comments

I discovered something new on this last international trip. I discovered that I much prefer taking the longer 8-9 hour flights during the daytime, instead of at night. This was the first trip I've been on where the longest flight took place during the day time. I always thought I'd be bored to death on a long flight, but I purchased the in-flight WiFi and that, along with some interesting reading, made the … [Read more...]

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Hat Storage That’s Both Functional and Decorative

April 2, 2017 by 56 Comments

Welcome to the 427th Metamorphosis Monday! A couple of months ago I purchased this adorable sunhat pictured below. After it arrived, I liked it so much I ordered a second one in the navy-ribbon style. With my hat collection rapidly growing, I decided it was time to find a better way to store them other than just tossing them onto the top shelf of my master bedroom closet where they were impossible to … [Read more...]

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Camping in the Sahara Desert, A Moroccan Adventure

March 26, 2017 by 35 Comments

Welcome to the 426th Metamorphosis Monday! It's Sunday evening in Marrakesh. As I type this, I find myself perched on a tiny stool in the corner of my hotel room. The hotel is lovely, but like all the hotels we've stayed in during out time here in Morocco, sans one, the concept of providing patrons with a proper desk, chair and WiFi fast enough to do anything other than access email and Facebook (and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Morocco, Travel Tagged With: , , ,

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What I’m Packing For Travel During Shoulder Season

March 13, 2017 by 46 Comments

Welcome to the 424th Metamorphosis Monday! I had hoped to post photos of the hat rack I ordered back on February 25th, installed here in the office. Unfortunately, it still hasn't arrived. It's coming from Bulgaria and the last time I looked, it had finally made it to the U.S. and was in New York. So since I can't share that little before and after, I thought I'd share how I'm packing for my upcoming … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Morocco, Travel Tagged With: , , , ,

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The One Part of Travel I Always Dread and a New Tactic for Managing It

March 4, 2017 by 47 Comments

Email Update: I just noticed today that the company I use to send out emails for BNOTP, has been using the wrong return email address. It's been changed to the correct one which is [email protected] . So please add that address to your "approved contacts" or your email addresses. That will help to ensure that you'll receive email updates when a new post is up here on the blog. If you're one … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Holland & Belgium, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Travel, United States Tagged With: , , , ,

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How I Got Approved For Global Entry in 20 Days

January 24, 2017 by 49 Comments

When I booked a trip to Morocco recently, the agent who helped me asked if I had already applied for Global Entry. She was the second person to mention Global Entry to me that week. I took that has a sign and decided to apply.   I completed the application online on January 4, 2017 and today, just twenty days later, I received Global Entry Approval and a Global Entry number, aka, Known … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Best Travel Deals, Holland & Belgium, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Travel Tagged With: , ,

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Dining at Mahali Mzuri and Giraffe Manor, One Could Get Used to This!

September 22, 2016 by 40 Comments

Welcome to the 418th Tablescape Thursday! I have a lovely friend coming to visit real soon who is super crafty. She creates beautiful cards and the most amazing scrapbooks/photo albums! You can see her beautiful work in these delightful, 3-D, handmade cards I've received this past year. Aren't they wonderful?! Each is such a treasure, I could never part with them!   This dear friend … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Kenya, Tablescape Thursday, Travel Tagged With: , , , , ,

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Video Walk Around Mahali Mzuri, Richard Branson’s Safari Camp in Kenya

August 16, 2016 by 26 Comments

Last fall when I was on safari in Kenya, I stayed in Richard Branson's safari camp, Mahali Mzuri. One afternoon after returning from a morning safari, I grabbed my camera and filmed a quick walkabout for you. I wanted to take you around the camp so you could get a feel for it, instead of just seeing it in photos. I don't know why it's taken me so long to get it uploaded, but I finally got that done … [Read more...]

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Dining in Italy and the Mystery of the Missing Bread Plates

January 21, 2016 by 57 Comments

Welcome to the 383rd Tablescape Thursday! That title of this post sounds a little like a Nancy Drew Mystery Story, doesn't it? lol For this week's Tablescape Thursday, I thought I'd share one of the dinners we were served while traveling in Italy. The tour/trip I took included some lunches and most dinners. Sometimes our lunches didn't include meat and just consisted of salad, a large bowl of pasta … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Italy, Tablescape Thursday, Travel Tagged With: , , ,

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A Visit to Positano Italy, A Beautiful Hillside Town on the Amalfi Coast

January 18, 2016 by 63 Comments

Welcome to the 364th Metamorphosis Monday! Today's post is about the metamorphosis of a picturesque seaside village located in Italy on the Amalfi coast. Through the good and the bad it has survived, and today it's a bustling village where tourists flock from all over the world. Ever since I saw the movie, Under the Tuscan Sun, I've wanted to visit Positano. I finally got my chance when I traveled to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Italy, Travel Tagged With: , , , ,

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Chills in Sorrento

October 26, 2015 by 50 Comments

Welcome to the 352nd Metamorphosis Monday! While we were staying in Sorrento, on afternoons or evenings when we were out touring or were just free to explore on our own, we would often walk the short distance to a nearby market area where we could shop and dine. About a block away from our hotel, there was a bridge that had to be crossed to reach the shopping/dining areas. We merrily crossed over it … [Read more...]

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Inside the Siena Cathedral and the Piccolomini Library, Italy

October 14, 2015 by 29 Comments

On Monday we visited Siena and this was the view we had overlooking the city as we walked down steps on our way to the Siena Cathedral.         The Siena Cathedral is a medieval church located in Siena, Italy. It was designed and completed between 1215 and 1263. It's built in the shape of a Latin cross with a dome and a bell tower.   Let's go … [Read more...]

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When in Rome…

October 8, 2015 by 34 Comments

Welcome to the 368th Tablescape Thursday! As I type this, my laptop says it's 3:24 PM, but I know that's EST time back home in Georgia. The handy little "Dual Clock" widget on my phone informs me that it's actually 9:24 PM where my physical body finds itself...Rome, Italy. After traveling over 5,000 miles and crossing six time zones, I arrived early this morning just in time to catch this beautiful … [Read more...]

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Dinner Under The Stars With a Spirited Performance By Maasai Warriors

October 1, 2015 by 60 Comments

Welcome to the 367th Tablescape Thursday! One afternoon while relaxing on the deck of my tent during my trip to Kenya...   ...this invitation was hand-delivered to my door. Ummm, what have they planned for us now?   Promptly at 19:00 hours, I made my way to the main tent where the Mahaliz Mzuri bar is located. Since it was now dark, I had to be escorted by one of the Maasai … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Kenya, Romantic Tablescapes, Safari Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday, Travel Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

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Africa Bound: A Visit To Mahali Mzuri and Giraffe Manor

August 21, 2015 by 68 Comments

In December of last year, I posted about a magical place called Giraffe Manor. Ever since then I've been obsessed with the idea of one day visiting the manor and seeing the endangered Rothschild giraffes in person.   How much fun would it be to breakfast with giraffes! I've actually thought about it so much, I've started dreaming about it! Have you ever thought about a place so much you, you … [Read more...]

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What I’m Loving & Some Good News!

August 18, 2015 by 67 Comments

Good news! Williams-Sonoma brought back their tartan bedding! Last year several folks emailed or left comments upset because this bedding sold out so quickly at the Williams-Sonoma Home website. After talking with an associate in one of the WS stores, I had high hopes that they would bring it back and they did! You'll find it on their website here: Tartan Bedding   I purchased several … [Read more...]

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An Inspiration Update For My Home Office

July 29, 2015 by 21 Comments

Yesterday afternoon I made a little update here in my home office.   You may remember seeing this large decorative clock on the wall in previous photos. (This photo was taken back around Halloween one year so ignore the pumpkins.) I like this clock but I purchased it mainly to help fill that big blank wall. I've always wanted to do a gallery of photos there, instead.   Maybe … [Read more...]

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Wanderlust

April 1, 2015 by 78 Comments

Wanderlust. Wikipedia defines it this way: a strong desire for or impulse to wander or travel and explore the world. The older I get the more I find myself suffering with a severe case. Something keeps telling me the time to travel is now, while I'm still young enough to withstand the rigors of long flights, carrying luggage and lots of walking. Last night as I lay in bed, head spinning and wide awake … [Read more...]

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