Have You Used Airbnb?

/ jennced15 / 2 Comments

I was thinking about how I travel differently today then say 15 years ago and one of the biggest differences is not staying in a hotel anymore. Don’t get me wrong—some hotel chains are great and in some areas you really want to stay in a hotel but aside from business trips—I really try to not stay in hotels anymore.

I am (and always have been) the type of traveler that loves to get into the local culture. I take walks in the local neighborhood, shop at the grocery store, and try to make new friends with the locals. So when Airbnb started, I thought it was the best thing on the planet.

Airbnb offers better rates than hotel chains, it gives you the opportunity to stay with locals and you will always be staying somewhere unique. Your experience with Airbnb will be as unique as you want it to be.

Now I do have to say that not all of my Airbnb stays have been exceptional. My experiences have run the spectrum of rating but nothing has been horrible. I also have to add the disclaimer that this isn’t for everyone and that is okay too. Luckily, there are tons of places and types that you can choose from anywhere in the world.

Here are 5 places that I am currently looking at for a trip I hope to make before the end of the year.

  3. 4.5.
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Purging . . . again

/ jennced15 / 3 Comments
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So apparently I am on a kick with getting the “stuff” out of my life. I downsized when I moved to Oregon and I have kept up the desire to continue getting rid of the stuff that doesn’t serve a real purpose in my life.

My first purge was following the rule of a third. That wasn’t super difficult. I had moments of panic but really a lot of the stuff that went on the first purge was just stuff that needed to leave anyways and I already knew it.

I learned during that purge and the subsequent months after that I don’t need a lot and spending money on “stuff” was just filling a void in other areas of my life. So I turned over a new leaf and became mindful about why I wanted to buy something and significantly curbed my spending habits. My bank account has breathed a sigh of relief!

I then helped family move and downsize as well and it just pushed me to purging more at my own place. I want to know exactly what I have in my house and I want to know that it has a business being there.

I have learned 5 new things during this purge. Hopefully it will be helpful to you as well!

  1. If you haven’t worn a piece of clothing in 6 months–you won’t wear it . . . guaranteed!
  2. Know what is in your file drawers. I bet you have more items saved for the “just in case” scenario then you actually need.
  3. If you have to purchase a container to store items that will have an eventual use; you probably don’t need any of it. Case in point–I have a container of recipe books apart from the 2 cupboards in the kitchen that have recipe books. Do you know how often I look at cookbooks when I have Pinterest at my fingertips? Next to never.
  4. Just because you have empty drawers in a dresser doesn’t mean they need to be filled with stuff. In fact, get rid of the dresser if you don’t really need it.
  5. Organize and collect your similar items so you know exactly how much you have of something. I hadn’t really unpacked my jewelry since moving which means I wasn’t wearing any of it. If I wanted to wear something–I went and bought it new. I finally unpacked and organized all of my jewelry and realized that I could purge at least a 1/3 of it and I definitely don’t need anymore at this time.

Vegan Dinner Party

/ jennced15 / 1 Comment

Most of you know that I cook every Sunday for someone. In some cases it is just for family and others it is the weekly party. I really love to cook but what I love is spending time with those that I love. This past Sunday the group of us that got together consisted of carnivores, pesco pollo vegetarians, and vegans. Naturally, we needed a meal that everyone would be happy with. The meal was mostly vegan but we did cook chicken as a side for those that wanted it.

Can I just say . . . best home cooked Indian meal ever!! Below you will find all the recipes we used that night in case you want to recreate it on your own. The only variation was that I used coconut oil in place of butter for the Strawberry Crumble. Enjoy!!

  1. Turmeric Coconut Basmati Rice from My Sequined Life 
  2. Onion & Spinach Pakoras by Scrumpdillyicious 
  3. Tandoori Chicken Tikka from Glebe Kitchen 
  4. Vegan Southern Strawberry Cobbler from Two City Vegans 
  5. Easy Vegan Naan by Minimalist Baker 
  6. Spicy Red Lentil Curry by Minimalist Baker