Alli Talley

May 10, 2017

A Weekend At The Mermaid by the Sea!

Alli Talley

May 10, 2017

A couple of weeks ago we rounded up a handful of our best friends (ok, 20 of our friends) and headed to a little (ok, it was pretty big) seaside getaway in Oceanside, CA. We were celebrating our friend Jessie’s 30th birthday, and we knew it HAD to be special. We wanted somewhere relatively close to home where we could feel like we “got away” and could easily relax, unwind, and unplug. We found a place called the “Mermaid By The Sea" on VRBO, and it couldn’t have been more perfect!

This was our first time doing a house rental on VRBO… and it definitely won’t be our last. While we’re big fans of fancy hotels, room service, and over-all hotel hospitality, there’s something to be said for renting a home. It’s efficient, the homes are surprisingly luxurious, and it is SO cost effective. (Especially when you’re traveling with friends!)

The Mermaid By The Sea is located on the best street in Oceanside, with pristine ocean views and hotel-worthy amenities that you have ALL to yourself. That’s right. We’re talking a sparkling heated pool, jacuzzi, surround sound, outdoor barbecue and fireplace, all of the lawn games and beach cruisers you and your friends could ever need, and SO MUCH MORE. We could not believe how well-stocked this home was… From the kitchen utensils and serving plates to the board games to the cozy blankets and soft pillows - we could go on and on!

One morning we all took a walk down the beach, and it was absolutely heavenly. The Oceanside beach is quiet, secluded, and peaceful. We laid out, played spike ball, and even snuck some fun drone shots in. Hours passed before we realized it was definitely time for lunch! (If you’ve been following us for awhile, you know that our travels revolve around food!)

Speaking of food… One of our favorite memories at the Mermaid By The Sea was every morning having our cup of coffee (or mimosa - or BOTH!) on the rooftop patio. We’d watch the waves roll in, have deep conversations with friends, and breath in the fresh, salty air. At night we’d make a round of margaritas and take them to the rooftop to watch the sunset. C’mon… what more could you want?!!

We really could go on and on about how amazing and restful and life-giving this weekend was… How it was the perfect spot to celebrate a birthday, how we bring up “The Mermaid By The Sea” on the reg (if only we lived there), how the weekend went too fast, and how we need to plan our next trip ASAP. It was the perfect weekend at the perfect beach rental. Whether you’re celebrating a family member or friend’s birthday, a family reunion, or just in need of some time to unwind… we highly recommend this spot. And let us know if you decide to book - we’ll meet you for a dip in the pool. ;)

Alli Talley

April 27, 2017

Asia, Japan

Traveling by Train in Japan: 5 Things to Know!

Alli Talley

April 27, 2017

Asia, Japan

We recently went to Japan and were absolutely obsessed. We explored Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka over a 10-day period, and already planning our next trip back. While we were there, we made a point to splurge on hotels (the Japanese take service to the next level) and food (again, amazing). Because Japan is not the cheapest place to visit, we needed to find other areas to save money. After doing some research, train travel seemed to be the most cost-efficient way for us to get all around the country. Here are some tips we learned along the way!

1. Get a Rail Pass

If you are traveling around Japan in a relatively short amount of time, we would highly recommend getting the Japan Rail (JR) Pass. This pass must be purchased outside of Japan! If you are only visiting Tokyo or another major city, then the pass may not be for you. But if you are traveling across the country and visiting multiple places, get a pass. The best website (with the best prices) is www.japan-rail-pass.com, and you need to book early. Deciding on first or second class really just depends on your budget and preference. We were fine riding second class, and sometimes the rides were so fast/short that we would stand.

2. Be on Time

Japan’s train lines are extremely punctual, so you need to be on time. If a train is supposed to depart at 10:07, it will, so give yourself a little time. Many train stations have very efficient setups where they show you where to stand to wait in line. The line-up area often even labels at which point in the line the car will be full, so you can either beg somebody to give you their seat, or patiently wait for the following train. All that to say, if you need to be somewhere, just get to the station on time (early).

3. For Short Routes, Stand!

We stayed in Osaka and branched out from there, so we were often taking day trips to places like Kyoto. Understand that the Shinkansen bullet trains are FAST, and by the time you find a seat on a busy afternoon, you’ll probably be there. Osaka to Kyoto is 40 miles, and takes 15 minutes! If you’ve been walking a lot and want to rest your legs, fair enough, but we enjoyed beating the traffic getting off the train by standing right by the door on short journeys.

4. Bring Food! Bento Box!

Most trains will have food on board, but it will be way more expensive (and not as good). We would highly recommend that you get snacks on the street or in the station before you board the train. We are HUGE fans of Bento Boxes. Ekiben, aka Bento Boxes, are boxes of food that contain delicious Japanese cuisine. Our favorite is the Tonkatsu (deep-fried breaded pork cutlet) Bento Box! Get one (or two)!

5. Have a Wi-Fi device

For the longer trips, we recommend having a Wi-Fi device so you can get some work done, stream movies, or catch up on your Instagram. The views from the trains are spectacular, so don’t be glued to a screen the whole time. We were super thankful to have the Wi-Fi device so that Alli (and maybe Bobby) could catch up on the Bachelor. We were able to bundle our train passes with a pocket Wi-Fi device from Japan Experience. It was a lifesaver. Especially when we had to find out who Nick took on his hometown dates.

Please go to Japan. It is incredible. And if you travel by train, hopefully this helps you navigate. Where have you traveled by train? Can you give us any tips? Happy travels!

Alli Talley

April 24, 2017

Travel Essentials, Newlyweds

Last-Minute Packing Tips

Alli Talley

April 24, 2017

Travel Essentials, Newlyweds

We're pretty spontaneous when it comes to travel planning. Most of our "big" international trips are planned at least a month or two in advance, but when it comes to domestic travel and weekend trips, sometimes we book those the week of! For many travelers, packing last minute is cause for panic, stress, and an extra strong cocktail. Here's some of our tips for efficiently packing on a time crunch - with a cocktail in hand. ;)

1. WRITE A QUICK LIST

This point is probably pretty elementary, but making a list really does help us. Whether we're heading to the Bahamas or backpacking Africa, it's helpful to write down what you need. We start our list at least a week before we leave, giving us plenty of time to mull over it, buy what we need to, and make any last minute additions. If it's truly "last minute", then we start making a list as soon as we know we're going. We recommend sticking your list somewhere you'll see it regularly, like the fridge or the bathroom mirror. That way what you need to get/do beforehand will stay on your radar!

2. KNOW YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS

Camping? Cruising? Staying in the penthouse suite? Research where you'll be, what kind of accommodations they have, and what you'll need to bring. If it's somewhere international, chances are you'll need at least one converter. (We recommend bringing at least two - but we have a lot of equipment). If you're staying in a nice hotel, you probably won't need to pack a hair dryer. And if you're roughing it in the Sahara, you might want to pack extra face wipes... You get the picture. ;) We always ask our friends that have been to the destinations before us for packing advice, or even reach out to someone that's a local! You can never be too prepared!

3. LESS IS MORE

Let's be real... Bobby is definitely better at sticking to this motto than Alli, but it's something we both stand behind. Do your BEST not to overpack. Chances are, no matter what location you're adventuring to, you'll be able to buy what you need there. We've never been in a bind where we wished we would have brought something that we couldn't purchase later in that destination (knock on wood). Do yourself a favor and get a medium sized suitcase, not the biggest one you can find. If it's not huge, you can't overpack it (well you're at least less likely). Our current favorites are Delsey's Bastille Lite and Shadow 3.0.

4. USE A LUGGAGE SCALE

If you've never had one, you probably don't think you need one. We got one as a gift a couple years back and have used it on every trip since. Definitely gives you peace of mind as your packing. Something simple like this. It doesn't have to be digital and pricey.

5. ALWAYS BRING A DECK OF CARDS

There will be times when a flight gets canceled, the power goes out at Hertz and you're stuck without a car (this happened to us in South Africa), or you're waiting in line for a museum to open. You always need a deck of cards.

6. DO YOUR REALLY NEED 4 BATHING SUITS?

This is a HUGE struggle when packing, but we never regret it (so far). Lay out everything you want to take, and then try to start picking items to leave at home. For Bobby this mostly includes shirts. For Alli it's outfits. And shoes. And bathing suits. You are taking 7 t-shirts? How hard would it really be to take 4? Try to halve what your bringing and you'll never overpack.

7. DON'T CHECK IMPORTANT ITEMS

This may be obvious, but you should carry-on your passport, cash, credit cards, identification, jewelry, electronics, etc. Keep this stuff in your carry-on. It's not worth the hassle if/when an airline loses your luggage.

8. BULK UP ON THE PLANE

If you have time to kill, scroll through our blog our Instagram and find any and all photos where we are at the airport. We'd bet you money that Bobby is wearing boots, jeans, and probably even a jacket. That's because we always where are bulky items to the airport so we don't have to pack them. We've literally been flying home from Italy in 100 degree heat wearing layers upon layers so we can get one extra bottle of wine home. Wear your bulky items through security so you don't have to check them, and then peel off some layers once on the plane. Worth it!

Do you have any tips for us? We would love to hear!

Alli Talley

April 17, 2017

Travel Essentials, Newlyweds

Luxury Travel Without Breaking the Bank

Alli Talley

April 17, 2017

Travel Essentials, Newlyweds

One of the most common questions we get is how we can afford to travel as often as we do. After replying to countless emails about this, we decided it was time to write a blog! After all, we’re here to encourage, motivate, and inspire you to travel - but we want you to travel wisely! Here’s some of our tricks and hacks for “doing it up” and not coming home broke!

1. BEFORE YOU PLAN ANYTHING, BUDGET.

This may sound elementary, but it always blows our minds how many people don't budget... And then they wonder why they don't have any money to travel! Friends, traveling is SO do-able, no matter what you are making in your 9-5! But you have to save and prepare for it. We use an app called YNAB (stands for You Need A Budget, which is appropriate) and it's synced on both of our phones. We come up with a monthly budget for food, gas, restaurants, allowances (yes, you're never too old for an allowance!), travel, etc. It's worked wonders for us, and given us the freedom/ability to use the money we saved for our next adventure!

2. KNOW YOUR DESTINATION.

It's no surprise that certain destinations are going to be more affordable then others. If you're wanting to head to Greece for two weeks, it's going to add up fast. Spend time researching each location; how much the hotels cost, local restaurants, activities, renting a car, etc. Know high-season for the destination, and decide what kind of climate you are looking for. Maybe you want to experience the weather your spot has during low-season... and it's way more affordable The more prepared you can be, the better - as these costs won't come as a surprise! If there are a handful of locations on your bucket list, go through and price check each one - chances are you'll be able to spend two weeks in Panama for a third of the cost as Paris!

Winter in South Africa - Hotels are cheaper, weather is colder, and just as BEAUTIFUL

3. CHOOSE YOUR SPLURGES WISELY.

It's no surprise that we like to splurge. Whether it's a massage on the ocean or a fancy dinner at the best restaurant in town, we try to splurge on one or two things each trip. Or there might be a five star hotel that we've dreamed of staying at, so we'll stay somewhere affordable for the majority of the trip, and then the last two nights we'll splurge. Splurge every once and a while... you won't regret it.

One of the most colorful places we've ever been... San Juan, Puerto Rico.

4. SHARE!

Some couples adamantly don't like to share, but we are not one of those couples - especially when we're traveling!!! One of our favorite things to do in a location like New York City where our restaurant list is endless, is "graze". We'll start at a bar where we will each get a drink and SHARE an appetizer. From there we'll head to another spot where maybe we'll SHARE a salad and an entree. From there maybe we'll take a walk to the next spot, where we'll SHARE something else, and then maybe hit up one last spot to SHARE a dessert! We end up hitting up most of the hot spots, trying some of the best food in the city, and not breaking the bank. You might say we're professional grazers!

Sharing an appetizer while "grazing" during our first night in Rome.

The birthplace of the Pina Colada... San Juan, Puerto Rico.

5. YOLO, FRIENDS. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE YOLO.

"You Only Live Once" = YOLO. And we live by this motto. At the end of our trips, more often than not, we end up going over our budget. It's inevitable. But you know what? We always make it work, and we never regret it!! So budget and save to the best of your ability, and then don't forget to YOLO once or twice too. Because hey - you only live once!!! ;)

Happy travels!

Hiking the Cinque Terre with beautiful Vernazza behind us!

Alli Talley

March 26, 2017

Marriage

HOW TRAVELING HAS STRENGTHENED OUR MARRIAGE

Alli Talley

March 26, 2017

Marriage

We’ve been married for almost 3 years now, and can 100% agree with all of the saps out there that every year it gets better. But you know what has impacted our marriage most of all? Travel!

Over the past 3 years we’ve gone on 4 cruises, 8 road trips, and we've explored 13 different countries together. Every trip has challenged, inspired, and strengthened our marriage! We whole-heartedly recommend all newlyweds (or not!) to travel… it’s done amazing things for our marriage!

Here’s why:

1. YOU’RE TOGETHER. A LOT.

Travel forces you to get vulnerable, fast. There's nothing quite like sitting side-by-side on a 14-hour international flight and then landing in a foreign country, jet lagged, smelly, and hangry. (Come to think of it - that must be where the term hangry comes from!) We've learned each other's travel quirks, and they surprisingly speak truth into our daily life as well. Alli doesn't do well with crowded, uncontrolled places. Bobby needs to always have a snack nearby. And for both of us naps are ALWAYS a good idea. While traveling together isn't always a walk in the park (although we do like those), we learn more about each other with each trip we take. We've come to appreciate our differences, and never go to sleep upset. Because who wants to travel with a cranky pants?

2. YOU’RE FORCED TO COMPROMISE

There's no getting around it. Traveling forces you and your partner to meet in the middle. Whether it's deciding where you're going to eat for dinner, where you're going to stay, or if you should walk or take a taxi... it's all about compromise. We've had some of our biggest arguments over silly differences of opinion, and it only takes about two hours for us to realize it's just not worth the fight. Even if it means walking up ten flights of stairs instead of taking the elevator.

3. SH*! HAPPENS!

Things go wrong when you travel. It's bound to happen. You might miss your flight or lose your wallet. You might even eat bad sashimi and spend a good 24 hours on your hotel's bathroom floor! (Happened to us.) Regardless, these chaotic situations have become some of our favorite memories! We've learned to accept, grow, and laugh about the sometimes painful travel experiences.

4. THERE'S ROMANCE IN VULNERABILITY

There's something so beautiful about being so vulnerable. Traveling has bonded us in such a way, that we've come to truly accept each other for who we are. We've seen the good, the bad, and the really ugly - but we love that. With that love and acceptance comes a freedom that is liberating. It makes candlelit dinners in Tuscany, long walks in a Parisian market, or zip-lining through the Panamanian rainforest THAT much more romantic.

The past three years have been a whirlwind, filled with countless memories we'll never forget. Through all of our travels we've learned that it doesn't matter what our geographic location is, as long as we're together. So get out there and explore the world with your partner... and invest in a good pair of earplugs while you're at it. Just in case. ;)