Recently I have had a lot of questions about how I make traveling so often possible. I'm in school full time, work, and have several other responsibilities, so more often than not, trying to schedule and budget in order to make a trip possible feels out of reach. Nonetheless, since high school, I've made traveling a priority and before I reveal my smart travel techniques, I would like to share how my love of traveling came to be. 

I'm blessed to say, since I can remember, my parents also made traveling a priority. My parents orchestrated dozens of trips for my sisters and me. From cross country road trips, to mission trips, they believed it crucial to expand our horizons. These experiences opened my eyes to what I could potentially do and see in my future. My past travels taught me that opportunities can feel out of reach, but nothing is impossible. Traveling has become core to my sense of self. I’m almost positive it's sketched into my DNA. I crave adventure, and not the kind of adventure where you jump out of planes or bungee jump off a cliff. (Count me out.) I crave the kind of adventure where you let your guard down, and become open, even vulnerable, to the lessons that new places, cultures, and people can teach you. I can't put into words the way traveling to an unknown place makes me feel. It's not about the glitz and glamour that you see Instagram influencers and bloggers posting about. It's so much more than that. I'm not disregarding people in the media who travel glamorously; I’m a blogger too and I hope one day to be successful enough to do the same. However, when you're sitting on your phone, scrolling through Instagram and Facebook, it's important to realize that traveling has a much deeper meaning than posting chic and attractive pictures for ads. The only way I can put it is this: Once you see and experience new, unfamiliar part of the world for yourself, you then can realize it doesn't revolve around you. It's difficult to explain because I never thought the world revolved around me, although, after an eyeopening trip, I found myself wondering why we let ourselves get so distressed over the most minuscule obstacles and circumstances. 

A few years ago my family and I went on a mission trip to Guatemala. There was one exchange that will be embedded in my memory forever. We had gone to a village in the mountains to install a stove at a single mothers home. It was an extremely modest dwelling. The floors were dirt, the walls were faded fabrics, and the ceiling was constructed out of mismatched wood planks. I was truly in disbelief. While the men installed the wood burning stove, I felt encouraged to sit with the children and attempt to put a smile on their faces. It was at this point, I had the opportunity to give one little girl in particular a baby doll, a coloring book, and crayons. Her face lit up like it was Christmas morning. And in that moment I knew that traveling around the world was more than what the media lets on. It's about people connecting with each other, despite deep, even difficult differences, and discovering our commonalties. I was able to give this beautiful little girl a little bit of joy, and she gave me joy in return. The language barrier didn't hinder the engagement, the social statuses felt unimportant, and our national and racial differences seemed far from everyone's mind. Even thought those things are "real", so too is human connection and human generosity. Because of moments like this, almost every day I find myself daydreaming about everything I've yet to experience, and feel an intense curiosity and hope about what lies in my future. And with this urge, I know one day I'll probably be living out of a suitcase, traveling from one country to another, hopefully while bringing joy to others in any way that I can.    

Becoming acquainted with a Guatemalan family is not the only kind of travel experience that can remind one the world does not revolve around them. While I was on a flight from Stockholm, Sweden, to Chicago, I sat next to a beautiful woman who seemed to be in her 60's. She was quick to talk, and I was quick to embrace the conversation. I could tell she simply wanted someone to talk to, and to anyone who was willing to listen. I learned that her and her family are from the Middle East, and their experiences before coming to the United States was anything but easy. However, now she's living in Kansas City, and one of her sons is living in Stockholm, living out his dream of being a photographer. Again in this moment, I remembered why meeting new people is truly one of my favorite aspects of traveling. There are so many individuals in this world, and everyone has their own story to share, full of drama, comedy, sorrow, and joy, just like you. And if you're willing to listen, the possibilities to learn and understand are endless. Explore. Discover. Share. Share your experiences, your history, your LIFE with other people. There are individuals in this world ready to listen. Just because others may have it harder than you and I, doesn't mean our struggles are disregarded or belittled. Everyone has a story, and that's the beauty behind exploring and discovering. You can share, and others can too. These days, when it feels like there is so much division in the world, these seemingly small acts of listening, being open and curious, and also being willing to share your own story, can actually be life-altering. 

Now, to the question dozens of people ask me. How do you travel so frequently? I would love to be able to say I have money to blow to travel glamorously. However more times than not, I'm sitting in the last row of the plane and staying with friends and family. I will include some tips at the bottom of this entry on how to travel on a budget as well! While I'm home in Lexington, I'm working. And almost every dollar I make goes towards plane tickets, train tickets, and hotel rooms. I'm not traveling first class, and I rarely stay in 5 star resorts and hotels. But the way you travel isn't what's important. It's the places you visit, the ones you travel with, the individuals you meet, the food you eat, and the cultures you immerse yourself in that create an experience that is invaluable.

I want to be candid with this post because traveling is so close to my heart. It may look like all fun and games, but it can be draining and actually frightening. Sleeping in airports, standing in line for what seems like hours, SPRINTING to make your flight while "Emma Smith, last chance to board to Copenhagen” is repeated over and over throughout the Chicago O'Hare Airport, losing luggage, your credit card getting declined while you're in a foreign country with absolutely none of their currency, getting questioned at customs, and lastly, spending hundreds of dollars on airport food in the last year because a bag of pretzels is $6.99. (HA). ALL of these things have happened to me. Yes, I might have been crying or blowing up my parents phones to calm me down, but every challenging experience I've dealt with while traveling has added a little bit of wisdom to this head of mine. I'm not complaining, believe me. I put myself in these situations because it's what I want. And I feel like every trial and tribulation is worth it. I’m in no way shape or form an expert on traveling. I haven’t been to even a fraction of the places that I want to go - after all, I’m only 21 years old. Nonetheless, I feel as if I have experienced enough in my 21 years to form my own opinions on the idea of traveling, and how it can be distorted in people’s minds. I’m thankful for my experiences and encounters. And I can’t wait to check everywhere off of my travel wish list. However, as of right now, my body needs a break. And that's why I'm staying put, right here in Lexington, until Spring Break. But as my incredibly smart and sarcastic mother said to me a few days ago.. "We'll see how that goes." 

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." -Mark Twain 

Tips for Traveling on a Budget:

• Set aside money for travel every month. Be disciplined. Don't laugh at the Piggy Bank idea - save your change for six months, and use that as you "pocket money" when you travel.
• Download flight tracker apps (www.justfly.com, www.hopper.com,  www.skyscanner.com) I’ve used all three, but Skyscanner is my first choice. This is especially important when flying internationally. You can also set travel alerts for certain cities, or out of certain airports.
• I have found that booking on Tuesdays, and flying on either Wednesdays or Saturdays is the cheapest.
• If at all possible, fly out of major airports. I live in Lexington, but I almost always fly out of Cincinnati because it is usually half the price or more. Leaving your car is a hassle, so see if a family member or friend can drop you off and pick you up. If not, the price difference will still make it cheaper even if you have to pay to park.
• Book in advance if at all possible. The sooner the better. Three weeks before is the rule of thumb, after which prices start going up.
• Did someone say road trip? I haven’t been on a road trip is quite some time, but honestly I think they’re a blast! If it’s feasible to drive and you aren’t traveling alone, this could potentially save you hundreds and hundreds of dollars.
• When booking a hotel, take your time to search through websites like www.trivago.com, www.kyak.com, www.booking.com, www.hotels.com, and www.travelocity.com. It takes patience, but these sites offer different prices.
• Airbnb is your friend! I love Airbnb’s because they are cheap, and you are able to get an entire home to yourself. I have never had a bad experience.
• Travel with friends. Traveling with others will not only make the experience that much more enjoyable, it will also make it cheaper. Splitting the cost of hotel rooms, Airbnb’s, and Uber’s, make a huge difference and you will save some serious cash.
• Look up free things to do... museums, art galleries, window shopping, public events, hikes/parks, etc. 
• Plan menus in advance... this helps you budget for food, ensure that it is good food and you're not wasting your money. This also helps avoiding getting stressed by wandering around an unfamiliar city looking for lunch.
• Continental Breakfast... DO NOT SKIP!

I hope this post and these tips gave you great insight on how you can experience the world, and all it has to offer, on a budget. If you ever have any questions don't hesitate to ask! Happy traveling! 

I had the pleasure of traveling quite a bit over break. I apologize for the delay, however I needed a solid week of regrouping. After an amazing Christmas with my family, I headed to Montreal to meet seven other girls to have an incredible weekend. I had never been to Montreal, so I was excited to dive into the French culture. It was a quick trip, but it was filled with shopping, exquisite food (for the most part), laughter, LOTS of snow, and memories that we will never forget even if we tried. I got there after the other girls because I flew in, and they drove from Vermont. Therefore, finding them downtown was an adventure within itself. After hiking through downtown Montreal with snow, and the -20 degree wind chill, I finally found them in the cutest little restaurant. Of course the first order of business was eating. And the next? Shopping.

We all were a little taken back by how cold it actually was, so we were struggling on the thought of what in the world we were going to wear that night. I ended up purchasing a big furry coat from Forever 21 to keep me warm in the -20 weather. After shopping, we headed to the hotel to relax and freshen up; it had already been a long day. After some deliberation, we all decided that we would all take a power nap, and then get ready for a nice dinner. We first went in a restaurant that had great reviews online, however when we walked in, there wasn't a soul sat at any of the tables. So we walked right out and continued the search. (HA). We ended up at the cutest restaurant with an attractive aesthetic, which made us believe the food would measure up. Joke was on us! The service was terrible and the food wasn't anything special for the amount that we paid, however we made the most of the situation by laughing our way through it. We all tried something new, and got a workout from laughing, so I would say the experience was still a success. 

The view from our hotel was perfection.

My sweet cousin Mariah. Lord knows where I would be without her. She kept me laughing throughout the whole trip. I couldn't be more thankful for her being placed in my life not only as my cousin, but my bestie for life. (Sappy moment, I'm done now).

That night we hit the town, and of course we had to snap some pictures before we headed out. I was extremely impressed by Montreal's nightlife. I will definitely be going back during warmer months to experience the city then as well.

Jacket: Forever 21
Bodysuit: Charlotte Russe
Pants: TJ Maxx
Shoes: Lola Shoetique

Like I always say, you don't have to spend a fortune to look and feel good. Yes, quality over quantity. However, sometimes if you search hard enough, you can find quality pieces at super affordable prices. I bought the pants the day before I left for Montreal, so they could very well still be in stores.

The next day a HUGE brunch was in order. We went to the most amazing restaurant called Universel Déjeuner & Grillades. The food was delicious, and the slick atmosphere added to the experience. If you ever find yourself in Montreal, I highly recommend this restaurant. Almost all of us ordered something different, and everyone was pleased. And that is a hard duty to fulfill for a group of eight. I ordered the french toast, and Mariah ordered a crepe. Both were delicious! 

After a great weekend in an extreme version of a "winter wonderland", we all headed back to Vermont. My cousin Mariah is from Vermont, along with all of the other girls that went to Montreal, so I went back to VT so I could have a day to visit with family I don't get to see as often as I'd like. The very next day, I woke up, packed, and my aunt dropped me off at the Rutland train station to head to Manhattan, New York. As you all know, my sister lives in Brooklyn, so I travel to the city often. And I have always wanted to spend New Years in the city so my girlfriend Emily and I thought this was the perfect time to do so!

Unfortunately, by the time I got to New York, I was exhausted. All the traveling I had been doing finally caught up to me and my body was catching the worst of it. Therefore, photo shoots were the least of my worries. I usually am snapping pictures all throughout the city, and posting my outfit details every day. However, this trip I spent most of my time sleeping in, and eating that delicious New York City Pizza. We enjoyed the nightlife and tried new restaurants, but the huge winter storm kept me inside until Emily forced me to go out. Haha! So sadly, these are a couple of pictures I was able to snap after the insane blizzard hit the city! I'm glad to say I spent New Years in Manhattan. It was quite the experience, but I think I'll be bringing in 2019, somewhere that's sunny and 75!