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round trip travel and lifestyle blog

Round Trip Roundup: MARCH

March 31, 2018
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Sometimes I don’t have much to say at the end of the month.  I think, well I did a bunch of homework and hung out with friends and worked out–same ole, same ole.  This month is quite the exception.  Just scrolling through my camera roll, I realized what an incredible, sweet, exciting, wonderful month this has been.  From attending the True False Film Festival to planning a swing dancing event, this month has been nothing short of exhilarating.

1. I met Judah!

I love Judah & the Lion–their vibe, sound, lyrics, shows.  My brother had invited me to their St. Louis show in March months ago to which I, of course, said yes!  Several days before the show he sent me a link to enter a contest to meet the band, but who actually wins these things?  The day before the concert, my brother sends me three short, snappy texts:

“kristin”

“please cancel any plans you have tomorrow morning”

“you have plans now”

I knew the second I saw those texts.  We’d won the contest!  I called him in a frenzy to confirm and then started thinking about what I’d wear–duh!  I opted for my tie-dye cat unicorn tee I bought for $7.50 in the men’s section at Walmart and also wore to the last Judah concert.  New tradition, I guess.  Ryan chose his thrifted Ricky Martin shirt, so let’s just say we were the best dressed people in the room.

We joined the 50 other people above a record store downtown the morning of the show.  When Ryan and I walked up to meet them, I introduced myself: “Hi I’m Kristin.”  “Hi, I’m Judah,” he responded.  Thanks for the refresher, I guess?!  The band wrote their signatures and some of our favorite lyrics, mine being “it’s funny how life still feels like a middle school dance.”  Then they asked us where Ryan and I got our shirts.  LIFE MADE.  Judah & the Lion asked us about our wardrobes, and I’m still not over it.

The concert was lit.  I taught them my legendary rage face.  I’m a happy woman.

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2. Blueprint Coffee

Such swank.  My boyfriend had recommended this coffeeshop to me previously, and I hadn’t thought much about it since.  But after dinner before the Judah concert, my brother and I walked down to the venue and realized we had ample, ample time before it would start.  As we neared the Pageant, I saw Blueprint Coffee and remembered his praise of this coffee spot.  Why not?  Ryan and I stepped into a java land down under, let me tell ya!  He ordered a black coffee.  The barista responded with “We make things complicated here.”  He proceeded to show him a grocery list of different brews to which Ryan responded Colombian.  The barista said, “Which one?”

Let’s just say Blueprint is legit, hot stuff from quality to presentation.  His coffee came in a laboratory flask to be poured into his little mug.  Needing a caffeine hiatus, I ordered hot chocolate: muted yet rich.

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3. Jumpsuits are always the move

I’ve always liked dressing up.  (This is the girl who wore yoga pants in high school maybe twice.)  I like looking classy, but I also really like being comfy.  I bought this darling black jumpsuit with a keyhole back from Marshall’s, and I’m obsessed.  I like pairing it with a pink bralette to peek through the back.  Comfy?  Check.  Cute?  Check.

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4. I’m a mom!

–okay a plant mom but still.  After two sad stories of succulents (one didn’t survive her transplant, the other was dead when I bought him), I decided to jump back in the plant mom game.  It’s a cult, you know.  I bought this sweet little guy and named him Joey Jr. to honor his predecessor.  He’s a cutie and adds a pop of life into my day.

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5. Real, meaningful relationship advice via Verily

One of the reasons I absolutely adore Verily is because it’s real.  They don’t rely on Photoshop to create distorted reality, and their writing is raw, emotional, practical and uplifting.  This article was no exception.  I’m not married, but I love learning more about what a healthy relationship should look like.  This article gives a nod to the honeymoon phase (it’s called limerence in scientific terms) but talks about what happens when that wears off.  I love their emphasis on growing emotional and spiritual intimacy along with celebrating each other’s differences.  Snaps for relationship advice beyond the typical front page “new things to try in bed” magazine stands.

This month has been nothing short of an adventure, and I mean that in the sweetest way.  From meeting one of my favorite bands to adding a new succulent to my home, March was a winner.

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  1. 7 Road Trip Essentials – round trip says:
    April 25, 2018 at 10:04 am

    […] of Blood to the Head by Coldplay + Folk Hop N’ Roll by Judah and the Lion (oh yeah, remember that time I met them?)4. Trip […]

    Reply
  2. How to Host the Perfect Girls' Night – round trip says:
    February 19, 2020 at 9:20 am

    […] got everything from Of Monsters and Men to Cage the Elephant, AJR to Judah & the Lion (oh, hey, I met them and I won’t stop talking about […]

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Kristin. I'm a content creator teaching English in southern France. I'm all about exploring new places, practicing my French and sharing blogging tips. Allez-viens!
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Hi, I'm Kristin. I'm a content creator teaching English in southern France. I'm all about exploring new places, practicing my French and sharing blogging tips. Allez-viens!
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Want free access to my 30-minute travel budgeting course?

Not to be dramatic or anything, but those nine day Not to be dramatic or anything, but those nine days truly changed my life😍 About 7 years ago, I was taking AP European History and heard about a summer trip to Europe with my high school. London, Paris, Florence and Rome.

Yep, we were that group of students walking around Europe with our lanyards and headsets. I got those jitters when I saw Europe in its glory for the first time. And I still do.

If you would’ve told me then that I’d move to France during a global pandemic, I’d tell you you’re complètement fou.

But here’s the thing: that trip with @EFtours stirred something inside of me, and it has yet to settle. It was a longing to see and experience the world with my own two eyes. And it inspired me to start my travel blog, to continue with my French studies, to study abroad and to move to France.

This ain't sponsored (but I sure wish it were!), and I mean with my whole heart those few days in high school set me onto this path. And for that, I am beyond grateful.

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One thing you rarely hear about life abroad: so mu One thing you rarely hear about life abroad: so much dang paperwork and many complicated processes🙈

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☀️Back in 2017, I spent a summer in Toulouse. One weekend, my friends and I went on a road trip to a slew of villages in southwestern France. They were truly some of the best days of my life: we stayed in my friend’s castle🏰(casual), we swam in the river + sunbathed, we drank wine + played games, we explored idyllic villages.

One of my favorite spots with the sweetest of nostalgic memories was in a small village called Laguépie. Population: ~600. Whenever people asked me my favorite place in France, nobody ever knew where I was talking about. It wasn’t in the magazines or travel blogs. (Ahem, it’s on mine!)

➡️Fast forward to 2020. I’m preparing to leave for France and am keeping a close eye on my teaching program’s Facebook page. An American girl posted in the group about her time in Marseille, and we began messaging. She helped me with a million and one things during my move to France, and we’ve stayed in touch and become good friends.

Earlier this month, I visited Albi to see her along with her French boyfriend, who’s from a small village. He never told me the name, but as we were sipping wine and eating saucissons, he said something about Laguépie.

“WHAT?! Did you say Laguépie? I’ve been there and fell in L O V E!” He said, no, we can’t be talking about the same place, no one ever goes to my hometown😂 But after showing him my photos, including ones the village’s castle @chateau_louvielcastel reposted, it was one and the same.

Can someone queue “Invisible String” because what a small world this is that we’re all connected. Do you have any wild stories like that? Tell me in the comments⬇️

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What do you like searching for on Pinterest?📌 What do you like searching for on Pinterest?📌

✈️I love finding travel destinations + itineraries, easy recipes and decorating ideas. My guess is that you've found some blogs and ideas you love through this site. 

😍I'm even more obsessed with how @pinterest serves to grow my blog and brand.

Currently kicking myself for not getting on the Pinterest for Business train sooner because this site is truly a game changer. I went from a personal account with a wedding board and gluten-free board with recipes I’d never tried to a bustling business board with more than 400,000 monthly visitors. And most of that is not from advertising.

📈I took a free @jennakutcher webinar on how to use Pinterest for Business and saw massive growth. And the best part? You can schedule out content for an entire week in just 30 minutes to an hour. 

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Best day trips from Nice No. 4: Èze🏰 This med Best day trips from Nice No. 4: Èze🏰

This medieval village enchanted me so much so I almost teared up as we left because I just didn’t want to go. If there are castles, sea views and charm, I’m so there. And Èze checks all these boxes✅ 

😍This medieval village is a labyrinth of cobblestone and windy paths, but the steps are worth it. There are shops and restaurants along the way to the top where you get sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea. 

🌵Once you make it to the top, you have to pay to enter the Jardin Exotique d’Èze, and I can't recommend it enough. (Be sure to ask about the combo deal that includes both the garden in Èze and the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild nearby.)

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Craving more photos + day trip ideas from Nice? Head over to link in bio ❤️

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When I lived in Toulouse in 2017, I took a day trip to a nearby town to visit a friend. Wanting to get the best deal, I booked the 6 a.m. train. Unfortunately, I didn't think it all the way through🙃

I left my apartment on time, but when I got to the metro, it hadn't started running yet. I was nervous about getting to the train station on time, but if I hurried, I could make it.

Alas, I made it to the metro stop where I was supposed to switch metro lines. I had one job, and I failed🙈

⚠️I went the wrong direction, and once I realized it, I quickly got off the next stop and ran up to the street. I was unbelievably lost, and the sun hadn't even come up. Eventually, I made it to the train station but had completely missed the train.

And defeated, I sat down in the bakery, cried and FaceTimed my mom. Some kind French girl saw my tears and approached me to help me book a new train.

Since then, I've gotten lost many more times😆 But it's taught me to not be so hard on myself because getting lost is part of the journey. (And if it's not a good time, it's a good story, eh?😜)

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