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Round Trip Roundup: JULY

August 1, 2019
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Learning to be present is an art. If you’re anything like me, you often fall into the black hole called “the grass is greener on the other side.” The month of July intermingled both rich adventure and deep homesickness. As I scrolled through this month’s photos, I was taken aback at how many new things I did from binge watching an entire TV show in two weeks (more on that later) to all the new restaurants I tried.

It’s easy to focus on my many longings while being away this summer: I miss my friends, I miss my family, I miss my community, I miss my routine. Although healthy to a degree, these feelings inevitably distract from this sweet summer in Dallas: new restaurants, new stores, always adventuring. My remaining time in Dallas is brief, but these final moments down south will be spent savoring not longing.

Like I said, this month has been a whirlwind — here’s my top 5 for July:

This post includes affiliate links, which means I earn a kickback when you sign up or purchase through the link. This comes at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own.

1 . Class Pass

High key salty that I now just heard of Class Pass. It’s an app that connects you with local studios and gyms, and you pay monthly for a limited amount of credits to be used at these spots. With my introductory offer of $30 off (here’s $30 off for you, too!), I was able to attend three Pure Barre classes at the price of $9 — and still have credits left over. As a reference, Barre classes are $24 at full price.

I do love Barre, but I like doing other types of exercise whether that’s yoga, Zumba or plain elliptical time. Class Pass lets you go to a variety of spots for one price, and I’m all about it.

2 . Gal pals who travel

Having a travel blog means people are always asking, “Where are you traveling this summer?” And even though this summer has been spent mainly in Dallas, I’ve done plenty of exploring.

On the other hand, I’m grateful that I have likeminded sorority sisters who are chasing adventures of their own. This month I interviewed my sister Caitlyn on the best things to do in Oahu as well as Annika on how to travel Florence.

3 . Target Finds

I’m weak when it comes to that red Target bullseye. I’m a Target girl through and through, and making a run to this store before any trip is a must. Here are my favorite travel toiletries from Target.

4 . Staycation

As I’d mentioned, I haven’t done a lot of traveling in the traditional sense. Most of my excursions have been a staycation in Dallas, and to be honest, that’s a-okay with me. Dallas has blown me away with its mouthwatering nosh and bumpin’ nightlife. I celebrated France’s Independence Day at Bastille on Bishop’s bash where I chowed down a macaron ice cream sandwich. Lula B’s kept me company on a Saturday afternoon as I wove through the many aisles and booths of antiques. A smidge outside of Dallas, Plano surprised me with its urban vibes and massive food hall. Thanks to a gift card, I found my new favorite coffee shop called La La Land with its trademark of vibrant yellow throughout the store. I can’t recommend the French Toast latte enough.

5 . Stranger Things

For most of my life, I haven’t been a TV person. It’s hard to sit still, it feels unproductive. If I’m watching TV or a movie, I often am scrolling on my phone or tapping away on my laptop.

But with Stranger Things, it was different. I started Season 1 this month, and less than two weeks later, I’d finished Season 3. And let me tell you, the withdrawal is real. I’ve been browsing Target’s series merchandise, and a Stranger Things-themed party is already in the works. I am obsessed and would love to hear your thoughts about it in the comments!

All in all, this summer has been one of growth, not always easy but with pockets of excitement. August promises a flurry of busyness, but there’s a time for everything and I’m looking forward to this next season.

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My Fave Finds

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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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(AD) I could literally stare at my map from Trip M (AD) I could literally stare at my map from Trip Map - Push Pin Travel Maps for hours😍 (Honestly, I probably already have!) 

📍I am entirely impressed with how detailed it is, especially because my hometown of St. Louis is on the map.  I love being able to show my French friends *exactly* where I live because most maps aren’t big enough to show my mid-sized hometown of St. Louis. 

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Why is being present so hard?!🙈Double tap if yo Why is being present so hard?!🙈Double tap if you agree!

It's so easy for me to get stuck in the past or focused on the future — so much so that I made this quote my lock screen for a looooong time. It's funny how forgetful we are as humans: We long for the future, but once we're there, we crave the past.

🌍I love how travel reminds me to be present. When you've saved up, planned and dreamed about a trip for so long, OF COURSE you want to savor each moment. But it's a great lesson for our everyday life, too.

❓How do you keep yourself in the present? I like keeping a gratitude journal. Tell me in the comments!

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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🙈

💰I have several bank accounts in the U.S. and France. I'm paid in euros, but I still have recurring subscriptions on my American credit card. I'm also all about growing my savings and getting those credit card points on my American account.

What👏to👏do?👏

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Have you ever had one of those “it’s a small w Have you ever had one of those “it’s a small world” moments?🌏

☀️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.)

🚗🛤️Distance from Nice: 30-minute drive or 15 minute train ride

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

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