2020 GIFT GUIDE: DO GOOD, BE GOOD, GIVE GOOD

thrifted outfit // skirt: thredup, jacket: value village, bralette: gifted

I have been so inspired to do better this year. Instead of shopping on Amazon and big corps, I am committed to shopping small, local, female-owned, and BIPOC-owned this holiday season. I hope you’ll join me! With the way this year has gone, it is crucial that we support them more than ever. I will also be sharing a lot of my favorite sustainable-forward brands because that is very important to me.

black-owned

mcbride sisters wine paired with homemade charcuterie

mcbride sisters // wine

golde // matcha + skincare

beauty bakerie // cruelty free cosemetics

mented // cosmetics

grounded // plants

brave and kind bookshop // books

inbooze // diy cocktail/mocktail kits

rooted in blk co. // planters

calm and cure candles // candle

brown and coconut // plant-based skincare

good girl chocolate // organic chocoalate

corky’s nuts // organic walnuts

blk + bold coffee beans

blk + bold // coffee

bright lights jewelry* // inspirational bracelets

city sweats* // infrared wellness spa

boon boona coffee* // coffee

the shoppe seahurst* // misc. gift shop – local to seattle

the zen succulent // plants, ceramics, misc. gift shop – local to raleigh durham

sustainable

handpicked lemons curated holiday gift boxes

handpicked lemons* // intentionally curated handcrafted boxes

dear survivor // jewelry

stasher // plastic-free ziplock bags

final // reusable and portable straws and utensils

discount code: SayNoToSingleUse for 10% off

meow meow tweet // zero waste beauty + skincare

zero waste store // home

girlfriend collective // activewear made out of recycled water bottles

thred up // secondhand clothing + accessories

$20 code with the link above

nw bulk market // online farmers market

el cholo’s kid // handbags

ellie’s best // nut milk bags and misc. home

discount code: kaleintheclouds for 10% off

w&p design // food storage

eco collective* // zero waste home

out of the closet* // thrift shop

simple living shop // sustainable shop, local to redding

beauty

cocokind skincare products

cocokind skincare // nontoxic skincare

cocofloss // the best floss ever

discount code: kaleintheclouds for 20% off

araza beauty // nontoxic makeup

primally pure // nontoxic skincare

eco lips // nontoxic lipcare

frank body // body care

home

pacific candle co. // hand poured soy candles

the little reason goods // handcrafted candles and body care

dot bee co. // beeswax candles

shakes and speares* // handcrafted pnw inspired gifts

glasswing* // plants and misc. home goods

sugar pill* // apothecary and misc. home goods

retrofit home* // home goods

fun stuff

crokd // diy ceramic kits

jot // ultracoffee (similar to a coldbrew concentrate)

discount code: kaleintheclouds15 for 15% off

kaman things // stickers and apparel

movement the brand // ethically made clothing and accessories

dancing for donuts // made to order tie dye

the opal creative // polymer clay earrings

miss meli mac macrame earrings, made to order

miss meli mac // macrame accessories

dknits etc // knit, crochet, and embroider goods

roothie // handmade scrunchies

robinson creative house // stationery

shinnsparkle // intentional jewelry

moon juice // adaptogens and wellness elixirs

copina co. // plant-based collagen

naoki matcha // matcha

mother whale* // polymer clay earrings

frankie and jo’s* // ice cream

chateau ste. michelle* // wine

coffeeholic house* // coffee

atulea* // matcha

experiences

rainy day picnics* // outdoor picnic set up

justine hays creative* // photography

candids by cass // photography (socal based)

graze together* // charcuterie boards

thistle // meal delivery service

cards

the lonely robot paper co*

seattle ink and paper*

other ideas:

acts of service: cooking a meal for or together, cleaning the house, washing their car, asking “what can i do to help?” etc.

gift cards to your local coffeeshops and restaurants

digital art – there are lots of artists on instagram who do commission work, IE: megan john and the happy doodles

supporting locals at farmers markets

print out more recent photos and write about your favorite memories together

shopping local bookshops

cookbooks from black chefs

i’ll take out the trash/wash the dishes/clean the bathroom coupons

virtual personal training/group fitness classes, IE: lexi stelzer and moses yim

adopting/fostering a pet from an animal shelter (obviously only if you have the means to)

donating money to an organization they are passionate about

* indicates local to Seattle, Washington

Hope this inspires you to think outside the box with me! If we start early this year, we won’t have to lean on Amazon and big shops for the convenience. Let’s commit to doing better together.

LIVING SOLO ON A BUDGET

After spending about a year home hunting for a condo in downtown Seattle, I threw in the towel and decided to rent a 475 square foot apartment in the city to test the waters. Living alone in downtown Seattle has been such a dream. Sometimes lonely. Scary. But magical and has allowed so much growth. This was also my first time living alone and I thought I would share some tips and tricks on how to do it on a budget and also share about some of my favorite apartment pieces!

THRIFT LIKE IT’S YOUR JOB

Thrifting became my favorite hobby when I first moved into my apartment. I thrifted so much it started to feel like a job. I figured the things I wanted to save money on were things that you couldn’t see, IE: akeware, drawer organizers, shelf risers, over the door hooks, and lazy susans. However, my favorite things to thrift for were furniture, antiques, and decor. It’s such a fun way to make your space look one of a kind while still saving a ton of money. I went to chains such as Goodwill and Value Village, but I also went to flea markets, the Fremont farmers market, and utilizing online secondhand resources such as Craigslist, Let Go, OfferUp, Buy Nothing, and Facebook Market.

INVEST ON ESSENTIALS TO LAST

There are some items worth investing in to prevent repurchasing in the near future. For me, these were my bed frame, mattress, and television. These were my essential items I absolutely knew that I was going to reuse for years no matter where I end up living. It helps to make a list of things you need a circling these key items, then doing research on what websites have the best deals while keeping your max budget for each item in mind.

SAVE ON TRENDY PIECES

I think it’s so important to honor your taste and style in the moment, even if that means donating or selling the trendier pieces upon moving out. However, budget on these items!! They may not be your forever pieces, so I just feel like pinching pennies makes sense here. Trendy pieces I saved on: my velvet chaise lounge I got on Amazon versus Urban Outfitters or Anthropologie, my tiny home media console I got on Amazon versus West Elm, my bar stools I got on sale at Target versus everywhere else because bar stools are EXPENSIVE.

LIVEN IT UP WITH PLANTS!

Living alone can be isolating and feel extremely lonely. One easy way to liven your space (along with keeping a rolling queue of podcasts playing) is with plants. It’s nice to have something to take care of and it honestly just changes the energy of your home. Plants are also relatively affordable. One of my favorite places to get them is Trader Joe’s. I also enjoy supporting local nurseries, but try to avoid the trendier ones because I find it can get pricey pretty quick.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR WHAT YOU NEED

I know this may seem like weird advice, but think of ALL THE THINGS you have in storage or just in the corner of your room collecting dust because you don’t remember the last time you used it. And by no means am I telling you to go around asking all your friends for a TV, but I don’t think it would hurt to mention that you are in search of one. I mentioned that I was looking for a shoe rack to a friend and she just happened to have one that she wasn’t using! Never hurts to mention or ask!

UPCYCLE WHEN YOU CAN

I mean, there’s a reason why there are so many wedding and home decor DIYs on Pinterest, right? It saves you SO MUCH MONEY. One of my favorite DIYs for my apartment was upcycling old jars of all shapes and sizes (nut butters, marinara sauce, etc.) and turning them into pantry staple containers. Containers from The Container Store, Amazon, and even TJ Maxx really adds up. I ordered a label maker off of Amazon and turned it into a really cute and fun project! Upcycling jars and containers is a great way to prevent waste too!

HAVE PATIENCE AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SALES

This is kind of a no brainer but I can’t stress this enough. WAIT FOR SALES. I saved so much money on some of my favorite pieces that I couldn’t say no to, but couldn’t justify paying full price for, IE: my rug from Urban Outfitters, my bar stools from Target, my television from Amazon, my Stasher bags, and my decorative pillows from Urban Outfitters. Turn on your e-mail alerts especially when you know your favorite shops always have sales.

I hope this helps! If you have any other questions or want to know more about my experience living alone or in the city, let me know! Until next time. All the love. <3

MY APARTMENT ESSENTIALS

As promised, I am sharing my apartment essentials with links to where to purchase! I apologize in advance if I can’t find the exact product but I will definitely link the closest thing I can find at the same price point.

LIVING ROOM

VINTAGE PENDANT LIGHT KIT // AMAZON

TASSELS PARTY BANNER // TARGET

PLANT STAND // AMAZON

RUBY TUFTED RUG // URBAN OUTFITTERS

NATHAN JAMES MEDIA CONSOLE // AMAZON

TOSHIBA FIRE TV // AMAZON

MOROCCAN POUF // AMAZON

KNIT FLOOR PILLOW // URBAN OUTFITTERS

IVORY THROW WITH TASSELS // NORDSTROM RACK

IKEA POÄNG ARMCHAIR // THRIFTED FOR $8, LINKING FROM IKEA

VELVET CHAISE LOUNGE // AMAZON, LINKING SIMILAR

PET FRIENDLY SOFA COVER // AMAZON

KNITTED THROW // TARGET

ACCENT TABLE // TARGET

SLEEP SPACE

BED FRAME // AMAZON

MATTRESS // TUFT & NEEDLE

WAKE UP LIGHT THERAPY ALARM CLOCK // AMAZON

MACRAME // AMAZON

THROW PILLOWS // URBAN OUTFITTERS, NORDSTROM RACK, AND TARGET

SILK PILLOW CASE // BROOKLINEN

KITCHEN

SHELF RAISERS // THRIFTED FOR ~$3 EACH, LINKING SIMILAR

STASHER BAGS // STASHERBAG

BEESWAX WRAPS // BEESWRAP – USE CODE ‘ROSIE20’ FOR 20% OFF

CORNER COUNTERTOP ORGANIZER // THRIFTED FOR $5, LINKING SIMILAR

LAZY SUSAN // THRIFTED FOR ~$3, LINKING SIMILAR

FRIDGE ORGANIZER CONTAINERS // THRIFTED FOR ~$3 EACH, LINKING SIMILAR

BRIM POUR OVER COFFEEMAKER // CRATE & BARREL

BRIM ESPRESSO MACHINE // WILLIAMS SONOMA

ELECTRIC KETTLE // AMAZON

SMEG TOASTER // WILLIAMS SONOMA

ALMOND COW MILK MACHINE // ALMOND COW

AIR FRYER // BELLA

VITAMIX // AMAZON – SNAGGED ON SALE ON AMAZON DAY

DISH SCRUB // AMAZON

KITCHEN MAT // WORLD MARKET

BATHROOM

AMBER GLASS JAR // TARGET

EVERYTHING SOAP // FOLLAIN

SHOWER CURTAIN // TJ MAXX, LINKING SIMILAR

TASSLE BATH RUG // WORLD MARKET, LINKING SIMILAR

REED DIFFUSER IN SANDALWOOD ROSE // NORDSTROM

JEWELRY BOX // NORDSTROM, LINKING SIMILAR

CERAMIC JEWELRY DISHES // THRIFTED FOR $1 EACH, LINKING SIMILAR

OVER THE CABINET TOWEL BAR // THRIFTED FOR $3, LINKING SIMILAR

OVER THE CABINET APPLIANCE ORGANIZER // THRIFTED FOR $5, LINKING SIMILAR

OVER THE DOOR HOOKS // THRIFTED FOR $7, LINKING SIMILAR

MISC.

LABEL MAKER // AMAZON

SHOE RACK // IKEA

FULL LENGTH MIRROR // IKEA

LUGGAGE STAND // THRIFTED FOR $3, LINKING SIMILAR

DRESSER // AMAZON

FURBO DOG CAMERA // AMAZON

RECYCLE BIN // TARGET

PANTRY CARTS // IKEA

ORGANIZING BINS // THRIFTED FOR ~$2 EACH, LINKING SIMILAR

VINTAGE PAN AM PRINT // AMAZON

WOODEN PRINT HANGER // URBAN OUTFITTERS

BAR STOOLS // TARGET

WOOD LETTER BOARD // TARGET

VASE // IKEA

CLEANING SUPPLIES // BRANCH BASICS

COOK BOOKS // HALF PRICED BOOKS, AMAZON, LOCAL SHOPS

CRYSTALS // MOSTLY FROM MOORE THAN ROCKS IN KENT, WA

CANDLES // MOSTLY ANTHROPOLOGIE AND TRADER JOE’S

All of these products brought my little 465 square foot studio apartment to life! I recorded and shared an apartment tour on YouTube, which you can watch here. Hope this helps and gives you some space saving and budgeting ideas for your big or little space! All the love.

ACCOUNTABILITY IN 2020

As we get ready to wrap up another year, I can’t help but get so excited for 2020. Perhaps it’s my love for even numbers or just the fact that I love the feeling of a fresh start, but either way it inspires me to set goals for myself. I know we should never wait for a new year to set intentions or goals, but I feel like it’s always a good idea to reflect and see what else you can do differently to make yourself proud. Here are some of mine!

  • travel out of the country once a quarter/season
  • call one friend I’ve lost touch with just to say hi at least once a month
  • use a recipe from a cookbook once every two weeks
  • sleep for at least 8 hours a night
  • go on at least one solo trip
  • see a therapist
  • take a new workout class once a month
  • cook for a friend once a month
  • give myself one day off at least once a week (no flying, instagram, emails, etc.)
  • shop at the farmers market at least once every two weeks
  • stay in a treehouse
  • volunteer at least once a month
  • give myself enough time to meditate and journal every morning (even if it’s just for a few minutes)
  • go to at least one concert every few months
  • take mom to italy
  • read one book a month
  • take a lesson in something

This next year, I really want to focus on my growth. I have noticed that I’ve plateaued in my learning and I want to devote more time to learning new recipes, workouts, languages, cultures, activities. As much as I think we should honor where we are today, I think it’s also healthy to set attainable and measurable goals to challenge ourselves. Change can be so good, if we let it. I’d recommend making some small attainable goals of your own. Remember to be specific so you can hold yourself accountable and that way, it’s not as overwhelming too. And remember that less is more! All the love!

OH WHAT (TO)FUN

Scrambled tofu with kale and soyrizo (from Trader Joe’s) with a side of tots. DUH.

I’ve been eating (mostly) plant based for about two months and one thing that I am LOVING is tofu. I grew up eating tofu, so it never creeped me out. I had experimented with cooking tofu before, but they were always super basic recipes and nothing as good as my mom would make. This time around, let’s just say the obsession is real. Here are 4 ways I’ve been loving having tofu.

SCRAMBLED

Can I just say I don’t even miss eggs? Not even a bit. I know. I know. I was all about my savory breakfast (most commonly eggs on avocado toast) in the morning, but a lightbulb went off when one day, I decided to experiment with tofu and turmeric. Turmeric adds the perfect golden color which mimics eggs which is borderline creepy but it seriously tastes SO GOOD. I love cooking with turmeric because of its anti-inflammatory properties, so it’s just a bonus that it helps with the aesthetic of my “eggs.” I like to play around with different spices and herbs, but here is my go to recipe:

  • 14 ounces extra firm tofu (one standard container)
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric (option to start out with 1/4 teaspoon and add little by little, especially if you are not fond of the taste of turmeric)
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (I actually used Firefly Kitchens probiotic salt but sea salt will work fine!)
  1. Drain and remove excess water from the tofu by using paper towels and pressing it onto the tofu with a heavy weight (I use books).
  2. Heat up the oil on a large skillet.
  3. Lower the heat to low-medium and using a spatula, break up the tofu block into crumbles.
  4. Add spices.
  5. Mix well and bring the heat to high.
  6. Stir frequently and sauté the tofu until the color darkens and tofu gets a little crispy.
  7. Add more salt, pepper, and/or crushed red pepper (if you like it spicy) to taste.

MARINATED AND AIR FRIED

This has got to be one of my favorite things I’ve been eating, period. All you need to do is drain the water from your tofu, cut it into 1/4″ thick slices, and marinate it in whatever sauce you have in your fridge. My favorite so far has been Sriracha BBQ (literally just Sriracha mixed with barbecue sauce). After marinating for 20-30 minutes (option for longer too), I pop them in my air fryer for about 15 minutes at 400F. Every air fryer is different, so keep a close watch! When finished, the sauce should be dried and created a crispy layer. Spicy, sweet, and delicious! Perfect for buddha bowls, salads, and sandwiches.

PURÉED INTO AN AIOLI

Definitely gotta give credit to Dig Inn for this one. My absolute favorite sauce is the garlic aioli made from tofu (they’re all so good, try them all cause they are free! Bless them!). Though I haven’t tried making it myself, I always get a few when I visit them in New York and Boston so that I can add it to my bowls and salads. From there, I also got hit with an idea to create a nut-free vegan alfredo sauce using puréed tofu. I will be posting a recipe on my Instagram soon, so be on the look out!

TOFURKY DELI SLICES

Perhaps not the “healthiest” by any means, but easy, and such a great alternative when all you want is a sandwich or wrap with something to complement all the veggies. I’ve been a fan of Tofurky deli slices for quite some time, but have just recently grown such an appreciation for it since going plant based. Not only is it affordable, but I actually love the way it tastes. I love the texture. Because it is a processed food, I try to have it in moderation. But either way, I am so grateful there is a great plant based alternative for sandwich lovers!

Hope this inspires you to try something new, even if it’s not tofu! All the love!

INVEST IN YOURSELF

Exploring the night market in Hoi An, Vietnam

Not until just recently, it was almost a little taboo to do things for yourself. To take time to meditate in the morning or time the time and money to pamper yourself. Did mental health days even exist?! I think self care is so important and here are some of my key items I think are worth investing your time and money into when caring for yourself.

Gym Membership or Gym Equipment

Whether you’re into yoga, spin, prefer to workout at home, or enjoy a variety of fitness activities (check out ClassPass), you are investing in yourself and your health. So own it and go on with your bad self!

Supplements

I’m talking adaptogens, collagen, probiotics, etc. These are all things that will benefit you in the long run. I’m personally taking a multivitamin to supplement my plant based diet and they’re not the cheapest, but they are worth every penny.

Skincare

My skincare regimen is so sacred to me and I’m not mad about it. I choose to invest in locally made and nontoxic serums and my skin has never looked or felt better. I highly recommend @herbivorebotanicals to anyone looking to switch things up! I would also recommend looking into nontoxic makeup. It can be pricey, but chemicals in makeup and nail polish can be very damaging to your body over time.

Hobbies

Whatever it is that sets your soul on fire, do that. Love cooking? Take a cooking class! Enjoy trail running? Make the time for it! You are so deserving of fun things.

A Good Walking Shoe

Honestly though. Think about your poor feet and how far they’ve taken you thus far. It’s time we take care of em. New Balance makes some great ones and I can always find them at the Rack for a great deal. But it’s definitely worth the splurge to get a style that suits you.

Therapy

Not only is it worth the money, but it’s worth your TIME. I am a bit of a hypocrite here though, because going to therapy is something that has been on my back burner to do list for far too long. Let’s be accountability buddies and make it a goal to meet with one next year. 

Cocofloss

THIS IS NOT A JOKE. Perhaps this is my personal opinion because oral hygiene is so important to me. So aside from an electric toothbrush (also an essential), I think investing in a good floss is also something to consider. This is going to sound gross, but just think of all the plaque lingering on and in between your teeth. My teeth have never been so clean after using Cocofloss and I will never go back.

Closet Essentials

Think timeless pieces and also items that you wear often. For me, that’s a pair of black Chelsea boots. A travel friendly backpack. A pair of blue jeans so comfortable you can also wear them as as a non-revenue passenger. Workout pants. It’ll be different for you, but just consider investing in quality pieces. Not only is it more sustainable, but it will actually save you money and time in the long run too.

Travel

So I am totally biased here but I truly believe that so much growth (and honestly LIFE) happens in traveling, especially alone. It’s not always affordable to travel, so I recommend setting financial goals to keep yourself on track with saving to make the trip. It’s also not a bad idea to start with a smaller trip. One of my favorite U.S. cities worth visiting is Austin, TX and it is pretty affordable! Keep your eyes peeled for flash deals on flights and hotel too. Hotel Tonight is also a great resource for more affordable last minute accommodations.

This is my own personal list. Honorable mentions: dirty dozen six organic foods, your living space and what goes in it to bring you peace and joy, and BOOKS! What’s on yours? All the love.

A WORD FROM THE WISE – TRAVEL TIPS FROM FLIGHT ATTENDANTS

“Sleep when you’re tired, eat when you’re hungry.” – Christie, SEA based.

“Pack slippers because Airbnbs can be dirty.” – Vina, ORD based.

“Whenever traveling to a different time zone, immediately put yourself in that time frame, even if it means pushing through exhaustion. Because then when it is time to go to sleep, you can have a full night’s rest and then be ready to go and fully on that time zone without the jet lag.” – Sean, SEA based.

“Bring snacks!!!!!” – Lindsey, ANC based.

“Pack snacks, bring your sleep kits (eye mask and neck pillow). Plan travel around an event, a race or concert or festival.” – Megan, SEA based.

“Try not to stress about the small things. Getting there is the hardest part! Drink water. Eat your veggies. Smiles go a long way!” – Allie, LAX based.

“Be prepared! Keep a small bag that fits under your seat for easy access with a pen, water bottle, and big scarf to use as a blanket.” – Amber, SEA based.

“Travel light.” – Marina, HKG based.

“Say yes! Try everything, do everything, and don’t hold back! Also, drink water and utilize melatonin. And find travel companions! Cause they elevate every experience and make it even more memorable.” – Kristina, SAN based.

“Always pack a cocktail dress and a pair of heels. You just never know.” – Fay, SEA based.

“Always keep a small bag with headphones, Advil, toothbrush and paste, moisturizer, etc. with you that you can keep under your seat so you don’t have to dig things out of your bigger bag (if it wasn’t checked). I like to do this since I like window seats. I don’t have to disturb others.” – Josh, SEA based.

“I always have a change of clothes in my carry on bag (I’ve been spilled on or had ‘misplaced’ luggage several times and that has totally saved me! Also I (almost) always have my hydroflask on me to cut down on single use plastics and I #FillBeforeIFly” – Justin, SEA based.

“Use packing cubes. I’m the messiest with my clothes and it keeps me organized, even once I get to my destination.. and they keep me from overpacking!” – Vanessa, SFO based.

“Always bring your own hand soap and hand lotion.” – Ashley, SEA based.

“Bring your own healthy snacks and water bottle to fill up past security.” – Shelby, SFO based.

“Travel light by wearing Merino wool and be flexible.” – Sean C., SEA based.

“Show up early. I’d rather enjoy a drink before a flight instead of stressing out in rushing to your flight. Travel can be so unpredictable these days. I think in general, try to incorporate my daily habits into travel. So I can enjoy traveling without feeling any ‘guilt’.” – Rosella, SEA based.

“Less is MORE. When I flew to Greece from my honeymoon, I was fully prepared. Fuzzy socks, toothbrush, mouth wash, eye mask, neck pillow, headphones, snacks, a tablet, the whoolleeee meal deal. Once I sat in my tiny seat I quickly realized i brought WAY too much. Now I know to condense and only bring what I really need! Not only do you have more space around you having not brought as much, but you’re less likely to forget things on the plane! I bring my water bottle, headphones, tablet, a snack or two and call it good!” – Jane, SEA based.

“Treat others with respect. Kindness goes a long way. It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.” – Victor, SFO based.

“For health: Vitamin C. In general: get a massage right before a long flight, don’t plan your entire trip out, spend time every day at a cafe and people watch.” – Patty, SEA based.

“Take the local bus and talk to locals always. On the bus, in stores, everywhere. They will tell you secret places and unique things to see.” – Sarah, ANC based.

“Layer. [for the plane] and bring chapstick.” – Celina, SEA based.

“RESERVE your meals! So helpful on both ends!” – Justine, PDX based.

“Utilize your pockets in the TSA line. If you’re wearing a jacket, vest, or hoodie, throw all those electronics/odds and ends in those pockets. That way, when you get to the front of the line, you can just put your vest/hoodie/jacket thing in the bin and then take it out and run for that flight you’re probably late to.” – Khai, SEA based.

“Smart and light packing. Trust your gut.” – JS, FRA based.

“It’s a part of travel but my best tip would be NOT to put our suitcase on your bed when packing. The wheels are soooo gross!!” – Suzanne, SEA based.

You heard it hear first! All the love and safe travels!

WHAT I’VE LEARNED LIVING ALONE

Me? Living alone? HA. That would’ve been the joke of the century only just last year. I’ve always relied on my family and friends for support – which is perfectly normal and acceptable, except that I also leaned on them when I was lost in my own city. 3AM phone calls because Maps wasn’t cooperating. I WAS THAT FRIEND. I decided to live on my own when I gained the confidence with my job as a flight attendant. It’s the most amazing thing I have gained, ever, and I just wanted to share some of the things I’ve learned since.

  • No one cares if your dishes and silverware don’t match. It’s quirky, and fun, so save your money and let go of the stress.
  • Location is key. Living somewhere that brings you so much joy is crucial.
  • Find your community. Whether it’s your gym, work place, coffeeshop, or book club. Find em and cherish em.
  • Your friends love you and want to hangout with you. But YOU need to be the one to initiate it sometimes. I actually learned this when I started flying and noticed my friends were hanging out without me because they never knew when I was home or flying!
  • THRIFT YO SHIT. I thrifted my pantry organizers (storage cubes, shelf risers, jars, etc), some furniture, baskets, bakeware, mixing bowls, and plant pots, and saved so much money. Buy Nothing Facebook groups, Craigslist, and Facebook marketplace are also worth checking out!
  • Investment pieces should be items you will need when you eventually move out. IE: bed, mattress, some furniture, TV.
  • Change doesn’t happen overnight. Your place doesn’t need to look perfect right after moving in. In fact, 4 months later and I still don’t have anything hung up on my walls. Cut yourself some slack.
  • Using Instagram and Pinterest as inspiration is fun, but can set unrealistic expectations. Work within your means and do the best you can to create a cozy space for YOU.
  • Having a small space has some perks – like sweeping taking a total of 10 minutes.
  • Having a dog helps with loneliness. Same with plants.
  • Accept loneliness and know that you are NOT ALONE in feeling that way. Also learned this with my flying gig.
  • When the loneliness kicks in, get out. Go outside. Recharge with the outdoors. I also feel great being surrounded by people (even though they are strangers and even when I’m not speaking to anyone) in places like coffeeshops, the library, the park, and grocery stores.
  • Making the bed is the most adulting thing you could ever do, especially since you’re not doing it for anyone else. Do it for you.
  • Meal prep with or for friends to save some money. And that way, you won’t get sick of the same meals.
  • You’re just gonna have to ask people to take their shoes off if you want them off. Just gotta do it.
  • It’s okay if it doesn’t feel like home just yet. What makes it feel home is the time spent with your friends and family in your space. Creating memories. Sleepovers. Dance parties. Movie nights. The corner where your first Christmas tree was. This is probably the most important thing I realized.

If you’re living alone too, props to you. It’s not always easy, but damn does it feel good to come home to your own slob and decorate your sanctuary to be 100% YOU. All the love.

SUSTAINABLE GIFT GUIDE

Gift giving (especially this time of year) is so much fun and the older I get, the more I realize how much of a privilege it is. For me, it has never been about the dollar amount spent or collecting the most amount of wrapped boxes underneath the tree. I remember some of my favorite gifts were stocking stuffers my sister would regift from her room. Yup. We had a childhood tradition where we’d regift random knick knacks around our rooms for each other for stocking stuffers and those were what I cherished even more than the brand new sweater or toy (that was also so sweet to receive). So here are some gift ideas that I came up with that are sustainably friendly and will mean more to the person receiving than you know.

  • A letter. Tell them your first impression of them. The moment you realized they’d be a forever friend. Your favorite memory of them. Or just how much they mean to you.
  • Something from your closet. One of my favorite new things I’m doing with one of my best friends is trading clothing items out of our own closets. It’s like Rent the Runway, except more fun, thoughtful, and FREE.
  • Your favorite book. Let’s be real. You probably won’t read it again. And even if you will, it will still make a nice home in the hands of that person in your life with the same taste in books as you.
  • Baked goods stored in a Stasher bag. Who would say no to homemade banana bread, chocolate chip cookies, or peppermint bark?! And FYI- Stasher bags are currently on sale for 25%! You can also get them at Anthropologie for 30% off. Sales end when Black Friday sales end.
  • Acts of service. Offer to wash their car or maybe help clean out their closet to post stuff on Poshmark (what we say we’ll always do, am I right?). An extra set of hands for that ongoing to-do list goes a LONG way.
  • FOOD. Cook them dinner or maybe offer to grocery shop and/or meal prep for them.
  • Kale Me Maybe’s Meal Plan. This Meal Plan is perfect for that “too busy to meal prep” or “I have no idea what to make, like, ever” friend. Her recipes are simple, easy, nourishing, and delicious! It’s also on sale for $12 for a limited time.
  • Craft their favorite photo, quote, or song. Recreate a favorite photo of their dog, cross-stitch of their favorite quote, or sing their favorite song. One of my favorite gifts I have ever received was a video of my best friend singing “Turn to You” by Christina Aguilera, our ultimate best friend/karaoke song. I BAWLED MY EYES OUT. It was beautiful and I will cherish it forever.
  • Groupon self care. Send them a massage, cup of coffee, or fun date night activity. The possibilities are endless!
  • Concert tickets. Harry Styles is going on tour next summer, haven’t you heard?
  • ClassPass. Seriously swear by this app and service. I have discovered some of my favorite workouts using ClassPass! Use this link to save some monies!
  • Thrive Market. It’s like Costco but for healthier and environmentally friendly stuff, but you don’t have to commit to buying in bulk. AKA the best thing ever, and now you can gift a Thrive Market membership.

Hope this helps if you’re stumped or currently aren’t in a place to be spending a ton of money. The Holidays can put on a lot of pressure and I’m here to take it off, or help anyway! All the love.

FLYING ON A BUDGET

I feel super lucky because I get the honor of taking families to Disneyland and newlyweds to their dream honeymoon in Hawaii, but I can’t help but wonder how much they spent on the entire trip: transportation, snacks at the airport, snacks on the plane, activities, souvenirs, and everything in between. That said, here are some tips on how to fly on a budget (bonus: very eco friendly!).

BRING YOUR OWN FOOD

Seriously! Bring leftovers from dinner, meal prep, whatever you have left in the fridge, snacks, whatever! I know that the main concern is that food isn’t TSA-friendly but that’s just a crazy rumor. Most food is TSA approved. The only foods I would avoid is anything of a creamy consistency, IE: yogurt, nut butter, oatmeal, chia seed pudding. Everything else goes! Bring food you’ll look forward to eating so you’re not tempted to spend $7 on a bag of pretzel chips. I promise your wallet will love you for this one.

PACK REUSABLE WATER BOTTLES, MUGS, JARS, STRAWS, UTENSILS & BAGS

Not only is packing your own cutlery, straws, food containers, and water bottles great for the environment, but you’ll also save some bucks! If you bring your own water bottle, you can have a coffeeshop at the airport fill it up for free! Avoid paying outrageous prices for water at the airport especially since most airports offer water fountains with an option to refill water bottles. Lots of places offer a little discount for bringing your own cups/bags too!

BRING A BOOK & CARD GAMES

I will admit that even I have PAID for WiFi on a long flight before. If you think about it, being disconnected is often times a GOOD THING. Try looking at it as some “me time.” Borrow your ultimate “back burner- don’t have time to read” book (we all have one). Bring some cards! They’re easy to travel with and affordable. My favorite “game” lately has been finding the most random questions and would you rathers and asking my friends. It’s so much fun and you will find that there’s lots to learn even about your best friend.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF DEALS AS THEY COME

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve passed up a good deal on something I needed because my trip was still a few weeks away. I am a sucker for a good deal, but I try to be mindful about what I need versus what I want. If I’m desperately needing to replace my packing cubes and I just so happen to come across a good quality ones on sale, it would be smart for me to get them. However, if I found some that were decently priced but the quality was questionable, then I would probably wait a little. It’s all about weighing out your options and figuring out what works for you! However, I find that sometimes it’s better not to wait for something better to pop up. (One of my best examples of this, not travel related, was snagging a Vitamix for 40% off on prime day. Best investment ever!!).

FIND SOMEONE WHO JUST WENT ON A SIMILAR TRIP

One of my best tips is to find a friend who just went on a similar trip you’re planning. I’ve had friends ask if they could borrow my electric converters, backpack, and even hiking boots. These things that you may only use once a year can end up costing you a lot of money. The best way to ask (so it’s not so awkward and random) is to make casual conversation about traveling/your upcoming trip or post something about it on your social media account(s). You’ll be surprised who you might hear from who will have great advice for you too!

As always, I can only hope that this is helpful to you guys! Let me know if you have any additional tips I can add! All the love from 33,000 ft.