#BloggingDesk : Bloggers in the Age of Influencers

November 14, 2018

As someone who has blogged for a number of years as a side hobby, I find it fascinating how much the blogging world has changed since I started out in this industry all those years ago. The way we blog, the people blogging – it’s all so different now. And with change, comes both good and bad. That’s why I love offering up my own thoughts on blogging in general in this series here on LOM, offering my view on how blogging has changed and how we can make it better together. Over the last year or so, I’ve noticed some differences in how smaller blogs have been treated by brands. We are living in the digital age of influence, when large bloggers have millions of followers and can make millions of dollars a year just by influencing their mass of a following. But what about all the small bloggers out there that still have a strong following but might not reach millions of people? What about the medium size bloggers who don’t do it for a living but still have a lot to offer?

Land of Marvels has never been a for profit blog and the small amount of money I make from the blog usually goes right back into it for upkeep and yet I’ve definitely leveraged my little blog when we travel to work with brands I admire and hotels that I want to share with my readers. I’ve gotten free night stays in hotels, media discounts for sharing destinations on my social media and free travel gear here and there over the years. But 90% of the deals I’ve been able to get through LOM have been from me reaching out to brands myself and not the other way around. I’ve shared in the past how even small blogs can work with brands, but I’ve definitely noticed over the last year or so that those brands are starting to shy away from working with smaller blogs like LOM and instead putting all their money toward the giants in our industry.

So what does that mean for the little guys? Are we not influencers too? The blogging game has unfortunately become all about numbers. How many hundreds or thousands or millions of followers do you have? And that’s really unfortunate. Because it’s somehow stopped being about the individual, it’s about a mass of people and how much money they can make off of you. So where do we go from here as bloggers? For me, I’ve started attempting to work with smaller brands and start ups – the companies that can’t afford to go after the giant bloggers with millions of followers and that allows smaller blogs like Land of Marvels to still make a difference as influencers.

Smaller companies need voices too and I have found recently that when reaching out to smaller brands or smaller hotels, that they’ve been more than happy to come on board and work with me. We might be in the age of influence where large blogs with millions of followers might be writing the rules for influencers, but the smaller blogs still have a voice too – let’s use it!

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How to Dress for Cold Weather Trips

November 12, 2018

As we get into the cooler weather and as Winter approaches, I realized that most of my favorite trips have been Fall or Winter travel and while cold this time of year, it can often be a gorgeous time of year to explore and see different destinations around the world. Whether it’s Autumn colors you’re after or a gorgeous snowy destination, I find that a lot of people don’t even think to travel from October through February because they think it’s too cold. And while yes, it will probably be cold most places in the world this time of year, that doesn’t have to ruin your trip if you’re prepared for it. As someone who is constantly cold, we’ve still traveled to lots of cold destinations over the years and managed to enjoy it because we’re prepared and dressed for the cold. So today, if you’re debating whether or not to take that Fall or Winter trip, here’s how to dress for cold weather travel and still have an amazing time!

Invest in a good lined coat.

I went to Iceland in late November with a raincoat my first time, a thin little raincoat. And I was cold, like freezing cold, our whole trip. But I had just started traveling at that point and didn’t truly understand the art of packing for a location – nor did I really know anything about Iceland at that point. Lesson learned. All these years later, I know the importance of a good lined coat. Will it be more expensive than a regular coat? Yes. Will it protect you from searing cold? Yes. A good lined coat is the most important thing you can buy when traveling to a cold weather destination. I have a couple I love, the white one below from J Crew which is insulated inside and the navy blue one below that is fur lined (with faux fur) from Gap. Both were pretty expensive but both have kept me warm in very low temperatures and been well worth the investment. A coat like this is similar to mine and would be perfect for a Winter trip!

Waterproof lined boots will save you.

I bought a pair of faux fur lined waterproof Ugg boots a couple years ago and they are one of the best purchases I’ve ever made. Not only do they keep my feet insanely warm but I never have to worry about rain soaking through and making me colder. Buy some, you won’t regret it. I recommend these Ugg Boots!

Scarves, scarves and more scarves.

I love scarves and when I’m cold, they are the first thing I reach for. You’ll often find me wearing one around my neck and using a second one for a blanket if I’m on a train or airplane or bus heading somewhere. Scarves will keep you so warm, especially big fluffy ones, plus they add so much to an outfit! I love this one and this one!

Ear Muffs are your secret weapon.

I bought a cheap pair of cute ear muffs on Asos awhile back when we went to Iceland the first time and I’ve used them steadily since then. While hats can be warm, I find in rain when I want to put a hood up, it’s an issue with a hat. With ear muffs, they keep my hair back, ears warm and a hood can be pulled over them. These earmuffs are similar to mine!

A long coat is better than a short one. And always have a hood.

Almost all my coats are longer and while I think longer coats and generally more flattering, my reason for wearing longer coats is that they are so much warmer! When the coat covers so much more of your body, that much more of your body will be that much warmer. Also go for a longer coat over a shorter one when it comes to extra warmth! The other thing I almost always want in a warm weather coat, is a hood. Hoods can offer so much protection against rain or snow or wind and can really protect your ears and face when the weather is brutal.

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An Ode to the Travelers…

November 9, 2018

A few weeks back on our way to New Orleans, I found myself sitting in my window seat high above the world, giddy with excitement about traveling again after several months without anything but traveling for work or to see family. The trip was our first in a long time just the two of us, myself and Nick, headed somewhere to explore, to wander. And as we flew into San Francisco (we had an overnight stop there on the way to NOLA), the clouds opened up, the city and water below were shining like I’ve never seen it before. I could make out every single area of San Francisco and the way the light was hitting it as I watched this scene unfold high above in the air was simply magical. I realized I had a huge smile on my face just experiencing it, a feeling of pure joy that made my heart soar. In that moment, I thought to myself how that feeling, that pure bliss of the idea of travel, of moments when you feel you’re in the exact right spot at the exact right time, that is a feeling that my fellow travelers and I know so well. It’s what makes us who we are, it’s what makes our lives have purpose.

Without travel, without exploration, I wouldn’t be who I am. And no matter what’s going on in my life, travel is what makes me whole. I know so many of you reading this are probably thinking the same thing, knowing that just the mere act of going somewhere sets your soul on fire. Seeing new things, hearing new languages, eating new foods, travel is the way we live.

We are the travelers, the people who find peace on a long flight with only the clouds below, who would fly around the world even for a day to experience something new. We are the ones who find ourselves smiling for no apparent reason other than just the pure joy of traveling and experiencing a destination, the ones who sacrifice other parts of our lives to follow our passion for our world. We are the ones that have stood at the top of waterfalls under the midnight sun and just stared in awe at this great planet, we are the ones that find ourselves in a tiny back alley of Paris just smiling at the sound of French wafting around us and cobblestones under our feet. We are the ones that come alive when we step off of that plane, the ones that hobble together a few phrases in a new language, the ones that dream in vibrant color of the world we call home.

We are travelers and today I’m celebrating all of you out there that are nodding along to this post. All too often our passion for travel gets grouped into being irresponsible or overindulgent. All too often our passion for seeing the world gets frowned upon or pushed aside. But at the end of the day, travel for us isn’t something extra to spend our money on, it’s what feeds our soul and gives us life. So to all my fellow travelers, may we never stop exploring and may our feet always be restless for our next adventure!

A Day and a Half in New Orleans : A Video Tour

November 7, 2018

During our trip to New Orleans in October, a new found love for the city emerged after a not-so-great first trip there five years ago. And while it was a short day and a half trip, I fell in love with NOLA. Today, we all get to relive a quick day and a half in New Orleans through a video tour! Enjoy!

You can also check out more Land of Marvels videos here!

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The Best Food to Eat in New Orleans

November 5, 2018

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Southern food and my trips to this region of the USA always include mandatory stops for specific types of foods that I can’t really get easily in the Western part of the country. And while Southern Fried Chicken is a staple of mine when traveling through the South, New Orleans has its own lineup of food specific to the NOLA region of the South. You’ll find a Cajun influence in Louisiana that you don’t get in the other Southern States and offers a very unique menu of food on offer. So now to make us all hungry for an amazing Southern meal, if you’re in Louisiana, don’t miss all the amazing offerings of the area and here is the best food to eat in New Orleans!

Red Beans and Rice

This comfort-food dish is a staple in Louisiana and it will not disappoint.

Andouille Sausage

With a specific flavor and texture that just makes you think of NOLA, try a dish with andouille sausage.

Gumbo

Ahh gumbo. It’s basically a gravy filled with delicious meat and seafood and vegetables and made into a soup.

Shrimp and Grits

Maybe my favorite thing ever, I’ll never pass up shrimp and grits if it’s on the menu. Grits are a staple of Southern food, but try them with Gulf shrimp while in NOLA and you won’t be disappointed.

Beignets

Ok, I may or may not have traveled back to New Orleans just for the beignets. Seriously. Whether you’re eating them with heaps of powdered sugar at Cafe du Monde or lighter versions at other places throughout New Orleans, they are delicious regardless. Little clouds of Heaven if you ask me…

Fried Chicken

This list wouldn’t be complete without the Southern Staple of Fried Chicken. There is just something about how it tastes in the American South that can’t quite be replicated out West. And add a nice buttermilk biscuit on the side and I’m good to go!

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The Best Places to Travel for Halloween

October 31, 2018

I’ll admit, I’ve never been a big Halloween person. I don’t love to dress up and I don’t really like candy so the holiday growing up always felt a little out of my wheelhouse. But as an adult, I’ve learned to embrace another side of this holiday instead looking forward to decorating my front stoop with pumpkins, embracing the superstitious side of me with ghost stories and witches. I also happen to travel generally this time of year in October because my birthday falls this time of year and I love some good Fall foliage. In my travels in October, I’ve come across certain places that just to Halloween better than others. And while some lean more toward a harvest theme, others go full on superstitious. So if you love the spooky-ness of Halloween, here are some of the best places to travel for Halloween!

New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans has a spooky culture year round, with voodoo shops and a “day of the dead-esque” type theme throughout the French Quarter but October and Halloween in the Quarter take on a new level of drama. But add Halloween in and you’ve got yourself an amazing city to visit for the holiday. Ghost stories, old cemeteries, voodoo dolls and amazing Halloween decor everywhere you look – NOLA is the perfect city to visit for Halloween if you’re looking for a little something scary in your life.

Savannah, Georgia

Savannah is renowned as the most haunted city in the USA and from ghost tours to cemeteries to creepy stories of lost souls, this Southern city would be a spookily-awesome spot for Halloween. Add to that the waving old oak trees covered in moss and eerily lit downtown city squares where stories of hangings and murders abound, Savannah is the perfect spot to spend an eery Halloween.

Woodstock, Vermont

For more of a “harvest” take on Halloween, the little town of Woodstock in Vermont might have everyone beat. Think pumpkins on everyone’s front porches, scarecrows lining steps and stocks of corn everywhere you go. If you love October and the more realistic side of Halloween, Vermont might be your spot. And instead of witches and ghosts, here you’ll find a New England take on the holiday that is a bit more practical but oh so fun all the same.

St. Helens, Oregon

The movie Halloweentown because a cult classic in the 90’s when it came out on the Disney channel and to this day still remains one of the most watched Halloween movies. But you might not know that it was actually filmed in the tiny town of St. Helens, Oregon (just outside Portland) and every year in October, the town gets all dec’ed out like it was shown in the movie!

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Ornate Architecture and Incredible Food : Exploring New Orleans

October 29, 2018

Five years ago we headed to New Orleans for the first time. Long story short, the trip wasn’t a great one. So this year when the opportunity came up to go back to the Louisiana city, we thought it was time to give it another shot and I’m so glad we did! We ended up really enjoying our time in NOLA this time around and got to explore so many new and different areas that we didn’t get to see last time around.

We stayed in the French Quarter, but farther away from Bourbon Street than last time, which afforded us a very different perspective of the city. We also had better expectations of the city going into our trip and were able to explore differently than the previous time. All in all, New Orleans really is a unique destination all in itself and there is no other place like it. The ornate architecture, the details in every building, provide a sense of place that could only be in New Orleans. The food, Cajun and Southern is out of this world and truly a testament to the region. New Orleans is one of those places that has a very specific kind of charm: old buildings that look like they are truly falling down around you, French and Spanish influences that are reminiscent of European cities but totally unique to NOLA and an American culture totally specific to this part of the country.

Some of my favorites spots to check out in New Orleans:

Cafe du Monde – I don’t think you can come to NOLA without a stop here for their famous beignets and cafe au lait. My recommendation – go in the evening while everyone is at dinner or the bars and you won’t even have a wait!
Cafe Beignet – This cute little spot on Royal Street in the French Quarter is one of my favorites. They have regular food too but their beignets and iced lattes are to die for.
NOLA – Emeril Lagasse’s restaurant in the French Quarter is a great option for dinner. We went on our first trip there and again on this trip and were not disappointed!
Muriel’s – This was a recommendation from a local friend of ours and for a fun local New Orleans dinner, this place was great. The rumor is that it’s haunted and while I really wanted to have a drink in their Seance Room upstairs, it was booked the whole time were there. But we did have a glass of wine in their courtyard bar and dinner in their main dining room and the whole experience was great!
St. Roch Market – This great spot in Bywater is an indoor market full of amazing food options. We went for lunch and could hardly decide what to get because everything looked so good!

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My Top Tips for New Orleans (What I Wish I Had Known the 1st Time)

October 22, 2018

We just got home last week from our second trip to New Orleans and after a horrendous trip there the first time five years ago (seriously, it included a tornado warning, massive rain with hurricane force winds and the whole city smelling like beer), I’m happy to say that I actually really loved the city this second time around. Our first trip was a mess due to a number of factors, some our fault, some out of our control, but either way, on this second trip, I think I finally figured out the secret to this ages old city and how to really fall in love with it.

Let me preface this by saying, I’m not a big drinker or partier, so that part of the city’s culture is not important to me. In fact, we made it a point to avoid Bourbon Street at all costs. So if you’re heading to the city to party, this post probably isn’t for you. If you want a more cultured approach to NOLA, here are my best tips for New Orleans and what I wish I had known the 1st time around.

The weather is going to be hot and humid – pretty much any time of year you go.

When we went the first time to New Orleans, it was over Christmas, so end of December. As a young and naive traveler at that point, I packed trench coats and scarves and boots. It was December after all! And for me, even when the temperatures said they would be in the 70’s, I figured that would be fine. Long story short, I was drenched in sweat the whole time due to the humidity. Fast forward all these years later and I’m more aware of weather in different parts of the world. This time, I packed t-shirts and skirts and was still drenched in sweat, but I was definitely more comfortable than the first time. Regardless of what time of year you visit, it will probably be hot and sticky – so dress appropriately for that type of weather or you’ll be miserable.

The French Quarter is beautiful – but also very touristy. Explore more on the outskirts.

In all honesty, the first time around, I HATED the French Quarter. But also in all honesty, the first time around, I had these grand expectations of what the French Quarter would be – pristine old buildings with ornate details, clean streets and a magical feeling. In reality, the French Quarter is none of those things. It’s literally falling apart around you, the streets are dirty in most places and people are yelling as they carry their alcohol around. But, if you can find the spots within the French Quarter more on the outskirts toward Marigny and down near Royal Street, you can get the best of the French Quarter architecture and charm as well as a quieter atmosphere away from the party streets.

My favorite area is down near Ursuline and Royal, where you get the old world buildings of the French Quarter but no one is drinking and most of the people you’ll see are locals. Here you’ll also get a more pulled together feel where the buildings aren’t looking like they are falling down around you.

Rent a car and see more of Louisiana.

We didn’t have a car our first time around and after having one this time, I would definitely recommend it. We got one because at the end of our trip, Nick had a work meeting in Baton Rouge (about an hour and a half from New Orleans) but we were able to drive around and see more of the city and the state of Louisiana because of it.

Visit during the week.

We arrived Sunday night this trip into New Orleans and even Sunday night was pretty crazy in the Quarter. Monday however was a different story and I would highly recommend visiting the French Quarter and New Orleans during the week instead of over the weekend. It’s quieter, cleaner and generally just more pleasant if you aren’t coming to party.

NOLA is not like France.

One of the biggest issues I had the first time around is that because I love France so much, I was expecting New Orleans to be very “French.” And while yes, the streets names are in French and much of NOLA’s culture originally came from the French, in reality, it’s definitely more “French-inspired” rather than full on French. NOLA is a culture all its own and while the French influences are apparent, realizing that it’s a totally different culture is an important distinction.

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Which to Choose : Dublin or Belfast

October 17, 2018

I often get the question, if you had the choice to travel to place A or B, which would you choose? Or do you think I’d like place A or B better? And to answer that question, it really depends on the destinations you’re looking at choosing between. There are some cities that many people try to choose between if you only have one opportunity to head somewhere so if you end up having to make that choice, here’s how I’ll best help you decide in this new Land of Marvels series.

So, you’re headed to Ireland and the UK and you’re wondering if Dublin or Belfast would be a better choice for you to explore the best of Northern and Southern Ireland?

Well… both are great options to get the best of Ireland, but if you can only pick one, here’s my best information to help you choose!

Choose Dublin if you…

Want to see the landmarks of Ireland – Dublin is famous for its Irish landmarks like the Temple Bar and the Guinness Headquarters.
Like colorful buildings – you’ll wander the streets full of colorful buildings to your heart’s content!
Want tiny cobblestone streets – there are parts of Dublin that feel more like a tiny little Irish town than the capital city.
Want to get out of the UK – Since Ireland is part of the EU but not the UK, you can use Euros and be out of the UK while experiencing Dublin.
Want to explore Ireland – If you’re looking to explore more of Southern Ireland, then Dublin is your best choice!

Choose Belfast if you…

Want a city that’s got a little edgier of a vibe – Belfast is definitely edgier than Dublin, but I think that has a lot to do with its history which has its own draw.
Want to stay within the UK – Since Northern Ireland is part of the UK, you’ll be staying within the UK when traveling to Belfast.
Want to explore Northern Ireland and the Giant’s Causeway – Northern Ireland has so many incredible places to explore including the Giant’s Causeway. If you are interested in exploring more of the Northern Irish countryside, then Belfast is a great base!
Are interested in learning the history of Northern Ireland – With so much history in this part of the country, you’ll be able to learn so much about Ireland and the UK in Belfast.
Like a more metropolitan feel – While Dublin feels a bit more like an old European town, Belfast feels much more like a metropolitan city.

The Hardest but Most Important Life Lessons I’ve Learned

October 15, 2018

I’m turning 32 today while in New Orleans, indulging to my heart’s content in beignets and Southern food. But as I celebrate another birthday today, I can’t help but think about all that this past year (and all the years before) has taught me, all the life lessons and all the growth to get to that next year in my life. This year has been an interesting one for me, full of changes both good and bad. But as I look back on this past year and ahead to year 32 of my life, I thought I’d share the hardest but most important life lessons I’ve learned, the things that I wish I would have known 5 or 10 years ago and the things that perhaps might shed a little light on where I’ve been and where I’m headed.

Not Everything is Meant to Last Forever

I learned this lesson a lot in this past year – not everything is meant to last forever. That can apply to so many things in your life, sometimes it’s a relationship, sometimes it’s a friendship, sometimes it’s a career. In my case, I realized more than ever this year that professionally some of the things I’ve been working on aren’t meant to be long term and that’s totally okay. Realizing that and being ok with it, will ultimately help you figure out your next move. Some things are meant for a season of your life, others are meant to last forever. And either way, each one will have a lasting impact on you and knowing it’s ok to move on from some things and leave them behind can make all the difference.

It’s Okay to Say Goodbye to Friendships

I’ve realized over the past couple of years that as I get older, I am much more aware of what is good for me in my life and what’s not. One of the things I’ve really re-evaluated over the past year is the people I have in my life. Some friendships have outgrown themselves and no longer offer a balanced relationship and it’s okay to say goodbye to some friendships or people in your life or just realize that those relationships will be different going forward. People and relationships change and that’s totally ok.

Change is Good – Embrace It.

I’ve always been very open to change but I realize that it’s a really hard thing for a lot of people. Honestly, if you can be open to change and embrace it, it opens up so many roads you never thought possible. I’ve had a lot of life stuff change this year, sometimes very quickly, and instead of crying about it and moping around, I’ve actually embraced it and looked at it with the glass half full about how it might bring more into my life. In that, I’ve been able to be really excited for all the possibilities ahead!

Don’t shy away from what you know is right for you.

To be honest, this year I let myself get steered into what other people wanted out of me in both my professional and personal life. I didn’t always stand up for what I knew was right for me and that’s definitely on me. But going forward, I’m back to being unapologetic about what I know is right for me and what’s not. For example, for a number of reasons this year, we decided to travel differently and I knew early on that it just wasn’t working for me or bringing me what I really needed out of travel. So going forward, I’ll go back to what is best and right for me and won’t shy away from it. Apply this to any area of your life and it will be well worth it.

Learn to say No – without the guilt.

This was perhaps my biggest lesson of the year and one of my goals on January 1st – learn to say no and not feel guilty about it. I had taken on a number of things in my life this past year that I didn’t have time for or didn’t have a passion for. All that changed this year as I’ve learned to say No and not feel guilty about it. You don’t have to do everything or be everything to everyone and the sooner you realize that – the happier you’ll be!

Invest in a good lined coat.

Waterproof lined boots will save you.

Scarves, scarves and more scarves.

Ear Muffs are your secret weapon.

A long coat is better than a short one. And always have a hood.

Red Beans and Rice

Andouille Sausage

Gumbo

Shrimp and Grits

Beignets

Fried Chicken

New Orleans, Louisiana

Savannah, Georgia

Woodstock, Vermont

St. Helens, Oregon

Some of my favorites spots to check out in New Orleans:

The weather is going to be hot and humid – pretty much any time of year you go.

The French Quarter is beautiful – but also very touristy. Explore more on the outskirts.

Rent a car and see more of Louisiana.

Visit during the week.

NOLA is not like France.

So, you’re headed to Ireland and the UK and you’re wondering if Dublin or Belfast would be a better choice for you to explore the best of Northern and Southern Ireland?

Choose Dublin if you…

Choose Belfast if you…

Not Everything is Meant to Last Forever

It’s Okay to Say Goodbye to Friendships

Change is Good – Embrace It.

Don’t shy away from what you know is right for you.

Learn to say No – without the guilt.

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