Travel Archives

Three Stylish Furniture and Decor Finds Under $100

September 7, 2022

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Furnishing a place can be a little challenging but not a rocket science. Coming from someone who has furnished three units within 10 calendar days with little to no help. Most people don’t know that I love me some home decor from places like Amazon, Home Goods, Marshall, Walmart and Ross. Although, I have preferences on what to buy from each store, it’s always exciting to shop.

I’ve been a fan of all these stores that I have mentioned above for so many reasons. They all offer a wide variety of home decor styles, and budget. The goal of this post is to show you that furnishing doesn’t have to cost a fortune; especially when you are just adding some accent chairs, rugs, or statement wall decors.

Most importantly, you don’t have to be an Interior designer to pick out a night lamp for a room. Lately, Amazon has been my to go store because of the awesome prime shipping. You can get your delivery as fast as next day. Isn’t that amazing? No more 5-10 business days waiting period if you really can’t make a trip to your local store.

Don’t get me wrong, going to your local Home Goods, you might discover some unique items compared to Amazon; however, I appreciate the conveniency of just having it delivered right to my door steps. And, if it doesn’t go well with your taste , you can always return the unused item, just make sure you have your receipt.

Area Rugs

There’s nothing better than having an area rug, but also the right size.

Area rugs tend to be expensive sometimes, and stores like the ones listed above tend to have huge sales . Personally, I prefer a washable rugs because they are much easier to clean.

For just $51 , you can get this Amazon colorful rug which can go with any color in your home.

Adjustable Nightstand Lamp

Some of the apartments oddly don’t have any lighting in the living room area or bedroom, which can a challenge. Especially, if you have to get some work done before bed. These lamps are very easy to reach, and some even come with USB port for your cellphone!

I find Amazon to have a lot of them as well as Walmart, which also have a 2-3 days delivery.
This Walmart Bedside Lamps is for just $58.

Lastly, A Side Table.
A side table can be use in the living room, bedroom or a reading corner. This $85 Natural Rattan Table with drawer from Walmart , is the perfect fit, as you have enough space to store your favorite books to read.

Overall, this was our three recommended items under $100.If you have anything else in mind, please let us know in the comments.

In the meantime, if you are a traveling professional like myself, or Travel Nursing Agency, you can always fill the contact; so we can possibly accommodate you during your assignment in places that feel just like home.

Until next time.

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Health, Lifestyle, Travel

6 Tips for a First Time Travel Nurse

August 29, 2022

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I have spoken to many nurses who want to travel but don’t consider letting go of their staff positions and jumping into the world of travel because of fear. Surprisingly, some have way more experiences than the average nurses, however still hesitant to travel and have a lot reasons why they don’t want to give it a try.

I usually get statements like: “I’m afraid the contracts will be too complicated and demanding”.

“I don’t want to do all the licensing requirements and Onboarding exams”.

“I’m afraid the housing situation will be horrible and hard to find.”

“I’m scared to travel by myself and wont’ make any friends”.

In all honesty, all these are valid questions because if you’re gonna make a decision to leave home or family and go to a new environment, you need to know all the details to make your travel experience a good one. For that, I will list about 6 important tips if you are a new traveler or plan on getting into travel nursing.

First thing first.

Do your research

Travel nursing is not for everyone because some people don’t like changes and there still opportunities to leverage your career in your staff position. It is necessary to research on where you want to travel, local or out of state, research about the different agencies , pay packages etc…

Why this is important? Being a first time traveler, you may not want to travel out of state, so starting a local travel position within an hour or two away from home is a great option. Also, try being in flex/float pool within your hospital in order to get a feel on travel nursing since you might get floated to different units during your assignment.

Second, you want to research the different agencies simply because they don’t operate the same or they don’t offer the same pay package. Then, add your number and make sure it’s worth traveling by doubling or tripling your income.

When you’re traveling, you are duplicating expenses; therefore, you want to make enough to cover both expenses, at home and out of state. It simply makes no sense to leave home and to earn the same income .

Get Organized

As travel professionals, once you contact a recruiter, he/she would want you to send everything related to your career: licensing information, certifications, health and up to date immunization records and references. It also means that you’re 100% prepared to submit your application and ready for those phone interviews.

One thing I do, is creating a file where I add all my updated documents and be able to attach them to my email in quick second. Lastly, be familiar with the different prices you have to pay for your certifications and licenses especially if you don’t live in a compact state.
The great thing about about you living in a compact state is to be able to travel in more than 30 states with that one nursing license. Isn’t that awesome?

Be Flexible

The more flexible you are with location, facility and pay grade (I’m not telling you to cut yourself short), the more jobs will be open to you. Just have have a range on what’s the highest and lowest pay you would want, that will make your search easier for both your recruiter and yourself.
Travel nursing want you to be so flexible that if there’s an emergency, you will be able to hop on a plane within 24-48hrs. Meaning, you may not even know what’s your next contract is within a week of you starting. By now, I just keep a small carry on bag with all the essentials I need.

Plan Your Housing

If your travel nursing assignment is far away from home, you would want to secure your housing before you get there. Not all agencies provide housing and if they do, you may not even like what they provide.
There are many other factors to consider when looking for housing. Do you want to live in the center of town, or you rather drive 30+ minutes to work? Do you want roommates? Do you have a furry friend? By asking yourself all these questions, your search will be much easier.

Me personally, I have tried Airbnb, Extended stay with kitchen areas as well as short term rental. I honestly don’t have any problem with any of them as long as it’s less than 15 drive to work.

Keep in touch with your recruiter

A good recruiter will be available to you when you need them. There’s nothing worse than having questions and concerns at work and no one is available to answer.

It doesn’t matter if you just started travel nursing or on your 15th assignment, you will have questions in the beginning, and during the process. Your recruiter works for you and if you don’t have the best one, you can always call your agency and switch recruiters if you have to.

Explore and Make New Friends

And please don’t forget to make new friends, explore the new city and eat some good food. You will be away from home for a period of 4-13 weeks and the last thing you want to do is to stay locked up in a hotel room or your Airbnb. Don’t do that !!!

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Lifestyle, Travel

What Is The First Thing You Check When You Walk Into Your Hotel Room?

June 30, 2022

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Travelers’ choices of hotel selection may vary, based on the purpose of the trip, price, comfort, and cleanliness. A lot of people aren’t clean freak, but there is a risk we face when we check into hotels with poor cleaning standards; even the luxurious ones! Let’s be honest, you pay for it; therefore, no one should expect to be greeted by dusty furniture and stained glass or bedding. After numerous TV shows and online videos exposing the shocking truth about hotels’ hygiene; guests including myself are now paying more attention. Continue reading

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Inspiration, Lifestyle, Travel

7 Things to Consider Before Going On A Cabin Break

June 26, 2022

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Even just two days away from your regular routine can help you forget about all the sources of stress you face every day.

Whether you’re heading somewhere local or you’re traveling across the world, you need to be prepared as much as you possibly can; so your getaway doesn’t turn into a nightmare. During this pandemic all I have been doing is “work work, work”; therefore,I decided to plan this cabin getaway in the middle of the week and it felt great. In this post is I will share all things you need to consider for your cabin trip From choosing the location, time ,budget and much more.

Here are the 7 things to consider before going on a cabin break.

First thing first is Your Budget.
Many of you may have not booked a mini vacation in years because you think it will cost an arm and a leg, even if it’s local. For any getaway, you will definitely need a bit of money. Assess your budget and create a list of the different places you can go for the low. Also, be mindful to include, gas, food,tip, and cash as part of your budget.

Location.

It is very important to consider the area you would like to stay in. Location plays a major part since it will cost more to travel out of town or state. An out of state cabin for instance might require a rental car or plane ticket.
In addition, do you prefer to stay somewhere rural or have easy access to things ? Is it safe, can you go alone or rather with family? The choice is all yours, but definitely research everything before you go.

What People Are Saying?

I have been to a hotel before and I had to check out within minutes of arrival. It is very crucial to know if others have enjoyed their stay. You may not find everything to be perfect but make sure it’s not something that will make you regret every penny you’ve spent.

When Do You Want To Go?
Yeeaahhh, IT IS FINALLY HAPPENING!!!! Now that you have the money and location picked up, it’s now time to decide when is the right time to go. Me personally, I prefer a cabin trip during the Spring and early Summer (Not too hot , not too cold). I haven’t been during the Winter , so can’t really say much. However, the beauty of cabin vacations is that they’re suitable for all seasons, so it is completely up to you.

Will you go alone or with guest?
Why it is important? That will determine the room size, the amount of beds, and money of course. When you get to your locations you will see all the things you want to try and your guest or kids will do to.
Also, not everyone is good with sharing; therefore, it is important to plan accordingly.
And if you are going SOLO, perfect!!! This is a great time to reconnect with yourself and strengthen your inner peace because dealing with craziness everyday at work or with family members can drive nuts.

How long will you be staying ?
This is like any typical out of town vacation, whether it’s a solo trip, a couple weekend getaway or family vacay. When you know how long you’ll be staying, you know what to bring and how much money, clothes to bring or food if restaurants aren’t nearby. Don’t forget to pack your first aid kit, NSAIDs , flashlight, portable charger etc… in case of emergency.

Ladies, I know we bring more than we should, I’m guilty of this and I’m trying to do better lol.

Planning Activities

Yeah, some of you may like to find out once you get there but honestly, the activities are what drawn you to the location in the first place. For me, planning some activities in advance always help so I know what to pack and avoid unnecessary spending.

Any recommendations? Please let us know in the comments.

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Travel

Five Fun Outdoor Activities You Can Do In Vegas

September 26, 2020

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Vegas is one place to visit out of many places in The United States. Even though it can get extremely hot; night life with some extremely weird outfits on Fremont street , casinos and the variety of restaurants to eat give you a tons of activities to choose from. However, if you enjoy nature and outdoor, there are plenty of social distancing activities you can do. The choices are limitless, you just need the cash.

Here are some cool outdoor activities you can do in Vegas.

Helicopter Tour

There are two different tours , one over Vegas and the other over the Canyon. Helicopter tours range between $84 and $99 and can cost more if you choose the VIP option which includes hotel pick up and drop off, as well as refreshments.

What to expect flying over Las Vegas.

Your Vegas helicopter tour begins with a pickup from your Vegas hotel if you choose the VIP package. Once you arrive, you get to enjoy a glass of sparkling Champagne or bottle of water before you board your helicopter.
There is a quick training done about the rules and regulations prior taking off.
The best part about the night tour is that your helicopter heads high into the sky above the Vegas Strip, fly over famous casinos and resorts such as Paris, The Bellagio, The Luxor, and other lit-up hotels. Unfortunately, the flight only runs for 15-30 minutes.
After your helicopter lands, you’ll reboard your vehicle for the ride back to your destination.

The High Roller at The LINQ

Discover Las Vegas from a 550-feet (168 m) High Roller. This will give you the best view in Las Vegas. Tickets to the High Roller start at $20 and can last for about 30 minutes. You can choose a daytime ride to see the Nevada desert landscape or ride at night to see all the neon signs around the city. If you want to have access to an open bar, all you need to do is to upgrade your ticket and expand your experience.
I did not get a chance to experience it, but it will be in my bucket list next time I’m in Vegas.

ATV Experience

Drive an ATV through El Dorado Canyon then go deep into Techatticup Mine and explore rugged desert terrain and a historic gold mine. Absolutely, no experience to needed for easy-to-handle, automatic ATVs.
Prices can be $126 up to $200 based on the duration. Pickup and drop-off are also available which make this an easy way to escape the city for the Nevada desert

Gondola Rides

Among many things to do in Vegas, there is an indoor and outdoor Venetian gondola rides at the Venetian Hotel. Each offers its own unique views, I am not sure if they both equally enchanting and full of wonderful moments because the outdoor rides were sold out for the night when I arrived.
The ride was kinda short but the gondolier made it so fun by singing for us and made a quick stop just to sing me happy birthday. You definitely get that Venice, Italy vibe and It was nice.

Emerald Cave Kayak Tour

You can experience the Colorado River’s majestic Emerald Cave on a scenic kayaking tour that includes round-trip transportation from Las Vegas to the river. The excursion offers paddling techniques for first-time kayakers and cones with a guide to teach you about all about out wildlife and geological features while enjoying the float

In addition to a free round- trip transportation from Las Vegas to the marina; snacks are also provided.

Kayak along a tranquil section of the Colorado River and explore the Emerald Cave for 4-5 hours is definitely enjoyable.

My trip to Vegas was extremely short but hoping to participate in more activities for my next trip. If you have been somewhere exciting , let us know what you’ve enjoyed the most in the comments.

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Health, Travel

Have You Heard of Getaway House ? Everyone Should Take a Trip

July 31, 2020

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Have you heard of Getaway House ? Everyone Should Take a Trip!

Well, in all honesty, Getaway is not in every state, but if there’s one in nearby or your home state; you should definitely plan your next getaway weekend.

What is Getaway House?

Gateway House is not your typical cabin , it is more like a glamorous stay on the mountain. Their tiny cabins nestled in nature are just the perfect escape for yourself and loved ones.

My Personal Experience

My Getaway experience was in Suches, GA, just about 1 hr 1/2 to 2 hours from Atlanta, GA. With everything going on, Getaway understands their guest’s safety concerns and discuss both on the website and text messages how they’ve intensified their cleaning procedures to ensure the cabins are deeply disinfected. It is self checking and a code will be provided to you by text hours before your stay. Be mindful that you will other cabin in the surrounding but they are at least There is also at least 100-150 ft between each other so you don’t have to interact with anyone.

Even the drive to the cabin was so refreshing as you’re getting closer because there was less traffic, less noise but all these tall and beautiful trees on both side of the roads.

Once I arrived, there was a comfy, freshly made king bed with four fluffy pillows, How welcoming!!! The pine wood inside the cabin and these huge glass windows automatically put you in a relaxing mood. I was in awe when I saw the complete private bathroom with a shower and tons of towels. It was beautiful!

There were two stove burners for me to cook with tons of dinnerware. On the other hand, I recommend you to bring your own food if you have any preference or staying for a long period of time because there’s no nearby grocery store. But, if you don’t mind or forget to bring something, all their cabins have kitchen essentials such as pasta, pasta sauce, crackers, soup, even olive oil in case you need to cook dinner. There are also woods outside if you want to set up a fire. You can use all you want and they’ll put it on your tab once you leave.
I only spent about $8 on woods during my stay because I had to eat my complementary marshmallows they left me and just spent some times by the fire before bed.

You want to bring a furry baby? Don’t worry , they will provide everything you need for them for a small fee of $40.

Why am I even recommending this?

We have neglected our relationship with nature by opting for an entirely urban lifestyle, but there’s never a dull moment seeing some nature. And let’s be honest, you know that I know how unbearable it can be to spend another minute surrounded by the same, negative people at your job and spend extremely long hours in traffic.

Go see some nature, away from the noise, traffic, road rage and smoke. It will be so good for your short term well-being and long term mental health. Don’t miss out and use this link and get $25 off your first stay to fuel your body with fresh air and soothing bird songs. Everyone should get a little break.

Getaway cabins are about 2 hours away from Atlanta, Cleveland, Boston, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Pittsburgh, Portland, and Washington, D.C.

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Travel

Three Stylish Furniture and Decor Finds Under $100

6 Tips for a First Time Travel Nurse

What Is The First Thing You Check When You Walk Into Your Hotel Room?

7 Things to Consider Before Going On A Cabin Break