TRAVEL – neverbeenso

The Rollercoaster That Was 2016

Published on December 29, 2016December 29, 2016 by neverbeenso3 Comments

Here we are. About to close out 2016. With each year that passes as an adult, I try to reflect in order to not only reminisce, but to learn. This year was single-handedly the busiest and most emotional year of my life. Literally full of blood, sweat and a whole lot of tears. That being said, it was also the best year of my life.

By now, everyone knows the disaster that came with our original wedding venue, but before that took on a life of it’s own, the year was actually going pretty well! And thanks to friends and family, it continued to have its patches of sun through the clouds (lets be honest, downpours).

At the very end of last year, I announced to my friends and family a secret that I had been keeping for a few months. THIS BLOG! I was so nervous about what people would think and the judgment that would come along, that I kept it to myself until December 31 when I did a 2015 reflection. To my surprise, I received an overwhelming amount of support from friends, family, strangers, etc. And for those who judge, save us both some time and X out. The blog has had so much growth this year. I’ve met some really wonderful people, local and beyond, and learned a lot from them. I’ve also worked with some inspiring causes and collaborated with some awesome brands. In particular, I had the honor of working with a girl boss that I’ve admired since graduating college and moving into Baltimore City. Her style was everything. And this year, five years later, I did a shoot with her, my first shoot outside of Will, so naturally I was completely unnatural, but she made it work and I took over her Instagram for a weekend. That was a big moment. It’s hard to believe that ‘never been so’ has only been alive for a little over a year, because it feels like such a huge part of me now. I can’t wait to see what’s to come in 2017.

This year I also got to give up the four hours a day I spent commuting for the last four years. I got a job MUCH closer to home, giving me my life back. I knew the commute took a toll on me and the people around me, but I never knew just how bad it was until it was gone. I used to wake up at 3:15am out the door by 3:45am to trek to DC and not even get home until around 6pm. That is a LONG day. The commute was basically a second job. I spent so much time refreshing google maps and waze just to avoid even more delays that I couldn’t even enjoy something distracting such as audiobooks. I ended up with high blood pressure and a ton of car problems. I was left stranded on 95 more times than I’d like to share, however, I did make the most of my AAA membership. It was bittersweet leaving NAVSEA, it wasn’t just about the job, I made a family there, those people went through something with me that I hope to never experience with anyone else, but I needed this change.

Not only did we have our own wedding (ICYMI, read our wedding story here), but we watched so many close friends tie the knot, get engaged, buy houses, get pregnant and have babies! This year especially feels like we’re hitting that age where these instances are expected, but I’m still filled with joy every single time I hear a new announcement. These are people I’ve known since writing notes in middle school, getting hammered Wednesday-Sunday in college and even new bffs who are now settling down where we’re supposed to and starting our lives. It’s pretty amazing.

Speaking of weddings, it’s actually been a really fun year planning and experiencing an engagement, ya know besides the wedding venue issue, the way a normal engagement is supposed to go. My maid of honor, bridesmaids and family planned some pretty awesome pre-wedding festivities.

My bridal shower was SO pretty, there were fresh flowers everywhere and it was full of champagne! I mean, a mimosa bar? YES. It even came with a video of Will answering questions about us and to my surprise, guessing all of my answers correctly!

My Bachelorette party in Key West was one of the best weekends ever! It was definitely way more than I could have ever imagined. This trip came right at the height of the venue disaster, right when I was at my worst, and because of the seventeen beautiful women who joined me from all over, I spent NO TIME thinking about that. I cried once on that trip and it was out of pure happiness when I looked around and saw the love surrounding me, I couldn’t put into words how much these women meant to me, so the tears just flowed. Villas with a ‘courtyard’, live music, private yoga, private all day booze cruise with complimentary front row dolphin shows, dante’s, drag shows, body paint, flamingos, A LOT of alcohol and a go pro video that captured it all in a four minute package.

Travel was on the back burner this year with all that was going on with the wedding, but I managed to squeeze in a few trips to Napa, Chicago, and Jamaica. I need to get back to ALL three of them! I’m craving Napa’s vineyards, Chicago’s food, and Jamaica’s everything. We are already planning several trips for 2017 including Charleston, San Diego, Zion National Park, and our Honeymoon to Tanzania and Zanzibar! #neverbeensowanderlust

All in all I feel bittersweet saying goodbye to 2016. While I’m overjoyed to no longer be dealing with Elk Manor BS and the other stresses of wedding planning, there’s a ton of things that were once in a lifetime experiences for me with regards to the wedding that will only be celebrated in 2016, so for that it’s hard to watch it go.

This year taught me a lot. But mostly, it taught me to never give up. It taught me that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how bad it seems. And when it’s bad, lean on the people around me, they’re part of my circle for a reason. It’s a lot easier to handle the hard times when you ask for a little help. 2016 also taught me that I’m a lot stronger than I used to think I was. It taught me that the little shit doesn’t matter; that it takes up too much energy and time worrying about nonsensical drama. It taught me that being the bigger person is actually a lot easier and healthier than holding onto resentment and anger. It taught me to be cautious. It taught me that when I am passionate about something, I should chase it. I’m ready for you 2017.

Tell me one thing you learned in 2016…

Coordinates Are The New Black

Published on December 20, 2016December 20, 2016 by neverbeenso1 Comment

I’ve always been a hoarder of mementos. That ‘best friends’ necklace from middle school, that thirteenth birthday card from Grandma, that playlist from freshman year in college; if it relates to a significant memory, I most likely still own it. I love the way I’m instantly taken back and filled with memories when I see one of these or hear that song.

Insert coordinates jewelry. |Scroll to the bottom for DISCOUNT CODE|

While photos and journals and cards are a medium for special memories, they aren’t always easy to keep handy. Either in a photo album shoved on a shelf or a keepsake box under the bed, I really only get a chance to remember these times during a spring cleaning or a move. Coordinates jewelry has changed the game, allowing special memories to be worn via coordinates of a location and an inscription.

Lat & Lo founder, Kellie Ivey, “never imagined what these pieces would come to mean to thousands of people around the world.” I’ve received coordinates and I’ve gifted coordinates and the reaction is always the same, pure sentiment.

The first coordinates piece I received was after Will and I’s first big trip together. We went to Italy. We both instantly fell in love with Florence, as if we were meant to live there. One of our favorite memories was climbing the Duomo. While touristy, we made it a point to be the first in line so that when we reached the top, we had it to ourselves for a few moments. It was surreal. It was beautiful. And that following Christmas, Will gifted me a piece with those coordinates on it. Whenever I look down, I am instantly taken back to that early morning breeze, the tight stairwell of 463 each way and the satisfaction and appreciation we felt at the top.

Each of the members of my bridal party are like family to me. I’ve known them all for different lengths and met them all at various places. I wanted to remind them of those times because they happened so long ago, but without them, my life would be so different. I got them each a cuff with the coordinates of where we met and an inside joke/nickname that I knew would trigger a memory. When I gifted them, I had several teary eyes staring back at me and I knew they felt what I felt and how special each of our bonds was to each other.

My most recent piece. If you read my most recent blog post, you know the disaster we faced with our original wedding venue and the hell associated with it. That was one of the hardest things Will and I have ever faced as a couple together. When choosing a song for us to walk into as our first entrance as Husband and Wife, “Beautiful Day” by U2 felt so fitting. We knew that no matter how that day turned out, it would be beautiful to us because we were officially married. So, Lat & Lo gifted me this gorgeous vertical bar necklace with the coordinates of our new venue where we were married with the inscription “Beautiful Day” on the back. I’ve #neverbeenso happy to show this off.

It lays right over my heart and I instantly feel joy and strength when I look down and see it or when someone asks me about the numbers, which is exactly what Lat & Lo envisioned when they created this company. Ivey states, “I hope we have also inspired some great conversations along the way between strangers and friends alike. Next time you see someone wearing Lat & Lo™ ask them about it.”

If you are ever in need of a gift for that special someone, coordinates are sure to steal the show. Or a treat for yourself to remember that special place.

Use code ‘NEVERBEENSO’ for 10% off your entire purchase at Lat & Lo !

#whereareyouanchored

DRESS: Zara | NECKLACE: Lat & Lo

Never Been So Wanderlust: A Long Weekend in Chicago |First Visit|

Published on October 25, 2016 by neverbeenso4 Comments

Will and I recently earned Southwest Companion Status (and by recently, I mean two weeks ago) and told ourselves if we got it we’d take full advantage of the perk over the next year. So, we hopped on SW and within a few days time, we had a trip booked! Will had been to Chicago several times for work, but never for leisure and I had never been period, so we decided to make our first trip of this adventure |and as official newlyweds| to the Windy City. We traveled A LOT this year; we had our own bachelor/bachelorette parties, friends’ bachelor/bachelorette parties, work travel etc., but not once together, so needless to say we were excited.

Our countdown from booking to take off was five days! While excited, the short time frame had me slightly frazzled. As I mentioned in the first post of this series, I usually write down a few must-sees, but leave the actual travel planning to Will, and even with the time constraint, he did not disappoint.

October was a fantastic time to visit Chicago! It was chilly, but not too bad and even a week earlier, it was mid-70s/80s. A light jacket and scarf were my uniform all weekend. For a first time visit, I’d say three full days was an adequate amount of time to see the various neighborhoods of the city, while still leaving places to explore during a return trip.

The food scene in Chicago is pure bliss. If you remotely consider yourself a foodie, this is your city. I gained at least five pounds on this trip, but it was oh so worth it. Not sure I’ll feel the same when I’m attempting to squeeze into bathing suits for our Jamaica trip in three days, but that’s for another post.

Here is the play by play of how we spent our long weekend in CHI-TOWN, from must-sees to must-eats and what we plan to hit next time. Please comment below with any other recommendations!

Lodging:
The Palmer House
17 E. Monroe St
The Palmer House is located in the loop, two blocks from Millennium Park and conveniently near several CTA lines. The décor is magnificent. Old world glam meets sophistication. The staff was incredible.
Noteworthy: We received a text after check-in to make sure we were happy with our room. We were also able to use the text feature to alert the staff when we were leaving for the day and expecting to be back to ensure that housekeeping was sent while we were out.

THURSDAY
We caught an afternoon flight from BWI, which got us into Chicago at 4PM, giving us enough time to check in and still explore for the afternoon and evening!

Cindy’s Rooftop
12 S. Michigan Avenue
Cindy’s Rooftop is located inside the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel and has the most beautiful view of Millennium Park. I can’t speak for the food because we didn’t eat, but the drinks were fantastic. The rooftop is enclosed, but also has a large outside balcony with fire pits for chilly weather.
Tip: Order the ‘Howl at the Jun’ cocktail – gin, ‘jun’ kombucha, grapefruit and sparkling rose.

Lou Malnati’s
439 N Wells Street
We are big pizza people and Chicago is a big pizza city. There are plenty of opinions about which is the best, but Lou Malnati’s did it for me. There are multiple locations; we went to the S. State Street location, had a bit of a wait, but that’s expected. The spinach bread was also phenomenal.
Tip: Order more than your hunger desires; this cold pizza for breakfast is on another level.

FRIDAY

Mortar and Pestle
3108 N. Broadway
The décor in this place is adorable. Fresh flowers on every wooden table, even one big farmhouse community table in the center. Great for a quick breakfast.
Noteworthy: Top the avocado toast with an egg, you wont be sorry.

Lincoln Park and The Zoo
2001 North Clark Street (and surrounding areas)
I’m very familiar with Lincoln Park After Dark (hey, OPI), but had to see the real thing, at daylight. Lincoln Park lies along the lakefront from Ohio Street Beach in the Streeterville neighborhood, northward to Ardmore Avenue in Edgewater. The section of Lincoln Park adjacent to the Lincoln Park neighborhood contains the Lincoln Park Zoo, take a walk in, it’s FREE.

Glazed and Infused
939 W Armitage Ave
Who doesn’t need a mid-day doughnut?! It was so hard to decide between all of the seasonal flavors, but with my birthday only a few days away, I had to go with this celebratory ring of sugar!

RPM Italian, Chicago
52 W Illinois Street
I had my eye on RPM Italian since we booked our trip, but unfortunately there were no reservations five days out. However, Friday morning I checked Open Table incase and a 4PM dinner slot opened. Earlier than we would have preferred for dinner, but we had evening plans, so we went with it. During our dinner, it proved that we could have shown up and asked for a table at a slightly later time, but it did start to fill up. EVERYTHING WAS AMAZING. I am thrilled that there’s one back home in D.C. because I need to try this entire menu.
Noteworthy: The Brussel Sprout and Avocado Salad – YES; House Made Pasta All The Way – Carbonara FTW!; Find room for the Hazelnut Tartufo. See what I’m saying??

Second City
E.T.C Theater
1608 N Wells Street
This small comedy theater, which has more than its fair share of successful alum, such as Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Bill Murray and Chris Farley (to name a few) has become today’s leading brand in improv-based sketch comedy, and is an absolute must, IMO. This was another recommendation that was sold out days earlier when we booked our trip. But since we were in the Lincoln Park area Friday morning, we stopped by Second City on our walk home just to see it and out of curiosity asked the concierge if there was anything available. To our surprise, he had two tickets for the show, “A Red Line Runs Through It,” by far the funniest thing I’ve seen in A LONG TIME – if you are in Chicago while this is still running, please go see it. I guarantee at least one, if not more, of these actors will be the next big thing on SNL.

SATURDAY

Jam
3057 West Logan Blvd
This was Will’s favorite restaurant of the whole trip. He is not a French toast person and my lord, I think he would have taken six orders of this home if he could.
Tip: Order a short stack of the French toast to split and order the hot chicken and waffle for your meal.

‘Greetings From Chicago’ Mural
2226 N Milwaukee Ave.
I love street art, and Chicago has a ton of it, but this one is definitely my favorite. It’s off the beaten path in a tiny parking lot, but worth it. The mural, which is part of a national project called The Greetings From Tour, was painted by Victor Ving, a former graffiti artist from New York City, and photographed by Lisa Beggs, an experienced studio photographer.

The Gage
24 South Michigan Avenue
Great for an afternoon drink.

Chicago Traffic Jam
If you’re lucky enough to catch these guys performing on the street, you have to stay for a few songs! They are so good!

Tanta
118 West Grand Avenue
Will and I only stopped in for a drink and ended up staying for dinner, we’re suckers for Peruvian food and Tanta does it right. The cebiche trio and pork fried rice are musts, the pisco sours are authentic and the crowd is lively.

Bub City
435 N Clark St
Great bar to watch any sports game, we were lucky enough to watch the Cubs defeat the Dodgers in Game 6 of the NCLS when the Cubs won the pennant for the first time since 1945, clinching their spot for the World Series – needless to say it was packed.

SUNDAY

Cloud Gate aka ‘The Bean’
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph Street
Being that we were only a few blocks from Millennium Park, we decided to wake up earlier than necessary to catch our flight and see if we could get some photos of Cloud Gate sans so many people and I absolutely recommend it. The sculpture is even more breathtaking when you see it standing there on its own.

There you have it folks, our 72 hour trip to Chicago! And for next time……

Chicago Architecture Cruise

Doughnut Vault

Pops For Champagne

Happy Exploring!

All photos are copyrighted and should not be reposted without credit.

Never Been So Wanderlust: Introduction

Published on October 23, 2016 by neverbeenso3 Comments

Traveling has always been an activity that thrills me. However, the planning.. not so much. I screenshot food I want to eat and scenery I must shoot, but that’s pretty much where my ‘travel planning’ ends.

Thankfully I married the planner of all planners when it comes to travel who will put all of my ‘must sees and eats etc.’ into a well thought out itinerary, so that we don’t end up resembling aimlessly wandering, directionally challenged hangry people!

And because sharing is caring, I plan to package this knowledge into a new series – Never Been So Wanderlust – and throw it out into the blogosphere. Whether it’s a day trip, long weekend or a two-week adventure, a game plan can help make the most of any place you’re visiting.

Not every post will be a full-on itinerary. Sometimes I may just post about a restaurant or an experience that can’t be missed. I also plan to share a few tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way that make traveling even easier. #themoreyouknow

You’ve been to X location before?
This world has A LOT to offer, and seeing a place more than once is not prohibited, take away a reason to return and/or please please comment with experiences I haven’t included!

You can plan your own trips?
Sure you can! Because, the Internet. However, like most things in life, sometimes it’s easier to have someone do it for you. You have enough to do before a trip: laundry, packing, sleeping, pet-cuddling etc., let us help!

Why should you listen to our travel opinions?
Well, there are plenty of professional travel sites and even more travel blogs out there, so no pressure, you do you! But we’ve been on plenty of domestic trips and several international vacations and have the hunger to see so many more. I mean we vowed to help each other see the world. We are cost conscious, but understand paying a little more is necessary in certain circumstances and will happily do so for the quality of the experience.

Don’t forget to follow along and share your photos with #neverbeensowanderlust!

Happy Traveling!

11 Baltimore Restaurants Doing Deviled Eggs Right

Published on May 4, 2016May 4, 2016 by neverbeenso4 Comments

For this week’s 180 Wednesday, I’m talking about DEVILED EGGS! I know I’m not the only one who despised these little suckers as a kid (or up until a month ago). Of course deviled eggs have features to dislike (i.e. smell, preparation); however, they’ve never been so on the top of my cravings list.

And because I become instantly obsessed when I stumble upon a new flavor I like (hence the creation of 180 Wednesday), I have been eating up deviled eggs at every restaurant I can get my hands on (all within the last month!). It’s quite surprising how many restaurants actually serve up these little guys, all with their own take on presentation and flavor. I missed photo ops on a few of these, never imagined I would fall in love as hard as I did

And while I’m sure our family’s recipes are on the tops of all our lists, in honor of Mother’s Day this weekend, let’s give Mom and Grandma a break, and have someone else do the work. Here are the restaurants serving up the best deviled eggs in Baltimore!

1 . Cava Mezze | 1302 Fleet Street

GREEN EGGS & HAM deviled eggs | fresh herb vinaigrette | crispy pancetta
First off, their brunch is amazing; bottomless eats and drink. So when I happened upon deviled eggs on the menu a month ago, I gave them a shot. I figured if I don’t like them, no biggie, it’s bottomless. WELL, lets just say, my mouth experienced complete confusion and satisfaction. And since, my love for deviled eggs was born – not to mention they get extra points for Dr. Seuss nostalgia.

2 . Woodberry Kitchen | 2010 Clipper Park Road

Devilled Eggs | Chipped Ham | Fish Pepper
These little guys are high up on my list. I was skeptical of the fish pepper, but it packed such a good flavor!

3 . Bond Street Social | 901 South Bond Street

“Eggs and Bacon” Deviled Eggs | bacon jam | pickled mustard seeds | pimento cheddar filling
Half-priced, daily 4pm-7pm

4 . Dinosaur BBQ | 1401 Fleet Street
Creole Deviled Eggs | Cajun spiced | Chives
Get these in portions of 3, 6 or 12 pieces

5 . Artifact Coffee | 1500 Union Avenue

Deviled Eggs
As you can imagine, these are pretty similar to the ones served at Woodberry Kitchen, but there’s nothing wrong with that!

6 . Ten Ten | 1010 Fleet Street

Deviled Eggs | Cunningham farm eggs | bacon | smoked paprika

7 . Sugarvale | 4 West Madison Street

Deviled Eggs | Duck Ham
This ham is LEGIT.

8 . Southern Provisions | 3000 O’Donnell Street
Deviled Eggs | Mustard Seed | Paprika

9 . The Nickel Taphouse | 1604 Kelley Avenue
Deviled Eggs | bacon jam

10 . Cardinal Tavern | 901 South Clinton Street
Mom’s Deviled Eggs | “classic recipe just like Mom used to make”

Who am I missing?? I’m always up for solid recommendations!

10 Eateries You Must Visit in Charleston, SC

Published on March 4, 2016March 4, 2016 by neverbeensoLeave a comment

As stated in my post about the charm of Charleston, I told you I wanted to bring you a post solely devoted to it’s divine food culture, and what better time to do that than at the start of the Charleston Wine + Food Festival. Last year I volunteered at the festival, participated in several events and had a blast; if 2016 wasn’t the year of our friends’ weddings (10!), our own wedding, and house hunting, we would be there – we’ll see ya there in 2017!

You never know who you’ll take a selfie with. Myself + Hugh Acheson.

You never know who’s autograph you’ll get. Myself + Virginia Willis.

Or who you’ll see perform! The oh so talented Marc Broussard. – Thanks to The Local Palate for choosing my photo in a contest they ran and giving me these awesome tickets!

And that was my experience in a nutshell. But I digress. You’re here for the food recommendations, right? So here they are. 10 of the places I couldn’t get enough of during my temporary stay in Charleston. These are the places I had neverbeenso happy to stumble upon and neverbeenso satisfied with when I left.

Poogan’s Porch – 72 Queen Street
The most adorable, quaint restaurant – it truly is what you expect when you think Southern.
TIP: Get the Mac & Cheese – creamy smoked gouda, country ham, need I say more?

Barsa – 630 King Street
Don’t let the fact that Barsa is a little bit on the outskirts detour you. This is one of the coolest atmospheres I experienced in Charleston and some of the best food!
TIP: WHEN, not If, you order the paella, put it in first since it takes roughly 45 mins – 1hr to prepare and snack on some light tapas and drinks while you wait.

167 Raw – 289 E. Bay Street
This place is SO good. It’s pretty tiny inside, so snag a seat at the bar if you can. The oysters were phenomenal and the tacos are out of this world – totally unexpected.
TIP: The Fish + 10 Hr Carnitas Tacos are the way to go.

Magnolia’s – 185 E. Bay Street
A Charleston staple, for sure. The fried green tomatoes are out of this world and the fried chicken is insane.
TIP: Reservations needed in advance – the earlier the better.

Poe’s Tavern – 2210 Middle Street
This spot is over on Sullivan’s Island, but totally worth the trip. Go on off-hours to ensure you get a seat, as they don’t take reservations. I mean, this burger, really.
TIP: A burger topped with a fried egg AND fried onions.

Fish – 442 King Street
French and Asian cuisines reimagined is how Fish describes its style and I can’t argue it.
TIP: The dessert dim sum allows you to get tiny bites of 4 different desserts to experience all the heaven they have on one plate.

Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit – 476 1/2 King Street
In my two month stay, I visited Callie’s at least 8 times. I’ll be the first to admit, I was an addict and would give my left arm if they would open up shop in Baltimore.
TIP: Some friday nights they open late night and serve fried chicken biscuits – HELLO!

Amen Street Fish and Raw Bar – 205 E. Bay Street
You guessed it, this place is a raw bar, and the quality is off the charts. The oyster shell chandeliers are so Charleston.
TIP: You need the Crispy Calamari Steak Slices in your life – crispy strips of calamari topped with corn, onion and bacon

Burwell’s Stonefire Grill – 14 N. Market Street
I spent a lot of time at this bar and when I finally had the food I was blown away.
TIP: Get the “on the rocks” appetizer and cook your own steak to perfection on the table side searing stone.

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams – 501-A King Street
So I know Jeni’s has multiple locations, but it was my first experience and I couldn’t get enough.
TIP: Two scoops are always better than one.

You’re probably scrolling through wondering where the big hitters are, like FIG and HUSK, on my list. If you’ve read anything about Charleston or watched Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown: Charleston episode, you’d know these two spots are must-gos; HOWEVER, what they don’t tell you is you need reservations months in advance. I arrived in Charleston in February and couldn’t get a Friday or Saturday night reservation (at a normal dining time) before I left in April; neverbeenso crushed. So if you are even toying with the idea of heading to Charleston, make that reservation now. I’m having serious FOMO so let me know if you’ve been so I can live vicariously! What are some of your favorite spots in Charleston?!

Southern Charm: Charleston, SC

Published on February 19, 2016February 19, 2016 by neverbeenso1 Comment

Exactly one year ago, I arrived for my two-month stint in Charleston, SC. I left just in time to say goodbye to the snow that was hitting Maryland. If you’ve never been to Charleston, you need to book a flight, rent a car, charter a boat |whatever you have to do| and just go. If you have been to Charleston, you’re probably missing it like crazy and should go ahead and do the same.

Because I was going to be away for two months and had no idea what I would need to make it feel like home, I went ahead and decided to make the 9 hour drive instead of fly. Podcasts really saved me on this one, thanks Serial.

I had never really been anywhere on my own, so naturally I was a bit nervous. However, the second I set foot in Charleston, I knew what the hype was all about. Being from the north, I was a little taken aback at how friendly people were. It took some time for me to realize they weren’t trying to scam me or do me any harm, but that they were just genuinely interested in my story and showing me the charm the city had to offer. I mean really, this place is beautiful. If you’re ever feeling down, staring at Rainbow Row will instantly lift your spirits.

Please visit the Angel Oak, one of the oldest live oak trees in the world. Pictures don’t really do it justice, standing amongst the vast, intertwining limbs will really make you appreciate its beauty. I’ve neverbeenso amazed.

If you’ve heard anything about Charleston, you know it’s food game is one of the strongest. Being a foodie, I couldn’t wait to dive in. Stay tuned for my favorite eateries – there are so many, they need their own post! But I’ll leave you drooling with this gorgeous paella dish from Barsa.

Product Review: COR Waterproof Backpack

Published on February 15, 2016February 15, 2016 by neverbeensoLeave a comment

In the last few years, I have become increasingly more interested in outdoor activities; however, I still struggle with packing. Not only does my 20-something body temperature fluctuate like a menopausal woman (layers are key), my mood is heavily affected by the weather. So, whether it be for a day hike or a multi-day trek, I tend to be overly prepared for any element that could occur. And since I can’t carry my entire closet with me on adventures, I have to be efficient where I can.

When we went to the Amazon Rainforest, I brought along my trusty Osprey day pack. And while it kept me cool and had a cover for the pack, it didn’t stand up to the downpours we encountered, leaving some of my belongings damp. And after a full two hours of torrential rain, when the sun pokes it’s head between the clouds, a nice warm shirt is necessary.

Recently, I stumbled upon the COR Waterproof Dry Back Backpack from COR Board Racks. The company looks like it is tailored more for water sports, but would also be a pack to weather all elements. This 40L pack offers tons of space for layers and shoes. And since it’s 100% waterproof, I don’t have to make the decision to leave the electronics at home or run the risk of ruining them. It also has a water-resistant front pocket, so you don’t have to rifle through your pack when you want to snap a quick pic.

Easily, this pack fit:

– Hiking Boots
– Sandals
– Rain Coat
– Long Sleeve
– Tank Top
– Shorts
– Pants
– Socks
– iPad
– Go-Pro
– Selfie-Stick

With room to spare.

So, if you know the weather may turn on you and you like to be as comfortable as can be, so that you can focus on enjoying the outdoors vs. how cold, how hot, how wet, how dry you are, then this pack is for you! Neverbeenso able to relax about what I can’t control!

Can We All Take a Moment to Applaud REI?

Published on October 27, 2015October 27, 2015 by neverbeensoLeave a comment

REI announced yesterday that they will be closing on Black Friday this year. You know that day after Thanksgiving where stores open at midnight and people are leaving their families to stand in lines for $50 off a TV. REI is going against the grain and paying their employees to go outside. REI wants the world to share how they go outside on Black Friday via the hashtag #OptOutside.

I think this is an inspiring concept and more companies should follow suit. In a short message from REI’s CEO, Jerry Stritzke, “For 76 years, our co-op has been dedicated to one thing and one thing only: a life outdoors. We believe that being outside makes our lives better. And Black Friday is the perfect time to remind ourselves of this essential truth. We’re a different kind of company—and while the rest of the world is fighting it out in the aisles, we’ll be spending our day a little differently. We’re choosing to opt outside, and want you to come with us.” Read the entire message here.

They even have a countdown on their homepage, as of right now we’ve got 30 days and 17 hours. Let’s take a moment to applaud REI for being different and I hope to see you all outside on Black Friday!

Comfort Zone Challenge: Amazon Rainforest

Published on October 13, 2015December 8, 2015 by neverbeenso5 Comments

When we were planning our last big trip, we instantly knew it’d be in South America, but we weren’t exactly sure what country we’d visit. We did A LOT of research and finally decided we’d visit Peru. It seemed to have the most bang for our buck (and time) when it came to fitting in as much as humanly possible (we tend to do that).

One day, Will prompted me with the option of seeing the Amazon Rainforest. Immediately, I was intrigued, but also a bit frightened. “You want me to stay in a jungle?” I thought. “In a hut, with 100% humidity, surrounded by trees and wildlife with no connection to the outside world?” Some people would hear this and instantly think it a dream, being disconnected from the world, but me, I was a little taken aback and downright worried. Going to the jungle meant I had to leave my comfort zone, completely.

Long story short. We did it.

We ended up booking a trip that would allow us to visit the Amazon Rainforest, as well as Cusco, Macchu Picchu, and Lima [I’ll save those for another post]. We’ve always planned our trips ourselves, but this time we worked with Southern Explorations and they were awesome! Everything was flawless and they were a HUGE help with decision making.

We arrived to Puerto Maldonado and were instantly greeted by heat, humidity and, thankfully, our guide with a bus full of iced water bottles. I had neverbeenso thirsty. We said good-bye to our luggage, all except what we could fit in a small pack on our backs. We then hopped aboard a motorized canoe and made our way 30 minutes down the Madre De Dios River to our accommodations. We stayed at the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica Lodge.

They weren’t kidding when they said we’d be in the middle of the jungle. Lush trees canopied over us as we walked along the tree-stump lined path, while wildlife went on about its business around us. We were taken to our cabins, each couple had their own, and it was legitimately a hut with screened in doors and windows, a bed with a draped mosquito net, a shower and toilet. Immediately, I thought “what did I get myself into…” And then I told myself to just let go…and let go I did.

The lodge blew me away. Although they were smack dab in the middle of a jungle, they provided 5 star service and food. Three meals a day, each morning a buffet of local delights, while lunch and dinner were plated meals selected from the various menu options. The Main Hall also had a fully stocked bar, where the Pisco Sours were on point. They offered several varieties. However, I fell in love with the Chilcano, the Peruvian version of a Moscow Mule, a mix of pisco, lime juice and ginger ale.

There was no internet connection at the lodge, and for someone who is completely connected, it took some getting used to. But by the end, I didn’t even want to see my phone again. I spent quality time in the here and now and truly connected with those around us. We met so many great people, staff and guests alike. It started to feel like a family. We did most of the excursions with the same couple and always saw familiar faces in the main hall at meal time.

The cabins grew on me. Laying in the hammocks, looking out over the river, hearing nothing but the wildlife around me, it was peaceful. It turned out to be such a spiritual experience. Granted, nights were still a little rough being that it was 80 degrees, and we were sleeping with nets over us to protect from mosquitos. But soon morning came and we were greeted with some of the most amazing sunrises I had ever seen; it was worth it.

The Excursions

The lodge offered 12-15 excursions for people to pick from based on activity level. There were serveral guides at the lodge who stayed with the same guests for most of the trip. Alberto and Michael were our guides for all of the excursions. We did SO much in the 3 full days we spent in the jungle. There was absolutely no shortage of things to do. We were exhausted by the end of every night.

Lake Sandoval – We hiked 2 miles each way, mud up to our knees in 100 degree weather and we had to cover up or else the mosquitos would tear us to shreds. Sounds awful right? Well partly it was, but reaching Lake Sandoval was such a reward. We canoed out to a spot on the lake and saw a family of otters playing and catching fish, saw at least 100 howler monkeys playing on the vines in the jungle, and colorful macaws flying overhead. It was like nothing I’ve ever seen. Sure, you see wildlife in the zoo, but this wasn’t the zoo, this was wildlife in its own habitat.

Canopy Tour – We climbed a 95 foot tower and trekked all along the treetops via suspension bridges, connecting 8 platforms. The views from above were outstanding and we learned a lot from Alberto along the way.

Piranha Fishing – By far my favorite excursion. This one takes a full day, but well worth it. We were taken out by boat approximately 2 hours from the lodge. Here, we picked up our stick fishing rods and immediately started fishing for piranha. We caught a few right away! The guide took us to different spots on the lake to try our luck. Every hour, our guide would take us over to a spot in the jungle to drop off the piranha we had caught. After several hours of fishing, he took us to that same spot where a chef had prepared a full spread of food and wine, including the piranha we caught! What a cool experience! On the way home from this trip, we stopped by a village and dropped off all the leftover food and drink we had to locals who seemed to expect this. I had a lot of respect for the lodge to not waste these leftovers and share them with the community.

Rainforest By Night – Let me start out by saying this was NOT my favorite excursion. It was pitch black, we were following a guide into the depths of the jungle with only flashlights while he pointed out tarantulas, other big spiders, scorpions, the list goes on. While I didn’t necessarily enjoy the sights of this one, there was still something surreal about being in a jungle at night surrounded by all the wildlife that wakes up after dark.

After surviving the Amazon Rainforest, I felt so proud! I stepped out of my comfort zone and was handsomely rewarded. It was truly one of the best experiences I’ve had to date. I plan to write another post of what I packed on my trip, what worked and what didn’t, stay tuned. In the meantime, here are a few other beauties.

We went during the beginning of dry season, so we had great weather all 3 days. However, the day we were leaving, it poured. But, you have to admit, rain truly is beautiful in the Rainforest.

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