Category: vacation

Quick Summer Wardrobe – 6 Easy Outfits From Walmart

At the end of this week, we will travel to our new airbnb. We decided to pick a warmer climate because… enough’s enough. lol. Spring in Maryland is doing this thing where one day it’s a high of 79 and the next day the high is 42. And I’m just over it. I have to leave the house with layers just in case the temp dramatically spikes or drops while I’m out. I can’t figure out whether to wear a tank top or a puffy coat, and I’ve had enough. lol.

Because it was December when we started this airbnb/vagabond lifestyle, we have zero summer clothes with us. Our upcoming location will be hot and no puffy coats or scarves will be needed. Knowing I have tons of summer clothes in storage, I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on a new wardrobe, but I definitely needed to buy some shorts and sandals. So I scoured Walmart and came up with a few great pieces without breaking the bank.

Here are a few easy, affordable, and cute outfits that I was able to throw together with a simple trip to my local Walmart. I linked the items I was able to find on the website, but some items may be available in your local stores.

Outfit #1: Tie dye dress.

Secret Treasures midi gown in a medium ($14.88)
(I was unable to find this online, but you may find it in your local store)

I believe this is actually a night gown or house dress, because I found it in the section with women’s pajamas. But the material is just as thick as anything I would wear out in public so it is now a multi-use garment. Part dress/part night gown. Lol. It will be put to work! Even in a medium, It’s a little long for me, so I can easily fix that by cinching the sides into a quick knot with a hair tie. Easy breezy! I could have definitely done a size down but I erred on the side of caution. I can shrink it up a little in the wash if I need to.

Outfit #2: High-low top with jeans and clog sandals.

Time & Tru Relaxed Fit Tee ($9.98); Time & Tru Wooden Heel Sandal ($19.98)

I love this top. It’s so easy to throw on with shorts or jeans. Once I got it home, I wound up also ordering it in white and navy blue. It’s just too good to have in the closet as a staple. I am wearing a medium in the top. The sandals…omg I LOVE these!! They are so comfortable, padded with a little memory foam. Just enough heel to be cute without being painful to walk in. I will be wearing these all summer! The jeans are actually pre-owned and another brand, but I could have easily found a similar pair in walmart if I needed some.

Outfit #3: Peach tie-dye paperbag shorts, a white neck, and brown stencil flip flops.

No Boundaries Shorts ($5.98); Time & Tru Flip Flops in Cognac ($9.98); Time & Tru Vneck ($4.98)

These shorts fit amazingly well. I am wearing a 19, but could have definitely gone down a size. I wasn’t quite sure how they would fit and I couldn’t try them on in the store so I erred on the side of caution. I’m quite “healthy” in th back so I would rather them be too big than too small. The neck is a classic and I’m sure I will be wearing that with other things this summer. The flip flops are a summer staple. They are ornate without being over the top. Easily paired with basically everything because of the maroon color, and the heel has a slight elevation so my flat feet appreciate that.

Outfit #4: Drawstring jean shorts, black tank, and straw hat.

No Boundaries Draw String Shorts ($9.88); Time & Tru Tank Top from previous season

What a simple but chic outfit for the beach, for brunch or dinner. These shorts are in a 2xl, and I could have definitely gone down a size. I would prefer them a little shorter so I will use some hem tape so that they stay cuffed like they are in the pics. The black tank is a basic closet necessity, and I can easily throw on my jean jacket or a sweater or kimono over this outfit. The shoes were not purchased at walmart, but I could easily wear my clog sandals for sure!

Outfit #5: Flutter sleeve top and open toed wedge booties

Tierra Sky Peasant Top ($13.98); Time & Tru Booties ($12 on clearance)

This top is awesome for summer date night, or for brunch with the girls. Perfect fit, great style, and easily pairs with shorts, jeans or capris. And these super comfy wedged open toed booties go so well with this outfit! (The jeans are pre-owned, but walmart sells tons of similar styles.)

Outfit #6: Tiered skirt, tank, and clog sandals

No Boundaries Smocked Mini Skirt ($9.98); Time & True Wooden Heel Sandals ($19.98)

This outfit is the surprise from my trip. I really didn’t know what to expect when I got home and tried this skirt on but I absolutely adore it!! Easily paired with a tank top and belt, and it looks so perfectly dainty. Or wear it with your swimsuit for the perfect coverup. I am wearing the clog sandals that I purchased at walmart and I just love this outfit! I cannot wait to wear it!

I love knowing that there are cute options for building a budget-friendly wardrobe! Walmart for the win! Of course they aren’t the only show in town, but there are definitely cute pieces that you can easily pick up while you’re doing your Saturday shopping. And don’t get me started on their bathing suits! They have totally stepped up their game! So far, I’ve talked myself out of buying new swimsuits, but if I break down and buy a couple, I’ll definitely share!

Where is your go-to place for reliable, affordable styles? Have you started your summer shopping yet? Or are you waiting for temps to get warmer? I’d love to hear from you! Let a sista know!

justamarylandgirl

My So Called Airbnb Life

The North Carolina Modern Farmhouse Bungalow

I feel like I should have made this post a couple months ago, but…better late than never, right?  You may have seen me mention Airbnb life in a few of my IG and blog posts, so here’s why.

“Let’s find some beautiful places and get lost together”

Towards the end of last year, as my apartment lease was coming to an end, I had a decision to make. I had to decide whether to renew my lease or find somewhere else to live.  I really didn’t care for the complex I was living in, and finding a new place to rent was proving to be harder than I imagined.  Because of COVID and its restrictions on landlords, rental home inventory in my area was pretty locked up.  I didn’t want to move into another apartment, (I was moving from a bad experience with a neighbor and just did not want to be connected to another person). I wasn’t quite prepared to buy another property (I already have a condo that I rent out and am not looking to buy anything else right now), and my rental options were extremely limited for the Southern Maryland region.  As time was winding down on my lease, the whole search was absolutely stressing me out.

In addition, we were around month 9 of this crazy pandemic, we were knee deep in an unreal election cycle, civil unrest was on an uptick, and I felt like I just needed an escape of some sort.  Travel was essentially restricted so a vacation wasn’t really an option, nor was it a long-term solution.

One day, almost as a joke, I said “I should just pack up my stuff and Airbnb it until I’m over it.”

It seemed like a ridiculous idea…until it wasn’t.  What does that even mean?? Airbnb it? What are you even talking about?? Airbnb isn’t even a verb!

After a few conversations with my boyfriend, and a lot of hypothetical what-ifs, we decided what the hell!  We were both teleworking for the indefinite future, all we needed was an internet connection, and that connection did not HAVE to be in Southern Maryland. 

I swear I did not think my stuff would fit!

We came up with a list of criteria for a rental home, we entered said set of criteria, and we searched until we were numb. We whittled down our list and tuned in on one home that piqued our interest. We had probably looked at that Airbnb listing a million times before we made our decision. We decided to go for it, and eventually we made our first monthly reservation. We didn’t really know what to expect.  Could we live in a rental home for an entire month?? What if we hated it on day 1 and were stuck?? We have no place else to go!

The pictures looked adorable but, in this day of filters and angles, anything can be made to look amazing. 

Once the reservation was made, it was time to execute our plan. For the last couple months of 2020, we debated logistics, we purged, stored, and packed all our possessions.  We finished out our lease, and by January 1st, we were in our first Airbnb—an adorable modern bungalow right outside of Raleigh, NC.

North Carolina Rest Stop on the way to our first Airbnb

When move day arrived, we pulled into the driveway well after dark.  We were exhausted from cleaning out the apartment, packing up the car, visiting relatives dropping off random this and thats, doing our last-minute Maryland items, and then driving the four hours to North Carolina.  We fumbled through the self-check-in, we unpacked the car, (dropping a bottle of red wine all over the driveway…sigh…), showered and went to bed.  We barely found our pj’s and toothbrushes before we called it a night.  But the next morning when we woke up, explored our new (temporary) home, and realized how much we loved the idea of what we’d done.

The home was exactly as the pictures portrayed.  YAY!  The décor was adorable, the modern furnishings were so chic, and the personal touches from the host were perfect.  It was peaceful. The scenery was so calming. We felt relaxed and it was wonderful.

Anyone who has taken a staycation can probably relate.  It doesn’t matter if you go down the street or to another country, there is just something therapeutic about being out of your home, your day-to-day routine, your normal space, and in a new environment.  And after nine months of quarantine, and a year of an unpleasant neighbor, new scenery was so refreshing.  Even if all we did was sit inside this home and work, cook, eat, and do normal every day things, we felt like a new peaceful space, and slightly warmer weather, would be just what the doctor ordered.

While it feels super weird to have no fixed address, and to not know where I will be living two months from now, somehow my nerves are less frazzled than they were living next to a neighbor that drove me insane, while constantly watching news that regurgitated the COVID/election/racial injustice cycle.

I’m not entirely sure how long I’ll be an Airbnb vagabond, but I’d love to take you all on this little journey with me.  I can’t promise it will be super exciting, but I will share some homes, experiences, and lessons that I learn along the way. I’m three months and three homes into this experience, and it’s been a pretty interesting lifestyle thus far. 

Have you ever thought of doing anything like this? If so, what would be your approach? What would you want to do? Where would you want to go?

Have questions, hit me up!

justamarylandgirl

Simple Amenities That Airbnb Guests Appreciate

[DISCLAIMER: Some links in this post contain affiliate links. This means I get a commission if you purchase the product through my link at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.]

When I embarked on the Airbnb life, there were so many things to consider.  Trying to plan for multiple what-if scenarios and the wide array of weather possibilities, it is super easy to fill up suitcases before you even blink an eye. 

But I only had one car, and I had no option but to fit everything I’d need into that one car.  From clothing to medications, to electronics to home conveniences, the car filled up super quick!  At some point I had to put my foot down.  I had to realize that I may just have to do without some items, or I may have to buy them as I go.  Or if I’m lucky, my host may actually have some of the things I’ve left behind.

I realize that a lot goes into making an Airbnb home aesthetically pleasing, and having numerous odds and ends may detract from a host’s efforts to keep things simple and clutter-free.  I completely get that. 

But if there are ways to add a few of these items to your space without sacrificing your look, please give it some thought.  You may not realize how handy these items are to Airbnb guests, especially the long-term ones, but I promise you, the perfect small gesture makes such a big difference.

I also realize you don’t want to break the bank with random knick-knacks and unnecessary items. The good news is that some of these items can be picked up on trip to your local dollar store or Walmart. Or even easier, some can be purchased with a quick click on Amazon, and then tucked away in your home pretty easily.

Here’s my list of simple amenities that add value to my stay as a long-term Airbnb guest, and I’ll link to a few things as well:

KITCHEN

  • Oven mitts: Cute and clean, not dingy and old.
  • Dish towels: I’m all about reusing and reducing, so going through paper towel after paper towel is annoying to me.
  • Toaster: Basic is good, no need to get fancy. Just something that I can toast a bagel or waffle in.
  • Chip clips: This is such an overlooked necessity. I like sealing everything that I open.
  • Olive oil: I’ve been carrying my own but it’s nice if there’s some in the house in case I run out.
  • Paper towel holder: It’s perfectly fine to set the towels on the counter, but a holder is great to have.
  • Dish soap dispenser: Makes washing dishes so much more convenient.
  • Dish drying rack: Some people prefer to wash dishes in between dishwasher loads, so a rack helps.
  • Full set of silverware: Two sets are even better. It takes a while to fill up a dishwasher load, so going through four spoons happens pretty quickly.
  • Cooking utensils: Nothing fancy, just a spatula, large spoon, and wooden spoon. Long term visitors will likely cook a meal or two.
  • Pots and pans: Clean and usable (ie., non-crusty). I am begging you, please do not just leave your crustiest dishware that you know is well past its lifespan for your guests to use. Opt for an inexpensive set of a couple of pots and pans. I’d rather it be cheap than crusty.
  • Cookie sheets: These have been the unsung hero of my airbnb stays. You don’t realize how many things get reheated in the oven until you don’t have a cookie sheet.
  • Cutting boards: Otherwise people may opt to cut directly onto your counter…and you may not want that. Cutting boards will help. And if it’s a set that has a different board for meat, veggie, etc…even better!
  • Mat for the kitchen: Drips happen. It’s nice to have a floor mat by the sink.
  • Tea kettle: I boil water every day for some reason or another. Though pots do the trick, I love not having to watch the pot while I wait for my water to boil…the whistle gets my attention just perfectly.
  • Counter spray: I love Method which is good for pets and children, but whatever works best for you is perfect.

BATHROOM

  • Qtips and cotton balls: Always a good bathroom staple
  • Sewing kit: When I purchased pants and they had a hole in them, I was so happy to see a needle and thread in my host’s bathroom.
  • Hand lotion: Hotel samples or a small bottle next to each sink is wonderful!
  • Hair dryer: This is a pain to lug around, so it’s so convenient if there is one in the home
  • Disinfectant wipes/cleaning spray: It’s nice to have a few handy for guests.

BEDROOM/LIVING ROOM

  • Full length mirror: I like knowing how I look from head to toe. What if my shoes look stupid?? I need to know! This is definitely something you could get inexpensively from your local Walmart or Target.
  • Extension cords: Everything in our lives requires a plug, and wall sockets just aren’t enough.
  • Chargers/wall adapters: A little help with the effort of staying powered up is so appreciated.
  • Hangers: A walk-in closet means nothing without hangers and they are so bulky for travelers.
  • Lamps: There’s something nice about soft lighting. Sometmes overhead lights can be a bit harsh and it’s nice to have options.
  • Tissues/Kleenex: Just toss a box on the nightstand, perfect!
  • Ironing board: A small dorm sized one is fine.
  • Hamper/laundry basket: As a long-term guest, having a place to put dirty laundry is really nice to have.
  • Extra blankets/comforters: For the couch or to layer up onto the bed, definitely a thoughtful touch.
  • Rug: If you have hardwood, a landing pad for your feet is really nice when you hop out of bed.

BONUS ITEMS (Not necessary, but definitely nice to have)

  • A second tv: Definitely not a must, but certainly nice when multiple people are staying long-term.
  • Dressers: Long-term guests will want to unpack. Having designated spaces for clothes is really helpful.
  • Nightstands: You don’t appreciate them until you don’t have them, that’s for sure. A bedside space for your gadgets and medications is helpful.
  • Desk: Because I’m full-time teleworking on the road, it’s so nice to have a designated space for those times that I want to sit at a desk, particularly when I am on web meetings and such.
  • Blender: It is totally not necessary to have a vitamix or some kind of super expensive appliance, a blender of any sort would be nice to have on standby for long term guests. Not every guest will use it, but for the ones that will, they will appreciate that it’s there.

I do not expect every house to have EVERY item. I realize that a lot of these may not even be feasible due to space constraints. And trust me, your guests realize that as well. I also know that running an airbnb can be costly, exhausting, and sometimes less-important things have to go by the wayside. I know that every experience is unique in its own way, and whether you have a sewing kit or not will not sway a guest’s opinion one way or another. Please use these lists however you see fit.

justamarylandgirl

Maryland Girl’s Tips for Road Tripping During COVID-19

Summer time without question means traveling.  It’s the time of year that you take a break from your normal routine and hit adventure parks, Caribbean islands and local beaches.  And this year, after months of quarantining, it felt like a summer trip was so needed and so well-deserved. But is it ok?  Is it appropriate?  Is it safe? 

It’s hard to know the right answer.  It’s hard to know what to do.  For the sake of sanity, you have to get away from your day to day and have mental space, but with the laws, policies, and personal beliefs surrounding COVID-19, it’s hard to know exactly  how to get that summer break that our bodies and our lives are so accustomed to.

I honestly cannot tell anyone whether they should or shouldn’t attempt travelling.  It’s really dependent on a ton of factors, and a lot of individual considerations.  But I can tell you the approach I took and let you know what worked and what didn’t work for me.

Before COVID-19 was so much as a flicker of a nightmare in our wildest dreams, I planned a getaway for June of this year.  Around January, I saw a deal for Outer Banks, NC and it’s a place I’ve wanted to visit for a while, so I took advantage of the deal and booked a trip.  Of course, COVID hit around March and strict quarantine measures were put in place across the country.  As the virus was researched more and experiences were brought to light, we learned more and more about its transmission, symptoms and prevention.  I assumed my trip was off, but I decided to wait until the date got closer to figure out what to do.  

As June arrived, quarantines were being lifted around the country.  The hotel where I booked my stay was opened for business and it was up to me to decide what to do.  This is when independent research and personal preference kicked in.  

In addition to COVID-19, the nation was dealing with another virus, which was the aftermath of the George Floyd murder.  My mind was all over the place.  A pandemic and racism…I just didn’t know what to do or what was appropriate.  My emotions and fears were heightened for so many different reasons, and I teetered back and forth more than a kid on a see-saw.  Go.  Don’t go.  Go.  Don’t go.  UGH!

Ultimately, after prayer, research, and feedback from family and friends, I chose to go.  But I gave a lot of thought about how I felt the trip could be taken while being safe.  After returning from the trip, of course, I quarantined for 14 days, and I guess I can count my efforts as a success.  (Note:  I have since taken another road trip and used my same policies mentioned in this post with that trip as well.)  Here is what I did for my COVID-19 road trip.

ACCEPTANCE: I had to accept right at the onset that this trip was not going to be a normal trip.  I had to realize that this trip may literally just amount to a time to be away from the home I’ve been quarantined in for the last several months.  An opportunity to get some sunshine, be in a different environment, and dip my toe in the ocean.  Those were my only objectives for my trip, and everything else that I would have normally done on any other vacation likely had to be scrapped.  Before I even left, I had to have that thought ingrained in my mind, because otherwise I would have felt disappointed for what wasn’t, instead of appreciating the trip for what it was.  Bars, clubs, restaurants, live music, local attractions, shopping, etc….not happening, and just accept it.

DESTINATION: A vacation during COVID-19 is by nature just going to be different.  While you may normally plan international trips, or cool road trips to amazing destinations, that may not be an option this year.  For me, I decided to pick something that was far enough to be away, but close enough to not require multiple pit stops and multiple searches for open places to eat.  Nowdays, more places are open, but at the time of the trip, there were still many places still closed and figuring out their COVID-19 policies.  The further you get away from your home base, the harder it may be to navigate food stops and bathroom breaks while maintaining control of potential exposure.  Outer Banks was about a four-hour road trip from me, and I felt like that was just enough to limit how many times I may need to stop for food, gas, and restrooms.  Ultimately, I only needed a change of scenery, and there are a lot of options close to Maryland that don’t require a lengthy travel time.  For me, four hours is right at the max for a road trip during COVID-19.  

CLEAN & SANITIZE: I’m pretty rigid at home about wiping up my surfaces, sanitizing myself and items I bring into my home, and washing my hands constantly.  So that was no different when I traveled.  I carried my disinfecting wipes, lysol sanitizing spray, and counter sprays with me.  When I arrived at my room, I wiped down the tables, counters, tub, toilet, light switches, door knobs, remote, etc.  I sprayed disinfecting spray on the bed and the carpet.  And I deemed my room off limits at that point from any person outside of my travel party.  I asked the hotel not to provide room service during my stay.  And any time we left the room, we had to wash hands and sanitize clothing when we returned.  The room was considered our home base and our safe space, so we made it priority #1 to keep it sanitized and clean for the duration of our stay.

PACK MEALS & SNACKS: One of the biggest and most important items on my vacation list was where would we eat.  I knew sitting down in a restaurant was out of the question.  At the time of the trip, most places were still only doing curbside pick-ups if they were opened at all.  Now, more jurisdictions have entered into phases of reopening that permit some sort of inside and/or outside dining.  At the time, that wasn’t an option, so we had to think about food.  We decided to pack sandwiches, snacks, wine, alcohol, and water.  For the times we actually went to a restaurant, we called ahead and picked up our order.  We ate at the table in our room, on our patio, or on the beach.  Dining is typically such a big part of vacation, but we knew this time it would not be the case, and we prepared our minds ahead of time.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:

  • Call ahead. If there is an amenity that makes or breaks your trip, call ahead, even prior to reserving your stay, to confirm that that amenity is still open/usable.  Websites may not be updated appropriately, or there may be some caviat that may be a deal-breaker for you.  For example, on my recent trip, all I wanted to do was find a place where I could sit by the pool all day.  A lot of hotel websites claimed that their pool was open, but when I called, I found out it actually wasn’t open.  Or the website didn’t mention that time slots had to be reserved, that they fill up quickly, and that they are only for an hour per day.  Those were deal breakers for me, and none of this was mentioned on the websites for hotels that I considered.  And out of the five hotels I called, four had additional limitations that were not mentioned on their website that ruled them out as an option for me.
  • Reviews matter.  Other people have traveled and their review of a location may give additional insight into racial climate, mask protocols, adherence in general to COVID-19 policies, and food availability.  All of those things mattered for me and I took other people’s experiences very seriously.
  • Avoid weekends.  I hate crowds, so this is something I try to do whenever I travel anyways.  But to the extent possible, right now is the time to avoid massive groups of people.  Try to find a time to travel that includes some or all week days.
  • Opt for less populated areas.  This is not the time to go to the hottest beach spot during its most popular week.  Save that for once we have all of this pandemic mess sorted out.  Try to find that town place off the beaten path, or the hotel with few rooms.  The name of the game is limiting potential exposure.  Less people means less chances to expose yourself to the virus.

I hope these tips help.  I do realize these are just my personal standards and preferences.  Yours may be different, and that’s ok.  I just encourage you to give some forethought to safety before you travel, and remember that while this may not be your most ideal trip, you can still have a great time.

Be safe and be kind.  And enjoy!  

Have you traveled during COVID-19?  How has your experience been?  I’d love to hear about it!

justamarylandgirl

Coping when things don’t go as planned

coping
{“did you mean to leave this?” this is the picture sent to me by my neighbors of the bag i left on my front porch when i went on a trip.}

I know this is a weird pic to accompany this post, but let me explain.  I spent weeks, maybe months, planning for the perfect five-night cruise to Bermuda.  I bought all of my essentials, and I coordinated my daily outfits.  I bought new dresses, shoes, and swimsuits, I packed up all of my clothes, devices and accessories just perfectly, and I headed to the port.  Upon arrival, we hand our suitcases off to the cruise staff, and grabbed our carry-on bags from the trunk.  Wait…where is my carry-on bag???  And this is when all of my months of perfect planning completely fell apart.  I DON’T HAVE MY CARRY ON BAG!!!
This meant no accouterments, no accessories, no belts, no make-up, no toiletries, no tablet, no chargers, no extra pair of sandals, no hoodie, no pashmina…none of it!  AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!
So this picture is a picture that my neighbor sent asking if I meant to leave this bag on the porch.  I literally walked out of the house, locked the door, and got in the car…WITHOUT MY BAG!
I’m not gonna lie…this effed up my whole entire mood for a solid day.  And possibly part of another day.  I whined about it to all that would listen, then eventually, after I’d gone on about it long enough, I decided that I didn’t want to look back on this trip as the trip that was f*cked up because I forgot a bag.  Like…ok chick…get it together!  This is a vacation. You paid GOOD MONEY for this trip!  You’re going to Bermuda, you’re with family and friends, and you are off from work.  Get over it!!!  And eventually, I did.  I got a toothbrush from a family member.  I used my mom’s make-up, and bestie had a spare wristlet and some other items that I could use.  And I just made do.
So my question is…how well do you adapt when things don’t go your way?  How do you move forward when you plan and plan and plan, and something totally derails all of your efforts?  What tricks or tips do you use to overcome disappointment and salvage your plans?  Well…I clearly suck at it, and have no real advice for moving forward.  So I scoured the internet for tips, and here is what I came up with:
Keep cool/breathe:  There’s a pretty good chance that the issue at hand isn’t life threatening.  Take a moment, calm yourself down, and take a deep breath.
Acknowledge that you are disappointed:  It’s ok to be upset.  Take time to grieve over what went wrong.  You had your heart set on something that didn’t happen.  And no matter how small or trivial it may be to others, it was important to you, and it didn’t work out.  It’s ok to acknowledge that.
Forgive yourself:  You’re human.  Life happens and everyone makes mistakes.  be ok with your humanness and accept that you did what you did…or didn’t do.
Accept what you cannot change:  I had to tell myself, this trip five days, not a year. I have my clothes, I have my travel documents, and I have my medications.  The extra bag was just extra items.  I don’t need them to continue on with this trip, nor do I need them to have a good time.  I couldn’t change what happened or what I didn’t have.  I wasn’t able to purchase a majority of the items on the ship, and by the time I got to my cruise destination, the trip was more than half over, and buying the items on the island, if possible, wasn’t probably going to be worth it.
Assess what you can and cannot control:  Now it’s time to switch into damage-control mode.  Let’s start figuring out how to make the situation better.  Or if there’s nothing that can be done, it’s time to figure out how you can change your mindset to move past what happened.  I could not control the past, but I could control what happened going forward on my trip.  Take control of what you can, and release that which you cannot control.  I had the sun, I had good people around me, and I had wine.  And for most people, that all adds up to a good time.  So I made the decision that that was going to be the case for me as well.
Revise your goal:  Once you’ve explored your options, figure out the new goal.  decide what you want out of your experience.  For me, I knew that I didn’t want to remember this vacation as the trip where I left my bag at home.  I wanted to have a good time, relax, and enjoy my family and friends.  I revised my mindset so that the bag was less important for accomplishing that goal.
Determine your options:  Figure out what’s important to try to fix and what you have to scrap.  I had to realize that I just wasn’t going to have my lysol wipes, my statement necklaces, and my new blush.  But I was able to buy a necklace in the gift shop that I really liked, I’d have to accept that the room steward cleaned the room sufficiently, and I used my mom’s red lipgloss as blush.  Somehow it all worked.
Assess your resources:  Who or what is available to help you cope and come up with solutions?  I knew that the ship’s shops were not going to be a huge help.  Their game is souvenirs, not drug store goods.  And what they did have, I knew would be dramatically overpriced. I knew also that the store didn’t even open until we were in international waters, and I knew that wouldn’t happen until the cruise was a day into the itinerary.  I knew that our plans were so tight on the island, and could not guarantee that I’d even find the kind of store that would have the kind of things I needed.  So for me, my resource options were limited.
Lean on others for help:  Figure out who is willing and able to help you and how.  Lucky for me, I travel with over-packers.  One of my relatives had some extra toiletries, my mom had some make-up, my bestie had some accessories and necessities that I could use.  I made it work.
Execute your new plan: Move forward with your revised plan.  The plan has changed, there’s a new goal.  Revise your actions to accommodate the change.  For me, when I dressed for dinner and such, I had to include a 10 minute window for going to my mom’s room to get make-up, and my bestie’s room to get accessories.  It wasn’t the end of the world, and I had to accept that.
Have you found yourself in a situation where something went dramatically different from how you planned it?  Were you able to roll with the punches or did you completely fall apart?  Let me know what happened and how you dealt with it.  Or…if you have some advice to share, feel free to leave a comment!
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justamarylandgirl