How I pack for trips

I am going out of town next week to visit some friends in Ohio. The city of Akron was my home for two years and I am proud to say that I am a graduate of the University of Akron with my AA. In my short time there I became great friends with two lovely people, Wyatt and Theresa. We made some unforgettable memories together. Now I am headed back up there, over the Halloween week, to make some more memories with them. I can't forget to mention my pseudo mom who I am also going up to spend time with. We always have fun together with whatever adventure we find ourselves in. *wink*

It is time for a vacation and I couldn't be more ready for one. My life is going through some major changes recently, where some might think a vacation now is not a good idea, but I say phooey to them. I need a break and right now is a good time for me. And that is all that matters.

I am leaving really, really early in the morning on Tuesday... like I don't even want to think about what time we have to leave. o_0  My wonderful mother has come to my rescue and offered to take me to the airport. We are going to have a sleepover at my place the night before *grin*

Since this is a post about my packing technique let's get to it, but first a little explanation before the pictures. My degree is in Event Management and a part of event management is the PLANNING part. I always get overly excited about trips and begin planning and packing weeks in advance, it's just in my nature and I have tired many times to wait. It just never works out that way. So of course I plan everything out.

Now scroll down and you will see what I mean *wink*

I don't normally plan out every outfit. But for this short trip with a small suitcase I decided it was necessary. I am taking only 3 pairs of shoes since my suitcase is a carry on. Normally I would probably take more.  

This is all of the jewelry I plan on taking, but I am going to the Mount Dora craft fair tomorrow so I may pick up a few more things and take them with me... who knows *wink* 

I mean come on let's be honest there is a very good chance that I will find more jewelry since I go to these things specifically for that reason. I love funky jewelry if you can't tell.

Now I have fit everything into this carry on suitcase, so who comes out being the real winner here?

xo

*My Thoughts*

I did add a couple of "extra" shirts after this picture was taken just in case... you never know what could happen.

All of my electronics are going in a backpack since they obviously weren't going to fit into this suitcase, something I had not originally planned on but that ended up being necessary. 

Make time for you. Do not let what anyone else thinks keep you from doing what is best for you or what you need to do.

*I apologize for the sideways jewelry picture, I could not get the darn thing to rotate correctly.  

A Book Review for You

Okay first off I must say that I love books, book stores, and reading. My obsession with buying books has gotten worse over the past year *grin* I have always loved books and there was never a time I was buying more books than I had time to read, but this past year it's been more and more. It all started with me purchasing my Samsung Galaxy 3 tablet. I added the Kindle app to it on a whim not really expecting to use it. Until I got my tablet I was against reading electronic books, it has something to do with the feel of an actual book in my hands and the smell of the pages. I now must say that I love reading on my tablet.

How this obsession started was with a little website known as Bookbub. My wonderful mother is the one who put me on to this website. (I have to make sure she mentioned this website to me because I know she will be reading this post later and if I didn't mention she was the one who introduced me she would get on my case about it... love you mom.) *wink*

Anyways a little about it... you sign up with your email address and they send you an email everyday, yes EVERYDAY with a discounted books between free and $2.99. Yes free book, this is where I get into trouble. *grin* I can't tell you how many books I have purchased from these emails. The website makes it really easy as well... just click the link next to the book you want and it downloads to your device. How freaking easy, right? Now this only works this easy if you have an Amazon account, which of course I do. *wink*

Now the reason for this post... Henry Wood Detective Agency.

If you are looking for a new series to read I strongly recommend these books. There are four of them all together and yes I have read all four, that's how good they are. I downloaded one from bookbub and every time I saw another Henry Wood book pop up in my email I purchased it right away.

If you enjoy detective novels, as I do, you will definitely enjoy these books. Quirky, funny, shocking. Brian D. Meeks is the author and does a remarkable job. Henry Wood is an older, tired detective who ends up taking on these big cases. The books are set in the 1950's in NYC. Now Henry's office and apartment are in Manhattan but he also keeps residence in Brooklyn (a place that many people do not know about.) This house is unique in that it has a closet that sends him clues from the future to help him solve cases he is working on. How cool, right?  I do not want to give too much away but the characters in these books are wonderful. Henry is sometimes lost and is helped along by his close friends... The way he goes about solving these cases is unique and smart. Dealing with the mob, rich folks, betrayal, etc. throughout all of the books Henry has to decide who he can trust and those he can't.

These books had me hooked and wanting to keep turning the pages... even late into the night *wink* Now go out and purchase these books for yourself to see.

xo

*My Thoughts*

You do not have to purchase these books through bookbub, you can get them off of Amazon.

I am not being paid to talk about bookbub, I just love it.

The four books are Henry Wood Detective Agency, Edge of Understanding, Perception, and Time and Again.

Taste of Maitland

Monday night in Maitland there was something fun going on. It is known as the Taste of Maitland. Local restaurants come together around Lake Lily with their booths and their best food. Patrons pay $20 and get all of the food they can eat. I invited Ashley to come along with me to stuff ourselves with local foods and drink. The foods were delicious and I was stuffed to the gills by the end of the night.

I mean just look at this pumpkin bagel and snicker doodle from Einstein Bagels. YUM

This summer salad and butternut squash soup is from Crispers, kind of like Panera. I love the butternut squash soup from Crispers and I was happy to see that they had brought some samples with them.

Yum Jeremiah's... I had pumpkin pie and Ashley enjoyed cookies and cream!

The downside of the night was that there was only one booth selling alcoholic beverages *sigh*  I  hope the next time they put this event on they have more booths selling beverages.

However this "mojito" was yummy. It was not a traditional mojito it was made with Champagne rather than rum... but it still had that minty flavor just not as strong.

After engorging ourselves with so much food Ashley and I decided to take a walk around Lake Lily to walk off all of the food we just downed. The lake is beautiful and a nice place to walk and chat.

The night was coming to an end and the booths were starting to pack up. Ashley and I walked back to my car still stuffed. What a fun night with a good friend.

These kind of events are popping up every where around central Florida. I know Apopka is having their Taste of Apopka on November 13. If you are interested check out your town and be sure to send me an invite. *wink*

xo

*My Thoughts*
They need more booths with beverages.
And to be honest they did not have a lot of restaurants who came out.
Overall it was a good night though and I ate so much!!

Trader Mae's

The best known secret buzzing around Apopka is Trader Mae's. A multi-room consignment shop that sells vintage/antiques, remodeled furniture, unique items, etc. It is a wonderful place and a place I love to visit because they always have something new or something that I did not see before. Trader Mae's had their fall festival over the weekend with fall decorations and candy at most of the booths.

Each room is packed with unique items. There is something for everyone at Trader Mae's. This vintage suitcase on the stand pictured above is beautiful and I want it! However it is a little out of my price range *sigh* I did pick up a couple of pots for my plants and found a cute candy dish. Also I bought a cute pair of earrings and a vintage shirt.

I suggest you check out Trader Mae's... you can find their info here

xo

Renniger's and Mount Dora

Sunday was Renniger's Fall in the Field Show down at their antique center. Now I am not sure if I have mentioned this before and if I haven't then now you will know... one of my favorite past times, if not my favorite past time, is going to these antique shows or consignment shops. I am not sure where my love for this developed but it has only grown with time.

Since Renniger's was having their fall show I wanted to go to see what kind of fall decorations they might have. Mom of course joined me. And I was glad to have her come along. It was a gorgeous day and the fall weather was gracing it's presence in Florida. Finally!! Mom and I walked around the booths popping in and sticking our noses, mostly just me, into what the vendors had to sell. I like to take my time in each booth and look around for what might be hidden... you know those hidden treasures hiding under some other item.

There was a man playing music and singing on this stage with this big guitar *grin*  Which I have yet to figure out why there is a giant guitar hanging on the stage.

There was also this huge dog walking around with his owner. Biggest dog I have ever seen and very cute!

Now doesn't this place just look wonderful?!

Although I did not find anything worth taking home this time I still had a good time.
However back up at the permanent booths I found a gorgeous sterling silver turquoises ring. I have been looking for such a ring for a few months now and finally found a beautiful one that I bought off of a spunky little German woman. I also found a casserole dish that made it's way home with me.

After Renniger's mom and I made a trip to visit Norm at Norm's Palette. He is one of my most favorite people. I could sit for hours and chat with him. If you enjoy good company, drinks, and art then this bar is for you. Mom and I enjoyed sangria and cupcakes out on the patio with Norm sharing stories. Eventually we moved on to dinner at Merrill's where they were having live music.

As mom and I were sitting at Merrill's the train was coming in.

Bye Bye train.

Mount Dora is such a beautiful city. One of my favorites and I love spending time there. It is an artisan town, so if you are into that sort of thing Mount Dora should definitely be on your list of places to visit. They usually always have some sort of event happening. Check them out here and here.

*My Thoughts*
I have an old soul. And I believe that I was born in the wrong decade. I enjoy old things, hence my love of consignment shops and "antique" shows. I use antique loosely because the US is not old enough to have "real" antiques. They are more vintage.
I seriously cannot explain to you enough my love for the city of Mount Dora and all of its wonderful people. I always meet interesting people there whenever I visit.