every city has its story, tap the photo for its post

I’m here for you throughout the process if you have more questions. I’m super excited for you in this next journey and can’t wait to hear all about it!!!

*EF is a travel group that plans trips all over the world. I’ve gone on a few trips with their groups in my lifetime because it’s a fun way of traveling with likeminded people around your age group, meeting travelers nationwide, and you don’t have to plan anything! I got to know so many tour directors and have made so many memories, that they gave me the opportunity to become an EF Ambassador. I even get to give you a special link as a first time traveler to get $100 per traveler you and your buddies go on! Just tap away here and find a trip that’s right for you. And if you have any questions, as always, let me know!

The post What the Logistics Looked like Traveling to Australia and New Zealand appeared first on Plane and Cheesy.

winter ish- spring

01.

JANUARY

I can’t believe the year started off strong. I got engaged to my lover boy and I couldn’t be happier. Our story began in the Chicago area in 2019, so we’ve come a pretty long way. And it’ll be an exciting process to soak in all this excitement & plan our wedding!

02.

FEBRUARY

In the midst of surprising my sister for her 30th birthday, my mom decided to take advantage of me being home to look for wedding dresses. Although, I won’t show anyone what it looks like I said YES to the dress!!!

03.

MARCH

My sister and I had our annual or bi-annual trip to Rhode Island, so this photo is specifically from the Cliff Walk. While it was off season, we had a blast! I feel like we honestly did so much in the four days we were even there. Lots of content for me!!!

spring ish- half year

04.

APRIL

When I moved to the Chicago area, I never knew how much of an impact my job would have on me post-grad. I started my journey with Village Green in June 2021, and ended up getting a promotion 6 months in! I transferred to a property in Evanston, and met Xavia a few months later, who became my supervisor. I cherished every experience with her & the team. #Thankful

05.

MAY

My family came on a spontaneous trip to Chicago for Memorial weekend. It was the first time the sun came out to play and Linh became a Cancio for the day! We toured with the architecture cruise & walked around town. Always a good time when the fam comes!

06.

JUNE

I went to the Omicron Delta Kappa conference as Student Chair for the Board of Trustees and learned SO much! I’ve worked with this organization since 2016 and continue to make my mark with my mentors, the circle members, & my team.

summer ish- fall

07.

JULY

Funny enough, I planned to go to the Weeknd concert pre-covid, but sold my ticket because I came home during the pandemic. Fast forward, I re-invested in one of my favorite artists AND went with a now, close friend/ colleague. The concert was absolutely amazing at Soldier Field!!

08.

AUGUST

Can’t miss a family trip, now can I? Ended up meeting up with my family in Colorado for the weekend. We missed Giselle & Steven, but explored & caught up with old friends. It was a great time!

09.

SEPTEMBER

The building I worked at felt like I was in an art gallery every day. Every nook and cranny had a purpose. I loved being able to have a different day all the time & experience life as a staff member through the eyes of my residents. I also made it a point to make some spots instagrammable in case others wanted to join in on the fun.

definitely almost winter

10.

OCTOBER

I’m not about to describe my resume, but let me tell you– I was GOOD at my job. I also had a mini photoshoot in the building, but what’s new?!

11.

NOVEMBER

The sad news is I’m leaving Evanston to go back home. It was bittersweet, but I loved every minute of my experience in Illinois as a whole. I got close to Xavia & Caitlin at #AlbionEvanston, so that was. one of the hardest good-bye’s. But I’m sure I’ll see them in the actual city that never sleeps.

Also s/o to my friend Gina for taking me in for a few months. I’ll always appreciate you!

12.

DECEMBER

While some friends are missing in this photo because they live in other cities, I finally asked my girls to be my #Bridesmaids. It’s been quite the year… but I CANNOT WAIT for my wedding!!!

Major s/o to Mikey for the pics!

The post 2022, What Happened to You? appeared first on Plane and Cheesy.

Being a part of this prestigious honor society has opened so many doors for me and I’ve loved creating relationships with my mentors too. We get to travel to all kinds of cities and still not get crazy with each other there!

We were able to listen to some speakers as well, and there were a few quotes I took out of their speeches that I think may be beneficial to how we live our lives.

Dr. Everett [1981, University of Alabamas: Music and the Arts]

• Be the champion of your own ideas.
• Leaders have a vision. They know where to go rather than what is present.
• Kentucky is all about basketball, bourbon, and horses. (Which is very true!)
• Hire people with passion and flexibility.
• Lead with grace, humility, and humbleness.

Dr. McElroy [2005, Marshall University: School of Medicine]

• She was nerdy but never alone.
• Always have flexibility in your school/ job.
• Believe in your leadership and then others will see it.
• Hosts two podcasts: Sawbones and Still Buffering.

The Conference in a nutshell

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I also did some speaking to other students, which was exhilarating. I love being able to help them in their journey and connect them to other students/ advisors that may have goals in common.

As Board of Trustees, Student Vice Chair and Chair of Student Advisory Board, I felt a little pressured but also comfortable because I knew my team from meetings all year and I had worked with the staff to ensure that we came prepared. The leadership is unparalleled in this organization and I hope to be a part of it forever.

A part from the conference, we did lots of exploring in Lexington. While we stayed within reach, we still enjoyed the city to the fullest. Thankfully, we had transportation, so we were able to get around more so. We walked the streets of Kentucky looking for the best dessert spots, because I have the biggest sweet tooth. What else is new?! We couldn’t NOT stop for bourbon. Did some tastings... you know, the good stuff. It’s definitely a place I didn’t think I would enjoy as much as I did.

Until we meet again!

The post How to Lead with Omicron Delta Kappa in Lexington, Kentucky appeared first on Plane and Cheesy.

1. Long Champ Back Pack

I have had my long champ for a good 4+ years. Basically since I studied abroad back in undergrad. This is the type of bag that fits all kinds of things. My friends called it the witch hat because I was always pulling something out! You can even fold it up if you wanted to take the bag with you and use it later.

2. Steamer

The most portable steamer that I’ve ever owned. I love that I don’t have to carry something huge to make my clothes look great. This steamer works amazing in all kinds of settings!

3. Tide To Go Pen

You know that one thing you can’t live without? This is it for me. I am the clumsiest person, so this pen works wonders. I also like to carry it for my clumsy friends. It definitely makes you feel powerful when you can erase your little mistakes on clothes and make it look good as new!

4. Portable Charger

I only really use my portable charger for travel or long events. I have used this portable charger in particular for my phone and my ipad! From the last time I used it, it gave me about three full charges for my phone and one full one for my ipad. Definitely a must!!

5. Revlon Air Dryer

This blowdryer is incredible! I have timed the duration it takes for my hair to be blowdried and I have a record timing of 12 minutes. As one of my favorite purchases, I completely recommend this for all hair types. It works wonders and is so easy to use!

6. Laundry Bags

If there’s anything you know about me, it’s that I’m an organized packer. I like to use my laundry bags to separate my clean from my dirty clothing, because once you get home, you know exactly what to put in your laundry. I absolutely love the mesh bags too. Easy to spot in all your clothing!

7. Tripod and Remote

I know it’s a two in one, but the purchase together makes all the difference. There’s so much that goes into a photo, this tripod and its remote make life so much easier. The mini tripod is amazing! Every time I travel or even walk by myself, I attach the tripod to anything it can hold onto and use my remote to click away. The mini tripod is super flexible and can grab onto any uneven surface! I mostly use my phone with it because it just makes it easier to carry and snap!

8. Waterproof Shoes

These waterproof shoes saves lives. I love that it looks like a regular shoe but has plenty of breathing space for your feet. It feels great to walk in and out of water, and has a little elastic to make it tighter or not depending on how you want the strength of your shoe to weigh on your feet. I also love the neutral color, meaning it matches with all my outfits!

I can write about tips forever on what to travel with, especially when the items coincide with my favorite items to move with. These items are my absolute favorite to explore with because they make my life so much easier! I absolutely love everything I can do with each item and how much value it brings in my life, and those around me. If you needed any gift ideas for travel bugs like me, THIS IS IT!

This page contains some affiliate links. This means that I may receive a commission if you click on the link and decide to purchase. I promise everything I write here is my own, honest opinion. I will never recommend anything I don’t love, trust and use myself. I am SO grateful for your support!

The post 8 Gift Ideas for Travelers that They’ll Actually Use appeared first on Plane and Cheesy.

I’ve been using a word of the year since 2018 and it has done me good.

2021 was my year of growth.

Maybe it’s choosing a word that allows me to live by it all year and beyond. Or maybe it’s just something to look forward to and add into my daily routine. It’s actually pretty hard just choosing one word or phrase because it’s something that really takes a toll in my life.

Now that I’ve given you an idea of what I think about often, I’ll share the less thinking and more visuals aspect of my year.

JANUARY

I started the year off in the sun and at the beach. This was Tyler and I’s first New Year’s together in Miami, so it was quite special.

Part of my new year’s resolution was to do something new each month. January’s was:

• shooting range
• hot yoga
• did a live with one of my fave bloggers

FEBRUARY

I was at a place in my life where I was comfortable with my relationship because everything was so nice and beautiful. He encouraged me to meet people through Bumble BFF and so I did.

I think I met some girls that would forever change my life. As cheesy as it sounds.

Some new activities for the month:

• axe throwing
• pinterest workshop to grow my blog
• first bumble bff galentine’s

MARCH

I was able to go back home for a week to be able to enjoy the nice sun during spring break.

I also had some collaborations that blew my mind. I gathered my photographer friends and creatives to make this happen. It was such a fun partnership too!

The New New

• went to Sabaris pool suites with Tyler
• collaboration with Empress Gin
• collaboration with ChocoVine

APRIL

It was my last day at North Central College as a Graduate Assistant. Truly an unforgettable experience with my students. I can’t wait to see where life takes them!

Some new activities for the month:

• visited the Van Gogh interactive museum
• last day at North Central College with my students

MAY

I pursued my Master in Business Administration in 2019 and finally graduated!!! I could not have done it without my mentors, students, and those who believed in me.

I planned and organized my dream National Parks trip after graduation. These kind souls trusted me with the process and joined me along for the adventure and experience!

The new new: road tripped through 8 states in 2 weeks!

JUNE

Had a blast dog sitting in different occasions, exploring the beautiful Marco Island beach, and surviving my first trip with my significant other. We hiked the Smoky Mountains and mini golfed our lives away!!!

Some new activities for the month:

• road trip to Gatlinburg with Tyler’s fam
• traveled to Marco Island for mom’s fancy events
• kayaked with a friend’s doggo

JULY

I GOT MY FIRST BIG GIRL JOB!!! Straight out of college, I might add.

Thanks to a mentor at my grad school, I met a few people, who connected me to other people, and what not. All in all, I kid you not, I did 44+ informational interviews to get to know those around here and create my network.

I now work in the real estate industry as a Sales Consultant. *Ask me if I ever saw myself in this business*

• first 31 days, 29 rentals with no sales experience

AUGUST

Celebrated my best friend’s graduation from her master’s program!!! I feel like we’re always learning, but she’s a whole other level of school things.

I met a few small business owners to collaborate with. A jewelry company and candle making with bumble bff’s in the city.

Some new activities for the month:

• saw Buckingham Fountain, finally!!!
• published in the Voyage Miami magazine about my experience in life thus far

SEPTEMBER

Guess who made her first big girl purchase!? THIS GIRL!!

I also re-joined Orange Theory a few months back, so this should be interesting.

Random new activities:

• went to middle of nowhere, Michigan on a triple date and two pups

OCTOBER

After attending a few weddings this year, it was our time to shine. Look how cutie we look. We’re matching!!!

We event went to Epcot before the official weekend started and drank around the world. I mostly ate, but you get the memo.

Some new activities for the month:

• went to Epcot/Disney together for the first time
• attended a wedding at a science museum

NOVEMBER

We were supposed to go to our first couple’s trip before covid hit, but obviously there were different plans. We ended up going to Boston this time around, and it was BEAUTIFUL and SO worth it!

Tyler lost a bet during the trip because he thought I wouldn’t be able to not go on social media and I did it! So he had to run the Turkey Trot with me.

Fun, new experiences:

• ran Chicago’s hot chocolate 5k with Linh
• visited Boston with Tyler
• finally ran the Turkey Trot with Tyler

DECEMBER

I actually brought my parents to their first Orange Theory class. I was anxious the whole time, trying to focus on them. While Mom was doing her thing, Papi was dancing during class.

Planning a themed birthday is always fun! Especially because my family went with it and participated. Thanks for always being my #1 cheerleaders, family.

Some new activities for the month:

• brought parents to Orange Theory
• got promoted a week before my 6 months
• planned a themed birthday for my adult self

The post 2021 Year in Review appeared first on Plane and Cheesy.

There are so many rules that people don’t explicitly talk about when supervising undergraduate students.

Every opportunity I had to plan a mixer or do a lunch with staff on campus, I would. Whether people showed up or didn’t was out of my control. Graduating two years later, I came out with some pretty solid friendships. *Shoutout to you, you know who you are.* The road to it was thanks to Bumble BFF.

To give you a glimpse of what Bumble BFF wouldn’t give it justice. Bumble as an application has three tiers- dating, for business, and making friends. I used it for two of the three, but that’s a story for another day! I actually wrote about my friend dating experience too, if you want to check that out.

I did all sorts of things with my new friends.

Cubs Game

Like always, a sporting event is always a good event to partake in. You’re not always sitting still and you’re pretty much either cheering or eating when you’re at your seats. It’s actually pretty fun trying to figure out who is the sports person, who is the one that you’ll find at the concession stands, and who will just chat the whole game. Sporting events are always the move!!!

Celebrating Holidays, like Cinco de Drinko

Doing something for holidays is always a great time. We got together to celebrate and just get to know everyone that came. It’s the hosting random people that may get to you… but if one friend is willing to do it, go for it! In this situation, I’d rather be the attendee. I love that we shared Cinco de Mayo, decorated, and dressed up accordingly. It was so much fun to just relax and unwind.

Kayaking in Espenscheid Forest Preserve

WHAT A DAY! We had to reserve our spot a few weeks in advance because we also had to pay to go. The idea of planning a date that fit everyone’s schedule, collecting monies to keep everyone accountable, and planning who would be carpooling… you’d think would be a breeze. Gratefully, our friend Katie did all the leg work. Getting girls from the city and the suburbs was a mission, but possible!

The forest preserve as a whole was beautiful. You had a choice of one or two seater for the kayaks. Dogs were invited as well, as long as they were trained! I would plan for a whole day because it was a few hours just one way. You basically park your car in the lot, then you’re taken by a van to the start of the kayaks, and you end where your car is. We brought tons of snacks and water to stay hydrated.

Yoga in 360 Observatory Deck

Exercising and friends means that we can’t take life seriously. Yoga was a ton of stretching and more for the experience because we got to do it with an AMAZING VIEW!! I’d totally go again but just for the observatory deck. I think it’s also cheaper if you enter with your yoga class than just buying a ticket all together. You’re welcome!

Strawberry picking in Johnson’s Farm Produce, or really just random photoshoots

We actually went for a strawberry picking session, but the weather wasn’t in our favor. We still made the best of it and had a mini photoshoot. *Shoutout to Anthony for being a trooper and taking all these photos.*

Matching Sets for in-house photoshoots

I think it was mostly the peer pressure that did it. One person buys the stuff, knows our sizes, and we just pay them back. We matched for a few different occasions, so now we have no excuse but to be twins/quadruplets for fun!

Harry Potter pop-up

I’ve been wanting to go to a pop up forever and we finally made it happen! Everything you need to know about Harry Potter was used as decoration for the whole bar. It was actually pretty neat. They also had a trivia game that everyone could take part in, so my boyfriend did his thing. I thought I knew Harry Potter……….. back to the drawing board I go.

It’s a different ball game *pun intended* when it comes to making plans and following through. The idea is that you show up and try to get out of your comfort zone. I promise, IT’S WORTH IT!

The post Making Friends as an Adult is Hard, Bumble BFF Makes it Easy appeared first on Plane and Cheesy.