MY SUMMER BUCKET LIST

Summer seems to always come and go so quickly. So this year, I'm making more of an effort to live each day to the fullest. And I figured I would hold my self accountable by making a list of things to do throughout the next few months. Some of which are personal things I want to accomplish and others are just things to simply ENJOY. 

1. Plan a trip. 

2. See a Movie on the lawn at Bryant Park. This is something I've wanted to do since I moved to New York and I'm excited to finally make it happen this Summer.   

3. Go to a farmers market and cook dinner with all the fresh ingredients found. 

4. Rent a kayak. There's actually several places in the city that offer FREE rentals. 

5. Attend a few concerts. I love going to smaller local venues in the city. So far, I have tickets to see JoJo. This will my second time seeing her LIVE in concert and she does not disappoint.  

6. Visit a NEW rooftop & sip a fancy cocktail. There are so many good ones in the city. 

7. Go to a baseball game. Now the question is: METS or YANKEES?! 

8. Watch more sunsets than Netflix. 

9. Find a workout that I actually like and do it often. One place I've been wanting to try is Y7 Yoga studios.  They offer Hip Hop Yoga classes which is totally my kind of workout. 

10. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge and watch the sunrise. 

11. Go on a Tiki Bar Crawl, including this one that recently opened in Midtown. 

12. Spend more days with a Make Up FREE face. 

13. Spend an afternoon at Smorgasburg, an outdoor food market full of popular NYC eats. And definitely INSTAGRAM worthy. 

14. Pack a picnic and hit the BEACH for a day.  

15. Visit the Museum of Ice Cream Pop-Up in Soho. And rumor has it, there is a pool of rainbow sprinkles. 

16. Read 3 books. Currently reading & LOVING Single State of Mind by Andi Dorfman.

17. Explore a new neighborhood in the city. (Tribeca & Lower East Side are on my list so far)

18. Host an end of SUMMER gathering with friends. 

I would love to hear what's on your bucket list this Summer?!  Comment below.

XO, Rae 

LESSONS LEARNED IN MY THIRTIES: PART TWO

I've said this before and I'll say it again, your THIRTIES will be some of the best years of your life. They will also be the years that you really start to get to know who you are as an individual. With that being said, there will be many lessons learned along the way. Two years ago at the age of 33, I wrote all about some of those life lessons and you can read it here. Now that I'm 35, I feel like there is even more that I've learned about life and myself. So I thought I would share some of the life lessons with you in a Part 2, of this very topic. 

1. Friends are everything. Make time for them even when you feel like you don't have the time to give. 

2. Live some place that you miss every time you leave.

3. Make plans, but say “NO” sometimes if you need to.

4. You can have it all, and yet still feel lonely. 

5. Find something that makes you genuinely happy. And do it often.

6. People will disappoint you at some point in your life. But don't let it ruin the relationship. We're all human. 

7. Change is inevitable. But it's how you react to it, that will make the difference in the end. 

8. Speak Up. Don't be afraid to express yourself and have honest conversations. 

9. Surround yourself with strong & supportive women. 

10. Eat healthier and make time for working out. Metabolism is a thing of the past. 

11. You will remember experiences above anything else in life. 

12. Not everyone is meant to play a role in your life. And that’s okay. 

13. Do more things that are out of your comfort zone.

14. Don’t be afraid to reconnect with old friends. Sometimes we get it right the second time around. 

15. Don't let people who don't see your vision detour you from your goals. 

16. The relationship you have with yourself will either be beneficial or detrimental to the relationships you have with others. 

17. Get in the habit of practicing Self Care. 

18. There is no statue of limitations on starting over. 

19. Confidence within yourself will be your best weapon when it comes to career, dating and life in general. 

20. Your THIRTIES will be the years that you will reinvent yourself over and over again. Enjoy the journey! 

What is the best life lesson you've learned in your thirties?!  Comment below. 

XO, Dana Rae

5 OUTDOOR THINGS TO DO IN NYC THIS SUMMER

Now that Memorial Day has come and gone, it's the unofficial start to Summer. And that means it's time to soak up some SUN and take advantage of these long Summer days. Although New York City is known for being a concrete jungle, the city has a lot to offer when it comes to life outdoors. So, I'm sharing five things to do outdoors this Summer in NYC.

1. Bryant Park

There are an array of parks all over Manhattan, but this one is worth braving the crowds for. Bryant Park hosts a ton of events during the Summer months. You can take a FREE Yoga class in the park, watch a movie on the lawn, preview a Broadway Show & even attend an all you can eat ice cream festival. This is the perfect place to gather with friends and enjoy all that Summer has to offer.

Located: between 40th and 42nd Streets & Fifth and Sixth Avenues., New York, NY 10018

2. Grand Bazaar Market

This outdoor market is located on the Upper Westside and is OPEN every Sunday from 10am-5:30pm. Being NYC's largest curated flea market with 100+ vendors, you can expect to find everything from clothing, jewelry, antiques to local food vendors. It’s a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon and support local artists. 

Located: 100 West 77th St., NY, NY 10024 (at Columbus Avenue)

3. Rooftop Bars

Summer wouldn't be complete without a visit to a rooftop bar. Whether you're going for the breathtaking skyline views, the Instagramable cocktails or just to cool off from the heat, there is something for everyone. Click here for a list of some of the best rooftops in the city. Cheers to Summer!

Pictured: Loopy Doopy Rooftop / Prosecco & Ice Pop Cocktails

Located: 102 North End Avenue, New York, NY 10282

4. Boat Basin Cafe

This is one of the best kept secrets (in my opinion) on the Upper Westside. In a somewhat hidden location, Boat Basin Cafe sits right on the edge of Riverside Park overlooking the Hudson River. It's laid back atmosphere is accompanied by casual dining, frozen drinks, beer on tap and waterfront views. This is one of my favorite places to bring my Georgia friends when they come to visit, because they never expect to see a place like this in the middle of the city.

Located: W 79th St, New York, NY 10024 

5. Madison Square Eats

One of the best parts of Summer is dining al fresco. And Urbanspace has several pop-up food markets all around the city including Madison Square Eats that hosts 20+ vendors of local NYC restaurants. It's the perfect place to grab lunch on the go or meet friends after work. Seasonal ONLY May/JUNE. Open Daily 11am-9pm

Located: Worth Square, Flatiron District New York, NY 10010

ALSO RECOMMENDED:  THINGS TO DO IN THE SUMMER IN NEW YORK 

XO, Rae 

SEPHORA SPRING SALE MUST HAVES

Happy Monday!! Starting this week off by stocking up on some of my favorite beauty products. If you haven’t heard already, SEPHORA is having a huge SPRING BONUS SALE for all Beauty Insiders, which is their loyalty savings program.

ROUGE: 15% OFF - USE CODE YAYROUGE

VIB: 15% OFF- USE CODE YAYVIB

INSIDER: 10% OFF-USE CODE YAYINSIDER

Today on the blog I’m sharing some of my go-to products & a few NEW products I've been wanting to try. Today’s an ‘ADD To CART’ kinda day! 

Favorites to Restock Up On

It cosmetic CC+ cream w/ SPF 50- I’m not big on foundation so this has been my all time favorite product that I use daily. It gives you a light coverage almost like foundation without the heavy cakey feel. And gives you a natural look plus evens skin tone & has SPF 50.  Basically saving you several steps when getting ready for the day. I wear the shade Light.  

Benefit Gimme Brow Gel- If you’re like me and have to fill in your eyebrows daily. Then you’ll love this product! It’s a voluminizing brow gel that gives your natural brows definition and makes it easier for other brow products to adhere too. I start with this brow gel in (shade #1 Light) and then I go back in with a brow powder to fill in any other sparse areas. The gel helps make my eyebrows last all day without smudging. 

Benefit Boi-ing Brightening Concealer - I was gifted this concealer by a friend back in December and I haven't stopped using it since. And I'm really picky when it comes to concealer. But this one has definitely been a favorite. It covers well and gives a brightening affect to my eyes, especially on days when I look less than rested. If you have dark circles, you should give this one a try!

Tarte Double Take Eyeliner- I recently discovered this eyeliner and I'm OBSESSED. For years, I strayed away from liquid eyeliner because I didn't like how it applied and would smudge during the day. But apparently, I was just using the wrong one. The cool thing about this eyeliner is that it is double ended giving you a pencil and liquid. So you can easily use for daytime and nighttime, depending on what type of look you're going for.  

Tarte Hamptons Weekender Contour Palette- This is a 3 in one  highlight, blush & contour palette. Perfect for Spring and Summer for that beachy glow look.  And I love that it's a travel size so you can easily pack it for a weekend getaway or toss it in your makeup bag for on the go. 

Living Proof T.B.D. Multi Tasking Styler- This is my secret product for achieving that salon blow out from home. This styling cream helps gives your hair that smooth look and helps tames fly aways. It can also works great on styled loose waves to give them life again during the day. Tip: a little bit goes a long way. This product is sure to last you awhile. 

Sephora Collection Ultra Shine Lip Gloss- My all time favorite Sephora brand lip gloss in shade 'Nude Alert'. It's an ultra shine gloss that has the prettiest gold undertones. And it goes with EVERYTHING! I wear this lip gloss all Spring/Summer long. 

New Products to Try

Kopari Slip Into Summer Set- I've been wanting to try more Kopari products and this kit comes with 3 of their best sellers. I'm already a fan of the Kopari Lip Gloss. But I'm excited to try the Coconut Melt as well as the Body Glow. These are sure to get me ready for Summer. 

Urban Decay Naked Petite Heat Palette- This is a mini palette with 6 NEW shades that were inspired by Urban Decay's best seller Naked Heat Palette. These eye shadows punch a lot of color with tones of reddish browns and corals. 

Orgins GinZing SPF 40 Energy-Boosting Tinted Moisturizer- I've heard great things about this tinted moisturizer. It's great for those days when you don't feel like putting on makeup, but you still want some color added to your face. It differs from most tinted moisturizers because it has built-in SPF 40 and also helps energize your skin. 

Tell me what you’ll be stocking up on during the SEPHORA SALE!! Comment below. 

XO, Rae

WHY YOU SHOULDN'T COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS

At some point in our lives, we all have fallen victim to the comparison trap. Myself included. Whether it be in our careers, personal life or even with friends. And now days with social media, comparing ourselves to others has become easier now more than ever. It's easy to scroll through Instagram and feel like our lives don't look as glamorous as others and even feel like we don't have it all together. But it's important to know that social media is often a highlight reel. And that we all have REAL lives outside of those pretty curated feeds. Here are a few things to remember the next time you find yourself comparing your life to others.

Everyone has a story.

We all have baggage. We all have ups & downs. We all have hopes & dreams. Which means we all have a past, present and future. And just because other people don't always put their baggage out there, it doesn't mean that it doesn’t exist. Sometimes it's easier to only put the shiny pretty things in our life on display. But let's be for real, we all have days where life looks more like a hot mess than a pretty mess. Everyone's story is different, as it should be.  

Others success isn't always what it seems. 

Maybe they struggled for years before finding success. Maybe they worked really hard. Maybe they just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Or maybe they had a ton of help along the way to get where they are. The truth is, you don't always know how others got to be where they are now. And for that reason alone, you shouldn't compare your beginning to what could be their middle or end result.

Find your OWN voice. 

The more you compare yourself to others and admire their traits, the more you may actually start doing things they would do. And not necessarily what is true to you and your character. Be authentically YOU even if you feel like it's not the norm. People look to those who are authentically themselves. Going against the grain is far better than trying to always fit in with everyone else.

Nobody has it all figured out.

It’s easy to feel like everyone around us has it all figured out, but the truth is nobody does really. Some are just better at faking it than others. Perception doesn’t necessarily mean its reality. We've all been exhausted, overwhelmed, overworked and stressed out at some point in our lives. And we're basically just trying to figure it all out along the way. Nobody has all the answers, so don't put so much pressure on yourself to do the same. 

How do you deal with comparison?! I’d love to hear your thoughts. Comment below.

XO, Dana Rae

GIFT GUIDE: HOSTESS GIFTS

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone. Holiday Season is in full swing. And you know what that means...lots of invites to Holiday Parties. And you don't want to show up empty handed, so I'm sharing some hostess gift ideas (most under $25). Gift giving is the best and these gifts are sure to impress. 

**Note: I've linked the lowest prices for each item with today's CYBER MONDAY Sales.**  Happy Shopping! 

'CHEERS' TABLE/BAR TRAY

This tray is multifunctional and makes the perfect home accessory for any hostess. Especially for the hostess who loves to entertain. Can't you just picture this tray full of festive cocktails being passed around the party?! 

Oster Cordless Eclectic Wine Bottle Opener

Wine accessories are always appreciated. I have yet to have purchases an electric wine opener for myself. So I would be more than happy to receive this as a gift. Less time opening bottles means more time drinking.  

White Marble Wine Chiller

For the person who seems to own everything. This marble wine chiller is the perfect gift. It's not only pretty but functional. And also doubles as a utensil holder, making it two gifts in one.

Kate Spade Tidbit Plates (Set of 4)

These plates are SO CUTE and colorful. And with fun sayings detailed, they are bound to be a conversation piece.

3- Pc. Gold-Tone Cheese Tool Set

This gold cheese tool set is the perfect addition to any charcuterie board. And you can never have enough serving pieces. 

Gold Stemless Glasses (Set of 6) 

Drinking WINE is more fun when you have pretty glasses to drink out of. For the hostess who is a wine lover, these are sure to impress. And with a set of 6, all the ladies will be drinking pretty at the party. 

Capri Blue Iridescent Jar Candle

Candles are always a great gift idea. And these Capri Candles have been filling my Instagram feed lately. Not only do these candles smell AMAZING but they come in a gorgeous iridescent jar. Yes, Please!

XO, Rae 

WHY IT'S OKAY TO LOSE YOURSELF AT TIMES

This blog post has been a long time coming. But even with that said, it's still difficult to write even as I am typing these words. Let me first say, that I am so thankful to have this platform to be able to be raw and open with y'all. And I've always said that no matter what, I will keep things real on here even when it's not pretty. After all, my goal of this blog is to write about REAL life and how we often find that we are 'REINVENTING' ourselves. 

This year has not been my best. I had high hopes for what would be to come and what I would accomplish. If your new here, let me back up a little to the Summer of 2015. I had just left my comfy corporate job here in the city after deciding that I wanted to explore other options. At the time, I didn't know what those other options were. For the first time in my life, I left a job with no plan as to where I would be next. The month before I left, I started my blog Reinventing Rae NYC. Initially the blog was a way to connect with friends and family since I had just moved to New York six months prior. I knew nothing about blogging at the time, but I had a passion for writing. I had no clear vision of where the blog would eventually go, I just knew I wanted to write about life here in the city and real things happening in my day to day life.

In late 2015, I started to play around with the idea of starting my own business. Although I wasn't sure what exactly it would entail, I was excited for the possibilities. Fast forward over the next year, after talking to a friend, ideas started to come together for a product based business. Products that would include drinkware (coffee mugs, wine glasses, tumblers, etc., with a plan of eventually adding party accessories and stationary. I have a passion for putting together gifts for friends and loved ones as well as planning any type of event or social gathering. This was my brain telling me to put all of my passions to good use and make it profitable. In August of 2016, I started to put plans together and collaborate with a friend who had the talent I needed to make my ideas a reality.

But early on in 2016, my personal life was falling apart. (Well, at least that's how it felt anyways) I was struggling with myself in this new found free time on my hands and the lack of structure in my everyday life. Although it would be my busiest year yet, having friends and family visit me in the city almost every month. Not even kidding. This kept me distracted in a lot of ways although I welcomed it most of the time. Which also allowed me to be less accountable for myself, claiming that I was "too busy" to do anything else. And on top of everything, my parents decided to divorce after 26 years of marriage. And even though it wasn't a complete shock, the aftermath hit me hard. I am not one to adapt to change very well, especially when it involves those closest to me. And this would prove to bring a lot of change that I was in no way prepared for.

Over the course of the year, I quickly lost focus of my business planning and started to loose sight of what my goals actually were. I was struggling to be happy and stay in a positive place when I felt like so many things were falling apart. This continued into 2017, even though I set out to finally conquer my fears and get serious about starting my business. This year has been full of ups and downs. I would take several steps forward and then I would take even more steps back. I even sought out a business mentor and completed my business plan. And with the push of friends and family, I made the bold move of ordering physical products in hopes to launch and start selling in the Fall of this year. But when those products finally arrived, they were less than desirable. There were more mugs with imprint errors, than there were ones that I could actually sell. It was a huge disappointment. Luckily, I was able to return the product (all 446 mugs) and received a full refund. Everyone was busy reassuring me that things like this happen and I could easily begin again. But I felt like something was missing all along and that maybe this was a sign. Even with all the progress I was able to make throughout this year, I was still holding myself back from moving forward with everything.

For the past 6+ months I have admittedly been depressed. Which is something I have battled with before. However, it is never easy to openly talk about. And I think that several factors have contributed to my depression this time around. As time has gone on, it has proven to be difficult to stay motivated and be productive while at home full time. Structure is something I never realized I relied on so much until I had to create it for myself. And with lack of a consistent schedule, my sleep habits were a mess. I have gone through periods of staying up all hours of the night with little to no sleep to days where I barely function before noon. I've questioned what I really want my career to look like and IF I have the ability to make it happen. I've allowed fear and insecurities to take over even when I had all the resources. And my family and I continue to try and adjust to a new "normal". 

It wasn't until a few weeks ago, that I finally opened up to a few close friends with all my recent struggles and everything I had been going through. It was hard to put into words at first, but I felt relieved to talk about it openly. And it was in those conversations when I started to realize that it's okay to lose yourself at times. Nobody is perfect. We are all human. We all have shitty things that happen to us in life. And we all certainly go through difficult times. We can't expect ourselves to always keep going when we feel like breaking down. And sometimes you just need to listen to your gut and take a step back. 

I somehow started to build up walls in order to protect myself, but in reality those same walls have made me closed off from the people and things I love most. And I know now that often times you have to break down to get back up. And most importantly, give yourself the chance to cope with things. I'm a firm believer that things happen for a reason. And maybe you have to go through the real tough shit in order to come out better than you were before. 

Now, I am more determined than ever to pick up the pieces and keep moving forward. I still have a lot of things to consider and work through. But one thing I know for certain, is that I really want to focus on my blog over the next year. I put so much hard work into building a new website this past April. And I feel like I ended up neglecting the blog over these past few months. Writing has always been such a great outlet and I want to continue to share things that I'm passionate about with y'all. I've already started working on lots of new content for the coming months. 

We are never as broken as we think we are. So, if you're going through a season of change or feel like your life is in chaos. Remember this. EVERY DAY IS A NEW DAY. 

XO, Rae 

JORD WOOD WATCHES: THE PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT

The Holiday Season is officially upon us, which means it's time to start thinking about gift giving for friends and family. I'm always looking for unique gifts that stand out from the crowd. And this year I'm excited to be partnering with JORD Wood Watches to help you gift the ones you love, a unique and timeless gift. 

Speaking of gifts, I must have been on the NICE list this year! Because I received an early Christmas gift of my very own wood watch from JORD. I'm wearing the CASSIA walnut and vintage rose  and I'm OBSESSED. This watch is not only GORGEOUS and FEMININE. But it's also stylish and makes for the perfect accessory to compliment any outfit. The CASSIA women's watch features a full roman numeral dial with a metal and wood interlocked band. JORD watches are so unique because they each feature 100% natural, hand finished woods. And they offer styles for both men and women, making it easy to get all of your holiday shopping done early. 

And as a special offer for my followers, JORD is giving you 25% OFF toward your holiday purchases. You can sign up here to receive your 25% OFF coupon code instantly via email. But HURRY, because this offer expires December 15th, 2017!!

You can shop the men's watches here: 

 https://www.jordwatches.com/shop/men/#reinventingraenyc

You can shop the women's watches here:  

https://www.jordwatches.com/shop/women/#reinventingraenyc

Can't wait to see which JORD watch you choose to gift!! Who are you shopping for....Mom? Dad? Boyfriend? Best Friend?  Or are you thinking of treating yourself?! Let me know in the comments below! Make sure to follow along on Instagram for more special offers like this one! 

Watch Gift Ideas

This post was Sponsored by JORD Wood Watches. All opinions are my own.  

XO, Rae

FALL BUCKET LIST 2017

Hey y'all! Can you believe that Thanksgiving is NEXT week?! I feel like once November begins, the rest of the year goes by so fast and ends up being a blur. Fall is my absolute FAVORITE time of year. I mean what's not to LOVE?! Sweater weather, scarves & boots, cozy nights at home, changing of the leaves and Pumpkin Spice everything. So, in my attempt to hold on to Fall a little bit longer, I'm sharing my bucket list.

1. Once the weather starts to get cool, I love walking through Central Park to see all the leaves that are changing colors. Walking through The Mall & the Bow Bridge are some of my favorite spots to capture photos. 

2. Fall isn't complete without a few pumpkins, right?! I love going to the Union Square Green Market this time of year. They have the best selection of fresh produce as well as pumpkins in all sizes and colors. I'll be stocking up on a few for my Thanksgiving tablescape. 

3. I love to bake, especially around the Holidays. I always make Pumpkin Bread each year, but this year I'm planning to bake a few pies for Thanksgiving as well. What are your favorite recipes to make?

4. Nothing says Fall like scented candles lit on a cozy night at home. (insert wine here) I'm loving these candles from Target. Because you know, who doesn't need another reason to shop at Target?! 

5. I recently learned of a local restaurant that offers Pasta Making Classes here in New York. And I'm excited to make a night of it with my best friend. I actually gifted him this experience for his Birthday last month. So now we just need to pick a date & go! Wine & Carbs....Yes, Please! 

6. The Macy's Thanksgiving Parade is a MUST to experience at least once. But last year I decided to go the night before to see the parade floats being inflated on the Upper Westside. They line the floats up over several city blocks and allow you to walk around getting a sneak peak of all the floats. It was definitely less crowded than the actual parade. And I'm excited to do it again this year! 

7. Hosting Friendsgiving! Since I moved to New York, my roommates and I have hosted Thanksgiving for the past 3 years at our apartment. We love opening our home to anyone who doesn't have a place to go or just isn't able to travel home for the holiday. Bring on the pie & booze!

Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving filled with all the food & surrounded by your friends & family! 

XO, Rae 

7 TRAVEL TIPS: FOR THE GIRL ON THE GO

There are two types of people when it comes to travel. Those who plan ahead of time and pack days in advance. Or those who wing it and throw together outfits last minute. Personally, I’m a much better travel companion if I plan ahead and take out the guess work.

Traveling can be stressful at times. And since I’ve done more traveling in recent years, I’ve picked up a few habits that help me to feel less anxious when planning trips. So I thought I’d share some tips in case you also want to eliminate some of the stress of traveling.

1. CHECK THE WEATHER FOR YOUR DESTINATION

This might seem obvious. However, weather can change day to day. So, this is the very first thing I do prior to packing. It helps me to narrow down the items I need rather than just packing my entire closet. And as a female, I always like to be prepared when it comes to my outfits. I love using the app Swackett to see the weather for my upcoming destination. Not only does the app give you hourly weather previews, but it also has wardrobe suggestions that are weather appropriate. Packing is a breeze with this app.

2. PLAN YOUR OUTFITS

The method of planning your outfits in advance may seem time consuming, but I promise it will save you time in the end. If you know that on certain days/nights you will need more dressy outfits vs. casual, then this is a great way to plan ahead. I start with laying out each piece of clothing individually. Then I match pieces together to create outfits. Lastly, I add shoes and accessories to each outfit for a completed look. And then I pack everything accordingly. This also helps to give you a visual of what you have in your suitcase. You can also take a photo of each outfit to save for reference on your trip. Planning your outfits ahead of time will also help avoid packing unnecessary items. Because let's be for real, we've all over packed a time or two. No judgement here. 

3. PACK EMERGENCY ITEMS

We've all been guilty of saying the phrase; 'If I didn't pack it, I'll just buy it". Well, that sounds great in theory. However, sometimes getting everyday items in an unknown place can be more trouble than it's worth. You can avoid all that by just bringing a few extra items that you may need during your trip. This way if something comes up, you can be at ease knowing you have these in your suitcase. Items to include are: band aids, Preheels (for those new shoes that will likely give you blisters), pain reliever, aloe vera (if you're planning on being in the sun), feminine products, anti-nausea, etc.) Target & CVS have the best selection of travel sized products.  

 

4. LOOK INTO ATTRACTIONS & EVENTS

Traveling to a new city can be EXCITING! It can also be a daunting task trying to put together an itinerary for a trip. But thanks to social media, it can be easy to create a "wish list" of things to do & see during your stay. Try searching the name of your destination as a #hashtag on Instagram. This will allow you to see all photos that are tagged with that hashtag, often showcasing scenic sites, places to shop and even restaurants within that area. Time Out is also a great resource when planning a trip. You can look up attractions, free things to do and local events within the city you're visiting to help make the most out of your trip.

5. CARRY A TOTE BAG

Tote bags are a necessity when traveling. Especially when you're out sightseeing/shopping and don't want to carry multiple bags through out the day. They also double as a great carry on bag for the flight. You can throw in all of your usual purse items plus extras like headphones, iPad, makeup and more. And if you have a tendency to bring back more than you left with, pack an extra tote bag in your luggage for those items that don't fit for the flight home. This will save you from having to pay any baggage overweight fees. 

6. INVEST IN QUALITY LUGGAGE

Whether you travel often or only a few times a year, buying quality luggage is worth the investment. I recently purchased new luggage from Calpak. And I'm OBSESSED. It's lightweight, glides on eight wheels and has separated compartments inside which provide more space for clothing, shoes & accessories. Calpak offers super sleek designs and durable exteriors making in easy to navigate the streets of the city and running through the airport. It has made traveling so much easier.

7. CHECK IN ONLINE

The airport is one of the most unpredictable places. And with constant changes to airline rules and regulations, it can be time consuming going through security and getting to your assigned gate. Checking In online is a great feature offered by most airlines via their website or mobile app. You can print your boarding pass ahead of time (from home) or download your boarding pass straight to your phone. And if you're traveling with only a carry on, you can bypass the airline check in counter all together. Getting through security is the next challenge. But now with CLEAR, you can navigate the line within minutes. CLEAR is a monthly membership that allows you to bypass the long lines of ID check and gets you straight to the security screening line. If you are a frequent flyer, you can now travel with more ease and save time.   

Now that you're all packed up and ready to go...you can sit back, relax and enjoy your flight to your final destination. Preferably with a cocktail in hand.

What do you find helpful when traveling? Share your travel tips in the comments below.

XO, Dana Rae