• Decorating,  Food and Drink,  International Travel

    Friday Finds on Mackinaw Road: Andre, the Enneagram, and a Pink Fridge

      Hi and Happy Friday! Welcome to a place where we talk about all of the discoveries of the week. This week we will once again be covering five topics in short form. This week includes mention of the enneagram, a cute llama, turquoise water, a plant that makes me look good, and some delicious lasagna! I’m so excited about the Art category this week. I adore art and would love to have more of it our home. And there are just so many wonderful local artists. So, for this topic, I’d love to introduce some of my favorites/most coveted pieces of art during the Friday Finds on Mackinaw Road…

  • Canada,  International Travel,  Uncategorized,  US Travel

    Chasing Fall

    While summer sun and lake time has my heart, there is something about fall that is simply magical. From the stillness to the brightly colored leaves to the sweater weather, fall takes a very close second (and only that due to the fact that I know what follows fall). Michigan autumns are simply the best- apple picking, pumpkin patches, rich colored trees… the list goes on and on… [This post may contain affiliate links.] We are always incredibly hesitant to miss out on Michigan falls. However, after looking at some of the Instagrams below, I may be more inclined to do so… Just look at this beautiful autumn foliage worldwide.…

  • Necessities,  Uncategorized,  US Travel

    Top 5 Travel Hacks

    Hi all! I feel like it’s been awhile. It’s just incredibly wonderful to feel the spring sun and watch the beautiful flowers in bloom. Also, we’ve been out traveling twice in the last month… that along with birthdays, school plays, soccer, yard work, shooting hoops in the driveway too late past bedtime… you know how the springtime awakening goes… Since packing (and unpacking) have been fresh on my mind lately, I thought that a few travel hacks were in order.

  • Decorating,  Uncategorized

    Decorating with Travel Trinkets

    Full disclosure (again): just the word “trinket” makes me cringe. And, yet we find ourselves tempted to buy souvenirs or street art all the time. Luckily, my inner voice often stops us. That said, we have found ourselves in possession of said trinkets because they do remind us of a fabulous beach vacation or a memorable experience. Here is how we have decorated with them…

  • Gifts,  Uncategorized

    Travel Gift Guide by Mackinaw Road

      I do not like February. Despite it being my birthday month and housing Valentine’s Day, it is just not my month. Last year, I was determined to make it my month, went out for a run, and returned with a broken jaw. So, March wasn’t really my month either. I’m on to a new strategy for this February. Lay low. While I’m “laying low”, I’ve had some time to come up with a Valentine’s Day wish list for the traveler in your life/me. **This post contains affiliate links, meaning that, at no cost to you, I may receive some compensation.. Thank you! Moment Lenses and Case– I can’t even…

  • Food and Drink,  Michigan Travel,  Uncategorized

    24 Hours in West Michigan

    Someone recently posed the question… What would you do in your city if it was your last 24 hours there? Good question. First, I would cry… because I really do love where I live. Second, I would be all over West Michigan because it would be too difficult to stay in one city, and, with the ease of travel here, why not? Third, how has this not been a dinner conversation topic before? Move over crazy toddler stories, there’s a new topic in town.

  • Food and Drink

    Amazing Desserts from Around the World, Tres Leches

      Next up, my new friend, Nerin and her amazing Tres Leches cake. This past summer, we were at a lake party, and Nerin brought two cakes. I, of course, went directly for the chocolate one, but she encouraged me to try the Tres Leches cake as well. Since we were new friends and she had a very convincing Costa Rican accent, I cut a small piece of the Tres Leche cake, too. And then another. And another. And when she offered to pack some up for us to take home, I said “yes please.” And then my kids ate it before we even got in the car. I am so thankful…

  • Food and Drink,  Uncategorized

    Day-After Recipes

      The Holiday Season is officially upon us. Lots of good food, good times, and good drinks are in our immediate future. I have already bought the ingredients for my Day-After recipes to get myself feeling healthy again. These are my top 3 contenders for the Day After I return from traveling as well. No matter how hard I try, I just almost always need the upgrade to french fries, at least one McDonald’s breakfast in the airport, and dessert, dessert, dessert.

  • Gifts,  Uncategorized

    Gift Guide for the Traveler in Your Life, Part II

    Welcome Back! Well, there is officially snow, and it is officially sticking to the ground, which signals the end to our lovely fall days but also the excitement that surrounds the holiday season. Now, where did we leave off? *This post contains affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission. Oh, yes, my great love of Mark and Graham. I just can’t get enough of their classy, functional, and fun travel selection. No one likes to lose their luggage and no one likes scrambling to fill out the paper tags that the airlines provide, so some durable and classic tags would be a welcome gift under the…

  • Uncategorized,  US Travel

    Wandering in NYC

    I had never been to New York City in the springtime, so I decided to come along for a long weekend with my husband. He had been there several years back for the US Open and I had been as a teenager for some shopping and all of the historic sites, so we were really just up for wandering. Some random wandering. And some wandering with a purpose… Mostly, pure randomness, though, because that is what we do best… Central Park- It is the place to be on a Sunday afternoon. Absolutely Gorgeous. There are so many blooms, and it just feels romantic to be walking around the famous park in…