Link Love February: Cookie Monster, Mr. Darcy, and the Florida Everglades

February 28, 20191 Comment

Does anyone else feel like February came and went in the blink of an eye? This month has been an especially busy one for me, with a weekend vacation to Tampa and St. Pete, a day of park-hopping at Disney, a Breakfast at Tiffany’s themed dinner, the Orlando Apollos launch game, and a trip to Wonderworks, along with a two-week bout of laryngitis. My happiness project is still going strong, and I’m excited to share my recap of Month 2 on tomorrow’s blog. 🙂

What links are you loving this month? Check out my latest favorite reads below and share your own in the comments!

As a fan of Clyde Butcher’s Florida landscape photography, I loved reading his insights on why everyone should care about the Everglades.
Cookie Monster did a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything). Cuteness ensued.
Looking to up your Instagram game? Check out Kate’s guide to some of the amazing photo-friendly murals throughout Orlando!
Orlando is getting a dog park with a bar? Count me in!
The Yayoi Kusama LOVE IS CALLING exhibit may be gone from the Tampa Art Museum, but you can still check out the pictures from my recap and learn about some of the other great exhibits!
If you’re planning a trip to the Tampa/St. Pete area, you’ll want to check out my guide to the Imagine Museum – a hidden gem and must-see in the area!
Does anyone in your life need these Nicolas Cage sequin pillows?
Some farms in England are planting stripes of wildflowers across farm fields to cut down on pesticides. What a beautiful solution!
Meet the historically accurate Mr. Darcy, based on what historians think the character would have realistically looked like.
Galentine’s Day is over, but if you’re planning a bridal shower, birthday party, or other fun group event, be sure to check out my top five local activity suggestions!
As someone who frequents the Sanford Riverwalk, I would love one of these floating bungalows.
Looking to make your life happier and healthier? Check out my suggested wellness podcasts, along with my top five book suggestions.

What links are you loving lately? Sound off in the comments!

Link Love January: Rom Com Dialogue & Millennial Burnout

January 16, 2019Leave a comment

Now that we’re halfway through January, how are everyone’s New Year’s Resolutions holding up? Normally by now, I’d be back to my usual deviant habits, but so far my 2019 Happiness Project is going strong! My focus for the month has been to boost my physical health, and I’ve been doing that in a few different ways: embarking on a round of Whole30 (it’s getting easier!), tackling those nagging tasks to clear up “brain clutter” (we’ll talk about that in a future post), and even by simply acting more energetic when I may not feel that way. I’ve been more successful in some areas than others, but I’m happy to share that I am starting to feel a lot healthier than I have in a long time.

Of course, in the midst of all of these changes, I’ve been doing a lot of reading! Check out my latest link love below and be sure to drop your own favorites (along with a resolution you’re working toward!) in the comments section below.

Photo Credit: NatureCoaster.com

Millennial burnout is a real thing, and I’ve never felt more validated than I did by this article. It’s a longer one, but well worth the read.
According to Smithsonian Magazine, tea drinking was once considered irresponsible and reckless for women. Guess my mom and I are the two most irresponsible and reckless people I know!
In case you’re planning a trip to Miami, check out my recent guide to the beautiful Art Deco Walking Tours.
One man built a miniature village for a family of mice living in his garden. Cuteness ensues.
As a writer who loves Nora Ephron (may she rest in peace), I absolutely loved this New York Times article on the art of rom com dialogue.
What’s on your Central Florida bucket list for 2019? Ten local bloggers shared their favorite local hidden gems on a recent collaboration, so be sure to check it out!
Guys — are you stuck on a Valentine’s gift? Check out these fun accessories from Civion and use the code VALERIE25 for 25% off your order!
Looking for ways to travel more sustainably? Asia from Dreams to Plans has you covered!
If you’re looking to add more wine to your life, check out Courtney’s recent guest post on the Island Grove Wine Company at Formosa Gardens in Kissimmee.
According to Inc.com (and me, independently of this article), open-office plans are officially the dumbest management fad of all time.

Link Love December: Holiday Takeover

December 19, 2018December 23, 20184 Comments

Happy Hump Day! With Christmas just around the corner, you may have noticed a holiday theme here on the blog in recent weeks. Although my content will soon transition toward more wellness and goal-setting posts for the new year, I wanted to cap the holiday season with a festive Link Love for the month of December.

As far as life updates go, since our last Link Love post in October, I’ve been keeping busy with fun local adventures and have some exciting surprises for you coming to the blog in 2019. Since our last Link Love, I made a pound of chocolate at Farris & Foster, watched a UCF football game from directly on the field, dolled myself up for the Pineapple Ball, and so much more. I can’t wait to see what the rest of 2018 will bring!

What have you been reading lately? Check out some recent favorites of mine and share your own in the comments!

Danielle from Central Florida Chic shares her local gift guide for those shopping in the Central Florida area. I can’t wait to check out Gatorlilly’s!
In case you missed it, I also shared my favorite local picks for holiday shopping. ‘Tis the season!
I’m absolutely in love with Best Life Babe’s 12 Days of Wellness in Orlando Challenge! I will definitely be taking this on in the new year. 😉
A trip to Tampa is clearly in the cards for me! The Tampa Museum of Art has its Love Is Calling exhibition on display through February, and I’m already admiring the installation from afar. Who wants to join me?
The Holiday Home Tour at Bok Tower Gardens is the perfect way to ring in the holiday season. Read more about the tours here.
Will you be entertaining this year for the holidays? Check out the Goop guide to graceful entertainment without all the fuss, featuring tips from three top chefs.
Saying no can be challenging, but Gen Twenty breaks down the ways we can say no without feeling the usual guilt.
If you enjoy old-fashioned downtown main streets, you’ll love my guide to Downtown DeLand. The bonus? You can even enjoy it on a rainy day!
Pop over to The Financial Diet to learn how you can create an environment you can thrive in.
Looking for a fun way to experience art in Central Florida? Check out my guide to five local museums!

What links are you loving lately? Sound off in the comments section!

Link Love September: Salvador Dalí, Trader Joe’s, and Environmental Consciousness

October 1, 2018October 1, 20187 Comments

Happy October! To me, there’s always something poetic about the first of the month taking place on a Monday. It feels more than ever like the time to begin anew, and I’m excited to see where the month takes us. September was a great month — I spent time with family, celebrated my birthday, checked a few items off my 28 at 28 bucket list, took a mini vacation, made an on-field appearance at a UCF football game, practiced yoga with baby goats, and much more — so here’s hoping the adventures continue in October.

What have you been reading lately? Check out some of my favorite links from September and share your own favorites in the comments section.

Many of us want to be more environmentally conscious, but we aren’t sure where to start. On her blog, Jamie shares four documentaries (all available on Netflix) that will give us food for thought and help us all live greener lives.
As everyone in my life keeps reminding me I’m getting closer my thirties, I’ve been reading up on these 25 essential life skills you should master by age 30. I’m getting pretty good at most of these, but am severely lacking on #3, #10, and #19. 🙂
The month of October kicks off a new round of Whole30 for me, so I will definitely be testing out some of these easy Whole30 one-pan meals.
With so much misleading marketing out there, it can be hard to pick out the right skincare and cosmetic products. Christopher Cupcakes demystifies 10 common skincare terms in this extremely helpful post.
How do you deal with stress? Mind Body Green outlines the perfect stress-busting techniques for highly sensitive people who need help to unwind.
Pop over to Musings of a Wanderer for five ways to live a more positive life. I especially love #4!
I rarely hike here in Central Florida, so I loved learning more about the Shingle Creek trail at Orlando Unplugged. It even made its way onto my 28 at 28 list!
I’m obsessed with my new ring, The Feline, from Civion. You can get this piece and other adorable accessories for 25% off with my promo code VALERIE25!
Last weekend, I took a last-minute trip to St. Pete for some much needed R&R. Check out my blog recap and travel guide here.
As a Trader Joe’s fan, I will definitely be shopping some of these fall products soon!

What links are you loving this month? Sound off in the comments below!

Link Love August: From Van Gogh to Travel Essentials

August 25, 2018August 25, 20186 Comments

Photo Credit: Brooklyn Paper

Rise and shine! This weekend, I’m bringing Link Love back to Wellness & Wanderlust. For those of you who are fairly new to the blog, I used to regularly post a roundup of my favorite articles, videos, and other external links that I thought my readers might enjoy. As grad school began, the blog posts began to disappear, and so did weekly features like Link Love. However, now that I’m back to blogging, I’ve decided to bring back Link Love as well — this time on a monthly basis.

What are some great articles you’ve been reading lately? Share your favorites in the comments below!

Planning a quick trip to NYC? From Nubiana shares her itinerary for how to spend 72 hours in the city, for those who have already crossed the tourist spots off their lists. My personal favorite? Dream Machine, an immersive dreamscape experience in Brooklyn. Anyone want to grab plane tickets?
In our busy lives, we often forget how important it is to recharge. Krista (one half of the Almost 30 duo, a favorite podcast of mine!) writes about the value of a self-care week.
I’m obsessed with my new Sunice sunglasses! You can now get 25% off on these and all other styles on their website with my code WANDERLUST25. Happy shopping!
Vans and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam have partnered to launch a new line of sneakers, shirts, and jackets inspired by Van Gogh’s artwork. I need a pair of Van Gogh sneakers now. 🙂
With Labor Day just around the corner, Gretchen Rubin suggests using this holiday to think about your own work life and what you’re hoping to achieve.
This post is an oldie but goodie: Meghan Markle writes about how realizing that she was enough changed everything.
If you’re planning any international travel, make sure you know what credit cards to use. U.S. News & World Report has a comprehensive guide that features cards without foreign transaction fees.
Ms. Twenty Something shares the six things she’s learned as a plus-sized bride shopping for a wedding dress. A lot of these lessons can be applied when shopping for non-wedding attire as well, but as someone who has experienced her fair share of dressing room meltdowns, I thought her message was a powerful one.
Traveling healthy can always feel like a challenge, but Rachel Mansfield shares her favorite healthy travel essentials to make the process a whole lot easier.
In case you missed it: check out my travel tips for a day in Victoria, favorite Central Florida brunch spots, and the three lies we need to stop telling ourselves.

Got any link love you’d like to share? Sound off in the comments below!

Link Love Wednesday: Goat Cuddlers Wanted

January 28, 2016January 28, 2016Leave a comment

a6dc09ca9c131ce46ff4c903ec1f1c2e Happy Wednesday! 🙂 Hope everyone is having a fabulous week. In my little world, I’m working on crossing a few more items off my 25 at 25 Bucket List, applying for graduate school, and figuring out some exciting upcoming travel plans. What have you been up to? As always, feel free to share your favorite recent links or plans in the comments section below!

A farm in Virginia is looking for volunteers to cuddle with baby goats who will be born on the farm next month. Someone please sign me up! 🙂
This couple left their corporate jobs, traveled the world, and moved to Spain. It was interesting to read their interview about why they decided to do it!
In case you haven’t made your plans yet for the new year, here is an adorable illustrated list of 50 things to do in 2016.
Disney fans: Take a look at the concept art for your favorite Disney animal characters!
The Warner Bros Studio in London is now inviting people to spend Valentine’s Day in the Great Hall at Hogwarts! Best date plans ever — if someone takes you there this Valentine’s Day, you should marry him or her on the spot.
A sloth in Ecuador got very nervous about crossing the street, so these cops came to rescue him. The pictures are so sweet!
Also, on the theme of cute animals: This K9 puppy still doesn’t fit into his vest!
Check out the U.S. presidents when they were “young and hunky.” The commentary on this site and its many lists will crack you up. Also, can we take a moment to appreciate Rutherford B. Hayes?
Whether or not you agree with his politics, Bernie Sanders has the best 404 page on his website.
In case you missed it, check out my turmeric scrambled eggs recipe!
Pinching pennies? Here are a few ways to stay frugal while still having fun this weekend!

Things I’m Loving Lately

This old gem from The Black Keys. Hadn’t heard it in forever but lately I can’t stop listening!
The new Larabar commercial set to the song Little Boxes. It is Larabar’s first TV commercial and it definitely caught my attention when it aired Monday!
The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson. I couldn’t put it down.
Room by Emma Donoghue, my latest read and another great page turner.
This sweet and savory blueberry tortilla recipe from Stupid Easy Paleo. Yum!

What are your favorite links from the week? Share your latest finds in the comments below!

Link Love Wednesday: Go Away, Caillou

January 6, 2016Leave a comment

caillou Hey there, readers, and happy new year! I hope everyone had a fabulous time celebrating with friends and family, and that you are all settling in nicely to ~~2015~~ 2016. (I think it will take me until about March to get that right!)

The new year has been treating me well so far, and I’m looking forward to all the opportunities and adventures ahead. To kick things off, let’s dig into the first Link Love of 2016!

Back in my babysitting days, I learned that Caillou is the worst children’s show of all time. It turns out I’m not the only person out there who hates Caillou!
I loved Gossip Girl (crappy ending and all), so I enjoyed this fun article about where the characters probably are now. 🙂
The most messaged woman on OkCupid shares her tips for choosing your online dating pictures.
Young Victorians used these suggestive calling cards to get women into bed, and you have to admire them for trying.
A Jewish girl told her non-Jewish boyfriend that Jews do not keep trash cans in their kitchens (which is a total lie), and when he turned to Reddit for answers, he received some fantastic responses.
Clarks Condensed shares an inspiring list of ideas for random acts of kindness!
Speaking of being kind to others, I wrote a post for the holiday season about the importance of acts of kindness, big and small.
In case you missed it, check out my recipe for green beans — you won’t regret it!
Most recently on my bucket list, I was able to check off a visit to the planetarium, which was an awesome experience!

Things I’m Loving Lately

Aziz Ansari’s Netflix show Master of None. This show is incredibly accurate for twenty-somethings, and the episode about the crazy things that women have to deal with really hit close to home for me.
This amazing Whole30 compliant Thai Curry recipe. I’ve been making it at least once a week.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Amazing page-turner so far!

What awesome links are you finding this week? Share your latest link love in the comments section below!

Link Love Wednesday: David Beckham and Old Hollywood

November 19, 2015Leave a comment

Good evening and happy Friday to all of my lovely readers! I hope everyone is having a wonderful month of November and getting excited for Thanksgiving next week. 🙂 I’m fighting a sinus infection, but I’ve still had my share of adventures lately — some community service projects, a local jazz festival, and even a couple of items crossed off of my bucket list! What have you been up to?

As always, enjoy this week’s roundup of link love, and share your own favorites in the comments below!

I’m a big fan of all things Old Hollywood, so naturally I loved this mashup that pairs Uptown Funk with real choreography from Hollywood’s golden age. There’s nothing quite like watching Fred Astaire dancing to Bruno Mars! (Plus, this video is ridiculously well-timed.)
David Beckham was named People‘s Sexiest Man Alive. I previously predicted Chris Pratt as the winner for 2015, but I’m certainly not complaining.
I loved this Thought Catalog essay on the importance of consciously choosing the person you’re with throughout the relationship.
Frida Kahlo is one of my favorite artists. I loved looking through her wardrobe and am especially fond of those sunglasses!
This will always be my all-time favorite breakup song.
Recently I ventured out to the Central Florida Zoo with some friends and wrote this fun little recap of my experience!
I am loving the new Barbie commercial that encourages little girls to be anything they want to be. The commercial is adorable and has an empowering message, which is great PR for Mattel!
These animals seem to know exactly what you’re thinking.
In case you missed it, check out my healthier veggie-loaded hash brown recipe!
Teens and twenty-somethings are creating secondary fake Instagram pages, or “Finstagrams,” where they post the less flattering (and ironically, more “real”) parts of their lives for a small number of followers. What are your thoughts on this Finstagram trend?
My latest guest article for Career Camel focuses on that all-important work/life balance.

Things I’m Loving Lately

Charade, starring Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant.
Being reposted on the @Whole30 Instagram page. 🙂
This artichoke lemon pesto chicken from PaleOMG.
The Mayo Clinic Handbook for Happiness. (Shh, don’t tell my parents I’m reading it – they will be way too excited!)

What links are you loving lately? Share your favorites in the comments section below!

Link Love Wednesday: Rock Mafia and Haunted Houses

October 28, 20152 Comments

ridinghoodsho I can’t believe Halloween is already almost here! The month of October really flew by, and I’m still not really sure what my costume will entail this year — although there’s a good chance that I’ll break out the famous tiger ears again! 😉

What are your Halloween plans this year? Let me know what you’re up to in the comments section below. (I’m in need of some costume inspiration!) As always, enjoy this week’s Link Love.

Ever wonder what it’s like to live in a haunted house? Sarah from Yes & Yes investigates.
The latest news about Harry Potter and the Cursed Child makes my inner Harry Potter nerd cry tears of joy. Now who wants to take me to London to see it?
Dr. Mercola shares the 11 most common nutrient deficiencies you probably have and how to optimize your vitamin levels!
Battling your sugar demons? Clean and Delicious shares five great tools for curbing those sugar cravings.
Forget online dating! A new site, PawsLikeMe, matches prospective pet owners with rescue pets to make the pet adoption process easier. As a huge supporter of pet adoptions (our family has two rescue dogs right now and is very involved in German Shepherd rescue!), this is something I can definitely get behind!
Kaley Cuoco and Jimmy Fallon get covered in puppies during a trivia game on The Tonight Show, and Kaley’s reaction is probably a lot like mine would be!
Watch this tiny kitten walk for the first time using a wheelchair in place of his back paws. Make sure you grab the tissues first, though!
My sister moved away this weekend, and I wrote a blog about it. I miss her already!
A few weeks ago, I fulfilled my bucket list dream of visiting the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach. Check out my post about this amazing experience!

Things I’m Loving Lately

The delicious handcrafted marshmallows at Wondermade, a local cafe in Sanford, FL. You can purchase their many flavors as gift packages online!
When The Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka, about one family’s experience with the Japanese internment camps during World War II. A very moving read.
The Big Bang by Rock Mafia. It isn’t new to me, but I could listen to this song for hours on repeat.
My recent purchases made through Pop Your Pup. It’s an awesome place to make pop art T-shirts of your pets!
Julian Edelman, Wide Receiver for the New England Patriots. He’s been on my fantasy football team from the beginning, and what he lacked in points this week, he easily made up for in dashing good looks. 🙂

What’s your favorite link love this week? Share your latest findings in the comments section below!

Link Love Wednesday: Keep Calm and Do Your Pilates

October 21, 2015Leave a comment

whoever-thinks-that-10-seconds-goes-by-really-fast-has-never-taken-a-pilates-class-9c667 Good evening, readers! It’s Homecoming Week at my alma mater, so I’m feeling the nostalgia and school spirit (even if my football team isn’t playing so well this year). I can’t wait to get decked out in black and gold at the game this weekend! What are you all up to this week?

Enjoy this week’s Link Love, and as always, share your favorites in the comments section below! 🙂

Did you know that Pilates has been around for more than 100 years? I sure didn’t! Absolutely loved this eye-opening article about the history of one of my favorite workouts, which was originally designed to nurse prisoners back to good health after an illness!
Mel Joulwan shares 20 ways to make paleo easier and more fun. (Great follow-up article to last week’s article from Stupid Easy Paleo!)
A big thanks to my sister for sending me these awesome Harry Potter memes. You know me too well!
Let’s hit the mall! Sarah Scoop shares the 10 items of clothing that every girl should have in her closet.
This recipe for ranch-flavored baby carrots was pretty delicious and easy to make.
As a fan of Gothic literature, I enjoyed this timeline of the genre’s greatest moments… Although I could do without the Twilight references!
Choosing a career is tough, but these four tips can make the process a lot simpler!
In case you missed it, check out my latest recipe post on the blog. 🙂

Things I’m Loving Lately

Macarons. I tried my first one over the weekend as part of my 25 at 25 Bucket List!
My NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder.
The Morikami Museum and Gardens in Delray Beach. Look out for an upcoming blog about my experience there!

Share your link love in the comments and have a wonderful week!

Wellness & Wanderlust

A Lifestyle and Adventure Blog

Category: Link Love

Link Love December: Holiday Takeover

Link Love August: From Van Gogh to Travel Essentials

Link Love Wednesday: Goat Cuddlers Wanted

Link Love Wednesday: Go Away, Caillou

Link Love Wednesday: Rock Mafia and Haunted Houses

Link Love Wednesday: Keep Calm and Do Your Pilates