Genius! – Jetlag Please

Making Good Connections

Are you ready for a little peak behind the curtain? People ask me a lot how I’ve been able to become so successful, so quickly, building a travel business from scratch. My answer may sound simple, but it’s the most complicated part of my job: I have good connections. “Connections, Connections, Connections!” You’ve heard it said of real estate that..........

Why I’m Taking My Kid To Europe

I have a confession. But first, a little background. When my husband and I were engaged, we attended a marriage prep class at our church. I remember one of the "experienced" couples leading the class explained something about how, when you have a child, you want them to be with you all the time...you want to take them everywhere and..........

Celebration Travel // How to Make it Extra Special

Yesterday was my birthday! Woohoo! I guess I am still young enough to get really excited when February 7th rolls around each year. I love making people feel special on their birthdays, and I’m super blessed to have people who do the same for me. Not surprisingly, my favorite things to give and receive are experiences. And that, my friends, is..........

You Won’t Believe the Newest Travel Craze!

This month has flown by, hasn't it? January is always a busy month in the travel industry, but these last few weeks have been C R A Z Y ! I am so incredibly grateful to my friends, family, and loyal clients who have feverishly referred my travel planning services to their loved ones. In fact, I now find myself having..........

Last-Minute Holiday Gift Guide

Confession time: have you finished your Christmas shopping yet? If you’re like me, you’ve put off your holiday shopping for way, wayyyy, too long! For years, I promised myself that I would get my gift buying done before Thanksgiving, knowing that the reward would be a (slightly) less stressful December. Just like so many New Year’s resolutions, that promise went..........

What’s So Wrong With Customized Travel Design?

I just returned from my whirlwind trip to France and Italy! Whew!! This trip gave me the opportunity to make some connections that will really enhance my clients’ travels - YAY! Unfortunately, there were also some major time sucks involved - BOO! I met with dozens of suppliers in Italy and in France—everyone from wine producers and private chefs to..........

Why People Who Take a Christmas Vacation are Geniuses

We are only a week into September, but Hobby Lobby and other craft stores are already reminding us that we need to start stressing about Christmas decorations (and pumpkins! and costumes! and turkeys!), right?!? A friend once said to me of how his family spends their holidays, “It’s complicated.” He was referring to what I call the “holiday shuffle”—the choreographed bouncing from..........

Planning For the Off-Season

It has been a crazy couple of weeks around here! If you didn't realize, we are smack in the middle of peak travel season--which means I am one busy mama! Aside from writing this blog, celebrating (and then subsequently mourning) Bastille Day, and putting together some last-minute tropical getaways for clients in desperate need of a break, I've been occupied..........

Declare YOUR Independence!

I hope you had a fun and festive 4th of July! We are blessed to have great friends who invited us out to their home “in the country” to enjoy food, fireworks, pool time, and lots of laughs. Joe and I had a blast, as did our little firecracker, Chayce! [caption id="attachment_251" align="aligncenter" width="300"] HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY![/caption] I love the..........

Don’t Rain on MY Parade!

Can you believe all the rain and flooding Texas has experienced recently? Here in Lubbock, we’ve seen people kayaking down Quaker Avenue, parking lots completely flooded, and even roof collapses! I know other parts of the state have gotten hit hard, particularly San Antonio and the hill country. I want you to know that the safety of all those affected..........