Holiday Gift Guide 2016 -- Gifts for the Jet Setter

Hubby and I love to travel and we are always trying to make our trips as easy and stress free as possible. We've traded in our big bags for carry-ons and love that we don't have to waste time waiting around for our bags. 

Do you have a someone with the travel bug on your gift list? 

Here are some gifts that are perfect for any jet setter!

1. Ticket Stub Diary

2. Luggage Scale 

3. Luggage Tag

4. Map of the World

5. Mini-mergency Kit

6. Passport Cover

7. Lo & Sons OG Bag

8. Kate Spade Weekender

9. Wrap Scarf

Are you giving someone the gift of travel this year? I found this super cute website that allows you to generate airline tickets. Wrap a plane ticket up with a monogrammed luggage tag for a truly heartfelt gift!

One week until Christmas Eve! Are you ready?

XOXO

Meg

PS: This post contains affiliate links. By clicking on a link and/or making a purchase through a link, I may receive a small commission. As always, thank you for supporting this little blog. 

Chicago Architecture Cruise

Last week Hubby and I traveled to Chicago to celebrate his birthday! We had an amazing time taking in the sights of the Windy City. 

Our favorite activity was taking an architecture boat tour onboard Chicago's First Lady. We cruised around the Chicago River while a knowledgable guide gave us historical tidbits about the city and educated us on the various types of architecture and the significance behind the ways various buildings were built. 

 The tallest building in this photo is Willis Tower 

(formerly known as the Sears Tower)

 Our favorite modern building was Trump Tower. 

The architecture tour was such a fun way to spent an afternoon and a really neat way to see the City!

XOXO

Meg

Aruba, Jamaica, Oh I want to Take Ya...

Photo Credit

Today is my 29th Birthday!

Hubby and I are headed to Aruba for some sun, sand, and relaxation!

Follow along with all the fun on instagram @meaganmarold

XOXO

Meg

Travel Diaries: Washington DC -- The Supreme Court

Hubby and I went to Washington D.C. a few weeks ago to celebrate his 31st birthday! We had an incredible time, hitting up all of the monuments, memorials, and historical sites one can cram into a four day trip!

I went to D.C. after I graduated eighth grade, so some of the attractions were familiar, but this trip was really special. Besides having a far better historical understanding of what it was I was looking at, I also have the legal background which provides a new layer of intrigue. 

My favorite stop on the trip, by far, was the Supreme Court of the United States. 

This is where the big decisions are made. This is where law is made. This is the big leagues, y'all! I think every lawyer dreams of arguing a case before the SCOTUS -- I know I do!

Unfortunately the Court was not hearing oral arguments when we were in town, but it was still really neat just to be there. We got to sit in the Court room where the arguments are heard -- but of course -- no photos!

We had a great time visiting the Supreme Court. I would highly recommend it for any visit to D.C. The building itself is beyond impressive, with those massive white columns, but the fact that so much of the law that governs our lives has been decided in that building is even more impressive. Regardless of one's politics, we live in the most amazing country in the world! This is democracy at its finest! 

XOXO

Meg

Travel Must Haves...

I absolutely love traveling and now that Hubby and I have a second office in Santa Barbara, we'll be traveling more than ever before. We will be flying to California once a month for work and then we also have a few vacations planned for later this year. 

Photo Credit

Since moving to Texas almost four years ago, I've made countless trips back to California to visit my family and I have gotten pretty good at packing. I don't necessarily have it down to a science, but I've figured out what I can't live with out when I'm away from home. 

Here are a few products I hope will make your next trip less stressful and more enjoyable!

Target: Travel Pillow

I can't figure out what brand my travel pillow is, but this looks fairly similar. My mom gave me her travel pillow for my recent trip to the Dominican Republic and I don't know how I ever traveled without one. They make sleeping on a plane a comfortable and you won't wake up with a sore neck. I'll never fly without one. ever. again. 

Bath and Body Works: Pocket Hand Sanitizer

I'm not usually a germ-a-phobe, but I get really weird about germs when I travel. I always make sure I have a little pocket sized hand sanitizer with me. This island margarita scent is the best! It smells like a tropical vacation!

Emergen-C

With all that re-circulated air and people coughing and sneezing, I like to give myself an extra boost of Vitamin C. I mix myself up an Emergen-C pack the day before a trip, the morning I leave for a trip, and when I get to my final destination. The cranberry-pomegranate flavor is my favorite. 

Bed Bath & Beyond: 4 Inch Fan

Hubby and I have to sleep with some sort of white noise. At home we have a big fan that we turn on and when we travel we pack a little mini desk fan. Mine is super old, so I can't share the link to it, but the fans above are super cute!

Pantene Pro-V: Dry Shampoo

The last thing I want to do on vacation is spend precious time doing my hair. In between washes I use Pantene Pro-V Dry Shampoo. It keeps my hair fresh so I can focus on taking in the sights!

Daily Accessoriez: Leopard Scarf

I am always cold on the plane, so regardless of the season, I throw a scarf in my carry on. I have this leopard scarf and I absolutely love it. It is super soft, goes with just about anything, and doesn't take up a lot of room in my tote. 

Lilly Pulitzer iPhone 5 Mobile Charger

I don't have a mobile charger but I wish I did. I saw one of these adorable Lilly Pulitzer chargers at TJ Maxx the other day. It wads $10. I had it in my basket and at the last second talked myself out of it! Last time I listen to myself!

Maxwell Scott Bags

A roomy carry on is essential regardless of the duration of your trip! I'm currently on the hunt for new luggage. I have a large suitcase that my grandparents gave me as a high school graduation gift and I have a small duffel bag that was my volleyball travel bag. Also from high school. I love the sleek sophisticated look of this leather bag from Maxwell Scott! It would be perfect for my upcoming monthly business travels. 

What are some of your travel must-haves?

Any trips on the calendar?

I was in Santa Barbara last week and I will sharing some fun photos later this week!

XOXO

Meg

Travel Diary - Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Hubby and I had the privilege of spending our New Year's Holiday in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic!

We stayed at the all inclusive Paradisus Punta Cana Resort.

The resort was absolutely incredible. With two buffets, five restaurants, countless bars, two pools, a gym, and a spa -- plus the gorgeous beaches -- there was more than enough for us to see, do, taste, and experience.

The grounds were absolutely stunning. Everywhere I turned I saw lash, green bushes, trees, and a canopy of palm leaves.

For breakfast and lunch we ate at one of the two buffets. I ate a ton of specialty cheeses, meats, and fruit. For dinner we made reservations at one of the restaurants each night. We especially loved the Asian cuisine at Bana! Some of the best sushi I have ever had!

The weather was absolutely incredible, with temperatures in the eighties and nothing but sunny skies...

Until New Year's Eve that is! The only rain we had the whole trip shut down the New Year's Eve Beach Bash! 

I was bummed we weren't able to ring in the New Year with a bang, but the night was memorable in its own way. 

We ordered some late night room service (tea and chocolate cake) and watched a little television. For some strange reason the only channel that we got in English was National Geographic, so we watched an intense reality tv-show set in the Alaskan wilderness -- which is so not our type of show -- but we were seriously intrigued! We still laugh about it. 

Instead of booking a bunch of activities, we opted for a low-key kind of vacation. We simply, relaxed. We slept in, we took long walks on the beach, we enjoyed leisurely lunches, we napped, we read. It. was. amazing. 

After eight glorious days of sun, sand, and salt water, I was rejuvenated and ready to come back home and take on the work load I left behind for a few days. 

XOXO
Meg

Happy New Year!

Happy 2015, y'all!

Hubby and I rang in the new year on the beautiful island of the Dominican Republic!

I could not have asked for a more relaxing and restful way to start the new year. 

I'll be posting lots more photos soon! And I have some very exciting news to share!

XOXO

Meg

I passed! I passed! I passed!

I have some really exciting news!

Remember way back at the end of July when I took the California Bar Exam? (In case you forgot, you can read about the grueling experience here!)

Well...

Results came out last Friday!

And....

Drum roll please...

I PASSED! I PASSED! I PASSED!

I am now a California (and a Texas) lawyer!

I cannot wait to start another office out in Santa Barbara in Spring 2015!

Below are photos of the Courthouse in Santa Barbara that I took on my trip in October.

I can't wait for my first hearing in this gorgeous building!

Nothing beats palm trees and blue skies! The view from the clock tower is amazing!

In college I used to bring a blanket and do homework on the Courthouse lawn. Now I am going to be practicing law here!

XOXO

Meg

Jet Set!

Last week Hubby and I headed to sunny Santa Barbara for a little getaway/work trip.

We looked at office space for our California office! (I didn't take the CA bar for nothin'!)

We found an adorable, newly renovated office right off of State Street (the main drag, filled with shops, shops, and more shops). Now I just have to wait for bar results to come out...

We also did some networking, caught up with old friends, and enjoyed the perfect weather!

Enjoy a few photos from our trip!

French Toast and Eggs Benedict from Jeannine's in Montecito - my favorite place for breakfast!

We perused the Farmer's Market...

I love the colors of all the fresh veggies!

Butterfly Beach is always gorgeous!

I love everything about Santa Barbara; the sounds, the smells, the people, the food, the stores! 

It really is (in my humble opinion) the most beautiful place on earth! 

We love that the Coast Village Inn offers complimentary beach cruisers! 

Cruisin' by the lagoon at the Santa Barbara Zoo!

I love walking around the harbor! 

No trip would be complete without a trip to Crush Cakes! 

Lemon drop for me! Red velvet for Hubby! 

I can't wait to officially open a new office in Santa Barbara! It is going to be so fun to have a jet set lifestyle, traveling back and forth! I'd better learn how to pack better, lighter, and more concise! :)

XOXO

Meg