Big Announcement for First Friday Favorites with a Huge First

Expecting our newest adventure for a HUGE First Friday Favorites!

We're headed out on our annual Aunt Mel and Uncle Andrew adventure with three of our nieces and nephews this year, and it will be the last semi-normal year, because we have a pretty big announcement and will have a special addition to our trip come next summer... WE'RE EXPECTING! I alluded to life being crazy in some good ways in last month's Favorites Link Up, and well that's the big announcement and a huge first for us. After 18 years of loving Aunt and Uncle life we are pregnant with our first. 

FAVORITE MOMENT: Telling My Parents We're Pregnant 

June First Friday Favorites Link Up

As I knew might be the case, First Friday Favorites has kept me (mostly) accountable to get something up once a month, but that's about all I'm managing right now. Life has been crazy, in good ways, but it has left this little space neglected. More on that, hopefully next month! For now, here's my First Friday Favorites for June: 

Favorite Read: Changling Series by Molly Harper

While I have been struggling with physical reads this month, I have been listening to a lot. I have so many audible credits built up because I tend to listen for free on Hoopla or Libby. I figured I would give a few Audible exclusives a try in order to use credits on something that I can only find there. I stumbled on the Changling series by Molly Harper. There are three books and I am halfway through the second.

I am really loving them. They are short, easy listens, but have such a neat storyline. Think Harry Potter meets Bridgerton, with a female lead. Here's a synopsis of the first book:

First Friday Favorites: We're Cruising, Baby

Today's First Friday Favorites Link Up is going to be short and sweet because... we're headed out on a CRUISE!! For the first time in about 5 years! We booked a cruise in 2020 (knowing it might very well get canceled) for our 10 year year anniversary. Sure enough, we all know that two weeks did not stay two weeks. We are finally using our cruise credit and instead setting sail for our 13th anniversary. 

We will be sailing on Royal Caribbean for just a long weekend and have absolutely ZERO plans to leave the boat. We have been to the Bahamas many times (like this awesome day) and don't feel like fighting the port crowds. We are looking forward to just relaxing by the pool, sipping drinks, and eating all the foods. 

Since I've got sailing on my mind we will start things off with a look back at past cruises!

Favorite Bahamas Excursion

We had been into Nassau many times and always eyed the abandoned lighthouse that sits at the edge of the port as you sail away. Before one of our cruises we decided to look it up to see if you could get there somehow. You can hike the edge of the beach from Atlantis, but it's a long haul. The other option? See if there is someone along the water with a boat for hire who may be willing to take you across the small stretch of water from the seawall to the lighthouse. Ask one of the tour cabanas, they usually know a local that they will hook you up with. We were introduced to Baba and he took up over and back from $40 (plus we tipped $20). We paid him the first half to take us, second to pick us up. MAKE sure to build in time to walk back if you have to! By choosing to go out on your own you don't have insurance from a cruise booked excursion to ensure you cruise ship will wait for you. You can learn more about our experiences and preference for planning our own excursions in this post. 

What is the process of shipping an RV?

Whether you’ve bought an RV online or have limited vacation time, shipping the vehicle makes a lot of sense, especially if you don’t want to drive it yourself. But what exactly does the transportation process involve?

Here's a Step-by-Step Guide to Shipping Your RV

photo via Roadpass on Unsplash

Step 1 – Find Your Transporter 

The first thing you should do is reach out to a reliable RV shipper. According to https://www.a1autotransport.com/rv-transport/, you want to ensure you work with a dependable provider to improve your experience. The best way to find your company is to contact a few organizations and ask them the following questions: 

April Currently & First Friday Favorites Link Up

It's the first Friday of the month, which means it's time for the third edition of the First Friday Favorites link up. Yes, it should be the fourth, but last month got away from me in the midst of some life stuff, so here we are. Each month will always include a favorite read, favorite find, and favorite quote, then whatever my little heart finds happy. Join in with any favorites in your world right now (you can follow the prompts, or simply share a favorite blog post- whatever your heart desires). I am also linking up with Jennifer, who now hosts the monthly Currently roundup. 

Starting things off with what I am currently loving by sharing the First Friday Favorites this month. 

First Friday Favorites

Favorite Amazon Find | Calm Magnesium Powder

Calm Magnesium powder has been part of my nightly routine for the past month. I have actually had this same canister for a while now, but just recently got into using it more consistently. Magnesium powder has been great for adding to a nightly mocktail and has helped me sleep better (and go better, if you catch my drift)! I currently have the raspberry lemon flavor and really like it, but plan to try watermelon next. The stuff lasts FOREVER though, so it'll probably be awhile before I get to try the next one. I highly recommend it for winding down at the end of the day! 

Favorite Read This Month 

First Friday Favorites February Currently

HAPPY First FRIDAY Favorites!!

The first Friday of February means it's time for the second First Friday Favorites link up. Each month will always include a favorite read, favorite find, and favorite quote, then whatever my little heart finds happy. Join in with any favorites in your world right now (you can follow the prompts, or simply share a favorite blog post- whatever your heart desires). I am also linking up with Jennifer, who now hosts the Currently roundup. Let's kick it off with a January recap:

January Recap

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Melanie Snavely (@lifessweetjourney)

January came with my first trip of the year, and it was beyond wonderful. I flew (Frontier for the first time and let's just say it is NOT a favorite) to Utah with my friend to meet her mom for a girls weekend in Park City. We did one day of skiing and then lucked out on being there for the Sundance Film Festival. After the rough ending to 2022, it was exactly what my soul needed! 

I came back feeling refreshed, but also so ready to get back to the snow! Thankfully I head back to Park City in less than a week. I had never skied Park City before, and it may be quickly becoming one of my new favorite ski destinations. 

Is Snowmobiling in Yellowstone Worth the Cost?

Are you looking to snowmobile in Yellowstone? Here are a few things to consider.

When we were in Big Sky Montana for a ski trip, we took one day for an excursion and did a snowmobiling tour in Yellowstone National Park with Two Top Vacations. To be honest, after visiting Yellowstone in the summer, I wasn't sure a winter snowmobile tour of Yellowstone would be worth the cost. If you are looking for things to do in Montana this winter, this post breaks down what you need to know if you are thinking of snowmobiling in Yellowstone, as well as if it is worth the cost or not.

Yellowstone National Park in Winter

Yellowstone is a completely different world in the winter, so even if you have been in the park in the summer your experience will be entirely new. The park is open to the public, but unlike the summer it is not as easy to get in - though you won’t be fighting crowds like other times of the year, there are some things you need to know if you are going to visit Yellowstone National Park in winter.

First Friday Favorites: New Blog Link Up Party

Cheers to a New Year and a New Link Up Party! 

Well, another year has come and gone and it's been another year of mostly neglecting this space. I always start the year off with a plan to be more active on the blog and every year seems to send the same. But, here's to trying again!

To help me stay more motivated I am starting a new link up to at least give me something specific to post once a month... so, I am starting a First Friday Favorites link up party. It's mix of concepts from two of my favorite bloggers, Christina at Carolina Charm's Five on Friday, and a Currently link up that used to be hosted by Anne in Residence (she no longer hosts, but I think someone else may). Basically, I plan to share a monthly recap (even just for my own reflections to look back on), and then a few favorite prompted things each month.

Each month will always include a favorite read, favorite find, and favorite quote (since the initial reason I started this blog 10 years ago- wow, 10 years!- was to share my love for quotes). Then, I may include a few other "favorite" prompts. You can join in the prompts each month or just share any favorites in the link up (favorite blog post you wrote that week, your Friday favorites, whatever your little heart desires).

So, here's my first First Friday Favorites edition:

Black Friday Finds on Amazon for 2022

Amazon Black Friday 2022 has commenced and the deals are WILD!

I try to collect experiences over things, but there are always some needed items that are better to buy when on sale. Plus, I have my trusted favorites for making life a little easier. These tend to be big sale items and might help make your life a little easier too. Here are some of my favorite Black Friday finds on Amazon for 2022. 

Favorite Black Friday Sale Items

These are some of my regularly used, favorite Amazon items that are currently on sale for Black Friday. Most of these items are used daily.

Shark Robot Vacuum with empty base- currently 46% off 

I absolutely love my Shark robot vac (he goes by Steve!); we were skeptical about how good he would be, so we just bought the regular, but I would love to upgrade to one with an emptying base.

Non-Chocolate Advent Calendars on Amazon for All Ages

These non-chocolate advent calendars from Amazon are a great way to create some holiday cheer!

The holiday season is upon us! Even as an adult with no kids, I LOVE ADVENT CALENDARS! Advent calendars are a fun way to stay festive and savor the season, even amid the rush. Candy advent calendars are easy to find, but not everyone wants chocolate every day. Here are some awesome non-chocolate advent calendars from Amazon for 2022!

Harry Potter Advent Calendars

Make the holidays just a little more magical with exciting treasures for those of us who love the Wizarding World! There are quite a few options for wizards looking to count down to Christmas. This 24-day countdown comes with fun Harry Potter themed trinkets. There is also a 12-day countdown Harry Potter charm bracelet set and a sock surprise box for those looking to free the house elves! 

Best Fall Books to Read in October

It's my favorite season and I love breaking out of all the spooky, fall feel books to read in October!

I absolutely LOVE Halloween and fall and all things October! It also happens to be one of my favorite reading seasons. A few years ago I shared a post about Spooktacular books to read in October. I thought I would do a bit of a refresh with some of the books I am reading this fall. Here are some of my favorite fall books to read in October!

Fall Books to Read in October

The video shares a bit more in-depth thoughts (and a few small side tangents- lol) about the books I would recommend for October, but it includes: 

Mary Downing Hahn for Spooky Ghost Stories

Mary Downing Hahn writes middle grade fiction and her ghost stories are so spooky they even slightly scare me as an adult. I have loved scary things since I was a kid and her book Wait Till Helen Comes was the only book that actually kept me from falling asleep because it scared me so much I had to finish it before I could sleep. I love rereading these as an adult if I am looking for something I can read in one or two sittings. There's an awesome boxed set that just happens to include my three favorites of hers! 

Ways to Live More Simply

Living a simple life sounds refreshing, easy, and welcoming to most people, but it can often feel really hard to get there. In this day and age, is living a simple life even possible? Sometimes it doesn't feel like it, but I think it can be with a little work! Here are a few ways to live life more simply.

Ways to Live More Simply

Invest in Self-Care

It's impossible to give your people attention, love, and care if you are not first giving it to yourself. Take time to do things that excite you, fill your heart, and renew you. At the end of the day, find a way to unwind and forget about it all- even if it is just for a little while. I know that it can be hard to just forget about the stressors in your life, but it's important to do something you truly love, the required no obligations elsewhere in order to pour back into yourself. 

I firmly believe that you can not pour from an empty cup, so before you can truly help someone else, you first must have something to pour from. Read a book, listen to an audiobook, write in a journal, drink that glass of wine, have that bowl of ice cream, and take that bubble bath. Whatever helps you relax is what you should focus on, which looks different for each individual. The key is to not make this a one-time occasion but to incorporate taking time for yourself into your everyday life. 

Put Down Your Social Media

We are SO focused on social media. It's hard not to be when we've become so accustomed to turning on the screen and scrolling. I am trying hard to put be more mindful of my social habits. To be honest, the longer I spend away from social media, the more present I feel. It doesn't have to be all or nothing, but finding ways to simplify social can make a huge difference. Take some time to declutter your social feeds. Unfollow anyone that does not bring you joy, encouragement, or healthy knowledge. You'll be glad that you did!

Find a Screen-Free Hobby

Technology makes life easier in a lot of ways, but it has also seemed to encroach on every aspect of our lives. Where we once painted a picture, now we do "paint by numbers" on a screen. Blocking out part of the day for screen-free activities takes us back to a simpler time. Take up gardening and grow your own vegetables. Maybe get back into a favorite hobby from childhood, like puzzling, knitting, or getting outside for a bike ride. These are great ways to essentially turn back the clock and make life feel a bit more simple.

Clear the Clutter

Clear the clutter in your home by only keeping the best and most necessary clothing, home decor, and entertainment. Create a simple, comforting space that allows you to focus on connecting and spending time with the ones you love instead of having to devote all of your time to cleaning and moving around the clutter non-stop. 

What do you do with all the clutter that you cleared? Sell, donate, trash, or put it in storage. If you need help moving large items or storage solutions, MT. Zion Moving & Storage can help you. In fact, they can help with any moving-related need, especially residential moving services and Tampa long-distance moving services, too. They are fully licensed and bonded, have moved thousands of homes, and if you need something complicated done, try them - they've done it all with ease!

Make Sunday Prep Day

Eliminate the stress of a busy week by setting yourself up for more success. Plan meals for the week ahead, tidy up the house for a clean slate, write the week's tasks, and fill your tank up. Give yourself time to rest so that you are ready to go for a busy week.

Focus on Life's Priorities

Instead of worrying about every little thing, shift your thinking and focus on the priorities in your life instead. What is most important to you? For most people, it will be 1) happiness, 2) family, and 3) work. Find ways to prioritize AND balance your priorities so that you can make the most out of each day while living simply. Having too many priorities will just stress you out, and that becomes FAR from simple.

These are all simple way to, well, make life a bit more simple. And doesn't that just sound simply wonderful? I know it does for me! 

Prime Day Finds 2022 Great Harry Potter Deals on Amazon

  Happy PRIME DAY! 

Here are some of my favorite finds this year! 

RV Living Prime Day Finds 

Dehumidifier | Water Filter | Hose Support | Kindle | Hammock

Dehumidifier- We currently live off of Damp-Rid in the camper, but have been considering switching it up to a dehumidifier. This one has great reviews and a good size capacity for small spaces. 

RV Water Filter- We always have one of these attached to the hose. 

Hose Support- We went without one for way too long! 

Kindle- As much as I hate reading books on any kind of device, I had to start reading from my phone while we were on the road because it was easier than finding a bookstore, plus I can do the library ebooks. Think getting an actual e-reader may make it feel more realistic than reading from my phone. Trying to decide between regular or Kindle Paperwhite... does anyone use either and have advice? 

Double Hammock- nothing better! Grabbing a second one so Babe will have his own when he doesn't want to cuddle me.

General Prime Day Finds 2022 

Roomba | LifeStraw | Revlon Dryer Brush | Echo Dot | 23 & Me DNA Kit

Nugget Ice Maker (Crunchy Ice Dreams)- Ice Maker with side tank, no bluetooth 

Roomba- Because I have always wanted to NOT vacuum! 

Shark Mop Vac- If you want more than just a robot vacuum, the Shark model can also mop. 

Off-Brand LifeStraw- Mostly because the hiking geek in me has always wanted to suck water straight from a stream. 

Revlon Dryer Brush- this thing will CHANGE your life! Not actually part of Prime Day, but 50% off the black with the pink trim only. 

Echo Dot- I am still debating this one, but the deal is too good to pass up. Probably because the want to hear everything we say, but hey, it they will turn my lights off for me so I don't have to get out of bed well why not?! 

23 & Me DNA Test Kit- Always wanted to try one! 

Exploding Kittens- This is one of our favorite games and it doesn't go on sale often! Snag it while you can. 

I will be looking for other great snags over the next few days! All items found will be added to my Amazon Affiliate Storefront under Prime Day Finds 2022! 

What are you finding for Prime Day this year?!

January Currently 2021 Rewind and 2022 Goals

I completely fell off of blogging in the last quarter of 2021. We've had a lot of changes going on, and I know I say this every year but, I am determined to be more consistent and present in this space. Anne's Currently linkup is always a super helpful motivation for me. So starting off 2022 by wrapping up 2021 and sharing some goals for the new year.

2021 Highlights

- Welcomed a new little nephew

- Went back on the road

- Explored the Northeast US

- Made it all the way to Maine (loved it so much we stayed two extra weeks)

- Saw Niagara Falls

- Got Monetized on YouTube

- Skied Breckenridge on my first big sister trip in many years (repeat in Feb!)

- Went snowmobiling for the first time and LOVED IT!

- Saw a lot of sunsets

- Enjoyed our annual aunt and uncle Georgia adventure

- Did a bestie road trip and taught her to enjoy a car ride!

- Came back to Florida because Babe was SUPPOSED to go back into the office

- Spend more time with the people was love

- Bought a house!

Yep, we're staying put again! I am NOT sure how I feel about it, but its the right move for the moment. Even though they again postponed Babe having to go back into the office he will be asked to go back in a few days a week at some point in the near future. We have been wanting to open ourselves up to the possibility of foster car and growing our family and that isn't an option in an RV (at least not the fostering).

It means saying goodbye to our Orlando house (our first home together), which has been rented out the last 4 year. It's bittersweet; I love the layout and the charm of that home. I wish we could take it with us, but it will make another family very happy.

We made the decision to move to NSB. It's funny how life works out. We would never have come here for any prolonged period of time if we hadn't help open the Crimson House, but the time we spent here (plus our time on the road), showed us how much we love the quieter, slower life of a small town. We bought a new build construction in a DR Horton planned community (more on that later). 

So life is taking a super tight left turn for us for a while, but if there's anything I have learned the last few years its to never say never and things are never permanent.

{Anticipating} Whether its excited anticipation or trepidation I am not sure, but anticipating what's to come with all these changes. I am finally feeling more at peace with everything now that we've officially closed on the house. We are still in the camper and going to take the month to slowly transition. The bigger space just seems so intimidating right now. 

{Organizing} ALL. THE. THINGS! We have the camper which will have to be organized while we decide what's staying in the camper (we are keeping it and planning alllll the road trips) and what's going into the new house. We also had tons of stuff in storage at our Orlando house (our renters were amazing) and spend two full weekends downsizing that and fixing up the house for sale. Honestly, it's amazing how easy it is to get rid of stuff you swore you would "need" when you haven't seen it in 4 years.

{Reading} Very slowly at the moment. I listened to 5 books while we were fixing up the house and it was amazing! Made me want to flip houses so I can just paint, scrape, and listen to books all day. Since then however, I have been trying to make it through The Maidens (audio) and The Dark Lure (physical read).

These are the books I listened to while I was painting and I would recommend all of them!!

The One: Such a unique perspective on dating apps. It matches you with "The One" by blood type.

Mother May I: If you love Joshilyn Jackson like I do give this one a try. Her last two books are a shift from her typical style and I did NOT like the previous book, but I did enjoy this.

The 6th (and final) School for Good and Evil Story: Middle grade fiction that's great for adults who like fairytale adaptations. Centers around children of famous fairytale characters, plus "readers" from the real world. A tale of friendship and sisterhood. Currently free on Hoopla.

The Moonlight Child: Currently free on Hoopla and a good, easy yet suspenseful listen.

{Resolving} I don't really do resolutions, because I am horribly inconsistent. However, I do have some goals for 2022. Even if I don't meet them having a goal really helps keep me focused and moving forward.

Goals for 2022

- Start a new YouTube channel

- Spend less time on my phone and more time engaged in what's around me

- Walk regularly/ Be more active

- Spend more time with the people I love

- Be at peace with staying put

- Start foster care classes

{Scheduling} Deliveries for the new house. We need so many things and I have no desire to actually buy anything. Maybe we'll just sit on the cardboard boxes after they bring the fridge.

And that's it for now. 

What were 2021 highlights? 

What are your goals for 2022?

Currently: Feb 2021 | August 2021 & Favorite Reads

Packing Hacks For a 4 Bedroom House

Packing hacks can help make big moves less stressful!

We hope that we can do it all but when it comes to moving, the reality is that we can’t. At least not efficiently and while maintaining the slim bit of sanity we try to hold onto when the moving process gets hectic. While it might be extremely easy to think of all the things that could go wrong or already begin to daydream about what your new life in a new city will look like, you first need to figure out how you are going to get everyone and your belongings there in one peace. When it comes to moving, there are  few packing hacks that can make it easier for you! 

Packing Hacks For a 4 Bedroom House

 The Ultimate Gift Guide for Wine Lovers 

October may not be over yet, but holiday shopping has already started. Especially with the delays in shipping right now it's better to start the gift getting sooner than later. This is the ultimate gift guide for wine lovers.

A few years ago I created a post of gift ideas for the wine lover that were under $25. This year I'm expanding it because if there was ever a time to stock your wine lover's stocking with all the vino magic it's now. Here are my favorite gift ideas for the wine lover in your life!

October Currently and September Reads

So much for setting myself up for "success" to not miss another Currently link up with Anne. I definitely didn't have my 'ish together enough to participate last month. Here's to trying again with a little peek at like lately.

Tips To Move From The City To A Small Town

Moving from the City to a Small Town

When people decide to move from the city to the suburbs it usually is because they are looking for a great school district to raise kids, or wanting to enjoy the charming suburbs and have more space to raise their family. Of course, adding in the coronavirus pandemic to the equation and suddenly there are all sorts of people moving from the city to the suburbs. Many families start with the same wish list that they are looking for such as low taxes, a short commute to where they need to go, and a great school district but there is also another way to approach your home hunt. Below are some key things that first-time suburban families should take into consideration. 

*This is a sponsored post.

5 Ideas and Tips To Save You Time and Stress When Moving

Moving soon? Here are 5 ideas to save you time and stress when moving!

Starting over in a new place can be exciting, but the moving part is almost universally despised. Between actually finding a new place, packing up stuff and actually moving it, the process can be overwhelming. But it doesn't have to be! I've had at least 6 personal moves in my adult life (plus packing up to consolidate and store a 4 bedroom house when we moved into the RV), so I've learned a lot about turning a move from painful to promising. Here are five moving ideas and tips to make your next move less stressful.

(Sponsored post: all thoughts are my own.)  

1.Have A Plan For Your Move

Think of moving as a big project. The more prepared you are, the smoother the project will go.

August Currently and Favorite Reads for Book Lover's Day

 Hello August!

I missed last month's link up entirely and am a week late for this one, but life has been a bit of a whirlwind lately. Better late than never to link up with Anne for a Currently checkin.

June Rewind- We ended up spending the entire month in Maine and LOVED every minute of it. Posts with all the best thing coming soon. We were originally planning to only stay for a two weeks, but we loved it so much and a friend decided to come visit so we opted to close of the month enjoying more of Main'e magic. We hiked. We ate lobster (we didn't think the lobster rolls lived up to the hype, but grilling a 4 lb beast of a lobster on the grill sure did). We took in all the coastal New England town feels. It was simply wonderful!