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Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Mother's Day Travel Gifts 2025

Mother's Day is almost here. I feel like it really snuck up on me this year, but that's okay, because I always have a lot of ideas for gifts or experiences. If you still need to get the mom(s) in your life a little something, and they are a traveler, I've got a round-up of affordable, but useful ideas for you that you can still get before the big day. 

If you still need to get the mom(s) in your life a little something, and they are a traveler, I've got a round-up of affordable, but useful ideas.

I'm sure your mom loves flowers, but those don't last that long, so pick up something that will make her think of you every time she uses it.


Stick Hair Dryer

Traveling with all your stuff can be really annoying, but I also like to keep a bag packed with all my important travel things, including a full toiletry bag. Help her save space in her bag for more important things, like shoes, and get her a travel hair dryer that takes up less room and still does an amazing job.

I've got two options for you:  

Deerma, which comes with attachments and is usually $99, but is half off right now.

Wantifo ionic dryer comes with one attachment and is just $29.99.


Klipsta eyeglass holder

Whether your mom wears reading glasses that she can never find or sunglasses that she doesn't want to get scratched up in her purse, this Klipsta holder allows you to clip them right to your top with extra strong magnets. You get a set of 2 for $24.95.


Hotel DIY Spa Items

Does your mom go, go, go on her trips? Perhaps she would love to go back to her room and use one of these items to get ready to get back out there the next day:

Mini Muscle Gun - just like your normal full-size gun at home, but this one fits in your palm and can easily go right into her bag for when she overdoes it. The best $49.99 you'll spend.

Dr. Scholls foot masks - pamper her feet by gifting her these lovely smelling and tingly foot masks that refresh those tootsies, so it doesn't feel like she walked 5 miles. $11 for a set of 3 + get 20% off right now.

Heated eye masks - these disposable masks are great for headaches or relaxing before bed or combating tired or puffy eyes. I'd take 20 minutes and put one of these on with my foot masks. $13.99 for 20 in a range of scents like jasmine and green tea (also comes in unscented).


Back-up Battery with attached cords

Make sure your mom always has juice in her phone, so she can call home or get directions to the museum she's been dying to visit. This one has enough power to charge a phone at least twice, has the cords attached, so she can't lose them, and plugs directly into the wall. Just $25.99 + an extra 5% off now.


Mini bluetooth speaker

Does your mom like to rock out to her music or listen to podcasts? I love doing these things while getting ready or cooking or even just chilling out. Let her get better sound than with her phone speaker, but in a tiny, just as portable, item. It comes in fun colors and it's waterproof, in case she wants to take it to the pool, the beach, or in the shower. It's on sale right now for $29.95.


Turkish towel

Speaking of going to the beach, make sure your mom always has a beach towel, or a sarong, a picnic blanket, a scarf, a wrap, a blanket, and a tablecloth. Turkish towels are lightweight, nice to look at, and soak up a lot of water while also drying quickly. They are so multipurpose, it'll be a staple in her travel bag. At just $19.95, maybe grab 2 in different colors.


Colorful travel adapter

Get her out in the world with ease, by gifting her an outlet adapter that fits (almost) all outlets wherever she goes. I'm a big fan of accessories that aren't black, because then you can actually find them in your bag and see them better in the room when you're packing up. You can still get black though. Just $24.99 is a small price to pay for power.


Lonely Planet book

Give your mom travel inspo with this Lonely Planet world book that takes you through every country in the world. I always find photos a fun way to decide where I want to go, which is why Instagram is so useful. This is also a cool book to flip through when you don't have a trip planned and need to tide yourself over. Normally $50, but right now it's 50% off.


Laniege sets

I don't know if you have used Laniege before or not, but they have some of the best moisturizing products. Travel can really dry you out, so keep her skin hydrated wherever she goes with the lip balm set that is glossy and tinted. You get 5 for $25. I also like the Icons To Go set that comes with hyaluronic moisturizer, moisturizing toner, sleeping "mask", and lip mask, all in little travel size containers. Just $27 for a whole skincare system


Personal fan and flashlight

Maybe your mom is still getting those dreaded hot flashes and night sweats, or maybe she just loves going to places that are hot and humid. This little rechargeable fan can run for up to 12 hours and it can even be used as a flashlight when needed. It comes in a range of pretty colors, fits in a pocket, and has a wrist strap. I love that you can see how much charge is left on the little LED display, too! Not bad for $12.99.

I hope this gives you some good ideas for Mother's Day and that I've listed things your traveling mom would enjoy and get a lot of use from. I have many of these things and use them quite a bit.

If you're a mom, what would you love for Mother's Day or what has been your best received gift that you've given?


Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links that could result in monetary compensation for me should you make a purchase through them. This also allows me to keep this blog running, so thank you for supporting me in advance!

Saturday, April 26, 2025

Portland Coffee Tour 2025 - Part 4

Portland has one of the top coffee cultures in America. With approximately 600 independent coffee shops, it can be hard to choose a good one, though, to be honest, many of them are really good, so it's just a matter of location and vibes. I hit up some pretty vibe-y shops this month and also had one of the best cups of coffee I've ever had. For as much coffee as I drink, that's saying a lot. 

I hit up some pretty vibe-y Portland coffee shops this month and also had one of the best cups of coffee I've ever had. For as much coffee as I drink, that's saying a lot.

So, next time you're in Portland, here are some of the places I visited and you might want to as well. 

Well & Good Coffee

When you're out running errands, how do you not go get breakfast while you're out? That's what Eric and I did on a Saturday morning. This neighborhood coffee shop has parking and is located in Tigard. It's larger than most coffee shops and has a ton of seating. They have pretty good food menu, so we tried different things and also a "chuffin", which is their specialty chai muffin. Unfortunately, it just kinda tasted like a coffee cake muffin. It wasn't very spicy at all, but it was tasty.

Even though this place is on the larger side and has outdoor seating as well, it feels really cozy and has some different sitting areas to choose from.

Outside of the chuffin, I ordered the Peterson breakfast burrito with eggs and veggies in a spinach tortilla. It was really filling and was the perfect amount of spicy from the pepperjack cheese. I also got the special lavender rose latte. While not overpowering with the floral, it was balanced really well and easy to drink. Eric ordered a Sugar-free hazelnut latte and the Italy, a toasted Italian sandwich that I thought smelled and tasted pretty good. I'd absolutely make the effort to visit this place again.

Soro Soro 

I have been meaning to go to this coffee and dessert shop for ages, but the last time I was over there to do it, I thought it was on a different street, and then we just went to actual lunch. This Asian-owned shop is very minimalist cutesy in the way that a lot of Japanese places feel. It has stuff you can buy from local arts and all the desserts are super colorful, like a rainbow layer cake. I wasn't in the mood for straight sugar, so I just took a peek at the drink menu and then looked around at the shelves of fun handmade items for sale.

I chose a hot pistachio cream latte. I was pleasantly surprised by what I was served. A perfect cup of coffee with oat milk with a float of cool pistachio cream on top. It layered on top without mixing with the hot coffee somehow. If you love pistachio, this is must-try drink. it was light and not too filling like it could have been. This is a great little shop to just come and chill in. I listened to a couple of girls that I think were on a first date at a nearby table. That's the kind of place this is. Great for a first date and great for a solo coffee drinker.

No Preference Coffee

It may be called No Preference, but I definitely have a preference, and it's this coffee shop over almost any other shop when I'm in Portland proper. It's crazy, because there are probably 5 or 6 shops within a few blocks here, so it's fighting for real estate here. It's also right next to one of the most popular brunch restaurants in the city. There's always a line. I get it, I love brunch, and Screen Door has some great food, but if you aren't dying for eggs benny or a mimosa, I'd pop over and get an excellent cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich. 

This shop looks smaller from the outside, but it has a little side room that feels like walking into a wine cellar. It's really cozy and the owner is fantastic. He used to work with the owner of Ki Coffee near where I live, which I may not have ever reviewed, so look for that, soon. They both left an electronics store to become coffee shop owners and I think that was a good use of both of their talents. 

I looked at the specials board here and the ube blossom latte caught my eye, so I ordered one of those with oat milk and a bacon breakfast sandwich. Not only did this turn out to be the absolute prettiest coffee I've ever been served, but was just as delicious. This breakfast sandwich may not look like much, but the two together were an amazing meal and I'd kind of like to go try one of the others, too. Honestly, this shop gets an 11/10 from me. 

I've got plans for some interesting visits next month, so stay tuned. We'll see if they can hit this high bar set this month.

Tell me about some of your favorite coffee shops or cafes from where you live or your travels.

Friday, April 25, 2025

Adventure Travel: Why Staying in Cabins is the Perfect Outdoor Escape

Adventure travel can bring you closer to the world, but just because you are heading out on an adventure, it doesn’t mean you can’t add a little bit of luxury to it. One of the best ways to do it is by staying in a cozy cabin.

Cabins offer the perfect mix of outdoor exploration and indoor comfort, making them a great choice for any traveler.

Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-wooden-house-on-orange-leaf-trees-206648/



Cabins offer the perfect mix of outdoor exploration and indoor comfort, making them a great choice for any traveler. If you are someone who loves a good adventure but doesn’t want to give up the luxuries of home, then a cabin could be the perfect choice. Let's look at this in more detail below:

Freedom to Explore

When you stay in a cabin, you have the freedom to plan your days your way—no strict schedules or packed lobbies, just you, fresh air, and endless trails to discover. You can hike at sunrise, kayak at noon, and sit by a campfire at night. Every day offers something new just outside your door.

Comfort Without Compromise

Adventure doesn't have to mean sleeping on the ground. Cabins give you a real bed, a private bathroom, and a kitchen. After a long day outdoors, there's nothing better than a hot shower, a home-cooked meal, and a soft bed. You experience the wilderness without sacrificing the comfort that makes rest and relaxation possible.

Discover Hidden Spots

Staying in a cabin means staying close to nature's hidden treasures. Choose a cabin near a quiet lake, a winding trail, or a secluded forest. You can explore places most tourists miss, waking up each day to a different kind of beauty. Small towns, scenic byways, and off-the-map adventures are all within easy reach.

Cabins Make Adventures Simple

Booking a cabin takes the stress out of planning. Nothing to set up when you arrive, you can just get on with your vacation and start enjoying your time away. Most cabins come with basic amenities like heat, air conditioning, and a full kitchen. You can focus on making memories, not making camp.

Adventure for Everyone’s Style

Cabins work for all kinds of travelers. Families appreciate the space and safety, couples enjoy privacy and romance, and solo travelers find peace and solitude. Many cabins are pet-friendly, so your four-legged companion can join the fun too. Adventure looks different for everyone, and a cabin stay lets you shape the experience your way.

Adventure on Your Doorstep

Cabins put you close to some of the best outdoor activities. You can step right out of your door and start a hike, cast your fishing line, or hop on a mountain bike trail. Many cabin locations offer you boat rentals, horseback riding, sledding, and more.

Adventure is only ever a few steps away when you choose to stay in locations with cabins. Cabins are a simple way to dive into adventure travel while keeping comfort close. If you want to explore beautiful places and sleep under the stars, but with a roof over your head, a cabin is the perfect choice for your next trip.

Have you ever stayed in a cabin? It would be great to hear about your experiences in the comments below.
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