Taking Awesome Travel Pics

You know I'm no stranger to taking a million travel photos. I use my point-and-shoot camera as well as my phone (and Eric's), but even I can learn some tricks to take better ones. If your pics are lacking or you think they look a bit boring or flat, then here's a great infographic that can help you make them more fab and give them new life. It's all in how you look at things, which I have had to learn over the years. I've been known to lay on the ground to get a shot I liked or create a fun angle. You do you!

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Did that help at all? What do you hope to change or get better at in your future vacation snaps? I'm still working on nighttime shots.

Packing a Halloween Costume

You know how I always like to travel around Halloween. It's not just because it's cheaper for me to take a trip then, but also because we're often somewhere that we can dress up and have fun, like Disney. If you also plan to travel near or on Halloween and want to wear a costume that doesn't take up a bunch of space in your carry-on bag (because checking a bag to accommodate a costume means you might as well have bought one once you get there), then I've found some great ideas that will make you look festive, but with minimal extra items.

Eric and I as Bojack Horseman and Diane Nguyen

Anyone can be a witch or Where's Waldo. Those aren't all that creative, but will do in a pinch. We like to try a little harder and be somewhat creative when traveling. Some of our past costumes have been: ice cream man, baseball fan, burglar, Wayne & Garth, airplane pilot, Bavarian reveler, and safari-goer.

I love this airline tarmac worker costume from TravelingMom.com. A vest takes up virtually no space and you can easily make flashlight cones from a pool noodle, which will fit conveniently in your bag or can be purchased at your destination.

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Got a black and white or blue and white striped shirt? You're probably going to pack a pair of matching pants or a skirt, so why not get yourself a beret and a matching scarf (a long scrap of fabric can work) and go as a french person, possibly not as sexy as this one:

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I also like this adorable little French dude: 

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Go with it and be a tourist. If you're traveling in a place that is warm, it's even easier, especially since you probably already have a map, a hat and your camera. We always bring khaki pants or shorts, because they go with everything. Toss in a Hawaiian shirt and you've got it down. Easy peasy.

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Everyone has room for an extra t-shirt in their bag. Turn yourself into a treasure map with this cool tutorial from Beantown Baker. Add a fun accessory, like a spyglass, an eye patch, a bandana or a sparkly red X glued to a barrette for your hair. 

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Be a hero to women everywhere and dress as Rosie the Riveter. If you're like most women in the world, you own a chambray shirt and a pair of jeans. Add a bandana and a slick of red lipstick and you're done. You don't even have to do your hair. Bonus!

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Be a more traditional hero - a superhero. Everyone loves Superman and you can be Clark Kent as Superman so easy. Any pants you've brought can work, pack a button-down shirt (or borrow one from your travel companion) and toss in a Superman t-shirt. Wear it underneath the open shirt (that you tuck in) and find a cheap pair of black-rimmed glasses. You can also be Supergirl, as lady below. Check Target next time you're there and pick up a Superman tee for cheap.

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This one relies mostly on makeup. Wear the jeans you brought and pack an old flannel shirt (or one you love and planned to wear anyway). The only thing you'll need to buy is a floppy hat and voila! You're a scarecrow, you know, with this makeup tutorial. This one is fun, because it's also unisex. Want to make it a little more realistic, buy some straw-colored yarn or pipecleaners and make some "straw" bracelets with pieces sticking out of your cuffs.

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When I go somewhere that might be cold, I almost always have a black sweater with me. It goes with everything. Make a run to the craft store and get some felt to make a circle and a big number 8 and go as a Magic 8 Ball. This is genius, whether you're pregnant or not...and is seriously easy to pull off for everyone.

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Guys, do you have a leather jacket? If you do, poof your hair and don a white tee and some jeans and go as The Fonz. Eeehhhh! Thumbs up!

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I love food. I mean, who doesn't? I was inspired by this adorable little kid as spaghetti. You could easily make this for adults on a much smaller scale. Make a headpiece of spaghetti yarn, add some pom pom "meatballs" on top, wear a red shirt and possibly make a meatball necklace and wear a checkered napkin like a tablecloth. I like this idea so much, I might use it for my next trip to Disney's Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

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So, there are some of my new favorite costumes for your travels. If you've worn any of these or have other ideas, I'd love to know. Halloween is my favorite holiday, and even though I have more costumes than I know what to do with, that doesn't mean I don't want more. Where will you be this Halloween?

Review: One Tribe Apparel's Aladdin Pants

If there's one thing I love, it's travel clothing that's good looking and also comfortable. It's especially fun if they are reminiscent of a travel destination in some way, and you can't get any better than those that help out charities. Somehow, One Tribe Apparel makes clothing that does all four. Even better: They're super affordable.

When they asked if I'd like to check out their clothes, I immediately gravitated towards their Aladdin pants. As much as I enjoyed the look of their harem pants, it's been a hot summer and I've been traveling to some warm weather places were a shorter pant, would be welcome. Look how cute they are! 

After seeing how many travelers to their hostel were taking to the Thai boho look, Mitchell and Fai decided to start their own line for folks in the U.S. and boy did they succeed. These lovely lightweight pants are perfect for lounging around your house or hotel, but also wonderful for beating the heat while out sightseeing. If you're a light packer like me, these barely taken up any room at all in your carry-on.

Do I look ready to take on a new travel destination? The harem pants are a lot more vibrant and lively, but I like to mix and match, so the Aladdin pants were a perfect fit for me. The waistband is made of a handwoven panel with a fun pattern, but the pants themselves are solid colored. I love that they even work for someone short like me and the elastic on the bottom of the legs isn't constricting at all.

I've worn these a bunc of times this summer and I can say I love the feel. The fabric is really lightweight and breathable, making them easy to wear even when it's over 90 outside.

Each pair come with this handy little attached pouch pocket that is sewn to the waistband, but looseat the bottom, so it swings. It barely fits my larger phone, if I don't button it back up, but it would be ideal for your money and hotel key card, for when you hate carrying a purse. 

Here it is without my phone in it. (Please excuse the dog hair.) Now, I'm not the skinniest, and these pants are pretty much "one size fits all". They come in Standard sizing, which says fits up to size 12. I wear a size 6 normally (my waist is a 28), and these don't cut in at all on me. The back of the waist are elasticized, so they may be a bit snug if you are in the larger range, but I'd definitely try them. 

I also like they they look great with shorter tops that are more popular now. I'm not going to go full-on crop top or bikini top, but most shorter tops are normal length on me, so opted for one of my new athletic tops. I think it looks great and it's equally lightweight and breathable, so I'm ready for summertime weather. I really think these pants are going to be a staple in my future packing. They're everything I'm looking for in a travel pant, including a great neutral color to go with more tops.

If you love a comfortable, cute and functional pant for your travel bag, then go see the other styles of clothing they have at One Tribe Apparel.

Ooh! I almost forgot the best part: Your OTA purchases help support elephant rescue. When so many places are exploiting animals in the name of tourist experiences, there are some fantastic rescues that rehabilitate animals and educate the public properly. Part of your purchase will go to one of these awesome places in Thailand, The Elephant Nature Park. Feel good, look good and be happy about how you spent your money.

More info: 

You can buy them here: On OneTribeApparel's website

How much they cost: Only $27 each, which means you can buy multiple pair!

The awesome colors: Rivergreen | Black | Purple | Grey (shown) | Coral | Skyblue

Additional specs: handmade in Thailand, so you're supporting individual business people, cotton fabric, for waist sizes 26-36." Each item comes with a 30-day guarantee and you can get free shipping on orders $60+.

Love what One Tribe Apparel stands for? Connect with them online:

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Disclaimer: I was provided with a pair of One Tribe Apparel Aladdin pants for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are 100% my own.