Happy Fourth of July!

I'm taking a break for celebrations today. If you're home today instead of out watching fireworks displays or on vacation, I've got a few pics for you and some tips as well from fellow bloggers and awesome websites. Have a happy Fourth of July!

In case you missed my post on Facebook for taking awesome photos of fireworks, you can view the post on Techlicious and learn some tips on using your phone, and also your camera, to take amazing fireworks shots this year. I'll be using these when I'm at the theme parks next month, and hopefully they'll turn out better than the photos on this post. Fingers crossed!

Some places are just known for their awesome fireworks displays with even more oohs and aahs than you're used to. USA Today has a list of the top 10 shows. 

It's not just America that has huge fireworks displays. It may not be the 4th everywhere else, but they have other reasons to celebrate with big booms. Check out Brain Jet's list of great worldwide fireworks shows that happen throughout the year.

Fourth of July celebrations aren't relegated to huge displays though. I know some of you like to have your own shows on your street in your neighborhood, so please practice safely. Here is a short list of ways to make your Fourth unforgettable for all the best reasons, instead of accidentally burning down your own house:

• Keep your pets safe
• Be a firework pro (video)
• Be safe and do your research
• Don't try this at home: video of golfers using fireworks
• Watch the festivities from your couch
• A Capitol Fourth (PBS, 8 p.m.)
• Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular (NBC, 8 p.m.)
• Boston Pops Spectacular (where and when to watch)
• Celebrating at home means you'll need some foods. Here are a few cool ideas:
• From delish
• From FoodNetwork
• From RedTricycle (perfect for those with littles and short on time)

I'm wishing you all a safe and happy holiday. Is anyone traveling to see a phenomenal display? If so, where are you?

My Portland Coffee Tour - Part 15

Can you believe July is almost here? I can't! The year is halfway over and it feels like it just started. At least some things don't change, like the neverending supply of coffee in the Portland area. My Portland coffee tour has been on a roll for over a year and there are still so many shops to visit!

This month I chose one close to home and two further away in more touristy parts of the city.

Carina's Bakery

Beaverton is becoming a bit of an up-and-coming city. Just 8 miles outside of downtown, we've got food cart pods and boutique shops and some lovely restaurants and cafes. Carina's just opened not too long ago and is touted as a coffee house and bakery with a Scandinavian twist. They also only employ disabled persons, most of which are legally blind and who need guide dogs. The baked goods all look scrumptious and are a bit more because they are vegan (you would never know!). Their main counter doubles as a kennel for the guide dogs, which I was highly in favor of, because dogs!

I've had some hit or misses with ordering dirty Chai lattes ($4.75), but the employee knew exactly what I wanted and made it PERFECTLY. I also ordered a lingonberry coffee cake ($3.95) to go with my coffee and you, honestly, would never know it was vegan. So good!

The inside of Carina' and is bright and airy, with a well thought-out menu full of something everyone will like. I had a lovely chat with the employees and was able to enjoy my selections without being bothered. While this isn't the cheapest cafe you could visit, the food and drinks are spectacular and I applaud a company that helps to employ those who wouldn't have a fair chance elsewhere. Definitely worth the extra money you spend there, especially with the healthier options and vegan items.

Seven Virtues Coffee Roasters

During my last Geek Girl Brunch, I was talking to a new friend about coffee and she told me Seven Virtues was her favorite shop in Portland. Welp, I had to try it out. You can't even be disappointed just walking into this place. It's GORGEOUS! Look at that wall and booth and motivational saying. I want my house to be as cool as this coffee house. 

Look how clean and modern it looks! I did a bit of research on their food, because I always need to know if I should hit up one shop before another so I can get breakfast before I get cranky. I knew that they had breakfast sandwiches and they also did a happy hour on them, so I got $1 off mine for getting there at a certain time.

I wasn't exactly sure what to order, as they didn't have a real coffee menu on the wall, so I asked for a recommendation. The barista immediately said I should get a cortado ($4), so that's what I got, and then I ordered an egg and cheese bagelwich ($5.25). Look at that beautiful coffee and sandwich! Both were super delicious and I was so grateful for being steered toward this shop. It was quiet, in a great neighborhood and the employees were all very, very nice. A winner, for sure! 

Dapper and Wise

Sometimes I pick a place to go and then do a quick Google Maps search to see what else is around it and choose based on proximity and reviews. I was so glad I picked Dapper & Wise, and not only because it was so cozy and made me feel fancy eating in there. I mean, all that warm wood is phenomenal.

There's no lack of seating here, and I was lucky to find a seat near the window and an employee came over and slid the whole thing open, so it was like I was inside and outside at the same time. I loved it!

I, again, went for a special on this visit. I ordered the Vanilla Rose Latte ($5) and then a banana chocolate muffin ($3.75). If you ever wonder what a rose tastes like, I can definitively tell you that it tastes exactly like it smells. Luckily, it was light, so it didn't overpower the vanilla and coffee flavor, but it was sort of like summer morning in a cup. I wouldn't not order it again. The muffin was moist and sweet, though not too sweet, and you could tell it had been freshly made. I couldn't finish the whole thing and took the rest home to eat later. Nothing at this shop was disappointing at all, and I'll happily return.

So, those are my shops for this month. I had no losers in two months, which is unusual. Note to self: Always ask people where they go. Do you have a favorite coffee shop from your travels?

What's In My Carry-On?

Let's talk personal items. And by personal items, I mean the smaller size carry-on allotted to you by most airlines. The one that fits under the seat. You all know that when I travel alone, I generally stuff all my belongings into the smallest bag possible, just so I don't have to hoist anything into the overhead, but when we travel as a couple, we take a larger carry-on and a personal-sized item for under the seat.

What's in my carry-on bag? I'll tell you!

Laptop

I hardly go anywhere without my laptop, because I work wherever I am. And if I don't take it - rarely - I bring along a portable keyboard to use with my tablet or phone. My laptop is large, so I always try to find a bag that fits it well, but still has functionality as a main carry-on as well. You'll have to take your laptop out of your bag at security, unless you have precheck, so make sure you have it somewhere easily accessible.

iPad mini 

This is my all time favorite multitasker. I can check emails, I can play games, I can read a book, I can blog, I can listen to podcasts, I can watch videos, I can easily look up directions and make notes. It does everything your computer can do, but in a convenient handheld size.

A scarf/wrap

Sometimes the plane is hot. Sometimes it's freezing. You never know. I have a wrap I love that can a also be used as a scarf or a blanket. That means it's multipurpose and can be used on almost any trip at anytime. I wrap it around my purse when we go anywhere in case it's chilly inside.

A cardigan

Layering when you travel is a must. Usually I just wear my cardigan over a t-shirt when I travel on the plane. It's the same reason I take a wrap. You never know what the weather's going to be. You might have a freak cold snap. A cardigan is never a bad idea. The worst thing that'll happen is that you won't have to wear it.

Snacks

O.M.G. You can't live without snacks! Okay, I can't live without snacks. I always have a few things ready to pull out of my bag in case I get hungry, or we have a longer than expected layover or we end up trapped in the Tarmac for forever. You can barely get any substantial snacks on the plane, unless you give them money.

And if you don't eat them in transit, now you have extra snacks to spare on your actual trip! Toss them in your day bag and eat in the car or while waiting in line or in between meals to save some bucks.

Battery backup

If you want to stay connected or play games or use apps, your battery probably won't last all day. I keep a battery backup with me at all times. The one I have - and actually we have two - allows me to charge two things at once, or charge my phone two and a half times before it needs to be plugged in. It's a lifesaver when you're on-the-go all day.

Toiletries 

At the very least you should keep your liquids bag in your small carry-on for easy access to them when going through TSA (unless you have precheck). I just like to have things with me in case something happens and I need them during the flight. It also makes it less likely for spills.

Charging cords

Bring at least the most important ones you want on use on the plane, or you'll be sad...or digging in your other bag for it in between flights. Ask me how I know.

Refillable thermos/water bottle 

I'm perfectly happy to buy a bottle of water at the airport, bacause I don't like to wait for the drinks cart to come down the plane aisle. What I hate is buying a bunch of bottled waters at my destination. We generally get a gallon or two at the store and then fill the bottle each morning with a good chunk of ice, that way we save money on drinks when we're not at a restaurant.

Pen

You never know when you're going to need to fill something out, play an impromptu game of sudoku or scribble down instructions. I always have at least one, usually two. 

Obviously I also have my money, credit cards, passport and confirmation papers with me, because necessary. After years of packing light and paying attention to what works and what doesn't, I know exactly what works and what doesn't and what I've used over and over again.

So, tell me, what do you have in your carry-on?

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