Tell us a little bit about yourself and your blog.

Hi! I'm Anna, a newlywed, native Coloradoan currently planted in Philadelphia. My husband and I love exploring the incredible food scene in this city and the lifestyle that an urban setting provides! I'm also the girl behind the lifestyle blog Rich as Kings, where I write about what I'm learning about being truly rich and living gratefully. Over there, I focus on the wealth found in good food, good perspective, & good taste. 

As a fellow foodie, are there any recipes that you keep stashed in your back pocket to fix quickly for dinner or unexpected guests?

Food is the one thing I could talk about forever--my friends make fun of how often I bring it up! For busy weeknights, I love to have my homemade enchilada sauce on hand for jazzing up chicken or the makings of a quick soup (like my butternut squash - or - chili!). We're brunch lovers on the weekends, so there's always good-quality bacon in the fridge and the basics for huevos in the pantry.

I love this post about how you landed your job! What advice do you have for upcoming grads on the job hunt?

Thank you! Gosh, my job hunt was such a rollercoaster. My absolute, number one, without-a-doubt piece of advice is to be confident. If confidence doesn't come naturally to you, practice it. Practice in front of the mirror, in front of your mom, your cat--whatever. But practice it until you truly feel it, because your interviewers will feel it too. My other advice is to treat your job hunt as a job. Take it seriously and pour your best energy into it. After your twentieth resume and cover letter revision, it's easy to become complacent. Do your best to select your applications carefully--quality over quantity is far more likely to get you noticed and into an interview.

How do you take your tea/coffee/latte?

My morning coffee is never sweetened, always creamy (I prefer whole or almond milk), my afternoon espresso is a double, and my evening tea is plain and minty.

If you could have lunch with one person, who would it be and why?

Am I allowed to say my mom? My mom is amazing. And as much as I love Philadelphia, I've still got a Colorado-shaped hole in my heart that always aches a little bit for her kitchen with the view of the mountains. To sit down over afternoon coffee and one of her famous sandwiches this afternoon would fill my heart right up.

Follow along: Blog | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your blog.

I'm complicated. Or, at least I used to be. And while my mind is still full of crazy ideas and irrational thoughts, I'm on a journey to simplify. And my blog is all about that journey! On Simplicity Relished, I share about real food, minimalist style, community building, and faith and joy. I believe that being a minimalist makes my life more fulfilling. And I believe that the best things in life aren't things. If there's any aspect of your life that you hope to simplify, then I hope you'll join me!

What advice do you have for other bloggers/creatives to find inspiration and joy? 

Let go. I used to think that whatever I was doing on my blog, I had to keep doing. That nothing could change. But the reality is, our blogs ought to change as we do, as our circumstances do. Allow your blog to truly go with you, wherever you're at. And as far as real inspiration, there's nothing like going outside, to a garden, to the coast, or into the woods!

You're in the process of hunting for an apartment. What advice do you have for others looking for a new space to live?

It's all about tradeoffs. Make a list of non-negotiables, such as in-unit laundry, number of bedrooms, attached garage, etc. But keep an open mind! It's very possible that you won't find something that meets all of your requirements, but you'll be ready to make sacrifices for those things that you really want in an apartment.

How do you take your tea/coffee/latte?

I love all of these things so much! I strictly follow rules when steeping tea (so much so that I wrote about it). And I never add sugar or artificial flavors-- only honey or maple syrup!

If you could have lunch with one person, who would it be and why?

Right now? I'd love to have lunch with one of my friends from college. She reads me like a book, always makes me laugh till I cry, and I miss her like crazy.

What you should be reading: 

4 reasons to travel more  

How to build your blog community 

5 ingredient granola bars

I am so excited to introduce this month's Jetsetter sponsor, Bree of Bree West. She is a fellow young professional blogging to find a creative outlet and constantly finding ways to see the world. You can follow along with her adventures on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Stop by and say hello! 

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your blog. 

I'm a 24 year old, travel obsessed postgrad fumbling my way through my first corporate job and trying to figure out exactly what I want to be when I grow up. bree west started as a creative outlet when I first started my job and has grown into a community of people going through similar challenges we face as young professionals! I write about travel, fashion, work-life balance, and pretty much everything in between.

How do you balance your wanderlust with your postgrad work schedule/budget?

I don't know if balance is a great word for it honestly ha! I have a tendency to prioritize my wanderlust (not always the best/smartest plan) I feel like I'm at an age and place in my life where this is the time to see as much of the world as I can. With that said budget definitely plays a major role a my entry level job doesn't necessarily allow me to jet off to Dubai at a moments notice, I try to limit myself to 2 international trips a year and one domestic trip a month! 

Any trips on the horizon or on your wishlist?

Yes!! Several, actually. I'm heading back to Charleston (which has become one of my favorite destinations in the world) and a few other really exciting ones that I can't quite tell you about them yet. Definitely follow along to hear about them as I can announce more details! 

I loved your post about reasons why you should travel alone! What moments from those trips stand out the most to you?

Thanks so much!! From my last solo trip to Iceland I was walking back to the hotel after spending the day at the Blue Lagoon and I all of a sudden became incredibly overwhelmed. I stopped and took a few minutes to look around and try and absorb all of the beauty that was surrounding me, I felt so insignificant and inspired. That was a big turning point for me in my life, I have a lot of really exciting things on the horizon because of those few moments in Iceland! There's something about traveling alone that forces you to reflect and really think about your life and what is and isn't working.

How do you take your tea/coffee/latte?

I love hot tea, any kind really it doesn't matter. Every once in a while at this time of year I'll have a skinny peppermint mocha latte!

If you could have lunch with one person, who would it be and why?

Jinna Yang. Lately she has been motivating me to live a life that I have been dreaming of for years. Her philosophy on life is seriously inspiring and I love following her adventures.

To get started: Solo Travel and Why You Should Do It | Dopey Challenge Recap | Finding Balance

St. Simon's Island, while it may not have white sandy beaches or crystal clear waters, is one of my favorite places for a weekend getaway. Morning walks that turn into sessions of house hunters searching for the perfect cottage or condo to purchase as my second home (even before I have bought a first home), shopping in the quaint downtown, and the best seafood.

I stayed at the Sea Gate Inn last weekend and if you ever find yourself in the Golden Isles, I would highly recommend it. It's part beach condo, part hotel: You have the space and amenities of a condo, but they also have housekeeping and fresh towels each day. Plus you are one block away from the beach.

Unfortunately it was too cold and overcast to swim, but getting out of town was worth it. 

Do you have a place that you always go to recharge?

Caroline of The College Cosmopolitan

Follow along: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Tell me a little about yourself and your blog! What do you love to write about?

I’m a senior journalism major at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, but I’m originally from Texas. I love Tennessee, but the Lonestar State will always be home for me. My blog is about finding adventure everywhere. I love traveling and seeing the world, but I’m also passionate about exploring where we’re at. I want to help college students make the most of their time in school, whether that means studying abroad all over the globe or finding adventures in your college town.

Favorite Starbucks seasonal drink? 

My favorite seasonal drink in a Chumpkin! It’s a mix of a chai latte and pumpkin spice, and it’s heavenly (and super sweet!). 

Were you one of the kids who looked forward to summer ending and school starting? Or did you wish the long days would continue forever?

When I was growing up I wanted summer to last forever, but then I moved to Tennessee and discovered the beauty of a real fall season (we have two seasons in Texas: hot and hotter). Now I live for the changing leaves, giant sweaters and Christmas music in October. 

Currently reading any good books? Are there any on your "must read" list?

I recently read “We Were Liars” by E. Lockhart, and it was hauntingly memorable. My must-reads are “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years” by Don Miller, “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green and “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me” by Mindy Kaling.

What you should be reading:
Local Adventures: Take a Sunrise Hike
The Art of Stay-cationing
How to Photograph Your Adventures, from a recovering instagram-aholic

Becca of For Want of Wander 

Follow along: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Tell me a little about yourself and your blog! What do you love to write about?

I’ve spent the past few years teaching music and drinking lots of coffee in Chicago, but I recently left it all behind to teach in the mountains of western Guatemala. Sometimes, my life is a mess, and I like to write about the mess. I love to write about the ways we can redeem difficult experiences, overcome failure, and live our lives as an experiment. 

Favorite Starbucks seasonal drink? 

I hate to jump on the bandwagon, but I’m really obsessed with Pumpkin Spice Lattes, sugar and artificial orange coloring and all. Unfortunately, Pumpkin Spice Lattes are a little hard to come by right now in Guatemala. 

Were you one of the kids who looked forward to summer ending and school starting? Or did you wish the long days would continue forever?

I was the kid that got really, really excited about new school supplies. I would pack them up in my backpack days before school started, and then take them out every night to straighten my folders and sniff my pencils and count my crayons to make sure I really had 24 in the box. I really looked forward to the beginning of the school year, but also was ready for the end when it got close. 

Currently reading any good books? Are there any on your "must read" list?

My friend recently lent me The Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard J. Foster, which I am currently reading, though I wouldn’t consider it particularly light reading. My must-read list includes Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton, East of Eden by John Steinbeck, and A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller.

What you should be reading: 

This is just the beginning

When everything goes wrong

There is a season

I'm so excited to introduce you to Sara in case you haven't read her blog yet. I would love nothing more than to follow in her footsteps and move to the UK, but for now I'll settle with living through her posts and photos. Stop by and say hello! 

1. Tell me a little bit about yourself and your blog.

Hello, I'm Sara! I'm a 23 year old Texan living in England. About a year ago I moved across the world to a city I had never been to and a country where I knew absolutely no one. Crazy, right? I started my blog to document my life abroad, and pretty much write about anything else that interest me (travel, food, photography, food, books, food). You get the picture.

2. What has been the hardest transition to living in Bristol instead of Texas? 

At first, I think the hardest transition was being alone. I literally knew no one in England when I moved here, and living alone meant spending a lot of time missing people back home. However, as time went on I made friends and met a ton of new people, so life here in the UK is pretty darn good!

3. What has been the best change?

The best change for me is the lifestyle. Life is just so laid back, easy going, and simple. 

4. Any places on your travel bucket list? 

I'm planning a trip to Amsterdam within the next month or two. I'm really exited! One day, I'd love to travel to Vietnam or Thailand. 

5. How do you take your coffee/latte?

I'm all about lattes. Occasionally I'll have a flat white or a white Americano, but it's almost always a latte. 

6. If you could have lunch with one person, who would it be and why? 

Elizabeth of York. The first born child of Edward IV, Elizabeth spent the majority of her childhood in court or in sanctuary. After her brothers mysteriously disappeared, she was the heir to Edward's crown. Yet she was arranged to marry Henry VII, who later became King of England. Although she herself had a claim to the throne, she used her power quietly and tactfully. She lived a fascinating life and I would love to pick her brain on being a powerful woman in medieval England!

Follow along: Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook

I can't wait to introduce one of my lovely sponsors, Anjali! 

She's a New Zealander who moved to England, 

and then came back to New Zealand earlier this year.

Oh, and (possibly more importantly) she loves Harry Potter just as much as I do.

Stop by and say hello!

Follow along: Bloglovin | Facebook | Twitter

1. Tell me a little bit about yourself and your blog. What do you write about?

My name is Anjali, and I'm a New Zealander with a love of travel, books, photography, movies, all things arty farty, DIY and creative. My blog, From L&P to English Tea, is a mix of all these things, as well as my rather large obsession with Harry Potter, and also lists.

2. Your blog name is so unique! What is the story behind it?

'From L&P to English Tea' really started in 2010 when I discovered that my family were shipping out from New Zealand to England at the end of the year for a new job. I stayed behind to finish my Philosophy degree in 2011, and then in early 2012 I joined them. 'L&P', if you're unsure, is a New Zealand fizzy drink (soda/pop), and it's very Kiwi and very popular here. 'English Tea' is...well it's English Tea. It was only fitting that I joined the two together to create a (rhyming) blog name. Now that I've returned home to NZ after spending 2 fantastic years around Europe, I simply added 'and back again' to the bottom of my header, because let's face it, changing my entire blog name would get confusing for everyone.

3. New Zealand or England? Which would you rather live in?

Ooo! This is a tough one! When I was in England and people asked me if I missed home, of course I yes. I really did. But actually now that I'm home, I realise how awesome my time in the UK really was, and how much I miss it. It's funny how you don't know what you've got till it's gone, eh? So I think that NZ will always be home, and to be honest it's a lot easier living here, but I will definitely go back to England one day, perhaps to live. They both have pros and cons. For now, it's NZ...but in the future...who knows? :)

4. Which Hogwarts house would you be in and why?

LOVE this question. So I actually did a blog post a while back now about what Hogwarts house I would be in, but long post short, I was sorted in Gryffindor on Pottermore (the most legit sorting, of course), but then I lost my password and nothing was working and I got frustrated and just created a new account...where I was sorted in Hufflepuff. So from then on I've declared I'm starting a new house - Gryffinpuff Huffledor - for all those people out there who really are in the two houses at the same time.

5. Congratulations on having stamps in your passport for 16 countries! What has been your favorite trip?

Thank you! I've been incredibly blessed with opportunities to travel during my life, and I hope it doesn't stop here! There have been so many trips that I've loved, but a highlight was definitely Amsterdam last year in June. My dad had a work trip for a day conference, so I tagged along (which I did several times) and while we were only there for one night and two days, it was such a great time. I love all the boats and the canals, and the bicycles everywhere. The history was really amazing too, and the museums. It is a very, very cool place and I highly recommend a trip there, should you ever get the chance.

Louvre: The picture above is me in Paris last year. Before we left to come in early January, we had to make a trip to Paris (you can't be all the way over in England and not go to Paris, people!). It was the week before Christmas, and it was freezing, but it was so beautiful. The French do Christmas wonderfully. If you get a chance to go to Paris at Christmastime, do it. So worth it.

Amsterdam: The picture above is be outside the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The first day we were there we went and wandered around this huge museum, and it was really neat. If you've seen The Fault in our Stars, there's a scene where they are walking out of that entrance up there, and when I saw it in the movie I got all excited, as you would. :)

I can't wait to introduce you to Heather and Zachary. 

While they are teaching English in China, 

they are taking advantage of all the country has to offer. 

From travels to the sometimes awkward moments 

of living in a completely different culture, 

you will feel like you are right next to these two

every step of the way.

1. Tell me a little about you and your blog.  Sure! I'm Heather and the husbands name is Zachary, and we have a ridiculously cute golden retriever named Chara! Collectively we make The Mosby's of The Mosby's in China. Like Ted Mosby in How I Met Your Mother, yes.  We live in Qingdao, China where we teach English to 250+ munchkins and really just live a totally normal life in China. A totally normal life here looks like dodging old ladies hawking loogies, surviving with our conversational Chinese, wearing face masks sometimes and climbing the mountain in our back yard, to list a few. It may not seem normal to some but it has become the norm for us and we love it! Our blog is a place to document our life, my thoughts, and some other good stuff along the way. 
2. You've been able to see a lot of China and Korea through working. Do you see yourself staying there for the near future? Ya! We've lived in China the past 3 years, in two different cities, and lived in Korea, outside of Seoul for a year before that. We've been blessed to see and live in some pretty cool places! In all of our moves and the "renewing of the contracts" time that happens every year at school's in Asia, we have prayed for God's vision and direction for us and our future. For now, we are in Asia. Next year, we will possibly be somewhere else in Asia. And the year after that, who knows! We are taking each year at a time! 
3. Why did you decide to start blogging? What is something you have learned from this experience?  Originally, when we first arrived in Korea 4 years ago, we started the blog to keep connected with our parents. The first year it was Zachary's thing. I had little patience for the uploading of pictures or sitting down for so long! Zachary would post once a month or so. We didn't know anything about blogging! All our pictures are awkwardly spaced and size small! We didn't even know how to make the pictures bigger! While I am no blogging professional, I do like to think that we've come a long way with our blog. At some point in Dongying I just fell in love with blogging! I found a friends blog from high school, The Chronicles of Ruthie Hart, I read some and just thought, "Wow! These blogs, they're more than blogs! They're creative outlets!" And I love a good creative outlet, so, The Mosbys in China blog as it is today was born and I fell in love with the whole process. 
4. How do you handle living so far from family and friends? I'm terrible at this really, at the keeping in touch through Skype and emails. Crazy though, since I love blogging! But mostly, how I handle living far away, is that I just really invest myself in where we are. We have tons of amazing friends here. We have a great church. We have Chinese families that have become like our families. We host parties. We have people stay with us. We explore and travel. We've also made a home here and I think that makes all the difference.
5. Do you have a favorite moment or experience while living abroad? You know, sometimes my favorite moments are the simplest of moments like laughing with my Chinese students at our house after school while playing UNO or walking our dog in the midst of the beautiful cherry blossom trees with Zachary. It's just those small moments that really make the days, you know? I will say that our hike to the top of Tai Shan and watching the sunrise the next morning was pretty up there. Also, during our first real vacation this past winter to Thailand we took a road trip and that was pretty awesome, too! 
6. Anything else you would like to add?  Get out there. Experience things. Enjoy life. It's a gift. You don't have to take a plane to experience something extraordinary or different than the day to day norms. Explore your city. Find those places that set your heart wild and go there with people you love. Also, if jumping on a plane is your thing, you could totally come visit us in China!! :) 

I'm excited to introduce this month's Jetsetter sponsor: Alisha. 

Fellow nail polish addict, small business owner and 

mother to a fur baby named Porkchop. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your blog. 

I'm Alisha and I blog over at TheAlishaNicole.com. I started the blog a little over 7 months ago as a place where I could vent. On any given day you can catch me blogging about what inspires me, my random thoughts and rants and my journey as a small business owner.

Congratulations on putting the finishing touches on Eclectic Star! What kind of products can we expect to find in the shop and where did the idea behind it come from?

Thank you!! I just celebrated Eclectic Star's two year anniversary so I wanted to completely upgrade everything! In the shop you can find handmade bracelets and necklaces that I like to call "everyday pieces". I wanted to create simple yet timeless pieces that women could wear everyday if they wanted to (and I hope they do :) )

Do you have any advice for others who are thinking of becoming entrepreneurs and starting their own shops or businesses? 

I would say to focus on doing what makes you happy and only that. Worrying about what others think and allowing fear to creep into your thoughts will paralyze you from being truly happy and following your dreams.

What places are on your "must see" list? Any adventures on the horizon for you? 

I'll be visiting the beach in NC and Florida this year but I would love to visit Africa and Paris in the future. And for some odd reason I am drawn to Austin, TX so hopefully I can knock that trip out this year.

You can find Alisha at: Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook

What you should be reading: 

My extreme dive of faith

Five reasons why you should take that leap of faith

Ten useless facts about Alisha Nicole

*Interested in your own solo spotlight on Stamp in my Passport? Check out my advertising options and let's work together.

via 

Central Arkansas is bracing for the eminently approaching winter storm that may hit tonight. The South just does not do well when the temperature is below 40. Lines at the grocery are wrapped around the store with people stockpiling food and water to wait out the storm. And I don't blame them. I've seen the way people in this down drive in perfect conditions and I shudder to think how cars will be slip-sliding on the icy roads.

I secretly wished to get a snow day this semester. And while my one class tomorrow has the potential to be cancelled, freezing rain and sleet somehow doesn't have the magical effect of turning campus into a winter wonderland like snow does. It's more like a winter death trap. If I do have to get out in unfavorable conditions, instead of driving or walking (because that is extremely dangerous for me, too.) I think I'll be like this person in Germany and skate everywhere. 

______________________________________________________________________________

Laura from Side Street Style

BLOG | PHOTOGRAPHY WEBSITE | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

Tell me a little about yourself and your blog. 

We are a creative couple who are also parents but that doesn't stop us from travelling, eating good food, enjoying the outdoors and indulging in our passions for music, film and fashion and the blog is really a huge mix of all those things. We also try to bring up our son in a naturally inspired way.

You've travelled around the world with your husband and son. Can you pick just one favorite trip? Where would you like to travel again? 

Well between all of us we have been to 26 countries and have loads more planned. I have to say one of my personal favorites not because the place was awe inspiring but because of the host I stayed with would have to be Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. I went there before having Mr A and was couch-surfing and stayed with a Playwright who took me to see some old black and white croatian cinema as well as some underground bars, it was amazing because of the company. Johns favorite place to date I think is Mauritius and as a family it has to be our first trip we ever did while Mr A was only a few months old, it was special simply because it was very much new ground for us as parents. We didn't go far, just to Mid Wales but it was beautiful, rural and we climbed up to the top of a Cliff Faced castle which was really beautiful.

Why did you decide to start blogging? What is something you have learned from this experience? 

I started it simply to express what I was into, reading, listening too, dreaming of going to and anything that inspired me. Blogs are a great way to share, be creative and be inspired and I have made some really good friends both online and in person because of the blog.

I see you have purchased a new house. Congratulations! Are there any design and decorating projects on your horizon? 

Yes!! Many, we have already started a few. When we bought the house at the time we felt it didn't really need much work but once we got the keys and had a proper look around we decided to start a few before putting our furniture in so in the past two weeks we have striped walls, had ceilings plastered, pulled up carpets, laid new ones and will actually be moving in the weekend, after which I have two side bed cabinets screaming to be painted and updated as well as many prints to frame and lots of bits and bobs to work on - can't wait.

What is your favorite holiday traditions? Do you stay home, visit family, or take a trip?

It's really funny as I have been away from home for a few big celebrations but I always try and get into the spirit of things no matter where in the world we may be. 5 years ago I was working in the South of France for Christmas and it was so much fun, everyone was away from home so we all celebrated like we where family and I think that is the main thing enjoy the company you are with. Even though our house will be filled with boxes of Christmas me and little man will enjoy making some homemade decorations and treats.

Anything else you would like to add? 

Well I cannot believe a whole year has nearly passed again and I think it can be a great time for reflection so I have a few big plans for the New Year as well as a big road trip for the family across Europe, so watch this space.