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This edition of "The Chic List" includes tips and resources for making your life a little more secure online and while traveling. I also share my favorite hot spots in San Antonio plus recipes, tech and photography tips and more fun!
Have you made your summer to-do list? If not, take a few minutes and make a list of things you would like to do this season. Click here to download a summer to-do list template. Did you know you are more likely to reach a goal or finish a project by writing it down?
Follow along on Instagram and Snapchat (@flightchic) for a behind the scenes peek at my life as a flight attendant.
I hope you have a great summer!
P.S. If you like the newsletter, please share it with your friends!
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TO DO LIST
READ
Great American Eating Experiences: Local Specialites, Food Festivals, Favorite Restaurants, Diners, Roadside Stands, and More
by National Geographic Society
WATCH
Feed the Beast debuts Sunday, June 5 on AMC. The show tells the story of Tommy (David Schwimmer) and Dion (Jim Sturgess) who are like brothers. Dion can’t stay out of trouble. Tommy can’t move past it. For two friends on the brink of losing everything, a dusty pipe dream of opening up an upscale restaurant in their hometown of the Bronx is all they have left to turn their lives around. Together, they take on the insanity of the New York restaurant world and navigate its underbelly of petty criminals, corrupt officials, and violent mobsters.
BUY
Keychain Flashlight
LISTEN
Are you sleepless, anxious, depressed or have GI issues? Identify the source and pack your bags with confidence that you can travel anywhere with vitality. Listen to the Flipping podcast with Dr. Robin Benson sharing 7 Simple Solutions for the savvy traveler. Click on play button below or here.
DOWNLOAD
The Virgin Podcast
Great guests covering a range of topics.
Episode 31: Brene Brown
Episode 13: Adam Grant
SURF
thetravelhack.com
travel tips and guides
FOLLOW
@cleanmama for simple cleaning routine and home keeping methods that work
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Editor's Travel Diary
During the month of May, I had layovers in Portland, San Antonio, San Juan, Philadelphia, Rochester, Salt Lake City, and Omaha.
I visited Fort Williams Park in Maine. It's a beautiful park with a sea cliff walk and home to one of the most photographed lighthouses in the U.S. You can grab lunch at Bite Into Maine. The lobster rolls are the most popular in the area. Check out my guide to Portland here for more recommendations. If you download the Li.st app, you can use the map.
I attended the Cherry Bombe Jubilee. It is a one-day event celebrating women in food. Martha Stewart was the keynote speaker. Did you know Martha is a list-maker? She also eats scrambled eggs every day for breakfast and uses Susan Ciminelli skincare products.
I attended a matinee performance of " A Street Car Named Desire" in Brooklyn starring Gillian Anderson. Remember her from X-files? I recommend visiting Brooklyn the next time you are in New York. You'll find some of the best boutiques and restaurants in the country. Cat Bird is one of my favorite shops! If you are looking for a vintage wedding ring, Cat Bird designs are very elegant. Blue Bottle Coffee has a location in Brooklyn. I really love their almond cappuccinos. I also recommend visiting Lillia for a fancy coffee or soft serve gelato. I love the design of the building.
Jennifer Esposito has some great new items on her menu at Jennifer's Way Bakery including a paleo chocolate chip cookie and yeast free bread. Her bakery is located in the Lower East End.
Casa Magazines is a hidden gem in the New York City if you are looking for magazines. They carry a great selection of international and Indie publications.
Sprinkles is open at Disney Springs in Orlando. Rick Bayless is opening Frontera Fresco on June 20. Bayless is a six-time James Beard Foundation winner.
I enjoy visiting local markets this time of year. A few favorites include: |
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Security
1. The best way to manage all your passwords.
2. When you're on a public network, consider using a VPN HotSpot Shield for Windows and Android, Cloak for iPhone and Mac users.
3. Use PayPal instead of a credit card on any site you don’t know well enough to trust. And avoid paying online with debit cards, or putting any account information in emails.
4. Can’t figure out whether to trust a site or app? Check TOS Didn't Read, which summarizes those long privacy policies and notes any red flags.
5. Go to EFF’s panopticlick.eff.org to test how easily your current Web browser configuration can be tracked. And for more detailed advice on dealing with specific concerns, check its Surveillance Self-Defense website.
6. Use secure websites marked by "https" at the front anytime you enter payment info. You can force your browser to use it by installing HTTPS everywhere.
7. To further escape tracking by the ad industry and companies like Facebook, go to aboutads.info/choices and request an opt out from more than 120 participating companies.
8. Activate Do Not Track in the settings for your browser and install a browser extension like Ghostery, Disconnect or EFF’s Privacy Badger to block spying ads and trackers.
9. Mobile phone security mistakes and how to fix them.
10. Security Settings on iPhone.
11. You can also choose sites, such as the search engine DuckDuckGo, which do not record or share your searches.
12. Use encrypted chat services such as SilentCircle, and encrypted mail such as Hushmail.
13. The password manager KeePassX is free, open source, cross-platform, and never stores anything in the cloud.
14. The first step that anyone could take is to encrypt their phone calls and their text messages. You can do that through the smartphone app Signal, by Open Whisper Systems. It’s free, and you can just download it immediately. And anybody you’re talking to now, their communications, if it’s intercepted, can’t be read by adversaries.
15. 8 online retailers you should never order from.
16. The new way to pay safely while traveling.
17. How to add extra security to your apple password.
18. Abine's Blur is a service that creates gibberish email addresses and auto-fills them for you. Emails will be forwarded to your real inbox, or you can set up a block.
19. Blur isn't much help when you're at the checkout and the cashier asks for your email address to register you for a loyalty program. So give her an alias that is linked to your real account. You won't have to log in separately to get those emails (as you would with a separate junk mail account), and you can forward messages to your real account if you want. To set up an alias, go to the account-settings tab in Gmail, Yahoo or Outlook. Click on "Add an alias" or "Add and email address," then follow the prompts.
20. The Burner app provides access to phone numbers you can use in place of your own (a subscription costs $5 a month). Calls and texts to that line are forwarded to your primary number; you can delete a Burner number anytime.
21. Find out everything Google knows about you.
22. 10 Tips to keep your iPhone safe and secure.
23. Why you should tape over your webcam.
24. Kids in the House is a website with tips to protect your kid's from Gavin De Becker. Gavin de Becker is our Nation’s best-known expert on the prediction and management of violence. His work has earned him three Presidential appointments and a position on a congressional committee.
25. The Kid Power Book for Safety for Caring Adults provides outstanding information for parents, teachers, and other caregivers on teaching personal safety skills to young people in ways that are empowering and effective. KIDPOWER has an exceptional track record in the fields of personal safety and violence prevention. www.kidpower.org
26. Avoiding the credit card scam. |
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GOOD TO KNOW LINKS
1. Take this quiz to find out your love language.
2. The 3-item to-do list.
3. How to properly fold a t-shirt.
4. How about a foodie adventure tour?
5. The cancer almanac.
6. Common sense safe travel tips for women.
7. Chromecast is a tiny device that streams content from apps like Netflix or Hulu to your TV. As long as you have Wi-FI, it will work the same way in your hotel room: Just plug it into the TV and binge-watch as usual. $35
8. How to manage your money in your 20's 30's and 40's.
9. Sign up for Votum, which texts you what Congress is deciding on next. You text back your vote, and the app shares your opinion with your delegates.
10. Tickets are on sale for the Propel Women's Conference in Canton, Dallas, Jackson, and Orlando. Don't miss the amazing line up of women speaking including Joyce Meyer, Christine Caine, Beth Moore, Lisa Bevere and more great speakers and worship leaders!
11. Tickets are on sale for The Belong Tour featuring Jen Hatmaker, Shauna Niequist, and Nichole Nordeman. Tampa, Dallas, Atlanta and 13 other cities are on the tour.
12. My Subscription Addictionn is a directory that reviews more than 2,000 subscription boxes currently on the market.
13. Why Yelp is bad for everyone. P.S. I no longer use Yelp.
14. Lonely Planet's free new guides app features 38 city guides that include offline maps and more.
15. How to use Facebook Live.
16. Summer Fashion Trends.
17. Summer Reading List for Kids.
18. World's best food festivals for food fanatics.
19. Ten ways to stop junk mail.
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SAFETY TIPS
1. For localized disasters, where traditional methods of communication have failed, there is no better tool than a good 2 Meter Ham Radio. If you haven’t looked into the many benefits of Ham Radio, I advise seriously looking into it.
2. Always Carry Cash & Know Where to Hide it. Make sure you carry emergency cash in a couple of different locations, and if you’re traveling abroad make sure you have both American dollars and the local currencies in every area you plan on traveling through.
3. A good travel water filter is Katadyn Pocket Water Microfilmer. It's expensive but has a 20 year warranty.
4. Other items to pack for travel: N95 Dust Masks, Door Wedge, First-Aid Kit, Small Solar Charger & Electronic Adapters.
5. No matter where you are going, you want to have maps of the area and evacuation routes ready to go should something happen. Have a local paper map of the areas you are traveling through on your trip. Save PDF maps or Google Maps to your phone and tablet devices. Carry a GPS; while these devices can fail during a large-scale disaster, they are good for finding quick backup routes when they’re working.
6. Read up on your destination at travel.state.gov. Learn about visa requirements, local laws, customs, and medical care in the countries you are visiting.
7. Be aware of any Travel Warnings or Travel Alerts for your destination country, which describe risks to you and may affect your travel plans. Also check the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate where you will be traveling for the latest security messages.
8. Find out about health precautions. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide recommendations for vaccinations and other travel health precautions for your trip abroad.
9. Prepare to handle money overseas. Before you go, notify your bank and credit card company of your travel, and check exchange rates.
10. Carry contact details for the nearest U.S. embassy or U.S. consulate with you, in English and the local language. Read more about what the Department of State can and cannot do for you in an emergency.
11. Apply early for a passport , or renew your old one. It should be valid for at least six months after you return home, and needs to have two or more blank pages. Otherwise, some countries may not let you enter. Check all family members’ passports because those for adults are valid for 10 years, but children’s passports only for five. U.S. citizens must use a U.S. passport to leave and come back to the United States.
12. If you are traveling by land or sea, you must show proof of both your U.S. citizenship and your identity when you return to the United States. For many land or sea trips, this means you can travel using the new U.S. passport card instead of a normal passport book.
13. You may need to get a visa before you travel to a destination. Contact the embassy of the foreign countries you will be visiting for more information.
14. Get a letter from your doctor for medications you are bringing. Some countries have strict laws, even against over-the-counter medications, so read about your destination before you go.
15. If you are traveling alone with children, foreign border officials may require custody documents or written consent from the other parent. Check with the embassy of your foreign destination before traveling.
16. Make two photocopies of all your travel documents in case of emergency. Leave one copy with a trusted friend or relative at home and carry the other separately from your documents in case of loss or theft.
17. How to stay safe on your next trip to Disney.
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If you are looking for some ideas, here are a few fun things you might want to add to your list.
1. Host a Sunday Supper for friends or family. There’s nothing better than sharing a great meal and great conversation. Ask each guest to bring a dish. During the meal, designate one person to ask questions during the meal and make sure everyone has an opportunity to participate. You could also reserve a room at your favorite restaurant or have a chef come to your event and cook for you.
2. If you do not have time to go on an extended vacation, plan a staycation. New Orleans, Orlando, and Miami are popular for a staycation. Book at least one night away from home at a hotel and enjoy a delicious meal at your favorite restaurant. Travelzoo is a good site to check for hotel deals.
3. Take a road trip. Make a playlist for your trip and don’t forget snacks. I also like listening to audiobooks and podcasts. Create a Google map of hotspots you plan to visit along the way.
4. Invite some friends over for an ice cream social or backyard BBQ.
5. Take a class. Check with your local library for a list of summer courses. Skillshare is also a great site for taking online classes.
6. Start a cookbook club.
7. Cook your way through a cookbook for an entire month. I am enjoying cooking from It’s All Easy by Gwyneth Paltrow.
8. Start an articles club. Email a few interesting articles to your friends before the meet-up and tell them to plan on discussing the articles at the event over coffee or a meal.
9. Drink a gallon of water a day. It’s so important to stay hydrated. Download the Waterlogged App to keep track.
10. Plan a girl’s night out and watch the season finale of the Bachelorette on August 1. Jordan Rodgers received the first impression rose. His brother is the Green Bay Packer’s quarterback, Aaron Rodgers.
11. If you are a frequent flyer, enroll in TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry. Airport security lines are expected to be very long all summer. Airline employees should also be aware of recent changes to KCM for international travel. If you have not enrolled in Global Entry and plan on traveling to other countries, you may want to consider it now.
Find out what’s on my summer to-do list.
read more >
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Readlists
Every Friday, I share what I enjoyed reading or found informative during the week. If you are looking for something to read when you are traveling or maybe on your lunch break, I think you will enjoy this series. I made reading the articles easy by creating a Readlist. You can download the Readlist every Friday morning as an ebook to read on your Kindle, iPad, iPhone or smartphone. Click here to download the Readlist. |
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WELLNESS CORNER
1. MCT oil is medium chain triglyceride, and it is derived from coconut oil. The reason that MCT oil is helpful if you have some type of thyroid issue, is because it supports the liver in processing the hormones that your thyroid secretes. I eat about 3 to 4 tbs of coconut oil, or MCT oil daily to help to boost absorption of my thyroid hormones, and it definitely does help! I have noticed having much more energy, and it also helps to bring my body temp up.
2. How to travel with food allergies and still feel well.
3. The best natural sunscreens.
4. The benefits of GHEE. Trader Joe's sells it.
5. Purple carrots have six times more cancer killing components than orange.
6. The Hashimoto's Awareness Summit is June 13-20. Sign up for the free online seminar. I recommend unsubscribing to the emails after you register. Just save your log in credentials to access the interviews.If you have a thyroid issue, you are likely to have Hashimoto's. Symptoms include depression, weight gain, fatigue, dry skin, brittle nails, cold hands and feet, digestion issues and more.
7. How to stay healthy and energized during summer travel.
8. To learn more about the healing impact of Earthing, listen to this free captivating interview from the Self-Care Revolution on how to protect yourself from electro-magnetic pollution.
9. Check out these cool earthing shoes.
10. Apple Cider Vinegar for weight loss, Aspartame world's best ant poisoning and why diet and supplements prevent skin cancer. Dr. Wright's Newsletter is a must-read. |
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San Antonio City Guide
San Antonio’s rich history, diverse culture, beautiful scenery and fabulous attractions offer something for everyone to enjoy. It’s an affordable weekend getaway any time of the year. I made a list you can save here.
If you are visiting San Antonio, I recommend staying near the Pearl Brewery. It's a former brewery that includes restaurants, shopping, and outdoor seating located near the riverwalk.
Hotel Emma is a new boutique hotel located in the Pearl Brewery. Get up early and go for a run or walk along the riverwalk. On Saturday mornings, don't miss the farmer's market.
There are several great hotspots at the Pearl Brewery. Enjoy a cup of joe at Local Coffee. Green is a great spot for vegan food, and Lucky Duck has great juices and smoothies. Don't miss Lick Ice Cream for dessert. Bakery Lorraine is a lovely cafe for French pastries.
My favorite restaurant in San Antonio is Vegeria. The menu includes vegan and gluten-free Mexican food. The sauces are all homemade. Vegeria is located near downtown.
I frequent two neighborhoods on my layovers with Downtown or Alamo Heights. Alamo Heights is home to my favorite bakery, Bird Bakery. The cupcakes are the best ever! Bird Bakery is located on Broadway about 4 miles from the airport. Most airport hotels offer shuttle service to the shopping center with HEB and Torcy's Tacos on Broadway and E. Basse Road. The queso at Torcy's Tacos is the best! If you need to pick up some snacks or gourmet grocery items, Central Market has a large hot foods section. I usually walk to Local Coffee, Bird Baker, and Central Market from Torcy's. You can also take Bus #9 and #10 on Broadway for $1.30 or a day pass for $2.50. It's about a 5 min. bus ride. You can also take bus #9 and #10 to downtown.
A great place for brunch is the Guenther House. A few other hot spots are the Cookhouse serving New Orleans cuisine including po-boys. If you are looking for the best pizza, don't miss Dough Pizzeria. These restaurants are not gluten-free but come highly recommended.
Uber is available in San Antonio. The Public Bus is also convenient to reach downtown from the airport.
Check out my complete San Antonio City Guide here.
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NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES
Newsletter #1 Spring Cleaning + Wardrobe Organization + Productivity Apps
Newsletter #2 Motivational Books + Spring Break Playlist + Resources for Women
Newsletter #3 Savannah Travel Guide + Summer Travel Resources + iPhone Camera Apps + Book Picks
Newsletter #4 Best Book Apps + Jacksonville Travel Guide + Resources for Online Classes
Newsletter #5 San Juan Travel Guide + Party Planning + Entertaining
Newsletter #6 Santa Fe Travel Guide + Capsule Wardrobes + Tips for Better List Making + Styling Tips + Wardrobe Management
Newsletter #7 Home Design + Washington DC Hot Spots
Newsletter #8 Christmas in NYC + Tips for Writing Thank You Notes + Homemade Gift Ideas
Newsletter #9 Boston Travel Guide + Getting Started with Instagram + Goal Setting + More Encourgement for 2016
Newsletter #10 Florida 30 A South Ft. Walton Guide + Better Relationships
Newsletter #11 Social Media Tips + Portland Maine Travel Guide
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