First Book Club Pick! WANDERLUST!

You all voted! Not many but that's not what matters lol, I'm still excited about our small group!  Our first book will be Wanderlust but before we can begin let's get some logistics in order.

1. The party will always be on BGBW! I will post the questions and my comments in the actual blog post and you all will reply with your thoughts in the comments section. Should you all prefer a Facebook group we can discuss this moving forward.

2. I will posts questions and my comments once a week. Once we get an idea of every one's reading speed we can adjust accordingly.

3. Please comment on other's comments! This online book club will only be as fun as we make it. Engage with one another, initiate new discussions, bring questions of your own to the table, HAVE FUN!

4. Please get your book ASAP or read the preview on amazon that was posted to have access to the first chapters. EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE SOME FORM OF THE BOOK BY THIS MONDAY AUGUST 5TH!!!

Thanks again for everyone that's participating. I can't wait to read what you all think of the book! First questions and perspectives will be up next week. Have a great weekend!

BGBW Travel Book Club

Hello Everyone! I know it's been such a long time since I've written a post. Well I'm back! I've had the idea to start a travel book club for some time now. Mainly because I read tons of travelogues and have no one to talk about them lol but also because I was first introduced to travel through books and most times when I can't get away (like now) I revert back to my childhood days of living my adventures through a book or food. This is where you all come in.

I've received some interest in this idea of mine so it's time to get things rolling. Below you will find descriptions of 3 different books compliments of goodreads.com . I'm asking that if your interested in participating in the book club that you leave a comment with which book you would like to be our first read. Of course I could just pick the book myself but I really want this to be a collaborative effort. Prospective start date would be Thursday Aug. 1st. Of course if you all would like to start sooner I'm down!

1. Crazy Rich Asians : Culture read  (My preferred pick lol)

The link below directs you to the amazon page that offers a free preview!

http://www.amazon.com/Crazy-Rich-Asians-Kevin-Kwan/dp/0385536976

Crazy Rich Asians is the outrageously funny debut novel about three super-rich, pedigreed Chinese families and the gossip, backbiting, and scheming that occurs when the heir to one of the most massive fortunes in Asia brings home his ABC (American-born Chinese) girlfriend to the wedding of the season.

When Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home, long drives to explore the island, and quality time with the man she might one day marry. What she doesn't know is that Nick's family home happens to look like a palace, that she'll ride in more private planes than cars, and that with one of Asia's most eligible bachelors on her arm, Rachel might as well have a target on her back. Initiated into a world of dynastic splendor beyond imagination, Rachel meets Astrid, the It Girl of Singapore society; Eddie, whose family practically lives in the pages of the Hong Kong socialite magazines; and Eleanor, Nick's formidable mother, a woman who has very strong feelings about who her son should--and should not--marry. Uproarious, addictive, and filled with jaw-dropping opulence, Crazy Rich Asians is an insider's look at the Asian JetSet; a perfect depiction of the clash between old money and new money; between Overseas Chinese and Mainland Chinese; and a fabulous novel about what it means to be young, in love, and gloriously, crazily rich

2. Wanderlust- A Love Affair with Five Continents: Travelogue (International)

 The link below directs you to the amazon page that offers a free preview!

 

 http://www.amazon.com/Wanderlust-Love-Affair-Five-Continents/dp/1580053114/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1373485884&sr=1-1&keywords=wanderlust+book

 

Spanning 15 years of travel, beginning when she is a sophomore in college, Wanderlust documents Elisabeth Eaves’s insatiable hunger for the rush of the unfamiliar and the experience of encountering new people and cultures. Young and independent, she crisscrosses five continents and chases the exotic, both in culture and in romance. In the jungles of Papua New Guinea, she loses herself—literally—to an Australian tour guide; in Cairo, she reconnects with her high school sweetheart, only to discover the beginning of a pattern that will characterize her life over the long-term: while long-distance relationships work well for her, traditional relationships do not.

Wanderlust, however, is more than a chronological conquest of men and countries: at its core, it’s a journey of self-discovery. In the course of her travels, Eaves finds herself and the sense of home she’s been lacking since childhood—and she sheds light on a growing culture of young women who have the freedom and inclination to define their own, increasingly global, lifestyles, unfettered by traditional roles and conventions of past generations of women.

3. Black Girl in Paris: Travelogue

  The link below directs you to the amazon page that offers a free preview!

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Girl-Paris-Shay-Youngblood/dp/1481824902/ref=sr_1_1?



 

Black Girl in Paris wends its way around the mythology or Paris as a city that has called out to African-American artists. Like James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, and Josephine Baker before her, Youngblood's heroine leaves her home, in the American South, nurturing a dream of finding artistic emancipation in the City of Light. She experiments freely, inhabiting different incarnations - artist's model, poet's helper, au pair, teacher, thief, and lover - to keep body and soul together, to stay afloat, heal the wounds of her broken heart, discover her sexual self, and, finally, to wrestle her dreams of becoming a writer into reality.

 

That's it people! Comment below!

 

First Travel Contest of the Year!!

With a new year of opportunity ahead everyone is set on making travel lists! I'm still working on my 2013 Travel Dreams but in the meantime I'm down for every chance there is to hop off U.S. soil! So...Why not travel for free? It's possible....idreamtravel is hosting a travel contest to win vouchers for 5 hotels in 5 cities for 10 days!!!! I'm usually not one for contests but you can't beat that. I always tell myself what's the worst that can happen? Check out the video below and enter! Wishing you all the best!

idream itravel - sponsored by hotel.de / hotel.info

5 Tips and Tricks for Travelista's on the Go!

The Traveling Brown Girls Carnival is back in town! This go round hosted by April Thompson of Absolute Travel Addict. The last time we all came together we blogged about our Travel Pet Peeves http://blackgirlinthebigworld.blogspot.com/2012/08/travel-etiquette-my-top-5-travel-pet.html and now we are coming together again to share insight on Travel Tips and Tricks for all our Travelista's on the Go!

It's easy for us all to get overwhelmed with our next trip and sometimes get so caught up that we do things that are so out of character, like forgetting to charge the camera, or loosing our passport at the last minute.... yes this happened to me the month before I went to India :-(

Since I know most of you are on the go here are some quick tips on ways to travel with ease!

PACK LIGHT

Most travelista's know to pack light but some may not know how to do so and still feel fabulous. My secret? SCARFS! I usually pack simple tees and add a scarf to spice things up. A scarf and accessories can enhance the limited number of outfits you pick.


CHECK IN ONLINE

This may seem like the obvious but have you seen the lines at airports?! You will be surprised at how many of those people are simply checking in! For women on the go we have no time for unnecessary lines. Checking in online before arriving to the airport can give you an additional 30 mins at the airport. You can even get your boarding pass on your phone nowadays and skip printing anything at the airport all together!

SKIP FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Foreign exchange counters and centers are not only EXPENSIVE as hell but they are also time consuming most times. I like to use my debit card at an ATM and just receive my foreign currency that way. There is still a small fee depending on the bank $3-5 dollars but it beats the currency exchange fee. 

PREPARE FOR THE WORST

No...do not think that you will star in your very own version of  "Taken" lol but think ahead.  A big part of travel is dealing with the unexpected. While there are some things you will never see coming your way there are the typical things like loosing luggage, your passport, or money that we can have a plan for.

- Luggage: If your traveling alone  pack underwear, deodorant, and toothbrush/toothpaste in your carry on. If you are traveling with a friend each of you should pack an outfit in the others luggage!

-Passport: Make multiple copies of your passport and visa's. Most times if you do this you won't ever need to take your passport out once you reach your destination.

-Money: Travel with insurance and use a prepaid card rather than your most used credit or debit card if you feel comfortable.

HELPFUL TRAVEL APPS ( for iPhones)

-TripIt: (FREE) app that helps you track all your travel itineraries including flight/hotel/ and activity confirmations

-Camera+: (0.99) ultimate app for folks like me who can't afford a DSLR yet. It enhances your original camera app by allowing you greater editing features, clarity, and more.

-Postagram:(FREE and can be downloaded on Androids) allows you to use photos in your photo gallery, instagram, or Facebook to send physical postcards to family and friends for 0.99 cents each.

-WhatsAppMessenger: (0.99) the best way to communicate when abroad...it's texting for free! Send sms, images, etc. with other users.

Lastly, remember travelista's "If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness,selfishness,and fears"- Glenn Clark

These tricks and tips should help you on your next trip....do you have any tricks or tips for travelista's on the go? What are your travel secrets? 

PR First Impressions: El San Juan Resort and Casino

As you all know my mother and I went on a vacay to San Juan, Puerto Rico to celebrate her 40th birthday. #40andFabulous There's so much to tell you all but I'll start with my first impressions, and what usually creates your first impression on any vacation or trip?Your hotel and it's staff!

Long story short I LOVED our hotel .... El San Juan Resort and Casino. I was greeted by friendly smiles from everyone which immediately made me feel like I made the right choice. Nestled in the Isla Verde district we stayed in one of the city's most popular resorts. Known for it's bustling nightlife scene of gaming and dancing we were clearly in the right place for a good time. Oh but that's not all. There are also 2 salons, 2 night clubs, and 10 different restaurants, lounges,cafes, and even a sports bar. Let's not forget the casino! Momma came up on the black jack table lol. Can you say poppin?!

I can't help but sharing three photo's of my favorite part of the resort....the pool and beach!!!The hotel had three pools on the premises. The main pool has a swim up bar for guests to get wet and wavy! lol Which meant Mommy and I were bouncing around in the pool with mango mojitos heyyyy!!! The sprawling white sands of the Isla Verde beach were right outside our room which made lounging in the sun all the more convenient (although we only made it there one day). Both the pool and the beach are so beautiful and relaxing that you could spend not one but two days playing in both!

We spent most of our time out of the room ( which you will read about in later post) but the room was a simple modern design that left us with tons of closet space and comfort. In my opinion it was the average accommodation nothing over the top but just enough to keep me in the bed for a late wake up lol.

One of the greatest things about the hotel was the location! Under 10 minutes from the airport and Old San Juan. It was good to feel like we were central enough to walk around the streets and find a Walgreen's yet secluded enough to escape to peace and relaxation when we needed it.

All of this came for a little over $100 per night which is a steal in my opinion. I'm usually a budget traveler but it's good to treat yourself to a little luxury sometimes....especially when you call yourself treating your Momma  ;-)

What are your hotel preferences? Do you like to be in the action or in a secluded environment? Share your thoughts! 

Packing for Long Weekend Trips: Puerto Rico/Beach Edition

It was the night before leaving for PR and I realized I don’t have anything new to wear for my trip, so like most people I went shopping in the closet. I wanted to pack light but still have some style. My packing inspiration comes from travelfashiongirl.com ‘s Mexico Travel Outfit. I figured what can work for Mexico could work for Puerto Rico.

 So according to this packing list you should only pack 10 things:

-Jean shirt

-Tank blouse

-Striped t-shirt

-Black pants

-Orange maxi skirt

-Jean shorts

-Sandals

-Toms/sneakers

-Scarf

-Earrings

This is what my packing looked like with the travel fashion girls suggestions with my own twist ….I think I did pretty good only 11 items ;-)

  

          

 ü  Jean shirt

 ü  Tank blouse: white/grey tank

 ü  Scarf

 ü  Sandals

 ü  Earrings ( pearls are my everyday earrings)

BGBW Additions

-High waist shorts: A good way to spice up the jean short option

-Day dress: I believe that every trip needs a day dress, they are so simple and cute!

-High wedge pumps: Duh! You never know when the music will call your name and you will end up partying the night away lol!           

-Mustard blouse:Good for dressing up or down. You can pair it with the black skirt to go out to the club or the navy maxi to go to the beach.

-Black skirt: Another dress up or down piece that can be paired with the mustard blouse or with a tank or t-shirt.

Here’s a few photo’s to show you how I put it all together. I consider myself to have a classic style so if you’re looking for fanciness I can’t help lol!

I hope this helps for your next trip to the beach. Do you have any suggestions on ways to pack light for a trip?

An Evening at the Embassy of Costa Rica

Greetings All! In case you didn't read my 12 things to do before the end of 2012 post I have been dying to get to a DC Embassy event.Considering I have no fancy international friends I had to go the commoner route and buy a ticket lol. So here's my review on the event titled " Evening at the Embassy of Costa Rica".  This is what the night entailed....

Costa Rican Salsa Demonstration, Lessons and Dancing 

The salsa demonstration was entertaining and a great way to warm the party up. What started out as a stiff crowd turned into a pretty good party after a few rounds with the lively instructor!

Diplomatic Greeting

 I missed this part and I'm not sure if the greeting was from the current Ambassador Anne Andrew but let's just say if it did happen it was great lol.

Costa Rican Artist and Film 

Now this time it wasn't just that I missed it there was no artist and no film. I checked with many of the attendees and confirmed that this did not happen. I was actually looking forward to them both to learn more about the country and it's history. So much for that. 

Costa Rican Sampler Buffet 

My favorite part of any event is usually the food!!! This event was no different! Everything was delicioso! The buffet included the following:

Pollo de Santa
Grilled Chicken Breast Marinated in Coconut Milk 
Gallo Pinto
Black Beans and Rice
Picadillo de Plantano Verde
Tangy Platains
Hearts of Palm Salad
Costa Rican Corn Muffins
Tres Leches Cake

Overall Impression

While I was dying to get to an Embassy event, and this one was definitely a lovely event, it was not worth the $49.00 that was spent on a ticket. I invested in the experience because I knew I wouldn't be able to move on without trying it out at least once but now that I have I don't think I would pay for another Embassy event. The food was the best part and I only got one plate of it and the salsa lessons were only for about 20 minutes of the 2 hour event so that left most of the time to get a drink and have mindless chatter. I did get to meet two cool people but no one that I would keep in touch with. Despite my overall impression I would recommend that everyone try to get invited to one of these Embassy events though lol!  They are great ways to have a cultural outing that make you feel like you took a mini vacay because once your inside you are technically on the country's soil....so yes I went to Costa Rica last week lol! 

Have you ever been to an Embassy event? If so what are your impressions?

P.S. I'm off to Puerto Rico in 2 days so check back to read all about my Mommy and Me adventures in San Juan!