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Vicariously Through You

A solo female travel blog.

Betsy Ross

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A Weekend in Philadelphia

I have been to many US cities but one that eluded me for a very long time was Philadelphia. I finally changed that last summer when I decided kill two birds with one stone and cross a new city and another MLB ballpark of my list. I left Chicago late Friday afternoon and landed in Philadelphia just in time for dinner. I did some research while I was waiting to board the plane in Chicago and Bud & Marilyn's kept coming up as a good spot for dinner. It had good reviews and I was interested in ... Read More

  • I’m a big fan of sunsets, mostly because I miss most sunrises because I’m still fast asleep.⁣ ⁣ But this unfiltered sunrise was worth the early wake up call.⁣ ⁣ Every time I pass the photo in my phone I stop to admire it.⁣ ⁣ What a beauty! 😍
  • What’s the one place you have visited that you liked enough to want to go back a second (or third or fourth) time?⁣ ⁣ For me, that’s Hawaii. It’s my happy place and I always look forward to going back.⁣ ⁣ Tell me yours in the comments below.
  • Don’t you hate when you feel like you finally have life a bit organized and then you do something really stupid and spend the next few days feeling like a total moron?⁣ ⁣ I took this photo of myself on Friday morning and sent it to my dad because I was excited to be heading to work without a jacket for the first time in months. I was in Dallas, clearly not Chicago.⁣ ⁣ Friday was great. I got to catch up with work friends I hadn’t seen since I moved away 3 years ago and had dinner with a great friend at a nice French restaurant that night.⁣ ⁣ Saturday morning is when things went sideways. I lost the keys to the AirBnB I was staying in. I’m 99% sure I left them in the lock in the door when I came in on Friday night. For the record, I was sober. I remember a knocking at one point on Friday evening but didn’t think it was on my door because who would be knocking for me?!⁣ ⁣ Ugh!!! When I finally put it all together on Saturday morning, the keys were gone. After an email that didn’t go through to the owner and some angry calls and texts from him later in the day, I have no idea where things stand. Did someone turn them into the leasing office as I hope?! No idea. I’m really just waiting for the charge on my credit card and will go from there. ⁣ ⁣ In the meantime, I will keep beating myself up about it even though it’s irrational and there’s nothing I can do. I have to be better about pulling my keys out because this wasn’t an isolated incident for me but it’s the first time they’ve been gone. ⁣ ⁣ For what it’s worth, the rest of Saturday was lovely. I had brunch with friends in McKinney and we laughed and chatted and had a great time that was good for my soul. I spent the afternoon at a bridal shower for an amazing woman who I used to babysit for when she was just a little thing. She’s so happy and I’m excited for her and her fiancé. I closed the night by having dinner with one of my best college friends and her family. I had a great time and am so glad I got to see them.⁣ ⁣ So overall, it was a great weekend. Maybe someday, I will be one of those women who has her stuff organized and together but probably not. In the meantime, I’ll keep plugging along. ⁣ ⁣
  • One of the activities I highly recommend if you visit Sydney is the coastal walk from Coogee to Bondi Beach.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ The walk extends for about 3.7 miles in Sydney’s eastern suburbs and takes about 2 hours to complete. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Along the way, you’ll come across amazing views (like the one above), beaches, parks, cliffs, bays and rock pools. There are rest stops with great views and seating along the way. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ The walk is exposed to the elements so make sure you wear comfy shoes and bring a hat, sunglasses, sun screen and water. 👟🧢🕶💧
  • I hosted a baby shower today and I have three takeaways...⁣ ⁣ 1. The avocado toast craze is real! I had an avocado toast bar with lots of fixings and couldn’t keep the toast stocked.⁣ ⁣ 2. Friendly neighbors are key for group photos.⁣ ⁣ 3. My friend Jess is amazing and has wonderful, kind, funny friends.⁣ ⁣ Bonus: You can never have too much Prosecco. However many bottles you think you’ll need, buy two more.
  • I think the winter doldrums have finally set in for me. Who else feels the same way?⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Instead of being wrapped up in a heavy blanket on my couch right now, I wish I was staring at that beautiful blue water in the photo above.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Is anyone planning a trip to warmer places soon? If so, tell me where you’re heading to in the comments below.
  • My answer to this was instantaneous.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Target, of course. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ What would be your choice?
  • Cinderella’s castle at night is quite a sight. 💜 Wouldn’t you agree?