What should you plan your first vacation around? Reduced stress.

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Taking your first vacation, perhaps as someone who has moved away from home and is funding the entire trip yourself, is exciting. But this isn’t the only way travel could feel new again - perhaps you’re taking their first travel experience after a major life event, such as having a child, recovering from a medical concern, or being newly single after a long-term relationship, 

When this happens, we can feel a little daunted as where to begin. Should we head to this location over that one? What should we do when we’re there? Now, you can travel however you like of course, and for whatever purpose you’re happy with. 

Yet we would recommend that for your first time out, or your first time out in some while, you consider planning as stress-free an event as you can. In this post, we hope to discuss what that may look like, what plans may help you, and what errors to avoid ahead of time:

Plan Your Transport

Make sure to plan your flights ahead of time, make sure your luggage is the right weight, and that you arrive at the terminal at least an hour before, ideally even 2-3 hours for international flights. This will give you the time to get there in traffic and make your way to the right gate, check in, and then spend some time in the departures lounge before you take off. There might be delays, you may have to wait further, but at least you’ll know it will never be your fault.

Head To A Calm, Relaxing Location

Choose accommodation that you can unwind in, peacefully. A stunning location, such as when finding hotels in Destin Florida, can offer the height of comfort while also being close to the conveniences you need. Take it slow, and make sure public transport and other convenient provisions are available. This will help you experience the vacation at your own pace, an also take stress-releiving days like soaking in the resort area of the hotel, or spending some time in the spa. Remember that when on your first vacation, you have nothing to prove to anyone.

Opt For Simple Tours & Fun Activities

You don’t have to overdo it. Just take some time with some activities that might be planned in advance. Heading to a sports game can be fun, and you know what the format will be there. For instance if you’re in Japan, heading to a baseball game can see one of the biggest national pastimes enjoyed by all. Perhaps you’ll head to a museum tour and be happily chaperoned around, learning more and more about the pieces. You might decide to take some surfing lessons for beginners, giving you the chance to stretch your legs and enjoy trainee instruction. In the long run, measures like this help you become familiar, without any of the overbearing stress that comes with doing everything all at once as you may feel obligated to on other vacations.

With this advice, you’re sure to plan for the best renewed vacation around.

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This post was written with the Life According to Steph audience in mind

Snippets of the weekend 12.5.2022

Friday I took the train in and walked from Market East to 1st & Chestnut to do a quick set up of the stuff MFD and I dropped off on Thursday for my company holiday party. It was a nice night! I recommend Glory Beer Bar & Kitchen for folks looking to host events in Philly. Food, service, and pricing were all good! We got home around 1 and I was straight to bed.

And up by 7 on Saturday thanks to Bruce. Animals DGAF if you are old and have been out late. My original plan was to head to the shore to clean up construction work but it was raining pretty solidly and I really needed the option to bring some stuff outside so I ended up staying home. My car was also full of stuff from my office and the party and had to be emptied before I reloaded it and all of that in the rain was a no. We watched the World Cup, I read a book, we cleaned up/purged/organized the living area basement room and then hung out down there which I never do, MFD made dinner, and we watched all of White Lotus season 1. I fell asleep on the couch around 11 and never moved to bed.

Sunday up at the asscrack again. I showered, emptied my car of the shit in there, refilled it with stuff to go back to the shore, and was at the shore by 9:30. I am absolutely thrilled with the work done in our apartment - the top is before and the bottom after  - not a great after but we're still in progress. We're going to paint down here and the trim and door need to be painted but seriously thrilled for the added airflow and light.

I did a first round construction dust vacuum/cleanup/change bedding, put shit back etc. Then I went and picked up pottery we painted on Black Friday, stopped in at the Thrift Store just to browse, picked up lunch and dinner at ACME and exchanged my five gallon water bottles, and popped in to Sherwin Williams then painted paint swatches all over the apartment. We're going with the lighter and brighter (SW 6736 Jocular Green) but I did paint the small coffee wall in the bolder color (SW 6716 Dancing Green)

We had a nice long walk on the beach to close out the weekend.

weekending reels on Instagram 

Happy birthday to my uncle Billy yesterday! Which I thought was today, but today is not the fourth, it's the fifth LOL. I cannot keep up on so much right now, so I'm just putting it down and doing what I can.

November 2022 Reads

I can't believe we're already at the time of year where I consider what I want to clear out of my netgalley backup log before the year ends, or when I start thinking about sinking into several mindless reads during no man's land between Christmas and the New Year.

What I read in November:

Engrossing Reads

Abolitionist Intimacies by El Jones - I've never read a book like this before, and didn't really take too much notice of the title until I got further into it. Plainly, it makes incarceration and all that goes along with it intimate, especially for people with no first hand knowledge of it. I hope it finds its way into the hands of people who are opening their minds to abolition. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. 

The Innocent Wife (Detective Josie Quinn #16) by Lisa Regan - I had to abandon my Sunday to do list to finish this one - so many layers and quite a few players in this case, and the quality of the writing and consistency of characters was the same as the previous 15.  Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. I pre-ordered also but cannot resist reading as soon as I  get my hands on the newest book in the series! Publishes December 12

When She Was Good (Cyrus Haven #2) by Michael Robotham - I totally forgot a #1 (Good Girl, Bad Girl) existed until I saw #3 come up on Netgalley and we all know I will not skip a book in a series so I grabbed this from the library. I like Robotham's writing, and it took me a bit to recall the story but I settled into this quickly. It was also good, and I'm looking forward to reading the third. OCNJ library

The Good Lie by A.R. Torre - I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Intriguing and a good story. This is the second book I've read by this author and I grabbed a third I'm hoping to get to soon. OCNJ library

Passed the Time Just Fine

The Last Party (DC Morgan #1) by Clare Mackintosh - I liked the characters, and if there's a second I'll read it. Lots to unpack with secondary characters which I hope continues in a next novel. Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Before You Knew My Name by Jacqueline Bublitz - This was very promising, I really liked the concept behind how and why it was told but it was not an easy read. This is in no way a feel good book so you have to be in the head place for that. Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

The Prisoner by B.A. Paris - Not everything necessarily connected here, but it kept me reading and I finished it within 24 hours. That still counts for a lot in the Era After Covid. Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review 

Not For Me/Did Not Finish

When They Find Us (Agent Victoria Heslin Thriller #3) by Jenifer Ruff - Not my cup of tea, but I finished and will continue with the series. Paperback, own, NFM

What have you been reading?

how to cook seafood like a pro

If you’re like most people, seafood is something you only order in a restaurant. But cooking seafood at home can be easy and delicious – you just need to know how to do it! In this guide, we will teach you the basics of cooking seafood. We will cover everything from choosing the right ingredients to preparing your dish. So whether you’re a novice cook or just looking to expand your repertoire, read on!

Via Pexels

Choosing the Right Ingredients: 

The key to any great seafood dish is fresh, high-quality ingredients. Start by finding a reputable fish market with a variety of choices. Look for bright eyes, shiny skin, and clear gills on your fish – these are all signs that it’s fresh. When selecting shellfish such as shrimp or clams, make sure the shells are intact, and there’s no discoloration or off odor.

Cleaning and Preparing Your Seafood: 

Once you have your chosen ingredients, you need to prepare them for cooking. Start by rinsing them in cold water and patting them dry with a paper towel. Next, for large pieces of fish like salmon fillets, remove any scales and trim off any bloodlines. For shrimp, remove the shells and devein them by cutting a shallow slit down the back of each one. 

Cooking Your Seafood: 

There are many different ways you can cook your seafood. You can bake, fry, steam, poach, or even grill it! 

Baking: 

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place your seafood in a greased baking dish and season with your favorite herbs and spices. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the fish is opaque throughout. 

Frying: 

Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat with oil of your choice (olive, vegetable, canola, etc.). Add the seafood to the pan and cook for a few minutes per side. Remove from heat and drain any excess fat on paper towels before serving. 

Steaming: 

Place 1 cup of water in a pot over high heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling, add the seafood to the pot in one layer (depending on size) and season with herbs of your choice. Cover the pot and steam for a few minutes. 

Poaching: 

Poaching is a great way to cook delicate seafood such as scallops or shrimp. Place 2 cups of water in a shallow saucepan over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and add your seafood to the pan. Simmer for a few minutes. 

Grilling: 

Preheat an indoor or outdoor grill over high heat and lightly grease with oil prior to cooking. Add your prepared seafood and season with salt, pepper, and other herbs of your choice. Grill each side for a few minutes until cooked through, flipping once during cooking time. This grilled lobster tail recipe is a great example of seafood you can cook on the grill!

Serving Your Seafood: 

Once your seafood is cooked, it’s time to enjoy it! Serve the dish with steamed vegetables, a fresh salad, and some crusty bread. Don’t forget the lemon wedges for extra flavor! If you are short on time, serve it over a bed of cooked grains such as quinoa, brown rice, or farro. 

By following these simple instructions, you can easily create delicious seafood dishes in no time. Experiment with different ingredients and cooking methods to find what works best for you – with practice comes perfection! 

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This post was written with the Life According to Steph audience in mind

Snippets of the week(end) 11.28.2022

I was off last week and at the shore from Saturday on. Monday I cleaned and organized and fretted all day about the big ass couch being removed through a very small door in our apartment. Sweat and swears and a quite large tip later, the Got Junk guys were taking off with it. I collapsed on the bed in relief mostly because there was nowhere else in the apartment to sit. Ben was very upset, he hates change. I rallied to go to the Dollar Store and ShopRite late.

My Dad and Carol arrived on Tuesday and we all went on beach walks and arrived home to the delivery of the LoveSac couch. I had no idea it would come when it did and we ended up putting it together instead of waiting for MFD to arrive the next day. We celebrated by sharing Motrin and they put my 

Christmas cards together. It was a good day to be me. Stephen, Aubrey, and my niece and nephew arrived Tuesday night. 

Wednesday Carol and I picked up bakery goods and last minute items at ShopRite. I made compound butter. Loungey afternoon that I spent in my apartment with Little Stephen while I did an air fryer turkey using Casa de Crews recipe - highly recommend. 

We took a family beach walk after MFD arrived, hunting for treasures. I got a phone call from a contractor at 4:15 scheduling work for Monday morning at 8 and am so so relieved the couch shit got done when it did so that was all possible. Taco bar dinner using frozen meat from Friendsgiving

Thanksgiving the kids were not feeling great so it was just adults at the table and me & Aub on a post-dinner walk and a few of us up for Jared's arrival at night. My turkey was too dry for my taste. Some years you win, some years you lose. My Instagram caption says it better - thankful for all of my communities.

Friday started rainy and ended up lovely. We did some creating at Glazed Over Pottery on Asbury followed by a trip to the thrift store then World Cup watching (Stephen & Jared in Philly for that and Dad & Stephen to the arcade) followed by Santa on the roof! This kicks off my holiday season every year.

Saturday was small biz shopping on Asbury, with a check in via bike by the Troll of Asbury Avenue AKA Uncle Mike. Little Stephen did more arcading with his army.

We did some shell painting and marshmallow gun shooting in the afternoon followed by a fam beach walk, ice cream tasting (six flavors from Jeni's) and Surviving Christmas. 

Sunday morning MFD and I cleared the porch and moved stuff around in our apartment getting ready for work happening today. He took off with the animals, and Stephen, Aub, Jared, and the kids were gone by early afternoon. Dad, Carol, and I took the shells down to the North Street Tree before the rain came through. The tree is up this year due to beach replenishment work happening now. Couch day with three Hallmark Christmas movies, reading, Boyar's salads and soup and leftovers, and the Eagles. Hashtag superfan made it to half time. I think? 

I was up until 11 packing up my car and finishing a book.

weekending reels on Instagram 

Another great long fam weekend for Thanksgiving despite illness circling.