Behind the Curtain: October 2015

I’ve come to look forward to these monthly posts about what I’m into beyond travel because there’s so much more to my life than where I go, despite the fact that it’s something I love. It’s funny how many people respond with their obsessions or agree with mine!

As with last month, I’m sharing the things I’m obsessed with at the moment. Thanks for following along! Be sure to share what you’re loving this month below!

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Reading

I’m usually terrible at reading unless I’m on a trip, but this month was different. After some delays going to and from Orlando for Travel Blog Exchange last month, I read The Girl on the Train. And I still have an ever-growing pile of magazines next to my bed that I’ll get around to at some point, but I also quickly read Mindy Kaling’s new book, Why Not Me?

Next up is Yes Please by Amy Poehler and maybe finally finishing The Night Circus and the last Harry Potter, which I’ve re-read for the dozenth time. I also am dying to read Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert and Rising Strong by Brene Brown.

For more on what I’m reading, follow me on GoodReads.

Listening

So much good tunes this month. I’ve been lusting after the new Florence + The Machine album but haven’t bought it yet. But I did splurge on Ryan Adams’ cover album of Taylor Swift’s 1989. I’m not a fan of hers necessarily, but he’s my favorite artist and it was fascinating to hear his take on her lyrics, most of which came out sounding very haunted and moody. I’m also loving St. Paul and the Broken Bones, which have a very old school sound.

In terms of podcasts, I’ve made my way through Magic Lessons and the Her Packing List podcasts, so my new one is by Nicole Antoinette, whose blog I’ve been reading as long as I’ve been writing. Her running advice helped me get started on my first half marathon and Real Talk Radio is full of some fantastic advice! I listened to the episode with Sarah Peck on a long drive and wanted to write everything down.

Loving

I don’t consider myself to be much of a fashionista or shopaholic (especially after traveling with some fashion bloggers!), but I go through phases when I can’t get enough. I recently had the chance to visit a place I’d been wanting to go for ages, a store called Final Cut outside of Augusta, Georgia.

This store carries samples and final clearance items from Anthropologie, Free People, Urban Outfitters and other designers. Put simply, this is the mothership. They’ve got racks upon racks and boxes of clothing to dig through, as well as furniture, accessories and shoes! Almost two hours later, I emerged with $130 worth of goods, including a purse, shoes and a rug.

Watching

Fall means one thing: The Walking Dead is almost back! While Fear the Walking Dead has held me over for now, I’m really excited for the original. I had the pleasure of recently going on the tour to filming locations in rural Senoia, south of Atlanta. Lately I’ve been going back to see the early episodes that I missed or couldn’t remember.

Working

As always, I’m working on pitching stories to make this writing thing happen full time. I’m looking forward to my Where feature coming out next month!

To follow along with my freelance writing, check out my Contently profile.

Travels

This past month, I spent a week in Orlando at a conference alongside some blogger friends but, of course, made time for a trip to Disney World! I also spent a few nights in north Georgia with my grandparents at Barnsley Resort before a weekend in Augusta for a music and arts festival.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed myself! More on that to come. I also took a day trip down to Senoia, home of The Walking Dead, to go on one of the tours.

Next up is a weekend in North Carolina to visit my sister (real fall weather!) before starting my way down to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for TBEX, a travel blogging conference. Along the way I have stops planned for Macon, Gainesville, St. Petersburg, Tampa and Sarasota. If you have suggestions or want to meet up, let me know!