July 26, 2015

How to Increase Traffic to Your Blog

 phone with an analytics site pulled up on google

I am a curious person. One of the things I am most curious about is how to increase traffic to my blog.  The blogging life reminds me of a playground.  More specifically, the blogging life reminds me of a playground where all the popular girls are standing around the tire swing, loudly laughing and thoughtfully adjusting their adolescent “I LOVE TAYLOR SWIFT” concert tee-shirts while I am lurking around the potted trees with the rabid squirrels, dying for someone to notice how awesome I am. Oh, the joys of childhood.  But I digress. The point is–ALL bloggers want to know how to get more people to read their blog.  I…

Read more

written by carolineschley@gmail.com - Posted in live fabulous

July 22, 2015

How to Buy Souvenirs

 a lot of magnets

In my many neuroses about traveling, you may not be surprised that I think a lot about how to buy souvenirs.  For example, I was traveling with a friend in Bulgaria this year and we found an adorable handicraft shop (in the lobby of Bulgarian National Art Gallery and Ethnographic Museum in Sophia, in case anyone is interested). Turns out Bulgarians make delightful pottery, woven rugs and these adorable red thread friendship bracelets.  Who knew?    After a few minutes hours in the shop, we had our purchases lined up. After careful consideration, my friend bought an amazing set of dishes, mismatched in that purposeful, whimsical way and complete with…

Read more

written by carolineschley@gmail.com - Posted in live fabulous

July 20, 2015

Star Magazine is Ridiculous

 magazines on a rack

I am I am a little late to this conclusion but here it is: Star magazine is ridiculous! The ridiculousness has gone somewhat over my head because I do not often read gossip magazines. No judgement, just not my thing. I generally actually don’t read any kind of magazines-I’m too cheap and prefer to spend my extra time and money in convenience stores and airport shops agonizing over which combination of candy will make me “least fat”. Not a lot of spare energy left for the whole “Jennifer is pregnant/not pregnant/overweight/now anorexic” cover wars.  Which Jennnifer, you ask? Not the point. (And…all of them).   The point is, even if…

Read more

written by carolineschley@gmail.com - Posted in live fabulous

July 19, 2015

National Ice Cream Day

 four bowls of ice cream

Happy national ice cream day! Any reason to party is a good reason to party, they say. And National Ice Cream does really does inspire a party. Some have argued the holiday should be extended out to include the entire month of July. (Spoiler alert, this request comes from the International Dairy Foods Association.) But there is no denying that Americans love ice cream. In fact, we consume 1.4 billion gallons of the stuff each year. Any anyway, I love made-up holidays that center around doing tremendously unhealthy things. When is national “food-from-aerosol-cans day”? Because I will need to stock up on Readi Whip. And Cheez Whiz. And request the…

Read more

written by carolineschley@gmail.com - Posted in live fabulous

July 18, 2015

Saltwater Cures All Things

 Boat on the saltwater

Why do we say saltwater cures all things? I have spent the last two weeks flopping between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, wondering about this idiom. Finally, I decided to do some research. My findings are below! Saltwater Cures All Things (A Scientific Evaluation…sort of) First of all, in the sea we find the endless possibilities of adventure. I’m a sucker for a good adventure. Also, there is the mysterious refreshment of a saltwater dip on a summer day. Sea salt has magnesium in it, which relaxes your muscles and allows for deep sleep. Second, in tears we find refuge and peace. This release of salt from your…

Read more

written by carolineschley@gmail.com - Posted in live fabulous

July 18, 2015

Stupid Things that Happen at the Airport

 Person standing in the ariport

Why are there so many stupid things that happen at the airport?! Overall, I would say I love flying the same way I love the 2nd floor changing rooms at Bloomingdales. An annoying experience, cramped and a bit miserable that must be endured in order to possess something wonderful. Here is the difference: If you are at Bloomingdales, get your ass up to the 4th floor, pronto. Much roomier and better mirrors. You’re welcome. If you are flying…what’s that? Daddy canceled the private jet credit card? Yeah, me too. So if you are flying, make lists of the annoying things that happen at the airport to pass the time. Mine…

Read more

written by carolineschley@gmail.com - Posted in travel fabulous

July 13, 2015

Summer Trip Planning Tips

 View of Porto, Portugal

Lately I’ve been thinking about summer trip planning tips. I miss writing every day, I miss the routines of September to June, but summer vacation has been rife with wonderful adventures. Best of all, I’ve had a myriad of types of trips: in hostels, in friends’ apartments, in classy(ish) hotels. Just incase previous posts have not made it clear, I’m a neurotic mess when it comes to planning trips. I provide these tips in the hope that I can prevent you from becoming a neurotic, too! Also, I’m late to a fado show in Porto, so I need to make it quick. Here is my five minute best: Summer Trip…

Read more

written by carolineschley@gmail.com - Posted in live fabulous

July 5, 2015

How To Be Happy

 a sunset

I spent today thinking about how to be happy. It started when I was getting a pedicure. I was blathering away in nonsensical Spanish, remarking apologetically about my gross feet. In my head, I was wondering how to say “square but round” in Spanish (turns out it doesn’t translate). That was when it occurred to me: I was happy.  First, it was a breezy summer day. Second, I had gotten a free iced coffee. Third, my nails were being transformed from “Alpine-Climbing-Disaster-Neutral” to “Charged-up-Cherry-Pink”. Happiness is an instinct.   These days, I am able to state my level of happiness with just a few seconds thought.  It is caused and…

Read more

written by carolineschley@gmail.com - Posted in deep fabulous

July 4, 2015

Happy 4th of July!

 The 4th of July

Happy 4th of July! Celebrating the holiday overseas always feel a bit more contemplative.  Last year I was in Jackson Hole, WY (as American as baseballapple pie the Kardashians ) for a day full of fireworks, barbecue and some deadly arrangement of lemonade, vodka and blueberries.  It was fun but not in a “deep-thoughts-about-my-country” kind of way.  More in a “lets-get-drunk-and-go-tubing” kind of way. Overseas, there is more time to consider what the 4th of July actually means–why we take the time off work to celebrate. Here is the bottom line:   America is amazing.   For example, we have tremendous civil liberties, thousands of miles of beautiful country and…

Read more

written by carolineschley@gmail.com - Posted in live fabulous

July 4, 2015

How to Make Friends

I am always wondering about how to make friends. On my recent trip to Mont Blanc, with hours of time to think between breathless gasps, I had lots of time to consider. File it under “Fun Things to Think About to Ensure Your Brain is Getting Enough Oxygen at Altitude”.  In my slightly impaired state, I came to many brilliant conclusions on the topic.  The problem with high altitude deep thoughts?  They pass like clouds and footprints through a hypoxic brain.  Back on the valley floor and discussing this phenomenon with the other holiday climbers dedicated alpine mountaineers on the trip, it occurred to me: I now counted this lovely…

Read more

written by carolineschley@gmail.com - Posted in friend fabulous