WHITNEY B. CROMLEY
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Packing it all in...

5/13/2018

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Lately, I’ve added many new destinations to my travel bucket list (dang you, Pinterest)! I’ve found myself wondering if I should start playing the lottery or find myself a sugar daddy! Don’t tell my husband! (I kid, I kid) But, during the past year I’ve pondered how wonderful it would be if I could be one of those famous world travelers. Ya know..the ones who get paid because she has a famous blog and writes about all of her amazing adventures…too much? Yeah, my husband thought so too. So, here I am in Sedalia, Missouri watching reruns of Friends for the billionth time as I pack for my upcoming trip to Amish Paradise!

Lancaster, Pennsylvania is my next destination and I am more than excited. Even though I don’t have a famous blog and I’m not a famous world traveler, I do travel often. My goal in life has always been to see all 50 US states and after this trip I will be down to 9. Actually, by the end of the year, I will be down 7.

I plan my adventures usually to the minute (unless it’s a Destination Unknown trip) and I very much enjoy taking in more sites than sleep when I travel. I also enjoy taking in more calories than steps! Home girls knows how to throw down some food. It's what I'm looking forward to the most about my trip to the Pennsylvania Dutch country! 

I consider myself to be somewhat of an expert packer (I always take only a carry-on) and if I’m flying, as I am this week, there are a few essentials that I do not leave the house without. I hope you find it helpful!

First and foremost, I don’t leave the house without my Zendure phone charger! I bought this charger before our girl’s trip to NYC 2 years ago and it saved us numerous times on that trip! This will charge my phone from 0 to 100% 4 different times! (I had an iPhone 6 at the time and an iPhone 7 currently) It’s SUPER impressive! I carry a tiny purse and it fits right in there. It runs for around $30 on Amazon. I seriously can’t say enough about this. I bought one for several people that Christmas after everyone kept using mine. You’re welcome.

The next thing I don’t leave without is a good pair of shoes. We tend to pack in more in one any given weekend away than most people fit in on a week-long vacation. I love it. I feel like you save so much money while getting to see all the major spots, plus a few of the “off the beaten path” places. My aunts and cousins introduced me to Teva’s and I just recently bought my first pair. I’m the kind of person who refuses to spend more than $20 on a pair of shoes, but my feet have started to pay for that. These Teva’s are so perfect. They are light and casual enough like a flip-flop, but the design allows you to be able to dress them up with skinny jeans-- if you’re cruising around Caesars' Palace (as we do often together). If you’re local to me, go grab you a pair (or 3) at Vincent’s! They just got them in! You won’t regret it. If you aren’t, you can find them listed at the bottom with the other "must-have" items. 

Up next, my travel size dry shampoo! AH! This stuff is made by little tiny angels up in heaven while Jesus watches. Not only is it my favorite brand, but it’s also in line with TSA’s tiny little sizing requirement laws. That’s what we call a win-win. I keep these travel ones for our camper and for the suitcase. They truly are so convenient. Saves my hair a washing and frees up my time for more adventure! PS...this is the hint of brown, as I have dark hair. If you are blonde or red headed, check out the other options.

​Lastly, my personal item is always a camel colored leather backpack! Isn’t it adorable? My purse fits inside of it, along with a few more things that I want for my flight. Medications, earbuds, my ipad, snacks, water, etc. Plus, I just like to walk around the cities hands free. It’s light weight, it’s got more pockets than I could ever need, and it cost me less than $50! This bag has traveled with me EVERYWHERE and soon it will join my new Tevas in Amish Paradise. Wheels up...next time I write to you, I'm sure to weigh 20lbs more!


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Amish Paradise

5/9/2018

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If you know me at all, then you know I may have a slight fetish for the Amish. Ok, by slight fetish I mean very big problem. Ok, by very big problem I mean--arrest me now for stalking, because I am completely and utterly obsessed with the Amish and their lifestyle! 

I’m not quite sure how old I was when I read my first Beverly Lewis book, but I can tell you "for sure and for certain" that my love affair started with Lancaster Pennsylvania from that moment on. I found myself lost in a world of butter churning, milking cows, and good old fashion farm life. But, it went far beyond that. I was raised on a farm myself. I know what kind of life that looks like. So, why do the pages of Lewis keep me so engrossed for hours on end? Why do I find myself taking day trips to and from Amish communities close to our home here in Sedalia, MO?

I was recently in a Bible Study with a sweet friend who came from Lancaster. She asked me point blank one day why I had such an interest in the Amish; she asked me why I was obsessed. If I’m being 100% honest, I personally long for the slow down that the Amish lifestyle promises. Obviously, you work. You work really hard. But it’s not this fast-paced speed that the modern society works in. It’s a world without internet, without cell phones, without the need to put makeup on, curl your hair, worry about what to wear. You don’t have to spend hours deciding how to decorate your house or which show you and your husband are going to watch on Netflix this Thursday (The Handmaids Tale in case you’re wondering).

In my mind, the Amish lifestyle is like going camping…but forever. Only, you must wear dresses and suspenders while you do it. To be quite honest, that’s really where the rubber would meet the road for me. I don’t do dresses. Well, that and college football. Momma needs her football. But other than that, I’m quite convinced that I could live this life. But, this is all neither here nor there. This is really not the reason for this post at all. I’m writing to let you know that my Amish dreams have come true.

In one short week (that I won’t sleep a wink in) I will be traveling with my favorite crew to Lancaster!!! YES, after all these years, I am finally visiting Amish Paradise. I also get to mark another state off my list and this takes me down to 9 left out of the 50!

I can’t decide what I’m the most excited about between the buggies, the food, the amazing B&B we are staying in or the quilts!  Check out the photo! That is the place we are staying! I'm dying inside. I may not even make my flight.
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And can y’all even begin to imagine the #WhatWhitAte posts you’re about to see? I’m excited to explore the area, excited to visit Site and Sound theater and mostly excited that my family gets to come with. (Mom, Grandma, Aunts, Cousins) This trip is truly a dream trip for me and I’m not sure if the others are near as excited as I am. I think my grandma is as equally thrilled. What does that even say about me?

I promise to bring y’all along as always. My blog is the best travel crew full of the best tips and advice. So as always, make sure you send me your eats, sleeps, and advice! We are staying in Philly for one night so make sure to hit me up with anything I need to see and do there as well! Thanks for coming along!
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Next stop, AMISH COUNTRY! #Yoderville #IMadeThatUp #ShunMe 

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  • Virtual Assistant
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