Forget Black Friday. January 1st at Dillard's is the pinnacle of shopping deals. All clearance items, already 35% and 65% off, are an ADDITIONAL 50% off. On top of that, all Christmas decor is 75% off. So, as one might expect, this event gets wild very quickly and the Karens of the world flock from … Continue reading Dillard’s New Year’s Day Sale: Tips from a Pro
Panama Canal by Cruise
I cannot imagine a better way to see the locks of the Panama Canal than by ship, as it was always intended. A cruise is definitely a plush option. The day we got to the locks we were up before the sun, claiming a good spot to stand among everyone hanging over the railing. The … Continue reading Panama Canal by Cruise
How to Buy Affordable Designer Eyeglass Frames
Designer glasses for a cheap girl- it's an art. Paying for glasses is expensive even with insurance. People pay way too much for plastic and screws, but I have a few money-saving secrets to fit your eyes and wallet. I'm really just here to upset the eyeglass monopoly. Not only have I been accustomed to a lifetime … Continue reading How to Buy Affordable Designer Eyeglass Frames
My First Autopsy
I was a morbid kid. Growing up, my favorite movie was My Girl and it sparked an interest in me to be a funeral home beautician. Clearly, that is not a realistic life path and my natural, social-butterfly instinct definitely suggested I should spend more time conversing with the living. But even in college as … Continue reading My First Autopsy
Elijah Tours Review: Bethlehem & Dead Sea
If I have the opportunity to snag a local for a tour, that's my preferred method of learning an area, but sometimes it is hard to find such a person with limited time. After hours of online searching, I found Elijah Tours for a 1-day Bethlehem/ Dead Sea tour. They were the most affordable with … Continue reading Elijah Tours Review: Bethlehem & Dead Sea
Best Souvenirs to Take Home from Anywhere
Tchotchkes pile up and become an obligation to collect. T-shirts are bulky and there becomes an irrational attachment to purging them from our drawers. The goal in finding the perfect souvenirs is to choose something lightweight, small, and mildly functional. Postcards Technically, I don't advise taking them home with you, but rather having them waiting … Continue reading Best Souvenirs to Take Home from Anywhere
Navigating Jerusalem
There is no such thing as downhill in Jerusalem. The entire city is uphill- it seems that way, anyway. While it is not overly large, the steep climbs on slippery stones quickly create glutes of steel. So, it's best to get savvy with some public transportation. [Pro tip: Public transportation closes down on shabbat. The … Continue reading Navigating Jerusalem
Bethlehem Meets Banksy at the West Bank Wall
If you look on a map, Jerusalem looks like a small peninsula jutting into the West Bank, with Bethlehem immediately on the walled-in side. According to a local guide, the barrier is 830 kilometers long and nearly four meters high, intended to keep people in, not out. Life inside in the wall is a community … Continue reading Bethlehem Meets Banksy at the West Bank Wall
Yad Vashem: Holocaust Museum in Israel
Jerusalem might be a large melting pot of worldwide religions, but Judaism does stand out as the majority, making up 76% of the population. Therefore, even visitors who aren't Jewish may find themselves learning about Judaism, trying some challah bread, or visiting one of the best Holocaust museums in the world. The Yad Vashem was … Continue reading Yad Vashem: Holocaust Museum in Israel
Dead Sea Survival Guide
I was at my lowest point on earth at the actual lowest point on earth. Okay- this is an exaggeration, but it was brutal. We were told by locals the Dead Sea would be miserable in August. So far, it's been about 30C in Jerusalem where we are staying, but the Dead Sea pushes over … Continue reading Dead Sea Survival Guide