• As a mom and professional meal planner, I rely on one-pot recipes for easy, customizable dinners.
• I keep the ingredients simple and affordable, with each meal costing under $25.
• Some of my favorite meals to make are creamy pesto pasta and Italian-style orzo.

As a professional meal planner and busy mom, I rely on simple one-pot dinners to get flavorful, satisfying meals on the table quickly.

I especially love these recipes because they're easy to customize. For example, I'm vegan but my family isn't, and these dishes can easily be adapted to suit different dietary preferences.

These four quick and easy dinners take less than 30 minutes to make and are perfect for busy weeknights when I want something homemade, nutritious, and stress-free.

At under $25 per meal, they're also budget-friendly and require only a handful of ingredients.

My family can't get enough of this taco soup

Ingredients: one onion, 12 ounces of vegan (or regular) ground beef, 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning, 3 cups of vegan broth, a 28-ounce jar of salsa, a 4-ounce can of diced green chiles, a can of black beans, a can of pinto beans, 1 tablespoon of olive oil

This one-pot soup delivers all the flavor of taco night with none of the fuss.

I start by sautéing the chopped onion in olive oil. Then, I add the vegan beef and taco seasoning and cook until browned.

Next, I stir in the broth, salsa, and green chiles. I drain and rinse the cans of beans and add them to the pot. Once the mixture comes to a boil, I reduce the heat and let it simmer until slightly thickened.

I like to serve it with a DIY topping bar so everyone can customize their bowl. At my house, dairy-free sour cream, lime wedges, avocado, taco sauce, and chopped cilantro are always in the mix.

I'm always amazed by how easy this creamy pesto pasta is

Ingredients: 1 pound of penne pasta, a 24-ounce jar of marinara sauce, 1 cup of pesto, ½ cup of drained sun-dried tomatoes, 8 ounces of vegan cream cheese, ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1 cup of basil leaves, kosher salt, black pepper

I've made this creamy, dairy-free pesto pasta dozens of times, and it still surprises me how flavorful and effortless it is.

I start by boiling the pasta according to the directions on the bag. While that's on the stove, I chop the sun-dried tomatoes.

Once the pasta is cooked and drained, I return it to the pot and stir in the marinara sauce, pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and vegan cream cheese until everything is smooth and creamy.

To finish, I season to taste with salt and pepper, then top with vegan Parmesan and torn basil.

My family can't get enough of this comforting, colorful dish.

This stir-fry is flavorful and packed with protein

Ingredients: one carrot, two cloves of garlic, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, 14 ounces of firm tofu, a bag of cauliflower rice, 1 cup of mushrooms, 1 cup of cooked edamame, six green onions, ½ cup chopped peanuts, a head of butter lettuce, stir-fry sauce

Stir-fry is one of my go-to meals because it's easy to customize, and this one delivers big flavor with minimal effort.

I start by sautéing the diced carrots and minced garlic in sesame oil. Then, I crumble in the tofu and cook it until it's golden and crispy.

Next, I stir in the cauliflower rice, sliced mushrooms, and cooked, shelled edamame. I finish with a generous drizzle of my favorite store-bought stir-fry sauce (any teriyaki-style blend works great).

To serve, I top it with sliced green onions and chopped nuts. We love eating it straight from the bowl — or spooning it into lettuce leaves for a nutritious, protein-packed wrap.

This Italian-style Orzo tastes like it came from a restaurant

Ingredients: half of an onion, two cloves of garlic, a jar of marinated bell peppers, a can of artichoke hearts, 1 cup of sun-dried tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of capers, 3 tablespoons of tomato paste, 1 cup of orzo, 14 ounces of bruschetta, a can of cannellini beans, 2 cups of vegetable broth, 3 cups of baby spinach leaves, ½ cup of vegan ricotta, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 ½ tablespoons of Italian seasoning, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, fresh basil leaves

This is my favorite way to elevate a simple orzo dish. Everything comes together in one skillet before finishing in the oven — and the result is impressive.

While the oven preheats to 400°F, I chop the onions, bell peppers, and artichoke hearts. I mince the garlic and cut the sun-dried tomatoes into thin slices.

Then, I add all the veggies to a pan with capers and Italian seasoning, and sauté the mixture in olive oil for about 5 minutes.

Next, I stir in the uncooked orzo, tomato paste, bruschetta, drained beans, and broth. Once it comes to a simmer, I transfer the skillet to the oven and bake the dish for 10 to 15 minutes.

To finish, I stir in the spinach and vegan ricotta, and top it off with fresh basil.

The final result is a hearty comfort meal that's totally restaurant-worthy.

• I started making sourdough bread six years ago and have since fallen in love with the hobby.
• Initially, I didn't realize how often the sourdough starter had to be fed.
• I also didn't know I could use the discard to make other treats like flatbreads and muffins.

Seven years ago, I started making my own sourdough bread.

In addition to being a relaxing hobby that's taught me the importance of patience, making bread also keeps me from spending ridiculous amounts of money on loaves from the grocery store.

But baking sourdough is pretty different from other types of bread. This is partially because sourdough requires a starter — a fermented mixture of flour and water that creates its own yeast and bacteria.

The process of creating a starter, and eventually bread, isn't foolproof and can take beginners a little while to grasp.

Here are five things I wish I'd known before making sourdough bread for the first time.

You have to feed your sourdough starter like a pet

To keep your sourdough starter active, you have to feed it using flour and water. Until I inherited my first starter, though, I didn't realize I'd have to create a feeding schedule for it.

If you leave your starter on the counter, you'll want to feed it once every 12 to 24 hours. If you keep it in the refrigerator, however, you can feed it less, typically about once a week. This schedule will also vary depending on how often you bake.

If you need a break from feeding your starter, you can preserve it in a few ways

When I first started making sourdough, I didn't realize I could store my starter for a while without feeding it.

Turns out, you can leave it in the freezer for up to one year. Another more reliable, long-term storage option is to dehydrate your sourdough starter.

This would've been good to know when I let mine go bad because I went on a work trip and couldn't find a friend to feed it for me.

A starter can be brought back to life

Even if your sourdough starter looks grim, it's still possible to bring it back to life.

When this happens to mine, I feed it filtered water and flour and give it a few days to see if it starts to form bubbles.

It may take a while to get the cultures moving again, especially if the starter has been freeze-dried or dehydrated. When it bubbles up and doubles in size, you'll know you have a pillowy, healthy starter to bake with.

You don't have to get rid of your discard

I didn't realize until far into the process that sourdough discard can be used for other recipes. I figured the term indicated the runoff's value.

You can either compost your discard or use it in other recipes like flatbreads, pastries, rolls, waffles, muffins, and more.

When making sourdough, patience is key

Throughout the process, it's important to remember that fermentation takes time. Living cultures need the ideal environment to engage, grow, and develop a strong and active formula.

Your sourdough hobby won't satisfy any need for instant gratification. The starter will test your patience, indulge your mad scientist alter ego, and encourage a certain level of imagination in the kitchen.

This story was originally published on March 13, 2025, and most recently updated on August 7, 2025.

• I'm a dad in New York who walks 20 minutes to the nearest Trader Joe's to shop for my family. 
• My kids enjoy eating the chain's butternut-squash ravioli and Cosmic Crisp apples.
• I like to buy myself Trader Joe's jerk-chicken burritos and organic Bolivian coffee.

I'm a New Yorker who walks 20 minutes to the nearest Trader Joe's to shop for my family of four.

I skip items I can find at closer supermarkets and instead focus on snacks and kid-friendly meals. Fortunately, the chain also has some great items for adults.

Here are a few things I regularly buy at Trader Joe's.

My kids go crazy for Trader Joe's butternut-squash ravioli, and it's a dinner I can prepare in minutes.

It's always helpful to have a few tried-and-true dinners on hand for nights when the kids get fussy.

When I want to make sure I get some food in them, I take a couple of minutes to prepare these thin pasta triangles with butternut-squash filling inside.

My kids have yet to turn the pasta down, and this dish allows me to rationalize that I've fed the children a fruit — squashes have seeds!

Cosmic Crisp apples are great to pack as snacks.

My local Trader Joe's often stocks Cosmic Crisp apples, a cross between Enterprise and Honeycrisp apples.

They come in two distinct sizes: small ones, which are in a 2-pound bag, and huge ones, which customers can buy individually. 

I especially like the latter. Cosmic Crisps tend to brown more slowly than most other apples because they have higher levels of acidity and sugar, so if I cut one up and pack it as a snack for both kids, I know the slices will look fresh and appetizing all day. 

And in my experience, Cosmic Crisps don't seem to bruise easily. I throw one in my bag whenever I anticipate the need for a healthy afternoon snack.

Trader Joe's jalapeño sauce has plenty of flavor and mixes well with other condiments.

Trader Joe's jalapeño sauce stays true to the taste of its namesake pepper, though I'd say it carries more of the jalapeño's flavor than its heat. 

Like all hot sauces, this product has a wide range of potential uses. However, I didn't discover its true purpose until I put it on a salami sandwich in place of mustard. It brought out the very best of cured meat. 

I eat a lot of burgers at home, so I play around with condiments to keep things interesting. I found that combining this jalapeño sauce with mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, and Worcestershire sauce makes an excellent burger topping.

The elote corn-chip dippers barely make it back to my apartment.

These might be my favorite chips of all time, which is no small accomplishment.

They taste quite a bit like Cool Ranch Doritos, just with an extra little kick of heat. The chips' hearty texture is phenomenal, and they remind me of higher-caliber Fritos. 

The bag suggests dipping these chips in guacamole, but that seems unnecessarily indulgent. They carry enough flavor on their own.

I sometimes fantasize about crushing them up and using them to bread chicken, but in truth, I usually just eat half the bag on my walk home.

The store's organic Bolivian coffee blend makes some of my favorite cold brew.

I drink an alarming amount of coffee. Ever since I started making cold brew at home about 10 years ago, I estimate I've saved thousands of dollars in coffee-shop purchases. 

I've experimented with various roasts, origins, and preparations and have yet to find a high-quality coffee in the same price range as Trader Joe's organic Bolivian blend.

It produces cold brew exactly as I want it: strong but smooth, with subtle, caramel-tinged sweetness.

Thanks to Trader Joe's, we never have to settle for carrots of just one color.

I could say I buy multicolored carrots because my kids think they're fun, but in truth, the novelty hasn't yet worn off on me either. 

Now our crudités look like a beautiful autumnal cornucopia. The purple ones are especially popular in my house, and it doesn't hurt that they're also very tasty.

Reusable lavender dryer bags make my whole home smell fresh.

I have sensitive skin and can't handle most fabric softeners, so I always keep a stock of these dryer bags, which have lavender as their only ingredient, to help my clothes smell nice.

I also like that they don't have harsh chemicals. The lavender is enough to add a pleasant, floral fragrance to my laundry and freshen up the air in my apartment.

Pretzel nuggets filled with peanut butter are the ultimate blend of sweet and salty.

I'm old enough to remember a time when stuffed pretzels seemed rare and felt reserved for special occasions. 

Now they're widely available — especially at Trader Joe's — and you can choose from multiple different nut-butter fillings and coatings. I favor the classic ones with peanut butter on the inside.

They're crunchy, salty, sweet, and satisfying. When I think of a Venn diagram representing all the different ways I want my snacks to taste, these treats land smack-dab in the middle.

All I need to make a delicious homemade pizza is Trader Joe's plain dough, a mozzarella log, and jarred sauce.

After trying a variety of Trader Joe's frozen pizzas, I've found I often prefer to make my own. I pair ready-to-bake plain pizza dough with a jar of fat-free pizza sauce and a fresh mozzarella log. 

The jar of sauce and the cheese are enough for at least two pizzas — assuming no one snacks on the cheese — and the dough is easier to work with than other supermarket ones I've used in the past.

My kids won't eat spicy food, but I jazz up my slices with Trader Joe's version of Sriracha.

The jerk-chicken burritos are too spicy for my kids, meaning I get them all to myself.

It's always important to stock up on foods my kids will eat, but it's equally important to keep some on hand that my kids won't touch. 

I want to know that I have lunch options that won't descend upon like vultures, and the jerk-chicken burrito is one of them.

It's delicious and has enough Caribbean spices that my children, who can't handle spice, stay away from it. Like most burritos, these are great with a little sour cream.

Although I haven't found it in stores in a while, I hope Trader Joe's brings it back as it often does with products.

Click to keep reading Trader Joe's diaries like this one.

This story was originally published on July 2, 2023, and most recently updated on August 6, 2025.

• When my son was a senior in high school, he chose to move in with my 77-year-old mom.
• He doesn't have to worry about paying rent in our expensive city, and he's gained independence.
• My mom likes having help with chores, and his moving out has been good for him and our relationship.

When I got divorced, my two children and I moved back to the house I owned before I was married, which we'd kept as a rental property.

At 800 square feet, the two-bedroom cottage is ideal for two people, but it's a tight squeeze for three. My 13-year-old son got the smaller bedroom, while my 9-year-old daughter and I shared the larger one.

By the time my son was in high school and my daughter in middle school, they both desperately wanted their own space and more independence.

However, we live in Denver, one of the most expensive cities in the US. Upgrading to a bigger home wasn't an option — and my son couldn't afford his car and rent for his own place on the income from his part-time lifeguarding job.

So, he chose to move in with my 77-year-old mother during his senior year of high school.

Now, he's got more independence without the burden of rent

At my mom's house, my son has a spacious bedroom with a full bath in her finished basement, which includes a laundry, gym, and living room.

By living with his grandmother, he's able to avoid paying rent (and save money) while still having the independence that comes with having his own space.

When he moved in, my mom laid out clear rules and expectations of what he needed to help with around the house.

So far, he's been making dinner for her a few nights a week and helping with cleaning and other items on her to-do list. It's been a great lesson in independence for him, and it's been nice for my mom to have extra help around the house.

The move has also been beneficial to my relationship with my son. We set intentional boundaries that could bridge living at home and being 100% independent.

He doesn't have to coordinate all of his plans with me anymore, but he's also responsible for knowing what needs to be done with his schoolwork and housework and making it happen.

Now, he manages his schedule so he sees his friends plenty — and I'm no longer stressing about nagging him about homework and chores.

My son has also matured in a way that's really surprised me

After a couple of months of this living arrangement, a new confidence emerged in my son's personality and attitude.

As he got closer to graduation, he hit his stride with finishing school, working, saving money, and managing his household responsibilities.

Over several weeks, we were also able to have a lot of mature conversations about what he thought his future would look like.

Through high school, my son was unsure about attending college — he'd simply say he didn't know what he'd major in and didn't want to take out loans for tuition.

After a few months of his newfound independence, though, he was able to share his anxieties about college with me with more clarity and detail and less apathy.

Ultimately, he's decided to attend an affordable local community college in the fall and transfer to a university next year. I'm pleasantly surprised by how he was able to make such an important, mature choice on his own.

All in all, this unconventional living situation has been great

Even though this living arrangement is unconventional, it's been a game changer for all of us.

My son has gained so much independence. We've also improved our relationship, taking space as needed and coming together for meaningful conversations about his future.

And, of course, it's been helpful for my mom on a practical level.

Based on this experience, I'd encourage parents to think outside the box when it comes to living arrangements that an older teen might benefit from.

My son has been thriving after having a taste of what it means to live on his own as an adult — and, at my house, my daughter is thrilled to finally have her own space to decorate.

• Sundresses are a summer closet staple, so I tried on options at Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy.
• The Gap dress was too thin, and the Banana Republic option was a little out of my price range.
• Even though it was the least expensive, the Old Navy piece was my favorite.

Summer is in full swing, which means it's time for floral prints, bold colors, and short hemlines.

It's the perfect season to refresh your wardrobe with light, breezy styles, and in my opinion, there's no closet staple more practical or comfortable than a good sundress.

As someone who loves all things feminine and frilly, sundresses are a personal favorite. To find a new go-to for the season, I headed to three retailers that never miss when it comes to wearable fashion — Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy.

Here's how my search for the perfect sundress went.

Old Navy was my first stop.

I love Old Navy's trendy and accessible styles, so I was excited to spot the puff-sleeve linen-blend mini dress while browsing.

Although the dress comes in a few different colors and patterns, I chose the white option with a light-blue floral design.

The dress had a few quirks, but it was comfortable and flattering.

This dress looked nice on the rack, but I was even more pleased once I tried it on.

The silhouette of the dress fell nicely along my curves, which I found flattering. I also liked the structured square neckline, side pockets, and the buttons down the front.

However, I noticed that the thread on a couple of buttons was fraying slightly, which made me question whether it would hold up beyond the summer.

The material was comfortable and lightweight, made from a blend of 55% linen and 45% viscose rayon. That said, the fabric was a bit sheer, and I could see the outline of the pockets through the dress. So, I'd be a little concerned about it becoming see-through in direct sunlight.

Overall, though, I loved the dress and would wear it for multiple summer occasions. I would happily pay the $45 price, as it's a perfect style for weekend barbecues, brunches, and garden parties.

My next stop was Banana Republic, which offers more elevated pieces.

Considering Banana Republic's upscale aesthetic, I knew I could count on the brand for stylish resort wear finds.

I was immediately drawn to the linen-blend seamed bodice mini dress on the rack, thanks to its beautiful yellow hue and flattering A-line silhouette.

The dress was nice, but it was a little more than I was hoping to spend.

The color and pattern of the dress were bold yet elegant, and the deep-V-neckline added an eye-catching touch. The Banana Republic option was made from almost the same blend as the Old Navy dress — 55% linen and 45% rayon.

Overall, the design was lightweight and flattering, and I loved the subtle cinch at the waist and the pleating across the midsection.

However, my one gripe with this dress was the $120 price tag. Although it was nicely made and well-constructed, I wouldn't pay triple digits for it.

Lastly, I popped into Gap to try one more option.

Gap has pleasantly surprised me over the past few years with its versatile selection of basics and fashion-forward clothing.

Upon walking in, the flutter-sleeve tie-waist mini dress immediately grabbed my attention. The material seemed thinner than the others, but that's not necessarily a bad thing when it comes to staying cool in the peak of summer.

This option was flattering, but the fabric felt a bit flimsy.

I was pleasantly surprised by how this dress looked on me. I especially appreciated the adjustable waist tie, and I loved the V-neckline and flowy sleeves paired with the pleated hemline on the skirt.

It looked romantic yet modest, which would be appropriate for a range of summer events like family gatherings or bridal showers.

However, the delicate fabric, which turned out to be 100% rayon, seemed like it might easily rip or get damaged in the wash.

The Gap dress cost $55. It wasn't terribly overpriced, but I don't think the cost was fully justified considering the fabric composition.

The Old Navy dress turned out to be my favorite.

I'd wear every option I tried on, but the Old Navy sundress turned out to be my favorite for its overall design, fit, and comfort.

It was the most affordable, yet also super flattering, and I could easily see myself wearing it for multiple occasions.

• My husband, my teenage son, and his girlfriend visited Chili's on a Friday night for dinner.
• Our teenage dining companions love Chili's and our food wasn't bad, but I'm not sure I get the hype.
• The $100 meal seemed reasonably priced, but Chili's definitely isn't my favorite chain restaurant.

On one of my teenage son's first dates with his girlfriend, they went to Chili's.

As a food writer, I was curious about the choice. I wouldn't classify the major chain as an ideal date-night destination, but it's clear they may have been inspired by TikTok.

Chili's is a hit with Gen Z on the social-media platform, which is brimming with videos of people around their age eating mozzarella sticks with impressive cheese pulls and burgers loaded with toppings.

A few months later, it was my son's requested birthday dinner, so my husband and I accompanied him and his girlfriend to our local Chili's on a Friday night.

The place was hopping, with a 30-minute wait for a table and loud groups of diners sipping colorful, fish-bowl-sized margaritas as they waited for their meals.

It felt like the hottest spot in town, but I found the food underwhelming. Always willing to give a restaurant a second chance, our same group returned to that Chili's on another Friday night a few weeks later.

Here's what I thought of my second try at understanding Chili's popularity with younger customers.

Although Chili's was once again crowded, we didn't have to wait for a table.

Unsurprisingly, Chili's was just as crowded around 6 p.m. on a Friday as it was the last time we visited. This time, though, there was no wait to be seated.

Within seconds of walking in the doors, we were at a table looking over the Chili's menu.

The Chili's menu really covers all the bases.

Truly, I find the menu at Chili's a little all over the place, with a variety of cuisines and options that almost feels overwhelming.

Things I'd expect to be on a neighborhood-grill-style menu are there, like burgers and chicken tenders, but there's also seafood, salads, quesadillas, steaks, and pasta dishes.

The drink menu feels pretty extensive with lots of colorful cocktails, themed margaritas, and beers.

Still, although it seems to me that Chili's is trying a little too hard to be everything to everyone, the crowd size during our visit indicates the chain's doing something right.

We started with a free appetizer that I earned through Chili's rewards program.

We're signed up for the Chili's My Rewards loyalty program, which costs nothing to join and includes perks like a free birthday dessert and special savings offers throughout the year.

My Rewards member can choose between a free non-alcoholic beverage or free chips and salsa at each visit. We chose the latter

The appetizer at Chili's is usually around $7, so it's a nice freebie to split across the table while waiting for entrees. It wasn't bad or super memorable.

While we snacked on our chips and salsa, we ordered a round of drinks — sodas ($3 each) for my son, his girlfriend, and I, and an $8 beer for my husband.

After we ordered, I spent some time observing the crowded restaurant.

The restaurant was only getting busier by the time we'd ordered our meals.

I was surprised by the mix of clientele, from young women in their 20s who were dressed for a Friday night out to families with little kids to elderly patrons dining together in groups.

On a trip to the bathroom, I spotted lots of brightly-colored, giant-sized margaritas, too — a true sign you've landed at a Chili's.

My son ordered what seems to be Chili's most TikTok-ed dish.

TikTok loves the Chili's Triple Dipper. The dish has thousands of posts with millions of views on the platform, and people seem to love ordering it for its customizability.

It's meant to be an appetizer, but it contains enough food for a person to order as their meal. It consists of a pick-your-own selection of any three appetizers from the menu.

Earlier that day, my son was already anticipating his Triple Dipper, telling my husband he was "so hyped" to order one that night.

His choice of appetizers in the $18 platter? Big Mouth Bites cheeseburger sliders, fried mozzarella, and fries.

Although he loved everything in his Triple Dipper, he said he'd skip the fries next time since they cost less and aren't as filling as other appetizer options.

To get the most value for his money and add protein to the meal, he'd keep the sliders and mozzarella sticks but add chicken tenders as his third item.

Chili's has really, really good chicken tenders.

My son's girlfriend chose a $15 platter with four Chicken Crisper chicken tenders, fries, and white-cheddar macaroni and cheese.

She enjoyed the meal, and since that's exactly what I ordered the last time I visited Chili's, I knew how delicious it was firsthand.

I'll give Chili's this: The chain serves really well-battered, crispy chicken tenders — probably some of my favorites from a chain restaurant.

Diners can also customize their tenders by having them tossed in sauces like honey chipotle or Nashville hot.

There are an impressive amount of options for dipping sauces to pair with them, too, from standards like honey mustard and ranch to unique-to-Chili's dips like Sweet Chili Zing and Buffalo Ranch.

My husband and I shared the most expensive item on the menu.

Out of curiosity — and because we're focusing on a low-gluten, high-protein diet — my husband and I ordered the most expensive dish on the Chili's menu to share.

Chili's Fajitas For Two comes with four meat portions (we chose two portions of steak, and one each of chicken and shrimp), rice, black beans, tortillas, and fixings like sour cream, cheese, and pico de gallo.

The $40 entree came out hot and sizzling, and the fajita meats and grilled bell peppers and onions were delicious. The roasted jalapeño on top was flavorful and spicy, a nice contrast to the cool sour cream and shredded cheese.

Overall, we liked our meal, but I'd feel better about spending my money on fajitas at one of the mom-and-pop Mexican restaurants in our town rather than a chain restaurant.

Our $100 meal felt reasonably priced, but I still don't get the Chili's hype.

Our meal, which cost just under $100 before tip, felt reasonably priced.

However, there are plenty of other spots (including other chains) where I'd prefer to spend the same amount on dinner for a Friday night out.

Both times I've eaten at Chili's, I felt the food was tasty enough, but not super memorable (aside from those yummy chicken tenders, of course).

I wish I could say I fully understand the Chili's hype, but it's still just not my favorite chain restaurant.

Still, Chili's is popular with teenagers these days, and I love getting to share a meal with my son and his girlfriend and just talk.

As parents of two teens, my husband and I are always trying to find little ways to understand what they enjoy, so if hitting a crowded Chili's on a Friday night and bonding over Triple Dippers and sizzling fajitas is what they want to do, we're only too happy to oblige.

• I've received lots of wedding invitations over the past few years.
• Many of the weddings I've been invited to have required me to travel.
• Now, I like to turn every wedding invitation into a mini vacation.

I don't know whether the influx of wedding invites I've received is a byproduct of the many celebrations that got delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic or a rite of passage for anyone approaching their late 20s.

Either way, the last few years have filled my calendar — and the outside of my refrigerator — with many an invitation and save the date. Many of these invitations have also required me to travel.

To maximize pricey flights, I've leveraged weddings to explore places like West Palm Beach, Cleveland, and even my own city. Here's how I've created the perfect marriage between wedding and personal travel.

I stay open and flexible to spur-of-the-moment experiences

Sandusky, Ohio, doesn't exactly scream "getaway," but for my cousin's wedding, my boyfriend and I embarked on a Midwest road trip.

While driving, I discovered two things: "A Christmas Story" was filmed in Cleveland, and my boyfriend had never had a meal at Waffle House.

Before we even arrived at our hotel, we mapped out our return, making sure to hit the iconic filming location and the famous chain restaurant on the way home. I loved that attending the wedding gave us a reason to explore the area and try new things.

Once in Sandusky, I maintained that eagerness, visiting Lake Erie, trying Culver's custard, and exploring Marblehead Lighthouse.

To manage expectations, I've learned to treat each wedding trip as an introduction to a place

A few years ago, I planned my first post-wedding trip to Miami after a friend's West Palm Beach ceremony.

Although I enjoyed Miami, I chastised myself for everything I'd missed in the Palm Beaches. Beyond visiting the Norton Museum of Art, I saw little of West Palm.

Since then, I've adjusted my expectations. I have neither the time nor energy to do everything I'd like to, so I regard wedding trips as city introductions rather than the end-all-be-all of tours.

This mindset has minimized the pressure I place on my vacations and inspired future travels.

Even when weddings are close to home, I embrace the art of the staycation

Last summer, I attended a wedding on Lake Canandaigua, just an hour from my Rochester, New York, apartment. Although I could've commuted, the venue had been on my radar since moving upstate, so I booked a room.

That decision was well worth the hotel cost. I jumped in the lake countless times, caught up with college friends, and sipped riesling: the Finger Lakes' claim to fame.

That wedding also sparked my interest in exploring the other Finger Lakes and refreshed my perspective on my surroundings.

I try not to jam-pack my schedule after the wedding festivities are over.

I'm planning on attending a wedding at the Chicago Botanic Garden soon. Although I'd initially planned for an extra day in the city, I realized my hotel was actually an hour away from the city center.

In order to conserve my energy, I've since adapted my trip to tour Chicago's North Shore and the chic, much closer suburb of Lake Forest, Illinois.

Beyond those activities, however, I'm leaving the rest of my day open. After a weekend of wedding events, I'll likely feel worn down and ready to recharge. Although weddings are structured to the hour, wedding trips can balance out the frenzy of a celebratory weekend.

This story was originally published on August 13, 2024, and most recently updated on July 23, 2025.

• I lived on a sailboat full-time. After about a year and a half, I chose to get an apartment instead.
• Simple activities, like showering and grocery shopping, were much more difficult on a boat.
• Still, I learned a lot living on board, like how to appreciate the simple things in life. 

In March 2021, my partner, greyhound, and I started living aboard a 42-foot sailboat.

In the years leading up to moving aboard, I daydreamed about our nomadic lifestyle — but after a year of sacrificing hygiene, stability, and family time, the wanderlust had worn off.

Simple day-to-day activities, like showering and grocery shopping, became complicated endeavors. We spent a lot of time and energy simply maintaining our basic needs.

By August 2022, we'd moved back on land and into an apartment.

Our decision was ultimately the result of these challenges, which wore on me physically and emotionally.

Limited water led to limited showers

Although I consider myself low-maintenance, boat life pushed my hygiene needs to their limit. 

When sailing, especially to remote locations, we had a finite amount of water we could carry. So we minimized showering to conserve it and instead took "saltwater baths" in the ocean.

Since soap doesn't lather as well in the ocean and salt sticks to skin and hair, I was never able to truly feel clean.

I went up to a month without a freshwater shower, and the heavy layer of salt and grease in my hair made me uncomfortable and self-conscious.

I longed to establish a daily routine

At first, finding the most convenient grocery store and a nice running path was part of the adventure, but constantly feeling unfamiliar with our location became tiring.

I was relieved when we stayed in a place for a week or more, so I could establish a routine. 

And instead of feeling excited about our next destination, each departure made me sad because I was leaving behind this newfound familiarity. 

Traveling every few days empowered me to become more adaptable, but I continued to have anxiety over access to the resources we needed. 

Homesickness was more difficult than I anticipated

I always knew leaving my friends and family would be challenging, but it surprised me how suddenly waves of homesickness would overcome me. 

While picking up ice cream, I wanted to share it with my dessert-loving nieces. And I yearned to be with my best friend when I tried local hot sauces. 

After missing a year of birthdays and holidays, I'm now embracing every opportunity to create memories with the people I love.

I still learned a lot, and the experience was worth the challenges

Living on a sailboat has helped me appreciate the simple things in life.

Since moving into an apartment, I'm as grateful as ever that showers are readily available and groceries are easily acquired and stored. 

I feel lucky to carry memories of beautiful beaches and diverse cultures, but I'm also looking forward to our next chapter on land. 

This story was originally published on November 27, 2022, and most recently updated on July 23, 2025.

• About five years ago, my now-fiancé and I moved from Washington, DC, to a small town in Arkansas.
• The most surprising part of moving was seeing how many people in our new town were self-employed.
• The culture shift inspired us to open up a restaurant, and I love the way my workweek looks now.

I never expected to leave my city life for a small Arkansas town of about 16,000 people — but I'm so glad I did.

I first moved to Washington, DC, for school, but ended up staying for nearly two decades thanks to the incredible job opportunities, cultural experiences, and lifelong friendships I made there.

Then, COVID-19 hit. I was fortunate to keep my job in the nonprofit industry, working remotely throughout the pandemic — but my boyfriend, a chef, had a hard time finding work as one restaurant after another closed its doors or cut staff.

Suddenly, we wondered whether it made sense to continue paying rent for a pricey basement apartment in the nation's capital.

My partner had some job leads in his Arkansas hometown, which was also much closer to my family in Memphis. So, in August 2020, we packed a U-Haul and hit the road.

I was surprised to learn that so many people in my new neck of the woods were self-employed

Coming from Washington, DC, I was used to people working for large firms or the government in some capacity. During my first few months in town, as I worked long remote hours for my DC-based job, I was struck by the percentage of locals who were self-employed.

It felt like half the people I met were entrepreneurs — from a band manager and a lawyer with his own firm to personal trainers and dog groomers. Even many of the kids at the local high school were starting boat-detailing businesses or mobile car-wash services.

My now-fiancé and I would stroll downtown, checking out empty storefronts and dreaming about opening a small gift shop or burger bar of our own.

Although I hadn't seriously considered it before, the idea of being brick-and-mortar business owners suddenly didn't seem quite so far-fetched.

So, when a small café and marina became available, we took the plunge

We invested our savings and became proud owners of a lakeside burger and po'boy shop.

We knew my fiancé would be the head chef and manage day-to-day operations. I expected to keep my office job and help serve customers on the weekends. Fate had other plans, though, and I was laid off right as the deal went through.

Now working on the business full time, I still help take orders and serve food, but I also handle a wide range of administrative tasks, from running payroll to paying county liquor taxes.

I also handle marketing efforts, like designing promotional fliers and managing our social media. Plus, I fill in wherever and whenever I'm needed — whether that means stocking food deliveries, mopping floors, coordinating events, or making fries.

The road forward hasn't always been easy, but I love my new career

We knew the restaurant business was notoriously challenging, and we saw that firsthand our first summer in operation.

Fully staffed, we opened for both lunch and dinner, but because our space mainly consists of outdoor seating, lunch service was largely empty during weeks of 90-degree heat.

The next season, we pivoted, limiting operations to late afternoon and evening hours and leaning into showcasing local musicians on weekend nights to make the most of prime patio hours.

Through the whole experience, I've learned how much I enjoy variety in my workweek. It's also been incredible to become a more active member of my community — I've gotten to know neighbors, donated meals to local sports teams, and exhibited artists' paintings on the walls.

Being new entrepreneurs has been a process of constant learning and frequent adjustments, but five years later, we have no regrets — just a lifestyle and business we love.

• My 88-year-old grandmother has a bustling social life and has always lived in the present.
• She doesn't spend too much time worrying about the future and stays open to trying new things.
• She's inspired me to enjoy my life instead of worrying so much about where to live and what to do.

Every Wednesday night after graduating from college, I sat in my grandma's living room and spiraled about my future.

How could I decide on the one thing I wanted to do for the rest of my life? One city to live in? One partner to marry?

She nodded and listened while filling our plates with kugel and mandel bread. "Emma," she'd say after my lament. "I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up."

My 88-year-old grandma has always lived in the present

My grandma Reva leads the most fulfilled life of anyone I know — not just the 80-plus-year-olds.

Now 88, she told me her secret is to "just live in the moment." And, throughout her life, she's stayed open to giving things a try if they sound interesting.

At 18, she took a leap of faith by marrying an Army man she met through a letter because, she said, she had "nothing to lose." That leap led to a 65-year marriage. The two kissed goodnight, held hands, and slow danced until the very end.

With her "I'll try it out" mindset, she bounced around jobs, only staying where she could find the fun.

As a retail employee, she quit on day one after meeting a rude coworker. As a legal secretary, her "boss was a putz," so she moved on to work for my grandpa's accounting firm. That job was hard work, but she loved the vacations after every tax season.

When that closed, she went to work for my dad. There, she made a best friend and stayed a while. "We used to laugh at all the clients, but I whipped that place into shape," she told me.

When my grandpa passed five years ago, she moved out of their family home and into a one-bedroom apartment. For the first time in her life, in her 70s, she was living alone.

Aside from the new digs, we figured her life would remain relatively unchanged. With her weekly mahjong and canasta games with friends, Friday night family dinners, and frequent calls with her 13 grandchildren, Grandma's life seemed content as is.

Instead, she chose to lean into this new chapter in her 80s and fill her life with even more joy and community. She and her apartment neighbors (turned friends) now spend their winters gossiping in the party room and summers book-clubbing at the pool.

Last week, she was too busy tasting each of her neighbor's "signature drinks" to take my call. "I never went to college, now I get the sorority-house experience," she told me. "It's made my life more beautiful."

Once again, my grandmother's life led me to reflect on my own. My grandma lives such a rich, social life — people even recognize her by just her laugh. If someone so happy has spent her life finding joy in the present, why was I so worried about the future?

She's inspired me to lean into present feelings while making peace with future uncertainties

So, I took her advice. I decided I no longer needed to know what I wanted to do when I grew up — just what I wanted to do tomorrow.

Swallowing my fears, I quit my job in Chicago and moved to New York City. Living in Manhattan, my decision paralysis dissipated.

I made new friends and kept the old. I signed up for the intimidating extracurriculars, and my comedy classes quickly became the highlight of my week. I dated without the pressure of finding one "forever person," and forged connections I'd otherwise convince myself out of.

By this playbook, I realized that tomorrow, I wanted to be a writer. So, I gave up my spot in my graduate program and applied for journalism school instead.

Just a few weeks ago, my grandma was "too busy clapping to take photos," as I walked across the graduation stage to collect my degree.

These days, neither one of us knows what we want to be when we grow up — but I'm no longer worried about it. All I know is we're happy today, and I'm excited to figure out what I'd like to do tomorrow.

• Epcot's Behind the Seeds Tour starts at $39 a person, making it the cheapest tour at Disney World.
• This one-hour tour takes guests on a tour of Epcot's greenhouses with a knowledgeable guide.
• We learned about innovative food-growing techniques at Disney and got to sample fresh produce.

If you go to Disney World a lot, it's easy to feel like you've seen and done it all. However, you can see a whole different side of the parks by taking one of its special tours.

On a recent trip, my husband and I booked Disney World's cheapest tour, the Behind the Seeds Tour, for a chance to explore Epcot's greenhouses with an expert guide.

The Behind the Seeds Tour is fairly affordable.

The Behind the Seeds Tour at Epcot's Land Pavilion costs $39 to $45 per person (depending on the day), plus tax.

That makes it the cheapest tour at Disney World, tied with Caring for Giants (which lets you see elephants at Animal Kingdom up close-ish).

That price point is a steal at Disney. Other tours cost considerably more:

• The Segway tour of Fort Wilderness costs $90 to $99 per person.
• Keys to the Kingdom, which takes you backstage at Magic Kingdom, starts at $149 a person.
• The SCUBA diving tour of Epcot's Seas Pavilion costs $229 or more.

And don't get me started on VIP Disney Tours, which cost between $450 and $900 per hour, with a minimum of seven hours required.

For those without a calculator, that's over $3,000 for seven hours — and that doesn't include park tickets or guide tip. (And yes, the 20% tipping rule is fairly standard for tours.)

It's cool to see so many plants and the growing process up close.

Living With the Land is one of Disney World's most underrated attractions. The slow-moving boat ride takes you through a tour of Epcot's innovative greenhouses, which use unique growing methods as a test case for how we can more efficiently grow food to feed the world.

The Behind the Seeds Tour builds on that experience: You actually get to walk through those greenhouses with an expert tour guide, who lets you look at the plants, fruit, vegetables, and fish up close.

There's a lot to see in the greenhouses.

We got to peek into the aquaponic tanks, come face-to-face with massive gourds, and walk through the Living With the Land ride's famous "salad spinners" and conveyor belt-esque hydroponics system that grows plants without any soil.

The guide can share so much more information than what you learn on the ride.

Our guide was full of fun facts and able to answer all our wildest questions about why they grow tomatoes vertically or how they use parasitoid wasps to manage pests like leaf miners.

They shared some incredible facts with us, like how saffron is harvested (and why it's so dang expensive) and how we can reduce water usage when growing produce with specific techniques.

But by far the most impactful thing I learned is that it can take 1 pound of feed to yield 1 pound of fish, while it takes up to 8 pounds of feed to yield 1 pound of beef.

That can make fish significantly more environmentally friendly to farm than cattle. Although we still eat beef, my husband and I have specifically made sure we eat fish at least twice a week now, when we'd otherwise eat red meat.

Meeting Stanley the plant and sampling a fresh cucumber were among the highlights.

The Behind the Seeds Tour wasn't all facts and figures. We also got to sample produce harvested that morning — and it was the freshest, tastiest cucumber I've ever had.

Though we weren't allowed to physically touch any of the plants and trees growing in the greenhouses (for their safety), our guide made one exception: Stanley, the most sensitive plant at Epcot.

Stanley is a Mimosa pudica, a plant that can close its leaves when you touch it, as a defense mechanism.

Each member in the group got to "pet" Stanley and watch his leaves close up quickly in response — it was a cool experience that made me feel more connected to the living world around me.

The tour isn't a huge time commitment, but it may be the highlight of your day.

The Behind the Seeds Tour only lasts an hour, which means there's plenty of time to enjoy Epcot for the rest of your day, whether you want to ride the Guardians of the Galaxy coaster or down a couple of margaritas in the Mexico pavilion.

But in my experience, it will be the best hour you spend in the park. It may even be the highlight of your whole trip. And at $39, I also found it to be well worth the cost.

Although I may not be ready (or able) to fork over thousands for a VIP Tour, this positive experience motivated me to try others, like the Wild Africa Trek, during my next trip.

• I thought I'd live in New York City forever, but I hit my breaking point and moved to Nashville.
• I could enjoy many things I love about city life and get more space for less. I even fell in love.
• It's been about a decade since my move, and I'm happily living here with my husband and two kids.

New York or nowhere. It's a T-shirt and an Instagram, but it was also my personal motto for most of my young life.

I was born in the Bronx, got my first post-college apartment in Queens, spent nearly a decade in a fifth-floor walk-up in Manhattan, and brought my first baby home to Brooklyn.

In high school and college, I spent time living in Connecticut, Poughkeepsie, and Scotland, but always felt the draw back to NYC.

By age 30, I'd spent most of my life in the city, and was living my own NYC dream working at a buzzy women's media company.

I had never imagined living anywhere else. Then, I hit my breaking point.

After a reality check, I gave myself permission to leave New York

New York wasn't just my city; it was a huge part of my identity.

However, I was burned out at my job, underpaid, and commuting hours on the subway between Manhattan and my shoebox of an apartment in Crown Heights.

I was paying a nanny most of my salary just so I could have the privilege of … not seeing my newborn.

After each day speed-editing dozens of articles and pumping breastmilk in a closet at the office, I would sprint to the subway at 7 p.m. in hopes of seeing my son while he was still awake.

I would never make it back in time. I'd kiss his sleeping face, pay the nanny, and cry.

By the time my son outgrew his bassinet and needed to transition to a crib, it became clear my tiny apartment was too small for us.

A crib and an adult bed didn't fit in the space, so I gave the latter away and spent the last six months of my New York life sleeping on a bedroll on the floor.

And I finally gave myself permission to consider the impossible: leaving. I just wasn't sure where to go next.

Nashville wasn't the plan, but it was the answer

I knew I wanted to live in a city, but I needed somewhere cheaper (and way more chill) than New York.

I didn't want to relive my teen years in the Connecticut suburbs, or even that blissful but too-quiet year in college when I lived on the coast of northern Scotland.

I wanted my son to grow up in a real community: walking to public school and the playground and pizza parlor like I did as a little kid in the Bronx. I wanted to take him to museums and music venues.

Soon, Nashville was on my radar — once I factored in my other wants, it seemed like the biggest, most diverse, most affordable city I could afford.

I told my employer I was moving, and that I could quit or they could let me go remote. They let me keep my job. I bought a four-bedroom house in East Nashville with a monthly mortgage that was close to half my rent in Brooklyn.

My new block had coffee shops, bars, a pharmacy, a pizza parlor, a bodega, and a vintage store that was also an art gallery that was also a music venue. So Brooklyn! I felt right at home.

Sure, at first everything felt … slow. I didn't live near downtown, so the bustle dial was turned way down.

Initially, it was hard to sleep without sirens and shouting outside my window. But as the weeks turned into months, I started to notice I was breathing easier.

Nashville gave me more space — not just physical space (for a crib and a bed, imagine!) but space in my day that was no longer spent commuting, hauling a stroller up and down stairs, and rushing to the laundromat.

It gave me more accessible green spaces than New York had; my son and I could be out on a hike within 20 minutes, no Metro-North train ride necessary.

Without a long commute, I had time to make real dinners, to lounge on porches, and to get to know my neighbors. I made friends, joined a nonprofit, and started teaching yoga at the local studio.

I had the emotional space to date around casually and have fun.

When my son was 2 ½, I met one particular musician. He was calm but passionate, goofy but grounded, Southern polite but also punk rock. He loved my son.

By year five in Nashville, we were married. Year six, he adopted my son. That same year, our second son was born.

Moving was the best decision I was scared to make

There's a common fear among people who leave big cities that we're somehow giving up. I definitely felt it.

I worried that moving to a smaller city would mean trading ambition for comfort. My work changed, yes.

I later shifted away from a traditional media job into freelance and consulting work, but I'm making more money now since I'm paid per project rather than being expected to work endless hours for an unchanging salary.

Now, I work smarter, not harder. I live smarter. I've stopped defining myself solely by my ever-climbing corporate media job title, or my precious 917 area code.

Nashville gave me the space to grow in unexpected directions. I have a garden, I volunteer, and I made friends who didn't care about who I worked for. I built a community that is unparalleled in its supportive and radically inclusive nature.

This city isn't perfect, but it's become home. At the time, leaving New York felt like the biggest risk of my life. Today, I think of how scared I was of the best decision I ever made, and laugh.

It's been nearly a decade since I left New York, and although I still visit my "hometown" often and miss it dearly sometimes, I don't regret the move for a second.

Well, maybe I just regret not leaving 10 years earlier.

• Imoved to Italy for work, but about two years later, I learned my contract wouldn't be renewed.
• Without citizenship or savings, I had to leave the life I was starting to build behind.
• Now, I'm back in the US, working to get back to the place where I finally felt like myself.

I never really thought I'd live in Italy.

Sure, my dad was from there, but we weren't one of those families who had dual citizenship or spent summers on the Amalfi Coast. I didn't even speak Italian — but one opportunity changed everything.

Just over a month after my dad passed away, I'd been let go from my job and was cold-emailing brands I admired, when I landed a marketing role with an Italian beauty company.

The role offered the chance to relocate to Italy, and I thought, why not? What once felt like a distant dream suddenly became real, as if my dad was guiding me toward this new chapter in my life.

I slowly built a life in Italy, but just when I thought I had it all figured out, I lost it

I moved in July 2022 and spent my first few weeks in Pescara, Italy, (where the company's offices were based) getting to know my team and easing into the slower pace of life.

On hot afternoons, we'd sometimes log off early and head to the beach. It was a kind of freedom and balance I'd never experienced at work before. I didn't feel pressured to always be online, there weren't any expectations to work weekends, and my creativity felt fed by my real life.

At the end of the month, I relocated to Rome. With little to no in-office requirements, the city seemed like a great fit for me because of its public transportation system, international connections, and lively pace. Plus, if I needed to get to Pescara, I was only a two-hour bus ride away.

Living in Rome felt easy and natural, like I'd lived there in another life. I woke up early to grab treats from my local bar (what the Italians call cafés), made friends with my neighbors, and learned where the non-touristy spots were. I also got used to the nuances of daily life in the city, from public transportation strikes to a lack of strong air conditioning.

I visited my dad's family in Lombardy and Calabria, too. It was incredibly grounding to connect with relatives who spoke little English but welcomed me anyway. I felt closer to him than ever before, but it was hard not to be upset with the fact that he'd never taught me the language.

Although I'd made an effort to practice speaking with my family, took dozens of classes, and subscribed to Babbel, there were still plenty of moments when I struggled to keep up with the pace of conversations at work or sound competent at the post office.

It was intimidating, but over time, I pushed through the discomfort, asked questions when I was unsure, and slowly started to pick up more of the language. Day by day, I built a quiet resilience and confidence I hadn't expected.

Then, just when I thought I'd found my groove — I'd gotten my residency permit, was seemingly thriving at work, and wassettling into a new friend group — I learned my contract was not being renewed due to budget cuts, and I wasn't the only one affected.

Without a job, dual citizenship (my dad completely naturalized as a US citizen, preventing me from gaining automatic Italian citizenship), or a financial safety net, I couldn't stay.

So, I had to pack up the life I'd built and return to the US in January 2025.

For now, I'm back in the States and grieving the version of myself I'd found abroad

Now, I'm inNew York City, working full-time, and freelancing as I try to hold onto the version of myself I'd become in Italy — the person who understood that life doesn't always need to be rushed or optimized.

But it's not easy. Returning here has felt like starting over and trying to find my footing in a place where everyone seems to be running at a relentless pace.

So, I'm trying my best to make it back to Italy on my own terms. I'm working hard to secure my status as a dual citizen, but I'm not sure how long it will take.

Through it all, though, I'm proud of myself for reconnecting with my heritage and chasing this dream.

• Some iconic rom-coms have shocking real-life age gaps between love interests.
• Iconic duos like Julia Roberts and Richard Gere and Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling aren't close in age.
• Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence are over 15 years apart and have played love interests.

You may not realize that a movie set in New York was actually filmed in Canada or that your favorite leading lady has a different hair color in real life.

And on-screen couples you thought were just a few months or years apart might have a bigger real-life age gap than you thought.

Here are some of the most surprising real-life age differences between love interests in popular romantic comedies.

"Silver Linings Playbook" love interests Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence are over 15 years apart.

In the film, Cooper plays a divorcé who falls for a widow, played by Lawrence.

It's unclear exactly how old the characters are supposed to be, but at the time of the premiere, Cooper was 37 and Lawrence was 22.

Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, who famously starred in "When Harry Met Sally," are 14 years apart.

Although the characters are meant to be the same age as the film moves through 12 years of their lives, Crystal and Ryan are over a decade apart. 

The Nora Ephron classic first hit theaters in 1989, when Crystal was 41 and Ryan was 27.

Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, who starred in rom-coms like "Pretty Woman," are 18 years apart.

When the film premiered, Gere was 40 and Roberts was 22.

The two also starred opposite each other in "Runaway Bride" in 1999 when Gere was 49 and Roberts was 31.

Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck were 13 years apart when they starred in "Roman Holiday."

The cult-classic romantic comedy "Roman Holiday" starred Hepburn and Peck as love interests.

Hepburn was 24 and Peck was 37 when the film came out.

"While You Were Sleeping" stars Bill Pullman and Sandra Bullock are over 10 years apart.

In the 1995 film, Bullock played Lucy and Pullman was Jack. At the time of the premiere, Bullock was 30 (almost 31) and Pullman was 41.

Cameron Diaz and Dermot Mulroney, who are engaged in "My Best Friend's Wedding," are nine years apart.

In the film, the two play love interests in their late 20s. But when the film premiered in the summer of 1997, Mulroney was 33 and Diaz was 24.

Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson are over nine years apart, and they starred opposite each other in "How to Lose a Guy in 10 days."

When the 2003 film premiered, Hudson was 23 turning 24 and McConaughey had recently turned 33.

Frequent love interests Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler are eight years apart.

Barrymore and Sandler have starred as love interests in a few films.

When their first movie together, "The Wedding Singer," premiered in 1998, Sandler was 31 and Barrymore was a week from turning 23.

They later worked together on "50 First Dates" in 2004 and "Blended" in 2014. 

Diane Keaton and Woody Allen, who played love interests in "Annie Hall," have a 10-year age difference.

When Keaton played the titular role of Annie Hall, she was much younger than her love interest, played by controversial filmmaker and actor Allen.

The film premiered in April 1977 when Allen was 41 and Keaton was 31.

Repeat movie love interests Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone have an eight-year age difference.

When Stone and Gosling first appeared together in "Crazy, Stupid, Love" in 2011, she was 22 and he was 30.

They went on to reunite for "La La Land" in 2016. 

Renée Zellweger is eight years younger than both of her love interests in "Bridget Jones's Diary."

Zellweger isn't that close in age to either of her love interests from "Bridget Jones's Diary."

Funnily enough, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth were born a day apart (Grant is older), and they were both a little over 40 when the film premiered in 2001.

Zellweger was about a week away from turning 32 at the time. 

Patrick Dempsey and Amy Adams, who starred in "Enchanted," are also more than eight years apart in age.

The musical romantic comedy featured Adams and Dempsey as unlikely love interests.

When the movie premiered in 2007, Dempsey was almost 42 and Adams was 33.

This story was most recently updated on July 10, 2025.

• I visited all 63 major US national parks and have found that some are best for first-time travelers.
• Great Smoky Mountains and Death Valley have scenic overlooks that are accessible by car.
• Parks like Grand Canyon and Arches are accessible from major cities.

I've been to all 63 major US national parks, and although each one is special, not all are ideal for first-time travelers. For example, some are remote, expensive to reach, or require long hikes to see the highlights.

Others, however, are easily accessible from major cities or airports, have a solid infrastructure for visitors, and offer unforgettable views with minimal effort.

If you're just getting into the National Park System, these six parks are a great place to start.

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most stunning places I've visited.

Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado is one of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful places I've ever visited.

Just an hour and a half from Denver, this iconic and sprawling park is easy to access for a day trip. Just keep in mind you'll need timed-entry reservations during the busy summer months.

Here, you can hike to incredible lakes and waterfalls on easy to moderate trails. I recommend starting from Bear Lake, where several scenic routes begin. Or, you can take a drive along Trail Ridge Road, which climbs to over 12,000 feet above sea level and offers sweeping views, along with chances to see wildlife.

Great Smoky Mountains is the most-visited national park for a reason.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, is consistently the most-visited national park in the country — and I can see why.

Just over an hour from Knoxville and a short drive from the quirky town of Gatlinburg, it's easy to visit for a day trip or longer.

I love that you don't need to be an avid hiker to enjoy this park. Some of the best scenic overlooks, such as Newfound Gap and Kuwohi (the park's highest point), are accessible by car with short, paved walks to panoramic views.

There are also plenty of beginner-friendly hikes to waterfalls and historic cabins, making it an ideal starting point for first-time national park visitors.

Yellowstone National Park offers a wide range of scenery.

Yellowstone National Park is a must-visit for any first-time national park traveler. Spanning parts of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, it's best accessed through cities like Jackson, Wyoming, or Bozeman.

The park offers an unforgettable mix of hot springs, geysers, and wildlife. With minimal walking, you can see iconic spots like Old Faithful, the Grand Prismatic Spring, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. You might even spot bison, elk, or bears from the roadside.

With well-maintained roads, visitor centers, and lodges throughout the park, I find it's easy to navigate and unlike anywhere else in the world.

Arches National Park has breathtaking red-rock formations.

In my opinion, Arches National Park in Utah is one of the most visually striking and easy-to-navigate parks in the country.

Located just minutes from the outdoorsy town of Moab, and under four hours from Salt Lake City, it's relatively accessible and the drive itself is beautiful.

The park is packed with over 2,000 natural sandstone arches and otherworldly rock formations, many of which are visible right from the road or by taking short, easy hikes.

Arches is a perfect introduction to red-rock landscapes and an excellent choice for travelers who want big views without strenuous hiking.

Death Valley National Park offers unique landscapes.

Death Valley National Park in California, which is about two hours from Las Vegas, is a surreal and surprisingly accessible desert landscape.

Despite its extreme name, many of the park's most iconic spots, such as Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point, and Artists Drive, are accessible by car with little to no hiking required.

I think it's a great winter or early spring destination, offering incredible views, dramatic colors, and landscapes you can't see in many other places.

Grand Canyon National Park is iconic and packed with amenities.

In my opinion, Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona is one of the most iconic national parks. It's also one of the easiest to visit. Just a few hours from Phoenix or Las Vegas, the South Rim is open year-round and offers stunning views right from the edge.

I recommend hiking into the canyon, but walking along the Rim Trail, stopping at scenic overlooks, or catching the sunrise at Mather Point are just as beautiful.

With visitor centers, shuttle buses, and numerous amenities, it's ideal for a first-time park experience.

• My grandmother always dreamed of going to Italy, but losing my grandfather put her plans on hold.
• My husband and I surprised her with a trip to Sicily for her 75th birthday.
• We found Sicily to be an accessible trip for an older relative, and can't wait to go back to Italy.

When she's not busy caring for everyone else, my grandmother loves to travel.

She's the one who really instilled a sense of wanderlust in our whole family. She's often embarking on a solo trip, or at least researching her next excursion across Europe.

For the longest time, her biggest dream was to visit Italy, and she spent years planning and saving up for a trip.

When my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer, her travel plans were put on hold and she devoted herself entirely to his care. The last few years were extremely taxing on her physically and emotionally, leaving my grandmother burned out and in a state of grief after my grandfather died in the spring of last year.

For her 75th birthday, my husband and I decided to surprise her with a trip to Italy to fulfill her lifelong dream. We ended up going to Sicily and left with unforgettable memories.

We chose Sicily for a few reasons, including accessibility

With so many beautiful cities in Italy, it was difficult to choose the best place to go.

My grandmother had previously mentioned towns like Portofino and Cinque Terre, so we knew we had to stay coastal. Plus, since her birthday is in May, we wanted to go as far south as we could to enjoy some warm weather and the sea breeze.

We landed on Sicily and chose a quaint seafront hotel in Giardini Naxos, located just north of Catania. It turned out to be the perfect location and time of year to visit, especially with my grandmother's age, comfort, and needs in mind.

With two international airports located in Catania and Palermo, as well as a convenient railway system and a comprehensive bus network running across the island, Sicily is very easy to get to — and just as easy to navigate.

There was a direct bus from the airport to the town, giving my grandmother a chance to soak in the views and snap photos along the way.

May was the perfect time to enjoy warm weather with fewer crowds

The weather was warm enough to take a dip in the pool at our hotel, but we didn't have to deal with the sweltering Sicilian sun of the mid-summer months.

Since it wasn't peak season, the town had a relaxing feel with fewer tourists and crowds than we might've seen at a different time. We never had to wait in long lines, either.

From Giardini Naxos, we took a 15-minute bus ride to the iconic hilltop town of Taormina. The bus, running every 20 minutes, dropped us off right at the foot of the old town, which my grandmother greatly appreciated.

Although we skipped a "White Lotus" selfie at the Four Seasons in Taormina, we did meander down the side streets, indulge in gelato, and take in the panoramic views of Mt. Etna at Villa Comunale, the public gardens of Taormina.

I felt like we had an authentic Italian experience, complete with excellent hospitality and great food

Sicily taught me that the stereotype about Italian hospitality exists for a reason. Everywhere we went, we were greeted with "Ciao ragazzi" and warm smiles, making us feel right at home.

We ate fresh seafood dishes like pasta alle vongole (pasta with clams). Although she didn't partake, my grandmother admired my husband's adventurous appetite when he tried ricci di mare (sea urchins), a Sicilian delicacy.

All over the island, we saw the striking ceramic heads of a man and woman (teste di moro), often in the form of vases. Deeply rooted in Sicilian folklore, the heads have various stories explaining their origins, mostly involving themes of love and betrayal.

To remember our trip, my grandmother and I bought small ceramic pine cones, another powerful symbol in Sicilian culture, representing prosperity and good luck.

Making my grandmother smile on her birthday was the greatest gift of all

Although it was her first birthday without my grandfather, it was a beautiful experience for all of us.

For my grandmother, it meant not feeling alone in her grief and fulfilling a lifelong dream to visit Italy. For me, it meant making memories with my grandmother and seeing her smile.

Losing someone we love reminded us that we have to make the most of every moment. I'll always cherish this memory with my grandmother and am so grateful I was there for her first trip to Italy, though it certainly won't be our last.

• During trips to Iceland, I visited both the Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon.
• The Blue Lagoon was otherworldly, but the popular tourist attraction was very busy.
• The Sky Lagoon is only a 15-minute drive from downtown Reykjavik, but it felt very peaceful.

In the past year, I've been to Iceland three times.

There's so much I love about the country, but one of the highlights of each of my trips has been soaking in the lagoons that Iceland is known for.

I've been to two different lagoons, but there's only one I want to visit again and again.

The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland's most popular destinations.

During my first trip to Iceland, I visited the Blue Lagoon, one of the country's most famous tourist attractions. With its milky-blue waters set in a black lava field, it's easy to see why it draws so many visitors — the landscape truly feels otherworldly.

Plus, it's close to Iceland's international airport, making it a convenient stop for travelers who need to kill time after landing or before departure.

The cost of admission varies depending on the time of day and package booked, but starts at about $124. My ticket came with a silica mud mask that I wore in the water.

I was also interested in enhancing my experience by visiting the onsite spa, which includes a multistep wellness ritual. However, full-day admission starts at over $1,300 per couple, which was too pricey for my budget.

The Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but I probably won't be going back.

Although the lagoon is undeniably pretty, it's big and often crowded. In fact, I was left with the impression that the Blue Lagoon might be a victim of its own success.

I still had a nice experience and can see why it's so popular. However, after going to other lagoons and hot springs in Iceland, it isn't my first choice for a return visit.

I also visited the Sky Lagoon, which has an upscale feel.

The Sky Lagoon is only a 15-minute drive from downtown Reykjavik, so it was more convenient to access during my trip.

Unlike at the Blue Lagoon, I immediately felt a sense of calm when I walked in. It has a serene atmosphere that I thought felt closer to a traditional spa, incorporating elements of Iceland's unique natural environment throughout.

Basalt lava rocks and moss-covered hills surround the warm waters, and even the swim-up bar is camouflaged by natural elements.

This spot has the feel of an infinity pool with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, and the beautiful, wild Icelandic landscape I flew across an ocean to experience.

My admission to the Sky Lagoon felt like a great value.

I would've been happy just sitting back, enjoying the view, and soaking up the peaceful atmosphere at the Sky Lagoon.

However, admission (which starts at about $133) also comes with access to the Skojl Ritual, which is a seven-step process that draws on Iceland's history of wellness practices. It includes a series of alternating hot and cold circuits, including a cool-mist rain shower and a sauna with stunning views.

I don't usually enjoy saunas because the heat makes me feel lightheaded. However, I pushed my limits and stayed to enjoy the view. I also really enjoyed the salt scrub.

For me, the Sky Lagoon stands out as my favorite.

For me, the one downside to visiting the Sky Lagoon is that children under 12 aren't allowed in. That means I couldn't go when I visited Iceland with my children.

However, the nearly adult-only atmosphere is a definite plus for many people and adds to the upscale environment that helps the Sky Lagoon stand out.

I hope to one day visit some of Iceland's other lagoons, but for now, the Sky Lagoon is my top pick.

• Several things surprised me about visiting Dublin for the first time.
• The Irish city was cleaner, kinder, and more vegetarian-friendly than I imagined it would be.
• I was surprised how lax local tipping culture differed from what I was used to in the US.

I've felt a connection with Dublin just about my entire life — and it's not because of ancestral history.

My last name (Dubin) is just one letter away, and most of my mail comes misspelled in the name of the city instead. True story.

Despite that similarity, and the fact that I've flown all around the world in my role as a travel writer, I'd never actually been to the Irish capital city until this year.

When I finally got the chance to visit, I was impressed and felt inspired to visit again. Here's what I was surprised to discover during my first trip to Dublin.

Locals I encountered seemed incredibly warm — but not in a performative way.

I've heard many people rave about Irish hospitality, and Dublin didn't disappoint on that front.

However, what really stood out to me was how genuine the friendliness from locals felt. It wasn't the kind of overly rehearsed, customer-service-polished vibe you sometimes find in touristy cities.

People I encountered felt kind, helpful, and funny in a natural, unforced way. Our driver cracked jokes and gave us tons of travel tips that had rich local flavor, but didn't feel like a shtick.

The whole city gave off a low-key, welcoming energy that stayed with me long after I left.

More restaurants had vegetarian options than I expected.

As a vegetarian, I came in with pretty low expectations for the variety of foods I'd get to eat when it came to dining out in Dublin. Local cuisine tends to rely heavily on meat, from Irish breakfasts to pies and stews.

Many menus I browsed had lots of meat dishes and it initially looked like plant-based options would be few and far between. However, once I asked restaurant staff in person, I was surprised by how accommodating most places were.

Some servers brought out full vegetarian menus that weren't printed and only available to customers who requested them. Others happily offered to have something special prepared from the kitchen or make vegetarian-friendly menu swaps.

Local tipping culture felt more low-key than what I was used to back home.

In the US, tipping feels mandatory. In Dublin, it just didn't seem like the norm.

Like many Americans, I'm conditioned to tip generously (sometimes even going way above what's suggested) in restaurants or service settings.

Aside from tossing down a few extra euros, tipping didn't seem to be expected at casual cafés or bars. Even at sit-down restaurants, tipping our server 10% seemed ample, whereas 20% feels like the typical minimum back at home in California.

The more lax tipping culture definitely took some getting used to, but once I adjusted, it felt refreshingly pressure free.

I was surprised by how clean the city felt.

Dublin's streets were some of the cleanest I've seen in a major European city. This was an especially impressive feat, given that I visited the city during St. Patrick's Day.

Even though it had hosted a massive parade and beers and crowds spilled out of every pub the cleanup was surprisingly swift and civilized.

I was expecting a bit more grit — especially in high-traffic areas around the city center or Temple Bar — but even those looked remarkably tidy.

Sidewalks were free of litter, public trash bins weren't overflowing, and I never once encountered the kind of mess that can be common outside of crowded, late-night spots.

For a city with so much foot traffic (and so many pubs), it was honestly impressive.

The city feels cozy and cosmopolitan at the same time.

Dublin hits that rare sweet spot: it's a capital city with real cultural and historical heft, but it still feels approachable and easy to navigate.

With a greater area population around a million (and a Dublin city population substantially smaller), I never felt overwhelmed by crowds or traffic.

Plus, many major sights were walkable. Even when the city center was packed for the holiday events, it was easy to navigate in and around the area.

I had no trouble making my way to several sights outside the urban area, from Avoca Mill (the country's oldest working hand-weaving mill) to Kildare Village (a luxury shopping outpost).

There's a strong creative energy in the air — from bookstores and galleries to street musicians — but the overall pace is slower and more relaxed than what I've experienced in bigger European capitals.

• As a former Hermès employee, I saw customers make some common mistakes when shopping in-store.
• It's important to understand that most shoppers can't just walk in and buy a Birkin bag.
• Customers should have a good relationship with their sales associate, but they shouldn't bug them.

I spent two years working in retail marketing and visual merchandising at Hermés.

The French fashion house has been around for nearly two centuries and specializes in leather goods, though it might be best known for its coveted Birkin bags.

These high-ticket items, which can cost thousands and are often carried by celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez, are offered to only a select number of the retailer's customers.

When I worked at Hermès, I learned a lot about the brand and how to score its most-coveted products. I've since transitioned to a career in sourcing luxury goods — and I'm no stranger to locating the brand's famous designer bags for my own clients.

Here are a few mistakes I saw customers make while shopping at Hermès.

Many shoppers think they can walk in and score a high-ticket item

Similar to other luxury brands like Porsche, Hermès uses scarcity marketing — a concept in which consumers value a product when there's a limited supply or availability.

This means most customers cannot simply walk into a boutique and purchase the brand's highest-ticket items, like a Kelly or Birkin bag.

Birkin bags are so sought after that even its Walmart lookalikes are selling out.

If shoppers want to increase their chances of being able to buy the real thing, they should "build a profile" or establish a consistent buying history with the store.

This can be done by making entry-level purchases and working with a single, designated sales associate over time. After all, sales associates can play a major role in deciding who gets one of these coveted bags.

I recommend buying items in a diverse mix of categories. In my experience, the highest-commission categories for sales associates include homeware, fine jewelry, elaborate textiles, and exotic, ready-to-wear pieces.

Purchasing these items can enhance your profile and help you stand out to a sales associate.

Refrain from acting rude or indifferent, and remember to maintain a professional demeanor

At Hermès, entitlement and rude behavior are the biggest no-gos. I've even seen negative attitudes prohibit clients from future boutique visits.

I recommend keeping a positive attitude, cultivating curiosity when in a boutique, and engaging with a sales associate as you would with anyone in a professional setting.

I'd also be mindful that sales associates are there to make a living and provide an exclusive, luxury experience. After all, this is supposed to be a mutually beneficial relationship.

Don't put too much pressure on your sales associate

Navigating the Hermès shopping experience is a lot like managing a business relationship. In many boutiques, sales associates share their contact details with customers.

However, many people tend to take this as a sign to inundate them with questions. Instead, I recommend customers visit a boutique at their convenience and ask about the potential timeline for a high-ticket item as they shop for other goods.

If texting or calling are your only ways to engage with a sales associate, use these methods to inquire about lower-ticket items you're interested in seeing when you visit.

I've found a lot of customers have unrealistic expectations

Some customers come in focused solely on coveting the one high-ticket item they saw all over social media.

However, I think two key points are crucial in navigating the Hermès shopping experience. First, keep in mind that sales associates value clients who engage with the brand and show genuine interest in the Hermès heritage.

Secondly, in my experience, sales associates don't earn a commission on bags like the Kelly and Birkin. Therefore, it may be wise to explore lesser-known areas within the brand, such as home goods, fragrances, or equestrian items your sales associate recommends.

This way, you'll be putting commission money in your sales associate's pocket, and they may feel more inclined to help you work your way to a coveted bag.

Don't switch between different sales associates or locations

Working your way toward a coveted bag at Hermès can feel like a high-stakes mental game. Customers often have to visit a boutique multiple times, so the path to owning these items can be lengthy.

Unfortunately, I've seen customers try to game the system by visiting multiple boutiques or switching between sales associates in one location.

However, I recommend staying loyal to one associate and boutique, as some stores may prioritize their most devoted clients.

This story was originally published on January 3, 2025 and most recently updated on June 20, 2025.

• I visited an Olive Garden location for the first time in almost 20 years.
• I ordered four of the "create your own pasta" dishes, which came with soup or salad and breadsticks.
• Some of the meals were better than others, but overall, I was impressed by the dining experience.

When I go to a chain restaurant, I know I can typically expect reasonable prices, decent food, a few crying babies, and a completely full stomach by the time I leave.

On a recent trip to Olive Garden, my son and I experienced all of that and more.

I hadn't been to the Darden-owned chain in nearly 20 years, so I was excited to see how the experience would stack up against other restaurant chains I've been to recently.

Here's how the meal went.

The chain is known for serving classic Italian-American fare.

The Italian-American restaurant chain opened its first location in Orlando in 1982. It's owned by Darden — the same company that owns brands like Longhorn Steakhouse, Ruth's Chris, and Yard House.

Today, there are nearly 900 Olive Garden restaurants around the world. However, my son and I visited a busy location in Long Island, New York.

We started with the chain's unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks.

Since I hadn't been to an Olive Garden location in nearly 20 years, my son and I decided to order four different "create your own" pasta dishes to get a feel for the chain's offerings.

Each meal came with the chain's signature "never-ending" soup or salad and breadsticks. To try a bit of everything, we asked for two servings of salad and two soups — pasta e fagioli and chicken and gnocchi.

I wouldn't call the Olive Garden breadsticks memorable, but they were definitely bountiful.

We were able to have as many as we wanted, which would have been great if we didn't have so much food coming.

Although we enjoyed the bread, I found other parts of the first course to be more memorable. The salad was a bit overdressed and heavy on lettuce, but the croutons were tasty.

I was impressed by the soups.

Both soups, however, were better than I expected them to be. The chicken and gnocchi soup was rich, creamy, and loaded with an excellent balance of meat, gnocchi, and spinach.

I also thought the pasta e fagioli was savory and balanced without being overly salty.

After sampling each, my son and I agreed that the latter was the better of the two.

When our meals came, I wasn't a fan of the pasta with marinara sauce.

I make a decent homemade marinara sauce from scratch using a can of tomato sauce, chopped onions and garlic, salt, sugar, and a basic blend of herbs. The process, not counting the slow simmer, takes less than 10 minutes and is anything but a challenge.

So, getting a dull marinara sauce from an Italian-themed restaurant was disappointing.

I thought the marinara ($14) tasted like it was poured right from a can, without any additional handiwork by a chef. It was salty and tasted like — well, tomato sauce.

The addition of freshly-grated Parmesan, black pepper, and red-pepper flakes helped some, but frankly, I'd choose my own marinara sauce any day of the week.

I didn't love the meat sauce, either.

Olive Garden's meat sauce ($14) tasted just like the marinara, but included ground beef and Italian sausage.

The sauce was a bit too thin for my linking (it wasn't watery, but it wasn't thick, either) and the beef was a bit on the tough side. Without the tomato sauce, I'm willing to bet the meat would have been quite dry.

Unless the chain changed up its marinara recipe, I likely wouldn't order either of these dishes again.

However, I was pleasantly surprised by the creamy mushroom sauce.

I typically detest mushrooms, but in the name of honest journalism, I ate several of the noodles that came in the creamy mushroom sauce ($14).

I was pleasantly surprised at how good the taste was, even though I didn't eat any of the sliced mushrooms in the bowl.

My son did, however, and said the dish was superb. My tasting of the noodles revealed a rich, creamy, flavor you'd expect from a classic Alfredo sauce, and I can see how anyone who enjoys mushrooms would've found the dish a pleasure.

We loved the five-cheese ziti al forno.

The five-cheese ziti al forno was more expensive than the other "create your own" pastas we ordered, but it was well worth the $19.30 price tag.

It was heavy on cheese but didn't feel overwhelming. Overall, the dish had a flavor that reminded me of vodka sauce, and I loved the fact that it was baked. The fresh parsley sprinkled atop the pasta also added a nice herbal profile.

Of the four meals we tried, we took home the least leftovers from this one.

Overall, I enjoyed my meal at Olive Garden

If you go to an Olive Garden expecting a Michelin-starred experience, you'll leave disappointed.

However, if you come expecting food that will be filling, satisfying, and priced fairly, I'll wager that more times than not, you'll be happy with your meal.

I never had a strong opinion about Olive Garden, but after visiting for the first time in almost 20 years, I'd definitely consider it on my list of places to return to.