Getting Ready for a Road Trip & Link Up On the Edge #282
You see all this snow? It’s pretty in the pictures, isn’t it? Well, in the reality, it’s really a huge pain in the arse. And I am not sure that there is any beauty worth the hassle of all this freaking snow. So I have granted myself a short reprieve from the mountains of snow and I am heading to the mountains of North Carolina instead.
In just eleven days, I will packing up my little Toyota Corolla for its final road trip before trading it in for an SUV. With festival season coming, we need a larger vehicle for the family camping trips that we are planning. My first stop will be Pennsylvania to drop off the kids at my mother-in-law’s house for the week. I am meeting up with some friends for dinner while I am there, then heading for the Smokey Mountains first thing in the morning. It’s 10 hours of drive time which gives me lots of time for good music, podcasts, and whatever the heck else inspires me in the confines of my vehicle. I do love a good solo road trip!
Jeff will be picking the children up over the weekend which enabled me to extend my trip for two more days, making it possible to switch from air travel to road trip. Thank goodness.
When I initially planned my vacation in November, I booked my flight and car rental through Expedia. Before Christmas, my return flight was canceled. Then they booked me a new flight that was returning to an airport in a different state from the one I was departing from. Not wanting to deal with the hassle of renting a car at one airport to get to my car at another airport, I canceled that flight and decided to wait until after the holidays to figure it all out.
As I watched thousands of flights getting canceled during the holidays and all through this crazy winter weather, I started getting really anxious about flying and being bound to an airline’s schedule. I had contemplated keeping my flight into Asheville and then renting a car to drive home. But even that was making me so anxious that I was ready to cancel the trip entirely.
Thankfully, Jeff offered to take a day off from work so that I was able to extend my trip by two extra days, thereby allowing me the necessary time to turn this trip into a road trip. That makes me so much more relaxed and I am so excited to get on the road now!
I have a line up of fabulous friends to meet with while I am in North Carolina. I will be staying with my dear friend Becca at her newly purchased homestead about an hour outside of Asheville. We have plans to meet up with our dear friend Carson (of Fireside Collective) and his girlfriend, Anna, who I am very excited to meet!
I also have lunch plans in Asheville on Saturday, February 26, with Michelle of My Bijou Life and Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Also joining us will be Jennie who previously blogged at A Pocketful of Polka Dots and Becky who used to blog at Pink Cheetah Vintage. If anyone else is within travel distance of Asheville on that last weekend in February, you are welcome to join our lunch party as well!
We haven’t decided on a meeting place yet. So if anyone has recommendations for the best lunch eateries in Asheville, North Carolina, please share them in the comments.
Now let’s get to this happy outfit that I wore for three consecutive days until I finally got the opportunity to photograph it. I didn’t mind threepeating this outfit either because it really made me very happy for those three consecutive days. I felt colorful, comfortable, and cozy…the perfect 3-C combination!
I recently picked up this bright pink turtleneck sweater and gray cargo joggers on sale at Target. I knew immediately they would look wicked cute together with my chunky black lug sole boots. I added a rainbow confetti scarf that a friend made me for well over a decade back. It was perfect with my black confetti beret.
I am fairly certain that I will be traveling with this outfit…most likely traveling in it for at least one segment of my road trip. And I already know that it holds up well for at least three wears before needing to be washed so it is the perfect travel outfit.
I will definitely need my new black puffer coat for the northern part of my trip and will bring a lighter weight coat for the milder North Carolina winter weather. I am going to try to minimize my travel wardrobe, but I am confident that I will fail…isn’t that a great approach to ensure my success? I guess that is another benefit of traveling by car…I can pack as much as I want as long as it fits in my vehicle.
That’s all I have for today. I am super later writing this post…again. I hope you all have a happy Friday and a fantastic weekend!
Featured Favorites
Reader Favorite (Most Clicked): Mica of Away From the Blue
Fashion Favorite: Emma of Style Splash
Non-Fashion Favorite: Grace of Graceful Rags
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Joining these Fabulous Link Parties.
Outfit Details: Sweater and Pants-Target / Boots-Shoe Dazzle / Hat-Wona Trading / Scarf-Gift from friend / Coat-DKNY / Gloves-Amazon / Earrings-Anjolee
56 Comments
Jodie Filogomo
How fabulous to get away and have a little getaway Shelbee!! You deserve it,
OXXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, thanks so much, Jodie! I don’t know if I deserve it, but I definitely need it! And it will be beneficial to all of us. Mama needs a break! Have a wonderful weekend, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Cool Esse
I love the beauty of snow, but am not a fan of the cold either! Sounds like you have an awesome trip planned, hope you have fun! Thanks for the link up 🙂
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, my friend! I am really excited to escape the cold for a week, to have some kid free time, and to catch up with old friends! I hope you have a fabulous weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Tricia
Going on a road trip!! Sounds like fun! It’s been awhile since I took a road trip on my own. Thanks for the inspiration. Looking forward to seeing some pics.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Tricia! I am so excited. It has been exactly 2 years since my last road trip…to Asheville! I am itching to get back there. I will definitely share a post about my trip when I return home. I hope you are having a fabulous weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Nancy
How exciting is that! Not only doing a road trip on your own, but meeting up with all those fabulous bloggers! You are Thelma&Louise in one woman! And how gorgeous is that pink sweater!!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Nancy! I am getting more and more excited as it gets closer to my departure date! I have missed my solo road tripping! I hope you have a relaxing and restful weekend, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Anne M Bray
You had me at Road Trip!
Sounds super fun. Wish I could join you at your Asheville rendezvous. Sigh.
My paternal grandmother lived in Asheville. I remember visiting her when I was about three. So I don’t remember much, except for receiving “Mexican Jumping Beans”, which intrigued me.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Ha! I knew I would catch your attention with road trip! I am so stinking excited to get the heck out of this snow and to be kid free for an entire week! I’m gonna look for some Mexican Jumping Beans in Asheville now. But I am curious why they would be in North Carolina when they are native only to Mexico. They are intriguing little things, for sure. I just went reading about the larva beans!
xoxo
Shelbee
Anne M Bray
I don’t think the “Beans” came from Asheville. And maybe my parents gave them to me!
They were one of those novelties found at roadside tourist emporiums (like Stucky’s). It could be possible my parents bought them on our drive down. Lost to the mists of time…
Yeah, road trips are the best. I am STILL posting the 2014 Road Journal on Patreon. (Once a week. A project that is taking forever). Since I’m STILL writing it as I post, I revisit all my photos and recall the day’s things. Just did North Dakota > Montana. One of my favorite stretches! The photos time traveled me right back to solo in the car on the lonely High Plains. Come back to my Patreon! Only $1/month!!!!!
I miss you because you commented. 🙂
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh, hahaha, I totally misunderstood your foggy memory! I do remember those jumping beans being a thing when I was very young as well. I suppose they are no stranger than any of the other strange things that fascinate us!
I need to stop more often and explore when I go on road trips. I just don’t like to stray too far from the beaten path when traveling alone. That starts to make me nervous!
Oh sweet Patreon! I hated that platform! And I don’t have the desire right now to create a whole account and all that business. I deleted my account completely and would have to start over! Ugh. But I do want to see your road trip journals. After I get back from Asheville, I will do it!
xoxo
Shelbee
Anne M Bray
Excellent.
And whenever I get the 2014 finished, I’ll start on either 2009 (all written, not scanned) or last fall’s (have notes on westbound until Denver. Only one map glued in book. Oopsie).
Again, have a GREAT trip! Bon Voyage!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh Anne, I admire your commitment to getting all that done! I simply cannot get myself organized enough for any huge project like that!
xoxo
Shelbee
Rosemary Davis
Shelbee,
I am so happy for you that you are getting away for a few days.
Enjoy every minute!
Rosemary
http://www.distincltysouthernstyle.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Rosemary! I am really looking forward to it!
xoxo
Shelbee
Carol
I hope your road trip will be fabulous! Enjoy your time off for a change of scenery and relaxation. The pink, cable-knit sweater is really cute, btw. Thanks for hosting the link-up.
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Carol, thank you so much! This is such a cozy cheerful sweater. I am wearing it again today with tie dye leggings. I will definitely share a post about my trip when I return! Have a lovely weekend, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Kim Carberry
Oh wow! Look at all the snow, it does make everything look so pretty though. Have a fab road trip x
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Kim! The snow is dreadfully pretty, isn’t it?! Haha. I hope you are having a marvelous weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Kellyann Rohr
I am so excited for you – your trip sounds like so much fun! I definitely wish I was joing y’all for lunch. Please give Jennie my love, I miss her!
xo,
Kellyann
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Kellyann! That would be so cool if you were up in the area when I am there! Maybe the next time around! I will definitely pass your message onto Jennie. I am so excited to catch up with her, too! I will definitely share a post about my trip after I return. Have a wonderful weekend, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Di
Oh Shelbee, that sounds like a great getaway-I hope you enjoy every minute of our trip! And so nice that you will be meeting up with blogging friends. The snow is pretty but…keep it up north, please. A mid-winter break sound like a great mood boosting escape!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Di, thanks so much! I am so excited to escape the cold and the kids! Haha. It is going to be a wonderful break. I usually feel super inspired whenever I come home from Asheville! I hope you are enjoying the weekend, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Joanne
I hope you have a fabulous time on your trip!!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Joanne! I will definitely write a post about it when I return! I hope you are enjoying the weekend, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Cheryl shops
Aww, I love that you’re meeting up with so many of the NC bloggers—tell Jess I say hi!
Cheryl Shops | http://www.cherylshops.net
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Cheryl! I will definitely pass the word on! I will be sure to get lots of pictures! Jess’s husband will be with her and he is an excellent photographer! I am so excited for this trip and looking forward to sharing it with you all when I return.
xoxo
Shelbee
Michele Morin
Love a good road trip!
Audiobooks!!
Do you listen to anything?
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Me, too, Michele! I don’t usually listen to audiobooks because I prefer to read them, but I think I should get a few on hand for this trip just in case! Great suggestion! Thank you so much. Have a great weekend, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Mica - Away From The Blue
thanks so much for featuring me! I’ve never had to drive in snow so I can’t imagine it being an issue – and it does look so pretty in pics, haha! I like your outfit too – the scarf is really pretty with the pink knit and pink and blue always look good together – the navy pants were a nice choice!
I hope you enjoy your road trip, it sounds like you have a lot of fun things planned!
Thanks for the link up!
Hope that you are having a nice week 🙂 It’s been a big week here for the kids, their first week back at school after the summer holidays!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Mica! It was my pleasure to feature you. I am wearing that same sweater again today with tie dye leggings. It is so cozy and warm! As for driving in the snow, we get so much of it so often that they are very quick to clear the roads. But my little Toyota Corolla is awful in the snow. I really only drive the few blocks to and from school or the grocery store. But we are upgrading to an SUV right after I return from my road trip! Yay. I hope your kids have a wonderful back to school and a very successful school year!
xoxo
Shelbee
Marsha Banks
Oh, I love Asheville! One of my favorite stores is there… April Cornell! A wonderful restaurant, if it’s still open, is Tupelo Honey. The fried green tomatoes are fabulous! I wish I were going to be there…I would imagine there will be lots of laughs and wonderful stories! We are hoping to travel there after Nigel recovers from cataract surgery. Have a safe road trip and enjoy the scenery!
https://marshainthemiddle.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Marsha! Asheville is one of my favorite places ever! I have managed to build a wonderful community of friends in that part of the country which will be great when we eventually move to that area. I remember walking past the Tupelo Honey restaurant on one of my visits, but I did not eat there. Thanks for the recommendation. And I hope you have a lovely trip to Asheville when you make it there! Sending lots of healing vibes to Nigel!
xoxo
Shelbee
Laura Bambrick
That is so. neat you are going to be meeting up with so many other bloggers! It’s going to be so much fun!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Laura! I am so excited to catch up with everyone! I’ll be sure to take lots of photos to share!
xoxo
Shelbee
Donna B Reidland
Enjoy your wonderful, warm getaway!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Donna! I really appreciate that.
xoxo
Shelbee
Alexandra
What a fun road trip that will be! Wish I was a little bit closer.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Alexandra! Oh that would be so cool if you were close enough to join us! Maybe one day I will plan a road trip even further south. But that might now happen until I live further south. North Carolina is kind of my driving limit at 900 miles distance. I hope you are having a wonderful weekend, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
I love that shade of pink! Such a cute and cozy outfit. I am so looking forward to meeting you in person! Woo-hoo! Our thanks to Jeff for taking the time off so that you could make the trip.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Michelle! I am so excited to come visit! You might even see me wearing this exact outfit depending on the weather that day! I will pass your message onto Jeff!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Hope you enjoy your trip. While it is snowing in your neck of the woods. We are setting records for record highs here in Northern Cal.
Thanks for hosting this great party.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Patrick! Oh wow, record highs in February, that is crazy!
xoxo
Shelbee
Rena
Digging the pink sweater, Shelbee. And your road trip sounds like it’ll be a blast. I’m heading to parts south soon as well but I won’t be near NC unfortunately.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Rena! I hope you have a fantastic trip as well!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
That sounds like fun!! I do think flights have gotten better about not being cancelled. I flew to Atlanta last week for work and I luckily had no issues.
Jennifer
Curated by Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Jennifer! I am glad to hear that your travels went smoothly! Even with easy plane travel, I still prefer driving. I can tolerate flying but I do have a fear of being locked in places. And planes trigger that for me. You’re totally stuck in there with no way out until you land and they let you out. That freaks me out! Haha. So if driving is an option, it is how I will always choose to go.
xoxo
Shelbee
Kelly
I moved from the Midwest to Phoenix a few years ago, and I thought I’d miss the snow. Well, just like you said, I went somewhere with snow for a trip and realized I didn’t miss it at all – maybe the idea of it but not the reality. I’m glad someone relates!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Kelly, thanks so much for sharing that. My husband and I just went for a little morning drive through the snow and he said he definitely will not miss this when we leave here. I am certain I won’t either, pretty as it is, I have had my fill! I hope you have a fabulous week!
xoxo
Shelbee
Yvonne Chase
Hey Shelbee,
What kind of SUV are you getting? I’m an SUV kinda gal too. Safe travels on the road. You have it all planned out and it sounds like fun. P.S. Check your email when you have a moment. I’m sending a message.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Yvonne! I got your email and it totally made my morning! Response is waiting for you. We are getting a Toyota SUV because we have been buying and leasing from the same Toyota dealership for about a decade and they are really good to us because of it! So either a Highlander or a 4Runner. We just need to check the pricing and the sizes of both to decide which will be best for our needs. I think we are going to look this week actually! I hope you have a fabulous day!
xoxo
Shelbee
mireille
What a cute outfit! Love the pink and the cut of those joggers. Sounds like a great weekend planned! Have fun and drive safely!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Mireille! I am so excited to escape this winter weather for a few days! We have another storm upon this weekend. Arrgh.
xoxo
Shelbee
Emma Peach
Thanks so much for feaeturing me Shelbee! Sorry to be so late to hop over, it’s been a manic week! Your road trip sounds super exciting – getting to meet up with so many friends will be awesome! Thanks for linking up!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Emma, thanks so much! And please do not apologize for life’s craziness! We all have it and I totally get it. I leave in wo days and I super excited!
xoxo
Shelbee