bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge

Getting Ready for a Road Trip & Link Up On the Edge #282

bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge
bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge
bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge
bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge
bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge
bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge
bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge
bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge
bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge
bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge

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!

bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge
bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge
bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge
bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge
bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge
bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge
bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge
bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge
bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge

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!

bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge
bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge
bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge
bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge
bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge

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.

bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge, black puffer coat
bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge, black puffer coat
bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge, black puffer coat
bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge, black puffer coat
bright pink sweater, gray joggers, lots of snow, handmade scarf, Shelbee on the Edge, black puffer coat

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!

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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

I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

56 Comments

    • 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!!

  • 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

      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

    • 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

    • 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

    • 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

    • 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

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Shelbee on the Edge