Valentines Gift Guides - Fur Babies, Besties & Little Ones
Valentines Day comes up FAST and with so many different people (or fur babies) to show love to I made sure to round up some of our favorite gifts or new ideas I’ve come across I hope you’ll love!
A Cara Collective Ultimate List of Valentines Movies
Holidays are some of my favorite times to watch a ton of films & Valentines is no different! I’ve rounded up the ultimate list to fuel your VDay binge!
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
La La Land (2016)
The Notebook (2004)
Romeo & Juliet (1996)
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Magic Mike (2012)
Love & Basketball (2000)
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Valentine’s Day (2010)
About Time (2013)
When in Rome (2010)
50 First Dates (2004)
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
(500) Days of Summer (2009)
Walk the Line (2005)
Titanic (1997)
Love Actually (2003)
I Hate Valentine’s Day (2009)
Sleepless in Seattle (2004)
Say Anything
Dirty Dancing
Brokeback Mountain
You’ve Got Mail
Bridget Jone’s Diary
My Best Friend’s Wedding
Sixteen Candles
As Good As It Gets
Pretty Woman
The Vow
My Bloody Valentine
Notting Hill
P.S. I Love You
Serendipity
Leap Year
Made of Honor
The Last Song
He’s Just Not That Into You
No Strings Attached
Love and Other Drugs
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before
Crazy Rich Asains
The Big Sick
Her
Singin In The Rain
The Princess Bride
Up
Moulin Rouge
Hitch
A Walk to Remember
The Ugly Truth
One Day
The Specktacular Now
Silver Linings Playbook
Carol
Call Me By Your Name
Can’t Buy Me Love
Isn’t It Romantic
Return to Me
Becasue I Said So
Forever My Girl
Crazy Stupid Love
Southside With You
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Brooklyn
Blue Valentine
Cassablanca
Moonlight
A Cara Collective Prague Travel Guide
In January of 2017 I kicked off my six-month long study abroad session by touching down in the former Czech Republic - now, Czechia. While many of my weekends were spent traveling all across Europe, I spent every moment outside of class exploring my new home & fell in love with this amazing city. Today I’m sharing tips, tricks & recommendations from a former (sort of) local. Na zdraví!
Old Town Square
Whether you’re looking to have excellent people watching, stop into shops or simply just wander around and appreciate everything about Prague I highly recommend taking time here to explore!
Staroměstské nám., 110 00 Josefov, Czechia
Charles Bridge
Walk across at least once when you’re visiting and take in the beautiful views & amazing archietcture all across the bridge. My favorite time to come here was before sun rise. It’s absolutly dead with only folks getting to work very early and it’s incredibly epaceful to take it all in while the city sleeps. Be sure to touch the statue of Saint John (John of Nepomuk) for good luck!
Karlův most, 110 00 Praha 1, Czechia
Prague Castle
Home to many of the attractions on this list, this is a must see if you are in Prague. Give yourself time to walk around and enjoy all the beauty that is the castle! You can purchase tickets JUST to see certain parts, or all inclusive tickets as well here.
Hradčany, 119 08 Prague 1, Czechia
Petrin Hill/Park
One of my favorite spots in all of Prague, especially in the spring. You can see so much of the city from the top and hike/walk up is seriously beautiful. Consider picnicking here if you have the chance!
118 00 Prague 1, Czechia
St. Vitus Cathedral
Located within the same area as the castle, the Cathedral is absolutely stunning and something you MUST see. Visiting the Cathedral is free and as such an iconic part of the Prague skyline really is a must. Be sure to give yourself time to explore the Cathedral and other portions of and around the castle.
III. nádvoří 48/2, 119 01 Praha 1-Hradčany, Czechia
National Theatre
While I only visited two times while living in Prague, both times were some of my favorite parts of the trip! Not only is the theatre absolutely stunning in its own right, it is an incredible venue to see the orchestra, plays and so much more. If you can purchase tickets to see a show of any kind, I highly recommend it - you can do so here!
Národní 2, 110 00 Nové Město, Czechia
St. Nicholas Church
Malostranské nám., 118 00 Malá Strana, Czechia
Jewish Quarter
One of my personal favorite areas of town, the Jewish Quarter is right between Old Town Square and the Vltava River is comprised of six synagogues, a ceremonial hall and the Old Jewish Cemetery. Unlike most of Europes historical places that were erased by the Nazi’s, the Jewish Quarter survives due to Hitler wanting to save it as a museum to the (not so) lost Jewish race. Now, the area honors the Jewish community & culture.
U Staré školy, 110 00 Staré Město, Czechia
The Astronomical Clock
If you’re in Prague you MUST go see this. Take the time to stand in front of the clock and watch it at the top of the hour do its thing. Hands down I think this is one of the most special and magical parts of not only Prague but most of Europe. There’s something about seeing and experiencing this with a group of people - hearing everyone giggle and be excited together.
Staroměstské nám. 1, 110 00 Josefov, Czechia
Spanish Synagogue
One of the most beautiful interiors I’ve ever seen and something I visited multiple times when I lived there. If you’re in this area of town be sure to stop by!
Vězeňská 1, 110 00 Staré Město, Czechia
National Museum
Beautiful on the outside & the inside, the national museum has quite a bit to offer and is a good taste to the various museums all across Prague.
Václavské nám. 68, 110 00 Nové Město, Czechia
Golden Lane
Originally where goldsmiths and other craftspeople worked during the days of the castle, this pretty little lane is filled with original, colorful houses that give a great look into how small buildings were back then!
Zlatá ulička u Daliborky 7/5, 119 00 Praha 1-Hradčany, Czechia
John Lennon Wall
Located in the Kampa neighborhood, the John Lennon Wall is a must see! Created toward the end of communism to air grievances & express their desire for love and peace. Now, it’s a colorful spot anyone can paint on!
Velkopřevorské náměstí, 100 00 Praha 1, Czechia
Wenceslas Square
As the setting of many historical events throughout Pragues history, Wenceslas Square is not only historical but incredibly beautiful and filled with so much to do and see! While a lot of the stores around here aren’t locally owned, it is a great place to walk around especially on a tour!
New Town, 110 00 Prague 1, Czechia
Dancing House
One of the most iconic parts of Prague are these fun houses that look all wonky but equally cool. Right next to these is the spinning head of Kafka!
Jiráskovo nám. 1981/6, 120 00 Nové Město, Czechia
The Kafka Museum
Named after native writer Franz Kafka, the museum shares stories & artifacts of his life and works. I visited here with a friend I made while studying abroad and we both loved it! It’s not too far from any stations & has lots to do near by!
Cihelná 635/2b, 118 00 Malá Strana, Czechia
National Monument
Located at Vitkov Park, this hill has played a huge role in the development of Prague over time. The monument has a statue of Jan Žižka - the defeator of Catholic King Sigismund in the 1400’s - and is home to Ceremonial Hall. This monument has excellent views of the city as well!
U Památníku 1900, 130 00 Praha 3-Žižkov, Czechia
If you’re looking to explore outside of Prague there are SO MANY amazing options for either day trips or even something a bit shorter or longer! I’m sharing some of my favorites below!
Kutná Hora: located in what was originally a silver mining town in medieval Bohemia, now is famous for its bone church, Sedlec Ossuary. The Ossuary contains between 40,000 to 70,000 bones and only takes around 15 minutes to see. Once you’ve seen the ossuary, be sure to head into town and see some of the many other attractions like the gorgeous churches, streets and town square.
Karlštejn Castle: south west of Prague, this castle & surrounding areas are primo for a day trip including hikes, a beautiful castle and tons of amazing little shops and restaurants. Also, nearby is Lom Velká Amerika, an abandoned quarry & gulag is perfect for hikes and views with some history.
I wouldn’t say globally many people know about Czech food but that doesn’t mean it isn’t delicious. If you like either types of European food like Austrian, German and so on you will love their dishes! I recommend trying the following:
SVICKOVA - a vegetable sauce with cream, carrots, celery and parsley with beef pierced with speck and that it is served with bread dumplings.
KOPROVKA - dill sauce famous (or infamous depending on the person) in Czech cuisine
SCHNITZEL WITH POTATO SALAD - just like it sounds & insanely yummy
FRIED CHEESE - think of a patty sized mozzarella stick. My favorite, most delicious bite in Prague I miss!
GOULASH - If you don’t have this dish in Eastern Europe, did you really go to Eastern Europe
KOFOLA - cutely known as Communist Coke this is a fun regional try if you enjoy soda / Coca Cola!
TRDELNIK - also known as Czech Chimney Pastries are hands down my favorite part of any time I was in Prague! They’re available everywhere and should be tried with or without ice cream & other fillings! The perfect warm treat in the winter (or any time).
Now that you know WHAT to eat, be sure to stop by these places:
U Medvidku is a place I highly recommend for a meal but you can also stay at their hotel, take a beer bath & explore Prague’s smallest brewery!
Pivovarský klub was right below my apartment when I lived in Prague and their food OR beer list never disappoints. Incredibly friendly & a cozy environment I highly recommend!
Den Noc is a breakfast place you can not miss! To this day I (and everyone I know who has ever been there) dreams about their pancakes! My favorites are the goat cheese, mushroom unions & thyme or the cinnamon sugar, butter and bananas!
Lokal is a place I stopped in pretty regularly for traditional Czech food! Super yummy!
Like many cities in Europe, Prague is a fun place to be for drinks and night life! This is by no means an exhaustive list but a few myself & friends loved when we lived there!
Hemmingway Bar Karoliny Světlé 26, 110 00 Staré Město, Czechia
Bukowski’s Bar - Super cozy & do sangria specials on ladies night! Bořivojova 689/86, 130 00 Praha 3-Žižkov, Czechia
James Dean V Kolkovně 922/1, 110 00 Staré Město, Czechia
Karlovy Lanze Novotného lávka 198/13, 110 00 Staré Město, Czechia
Unlike many cities, Prague truly is one best explored on foot. There are so many hidden gems, beautiful architecture and more thats gone untouched for decades and shouldn’t be missed. Beyond sightseeing, I also highly recommend utilizing public transit to get around. From the tram to the train to the subway and busses you can’t go wrong and it is incredibly inexpensive. If you opt to use public transit I recommend purchasing a card.
To get from the airport (PRG) to the city center, take bus line 119 to Nádraží Veleslavín metro station (Green Line - A) or consider taking an uber or lyft. By all means DO NOT TAKE TAXIS. Literally unless you are in a bad situation and need to get somewhere safe, opt for Uber & Lyft or better yet - public transit. The subway, busses and tram are safe and ideal ways to get around. Unless you plan on heading out more so to the country, you’ll be just fine getting around this way.
Prague IS considered a pretty safe place for a city of its size! When you’re there your number one thing to really look out for is pickpockets. Don’t feel the need to buy a hidden fanny pack or some other gimmicky travel accessories, just be mindful of you belongings & how easy they are to get into when smooshed into people on public transit!
Want to do a walking tour but don’t want to pay big bucks? Try a FREE walking tour! In Prague (and all over Europe) I’ve booked tons of free tours and have yet to be disappointed. Some companies I suggest are Free Tours By Foot, New Europe, ETC. PLEASE be sure to tip your guides if you enjoy them & leave them reviews on Google, etc.
The best time to visit is late spring and early fall! The weather is gorgeous during these times but also expect it to be very busy with tourists. If you go during off season - such as the winter like when I moved to Prague - nearly everything is available to do AND you will get to experience the legendary Christmas & holiday markets!
While on the Subway/Getting to the Subway… If you’re from somewhere with robust public transit you know how important etiquette is when traveling. While taking stairs and escalators up or down be mindful of walkers on the left and those standing on the right. If you’re standing on the left someone will shove you (this is true most places but was something horribly annoying to be on my morning commute). Be courteous and kind of other travelers on board with you and always follow public transit laws.
How are the Czech people? While you may have no preconceived notion of how the people are I can tell you from living there, amongst the people - learning from them, becoming friends with them - they are more reserved (especially in comparison to Americans) however they are some of the friendliest people you will come across. If you need directions or assistance, ask kindly and gently with formality (that’s a big one!) you’ll be set!
Phrases to know (and use!) Czechs are especially kind to travelers giving their language a go! Be respectful but try out these phrases - they WILL help you! Want to learn more? Check out DuoLingo!
Dobry Den (Hello, Good day)
Ano (yes) No (Ne)
Prosim (Please, Here You Are, You’re Welcome, Come Again?)
Dekuji (Thank you)
Rozumim (I understand) Norozumim (I don’t understand)
Mluvite Anglicky? (Do you speak English?
Na zdraví (Cheers)
I hope you’ve enjoy all my tips, tricks & recommendations for Prague! Be sure to save pins to be able to revisit the post easily on your next adventure! Na zdraví!
11 Most Instagramable Places in Seattle, Washington
Looking for some of the best spots to snap pics around Seattle? I’ve got you! I plan on updating this once we get a chance to visit again in warmer months!
1. Pike Place Market
ADDRESS: 85 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101
From the iconic neon Public Market sign to the amazing backgrounds of filled stalls, market-goers and beautiful shops this is a great location for iconic or everyday shots. It is ALWAYS busy, however, so if you’re looking to get shots without people around or behind you, prepare for waiting long periods and getting short bursts of opportunity to grab the perfect shot!
2. Sweet Iron
ADDRESS: 1200 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
Not only a yummy bite but also super cute wall and white interior for pics!
3. Miner’s Landing + Carousel
ADDRESS: 1301 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98101
With arcade games, neon signs and a tucked away carousel there are tons of opportunities for fun and creative shots! A major plus is that it’s located really close to many other Instagramable locations!
5. Third Ave
ADDRESS: 47°36'27.4"N 122°20'09.2"W
While this isn’t any specific place, it does speak to how a majority of DT Seattle is IG worthy! For urban shots to some truly gorgeous architectural backdrops give yourself a chance to walk around and discover so spots!
6. The Wheel
ADDRESS: 1301 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98101
I skipped getting in, but taking photos with this in the background is equally as IG worthy (and is free).
7. Pier 55 + 57
ADDRESS: 1101 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98101 (Pier 55) 1301 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98101 (Pier 57)
From waterfront views & landscapes to benches, fun bit to walk on top of and more there are tons of plain but photo-worthy spots sure to spark creative shots! Plus, tons of shots from Pier 55 can have the Wheel in the background nearly perfectly!
8. The Gum Wall
ADDRESS: 1428 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101
One of the most popular spots in Seattle for tourism AND photos is this! Be sure to bring some gum and get creative with colorful & fun shots!
9. On the water
Whether you’re sailing privately or on a harbor tour I couldn’t recommend getting on the water enough.
10. Pike Street Press
ADDRESS: 1510 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98101
Be sure to stop in AND take all the cutie photos out front. Bonus tip: it’s located right next to a Seattle mural AND further up the stairs (right of the mural) are other murals!
11. Starbucks
ADDRESS: 1912 Pike Pl, Seattle, WA 98101
If you love Starbs, this is the place you gotta go! During the day you can try taking your turn to get photos in front of the iconic logo. My tip? Head inside and directly to your right is the same logo but typically no people taking photos!
12. Chihuly Glass Garden
ADDRESS: 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109
This place is so visually dreamy.
13. The Space Needle
ADRESS: 400 Broad St, Seattle, WA 98109
Iconic to Seattle & futuristic for any creative photos! If you head up top you’re offered amazing views of the city!
I hope you liked this post & found it helpful! If you have other spots you’d want to include let me know below & be sure to save to Pinterest for your next Seattle adventure!
48ish Hours in Seattle - What To Do in Seattle
Day One
We kicked off our weekend in Seattle by catching an afternoon flight out of Phoenix. Of course we arrived early to the airport to enjoy the American Express Lounge (seriously worth doing if you can!) had a few cocktails and bites then snoozed our way into Seattle.
Once we arrived we immediately got our coats our of our luggage - and by coats I mean a denim jacket and long sleeve for Cody - and got on the train to take us downtown. If you are traveling to downtown Seattle from the airport I highly recommend taking the train. It costs dollars per person (an Uber, Lyft or Cab is $40+) and helps get you acquainted with surrounding areas or stops you likely will be exploring in your time there (think Pioneer Square, etc.)
For our time in Seattle we stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn - Seattle Downtown. We loved our large room, kind staff, delicious restaurant & nice bartender who kept Happy Hour going. After dropping our bags off we headed to Pioneer Square for an Underground Tour, however, due to not enough people registering ended up having to reschedule for the next night. We decided to grab a bite and head back to the hotel for an early night.
In planning for our trip we decided to purchase the CityPASS tickets given that all of the experiences included were ones we were interested in doing! If you are visiting and you find that the options on CityPASS align with what you want to do, I couldn’t recommend purchasing this more! For adults the ticket is $99 - you get to skip lines, get in fast and end up saving around $60+ per person.
Day Two
We kicked off our morning with Cody’s favorite breakfast item - waffles! Sweet Iron Waffles is home to some delicious waffles & customizable flavors both sweet and savory. Plus, it’s a perfect place to take photos!
After finishing our waffles we made our way to Pier 55 to catch our Harbor Cruise taking some fun city shots on the way.
Unfortunately I miscalculated and we ended up having 2 hours to kill before it actually was time to board (oops) so we popped into Starbucks, warmed up and then made our way just a little further down to take in some pier views of the wheel and the Seattle waterfront.
Needing to warm up yet again - seriously it is CHILLY in January in Seattle - we walked just a bit further down to Miner’s Landing. Full of restaurants, an arcade area and indoor carousel we had fun walking around, riding the carousel and resting our feet!
A little after noon we boarded our boat for the Argosy Harbor Tour - an experience a part of our CityPASS. The tour lasted about an hour and took us all around the Harbor sharing cityscape views, nature views and great information on the history of Seattle past, present and future. We spent most of the tour inside (near the bar) but we did venture outside a few times for photos!
Next stop of the day was the Seattle Aquarium - also a part of CityPASS. We came for the otters, stayed for the otters but also enjoyed everything there was to offer. This is something definitely more family oriented but we enjoyed ourselves nonetheless.
After getting our fill of precious otters we made our way over to Pike Public Market stopping at the Gum Wall. This was an incredibly busy part of the area with lots of people sticking up gum and taking photos. It was fun but be prepared to get gum on your shoes. For some reason it never crossed my mind this would happen and ended up peeling gum out of my shoes for a while. It’s totally worth the photos and seeing it - its so much bigger and more than I expected!
On our way to Pike Public Market we stopped in at Pike St. Press and it took everything in me to not purchase a few prints. We plan on ordering from their shop online but if you’re in Seattle I couldn’t recommend stopping in more. It’s so cute and their work is truly amazing!
Once we finally got up to the market we took photos in front of the iconic sign (only after taking pictures for about 5+ groups and couples - travel tip for bloggers: if you’re seen double fisting cameras like I was, there’s a great chance you’ll be asked to take photos of others! For me, I love doing it BUT just some friendly advice!)
At this point, Cody and I were starving so we headed to the “best chowder” in the market - Pike Place Chowder. We did wait in line for about 20 minutes (and the line was long!) but its his favorite. I tried a little taste of the cream sauce since I can’t actually eat the chowder being vegetarian and it was yummy! Overall, Cody rated it 7.5/10 - not the best ever but worth trying if you’re at the market. I personally snagged some Pad Thai from a local vendor that was also pretty good!
We took the rest of our time walking around the market and ended up purchasing some amazing local jams and sauces from Woodring Northwest as well as local garlic and rosemary dry pasta from Pappardelle’s! My biggest tip in the market is to give yourself more time to wander, explore and try things! There are incredible gems here but you have to give yourself the time to find them!
We ended our time in this area of town by stopping in the original Starbucks location. While we did not order anything we did pick up the location-exclusive Been There Mug. Tip: if you’re looking to take photos here, don’t bother at the outside window with the sign. Head inside and take the same photo on the inside part of the glass like I’ve done here! No line, no weird glare and better lighting usually.
After our long morning and afternoon out we took a cat nap at the hotel before heading to our evening Adult Underground Tour. Put on by Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour Company, we started the evening off with a drink and were guided by our wonderful guide all around the underground of Seattle learning about how the sex industry really is what boomed Seattle into what it is now. After the tour we grabbed another drink at the tour company’s bar, headed back to the Hotel and finished the nights with drinks there.
Day Three
By our last day my cold was a bit better but both of us were pretty tired. We slept in a bit later than usual and had breakfast at the hotel. Being Hilton Rewards Gold Members this was included in our stay and was full of yummy options.
We officially started our day by visiting the Space Needle - included in our CityPASS. I definitely wasn’t sure if this was going to be something super cool or super touristy but it actually was very cool and the views were breathtaking. Seeing so many different sides and parts of Seattle was amazing and spending time on the rotating glass floor was equally cool. Cody spent time in the VR experience included in your ticket that gives the sensations of bungie jumping from the top of the Space Needle! I opted out but loved watching him!
Our next stop was steps away at the Chihuly Garden and Glass. While I have seen much of these works in Indianapolis and Las Vegas, this particular set up was so stunning. These personally were some of Cody’s favorite aspects of our trip and the photos speak for themselves.
We finished our day and time in Seattle at the Museum of Pop Culture. For me, this was a personal favorite and was included in our CityPASS. From exhibits of legendary musicians guitars to specific sections on local Punk group Nirvana to the specialty Minecraft exhibit - there were incredibly amazing things to see and experience.
We ended our last night early given another 5am flight back to Arizona the following morning. Overall we loved our stay - both in and around Seattle - and plan on making a trip back once things warm up! Be sure to pin this post for any of your future travels to Seattle!
My 6 Favorite Most Instagramable Places in Indiana - Noblesville - Indianapolis - Broad Ripple
Looking for some of the best spots to snap pics around Indiana? I’ve got you! Here are my personal favorite 6 most Instagramable Spots around Indiana!
Here are my top 6 Instagramable Places in Indiana:
1. INDIANAPOLIS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
ADDRESS: 7800 Col. H. Weir Cook Memorial Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46241
On top of always having the super fun Indy signs, the airports HUGE windows provide some bomb & beautiful lighting for all sorts of shots! While I’ve only shot here before/after flying I’m not sure if you can just come in and take photos! Be sure to ask!
2. MORSE RESERVOIR
ADDRESS: 19777 Morse Park Ln, Noblesville, IN 46060
While my family has private property on the reservoir there is a cute little public beach and park on the reservoir as well that is beautiful for photos. From sitting on the end of the dock in any season (but especially summer) to just taking in all the beautiful shoreline this is a great place for outdoor photography that’s a little more out of the way!
3. CORN FIELDS - NOBELSVILLE/CICERO
ADDRESS: Basically any back road or park area (I believe these were at Macgregor Park Macgregor Park Rd, Westfield, IN 46074)
If you’re not from Indiana you might think cron fields are everywhere.. and.. they kind of are but depending where you’re located you may have to try a little harder to find them. I shot these (I believe) at Macgregor Park in Noblesville/Cicero. While you CAN pull over on the side of the road for photos be sure you’re not trespassing on private property. There are TONS of recreational areas and parks perfect for photos!
P.S. these are from my first shoot EVER!
4. THE VOGUE
ADDRESS: 6259 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220
Not only is the Vogue an awesome place to snap pics, they’re a super fun local venue hosting concerts, dance parties, burlesque shows and so much more. You DO have to be 21 to get in but thankfully shooting around the outside is all ages!
5. DANCING DONUT
ADDRESS: 1134 E 54th St G, Indianapolis, IN 46220
The perfect place to shoot & have a sweet treat! With tons of delicious options and an incredibly bright & pleasing interior AND exterior this is a highly recommended spot for shooting!
6. MONUMENT CIRCLE - DOWNTOWN INDIANAPOLIS
ADDRESS: 1 Monument Cir, Indianapolis, IN 46204
One of, if not THE most iconic parts of downtown Indianapolis, monument circle is the perfect mix of urban background and crisp white buildings. With steps for fun posing and nearby alley-ways chock full of photo opportunities I recommend giving yourself time to walk around and discover different spots! I by no means have figured them all out yet so be sure to share your finds!
For these shots we got incredibly lucky that the garage we happened to park in had an incredible view at the top! As always, if you are going somewhere to shoot that requires payment (like a garage) follow the rules - I promise it’s not worth skipping out.
I hope you liked this post & found it helpful! If you have other spots you’d want to include let me know below!
Current Favorites: Hair Accessories - Padded & Pearl Headbands, Pearl Barrettes & more!
It’s really the little things that make a big difference and that’s just as true with hair accessories! I love how these cute little bits & bobs can make such a statement! Plus, for typically pretty good prices they’re awesome & affordable additions to spice things up without breaking the bank!
Indy's Best Bites - My Favorite, Must-Go Eatery's In and Around Indianapolis, Indiana
Home is where the best food is- period. No matter where you’re from I can guarantee you’d swear a few spots from home have the best bites you’ve ever had. I’m sharing some of my favorites in and around Indianapolis! Whether you’re local, visiting or just wanting to see if you could visit with food options - I’ve got you! As a vegetarian, a majority of these places had extensive vegetarian options (typically vegan, gluten free as well!) but I have included locations I’ve eaten at before becoming vegetarian!
I’ve been going here since before I can remember from hot summers as a little kid to grabbing lunch with my parents before catching flights back to university. Their menu has changed over the years but you can always count on amazing options for all dietary needs, delicious bites and if you’re in to it, a good selection of local beers! My personal favorite: Vegetarian Sloppy Joe OR Drunken Ravioli
Some Guys Pizza / Bazbeaux /Puccini’s
If you’re a local to Broad Ripple you might know a bit about this local pizza rivalry. If not, a quick summation is that Bazbeaux is the first, Some Guys came next with Puccini’s being the newest - all from original Bazbeaux staff. Sometimes it’s drama - in fact, I worked at Some Guys Pizza in high school (seriously, the best job & people ever) and it was a tricky subject on occasion - but at the end of it, I encourage pizza lovers to give them all a try and just enjoy it for all it is - three delicious takes on pizza and other Italian foods. Each has special bits unique to them and I can guarantee you will love every bite, no matter where you go! My personal favorites: House Salad with homemade Ranch & Santa Fe Pizza (Some Guys Pizza) Bazbeaux Special (Bazbeaux Pizza) Scamorza Appetizer & Humble Pie
A simple & straightforward place I make sure to visit every.single.time. I come home! Each location offers up 7 - 10 different options of stew (or something similar) every day, served over rice with bread (get extra - its only a few cents extra!) Whether you like spice or not, there’s something for you! Note: certain locations only take cash - so be sure to check before you go what the situation is there! My personal favorite: Vegetarian Spinach and Mushroom Etouffee.
One of my absolute favorite local Italian restaurants- Mama Corolla’s is delicious and a truly beautiful little spot for a meal! Whether its with friends, family or your SO - the food & atmosphere are perfect. My personal favorites: Brushetta & Fettuccini Alfredo.
If you’re in or near Broad Ripple looking for a breakfast bite - you gotta go here! There’s something for everyone and is SO GOOD. There will probably be a wait because it’s no secret & somewhere tons of locals & visitors stop by! My personal favorites: Mama’s Breakfast Meal, Java French Toast, Mimosas!
I’ve been coming here since High School and let me tell you - any restaurant by Martha Hoover I’ve been to so far is GREAT! She saw a need for farm to table food far before many and the freshness in still there plus some new twists and turns that make dining in any of the foundations restaurants amazing. Here, my personal favorites are: The California Dreamer Omelette, Our Toast #ToastLove, Egg Salad Sandwich and Green Goddess Salad.
Twenty Tap
If you’re stopping in to try some of their amazing beers you MUST have their cheese curds. Like seriously - even go there JUST for the cheese curds. They will not disappoint - I promise. My personal favorites: Cheese Curds (duh)
Not only is this one of my favorite places to take gorgeous photos, every single thing on the menu here is delicious. Now, the prices may scare you a bit - I totally was a little put off at first too - but once you take that first bite (and every single one after) you will understand every cent is worth it. I’ve tried a lot of different bites here and have never NOT been thrilled. This is a great place to go with others, have everyone get something different and share so you can try multiple things without spending $100. My personal favorites: Raspberry Champagne Cake, Carrot Cake, Peanut Butter Mouse Pie (this is heavenly).
This is one of those staple places to check out in Indianapolis. It’s an upscale, steakhouse dining situation but it’s been around since 1902 for a reason. I’ll never forget when the Super Bowl was in Indy hearing about how every celebrity in town had reservations - or didn’t, but got a seat anyways, because- well, its St. Elmos. As a vegetarian I can’t say much about their steaks other than from friends & family who have gone and loved every bite. Their world famous shrimp cocktail, delicious salads and veggie sides are absolutely yum and is a great place for a special night out downtown.
Whether you want to try them all, snag something as a gift or (truthfully) something for yourself, Just Pop In is THE BEST. If I’m in town or my mom comes out to see me, I always get popcorn one way or another! My personal favorite is their Indy Mix (a take on what is typically called Chicago Mix - Cheddar Cheese Popcorn and Caramel Popcorn). I’ve recently tried a few more I love: Cherry Flavor, Bazbeaux Tomato & Basil Pizza.
The Rathskeller
Growing up I’ve attended lunches, weddings and dinners here and they’ve been great! If you’re over 21 - especially in the summer - the Biergarten is especially fun with beautiful weather and many, many drinks. With traditional takes on Bavarian food you really can’t go wrong. I will say as a vegetarian things are a bit more tricky but if you’re ok with sides, even these are delicious! Worse comes to worse, you can have a drink (or two).
There are SO many other bites that are AMAZING in and around Indy - I know I couldn’t possibly know them all! I’d love to know your thoughts on other Indianapolis restaurants that you love and what your personal favorites are!
Smile Brilliant CariPRO Toothbrush Review, Discount Code + Giveaway!
This time of year is all about traditions - from baking, to family outings & even family gifting - I love traditions! They make me feel close to home even when I’m thousands of miles away & really give a lot of reason for the season! After my dad & step mom got together, I was welcomed into even more traditions I absolutely adore! In our family, Santa brings a new toothbrush - the perfect thing to keep your smile happy & healthy through all the sweets, hot cocoa & Christmas cookies. When Smile Brilliant reached out to work together this holiday season, I couldn’t help but make the connection to my family along with my amazing experience with their Teeth Whitening System and say yes!
This time around, I’ve reviewed their new CariPro electric toothbrush. If you’ve read my teeth whitening post, you know dental care definitely can be something scary for me due to my sensitivity. Truthfully, I was scared to give this a go since I assumed electric toothbrushes meant more pain. But, knowing how wrong I was about teeth whitening causing sensitivity before, I full force jumped into trying this out!
For over the past (nearly) two months, I’ve been using this twice a day, every day and have noticed such a change! To start, no matter what’s going on in with my teeth or mouth I’ve been able to use it and am even excited when it comes time for brushing. After brushing my teeth feel incredibly clean - so clean I would not stop talking about it every time I brushed until it annoyed the absolute life out of Cody. While I’m no oral care expert, I’d bet this toothbrush does so dang good because it is FAST! It vibrates 7x faster than any other electric toothbrush and has 5 different settings: clean, white, massage, gum care (my fave!) and sensitive. I typically start my routine with clean or whiten and do the full 2 minutes. When that is over, I switch to gum care and work on that, then floss & rinse with mouthwash! I’ve definitely upped my oral care game with this & can’t wait to introduce it to the rest of my family!
Some other pros worth mentioning:
It comes with either 2 or four toothbrush heads - if you like having all the things ready and set for when you need them? When you purchase the CariPro, it comes with either 2 or 4 brush heads making sure when it comes time to replace your first one, you’re good to go!
The CariPro is waterproof - if you’re someone who likes to brush while you shower, you can upgrade & keep brushing!
A full charge holds a 30 Day battery life - travel? Forget to plug things in? CariPro’s got you! I’ve taken mine on a few trips - weekend and longer - and it’s been so nice not having to bring all the cords!
Auto-interval self timer for brushing - I have NEVER brushed the right amount of time but now I never even have to think about it! The brush times me 30 seconds at a time so I can brush each quadrant the perfect amount of time without even thinking!
2 Year Warranty - each CariPro comes with a 2 year warranty - just in case!
60 Day Trial - still not sure this is for you? Every CariPro purchase comes with a 60 Day trial period. Don’t love it 100% - you can return it for free!
20% Off - Ready to jump in? Use my code 20acaracollective for 20% off!
Still looking for more info? Check out the toothbrush, other Smile Brilliant products here or have questions answered by their FAQ’s!
GIVEAWAY!
After falling in love with this toothbrush I am so excited to be partnering with SmileBrilliant to be giving one lucky reader a chance to with their very own CariPro Toothbrush ($119 value!)
To enter, visit this link, enter your email address & info - that’s it! We’ll be contacting the winner via email & I will tag on my story as well so don’t worry - you’ll know!
Good luck & happy holidays friends!
Stocking Stuffers Gift Guide
It’s that time of year again (seriously - barely a week away!) to spread all the cheer! I’m sharing my top picks for stocking stuffers right here! All photos link to the website and/or products mentioned!
Personalized Mug: These mugs from Anthro are ON SALE and incredibly cute! There is even a matching coaster (also on sale) for the perfect set for anyone!
Facial Roller: This is one of a handful of items I can honestly say I use everyday and is the perfect amount of self care luxury! It comes in the cutest little roller kit with a headband & instructions with personalized wrapping options making these the perfect stocking stuffer for anyone in love with skin care or the person in need of a lil TLC & self care in their life! You can save 30% off with my code CARA30
Harper & Co. Hair Accessories: From their beautiful pearl clips to their amazing bow (or non-bow) scrunchies, these are the move for any hair-lover on your list! With scrunchies back in, these have hands down been the most popular stocking stuffer I’ve seen anywhere! Plus - you can support a local biz & amazing mama!
Basically anything from Bath & Body Works: Since I can remember, every stocking came with lotions, sprays, body wash and more from B&BW! I typically go for the vanilla bean (OMG yum!) but there are TONS of amazing seasonal fragrances I can guarantee everyone will love! When in doubt, a candle is another good option! We’ve been loving the peppermint chocolate!
ASOS Pearl Headband : This is the one headband I literally can’t stop wearing & I get so.many.compliments. It is unreal! It is a genuinely comfortable headband (a major bonus since I typically get headaches from these) It can dress anything up or be the perfect special touch to feel extra fab!
Smile Brilliant Toothbrush & Teeth Whitening Kits: Having worked with Smile Brilliant for a good six months, I can tell you these products work and are absolutely amazing. From my experience, most people are looking to whiten their smile & this kit is THE BEST! If you’re like my family who is gifted new toothbrushes by Santa every Christmas Day, maybe he can upgrade this year with the BEST toothbrush I’ve ever used! You can save 20% off both products with my code 20acaracollective
Blue Light Blocking Glasses: While I purchased these for myself about 6 months ago, I have worn these nearly every day and am pretty sure my eyes are better for it! In a time where most of us spend a lot of our days looking at a screen, it’s essential to protect our eyes from strain and long term damage by wearing blue light blocking glasses! With tons of stylish options for all tastes this is both a fun & practical stocking stuffer!
Candy: The perfect way to personalize & top off the stockings is with everyone’s favorite candies! For Cody this is anything Reece’s and for me I love the classic Hershey’s Krackle, Mr. Goodbar & Hershey’s!
