12 things to tackle 1 Week before locking up

Would it not be great if we could miraculously have everything ready and dealt with on the day we leave? Unfortunately things will not get done if you do not do them. So with one week ahead of us, here is a list to help us get from pending to done!

1. Empty Fridge: Incorporate as many of your already existing perishable items from your fridge in to your weeks meals. Also refrain from buying anything you can do without this week.
2. Pets: Double check with your pets caregiver that everything is ok; not only for your departure day but also for the time being that you will be away. We have booked our lab Hugo in to a doggy hotel that we have previously visited before hand to make sure that our best friend will be well looked after and comfortable while we are gone. This hotel will provide all his meals, baths and products that he will need during his stay. But if you are not sure of these details, this week is the the right time to call in, confirm your pets reservation and ask if you need to provide any relevant items that your pet may need. TIP: it is a good idea to provide an item like a toy or rug that your pet is familiar with to insure that he feels more at home.
3. Meds: If you or your child is currently on any prescription medication; this week would be a good time to make sure you have enough of your prescribed meds to be covered while you are away. Remember to have your Doctors contact information with you at all times. Prescriptions aside, make sure to take a painkiller and antipyretic (especially if traveling with children). A small emergency kit with a few plasters antiseptic may come in handy.
4. Weather: Check the weather of both your designated location and at home. Male sure you pack according to the weather conditions and prepare your home in advance. Example: if you are expecting rain at home while you are away; make sure that all gutters are clean before you leave in order to avoid blocking and flooding.
5. Look the part: if you want to look good in your holiday pictures take some time this week to do a little maintenance. Color your roots, get a wax, take the kids to get their hair cuts, visit the salon or parlor if necessary for a mani-pedi. 
6. Credit: This week give your credit card company a call and let them know you will be abroad. Let them know if you will be in more then one destination (even if only in transit). Some credit card companies may block transactions to avoid fraud if they believe that there is activity in any suspicious locations.
7. Plants: Have you found someone to water your plants and garden while you are gone? If you do not have an automatic watering system, now is the time to install one or to ask someone you trust to do this for you.
8. Security: Make sure that your home key is left with someone you trust and that they will be able to get in your house encase of any emergency. Secure your valuables while you are gone.
9. Washing & Dry cleaning: Make sure that you get to the bottom of your hamper this week. There is nothing like looking for that special item you wanna take with you just to find out that it has not been washed. 
10. Copies: Make copies of your important documentation (passports, ID's, reservations etc.) Just for encase something gets lost or stolen.
11. Bills: If you have Bills to pay; get them out of the way before your departure.
12. Budget: Do a little budgeting so that you ar in control of how much gets spent while you are on vacation. Make sure you have enough cash left over to get through the rest of the month once you return. TIP: include grocery shopping for when you get back as you are probably coming home to a somewhat empty fridge.

xoxo

Natasha Elena G.

20 things to pack when traveling with baby

As our summer holiday is coming up in the beginning on July and this will be our first trip traveling with a baby (8 month old) i thought i would prepare a list with our little-one's necessities.

Trying to keep within the golden rule of traveling light, here are the belongings that have made the list:

20 BABY BELONGINGS FOR A SUMMER HOLIDAY ABROAD

1. Nappies/Diapers
2. Nappy cream
3. Wet wipes
4. Disposable nappy changer
5. Shampoo
6. Baby Powder
7. Towel 
8. 2xSheets/swaddle sheets
9. Light blanket  
10. Toy
11. Formula and formula dispenser
12. Baby Bottles ( 1 for water, 1for milk, 1 extra)
13. Baby Food (enough for traveling needs, then you can buy more once you arrive)
14. Baby spoon
15. Disposable Bibs
16. Sandals/Shoes 
17. Sun Hat
18. Sun block
19. Bug repellent
20. Clothes: Onesies (long + short sleeves), T-shirts, Shorts, Swim suit, Socks, Cardigan/Sweater 

NOTE: Our baby does not take a pacifier/dummy. But if your baby does; Do not forget to take this item.

It's going to be crazy! - We have booked our first overseas trip

We have started the count down for July the 8th, 2016.

This is our departure date with destination Lisbon/Portugal.

We will not be alone! My family will be traveling with my sisters family so it will be a big crazy family trip (the more the merrier).

All together we will be a total of 4 adults, 1 child & 2 baby's.

I know its going to be crazy even though i have not traveled with children before. But i can just imagine!!! Nevertheless i am exited!

My sister and i had adventures of travailing with my parents when we were young and it was great to see new things from a child's point of view. We made memories and lived those adventures with excitement! I can just hope to give somewhat the same sort of experiences to our children.

Why Portugal?

Well... besides the beautiful destination that Portugal is on its own; we do have personal reasons for booking this trip.

1. Roots: Our father (my sisters and mine) is originally Portuguese and we do have family members and roots there. 
2. Explore: There is loads to explore in this beautiful country that is full of tradition, fantastic tastes, breathtaking sceneries, rich in architectural and cultural value and much much more that we will share with you as we discover them.
3. Value: Once in Portugal you get good value for your money. Eating out, rentals and hotels are well priced and you can find so so many options to choose from. 
4. Mobility: it is quite easy to find your way around this country as they have made transportation facilities a priority. You can pick to  travel by bus, trains, car rentals, metro, cycling and anything else you looking for  to get around in.
5. Family Friendly: Most locations in Portugal are well prepared to facilitate you and your family. People are friendly and are happy to provide extra cot beds, feeding chairs, children menus and other helpful solutions.
6. Adventure: Rivers, beaches, mountains, castles, marine life, zoos... need i say more?

Countdown ... 12 days including today!

xoxo

Natasha Elena G.

Meet Our Family

Hello fellow adventurers!

I am very proud to be part of our little family and hope that you will enjoy reading up on what we are up to. We hope that this blog will be the beginning of many exiting adventures for our family to share with you.

First let me introduce you to my handsome other half Vasilis.

Without this guy it would be like walking on stones with no shoes.We have known one-another for the past 10 years and are married now for 3.Together we have moved in and out of 3 homes and currently living in home number 4. With the strength of a superhero and a spontaneous laugh & sense of humor; next to him i feel safe and never ever bored. Vasili is passionate about absolutely everything! He loves new adventures and when he sets his mind on something, nothing can get in his way. My husband is a man of many talents; he is a great athlete, hair-stylist and has a knack for drawing (something i did not know until after we were married). He is a music lover and can't resist the sound of the oldies. He also has a natural need for speed. He loves driving fast and doing everything the fast way which makes him a little (lot) clumsy. If he could of lived his dream he would of been a race car driver or a singer (unfortunately his vocal skills are not half as good as the rest of his talents). All round he is super easy going dude and has the ability to enjoy the company of almost anyone.

Next is me.

My name is Natasha and i am the same age as my husband who is 31. This year we both became parents making me a proud mommy of a little crazy thing called Mario. Besides being a wife and mother i am a writer in heart, a designer professionally and most of what i do is run by a creative mind. Don't ask me to do math or financing (that is just not my forte). I too like to involve myself with things that i feel passionate about (like this blog) traveling and any project with a creative twist. I love to be surrounded by nature, simple pleasures and pretty things. I have come to be overprotective of the people that i care about which can make me a bit overwhelming at times. I love meeting new people and learning new things. I love having long conversations with the elderly and i am intrigued by the world that was in the past.

Then came Hugo! 

Hugo is our Lab/dog and a very special one for that matter. We have been blessed with his company for 3 years now and can't imagine coming home not to be welcomed by his electric energy. Hugo would trade feeding time for play time any day; he loves being around people and up to now i have not met someone who has not come to love his company. This is one emotional dog! He feels everything so intensely and understands our feeling and emotions better than we do our own. Hugo's strong point is being a very good companion but don't expect him to protect your home from burglars as he is more likely to wag his tail at the idea of a new friend to play with. Overall he is a good dog and a true best friend.

Our most recent member of our family is baby Mario. 

He is a firecracker! One minute laughing and smiling the other minute... oh gosh! Unpredictable and so very cute, he looks just like his daddy at the age of 7 and 1/2 months. He loves the alphabet, music, being outside and  giggles when he or others sneeze. He talks all day even though we don't understand his words and rolls over, upside down and side to side all night long. He is a true wiggly worm just like both his parent at his age. Our little boy is a Scorpio (if that helps you get a better picture) and his favorite people in the world are his grandparents Yiayia Annie and Avô Mario (from whom he inherited his name from). People say he is still to small, but i am almost positive that he has said 'i love you' and called out to his dog 'Hugo'. 

There is nothing more valuable and sacred than the gift of family. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to create a family of my own and can't wait to go on as many adventures as possible.

xoxo

Natasha Elena G.