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Hey Reader,

It's Lia and Jeremy from Practical Wanderlust, that disaster-prone travel blogging couple. You signed up for our newsletter because you're the best! Here's everything we've been up to, plus all the new content we've published since our last newsletter.

Psst: You'll want to display images for this email because otherwise stuff is gonna look kinda funky.

Hey y'all! Since our last newsletter - which was, embarassingly, about a year ago - we've crossed the threshold from new parents of a baby to new parents of a toddler. Baby A (Toddler A?) is almost TWO! She's silly, fun, delightful, and an absolute blast. And she LOVES to tell stories - especially about the trips we take! Who knew that was genetic?? It's so much fun coming home from a trip and hearing her retell our adventures - she's still talking about riding bikes in Amsterdam and seeing the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower in her own little toddler way (lots of hand motions and words strung together, some parent interpretation required).

In the last year, we've taken Toddler A on a few fantastic trips. We spent 2 weeks in England and she took her first steps in the courtyard at Shakespeare's house in Statford-Upon-Avon, which is going to sound like a fact I made up when I tell her in 20-or-so years. We went to Disney again (there was a travel conference nearby, so we had a good excuse). And we spent Christmas in Paris, Amsterdam, and Bruges, where Toddler A picked up a love of horses, boats, and tunnels. (She was also a big fan of herring.)

In addition to being up to our ears in toddler chaos, these days we're focused almost entirely on our newest business venture, Louisville Food Tours. The tour company we started when Baby A was just 6 months old has grown so quickly - we started out running 1-2 tours a week (with Jeremy as tour guide) and by the end of our first year, we'd hired 17 tour guides and were running over 25 tours a week! We're anticipating finally crossing the threshold of a 7-figure business this year (a revenue goal I've been chasing since 2019). And with the recent Google shenanigans (have you Googled anything recently? So long blogs, hello e-commerce and Reddit ... ) publishing content just doesn't seem like it will be a sustainable way to support ourselves in the future. We're really enjoying the new challenges of running a tour operator, and are grateful that it's provided us with a steady stream of income even as our blogging business has slowed down.

Also - and this is something I've been feeling guilty about for years now - posting on social media about myself, my feelings, my personal life, our family, etc just feels exhausting to me these days. I used to love being vulnerable with y'all and sharing my struggles and triumphs. But these days, I just want to keep things private. And then I feel guilty, because I know how validating it can be to hear those honest, vulnerable feelings shared, even from a stranger online. But every time I write an Instagram post in my head sharing something deeply personal, I just ... never end up posting it. It feels so raw and just drains me of energy. I'm sorry, y'all. I'm just not sure I'll ever get back there again!

But with all that said, we're not going anywhere just yet. We'll still be here, traveling and publishing posts - but taking pressure off of ourselves to make as much money from the blog as we once did. And we hope you'll continue to follow along on our journey, even if you don't hear from me as often as you once did. We're so grateful to all of the years we've had living this wild and crazy dream, even as we're moving into a new, slower chapter in our lives.

xoxo Lia, Jeremy, Mulan, & Toddler A.

Thanks to my incredible editor-in-chief, we've managed to publish quite a few posts over the last year! Take a look at some of them below:

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​23 Lovely Things to Do in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland​

One thousand-foot waterfalls. Snow-capped Alps. Cows grazing in flower-covered meadows. Lauterbrunnen is what you think of when you think of Switzerland, that is to say, the hills are very much alive with the sound of music! And with so many things to do in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland it's impossible to leave without wanting to see more! Read this post »​

​33 Magical Things to do in Marquette, Michigan​

Picturesque lighthouses. Gushing waterfalls. Dramatic rocky cliffs overlooking the world’s largest freshwater lake. Marquette, a small city on the northern coast of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, is both an outdoor lover’s paradise and a culturally unique destination. But just because it's a small town doesn't mean there aren't plenty of things to do in Marquette, Michigan - here you can take in the beauty of pristine nature during the summer when this remote, lakeside town is bustling with locals and tourists alike. Read this post »​

​What to Pack for Disney with a Baby & 39 Essentials for Disney with Babies​

Our first trip to Disney with a baby was, to our surprise, a complete success. Baby A had a fantastic time - and so did we! We’ve included a complete list of what to pack for Disney with an infant, with specific product recommendations. Let the magic begin! Read this post »​

​Puerto Rico Itinerary: The Perfect 4 Days in Puerto Rico​

Spending 4 days in Puerto Rico is just enough to get a taste of what this Caribbean island has to offer. On this 4-day Puerto Rico itinerary, you’ll explore the historic city of San Juan, wander the colorful, blue-cobblestone streets of Old Town; snorkel in the clear blue waters of Culebra, one of the islands off the coast; hike through the tropical rainforest of El Yunque in search of waterfalls and lagoons; and kayak through a bioluminescent bay. ​Read this post »​

​23 Awesome Things to Do in Zermatt, Switzerland​

The famous snow-capped Matterhorn mountain. Moss-covered gorges with turquoise blue water below. Shimmering alpine lakes. Zermatt, located in the south of Switzerland by the Italian border, is a city as iconic as Switzerland itself thanks to the snowy peaks of the Matterhorn. Even if you've never heard of Switzerland you've probably seen the silhouette of the Matterhorn on a Toblerone which makes it, yes, candy famous. And though the Matterhorn is the main draw in this touristy town, there are so many things to do in Zermatt, Switzerland! Read this post »​

​33 Essentials for Traveling with a Baby (& what to leave at home)​

After traveling a bunch with our little one all through her first year, we've got a ton of tips for traveling with babies - and we've made plenty of mistakes so you won't have to! This detailed packing list covers all of the essentials for traveling with a baby, plus a few things to leave at home. Read this post »​

​25 Sensational Things to Do in San Antonio, Texas​

When it comes to having a good time steeped in history, there are so many scenic and fascinating things to do in San Antonio, Texas. You can wander around in one of their many museums, take a riverboat down a fairy-tale-esque river, and walk the grounds of what was once a Mission turned gruesome battlefield. Not to mention stunning gardens, incredible food, and friendly people. It’s easy to find yourself falling in love with San Antonio on your first visit! Read this post »​

​18 Marvelous Things to Do in Mesa, Arizona​

Prickly cacti, rocky cliff sides, hot air balloon rides and refreshing lakes can all be found just 30 minutes outside of the capital city of Phoenix in Mesa, Arizona. A scenic retreat from the cosmopolitan metropolis of Phoenix, Mesa is Arizona's third largest city and is for all of us that seek a small dose of adrenaline with our holiday. And with so many things to do in Mesa, Arizona, you really get to explore the West at its best. Read this post »​

​The Ultimate New York City Itinerary (3, 4 or 5 Days)​

Wandering around Central Park on a sunny day. Cruising past the Statue of Liberty on a boat tour. Gazing at a million twinkling lights from the top of the city. New York City is as iconic as the United States, combining the background for countless TV shows and movies with the very real place nearly 8.5 million people call home. If you're visiting the city for the first time, or looking for a way to get to know the Big Apple a little more intimately, this New York City itinerary will allow you to see the city from above, below, afar, and intimately inside. Read this post »​

​Where to Stay in Paris for the First Time (& Where Not To Stay)​

There's nowhere in the world quite like Paris, France. But figuring out where to stay in Paris is a challenge. Each arrondissement and neighborhood has its own identity and style, from the opulent stone buildings of the Champs de Mars to the cobblestone streets of Montmartre. This essential local's guide will help you decide to where to stay (and where NOT to) in Paris! Read this post »​

​20 Magical Things To Do in New York City in the Winter​

Wandering around enchanting Christmas markets. Gliding across the ice at Rockefeller Center. Tucking into cozy bars with twinkling lights. New York City may be overlooked as a winter destination, as it can be cold and somewhat slushy, but if you’re willing to brace the elements you’ll find that there are so many amazing things to do in New York City in the winter! Read this post »​

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• New favorite travel pants on sale: Like many Millennials, I've moved on from tight, skinny-leg pants - which means I needed to find a few new pairs! These chinos from Old Navy were perfect on my European trips, and are cuurrently 50% off. And I found these incredible, stretchy, lightweight cropped wide-leg pants from Anthropologie that are absolutely perfect for hot weather travel. I've already added them to my favorite travel pants post! This week, you can get a few different styles of them on clearance in pastel tie-dye denim and bold prints.
• Hot weather travel essentials: Several of our favorite hot weather travel essentials from Amazon are on sale right now, including my fave white mesh sneakers (these) and travel-fready sun hat. You can take a look in our Amazon shopping list.

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Y'all, if you haven't watched Girls5Eva yet, clear your schedules because the THIRD season just came out! It's a hilariously funny, sweet, feel-good show about a 2000's girl pop group that are all grown up and in their 30's and 40's now. They get back together and ridiculousness ensues.

The show is full of nostalgic 2000's vibes and incredibly catchy pop songs. There's hilarious explorations of motherhood, female identity and friendship. Trust me: watch it. By this time next week you, too, will be singing "BPE, got that Big Pussy Energy, yeah yeah yeah" (Psst: this song also works GREAT when sang as "BTE, got that big toddler energy!")

That's all we've got for now! Have any questions for us, or just want to say hi? You can click reply and email us directly. We swear we're not just incredibly advanced and attractive robots - we do actually read & respond to your messages (and we love getting them)!

Until next time,