What's the deal-io: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year - for deals that is

So I've been super excited the past few days. Why, you might ask? Four words my friends: Black Friday/Cyber Monday. Now I generally do not partake in the craziness that surrounds these two days. However this year, I could not resist. I picked up a pretty stylish Coach bag on Friday (and saved 25% to boot!). Yesterday I also enjoyed 50% of my entire order from New York and Company online store, and ordered a photo book highlighting our summer trip to Cali (free shipping!).

But what I absolutely love is that this year (more than every other year it seems), that travel websites have been also offering deals on Cyber Monday. Check out Travelocity and Travelzoo. They have discounted vacation packages. I also came across these deals from Jet Blue. The deals flying out of JFK are phenomenal! Most offers are expiring by tomorrow, so if you are looking to book, jump on it! 

Happy planning! 

xoxo mevans 



 

Some Advice

I really cannot believe how quickly 2012 is upon us! Fall seems to have apparently missed the Northeast and brought winter upon us immediately. That's OK though, winter means fun things like gingerbread lattes from Starbucks, really awesome shopping deals, and of course, new trips and travel deals for 2012! Does it sound like I'm wishing 2011 away to much?

Anyways, I wanted to take today's post and give a shout out to all those traveling out there this week. Kinda random, I know, but I'm a little off this week - 2.5 day work week and all. Sorry, rambling again. 

I can only imagine what the airports are like the day before a major holiday. I've only traveled out of the country once during the Thanksgiving break. The only advice I can give, and I'm sure there are many other travel sites out there that recommend this - if you are going to travel, travel on Thanksgiving day itself. 

My JFK airport experience was most pleasant. There was like 3 people total working, and we made it through security in about 5 minutes. Yes, 5 minutes - and we were flying internationally. Enough said my friends, enough said. So if there's anyone out there that's reading this - save some time and bucks and look into traveling on Thursday instead of Wednesday! 


I heard on the news yesterday that the Tuesday before Thanksgiving is becoming the new Wednesday before Thanksgiving, so travel smart my dears! Oh, and my ultimate advice, avoid Disney this time of year at all costs. I'm not even brave enough to go during this time of year! 

Oh, and shout out to Travelocity - they give frequent updates on flights and delays at all major airports. I'm a fan y'all!

Happy travels to all! 

xoxo mevans

What's the deal-io of the week: Western Bound

It's been awhile since one of these, right?!? I know how much you all of missed them. 

I came across this little gem of a resort just last week. For any of you last minute travelers out there, these accommodations look like the perfect way to escape the Northern chill of November. You know how much I like to head out West every now and then.

The Arizona Grand Resort in Phoenix boasts all types of activities from golfing to spa treatments. From the looks of the website, the grounds are beautiful - I would even go as far to say pristine. The resort is currently offering a Thanksgiving special of $99 per night!   

I checked in with my travel buddy, Trip Advisor, and the guest reviews of the Arizona Grand are all extremely positive. What I also like about this hotel is that the general manager responds and thanks each guest that posted a review. Now that's the kind of service that Expedition Evans likes to see. Phoenix anyone?

Happy Monday!

xoxo mevans

The Most Delicious Donut You Will Ever Eat

Seriously, I'm not exaggerating. In wandering around California aimlessly (since wandering aimlessly is what we do best of course), we stumbled upon the mecca of all donut shops - Randy's Donuts. Randy's has been featured in a bunch of movies (most notably the Iron Man franchise), and is located right outside of LAX. It doesn't look like much, but believe me, the donuts are amazing - and I don't even like donuts. If you ever get a chance to go, try the chocolate raised - it's the JAM. 

Happy Friday everyone! 

Have a great weekend!

xoxo mevans

Happy Blog-versary!

Hello everyone! Yes, yes, it has been awhile. I'm not going to issue any excuses or apologize for my absence. It's my blog and I'll write if I want to - LOL. No totally kidding, I have missed typing away and regaling you all with my stories.  The truth of the matter is, it's just been mad busy around here these days.  You know, being an adult and stuff. I guess this plagues us all once in awhile. 

This is a special post though, because I wanted to announce that this is my blog's one year anniversary! I remember on a rather cold (and boring) November afternoon, I decided to change things up and start writing about my travel experiences. For a non-writer by trade, I think I've done pretty good by my blog. This blog has given me an outlet that I would not normally have otherwise.

So as well as giving myself a "pat on the back", this post also serves as a "thank you" to my friends and fam that care enough to take a few minutes every now and then to check in with Expedition Evans. 

I thank you all and hope you keep reading! When I post, that is. :) 

xoxo mevans

Fall Back

So the Expedition Evans hacienda withstood its first hurricane. My immediate thoughts were "let's turn this into some kind of trip and evacuate" (I'm not gonna lie) - however my logical reasoning (and my bank account) got the best of me, and we decided to stick out the storm. Thankfully no serious damage except for some power outages affected us.

Not to get all profound on you, but in a way I think it really made the summer go out with a BANG (even though Labor Day is this weekend). Like an out with the old, in with the new kind of thing. Today the weather is a bit cooler, and I think everyone is ready to welcome a change of season. I know I am. I've had mixed feelings on summer ever since I graduated high school. Something about a 9am to 5pm schedule 50 weeks out of the year that makes me miss my school days.

So with September just a couple of days away, I welcome the season of pumpkins (and pumpkin spice lattes), bright fall colors, crisp fall days, CAMPING (stay tuned for that), and our 5 year wedding anniversary! Enjoy the last few days of summer everyone!!!

xoxo mevans

What's the deal-io: You wanna go where???

So my latest obsession is with French Polynesia (mostly because I just saw it on Keeping up with the Kardashians). Tahiti, Bora Bora - I will make it there some day. The biggest thing standing in my way though, is airfare. I was stunned to learn that an economy ticket to French Polynesia is at least over $1,000 EACH WAY - you are talking almost $3,000 per person. 

Travelzoo made me smile this week when I saw this beauty of a deal. 

OK - so $700 each way might not be a bargain, but hey, I'd pay that much for some of this: 

 (Photo Courtesy of the Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa website)

xoxo mevans