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Why Glamping Should Be Your Next Girls Trip
If you would have asked me to go camping a few years ago, I would have politely declined – more like politely refused.
I don't like bugs, I don't do the whole sleeping on the ground thing, and I definitely don't want to share a tent with 10 people. It's just not for me… or so I thought.
Thanks to 5-star treatment from Utah Camping Company, my friends and I went "glamping" at Moosehorn and Mirror Lake in the Uinta Mountains, and it's easily in the Top 5 vacation experiences I've ever had.
Glamping (glam + camping) is the answer to the perceived inconveniences of camping (uncomfortable sleeping arrangements, no bathroom, excessive manual labor, etc.) for those of you out there like me who still want to experience the outdoors. Whether you stay in a renovated cabin, rent a luxury trailer, or opt for or an all-inclusive tent, glamping represents the best of both worlds and makes for an entirely unforgettable getaway.
The fresh air, luxury treatment, beautiful views, and ability to unplug and truly connect with my friends certainly made my first camping trip one to remember… and I'm already planning my next trip.
Here are 5 reasons "glamping" should be your next girls trip:
Luxury Treatment
We opted for a campsite delivery service, meaning that Utah Camping Co. set up our tent at our desired campsite and provided all of the supplies and equipment needed for a great time. Our luxury canvas tent comfortably fit 2 full beds (with memory foam mattresses) and 2 side tables, and came fully furnished with bedding, pillows, and rugs, breakfast and snacks, campfire supplies and seating, board games, and more! I've stayed in 4-5 star hotels with far less luxurious treatment. A tent this size would probably cost me $1800 in prime Manhattan real estate. All we had to do was bring ourselves, a few bottles of our favorite wine, and our Girls' Trip playlist, and we were good to go.
Nature Is BEAUTIFUL And The Options Are Plentiful
According to the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD), as of 2014, there were over 10,000 state park in the United States and according to the US census data from 2010, more than 95% of the land area in the USA is still classified as rural. We spend so much time, energy, and money pining to travel internationally, when many of us haven't even taken advantage of the beautiful attractions in our own country. There were moments when I would stop, look around, and be like, "Wow, I'm really on top of a mountain right now." The sun setting over the hills, sounds of the creek bubbling nearby, and the panoramic views didn't seem real. It was oddly spiritual. There are so many beautiful sights in your own state; don't miss out.
Unplug
We were so far up in the mountains, that we didn't have any phone service for the duration of our trip... and it was for the best. While many campsites are equipped with wifi and electricity, there is a level of peace and relaxation that you are able to achieve when you are not checking your email or social media feeds every 5 minutes. I feel like you are better able to self-reflect, meditate, and be fully present when you are forced to unplug. The next morning, when I woke up to journal, I noticed that I could hear my own thoughts more clearly. It was an inconvenience, turned game-changer.
Genuine Conversations
Another result of being forced to unplug and be present, my friends and I were better able to connect with one another. There is nothing like a wine + game night in the woods. The silence of the setting around you combined with the coziness of a campfire or tent is an outdoorsy twist on sleepover vibes. Whether you travel with a small intimate group, or a large squad of friends, bonding is a mandatory by-product when there is nowhere to hide or distract you from each other.
Relatively Affordable
Depending on where you go, how many people you travel with, and what level of luxury you are aiming for, you can go glamping for a weekend for less than ~$100 per person (excluding gas and food costs). Campsite rental fees can range from $0-30 and tent/cabin rates can range from $50-hundreds a night, which can then be split amongst your group (e.g. a 4 person tent with a king and 2 twin beds for $160/night). I was pleasantly surprised at the value, given the total experience and options to customize your vacation. It's easy to plan and even easier to enjoy. A great 5-star experience for those on a budget and/or looking to try something new.
Images courtesy of @UtahCampingCompany and @Queen_of_Anglin
Everyone should go at least once. Add glamping to your bucket list!
Lydia is a recent Ivy League graduate and lifestyle writer based out of NYC. Storytelling her way through her 20-somethings, her lens is all things career, self-care, and #BlackGirlMagic. Meet Lydia on Instagram @hello_lydia.
This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
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Mariee Revere On Her History-Making Million-Dollar Sales And The Future Of MoonXCosmetics
If the name Mariee Revere sounds familiar, it's probably because you heard of her beauty and skincare brand, MoonXCosmetics, or you may have heard about her history-making achievement of making $1.8 million in less than eight minutes. But before starting her million-dollar brand, Mariee was just a teenager trying to cure her acne.
While she grew up in the skincare capital of the world, South Korea, Mariee didn't really experience breakouts until her senior year of high school. Like many people who get their first breakout, she didn't know what to do, and there weren't many products out there at that time. So she decided to experiment. What she didn't know was that what she came up with would ultimately be her ticket to success.
"When I graduated high school, I moved back to America, Georgia, and I ended up making, like, the oil, the Rose Galore oil, which is like the staple product of my brand. I don't know what made me make it, but I did, and it literally cleared my face up," she tells xoNecole in an exclusive interview.
"I end up selling it as a body oil first because, obviously, I'm 17, [and] don't have any background as an esthetician or anything like that. I just made a product that worked for me, but people bought it and was using it, and I reformulated it, and then it just stuck like with me."
While MoonXCosmetics is known for its facial products, it wants to expand to body care and home. It just released its new product, Moon-Gel body wash, and it's only up from there. As Mariee continues to grow the brand, it's more than likely that she will see more history-making moments. And so far she has.
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When asked if she feels pressure to obtain more of those milestones, she says yes and no. "I did $1.8 [million] again, and then I did $2 million but I feel like now, currently, I don't look at that as one of my goals anymore because [of] the headache and just everything that came with it, but I was thankful and blessed to have that milestone, but now I'm looking for more," she says.
"I want to say more reach than more like fast-paced sales. I do want that. Obviously, every girl wants that, but I do want to have a better overall reach for my brand because I did take two years off so I was able to learn, [and] study a lot of different things. See how things have changed from 2020 to now."
"I did $1.8 [million] again, and then I did $2 million but I feel like now, currently, I don't look at that as one of my goals anymore because [of] the headache and just everything that came with it, but I was thankful and blessed to have that milestone, but now I'm looking for more."
Another part of expanding for any company is hiring people. Finding the right person to help you can be a hassle, especially for business owners who are used to doing all the work themselves. Mariee can relate to this, and she touched on this topic in her documentaryThe Million Dollar Story. She recommends having someone be your "right-hand man" who you trust to handle the ins and outs of the company.
"I could say, definitely get, like a right-hand man to help you within the process because that really was what helped me. I never had a job. I literally was 18 now, being like, you know, the boss of over 30+ employees at one point in time, and I didn't know anything. I didn't know anything about no W-2s, no taxes, no clock in, clock out because all I [have] ever known was my brand," she explains.
"So I definitely partner with people who are very skewed and versed in those areas, and they helped me get through it. Even to this day, I still have my same person helping me with hiring, firing, [and] doing everything that I can right now because I'm still learning. But obviously people get jobs young, so they have way more experience than me, but still learning."
And though she is still learning, one thing she makes sure to stay on top of is being consistent. Consistency is what trips many people up when it comes to achieving goals, but Mariee says it's all about scheduling. Whether it's when to post on social media or email marketing, scheduling it out can make a world of difference. That same practice also works when planning out her future goals for the company.
"Right now, future goals would be to drop at least five more products before the end of the year. We always do outreach, where we do drives and all that, but definitely do way more this year, she says. "Then really dive into body [care], and then hopefully open up MoonXBody underneath MoonXCosmetics to let that branch out and be open and definitely get back consistent."
For more information, visit moonxco.com.
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