I loved my stay at the Carpenter Hotel in Austin. It is the cutest little retro hotel and gives me big time old Hollywood vibes. Located right next to Zilker Park and all of the great bars, it provided the perfect backdrop to Austin. An essential in Austin is a swimming pool because it gets so muggy and hot, and luckily Carpenter provided.

I am so excited about the reopening of travel, especially in the US. I have had a cross country road trip planned with my British husband for quite some time that we had to put on pause. Now, we can hop in a car and get acquainted with the States in a very Americana friendly road trip.

Texas is a state that is known for its pioneering attitudes, southern hospitality, and hot summers. But it’s so much more than that! Where I moved in Austin is located just outside the Texas Hill Country, which has some of the best breweries, wineries, dance halls and swimming holes in the country. It is nonstop fun here, and it’s the perfect city for those who love live music. No matter where you go in this area, you are sure to encounter amazing bands and musicians any night of the week.

My staycation suitcase staples are my walking shoes so I can go on long excursions around the city, my SPF 50, a Faithfull the Label hat to protect my skin from the Texas sun, and a pair of strong sunglasses. I also love to pamper myself on staycations so I make sure to bring all my skincare, like masks and oils.

I am looking forward to going on a trip further afield. My husband and I are planning our cross-country road trip in a sleeper van, and we are going to Tulum, Mexico in the summer as it's only a two-hour flight from Austin. But for now, I am enjoying exploring my new city and diving in every body of water I find to stay cool.