Blog — travel. paint. repeat.

How I made $100k in my first year as a freelancer

Hint: I didn’t get there by calling myself a freelancer. (18 min. read - yep, settle in)

Career Advice, CreativityMegan Van GrollDecember 17, 2019career path, career design, career advice, entrepreneurship, self-employment

7 ways to fit more travel into your busy life + career

Work is one of the biggest obstacles that keeps people from traveling, especially in the U.S. So, if we want to do some serious traveling, we have to get a little creative.

Travel Tips, Travel AdviceMegan Van GrollFebruary 2, 2019

How to pack a 3-1-1 liquids bag for a long trip

One of the hardest things about traveling with only a carry-on is your single quart Ziploc of liquids. But even if you’re a skin and haircare product addict, it can work!

Travel TipsMegan Van GrollJanuary 12, 2019packing tips, packing, liquids bag, tsa

4 ways to simplify your beauty routine for travel

Because who wants to spend all morning getting ready? There's too much to see and do out there.

Travel TipsMegan Van GrollJanuary 12, 2019

7 ways to feel like a local when you travel

Escape the tourist traps and squeeze a little more local, authentic charm out of your travels. (9 min. read)

How not to be an asshole tourist

These people? They must be stopped.

Travel TipsMegan Van GrollSeptember 26, 2018

How to spend a long weekend in New Orleans

It's not just the history and character, or the food, nightlife, or music that makes this one of my favorite cities in the US. There's something about New Orleans that feels welcoming to all, in its embrace of both the high and low. (12 min. read)

DestinationsMegan Van GrollAugust 14, 2018new orleans, usa, united states, louisiana, long weekend, foodie, nola, music, jazz

Where to stuff your face in New Orleans

Food is one of my primary motivations for traveling in general, and that's definitely the case with NOLA. Here are the restaurants + foodie experiences topping my list. (5 min. read)

DestinationsMegan Van GrollAugust 14, 2018food, foodie, new orleans, restaurants

9 ways to scratch your travel itch without leaving home

A few practical ideas to tide you over until you can actually step foot onto a humming 747 bound for your dream destination. (13 min. read)

CreativityMegan Van GrollAugust 7, 2018wanderlust, travel tips

What to do, see and eat in Cartagena, Colombia

We fell in love with the colorful, crumbling walled city on our first trip in 2011. So much so, in fact, that we later got married there.

DestinationsMegan Van GrollJuly 18, 2018colombia, cartagena

How to plan an off-the-beaten-path destination wedding

…without losing your damn mind. Lessons learned from my 35-guest wedding in Cartagena, Colombia (6 min. read)

CreativityMegan Van GrollJuly 8, 2018destination ideas, destination wedding, wedding, events, cartagena, colombia

A brief guide to the offbeat side of Dallas, Texas

Dallas is a big city, and that means there's something for everyone here, if you know where to look.

DestinationsMegan Van GrollJuly 8, 2018dallas

How losing my job changed my outlook on travel and career

Sometimes the curveballs life throws at us are just the ticket to the life we’ve always wanted. (9 min. read)

Career Advice, CreativityMegan Van GrollJuly 7, 2018featured

How much it cost: 2 weeks in South America

My real itinerary and costs for flights + hotels in Chile, Argentina and Uruguay

DestinationsMegan Van GrollJanuary 21, 2018south america, budget travel, travel budget, chile, argentina, uruguay, wine country

3 ways Chile will inspire your inner artist

Chile totally surpassed my expectations and I left feeling more inspired, refreshed, and ready to create than ever. Artist or not, you'll leave this beautiful and diverse country with the same feeling. (7 min. read)

DestinationsMegan Van GrollDecember 17, 2017creative, creativity, south america, chile, destination ideas, wine tasting, wine country, street art, murals, santiago

3 things to know before you visit an elephant sanctuary in Thailand

The experience was one I'll never forget. It was hard not to feel like I had a comfort level and bond with these gentle giants by the end of our day together. (7 min. read)