IKEA's New Collection Is The Moodboard You Need For All Your Summer Festivities

Summer Vacation Ideas That Don't Require A Passport

New Orleans, Louisiana

It's an understatement to say that New Orleans is festive. While we all know about Mardi Gras, it's safe to say there's something fun going on all year round. Our favorite area to explore is the famed French Quarter, but we recommend booking a hotel in the slightly tamer Garden District or a haunted property elsewhere in town. Luckily, NOLA is highly walkable and Ubers are readily available, which makes it so much easier to see it all. Get spooked on a ghost tour with Free Tours by Foot (they offer a variety of other, non-occult tours too!). Dance the night away on Frenchman Street, where the best jazz musicians in the city play.

Napa Valley, California

It's hard to believe that Napa Valley is only 50 miles from San Francisco and the bay area. The region, which is made up of five towns (Calistoga, St. Helena, Yountville, American Canyon, and the city of Napa), is tucked between two mountain ranges. This means that the scenic views are endless, whether you're having a vineyard day or strolling through town. For a first visit, we recommend staying in Napa (colloquially known as Downtown Napa). Visitors will love the riverfront promenade and Napa Valley Wine Train. Yountville, the charming home to multiple Michelin Star restaurants, and Calistoga, which is a mix of Napa and Sonoma, are both absolutely worth a day trip while you're there, too.

Joshua Tree, California

Joshua Tree was designed with nature girlies in mind! It's made up of two different deserts, both with their own unique landscape, and dozens of picturesque hiking trails. The national park is just a two hour drive from Los Angeles, so flying into LAX is best if you're not a SoCal local. Make a list of your can't miss hikes (we recommend Hidden Valley) and get an early start. After a morning of hiking, cool off at a hot springs hotel (day passes are available for $8-$45, depending on the location).

Summer Vacation Ideas That Are A Short Flight Away

Toronto, Canada

Toronto is one of Canada's biggest (and most famous) cities. Fun fact: most NYC scenes in movies and TV shows are often shot in Toronto, thanks to the city's expansive skyline. Air Canada allows passengers to schedule a layover of up to 7 days in Toronto for free, but we think there's enough here to warrant a trip of it's own. One of the most iconic spots to visit is Casa Loma, a 98-room castle that's one of Toronto's most famous landmarks. Venture down Philosophers Walk, a scenic footpath, and spend the afternoon in Baldwin Village, famous for it's small shops and foodie-approved eateries.

Montego Bay, Jamaica

Montego Bay is a lazy girl's best friend. While it's a tropical paradise that any traveler would adore, the hotels go above and beyond to ensure you never have to (nor want to) leave. Check into the S Hotel and spend your days enjoying the crystal clear beaches, dreamy pools, and delicious restaurants located right on site (there are four of them!). If you're feeling adventurous, book a catamaran tour or go rafting down the Marta Brae River.

International Summer Vacation Ideas Totally Worth The Trip

Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu is one of the seven modern wonders of the world, and something you have to see to truly believe. To get there, fly into Lima and spend a few days in the coastal city. From there, take a domestic flight (1-2 hours) to Cuzco and begin making your way to the mountains. Getting around the small mountain towns of Peru is no joke, so I recommend joining a guided tour for ease. Stay overnight in a traditional hacienda to continue taking in the beauty of your surroundings, and consider extending your trip to visit the Rainbow Mountains.

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town has a little bit of everything: pristine beaches, vibrant city life, and untouched natural wonders. An extremely walkable port city, every neighborhood has its own personality. Check out the street art in the Woodstock neighborhood and then enjoy a fresh seafood lunch near the V&A Waterfront. Visit Boulders Beach, where several species of penguins live in harmony right on the beach. Take a day trip to the regions famous wineries, like Stellenbosch or Franschhoek, both of which are just two hours out from Cape Town proper. Spend two days on the Western Cape, where you can go on an African Safari and get up close and personal with the best of South Africa's wildlife.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Within the past few years, Denmark's capital has emerged from under-the-radar locale to a must-see destination for in-the-know travelers. Copenhagen was named one of the happiest cities in the world and in our expert opinion, it's also one of the most beautiful, thanks to Nyhavn, the famous 17th century harbor. First time visitors should stay downtown in Indre By, which is centrally located to fun activities and some of the most picturesque parts of the city. We recommend Hotel Bethel or The Socialist, for a more luxe hotel option. Stroll down the waterway and explore the medieval architecture, like Rosenborg Castle. Wander into Tivoli Gardens, a small amusement park with aesthetic gardens. Embrace the playfulness of Scandi Girl style, by supporting CPH-based designers like Saks Potts and Ganni.

Santorini, Greece

When thinking about Greece, Santorini is the first thing to come to mind. And for good reason! The infamous white-and-blue buildings have made their way into (almost) every piece of media surrounding Greece, and for all the girlies who grew up on a diet of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants rewatches, it makes our Y2K hearts happy knowing that the idyllic island exceeds expectations IRL. Since others have heard about the magic of Santorini as well, we recommend visiting at the beginning or end of the season to avoid the crowds and high prices. Oia and Thera are the most popular towns, but staying on the eastern side of the island will offer a more low-key and secluded getaway. We love Imerovigli, which offers an unobstructed view of the volcanic crater. To get the full experience, stay in a cave hotel. We love Perivolas Hotel for a luxe option, or The Architects Cave for a midrange hotel.

Seoul, South Korea

South Korea is a small country with so much to see and do. Make Seoul as your home base, and plan day trips to other areas of interest. Start in Hongdae, Seoul's most vibrant neighborhood, where you can try the newest street food and see edgy fashion trends up close. From there, make your way to Gyeongui Line Forest Park, a disused railway line turned lush, 3.7 mile walking trail. Venture into historic Seoul with a trip to Gyeongbokgung Palace, which was first built in 1395.

Marrakesh, Morocco

Morocco may seem like a world away, but with a 7 hour flight from NYC, it's actually closer than most of Western Europe. Fly direct into Casablanca, where you should stay for 1-2 days until you get sick of quoting the famous film. From there, catch the high speed train to Marrakesh, which is even more aesthetic than Instagram would have you believe. Check into La Mamounia (Anna Delvey's hotel of choice) and take your time exploring the local markets. Plan a morning at the Jardin Majorelle, Yves Saint Laurent's picturesque garden, and take pictures at the famed Ben Youssef Madrasa.

Mains

Pizza Pasta Salad

You've heard of poke bowls and burrito bowls — this of this pasta salad like a deconstructed pizza! It's totally customizable so you can make it exactly how you want. Cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms, and olives sound good to us. ;) (via Brit + Co)

The Perfect Picnic Sandwich

Spread organic cream cheese on slices of your favorite bread, then add some spinach, cucumbers, and radishes for a picnic sandwich that won't disappoint. Just slide into a reusable sandwich bag or wrap with reusable wax paper! (via Brit + Co)

Vegan BBQ Pulled Jackfruit

Calling all vegans: you can finally have pulled barbecue this summer! Jackfruit is a great meat alternative because of its nutrition and its neutral flavor, meaning you can add all your favorite seasonings. Put it on a bun, or eat it with a fork. (via Brit + Co)

Low Carb Bell Pepper Sandwich

With all kinds of veggies inside, and peppers instead of bread, this is a great sandwich to make throughout spring and summer. Add the meat and cheese for extra flavor or leave them off to keep it vegetarian. (via A Spicy Perspective)

Tomato Basil Orzo

The great thing about this orzo recipe (which has plenty of tomatoes, cheese, and basil, thank goodness) is that it tastes good no matter what temperature it's at. Just throw it in your Tupperware, toss it in your bag, and dig in whenever you want! (via Brit + Co)

Veggie Stuffed Picnic Rolls

Besides the fact that they're stuffed with tasty goodness, we love that these rolls don't have any meat because that means so you don't have to worry about them going bad! (via Brit + Co)

Sides

Nut and Fruit Mix

Full of nuts and seeds for protein, and mango, chocolate, and figs for some extra flavor, this trail mix is the perfect thing to take on all your picnics. It'll take the edge off your hunger without filling you up too much. (via Brit + Co)

Baked Sweet Potato Chips

Name a duo that's more iconic than sandwiches and potato chips. We can't! This super easy recipe only has three ingredients (so you can be 100% sure what you're consuming) and can be taken with you on any and every adventure. (via A Spicy Perspective)

Best Homemade Refrigerator Pickles

We love snacking on a pickle any time of day, and they just happen to make the perfect picnic addition. This DIY recipe only needs one day to pickle, and then they're ready to eat. We couldn't pass that up! Apple cider vinegar, garlic, and dill add tons of flavor. (via A Spicy Perspective)

PB & J Snack Bars

If you're not looking for a whole meal on your picnic, or you need something to munch on on your way there, make these peanut butter and jelly bars. No bread needed! Not only do they feature cherry jam but you can also mix in some dried cherries to add some extra texture. (via Brit + Co)

Drinks

Very Berry Homemade Lemonade

Strawberry isn't the only flavor you can add to lemonade! This blackberry-strawberry combo is the perfect warm weather sip. Pour it into a reusable cup or thermos to keep it chilly. (via Brit + Co)

Pamplemousse La Croix and Lavender Mocktail

If you make this lavender simple syrup ahead of time, you can bring it on your picnic in a mason jar. Then all you have to do is crack open the La Croix and pour on top. Easy as pie! (via Brit + Co)

Desserts

English Toffee

Every picnic needs a dessert! It's super easy to bring this handheld treat with you, and you can just break into pieces and pass among yourselves. (via Brit + Co)

Keto Churro Cloud Bread

When you want a handheld dessert but are hoping to avoid loading up on carbs, opt for a flour-free keto cloud bread recipe! The cinnamon sugar will satisfy all your sweet tooth cravings, and you can just swap the cream cheese for a vegan alternative to make it non-dairy. (via Brit + Co)

Watermelon Jerky

Whether you're eating it as a dessert or a snack, this jerky is fruity, sweet, and can be stored for up to a month. You can squeeze a lot of picnic recipes into that time frame! (via Brit + Co)

Here's How Often You Should Cut Your Hair, According To Professionals

I’ll admit it — it had been eight months since my last haircut. My hair had lost its shape, my layers were nowhere to be found, and my ends were begging for mercy. Life got busy over the last few months and I was neglecting my haircare like never before.

My hairdresser could immediately see that I was beyond due for a cut and said I needed to get more taken off than I was hoping. I was definitely disappointed — I'd been working on growing out my hair for a while now, and it just felt like my hard work had completely gone to waste. He explained that getting consistent haircuts is the key to growing out healthy and strong hair, rather than letting it grow and grow until it eventually breaks. So let's dig into the top three things you can do to avoid this scenario!

1. Just Get The Dang Haircut

Also avoiding a haircut like I was? You might want to schedule one at your nearest salon. Like my stylist said, when you wait too long between trims like I did, you risk your hair becoming heavy, dull, and lifeless. When the hair is dry or even dead, it’s nearly impossible for it to hold a curl or style, essentially collapsing on you and taking on more and more heat damage all the while. I know the pain of spending time on a blowout only for it to fall minutes later — it’s the worst.

According to Jack, getting a haircut every 10-12 weeks is the best time frame or your ends will pay the price. Between blow-drying, curling, straightening, sun, and weather, our ends get dry and start to break without the proper care. Getting consistent haircuts allows hair to bounce back, shine, and perform the way we want in a healthy way.

2. Leave-In Conditioners Are Your Friend

His top piece of advice to keep your hair looking and feeling hydrated between trims? Invest in conditioning treatments. Jack swears by the Olaplex conditioning system, specifically the No 3 Hair Perfector. Made with patented OLAPLEX Bond Building Technology™, this conditioning treatment repairs and prevents damage in as little as three minutes. No 3 promises to reduce breakage and visibly strengthen hair, so it’s the perfect assistance to keep ends fresh between cuts. Another conditioning treatments I’ve used and loved for years is the Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask, which is designed to restore moisture, elasticity, and shine to dry hair.

3. Switch Up Your Shampoos

Switching shampoos frequently is a pretty hot tip that I honestly hadn't thought of. Our hair gets used to the same products and grows tired of them, resulting in lackluster locks. Jack’s advice is to switch brands after finishing every bottle of shampoo to bring life back to your hair. Have two brands that you’re loyal to? Even switching back and forth between them after every bottle should make a big difference in your hair. I’m a huge fan of the R+Co Dallas Biotin Thickening Shampoo, which makes my hair look thick and full, as well as the Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo, which is so hydrating and gives so much shine.

In the end, navigating your back-and-forth relationship with haircuts often feels like a rollercoaster ride between wanting that fresh look and cringing at the receipt. Luckily, by using conditioning treatments and switching up your products,, you can keep your locks healthy, shiny, and full of life between trims. But take a newly learned lesson out of my book: don't let your ends pay the price for procrastination and just book the haircut.