Mummies, Dust, and a whole lot of Hustle: Cairo's Charm vs. Its Chicanery

Cairo, Egypt

Visiting Cairo in December 2024 was like stepping into a living postcard—one that’s frayed around the edges, layered with history, and slightly chaotic in the best (and worst) ways. I went for the pyramids, of course. Who wouldn’t? It’s one of those “bucket list” places that feels more myth than reality until you’re standing in the sand, craning your neck to take in the jagged geometry of the Giza Plateau.

Let’s start there: the Pyramids. Seeing them in person? Surreal. Walking up to these 4,000-year-old monuments, I kept thinking: these shouldn’t still be standing. But they are—stoic, monumental, and buzzing with tourists and camels. I even went inside one of them, a steep, narrow climb that’s not for the claustrophobic. It’s hot, and very crowded…(at least when I was there) , and somehow exhilarating. Knowing that you’re actually inside an ancient pyramid, one that you’ve seen movies about, read about in school, etc, is kind of mind-blowing. You emerge breathless—not just from the climb, but from the weight of time pressing down around you.

Then there’s Cairo’s souk—the famous Khan El-Khalili. It’s vibrant, loud, and filled with spices, lamps, jewelry, leather, and voices calling you to just take a look. I wandered through it for a while, haggled (badly), drank mint tea, and tried to not to get lost. Immersing myself in Egypt was easy. The culture is rich, the people are warm, and I actually found a vegan restaurant!

In these souk streets…..

Another interesting spot was the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, particularly the Royal Mummy Hall. It’s quiet, dimly lit, and honestly a little eerie—in the best way. Seeing the actual mummies of pharaohs you’ve read about in history class is both fascinating and humbling. These were real people—rulers, priests, queens—preserved for thousands of years and now resting behind glass, with names like Ramses II and Hatshepsut etched into the display. It’s not flashy, but it is powerful.

I see dead people……..lol.

But—and it’s a big but—you have to be ready for the scams.

From the hotel lobby to the camel rides, tour guides, and even a couple of Uber drivers, scammers reigned supreme. Some are charming, some aggressive, but almost all of them are persistent. I’m guessing a lot of this is rooted in economic hardship, and it’s tough not to feel for people trying to make a living in a system that seems stacked against them. Still, when you’ve been promised one price and charged another for the fifth time in a day, or simply not got what you paid for, ……..it starts to wear on you.

That said, I’d still recommend Cairo to anyone with an adventurous spirit. Just go in with your eyes open. Set clear boundaries, bargain hard, and when in doubt, walk away. But go. The Pyramids alone are worth every ounce of hassle.

Just don’t waste your money on the Giza light show. It’s underwhelming, hard to hear, and oddly dated. Watch a YouTube video of it later if you’re curious.

As Shakespeare once wrote in All’s Well That Ends Well:

“The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together.”

Cairo is just that—a mingled yarn. Ancient and modern, beautiful and broken, frustrating and unforgettable. And I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything……but seriously, skip the light show.

The web of our life is a mingled yarn, good and ill together.

-All´s Well That Ends Well

This is NOT a replica. The entire museum was built around this particular statue.

Just Swaggin´ (Summer 2022)

“Summer’s lease hath all too short a date.”

— Sonnet 18

My best friend and I celebrating our 50th birthday in Greece. -July,2022

This summer turned out to be very memorable, and fun. It was the summer that I turned 50 years old. When they say “time flies” it is soooo true!

As always, I intend to have a great summer every year, however, sometimes I hit the mark, and other times I miss. This year, I exceeded it. Without going into details, I actually had one of the best summers ever. I hope your summer was also fun, and you made memories to last a lifetime. If you didn’t , that is also okay, because we can start over at any moment of the day, and make each moment great.

Thank you for stopping by! I really appreciate it.

XOXO

I’m also on Youtube! Check out my videos if you want a little fashion inspiration!

My Summer trip to Rhodes, Greece!

In July, I took a long overdue vacation to Greece. I’ve been to several places/islands in Greece, and this time I chose Rhodes. Several people had stated to me how fabulous Rhodes is, and they were all right on the button.

After the plan landed, I got my bags and got in the taxi that was waiting to take me to my resort. I stayed at the Lindos Grand Resort Spa which is actually located in Lindos, which is an hour away from the airport in Rhodes.

The resort was brand new and beautiful. The staff was also very friendly and helpful. Covid protocols were also strictly adhered to. I had a room with a private pool, which I HIGHLY recommend. I spent more time at my own pool than at the main pool and at the beach.

Lindos, Greece

The town of Lindos is about a 10 minute taxi ride, which costs between 10-12 Euros. There, you can walk around the picturesque town, which is full of shops, restaurants, and they also have an acropolis. You can walk up to the top or take a donkey ride for €8. But those poor donkeys looked so hot, tired, and overworked, if you can walk, then do that.

Like I stated before, the resort is brand new, so there were some minor things that weren’t fully completed. For instance, there were two light bulbs missing on my terrace. It was minor, and it didn’t bother me at all.

The beach is about a 3 minute walk from the resort. There is a direct path where you can walk, and they also offer a shuttle bus, as well. The beach has food and drink service, and lounge chairs specifically for the resort, which is cool. There are also water sports available.

I literally had a different swimsuit for each day I was there! :-)

The floor to ceiling windows were fabulous. It was very hot, but also a nice breeze. When you opened the doors, the air-conditioning automatically shut off, which was cool.

So, if you’re thinking about a planning a trip to Greece for relaxation and great weather, I would highly suggest the island of Rhodes and Lindos Grand Resort Spa.

The resort had fantastic views, and the aesthetics were great.

Let me know if you’ve ever been to Rhodes, Lindos, and/or Lindos Grand Resort Spa.

Thanks for stopping by. I really appreciate it! XOXO

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How to get the most out of your wardrobe.

I chose the above quote for this blog because Macbeth and Lady Macbeth´s “clothing” is actually Macbeth´s new title of Thane of Cawdor. At this early stage in the play, they are thankful that they have the title and are not being greedy at this point. Let’s connect that with us literally buying our favorite pieces and caring for them so that they last and are not cast aside so quickly. (Am I reaching? Lol…just roll with me.)

Ok…we love are clothes and we want them to last. How do we do that? Let me give you a few tips on how to do exactly that.

Skirt: Gucci (about 4 years old)

READ THE LABELS:

Those labels are there for a reason. Make sure to check and see if your garment can actually be washed, or if it should be dry-cleaned. If you’ve ever washed something that should have been dry-cleaned, then you know about the possible catastrophic events that can ensue. Washing on the delicate cycle is always a safe bet, as well as mesh bags. I love mesh bags. They are perfect for delicates and anything else that may need extra tender love and care. Another thing you can do is air dry your garment. The dryer can cause shrinkage and put unnecessary heat on your clothes that may ruin them. So air drying is your best friend.

Sweater: Zara (last year) Jeans: Zara

Shoes: Miu Miu, Socks: Gucci

PROPER STORAGE:

How you store your clothes will add to their longevity . For example, hanging up your skirts and pants on proper hangers is something you should do. The right hangers can preserve the shape of your clothes, providing you hang them properly. I really like to use those special skirt hangers. You can also use velvet hangers that will prevent your dresses and shirts from slipping off the hangers, which can be really irritating. Also, keep in mind, some things should not be hung. For instance, cashmere sweaters. Hanging them might cause them to become misshapen, so I would suggest folding them.

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY:

I realize that fast fashion is very tempting, and can be a good choice if you want to try a trend before investing in it. However, don’t overlook the fact that investing in quality pieces will stand the test of time. Often times, these fast fashion pieces are very inexpensive, and when you wash them, they fall apart. Threads start unraveling, hems come apart, discoloration, etc. So, what happens is, you end up wearing the item once or twice and you’re back ordering again. Contrast this with investing in a quality piece that costs more, but it will stand the test of time and you will get your cost per wear out of it….which leads me to my next point.

Boots: Alexander Mcqueen

COST PER WEAR:

Cost per wear simply means the cost of the item divided by how much you wear it. Now, don’t let the math intimidate you…lol. The basic premise is the value of the item is directly related to how much you wear it. If you follow this rule, you will be able to justify that high price tag, because you are getting the maximum amount of wear out of said item. I put this equation to the test when I purchase items that are pricey, but I know I will reach for it time and time again.

Well, those are a few of my tips. I hope I could help. Let me know some things you do, to get the most out your wardrobe.

Thanks for stopping by! XOXO

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The #1 Way to Add Instant Style to Any Look

“You have witchcraft in your lips....”

— Henry V

Sweater: Zara

White shirt: H&M

Lipstick: MAC Rubywoo

Doing this one thing will add instant style and glamour to your look, no matter what you’re wearing or how you’re feeling. You could be dressed to the nines, out on the town in your best outfit, or running errands in leggings, a t-shirt and a baseball cap, having had only a couple hours of sleep. It doesn‘t matter. Doing this one thing will pull your entire look together, no matter the situation.

So, what is it, you ask?

Well, the next time you want to snazz up your look, simply add a red lip. Yes, it‘s truly that simple! Find a color that suits you, (Mac’s Ruby Woo is fabulous on ANY skin tone…..like, I’m serious…) line your lips in a lip pencil that is a similar shade (this will ensure the staying power of your red lippie..), and then rock your lipstick.

The great thing is, whether you’re wearing a full face of makeup, or nothing but moisturizer, this red lip will not only look fabulous, but make you feel fabulous, too. (Hidden Bonus: Red lipstick makes your pearly whites appear even whiter!) Now, what’s not to love about that!

Thanks for stopping by! XOXO

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