Top 5 Ways to Treat Yo' Self This Valentine's Day

I’m a firm believer that Valentine’s Day is not just about the couples. It’s about celebrating love of all kinds, including love for yourself, your friends, your family and everyone who brings joy into your life. I hope that no matter where you are on the 14th, you find time to celebrate yourself and show some love to the most important people (& pets) in your life.

If you are looking for a fun way to treat yourself this Valentine's Day (that doesn’t involve trying to make a dinner reservation on the 14th) check out my top 5 below.

5 WAYS TO TREAT YO' SELF THIS VALENTINE'S DAY

  1. Lymphatic Draining Massage - I know, I know - treating yourself to a massage is not the most original idea, but hear me out. I tried it last year right before leaving for a trip to Greece, and I have to say, the results were insane! My whole body felt lighter and I think I peed out like 5 pounds of water weight haha. Click here for the before & afters! While my discount code was only active for 2023, mention my name when you book & Val will look after you! After the holiday season, this massage might be just what you need!
     

  2. Happy Hour with your Gal Pals - Avoid the Valentine’s Day dinner rush and plan a fun happy hour with your gal pals on Galentine’s Day (the 13th). On my recent trip to New York, I planned a happy hour for our Gals Abroad Getaways community. Chatting with all these strong, independent women, really left me feeling so inspired. If you live in the Chicagoland area - here are some links to my favorite cocktail spots to grab a drink with your Gal Pal:

    Pigtail - They make the BEST espresso martini I have ever had & its not at all what you’d expect

    Le Colonial - This is my go to spot for impressing out of town guests. But the bar is SUCH a fab spot to enjoy a drink & the ONLY one I ever order is their lychee martini. It’s a problem how yummy they are haha

    Arbella - I love their globally inspired cocktail menu & their bar bites are SUPER yummy too!
     

  3. Book a Photoshoot - Listen, there is something SO fabulous and self-indulgent about booking a photoshoot just for the hell of it. You get dressed up, maybe even get your hair and makeup done and pretend like you’re a supermodel (at least that sounds fun to me haha). I LOVE to use Flytographer to book photoshoots when I’m traveling (but they have tons of photographers in the US too!). Use code ALLE50 for $50 off your shoot. Or if you’re based in Chicago, The Studio Chicago is hosting their annual Valentine’s Day Mini Sessions on Feb 10 & 11 - and there are still spots available!
     

  4. Upgrade Your Luggage - Investing in quality luggage is one of those gifts that keeps giving. If you have travel planned for 2024, treat yourself NOW to new luggage, so you aren’t forced to make it work with mediocre luggage later! I’ve tried several brands throughout the years, and I’ve found Away Luggage to be my tried and true. Mostly because of their unbeatable lifetime warranty (aka you break it, they replace it) & their functional design. These suitcases have been with me through nearly 30 countries in the last 4 years so…I’d say they hold up. They are dropping a Barbie Pink suitcase on Tuesday & I'm already drooling haha. Here’s $20 off your order!
     

  5. Gals Abroad Getaways Trip - Shameless plug I know… but you have to admit, isn’t traveling the ultimate form of self care? We have so many exciting trips coming up in 2024, with registration opening for three European trips this month (including our Virgin Voyage to the South of France & Spain which launched this week!!) Be ready to “BOOK THE TRIP” and see the world in 2024 - in Gals Abroad Getaways style. If you are interested in traveling with independent, luxury loving women, make sure you are on our Gals Abroad Getaways newsletter list (if different than this one), where you will get exclusive news on upcoming trips and early bird pricing.

The Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sales to Shop

THE BEST DEALS FROM ALL YOUR FAVORITE BRANDS

The holiday shopping season is in full swing & the online shopping deals have started earlier than ever and #tbh it can all feel a bit overwhelming to sort through it all.

Lucky for you, you’ve got me to help you determine which sales are worth your time and dolla dolla bills.

Here’s a list of some of the best Black Friday / Cyber Monday deals taking place in 2022.

And pro tip: it’s easy to get swept up in the consumerism of the season so set a realistic budget for what you want to spend on gifts for yourself and others and do your best to stick to it.

And another tip: when you can, try to allocate some of your holiday shopping budgets to small businesses you love. Here are some of my favorite small businesses I like to support this holiday season.

Happy Shopping friends!

OH AND PS - Check out some of my other gift guides like this one for your travel-loving pal, or this one for your cat/crazy cat person & my personal fav is mine and Linda’s 2022 gift guide (aka our favorite things to gift and get)

THE QUICK AND DIRTY LIST

TRAVEL

  • AWAY: Buy any two suitcases to save $50, or any three to save $100*. All colors, sizes, and styles are included. Only through 11/28.

  • CALPAK: 20% off everything (ends 10 a.m. 11/27)

  • BOMBAS: 25% off sitewide (I swear by their compression socks)

  • AIRPODS PRO: I found these for $50 off and I truly couldn’t travel without them

  • WALKS TOURS (I LOVE this tour company and book their tours often): 25% off all tours and experiences world wide with code: BFRIDAY2022 now until December 6th. Click here to get the discount & if you want to see the pasta making classes we took in Rome with Walks click here.

  • BAN.DO: 35% off sitewide with code TAKE35 - this is where I get all my cute passport covers and sleep masks!

  • BANDOLIER: They’re doing a buy more save more sale (these are the phone cases I love to travel with because they’re super convenient and have a pouch on the back for credit cards)

FASHION

BEAUTY

HOME

*Friendly reminder, this post contains some affiliate links. That means I receive a small compensation should you make a purchase from these links. This does not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your continued support of Alle Abroad!

The #GalsAbroad Gift Guide: (50+ ideas for my travel loving gals)

It truly seems like every year the holidays start earlier and earlier (anyone notice the Christmas trees up at Halloween?! lol) which means inevitably holiday shopping starts earlier as well - cue the panic buying. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

I find that if I carve out a few hours on a cozy weekend, pour a glass of wine, put on Gilmore Girls and crank out all my online shopping the entire experience can be a fun one - especially with a trusty gift guide.

That’s where I come in.

For the travel lover in your life (even if that’s you) I’ve spent the last several years basically being a human guinea pig for all the latest and greatest travel goodies. Testing these items on the road and recommending all the products I never travel without or my favorite travel beauty goods.

So when it comes time to put together a gift guide of all the best travel gifts, well I’ve been training for this moment for years lol.

From a travel sized sound machine to the most comfortable travel lounge sets and PJs these travel-themed gifts will make any travel lover want to pack their bags on the spot and head out on their next great adventure!

(And if you need more gift inspo, check out these round-ups: 2022 Mother Daughter Gift Guide: (50+ Alle & Linda approved gift ideas) & Small Business Holiday Shopping Guide


50+ ideas for my travel-loving gals

UNDER $25

A really great travel book

If there’s one thing I’m constantly googling it’s “What to read on vacation” or “best travel books”.

Lucky for you I’ve rounded up a list of all my favorite travel reads & linked them in one post.

  • They need this handy gadget so they can watch their favorite show or movies on the plane without having to hold their phone the entire time.

  • This scarf feels like cashmere without the cashmere price

  • This book of 1,000 bucket list ideas is sure to spark some serious wanderlust. I reference it any time I want some new ideas on where to go next.

  • An Audible membership. Linda and I are both HUGE advocates of audiobooks which are great to listen to when you’re on a road trip, a long flight, or even doing chores around the house. You can select the number of months & credits you’d like to gift in their gift center to customize the gift even more.

  • Under eye patches - these are fabulous to put on during a flight or after a long one (great stocking stuffer)

  • This Dishoom Cookbook - this is one of my favorite Indian restaurants in London and now they’ve come out with a recipe book. This would be a great gift for any Indian food lover!

  • Behind the Bar: 50 Cocktail Recipes from the World's Most Iconic Hotels - for all my traveling cocktail connoisseurs

  • I absolutely adore Sabina Fenn’s watercolor prints which are a thoughtful gift to remind them of a trip they recently took or a place they want to visit someday.


UNDER $50


UNDER $100

A Rent the Runway Subscription

I’ve been using Rent the Runway since my TV news days (2016) and I swear by it for EVERY aspect of my life but especially for my travels. I love that no matter where I’m going I can rent outfits for the occasion rather than buying a new outfit.

I’ve saved more than 100K using this service (what I would have spent if I purchased all the clothes I’ve rented) and I feel like this is the new way to enjoy fashion.

PS as always I have a code (RTRALLEP) that takes 40% off two months of your subscription (that takes an 8-item plan down to $86 per month)!

  • The BEST travel sunhat - I have it in many colors and it’s super flattering

  • These SUPER soft pants & t-shirt make for the perfect travel lounge set

  • The clip I use to carry all my hats when I travel

  • Any traveler who wants to use their own AirPods to watch movies on the plane will LOVE this gadget

  • Travel tech case to keep cords and chargers organized

  • Apple mag safe battery pack - this is probably one of the most important travel essentials. I NEVER travel without one of these and I love that this one just attaches to the back of your phone.

  • Hotel Lobby Candle - If you love to travel and are always asking the hotel what signature scent they’re pumping through their property this small biz candle company is for you.

  • This self-cleaning water bottle is PERFECT for any gal looking to swap plastic for something that’s better for the environment.

  • A great cross-body bag for the plane - these are perfect for storing the things you need to reach immediately

  • A Kindle for your bookworm traveler so they can travel with all their favorite books without taking up any precious space

  • UGG slippers - I don’t like to chance the hotel having nice slippers handy (plus they always kinda suck anyways) so I come prepared with these cuddly slippers

  • This pink weekender bag is by one of my favorite celebs who has carved a niche in the travel market and it’s not hard to understand why. Perfect for slipping on top of your carry-on while moving through the airport.


UNDER $150

Crossbody cellphone case

I love these cell phone cases, they are SO convenient for traveling, running errands or wearing around the house when you do chores while listening to your fav podcast. PS it has a sleeve on the back where you can put your credit cards.


OVER $150

Away Luggage Set

I’ve been traveling with my Away luggage for more than a year now and I cannot say enough great things about this brand. They are so durable, come in amazing colors, they roll like butter and I know I can depend on them to keep my goods safe while I’m traveling around the world.

They have tons of luggage sizes, tote bags, packing cubes, backpacks etc. And don’t forget to use my discount!

A Getaway with Getaway House

This is one of the greatest gifts I gave myself at the beginning of the year. A creative getaway to the woods where I could read, goal set and envision what I wanted out of 2022.

These tiny cabins are the perfect place to disconnect and focus on getting back to basics.

Getaway has outposts all across the USA and there are two near the Chicagoland area.

I put together a video to showcase the entire Getaway House experience below!


A Gals Abroad Getaways Trip

I can’t think of a better gift to give than the gift of travel. If you or someone you love is looking to see the world with fellow like-minded women in 2023 and beyond give them the gift of a Gals Abroad Getaway (or offer to pay for a portion of their trip)

Every Christmas I ask my parents for one thing, money to put towards a future trip and this could be the year you do the same!

Give the gift of travel

If there’s someone in your life {maybe you} who is itching to plan their next trip, but overwhelmed by the task, let me suggest purchasing a gift certificate to my mom’s travel agency, Scorby Travel & Cruise.

You can totally customize the amount and can be put towards any adventure in the future! Email scorbytravel@gmail.com to purchase your gift certificate!

Click here to read about why I think hiring a travel advisor to plan your next adventure is essential.

I PUT THIS VIDEO TOGETHER IN 2020 BUT THE RECCOMMENDATIONS STILL HOLD UP!

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*Friendly reminder, this post contains some affiliate links. That means I receive a small compensation should you make a purchase from these links. This does not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your continued support of Alle Abroad!

2022 Mother Daughter Gift Guide: (50+ Alle & Linda approved gift ideas)

Shopping for our loved ones is a true art form that can admittedly be stressful, especially when you’re shopping for the most important people in your life.

That’s where Linda and I come in.

We wanted to put together a list of all of our favorite gift ideas so that you can find something totally unique and personal for the leading gal pal in your life no matter if that’s your mom, daughter, sister, cousin, BFF, aunt, grandmother or your business bestie.

All you have to do is decide whether they are more of an Alle or a Linda lol.

So whether you’re a color-loving, sequin-wearing, rose-drinking girlie like me (Alle) or a bird-watching, everything in my closet is black, red wine gal like Linda, we’ve put together this guide to help you gift even the most difficult girlies on your list!

This list of unique gifts for women is a mix of items we’ve gifted others + things Linda and I have received or personally own.

PS if you’re looking for even more gift ideas, check out my Small Business Holiday Shopping Guide and my #GalsAbroad gift guide for the travel lover in your life.

From coffee table books depicting your favorite destination to a robe you’re going to want to live in, these memorable gifts are guaranteed to leave an impression on even the toughest ladies to find a gift for.


50+ UNIQUE GIFT IDEAS FOR MOMS, DAUGHTERS, AND GAL PALS

ALLE’S PICKS UNDER $50

A Farm Rio Gift Card

If I had to pick one brand to wear for the rest of my life, it would be Farm Rio. They have some of the best quality colorful dresses, swimwear, shoes, and coats (their puffers are totally worth the investment).

They are also a sustainable brand that plants a tree in the Amazon Rainforest for every purchase.

Ps they’re having a site-wide 30% off sale that goes until 11/22

These colorful plates

If you have a color lover in your life who just recently moved into a new home or loves to entertain these plates would be PERFECT.


ALLE’S PICKS UNDER $100

A Rent the Runway Subscription

I’ve been using Rent the Runway since my TV news days (2016) and I swear by it for EVERY aspect of my life. I rent for work, big life events, photoshoots, travel trips, hosting events, weddings, every day WFH wear, accessories and more.

I’ve saved more than 100K using this service (what I would have spent if I purchased all the clothes I’ve rented) and I feel like this is the new way to enjoy fashion.

PS as always I have a code (RTRALLEP) that takes 40% off two months of your subscription (that takes an 8-item plan down to $86 per month)!

  • This custom iPhone case - I just upgraded my iPhone so it was time to upgrade my case and I love that you can customize what the case says - I went with ABROAD on one and BRB on the other.

  • This cozy blanket is perfect for snuggling up on the couch or cuddling with on your bed - ps my cats of course love it

  • These cast vintage necklaces - I think these are such a cool unique gift. These are necklaces with vintage coins, guitar picks and found objects from around the world. I have one that’s an old poker coin from a casino in Monte Carlo.

  • These trendy wrist weights are ALL the rage and are a great gift for anyone into Rich Mom Walks (IYKYK) or just walks in general haha. I love mine and of course I have them in pink.

  • A subscription to Storyworth - I gifted this to both of my parents two years ago and it’s such a fun way for them to write their own life story via a weekly email with question prompts for them to respond to. At the end of the year, all of their stories are bound in a book that your family will want to keep forever

  • These Dolce Vita waterproof booties that are perfect for winter & comfortable enough to pack for your next fall/winter trip!

A Bag Borrow or Steal Gift Card

If you love luxury designer bags but don’t love the price that comes along with it this service is the answer. You can rent designer bags a month at a time on an as-needed basis.

I have used this service since 2019 and I LOVE that it allows me to carry fun and unique designer bags without the commitment.

Getting the boujee gal in your life a gift card would be a PERFECT gift.


ALLE’S PICKS OVER $100

Estelle Colored Glass

I’ve had my eyes on these colored wine glasses for years and I love how you can mix and match colors & glass styles.

The company describes their pieces as “jewels for your table,” and was inspired by the founder’s grandmother, Estelle, who loved antiquing.

I’ve been traveling with my Away luggage for more than a year now and I cannot say enough great things about this brand. They are so durable, come in amazing colors, the roll like butter and I know I can depend on them to keep my goods safe while I’m traveling around the world.

They have tons of luggage sizes, tote bags, packing cubes, backpacks etc. And don’t forget to use my discount!

  • I recently became a new follower of this swimwear brand that has a cult like following (lol) and I swear to you I’ve never felt better in a swimsuit. I know this is a random gift but a gift card to this website would be a PERFECT gift (even if its for yourself!) Oh and they’re doing 30% off sitewide right now!

Lashify at home lash extensions

I have found the secret to having beautiful lashes without having to put on strip lashes every day or pay CRAZY amounts of money for salon extensions - MEET LASHIFY.

These are my new obsession. They are easy to apply - trust me I’m certainly no pro - and after you buy your control kit, I spend no more than $40 on lashes and you can skip your order any time.

There are tons of styles for bold, subtle or luscious lashes and the founder is someone who prides herself on coming up with a solution that doesn’t harm your actual lashes.

A Gals Abroad Getaways Trip

I can’t think of a better gift to give than the gift of travel. If you or someone you love is looking to see the world with fellow like-minded women in 2023 and beyond give them the gift of a Gals Abroad Getaway (or offer to pay for a portion of their trip)

Every Christmas I ask my parents for one thing, money to put towards a future trip and this could be the year you do the same!

EVEN MORE GIFT IDEAS FOR THE ALLE IN YOUR LIFE


LINDA’S PICKS UNDER $50

Jo Malone Gift Set

Linda LOVES Jo Malone fragrances and one of the gifts she gives to herself every holiday season is the latest Jo Malone gift set. The scents are long lasting, refreshing and never overpowering.

  • A donation to her favorite charity. Some of Linda’s favorite organizations to donate to include local animal shelters (ours are Kittyland & Anderson Animal Shelter), Paws Chicago, The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, and The TreadRight Foundation.

  • An Audible membership. Linda and I are both HUGE advocates of audiobooks which are great to listen to when you’re driving, on a long flight, or even doing chores around the house. You can select the number of months & credits you’d like to gift in their gift center to customize the gift even more.

  • Linda loves her nightstand to be tidy and if you too have ALL THE APPLE THINGS this might be a perfect gift for the fellow super connected, neat freak in your life

  • There is something so boujee about having an electric wine opener but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Here’s the one we use and you won’t hate looking at it on your counter because it comes in two classic colors and sleek designs.


LINDA’S PICKS UNDER $100

Hotel Lobby Candle

If you love to travel and are always asking the hotel what signature scent they’re pumping through their property this small biz candle company is for you.

Inspired by the founders international travels and love for a signature hotel fragrance - this candle company was born.

I recently turned Linda onto this brand and she LOVES their signature scent. Their holiday collection has 3 scents depending on your preference and I can’t say enough about how GREAT these candles smell.

  • If you’re looking for a gift for the outdoor enthusiast gal in your life, getting them a National Parks Pass would be a truly practical and thoughtful gift (Each pass covers entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges)

  • Linda CANNOT sleep without a sleep mask so I’m planning to upgrade her mask this year to this silk one (delivers antiaging benefits because it doesn't tug at delicate parts of your face) in black but it comes in a bunch of different colors.

  • Air fryers were all the rage these last few years and people are STILL professing their undying love for them so if you want to give the gift that keeps on giving this is it

  • Linda doesn’t go anywhere without this crossbody phone case. I love it too and it’s SO convenient for traveling, running errands or wearing around the house when you do chores while listening to your fav podcast. PS it has a sleeve on the back where you can put your credit cards.

  • Linda is all about implementing more sustainable practices in our daily & travel routines so this self cleaning water bottle is PERFECT for any gal looking to swap plastic for something that’s better for the environment.


LINDA’S PICKS OVER $100

Allbirds shoes

These are the shoes that Linda never travels without - she says they’re her most comfortable sneaker and they come in a bunch of colors and styles.

Plus this company is a certified B corp and has really admirable sustainability practices.

  • This fancy moisturizer she probably wouldn’t splurge on herself but would love to recieve

  • For the coffee lover in your life, no house is complete without one of these

  • This cozy robe, in black if you’re like Linda, but it also comes in a bunch of other colors if you’re like Alle

  • This birdfeeder comes with a camera inside so that your crazy bird lady friend can observe her birds from the comfort of her couch on her smart-phone.

  • Linda LOVES coffee table books and of course travel so when you can combine the two in a beautiful book - that’s a win win. Plus this brand has books for various destinations around the world so you can pick the place that fits the receiver.

KREWE Sunglasses

These are sunglasses worth splurging on. I’ve seen Linda eyeing mine and I’m thinking that she might find these under the tree for her this year.

They’re a New Orleans based company and have quickly become my new favorite sunglass brand.

Give the gift of travel

If there’s someone in your life {maybe you} who is itching to plan their next trip, but overwhelmed by the task, let me suggest purchasing a gift certificate to my mom’s travel agency, Scorby Travel & Cruise.

You can totally customize the amount and can be put towards any adventure in the future! Email scorbytravel@gmail.com to purchase your gift certificate!

Click here to read about why I think hiring a travel advisor to plan your next adventure is essential.


EVEN MORE GIFT IDEAS FOR THE LINDA IN YOUR LIFE

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*Friendly reminder, this post contains some affiliate links. That means I receive a small compensation should you make a purchase from these links. This does not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your continued support of Alle Abroad!


10 Rent the Runway holiday looks

RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU’RE ATTENDING MORE THAN ONE HOLIDAY PARTY THIS YEAR… Thought so. How about instead of stressing over what you’re going to wear to each event, spending money on something new and feeling buyers remorse after you do - you rent all your outfits on Rent the Runway?!

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