The Art of the Staycation

Staycation Essentials by Slow North

Stay-ca-tion (noun): a vacation spent in your own city, aka enjoying all the perks of being on vacation but without the travel expenses.

Who says you have to leave town to have a good ol’ escape from reality? Why not create your own escape right where you are? We know it’s hard to make time for yourself sometimes, so we’ve done the research for you in hopes of helping you feel inspired to enjoy a break on your own time, in your own city. If you’re not sure where to start on your staycation planning, we’ve compiled our very own beginner’s guide to help you get started:

1. Sip on some Tea of a Kind

This stuff is so yummy, first of all, and it’s easy on the eyes to boot! It brings you the freshly-brewed tea effect, in a packaged bottle. Sounds confusing, doesn’t it? But all you have to do is twist the “gizmo cap” of the bottle and the tea is released into the distilled water in the bottle and voila! Effortlessly-fresh brewed tea at your fingertips. You’ve gotta try this stuff. You’ll have to see it, and taste it, to believe it.

2. Indulge with a Lemongrass + Tangerine Slow North Candle

Maybe you live in Texas like us, where it has been Spring for at least 2 months already… Or maybe you’re in the Northeast where you’re not sure if Winter will ever end. Either way, this candle will transport you right into the middle of Spring, no matter where you call home. Close your eyes, kick your feet up and let your mind wander to a sunny, springtime euphoria.

3. Go on a hike

If you’re lucky enough to live in Austin like us, you probably live within 15 minutes of any good hiking spot. A personal favorite of mine is Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve out west off of Loop 360. In my experience, it’s never crowded, and that is a huge plus in my book. It’s so nice to just get outside and spend some time in nature to collect your thoughts, walk a few miles, breathe some fresh air, ya know, all that fun stuff. If you’re not in Austin, take a leap of faith and research some cool hiking trails in your city! We guarantee you’ll find something. If not, may we suggest snagging a Wanderlust candle to pretend you’re out in the woods? ;)

4. Sit back and relax in a Kammok

Speaking of being outdoors, why not grab a hammock before heading out on your hiking adventure? Kammok is a brand local to Austin, but their gear is sold throughout the US at your local REI, Cabela’s, or Sun & Ski (just to name a few). If you’re not into the idea of spending time outdoors (gasp!) and making a somewhat long trek in order to get a cool hammock spot, you can even hang up your Kammok right on your very own back porch. I promise it will be a more rewarding staycation experience than constantly refreshing your Instagram feed.

5. Get an order of Bouqs sent to your door

In the mood to treat yoself? Bouqs is a flower delivery company that partners with local, artisan florists throughout the US, so you can get a beautiful, unique bouquet delivered right to your doorstep, wherever you are! They pride themselves on their farm-to-table promise, and we love to support businesses with mission statements that we can stand behind.

6. Pick up an easy read

In the Company of Women is a book dedicated to empowering and inspiring women with stories from over 100 influential women in the creative business world. It showcases a series of interviews compiled by Grace Bonney, Founder of Design Sponge. From chefs to editor-in-chiefs, you’ll surely be inspired by the passion of the women in this book. Available at Barnes and Noble, Anthropologie and even on Amazon.  

7. Branch out with a new recipe

We stumbled upon the most amazing Coconut Cream Berry Bowl recipe on Kettle and Brine’s blog, and we knew we had to share it with y’all! Kettle and Brine is one of our favorite shops in Austin because they carry the most beautiful, top-notch kitchen wares (and even our candles)! This recipe is an easy, healthy, and beautiful way to get creative in the kitchen over your staycation.

8. Watch This Is Us

I’m sure you’ve been hearing about This Is Us nonstop since it premiered this past September. If you never got the chance to catch up, fret not because NBC just released the whole first season for free on their website to watch on demand! This show gets you up close and personal with a family so full of love, heartbreak, and constant changes. If you need a good cry, this is totally your outlet. I guarantee you’ll grow to love the characters as if they are your own family, and you will be on the edge of your seat waiting for their stories to unfold.