Tips for Conquering Layovers

I did a lot of traveling this past weekend. 

This round trip involved one layover each way. Personally, I’m no stranger to layovers; I don’t hate them, but sometimes, I’m not eager to sit and wait in an airport for my next flight (or run/walk briskly to the next flight depending on how much time I have). It’s sometimes a necessity to have that extra time.

So, how do you conquer that layover? What do you do? Where can you go? What shouldn’t you do?

Here’s my advice.

For the Short Layovers (Less Than One Hour)

The most important thing is to get to your next gate. So, skip food for the moment and make sure that you find your connecting gate first and foremost.

As soon as you get off your plane, go to the nearest departures board and look for your next city and flight number. From there, you should have the most up-to-date gate assignment. Just follow the signs and you should be good to go.

Then, if you have extra time or if your flight is delayed, grab that snack or that paperback.

For the Long Layovers (More That One Hour)

You have a LOT more room to do things before your flight. Finding your gate, while it’s still a priority, isn’t as rushed when your layover is longer.

So what do you do with your time?

• Grab food. (Some airports have iconic, state or city-specific food that you can pick from, like The Varsity in Atlanta [see above], or Nuts on Clark in Chicago)
• Read. Peruse the airport bookstore and find that delightful little paperback to pass the time.
• Grab a cup of coffee. Airport coffee shops are usually less busy during afternoons, but if you have a long layover in the morning, the long line may help burn some of the waiting time. Just keep your boarding time in mind just in case.
• Souvenir shop. A lot of airports sell food (keep security requirements in mind, as you may have to check these items going back), or sports team merchandise, or state-specific apparel. Long layovers are a great time to pick out goodies for loved ones back home.
• Catch up on any work. As someone who has worked as an editor on the go for years, this is a great way to pass time.
• Write! I’m talking to my fellow writers, bloggers, and NaNoWriMo participants here. Getting your word count up or just catching up on posts can burn through layover time easily. Take advantage of coffee shop or gate wifi.
• Talk to family, friends, and loved ones. This, personally, has helped me feel safer while flying alone. 

Things you should avoid during layovers

• Restaurants during short layovers. Even if you have a full hour, it’s not worth having to wait for food and risk missing your flight.
• Not keeping track of time. Make sure your phone or watch matches the time zone you are in. Airports and alerts are pretty good about making sure you’re aware of the time change, but it’s better safe than sorry.
• Headphones when traveling alone. You need to be completely and totally alert while traveling alone, so make sure you’re paying attention to any PA announcements and what’s going on around you.
• Sleeping while traveling alone. Again, it’s better to be alert.
• Accepting luggage, food, or drink from strangers. Yes, it’s okay to accept help (like the wonderful passersby in the Atlanta airport when I spilled my drink who practically showered me with napkins...just one of many reasons why I LOVE traveling in the South). But please use common sense, and don’t accept certain things like luggage or food items. And watch for pickpockets, too.

Do you like layovers? What do you do to pass the time?

26 Things You Didn't Know About Me

I’m turning 26 in two days.

I know, I can’t believe it either. I’m well into my mid-twenties now, but I don’t necessarily feel any different. But all I know is that I’m really thankful for the past 25 years; for all the adventures, highs, and lows. I know without a shadow of a doubt that God has worked through all these years, and He will continue to do so in my life.

Today, I thought I’d do a post that I’ve done a variation on before, but I thought it would be fitting given the occasion. Here are 26 things you didn’t know about me.

1. I was named after the city in Georgia, and I did not visit that city until my freshman year of high school.
2. As a child, I was frequently called “Samantha” and “Susannah” because Savannah was actually not as popular in the 90s as it is now.
3. I did not actively start drinking sweet tea and coffee until high school. Now, they’re a staple in my life, daily or otherwise.
4. I was originally going to be named “Summers Elizabeth” instead of “Savannah Kate”, but the name changed two weeks before I was born after my mom read the sequel to “Gone With the Wind."
5. I collect Spirit Jerseys.
6. I've collected dresses from different places I’ve traveled.
7. My lucky number is always my age. This year, it will change from 25 to 26.
8. I have been blonde my entire life; my hair has just gotten darker over the years.
9. I have never actually dyed my hair before.
10. Bunnies have always been my favorite animal because my mom read me (and decorated my nursery to be inspired by) Peter Rabbit books as a child.
11. Speaking of books, I read voraciously as a kid, and could speak the whole alphabet at 18 months. I was born to know and love words early on.
12. My favorite international food is Japanese, followed by Mexican, Indian, Thai, and Italian.
13. The only “sport” I was ever involved in was dance.
14. My desire to visit London came from the remake of “The Parent Trap.” Now, it’s one of my all-time favorite cities ever.
15. The two places I’ve always wanted to go to (but haven’t visited) are Tokyo and Barcelona.
16. Two of the most mind-blowing concert/Broadway musical events of my life both involve British guys named Dan: the first was when I saw Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) in “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” in New York, the second was when I was within two yards of Dan Smith from Bastille at one point during their concert.
17. Speaking of Harry Potter, I once stood in line at Waterstones’, a popular UK bookstore chain, with my parents super late at night for the midnight release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. In Glasgow, Scotland. Meaning, I got to own a copy about 6 hours before US readers.
18. My favorite color has always been some shade of blue.
19. I’ve always loved gaming on some level or another, all the way back from playing on my parents’ NES.
20. My favorite Disney movie has always been Beauty and the Beast.
21. My all-time favorite movie in general is Legally Blonde (followed closely by Pacific Rim).
22. My favorite genre of movie is probably action/adventure.
23. My favorite book always has been (and always will be) The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis.
24. I can cross my toes.
25. I’ve loved to draw for as long as I can remember, from doodles and anime/manga-inspired characters to full-blown comics for both high school and college.
26. I have been a Christian (a baptized believer) for 11, going on 12 years, and I’m so grateful and thankful for that.

I'm Writing a Book!

This week, October began.

I have a lot of reasons to be excited this month (like turning 26 next week). But this month finally, FINALLY begins the prep process for one of the best adventures I think I’ll ever take.

I’m writing an entire book in a month!

I mentioned that I’m doing NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) before, but now that it’s October, I can start planning and plotting in full force now. Traditionally, October is “Preptober”, a month of outlining and plot-building frenzy that excludes any actual novel-writing. The 50,000 words (!!!) I’ll be writing will be exclusively during November 1-30.

And while I’ve done similar projects before (see my post on my short story project here), I’ve never actually sat down to write a full-length novel in that length of time. But, this year, the timing feels right, and I feel so, so good about the novel I’m writing.

“But Sav, what’s your book about?” you might be asking me. Well…I’m going to wait to announce the plot and title of my book for the moment; one, because I really love this idea and want to keep it close to my chest for now, and two, everyone loves surprises, right? ;) The only thing I’ll tell you is that it’s a Young Adult novel, and I’m planning on publishing it once all is said and done.

All in all, I’m excited for this brand-new adventure. November is going to be an interesting, but exciting month this year, and I’m so, so ready to finally embrace and embark on probably one of the greatest adventures of my life as a writer. And, most of all, I’m thankful to my family, friends, and, most of all, the God I love for the support and strength in this grand and amazing journey. 

An SNS/Dip Powder Nails Review

Painting my nails or having them done has always been a fun pastime for me. It’s a stress-reliever, and not to mention it’s an excuse to express myself with whatever color I see fit on my hands.

But, a few months back, I decided to try something new: the SNS/Dip Powder manicure.

It all started when I was talking to one of my friends, and she had a particularly fabulous manicure. I asked her if they were gel and how she liked them. Imagine my surprise when one, they were not gel, and two, they were SNS (a brand of dip powder) nails that hadn’t damaged her nails at all. In fact, they’d only made them stronger.

Then, more ladies - both women and girls from high school to adulthood - had lauded the joys of the dip powder manicure, and they encouraged me to try it as well.

It took a few weeks, but I eventually decided to go for it.

And, y’all…it’s worth it.

What’s a Dip Powder Manicure?

A dip powder manicure involves your nails being coated with powder as opposed to just a polish or acrylic bonding. There is a bonding agent, but it’s more akin to a base coat than a sealant (with the exception of the top coat).

There is always a “base coat” between layers. The color is applied in two layers, and it feels like dipping your fingers in powdered sugar. Then, finally, there’s a clear layer, and then two layers of top coat that only takes four minutes to dry, and you’re totally set.

Occasionally, depending on where you go, there is a drill used, but it’s more of a buffer. It does not - and should not - hurt. If it does, please go elsewhere.

How long does it last?

Three, up to four weeks without chips. If that doesn’t draw you in, I’m not sure what will.

Here’s a dip powder manicure the day I went to the salon:

And here it is three weeks later:

I’ve had it last up to four before, but my nails generally grow a hair slower, so please keep that in mind.

How much does it cost?

Depending on where you go, a dip powder manicure can cost $45-$60. It’s generally ten dollars more than a gel manicure. 

But when you’re looking for a place to go, please make sure that there’s a general positive client review base. You don’t want to leave with cut-up cuticles (which has happened to me before, and it’s never a fun time). A great salon will give you a great manicure for a reasonable amount.

Who is this for?

Go for the dip powder manicure if:

• You do a lot of labor-intensive work (such as farming, retail, etc.), or have a job that requires you to have a professional appearance (business, secretary, etc.)
• You, to be honest, don’t have time to do your nails weekly.
• You’re traveling (No need to bring nail polish with you on a trip! Save that space in your liquids bag or checked luggage and avoid spilled nail polish.)
• You’re getting married! (No need to worry about chipped nails on your wedding day)
• You’re in a wedding! (I did dip powder nails for the first time for one of my best friends’ weddings to cut their cake. I’m so glad I did.)
• You’re going to prom! Or some other special occasion.
• You’re sick and tired of removing glitter polish by hand (SNS glitter colors are some of my favorite manicures ever - see above)
• You’re sick and tired of your nails being so brittle (My nails have not broken since I’ve been getting dip powder nails)
• You want to!

Have you ever gotten an SNS/Dip Powder manicure before? Would you want to get one? Let’s talk in the comments! :)

What's in my Daily Makeup Bag | Fall 2017

The last time I did one of these posts was…November 2015?

Yep. Time for an update.

The last makeup post I did was on “Makeup to Fly Out the Door With.” A lot of those products (or, at least, the types of products) are actually ones I still use and love. My makeup routine these days is quite simple, with an emphasis on natural tones, simple graphic eyeliner, and (sometimes) an accent lip depending on the day.

By “makeup bag,” I mean the bag I keep on my vanity that I reach for every single day I go out. Some days I use all the products; other days I just use a few if I need to get somewhere fast.

Onto the products!

Face:

• Kat Von D Lock-It Concealer Creme - I usually go no-foundation most days, and this is all I really need. The coverage is PHENOMENAL.
• No. 7 Dual Action Tinted Moisturizer - On days when I need SPF, though, I use this.
• Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray - This stuff works. I apply this after I put on all my makeup (save lipstick/gloss), and my face makeup doesn’t budge, and it doesn’t alter the appearance of my makeup too much (i.e. it doesn’t seem more cakey or oily after the spray).

Eyes:

• Too Faced Shadow Insurance Glitter Glue Glitter Shadow Primer - This is the only stuff that actually makes my eyeshadow stick.
• Too Faced Natural Love Eyeshadow Palette - This eyeshadow palette has such a massive array of colors that I’m able to create tons of natural looks with, from matte to tons of shimmer. (And if I want to add pops of pink or purple, I totally can.)
• Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper - This. is. my. favorite. black. eyeliner. It’s the longest-lasting, and it’s the all easiest liquid liner I’ve ever used.
• Make Up For Ever Excessive Lash Arresting Volume Mascara - This mascara has become a recent favorite as of late, but it’s the best non-tubing waterproof mascara I’ve ever tried. I can’t recommend it enough.
• NYX Tinted Brow Mascara - I’ve been using this lately for my brows and I like the way it keeps them neat (and the lightest shade is super-close to my hair color, which is awesome).

Cheeks:

• Too Faced Love Flush Long-Lasting 16-Hour Blush Wardrobe - This is an awesome blush palette! I usually wear the shades “Baby Love” and “How Deep is Your Love?” (The full palette was Limited Edition, but you can buy individual shades here.)

Lips:

• Lipsense! (I’m not a distributor, but Lipsense is by far the best long-wearing liquid lipstick I’ve ever tried. Would you guys want me to post a full post on lipsense? Please comment and let me know!)

Anyways, that’s my daily makeup bag. What makeup are you guys loving lately? Any tried-and-true products? Let’s chat in the comments!

Quick disclaimer: I am not sponsored by any of the above websites I've linked. I just want to share my makeup with you guys. :)