June 13, 2011 started like any other day: I woke up, drove to my marketing job & desperately wished to be a full-time writer, after freelancing “on the side” for almost 3 years. Except, it wasn’t like any other day. Within an hour of settling in, I was laid off. . . . Of course, I cried. Life as I knew it was over - the place I’d spent my professional years was no longer my work home. But two days later I landed my highest paying editorial assignment to date, within a month I’d signed on as a stringer with @people & things grew from there. A freelance career I never knew was possible started happening. . . . It definitely hasn’t always been easy & being self-employed can be tough (who else can relate to being a tougher boss to ourselves than anyone else would dare?), but I’m so grateful. It feels almost poetic that this month I’ve got THREE stories in @deltaskymag, including the cover feature on designer @zacposen & his new @delta uniforms. If you’re flying this month, I hope you’ll check it out (& my piece on @theellenshow & some ND business luminaries). Here’s to 7 years. ❤️ Best day fishing with Jeremy from Angler’s West. I’ve fished a bunch in N. Ga, but this was my first actual catch & couldn’t have asked for a better experience. . . . Funny story: was on a wine tasting tour in Tuscany in April & met a sweet woman from NY who mentioned she has a son who guides fly fishing trips. Turns out he lives in Emigrant (where Mountain Sky is). So we connected and hired him for the day. Gotta love travel serendipity. ❤️ 🎣 If you’re near Buckhead, Brookhaven or Sandy Springs, pick up a copy of the latest Simply Buckhead, with my 6-page cover story (“Food Scene from A to Z”). I can almost guarantee you’ll be hungry by the time you finish. . . . . Not only was it fun to research / write, but I got to help dream up & style the cover (shot at St. Cecilia’s brunch, 📷: Sara Hanna). I love how it turned out! “Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go.” I agree, Truman Capote. . . . . #venice #italia #simplyadventure #skypainters #girlsthatwander #girlvsglobe #wanderingwomen #travelgirlscollective #walkingthestreets #explorergecity #justtravel #girlsabroad So proud to have my work featured in JWM Magazine. It’s edited by the extraordinarily lovely @karastud (her first issue as EIC!). Scroll over for my stories on #Shanghai & Functional Elixirs (featuring @upbeet CEO Erik Maier). If you’re staying in one of the @jwmarriotthotels worldwide this season, I hope you’ll check it out in person! . . . . . #simplyadventure #skypainters #wanderingwomen #travelgirlscollective #explorergecity #justtravel #girlsabroad #postcardplaces #globelletravels #shewhowanders #postcardplaces #beautifulmatters #vinegarshots #healthytravel #travelwriters I sort of forgot to post anything (other than in instastories!) when I was in #Quito, #Ecuador a few weeks ago. Though it was an last-minute assignment, it doubled as a magical trip with one of my dearest friends. PLUS, I was struck by how infrequently I truly discover a place - with no preconceived notions about what's a "must see" or "must do." It felt like the purest kind of exploration. Next time, I'll stay longer than 4 days & tack on a trip to the islands or Amazon, for sure! 📷: @kathryn_arden . . . . . #simplyadventure #skypainters #girlsthatwander #girlvsglobe #wanderingwomen #travelgirlscollective #walkingthestreets #explorergecity #justtravel #girlsabroad #postcardplaces #globelletravels #shewhowanders #postcardplaces #beautifulmatters #travelgirlscollective I’ve let myself get weirdly insecure about posting on Instagram. Is this photo #instaworthy enough? My caption sufficiently pithy (“Jennifer, you’re a writer...you should be good at this!”). . . . Something that’s supposed to be fun has turned into another thing on which to be judged (How many likes? How many comments? Good “engagement”? What does that even mean?). . . . So today I’m posting this pic just because it’s pretty... & that’s enough. ❤️ Words fail me (rare), but it feels like the sky is showing off for our last night on Isla Holbox. It’s been magic. Island wheels. 🌴🚲 If you’re flying @delta this holiday season, look for my Breakaway story on the pages of @deltaskymag, about my exploration of India 🇮🇳with @erynmchugh. It’s one of my favorite things I’ve written this year! ✈️ Looking for places to dine out this holiday season (& beyond)? My updated guide to dining out in Atlanta is live on FoodNetwork.com (link in profile). Posting just before lunch time, in case you might feel inspired... & hungry! What are you craving? 📷: Andrew Thomas Lee (@andrewthomaslee) Morning views over the Pacific. I could get used to this. Can I stay? 🌴 ☀️ 🏖 📷: @abbytegnelia And just like that, it’s been 7 years. Love you @franks_whiskey ❤️💋 Some days you wake up in the gorgeous @oberoirajvilasjaipur, strike out to explore & sit in a jewel-inlaid palace doorway with a best friend. Others, you open your eyes on the 13th day of being sick & sit down at the computer to grind out a zillion copy projects. It balances out, right? Seriously, though, I love being home with my favorite people (& pups!) AND traveling to see this wide, wonderful world… . . . . . While it's good to keep eyes up (& not buried in an iPhone) to appreciate experiences, I do so treasure the photo reminders. Are you dreaming of a far-flung place today? . . . . . #neverstopexploring #letsgosomewhere #wheretofindme #traveldiary #lifeofadventure #beautifuldestinations #meettheworld #ihavethisthingwithcolor #theprettycities #girlswhotravel #bucketlist #royalrajasthan #allaboutjaipur #incredibleindia