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Spirit Airlines is truly a sight to behold when the topic of air travel comes up. People either love the cheap deals or they absolutely loathe the cost effective airline. Although there’s an obvious love-hate relationship many people have with the corporation, so many people can’t seem to stop flying with them. Is choosing Spirit Airlines a wise decision? Let’s take a look at some pros and cons of flying with the company.

Pros:

1. Cost Effective

This will always be first on the list when it comes to flying with Spirit. I mean, it is a ULCC, Ultra Low Cost Carrier. You can find deals as low as $20 one way and $40 round trip, of course based on your departure and arrival locations. You absolutely cannot beat some of the deals Spirit has to offer in comparison to other airlines.

2. Spirit Savers Club

Like many airports, Spirit also has their own exclusive membership club. The Spirit Savers Club is an annual membership that allows customers to receive discounts on airplane tickets, bags, seating, and more. When searching for flights on Spirit’s website, there will be a price difference on regular prices versus Spirit Saver prices.

3. Great For Quick Traveling

I’ve flown with Spirit from Chicago to Miami and Miami to Chicago with no problems. Flying both cities is about 2.5 to 3 hours which is fairly quick especially if you’re bringing minimal luggage. From my own observation, I noticed the longer the travel time, the more issues occur when flying with the company. So if you’re traveling somewhere quick and there’s no need for too many bags, Spirit is definitely a great low cost option.

Cons:

1. Baggage Fees

Before I flew with Spirit, I would consistently hear people complain about the high baggage fees in particular. While you may feel you’re getting a deal with a $35 plane ticket to New York City, you’ll have to pay roughly $35 to $100 depending on these factors; locations, weight, number of bags, and when you purchase the bag fees.

In comparison to Southwest who has a two free bag policy, or American Airlines who has a standard basic economy fee of $30 for one bag and $40 for another bag when traveling within the U.S., your total may end up being about the same amount as paying with a higher priced airline.

2. Poor Customer Service & Reputation

All businesses have their hiccups, but there has been an excessive dragging of Spirit, their customer service issues, and a myriad of other shenanigans for the past decade. Many complaints include constant flight delays, cancellations, being unable to reach customer service reps, and other issues. Last year CBS News reported Spirit Airlines as number two in the airlines with the most negative complaints for 2022. They also came in number two for the worst airlines in the United States. The Business Insider article also stated Skytrax has an average rating of 2/10 from customers with a total of five thousand plus reviews. Yikes on bikes.

3. No Entertainment & No Snacks

Unlike most major airlines, Spirit Airlines does not offer in-flight entertainment or courtesy snacks and beverages for customers. Nope, not even a cup of water. For someone like me who brings their own snacks, that’s not an issue, but everyone doesn’t vibe like that. There is Wi-Fi available, but it costs. Pack accordingly and bring a book or some form of entertainment. Which brings me to the next con.

4. Fees. Fees, Everywhere

In referencing number one and number three, Spirit Airlines is known for charging fees. Although the company brags about being a ULCC, the way they make up for being charging low cost tickets is by the fees. Baggage fees, Wi-Fi costs, food and beverage fees, early boarding, printing boarding pass at the airport, changing seats and more. While many airlines do charge fees for things like changing seats, Spirit does seem over the top with everything else.

Conclusion

It’s truly your prerogative when it comes to the airline of your choosing. In my opinion, a quick 1-3 hour trip with Spirit is the best. I haven’t flown internationally with them, but I would consider it depending on pricing and comparing it with other airlines.

Have you ever flown with Spirit Airlines? Share your experiences below!

Travel season is officially loading. Travel season can be whenever you want it to be, all year round, certain seasons, but for the most part it’s spring and summer. It’s always important to make a smooth transition into going to airports in order to get to your destination on time, safe and stress free.

Here are some easy hacks for flying:

1. Arrive Early

If my flight is scheduled to leave at 12:45pm, trust and believe like Keyshia Cole I will be at xyz airport at 9:30am. I love getting to the airport early for a few reasons:

To get through TSA lines in a timely fashion
Just in case there may be an issue with ticketing, seating, etc

I love getting to my gate relaxing, munching on my snacks, getting some work done and waiting for my plane to board. Being early is being on time.

2. Have Your ID & Other Documents Handy & Ready

Your id is so important in identifying who you are as you pass through security. I purchased a cool lanyard wallet with a built in cellphone case where I can easily access my id and other important cards. It’s important to know exactly where your id is located so it doesn’t get lost and so you’re not holding up the line searching for it. Be a team player with other passengers and airport staff so everyone can move through the security lines smoothly.

3. Dress Comfortably

Travel days are known to be busy, tiring, and can be hectic. It’s best to dress comfortably for maneuvering through the airport, unless you’re just absolutely ready to walk the runway. Here are some airport clothing ideas:

Sweatshirts
Hoodies (preferably with pockets)
Sweatpants and jogging pants (again, with pockets)
Comfortable slip on shoes
Track jackets
SOCKS!

Be sure to adhere to the weather and temperature to the place you’re traveling to before leaving to ensure comfort. I’ve flown during all four seasons to humid hot places and cold ones and personally I still wear a sweatshirt and jogging pants as my default outfit. I even add on a jacket because it can get chilly on certain aircraft. If needed, I change clothes when I get my luggage in the airport bathrooms depending on how cold or hot it is and where I’m going.

Photo by Rob Wilson on Unsplash

4. Pack Correctly & Adhere to TSA Rules

I was returning home one time and I accidentally put a container of body scrub in my carry on bag instead of my check in bag. TSA carried my poor little scrub away. Ouch. There is a major TSA rule of not having liquid items over 3.4 oz. Knowing how to pack correctly is important so you don’t have to have items confiscated or waste time rearranging your wardrobe and toiletries in the middle of the airport (again, see the first tip on time management).

Packing accordingly also applies to bringing the correct sized luggage to the airport. Besides TSA, always check in with each individual airline you’re flying with, although most have the same regulations. There are plenty of parking tutorial videos on TikTok and YouTube that will show you how to pack and what to pack.

5. Regularly Check for Flight Updates

One time I was flying into Miami from Louisville and my gate got switched at the last minute. I got to my gate in more than enough time, but if I hadn’t checked or received notifications? It’s so important to check flight logs and monitors or have flight notifications via email or apps to not only ensure you’re at the correct gate, but to also be informed on boarding times and possible delays and gate changes.

6. Bring Snacks & An Empty Water Bottle

As mentioned above, liquids over 3.4oz aren’t allowed in personal item bags or carry on bags and no one wants to pay a whopping $12 for a bottle of water at the airport (trust me, I did this in Vegas and you don’t want to do that). It’s best to bring a clean, empty water bottle to grab water at fountains or other beverages once you’ve passed security.

Airplane snacks are cool, but I absolutely prefer to bring my own snacks. I’m also vegan and my diet is limited, so bringing my own goodies helps a ton. This also saves money from buying pricey snacks in the airport and you can enjoy your own food. If there are delays, having your own snacks is beneficial in case you get hungry. I usually pack mine in my personal item backpack.

@___dro__ 6 Easy Airport Travel Tips 🛫 Save this for your next airport visit! I love flying and doing these helps me get through anybody’s airport anywhere with a breeze 🙏🏽 • • • • • #fyp #fypシ #foryoupage #airport #airportlife #traveltiktok #traveltips #travelhacks #airlinetiktok ♬ Happiness (feat. Asake & Gunna) - Sarz & Asake & Gunna

What airport tip is helps you the most? Share below!

I remember seeing people rant and rave about Nolaskinsentials back on X (formerly and still known as Twitter) in 2017/2018. I’m on the late train, but I had to jump on it regardless. I don’t usually go for social media hype, but the hype is real when it comes to Nolaskinsentials.

Nolaskinsentials is a black owned, woman owned vegan skincare company ran by Jane Ormon. It was started in 2017 due to Ormon having a hard time finding suitable products for her darker complexion. Nolaskinsentials is cruelty free and handcrafted created with real, natural ingredients, which is why I wanted to check it out.

Here are the products I purchased from them to review:

Papaya Burst Cleanser

Let’s Get Intimate Bikini Scrub

Pumpkin & Vanilla Bean Face Exfoliant

Passion Fruit Hyperpigmentation Soap

Here’s my take on each product after using them all for a few months:

Papaya Burst Cleanser

I wanted to use the Papaya Burst Cleanser as an addition to my skincare regimen after reading a suggestion to use two cleansers for your face. I already use black soap and sometimes charcoal soap, so I chose the papaya soap for deep cleansing.

This soap is helpful for acne prone skin and dark spots. While I don’t have dark spots anymore, as someone with acne prone skin I found this cleanser extremely helpful to my regimen. I have no issues with this cleanser, it goes a long way and keeps my skin glowing.

Rating: 10/10

Let’s Get Intimate Bikini Scrub

I started getting Brazilian waxes over the pandemic shut down. One thing that was stressed to sustain healthy skin was to regularly exfoliate the intimate area. This is why I purchased the Let’s Get Intimate Bikini Scrub. I used this scrub before and after waxes. It’s a Himalayan salt base and is useful for ingrown hairs and razor bumps.

This is a pretty solid scrub. As someone who exfoliates weekly, I wish it would come in a larger container (the size is 8oz). Otherwise this was a nice scrub and it did prevent ingrowns.

Rating: 8/10

Pumpkin & Vanilla Bean Face Exfoliant

This scrub is $20 for a 4oz container but is some of the best exfoliant I’ve ever used, hands down. Besides the amazing vanilla scent, this scrub is amazing on my face. I exfoliate once a week, both face and body. This scrub has a sugar base and is for acne prone and textured skin.

What I love most is the how smooth and soft it is to the skin while using. I wouldn’t expect a vanilla scented scrub to be compatible with acne prone skin, but it’s that amazing and left my skin smooth and glowing. Because it’s only used on the face, it lasts a very long time too.

Rating: 10/10

Passion Fruit Hyperpigmentation Soap

We all have pesky scars and hyperpigmentation we want to get rid of. I got the Passion Fruit Hyperpigmentation Soap with hope of lightening some scars on my legs although many use it for their faces as it’s recommended for acne prone skin and scarring.

My fairest review on this is that I haven’t been using the soap long enough to really see a change on any leg scars and I may need to use a stronger cream to get rid of them instead. All in all, it’s a quality soap, but I personally would suggest it be used on the face instead of the body based off of my review for body usage after a few months.

Rating: 8/10

That’s my take on Nolaskinsentials products. I absolutely adore the Papaya Burst Cleanser and the Vanilla & Bean Exfoliant the most. I’m super excited to try more products from this company. Highly recommended and worth a try!

Have you ever used Nolaskinsentials? What’s your favorite product or what product would you try if you haven’t tried it before?

I first tried press on nails back in 2019 and it was a fail. When the pandemic came in 2020, all nail shops and salons were closed so there was no other choice but to learn how to wear press on nails. I am now a believer.

Let’s break down the pros and cons of press on nails:

Pros:

1. Cost Efficient

No more $80 nail appointments for a manicure and a manicure only. Some custom press on nails are costly due to decorations and being handmade, but most for everyday wear are very affordable. Kiss Nails press on nails cost on average $8.

2. No More Broken & Weak Nails

The brief time I wore acrylic nails, I noticed my nails getting weaker. On the contrary, my nails still tend to be healthy wearing press on nails.

3. Time

I love being pampered at nail salons, but sometimes it takes way too much time. Depending on where you’re going, walking into a nail salon means wait time, removing old nail polish, soaking off acrylic (that takes forever), adding on new acrylic, drying time, designs, etc. Wearing press on nails takes from 10-25 minutes. This is so beneficial for “on the go” quick manis too.

4. Removal & Reusal

When I frequented going to salons and got acrylic nails, I would have to get my nails soaked off. And that took forever. In comparison, I can easily remove my press on nails whenever I want and even reuse them.

Cons:

1. Breaking

While I love press on nails, the stability isn’t always there. That means your pinky nail might pop off. Getting acrylic nails or just a manicure means more stability. Press on nails can be reapplied and reused, but it can get annoying doing this every time a nail comes off.

NOTE: When vacationing, I also find press on nails a bit more annoying especially when going on excursions, activities, and just out and about.

2. Time Frame

Depending on the brand, press on nails can last up to 7 days or longer based on how they’re applied. Acrylic nails and manicures last longer without the hassle of reapplying nails.

All in all, I will still choose press on nails although I enjoy getting my nails done professionally as well.

Would you consider wearing press on nails?

Everyone loves to travel, especially to different countries. There’s something both powerful and refreshing about a new experience in a new country. While vacationing in new places can be fun, a major key is being practicing good tourist etiquette. Here are four easy tips on being a polite traveler in new locations:

1. Do Your Research

This should go without saying, but it’s a major key to do your research before traveling. Besides doing the obvious research about hotel, accommodations, and activities, it’s important to understand the culture of the place you’re visiting. This can include:

Learning the native language and basic phrases to use
Cultural customs (For example, Dubai is well known to have clothing rules for both natives and visitors)
Holiday dates (Important due to factors like traffic, crowds, and closures);
History
Politics

Understanding the basics of the location you’re traveling to will help you have a better experience when navigating and interacting with the people.

2. Support the Locals

Naturally, travelers and tourists will want to frequent popular and tourist friendly spots, but it’s helpful to support the locals as well. In many countries, while some locals may be employed by hotels, resorts, and other tourist centered locations, many are not. For example, in places like Jamaica, locals are not able to have access beaches due to the control of the hotels. This means that people selling crafts to tourists and even fisherman are limited in making a living for themselves when industries like tourism and fishing are vital to the economy. Support locals directly ensures money spent goes straight to their pockets without the middleman or the person at the top taking a large percentage. This can be done by the following:

Renting an Airbnb in a safe tourist friendly location instead of paying for a hotel or resort
Purchasing gifts and souvenirs from local artists and sellers instead of in airports and resorts/hotels
Hiring a local driver for transportation or utilizing Uber and Lyft
Dining at local restaurants (plus you can eat authentic food)
Hire local tour guides, photographers, and instructors for activities

Besides financially supporting the locals, this gives you a unique and authentic cultural experience of your location of choice instead of staying at a hotel or resort the entire time. While planning a trip, be sure to add local restaurants, shops, and individuals to support on your itinerary. Be sure to do thorough research, read reviews, and confirm authenticity when booking through channels outside of mainstream hotels and resorts. You can find many locals advertising their tours, crafts, and activities via Airbnb under “Experiences”.

Photo by Element5 Digital

3. Be Respectful

You are a guest in other people’s countries, towns, cities, and homelands. While certain beliefs, customs, and religions may not be for you, be respectful while in other people’s homelands. If something makes you uncomfortable or you disagree with it, kindly do not attend said location, event, or visit the country at all. This goes back to the first tip on why it is important to do thorough research before booking your trip. Other ways to be respectful include:

Do not liter. Practice eco friendly tourism by adhering to cleanliness and reducing waste
Be mindful of where and how you are taking photos (eg. at sacred sites, burial grounds, etc)
Ask for consent if taking photos of people
Learn the greetings and manners of the specific culture (see number one)

Remember this is someone’s home and not just a tourist playground. Showing respect ensures you having a great time as well as not having tension, your safety and the safety of others.

4. Educate Others

Everyone loves sharing their travel adventures on social media whether it’s a casual post or some serious vlogging. After your next trip when you’re posting photos and videos online, be sure to share information about your local adventures too. Let others know about taxi drivers, helpful hotel staff members, tour guides, artisans, and restaurants that contributed to your amazing trip. This promotes and encourages people to support the native and local people when they are planning their own vacations to the same places.

Not only does this assist in supporting local communities, but it also bridges the gap between people of different nationalities, races, ethnicities, and cultures bringing us together as humans.

What are some ways your practice being a good tourist when traveling? Share below.

Well hello there. 2024 is here and we are going to get started with all the amazing things the new season has to bring. I haven’t been blogging that much because I’ve been so busy with video content on my TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram platforms, but it’s only right to continue blogging for my readers. Despite the popularity of video vlogging, there are many people who still enjoy the simplicity, silence, and uniqueness of blogs. To that, I say thank you.

I want to talk about this lovely canvas bag I got. My boyfriend bought me a Kate Spade canvas tote bag that I’ve been wanting for the longest. I’m a huge fan of Kate Spade everything. Bags, shoes, jewelry, you name it. I fell in love with the canvas tote bags as a lover of canvas totes. They’re so durable, easy to carry and pair well with casual fashion looks especially when you’re on the go.

@___dro__ Lets get into it! This @kate spade new york canvas book tote bag is perfection 😍 So feminine, girly, pink & lush drowned in watercolor like painted floral print! 🌸 Gifted to me by my boyfriend. Such a great piece for everydaywear, running errands or shopping! 👜 P.S. I LOVE Kate Spade everything! #fyp #fypシ #foryoupage #katespade #katespadeny #katespadenewyork #totebag #totebagaesthetic #totebagstyle #girlythings #femininestyle #cutethings #pinktok ♬ Calm Down X Love Nwantiti - DJ Drek

The Kate Spade canvas tote is crafted with heavy duty canvas and is actually a “book tote” although you can carry it however you feel. The tote I received is in the “multi-color” style, a floral patterned piece adorned in different shades of pinks and purples with a watercolor paint look.

The tote is double strapped measuring at 14 inches tall and 13.5 inches wide. The straps are indeed long enough to fit on the shoulders as noted in the description. It even has a built in pocket with Kate’s logo inside. Many tote bags don’t have pockets inside them so this was a great extra treat and helpful for organizing items (keys, lip gloss).

As for the quality, Kate Spade’s products are nothing less than standard. I’ve had it for some time now and it’s very durable and holds everything together.

I adore this tote so much and I plan on getting another one in a different style.

How To Wear Tote Bags:

Beach day
Grocery shopping
Casual fashion looks
Spring style
Travel (carry on bag)

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