I can’t believe it’s already been a week and my stay in Costa Rica has come to an end. In all, this has
to be one of the best trips I have ever taken. Costa Rica was amazing with it’s breathtaking beaches, rich culture, and friendly locals but I actually learned a lot on this trip. Through my stay at School of the World, I was able to improve on my surfing, test out my skills at yoga, and managed to learn some Spanish. If you are like me and get bored easily, I recommend learning vacations as a new way of traveling. Not only did I have a chance to take my long awaited girl’s vacation with my closest friends, but I learned some new skills and met some passionate travelers from all around the world.
Costa Rica will always have a place in my heart, and I definitely will be coming back!
Hannah's Archive
Costa Rica Surf Trip: Part 5
Costa Rica Surf Trip: Part 2Packing Essentials for a Costa Rica Surf Trip
Read Part 1: Costa Rica Surf Trip, Part 1
I got some great packing tips from Natazha (from School of the World) for my upcoming trip to Costa Rica. Constantly flying to different countries and cities for her modeling jobs, here is what she had to say of her 10 must haves:
“When packing for a surf trip, I like to pack things that are light, comfortable, and multi-functional.”
- Natazha
Read on for Natazha’s packing list… (more…)
Costa Rica Surf Trip: Part 1Planning my girls surf trip to the School of the World, Costa Rica
The winter has me wanting to take a trip to somewhere tropical! Okay, I shouldn’t complain since I live in Orange County where it’s 75 degrees year round, but I’d love to go somewhere remote with black sand beaches, rainforests, and ocean water that you can surf without wearing a wetsuit. Costa Rica was the perfect solution to my checklist, but how do I even begin planning my Costa Rican all girls surf trip? Enter School of the World, a unique combination of boutique hotel, surf camp, language school, photography workshop, and yoga retreat. Since travelers visit here from all over the world, it’d be a great way to meet some new and interesting people as well.
SOTW is ran by my friends Zach McDuffie and Natazha Aiken McDuffie (Natazha is an international model and Zach is the founder School of the World and a learning vacation expert). They both were so passionate about Costa Rica, and provided me with such great tips of places to go and things to do, I knew instantly this was where I wanted to stay. Zach and Natazha are experts on traveling. They run a blog popular blog about learning vacations, The Learning Experience, and are developing a travel show about the best vacation schools, workshops, retreats, and fantasy camps in the world. Get a glimpse into what it’s all about in the video below…
Learning Experience Trailer from Z McDuffie on Vimeo
So I will be spending my vacation in Costa Rica for one week, chronicling my time there and of course providing you with style tips and fashion must haves for your next tropical vacation.
Want to win a stay at the School of the World?
ENTER HERE!
Sneak Peek: Fall 2011 SWELL Catalog!
A peek into what you’ll find in your mailbox in a few days…
Our Fall catalog should be hitting your homes any day now. I know it’s still hot and muggy,
but seeing all these light weight sweaters and fringe boots makes me want to layer up. Our stylist and models went gaga over the product at the shoot, but I’ve narrowed it down to my top favorite trends for the season:
1. Cropped sweaters – So cute over your favorite summer maxi dress or paired with high waist jeans.
2. Flared jeans – nostalgic 70′s inspired (or in my case, reminds me of the movie Dazed and Confused)
3. Colors of the season: Orange and Russets. Although I live in Southern California, where it’s pretty much 75 degrees year round, these deep rich hues remind of maple leaves turning color in autumn.
So to all of you girls who are in denial that summer is going to have to end, you can at least look forward to sporting some of the great fashion for the Fall season.
Now go check your mailbox for the Fall catalog!
Don’t subscribe to the Swell catalog? Sign up to get the next edition HERE
About the Author: If buying girl’s apparel were anything like garage sale shopping, Hannah would be the one knocking at your door at 5am, trying to score the best picks. Spot this dog surfing enthusiast with a longboard and lifejacket-ed Golden Retriever.