This is a place where travel meets everyday living. I believe adventures should be practical, meaningful, and fun. Travel is part of real life, but it also feels like stepping into another version of life where everything is new and full of possibility.
Hi, I’m Katie and I can’t tell you how excited I am that you’re here. Practically Real Life has been an idea floating around in my head for a while, and it feels so good to finally put it out into the world. My hope is that this becomes a space where travel feels fun, meaningful, and doable — something that fits into your real life instead of feeling overwhelming or out of reach.
A little about me. I’m a mom, wife, and book lover living in Columbus, Ohio. I’m also a wannabe minimalist who loves clean-ish living, embraces organized chaos, and believes in simple adventures. I call myself a practical environmentalist and I’m always grateful for what we have at home, but travel keeps me curious. Almost every trip I take, I think “I could live here” and yes, I’m usually scrolling Zillow before the flight home. Travel has a way of reminding me that life is beautiful, the world is big, and we’re all just a small part of it. It also gives me my favorite memories with family and friends — the ones we laugh about and relive long after the trip ends.
That’s the heart of Practically Real Life. It’s about sharing realistic travel tips, destinations, and stories, along with a little peek into the other things I love.
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What’s On My Nightstand
I’m never without a book (or six) on my nightstand. I tend to reach for stories that make me think, feel, or dream a little — a mix of romance, mystery, and drama- filled novels that linger long after I finish the last page. Here’s what’s currently stacked up:
- Culpability by Bruce Holsinger
- My Friends by Fredrik Backman
- Under the Stars by Beatriz Williams
- Building A Non-Anxious Life by Dr. John Delony
- A mug of LMNT Hot Chocolate Salt
What I’m Eating
I go through food phases — when I find something I love, I’ll eat it nonstop until I need a break. Lately, I’ve been trying to mix things up and add a few new recipes into our weekly dinner rotation. Here’s what’s been on repeat:
- Homemade Sourdough bread (baked by my husband)
- This Creamy Healthy Broccoli Cauliflower Soup by Hummusapien
- Overnight Oats
- Unreal Halloween Candy Variety Pack
What I’m Shopping
I’ll admit it — I’m the spender in the family. Lately, I’ve been working on being more intentional with what I buy: adding to cart, waiting a day (or a month), and asking myself if it’s something we really need. My dad used to say, “You can go broke saving money,” and I hear that in my head every time I’m tempted by a “limited-time sale.” These days, I’m focusing on fewer, better things — the ones that make daily life easier, cozier, or more fun:
- The perfect cropped tee
- The perfect jean (why does it seem like I’m always on the hunt for this?!). Something high-waisted, the right shade of blue, soft but not stretchy
- 100% Organic Cotton Poplin Long Sleeve Shirt by Quince
- Workout sneakers (I workout at home and have an indoor only pair I wear that I just realized is 7 years old…)
Where I’m Going (and Dreaming of Going)
Travel planning is kind of my love language. My husband and I are always scheming the next family getaway or quick weekend escape, and trying to balance fun with what actually works for our schedule (and budget). Some trips are already on the calendar, and others are still in the “maybe someday” phase, but dreaming is half the fun.
- Local Ski Weekend: A quick drive, easy packing, and just enough snow to make it feel like an adventure. Reality Check: Midwest snow is unpredictable and often hard to come by, so this will likely be a last minute trip, but I’ve still got my fingers crossed.
- Spring Break: We’re thinking sunshine and sand, somewhere we can relax but still keep the kids entertained. Ideally using points or miles. I’m still researching options!
- Family Ski Trip: A mix of Colorado blue skies, ski days, chocolate chip cookies and cocoa breaks, and family apres ski time.
- Couples Trip: We are due for a trip just the two of us, maybe a long weekend somewhere with good food and no bedtime negotiations.
Thanks for stopping by Practically Real Life. I can’t wait to share more about travel, life, and the little things that make it all meaningful.