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Twenty Countries in Four Years | Family Travel Reflections

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From beaches and backstreets to world wonders and hidden corners, this is our family’s journey across 20 countries in just four years. What started as a leap into the unknown has become a collection of unforgettable experiences, lessons, and stories....
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Japan

Japan was country #17 — the end of our latest chapter and the beginning of something else. We didn’t just experience Japan. We were grounded by it. From ramen stalls to temples, it asked us to slow down, observe, and listen more deeply. This entry ca...

 
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Nineteen days in Japan — our fourth continent and seventeenth country. We landed home in Puerto Vallarta a little jet-lagged, a little changed. Sometimes we forget how wild this life is, especially with two kids who’ve wandered more than most adults ...
Coming Home from Japan | Country #17
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Reliable Bags & Carriers

These are the backpacks, totes, and carry-ons that have survived airports, temples, buses, puddles, and meltdowns. We only list what we’ve personally traveled with and trust enough to recommend.

 
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This is the backpack our whole family travels with — our kids are ten and thirteen and even they use the 35L size. It fits under airplane seats, has plenty of compartments, and the built-in cup holders are a surprisingly huge win. It’s not an affilia...
35L Backpack Timber Wolf
 
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One of the smartest upgrades for long trips through multiple countries is compression packing cubes. We’ve used versions like this 7-piece set from Target and it changed how we travel: clothes stay organized, suitcases zip up easier, and you waste wa...
7-Piece Compression Packing Cube Set

Yearly Reflections & Big Picture Gratitude

Looking back on the countries we’ve explored, the milestones we’ve hit, and the memories we’ve made — these are the journal-style reflections that tie it all together. Less about where we went, and more about what we felt, learned, and built along th...

 
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This year we explored eight countries, from river days in Guatemala to summer road trips through Italy, Hungary, Czechia, and Austria. We celebrated, adventured, rested, and reflected with the people we love most. As we enter 2025, the gift of design...https://www.instagram.com/p/DEDspN3y7RM/
2024 in Review — 8 Countries, Endless Gratitude
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World Tourism Day, celebrated every September 27th since 1980, is a reminder of how deeply travel shapes our world… connecting people, boosting economies, and broadening perspectives. Travel isn’t just leisure; it’s a way to live more fully and under...
World Tourism Day | Why We Travel

Keepsake Travel Maps & Memory Art

Personalized watercolor art maps that capture the spirit of your favorite destinations. Whether it’s a family trip, hometown memory, or dream honeymoon spot, these keepsakes are perfect for gifting or cherishing your own journey.

 
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Your story deserves to be mapped out beautifully. These hand-painted watercolor designs let you celebrate the cities, countries, and coastlines that have shaped your family’s journey. Available on tea towels, puzzles, mugs, cards, and more—each one i...
Watercolor Art Maps
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Flight Stats & Travel Milestones

From first flights to full itineraries, this section documents our journey in numbers. Here's where we track our total flights, air miles, and those unexpected patterns that come with exploring the world one boarding pass at a time.

 
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From my very first flight at 18 to traveling with our kids to 17 different countries, this personal milestone means the world to me—literally. ✈️ Total flights logged: 82. Total distance flown: 140,359 km. It’s been a wild mix of long hauls, budget h...https://www.instagram.com/p/DLSh_b-u_kP/?img_index=1
25 Years of Flight Paths | 2000–2025 Travel Log

Campervan Summer: Italy to Hungary

A month-long journey in a campervan across Italy, Austria, Czechia, and Hungary taught us more than any guidebook could. From world wonders to winding roads, this chapter was one of messy magic, personal growth, and unforgettable memories — even on t...

 
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After 30+ days on the road and over 6300km driven across six countries (with four truly explored), we made it home — a little more tired, a lot more fulfilled. This trip wasn’t a vacation. It was a journey. One that left its mark, changed us, stretch...https://www.instagram.com/p/C-vY94QPyb9/?img_index=8
6300km, 4 Countries, 1 Month — And We're Home
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Travel Gear That Worked (and What Didn’t)

After four years and 17 countries, some items proved themselves invaluable while others didn’t live up to the hype. Here’s the gear that actually made a difference in keeping us safe, comfortable, and sane on the road.

 
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From crowded metros in Rome to ferry rides on Lake Como, having a secure, comfortable backpack made all the difference. The Osprey Anti-Theft Backpack became our go-to for carrying essentials safely—hidden compartments, lockable zippers, and supporti...
Osprey Anti-Theft Backpack – Travel Tested Across 17 Countries
 
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Whether it’s hopping between airports or staying in hostels with shared bathrooms, having a compact toiletry kit is a game changer. This mini kit from eBay includes travel-size shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, a razor, etc. It ensures that even when s...
Mini Toiletry Kit (Travel Size Essentials)

The Leap That Started It All

Every journey has a beginning. For us, it wasn’t a single trip—it was moving our entire family from Canada to Mexico. That leap into the unknown didn’t just change our address, it reshaped our lives and opened the door to a world of travel.
 
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In 2021, we made the boldest move of our lives: relocating our family of four from Canada to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico—in just one week. It was emotional, chaotic, and exhilarating all at once, but none of it would have been possible without the love a...
From Canada to Mexico – The First Step Toward 20 Countries

Mexico

Our first years in Mexico marked a turning point — trading island life for a new home filled with tacos, mercados, and sunsets by the sea. Mexico is where the adventure deepened, where we learned to slow down, embrace patience, and begin weaving ours...

 
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Mexico has given us countless memories — from learning to shop at fruterías and speaking Spanish in daily life, to releasing sea turtles on the beach and celebrating Día de los Muertos for the first time. This mug captures the heart of the country in...
Watercolor Illustrated Map of Mexico | Monogram Coffee Mug
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Canada

Our starting point, our home country, and the place that shaped us. Leaving wasn’t easy, but it was the first step toward everything that followed.

 
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Canada will always be home — it’s where we were born, where the boys spent their earliest years, and where so many of our family roots still are. But Canada also represents the moment we decided to leap. Leaving behind the familiar for a new life in ...
Canada Watercolor Map Sign | The Beginning of Our Journey

United States

Road trips, airport layovers, city stops, and family visits — the U.S. has been part of our travels in countless ways, even if it’s never been home.

 
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The United States has been woven into our story in its own way — not as a place we’ve lived, but as a place we’ve passed through, explored, and crossed on the way to other adventures. From airport layovers to road trips, from iconic cities to quiet i...
USA Watercolor Map Postcard | A Gateway in our Travels

Costa Rica

Sloths in the treetops, jungle-fringed beaches, and pura vida everywhere you turn. Costa Rica was a family adventure full of wildlife, warmth, and wild beauty.

 
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Costa Rica gave us so many unforgettable moments — sloths draped lazily across branches, endless stretches of jungle canopy, and the warm rhythm of pura vida shaping each day. This watercolor map mug captures the essence of the country: lush greens, ...
Costa Rica Watercolor Map Mug | A Keepsake of Pura Vida
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After nearly two weeks of jungles, beaches, waterfalls, and sloth sightings, stepping off the plane in Puerto Vallarta felt like exhaling. There’s something about coming home — that familiar humidity in the air, the rhythm of the city, the comfort of...
Back Home in Puerto Vallarta | Where Comfort Lives
 
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Our time in Costa Rica left a bigger mark than I expected, especially on Hendrix. After spotting poison dart frogs in the rainforest, he started devouring books on reptiles and frogs, which somehow led him straight into geography. He can now list all... https://www.instagram.com/p/CdMsNsPFTI1/
Born Learners: How Costa Rica Sparked Hendrix’s Curiosity
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El Salvador

Colorful, bold, and full of surprises — from crater lakes to pupusas, El Salvador is a country that feels alive in every detail. Our time here will be remembered for its food, its culture, and its vibrant heart.

 
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El Salvador has a way of capturing your senses — from rainbow-colored glass inside San Salvador’s Iglesia El Rosario, to the warmth of sharing pupusas, to the vibrant call of the torogoz bird (the national symbol). This watercolor map mug illustrates...
El Salvador Watercolor Map Mug | A Keepsake of Pupusas & Volcanoes
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Travel Reading, Inspiration & Reflection

Books, essays, and reflections that reshape how we travel. These picks aren’t guidebooks so much as mindset boosters — helping you see the world differently, travel more intentionally, and find meaning in every journey.

 
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This book is one of those foundational travel reads — not because it tells you which city to visit, but because it reframes why and how you travel. Vagabonding encourages long stretches of travel (“time off” from regular life), practical advice on ho...
Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel
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This newest volume by Anthony Bourdain, co-written with Laurie Woolever, is part memoir, part travel guide, and pure soul food for wanderers. In World Travel, Bourdain shares his favorite places, eats, and memories—from bustling cities to quiet corne...
World Travel: An Irreverent Guide
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This illustrated journal from Bourdain offers behind-the-scenes stories, photos, and commentary from his global travels — from New Zealand to New Jersey and everywhere in between. It’s a blend of culinary adventures, cultural observations, and the ki...
No Reservations: Around the World on an Empty Stomach
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Reflections & Mindset

Travel isn’t just about the places we’ve seen — it’s about the mindset shifts that happen when you step outside your comfort zone and into a bigger world.

 
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We’ve all heard the saying: live outside the box, step outside your comfort zone. But what does that really mean? For us, it’s about choosing to experience life fully rather than just watching from the sidelines. From childhood, many of us are put in...
Living Outside the Box | Finding Freedom in Travel
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The details will fade — the palm trees, the red tile roofs, the roosters crowing in the background. But the snapshots of memory remain clear, bathed in the orange glow of a Mexican sunset. Because travel is more than a checklist. It’s: A feeling. A c...
The Magic of Travel | More Than a Checklist
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Moving our family to a new country was a massive decision — one full of excitement, challenges, and a fair amount of red tape. With our upcoming trip to Costa Rica to visit the consulate and apply for Mexican residency, I made a choice: to let go of ...
Letting Go of Control & Trusting the Journey
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Guatemala

From the bustling markets of Antigua to the tranquil shores of Lake Atitlán and the awe-inspiring temples of Tikal, Guatemala is a country that left a lasting mark on our family travels. This section captures our time exploring its beauty — the momen...

 
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This watercolor map mug of Guatemala is part of our travel reflections collection — one for every country we’ve explored as a family. On one side, it features hand-painted icons of temples, Lake Atitlán, traditional markets, and the iconic chicken bu...
Watercolor Illustrated Map of Guatemala | Keepsake Mug
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Honduras

Emerald jungles, Mayan ruins, and turquoise waters — our reflections and creative keepsakes from exploring Honduras.

 
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In the heart of Central America, Honduras reveals itself as a land of emerald jungles, ancient ruins, and turquoise waters. Each corner feels like a living canvas — vibrant markets bursting with color, wildlife moving to the rhythm of the wild, and h...
Watercolor Illustrated Map Honduras | Monogram Coffee Mug
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Nicaragua

Volcanoes, lakes, vibrant markets, and timeless traditions — our reflections and keepsakes from Nicaragua.

 
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Nicaragua, at the heart of Central America, is a country of resilience and beauty. It’s where emerald volcanoes rise above lakes, where oxen carts still travel the roads, and where vibrant markets showcase handmade artistry. This watercolor mug desig...
Watercolor Illustrated Map Nicaragua | Monogram Coffee Mug
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Panama

From family travel memories to creative keepsakes, this section gathers our experiences in Panama — exploring jungles, beaches, city streets, and everything in between.

 
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Panama is where oceans meet and cultures intertwine, creating a country filled with color and vitality. From the lush jungles to the historic streets of Casco Viejo, from the modern skyline of Panama City to the turquoise islands of Guna Yala, every ...
Watercolor Illustrated Map Panama | Monogram Coffee Mug
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Colombia

From coffee highlands to Caribbean shores, this section gathers our reflections and creative keepsakes from Colombia.

 
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Colombia is a country where emerald jungles meet soaring peaks and where every moment pulses with color and rhythm. From the coffee highlands to the Caribbean coast, its landscapes are as diverse as its culture — alive with music, art, and resilience...
Watercolor Illustrated Map Colombia | Monogram Coffee Mug
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We made it back to Puerto Vallarta, closing out one of the most unforgettable years of our lives. In just 365 days we’ve crossed borders, time zones, and oceans… from Canada to Mexico, a family adventure to Costa Rica, a road trip through Mexico, and...
A Year in Motion | Five Countries, Countless Memories
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Bucket List Map Series | Illustrated Countries of the World

Each of these pieces is part of a much bigger vision — a fully illustrated world map featuring all 195 countries. Every one gets its own story, its own brushstrokes, and its own little moment to shine.

 
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While it might look like just one mug, Belize is actually part of something much bigger — my illustrated Bucket List world map project. Each country design gets pulled aside and highlighted individually so its beauty and character can really stand on... https://www.instagram.com/p/DPuFwWFDAe6/
Watercolor Illustrated Map of Belize | Monogram Coffee Mug
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Some projects are born from deadlines and client notes, but every once in a while I have to step back and create something just because it feeds my soul. This illustrated bucket list poster started as exactly that. I spent the afternoon painting tiny...
Places We’ll Wander | Monogram Travel Bucket List Poster
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Brazil

Our time in Brazil was spent exploring Rio — its beaches, neighborhoods, food, and everyday rhythm. This section brings together the watercolor mug from my map series and reflections from our trip, from first impressions and city views to small famil...

 
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This Brazil mug was one of my favorites to design — partly because it captures the color and rhythm of Rio, and partly because it brings back memories of our own trip there. I wanted the watercolor map to feel alive, with the same warmth and movement...
Watercolor Illustrated Map Brazil | Monogram Coffee Mug
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Peru

Our time in Peru was filled with color, history, and a lot of adventure. From wandering through Cusco and visiting Machu Picchu to trying local dishes and exploring small towns, this section will include both our real experiences and a few travel-ins...

 
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This watercolor Peru Bucket List Map Mug celebrates one of the most unforgettable destinations we’ve visited. It’s part of my Bucket List Map series — each one designed to highlight the unique landscapes and culture of a different country. I love how...
Watercolor Illustrated Map Peru | Monogram Coffee Mug
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This Watercolor Peru Map Poster is one of my favorite ways to turn travel memories into art. It features a detailed watercolor illustration of Peru with space to add your own trip photos — perfect for anyone who’s visited Machu Picchu, Cusco, Lima, o...
Watercolor Peru Map | Holiday Photos Poster

Reflections on Parenting & Growth

The lessons our kids have taught us along the way, about resilience, curiosity, compassion, and what it really means to live fully.

 
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Every now and then, one of those conversations happens that just stops me in my tracks. The other day, my son casually started talking about life and death… how “we’re here for a good time, not a long time,” and how even though moving is sometimes sa...
“Here for a Good Time, Not a Long Time” Conversations That Stay With You
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Paraguay

A landlocked gem in the heart of South America where calm rivers wind through green plains, handmade crafts fill the markets, and life moves at an easy, unhurried pace.

 
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Paraguay often flies under the radar for travelers, but it’s such a beautifully grounded country… simple, soulful, and full of quiet charm. This mug captures that spirit through hand-painted watercolor illustrations that celebrate its daily life and ...
Watercolor Illustrated Map Paraguay | Monogram Coffee Mug
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Uruguay

From sunlit coasts to the quiet rhythm of the pampas, Uruguay blends timeless charm, tradition, and easygoing warmth.

 
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A soft watercolor ode to Uruguay, this illustrated mug captures the country’s gentle beauty and relaxed spirit. Hand-painted icons tell its story: a traditional mate cup and bombilla, a gaucho on horseback, Montevideo’s architecture, and the quiet hu...
Watercolor Illustrated Map Uruguay | Monogram Coffee Mug
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Argentina

A place to collect both my illustrated Argentina pieces and the stories, photos, and reflections from our time exploring this beautiful country.

 
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This mug feels extra special because Argentina is one of the countries we’ve actually explored. The watercolor map includes little icons that remind us of the things that make Argentina unforgettable… tango, fútbol, and that familiar mate gourd. It’s...
Watercolor Illustrated Map Argentina | Monogram Coffee Mug
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