Month: August 2025

Originally posted at: Tamra Judge’s Burgundy Knotted Purse is Under $20

What do experts really think? We asked plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and orthodontists to weigh in.

What most inspires your holiday decisions? Do you pick a destination that’s always appealed to you and then look for somewhere to stay, or throw caution to the wind and book a dream hotel that you’ve read about, regardless of where it is?

For most of us, budgets, holiday companions and the destination itself will, of course, all play their part in our decisions on where to stay. Likewise, how much independence we want and how much we want to be immersed in local life. As ever, plenty of things to consider before decisions are made but it really is worth investing some time and thought into finding what is likely to work best for you.

Holiday Companions

Above all, any decision around where you stay will be affected by your fellow holiday companions. If there’s just one or two of you, a hotel is a welcome indulgence: after all, who doesn’t enjoy a week’s respite from shopping, cooking and making the bed?!

However, while it’s easy to assume that staying in a hotel where everything is done for you is the more relaxing option, often the independence of having your own villa can actually be more restful because of the flexibility that comes with self-catering. Breakfast by the pool at 10am in your PJ’s? Feel free! And if there are grandkids in the group, they’ll love the freedom of having their own pool to play in without worrying about noise levels!

Top tip: Worried about missing out on your own private space? Just choose a villa with a separate guest house so you can escape when it all gets too much.

Which Is the Most Budget-Friendly Option?

Of course, we all have different ideas as to what’s affordable. What represents great value for one person may be completely inaccessible to someone else but all-inclusive holidays come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from the lower end of the market to super-luxury.

Nevertheless, once you’ve set an approximate total budget for your trip, booking an all-inclusive where everything is paid for upfront can be very reassuring and can also offer excellent value for money. However, it’s important to be realistic in your expectations – there’s nothing more frustrating than being presented with sub-standard meals and then having to fork out for a more appealing option at a local restaurant!

Another factor to consider is who’s picking up the cheque. If you’re considering treating adult kids and even perhaps grandchildren, staying in a villa will certainly give you more for your money – think private pool, garden and your own space – and will give you much more control over what you spend on eating out and activities.

Top tip: Think carefully about value for money. If you enjoy exploring locally and are unlikely to use the on-site facilities, self-catering may ultimately offer better value than an all-inclusive or resort hotel.

Enjoy the Independence of Self-Catering

If the kitchen is the last place you want to be on holiday, then a hotel or all-inclusive will allow you a proper break from planning and preparing meals. But if you enjoy experimenting with different food and perhaps even find cooking relaxing, self-catering will give you the freedom of eating in or trying local restaurants.

Staying in your own rental property means you can choose where and when you want to eat and generally create your own routine. And with the right frame of mind, and away from everyday time constraints, planning meals, shopping for fresh ingredients in local markets and preparing delicious meals can be a wonderful excuse to spend precious time together.

If you’re holidaying in the heat of the summer, the prospect of cooking in a hot kitchen may be less appealing, but there are ways round this too. Prioritise villas with outdoor kitchens and you’ll find that everyone is that little bit more willing to help with the prepping!

Top tip: Need an evening off? Book with a company that offers private chefs who will take over the shopping, prep and cooking for one or two evening meals.

Should I Choose Luxury Over Authenticity?

While traditionally, all-inclusive holidays were regarded as budget-friendly, a new breed of resorts are offering a high-end experience that is easily on a par with 4 and 5-star hotels. Luxuriously furnished rooms and suites, gourmet dining and an excellent range of activities and amenities have shaken up this sector of the leisure market. What you’re unlikely to find there, though, as with the top end hotels, is an authentic experience that takes you on a deep dive into local culture.

If you’re looking for authenticity, then you’ve more chance of finding it on a self-catering holiday where you’re mingling with locals on the beach and in town. And there’s no need to sacrifice luxury: you’ll find a great selection of luxury villas with infinity pools, jacuzzis and exquisitely furnished high-tech interiors with hotel style en-suite bedrooms throughout Europe.

Top tip: take advantage on authentic verified online reviews on sites such as Feefo for more information on self-catering holiday homes.

What About Activities, Facilities and Tours?

Give some thought before you book as to how active you and your party are likely to be. Are you likely to play tennis or do yoga each day? Or perhaps there are active teenagers in the group hoping to sail, paddle board or waterski? If so, hotels and all-inclusive resorts that offer free water sports and other amenities are a good choice.

However, if the reality is unlikely to match the pre-holiday intentions, and all you really want is a large garden and pool, you may find yourself paying a premium for something you barely use. Plus even if you self-cater, it’s generally fairly easy to find out about local activities, such as a wine-tasting or cooking class.

Top tip: Wherever you stay, when it comes to exploring local attractions, consider booking a private tour to save yourself the hassle of navigating unfamiliar roads and parking restrictions.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Which sort of accommodation do you usually stay in? What influences your decision? How much does it depend on which country you’re in?  

A recent article posted on Sixty and Me, How to Rekindle Your Motivation When the World Gets You Down, by Fran Braga Meininger caught my attention. She described perfectly what I, and many of you, have been feeling – helplessness and lack of energy, for example. She also offered some good suggestions to help us overcome our malaise.

It is easy to point fingers and blame a person or political party for the division and the pain that we feel. Charismatic leaders make speeches, and we cheer if their opinions match our experience and our base of knowledge. If they don’t match, we are quick to discount what they say. I am not without blame.

We can ignore the media and all the daily negative overload to a certain point, but I am an economist and keeping up with the financial markets and everything that affects them (which is about everything in our world) is in my blood. It is my passion. I just have to know!

There are three steps, I call them my three Cs, that help me overcome the negativity.

CALM

My first step is to put myself in a state of calm, where my mind is not racing with news, to-dos, or even panic. How do I do this? These are several things that help me.

Nature Trips

When I can, I love to hike or just sit in nature. As I focus my attention on trees, wildflowers, birds and animals, I drink in their natural beauty including their sounds and smells. I am fortunate that I have a generous sister and brother-in-law who share their wooded cabin with family.

On a recent weekend there, I sat on the porch and watched the tree leaves and pine needles blow in the wind. I drank in the smell of the forest after rain, and I was transformed! The activities and worries of my busy week left and I was at peace.

Touch of a Loved One

Another way that I receive a sense of calm is through touch. I feel blessed to have a loving partner whose touch calms me, especially when I am overwhelmed with worries or anxieties. The love I feel when he holds my hand or wraps his arms around me gives me a sense that all is right with the world. For you, it may be a beloved pet that nudges you for attention or gives you a loving lick. A hug from my grandchildren makes any day brighter!

Music

Music is a calming force in my life, too. Songs that bring back memories of a special day or time make me smile. Some have special meanings and those my partner, a musician, plays are welcome friends. Some compositions take me to faraway places while others touch my soul.

Meditation

Meditation also calms me, although I admit that I am not a regular practitioner. For me, it is not important if I sit or lay down, I just try to shut out the world around me. Every time a thought, worry, or idea comes to mind, I push it aside to focus on “nothing” – the blackness I see when my eyes are closed. Before I know it, I sense my calm.

COMPASSION

Do you ever have days when you feel sorry for yourself? I do! We all have “pity parties.” When I lived in North Carolina, a dear friend would call me out but now that we are thousands of miles apart, I must remind myself.

The best way I’ve found to break out of a pity party is to find something I can do for someone else. That is not difficult. Perhaps there is a friend who is lonely, or is struggling with a medical issue, or has recently lost a pet. They may live next door or in a different state or country. It does not matter.

Certainly, those who suffer from tragedy, famine, or war deserve my compassion. My attention is drawn to those situations by the media. If I look around my community, however, there are people in need. When I see a car accident or hear a fire engine or ambulance, I pray for those involved and their families. It is amazing to me how a simple prayer or a loving thought can change my attitude and even my view of the world.

CONNECT

That brings me to the third C and the next step after I feel compassion – make a connection. I might place a call to my friend or set a coffee or lunch date. I might send a note or bring flowers. Even a thought or prayer, as I mentioned above, can be a connection. During the isolation period of COVID, one of my neighbors took treats to others in our condo development and left them outside their door. She loves to bake, and she found a way to connect.

Showing Love

I love to do almost anything with my family, especially my grandchildren! Their stories and antics and smiles warm my heart and bring me great joy. However, I am estranged from one of my sons and his family including his three beautiful daughters. I miss watching them as they grow and miss celebrating their successes. What I do, however, is write notes and put gifts for each of them in a box. I hope that one day they will find the box and feel my love.

Active Listening

In my opinion, the best gift I can give someone else is to listen. I work at active listening. It is so easy to let my thoughts stray or to think about what I want to say next or even to discount what someone who believes differently than me is saying.

Have you ever asked someone to repeat something, not because of hearing difficulties, but because of lack of attention? I have. But when I connect by active listening, it not only makes the other person feel heard, but I also feel better about myself and often I learn something important.

I deal with daily life through calm, compassion, and connection. You may have a special way that you deal with the turbulence in our world. I hope that you will share it!

Reflection Questions:

What works to reduce worry and anxiety for you? Do you have a special story about compassionate connection?

What do experts really think? We asked plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and orthodontists to weigh in.