lesleymurphy

Mastectomy Care Package Ideas

August 5, 2020 by lesleymurphy 6 Comments

My sister underwent a preventative double mastectomy a week ago today. I want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who showed support and love to her during this time. She is healing really well, and we’re all so thankful for that! To update y’all a bit more, she decided to go above the muscle with her implants. This (generally speaking) makes for a slightly easier recovery than going under the muscle like I did – and to each their own! She is able to move around the house and continues to do things like read, paint and talk to her boys on FaceTime who are visiting their grandmother in Mississippi 🙂 I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was putting together a care package for Lauren and asked if I should share. Y’all said a resounding YES, and I’m more than happy to show the items I included. Some are functional while others are more fun, make-you-smile kind of gifts!

Button-down PJs

Before surgery day, invest in oversized button-down shirts and button-down PJs. Why button-downs? You won’t be able to raise your arms after surgery, so being able to slip into a shirt is key. While cozy button-downs like these Splendid PJs or these Eberjey PJs will make you as comfortable as possible in the days post-surgery. This washable silk sleep mask is a great addition, too!

Bolster Pillows

One of the most functional gifts I received during my mastectomy experience were two little pink bolster pillows to go under my arms. Because you can only sleep on your back propped up on pillows, you’ll need something to support your arms at night. Since my surgery which now feels like many moons ago, some awesome women have created more customized pillows like this one for the breastie community. Worth checking out!

Post-Mastectomy Recovery Bra

I was told to wear a compression bra a little over a week out from surgery. This helps with support and to cut down on fluid output (and helps get those pesky drains out sooner!). Some surgeons recommend a sports bra or a non-underwire bra with a hook and eye front closure, rather than a pullover style or back closure. The above bra isn’t compression, but I was able to wear it a few months out from surgery and adore the buttery softness!

Drain Apron

A waist apron post-surgery is a necessity. I know some people like to pin their drains onto their shirt or even buy the robes with drain belts, but I went old school and got the apron. You could also gift this handmade practical gift basket from a New Jersey-based artist.

Dry Shampoo

Hygiene is hard. I’m not going to sugar coat it. This is when you need a true friend who will lather you up in soap and wash your oily hair OR just cover your head in Living Proof dry shampoo. Another God send are Simple Facial Wipes for easy cleaning – lifesavers throughout the whole process.

Boob Koozies

I can’t remember what store I found these in, but I bought them a few months ago when I laid eyes on them. They’re SO fun, and I found them on Amazon 🙂

Lady Parts Pencil Set

Unblushing by artist Julie Ann has some badass pieces that will undoubtedly put a smile on every recipient that receives her stuff. Although the clever pencils have since sold out, there’s no shortage of boob wrapping paper, boob makeup bags, and so much more!

Tatas Pot

How GORG is this ceramic pot?! It came to me as a gift to my sister, and I was blown away (and so badly wanted to keep it…but I did no such thing!). This mug to drink tea or this boobie journal to keep track of the meds sched post-surgery would also be a great add-on.

You’re Perfect Card

A gift is never complete without a heartfelt note! I loved the design on this “you’re perfect” one – how could you not?! But also think “I’m so glad you got that off your chest” punny card would be a hit. Both are blank inside, perfect for your beautiful words of encouragement and empowerment!

Note: This post was originally published in August 2020 and updated in October 2022.

What Camera Gear I’m Using Right Now

July 14, 2020 by lesleymurphy 3 Comments

Photography as a hobby is pricey. Photography as a career is an investment. Once you buy the latest model of something, just wait 12 months when there’s something even bigger and better on the market. That doesn’t mean your current model is of bad quality. It just means that we as consumers always want the next best thing. After taking photos for many years now, my camera bag is now two camera bags…and you wonder what I do to keep fit while traveling. Curling various bags while crossing the globe totally counts.

It all started in 2013 with a Nikon D3200 when I moved abroad to Argentina. A few years later, I upgraded to a Nikon D7100. They were big and bulky so I tried out a compact Canon Powershot G3X once upon a time until I met the love of my life…as it relates to people and cameras 🙂

Sony Alpha 7

My fiancé and I go between our Sony a7R IV and Sony a7 III during shoots. I adore both of these full frame, mirrorless machines not only because they capture excellent quality imagery, but they’re also smaller, lighter, and more durable than their DSLR counterparts. They both look very similar on the outside, but under the hood tells a different story.

We love the Sony a7R IV is because it performs incredibly well in low light, and we can shoot wider and crop in without losing quality due to its 61.2 megapixels with the a7 III having 24.2 megapixels. Both are great under low light situations as are all Sony A-series cameras. Both shoot video at 4K up to 30fps or 1080p at 24 / 30 / 100 / 120fps, use the same battery and are equipped with dual UHS SD card slots.

Lenses

Sony 24-70mm – This has always been my go-to lens for its versatility. The f2.8 G Master full frame standard zoom can be used with a variety of subjects, easily moving from a wide angle to a zoom with this beauty, acclimating as quickly as your subjects change. If you have to choose only one lens, choose this one.

Sony 50mm – The large f1.4 maximum aperture can produce beautiful background bokeh, making for great portraits or fashion shoots.

Zeiss Batis 85mm – The f1.8 is a classic for portrait shooters, but also useful for street photography or picking-out details in product photos.

Sony 70-200mm – The G Master f2.8 is the biggest lens in my bag and great for wildlife shots, nature and sports shots that require a bit more reach. If you need even more, you can get the Sony 2.0x Teleconverter which brings the 70-200mm to a 140-400mm f5.6 lens.

Drones

DJI Mavic Mini – This guys fits into the palm of your hand! The mini is a great entry-level drone for anyone tight on space with a flight time of up to 30 minutes + 2.7K resolution video and 12 megapixels.

DJI Mavic Air 2 – With my fiancé being a drone pilot and Founder of DRONEGEAR, I now know my fair share about drones. Highlights of the Mavic Air 2 include the 4K resolution camera at 60 frames per second. The 48 megapixel camera is impressive for a half-inch sensor. Flight time is 34 minutes max.

DJI Mavic Pro 2 – This is Alex’s favorite drone to quickly throw in the air for quality shots. It’s very discreet with low noise propellors and offers 4K/30fps video resolution, 20 megapixels and 31 minutes of flight time. If you were ever on the fence about this one, just take a look below at Alex’s shot of Lake Bled…!

Action Cameras

DJI Osmo Pocket – As the name implies, you can literally throw this guy into your pocket before/after using. I love this little gadget for when we want to film while being discreet – such as at a busy restaurant to show a certain atmosphere. The quality is insanely good thanks to a 1/2. 3-inch sensor, 80° FOV and F/2. 0 aperture. It can also shoot 4K/60Fps video at 100Mbps and photos at 12 megapixels. Connect it to your phone for optimal viewing.

GoPro Hero 8 – With three levels of stabilization, 4K UHD 2160p, 12 megapixel photos with improved HDR, live-streaming in 1080p and shotgun-mic performance, this is GoPro’s best version yet.

Accessories

f-stop Camera Backpack – Having traveled with my Anja 40L day pack for over a year now, I can say that this is the best photography pack in the game. It opens from the back and offers various inserts for you to safely store camera bodies, lenses, accessories and anything else your heart desires.

ONA Camera Bag – If you’re looking for something a bit smaller, I love ONA camera bags. I wrote about my experience with The Brixton here, but I love The Bowery just as much for those shorter days.

Tiffen 82mm UV Protection Filter – If you’re in the market for a lens, the first protective gear you should buy is a UV filter for any lens, providing basic reduction of ultraviolet light.

Tiffen 82mm Polarizer – Polarizers will help with reflections off metals and bright whites, cutting glare and reflection resulting in better contrast and deeper color.

MeFOTO Travel Tripod – This 61.6″ tripod is a compact, travel camera tripod that folds up inversely and turns into a monopod. I’ve taken it all over the world without issue!

Photography

Accessories

How to Make Basil Pesto

July 10, 2020 by lesleymurphy 5 Comments

When I met my now-fiancé, he was whipping up a fresh batch of homemade pesto. I walked into his house in Los Angeles, hoping he could fix my drone when wafts of basil hit my nose before even crossing the threshold. He knew I was coming over, and thus, he knew exactly what he was doing 😉 Knowing this man could cook?! I was sold. It’s true…pesto is for lovers!

Since that time, we moved into a house together and have grown a beautiful herb garden (what else do you do in quarantine?). Basil is the shining star, and pesto is on the menu many nights out of the month. Sometimes we even pretend we’re dining on a patio in Capri since this secret sauce hails from Italy. It’s incredibly easy to make, and if I can do it – you can do it, too. Just clean, take the stems off and throw the leaves in a food processor (linked my exact one!) with nuts and garlic. Dribble in the oil and you’ve got a versatile sauce for toast, grain bowls, pizza, pasta, chicken or fish.

Ingredients

5 cups fresh basil leaves (2-3 bunches)

1/2 cup toasted pine nuts

1 to 2 garlic cloves

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

pepper to taste

squeeze of lemon

Instructions

Put half the basil into the food processor. Pulse together with pine nuts (or any nut of your choice – we’ve also used pistachios), garlic and salt until finely chopped. Note* Carefully pulse the basil in the processor instead of blend. You want to keep that rough texture.
Scrape down the sides of the processor and add the remaining basil. Pulse until a paste forms. That may take quite a few pulses.
Add the olive oil as you pulse until the mixture is emulsified into the basil and the pesto looks uniform. Adding more olive oil is better for a spread while less olive oil is better for a pasta sauce.
Taste it! Feel free to add more salt, olive oil, garlic, etc.
Store any extra pesto in a small sealed container. It will last for several days but the surface may turn a bit brown and will need additional olive oil stirred in when used again. Enjoy!

What to Do in Queenstown, New Zealand

July 8, 2020 by lesleymurphy 8 Comments

The final approach into Queenstown earned a spot on my short-list of ‘Top 5 Most Stunning Descents in the World.’ For the final 10 minutes, lucky window seaters gaze out at the jagged Southern Alps, the bright blue Lake Wakatipu and gorgeous valley floors. The wingtips appear to be almost touching the sides of sawtooth mountains…both thrilling and jaw dropping at the same time.

Ask any seasoned traveler about their favorite adventure city in the world, and Queenstown is probably on the list. I could live here. So could my father. I was ecstatic to touchdown and celebrate with my parents who just so happened to already be in NZ. This was equal parts an engagement trip and a work trip, and I honestly couldn’t have dreamed up a better February 2020. My entire year peaked RIGHT HERE, only to begin a hellacious downward spiral upon our return. Dear coronavirus, you can kindly see your way out now…

Location

Situated in the Otago region of the South Island, Queenstown is a picture at every turn. If the shores of Lake Wakatipu and the scenic attraction of The Remarkables aren’t enough, the Central Otago wine region will have you downing bottles before noon. Don’t even get me started on Milford Sound. Also note that New Zealand is located in the Southern Hemisphere so seasons will be switched.

DO

This city is the perfect base for any and all activities – from summer hiking to winter skiing. I don’t say this lightly, but in Queenstown, there’s something for everyone. If you need help with the itinerary creation, I cannot recommend Alpine Luxury Tours highly enough. Lee Saunders, Owner and Founder, grew up in Queenstown and knows the hot spots and the hidden gems. It’s like the guy was inside my head the entire trip, knowing what I wanted before I even knew what I wanted. Ya know those people that just get it? Yep, that’s Lee. I attribute all of the below to him!

Adventure

Heliworks – If you’re looking to get a different perspective of Queenstown (and you should), Heliworks is the safest and most professional scenic flight helicopter company in the city. I must have flown a total of at least 6 hours with the company, and I have to give major props to Pilot Mark. He’s incredibly experienced, talented and an overall JOY to be around. The 55 minutes of flying we did over Mt. Cook was especially memorable. I don’t care who you are, that experience will make you believe in something.
Bungee Jumping – So many options, so little time. On my first trip to Queenstown many moons ago, I did the Ledge Bungy. There’s also the Nevis, the Catapult and the Swings!
Paragliding – If you aren’t up for any of the above, paragliding is a little less extreme and an activity that my parents LOVED. It’s super peaceful, and there’s no better view to take in than Queenstown from above.
Shotover Jet Boat – What I thought was going to be a fun boat ride turned into an insane, adrenaline-pumping, Disneyland-like joy ride through the canyons. Narrowly escaping death, we were mere inches away from the rock formations at every twist and 360 turn. It’s also proudly owned by Ngāi Tahu, the Māori people of the land.

Scenic & Shoppable

Central Queenstown – Only 15 minutes from Queenstown airport lies all the good stuff. Cafes, restaurants, shops, and epic people watching are all along the waterfront – one of my favorites hangouts.
Skyline Gondola – Ride almost 1500 ft. high to choose your adventure! This is the southern hemisphere’s steepest cable car. Ride for the view and a meal up top or use it as a gateway for adventure activities like the luge!
Frank’s Corner – If you’re looking for unique, hand-crafted gifts to take home, this is your spot. I discovered it after eating breakfast at Bespoke Kitchen and walked right on in. I wanted everything in here, but we refrained from buying the whole store and came home with adorable ceramic espresso cups 🙂
Bob’s Cove – A secluded, peaceful cove for taking in views of the lake with crystal clear turquoise water. If you’re in for a hike, Bob’s Cove Track is a beautiful 6.7 mile (total) loop for all skill levels with gorg views!
Buzz Stop Bee & Honey Center – I *adore* this stop and highly recommend for anyone – couples, families, kids, etc. I put on a full beekeepers outfit and learned how to take care of Queen B for a day. I also learned how to spin my own honey – super hands-on, interactive AND I took it home with me. Guests can also make soaps and candles as well as participate in a honey, wine and cheese tasting! THE BEST.

Wine Tasting

Mt. Rosa Wines – A highlight from my NZ trip was sipping a glass of pinot noir between the vines with winery owner Guy. He’s knowledgable, passionate and a comedian – so get ready to laugh, although the wine will surely help you out with that 🙂 The best decision I made before leaving was ordering a whole case to be shipped to California. Call it wine drunk, call it being a wine snob. Whatever the case, I’m about to put in another order.

Cloudy Bay – For as long as I can remember, my favorite glass of white has been Cloudy Bay’s Sauvignon Blanc. The Kiwis know their whites, and I don’t deviate. While the main grounds are in the Marlborough region, Central Otago’s Cloudy Bay Shed operates with a full range of wines, a stunning tasting room and beautiful grounds. It was a pinch-me moment to be here, sipping my favorite crisp white in its very region. Maybe we should just get married HERE?

Day Trips

Milford Sound – There are various ways to get to this crazy beautiful part of the world. I visited with the wonderful people at Heliworks and highly recommend seeing it from the air. You can also hike via the Milford Track, a 33 mile hike through beautiful scenery and landscapes. You can also drive to Milford Sound, however, the only road leading to the region had been washed away from a rain storm in early February, and construction will continue for most likely the next year. Once in the area, a cruise with Cruise Milford was very moody yet peaceful, especially since we were the only people there due to the recent road closure.

Doubtful Sound – The second longest fjord in New Zealand is usually overlooked by Milford Sound, but this should definitely be on your radar. If you want to experience both Milford and Doubtful, Heliworks has a flight for that 🙂
Arrowtown – The historic gold mining town is only 20 minutes from Queenstown and offers a completely different vibe. It’s the cutest, most quaint town with yummy cafes, restaurants and shops. If you’re visiting during Fall, go see the vibrant colors as the leaves begin to change.
- The Gold Shop – If you’re looking for gold, go see Justin at The Gold Shop, an old-fashioned outpost for local gold specimens, plus jewelry made with gold nuggets & flakes.
- Bendix Stables – Wine and small plates in front of a park. Great vibes.

Mt. Cook/Aoraki – Due to the distance, Mt. Cook is only recommended as a day trip if you’re super short on time. Lee from Alpine Luxury Tours helped us to fit in this excursion, agreeing to a very late night. It takes about 3 hours one-way to get from Queenstown to Mt. Cook, however, we love to stop for photos. Do not, I repeat DO NOT, let Lake Pukaki pass you by. Get out, bask in the blue glory and then ask Lee to take you to the best secret picnic spot 🙂

Heliworks also operates near Mt. Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand. The scenic sunset flight we were able to do with Pilot Mark was my favorite 55 minutes ever spent in a helicopter, and I’ve been in my fair share. Y’all, I cried. It was that moving. If you have more time in the area, look into the Hooker Valley Track next!

EAT

Breakfast (or lunch)

Vudu Cafe
Bespoke Kitchen
Yonder
The Exchange
Life’s A Grind Coffee (Allpress espresso airstream on Stanley St. near Nadi Wellness)

Lunch (or dinner)

Dinner

SLEEP

Touch of Spice – Experts in luxury stays and bespoke experiences, Touch of Spice knows travel. We stayed at residence Ladena on top of Queenstown Hill overlooking Lake Wakitipu and the Remarkables Mountains. Private Chef Ben Batterbury from Munch Catering cooked an amazing dinner (highly recommend!), and I could spend the rest of my days taking in this view from the hot tub.

Rees Hotel – I’ve stayed at the Rees Hotel twice now. Other than residence Ladena, it’s hard to beat this view.

My Favorite Hiking Gear Right Now

July 2, 2020 by lesleymurphy 1 Comment

I’m currently planning a road trip through the western part of the U.S. and after checking the weather, I’ll need lots of layers and good hiking boots for the varied terrain and climates. Here are the pieces I’ve been loving recently, starting from the ground up!

Footwear

I never leave home without hiking boots, running shoes and some form of water shoes – whether that’s a pair of flip flops or more heavy duty protective sandals.

Hiking Boots

I own this pair of hiking boots and take them on the harder trails. I love the ankle support, the amount of traction, the breathable comfort and waterproof protection.

Trail Running Shoes

I’m constantly asked about this pair of trail shoes. I love that I can hike or run in them due to their stability and comfort on dirt or mud. The quick-lace adjustment feature lets me tighten the fit quickly.

Water/Trekking Hybrids

Currently obsessed with these versatile summer sandals – perfect for day hikes with their trail traction or river travels with their quick-dry polyester webbing. Gotta love the Grand Canyon-inspired design, too!

Pants

From yoga pants to running tights to hiking trousers – I bring it all!

Hiking Pants

Y’all have most likely seen me post about these pants before because they’re my FAVORITE for anything outdoors, taking me from the trail into a restaurant for dinner. They’re crazy flattering, super stretchy and performance ready.

Stash Pocket 7/8 Tight s

Everything Athleta touches turns to gold. Apart from the gorgeous lavender color, I’m obsessed with the pockets – perfect for easy-to-grab items on a hike whether it be your phone, your keys or a granola bar.

Love Proudly Tights

Be loud and proud as you go outdoors 🙂 This print supports how you love to move and who you love to move with!

Tie Dye Joggers

I’m a fan of color if you haven’t noticed, and after a hike I like to get comfortable. These bright joggers feature an elastic waistband complete with a draw-cord adjuster, functional side pockets, and a track pant elastic bottom cuff.

Shorts

While I’m a big fan of leggings throughout the year to protect my legs on a trail, sometimes you just can’t beat the heat.

10″ High-rise Biker Shorts

This weightless and buttery soft fabric is made for yoga but applies to any and all activities from road trips to hiking. 🙂

The Go-To Shorts

Who wears short shorts? These go-to babies are lightweight and quick-drying with recycled polyester fabric featuring a comfortable knit waistband and built-in brief liner.

Road –tripping Shorts

I bought these shorts last week and literally live in them. They’re ridiculously comfortable! In store, they looked on the smaller side so I went up a size (medium) and am glad I did!

Bras

My relationship with bras is complicated. Ever since my mastectomy, I feel like I can roam free without having to lift up the ladies. When it comes to movement, however, they need to be strapped in for the ride!

Crop Top Bra

Business in the front, party in the back! I own a very similar crop top sports bra, and it’s my go-to for anything that isn’t super high impact. I love the high neckline and the backing detail.

Zip Bra

I grab for this bra when I’m doing any kind of high-impact activity. The amount of support allows for any and all exercise. The front zipper is also a post-mastectomy plus!

Strappy Bra

I’m a big fan of JoyLab at Target, so I couldn’t help but to add this bra to my shopping cart just yesterday. It’s bright, fun and puts a smile on my face 🙂

Tops

If it’s crazy hot outside, I let a cropped sports bra do the trick. On days where a shirt makes it on my body, I love the following…

Twist Tank

The fitted top with a twist detail adds a bit of flair on the trails or in the studio. Plus, the XT2 anti-odor technology eliminates odor without the chemicals.

Relaxed Muscle Tank

For slightly more coverage and a relaxed fit, I go for this muscle tank that still provides easy breezy air flow on long, hot hikes!

Lightweight Tee

If I’m in the mood to cover up, I’ll throw on this super soft tee in opal green that could easily go from hikes to airports.

Long-sleeved Performance T-shirt

Unless you’re in the depths of summer or in the deep south, it’s always a good idea to bring a layer on the trail in case the weather cools. This long-sleeve tee is packable and functional.

Waterproof Jacket

What can I say…I’m a fan of light pink and even lighter jackets. I always love to throw a rain jacket in my suitcase and hiking pack, and this one hardly takes up any real estate AND will offer some warmth on those cold mountain days.

Backpacks

Some of my most frequently asked questions stem around backpacks, an important piece to any hiking activity!

Adventure 20L Pack

If you don’t have a lot to carry on your day hike, I really love this line of packs. It has multiple internal pockets, a laptop sleeve for commuting should you need it, and a water bottle sleeve on the side. I have the 30L for longer days and love the back comfort and available straps.

15L Backpack

For only the essentials, this 15L can carry 2.5L of water and all of your hiking necessities. The waist belt adds stability and eliminates bouncing.

Waist-bag Fanny Pack

For the minimalists, this one’s for you. Feel like you’re hiking with only your body weight…because you basically are. Pack your keys, some chapstick, a phone and a granola bar – and you’re ready!

Camping

To ensure proper social distancing this summer, lots of travelers are choosing to camp. I’ve had the below gear for over a year now and highly recommend for comfy camping.

Tungsten 3-person Tent

Imagine camping under the stars with your favorite person in this tent. If you only have two people, I recommend a 3-person tent. Otherwise, it gets pretty crowded. The roomier the better.

Exped Megamat Sleeping Pad

If you buy any other camping gear, save your back and put this sleeping pad in your shopping cart now! It’s so comfy you could almost swap it as your mattress…almost.

Double Wide Sleeping Bag

My fiancé and I used this last year in Joshua Tree. It’s warm, roomy and has zippers on either end to allow for easy in and out for both campers.

Outdoor

Accessories

Air Travel in a Pandemic: Is It Safe?

June 24, 2020 by lesleymurphy 7 Comments

After I wrote about my first flight experience during coronavirus, I received many requests to keep everyone updated on the way back home to LA. Here it is! We flew with Allegiant again, the only airline to fly direct from LA to Little Rock and back again seasonally from June to August. If I can cut out any layovers, especially during COVID, I certainly will. While the LA flight departed at 6am, the Little Rock flight departed at 12:17pm making for what appeared to be slightly bigger crowds, although you wouldn’t know it from these photos…

The Airport

Bill & Hillary Clinton National Airport is a gem. It’s smaller in size handling only 12 gates, and the check-in counter + security line is a breeze with only a handful of waiting passengers. Both Starbucks locations were closed alongside other eateries like Chili’s and Chick-fil-A, but we were able to grab a snack at the deli since it was lunchtime. Nobody wants to sit next to hangry Lesley.

Interestingly enough, the Little Rock airport seemed much busier than LAX, perhaps due to the time of departure and the fact that it’s also a much smaller airport – of course it was going to seem busier. Things are changing quickly these days, and the woman who checked us in for our flight mentioned that the airport sees more and more passengers every day which is a good sign for the travel industry and the many businesses involved.

The Flight

We boarded the plane by rows, and since I booked our seats as far back as possible and away from other passengers, we boarded first. The back two rows were blocked to “protect the flight attendants” as they said, which was a win-win because no one was behind us. Some passengers say they prefer sitting up front during COVID because it’s last on and first off for them. Upon entering the aircraft, each passenger was handed a little baggie filled with a mask, hand wipes and gloves – a prevention measure I respected greatly. That wasn’t the case on the first leg of the trip.

The flight attendant on this return leg let us know that the In-Flight Magazines could no longer live in the seat-back pocket due to COVID and that only one passenger was allowed to wait in line for the restroom. Beverage service was administered, but the buy-on-board program does not offer complimentary anything, even water. The airline, like many others, uses HEPA filters which trap 99.97% of particles. We placed the blowing vents facing downward and on full blast because ventilation is any travelers main means of control by creating an invisible air barrier that blocks particles. We used hand sanitizer (you can never have enough!) after touching any surface.

There were 114 seats booked out of 177 seats available, making this flight about 65% full. Unlike our first flight, we did have a few children on the return. I know a lot of parents are nervous to fly with kids right now because how can you possibly keep a mask on a young child? I’m not sure you really can. What’s not a good idea is to have your nose sticking out of your mask, as seen in the below image.

On the ground at LAX

We landed to a very June Gloomy city, and then just like that, the sun came out to greet us. Gotta love LA. Because face coverings are required inside the terminal, flight attendants offered passengers even more masks as we got off the plane. Anyone found without a mask on could face up to a $1,000 fine. LAX was eerily quiet and empty around 2pm when we made our way towards baggage claim. Restaurants were closed with the only operating shop being one of those Hudson News Stand lookalikes.

Shop

My Travel Oufit

LAX is also introducing new thermal imaging cameras that can check temperatures from a distance as people walk into the building. If someone has a temperature above 100.4, they’ll be taken for a secondary screening. The cameras are being tested initially in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. The airport has also set up partitions and shields at reservation desks and more than 250 hand sanitizer stations are available.

Transportation

It’s tough to find an Uber during COVID-19, and I get it. No one is going anywhere, so no one is driving anywhere. After taking the LAX bus to the Uber/Lyft/Taxi lot (terrible system btw), we waited a few minutes before realizing an Uber just wasn’t in the cards. We walked to the taxi line instead and immediately hopped in. Although I loathe taxis in the age of Uber, I was very thankful for a ride home.

Final Thoughts

After completing this round trip ticket, I felt safe throughout both legs. I am, however, surprised that temperature checks are not administered at boarding. I’ve been told that some airlines do administer them, but I have yet to see it happen. Allegiant does not block middle seats, but if you want to ensure social distancing, make sure to fly Delta, Southwest or JetBlue who are doing so through the end of the month or longer. Wearing a mask for 4.5 hours isn’t exactly comfortable, but that’s the price we pay to travel right now as responsible travelers – so *please* be responsible.

I appreciated the amount of information given out by our cabin crew to make us feel more confident in flying Allegiant as well as the prevention measures distributed during the boarding process. A world without air travel is a sad reality, so let’s get back to it in the safest and most sustainable way possible!

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lesleymurphy

Dry Shampoo

Further reading:

Sony Alpha 7

Lenses

Drones

Action Cameras

Accessories

Ingredients

Instructions

Location

DO

Adventure

Scenic & Shoppable

Day Trips

EAT

SLEEP

Footwear

Pants

Shorts

Bras

Tops

Backpacks

Camping

The Airport

The Flight

On the ground at LAX

Transportation

Final Thoughts

Crop Image