Visit Historic Virginia City, Nevada
A historic city near Reno and Tahoe
While in Reno, some locals told me about the perfect place to satisfy my craving for old cities, ruins and ghost towns. Just a half hour’s drive from Reno, Virginia City is a historic town that welcomes tourists all year long.
Things to Do in Virginia City
Walk down the historic main street, which is full of plenty of shops, restaurants and museums to keep you busy for an afternoon. You’ll learn about the history of mining towns like Virginia City that were built up to mine for silver. In addition to plentiful tourist souvenir shops, there are fine art galleries, jewelers and shops selling locally made goods. As noted in my dog-friendly post, dogs are allowed everywhere, except maybe the churches. Pet-friendly includes more than dogs-I saw someone enjoying Virginia City with their pet pig.
To visit Virginia City, I wore a wool cape that I’d just found at the Goodwill Outlet in Reno for $9! I hadn’t been to a Goodwill since I got this skirt for Tech Fashion Week, but the store provided for me once again-this time to keep me warm in the chilly mountain air.
The Historic Nevada City Cemetery
If you think cemeteries are creepy and scary, maybe the rest of this post isn’t for you…but no trip to Virginia City is complete without stopping by the vast cemetery on the edge of town. It’s totally worth it just for the amazing view.
The walk through the cemetery itself is worthwhile, too. This was once considered the most picturesque cemetery in America, full of carefully tended flower gardens. It’s more ruined now, but still beautiful in a wild west way. You can even rent it for a wedding, if you’d like to be able to tell people you got married in a cemetery!
Some of the old plots are so old they are marked with carved wood, not stone. The interesting thing about this place is that there are grave markers from the 1800s intermixed with recent headstones. History weaves itself into the very fabric of this town. If you’re in Reno/Tahoe, consider a little side trip to Virginia City!
The Secret Ingredient Your Succulents Need
Succulent Care Tips
How do I keep succulents alive? Help, my succulent is dying! As a succulent garden hobbyist, I get asked questions like these a lot. My own interest in succulents began with one of my very first blog posts, and it intensified when I started my own succulent garden last year. I can’t stop sharing these beauties on Instagram!
Once you start growing succulents, it’s hard to stop! I just bought four tiny cuttings from a neighbor this week. But even though succulents are easy to grow, they aren’t foolproof. Do you have ailing succulents? It’s a myth that you can’t kill a succulent. In fact, it’s unfortunately much easier than you think.
I’ve killed them by underwatering and by overwatering. That’s the tricky part! So first, make sure the issue isn’t either of those things – this post has some advice on that. Sometimes they’ll perk right up with a little water — or try moving them to a sunnier location. If none of those things have helped, keep reading to find out how to fix the soil. It’s so disappointing when a beloved plant fails to thrive, so I want to help you reach succulent success.
Save your ailing succulents
When I was in Oregon for Thanksgiving, my entire family went to the Holiday Market, which is the Eugene Saturday Market that moves indoors for the winter. There are craft booths, music, food and a farmer’s market section. And just to show how popular this market is, I ran into a friend there who was in town visiting family. It’s not a small town, either. So as far as I can tell, the entire city of Eugene was attending the Saturday Market that day because 100% of the people I know in the city were there.
In the farmer’s market section is actually where I learned about this secret ingredient! A vendor was selling succulents and bags of ground up pumice for succulent soil. I bought a small amount of the pumice stone, and more succulents just because. Like I said, it’s hard to stop.
Keep succulents alive with one secret soil ingredient
I don’t know how I went this long without knowing about it, but it turns out that ground pumice is THE key to getting healthy succulents! The plants need well-draining soil, and 1/4 inch size pumice rock amends the soil in the ideal way. The common brand of succulent potting mix, Miracle Gro, does NOT include pumice. It’s also unlikely that pumice is in the soil when you buy a succulent from a store. If you have succulents that aren’t thriving, poor soil might be the culprit. So mix 1/2 pumice and 1/2 soil to make a mixture that your succulents will thrive in. If you want to keep your succulents alive and thriving, I can’t recommend this enough! After I ran out of the pumice from the farmer’s market, I bought a bag at my local garden shop. Of course, you can get it on Amazon either mixed into potting soil or on its own (these are affiliate links).
If you do add pumice to your succulents, do let me know if they perk up! I’ve noticed improvement in succulents within a week of adding pumice. This is an important ingredient to keep succulents alive and I hope it works for you too.
Mad for Blackwatch Plaid
Is blackwatch plaid in style? It’s a classic! It was especially popular this fall, but since I’m just getting around to posting about it now, there are currently tons of deals on blackwatch apparel. As far as I’m concerned it will never go out of style.
I was using blackwatch ribbon last year for Eco-friendly gift wrapping, I wore it this year to match Perry in this zip up vest, and I’ll surely be incorporating it in decor and style for years to come. As usual, I want to be transparent that the links in this post give me a very small (paper doll-sized) commission if you click a link or make a purchase.
When I saw Vineyard Vines had a blackwatch vest for sale I was interested-until I found a cheaper version for less than $20 and went that route instead. Plus, there was a matching blackwatch dog vest for Perry for 7.99! I’ve never actually matched outfits with my dog before and I was reluctant to do it because it’s a little bit too Elle Woods for me. Isn’t shopping with my dog enough? But I couldn’t pass up this opportunity for a matching plaid dog jacket, so here we are.
Deals and sales on blackwatch plaid styles
Here are the best in blackwatch plaid apparel sales that I’ve rounded up for you. Vineyard Vines and J.Crew are both clearancing out winter styles, including blackwatch items at great prices — extra 50% off final sale items right now.
Blackwatch plaid style for men
And men, I haven’t forgotten about you! Is blackwatch plaid in style for guys? Always! Here are some places to find your own deals on blackwatch plaid apparel.
Do you agree that blackwatch plaid is a classic?
Shop with Your Dog in Reno, Nevada
Shopping with your dog
Shopping with your dogWhen I travel, one of my favorite activities is checking out the local stores to find unique things and just experience the flavor of a new city through its commerce, like I did in San Francisco. This is my experience with finding dog friendly Reno Nevada stores over two recent weeklong trips. This post isn’t sponsored in any way, these are just the places I happened to go to. I’m sure there are plenty more I didn’t discover that deserve to be on this list. If you know one, let me know.
Dog friendly Reno Nevada
Since I was traveling with my dog and we were staying in a hotel, I ended up taking him to more stores that I ever have before. I didn’t want to leave him in the hotel room or the car while I shopped, so I tried out various dog-friendly stores around the city. While this list is about our experience shopping in Reno, many of the chain stores on this list are also dog-friendly in other cities.
Patagonia
Yes, you can bring your dog to Patagonia! They even had dog treats and a bowl of water. Sorry Perry, even this tiny jacket isn’t going to fit you.
The Nest
Visiting this vintage shop in Reno is a fun treasure hunt, but even more fun that they were okay with my dog. It’s a well curated display with home goods, books, apparel and tons of little collectibles. I bought a few things that will be appearing on my Instagram feed soon.
The Basement Reno
Located in the basement of a former post office, this collective of stores and restaurants is hip and urban. I’m not sure whose concept it is, but my money is on them being millennials. It’s all dog-friendly. Perry is pictured here in Pantry Goods, an amazing shop for handmade organic soaps and personal care products located in the Basement Reno.
Yarn Refuge
This yarn shop that felt like being in a cozy living room. They had the exact scissors I was looking for, but more importantly they love dogs.
TJMaxx/HomeGoods
Although the sign said “Service Dogs Accepted,” no one questioned whether he was or not. (He’s not, so if I was asked to I would have left the store.) I pushed him around in the shopping cart, and I saw another tiny dog there while we shopped.
Sierra Trading Post
If you’re lucky enough to live near one of these outlet stores, you know how great this place is. It was recently bought by TJMaxx/HomeGoods/Marshalls, so it has same dog-friendly pet policy. Perry was even offered a treat by the staff, who said “We love having dogs visit!” In the photo I’m pretty sure he is expressing his displeasure that those Joules rain boots didn’t come in my size.
Ross Dress for Less
Like all Ross stores that I know of, the store in Reno, NV states on the door “Service animals and leashed pets welcome.” Perry has also taken advantage of the welcoming Ross pet policy and shopped at Ross in Monterey, CA and Eugene, OR with no problems (other than his interest in the jerky near the checkout aisle).
Jimmy Beans Wool
This yarn store in Reno was such a treat to visit. The multiple rooms of yarn are colorful and very well laid out. Be warned that there are two large store dogs there, but the staff put them in the back while we were there. I’m not even much of a knitter and I loved this place.
Every store we came across in Virginia City
This historical town is about 30 minutes outside of Reno. It’s a tourist destination with a main street full of shops to visit! Every single one I went to was dog-friendly. He was even encouraged to go into a vintage candy store.
This is by no means an exhaustive list! In general, we found Reno to be welcome to canine shoppers so the best thing to do is just ask if your dog can come in with you. In fact, it’s always a good idea to ask-even if the store is known to be pet friendly. Rules can change, and some locations have different policies than others.
Where have you gone shopping with your dog?
5 Eco-Friendly Wrapping Paper Ideas
5 Ways to Make Recyclable Gift Wrap
This holiday season, you may be wondering: is wrapping paper recyclable? Before you wishcycle it, you should know that no, most gift wrap is NOT recyclable. But if you do want recyclable gift wrap, or to wrap gifts in something that’s reusable or reused, look at these five ideas.
Brown paper bags
Reuse parcel paper or paper shopping bags by wrapping your gifts in them. Add a sprig of greenery and scraps of ribbon if you’re craving something decorative. Here’s a closer look at how you can wrap packages with recycled paper.
Old maps
Reuse old maps by turning them into gift wrap. Yours will be the most unique one under the tree, guaranteed. I added scraps of yarn and sprigs of greenery for an extra touch. And just like brown paper bags, this gift wrap is recyclable and compostable.
Fabric bags
Reusable cloth bags are a gift unto themselves. I know some people sew their own to use as gift bags. I didn’t have the time or patience to fight with a sewing machine so bought a few at a craft fair. This is the most popular zero-waste way to wrap presents this season!
Newsprint and old books
Ok so you know how I found a source for free antique books, right? Well I got a few that were totally falling apart beyond repair. I thought the pictures might be good for collages, and it turned out that for small gifts the pages could be used for gift wrap! I absolutely love the look of these. If you don’t have any books beyond repair, try the pages of a newspaper or magazine for a similar look. Again, this gift wrap is recyclable.
Old wallpaper scraps
This one is at the end of the list because who even has old wallpaper scraps? But I did find some at the local ReUse center, so I guess I do. All the ribbon in the picture below came from the there too. Design studios donate all their old fabric and trims to keep it out of the landfill, and people like me can use it!
What are you doing this holiday season to live more sustainably? Check out ways to decorate with books to see my New Year’s Resolution!
