Not an Excuse, but an Explanation

I did it again... I took a job that sucks up my time, because someone needed me.

This is not an excuse, but an explanation as to why my posts will be a little further between. This is just for a short while but I don't want to mess with my posting schedule without an explanation. 

Thanks for the support and for reading my little piece of the internet!

Go Change the World!!!

Half Twist Halo Tutorial

I get asked a lot, "How did you do that to your hair?" No one believes me when I tell them it took only two minutes. So I made a video to prove it to everyone.

This hair style is easy for traveling because you can lay on it and the messier the better! It's also great for formal events because you can polish it off with hair spray. 

Disclaimer: I am in no way a professional hair dresser. Most days I can barely get my own hair to behave. This one is easy and takes only three things to complete the look. I hope you like it and, if you have the hair to pull it off, try it.

If you do pull it off on your own, send me pictures! I want to see your beautiful hair! *non creepy*

Why I Blog

I started Duffel Tales soon after I graduated from college and just before I lost all sanity. It started as a place to tell you all the things I learned from living out of a duffel bag and it began to evolve from there.

 The reasons I blog have changed slightly since the beginning.

Now I blog to make people laugh,  tell about life hacks I've learned, meet other bloggers, have opportunities I wouldn't have before, and more importantly to tell my story.

Blogging evolved from a way to waste my time to a hobby that makes my life better. 

I've learned to enjoy everything around me, and notice things I would normally have taken for granted. 

Pictures have become a thousand times more valuable than they were before. 

Most amazingly there is a whole other world of life bloggers out there that were just waiting to take me under their wing and help out.

This blogging thing became a new way of living... I know I'm still a young blogger but I'm so excited to see what else is in store for this adventure.

I Collect Stories

I'm a collector of sorts... You've probably seen where I collect cups. If not you can see that here. 

I don't collect things because I like to have them as possessions. I like to collect things for the stories they hold. One of my favorite collections is my rosary collection. To me rosaries are things that are meant to be saved and kept safe. Here are just a few (I do mean only a small portion) of my favorite rosaries from my collection. I hope you enjoy!

Given to me by my aunt before setting off for college for the first time. She said it would protect me.

My smallest and very first rosary. I got this one when I was about 11 years old. It's a baby rosary that I found in an antique store. I begged my mom for it until she got it for me.

Made by the nuns in the Vatican. It's my favorite token from my trip there. Instead of a cross on the end it has a book with the Lord's Prayer in Latin. It now protects my car.

Rescued from a yard sale several years ago. It was too beautiful to leave. This beauty now hangs in the center of my room on my fan pull.

Do you collect stories or things? I want to know what you like to collect.

DIY Travel Magnets

I did it again....another Pinterest Win and this one is even easier than the last.

If you're like me you have a ton of currency left over from your last trip. If not, maybe you have a really boss coin collection that you've been wanting to show off. Keeping them locked in a box or sitting in a drawer won't do them justice. Here is a VERY easy DIY magnet project I found on Pinterest. It takes less than five minutes and half as many supplies.


If you want to learn how I made these ridiculously easy and very chic magnets...just keep scrolling, scrolling, scrolling.

What you will need:

• Coins (of your choosing)
• Magnetic buttons - Found in the craft aisle of Walmart or basically any craft store.
• Craft glue *optional*

Step 1:

Find small round magnets that are approximately the size of your coins or smaller. These magnets can have an adhesive back on them already (like the ones below) or you can glue the magnets to the back of your coins. Then choose the coins you would like to turn into magnets.

Step 2:

Attach magnets to one side of the coin in the center. For mine I did one on the back of a coin and one on the front of a coin, as I had two of each.

Step 3:

That's it! Find the perfect place to show off your new awesome magnets!

I hope you found this to be and easy an fun DIY project. If you make some of your own I'd love to see pictures!