Summertime is the perfect time to plan adventures! Whether you're packing your bags for a fabulous vacation, or exploring your hometown during a staycation...adventures & fun memories await! Need an easy, low-stress way to document your good times? Grab a SMASH book, or other small journal, and start scrappin!
I'm thrilled to be heading to Costa Rica next with one of my besties. Barb & I have dubbed our vacations, "Barb & Kat's Excellent Adventures" (Quick! Name the movie reference!). We started with a whirlwind tour of San Francisco & wine country last summer, and followed up with a Chicago weekend last fall. We SMASHed our way through that weekend, but left some room to add in the SF adventures (somehow, we didn't know about SMASH books back then). Here are a few tips to using your SMASH books to document your adventures-
Choose (or create) a book.
SMASH books are a favorite of mine, but really any blank journal will do. You can even create your own SMASH-style book by trimming a variety of patterned paper & cardstock to the desired size, and binding it all with book rings or ribbon. The key is to keep is simple and leave lots of room for photos & journaling.
Start SMASHing!
The number one rule for SMASHing is this: there are NO rules! This isn't about trendy techniques or complicated layouts. This is about documenting good times! Glue & go, baby! Include people, places, things...and, of course, food! Did you notice that it's WCS's own Emily noshing on that cupcake?
Go on a SMASHing photo walk.
I adore photo walks. You can do this anywhere - even in your own neighborhood! Simply grab your camera (or even your iphone) and start clicking. Look high, look low. Notice colors, textures, and culture. Really, just keep shooting! One of the things that I love about traveling with Barb is that she never thinks that it's odd when I stop to photograph a parking sign or a billboard. Want to get the kids in on the fun? Turn your photo walk into a scavenger hunt!
Collect "stuff" to SMASH.
I like to pick up menus, business cards, and other bits & pieces when I'm traveling. I never really wanted to put this kind of emphemera on a traditional layout. SMASH books are the perfect place to keep all of the "stuff" that you collect. Oh, and if you're wondering, that IS a 2nd cupcake shop in the photos above. Cupcakes are always a part of our adventures!
Be a tourist.
When Barb & I visited San Fransciso, we went on a tour of Alcatraz. What's unique about that? Well, I'm a California native, and I'd never been! Adopt a "when in Rome" mentality and explore all the tourist-y sites. For our Chicago adventure, we included a cheesey "gangster tour" - complete with fake gunshot sounds, and really bad mobster jokes. Even if you're staying local, pretend that you're new in town, and take in the local vibe.
I'm downright giddy about adding a Costa Rica chapter to this SMASH book. I'll be sure to come back & share the results!
Where will your SMASHing adventures take you this summer?
happy travels,
