5 Things to Add to your 2014 Bucketlist

Along with making New Years Resolutions come all types of Bucketlist ideas for the new year and for life! Unfortunately, most of us let our adventures slip away while we get caught up in the real world struggles of every day life. So, here are 5 things you should do in 2014 to ensure that you make the most of your year, have memories that you will never forget, and with great photo opps along the way!

1. Throw Away your Maps and Lock Up your Phone

There is no better way to experience adventure than in moments of the unknown. Google maps and the older paper maps stuffed into rental cars took away the freedom and liberation that came with driving along random roads, passing by quaint inns, discovering mini waterfalls, and people along the road selling fresh produce.

Out of the 35 countries I have traveled in, my top three favorite countries to do this: Morocco, Scotland, and Japan. These three countries will show you the delights of mosques and temples, outdoor markets and lavender fields, cliffs, urban skyscrapers, and crawling mountains. Rent a car, lock up the maps, and keep your phone on only for the rare picture. In fact, the less pictures you take, the more you’ll remember of the tangible moment.

There is no way to be passionate about something if you remain ignorant about it. My passion for the ocean, aquatic life, and environmental advocacy began one summer when I went sailing and scuba diving in the Caribbean for two months.

Since then, I’ve snorkeled in the Great Barrier Reef, Hawaii, Mexico, and Samoa and each time I have been in the water, chasing fish, I have been humbled to remember the great world that exists outside of ourselves and our daily routines. There is so much to appreciate, to explore, to experience that many of us never get to do.

There is wonder to be held when nature is experienced and one of the best ways, is to literally, immerse yourself in it. This year, take a week off between March and October and go somewhere you’ve never been. Rent some gear, take some lessons, go out on a catamaran, and dive into the real seaworld.

The picture on the left may scare you senseless, but beginner’s classes are always available! Aerial Pilates are easy on the joints, great for toning in unexpected places, and great for the most relaxing poses (that let the blood flow to your head and give you that dizzying, alluring sense of weightlessness.

Secret tip: If you’re somebody who learns best while watching instead of listening, feel free to wear headphones and an iPod shuffle to really meditate with music! Try Carter Burwell or Mychael Danna for great instrumental pieces.

One of our most popular posts over the last year and a half has been the one on DIY Spa Remedies. Forget about spending hundreds of dollars on skin peels, scrubs that don’t actually smell good, and short lived euphoric experiences. Send the kids on playdate or take a Friday night off from bar-hopping, get your girlfriends together in the kitchen, and try making the Peppermint Lip Scrub, or a Blueberry Toner, a Beer Hair Rinse, Chocolate Bubble Bath, and Soapsicles!

One of the things I’ve always wished I could do was get glammed up, go to a charity gala event wearing a designer floor length gown (think Kate Hudson in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days) and sip champagne with my girls while eye-flirting with gorgeous men.

So let’s do it. Step 1: Visit RenttheRunway and pick out a gorgeous dress for almost 15% of the original cost, get it in two sizes for four days surrounding your event, and match it with some fabulous jewelry.

Step 2: Find a gala or charity event (or fashion event, launch party, etc), RSVP, invite your girlfriends, even select a theme, and go! You’ll not only look great, but you’ll feel great being able to give back or learning about the industry. Don’t forget to slip some business cards (wherever you can) so that when you make important connections, you can follow up. Some of these events can be great for networking!

Other suggestions for 2014 bucketlists? Let us know on Twitter!