What’s saving me this summer

Hey friend,

By the time you read this, I’ll be unpacking from my first trip of the summer—a solo shoot in LA—and getting ready to head right back out again.

One of the next trips is with my husband. Another includes my toddler and a few different Airbnbs across the Dominican Republic. Two are international. All of them are some mix of work and play.

This summer feels like both a sprint and a reward. That balance doesn’t happen on its own. It takes planning, intentional downtime, and a whole lot of packing cubes.

So in case your summer is looking a little full too, here’s what’s helping me stay grounded through it all.

The Schedule (Without the Spiral)

I’m bouncing between LA, the DR, Chicago, Cleveland, and finally Europe for our anniversary. Each trip serves a different part of me:

• LA was a solo trip for a Sephora shoot.

  

• The DR is a mix of work and family where we're filming some cooking content for my mom’s channel, staying in different parts of the country, and vlogging for the first time on my YouTube channel.

• It’s also Bella’s first time at summer camp in the DR, part of our ongoing effort to raise her bilingual and ensure she’s deeply connected to her Dominican roots.

• Chicago is a family trip for Robert’s dad’s birthday.

• NABJ in Cleveland will be for a journalism conference I attended for years back when newsroom deadlines and breaking news were part of my daily life.

• Europe is for our ninth wedding anniversary, and it promises to be romantic, celebratory, and hopefully a little restorative. 

Even with all the moving parts, I’ve learned how to stay rooted. But only if I’m honest about what I need to make it through in one piece.

My Travel Toolkit

These are the habits, tools, and systems that keep me steady while I’m on the move:

What’s saving my suitcase:

• Packing cubes to keep everything organized and avoid digging through a suitcase for one outfit

• Pre-planned outfits for every day of the trip, helping me avoid  decision fatigue in the morning

  

• A realistic daily schedule: one must-do, everything else is optional

What’s always in my carry-on:

• Mini stain remover spray (put in a travel size bottle like this)

• Lint roller

• DJI camera

• Laptop

• Cable organizer for multiple cords and adapters

• Quick makeup refresh kit

• Portable charger

• Lotion, hand sanitizer, glasses, gum

Rituals That Keep Me Grounded

Whether I’m alone, with my family, or filming content, these small rhythms make me feel like me—no matter where I am.

• Pilates in the morning. Even if I modify or stream it from my phone, it helps me reset.

• A real coffee shop moment. Not a to-go cup. I want to sit, sip, and people-watch. Before every trip, I look up the best cafés in the area.

• A room to myself. Especially when traveling with others, even a few quiet minutes can reset everything.

What Each Trip Represents

Each trip on the calendar speaks to a different part of who I am right now.

• L.A. was a reminder of how far I’ve come in this pivot. I used to worry about PTO and breaking news. Now I get to fly across the country for a brand shoot I’m genuinely excited about.

• The D.R. is about family, legacy, and language. We’re filming cooking videos with my mom, staying in different parts of the country, and making room for culture, memory, and a whole lot of Sancocho.

• Chicago is a chance to pause and celebrate. Sometimes joy gets to be the only reason.

• NABJ in Cleveland is a full-circle moment, and I’m returning as a speaker vs. an attendee..

• Europe is for us. For romance and remembering who we were before Bella, the business, and the beautiful chaos.

Each trip feels like a mirror, holding something up to me—joy, rest, growth, and a quiet kind of pride. I'm trying to take them all in, one by one.

If you’re heading into a busy season yourself, let this be your permission slip to build a little breathing room into your calendar. Leave time for the coffee. The nature. The skincare routine. Whatever reminds you that you’re still in the driver’s seat.

And if you’ve got a summer ritual or non-negotiable of your own, I’d love to hear it. Just hit reply.

More news you can use

• You’ve been learning Spanish all wrong

• Madre Milly is cooking something up

• More on Bella going to summer camp

I’m so glad you’re here! If you’re enjoying these emails, here’s how you can continue to support this newsletter:

• Add [email protected] to your contacts so you never miss a beat.

• Secrets don’t keep friends: share this message! Here’s a link to subscribe.

• Connect with me on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Threads. 

Until Next Time, 

The “This Just In” newsletter may have affiliate links included throughout the email, so if you buy through them, I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). I only recommend stuff I truly love, and if it's sponsored, I’ll disclose that it is a brand partnership. Thank you so much for your continued support.