Elite Daily

Alessandra S

Alessandra describes herself as a gypsy soul with poetic tendencies seeking salt water and substance. Currently residing in California, she enjoys hiking and is the voice behind the travel and beer blog, Wanderhops. Cheers to La Vida Bohemia.
As a child, I was fascinated by rocks, crystals and gemstones. I got starry-eyed when I would see my grandparents' large amethyst crystal attached to its matrix, and I loved the feeling of cool, tumbled stones in my hands. More recently, I've been…
Our 20s are the ideal time for adventure and self-discovery. While it’s often used as a convenient excuse, the “life is short” mentality can be a healthy way to ensure you don't miss out on important opportunities. It’s easy to roll our eyes and say…
Summer is the perfect time for so many of life's pleasures. From beach vacations to pool lounging and barbecues, it's the ideal season to enjoy the outdoors. Likewise, summer offers the chance to explore new places and hit the open road, thanks to…
When I look back on my life as a wanderer, I remember the events I chose and the ones that were out of my control. I vividly recall plane tickets and passport stamps as clearly as the moving boxes and piles of leaves from my childhood. Some of the…
When I was 15, I was obsessed with the idea of California. After a family vacation to San Diego County, the intensity of my interest only heightened. The endless number of pop-punk songs about my favorite state on my first-generation iPod fueled my…
I heard countless pieces of advice prior to being a full-time college student: "Wait until after your first week of classes to buy books." "Research professors before enrolling in their classes." "Take accounting over the summer." While some of…
“So, where are you from?” This is a question that gets asked more frequently than any other when in a new environment and meeting people. This also happens to be a question for which I’ve never had a great answer. “I grew up moving a lot, I’m really…
There’s nothing quite like coming down with a case of the travel bug when you don't have the funds for a proper prescription to treat it. While a genuine travel experience includes cultural immersion, living like a local and leaving your comfort…
When text messages were introduced to cell phone communication, they seemed like a quick, efficient way to relay questions or information that didn't warrant a lengthy phone conversation. However, our generation has defaulted to text messages as a…
If you’ve winced at his memory, fought the urge (whether successfully or not) to glance at his social media accounts and/or have stared blankly at the texting thread between the two of you, this is for you. Getting over someone is never an easy task…
There’s something about passing couples when you’re perpetually single that can make you either roll your eyes or want to give your best impression of Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a jaded Tom Hansen. Whether the couple is holding hands, sharing a smoke…
It amazes me how all of the things we use to stay connected have actually disconnected us from real life. We walk down the street with our noses in our phones and drown out the sounds of real life with playlists, podcasts and other distractions. We…
Dear Nice Guy I Let Go, I know I disappointed you. We had a connection. You complimented my brain more than my body. You spoke in articulated and calculated sentences, just like me. You were a kindred spirit, one who’d already taken the chances that…
It's all part of the human experience. That's it; that's all you need to know. I'm so tired of hearing why I should be single or tied down or avoid engagement or whatever. To each his own; all of these things are part of the human experience. Why…
There’s a new trend of wanting to boast about one’s travels and describing oneself as having a case of “wanderlust.” I think the real meaning and value of travel has been lost, however. Being a traveler does not mean expensive bikinis and EDM…
My original intent was to write an article about the most dangerous personality types in the dating scene. Actually, I started to write that article, but the further along I got with it, it seemed less like a lesson and more like a rant. Everyone…
I’m not exactly sure what the final straw was, but somewhere between 70s classic rock songs about California and a defiance to renew my imminently expiring driver’s license in my current state, I came to celebrate the fourth anniversary of my…
In one year, I went from having a naked, stampless passport to having visited three different countries. While every traveling experience has been rewarding, my most meaningful experiences transpired while traveling alone. Although domestic travel…
Dear Jaded Straight Men, I know many women have failed you. I know your heart has endured a lot of stomping, your pride has been shattered, your trust has been compromised and your spirit has been abused. But, you’re not alone — in fact, many women…
In this day and age, it’s fairly uncommon to be a perpetually single relationship virgin. In an era of easy hook-ups, most people find themselves, at one point or another, in a relationship that may or may not last. Generally, when relationship…