Ruth and Thomas

23/05/2023

Here's a fun little before & after pic of our kitchen in the house we closed on 1 year ago! It had to get a little worse before it got better (as you can see by the following photos), but we’re finally at the point where this place is starting to feel like home.

We’ve been doing the work almost entirely ourselves and if you’re interested to learn about the process, we’ll be posting some reels about the reno starting June 1st! If that sounds interesting, give us a follow!

Honestly, as hard as it’s been, we have both thoroughly enjoyed getting to put our personal touches on this house. It makes it feel more “ours” than anywhere else we’ve ever lived. I’m not really going with any specific design aesthetic this time, just things that we like and bring us joy!

We still have a long ways to go, but the vision is coming together. 🙌🏼

02/07/2022

Have you ever had a chunk of cheese fall into your hot chocolate??... us neither.
But we got to see what it tastes like, as it is one of the most common drinks in Colombia. We also ate capybara and had Ruth's favorite cup of coffee she's ever had in her life!
Check it out in our latest installment of "Ruth and Thomas eat weird food in cool places!"

In this video, we are trying Colombian food from the heart of Bogota, Colombia. Immediately after our free Bogota walking tour we booked a free Colombian foo...

25/06/2022

Life looks a little different for us these days. Meet the newest member of the Phinney clan, little miss Lyla Mei!

Last night we took her to her first ever party to celebrate Swedish Midsommar. She wasn’t so sure about the flower crown, but took it like a champ. 😂

14/05/2022

We're busting out of Costa Rica and headed to explore our next country... Colombia!!! On the way we checked out two awesome airport lounges and had a layover in Panama City. Watch our adventures below!!

Travel from Costa Rica to Colombia in our newest vlog!Today, we're flying from San Jose, Costa Rica to Bogota, Colombia and experiencing some of the best lou...

27/04/2022

Did you know that sloths only come down out of trees once per week for a very specific reason? Find out why in our latest video where we get to explore Manuel Antonio National Park in the most biodiverse country in the world! You won't believe what all we saw in a 2 hour tour!!!

We got to see SLOTHS! and HOWLER MONKEYS! and so so many more animals...Today we're exploring Costa Rica's Manuel Antonio National Park! We decided to get a ...

17/03/2022

PARIS PHOTO DUMP! 📸

It was rainy and cold almost the whole time we were there, but still one of the most beautiful cities we’ve ever been to! We will have to go back in the summer someday and experience that side of Paris too. ☀️

Also, can we just talk about how croissants are next level in Paris?? Like what are we doing wrong in America? How do they taste so different? 😂😂

Have you been to the city of love? What was the highlight of your trip?
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13/03/2022

Got to turn 28 in the city of love with my main man and one of our favorite travel buddies, . Couldn’t think of a better way to ring in a new year than seeing the Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, & Arc de Triomphe, in the flesh. Paris is incredible!

Feeling extra grateful today. 🥰

04/03/2022

Hey! 👋🏼 We’re still alive!

It has been a HOT MINUTE since we’ve updated our Instagram and we just wanted let you know we’re doing well! The last few days have been a whirlwind as we’ve travelled from Peru to Mexico to SPAIN.

The more pregnant I get, the harder these long travel days become. I can’t curl up on those plane seats like I used to and the swollen feet & nausea are real. And now we’re both dealing with a lil jet lag. 🤙🏼

That being said, I’m going to be updating our stories with all the backlogged adventures we haven’t shared yet! Check them out if you wanna see highlights from Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Madrid, & eating at the OLDEST restaurant in the world! 😳
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24/02/2022

There’s nettin’ better than hanging out with you. 😉
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19/02/2022

Swipe for the real glamour shot. 📸

Why does it look like one of those photos they get of you on a roller coaster?? 🤣🤣

This photo was from our favorite town in Colombia, Salento! From colorful streets, to epic hikes, to quaint coffee farms, Salento had it all. We both agreed we would love to come back!
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17/02/2022

An afternoon stroll through Colombia’s MOST colorful town. 🌈

In a country full of color, that’s an impressive title to hold. Congratulations, Guatape.

Have you been somewhere with an umbrella street?? Where was it?
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15/02/2022

Spending Valentine’s Day with the newest love in our life… our little GIRL! 🌺🎀

We thought about doing a gender reveal, but we just can’t wait any longer. 😂 Our baby girl is apparently the size of a pomegranate and loves kicking momma all day long.

We can’t wait to meet her in just a few short months! 🥰
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13/02/2022

Monkeys, snakes, & active volcanoes, OH MY!

We just posted our latest vloggy vlog documenting our trek into the JUNGLE. You can check it out by clicking the link in our bio!

The volcano behind us erupted in 1968 killing around 90 people. When talking to a local it was really touching to hear his story. He said that although the eruption was tragic and took lives, it ended up giving back so much more than it took. It put Costa Rica, and La Fortuna specifically, on the tourism map. One day his small town was a sleepy village, the next day it was bustling with tourists and scientists all flocking to see the volcano.

Their infrastructure for tourism was basically nonexistent at the time, so the local government started asking families to open their homes for visitors. Soon they started teaching all the kids English in schools. Now, tourism is the biggest part of their local economy. The guide we spoke with said he was so thankful to the volcano for all it has provided his community, especially the abundance of jobs! It was neat to get to hear his story and how the eruption changed his life forever!

Have you seen a volcano? We still really want to see one with active flowing red lava…. Some day!!!
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06/02/2022

San Jose 🚌 ➡️ LA FORTUNA -- a city that sits at the base of an active volcano that last erupted in 2010!!!

Since we cheapp we decided to take the 5 hour public bus from the capital to La Fortuna (only about $3.50/person 😱). It was quite a journey & we got to go through a cloud!

Today we are going from San Jose to La Fortuna by bus to explore the town right next to an ACTIVE VOLCANO.The Arenal Volcano hasn't erupted since 2010, but i...

03/02/2022

Did you know that Costa Rican bills are partially clear & have ANIMALS on them? Way cool.

Check out our first day of adventures in this beautiful country including some weird facts (aliens??), an epic indoor market with 200+ local vendors, & learning that we don't know enough Spanish: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uRfFF1DuCY

31/01/2022

We got SCAMMED.

So, story time. We usually try to take Uber as much as possible because it’s reliable, cheaper, & easy, but 2 days ago we were in a time crunch to get back to our Airbnb and no Ubers were available. Soo, we went for a taxi instead. The driver seemed incredibly friendly and was asking us about our lives and sharing his. At the end of our ride, I (Ruth) handed him a bill to pay & he told me that the money was no good. That it was counterfeit. He held it up to the light & it was in fact very different. I felt like something was wrong.. we had gotten our money from an ATM. Surely, it wouldn’t give us fake currency. But we had literal minutes to get back to the Airbnb so we gave him another bill & dashed. All the while I had a nagging, uncomfortable feeling.

As we were processing what to do, do we go back to the place with the ATM we used? Do we call the police? IT CLICKED. I had literally read about this scam in a blog. You hand driver money, they pocket the bill while you’re not watching & replace it with a fake bill, claim your money is no good, & you end up paying double.

I was LIVID. 50% at this driver, 50% at myself for not remembering the details of the scam & looking like a naive tourist. I felt foolish and it was really hard to let it go.

This was one of many moments when I am so grateful to be traveling with Thomas. He reminded me that we knew we would get scammed at some point on this trip, & that the best way to learn while traveling is to make mistakes. He reminded me of all the good & wonderful people we had met thus far & how one unsavory character does not take away from the incredible experiences we are having in Colombia. He reminded me that we hold loosely to material things, and that losing $15 is not a big deal.

Today I woke up feeling more grateful than ever. That we get to be here, across the world, experiencing the (99%) good and the (1%) bad of another culture. We have met so many kind, beautiful people & humans are humans wherever you go.

Don’t let 1 negative experience define your perception of an entire people group.

28/01/2022

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Costa Rica

➡️ Save this for your next trip to the land of Pura Vida!

1. Hot water is not a given! Many showers have contraptions on the shower head that make the water warm if you keep the pressure super low, but some places don’t even have those. If you want a warm shower in Costa Rica, check your hostel/Airbnb’s listing beforehand!!

2. The tap water all around CR is safe to drink! No need to buy bottled.

3. 10% service charge is usually included on your restaurant bill. It is optional to leave another 10% in cash on the table if your service was good!

4. CR’s septic system is not set up to handle toilet paper. You have to put it in the trash can! Also sometimes the tp is OUTSIDE the stall, so make sure you grab some BEFORE you go in. Thomas learned that the hard way… 😳

5. We had heard that most people speak English in CR, but that is simply not true — at least where we visited. We met many drivers, waitresses, cashiers, that did not speak ANY English. We actually loved it because it forced us to practice & we learned so much. Also, Costa Ricans are very patient and kind when you don’t speak Spanish!

6. It’s not cheap! Prices for excursions, accommodation, and restaurants are comparable to US prices. Also you NEED cash to get around.

7. It’s in the CST time zone!

8. Outlets are the same as in the US!

9. Yes, it’s the tropics. But you will need warmer clothes for some regions. We found Monteverde to be cool & VERY windy.

10. Rental car insurance is crazy high and can basically double the cost of your car. And, you can’t decline the coverage. We didn’t rent, but heard many people were shocked by the surprise fees & wouldn’t go the rental route again.

How many of these did you know? Let us know if you have any other questions about navigating the beautiful country of CR!
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22/01/2022

SAILutations from sea! ⛵️

I’m pretty sure we both just experienced THE highlight of our Costa Rica trip — a sunset snorkel sailboat cruise on the incredibly gorgeous Pacific coast. 4 hours of sun, great food, animals!!!, and the best people.

The weather couldn’t have been better and the Kuna Vela crew made our experience one we’ll never forget!

More pics (and a YouTube video!!) coming soon. Thank you Clint & Lindsay from Kuna Vela for making this experience possible. We were honored to get to be a part of it!
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18/01/2022

BUDGET TRAVEL TIPS //
5 Ways to Save Moolah in Costa Rica

✅ Book a combo of Airbnbs & hostels ~ Did you know you can book a private room w/ a double bed in a hostel for about the same price as booking 2 bunks in a dorm room? Plus, hostels often include breakfast in Costa Rica!

✅ Eat at “sodas,” locally-owned restaurants serving up cheap, fresh, authentic Costa Rican food. Casado is a traditional platter of rice, beans, meat, salad, potatoes, plantains — super filling and always a good option.

✅ Use a budgeting app to keep track of expenses and help you stick to your daily goal ~ We love Tripcoin!

✅ Take the public buses ~ Buses can take you alllll over the country of CR and only cost $3-$8 per person, even for a 5+ hour ride. They’re slow and hot, but miles cheaper than the private shuttles that can cost over $100.

✅ Get a card that will reimburse you ATM fees so you can pull cash out at any time without racking up charges.

➡️ What are your go-to travel hacks for saving a buck?
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15/01/2022

Today I got out of my comfort zone and made some new fronds.

🤭😏😁

After 2 frozen weeks in Iceland/Austria we were READY to break out our flippy floppies & pashmina afghans and turn up the heat in COSTA RICA! 🔥🌴🦥 And as you can see by the look of pure joy on my face, I was made for this climate. This is my home. I will live in this tree.

Swipe to see me with my newest travel companion. The bump is out and ready to party! 🥰 Do you think mini Phinney is a boy or girl??
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14/01/2022

We just posted our FIRST video from our Iceland adventures!! We got to stay in one of the most unique accommodations we've ever been in -- a full on, Viking Village, complete with runes galore, b***y images of Nordic legends, and animal hides adorning the walls.

Check it out and let us know what you think!!

VOLCANOS. VALKYRIES. VIKINGS... ICELAND.This week, we're exploring the land of the vikings and living like them too! Come along as we explore the fishing vil...

31/12/2021

🎄 We FINALLY posted a new video and it's got alllll the Christmas vibes you could ever want. Take a stroll with us through 10 of Vienna's best Christmas markets! 🎄

We're taking you on a whirlwind Christmas market tour to see 10 of the best Vienna has to offer. If you're in the mood for Austrian food, mega-Christmasy vib...

25/12/2021

THESE TWO 💕

Last month, after waiting and waiting to tell my parents in person that we were pregnant, the moment had finally come… and then they tested positive for Covid. We decided to drive down to their home anyway and sat in the garage with the door open, 6 feet away, with masks & blankets on and shared the news. It wasn’t the celebration we were anticipating since they were both so sick and we couldn’t even hug each other, so this weekend we did a take 2!! They took us out to dinner in St. Charles, MO and then threw us a mini baby shower complete with streamers and snacks and presents.

Time with them is always so sweet and I am continually inspired by their love for each other and for us. It’s probably the last time we will see them before we leave for our travels, but before we know it, we will be parents… they will be grandparents…and our next chapter begins. 😳
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12/12/2021

ICELAND DAY 5

• Day 5 started off with a bang when we pulled into a gas station to fill up and realized we didn’t have our debit card. After a frantic search, I called the gas station we had been at TWO DAYS before and asked if they had it. Sure enough, they did. Sweet relief. 😅

• After Thomas wisely got coffee to lighten my mood, we were back on the road and in for another surprise! An epic abandoned house on the side of the road, gate wide open, welcoming us in. We gingerly avoided the piles of horse poo everywhere, slid across some icy puddles, and explored all the creepy rooms!

• After seeing Icelandic horses for hundreds of miles, we finally had to stop and pet a few of these fluffy foals.

• Our third surprise came when we happened upon 3 hitchhikers walking along the side of the road… in 25 degree weather… in the middle of nowhere. We pulled over to see where they were going and they happened to also be headed to the next glacier. We told them to hop in! They were all from France, about our age, and didn’t speak much English at all, but were super friendly!! They ended up joining us for our whole trip back to Reykjavik, about 5 hours of driving.

• Diamond Beach was next with its enormous chunks of shiny glacier that look like diamonds! Each piece has a different texture, opacity, and shape and it looked so beautiful as the morning sun bounced off and through.

• Rushing to compete with the sunset, we hiked a brisk 40 minutes out to the eerie Solheimasandur plane wreck — a massive plane that crashed in 1973 and was just left to rot. Thankfully, everyone on the plane survived otherwise it would have been a much spookier, sad experience. You can climb all the way in it and listen to the waves crash onto the beach a couple hundred yards away.

• We finally made it back to Reykjavik, dropped off our new French friends, and headed off to attempt our second northern lights boat tour. Sadly… nothing. We consoled ourselves with some cheap & incredibly delicious chicken shawarma. Not a bad consolation. 🤤
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12/12/2021

ICELAND DAY 4

• Our day started off with about 20 minutes of tug of war with the cutest, most inexhaustible Icelandic pup at our Airbnb.

• When we could finally pull ourselves away (literally) we headed just down the road for our 3rd big waterfall of the trip, Skogafoss! Plunging almost 200 feet from top to base, it was truly an impressive site. And, for the first time so far, we were mega thankful for our crampons which allowed us to somewhat gracefully traverse the slushy pathways and several hundred ice-laden steps to the top.

• Next up we got to see a REAL LIFE glacier! I couldn’t believe how BLUE it really was in person. We walked all the way up to it, caressed its surface, and asked it to tell us its secrets.

• And, for all you Game of Thrones fans, our last stop was the Reynisfjara black sand beach whose mystical hexagonal columns of basalt were featured in season 7 of the show. Rocks shouldn’t look like this!! How does this happen??
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10/12/2021

ICELAND DAY 3

• The journey along the south coast begins! The beginning of our drive was 2 hours of magical white mountain landscape that felt like we were in the Arctic!

• If you’re a chess fan, you might be excited to know we found Bobby Fischer’s grave. It was a nondescript little thing in the middle of absolutely nowhere. But with majestic mountain views and Icelandic horses grazing nearby.. not a bad place to be buried.

• The big event of the day was visiting Seljalandsfoss and Gljufrabui, two careening waterfalls within 5 minutes of each other. We spent a couple hours walking around and I must say, with 3 pairs of pants, 3 shirts, and 2 coats, I was perfectly comfortable. 👌🏼

• Our charming Airbnb was nestled into the mountainside with yet another waterfall right behind it. We finished off the day by hottubbing under the stars, heating up some cup o noodles, and battling it out at Ticket to Ride. Ruth won. Just FYI.
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08/12/2021

ICELAND DAY 2

• Thomas had an interesting traditional breakfast of assorted raw fish, liver something or other, pungent cheese, and dill sauce. I went for the waffle. 👌🏼😂

• We were virtually the only people at this snowy lake with black sand beaches. And, since the sun rises at 10:30 & sets at 3:30, it always looks like sunrise and the lighting is superb.

• Nearby were some INCREDIBLY stinky geothermal pools. Hot springs of eggy water boiling up out of the ground. It was crazy to see something like this occurring naturally in such a barren, frozen landscape.

• We warmed our buns in a small cafe in Grindavik with local lobster soup and fresh baked bread as we watched the snow fall on the harbor.

• After a much needed nap, we dined on lamb shank like Vikings in fur covered seats, surrounded by wood carvings and Nordic paintings.
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07/12/2021

ICELAND DAY 1

Yesterday we touched down in the land of fire 🔥 and ice 🧊 for an 8 day whirlwind adventure before we head to Austria and then back home. We made a pretty spur of the moment decision to go on this pre-Christmas-present-to-ourselves trip, so the planning has been haphazard at best… but we’re hoping that provides the opportunity for many unexpected adventures!

Day 1 included checking into our epic Viking-themed hotel, , exploring the harbor across the street that smelled overwhelmingly like fish and was covered in volcanic rocks and kelp, and ordering a jalapeño, cream cheese, bacon, sriracha pizza to finish off the night. 🤤 We fell asleep to The Great Australian Bake Off… and promptly woke up at 1 am Iceland time. I am now posting this at 3:34 am. The jet lag is very real. 🥱
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