I’m a hardcore thrift shopper. This isn’t news to anyone. I even wrote an entire book on how to thrift shop. And as much as I love secondhand shopping, I also make sure to donate my clothes as well, like I did in a major closet purge a few years ago.But over the past two, maybe three, years I stopped donating all of my clothes there. Sure, I still drop a few bags off every now and then, but all of my clothes? Nope, I’ve stopped doing that.While we’d all like to think we’re doing the eco-friendly and charitable thing by donating our clothes to secondhand stores, it doesn’t always work out that way.

When I travel anywhere, I tend to do a bit of thrift shopping. I think one of the reasons I pack a carry-on bag like a pro is because I want to make sure I have enough room for any thrifted items I bring back home.So when I went to Finland a few weeks ago {Helsinki and then Turku}, I wasn’t really sure if I’d have time to hit up a thrift store, but as soon as I arrived in Turku, Finland’s oldest city, I immediately spotted not one, but two secondhand shops.I. Was. Stoked. And it also felt like that was the universe’s way of saying, “Patrice, you must thrift.”Here’s what I found while thrift shopping in Turku.

I have a confession: I don’t love online shopping. I’m more of an in-store shopper. I like to touch and feel and more importantly, try things on so I know if the sizing is just right. Returns are just such a hassle.Every now and then I’ll find some online winners, like the cute swimsuits from my Zaful haul. But there can also be some misses, like my shopping review for Wish.com. Again, there are always hits and misses, so I prefer shopping in person.But if there’s one site I’ve consistently shopped from, it has to be Amazon. I usually buy last minute random things {gotta love that Prime shipping!}, but when it comes to clothes, I haven’t always been so quick to add items to my cart. There was this killer $7 off the shoulder dress I purchased two years ago and recently I made another purchase.It’s a basic garment, but a winner. Like, I love it so much I’m ordering more colors.

Regardless of where you’re staying, something similar tends to happen at most hotels. It usually goes a little something like this. You check in and you’re given a key card that comes in a paper sleeve. This paper also usually has your room number on it. You place the key and the sleeve in your bag, purse or pocket and go on about your day.Well, there’s a reason why I immediately discard that paper sleeve.If you’re anything like me, then you enjoy solo travel. Or maybe you want to feel more comfortable doing so. I have an entire post with tips for women traveling alone.Either way, this tip is especially helpful for my solo female travelers.

Anyone who follows me on Instagram Story knows there's something I always do when I board a flight. Literally, I do this every single time. I whip out my disinfectant wipes and start sanitizing the seat arms, tray, screens and anything I'll come in contact with during my flight. So in addition to being the carry-on queen {I never, ever check bags!}, I've also developed a routine that has served me well and kept me healthy.Well, last week Naomi Campbell {the supermodel Naomi!} posted a video where she shared her airplane routine and guess what? She does the same thing! It's all about staying healthy and minimizing your contact with yucky germs. Because trust me, those seat trays and pretty much everything on a plane, are absolutely filthy.In addition to my wipe down process, I actually carry what I call a "flight pouch" on every trip. I keep this bag packed at all times and it has hands down kept me healthy and made flights more comfortable.Looking Fly on a Dime: airplane routine beauty essentials