My Life Bucket List: Challenge Edition
A couple of summers ago: Me and my Grandma in my favorite place in the world (out of 31 countries) - my Grandma’s porch.
One of my very first memories was walking out with my family into a field behind our house in Illinois. Very magically, our neighbors were doing free hot air balloon rides, so of course, we did it.
And looking back on it now, I think that was a bit of foreshadowing for this wonderful life I’ve had so far, and plan to have.
Everyone loves a list. So, here’s mine.
November 2002: My first birthday. Having my cake and eating it too has always been a personal mantra…
Before I’m 30
Go to Rio de Janeiro and see the sunset on the beach.
Live in New York City!
Do a cottage core trip to Vermont (think classic Americana - ice cream cones with sprinkles, rolling hills, swimming in a lake, do a puzzle).
Go to California (specifically Hollywood and Malibu)!
Go on a Mexican adventure (swim in a cenote, try street tacos, go to a village, see Chichén Itzá, go to Mexico City).
Celebrate Carnival on a Caribbean island (I’ve heard Grenada is fantastic for this).
See Washington DC (I feel like I’m slacking as an American).
Go to Wales - I really want to do a cozy weekend in a cottage in Wales with a fireplace and drink a hot chocolate.
Go to Cartagena, Colombia - seems amazing and so colorful!
Visit Zurich, Lake Lucerne and do a hike - then try fondue. Emphasis on the fondue, less emphasis on the hike.
Sleep under the stars.
Visit 50 countries.
Go to a fashion week show in person.
Get a big flower delivery (hint, hint…)
April 2026: A recent bucket list trip I did to Istanbul, Turkey. The woman at the door helped me put on the scarf, as she saw me struggling - magical.
With My Life Partner
*Disclaimer: I’m usually Miss Go-By-Yourself. BUT, there are some things that do either require a partner, or, I do think would be nice to have. Mr Right doesn’t need to worry; I’ve got it mapped out. He just needs to show up with the credit card.
Get married in a church in a beautiful poofy princess dress.
Have a horse-drawn carriage at my wedding.
Go to Tahiti on the honeymoon.
Go on a couples trip to Italy - specifically Puglia.
Have 4 beautiful and healthy children.
Drive said kids around in a suburban.
Get twin dogs that are fluffy.
Renovate an abandoned mansion into our dream house (he does the funding and the building, I am the creative director).
Host a legendary Christmas for the extended family at the mansion each year.
Visit the Cinderella Castle in Germany.
Go on a couples trip to Jamaica (I know, low-key random).
Go to Machu Picchu and Cusco, Peru.
Have a bachelorette party in a dude ranch in Montana (never be basic, girls).
March 2026: A huge bucket list moment - meeting my baby nephew!
Before I’m 40
Go to Jackson, Wyoming.
Roadtrip through Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota.
Watch the sunset in Sedona, Arizona.
Go to Antarctica with my Dad.
Go to Argentina to see Buenos Aires and hike in Patagonia.
Live in Australia for 1 month (see Whitsundays, Sydney Opera House, Uluru and more).
Swim in the Philippines.
Go to the Taj Mahal.
Go on an African safari.
See the Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar.
Go to the UAE or a Gulf state.
Go on the Today show - hopefully for positive reasons!
Speak at a university.
Learn how to play the piano.
Go on a husky sled ride.
Go to the Amazon rainforest.
May 2026: Wasn’t on my bucket list but was incredible - staying in a British country house in Somerset for a night. My fantastic hosts made me margaritas, too.
Before I’m 50
Visit all 50 states.
See the Northern lights.
Go to Japan.
Visit Russia!
Go on a trip to the Holy land, Lebanon, Jordan and Damascus.
September 2025: Athens last summer. Photo creds to Arohi.
Before I’m 70
Do a mega roadtrip all over the African continent (I figure, I will have already lived a good life so if things go awry, it’s fine).
Sky dive (see reasoning above).
Visit 100 countries across all continents.
Have grand children and bake them cookies!
Get a tattoo (I specifically want to wait until I’m old).
July 2026: In Paris with my childhood and lifelong best friend, also named Charlotte. When I’m in old age, I want to think about being in Paris at age 23.
Then, live to 100 and have my 100th birthday party!
I want to finish it off with a hot air balloon ride. If a hot air balloon ride was one of my first memories, I think it should also be one of my last.
And whenever my funeral finally does come, whoever is in charge better pick flattering photos of me for the slideshow.
