a quick river house guest bathroom reveal

Home Decor

A Quick River House Guest Bathroom Reveal

Drescription

Welcome to a quick reveal of my brother’s guest bath which is small, cute, blue and right next to that new pink bedroom that we are obsessed with. Max Humphrey and I designed this together – starting almost 3 years ago when I was still in Arrowhead! He has the same tile in his bathroom, which was the jumping-off point and we designed the rest of it it to be simple and contemporary.

The Tile

We worked with Ann Sacks on the tile and chose their Context line for the walls in this really pretty denim blue color called Spa. The wall tile is 2×12 so you can see we did a vertical row and then a horizontal tile on top, essentially creating a type of stripe. It’s a nice way to lay out tile to have it not be busy but do something interesting (neither a stack nor a stagger, no offense to either of those :)). We wanted to do a sort of color drench in here so we used a darker blue penny tile in a color called Lantern on the floor – a real Max Humphrey move. As you can see there is a lot of color variation to the tile that you can’t really tell on a sample, so when it’s installed it has some dark spots making each piece look more organic (but good to know).

The Shower Plumbing

We went with the Purist line in the Vibrant Brushed Moderne Brass with cross handles. The Purist remains my favorite line of theirs for both modern and transitional, but can absolutely go “modern traditional” as well. And per usual it comes in nine different finishes – all so pretty.

Max chose the grout for the tile which was lighter on the walls and a bit darker grey on the floors. We talked about it after the grout was put in, and both of us would’ve done a darker blue grout on the floor, adding more of a contrast with the walls. We used white Caesarstone leftovers for all the trim and niche.

We wanted to add some other design elements but didn’t want to make it too busy (and honestly at this point we were on a budget so we didn’t want to add a second tile. I felt that a paint color wouldn’t be impactful enough and didn’t necessarily want to add any wood paneling or anything like that. So once I found this wallpaper from Mitchell Black I loved how it picked up on the warmer tones of the brass and wood, but was still quiet and organic. We also didn’t know how we were going to design the guest room (and this bathroom is inside the guest room so they really needed to coordinate). So whatever we chose we didn’t want to lock us into a specific color palette just yet. This wallpaper is so neutral, soft, and pretty.

This bathroom is pretty small, but this vanity has a lot of storage and works really well in here. We switched out the hardware to be black wood (stained, from Etsy) and I love that it looks like freestanding furniture. The sink and counter come with it making it easy for purchasing and install.

I LOVE that light fixture, by Worley’s, which you can customize both the metal and the wood. I was greedy and wanted a multi-finish sconce so this black and wood double sconce was perfect here and married all of our finishes.

The mirror was a $50 Home Goods purchase, y’all. I know these are a bit trendy and I bought it on a whim, but once I held it up we all agreed it was pretty dang cute and the idea of continuing to shop for something “better” wasn’t necessary. I like the tone of the wood with the wallpaper and the shape of the mirror with the organic “flock of birds” like pattern.

For this bathroom we did a deck mount faucet, mostly to switch it up after a lot of wall mounts :) Designing five bathrooms at the same time makes you want a bit of variety.

But behind the scenes, we may have wallpapered a dark slightly gold-flecked navy blue paper at first…it was a big “hell no” which was a bummer, but thank god the install of it was also problematic so we were able to re-install the new paper for free. So much better :)

The flow between this bathroom and its bedroom is really pretty and while it’s small, it’s highly functional, so pretty, and does the job. Only one more bathroom left :) Stay tuned!

30 CUTE Pull-On Shorts For Our Most Comfortable Spring/Summer Yet

The time of year is upon us when we tend to start thinking about shorts. We get to free our bottom limbs and run free! But we must not forget that traditional jean shorts are not the only option. Actually, let’s just get rid of zippers and buttons entirely! That’s right folks, I’m talking about cute, fashionable, comfortable pull-on shorts. In the words of Kim Cattrall, “I don’t want to be in a situation for even an hour where I’m not enjoying myself”. While she wasn’t necessarily talking about zippered/buttoned shorts, it could easily be included in the meaning. Pull-on shorts are inherently the most comfortable and least restricting type of shorts. The team has been singing their praises for years. But for some reason, we’ve only ever done posts dedicated to the more athletic versions. Well, that stops today because we are on the hunt and thought you might be too. Let’s start. These were the shorts that inspired this post. Marlee was the one to actually suggest this post idea because she had just started her pull-on short search. Naturally, we all agreed it was a great idea because we love a pull-on short and these ones were total winners. They are a little more expensive, but are sustainably made (from Reformation), and are so classic that they will never so out of style. For a similar stripe with a little more going on detail-wise, how fun are these?! I love the frayed hem, the paperbag waist, and how the stripes also have a little design within them. These would be great to throw on around town or perfect next to a body of water. Perfect for at home or on vacation. They also come in a solid patterned cream version (you’ll get what I mean when you look at them). Damson Madder is a very cool London-based, sustainable brand that my cool friend told me about last year. Needless to say, I was happy to see that Anthro did a collab with them! They are known for their fits and these shorts are so freaking cute. Definitely in the world of the boxer shorts trend but a little more refined. But if you love the red stripe look but want more of a nautical feel, these J. Crew ones are awesome. Vibrant but classic. FYI, these shorts are the most expensive on the list but also…look at them. These heavenly beauts are SO fun and since they’re from Farm Rio, I know without a doubt super high quality. The details are so special! It is a part of a set (here’s the top) but these could easily be worn with so many other tops. A loose white button-up would be effortless. These definitely give “vacation” but I say let home feel like a vacation too when you pop these cuties on. Another fun option! I love the color (but they also come in sand with a plus size option), that statement tie at the top, and the stitching. Plus, the length is so nice. No chance of those cheeks saying hello:) They are just a little more tailored and special than your average pull-on short. Sorry for the blurry photo but it was the best I could do. Anyway, how great is that green! These are also in that boxer short trend category which I am very tempted to try. They just look so damn comfy but also cute. I know it’s not for everyone but at the price I might give it a whirl. Plus, so great for poolside, right? (But can we also talk about the cuffs of the top??) I’m going to be honest, I didn’t know about the viral “denim” sweatpants Em was wearing in this post until I looked it up after she talked about them. They sound INCREDIBLE. So when I saw they had a shorts version, I HAD to include them. Duh. They come in three different washes (one lighter and one darker than the one pictured above), and if they are nearly as comfortable as everyone says the pants are, these are a homerun. But if you want a pull-on short that isn’t printed to look like a jean but is still comfy here are two great options under $50. The ones on the left do not have any stretch (aside from the elastic band) but will give you a cool relaxed look. Love that wash color. Then those cuties on the right have that sweet ruffled hem. They are also lower rise so keep that in mind whether that’s your preference or not. A Madewell soft, denim boxer short? Sign me up! Easy, soft to the touch, cute, and made with their “summer-friendly cotton-blend Airy Denim”. That means they are perfect for the warmer weather. I also know Caitlin and Arlyn have been big fans of Madewell’s pull-on shorts in the past. Why yes, you can be this chic for $25;) I mean get outta here, right? These tonal stripes and that sleek waistband are so good. Just enough color without it looking too bold. You could wear these to the office or on vacation, easily. They also have a bunch of other colors and pattern options if you are interested:) More “boxers” but that pocket is so cute! I just couldn’t resist. Also from Madewell, also super light and also extremely comfortable. These two feel less boxer-like to me because of the cuts (absolutely love how the sides are shorter) and the drawstring detail. The dark navy ones also come in a bright green and the light blue ones have a matching button-up top. These are great swim coverups too! And if you love a drawstring but not a print, these Reformation shorts are beautiful. So simple but so versatile. They come in three other neutral colors and these would be a breeze to dress up or down. For some additional solids, I adore the pockets on the Madewell cuties on the left. They come in 5 other color and pattern options but the style is what really makes them look less like a pull-on and more like a “normal short”. They’ll never know how comfortable you are! Then for a steal at $22, these Old Navy ones are the perfect throw-on-and-go pair that also come in seven other colors:) Aside from the sweet gingham print (it also comes in a butter yellow) I really love the texture of these shorts. They are made to look super relaxed and boy do they. Also, that price? SO GOOD. More Stripes but with really fun details! The contrast pattern trim on the pockets and the cuffed bottoms on the left shorts make me want to add to cart immediately. Then if you like a little metallic moment in your pull-on shorts there is a silver thread in the shorts on the right you’ll love. Fun but neutral:) Stripes aren’t the only pattern we love. These floral cuties are so fun! They come in seven other colors in petite, standard and plus sizes. The options are endless and CUTE. Would you believe these are Abercrombie? I know we’ve been raving about their evolution for a minute but it’s still so exciting! These mid-rise (yes!)summertime linen shorts are playful, chic, and highly rated. If shells aren’t your style they have seven other options to choose from. The florals continue on:) Not really sure why the shorts on the left are being called a skort because in every photo they really look like shorts but I wouldn’t be mad about either way. Love the high waist, the flowy bottom, and that subtle but playful print. I think if I had to choose a floral short it would be these ones on the right:) I can’t get enough of that pattern and for whatever reason they almost feel slightly sporty? I just think they are so freaking fun. These are the same AE ones from the beginning of these post but I really loved these colors and pattern:) Ok, onto the next! A flared “skirty” short? CUTE! I’m a big olive green fan (as you’ll see) and the cut/seams of these are so good. For the shorts on the right, I know they are way sportier than all the other ones but I couldn’t help myself and had to include. LOVE the patterned drawstring, such a fun addition to make something simple a little extra special. And those pockets are cool too! These last two options will likely be a little style-specific but I love them so much. These ones how overly relaxed and kinda baggy these are. They are mid-rise, mid-length, and cut up on the sides so have have a little more of a sexy shape. I want a pair bad! Oh and there are two different denim wash options. Those pockets are so sick. It’s almost like the coolest construction belt you’ve ever seen. I couldn’t decide which was I like more so I put in both. These are also on my fashion wish list! That’s it from me. If you’ve been needing some shorts I truly hope this was helpful. No need to not be the most comfortable (but cute) at any given moment, right? Love you, mean it.

The Best Gardening Tip I Ever Got Was From My Neighbor, and My Harvests Grow More Every Year

Twenty years ago, when I announced to our neighbor—a spirited Pennsylvania Dutch farmer and World War II veteran—that I was going to start a garden, the first thing he told me was not to plant my tomatoes before Memorial Day. Given that tomatoes start to appear at local nurseries as early as late April—around the time when the last spring frost occurs in our area—that seemed a bit late, but I followed Ethelbert’s advice and never veered from it. Thanks to his advice, I've been harvesting a bountiful crop every year for more than two decades. The Best Gardening Tip I Ever Got As I learned more about the growing conditions of crops, I understood that just because there is no more frost does not mean the weather is conducive to growing tomatoes yet. Tomatoes thrive in warm temperatures between 65°F and 85°F during the day, and 60°F to 70°F at night. In northeast Pennsylvania, where I live, it is not unusual for temperatures to drop below 50°F in May. Cool weather does not often kill the plants, but even one night of cold stunts their growth. I usually buy my tomato plants just before Mother’s Day and keep them in a small portable greenhouse. On warm days, I open the greenhouse all the way, and during the nights, I close it. On especially cold nights, I cover the entire greenhouse with a couple of old sheets. As a result, I am spared what folks who planted earlier go through—they anxiously watch the weather forecast and scramble to cover their tomatoes in the garden on chilly nights. After Memorial Day, the tomatoes are out of the woods temperature-wise. Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best growing tips, troubleshooting hacks, and more! How to Control the Growth of Tomato Plants Tomatoes that are planted when the weather is warm start visibly growing after a few days to a week (in less-than-ideal conditions, it takes longer). Once that happens, it’s key to check on them at least every other day because the plants grow at an astounding pace and indeterminate tomato plants turn into a messy jungle and if you don’t support and prune them. I am not a big fan of tomato cages because I find that they constrict the airflow within the plant too much, which encourages the spread of diseases. Instead, I drive a 6-foot steel fence post into the ground for each tomato plant and then tie the main branches to it individually. It’s more work but it pays off, also with easy harvesting. The other element of tomato care is regular pruning. It is not optional—it's an absolute must. In years when I was too busy to keep up with removing the suckers, I paid the price later when I struggled to tame an overgrown plant with excessive foliage and few tomatoes. 4 Tips I Wish I Had Been Given as an Amateur Gardener Since I am indebted to Ethelbert for his great advice, I've compiled a list of four tips I wish I had been given at the start of my gardening journey to pass onto others. Mulch Your Vegetable Garden Hardwood chip mulch does an excellent job at keeping soil moisture in and suppressing weeds, around ornamental and edible crops. I only started it a few years ago when I was able to get free arborist chips from a local tree removal company that was happy to find a place to drop them. Unlike commercial mulch that you purchase at a nursery or garden center, fresh arborist chips are less processed and packed with nutrients, and stay open enough to let in rain, but pack tightly enough to block weeds. Keep Watering New Plants As a new gardener, I followed the standard recommendation of watering immediately after planting, but would let a few days pass before watering again for a days after that. Now, when there is no substantial rain, I water new perennials and annuals every day for about a week, and longer in hot weather. Since I have been more diligent with watering, I have had fewer losses. Focus on Natives In my early days of gardening, I planted just about anything I found attractive that fit our hardiness zone. Looking back, I wish I had been aware of native plants earlier. Today, I am only planting native plants. They are much better adapted to our local climate, have fewer disease and pest issues, have tremendous wildlife value, serve as homes to hundreds of insects important to our food chain, and they are just as beautiful as any introduced species. Wait Out Seasonal Pests Every spring, the wild arugula I was so looking forward to had hundreds of tiny holes chewed by flea beetles that it became inedible. Then I realized that the pest is less active in the fall, and voila! If I plant arugula for a fall harvest, there are almost no flea beetles around. Similarly, I spent lots of time plucking Japanese beetles off my raspberry plants in mid-summer, not knowing that the beetles are gone by the time large and juicy fall-bearing raspberries ripen, so I can save myself that effort.

6 Things You Really Don't Need for a Short Trip—Plus, How to Pack More Efficiently

Packing for a short trip can be more challenging than packing for a long vacation. If you have a lot of activities planned for just a few days—packing light is crucial, especially if you don’t want to carry around heavy bags or pay those expensive luggage fees. While you probably know what you need to bring on your next weekend jaunt or business trip, knowing what you don’t need can help simplify the packing process even more. Here’s what you should never bring on a short trip. Adeela Hussain Johnson, president of BÈIS Valerie Batrice, vice president of consumer marketing at Travelpro Too Much of Anything Adeela Hussain Johnson, president of BÈIS, tells me packing too much of anything is a bad idea. “Packing light is key,” she says. Whether you’re taking a carry-on-sized bag or a weekender, start by accepting the fact that there is limited space and think logically from there. For example, it’s a smart idea to bring an extra dress shirt if you’re going on a business trip. But you probably don’t need to bring more than one bathing suit if you plan on swimming in the hotel pool. Clothing You Can’t Mix and Match Bringing items you can’t mix and match will only weigh your bag down. “Make sure you have mix-and-match options for your clothing, shoes, and bags so you can switch things up while maximizing space,” says Johnson. “Neutral bottoms work so well because then you can add your pop of color with shirts, which are smaller and easier to pack so you can bring a few extra." Lots of Toiletries If you have a ten-step skincare routine, you might need to par down slightly when you’re on the go. Johnson suggests using a BÉIS Dopp Kit for beauty and skincare products and limiting your selection to only what you can fit in that. “You can put your toiletries in the top section and your makeup below,” she says. In terms of cosmetics, try to bring multitaskers, such as foundation with sunscreen, or a hair product you can use for both de-frizzing and finishing. Handbags and Shoes That Aren’t Versatile Handbags and shoes can take up a lot of space and get heavy. While you might be tempted to pack those super-high heels for one night out, you’re better off opting for something more practical that you can wear for the entire trip. Keep color in mind, too. Black or tan shoes pretty much go with anything. The same goes for bags, explains Johnson. “Bags that can be versatile are perfect," she says. "The convertible weekender works so well because it’s the perfect size when packing for a short trip. When you arrive, you can unzip the bottom and leave that behind while the top of the bag converts into your day-to-day tote.” She also advises bringing along a crossbody or sling bag. “Crossbody or slings are so perfect for any kind of trip but, for a short trip, they can serve as the essentials bags for travel documents and your day-to-day carry bag," she says. "These bags also make a great snack carrier, as that’s always needed.” Full-Size Toiletries Valerie Batrice, vice president of consumer marketing at Travelpro, avoids packing full-size toiletries that she can purchase locally. "You can purchase trial-sized hygiene products once you arrive at your destination, which also allows you to try products that are made by local artisans," explains Batrice. By shopping locally, you can support small businesses and bring back travel-sized toiletry souvenirs from your trip. "During my trip to Portugal, I discovered the most amazing soaps and facial hydrating cream made with honey from France—a win, win!" Batrice says. One Outfit a Day Think less is more when it comes to your capsule wardrobe for a quick trip. "Avoid packing one outfit a day at all costs. Instead, follow the rule of three's: one pair of pants, one skirt, and one dress," explains Batrice. These clothing staples are easy ways to create lots of outfits without overflowing your suitcase. As an added bonus, this gives you extra room in your suitcase for you to shop during an international vacation. "This packing method leaves room in your luggage for souvenirs or new clothes if you decide to shop in a different country," says Batrice.

27 Fun Road Trip Games for Adults That Make Car Travel More Enjoyable

Road trips are fun—at least, in theory. But after a couple of hours of music, podcasts, and "I'm just going to take a quick nap while you drive," things can quickly turn boring. Sometimes you can adapt party games for the car, but they don't always translate to sitting in a moving metal box. That's where these road trip games come in. "I Spy" may have kept your attention when you were young—impressive, given that you had the attention span of a goldfish—but this list of car ride games up the ante a bit. Pick a few adult-worthy road trip games for your next long ride. 01 of 27 Spin a Story From the Past Think of this as "Who can lie better?" One player begins by telling a story about their past, and players have to guess whether they're telling the truth or spinning a tale. Each guesser gets two follow-up questions, and then it's time for an answer. Every correct answer is two points, and the first player to 10 wins. (The loser has to reveal a super-embarrassing story.) 02 of 27 Riff Off This competition involves finding a license plate with random letters and creating a word with those letters. For example, if the license plate is YMT23, the answer could be "Yosemite". Think of it as Road Trip Scrabble, but instead of taking turns, just yell when you see one and come up with a word. Other players can challenge by creating a longer word with those same letters. To up the stakes, stipulate that the letters must be in the exact order to make the word and can't be scrambled. Award two points for each winning answer and two extra points for anyone who spots a vanity plate. The winner is the first to reach 10 points. 03 of 27 Explain a Movie Plot Badly This party game also works when you're trapped in a car. One player thinks of a movie and explains its plot in a way that is factual and terrible, and the other players have to guess. The first player to guess correctly gets a point. If no one guesses correctly, the plot explainer gets a point. Our favorite: "Girl can't commit. Loses cat." (Yep, Breakfast at Tiffany's!) 04 of 27 Essentially the Same Movie In another film-related game, a player starts by naming a movie. The next player has to name another movie that has the same basic plot. For example, Pretty in Pink and Some Kind of Wonderful, or No Strings Attached and Friends with Benefits. Players continue to take turns naming flicks with essentially the same narrative until someone gets stumped—the last person to come up with a film that fits wins. Start with your favorite kid movies if you're having trouble thinking of movie plots. 05 of 27 Radio Roulette This is essentially a road trip game of Name That Tune. Flip among radio stations until you hear a song (presets work best), and let it play for 15 seconds. Players are challenged to name that song and its artist, earning one point for each, with an extra point for naming its album. The first one to reach 15 points wins. 06 of 27 Mad Libs You know Mad Libs, that hilarious word game that solicits nouns, adjectives, and verbs from players to create an imaginative narrative. If you plan ahead, you can access a free printable Funny Mad Libs For Adults to take with you on the road. (Don't forget to bring a pen!) If you're not a fan of pre-technology, whip out a smartphone and play WordLibs online for free, with no app or downloads required. You can even create your own stories! 07 of 27 Fortunately, Unfortunately To start this storytelling game, one player makes a declarative statement that begins with "Fortunately..." For example, "Fortunately, on this highway, we will soon pass a cool roadside attraction." The next player must follow up with an "unfortunately" statement such as "Unfortunately, the attraction is a giant booger." The subsequent player must give a "fortunately" statement, and so on as you go from player to player. Switch from "fortunately" to "unfortunately" statements until everyone runs out of steam. 08 of 27 Snack the Rainbow Along your road trip route, plan to stop at seven gas stations. At each station, find a snack that's a specific color of the rainbow. (Remember, it's ROYGBIV!) You can only get one snack item per gas station. 09 of 27 Famous Names For this road trip game, someone starts by saying the first and last names of a famous person. The next player must name another famous person whose first name starts with the first letter of the previous celebrity's last name. For example, Justin Bieber leads to Billy Crystal. Billy Crystal leads to Catherine O'Hara. Catherine O'Hara leads to Owen Wilson, and so on. If a player is stumped, they're out, and the group moves on to the next player. 10 of 27 Road Sign Alphabet Game Each player must find a word on a road sign that starts with the letter A, then a word that starts with B, and so on through the alphabet. Once a player has claimed a word, the other players can't use that word. Whoever gets to the end of the alphabet first wins. 11 of 27 Road Trip Trivia For each city you pass through on your trip, designate one person to be the "expert" about that city's population, industry, dining establishments, and anything it might be known for. The expert can use their smartphone, but guessers cannot. As you pass through each city, the expert asks trivia questions that other players guess the answers to. Examples are, "How many people live in Scranton?" and "Which fast food restaurant does Cedar Key have five of?" 12 of 27 Road Trip Bingo Road trip bingo is always a crowd-pleaser. Before you leave, you can create your own paper bingo cards or print road trip Bingo cards for free to distribute to each player. If you make your own, consider a theme of fast food restaurants (McDonald's, Chick-Fil-A, KFC), gas stations (BP, Shell, Texaco), or types of cars (Honda Civic, Subaru Outback, Toyota Tacoma). Whichever you choose, make sure there are enough markers or stickers for everyone to mark their cards. 13 of 27 Guess the Time Look up which cities you'll be passing through on the way to your final destination, and have everyone in the car guess the exact time you'll arrive at each one. (The use of map apps are prohibited.) For example, what time does your car pass the sign that says "Entering Sacramento"? The player whose guess is the closest wins that round. 14 of 27 Categories Someone chooses a category, such as movies, sweet treats, or flowers. The first player must name something in that category that starts with the letter A. The second player has the letter B, and so on. For example, if the category is flowers, the first player might say "amaryllis." The second person might say "begonia." The third person might say "carnation," and so on. Be sure to choose the categories based on the players' knowledge base. (If no one in the car is interested in gardening, flowers might not be the best category.) 15 of 27 The Price is Right Based on the TV game show, each player guesses the price for regular unleaded gas at the next gas station you see. Whoever gets the price to the nearest tenth gets a point. When it's time to stop for gas, the player with the least number of points buys snacks for everyone. 16 of 27 Guess the Song For Guess the Song, one player sings or says lyrics to a song, and the other players must name the title of that song. Stating the lyrics in a monotone makes the game harder. For example, someone says, "And he's long gone when he's next to me. And I realize the blame is on me." The winner is whoever correctly names the song's title, Taylor Swift's "I Knew You Were Trouble." Players must name the exact title. So, if a player says, "I Knew You Were Trouble When You Walked In," that answer is wrong, and someone else gets a chance to name the exact title. 17 of 27 Guess the Quote One player looks up a famous quote on their smartphone and reads it to the other the players, who must name the person (or fictional character) who uttered it. The quote could be from a famous speech, like "Give me liberty or give me death!" (Patrick Henry) or a movie, like "There's no place like home," (Judy Garland as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz). 18 of 27 While You Were Sleeping This is a group game to play when one or two passengers are taking a nap. While they're sleeping, the rest of the passengers work together to create a story about something the sleepers missed. For example, you all spotted a famous person who was stopped by the side of the road with a flat tire. The celebrity lets you hold their dog, eat some of their delicious snacks, and so on. Storytellers collectively agree on the specific, weird details for optimal believability. Too bad you didn't take any photos! 19 of 27 Who's Most Likely to...? For this fun road trip game, someone starts by asking the question, "Who in this car is most likely to...?" The other players have 3 seconds to name the person that fits the statement best. Players take turns asking a new question. Here are some possibilities: Who is most likely to answer the phone at 3 am? Who is most likely to throw their friend a surprise party? Who is most likely to give you a nickname? If you have trouble thinking up questions, visit teambuilding.com for a list of dozens of them that'll keep you asking and answering for miles. 20 of 27 Triple Threat In Triple Threat, someone starts in the role of the judge by saying three random words, and each player has to tell a story using those three words. The player who thought up the best story, according to the judge, wins. The winner becomes the judge for the next round, offering the next trio of random words, and the game continues. 21 of 27 20 Questions This classic guessing game easily adapts to a road trip. It starts with a player thinking of a person, place, or thing. The other players take turns asking yes-or-no questions to determine what they're thinking about. Whoever guesses correctly gets a point, but if no one guesses after 20 questions, the originator gets a point. Make sure someone is keeping track of the number of questions. 22 of 27 Spot the Car This road trip game is similar to I Spy and keeps everyone's eyes on the road. One player names a particular type of vehicle—like a double tractor-trailer, RV, or a Ram pickup—and players compete to be the first to see one and score a point. For a variation, consider non-vehicle items like signs or landscape items. 23 of 27 Scavenger Hunt This activity works as well in a car as it does out of one and demands much less legwork. If you're a planner, create your own list ahead of time based on what you expect to see along your drive. If not, print out a generic list for free. Either way, make a copy for each player, and whoever has seen (checked off) the most list items wins. 24 of 27 License Plate Checklist If you're taking a long trip on the interstates, this game is the perfect way to kill time. Just make a list on your phone or a notepad of all fifty states and check them off when you see a license plate from that state. Try and find all fifty states before your trip ends. 25 of 27 They're a 10, But... Find out how far your car riders would go for their dream partner with this silly game. To start, one person will say "your partner is 10, but..." and follow up with something funny or just plain outrageous. You could say, "he's a 10, but he has lobster claws instead of hands." Or "she's a 10, but she always has to rhyme when she speaks." How much are you willing to compromise for the perfect companion? 26 of 27 Count to 20 See if you and your fellow road trippers can get on the same wavelength with this simple yet challenging game. This game requires at least three people. Everyone in the group is trying to count up to 20 without saying the same number at the same time. If two or more people say the same number simultaneous, the game resets back to one. Sound easy? You might be surprised. 27 of 27 Battle of the Songs Test your skills as a DJ with this fun and musical game. A judge will pick a category for a type of song—this could be "80s power ballads," "90s alternative rock songs," or any genre of music your heart desires. Both people or teams will select a song in that category and play them. Whichever one the judge prefers is the winner and that team gets a point.