Megan Bannister, Author at Olio in Iowa

November 16, 2018

2018 Holiday Gift Guide: For the Lover of All Things Local

Joy to the world! This week I’ll be sharing Olio in Iowa’s 2018 Holiday Gift Guide for every type of traveler on your holiday list. From the stylish jetsetter to the intrepid roadtripper, I’ve compiled some of my favorite items so you can give a little bit of adventure to everyone on your list this holiday season.

One of the things I’ve come to love most about living in Iowa, and Des Moines specifically, is the pride that people here have for their city and state. Iowans will never miss an opportunity to tell you why they love living here. On a regular basis, I notice that people from Des Moines seem incapable of bragging on their city more than once and awhile.

In fact, it’s become one of my favorite things about central Iowa. It’s one of the reasons I jumped at the chance to be a part of Brand Launch’s Hummingbird Project, where I’ve really enjoyed lifting up local businesses with other like-minded Iowans. It’s something that continues to delight and encourage me the more Iowans I meet.

So in the spirit of celebrating some of my favorite central Iowa small business owners, I’ve compiled a handful of ways you can give a little piece of Iowa to everyone on your holiday list. These gifts for the lover of all things local are sure to be hits with the Iowans in your life.

November 15, 2018

2018 Holiday Gift Guide: For the Midwesterner

Joy to the world! This week I’ll be sharing Olio in Iowa’s 2018 Holiday Gift Guide for every type of traveler on your holiday list. From the lover of all things local to the intrepid roadtripper, I’ve compiled some of my favorite items so you can give a little bit of adventure to everyone on your list this holiday season.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission (thank you!) when you shop at no added cost to you.

For the Midwesterner on your holiday list, there’s no better gift than something that reminds them of home. One of the things I love most about calling the Midwest home is the sense of community that exists across the region. Not only does being from the Midwest make you resilient (I mean, have you visited during winter?), but I’ve found it also makes you compassionate for your community. There’s something about the Midwest that bonds people together.

From thoughtful gestures to apparel to help share their Midwest pride, there are lots of ways to show you care. These gifts for the Midwesterner in your life will help them remember their roots, no matter how far they roam.Continue Reading…

November 14, 2018

2018 Holiday Gift Guide: For the Outdoor Adventurer

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission (thank you!) when you shop at no added cost to you.

For the outdoor adventurer on your holiday list who is always training for their next big hike or taking up a new extreme sport, no journey is too perilous. While I’m more of a light outdoor enthusiast, I can appreciate the adventurous spirit that these sorts of travelers possess. These gifts for the outdoor adventurer in your life will help make their next expedition a little bit more enjoyable, whether they’re hiking the backwoods or camping in their backyard.

November 13, 2018

2018 Holiday Gift Guide: For the Roadtripper

Joy to the world! This week I’ll be sharing Olio in Iowa’s 2018 Holiday Gift Guide for every type of traveler on your holiday list. From the stylish jetsetter to the outdoor enthusiast, I’ve compiled some of my favorite items so you can give a little bit of adventure to everyone on your list this holiday season.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission (thank you!) when you shop at no added cost to you.

There’s a special place in my heart for the roadtripper on your holiday list. I’m happiest when we’re charting course for our next destination with a full tank of gas and a playlist of podcasts. I feel a certain kinship to travelers who choose the road less taken and are always up for an unplanned stop. These gifts for the roadtripper in your life will help make their next journey a little bit more enjoyable, whether they’re trekking cross country or exploring their own backyard.Continue Reading…

November 12, 2018

2018 Holiday Gift Guide: For the Jetsetter

Joy to the world! This week I’ll be sharing Olio in Iowa’s 2018 Holiday Gift Guide for every type of traveler on your holiday list. From the lover of all things local to the outdoor enthusiast, I’ve compiled some of my favorite items so you can give a little bit of adventure to everyone on your list this holiday season.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission (thank you!) when you shop at no added cost to you.

For your favorite jetsetter, there’s no such thing as too many accessories. These friends are always the ones who have the newest restaurant recommendations, the cutest outfits, and the coolest tech toys. While I’m more comfortable on the open road, you can usually find them buzzing through the TSA Pre✓ line. These gifts for the jetsetter in your life will help make their next trip a memorable one, whether they’re traipsing the globe or exploring closer to home.Continue Reading…

November 11, 2018

Olio in Iowa’s 2018 Holiday Gift Guide

Joy to the world! It’s time for Olio in Iowa’s 2018 Holiday Gift Guide! Each year, I enjoy putting together lists of travel-inspired gifts perfect for everyone you’re shopping for this holiday season. Continue Reading…

October 15, 2018

Find Inspiration When You Explore Public Art in Wichita, Kansas

Disclosure: Visit Wichita hosted my trip to Wichita, Kansas. However, all opinions are my own.

There were a lot things that unexpectedly delighted me on my recent trip to Wichita, Kansas. But the city’s blossoming arts scene was easily one of my favorite surprises. No matter what part of the city you’re in, everywhere you look, there is incredible public art in Wichita. From bronze sculptures to large-scale murals, there are all sorts of ways to appreciate art around the city.

Coffee in hand, I spent two mornings during my visit tracking down some of the city’s coolest murals and basking in these little bursts of inspiration around every turn. In the same way that I love roadside attractions for their unexpected nature, public art has a distinct power to surprise and delight. In a city passionate about public art, you never know what will be around the next corner or down the next alley.

The next time you need a dose of inspiration, explore one of these five unique places to discover public art in Wichita, Kansas.

September 3, 2018

5 Reasons to Plan a Weekend Getaway to Sioux Falls

While I love spending time in big cities, smaller towns have always tugged at my heartstrings. Discovering the mixture of local classics and new small businesses, exploring the historic architecture given new life, and experiencing the enthusiasm locals have for their hometown all keep me energized to continue taking the backroads. Recently, my boyfriend Josh and I spent the weekend in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and were delighted to find a community full of reasons to return again soon.

The Midwest is full of mid-sized cities just waiting to be explored, and Sioux Falls is one of the best! We’ve visited twice now, and each time have been delighted with the beautiful outdoor spaces, delicious restaurants, and priority placed on public art.

In just a few short visits, I realized that Sioux Falls has quickly becoming one of my favorite small Midwestern cities. Located in the southeast corner of the state, South Dakota’s largest city has something for every type of visitor. From its surprising walkability and gorgeous outdoor spaces to its burgeoning arts scene and vibrant local history, there’s a lot to love about Sioux Falls.

Still not convinced? Discover my top five reasons you need to plan a weekend in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.Continue Reading…

August 13, 2018

Plan an Outdoor Adventure to the Morton Arboretum Troll Hunt

Trolls have taken up residence in Lisle, Illinois to champion the trees! These gentle yet mischievous giants are hiding in one of the city’s most beautiful natural areas, but you can find them for yourself. The Morton Arboretum Troll Hunt is the perfect way to opt outside and enjoy the beauty of nature.

These six giant sculptures, created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, resemble the trolls of traditional European folklore. You can find them tucked amongst the trees of Morton Arboretum, protecting the forest and causing occasional antics, through the end of the year.

Last month, I spent an afternoon wandering the arboretum with my family and experiencing this incredible installation. Before you head to Morton Arboretum, learn a bit about the trolls, read my tips for troll hunting success, and plan your visit.

July 11, 2018

5 Things I Discovered Searching for Iowa’s Hidden Shopping Gems

Disclosure: I explored a variety of shops and occasional markets across the state as part of paid freelance assignments for Travel Iowa featuring Iowa’s hidden shopping gems. However, all opinions are my own.

Earlier this year, my friends at Travel Iowa reached out to ask if I would be interested in searching the state for Iowa’s hidden shopping gems. Of course I said yes immediately, and started planning my retail road trips.

Through the occasional markets I attended and small stores I popped into, I discovered some truly spectacular shopping experiences. From vendors selling handmade items of all kinds to occasionally overlooked shops in historic buildings, I found some new favorite places for a little retail therapy. Interested in seeing where I stopped along the way? Read about my retail adventures on Travel Iowa’s site below.

Read about my shopping experiences on Travel Iowa!

But through my research I also learned a few valuable lessons about building community and the people leading the charge in some of the state’s smallest communities. Discover some of the things I learned while searching for Iowa’s hidden shopping gems.Continue Reading…