Halloween Costumes for Dogs and Other Picky Pets!

One of the best things about Halloween is seeing ridiculously cute pet costumes!

grumpy dog wearing a flower collar — Via PetiteChicPooch reviewer

For those dogs who aren’t big fans of dressing up, here are 10+ ideas for costumes that should go on with minimal fuss and be comfortable for them to wear. You can find them all on Etsy! (I may earn affiliate commission from links in this post.)

Corgi puppy wearing prince costume and looking very sincere. — Via MIYOPET reviewer

There’s something here for even the most costume-adverse canine! Some will even work for cats. For those of you with multiple pets, I’ve included some “pack ideas” of group costumes for the whole crew.

chihuahuas wearing silly crab costumes — Via LilbruBoutique

Don’t have a pet? Check out Etsy’s Halloween guide to find costumes for adults and kids too!
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September 4, 2025February 18, 2026

Making a List: Your Favorite Holiday Markets

Christmas tree with Old Pima County Courthouse in the background

holiday market with string lights and gold balloon decorations — Mercado Cenzontle in Tucson.

Holiday Season Market Completist

I’m working on making a long list of the all the occasional / pop-up markets happening during the holiday season in Southern Arizona!

I’ve seen lists of top holiday markets in Tucson to shop, but there are so many more that don’t get mentioned. So I want to search out as many as Southern Arizona markets as possible, so you can peruse all your options in one list!

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August 14, 2025April 10, 2026

Roadside Motel Gets Elevated

The last time we were in Flagstaff we stayed in a cute, recently-renovated motel called Hotel Elev8. It was pet friendly, had free wifi and little local gifts for sale in the lobby.

There’s also an outdoor pool, indoor hot tub, and a sauna – in case you need to warm up or cool off.

When I say the place was recently renovated, I mean some of the construction was still in progress when we were there, but it was already a nice place to stay.

Landscape photography and a "renovations in progress" sign at Hotel Elev8. — Landscape photography and a “renovations in progress” sign at Hotel Elev8.

Location

Hotel Elev8 is about 10 minutes from Downtown Flagstaff. It’s actually right off I-40, which basically follows the historic Route 66.
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July 24, 2025

What it’s all about

Recently I revised the About Travelcraft Journal page. Here are some slightly rambley thoughts that expand on what I ended up putting there…

This is about exploring the world around you with an open heart. Continuing to be curious and taking the risk of trying new things. Finding the beauty and uniqueness – appreciating the particular quirks – of wherever you happen to be.

It’s about uplifting independent shops and eateries, art, makers and micro-businesses.

Even if the result is not to your taste, you can take notice of the time, effort, thought, and expertise someone puts in. You can admire the process, the craft of it. And tell a friend.

Supporting what is individual, handmade, human, unusual, and often imperfect is to resist de-personalization. To push back against forces pressuring conformity and throwing away anyone who doesn’t fit the mold. The ones that stand to profit from treating people as commodities.

Above all, it’s about striving to practice kindness to our neighbors worldwide, to nature, to ourselves.

It’s about practicing humanity.

July 1, 2025March 24, 2026

Jul/Aug/Sep Happenings 2025

It is, understandably, not a very popular time of year to visit the desert regions of Arizona. Many of the big crowd-drawing events happen fall through spring. While it gets a bit quieter here, there are still things happening outside of the heat of the day.

Meanwhile, in Northern Arizona, there are outdoor concerts, markets, and festivals going on.

As always, there also are events you can join in online whatever the weather is like in your neck of the woods.

So here’s my handpicked list of intriguing things going-on throughout the state – as well as some you can join in anywhere! Stars* highlight discounts, extras, and other goodies!

3 inkwell-shaped beeswax candles in front of a world map — 100% Pure Beeswax Candles by pollenArts.

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