Autofocus! Goes to Ithaca: Travel Tips for Lesbians in Love

Because we were going to attend a wedding, we decided it was crucial to get our nails done on Thursday!  Mani-pedis are a must to be summer chic. (We defy all stereotypes.) So we ended up at a spa which was less than desirable, even though we’d already been advised to go to the mall.

Tip#3 – If you don’t know something, trust the locals.

Don’t leave it up to chance!

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After a bad paint job and over 100 bucks in the hole, we walked out of the spa and mutually decided to laugh it off.  It was all worth it because the lady behind the counter was humming When a Man Loves a Woman slightly out of tune throughout most of the painfully long visit.We also went to Moosewood Cafe which is a vegan restaurant in Ithaca where Robin used to waitress!  Check out their famous cookbooks!

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Tip#4 – Share like-minded activities.

Due to Carly’s distaste of insects and Robin’s exhaustion with suburban things like Target (yes, NYC, there is a Target in Ithaca), we decided drinking would be a fun shared activity! Luckily, we both enjoy drinking and there was plenty of it in Ithaca!  Also, luckily, Carly and I both do not like things like camping, and insects, and extreme temperatures.  We also did things like shopping and eating, which we both enjoy.

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Soooo … on Friday, we went on a wine tour!! We were virgin winery tourists, so this was an especially fun activity!

We got to act like we knew what was going on, but really we were just enthralled that you could pay a dollar to taste 16 kinds of wine!

This experience included us saying things like “I would have this with a nice grilled salmon, maybe some chicken. Probably not a great wine with steak or pasta.  Would you agree?” Wine tasting is fun times as you can meet all kinds of drunk people under the guise of a refined and classy adult experience.

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Tip#5 – Take some time apart.

Even just for a few minutes, its important to give your traveling companion some time to themselves.

Carbin gives FACE.

Carbin gives FACE.

Tip#6 – Do something social!!Lesbian relationships are the leading cause of Social Death in America.  Don’t let this happen to you!  Its easy to get sucked into spending all of your time together, especially when on vacation.  We were able to see some good friends and meet some new ones on our trip!

On Friday night, we met up with friends and went to Ithaca’s gay bar, Felicia’s Atomic Lounge. It’s a mixed (boys and girls, gays and straights) bar with amazing mixed drinks!

Carly also left her tab open when we left town and they were super nice when we called freaking out from the road.  (It’s never happened to her before!  I was amazed.)
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The weekend was spent at a friends wedding in The Berkshires.  I think we looked pretty darn cute!

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Although this tiny trip was a walk in the park, I’m really looking forward to our trip in November to Buenos Aires to get us out of our comfort zones and to entirely new and beautiful country!

Check out this fun video for more tips! Hint- its got some gays in it!  It also has some miserable woman talking about throwing up in her mouth when her boyfriend/husband suggests kissing near a waterfall, sad.

Here’s another tip, if kissing the person you are with makes you want to throw up in your mouth, its time to break up :(

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That’s all for now. Hope you found this article educational and you enjoyed our pictures! Carly contributed her artistic eye and lots of new found photo skillz to this piece.  I need a nap now!  Happy Travels!

xoxo
R

www.robinroemer.com

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Robin

Robin specializes in entertainment, lifestyle and portrait photography. She's also a Creative Producer, Director of Photography and co-owner of Scheme Machine Studios LLC, her production company based in Los Angeles. Robin loves shooting for TV and film and has worked with media companies like Legendary Pictures and Viacom. She shot and directed the Pride campaign for Google called #ThisIsFamily. Robin has had the pleasure of working on national campaigns for companies like Dove and Levis, and had the unique opportunity to shoot for non-profits and initiatives such as The Black List, Save the Children, Move to End Violence, Have a Hart Day, and The Clinton Global Initiative. She is most proud of the work she has done with organizations such as The Ad Council and RAINN working on national impact campaigns. Her celebrity roster includes Cyndi Lauper, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, The B-52s, Keri Hilson, JB Smoove, Tegan and Sara, Margaret Cho, The B-52’s, Andreja Pejic, and many more. She was there for Autostraddle’s birth and proudly served as A-Camp co-director for many years.

Robin has written 82 articles for us.

34 Comments

  1. Very good read. I LOVE to travel so any articles from you all about that is A+ to me. You both look super cute. Who would have thought all of that was in NY?
    I can’t wait for the Buenos Aires trip review!

  2. Hmmm I always forego to the mani part of the manipedi because… well because it seems to be breaking a lesbian rule to have painted nails. Nicely filed nails, yes. Painted? Not so much. Am I wrong? Do other girl-on-girls like to get their nails painted? Discuss!

    (Then again I didn’t really like to paint my nails really even before I discovered the joys of girls-on-girls. So it might just be me. Excuse me, I need to go file my nails.)

    • It’s a personal choice I guess. Carly gets black. Short nails = a lesbian rule. I think anyone can get them painted. This is 2009 afterall!

    • I always have my nails painted black and ask them to cut them as short as possible because I “type a lot.” I actually feel naked without my black manicure and get a little antsy on the days that it starts to chip until it can be perfect again!

    • I was that girl with a boyfriend and french tipped acrylics in HS, but now that I’ve met my gf, I have given up on the fake nails. I still like to paint them, and do so frequently (as well as my toes), but my gf won’t even let me paint her toes clear. I think I’m close to a breakthrough with her, but it hasn’t happened yet. I think it’s just a personal preference. I like that all lesbians don’t fall into one category of dress and style, and can mix it up a bit. When I met my gf and she wore makeup, I was surprised! We shouldn’t judge a girl by what she LOOKS LIKE she should look like.* Do what feels good to you. It will help get all of us on the same page and support each other rather than put each other in categories. (LBTQ…)

      *I’m not saying you’re judging, Sarah, I’m saying PAINT THOSE NAILS IF IT FEELS GOOD! LIVE IT UP!

  3. next up, my review on how to vacation when you’re SINGLE AND ALOOOONE.

    jk jk you guys are the cutest ever and i want to squish your faces.

  4. ZOMG Carlytron I am also afraid of kayaks! I’m afraid I’ll flip over and not be able to right myself OR that I’ll hit my head on a rock and be knocked out, stuck underwater! Shudder. I also hate canoes. And bugs. But I like hiking.

    Also, you guys are too cute for words.

  5. Dear 1/2 of my Favorite Couple EVER, two things:

    1. I would like to Facebook like this post.

    2. I have never heard of this trying 16 wines for a dollar??

  6. I think now is a good time to reveal my internet crush on Robin. Paired with thinking that Carly and I would be internet BFFs, I want to publicly voice my support of the Favorite Couple Ever award.

    And the Berkshires are awesome. I went there for flag day weekend two years ago and it was the best long weekend ever. This may have inspired revisiting the ‘shires this soon!

    Great post and pictures as usual, and I also support the mani/pedi movement.

    • it’s a good thing you have a crush on robin on the internet, cos if you talk to the interns, you’ll hear that she’s SUPER MEAN in person. we’re all terrified of her!

        • Stef, I’m just going to start telling people you have crabs. How do you like me now!?
          oh hi Mindy! I’m so delighted to hear someone has an internet crush on me! My ego thanks you. Also, did you hear Stef has crabs?

  7. That part of New York is so pretty. My dad’s family is from there. Maybe next time we go to visit, I’ll hit Ithaca!

  8. is it weird that when I first saw the header I thought you were talking about Ithaca in Greece? like in the Odyssey? man, I think I’m too much of a nerd.

    and I’m even FROM upstate NY.

  9. The best tip you gave was to roll with the punches. My gf and I did a East-West cross country trip 2 years ago, and boy did that get challenging. Prepare yourself that everything and anything that could go wrong just may, and that it’s ok and you’re in it together. No nitpicking and no cranky girls. Best. vaca. ever. will happen.

  10. robin, i’ve been ogling your “Robin Roemer Photography” logo basically forevs, and now I see that you have a necklace to match! storytime…

    ps- i totally wish my friends made me commemorative mugs

  11. oh boy. robin and carly, i just “awwww”ed over you taking time apart and having social lives. i am in love with your relationship. AND these pictures are beautiful. AND brooke’s mugs are too cute for words.

  12. i cannot believe i lived in ithaca for 2 years…you actually made it look totally beautiful and enjoyable. :)
    such a cute pair of grrrrls!

  13. Pingback: Queer Links – 7/29/09 |

  14. Ok, first time posting, i always read but im too much of a lazy person to comment but i just had to cause i do think u two are quite cute togheter and because i have a serious trauma with this song by Deleted Scenes “Ithaca”i just love it, the AutoRock Remix is even better…I’m from Mexico havent heard about the town before but after i listened to the song, Ithaca just pops out everwhere i go, haha, like on a Sagan book, talks with friends, a few other reads and here i just love it, i think Ithaca is my new favourite word. The town looks amazing thanks for the pics too.

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