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Hi, I'm Shirly!
By day I run Make It Happen, and the rest of the time I collect moments: family trips, girls' trips, a trip on my own, and celebrations people remember for years. I believe life is so much more than routine and work, and that we're here to enjoy it, with meaning.
Here you'll find everything I've learned along the way, no filters. Not sure where to start? Pick by what you're looking for.
xo, Shirly
japan 2026
Japan? Yes, me too
It looks like everyone is going to Japan right now, and we're no different. 20 days with the family, from Tokyo through the Japanese Alps to Kyoto. If you're on your way there too, or just starting to dream, let's do it together: a day-by-day travel diary, a map, and posts about what's really worth it.
get inspired
Where to next?
It all starts with one picture that gets stuck in your head. Beaches that look like a film set, a city that never sleeps, a forest that needs no filter. These are the places I loved most, with tips from the ground.
plan your trip
Planning without losing your mind
Where do you even start? Every post opens with "the short version": where, where we stayed, and a golden tip. And for every destination I have a Google map with all the places we loved, ready to save.
celebrate
Celebrating the right way
A milestone birthday for your parents, a bar mitzvah that doesn't break the bank, a mother-daughter night. These are the most-read posts on the blog, and it turns out we're all looking for the same thing: a moment people remember for years.
the way within
Traveling alone, and finding myself
Nine days alone in Koh Phangan taught me more than any course. Life is so much more than our routine and our job title, and sometimes you just have to decide to set out.