weekly reminder.

I'm currently sitting at Denny's with Molly downing endless cups of coffee as we try to crank out last minute papers + projects. Saying these next few weeks will be stressful would be an understatement. There's so much going on right now that I keep looking down at my tattoo as a reminder to just let it be. In fact, my response to everything the past few days has either been life, man. or life happens, man. A few break downs later and that's what I'm left with. I have so much to look forward to in the next few months that I just need to stay focused and keep on truckin'.

Everything will work out in the end.

southern sun.

This past weekend my mom and I took a little trip to Florida to visit my aunt and get away for a few days. The first thing we did after we landed was grab a bite to eat at a local taco place called Capital Tacos, and let me tell you - hands down THE best tacos of all time. This place needs to start a chain reaction because I'm prepared to go back solely for more tacos... worth it. When we got back to my aunt's, my mom and I laid out for a bit by the pool and I chased some lizards, and maybe got bit by one. We won't talk about it. Later we went out to dinner at a restaurant called Mosquito's... and quickly learned how it got it's name. We met my aunt's fiancé for the first time, and I'm pretty sure I have a new favorite uncle. The guy's awesome.

On Saturday mom and I hit the beach and happened to crash a wedding (check that off the bucket list). That night we went to a quirky place called Ukelele's and had the best crab cake sandwiches ever. They also had a live band, Double Barrel, who covered songs from the 50's to current day country, pop, and rock. We kind of turned into groupies, and when we left, the band walked off the stage, out the door, and into the parking lot with us... while they were still playing. Talk about making us feel guilty for leaving.

Sunday we drove to Homosassa and checked out the Blueberry Festival. There were tents on tents of people selling unique goods of all kinds, and I was extremely upset I didn't have more cash on me.... but I definitely would be broke if I did. Then we checked out the Homosassa State Park Wildlife Refuge and got to see lots of cool animals.... like flamingos. They're my spirit animal. After spending all day under the hot Florida sun, we ordered two large pizzas and called it a day.

All in all it was a lovely trip and it was nice to have a few days off, but it was not. long. enough. And coming home to Chicago cold and snow was just not the most wonderful thing in the world to say the least.
Looking forward to the next adventure - May 10th, hurry up.

*I apologize if this is all over the place/doesn't make sense. I'm sitting in lecture attempting to write this post and take notes simultaneously.

florida flashback.

I'm sitting in my aunt's lanai, cup of coffee at hand., overlooking the pond in her backyard + admiring all the ducks, cranes, turtles, and tiny gators (it's taking everything in me to not go all crocodile hunter right now). The weather is absolutely gorgeous and I can't help but reminisce my previous visits here from the past few years.

2009

2011

This song will forever remind me of Florida because it's ALL I listened to in 2011.

Happy weekend everyone :)

save the date.

Adding another trip to my list for 2014- my cousin's save the date card came in the mail yesterday. Most people wouldn't think much of it, but I got really excited. I LOVE weddings. And the fact that it's being held in a barn in North Carolina.........I can't. Seriously too thrilled about this.

I couldn't be happier for them. Tanner is a perfect match for Brittany, and I know this because when he followed her all the way from North Carolina to Oregon, he stopped at all of her relatives houses to introduce himself. He was travelling with his brother and best friend, and they made special stops along the way to spend time with Brittany's family. We were all so impressed by his dedication to get to know all of us without her by his side. I thought that was an extremely honorable move on his part. That is what true love is. Needless to say, this is going to be a amazing wedding.

Looking forward to October.

*Brittany made this card herself. If you like simplistic, creative, handmade designs, check out her Etsy shop here.

run away with me.

I've been saving these pictures for quite a while... my wanderlust is out of control. And now that I'm stuck indoors due to the polar vortex sweeping through the Midwest, I thought it was time to share these travel-inspiring photos. All I want to do is explore; I want to roam around and marvel at the world and all of it's extraordinary wonders (all seven of them). I grew up travelling with my family: camping, fishing, hiking, climbing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, sight-seeing, all of it. And now that my brother and I are adults, family trips have been few and far between. I'm making sure this year I take advantage of every opportunity to get away, and going out of my way to make time for my own trips.

I am in love with each photo and I frequently daydream about being part of all of those adventures. I am especially in love with the photos shot from the point of view of waking up in the back of the car to amazing scenery. I've added that to my bucket list- to go on a cross-country road trip, falling asleep in the trunk of the car, and waking up in a new location every morning to a new, breath-taking view. This is one item I'm eager to scratch off in the very near future...but until then, I'll keep dreaming.

I've been obsessing over this song for a few weeks now. Even though I've kept it on repeat, I don't think I'll ever get tired of it. The Goo Goo Dolls are a forever favorite.

"Life is a journey, not a destination."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson