Browsing Category: Life

What I Learned From Taking A Staycation

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Aside from this blog and side hustles associated with blogging, I have a full-time 9-6 job. You read that right. Yes, I’m expected to sit at a desk in a cubicle in front of 2 monitors, 9am – 6pm, Monday thru Friday. Not only that, but I’ve been doing that for 4 years. So, to celebrate this wonderful anniversary, I decided to use five out of my 10 allotted vacation days and treat my self to a nice staycation.

FYI, a ‘staycation’ is pretty much taking time off from work and staying home and doing things locally, including possibly staying at a hotel.

For my staycation, I opted to just lounged around my own home and do what I want, when I want, and however I wanted to do them…and it was awesome! However, during this week off from the typical grind from the place that pays for the majority of my health insurance, I did explore ideas I’ve been putting off and even ventured off to a festival and plenty of resturaunts.

In the end, I realized that my staycation helped me appreciate a few things I either forgot about or didn’t think to do. Here a few things I learned recently from taking a staycation.

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Cocktails for lunch are great – This lovely cocktail consisted Sugarland Moonshine, topped with lemonade and Sprite and twist of lime. It was so refreshing and the star of my day.

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Pizza on the grill should be the norm – Well, cooking barbeque pizza on grill should be the norm. It takes a little longer than in the oven, but authentic smoky flavor just can’t be beat. These pizzas were Papa Murphy’s new BBQ pizza. I had the steak one and I still can’t get over how amazing it was after cooked in the smoked grill. So much so, that there may or may not be a pizza cooked on my grill on Memorial Day. I’m just saying.

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I’m Addicted to House Plants – Drawing was my life when I was a child and just recently, I started sketching and drawing again. I’m really into creating and playing around with shapes, graphic prints, and using different mediums. Colorful graphic pens and Sharpies are so nice to have and to hold on a rainy afternoon.

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New foundations make me feel better – This Tarte foundation was on my “Need To Try List” for a while. So, while I decided to pick it up while doing a couple of laps around Ulta. It’s full-coverage, which is just what I wanted so I could do spot applications. I’m using it like a concealer, except a really amped up concealer. I’m cutting back on full face makeup all over. It’s just too hot for a full face a glam, no matter how natural.

A boring 9-5 is not for me – …and definitely 9-6 is not for me, which is what I have. I’m very appreciative of having a secure job, but I’m over it and I’m over being over it. After spending a week off and having the pleasure of enjoying life how I want and when I want was exonerating. Although I was off from my “benefits job”, I found the time to stir up some things for my freelance eCommerce consulting and Social Media Marketing business, which has been great. I’m not saying giving up a having a 9-5 ever, just having one that allows me to explore other things I enjoy, at my time and pace.

*Honorable Mention – Refreshing your resume’ isn’t the most fun to have while on vacation, but it needed to be done!

Stay Stylish!

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Dream Vacation to Bora Bora Islands

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Recently, I’ve been mentally earmarking various places I want to visit in my lifetime. My list is constantly growing and the place that is currently at the top of my list is taking a dream vacation to Bora Bora Islands.

Bora Bora is a small South Pacific island northwest of Tahiti in French Polynesia and quite possibly as some of the bluest water and breathtaking views ever.

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Some of the resorts are visually mind-blowing on their own since they are luxurious bungalows perched right in the water and separated by wooden walkways over the water. It’s almost hard to believe places like this exist sometimes.

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Speaking of water, Bora Bora Island is in the Leeward group of the Society Islands of French Polynesia, an overseas collective of France in the Pacific Ocean. With its sparkling blue water filled hundreds of types of sea life, snorkeling here alone should be on everyone’s bucket list.

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Have any of you ever been to Bora Bora Island? If not, do you or share one of your dream vacation spots with me so we can dream about it together?

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ARTIST TO KNOW: Gray Malin

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I might be a little late to this party, but I’ve recently developed a deep and sincere obsession for Gray Malin photography. His work is breathtaking. From the vivid aerial views of sunny, packed beaches and snow covered ski slopes to the fun pictures of huge letter balloons with gorgeous summer backdrops and other chic and fabulous pictures.

The first time I heard about Gray Malin and saw one of his pieces is years ago on Emily of Cupcakes and Cashmere blog, who has a large one of beach aerial pictures over her sofa and looked so amazing.

There’s pretty much a Gray Malin piece that can work with any design aesthetic, no matter how modern or colorful. He has bright and colorful aerial pictures of beaches, but also softly muted views of skiers taking on snowy slopes.

Don’t take my word, just take in some of his work after the jump.

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Not only are these gorgeous prints (and plenty others) are available in various sizes, but also in other merchandise including wallpapers and cell phone cases. So, check out Gray Malin’s website for all of the pictures I shared and way more.

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Margarita Recipes for Cinco de Mayo

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Happy Cinco de Mayo, the celebration of the independence of Mexico. One of my (and most people) favorite way to celebrate the occasion is with a nice, delicious, and chilled margarita. They are amazing I plan to sip a couple this evening, but not too many since I have to go to work in the morning.

Anyway, I’m ready for margaritas tonight. If you are looking for some fast and tasty margarita recipes for cinco de mayo, check out the following recipes.

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You can never go wrong with a classic margarita, because it’s not too sweet or strong. Just the right amount of chill.

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This sangria swirl frozen margarita sounds as delicious as it looks. I can never turn down a pretty drink.

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If you are a chocolate lover, then you should be smiling ear to ear at the sight of this chocolate margarita. Wow, it looks so decadent!

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This cucumber lime margarita has a cool and refreshing taste that’s perfect for any hot day.

 

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A raspberry rhubarb margarita sounds not only delicious, but very sophisticated.

I hope you found one or two recipes to add to your drink recipe book and remember, margaritas aren’t only enjoyable on cinco de mayo. They are just enjoyable all year round!

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Amazing Work/Live Spaces

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My lease is up later this year (October, to be exact) and I’m starting to think about the next space I want to inhabit. Due to my current plans to expand my creative work and the fact that I will more than likely live alone (aside from my chihuahau, Pepe’), I need a place that gives me the right amount space to add in a designated area to create without taking away the comfort and elements of a home living space. Therefore, I’m leaning in on a studio that provides a work/live space environment.

I’ve found some pretty awesome inspiration pictures of ideal loft spaces that mixes work and living spaces that have really influenced me to continue pondering the ideal of studio living. Check out these awesome work/live spaces.

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