VIRGINIA BRIDESMAID + 12 THINGS

y best friend Alex said 'I do' to the love of her life on June 3rd, and I was by her side as her bridesmaid. I flew out to Virginia for her big day, and I'm so happy I did. The wedding was beautiful and as you can tell from the photos, it felt like a hidden forest as the venue was covered with big beautiful trees, and the sunlight just made it all so magical. Alex has been my best friend since freshman year of high school, so it truly was such a joy to watch her grow and change through this special journey in her life. I couldn't be more happy! 

This wedding was my first experience as being a bridesmaid, and it was truly the best. From supporting your bestie, attending the bridal shower, picking out the dress, walking down the isle holding a boutique, to dancing like crazy with the wedding party is everything I love about being a bridesmaid! Here are 12 thoughts + memories of the wedding and trip from VA. 

12 THINGS 

1. My favorite thing about being a bridesmaid is being able to be involved in the whole process leading up to the wedding day. Seeing and participating behind the scenes of the event is so memorable. 

2. I caught the brides boutique! How awesome it that? I can cross that off my bucket-list haha. 

3. Virginia was so beautiful. Lynchburg is so different than Williamsburg, in the fact there are rolling hills with beautiful farm houses. Williamsburg feels like a closed in forest because of all the trees which is something I hate. But, oh my word it was so humid. 

4. I learned that Virginia's state slogan that can be found on every license plate is "Virginia is for lovers." 

5. Exploring Liberty University was so fun. It was massive, and so beautiful with all the brick buildings. 

6. Dancing to Sweet Home Alabama was my favorite. 

7. In the photos you can see that I changed my hair up a little bit with a half up do, and I loved trying something new. 

8. I loved that Alex had flower girls! I don't know why, but seeing flower girls pose for the camera with the bride kneeling down is just the iconic wedding photo! I must have flower girls at my wedding, haha. 

9. When the bride makes her grand entrance down the isle, I prefer to watch the grooms reaction instead because it's such a special moment when he see's his bride for the first time. 

10. I hope to be a bridesmaid many more times! 

11. Being able to do a sparkler exit at the end of the night was too cute. Before that day I had never used sparklers and now I'm obsessed. Would love to have this for my wedding one day. 

12. So thankful for this trip and I will remember it forever. 

SUNDAY MORNING READINGS 02

ood morning friends! This week has been a great one, as I am still recovering from my trip to Virginia for my best friends wedding. Gotta love scheduled posts, lol. The entire trip was so much fun, as I have missed Alex more than I realized! I can't wait to post about my trip, and my experience as a bridesmaid...hopefully! Until that post goes live, be sure to check out my Instagram page as I couldn't put the camera down during my visit.

In the meantime, today I am putting out another Sunday morning reading roundup list of all the latest articles on the web and print that I enjoyed so much this past week. Anything you've been loving?

The YouTube Video:
Room tours are just the best videos to watch. Aspyn Ovard is my fave YouTuber ever, and she's finally getting around to decorating her house she bought last year. So her bedroom is just darling, and you must take a look!  

The Blogger:
Barefoot Blonde is a blog I have recently rediscovered in my feed through Bloglovin'. She's the cutest gal, mom, and wife ever! I seriously love how lifestyle and easy flowing her posts can be. She documents everything with her little ones, and everyday views! This last post was a favorite because 1. it made me miss Hawaii so much, 2. I would love to live somewhere different even if it was only for six months. You'll have to read the post yourself to understand where I'm coming from, but I just love how willing her family is to shake things up in life.

One Web Love: 
Since summer is here I've been collecting new inspiration within my bathing suit board on Pinterest, and I found one I absolutely love. Here is the one I have my eye on. I love a good old black suit because it's classic, and flattering. Plus I tan so easily the dark colors just seem to make my skin glow all the more!

The Magazine: 
One magazine I have had a blast looking and reading through is the Magnolia Journal. Joanna Gaines summer issue is too cute for words. Can we just talk about the front cover? Ahh, makes me want to rent a jeep and explore some tropical jungle. Cuteness aside, the articles are all about traveling, and summer vacay. What I love is that they aren't unrealistic, just perfect and simple ideas though to create your own beautiful summer plans!

      

THE BEGINNING OF SUMMER: BUCKET LIST

SUMMER IS A STATE OF MIND 

Oh my gosh, summer is here!! I am so excited for this summer, and I'm determined to enjoy every possible day I can considering it's my last few months being home before the move to Vanguard. This summer I have a small bucket list that I thought I'd share on the blog!

The only bummer about this summer is that I'm taking three college summer classes! Blah! The only great thing, it that they happen to all be online. But really nine units? Wish me luck!

Onto my bucket list...go to the movies, start my summer reading list, drink lemonade, shop for my new dorm room, have a game night with my family, watch fireworks this 4th of July, make sure to have a nice tan, become a blonde again, print my iPhone photos, try new hairstyles, bake or cook a new recipe, create a summer playlist, and diy a summer sugar scrub.

Here's to a wonderful summer ahead!

5 REASONS I'M SO EXCITED TO START AT VUSC

his past weekend I attended Vanguard's registration and orientation day! I was able to sign up for my classes, meet with my counselors, meet incoming students, and give another tour to my parents. I finally feel like this is all becoming real, and my dream is happening! Now with my class schedule I am feeling prepared and so ready to start. I'm officially on countdown.

Thought I'd share a few photos from my day, along with five things I'm looking forward to at Vanguard come August!

1. Music camp: 
I mentioned this before once I announced my university, but I got accepted into the choir!! I'm not sure which one (co-ed or women's), but either I know I'll be content with. It's seriously a dream come true, as music has always been a passion of mine. I can't wait for music camp as it's four full days of auditioning, and practicing while meeting new friends. I read on the newsletter that a beach bonfire was included one night...can't wait.

2. Sporting Events:
The school pride at Vanguard is awesome! On social media I follow several accounts, and it gets me so pumped to be able to attend these games and events. At Vanguard we have track and field, soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball, cheer, and basketball! Okay, I'm off to go buy yellow everything to keep that pride alive!

3.  Living in Catalina: 
I am pretty sure my dorm will be in Catalina dorm room, as it's the place for all sophomores and transfer students like me! Catalina is the newest building on campus as it provides a walk in closet, private bathroom (with a bathtub), and air conditioning.Hoping to get a room with a view of the baseball fields!

4. Meeting New Friends: 
I could not be more excited to meet my roommates. They say college is where you meet those life long friends, so that's what I'm praying for.

5. Exploring Costa Mesa: 
Vanguard is located in Costa Mesa, Orange County. I've never lived anywhere near here, and I'm so excited to become a local. The beach, hipster cafes, and beautiful shopping malls are all within a 5-10 miles reach from my campus.

HOW TO BEAT THE POST TRAVEL BLUES

raveling is a love of mine, and I'll never turn down an opportunity to do so. Every year starting from my sophomore years of high school, I've been able to visit one new US state each year (Virginia, Maui, Oahu, Oregon, and back to Virginia lol)! Sometimes I can't help but wish I could go back and do certain things differently, or explore more places. I absolutely loved Hawaii, and would love to go back with my family and have them experience the beauty and Hawaiian culture! I try not to go down memory lane too much, or other wise I find myself having the travel blues. So with much experience here are some tips that have helped me during the after affects of once that plane lands, and your back in reality!

EXPLORE YOUR CITY: There are so many things you can do locally, that doesn't involve an expensive plane ticket! If your into coffee shops, botanical gardens, adventurous hikes, or museums I bet you can do it all in your city. My town isn't the greatest, but whenever a new coffee shop appears I'm all over it, and suddenly forget all about the one's I can't wait to explore in San Diego.

PLAN A NEW TRIP: Traveling is so amazing, it can become an obsession! Instead of being blue and missing the place you were, look to the future with new dream destinations. Realize that traveling doesn't have to be a dream, it can be a reality. After a particular trip I always feel more independent and confident in my capabilities in exploring new places, and doing things I've never done before, it makes me all the more excited to book a new trip!

MEET UP WITH FRIENDS: Talking with friends about your travels always cheers me up. However, the best part isn't rambling on, because let's face it, your best friend won't want to hear about your amazing vacation for more than a half hour. The beauty of hooking up, can be to feel motivated about what you've missed while you've been gone. From here you're able to make plans for the future together, and start to get your life back in routine.

USE YOUR SOUVENIRS: In Oahu I purchased two snow globes, one from the pineapple plantation, and the other at Sea Life Park when I swam with the dolphins. I adore these little souvenirs, and when I got home I immediately put them up on my shelf above my chair in the corner of my room. Having these little pieces around makes me feel like I brought a little bit of Hawaii back with me. Use your postcards, frames, snow globes, keychains, or signs to use as room decor.

BLOG ABOUT IT: Once your home, and settled create a blog post giving your readers the scoop about the city or town you explored. Travel guides are always loved, and everyone's perspective is different. Spend some time feeling nostalgic while digging up some photos to have it forever on your blog! I love doing this because I'm able to process my entire trip, and express my hate/love relationship I had with the city I visited.

JUNE GOALS | 2017

ow! I can't believe a whole week has flown by in June already! It just seemed like I was writing out my May goals haha. I suppose that's what happens when traveling is involved...it just throws me for a loop with time and dates! I landed back in CA on June 4th, so I believe that's why I'm all over the place.

I enjoy doing these types of posts so much, I hope you do too! So let's take a look into how I accomplished my goals from the month prior, and see the one's I hold for June as well!


Back in May my goals were...

1. Go To The Gym 25 Times | Nope, I didn't even come close. This totally blows, but then perhaps June will be a better month for me.

2. Preschedule 4 Posts for ABH, While I Leave For College | I have two prescheduled and it feels to good! I love being organized, and I don't wish to have my blog lacking as I begin Vanguard!

3. Purchase at Least 10 Items For My Dorm | Yes! Conquered this one. I still need so many items, but I have so many decor items that will really complete my overall beachy, boho vibe in my dorm!

4. Figure Out a Summer Job | I have decided on not working this summer, as I will be full time with summer classes.

5. Wash my Car Every Weekend | I believe I only did this maybe two times. Uhh I need to be more declined in this area. Why is this so hard to do? Haha.

Okay now onto my June goals...

1.  Make My Bed Everyday | I may be cheating on this one because I know I can accomplish this one! I love a clean room, and in the summer I have lots of time to do so!

2. Find a New Journal | I really want to have a new journal when I start college in the fall that way my memories and feelings can be wrapped up in my last two years and experience at Vanguard.

3. Finish My Novel | I've started reading the Magnolia Story, and it's so good. But making time for it is the hard part. I just need to replace my Netflix time, with reading this novel.

4. Do 4 Photoshoots for the Blog | I have over five drafts just sitting in my inbox waiting to be published for the blog, but I'm missing photos. So I need to spend time and bring the camera out and have fun.

5. Send Snail Mail | My sister left all summer to work up in Hume Lake and I already miss her so much! My goal is to send her lots of cards because I know that will cheer her up from being so homesick!

THE APPLE FARM

ur trip up to the central coast was such a great family vacation! It was a short trip, but all the same it was so memorable. It was so fun to go back to old spots I remembered so well as a child. We stayed in San Luis Obispo at this hotel 'The Apple Farm.' It reminds me of the cutest bed and breakfast because of the friendly staff, clean rooms, and country cottage decor.

The grounds were too beautiful not to do an entire shoot at, so a huge shout out to my sister for walking along with me and snapping some photos of myself! The flowers that are able to thrive up Northern California is so beautiful!! The flowers you see in this post is just a taste of the surroundings all up the San Luis County.

I am so grateful for this mini weekend trip, it was definitely needed as my sister is leaving for the whole summer to be apart of the Hume Lake summer staff! I'm going to be missing her like crazy, so some quality time was ideal as it was our last weekend together as a family for awhile.  

SHELL BEACH

ll I can say is how gorgeous is this ocean? It's like nothing I've ever seen before. On this trip I seriously have been going crazy with all the photoshoots I wish to have because everywhere you look provides an opportunity!

We decided to ditch Pismo beach all together as it was ridiculously crowded, and sometimes the quieter places tend to make the best relaxation spots. Being Memorial weekend when we were up here, we lucked out on finding this little gem. It's tucked away in a neighborhood, so unless you drove around to look at beach homes you'd miss it all together. Shell beach is a town that is right next to Pismo so it's smaller, and not the go to for tourists (score). It's location is apart of Five Cities, and in that cluster of the San Luis Obispo county!

One thing I love about the central coast is how easy it is to get around. I'm so use to LA traffic and crowds that it blows my mind that the population of shell beach is only 7,655! Crazy right? So we had the luxury of finding parking during the day, and back at night to watch the sunset - something that could never be possible in San Diego!

Stay tuned as I have yet to cover San Luis Obispo, and the gorgeous hotel we stayed in! Until then, scroll below for some beautiful blue water envy!