Santa Barbara Zoo

he Santa Barbara zoo is something my sister and I had to do on our trip. It didn't disappoint. I've been to the San Diego zoo and the Safari Park, but they are overwhelming, hot in the summer, and crowded.  This one, however, was tiny in comparison. And I loved it.

I'm still trying to figure out my spirit animal, but the kola bears were darling. And of course the snow leopards are so my five year old me, haha. Most of the animals were asleep, hence the limited photos below, so I wasn't able to capture those two favorites. The whole day was perfect, though, and it ended with a henna painted on my foot, which might be the best thing in the world.

Project 365 On Instagram | My Experience + Tips

n the beginning of 2018, I thought it would be to participate in an Instagram challenge for the year: Project 365. Posting a photo everyday for one year seemed like a lot, but I figured I already post all the time so why not give it a go! Obviously the new year 'fresh start' ideal was my first reasoning for joining, but there's more. Keeping an Instagram feed or aesthetic is so difficult, and I found myself never posting unless it looked "good enough" to share. So, my hope was that this challenge would help me not worry so much about that. That my new focus would be to share simple moments throughout my day, to look back for the whole year and be remembered of small things that meant a lot to me.

Well, I as of right now I have posted photo number 83/365. I am a bit behind. It takes a lot of time and effort to find new angles, locations, and even outfits to post an image everyday! Many of my days when I started was time spent inside classrooms, cleaning a dirty dorm, or watching Parenthood in my room this summer. I thought I'd share some tips, along with pro's and con's!

・ MY INSTAGRAM PAGE ・

1. // Learn to take photos of new things around you.
This has helped me see everything in a new light. I paid more attention to the colors of buildings to the food on my plate. Something so simple, yet so much joy!

2. // You can always inform others what your up to.
I love being able to 'be real' on my page. For a solid three months my life was super healthy. My love for acai bowls began, and I was walking everyday. It was a nice way to be held accountable, yet a way for me to track my progress.

3. // Enjoy the small things.
I already touched on this a little bit, but remember to enjoy your Instagram! It doesn't have to be about your travels or new outfits every time.

・FAVORITE COFFEE TABLE READS

・SEASONAL OUTFIT STAPLES 

・GO-TO HAIRSTYLE 

・YOUR PUPPY 

・DAY PLANNER SET-UP 

・CURRENT TUNES 

・DOWNTOWN CITY STREET 

・ALL YOUR PLANTS 

・PHOTOS OF DEAR FRIENDS 

・INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE 

・ANY TYPE OF NATURE 

・LOCAL COFFEE SHOP

・FAVORITE PLACE TO SHOP 

・SMOOTHIES 

・EVERYDAY ACCESSORIES 

1. // It's time consuming. 
This is a given, but it's worth mentioning. I can't tell you how many times I got a few days behind and had to post within the same day to make up for it!!

2. // You run out of ideas on what to post. 
This is the hardest thing about this challenge. How many more beach, palm tree, or coffee photos can a girl post? Refer to my idea list above!

3. // Sometimes you want privacy. 
Not everyday are you exploring your city, having dinner with your girlfriends, or making your bed! Sometimes, you're tired or sad. Your hair isn't curled and it's a no makeup Monday. It can be difficult to create content that is meaningful on these types of days! (Hence why I'm behind).

My Summer Hair Care

Summer hair care is no joke! It's the one time of the year I adore my hair curled to take photos next to flower bushes (like this one above), yet I hate the process of sweating in my room after a hot shower and heat via a blow dryer on your head for the next 10 minutes. For those of you who are in the south, than you'll understand this completely.

Anyways, here are a few tips I've been using. My hair has never been super long like most girls who have it mid-back length, but this length right now is really long for me. I have thin hair and growing up it's always taken forever to grow. Everything I've shared below has help my hair stay healthy, shinny, long, and even strong. I hope they help you too, especially for the summer time when you want to skip those morning styling sessions!

One // Use purple shampoo.
If you are a blonde like me, this makes such a difference! It protects and makes the color last, instead of rinsing out within the first couple of weeks.

Two // Skip the heat during the week.
Blow drying my hair is the worst in the summer. Being hot and sticky after my shower doesn't make me want to be under the hot dryer for another 10mins. So, skip the heat when you can. Only curl or blow dry your hair when you're going out for the night.

Three // Deep condition once a week.
My favorite conditioner is called K-Pak from Joico. It has strengthened my hair more than anything before. My hair is no longer weak or stringy. Now, my hair stylist says it is shiny and healthy!

Four // No hair ties for bed.
Split ends are bound to happen, but they are worse when I use tight hair ties for a cute up-do.

Five // Wash right after the pool.
Dirty lake water or the chlorine in pools are the worst for my blonde coloring. Just take care of your hair if you are constantly soaking in the summer water!

Six // Be careful with necklaces. 
I know this one seems weird, but whenever I wear necklaces all the time it can pull out my hair. I have to be careful, so I don't like to wear them unless I'm going out.

Podcasts You Must Listen To

ately, podcasts have been my thing! A good episode to listen to while doing my makeup, cleaning my room, or driving helps me a lot. Music sometimes builds too many emotions, so instead of binging Netflix all day, a podcast is my solution to keeping my mind busy and inspired. Everything below is based upon lifestyle topics that many people can relate to. I love hearing about personal experiences from people I admire on social media, so you must give them a listen!


1. // The Art of Joy
A mother and daughter duo podcast is the sweetest thing I've found on a podcast. Tresa and Ashlee talk about their trials and struggles in life, making you feel not alone. I follow Ashlee on Instagram, (her little girl Poppy is adorable) and when she announced this new project, I was overjoyed. Her story is heartbreaking, but she talks about it in such a beautiful way. You must give this podcast a listen...and perhaps with tissues in hand!

2. // Sure, Babe 
I haven't listened to this podcast a ton, but this one particular feature with Arielle Vey (a gal I love on Instagram) is my favorite. She shares the process of her photography business and how she landed the perfect dream career. It's such an inspiring episode.

3. // Whine Down 
Country singer, Jana Kramer, has her own podcast now!! She talks a lot about her marriage and honestly I just love everything about this! It's neat to get to know someone who is so famous. This podcast is hosted by iHeartRadio, so I don't love the interviewer who asks her questions. But, I can deal with it because I love Jana.

Any podcasts you've been loving lately? Let me know below!! 

3 Reasons To Have Morning Rituals + My Own

ince college, I have been such a morning person! Being back in my bedroom feels amazing. I have my own space, without the worry of waking up my roommate. For some reason, I feel the need to be extra productive since my college will be all online come July. So now, I have been creating a few rituals that have been so good for me!! Here are a few reasons why I hope that you too can perfect your morning ritual, along with sharing my personal routine run-down!

Sets the tone for the day. 
This is my main reason for creating a morning schedule. It's amazing how I feel when I wake up knowing all that my day holds. One thing I add within my morning ritual down below is my gratitude journal. I've been trying so hard to use it regularly, and I'm loving the results!

Can spark creativity. 
When my room is clean, laundry is done, and emails are sorted, I can finally enjoy my day. Even if it's a simple act of being creative with my smoothie ingredients it then becomes a change of pace. I feel inspired best when my surroundings are clean and full of nature light!

Makes you more productive. 
An obvious one, I know, but waking up early and tackling a to-do list all before 11am in the summer is truly incredible. This really has surprised me being home, because sleeping in or taking a long shower is always nice, however, I feel that those two rituals are not helpful during the week.

                          My Personal Rituals!! 

1.  Make the bed.
2.  Take care of my dog.
3.  Start a load of laundry.
4.  Check emails.
5.  Get ready, be happy with outfit choice and hairstyle!
6.  Make a healthy breakfast.
7.  Listen to a podcast in between tasks.
8.  Do a devotional.
9.  Be creative. Watch a YouTube video while doing makeup or listen to music.
10. Write down 5 things in a gratitude journal.

Happy June | 12 Things

1. I cannot wait to go to Santa Barbara. State street looks so beautiful.

2. Thanks to Netflix, I finally saw Mama Mia! The soundtrack is incredible. I'm so excited for the second film to come out in theatre's in July.

3. My friend brought me back a keychain from Greece with my name in Greek, and now I seriously have the travel bug, haha.

4. I've been babysitting a lot lately. I love being able to have a little routine in my week. Plus the extra money doesn't hurt.

5. If you saw my Instagram stories a few weeks back, you would have seen me at Taylor Swift's Reputation Tour (I put them in my hightlights, under travel)! It was soooo good. My sister is a huge fan and so she dragged me with her. This album of her's isn't my cup of tea, but the concert was so much fun. Camila Cabello opened and Selena Gomez was her quest performer that night at the Rose Bowl.

6. It's officially hot here in So-Cal. I see many curly hair days in my future, because this gal isn't blow drying in the morning anymore.

7. I am in need of a pedicure. I'm waiting for our vacation and it's been loooong overdue.

8. Pinterest has been so fun for me! I went through and deleted soooo many pins and boards that aren't my style anymore. I had around 14,000 pins, and now I'm down to 3,000. I love the way my feed looks now though.

9. Snapple peach iced tea is now my new favorite drink.

10. I'm working on a bucket list (the one you saw here) and I'm pretty sure the only things I can write down is regarding travel destinations, haha. Top 5 spots...Paris, France / London, England / Dublin, Ireland / New York, USA / Positano, Italy

11. Health is something I'm wanting to be more serious about. A few people on Instagram (Missremiashten, and emmagracewicks) have been so inspirational for me. Their fitness routines and real talks are so helpful to hear. It's my turn next.

12. I need to start blogging more. Any suggestions of what you'd like to see around here?