i turned 29 last month.  29.  i don't really feel much older but i know i am, you know what i mean?  like i keep finding myself thinking about how i can be more of an "adult" and make decisions that will benefit me in the long run.  i'm even instinctively going to bed earlier .... what the heck?  does your body just know that at a certain age it's time to start acting old?  its weird.  part of me likes it and part of me wishes i was still 22 and running around town like there would never be any consequences to acting that way.  ahhhh, the good ol days.  anyways, 29 is off to a good start and i'm actually, secretly, a little excited to be one year closer to 30.  because, you know, being 29 means i'm one year closer to being a responsible adult, and that just comes naturally at 30, right? (please say yes!)  ha!

to celebrate 29, i've put together a list of 29 things i want to do during my 29th year of life.  i'll try to keep the list updated and cross things off as i do them, and of course share some stories along the way!  

let's do this, 29!

1. go camping at the beach

2. pay off my credit cards

3. go to knots berry farm

4. go to a dodgers baseball game

5. join a wine club

6. get a massage

7. go to the snow

8. roast a whole chicken

9. throw a dinner party

10. send a friend a goodie package

11. go to san francisco

12. take more pictures

13. plant a garden

14. drive up the 101 

15. follow my dietary restrictions more closely

16. see family more

17. save 10% of every paycheck

18. get a promotion

19. get a gym membership & use it

20. go to vegas

21. blog more

22. go to the beach more this summer

23. buy a new computer

24. visit seattle

25. fix up the trailer

26. move in with dylan

27. brush up on my spanish

28. take more time for my girlfriends

29. be happy

explore // palomar mountain, san diego

for new years eve this year, my boyfriend and i headed up to palomar mountain to ring in the new years with friends and family.  dylan spent the first years of his life living on the mountain and it was so fun to explore it with him.  i had never been to palomar mountain before, but it's safe to say i fell in love.  we stayed at bailey's resort, a family owned resort with plenty of cabins and guest houses.  it was old, quaint and had breathtaking views.  the weather was wet and gloomy, not exactly ideal for hiking and exploring, but we managed to walk around the resort and check out some of the cabins and endless beauty.  the best part?  it snowed right before midnight!  what a great way to celebrate a new year!!

explore // san diego zoo

last sunday me and 6 of my closest friends hit the zoo for a day of fun.  it's been about 6 years since i've been to the sd zoo so it's safe to say i was overly excited to spend a day there.  not to mention, they serve beer! what could be better than an ice cold beer on a hot day while you look at super cute animals?  we had such a fun time and i can't wait to go again!  

here are some of my favorite pictures from the day.  it's so crazy to me that these animals are so big and majestic.  my favorites were definitely the elephants and meerkats - opposites, no less!  and did you know, a group of meerkats is called a mob?  might have been my favorite factoid from the day!  

adventure // oc brew hee haw

saturday night was one for the books!  my man-friend and i hit up the annual oc brew hee haw at the orange country fair and had the time of our lives.  there were 80 local breweries there handing out samples of at least 2 of their best beers.  it was so much fun talking to local brewers, sampling beers i've never tasted or even heard of before, and getting to spend time at the fair.  we even ended the night with giant corndogs and a couple rounds of carnival games!  all in all, an a+ evening!! 

life lately

the past couple months have been quite the whirlwind of fun.  from birthdays and girls nights to stagecoach and celebrating promotions, the wine hasn't stopped flowing and the laughs never cease to stop.  it's been so fun enjoying life with some of my favorite people and i can't wait for all the fun times this summer has in store!  

new year, new blog outlook

hello, hello to whoever is out there!  this blog has kind of taken a back seat in the past year and i thought i was okay with that.  well, turns out there's still a part of me that wants to share a little bit of my life with whoever is out there reading this.  so ... here i am! blogging, again!  but this time, it's going to be a little different.  if you are or have ever been a blogger, i'm sure you have felt the pressure to blog every day, to blog about certain things, or to, in a way, conform in order to ensure you grow your blog as big as you possibly can.  well, guess what?! i'm over it! (ha!)  i'm ready to blog for me and about the things i love.  so that's what you'll see here from now on.  i can't promise to write every day but i can promise to write when i feel inspired, to share the moments that are meaningful, and maybe along the way inspire a few people to live life with a little more pizazz.  so, here we go ... cheers to a new beginning, new adventures, new experience and a new take on blogging!

happy saturday!

 

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

explore // sawdust festival, laguna beach

one of my favorite summer events in south orange county is the sawdust festival in laguna beach.  i make it a point to go at least once every summer to check out the vendors and artists.  there is always such a great collection of painters, photographers, sculptors, jewelry makers and even glass blowers!  this year was especially fun since my friend's band was performing!  what a fun way to celebrate summer and local artists!

explore // grand wailea resort, kihei, maui

if you're in maui and you're looking for a little taste of luxury without breaking the bank, head to the grand wailea resort in kihei.  it's one of the nicest hotels on the island and has breathtaking sculptures, landscaping and views.  plus, there are some great restaurants, bars and shops to check out during your visit.  unfortunately, you can't use any of the amenities if you're not staying at the hotel, but it's a great place to grab lunch or a happy hour drink and take in a little hawaiian luxury.