Perfect Beach Day

I just enjoyed the most perfect beach day- good friends and warm sun and sand completed the first beach day of the 2013 summer season! I cannot wait for many more beach days to come. Hammonasset beach in Madison Connecticut is one of our favorites and was the ideal location for the first beach day. 

xoxo

Party of One?

With the celebration of Memorial Day summer can finally begin, and with summer comes vacation. Whether it is a vacation with family or friends or maybe a combination of the two, summer vacations usually promise to be a good time for all. But after reading the Times Magazine article, Yes, Please | Party of One, the idea of taking a vacation solo seems quite interesting. The author of the article, Andrew O'Hagan opens with, "The first rule of travel is that you should always go with someone you love, which is why I travel alone." 

Vacations are often so built up by families or friends who cannot wait to experience them together, but because of these high expectations that are set, vacations often disappoint and fall short of the desires one has for the trip. However, if one travels alone, there are only the expectations of one to fulfill and the desires that one has can only be met by the individual themselves. 

O'Hagan writes about a myth of traveling alone, feeling lonely. He also writes about the satisfaction that comes from being able to make decisions for yourself, whether that's skipping a trip to a museum or sleeping in late one morning. 

While I haven't done much solo traveling myself it is certainly something I'd like to try one day, but there is something that I still think I will always love about sharing a vacation with people I love. Traveling by oneself certainly tests one's self-motivation and independence. You can test your own limits and learn new things about yourself as a solo traveler. 

What do you think? Party of one? Party of many? What are your summer vacation plans? 

Summer Plans

Now that the spring semester is over, all of us college kids can breathe a sigh of relief and get a little r&r. But before too long most kids find themselves in yet another search for a summer job or internship. I was lucky enough, and got a jump start on the whole summer job search about a month or so ago when I decided to forgo the internship route and just focus on finding a part-time job. So, this summer I will be working in a golf shop at a private golf course in my town. I have been working for about two weeks now and I could not love it any more than I already am. The people are fantastic and the atmosphere is the best. Since I played golf throughout high school this has been a great opportunity to reconnect me with this part of my life that I've been missing out on so much in the past two years since I've been going to school in Boston.

Over the past few summers I've come to realize that it is so important to do something that you love because as a college student you only have so many summers to really take time and enjoy it. So while I'll certainly be busy with my summer job, I'll be leaving time for vacation, sun and countless adventures with my friends. So find something you love to do and spend your summer filled with good times and plenty of adventures. Cheers to summer 2013!

Outwit, Outplay, Outlast: Survivor

If you didn't already know, I will now enlighten you with the fact that my favorite television show ever is Survivor. This past season ended last Sunday and since watching the season finale I continue to be on an endless Survivor high. Survivor has been running for twenty-six seasons with its next season on the way in the fall.

This past season was by far one of my favorites I have seen in a while. There were so many twists and turns, highs and lows that captured me and pulled me in. From emotional explosions around camp, to blindsides that sent one competitor home with an immunity idol in her pocket, it was certainly a season to remember. This season was called Survivor Caramoan and per usual the elements were nasty and put the competitors through it all.
I have truly loved Survivor ever since I was a young girl and first began watching the show with my dad. It has now become a constant thread in my life and I know that every Wednesday at 8pm during Survivor season it is my time in front if the television. I always become attached to the competitors, and I love watching the challenges and seeing the dynamics of the tribes. One of my favorite secret scenes from this season can be found here, it's just a funny video that really brings you into the reality of the competitors and helps the viewer understand just how much time they really are spending in the wilderness.

Final 6 Survivor Caramoan Competitors 

I've always been a really adventurous person and maybe someday I'll end up on the show, but for now watching the competitors and trying to predict their moves will be just fine with me.
If you haven't seen this season of Survivor, or any season of Survivor for that matter head to the CBS website or go on Netflix or something and get your hands on a season of Survivor and watch it now! Trust me, you won't have any regrets.

J.Crew Favs: Spring 2013

J.Crew has always been my go-to store for clothing purchases for myself. A new pair of shoes, or a new dress or top from J.Crew are always at the top of my wish list come Christmas and my birthday. I recently just purchased a pair of their Eda heels in the bright pink, and after making that purchase I vowed to stay off the J.Crew website for a while and take a break from stopping in the store when I pass through the Prudential Center. After getting an email from the crew featuring some of their latest spring looks, I couldn't help myself from taking a quick peek at the website. Per usual, I found a few things I adore and have added them to my wish list. Since I know they will be staying on the wish list for a while I figured I'd share a few of my favorite items with you. What do you think? I'm really considering moving the swim suit to the top of my wish list... every girl needs a new swim suit for the summer, am I right?

Be Better than "Busy"

"Boring people are busy, the great ones are just having fun."
I read this online here a few weeks ago and it really has stuck with me. The fact of the matter is, we are all busy. I just loved how businessman and blogger, James Nord approached things and really takes on life with a new perspective. It's important to not worry and beat ourselves up over how busy our lives are. Instead, sit back and enjoy life a bit and have a little more fun. I am looking forward to the end of this week and the start of summer and really embracing life a bit more and have the time of my life.

Happy Cinco de Mayo

For some reason I've always felt a connection to this holiday. Throughout elementary, middle and high school I took spanish and Cinco de Mayo was always a big celebration in our classrooms. Everyone made a mexican dish and brought it in to share with the class, and we played games and music. Now, the holiday seems like the perfect excuse to continue the tradition and celebrate Mexican heritage and pride.

I know I'll be snacking on chips and salsa with close friends today in celebration of the holiday, so head out to your favorite Mexican joint and enjoy!