Goodbye Summer

I have been waiting for you September! This month brings so much happiness in my life, I can't contain my excitement. Autumn is my favorite season of the year. The worst part about moving to Florida is missing out on those rare cool crisp days in Texas when it actually feels like fall. The Florida heat has been pretty miserable and I'll take just a tiny drop in the temperature over nothing. Although, I've been told that it doesn't really cool down until October here!

September also brings my first official visitors from the big D and I'm so excited to see them! It's gonna be a mini vacation for me and I am eagerly awaiting their arrival! This month also brings a handful of celebrations with new friends and I can't wait to cheers to all their milestones in life.

Summer of 2014 has been unlike any other. It flew by faster than I had a chance for it to sink in that it was actually summertime. Despite my crazy work schedule I did manage to squeeze in quite a bit of summer fun. Here's a quick photo recap!

Spending time with my Florida family. Serious cutie bears.

Escaping to the beach any chance I could get. 

Finding all the hidden gems Disney has to offer. The Fort Wilderness campgrounds was a gorgeous spot to stumble upon on our way to the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue!

Fireworks are very much a part of my everyday life.

Winter Park has become one of my favorite spots to spend my days off. Found this cute candy shop in the area that housed the most bacon products I've ever seen. Mr.Bacon's big adventure will become a Friday night staple in my household.

Of course running off to the parks every chance I get has made life seem like the Summer that never ends! 

I hope you are all enjoying Labor Day with a few drinks and good company. Enjoy it for me as I'll be doing actual labor on Labor Day! Have a fun and safe holiday y'all!

Hello Humans!

Remember me? The chick that was supposed to put out daily blog posts about moving to another city and update you on the daily shenanigans of chasing the dream, locking down a man, and testing out those aging ovaries? Here I am! I'm back!

I'm alive and well. Two months into this Disney life and I've finally brought myself back to blogging and writing! What have I been up to these past two months (I can't believe it's been two months!)? Boy, I can't wait to update you. To briefly summarize...

1. I've been given the opportunity to meet and start relationships with some amazing people.

2. I've gone on more dates in the span of two months than I did in the three years I rocked lived that single life in Dallas.

3. If I stay out in the sun for even a few more hours I'll have to officially change my ethnicity to something of a darker shade. This Florida sun ain't no joke.

4. My heart belongs to my family and friends in Texas. Missing them never gets easier. But, boy am I thankful for my family here in Florida. Without them I would probably be lost and naked somewhere in downtown Orlando. I'm not sure why I would be naked, but somehow it seemed plausible.

5. Chasing the dream is harder than I thought. Most days, I know I'm exactly where I've always been meant to be. Some days I feel lost and left wondering how I'm gonna get where I wanna be. All I know is I'm grateful for the present and faithful towards the future.

Hopefully some of you are still out there (hey Mom!) and I can't wait to catch you up on everything! Have a fantastic weekend y'all!

Drankin' The Disney Kool-Aid

I have drank the Disney kool-aid and my God it is delicious. Ya know the term, "once you go black, you won't go back.."? Although I have made many extensive attempts to determine whether or not this statement is true my experiment remains to be on going. Anyways, before leaving many of my fellow Disney aficionados warned me that once you go Disney, you won't go back. I'm finding that statement to be very true.

What other company can you work for that brings you to tears on your first day of orientation? And no, not because you came to the realization that you pretty much signed your life away to work for a company that is killing your soul one work day at a time. Because you couldn't be more proud to be a part of a company that's all about believing the magic and making dreams come true! Corny, huh? I guess that's the Disney juice talking.

The one thing I've realized from the few days of working here is that I'm actually quite knowledgeable when it comes to the Walt Disney history! I could spend hours learning more about Walt Disney and how this successful company came to be. The main thing that Disney instills in their cast members is that we are all a part of the magic. Whether you're sitting behind the desk or in the front lines of entertainment, we're all very important parts of this huge show that's playing 365 days a year! During my first day of orientation they wanted to remind us just how magical Disney is to so many people. They played a montage showing real footage of parents surprising their kids with a trip to Disney world. Yeah, turn on the water works.

I'm so excited to be a part of the magic and even more excited to see where my Disney career takes me! With that said, this was just a little introduction to the next 7 months of my journey here. I've realized that my time here is going to be humbling, full of hard work, late hours, soul searching, and much much more! One thing is definitely true, chasing your dreams isn't easy, but you gotta believe it's gonna be worth it in the end.

My view right now..

Be sure to follow me on Instagram if you want to be bombarded with some Disney pixie dust!

This quick update must come to an end because I'm literally a few feet from the doors at Epcot and I'm dying to grab some champagne and something sweet from Italy. Oh, cause you know I'm about that life now.

Greetings From Disney

Just another day at the office.

I made it! And I survived a week! I've finally been reconnected to the world (without sucking up my wireless data plan) and there is finally internet in my apartment! Let the blogging and catching up begin. What can I say? The past week has been a whirlwind and a blur. Apparently when you live, work, and play in Disney you lose track of all sense of time and what day it is. It's been a fantastic week of learning more about a company that I truly love so much. Getting the chance to meet many wonderful people that come from different backgrounds and cultures. I can't wait to finally start writing again and share a glimpse of this amazing new world I'm now calling home!

Here I Go!

Today is the day! I can't believe it. It feels like just yesterday I was exploding with excitement to reveal my happy news. Fast forward many days later and I'm at the start of such a big chapter in my life. I've been spoiled rotten by those I love lately and I couldn't be more thankful to have all these people in my life. Friends and family here at home that make leaving so bittersweet and family in Florida that have made this transition so easy for me. I'm so thankful to have such an amazing support system. 

I've been MIA in the blogging world lately and probably for a few days as I'm settling into my new home. I definitely have amazing plans for the blog while I'm in Florida! And thanks to two of the sweetest souls I know, I officially have my own little domain out here in the internet world! I'm about to blow up my Instagram feed to document little moments throughout this new journey so follow along if you need a little pixie dust every now and then!

My heart is overwhelmed and I can't put into words how thankful I am. Beautiful things are about to happen and I couldn't be more ready. Here we go!

29 Feelin' Fine

Every year I'm spoiled rotten by my family and friends and this year was definitely not an exception. Birthday celebrations galore last week and I'm finally catching my breath! I just came back from a weekend getaway to Galveston, Texas. A few of my friends went deep sea fishing and rented a 'beach' house (I use the term beach loosely. If you've visited Galveston you know exactly what I'm talking about.) and I tagged along to have a nice little escape. It was a peaceful retreat and definitely the calm before the storm the next few weeks are about to bring. I'm chugging my coffee this morning to stay alert and I'm gonna use the few pictures I took to do the talking!

Rang in 29 with friends and family at D&B. Nothing says birthday like drinks and arcade games.

My sister took me to Cool Thursdays at the Dallas Arboretum. Each Thursday a different band plays at the Arboretum and you can bring your own food and drinks out there or visit one of the food trucks. It's definitely a MUST DO for all my Dallas friends. So much fun! She knows how much I love the 80's and The Molly Ringwalds did not disappoint!

Nothing starts a weekend like a bottle of tequila and a few orange slices!

When your sweater matches the patio furniture.

Sunset in front of our cute little house.

When you're surrounded by good friends and family even Texas beaches ain't that bad.

It was a fun weekend with good people. Not to mention an awesome afternoon of celebrating an amazing Dallas Mavs win! Thanks again to everyone for all the birthday wishes and love. Life is good!

Currently Lovin'

Afternoon tea for my friend's bridal shower. I love anything and everything girly. The Chocolate Angel Cafe & Tearoom was the cutest place for a little girl time.

I'm obsessed with my Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon. Hands down the best eyeliner I've ever tried. This baby is long lasting and doesn't smudge. Love it.

Adorable centerpiece from the bridal shower that I scooped up. It's the perfect addition to my little work space at home.

I've been a little nostalgic lately. Missing home before I've even left. I've been dedicating #TBT as my own personal travel diary and good times with the people I love. Yesterday's post was from a hike to Manoa Falls in Oahu. Follow me on Instagram here. 

You know you're getting old when one box of birthday candles isn't enough for your age. I wish we were celebrating our 24th birthday. 

It's Friday! My weekend started last night with a late night celebration of all our friend's April birthdays. When I say late night I mean being home by 11:00 pm. The rest of my weekend is filled with another birthday celebration and a wedding. Preparing myself to be completely exhausted on Monday! Have a wonderful weekend!

Vacation Planning

I find planning a vacation just as enjoyable as the vacation itself. My girlfriends have grown accustomed to agreeing to our next destination then pretty much just showing up the day before vacation knowing that there's a laminated trip itinerary waiting for them to peruse during the flight. I love the research, putting the pieces together, and finding the perfect balance of relaxation and activities. Even more exciting for me is preparing a great vacation for a group of different personalities and making it enjoyable for all of us! Here are a few of my vacation planning tips!

One of my many vacation itineraries!

Know your area
Doing a little research beforehand goes a long way! Take the time and figure out what the main attractions are in the city. Find out where all the hot spots are and more importantly where all the locals hang out. I like having a balance of touristy must sees and local hidden gems when I visit a new city. TripAdvisor and Yelp are my go-to's when researching recent travel reviews. Nothing is more helpful than your fellow travelers reviews! Also, reach out to friends and family to find out their experiences in that area. Travel tips from locals is my favorite way of getting to know the heart of a city. One of my favorite memories was shucking fresh oysters at Tomales Bay Oyster Company during my stay in San Francisco. Only a local would have been able to suggest such a unique must see when visiting a popular tourist city.

Fresh oysters from the bay in San Francisco.

Know your fellow travelers
Take the time to figure out what the group wants to see and do. I've planned trips for a group of 2 to almost 30 people! Find out what everyone wants to see, do, their likes and dislikes. Are they going to be up for a hike in the morning? Or would they prefer a champagne brunch? Are they early risers or late sleepers? All that will greatly affect your trip planning. Have something in mind for everyone. Whether it be a restaurant, fun activity, or visiting a monument you think they would enjoy. I keep a pretty simple outline when I vacation with my girlfriends. Our trips usually involve good food and fancy drinks. Since my girlfriends are all pretty active and always down for a good hike or excursion, I always try to find time for that if the destination offers it. Lastly, the ladies always love a good spa day! Isn't relaxation what vacation is all about? Happy girls, make a happy trip!

Ziplining in Cancun, Mexico.

Make a plan, but don't make a plan
I'm infamous for my itineraries. Make a specific, but flexible plan. My main goal when creating an itinerary for a vacation is to have endless amounts of options at anytime of the day. I'm not necessarily creating a minute by minute agenda for the group, but mostly a list of options we can pick and choose from. My biggest pet peeve during any vacation is standing around wondering what to do next or where's the best place to eat. Keep a laid back attitude when you're the planner of the group. You can try to plan something minute by minute, but just like life vacations never go as planned! Don't be afraid to steer away from anything you have planned to check out something unexpected. The unexpected always makes for great memories! Check out any local events many cities offer, it's a great way to explore what the city is all about and meet locals with hidden treasures to reveal about their beloved city!

Stumbling upon a street festival in Downtown Napa.

Be prepared
When going on vacation make sure you know exactly how to get from place to place. If renting a car is the best option make sure you also keep in mind parking fees. Many areas that are flooded with tourists tend to have a hefty price tag when it comes to parking. I like to study the transportation system that the city offers and have the number ready for local taxi companies. It comes in handy on those afternoons when you all had one drink too many! Wherever I travel I'm always prepared with ideas of where to eat, drink, shop, and how exactly to get there. I like to have an idea of things to do separated into groups of location and price range. I'm all about a fancy hot spot for me and my girls to wine and dine. But I'm also all about hitting up a few food trucks for some elotes or local specialties. Keep places in mind for a happy hour with an ocean view and a dive bar with throwback classics to end the night. Vacations can start running a pretty high tab so be sure to have places in mind that fits everyone's budget.

Nothing like fresh fruit and chili for a snack on the beach in Santa Monica.

These are just a few of the things I always keep in mind when planning my vacation. Hope this helps many of you get the ball rolling now that summer is right around the corner! 

Currently Lovin'

Wishing for sunshine and iced coffee this weekend!

I'm what you call an infant when it comes to this vast world of blogging. During my spare time when I'm not blogging myself I love to sit back and peruse my favorite blogs. From lifestyle blogs to fashion blogs, I love to read and gain inspiration for my everyday life. These are a few of my favorite blogs that I've been following on Bloglovin! 

Dateless In Dallas

Cupcakes & Cashmere

Sincerely Jules

Love Fashion Live Life

Lauren Conrad

We Took The Road Less Traveled

A Cup of Jo

Two Thirds Hazel

Wendy's LookBook

I'm so excited the weekend is finally here! I've got plans to catch up with a few people here and there and a bridal shower for one of my sweetest friends. Let's hope Dallas doesn't go cray on us with the weather this weekend. Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend!

Currently Lovin'

I was supposed to be flying off to one of my favorite cities today. New Orleans! Pretty much all of Dallas will be invading Bourbon, so get ready NOLA. With the big move coming up I decided it might be best for me to take care of some things at home and lay low. To the bachelorette and birthday celebrants celebrating this weekend, cheers and drink one for me! To ease the pain of being stuck here in Dallas, here are a few of my favorite things from the past week!

I love New Orleans! I love the food, the hand grenades, and the spirit that city has. Throwback to one of my many NOLA trips.

Divergent would have been one of the last movies you would ever catch me watching. Until this little hottie popped up on screen. Theo James, I am sprung on you. Can't wait to watch it...again.

One of my best friends from LA asked me if I wanted to do a juice cleanse with her next week. We're attempting to try out a 3 day cleanse from Pressed Juicery. It's down the street from her place and delivers pretty quickly for me. Stay posted to see how this nonsense turns out.

Two things. I found a playlist on Spotify full of NSYNC songs. And I can't stop listening to JT's new single "Not a Bad Thing". JT our love story just never ends. 

I love The Everygirl website. Fun and empowering reads for every girl! Fell in love with this phone case that felt just perfect for me. 

Hope your weekend is filled with relaxation and good times! Have a fabulous weekend!

Living The Dream

There are few things in life I'm truly passionate about. Two of them being macaroni and cheese and Disney. If you know me personally you are well aware of my love for all things Disney. Even if you don't, if you've read a few of my blog posts you might have caught onto the fact that I'm a Disney fanatic. My passion for Disney blossomed during my childhood. Our close knit family traveled from Texas to Florida frequently to visit our family who lived just outside of the Orlando area. I grew up visiting Disney World and spending most of my summers in Florida. People always ask me "Why Disney?" or "What's so great about it?". Well, for me Disney World is all about believing in dreams coming true, believing that the magic is real, and that happiness abounds. It might sound silly to many people, but in a world filled with such negativity it's comforting to believe that there's such a place that evokes those emotions from me. But, above everything else it just brings me back to fond memories as a child with the people I love more than anything in this world. 

Christmas at Disney World with some of the family.

Disney World has always been a place of happiness for me and I have been blessed to have been able to visit such a magical place all my life.

It all started with a mouse.

My favorite castle!

I've always been a sucker for Disney parades.

No, my Mother didn't steal that black child in the glasses. That's me.

The older I got the more my love for all things Disney developed. I've always been interested in the history, the company, and even the life of Walt Disney himself. Secretly all my life I've always wanted to move to Florida and start a career with Disney. I grew up as a Texas girl that wanted to be a Gator fan versus a Longhorn fan! I always felt like my heart belonged in Florida. I Never knew how or what that meant for me exactly, but I knew that it was a dream of mine. Fast forward 28 years later and God has placed an unexpected blessing in my life. Remember the news I have been teasing you guys relentlessly about for the past week now?

I'm moving to Disney World!

In exactly 53 days I'm moving to Orlando, Florida! Last week, I received an offer from the Walt Disney Company and I begin a new job there on May 19th! I'm packing my bags and embarking on a fresh start in the sunshine state and beginning my career at Disney. My life here in Dallas will be pretty much put on hold until January 7th and then I'll have a chance to decide whether I want to return to Dallas or possibly start calling Orlando home! It's so unreal to even type this post. It's an opportunity that I wasn't expecting, but I truly believe that this is just one small part of God's plan for my life. I've prayed for Him to ignite a fire in my heart and to direct my steps to live this life with passion and purpose.

It's been such an exciting time in my life. I'm scared, nervous, and ecstatic all at the same time! They say if your dreams don't scare you, you're not dreaming big enough. I'm terrified, so I think that pretty much explains it. Moving to Florida is a huge step in my life and despite all the nerves rattling me, I've never been more at peace. Without the support and love from my friends and family none of this would be possible. Thanks for believing in me when I didn't even believe in myself. 

The next few weeks are going to be about soaking up all the things I love about home. Dallas, get ready. As for my move to Orlando, I can't wait to share this journey with all of you! 

Finally working for the mouse!

PS. Special thanks to the beautiful Diana Mak for making my Disney reveal super special! And to my always supportive sister for being such an enthusiastic artistic director. Love you girls.