Oh, Hello Again!

I once read you should never apologize for a break in blogging — that you should just be like "hey this is what's on my mind today" without saying "so sorry I haven't posted in a while!"

Well, I haven't posted in a while, so here's what's on my mind today: Taking time to slooooow down.

Between leaving my job to go full-time freelance and planning a wedding, I've been a busy bee lately! Building a business (or two or three) and preparing for marriage are both huge life changes, and I've been adjusting to this new life of mine. I'm thankful — so thankful — and just a little overwhelmed at times!

I've been reading a book with a group of friends, Shauna Niequist's Present Over Perfect, and here's something she had to say:

“Many of us, myself, included, considered our souls necessary collateral damage to get done the things we felt we simply had to get get done - because of other people's expectations, because we want to be know as highly capable, because we're trying to outrun an inner emptiness. And for a while we don't even realize the compromise we've made. We're on autopilot, chugging through the day on fear and caffeine, checking things off the list, falling into bed without even a real thought or feeling or connection all day long, just a sense of having made it through.”

Maybe the "do or die" to-do list you've been carrying around is really just a "do or die trying" list?

So I'm putting less pressure on myself. Or at least I'm trying to!

Spending extra time on a fishtail braid because it makes me feel #fancy, wearing this fun picnic outfit from Modcloth, still knocking items off of my to-do list, but giving myself grace. And time to breathe. Breathing is important, you guys.

I also don't see self-care as a singularly woman's issue, though I notice more women writers talking about it. Food for thought.

Anyway, here are some other things I'm into right now:

- 6 peach desserts that are the definition of summer via Bon Appetit

- Dying to try Glossier's Cloud Paint

- Currently reading this book, which is super interesting

- Artificial light from digital devices lessens sleep quality, via Science Daily

What's on your brain lately? Let me know, either here, on Facebook or on Instagram!

Outfit details: dress c/o Modcloth, statement ring c/o Modcloth, shoes.

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How to Beat the Post-Holiday Blues

There's nothing like the dread of returning to "the real world" after a vacation or a three-day weekend, am I right? Vacations often give us a finish line to look forward to, and once they're over, it can be a little harder to get back into our routines than usual. It took me a little bit to get back into the swing of things after leaving Hawaii (can you blame me?!), but I've found a few strategies that help. Here's a few ideas I've used to beat the post-vacation blues:

1. Unpack Quickly

Whether you love or hate packing, we can all likely agree that unpacking is worse. But from my experience, the longer you let that suitcase sit in the corner, the more you'll be wishing you were still putting it to use elsewhere. On recent trips, I've done my best to unpack and do laundry immediately after I return, and it's helped me to feel more productive and ready to enter real life again more quickly. Bonus tip: Clean your house before you leave. Coming back to a clean space feels SO much better than the alternative.

2. Print Your Photos
Whether you're missing a great vacation or a relaxing three-day weekend, hold on to those memories by printing them. If they're fun memories but you don't want to invest in framing them, you can print 4x6 photos and stick them to a mood board or tack them up in your office. If you have photos you love from a special place, consider printing them larger and hanging them in a home office or bedroom.

3. Snag Some Souvenirs
Selecting a few things that you can either put in a memory box or incorporate into your everyday life after travel is another good way to make the most of a holiday. Obviously this is a little easier and more fun from an extended vacation, but even if you're staying home, the next three-day weekend may be a fun excuse to grab those melamine plates you've been eyeing.

4. Get Back Into Routines
Routine sounds so boring, but I find it so life giving. Whatever it is for you — exercise, list making, goal setting, coffee drinking — get back into it ASAP after a vacation, and you'll feel lots better.

5. Schedule Time With Friends
There's one thing home has that vacation never will — your community. Right after we got back from Hawaii, I texted my friend Kinsey so we could plan a get together with a few of our friends. Having something to look forward to after a fun break makes the "in between" moments more exciting.

Whataya think?! Anything I missed? How do you recover from "post-vacation syndrome"? Let me know!

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A Week in Oahu, Hawaii

Consider this post a late entry into my travel journal — a few highlights from my week in Oahu! I had a really fun opportunity to go to Hawaii with my fiancé (do you ever get used to that word!?) and his family last week. It was one part exploring, two parts relaxing, and 100% a trip I'll never forget. Here are a few of my favorite highlights, in no particular order:

P.S. If you're not into reading, you can just look at my Facebook album of photos or my Instagram instead. But I'm guessing you're here expecting words on the screen, aren't you??

#VIEWS
Well, let's start with the obvious. Everything in Hawaii is gorgeous.

We stayed in Ko Olina and spent most of our time on that side of the island — it was beautiful. All of the greenery was even more lush than I imagined it would be.

HIKING DIAMOND HEAD
This is one of the things that was one of my favorites looking back on it. Ha! Diamond Head is a crater that was formed about 300,000 years ago after a volcanic eruption, and people hike it now for both its military history and the #views. From the top, you can get a bird's eye view of some of the prettiest parts of Oahu. The hike was only a mile, but it was pretty steep, about 560 feet from the bottom to the top. It was well worth the effort, though, and I would definitely do it again. If you go, I would recommend wearing sunscreen and tennis shoes with good grip on the bottom. And take it slow coming down — I ate it falling down a couple stairs. OOPS.

THE DOLE PLANTATION

Both Diamond Head and the Dole Plantation are things lots of Oahu tourists do, for good reason. They're fun! The Dole Plantation is like being a kid at the Willy Wonka factory, but with pineapples instead. They've got lots to learn about pineapples and Dole Whip, which was fun to try.

SPENDING TIME WITH MY FUTURE FAMILY

Stating the obvious here, but every vacation is only as good as the people you spend it with. And I seriously hit the jackpot — so thankful.

FOOD
Well, of course you knew I was going to mention the food. Some highlights in my book were Giovanni's Shrimp Truck, Monkeypod, Duke's and Scratch Kitchen. (I can't say enough good things about Scratch! Go there!) I also had a great macadamia nut latte from The Curb.

THE NORTH SHORE AND WAIMEA VALLEY
The North Shore is a really fun place to drive around and explore. The shrimp truck I mentioned is in this area, so if you're going to Oahu, I would definitely put it on the list of places to visit. Waimea Valley is gorgeous, and filled with every terrain you'd want to see in Hawaii.

 

GOING TO A SWAP MEET

It's called a swap meet, but no worries if you don't have anything to bring and swap. It's really an open air flea market with everything under the sun. And it's also literally under the sun, so wear sunscreen. Keep your eyes peeled for fun trinkets and the most gorgeous mangoes around.

And last but not least... WEARING A FLORAL CROWN

feeling like a Hawaiian princess is fun please don't judge me.

What a fun trip! Still pinching myself that I got to go, and I'm so thankful for the photos and memories I can hold onto forever.

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