Spring Break Recap via Instagram!

Wow, changing time zones + daylight savings + an 8 am this morning makes for one very tired me.

However, I'm so excited to share with you about my spring break! I had such a wonderful time and wish it hadn't gone by so fast!

I want to thank Steph (The Sweet Life) and Jess (Just Rainbows and Butterflies) for their California advice before my trip! Y'all gave me some great ideas as far as where to go and what to do! I wish my trip had been longer so I could get in everything I wanted to do - and so we could have met up! I swear it flew by!

That's the first thing I learned: there is plenty to do in San Francisco!

If you ever make the trip, make sure you have several days to spend out there!

If you follow me on instagram some of these are repeats, but lots are new!

Leaving VA

Flying from Dallas to San Fran was gorgeous.

The first night we were there - awoken at 5:30 am by an earthquake! Seriously, that was not how I wanted to be welcomed to California. For Californians it was probably nothing but for this east coast girl it was scary!

First thing's first...baseball!

The weather on the first day was such a tease...the rest of the time I was BUNDLED up!

Me and my boy after the double header

Sea lions at Pier 39

Freakin' scary seagulls - and Alcatraz in the background.

This is from our boat tour of the bay.

Of course it was foggy! The Golden Gate Bridge was still beautiful!

We went underneath the bridge on the boat and then back to Pier 39.

Lunch at Hard Rock

Yummy drinks - we are on vacation, after all!

The Wharf was so fun to walk around!

YUM! Crab and corn bisque in a sourdough breadbowl...holy smokes.

Love this place & the sourdough animal loaves!

We visited here at least three times, once for sundaes!

Cable Car Ride

Got off at Lombard Street

Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge

Took an awesome walk through Muir Woods!

Standing in a tree, no biggie.

Stopped at Muir Beach Overlook - amazing!

First time at the Pacific

The west coast is just beautiful!

Steven had games all the way until Saturday but we flew back to Dulles on Thursday and headed to Norfolk on Friday.

I stopped at the Premium Outlets in Williamsburg and got a pair of norts for $5 (no joke) and some adorable chino crops at J. Crew in a periwinkle color. I can't wait to wear them :)

I searched for Ocean Palm to celebrate Lunch with Lilly!

They ran out of the free frog rings, but I did get lip gloss!

I bought an organizational bin to hold scarves, another market tote and the reusable sandwich/snack bag for the summer :)

We had dinner at one of our favorite restaurants - Dockside - for James' last hoorah before he left on Sunday. Drinks and laughs all around!

Our Nan (Dad's mom) came with us.

The ice cream cake we got at Harris Teeter & I somewhat struggled to write on...and yes, that is supposed to be a boat.

I don't think cake decorator is in my future.

I'll stick with cupcakes!

I was sad to come home, but thankfully this sweet face was waiting for us when we got back!

We've never left her for more than a weekend...it was weird!

I took a lot of pictures on my other camera but I feel like this is a sufficient sampling :)

Overall, it was a great trip but had a bittersweet ending. James (my brother) left on Sunday for a seven month deployment. He is aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise (CVN 65) and this is the ship's final deployment before it gets retired! So while it is a significant thing to be a part of, we are certainly going to miss him.

Please keep all of them in your prayers!

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

xoxo,

Guest Post: Jaclyn from A Day in the Life and Mind...

Hello, and Happy Friday!

I'm Jaclyn and can be found over at A Day in the Life and Mind...  A huge thank you to Sarah for allowing me to guest post for her while she is basking in the sun!  I just got back from a vacation as well and had a week of guests showing a peek inside their beach bag.  I figured this would be fitting for today as well.  So here goes... a trip inside my {ideal} beach bag:

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10

Have you all heard of the Woozie?  Run, ladies... do not walk... to get this!!

Feel free to pop on over to my blog to say hi!

Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks again, Sarah!

Guest Post: Jess from Just Rainbows and Butterflies

Hello guys! I'm Jess over at Just Rainbows and Butterflies. I just moved to Northern California in August and since Sarah was heading to my neck of the woods, I thought it appropriate to write about my favorite places. 

1. Napa Valley

 My husband, Z and I went to Napa for our mini-honeymoon the weekend after we got married and this place couldn't be more romantic-the boutique bed and breakfasts, the numerous wineries, and the gourmet restaurants that litter the town make this the perfect weekend retreat for anyone. 

There are also bike tours and hot air balloon rides that will give you a different view of the beautiful rows of grapes that stretch across the valley. We weren't able to do a hot air balloon ride, but trust me, next time we will. 

And if you need a good winery recommendation, Z and I love Gabrielle Collection. It's a owned by an adorable couple that give you personalized attention throughout your tasting experience. I loved that we were able to ask the owners themselves about the wine, land, and  themselves. 

2. Alcatraz

In November, Z and I went to Alcatraz and did the tour. So. Worth. It. I'm not a tour person and was sorta skeptical when they handed me my headset at the entrance, but this was literally the best one I've been on. It was scary, informative, detailed and amazing. I felt like I was back in the 50s living the life of a prisoner and seeing all the escape attempts in my mind. It was incredible and if you do one thing in San Fran, do this. 

3. Carmel

We've been to Carmel twice now and plan on going back again soon. Z and I like doing the 17 mile drive which goes from Carmel to Pacific Grove. This drive will be one of the most scenic that you ever do with the waves crashing on the rocky shore and incredible golf courses that you've only seen on TV. Definitely a place to hit up if driving that way. 

4. Drive on 101

101 is the historic highway that runs from California to Washington. We've only driven on a stretch of it, but it was fun since I've seen it so many times growing up-like on the O.C... yes, I loved me some teen dramas growing up. 

5.  Bike Tour  over the Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge is on the most iconic and historic tourist sites in San Francisco and in California in general. If you don't have time, just drive by it, but if you do have time, get on a bike and peddle across. There are several bike tours that go from San Fran to the small town of Sausalito where you can sit, relax and enjoy a glass of wine by the water before catching a ferry back.  Click here for a good bike tour if you are interested. 

These are only a few of my favorite things about Northern California-I probably have about 20 more things I can add to the list-so please let me know if you are planning a trip and I would be more than happy to help you out. 

Sarah, have a great trip and can't wait to hear about your adventure! 

Guest Post: Laura from Life of Lu

Versatile Pieces for Your Spring Break Getaway!

Hey everyone, it's Laura from Life of Lu, and I couldn't be more thrilled to be guest posting for the lovely Sarah while she's on Spring Break! I adore Sarah's blog and have been a follower since connecting with her through a Secret Santa swap this past December!

I am super excited to share a few of my Spring Break items of choice because I've learned through the years that you have to be strategic when it comes to packing... choosing items that you can layer, dress up, and dress down depending on the activity/weather! Because we all know the weather in March (when most Spring Breaks are) is anything but predictable!

My favorite example of this was my sophomore year Spring Break trip to NYC in which it was 70 degrees and sunny on the Wednesday we arrived and snowing by Friday. Thanks the good Lord that I packed rain boots or I would have been screwed with my shoe choices (Just imagine trudging all over the city on the slushy streets in flats...yikes!). 

Or there was the time that I thought since I was going to the Bahamas that I could just pack all tank tops and bikinis...yeah, I regretted that decision at night!

I know most of us Spring Breakin' it are trying to go someplace warm, but we also have to be prepared for some colder night temps, so I put together a little Polyvore ensemble of my go-to items when I need to pack for a trip, and the weather is going to be questionable!

 1. Cute, flowy tops with a different sleeve lengths

2. Lightweight jacket for layering

3. Comfy, casual, long-sleeved dress...can wear by itself of over leggings

4. Patterned scarf...need I explain!?

5. Bright colored tank-tops...perfect by itself or worn under a jacked or cardigan at night

6. Skinny jeans...perfect with any outfit

7. Dressier wedge or heel for those evenings out!

8. Rainbows or other flip flops for the beach or walking about

9. Colored flats for day or night

10. Neutral tote bag that can go with any ensemble

11. Bright colored clutch for evenings

12. Solid-colored cardigan...preferable navy, black, or white so it's super versatile

13. Super cool shades

14. Fun-colored chino shorts (might I recommend J.Crew's!?)

15. Colored bracelets to spice up any outfit

16. Statement necklace to make...well, a statement!

17. Fun dress that can be glamified or worn casually

The wheels are already turning in my head about all of the different outfits I could make with these items...for hot weather during the day or a chilly evening! Now I just need to plan that trip! 

Again, a huge thanks to Sarah for having me on her blog! I hope everyone has the BEST day!

Guest Post: Emmalee from Everyday Emmalee

Hey Sarah’s followers! This is Emmalee from EverydayEmmalee. I’m so honored that Sarah allowed me to guest post for her today!
Since she is traveling and many of us will be flying in the next coming months,
I thought it would be helpful to share some great must have travel items with
you all!

1. Digital Luggage scale.
Now, you obviously don’t want to use this on the flight, but it’s a
great tool to use before you even leave your house! Make sure your luggage is
under the 50-pound limit so you don’t have to transfer items at check in (Been
there-done that…one word: embarrassing.)

2. Entertainment.
This is a must. Pack your iPod, iPad, laptop, book, Kindle, etc! Whatever you
own. Make sure you have something to read or to do on that (short or long) flight of yours. I
like to pick up a couple magazines before I board my flight too. Oh, and don’t
forget those headphones or earbuds and a charger!

3. Water Bottle.
Pack an empty water bottle and fill it up at a water fountain once you pass
through security. This is save you from buying overpriced water at the airport! You can never drink too much water while
flying...My personal favorite is my Nalgene bottle.

4. Hand Sanitizer.
I carry this with me all the time- let alone on my flights! I use it after many
things: escalator ride…flight (you know how many hands and arms have rested on that hand
rest??...gross!). I’m not obsessive about sanitizer but I do like clean,
germ-free hands!

5. Tide To Go Pen.
I have a habit of spilling food, drinks-anything on myself… and the Tide to go
pen has saved my outfits countless times. These pens are good for removing: tea, wine, grape juice, chocolate syrup, BBQ sauce, ketchup, coffee, and more! What a great invention. Make sure you
pick one up before you embark on your trip! You’ll use it beyond the flight.

6. GloMinerals
Perfecting Powder. Makeup? Yes! My T-zone gets oily when I fly and I never
leave home without this product! I like to touch up my t-zone right before I
land! Perfecting Powder can be used as often as necessary over your foundation to give a shine-free finish.You’ll use this product long after the flight!

Hope this list will help you out in the near future!  

Happy and
Safe Travels!

Guest Post: Katie from His Diamond and Mine

Hi there everyone! My name is Katie and I blog over at His Diamond and Mine! I am so excited to be guest blogging for Sarah today. Her and I actually met last summer when our boys played summer ball together, and then I ran across her blog! Small world, right? 

{that's me and my man!}

Today I am hear to talk about Spring Break, but unfortunately, not the kind where you sit on the beach soaking up the sun...I am here to talk about the kind where you don't go anywhere. Womp, womp, womp.

This year is the first time in college I have gone on a Spring Break trip, so I am all too familiar with staying at home. At times, I wanted to pull my hair out, but never fear...I have found ways of making Spring Break both entertaining and productive, even when you are at home. 

1. Read, read, read. I know during school, I always wish I had time for leisure reading! Why not read those books over Spring Break that you have been eyeing? For me, I plan on attacking the Hunger Games series that everyone is raving about! 

2. Hang out with your family & your pets too! Don't lock yourself in your room and stay on your computer all day {I am very guilty of this!} Go out to lunch with your parents, take your dog for a walk, or make dinner for the fam! They love having you home, so enjoy the time with them too!

{I love seeing my puppies when I go home, excuse their devil eyes from the flash!}

3. Make something! We all love "pinning," so why not bring some of our favorites to life?! Here are a few things I have been dying to make/bake via Pinterest:

4. Whatever your heart desires! I tend to forget that Spring Break is ME time. I can do whatever I want! If that means sleeping in until 12 pm, so be it! This is the week to avoid the stress of school, work and whatever else you have on your plate. 

Live it up, no matter where you spend it!