Portland

It's a been a whirlwind of a week for me and I am just now sitting down to share some photos of our trip to Portland. We went earlier this week and stayed two days one night. We left bright an early on Monday and got to Portland around 10am. Our first stop was Voodoo Doughnuts. It's morning and donuts were calling our names. We loved the big pink building and Sebastian got a kick out of watching the donut display going around in a circle. Sebastian picked a simple powdered donut, Bobby picked a donut coated with M&M's and I a maple bar. The boys devoured their donuts and I ate about 1/2 and then passed the rest to Bobby to finished. Mine was much too sweet for me. Over all though it was a fun experience and we can now say we've been to the famous Voodoo!

Our next stop was Powell's City of Books. What a glorious world of books! We got lost in them all. Sebastian was in heaven and so was I. Even Bobby found a whole section dedicated to cars which usually doesn't happen. I loved seeing Sebastian surrounded by books! We ended up running out of time in the car meter with not even realizing and Bobby and to quickly run to add more. Good thing we were parked close! If you haven't been to this book store well, you must go next time your in Portland. The building is huge and honestly I lost count with how many floors there were. Each floor/room was color coded for each theme. My favorite was all the fun cookbooks! So many beautiful looking covers and potentials foods to cook and bake!

Part one of our trip was so much fun. We love adventuring around, discovering new places and things. I'll share some more photos soon!

xoxo!

Wanderlust

Wanderlust, a strong desire or urge to wander or travel and explore the world. 

Yup! That about describes it. Now that I'm getting older and Sebastian is growing up my urge to start traveling more is growing stronger. Sebastian's at the age where he is curious about places and things and also at the age where it's a lot easier to travel. It's super nice. I've been compiling a list of places near and far that I hope to visit.. It's fun seeing people live in these places via Instagram and getting to see sneak peeks or just seeing people visit places that light a fire within me and make me what to pick up and head right there!

Growing up my family didn't do much traveling. If anything we did a lot of camping in Washington State and did go to Disneyland once when I was younger. The trips we did take made an impression on me and the memories will always stay in my heart. I want Sebastian to have the same sort of memories and be able to experience different cultures, places and just see with his little brown eyes that there is a world of wonder out there. Hell, I want to see all those things too! 

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1. New Orleans. I've wanted to travel to New Orleans for quite some time now. It looks like such a fascinating city with a melt of culture, food and music. Oh the food! I want to eat bowls filled to the brim of authentic gumbo and try an real deal Po-Boy. Of course, I'd stop at Cafe Du Monde for their world famous beignets and order a cafe au lait. A long walk around the French Quarter and gaze up on the beautiful timeless buildings and walk down Magazine Street to window shop small boutiques. It just seems like such an interesting place to visit with lots to see and do! Oh, and wouldn't miss out on a tour or two. 

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2. Portland, Oregon. We're actually planning a trip to Portland for when Sebastian goes on Spring break in April! Someone had told me about this really great website called Airbnb. It's a place where you can find unique places to stay while traveling. Actual homes or rooms for rent where ever you go instead of staying in the boring hotel. It was an amazing discovery and we plan on taking advantage  of it. I've never been to Portland and now that we have been back in Seattle for a little more than a year it's about time to take a trip over. I hope to be able to visit the magical Multomah Falls and get some hiking in with the boys and then even take a drive to the coast! Of course, I need to find a few fun food trucks and eat at a couple restaurants that I've had written down after spotting them on Unique Eats on the Food Channel! 

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3. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Major road trip in store for whenever this trip happens! I would like to a trip of this magnitude when Sebastian is a little older just so that there's a guarantee that he'll experience it to the fullest and remember it for many days to come. My dream would be to rent an RV and just drive stopping along the way. Roughing it for a few weeks as we adventure to Yellowstone. Of course, I long to see things like Old Faithful and Yellowstone Lake but I also just long to go out and really venture letting nature whisper sweet nothings to us as we hunt for bliss. With backpacks on our backs and hiking boots laced up. I want to feel like a kid again and do things without thought or planning...just let it happen. And maybe along the way spot some wild life. 

Wanderlust. When it takes a hold of you, it's grip is tight. Anywhere you have a longing to visit or travel to? My list of desirable places to travel to is much longer and is not limited to just these yet these three places have been on my mind the most lately! 

on the beach...

Let me confess and say that I'm not a huge fan of the beach. For some reason I just never really liked sun bathing, sand getting everywhere and the salty ocean water grosses me out. But even though I might say those things I always do enjoy myself. A couple days around the sea is plenty for me and even then I can't sit on the beach the whole day. 
We had fun and it was well worth it! I even took a nap each day and that is a very rare thing! Here are some of the photos I took from the past couple of days on the beach. 

Our last night we got to see the sunset and then we packed up and headed home. 

xo.

on a beautiful sunrise...

Did you think I was lying when I said that I was going to wake up at 5:30am? No. Ok good, because my alarm woke me up and I in turn woke my husband up. We made some freshly pressed coffee, grabbed two beach chair and sat on the beach anticipating the sunrise. It was beautiful to say the least. I can't say that I ever just woke up just to sit and wait for the sun to rise. I'm so happy I did because I feel like it stirred something inside of me and now I just feel like one big happy person. Matter of fact, let me just show you...

xo.

on a mini vacation...

Every summer my in laws rent a house down the New Jersey shore. We always try to make some time to spend a few days at the beach with them. This year they have a cute house with beach themed rooms and it's only about a half a block from the beach. I took a short day at work today and we got an early start on the drive down. It takes about an hour and a half to get down here, which for me always feels much longer. On long road trips I'm usually the driver since I tend to get car sick and I whine the whole way. Just ask my husband. I ask him if we're there yet more than Sebastian does.  

We arrived around five in the evening and of course we wasted no time and packed a bag to spend some time by the ocean before dinner. The weather is gorgeous here with the sun shining down on us with a cool breeze that nips at your skin. I'm thankful for this little mini vacation we are about to have and happy for all these moments. Here are some photos of the short time we've been here already!

I'll be the person who wakes up at 5:45am on their vacation so that they can make a great cup of coffee and walk down to the beach to witness the sunrise. Call me crazy!

xo. 

on Seattle in photos...

Well, I'm back in Philadelphia after a nice week in Seattle. It was hard to come back, no offense to Philadelphia but Seattle will always be my home. It just feels right. The week was a busy one and I already shared the first half of it and I wanted to show off some photos I took of the second half. 

After my fun day with my girls, I spend the rest of the afternoon with my family. In the evening I had a little surprise for Bobby since it was his birthday. We heading downtown to the Hard Rock Cafe were we met some friends. Bobby knew I was taking him out but didn't know details. I was conspiring against him for a month and even got in contact with one of his friends, Matt who lives in Seattle. I was able to get him to come out and hang with us. We had some good food, great drinks and much needed conversation with some of my favorite people. It was a really great night. Not to forget that my guy got a little bit spoiled :)  

Sunday we had a fabulous BBQ at Julee's house with a really great bunch of people. I headed to Julee's early spend some time helping Julee and Glen prep for the day while Sebastian and my little sister Michelle kept each other company. Bobby went out with his friend Matt who took him up flying in his small plane. They even flew close to Julee's house! Julee and Glen live in such a nice house with such a beautiful view so it's always a treat to be there. I got to see a lot my favorite people and just have a relaxing day. Not to forget that my dad and step-mom come along which make me feel all warm and fuzzy. 

Even though our trip has over it's nice to know that in about six months we are heading back for good to start our next adventure. I think it was a much needed trip out to get excited for everything this is going to come our way once we move out to Seattle. Big hug and kiss to Julee and Glen who make this trip happen! 

xoxo.