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Wednesday, November 1, 2017

25 Lessons in 25 Years


1. It is perfectly fine to not love your body for almost a quarter of a century. but when you can finally look in the mirror and love yourself, just as you are, that is a day to celebrate.

2. Stop doubting your potential. 

3. Drinking water is a cure to many things. Yes, it does not taste as great as that fresh cracked coke but your body will thank you later.

4. Find a way to give back to the world often. You should not have to try hard to be a good person.

5. It is totally acceptable to get 12 hours of sleep in a night. Don't let those nay-sayers tell you otherwise. Secretly they are just jealous that they chose to stay up super late knowing they had to wake up wicked early the next morning. Jokes on them.

6. If you're ever wondering if you should wear the red lipstick or no, do it.

7. Instead of buying that new extremely overpriced cellular device, put that money towards a vacation. Odds are that phone will be cool for a month, but memories from a stellar vacation will last forever. (Just make sure you vacay with someone who does have that new phone, because that iPhone8+ camera is on POINT!)

8. Love hard, but also know when to cut your losses. Not only are you wasting your own time staying in a relationship that's not going anywhere, you're also wasting their time, and that's not fair either.

9. Spend time with your family, as much as you can. You never know when they won't be there anymore. This is an important one. Seriously, call your Mom, Dad, and Grandparents.

10. If you ever meet someone and instantly have an inexplicable connection, do not let it pass you by.

11. Don't be sad if you do not have a 401K, or if you have a degree that's collecting dust, or if you never got one at all. It's okay.

12. Try to not be scared of the future, I know it seems like the big bad world is out to get you but it's really not. Embrace it, be ready to tackle it, just like Gronk.

13. Just because your friends are having kids doesn't mean you need to be doing the same. You could always adopt a puppy though, that's always a good decision.

14. You're never too old for a bubble bath.

15. You are definitely never too old for a Saturday night spent watching your favorite Disney movies.

16. Remember self love, it is so important to take time to take care of yourself. We get so busy making sure everyone else in our lives have what they need, we accidentally end up neglecting ourselves.

17. Cry. Cry when you need too. Even if you have no idea why you're crying in the first place. You'll feel much better after.

18. There's no better feeling than driving around with the windows down, music blasting, and the sun shining. Savor those days. Remember what it felt like when the sun warmed your face. Remember what it smelt like as the wind blew past you. Remember how you couldn't help but smile.

19. Take note, and be thankful for the little things. A kind word from a stranger, a free coffee from a friend. Whatever it is, don't take it for granted.

20. The past is the past. Don't let it dictate your future. Period.

21. After being able to drink booze (legally) for 4 years now, you should definitely know your limits. If you don't, I would consider sobriety.

22. Speaking of alcohol, it is never ever, under any circumstances okay to "drink your feelings away"

23. Smoking is no longer cool, and you should really stop that.

24. Don't wait for someone to make you happy. If you're not happy, then you, my friend need to do something about it. If you don't, you're gonna be waiting for a really long time.

25. Don't believe in the "Quarter Life Crisis" I've been psyching myself out for weeks, thinking about it. It's not real, it's a figment of your imagination. It is NOT all downhill from here.

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

My West Coast Home



Growing up in Maine gave me a deep love for the outdoors. The forest and wilderness had instilled a peace and tranquility in my life. It provided an appreciation and admiration for the quiet, untouched earth in it's raw form. Something I had been unable to find since leaving my home, until now. Until I stepped onto Alaska soil. The crisp fresh air, the scent of pine, the misty sky cascading over snow covered mountains brought me right back to my happy place. It was a place I had never seen or been before and yet, it felt like when you come home for the first time in a long while.

Allow me to back up for a minute in case you're thinking "How in the world did you end up way on the other side of America?" As you know, I am big on cruises, or at least I hope you know that from previous posts you've read. This was going to be our grandest one yet. Don't get me wrong, I love the warm weather and sunshine, but after awhile all the islands kinda just blend in together. (No offense) So this was a different kind of vacation, one where I am pretty positive I was the youngest on the entire vessel.

We started in Seattle, and without a doubt if I could be happy with always wearing a raincoat, I would move there in a second. Seattle was definitely my city. It had a "hipster, millennials are taking over the world" vibe and I was digging it. Luckily, somehow, we caught it on an amazing occasion where is was sunny and 60 degrees. All the locals I spoke too, said it never happens, especially for early May. The touristy attractions were of course on our to do list, seeing the Space Needle, walking through Pikes Market, and being super basic at THE Starbucks. Walking and ubering around the city was a fantastic way to spend our Saturday before embarking on the ship.

Space Needle takes your photo for free!

Leaving the airport in Philly!
Cliche Space Needle photo, Thanks babe for getting on the ground to achieve the perfect angle.

By far the coolest camera ever! Plus my super clutch Chive tee for this very occasion #rivialcity
My favorite


Okay guys, I grew up in Maine. Home of great lobster but these were the BIGGEST tails I have ever seen in my life!
Sunny Seattle! 
Ready for the high seas!
 This was a 7 day cruise that went to the following ports of call, Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Victoria, British Columbia. We also spent an entire day at Glacier Bay National Park. (Which makes for the most beautiful engagement photos ever, we will get to those shortly) Juneau, being the capital of Alaska was a pretty nifty port. We were not in the actual city which was disappointing, but you could take a cab ride over if you wanted to get away from all the souvenir shops. We walked around the town, checking out the Red Dog Saloon which is a must see if you're into the vintage brothels and enjoy bars with great tasting local beer and floors covered in saw dust.

Red Dog Saloon in Juneau, AK
Waiting to get off the ship!
View from Port of Juneau
Juneau also is the home of the Mount Roberts Tramway, a great non-excursion activity to do while in town. Wonderful sights along the way up and down. There was a store full of wildlife information and gifts, along with a coffee shop that awaited you at the top. If you are ambitious and brought the right shoes there are also trails at the top of the mountain that you can hike for some scenic views. Personally, we walked about a quarter mile to the first stopping point, snapped a few pictures then carefully walked back down. Definitely worth the ticket price, but be prepared to be waiting an awfully long time to get back down into town. It was quite the long line.






Our next stop was Skagway, and ya'll if you ever consider moving to Alaska, MOVE HERE! We spent maybe 8 hours there and fell in love. This little town was the kind of place where you don't lock your doors and everyone knows everyone. Self sufficient people with a kind and welcoming persona. This was the only location we actually planned an excursion for. We chose a bus ride into the Yukon and we had the greatest guide, Peter Lucchetti. Not only was he passionate about his love for Alaksa, he was so knowledgeable on everything you could possibly ever want to know about the wildlife, environment, and culture of the town and surrounding areas. He is also a magnificent painter and photographer. I was lucky enough to purchase one of his prints of the Northern Lights. Something I wish I could have seen with my own eyes. Our tour brought us into Canada passing through the Sawtooth Mountains, stopping at the beautiful Emerald Lake, and we had the delight of going through customs and made it all the way to the lovely town of Carcross. 
Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake

Sawtooth Mountains
Carcross Desert
First Time in Canada!
Welcome to the Yukon!



Next up on our ports was Ketchikan, this is where I finally got my incredibly over priced but extremely well worth it King Crab leg, and yes I mean leg, singular. Trust me, you only need one of these bad boys. The timing was this stop was a bit odd, we really only had a half day. We docked at 6 or 7am and had to be back on the boat by 1pm. This too was another stop we did not book an excursion for, we just walked around town stopping at all the touristy shops where I could acquire all the free gifts in my millions of coupon books. Yes, I am THAT PERSON, but who cares, they make for awesome presents! I sadly though, for some reason did not have any pictures of Ketchikan. I think this was a day that we forgot the good camera.

On to the main event, the entire reason I booked this specific itinerary. Glacier Bay. You spend a whole day at this beautiful icy fortress. The boat makes a complete 360 degree turn so that you can marvel at every inch of snow and glaciers. Now, I got some serious crazy looks for wearing a short dress on the top deck without a coat so that we could take our engagement photos. It was well worth standing in the mid 40s. It was a lovely day at sea, park rangers even came aboard the ship giving a detailed history of the glaciers, how they came to be and how they acquire their blue color. 


Our Save the Date photo!
Last but not least, Victoria BC. Now, I have to admit I had a bittersweet experience with this port. First, they had us there at the most odd time, 6pm to midnight. Being from the eastern time zone, my internal clock was screaming "Mercy" and to expect me to stay up until midnight on pacific time was crazy. Second, the only thing I wanted to do was have a high tea at the Empress hotel which was not allowed because they stop at 4pm. Bummer! I did however finally get to ride on a double decker bus which was the highlight of my day. It was a guided tour all around Victoria showing the attractions, residential areas, gardens, castles, and the Parliament Building which is absolutely gorgeous when lit up at night. I do highly recommend wearing warm clothes though, I was freezing at the top of the bus and we were luckily enough to get a blanket but the bus only had but a few. This is a town I will most certainly come back and visit when I can stay more than a few hours!

A majority of the world thinks "Warm and Sunny" when the word vacation comes to mind. I am so glad we picked going to see the snowy mountains and glaciers that Alaska and the Yukon has to offer. It took my breath away and brought tears to my eyes. Never have I ever seen something so majestic and full of pure beauty. I hope you go someday and get to smell the fresh air and experience the pure stillness. In my opinion, it's better than sipping pina coladas on a beach, but that's just me.

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

The Purposal

I do believe that every girl has dreamed up their fantasy perfect proposal. A lovely night out, maybe a candlelight dinner, your favorite coffee spot, a leisurely stroll through a park where you turn around and notice the man you love down on one knee. Out of all the scenarios you thought of, I sincerely doubt you would have ever imagined the day you say "yes" to be crashing guys night.

It's Friday night, you've spent all day working, baking cookies for the neighbors kids, cleaning, and everything else to get ready for a busy weekend. Didn't have time to shower, wearing gym clothes because you promised you were gonna gain some motivation and go. Hair in a messy bun and above all else, chipped purple polish on your fingernails. Super glamorous right?

Your man and his friends are drinking beer, shooting the shit, singing their lungs out to Queen. You walk into the room and it gets EXTREMELY quiet. Sitting on the couch wanting to relax, the wonderful man who thinks you're perfect just the way you are, grabs your hand and gets you to stand. Maybe it was the fact that our song was on the radio, or the fact that his friend was all of a sudden holding a camera, none of that seemed to add up until he reached for one of the million pockets of his cargo pants.

"You know I love you right..." I was shocked, completely blindsided. Of course I have also thought marriage wasn't my cup of tea, mainly because I have always been deathly afraid of it. However, if I was ever going to take that leap of faith it would surely be with him. This was our next big step forward together. We get a plan a wedding!

So after a few,
"NO WAY?!"
"For real?"
"Are you serious?"
"Like for real, for real?"
(In my defense, we were hours away from April Fools Day)
A hopeful, "yes of course" ever so gracefully left my lips.

He slipped on my finger the most beautiful ring I have ever seen, It sparkled brighter than the stars, and he even picked out a rose gold band, something I have always wanted. Simple and elegant, Different and also timeless. Smiling from ear to ear, this was it, the first day of the rest of our lives together. The past four years and a half years have been a whirlwind of ups and downs but it got us here. It lead us to a place where we would commit to each other forever, because divorce is not in my vocabulary.

So now I ask you, how in the hell do you plan a wedding?! Honestly, I could probably stay engaged forever, but what's the fun in that? Will I bake my own wedding cake? HELL NO! That's a Bridezilla waiting to happen. Even my wedding Pinterest board is pretty bare because I spent too much time pinning tattoos I want and crafty things. #PRIORITIES

All in all, my purposal was obviously not a love story written by the talented Nicholas Sparks, but it is something I will never forget. It was not perfect, but neither are we. It was honest and raw, which is something most people don't have. I have come to realize that sometimes the prettiest pictures are just covered up brushstrokes, and me? Well, I have always been more of an abstract piece of art anyways.

Friday, February 10, 2017

Thank you for Loving me

A rope and a tire hanging from a tall oak tree
A push from you and a smile from me
The higher the faster the fun
Memories being made under the sun
Thank you for loving me

Trips to the fair and piggy back rides so I could see
Invincible was I when it was we
Scraped knees and nightmares
Lions and tigers and bears
Thank you for loving me

A promise of a treehouse that was never meant to be
But instead built for someone just like me
A kiss a cry and “I’m sorry” too
Maybe the future won’t have to be so blue
Thank you for loving me

Missed moments and enough tears to fill the sea
Days of yesterday laid to rest for better days to be
I am happy to have you still after all this time
Because losing you again would be a crime
Thank you for never giving up on me

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

#ThisIsWhyIChive


About three summers ago, I was introduced to the Chive. My boyfriend showed me an app on his phone filled with gaps to be minded on Monday’s, Humps of all shapes and sizes every Wednesday, even cat photos on Saturday, these are a few of many funny, risk-ay, and promiscuous photos. At first this is all I thought the Chive is, just a gallery of photos catered to men. Boy, did I have it wrong! I was completely missing the bigger picture.

You see, what I did not know about the Chive is the local chapters that are all over the nation. I did not know about Chive Charities, an organization that strives to “Make the World 10% Happier.” The Chive is not just an app with photos to glance at (or for some, stare very intently). The Chive is a huge community of adults of all ages that “Party with a Purpose.” Friends that come together, have fun, while paying it forward in some way. Often times, it is just us in a bar drinking beer and raising money for worthy causes. Other times, it is running or walking in marathons or volunteering for life changing organizations.

                When I first found our city’s local chapter on Facebook and joined their group, it was an instant community. I had found the honey hole of friends in a way. The amount of welcome, love and friendliness that radiated from the group off to me is something I will never forget. Men and women, all very different and unique people, brought together by one common factor…the Chive. Even though we all lived in the same city, I probably would have never met some of these wonderful people if it were not for that app. Over the years, it became more of a family, not just a social group.

                At 3am, One could put out an SOS and have at least a dozen people immediately reach out to help. A family could suffer from a natural disaster and a plan would be put into place for what we can do to help. Even as little as needing an ear to listen, or a shoulder to cry on, someone would always be there. If you needed a place to sleep or food on the table, friends would join forces and support you. A family among friends. Even if that means someone giving up being able to drink on New Year’s Eve, so that there will be a designated driver for everyone else. We make a valiant effort to live by the golden rule.

                With that being said, we are far from perfect and even sometimes we have to be brought back to why we joined the group in the first place. We have to take a step back from the drama that always tries to reign, and remember that we must always, “Keep Calm and Chive On.” Occasions will occur when emotions run high, and disagreements are made, but overall everything always has a way of working out in the end. I have learned over time, while getting to know all of the wonderful people in our chapter, that each person secretly possesses the same type of trait. No, I don’t mean that we all can drink like fish. We all have humility. We all have at one point humbly put someone else before us. Whether it was family, or even another Chiver, it was like second nature, no hesitation, just love.

                I chive because that’s when memories get made. I chive to spend Sunday brunch drinking mimosas with my friends. I chive because on Tuesday’s we play trivia, and on Thursday’s we play bingo. I chive because when you get us together, there is nothing we can’t accomplish, that is, with the help of a little liquid courage of course! Underneath the funny T-shirts, aside from all the pictures, we are just a “Drinking Organization with a Charity Problem.” 

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Lost Time

I wonder if I ever disappointed you
as if maybe that's why you left so soon

How could you leave us, how could you leave me
Was there somewhere else you felt destined to be?

All the nights I spent crying, just trying to understand
all the things that happened beforehand

To lead us here, a place so alone
with no intentions of ever returning to home

I worry that things will never be better
you seem to be just like the weather

One moment sunny and cloud free
the next, storms as far as your eye can see

I hope you know I would have done anything
to change the circumstances so we would miss but nothing

To never miss a birthday, Christmas, or any day
please just tell me what I would need to say

I would do all that I can turn things around
to go back in time change your mind about leaving town

Sadly that is not something in my control
no repairs can be done to make this family whole

Truth is you had your shot and you let it go
Slipped right through your hand when you hit the road

I wonder what you did for those 17 years
Did we shed the same amount of tears?

Did you lie awake at night wondering where we were
or by that time was it all just a blur?

Did you mean to choose a life of loneliness
or was that just your way of denying me happiness?

I wonder if you'll ever realize you disappointed me
for stealing away and depriving me all the good times that were meant to be