Gold King Basin

Around 8pm last Sunday, Luke, Alec, and I decided it was a good idea to hop in the car and go camping. Truth be told, I was actually dragged along because, instead of camping, I really I wanted a decent night sleep and to cook the steak I just seasoned. However, after some convincing, (and a promise that we could cook the steak at the campsite) we drove up to Gold King Basin just as the sun set. It was a wet, windy night, but it was well worth the view I woke up to. This little overnight was a nice reminder that spontaneity can reap beautiful rewards.

Moab, UT

On a whim, a few friends and I decided to spend a short 36 hours in Moab, UT. We drove late at night to a campsite and we woke up to the beautiful view you see above. It was an extremely hot weekend (all 105 degrees of it), so we spent a great deal of our time at an awesome watering hole. Afterwards, we ate delicious burgers and peach milkshakes at Milt's Stop & Eat and went rock climbing on Wall Street. It was a great introduction to Moab and I can't wait to explore the area more once the weather cools down. 

New York City

To tell you the truth, New York has always intimidated me. I thought the city would be too big and that I would feel completely overwhelmed by concrete. But man oh man, that city warmed my heart and I never wanted to leave. I fell hard, fast, and could not have been more impressed. Luke and I were able to spend a full week there exploring, catching up with old friends, and enjoying our vacation time together. The highlight of the trip for me was the perfect weather and an amazingly romantic dinner at L'Atrusi.  I can definitely feel a reunion with New York in the near future.

trying out the secret of Grand Central

spring at MoMa

my cousin's beautiful apartment

                  ^^ That bridge is spectacular ^^

Well, I'm moving!

In a little less than two weeks I'm moving out to Colorado - Telluride to be exact! I am so very excited and scared at the same time. It was a struggle to get to this point - the point where I finally feel ready to live completely on my own. For a while I kept telling myself, In a few months I will be ready to move. Yet, after a few months passed, I was still no where close to ready. In the days following the peak of my moving out crisis, I came across a quote and something finally clicked. The quote reads, "If we wait until we're ready, we'll be waiting for the rest of or lives." Once I read that I finally realized I will never be truly ready to leave. It was then that I finally decided to just go for it and take the big jump. Coincidentally, around that moment the idea of moving to Telluride kind of fell into my lap. I took it as a sign and now that's that! To Telluride we go!!

Allow me to answer some FAQ's about the big move to Telluride:

1) Yes! Luke is coming with me!

2) No, neither of us have a job.

3) Yes. I am a little concerned about that, but I believe we will find jobs.

4) Yup! We do have an apartment and we have one other roommate.

5) I know! The skiing will be amazing! No, I have never skied before and yes I'm ready to learn!

6) Yes. I'm leaving the best job in the world and I'm going to miss my Free People team like crazy!!

Well, I think that about covers it! :) Wish me luck on this new adventure!

image source: two pictures from pinterest that I collaged

Memphis, TN

Dear Memphis,

You take good care of me :) You remind me how cheap and delicious food should be. You take me back to my partying roots. You surround me with friends and family I love so dearly. But, mainly, you are and always will be my first home. So Memphis, I will love you forever - even if you sucked the life out of my camera's battery the first day I was there. So even though this post is a compilation of iPhone photos, the pictures are still wonderful since there is some Memphis love in them.

I ended up staying a few days longer than expected and my long weekend trip turned into a week long trip! I spent my time helping my sister move into her new apartment downtown, hanging out with loved ones, and eating all of my favorite Memphis food - including Pho Binh's lunch buffet three times...yes 3/6 days I was there I ate Pho Binh (their lemongrass tofu is addictive). 

This trip made me feel as if I never left Memphis to begin with. It was hard saying goodbye since I don't know the next time I will be back. Safe to say I didn't want to leave my wonderful friends and pretty city :) Yet, as my train pulled away, I was satisfied knowing that the next time I visit I will be greeted by open, loving arms! I can't wait!

^^Annie's new patio with views of the river

^^Best chicken in the world - Gus's

^^Mango lemonade and a nerve racking game of Jenga at lunchbox eats!

 Dog picnic at the river - which included dog selfies and long walks