Exploring the Oregon Trail as a Local

June 20, 2018 in Oregon, Travel

I hope ya’ll liked my last post all about why you need to visit Oregon (read it here!), cause I’m back with another! I recently had the privilege to re-discover the beautiful state I call home by traveling through Mt. Hood and The Dalles to learn about the Oregon’s pioneer history, in celebration of the 175th anniversary of the Oregon Trail!

***This post is sponsored by Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.***

Pioneer History of the Oregon Trail

Did you know the Oregon Trail started in Missouri? Yeah, me neither. It’s crazy how I’ve lived in Oregon my entire life, even studied the Oregon Trail in school, but couldn’t tell you this simple fact. There is so much history here in Oregon and throughout the United States that just gets lost and forgotten. That’s why I’m glad I had the opportunity to explore a bit of Oregon that I’d never done more than drive through on the way to ‘somewhere’ else.

When I first learned I was going to be part of the Oregon Trail’s 175th anniversary, I was SO excited, but also a little nervous! I’m not the most informed gal around, that’s for sure, but it’s great because there are other amazing bloggers out there that I’ve learned so much from! If you’re interested in learning more about the trail’s pioneer history outside of Oregon, I HIGHLY recommend you visit a few of the blogs below:

Making of a Mom Boss – Stefanie Cornwall
My Breezy Room – Kala Wiederhold
Run Style Run – Brandi Buckley
Living Overland – Beau Johnston
Love Haight Blog – Victoria Haight
Her Heartland Soul – Erin Fairchild

These ladies taught me a lot about the origins of the Oregon Trail, and some of the history that I didn’t necessarily get to learn in school. They cover areas like Fort Kearney, Nebraska and Soda Springs, Idaho. Also, there are tons of bloggers who went out and explored areas of the Oregon Trail in Eastern Oregon and the Mt. Hood area (like me!), so check them out below as well 🙂 Also, don’t forget to read all about Oregon City, the official end of the Oregon Trail!

The Ox Mama – Kimberly Oxford
The House of Hood Blog – Chelsee Hood
Mom Life in the PNW – Jenny Tate
Darling Nightingale – Lisa Nightengale
Horeshoes & Hand Grenades – Alison Fresiz-Steward
This Messy Season – Kayla
Mommy on the Mound – Ashley Peavey
Angie’s Angle – Angie Agerter

My Modern Pioneer Trek Through Government Camp to The Dalles

I got to visit one of the most beautiful places of the Oregon Trail, which I’m also lucky enough to call home – Oregon! My photographer (*coughhubbycough*) and I started out in Beaverton and took US-26 pretty much all the way to Welches, Oregon. I had never actually taken 26 this far before, nor had I ever taken the back road to the Mt. Hood area! It was such a beautiful drive through the forest, and I immediately had feeling of wonder and adventure as we got closer to our first stop, Jonsrud Viewpoint.

Looking out at the beautiful river from Jonsrud made me reflect on what it must have looked like to the pioneers coming off the Oregon Trail. Imagine reaching the top of this viewpoint after twisting and turning through mountains and forest, probably for several weeks, and looking down on the beauty you’d just adventured through. Ugh, makes me nostalgic for times and experiences I’ve never even had!

After Jonsrud, we continued along the Mt. Hood Highway to a little place called Wraptitude. At this point, it had started to rain pretty hard, so we were simultaneously looking for some shelter and some good food. Known for their gourmet burgers, wraps, and beers, Wraptitude provided us with just that! Eihab ordered a Hickory BBQ Burger, which I ended up eating because it was so good haha. The fries were also to die for! I also loved the atmosphere; there was plenty of outdoor seating along with an area for a live band and a spot to play horseshoes! I could just imagine stopping here after a day up at Government Camp skiing!

Our last stop of the day was our hotel. Unfortunately with all the rain, we weren’t able to make it to Zig Zag Trail (something I was really looking forward to!). It’s a super easy trail that you can definitely do rain or shine, but with me being seven months pregnant, I didn’t want to risk slipping and falling. #clumsymama

So we decided to skip the trail and head right to the Resort at the Mountain. Fun fact – if you want to stay somewhere on the Oregon Trail that embodies the history and feel of the 1800’s, I would HIGHLY recommend the historic Balch Hotel. Even though we didn’t get to stay at the Balch (it was fully booked), it would have been a great way to tie in everything we were learning about the Oregon Trail!

The Resort at the Mountain worked out perfectly for us, because it was so close to Wraptitude and put us on the most beautiful drive through Government Camp. That night we spent snuggled up on our king size bed playing cards and having a great little “babymoon.” We even went to dinner at Altitude, the restaurant located in the resort. If you’ve never tried garlic foam before, then definitely order the scallops next time you’re there to have your taste buds explode with excitement LOL!

Meeting the Fort Dalles Floozies and Friends

The next morning we got up super early and started our drive to The Dalles. We drove through Government Camp and actually encounter some snow, can you believe it?! We didn’t take any photos, but be sure to check out the video below documenting the beautiful drive!

Once we got to the other side of Mt. Hood, the weather turned warm and sunny and we arrived in The Dalles to bright blue skies. We parked at the docks, walked down to the pier, and immediately recognized The Floozies! The Fort Dalles Floozies and Friends are a historic themed group that helps promote the pioneer history of The Dalles. Meeting these fun ladies and gentlemen was such a great time, and it was wonderful to see people who love their community and their history.

We met The Floozies at the docks and were immediately introduced to ‘Madam Mary,’ and her husband ‘The Brothel Inspector.’ :p They meet at the docks a couple times a week to welcome tourists off the boats that travel along the Columbia River through The Gorge. It was fun to meet all these modern pioneers and learn a little about their history! They even made me an ‘honorary Floozie’ for the day!

After meeting up with The Floozies and Friends, we went up to the fort and toured the Fort Dalles Museum. This was so fun because there was lots of historic artifacts from the Oregon Trail, including historic information about the Native Americans in the area and the Chinese history of The Dalles. We even got to tour all of the old antique vehicles that had once roamed the streets of The Dalles!

What it Means to be a 'Modern Pioneer'

After meeting the wonderful Floozies and spending the morning with them, we had about a two-hour drive back to Portland. The hubs was pretty exhausted and napped most of the way, and I spent a lot of the drive reflecting on the events of the weekend. I thought about how close I live to Mt. Hood, Government Camp, and The Dalles, but how I’d never spent any time there. Taking a break from the hustle and bustle of today’s modern life to slow down, remember Oregon’s history, and meet new people really made me ask myself where I fit in. Am I a ‘modern pioneer?’ I think the answer to that is a resounding YES! I’m a young woman trying to navigate my way through a corporate career, marriage, and motherhood (while still trying to maintain somewhat of a fun social life, ya feel??). Nowadays there isn’t a whole lot of uncharted land, but if you think about it figuratively, the Modern Pioneer seeks out new lands of opportunity through modern means, be that careers, social media (bloggers anyone?!), or life in general. I’m proud to be a Modern Pioneer!

What is a ‘Modern Pioneer’ to you? Have you explored any parts of the Oregon Trail? I hope you enjoyed this post, and let me know your thoughts in the comments!

xo,

10 Reasons Why You Need to Visit Oregon

May 25, 2018 in Oregon, Travel, USA

I’ve lived in Oregon for the past 28 years, literally my entire life. When I was young, I dreamt of moving to NYC and becoming Carrie Bradshaw’s sidekick, but the longer I live in Oregon and the older I get, I really can’t imagine living anywhere else in the US! We pretty much have it all here – small towns, big cities, lush green forests, dry deserts, and even a beautiful coastline. And with all the festivals and activities going on, you’d be crazy not to want to visit Oregon! Also, stay tuned to the end of this post for an AMAZING giveaway!! *This post is not sponsored and may contain affiliate links. All content and opinions expressed are my own.* Visit Oregon - Top 10 Things to do/see/love! 1. We have all 4 seasons! If you’re from the Southern United States, you probably wonder what fall and winter are all about. In Oregon, we get the beautiful reds and golds of fall, and snow in the winter!2. Different climates – depending on where you are in Oregon, you could experience the hot and dry desert, lush and rainy Northern Oregon, sunny and beautiful Southern Oregon, or the sandy shores of the Oregon Coast.3. Flower Festivals – between the Lavender Farms, Rose Gardens, and the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to explore Oregon’s beautiful gardens!4. “Keep Portland Weird” – a trip to Portland, OR wouldn’t be complete without snapping a pic of the iconic “Keep Portland Weird” wall sign and the neon Portland Oregon sign!5. 363 miles of coastline – if you ever get the chance to visit Oregon, be sure to stop in at the coast! It really doesn’t matter which part you visit, as each little town how it’s own fun vibe, fun hikes, and a gorgeous ocean view! 6. ALL the outdoor activities you can imagine! In the winter you can ski, snowboard, or snowshoe. Take advantage of the warmer months by going for a hike, white water rafting, camping, fishing, or wine tasting!7. The Oregon Trail – looking for a little history? Visit some historical spots from the Oregon Trail in Southern or Northern Oregon! 8. Everyone is friendly here 🙂 – sure, you get your assholes just like anywhere, but in general, the vibe in Oregon is pretty darn upbeat and friendly. You definitely won’t get any weird stares if you ask for directions!9. We love our soccer team! You’ll have a hard time finding a state who loves their soccer team more than Oregon loves the Timbers <310. We’ve got something for everyone! Whether you’re a city person or a country lover, or something in between, you’ll have no problem finding somewhere you love if you visit Oregon 🙂 Have you ever been to visit Oregon? If not, what’s stopping you!? Leave me a comment below with the thing you loved the most, or if you’ve yet to visit, what you’d most like to see/do! xo,B Photos taken by: Rachel Cossette PhotographyPhotos edited by: MeOutfit Details: Dress is from Lulu’s (size M) | Panama hat (similar here) | Woven bag from Target (similar here) Don’t forget to enter the giveaway!! I’ve teamed up with some of my favorite Bloggers and YouTubers for this giveaway and one lucky person will win $500 in PayPal Cash! The Winner will be announced by 7/5 on this page. You’ll receive 3 points for each entry. By entering this contest you’re subscribing to the hosts email list. Be sure enter the contest below! Good luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Favorite Baby Girl Nursery Theme Ideas!

May 14, 2018 in Baby, Life

Is it just me, or did this week feel like it dragged? On Tuesday I thought it was Wednesday, and when Eihab told me it was only Tuesday, I legit cried a little LOL. I think there’s just been a lot going on lately! Between the pregnancy and the fact I’m currently sick, this week just can’t move fast enough! I’ve started thinking about nursery theme ideas though, because…we are moving! We found the cutest apartment to start our little family in, and ever since we paid the deposit I’ve been thinking non-stop about baby girl’s room 🙂 Of course I have a whole Pinterest board going haha. But I also thought I’d share some of my favorite baby girl nursery theme ideas with you guys, cause they’re just so cute how can I not! *This post is not sponsored and may contain affiliate links. All content and opinions expressed are my own.* What's Important to me for my Baby Girl's Nursery Every mom-to-be has an idea of what she wants her child’s nursery to look like. We all have colors that we love and hate, and themes we think are just the cutest thing. For me, I wanted to keep my little one’s nursery semi gender neutral in color, for two reasons. One, I’m all about hand-me-downs, and if I end up having a boy next, I want to be able to reduce, reuse, and recycle LOL. And second, I want the pieces I’m using in her nursery to be neutral enough that she may like them still as she gets older. For that reason, I knew I didn’t want to blow her room up with pinks and purples and I decided I wanted to stick to a neutral color scheme – grays and whites and tans mostly, but with pops of color. I love decor that can grow with my baby. I don’t want to spend a load of money on decorations, only for her to hate them as she gets older, or even for me to want to switch things up. Pieces like rugs, chairs, baskets, and dressers need to be versatile and neutral, so that if she doesn’t want them as she gets older, I can still use them in other areas of the house. Another aspect of decorating the nursery that important to me, is to take into consideration the fact that little babe is bi-racial. Her daddy is African American Arab, so she has a mix of cultures from his side ALONE. I would love to incorporate some traditional African pieces, and maybe something like an Afghan rug, into her nursery room decor. I love the idea of having a lovely elegant nursery theme idea, but mixed with a little tribal boho vibe 🙂 I also want to incorporate woven baskets and some plant life as well, to really liven up the room. And I figure for the first couple years, I’m the only one who really cares what the room looks like, so may as well make it my style while I can LOL. My Top 5 Favorite Nursery Theme Ideas Nursery Theme Idea #1 - Whimsical Circus Nursery Theme Idea #2 - Elegant Charm Nursery Theme Idea #3 - Urban Boho Nursery Theme Idea #4 - Minimalist & Modern Nursery Theme Idea #5 - Animal Theme Which of these nursery theme ideas is your favorite? Let me know in the comments!! xo,B

My New Favorite Trend – the Knotted Sweater

May 7, 2018 in Maternity, Style

Do you ever find a song that just gives you all the feels, so you listen to it over and over for days? #MeToo That’s also how I am when I stumble upon a new look, accessory, or trend that I love. I become OBSESSED. I start wearing it on repeat. To work, to the grocery store, to brunch with the girls…doesn’t matter the occasion, I’ll find a way to wear it! About a month ago, I realized how cute sweaters are when layered over a dress and tied in a knot. And I know this knotted sweater trend has been around for awhile, but all of a sudden I want to wear it all the time! Does that ever happen to you? *This post is not sponsored and may contain affiliate links. All content and opinions expressed are my own.* Officially Obsessed with the Knotted Sweater Trend I have a sneaking suspicion that this new obsession has something to do with my growing bump…For some reason, wearing a loose sweater over a bump makes me look and feel frumpy. This is kind of what lead me to the outfit I’m wearing here. Two of my blogger gals invited me to brunch and I had to quickly throw together something cute and chic. My go-to clothing item lately has been form-fitting, stretchy dresses. They’re comfortable, and man do I feel confident when I’m rocking my ass-ets (get it? hehe…). This sweater dress from Lulu’s is one of my fave’s. You may remember this post where I styled it with heels and a fun tassel purse!I’ve also been really inspired by Chriselle Lim to layer turtlenecks underneath sweaters for extra warmth. I thought layering this Lulu’s dress (since it’s comfortable and also has a chunky turtleneck) with a cropped sweater would be the perfect way to mold this inspiration into my own personal style. However, I ran into a problem with the sweater…it turned my cute baby bump into unattractive frump! No one wants to look frumpy, ever, let alone when they’re meeting fellow bloggers for brunch (where photos will inevitably be taken!). I decided what I really needed was to be able to see my waistline, and to have my bump be front and center. So I decided to turn this cropped sweater into a cropped knotted sweater. And WOW, did it make such a difference! Just by tying the sweater into a knot above my bump, I felt so much more confident. It makes sense though; even before I was pregnant I felt best in looks where my waistline was defined.I was feelin’ a bit of an edgy vibe with my black dress and knotted sweater, so I decided to pair leather boots (with a gold heel, of course!) and a leather jacket together. Then to add a bit of color, I through in my favorite red structured bag.Cropped Knotted Sweater Inspo: !function(d,s,id){ var e, p = /^http:/.test(d.location) ? 'http' : 'https'; if(!d.getElementById(id)) { e = d.createElement(s); e.id = id; e.src = p + '://widgets.rewardstyle.com/js/shopthepost.js'; d.body.appendChild(e); } if(typeof window.__stp === 'object') if(d.readyState === 'complete') { window.__stp.init(); } }(document, 'script', 'shopthepost-script'); Turn on your JavaScript to view content Needless to say, ever since I discovered how good this spring trend looked on my body, I haven’t stopped wearing it. I have so many different sweaters so it’s been fun to mix and match! I’ve also been switching up the sweaters for tee shirts and tanks on warmer days! It’s so much fun, and really adds another way to wear a dress or sweater! !function(d,s,id){ var e, p = /^http:/.test(d.location) ? 'http' : 'https'; if(!d.getElementById(id)) { e = d.createElement(s); e.id = id; e.src = p + '://widgets.rewardstyle.com/js/shopthepost.js'; d.body.appendChild(e); } if(typeof window.__stp === 'object') if(d.readyState === 'complete') { window.__stp.init(); } }(document, 'script', 'shopthepost-script'); Turn on your JavaScript to view content What’re your thoughts on the knotted sweater trend? What creative ways have you found to play up your assets? Let me know in the comments! xo,B Photos taken by: Rachel Cossette PhotographyPhotos edited by: MeOutfit Details: Sweater from Topshop (similar style here) | Black sweater dress from Lulu’s (similar styles here) | Gold-heeled boots from Topshop (similar here) | Leather jacket is thrifted (similar here) | Kate Spade purse | Sunnies are from somewhere that I can’t remember (similar here)

Chic Prego Outfit for a Night Out

April 27, 2018 in Maternity, Pregnancy, Style

Have you ever been not invited out because you’re pregnant? Sometimes people think that because there’s a bun in the oven, fun can’t be had. But just because I’m pregnant, does that mean all of a sudden I don’t enjoy a Happy Hour get together with my girls after a hard days work? No! #IGoForTheFood #MockailLife This has happened to me and it inspired me to put together a chic prego outfit for a night out with the girls. *This post is not sponsored and may contain affiliate links. All content and opinions expressed are my own.* Chic Prego Outfit I definitely don’t go out as much as I used to now that I’m pregnant, but I do still enjoy the occasional night out with friends, or a date night with the hubs 🙂 One thing I’ve noticed about my style though, is that it’s evolving. I’ve never been very risque with my outfits in general, but now that I’m pregnant I’m even more conservative! There’s something about growing a little human inside you that makes you want to preserve your decency LOL. Every woman is different, and if you have the confidence to go out in a mini-skirt and rock it, then by all means girl, get it! But for me, I need to be a bit more covered in my mom-to-be body, but the details of this look still make me feel chic and sexy 😉 I got this bodycon dress last summer at Zara, and it’s a great sexy staple for my wardrobe. I’ve been able to wear it dressed up or down, because the fit is super sexy but the stripes are casual. I like to let the dress be the sexy aspect of my look, and this dress is perfect for that! Since the stripes are a bit more casual, I thought adding some opaque black tights would dress the look up a bit. For the final details, I paired my black Topshop boots because they add a bit of flashy edge. The gold heel is just the right amount of detail, especially since the vertical stripes on the blazer contrast with the dress. Also, about this blazer…I’m obsessed with it! It belonged to my Nana back in the 80’s and I just love it so much. The oversized fit is super in style right now, and I love the neutrals stripes. It totally reminds me of the Chriselle x J.O.A. collab striped blazer, what do you think? You guys know I’m not much of a jewelry girl, so I paired a fun red crossbody with some flashy details to add a bit of color. This one is ASOS and I actually got it at Ross, go figure! I think this look is perfect for a load of different occasions – a night out with the girls, happy hour after work (hell, you could even wear it to work!), or a date night with yo man. It’s also great for prego ladies because it’s tasteful and it shows off that cute baby bump! !function(d,s,id){ var e, p = /^http:/.test(d.location) ? 'http' : 'https'; if(!d.getElementById(id)) { e = d.createElement(s); e.id = id; e.src = p + '://widgets.rewardstyle.com/js/shopthepost.js'; d.body.appendChild(e); } if(typeof window.__stp === 'object') if(d.readyState === 'complete') { window.__stp.init(); } }(document, 'script', 'shopthepost-script'); Turn on your JavaScript to view content All of these details and pieces are ones I already owned. I’m trying really hard to not buy a ton of maternity clothes, but we’ll see how that goes! Have a wonderful weekend everyone! xo,B Photography by: Karya Schanilec PhotographyOutfit Details: Dress is from Zara (similar here) | Tights are basic and from Target | Boots are Topshop (similar here) | Blazer is vintage (super similar here!) | Purse is ASOS (similar here)

Best High-Waist Jeggings & First Trimester Necessities!

April 25, 2018 in Maternity, Pregnancy, Style

Thursday marks the start of week 21 of my pregnancy, and as I’m getting further along (and bigger!) I thought I’d share with you some of the items that helped get me through my first trimester. Compared to a lot of women, I had it pretty easy during this time (not much vomiting, yay!). But being pregnant sure ain’t easy and there were some essentials I felt I couldn’t live without. So if you’re pregnant or just want a future reference, here are my top five first trimester necessities! *This post is not sponsored and may contain affiliate links. All content and opinions expressed are my own.* The Must-Haves (First Trimester Necessities)! First of all, a comfortable pair of jeans is a must for every woman, pregnant or not. I love the look of a good high-waist skinny jean, but with my expanding waistline, I definitely need something stretchy and comfy. That’s why I love these Liverpool Jean Co high-waist jeggings! You totally can’t even tell they’re a jegging, and they fit perfectly (even with a first trimester bump 😉 ). I also love the classic dark wash, and the fact that they come in longer sizes for us tall women! I wore these jeggings all throughout the first three months of my pregnancy, which is why they’re numero uno on my list of first trimester necessities. Secondly, every woman needs to find that snack that will keep them going through all the first trimester yuckiness. For me, it was Ritz crackers, peanut butter, and dill pickles. Not necessarily all together lol. Seriously though, I would literally eat a giant pickle and a scoop of peanut butter for breakfast; they were the only things that sounded good and didn’t make me nauseas. I also drank a lot of red Gatorade, apple juice, and orange juice since strictly drinking water was a challenge for me. Also, get yourself a pregnancy pillow! You might be thinking you don’t need one when you’re so early in your pregnancy, but trust me, your body will thank you! This was pretty life changing for me, especially since I didn’t realize how off my sleep was until I tried it out. Now that I’m in my second trimester, I’m so happy I made this purchase early. I haven’t had near as much back or hip pain as a lot of other pregnant women I know, and it’s definitely due to the pregnancy pillow! I like this one here 🙂 Another item I found to be essential during the first few months, was a Sea Band. It’s basically a wristband with a small marble type thing in it that puts pressure on a specific spot in your wrist to help with nausea. I’ve always had problems with motion sickness, but after getting pregnant it got ten times worse (I would even make myself car sick while I was driving LOL). The Sea Band made it possible for me to travel without feeling miserable the whole time!Lastly, a good toothbrush has been essential for me! This may seem like a weird one, but it’s totally common to have problems with your gums during pregnancy. I have had some issues with bleeding gums, so finding a toothbrush that gets the job done but doesn’t make me feel like I’m rubbing sandpaper on my gums is really important for me. !function(d,s,id){ var e, p = /^http:/.test(d.location) ? 'http' : 'https'; if(!d.getElementById(id)) { e = d.createElement(s); e.id = id; e.src = p + '://widgets.rewardstyle.com/js/shopthepost.js'; d.body.appendChild(e); } if(typeof window.__stp === 'object') if(d.readyState === 'complete') { window.__stp.init(); } }(document, 'script', 'shopthepost-script'); Turn on your JavaScript to view content Do any of these products surprise you? Or do you have your own list of first trimester necessities to share? Leave me a comment and let me know! xo,B Photos taken by: Rachel Cossette PhotographyPhotos edited by: MeOutfit Details: Leopard print sweater from Old Navy (size S), high-waist jeggings from Liverpool Jeans Co. (they run large, size down), black pumps are Nine West from Macy’s (true to size), red crossbody purse is Kate Spade

Ultimate Oahu Road Trip!!

April 11, 2018 in Hawaii, Travel

When I travel, I like to see as much as I possibly can. The island of Oahu is pretty small, so I knew the best way to see it all was going to be by car. That’s why the hubs and I planned the ultimate Oahu road trip for our babymoon! *This post is not sponsored and may contain affiliate links. All content and opinions expressed are my own.* The Best Route to take for the Ultimate Oahu Road Trip! We were really lucky to be able to rent a car and take a road trip around Oahu. Not only was it the best way we could think of to see EVERYTHING, but it was also a bucket list item for me! We ended up renting a Toyota Corolla from Enterprise and it was perfect for us. Plenty of room for all our beach necessities, really comfortable, and it got great gas mileage. We only had to get gas once and it was when we returned the car (5 days after picking it up!).It’s pretty easy to make all these stops in one day, depending on how much driving you want to do. We decided to split it into two days (I’ll explain why below), but you can definitely make it in one if that’s all you have!First Stop: Waikiki !function(d,s,id){ var e, p = /^http:/.test(d.location) ? 'http' : 'https'; if(!d.getElementById(id)) { e = d.createElement(s); e.id = id; e.src = p + '://widgets.rewardstyle.com/js/shopthepost.js'; d.body.appendChild(e); } if(typeof window.__stp === 'object') if(d.readyState === 'complete') { window.__stp.init(); } }(document, 'script', 'shopthepost-script'); Turn on your JavaScript to view content Hat is from Forever XXI or H&M (can't remember :p), Purse is from Lulu's Maternity Jumpsuit from Topshop, Kimono from Forever XXI, Purse from Lulu's I recommend starting your morning in Waikiki. This area gets pretty packed, so it’s nice to walk the beach before it’s completely full. Start the day with a calm walk in the sand, then head to breakfast! My favorite breakfast/brunch spot in Waikiki is definitely Heavenly Island Lifestyle. We only went here once but OMG I wanted to go back so bad! Eihab had the Salmon & Spinach Eggs Benedict, and I had the Blueberry Compote & Acaí Berry French Toast. Oh my lawwwd it was divine! The service was also amazing. They originally brought Eihab the wrong dish, and within two minutes had realized their mistake and brought us the correct dish. I also had a side of local plain yogurt with berries (I couldn’t stop eating!). All the food is locally sourced and so delicious, I highly recommend checking this spot out! Second Stop: Leonard’s BakeryI know you just ate, but trust me, you don’t want to miss Leonard’s! They have the best malasadas (a type of Portuguese donut) and they make a great snack for your next stop! Third Stop: Diamond Head State ParkLast week I wrote a whole post about this beautiful hike, so be sure to check it out! This is definitely a must see if you’re in to stunning 360° views! Continue on from Leonard’s and within minutes you’ll spot this beautiful mountainous crater. The hike is about 1.6 miles round trip, and be sure to enjoy some Hawaiian Shaved Ice when you get done (Eihab said it was the best he’s every had!); Fourth Stop: Sandy BeachAfter hiking Diamond Head Crater Trail, you’ll probably be ready for some beach time and possibly a snack. Head to Sandy Beach (it’s about a 10 minute drive) for a little break and the best garlic shrimp you’ll ever have in your LIFE. This beach does have a pretty strong undertow, but it’s still nice to take a break and walk through the water to cool off! Hat is same as above, earrings are from Adorn on NE Fremont, dress is Bobeau from Adorn on NE Fremont Fifth Stop: Lanikai BeachOahu has some of the most beautiful beaches, so it only makes sense to hop from one to another! From Sandy Beach, head North to Lanikai Beach. The water is so clear and actually pretty warm! There aren’t public bathrooms or parking and it can get pretty crowded, but it’s a must see! If you get hungry, stop in to Boots & Kimo’s in the small town of Kailua for some famous Hawaiian Pancakes and beef ribs! Sixth Stop: Laniakea (Turtle) BeachAfter you leave Kailua, plan on being in the car for awhile. You’ll want to head north/northwest along the coast until you get to the North Shore. This is a gorgeous drive because you get to see amazing coastline, as well as Jurassic Park-esque jungles. It was pretty surreal to feel like we were literally driving through the movies!Once you get to the North Shore, you’ll see lots of spots to stop. We stopped at this commune type place with some food trucks and stands for a quick break, then continued on. We decided we wanted to split our roadtrip into two days so we could watch the sunset on the beach. We ended up stopping at Laniakea Beach, also known as Turtle Beach, in the hopes that we’d see the sunset and some turtles! We didn’t spot any turtles, unfortunately, but the view of the sunset was absolutely incredible! The beach itself has a lot of seaweed so not the best for swimming, but if that’s something you want to do, Sunset Beach is really close by and perfect for getting in the water. Hat is "Sydney" from Tenth Street Hats, Kimono is Veronica M from Adorn on NE Fremont, One-piece suit is from Target Seventh Stop: Dole PlantationWhether you continue on from the North Shore or come back the next day, the Dole Plantation is a must see. There’s a lot to do for kids and adults, like pineapple tasting, a Pineapple Maze, and viewing of the tiniest and cutest pineapples you’ll ever see! Be sure to get a cup of Dole Whip for a treat!Eighth Stop: WaikikiTo round out your trip, head back to Waikiki. You’ll notice a lot more people on the beach, but be sure to take some time to walk out to the pier and watch the surfers. We loved doing this to end our ultimate Oahu road trip because it made us feel like we had gone in a circle and seen everything we wanted to! Dress is Velvet by Graham and Spencer Taya Crew Neck Dress from Adorn on NE Fremont (but it's on sale at Revolve.com for $70 off!), Flip-flops are from Target My sunnies were gifted and I have no clue where they're from, Eihab's sunnies are Ray Ban's What stops would you add for your ultimate Oahu road trip? Leave me a comment and let me know! xo,B

The Power of Connection

April 9, 2018 in Life

I had a really nice weekend in my home town, and it inspired me to write a casual “reflections” type of post for you all today. Saturday was one of my oldest girlfriend’s birthdays, and I got to see her as well as one of my other closest friends. Seeing and spending time with them made me feel so rejuvenated, and got me thinking of the power of connection. *This post is not sponsored and may contain affiliate links. All content and opinions expressed are my own.* The Power of Connection I’m the type of person who has just a few close friends, but the relationships I have with them are incredibly deep. As an introvert and empathetic person, being around many people or feeling like I have to spend time with a bunch of different individuals absolutely drains me. I could spend an entire day with a few people who I consider friends, and need to spend the full next day recuperating and refilling my pot of energy. But I could spend the same amount of time with a few select individuals, and walk away with my emotional pot brimming with happiness. Isn’t that an odd thing? That doing the same thing with different people can leave you either feeling emotionally drained, or emotionally fulfilled? This thought is what made me think of the power of connection, because it’s exactly how I felt after this past weekend. And it made me realize that having such a deep, emotional connection with just a few people is perfectly OK, and exactly what I need to feel fulfilled. These photos perfectly depict the way this past weekend made me feel. It’s also kind of amazing because I got the same feeling from hanging out and having this coffee date with the woman who took the photos 🙂 Another irony? On Saturday I connected with the two friends I mentioned above at a coffee shop as well! LOL…apparently there’s something about friends and coffee shops that’s good for the soul 🙂 The story goes a little something like this…I met one of my best friends for coffee and a catch-up sesh, and as we were chatting, our other best friend (who’s birthday I had came down for) walked in and sat down for breakfast with her fiance. We got up to say ‘hi’ and ended up sitting with them for the remainder of the time. It was such a simple and nonchalant thing, but it felt so natural and easy. Another amazing power of connection 🙂 Needless to say, I’m a tender-hearted person which is why I had to share this story with you all LOL. Plus, it’s Monday, and we could all use a little #MondayMotivation! #AmIRight?? !function(d,s,id){ var e, p = /^http:/.test(d.location) ? 'http' : 'https'; if(!d.getElementById(id)) { e = d.createElement(s); e.id = id; e.src = p + '://widgets.rewardstyle.com/js/shopthepost.js'; d.body.appendChild(e); } if(typeof window.__stp === 'object') if(d.readyState === 'complete') { window.__stp.init(); } }(document, 'script', 'shopthepost-script'); Turn on your JavaScript to view content Are you more of an introvert or an extrovert, and how do you know? Also, do you have people in your life who you have a deep connection with? Let me know in the comments and have a lovely week everyone! xo,B Photos taken by: Rachel Cossette PhotographyPhotos edited by: MeOutfit Details: Striped t-shirt from Target, jeans are BlankNYC from Nordstrom Rack, purse is Kate Spade, camel knit cardigan from Old Navy, and camel coat is Michael Kors from Macy’s

Connect

Pioneer History of the Oregon Trail

My Modern Pioneer Trek Through Government Camp to The Dalles

Meeting the Fort Dalles Floozies and Friends

What it Means to be a 'Modern Pioneer'

Archives