What I'm Lovin' Fridays

1.  "Whistle While I Wait"

What would have been my 9:30 pm Friday night arrival into ATL this past weekend turned into a 1 am Saturday arrival due to nationwide FAA system complications.  I would have lost my mind if it wasn't for the huge burrito I bought to accompany some Disney movies on my Duo as I sat on floor in Terminal E at Logan Airport.

2.  Mama's Got A New Pair Of Shoes

I really shouldn't be buying anymore shoes but this is what happens when your friend takes you to the mall to window shop. Smh.

3.  New Addiction

Starbucks.  Yes Double Ds (Dunkins) I have converted, after having this Shaken Green Tea Lemonade and tasting their Ice Vanilla Chai Latte I'm hooked. 

4.  Its Was Cute While It Lasted...

So I thought of a genius idea to get my hair straightened in the middle of a heat wave for my trip to an even hotter place this past week.  It was looking on point the first night and while the curls faded before I could even make it to ATL, it surprisingly kept its straightness amidst the heat.  Go Locs!

5.  Afternoon Cravings
Chocolate cravings are something I live with everyday, but yesterday it was BAD.  But boy did 7Eleven deliver and man did this hit the spot!

What are you lovin' today?

My Weekend Excursion

          I know, I know a little late in the week to post my shenanigans from last week, but better late than never!  So at this point I can't even begin to tell you how many times I've been to NYC, especially now that my friend Yetti has moved there.  However, this past weekend I became a full fledged tourist.  I went up for the weekend to visit a relative who lived in Manhattan directly across from the Museum of Natural History (aka where Night at the Museum was filmed).  The place was immaculate.  I felt as though I was staying in a Museum myself. 

          It was a fun time in spite of my initial reserves filled with tons of laughs, great sites, lots of encounters with NYC's infamous critters, and even better company.  Some of my stops on the trip included the City Sight Tours (AKA the double decker tourist buses), Highline Park (thanks Yetti!), World Trade Center Construction site, Central Park and the Museum of Natural History.

          I'm beginning to like NYC a little more every time I visit.  Still would never live there (the Boston Pride in me wouldn't allow it, along with the price of living), but visiting is turning out to be more enjoyable than I had imagined.

          So before I go I will leave you with a fun fact that I learned on the trip.  Mayor Bloomberg who is currently the richest New Yorker valued at $12 Billion, is actually a Boston Native.

Boom! Gotta love my City.

The Miami Urban Weekend Survival Guide

        Let me start of by saying this Miami trip trumps last year's one by leaps and bounds.  Maybe its because I can remember all of this trip lol.  But nonetheless here is what I've learned in my escapades down in South Beach to help you survive and have a successful time...

Never Underestimate the Power of Courteousness:  Free umbrellas on the beach, free drinks and shots at restaurants were all results of just treating people well.  Our waitresses Paula and Sible MADE our trip. Treat them well and tip them well and you will be rewarded :).  NOTE: If you want to leave a very generous tip, make sure to tip them in cash, or check what the restaurants policy is on tip sharing.  You don't wanna leave a hefty amount that they will only see 30% of.

Excessive Liquor and Intense Sun do not Mix:  There will be drinking and sun...LOTS of it.  But be forewarned they do not mix.  You will be left exhausted and sickly, neither of which you want to be on vacation.  To avoid combining the two like I did, either stay in the shade if you decide to drink, or not drink and be free to soak up the sun like a little solar panel.

Woman Down!:  If by chance you find yourself face down on the pavement because your heel got caught in a crack, simply play it off as if you were drunk (even though you were as sober as a nun).  Chances are people think you are toasted either way.

First AID: If you cut yourself (as a result of falling on pavement or by other means) and don't have any antiseptic, use plain old non-flavored vodka.  Works like a charm.

8 Girls, 1 Condo:  Ever put 8 women in one small condo for 6 days? Yea me neither, until this trip.  There will be arguments and it will get messy (literally).  Best advice? Pick and choose your battles and don't take anything too personal because chances are everyone will love each other again in the morning.

Judgement Free Zone:  While in Miami during Urban Weekend, you will see some things that no human being should see (ratchedness is ramped at this time). But bare in mind that 90% of the people here are there for an escape from there own realities so let loose and be free.  Take this opportunity to do things you wouldn't normally do, talk to people you would usually be too shy to approach, and wear all the things you never imagined wearing outside the comforts of your own bedroom.  I promise you if you do this you will have a ball, plus you never know what or whom may come of it ;)

YOLO!

25 Days of Blessings: Lattes, Flights and Blazers

          A few of my favorite things this weekend. As I sit on the plane sipping my chai tea latte from Seattle coffee waiting to land in Boston I can’t help but be thankful that I can just hop on a plane to visit my friend in ATL, treat her to nice things and myself as well. I’m blessed that I am able to afford the nicer things I want out of life.

          While in ATL I stuffed my face with delicious artery clogging food, spent some money at Perimeter Mall where I discovered my new obsession with blazers and skin care products, and finally enjoyed my first ride in first class (for free :D).  Great weekend, just wish it would have lasted a little longer.



The City of Angles and the Lone Star State

          So what did I learn you might ask on my travels to the west and south? Well in Los Angeles I learned that the west coast as far as southern California goes, is a little bit overrated. Unfortunately there are a lot of homeless people and the place isn't as glamorous as they make it out to be on TV. Now I might be biased because I didn't make my way to either one of the amusement parks (Disneyland and Universal Studios) I intend to go to, but I imagine if I had, it would have brightened my outlook on the trip a bit. But one thing I absolutely enjoyed aside from Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles was the Santa Monica Pier. While it wasn't sunny or warm enough to fully enjoy the beach the view from atop of the Ferris wheel as amazing. Definitely a highlight of the trip.

          Now would I go back to LA?  Ah maybe, maybe not.  I guess it would depend on the people I went with it. The club scene I must add was much better than what I experience in Boston, Worcester, and maybe even Providence. $20 will get you a huge venue inside and out, free strawberries (I know I'm a food addict), and decent priced drinks.

          As for Texas, well what they say is right, everything is bigger in Texas. It seems like everyone and their grandma (literally) drives a monster sized truck. The airport was huge and so was this one church I passed on my way to the hotel.  It was legit the size of Gillette stadium. Though aside from my ride to the hotel and the airport I didn't get to see much of Dallas. The trip was for a work training so I really only saw the inside of the hotel and the airport because getting anywhere in the evening was impossible unless you wanted to pay $100+ to get Fort Worth or Dallas. Everything was so spread out, so it took at least 30 min to get anywhere worth going.

          I'll have to go back and actually explore the city. But either way I had to pick up a souvenir from the airport so I though a Texas longhorns hoodie would do :). As for LA, my souvenir of choice was a cute Hollywood tea mug that came complete with a spoon. 

          Well that will be all the new places I explore for a while (trying to pay off some debt and replenish my savings accounts) but my next trip is my annual one down in the dirty south to ATL.  Best friends graduation in December so I have to be there.  Maybe this time I will actually go out clubbing :).