St. Barts!!!

Finally I got to check out the infamous island of St. Barts!  For years I've heard about this place, it's super exclusive, beautiful, and high class.  I must say, it did not disappoint.  I was lucky enough to go with a guy I was dating at the time, who's been a few times.  He knew the lay of the land, and where cool restaurants and beaches were.

We stayed in this cute place in the hills with an amazing view of St. Jean and Eden Rock (above).  We had dinner at Eden Rock the first night and it was very romantic.  The weather was perfect; we sat outside on a deck overlooking the ocean while my hair and silk dress blew in the wind.  The food was great, too.  We shared scallops with truffle gnocchi and a veal chop with mushrooms.  What an amazing experience on day 1 in St. Barts!  

Day 2 we drove around for a little bit.  We rented a mini VW convertible which was super fun. Most of the cars on the island are small, and the way the roads whip and turn you feel like you're in a video game!  We checked out some viewpoints then came home and made breakfast.  

We headed back out to check out Nikki Beach.  This place was gorgeous, a white themed classy beach club kissed by turquoise water.  The vibe here is high caliber, you're surrounded by people living life to the fullest! 

Saturday night we checked out Bagatelle.  There's one in NYC, so if you know Bagatelle you know exactly what you're getting into, FUN!  

The next morning we cooked breakfast again.  It's so nice to sleep in, make coffee, and have your boyfriend cook you breakfast, again.  :)

You know how beach vacations go.  They're quite chill.  We really had no agenda other than to keep checking out the island, drive around, have a drink, lay out, beach it, drink again, repeat.  Oh yeah, and eat!  So that's what we did.  

We had dinner at Le Ti the last night.  That place is sexy!  They do a burlesque show almost every hour!  The vibe is sexy, sexy people, great ambiance, great food.  Definitely a must see in St. Barts!

The flight out was just as beautiful as the experience.  I sure hope I can get back to St. Barts one day.  :)

Arriving at 5:20 p.m.

Tonight was my first yoga class since Thursday, (I'm still on my post Thanksgiving workout kick), and I was so excited to be there!  The first thing I thought when I laid down on my mat was, I've arrived.  That thought surprised me, mainly because it was 5:20 p.m. and I'd been up since 7:00 a.m.  I worked all day, and not until 5:20 p.m. I felt like I had arrived?  Huh?  Was I not awake all day? Maybe it's like I wasn't awake on the inside?

What an unexpected moment of perspective.  To realize how much time I had been awake, but not feeling like I had arrived.  What does that mean?  Maybe it's just as simple as yoga being my happy place and finally, I was there?

Maybe.  But why don't we feel that alive, all the time?  We should!  This is not a dress rehearsal folks, we only get one shot at this life.  Often we get so caught up in our mundane tasks and patterns we forget to actually LIVE.

I just finished "tuesdays with Morrie" which basically outlines that exact thought.  It's about a middle aged man reflecting back on his college years' fond memories of his favorite professor.  He finds out this professor has a terminal illness and decides to visit him, not knowing the rest of his life would be forever changed.  I don't want to ruin the ending, but the principal is that life is short, and we often don't do what we REALLY want until we know we're running out of time.  Until we know our chances are diminishing.  Isn't that so ridiculous.  We're all guilty of it.  It's easy to get caught up in your lucrative career because it provides you a great lifestyle, when really you would love to be an art teacher or back up dancer.  You create a life (and bills) up to your pay check and it's just too hard to turn back from it.  Yeah, that sounds real familiar.

Anyway - I just wanted to share, because hopefully this is inspiring to someone.  I'm definitely inspired.  If we could all live to our full potential, and follow our real passion and not be afraid to let our authentic light shine on this world, it would be a much better place.

Working on brightening my light, grab your sunglasses folks!!  ;)

Juicy Peaches

I really enjoyed my conversation tonight with one of my best girlfriends.  I've known her for 16 years.  We lived together in college, we would dance together at frat parties and laugh until the weeeee hours of the morning.  Are you asleep we would ask each other laying in our bunk beds.....  Nope.

She just moved to Cincinnati for her husband's promotion.  They have a 1 year old and everything is different and unfamiliar to her in this new town of two months.  Tonight she described how her toddler threw his fork at her because he couldn't puncture his juicy peach sliding around on his plate, and how every home in her new town has history.  She has an 80 year old neighbor that teaches emotional support dance classes where you pour your emotions into modern dance as therapy.  This lady actually has a dance floor in her living room.  I mean, WHAT!  Why are you not there right now!  That may be one of the most amazing things I've ever heard.

We also chatted about my new life in NYC.  My job, my travels, and my dating life which is nothing short of entertaining.  I should write a book she said....  I've heard that before.  But what is the purpose of pouring out your most sensitive, hilarious, frightening, crazy, and emotional experiences onto paper?  It would be a great story they have said....  Is that what they write movies about?

Tonight was a special moment for me.  I was finally able to look at myself and see myself in solidarity.  A reflection from my friend.  One who I love and trust.  A welcoming perspective, clear and beautiful.  Her life beautiful.  My life beautiful.  A moment of seeing time, this intangible in a moment.  Tonight not only did I feel it, I saw it.  A picture of 16 years, vividly clear in one place.  Our growth, collectively and individually.  Of life, how it works, how it happens, and how it unfolds.

Collect moments, not things, they say....

Tonight was special.  Little Jose and his juicy peach.  ;)

I Keeps It Moving

A great woman takes risks, keeps moving, exploring the corners of her world to uncover how much more she can shine to contribute to better this world and herself.  

Some relationships are forever.

Some experiences are not. 

Experience as many chapters as you can in this life. Create more space for discovery in your life. But streamline the values you desire throughout all of them. 

Experience. This. World.

That is all.  #ThoughtOfTheDay 

In A Flash

Where did it start if it never really began

A whirlwind, I never thought this could've been the end

Flashing lights cover dim bulbs
Bulbs fragile like entering a new world
Comfort cracking breaks our familiar peace
Bulbs dropping breaking us into exposed pieces
Enduring the awkward always trumps defeat
Candy stores sometimes, they're just too damn sweet

Eggshells

I can feel myself growing out of my shell.  I'm cracking.  Like a bird breaking out of his shell to start his life, I am going through a rebirth.  One that has probably been 10 years in the making.  A skin I am shedding, but the experiences always there.

It's like going through your old clothes.  Do you have shirts or jeans you've had for 10 years?  10 years?????  I know I can barely believe it, but I was guilty of that.  You finally get tired of the "same old shit."  My shell is cracking from interior growth, and now my exterior wants a revamp too.  I demand to celebrate myself more fiercely in every way.

Each day I walk on my eggshells in frustration and excitement.  "They say it's about the journey."  UGH.  And the end is death and/or being so old, or retiring.  I don't want it to be done.  Maybe that's what I'm afraid of.  That time is passing too fast.  I'm still unsure about so many things, direction, investment, wow how much more time do I have?  How has this much time passed?

I must act.  I must change gears.  A higher gear.


I'm evolving into a real woman.  New York has evoked change upon me.  If New York teaches you anything, it forces you to know yourself.  You really have no other choice.  The energy and people around you, it's about survival really.  At 34 I think I finally feel like an adult.  Kinda.  ;)  I'm rediscovering who I want to be,  and learning how to blast this new inner light to its maximum.  Getting to know yourself like you're getting to know a new friend.  Perspective is changing, reevaluating your purpose.  It's scary and exciting at the same time, and with a rebirth I can only become...better.

Hi eggshells, I see you.  :)

Walk the Brooklyn Bridge!

If you're visiting New York City, one of the things you must do is walk the Brooklyn Bridge!!!! I live in New York City and I still love doing it! Although I only do it when I have friends and family in town, I've done it three times now and still love it every time!

I prefer to walk from Brooklyn toward Manhattan because you get the beautiful skyline in the background! It's about a mile long so it goes pretty fast, make sure to take a lot of pictures! :)

Another cool thing about walking toward Manhattan, is you're fairly close to the World Trade Center Memorial. It's about a 10 minute walk once you get off the bridge, and totally worth it.

Another tip, if you take the ferry you'll get a nice view of the city! Head out from either the Greenpoint or N. Williamsburg ferry landing. It's either a $4 or $6 per person depending on the day, with amazing skyline views before you even start the bridge walk. You'll get to go under the Williamsburg Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, and the Brooklyn Bridge!

Enjoy! :)

Sound Particles at National Sawdust!

I heard rave reviews about this cool new music venue in Brooklyn, so I knew I had to check it out.  It's called National Sawdust, and no corners were cut in designing this magnificent space! I browsed their calendar and pulled the trigger on this interesting show called Sound Particles. It was just what you think it would be, cool beats over nice visuals. Yeah, bro. So cool, especially after a few bourbons.

I actually found out about this place from a guy named Don. I met him some months back at a restaurant nearby. I was at the bar with my girlfriend and he walks up chatting us up. He was telling us about this AMAZING show he just witnessed at this AMAZING music venue nearby. I said, whaaaaat, where?! And it was National Sawdust!

Since then Don and I keep in touch and grab a drink every once in a while. He is hilarious! I was honored to have him as my guest at my first show in this uber cool venue. He's such a cool water buffalo. You said it Don, not me!!  ;)

I heard this place was state of the art, and I must say it was amazing. This place was also beautiful, visually. The inside was marshmallow white, walls and ceiling with abstract black accents. I was in awe the entire time I was there. What's even better is you can order food and drinks at your table!  Good bourbon and cheesy rolls were on the menu.  Yes!

The show was cool. Could have been better, of course, but I really enjoyed it. Don't want to give too much away, but it started out kind of slow, almost monotonous for a few minutes, but it slowly built up almost like a song, but the show was an hour long. The visuals morphed as well. All in all it was very cool, nice, and fun.

If you're ever in Williamsburg in Brooklyn, or want to plan a visit, see what's playing at National Sawdust!

Cabo!

Finally I got to visit Cabo San Lucas! 

For years I dreamt of going to Cabo and had eyed staying at the Riu Palace, but when my best friend Clinton checked out Costco Travel we changed our plans. We stayed at Los Cabos Marquis and this hotel was amazing! This adults only resort was perfect, with impeccable service and views.

So Clinton and I have been friends for 15 years! We had such a blast cutting up, eating and drinking all day. This was our first drink when we touched down in Cabo, a mango frozen margarita with tequila! Little did we now this would be the drink of the week!

This resort, was spectacular. The building, the grounds, the view, all breathtaking. In every turn you saw a new angle of paradise. This was the first morning I woke up and caught the sunrise.

The resort was located in a small bay, one side with endless water views and the other with rocky edges. We took a walk one day down to the rocks. :)

That walk was our only exercise. Everyday our routine was breakfast, pool, drink, drink, order food at the pool, drink, nap, drink, repeat. Below are the "fish tacos" I ordered. They were pretty good.

Now of course I can't go to the beach without taking yoga photos!!!! That would just not be right!!! :)

We met the coolest people there, from all around the world but surprisingly quite a few from the south! What a small world!!!!

The pools at this resort were awesome! They overlooked the ocean and all day you got that "infinity pool" view - incredible.

We never left the resort so I can't recommend anything else in Cabo this time around. But I would totally stay here again. I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone looking to get away from it all.

New Kitty Pics!!!

It's been a while since I've added pictures to my "Meow" tab.  JJKitty is officially getting older, but he is still the sweetest thing ever.  Here's a little taste of the updates you'll see on my kitty page...  :)

Welcome To New York City...

Where people don't know where the fuck they're going.

Where there are tourists everywhere, in your way. 

Where people walk 3 people wide on sidewalks, holding hands, like this isn't the busiest city in the country. 

Where people don't take off their book bag on the subway, like they're supposed to, so you are cram smashed into book bags and people around you. 

Where people just stop mid stride in the middle of the sidewalk like there is no one behind you. 

Where people wear whatever they want because this city is cool like that. 

Where most restaurants are barely a few tables wide. 

Where you have to have a purpose, or you will get mowed over. 

Where there are way too many unfortunate dogs cramped up in small apartments. 

Where there are amazing sunsets on the daily.

Where every street is dirty but you don't care because you are in the coolest city in the world.



New York city throws everything at you, but that's the best way to realize what you can, will and won't tolerate.  A fast track of testing your patience and devotion.  It's the best city to learn the most about yourself in the shortest amount of time.  It's raw, scary and amazing, all at the same time.  Excitement at its best.  

L3VE

When you realize it's love we're all searching for 

It's all that we need 

And it's all out there 

If we just choose to see
-me

Quotes

Who doesn't love quotes! I just posted some new "quote boxes" under my quote page. Instagram get ready!!! :)

My First NYC "Blizzard"

29 inches. That's it?  Yes, that's how much snow came down in New York City last weekend!   Winter storm Jonas really delivered!!!

This is my first winter in NYC, and I could NOT wait to see what this blizzard was all about!    I had a plan:  Ski gear, check! Friend, check! Go Pro, check!  The snow is here....lets GO!!!

The snow didn't start until 10pm on Friday night.  It was like Christmas Eve, knowing I would wake up Saturday morning to a winter wonderland!  And boy did I!  It actually snowed ALL DAY LONG!  Look how excited we were!!!!

Well let me back up..  the first thing I wanted to do was make my first NYC snow angel!!!  The first beautiful patch of snow I saw, I knew I had to drop down and get my angel on.  YAY!

Now that I got my snow angel out of the way, it was time to EXPLORE!!!!!

We wandered around the city, trekking through the snow in the middle of the streets, taking pictures, I felt like a kid in a candy store!  

To be quite honest, I was surprised that this storm was the second worst snowstorm in NYC history!!!  Growing up in the south, all you hear about is how cold New York is, how much SNOW they get, blah blah blah.  So I thought two feet, aka 24 inches, was a regular thing.  So now 29 inches is a big deal?!  I was quite surprised!  But I get it, it's the clean up, the inconvenience of not having public transportation, people can't get around, potential power outages, etc.

But I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed myself!  Not only was it so much fun stomping around in fluffy snow, but it was beautiful!!!!!  

Most New Yorkers are like "bah humbug" when it comes to snow.  I mean C'MON!!!!!  I mean, it's obviously not that bad since they are still living here.  But in life what you experience depends on your attitude.  Snow is going to come down, love it or hate it is up to you!  

I definitely loved it, and I cannot wait for the next one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good Will Hunting After Thoughts

I just got finished watching Good Will Hunting, and now I'm sitting in my room in complete silence, the TV off. It's a Friday night in New York City and I decided to stay in and relax. I cooked dinner and I knew I wanted to watch a movie of some sort. After multiple scrolls and searches I settled on Good Will Hunting, like it should do.

I hadn't seen this movie in years, I actually can't believe it's almost 20 years old. But wow, what a great movie. Everything about it is great.

I love things that touch me to my core. I love things that make my world stop, that make me think, that make me look around and REALLY look at things, and really see things. How often do you ever really look and see what's around you. To REALLY take the time to stop, think, reflect, feel… It's as if there's a funnel from the universe to my chest flowing like a rapid into my soul. Making me wonder, making me question, making me feel the deepest and most honest thoughts.

Unfortunately these moments aren't frequent. They are few and far between. Whether they are movies, people you meet, connections, something rocks you enough to stop you. That forces you to reflect and look at life. It's such a beautiful experience.

This post is somewhat random, but I had to acknowledge this moment. The moment that you wish you could drag on forever. That you could bottle up and give away to people so they can feel what you're feeling right now.

BEAUTIFUL BERMUDA!

I didn't know what to expect when arriving in Bermuda. Honestly, for some reason I had no expectations. All I knew was that it was another "beautiful place" and I couldn't wait to see how much turquoise water I could find.

MY GOD was I impressed.

We stayed at the beautiful Cambridge Beaches. This place makes you feel like you're walking around a posh exotic country club. The grounds were exquisite and everyone was so nice.

Our first night there we had dinner on the beach at the resort, it was such a beautiful experience.

So Bermuda is a small island, maybe 22 miles long. You can drive from one end of the island to the other in an hour, on a scooter! We figured that out by accident by the way, haha.

I've always said BoraBora was the most beautiful place I've ever seen. But let me tell you, Bermuda is in my top three! The water around this island is breathtaking. Beautiful turquoise water hugged every turn of this island. I was so impressed!

Each day we tried to check out a new beach. There are so many picturesque beaches!

Bermuda is the epitome of class, cuisine and beach. From fine dining to local takeout, kindness is the underlying denominator to this majestic small island. There are plenty of things to do like snorkeling, scuba diving, jet skiing, etc.

Also, you MUST try a fish sandwich, the island has a fish sandwich competition every year! Below is a picture from Woody's, a true local joint. It was amazing. But my favorite fish sandwich was from Art Mel's.

Check out this gorgeous island if you get the chance!