Summer Getaway: Avalon, NJ

 

We all have one.

That one vacation spot that holds a special place in our hearts.
Not so much because of the location, but rather because of the people you get to spend time with while you are there.

Avalon is that place for me.
It is the one time of year where the majority of my family gets together for a week of sun, sand and laughter.

No matter how many times I walk the beaches in this tiny cozy town I never get tired of the sights or the people.
I especially will never get tired of the ice-cream.
That ice-cream shop pictured above is pure heaven and if i could have one wish it would be to have a window to that ice-cream shop in my home.

It could be because of my amazing family or the ice cream.
Silky sandy beaches or the sunsets that can steal your breath and make you appreciate the little things.
Avalon slows down time for me, I can catch my breath.
A week of worry free bliss.
I only leave with good memories and a countdown set to next year.

Where is your special vacation spot?
Have you ever visited Avalon?

Let me know in the comments!

xoxo

Rachel

Perfectly Posh Haul: Look Natural

I have fallen in love with Perfectly Posh Products!

Although I have friends who have been a fan of these products for awhile my first chance to try them was in my spring Ipsy bag!
I received a travel sized container of BFF: Best Face Forever and Oh My Gosh I fell in love right then and there!

After using all of my sample size I was ready to commit to some full size products!
I was pleasantly surprised to find that they have a whole range of natural products called you guessed it!
Look Natural!

My shipment arrived yesterday and these are the goodies I’ve ordered!
I can already tell that I am going to like the Big Bath Bar, it smells wonderful even through the packaging!
I am looking forward to using all of these products and I will be sure to do a review once I’ve tried all of them to tell you what I think!

The Products

BFF: Best Face Forever    Exfoliating Face Wash
Day to Night: You Are The One   Facial Moisturizer
Shine Bright Like a Diamond: Mircoderm Scrub
Love Me Dew: Hydrating Face Oil 
Whole Lava Love: Volcanic Ash Exfoliator 
Never Grow Up: Anti-Aging Fine Line Fixer
Never Grow Up: Anti-Aging Moisturizer
Bless Your Heart: Big Bath Bar

What do you think of the Perfectly Posh products?
Any your favorites that I should try?

Let me know in the comments?

xoxo

Rachel

Unicorn Hair

A few weeks ago I decided to take the plunge and finially book my appointment to have the fashion colors I have wanted for months done!
Mostly my bravery was all thanks to my wonderful friend who has rocked fashion colors for the last few years.

Although it was very nervous about doing something so drastic to my hair I was also very excited.
It wasn’t the fact that I didn’t think I could pull it off, more of the fact that I was uncertain if it would turn out the way I had pictured it in my mind.

I arrived bright and early at the salon for my 11am and I didn’t end up leaving until 4pm!
It is a very lengthy time wise since it is a two step dying process and the colors have to be hand blended in the middle to achieve the most natural look.

The first step was the lightener!

Who knew my hair could be that blonde!
But I actually kind of liked it, it was very interesting!

Next was step two where my colorist mixed the colors purple and pink and began hand painting each individual color into my hair!

This took the longest because I have very thick hair.
Then I had to sit for an hour to let the color process!

But as you can see even though I was at the salon for a very long time the end result as worth it!

Final thoughts on fashion colors, I absolutely love it and I am so happy I went ahead and did it!!
I’m looking forward to my next color change!
I don’t think I can ever go back to having normal hair now!

Have you ever tried and crazy colors?
Do you have any suggestions on what my next colors should be?
Tell me in the comments!

xoxo

Rachel

Just Say Yes

I am feeling pretty nostalgic this past evening since summer officially ends today.
Tomorrow marks the beginning of the new school year, more things added to my already busy schedule and paper writing…..oh joy.
But that’s not what I want this post to be about.

This time last Sunday I set off on a spontaneous adventure.
As you may or may not know I am no stranger to last minute travel for work.
Airports feel like home to me since I have spent so much of my time in them and I can be packed in 15 minutes.

But this trip was different.
Sometimes different can make me feel a lot of anxiety; especially toward new things.
It was my first time visiting Virginia Beach and a pretty great person.
I had a wonderful time and I’ll be sharing some pictures throughout this post.

But I want to focus on what I learned by just saying yes and deciding to go on this adventure.

From my perspective it is a very important lesson.

Firstly,
I want to encourage just saying yes to things!
Even if saying yes makes you nervous.
Go on that trip with excitement in your eyes and hope in my heart.
Go to that party.
Accept that invitation.
Say yes a new  challenge!
Take on that new project!

Just say yes!

When you say yes to things, saying those words can open so many new opportunities, new friends, and  going places you have never been before.
When you take the opprotunties that are presented to you, you will be able to get more out of life.

When you just say yes to things in life, you let go of fears, insecurities and anxieties.
It may be a small step in your eyes, it may be a big step or it may not seem life a very big deal to you at all.
But  the prospect of missing out on an experiences, missing out on living life, I feel like that is more terrifying than anything.
Just go out and do it!
We can’t let anxiety or anything really stop us in life.

Sometimes moments in life are worth taking a chance.
Sometimes people in life are worth taking a chance on.
New adventures await around every corner if you are brave enough to seek them out.

Just saying yes for me in this moment meant being an hour early to the airport
(partly because I wasn’t sure about security things)
Only being able to read 10 pages of a book while waiting in said airport because I couldn’t wait for the adventure to begin.
Getting on a tiny airplane.
(smallest one ever, but strangely adorable)
AND my favorite part, hugging the person you are going to visit when you arrive.
(Let’s face it, hugs are the best)

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Maybe things won’t be perfect.
Maybe you will have to be flexible.
But you will get to make great memories!
At the very least you will have had a new experience!
And with the new experience the confidence to know you can just say yes to something else in the future.

But you will never know unless you take a chance.

I for one, am going to start just say yes more often.
What is life without new adventures.

I certainly would have been sad to miss out on this one.
Being brave and just saying yes made my heart so happy.
Not only because of the fun things I got to experience but also the confidence it gave me for present and future.
With the confidence to try new things, you can be unstoppable.
It was nice to have a change of pace.
My adventure was full of hugs, sun & sand, amazing food, thoughtful surprises and just a truly wonderful person to share the whole experience with.
I am sure you are well aware that I am a firm believer that it’s the people who are with your that make an experience great.

 

Saying yes was a great decision and I am so glad I didn’t miss out on an opportunity to make memories with someone I enjoy spending time with.

Now go out and say yes to your next great adventure!
Even if it might be a small one.

You won’t regret it, I promise!
In fact, you may leave your adventure excited to plan another.

What have you said yes to this summer?
Have you gone on any great adventures?

Let me know in the comments!

xoxo

Rachel