Space Case Me

I'm a wandering soul with chameleon-like tendencies. Tracking me down can be tricky! I am constantly chasing my passions and searching for a dose of inspiration. 

I'm a freedom finding babe from Houston, Texas. I grew up in the city, but stuck to my tomboy ways, climbing trees, playing in the dirt and making friends with every little critter I could find. I've always been more comfortable outdoors. I love getting lost, going on adventures and I definitely don't mind taking the road less traveled. 

I moved to San Diego for college where I studied Journalism with an emphasis in Public Relations at SDSU! I fell in love with the city, but mostly the beach and made some of the best friends a girl could ever ask for there! My restless ways brought me to Maui after graduating from college and realizing an office job wasn't for me. 

I don't eat meat, but I never get sick of sushi! My favorite color is orange and I never wear the color purple! I changed my own diapers and learned to tie my shoes when I was 2! I love doing yoga but I hate running! I'm addicted to online shopping, but dread trying on clothes. I'm a hardcore gemini, but I'm terrible at talking. I love to read and write but I'm insanely afraid of public speaking. I hate taking showers, but wouldn't mind a bath full of bubbles! I could live at music festivals forever, where you'll find me jumping, dancing and jamming with my besties! I love my little sister more than words can describe! My grandpa is my biggest hero and my fiancé is my best friend!

A day in the life of me is different from one day to the next. I'm what you'd call a melting pot of passions. It's hard for me to focus on one thing. I love spending time on the coast, swimming and hiking and taking photos. You can also find me daydreaming, adventuring into the woods or with my head buried in my bead box making jewelry. I'm a space case, but I like it that way. 

Inspiration has always been huge for me. If I'm feeling uninspired, something in life needs to change. I'm constantly searching for the next thing to do, next place to visit and next hike to explore. New experiences spark that fire in my belly. If you know me well, you know I'm quite shy until I get to know you. I definitely don't wear my heart on my sleeve. I keep everything to myself unless I know I can trust you. The people you surround yourself with are incredibly important. I may not have a huge group of friends, but the ones I do have mean the world to me! They are my ride or die! I am incredibly lucky to know some of the most amazing individuals. They are constantly driving me to create and follow my dreams. I value and appreciate each and every one of you!

As much as I love a day of adventure, I can honestly say a day spent doing nothing with my boy and my bunny are the best days I could ever ask for! I always feel so unproductive, but it's so rewarding at the same time!

My biggest piece of advice is to slow down and enjoy the moment. I'm naturally a very restless person. I always feel an itch to be moving or doing something, but I've recently noticed when I'm able to take the time to mellow out, be an observer and get comfortable in the space I'm in, I'm much happier!

The two most important things in life are love and freedom. Once you know what love is, you can truly understand why love conquers all. Freedom is the ability to be yourself, unrestricted and without any stress or worry. It is the ability to wake up in the morning and go somewhere you've never been before because you feel like it. Freedom to me is floating in the ocean and feeling comfortable enough in your own skin to do so. One of the greatest things about living in America is having the ability to control your own freedom. As soon as you realize this, nobody can take that away from you!

Fitted Tank: Truly Madly Deeply, Floral High Waist Shorts: Urban Outfitters,
Twiggy Circle Sunnies: Free People, Necklace: Third Eye Pinecones

He Who Plants a Garden, Plants Happiness

The sun lingers just a bit longer behind the Maui mountains this time of year, just as my body begs to linger just a bit longer in bed. In the evening, cool Napili breezes roll in, washing away the summery heat radiating off the island's beaches, leaving behind relief and the undeniable scent that summer is gone. 

Halloween always seems to kick things off with notes of oranges all around. I may not get to see leaves fall or smell those wood smoke mornings, but the anticipation of my first whale sighting is well on its way. Taking a drive upcountry takes me out of the wildness of summer and into the arrival of autumn. 

This is a time to pay attention, to be mindful and aware of our routines and practices and to set intentions for the introspective season at our doorstep. Fall is a time to turn inward and reflect on the months that came before the days yet to arrive. It's a time of experience, when the weather grants us leeway to get outside and explore destinations away from summer's shores. 

Think about the experiences and value you hope to add to your life this season.

 

"And just like that Summer fell into Fall"

Bodysuit: Verge Girl, Plaid Skort: Nasty Gal, Lace Up Booties: Jeffrey Campbell

To Reunite with Close Friends is to Experience a Feeling of Home

600 curves, 59 bridges and a breathtaking ride to paradise...

It's raw, organic, pure and refreshing. 

It's a breath of fresh air. 

Every time I'm here, I teeter into the gorgeous feeling of the unknown.

It's a place we come to connect, with ourselves, each other and Mother Nature.  

 We are constantly being drawn to all aspects of the natural world around us. Constantly in awe of nature's creations.

We come to create nights we'll always remember, spent with the people we'll never forget.

Nights that turned into mornings, spent laughing, reminiscing, and story telling. Falling asleep under the stars, listening to the sound of rain and knowing what it's like to be alive.

Allow yourself to be in awe of nature's creations and always be grateful for them.

Months may pass, or even years, yet somehow, you always seem to pick up exactly where you left off. Past, present and future all mold into one. 

The conditions of the outdoors stripped down the non-necessities of daily life, and here we are... Just us, ten friends sharing a weekend together. 

When the activities of daily life become too much to handle, know that there's an ocean of stillness that always lives within you. 

"Keep close to nature's heart... and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain, or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean" - John Muir

This season, plan something with your crew. Maybe it's a trip to a city across the country, or even over seas, maybe it's a trip to a restaurant across the street. Wherever you go and whatever you do don't matter, it's the people that will be there and the uniqueness each person brings to the group as a whole. When good friends come together, magic just seems to happen. 

Home is where your heart is full. You feel a constant euphoria and you never want to leave that moment that you wish could last forever. 

Lahaina Pali Trail

Happy Fall Y'all! I can't believe it's already mid October and we're welcoming the crisp autumn air, crunchy leaves, pumpkins and chunky knits... oh wait... I'm dreaming of them at least...

This past summer was a whirlwind full of traveling, new friendships, sunny days, delicious food, hard work, laughter and of course good times! Thank you summer!

I'm kicking off the season with a new hike, done never before! I know, hard to believe right? This island may be small, but it's full of adventure! And although we've done countless hikes here, there's always new ones to be discovered and conquered!

Lahaina Pali Trail: Rugged, strenuous and slow going but full of stunning panorama views of Maui, Haleakala and Kaho'olawe. Starting from the Ukumehame side, when you reach the top after about 3 miles uphill, you're surrounded by windmills! They're big, beautiful and definitely rewarding after such a grueling climb. The windmills mark the trail's half way point, and this is where we turned around. But, if you decide to continue, the descent down the opposite side of the mountain is another 2.5 miles. Make sure to park a car on either side, otherwise you have 2 choices: hike another 5 miles back or hitchhike it! 

Although we don't get a change of seasons in Maui, I'll be looking forward to the whales arriving, picking pumpkins from the Kula Farms Pumpkin Patch and a drop in temperature! Yep! A whole 5 degrees! And of course rainy days in Napili! 

What are you dreamers looking forward to this Fall?