Browsing Tag

travel

travel United States

Newport Beach and VEGAS

Where did 2013 go? Seriously, I’ve failed pretty miserably at blogging this year, but I’ve been in my own quarter-life crisis mode trying to get it all figured out. It’s not all figured out but I’m feeling better than I was a year ago. I’ve been so busy with a move (no more commute!) and work – always work! It’s a good thing I love what I do. But I am working on posting more regularly, and for the first time in a long time I started sketching again. I still got it. Amazing what a little focus will do. And with that… It’s already been more than 2 months since my vacation in Newport Beach & Las Vegas. And another one is fast approaching! When I take a vacation somewhere in the U.S. I’ve been grouping multiple cities into one trip. Last year was L.A. & Chicago. This year was Newport Beach (for a wedding) followed by Las Vegas. Newport Beach & our dear friend’s wedding was beautiful. It was on a boat & I’m so glad we made the trip to share this day with them. Their family & friends were SO welcoming & kind. I left feeling…

November 19, 2013
Hawaii travel

Fun in the Sun in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Hawaii was a much needed vacation away from the grey, cold, rain filled skies of Seattle. There is no better way to reset for a new year than with a trip to paradise. We stayed in a condo on Ali’i Drive, about a mile south of Kona. Our family friends have a condo so we had our own little party the whole time. It was a short trip, 4 full days, 2 days of travel but I completely relaxed the entire time there. Every morning we would go sit down at the waterfront and watch for dolphins and whales. I am a master whale spotter for some reason and the whole time I was spotting whales left and right. Made my trip. There are dolphins just to the left of the boat. Unfortunately the iPhone camera isn’t that amazing with range. We spent one day driving the whole island. Hilo is too rainy even by Seattle standards and that is saying a lot. The east side of the island had some beautiful but fierce looking coastline. The drive to the volcano & through the park was my favorite part about the trip. We passed through as we did the island…

January 15, 2013
travel United States

Beverly Hills, that’s where I want to be – Los Angeles Part 3

I ended up switching hotels halfway through the week to stay in Beverly Hills for two nights, and it was an experience I will not easily forget. I stayed at the Beverly Hills Plaza Hotel & Spa and could not believe the size of my room. It was a one bedroom apartment, complete with living and dining rooms and a kitchen that was bigger than one of my apartments in college. It was a classy hotel, while it did seem dated compared to say the Ritz Carlton, it was dated in an old Hollywood kind of way. Very clean, very very kind staff, I’ve honestly never been treated so well at a hotel. It was a fun upscale experience, and the pool was a god send on our 95 degree October day, Villa Blanca was on my list of must go to places while in LA. I am a huge fan of Lisa Vanderpump and had wanted to eat in one of her restaurants. The decor was stunning, the service was amazing (the waiter who served us was also adorable). The food was unbelievable and the mojito I had was delicious. Will definitely be returning whenever I make it back.…

November 8, 2012
travel

playing catch up – part 2

It’s funny how you can grow up in a place and still find new places. I went to Spokane to see family and relax. That led to an impromptu visit to a family friend’s lake cabin on Pend Oreille Lake. We took a boat ride on the lake, and it completed summer for me. I established a life goal then as well: boat & lake cabin. The next weekend after that trip we visited Orondo, and it was mid cherry harvest. Finally got see the boyfriend’s family operation. You don’t really realize (or I didn’t anyway) how many pounds upon pounds, probably tons, of cherries come out of an orchard until you see a bin. Just one. I’ve never seen so many cherries! I’ve been back and forth across the state a number of times just this summer. Another trip is coming up & another trip to Portland is coming too!…

August 7, 2012
travel United States

Adventures in Omaha – It’s Better Than You Think

I’m sure there are parts of the midwest that just aren’t enjoyable. Omaha is not one of those places. Perhaps it is the lack of sunshine in my life, the West Coast is incredibly gloomy, and Omaha is incredibly sunny and warm and I was looking forward to that, and for my family, including my grandma, who we call báka (grandma in serbo-croatian), to all be in one place. My brother graduated from his first four years of college (he will be continuing on in the medical field), and it was overall a fantastic weekend. Omaha is actually full of some incredibly unique boutiques, and I found some amazing pieces of art, jewelry and clothing. The Old Market area is my favorite part of the city. Old brick streets, shops and restaurants with the “old midwest” kind of feel to them.   I went into a local art shop, Curbside Clothing, that has been around for only a year and completely fell in love with all this artist’s work. His name is Gerard Pefung. I love the elephants.   Fashion snags from Omaha:   I bought 2 rings from a local artist, I love how unique the wire handwrapped rings…

May 24, 2012