{ My Disney Story }

Happy Thursday! 
Today I am talking all about how my love and passion for Disney got started, grew, and took me on this amazing journey that has lead me to where/who I am today!

Many people can remember their very first trip to a Disney park, as it is a memory that will last a lifetime. How they felt, what they thought about the castle, how excited they were, etc... I personally do not remember my first trip to Disneyland, or the second, third, fourth, tenth... and that's OK. I have lived in Southern California my whole life and have been visiting Disneyland ever since I was a kid... For me, every time I enter the park it feels so familiar yet so undiscovered. When I step onto Disney property, I feel like I am home, however I know there is so much unexpected magic in store. 

When people find out that I have an annual pass and that I have had one my whole life, they always ask if I ever get tired of it. I have to be careful sometimes that I answer that question without too much sarcasm or attitude 😄. No. I certainly don't ever get tired of going to Disneyland. If I ever do find myself getting tired of Disneyland I know that I need to explore some new things and refresh my perspective. With so much going on at the parks, I have found that there is always something new to do or learn. Now there is an exception. If it is WAY TOO HOT or SUPER CROWDED I will become a little annoyed and want to leave earlier or not visit certain days, but besides that, I know that I am very blessed to visit as often as I do and I take full advantage of that. 

So as a kid, I stuck mostly with what the whole family wanted to do and we would all go to the parks together. Usually we would go at night for a few hours during the school year and then during the summer, pick days (like my birthday!) to go all day. Now that my brother and I have gotten older and have changing schedules, our visits are more random but actually more often. More recently we have loved going to Disneyland and California Adventure just the two of us, splitting up and doing the rides we want, and then meeting back up to eat, hang out, and talk about what we have been up to. 

These past few years we have both been increasingly interested in Disneyland history, news, and facts. Watching youtube videos has become one of my favorite things to do when I am not at the parks and want to keep up with all things Disney. Some of my favorites include Sprinkle Me Disney, Fresh Baked and Stuff, Justin Scarred (Randomland and Live Fast Die Poor), Mr.CheezyPop, Oh Yeah TV, Thingamavlogs, Super Carlin Brothers, Subway Mouse, and Magic Journeys. All of these channels are so incredible and put so much love and hard work into every video! They are all amazing! I can't thank them enough for the knowledge and fun that they have provided to me throughout the past few years. Learning more and becoming more interested in all things Disney has definitely led me to where I am today.

Thanks for sticking around this long (Sorry these was so much info today) but I hope you enjoyed learning about where my Disney journey began and where I am now. I hope to continue writing more about Disney in the future. Have a magical day!

{ What is Beauty? }

Hello everyone! It's the weekend! Yay! So tonight, after enjoying a day at a local coffee shop with my brother and some of his friends, model homes and craft/room organization, I decided that it would probably be a good idea for me to work on homework for my history of architecture online class that is due on Monday. Brilliant right?! ;) 

Usually we have to write a small essay on the lecture notes from the week, but this week we had to contribute to a discussion board instead. I didn't think much of it (other than that I was happy I didn't have to write another essay) until I opened up the assignment and read the discussion prompt. I was happily surprised! The prompt stated questions such as:

What is beauty?

Is beauty in the eye of the beholder, a personal opinion, universal, etc...

If there is a science to beauty, then why can't computers recreate it?

Why do so many people find the Grand Canyon to be beautiful if beauty is in the eye of the beholder?

I was excited to write about it and thought that this was a very cool opportunity to share and explore what I believe beauty to be. I also had a fun time reading what other students in my class thought about the subject as well. After writing it I wanted to share it with all of you, so here if goes! 

What is beauty? A reoccurring question for us humans. We are constantly trying to "solve" and find the solutions to everything, which is why we keep asking this question. However, what if beauty has no true answer. I believe that beauty is very personal and unique, just like each one of us. Beauty has no true definition, examples, or formulas. I believe that instead beauty is a natural, perfectly imperfect, glimmer of hope, and vision of God's glory, in our day-to-day lives. Beauty is a look into something bigger than ourselves and faith in tomorrow. Beauty gives us peace and reassurance. Even though there are many beautiful physical things and places on earth, I have recently found that beauty within people is the most beautiful thing you will ever find. Beauty is a look into a persons soul and who they truly are. When someone is unapologetically themselves, that to me is beauty. Nothing particularly physical, yet even more powerful and amazing than what's on the surface. The beauty and love that you feel for that person is what beauty truly encompasses to me. Beauty cannot be specifically  "created" by a computer using a certain type of programming, but instead produced by people with a computer and enjoyed by a certain type of person, as an affect of something they are passionate about. Even though beauty is in the eye of the beholder, that does not mean that certain grandeur and awe, such as the Grand Canyon, does not impress a large amount of people. Beauty is so much more than just a pretty scene, it's you and me. Beauty is everywhere and will never lose its unexpected presence. 

Hopefully you made it through (I know... lots of reading today... sorry!) and enjoyed seeing my perspective of beauty! I will be posting this on my social media and encourage you to do the same!

{ Wednesday Wisdom: Truly Glad }

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{ Wednesday Wisdom: Speak It }

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{ February Printable Calendar }

(to print- just click on the image. right click to save to your computer. open the file and print!)

Tomorrow is a new month! February here we come! Here is your free printable calendar.

{ January Printable Calendar }

(to print- just click on the image. right click to save to your computer. open the file and print!)

Hello January 2016! Can you believe another year has come and gone?! It has been a whirlwind, but I have a great feeling about what is to come in this next year. Here is your free printable calendar to help keep you organized and on track this month.

{ December Printable Calendar }

(to print- just click on the image. right click to save to your computer. open the file and print!)

December is here! Can you believe how fast time flies! I know I have been absent quite a bit lately, but the new year and new ideas are just around the corner! Enjoy planning your holiday activities on this free printable calendar. Happy Holidays everyone!

{ Charity Miles }

Hello there! I am really excited to be able to share a new discovery of mine that will not only benefit your own health but others too! I have been following the Tone It Up ladies, Karena and Katrina, to help me eat healthier and get into shape with their nutrition plan and exercise videos. I love how they create fun "challenges" several times a year (usually one themed for each season).  Their Fit For Fall Challenge is starting Monday (Sept 21) and is 8-weeks. They are adding an amazing addition to this season's challenge... It's a Charity Challenge!

Sometimes charity challenges can be difficult or complicated, leading me to not participate as I should. This one is NOT! 

IT'S SUPER EASY I PROMISE!

I AM SO EXCITED CAN YOU TELL?!

This is a great way to help others and help me stay motivated as well!

Head on over to the Tone It Up website or the link above to see how you can easily join the Tone It Up Charity Challenge. (You just need an email!) Let me give you an easy overall how-to:

1) Download the free CharityMiles App on your mobile device
2) Choose from a TON of different charities provided

3) Walk or run and earn money for your charity! (a sponsor will pay for every mile to the charity you choose)

You can even raise money for a different charity each time you exercise. That way no charity is left out!

I have even decided to create our own Team so that we can all help support each other! Just go to the "Teams" section and search for @courtandcompany. There is also a team for @ToneItUp if you would like to join me in that as well.

Here are the teams I joined...

Hope you all join me!

{ Girls Weekend }

Hello! I know I have been a little MIA lately but there is just soooo much going on around here! We are currently cleaning out the majority of our house in an effort to install hardwood flooring downstairs! Yea! I am so excited! Due to our massive mirror falling and shattering all over our living room floor awhile back (now the flooring is "designer" concrete- yes, glue swirls and everything!) along side the carpet that has survived seen almost 19 years of my brother and I "growing up"... it was in desperate need of a facelift! So here it comes! If we are ready or not ;) yikes! I am also working on a really exciting creative project! (You'll hopefully see the final result soon) All while enjoying my last few weeks of summer before I start my freshman year of college! Crazy! Besides all of the work I should be doing but instead I am blogging (hehehe) I wanted to share a fun girls getaway that my mom and I had this past weekend...

With all of the commotion going on at home we knew that we needed a day to just get away!

First we went to Downtown LA (we needed a few jewelry supplies-you can never have too many right?). Before hitting the shops we filled up on Valerie's at Grand Central Market. We are obsessed what can I say... FYI- If you go I would highly recommend ordering the french toast plate and the egg/potato/toast/bacon breakfast plate (served with their glorious homemade jam). Delicious! Anyways... Then we grabbed some juices at Press Brothers Juicery and made our way down to the produce section. Guess what?! Have I mentioned we can be a little "extreme" in some cases? We hauled a large cooler all the way up there just so that we could stock up on some yummy produce without it going bad in the summer heat. I say it was a fabulous idea!

After eating and shopping was completed we headed over to another one of our favorites, Villa Blanca in Beverly Hills for a late lunch/dinner. Before heading back we drove around some nearby neighborhoods to check out the beautiful houses. Ending the day happy and with full stomachs, ready to get back to work! (maybe)

Share your favorite plans in the comments section below! Have a wonderful weekend!

{ What's In My Carry On Bag? }

Hey everyone! I am so excited...! Know why? I am going to Tennessee in a few short days! (Which means I have a lot to do!) I know what your thinking... She is crazy. Doesn't she know how hot and humid it is in the summer time?! Yes I sure do! You see, every year my mom, brother, grandma and I all go to Tennessee for a family reunion. We see all sorts of fun (and crazy) relatives... Eat lots of good southern soul food (such as the Cracker Barrel)... Stay up way too late blabbing about everything under the sun... I LOVE it! Family is SUPER important to me and growing up going to these reunions has made such a positive impact in my life. Just taking the time to slow down and listen to the stories that my grandmother and her siblings tell about when they were kids... Catching up with family we only get to see this one time a year... It's great!

So while I am scrambling to get ready for this years trip I decided that I wanted to share some traveling tips + tricks with all of you! Today I will show you what I like to pack in my carry on bag.

I will start by saying that how and with what I fill my carry on bag may not satisfy every one's idea of a "well packed" carry on. That's ok! We are all different and like to bring different goodies along with us. Some may say that mine is "excessive". Maybe it is... That is just how I like it! I call it well prepared. So just take the ideas you like, discard the ones you don't... but hopefully you will pick up few new helpful hints along the way! So here we go!

When choosing a bag be sure it is large enough to fit all of your goodies but not too large that it won't fit under your seat or in the overhead bin. The flight attendants wouldn't like that. Fun Fact: Did you know my momma is a flight attendant? She sure is! Now back to the bag! 

I found this beauty in Downtown LA at a store called Cebu. Besides finding this gorgeous bag I found someone else as well... I met Andrew Coleman, a designer on the show Flipping Out with Jeff Lewis! I was going crazy! I get excited just thinking about it! I almost ran right into him. Luckily I didn't!

Boy do I keep getting off topic...

I like to bring a variety of writing utensils along for the ride. Pens, pencils, gel pens, etc... 

This emerald bag is also from Cebu! (I have another one in white you will see later)

Look at this cool coloring book that I found at Barnes and Noble the other day! Perfect for traveling! It is filled with a ton of gorgeous animals for you to color in with bright, vibrant colors.

Reading material and notebooks for when inspiration strikes.

Carefully pack away all necessary electronics and their chargers!

All chargers wrapped with rubber bands and packed away...

Cosmetics! For this trip I am planning to keep my hair down and straight because I think that will handle the plane and driving the best. I like to bring along my hair brush and a few cosmetics so that I can do a quick freshening up when I feel the need. Bring any medications you may need along in your carry on (just in case your checked bag doesn't make it to your destination). If your like me be sure you don't forget the Claritin for allergies!

*Don't forget to pack away any and all liquids in quart-sized Ziploc bags to make it through security without any issues.*

Last but not least... Don't forget a few of your favorite movies!


*Now it's time to put it all together*

For added convenience I have even thrown in a printable travel checklist to make sure you have everything for your big trip!

Have a great weekend! (I have to get back to packing!)

{ Moving Forward & Looking Back }

Guess what?!

I graduated high school! WOW! How did this happen?! I will be sticking around... Living at home, attending a local community college so no need to worry... My blogging adventures are definitely continuing! It will be nice to save some money, spend time with my family, and really figure out what I want to do with my life.

To think back through the years... I survived preschool, kindergarten, elementary, middle and now high school. Through all of the early mornings, blisters from the monkey bars, upgrading to lockers... Life lessons and learning experiences (big and small) have continually influenced my school career. I think about all of the amazing (and some not so amazing) people that I have met along the way. Teaching me who I do and don't want to turn out to be.   :)


"Far from what I once was but not yet what I am going to be."


I have made so many amazing friends along the way and hope to continue those relationships into the future. I also strive to make new connections and explore my surroundings in the coming years. I want to be sure and take every opportunity available to expand my horizons, live a little happier, and enjoy each new day a little more.


"The doors will be opened to those who are bold enough to knock."


Moving forward I hope to discover and explore my passions and interests... Fuel my creativity... and accomplish more than I could ever dream of. I want to be inspired. Inspire others and make my dreams come true. (Even when I am not exactly sure what those may be yet.)

"She believed she could so she did."

I am so excited about this new chapter in my life but I am still going to enjoy looking back at my past, which has shaped me into who I am today!


"I am going to succeed because I am crazy enough to think I can."


Hope everyone has an amazing Friday!  (The summer weather is making its appearance here in California and so staying cool is definitely part of the agenda for us this weekend!)

{ Search for Serenity }

I am back! Yea! Life has been incredibly hectic lately. Several weeks of hosting different sets of company throughout the past couple months... School coming to a close, which means projects, finals, weird schedules to remember and scholarship deadlines... Trying to keep up with exercising and healthy eating... (it can easily turn into a full time job) I just can't seem to catch my breath before running into the next thing on my "to do" list. Anyone else feel the same way?

So here is the question... How do you manage to complete all of the tasks you want/need to get accomplished without killing yourself in the process? 

This past weekend wrapped up the last of our swarm of company for awhile. I should clarify that I LOVE having visitors, but after about the 5th set in a 2 month period, I need a break. I finally had Sunday to do what I wanted. But wait. No I didn't. I had to catch up with all of the other tasks that I had not been able to complete the previous week and then prepare for the week ahead which was quickly approaching. Ehhh! Do you ever feel stuck in a rut? A vicious cycle of running in circles, never feeling like you are truly getting anything "done". That is where I am at. Maybe even 2 or 3 miles past.

So what did I do? Yesterday afternoon, after I walked the dog, finished my workouts, turned in a scholarship, tried to go to the grocery store (found out there was a power outage in the center where it was located, so they wouldn't let me in... bummer) and finished homework, I decided that I needed to take a break and relax. Finally. I sat on the couch with my mom and enjoyed watching some "bad" reality TV, strayed from the healthy eating and grabbed lots of popcorn, chocolate chips and dried fruit (a weird combo but so good!). Later on I took the time to actually enjoy my bath... Lighting a candle, turning down the lights... I realized that I should take more little moments like those to reflect and take a breath.

I wondered why I (and so many others) get so frazzled and eaten alive by our responsibilities. Why do we let them take up all of our energy? Worrying, stressing, rushing from one thing to another...

I wondered if I could look at situations and tasks without all of the commotion.

Now in order to do this I know that I need to make some changes... No more procrastinating... Which I know really contributes to a lot of my stress. I need to be in control of my life and not let tasks overrule me. That's CRAZY! They don't have power over me or you!

Here are 3 simple steps to search for serenity:

Step 1: Set aside some time for yourself to enjoy the little things (or big) such as your favorite chocolates, visiting inspiring shops, taking a walk, catching up with your DVR, whatever it may be... Go for it! You won't regret it!

Step 2: Setting up a schedule. Now, not a schedule that is going to RULE OVER you. That is not the point! Just a simple outline of the things that you want/need to accomplish for the day ahead. I recently heard an amazing piece of advise. I don't remember where, it may have even been from a Biblical lesson on a podcast... Who knows... but it said that your day starts at night. What do I mean? For example, you need a good START to your day with a restful sleep at night, right?! Honestly at first I just needed some time to process such an idea. Wait... I should view the end of my day as the beginning? How does that work? It is confusing, but I do feel like it could make a huge difference in my life and yours. If we "start" our day off the night before on a positive note, then how much better will our day be?! 

Making a schedule really is not a difficult thing to do. I promise! I like to start by quickly writing down all the things that I NEED to do. Then write a list of things you would LIKE to do. Next you can write down about how much time it takes to complete the task. Then all you have to do is go through the list and start putting them in order of importance and see what you can realistically get done.

Easy enough. This would be the perfect thing to do to help "start" your day the night before so that you don't go to bed with a whole commotion going on in your head because you are trying to remember everything you have to accomplish.

Step 3: Looking at life positively! Wow. Who would have thought?! Honestly though... If we looked at things as opportunities to have fun and enjoy new experiences, instead of a chore or just a waste of time, can you imagine how much happier we would be? I know this is something I can always work on! Seeing the positivity in even the "yucky" situations.

I know this is a lot to dump on you but I just had to share what has been on my mind! I hope you found a bit of inspiration or guidance through this post! I would love to hear how you handle the craziness of life and if you try any of these tips! Thanks! Hope you have an amazing, re-energizing and restful day!