{ Your Opinion & Disney }

Hello and happy Easter weekend!

Lately I have been thinking about ways that I could share more about my disney obsession, tips, tricks, and history, and decided that I would share it all here on the blog! I can't wait to talk to you more about one of my favorite subjects DISNEY! Wahoo! I have plenty of ideas about things that I want to discuss, but I would love to hear your opinion as well! Let me know in the comments below some disney topics, questions, etc. that you would like me to write about. Thanks everyone and be on the lookout for some fun Disney posts coming soon!

{ 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!)

{ Your Guide: Villa Blanca in Beverly Hills }

You want to know a great place to stop for a delicious bite to eat?

Villa Blanca located in Beverly Hills!

Yum Yum Yum! So many great options. (Even at a reasonable price!)
Yes. Villa Blanca is owned by Lisa Vanderpump from the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. You may have even seen the restaurant featured on the show a time or two. If you go, be sure and keep your eyes out! I personally have seen Pandora several times and Scheana was our waitress once.

image source


I cannot tell you how much my mom and I enjoy coming here! Whenever we are out on the town we HAVE to come to Villa Blanca. The food is beyond amazing and so is the service. The lunch menu feature this lovely pizza, an assortment of pastas and salads, and don't forget THE BEST burger you will ever eat! I am not kidding... You have to try it! Dinner is simply and elegantly accompanied by a gentle candlelight placed on each table... highlighting the beautiful yet comfortable decor of the restaurant. Casual elegance... You gotta love it!

No need to worry too much about a strict dress code. I would say as long as you aren't covered in dirt or something you should be fine. Now I am aware that we do often go at off times, but generally I have to say there is never a wait to be seated. Always a plus in my book!

After reading this anyone else as hungry as I am? I wish I was there as we speak! Hope you are having a great Tuesday!

{ Your Guide: Grand Central Market }

Happy Friday! While reflecting on last week's spring break fun, I wanted to share with you my guide to Southern California. My mom and I went on one of our much needed LA trips on Saturday and had a blast! Now an LA day for us does not just mean LA... It can also include Beverly Hills, Malibu, etc. depending on what we are in the mood for. Whenever I find a fun new hangout I want to be sure and let you know... and I thought this would be the perfect way to do so!

To start off this new series I will begin with Grand Central Market in Downtown Los Angeles.

We actually just discovered this hidden gem on Saturday and can't wait to go back! Definitely a new favorite! Grand Central Market opened in 1917 and has not stopped pleasing the community since. They serve a variety of bakery items, fresh juices, spices, Asian cuisines, cheeses, ice cream, flowers... The list goes on and on! You can also park in the parking structure conveniently located right next door.

When we arrived we did a loop around the whole building to check out our options and decided to stop at Valerie for breakfast and coffee.

After enjoying a leisurely breakfast, (they have THE BEST french toast and homemade jam), sitting side-by-side at the counter lined with retro red stools, we wanted to go and grab a few juices at Press Brothers Juicery, a stand we had passed when we made our initial walk through.

Holy Smokes! I fell in love the minute I opened mine (Liquid Gold) and smelt it! The perfect sweet scent of mint and pineapple filled my lungs. Delicious! How could this even be real?! I of course then had to proceed to taste my moms and had just the same reaction. So incredibly fresh and natural! After ordering our drinks we realized just how much time we had spent chatting and relaxing, and knew that we must move on to our next destination... The Jewelry District in DTLA which will be explained in the next Your Guide post!

Our day was so much fun! I hope that you will enjoy these new posts, and that they will give you some fun spots to check out. What are your plans for this weekend?