next step

59aa2b2a83b65d8b8abaf1f40fc8b314.jpg

Woah.. so this is a major transition phase. I’m currently at home resetting before my next move, and I am all over the place! It’s crazy to think that my entire life has been shaped by the “next step”: you go to school and work towards the next grade, apply to high school, apply to college, and now what? Sure, I could just keep moving into an entry level job and climb the corporate ladder, but I don’t see any happiness and fulfillment there. So instead, I’m choosing to spend this time discovering more about myself and what kind of impact I want to have on the world.

(To those of you who went straight to work, I’m not totally hating on you.. some of you already knew what you wanted and I respect you for your drive!)

Anyways, this time is not easy. I know it’s not supposed to be. I have so many things I want to do, so many places I want to see, and for some reason feel like there’s not enough time. I can already tell that in the future I will look back and think I was crazy to think I had so little time to see the world. But at the same time, I don’t want to sit back and let time fly.

b6d2a37ec3fbde502b3a69093483a9e0.jpg

So for now, I am trying to seek comfort in the chaos. I hope to learn and grow in the next year through new experiences. I want to take on different jobs and discover what drives me the most. My dream would be to be able to travel for my career…how cool would it be to travel with the World Surf League? I am passionate about the action sport industry, so I plan to spend this time finding what works best for me.

But at the same time, I am not locking myself into any commitments yet, as tempting as it is to be comfortable. I long to be in my home base, but have the rest of my life to do that. I want to make sure I experience as much as I can, and believe that these lessons will land me in the right place at the right time. It won’t be easy, but I know it’s right for me!

x

[ be sure to follow my Instagram for updates! ]

[ You can also see what inspires me on Pinterest! ]


cheers!

sparkle.jpg

Happy New Year!

2015 has been an incredible year. It’s been full of fun and many lessons. I am confident that 2016 will be even better, I can’t wait!

I’ve totally been slacking on my blog, I apologize! One of my new years resolutions is to share more on my site, so expect more to come this year!

I hope you all had a wonderful new years, here’s to another amazing year!

xx


so much to learn, so much time

Looking back on the first half of 2015, I realize that I have learned so much about myself, others, and life in general. I have been enjoying Dallas, really living in the moment and have grown so grateful for the amazing friends I have there. I have spent quality time at home, as well as ventured out to California, New York, Nashville, and a couple trips to the Bahamas!

I feel so lucky to have the opportunities to get out of my comfort zone and see more of the world. After Australia, I have been plotting my escape out of the states to get back to that amazing place. However, I am learning so much through living in the moment.

Here are some quotes that really stood out to me–they embody the things I have discovered throughout the past seven months. I have experienced good and bad, and through it all I fully believe that everything is part of the experience. Every thing I face makes me stronger and more confident. It’s all a learning lesson-there’s no end result to be happy. It’s all about rolling with the roller coaster, and taking every experience for what it is.

There’s so much to learn, and I will continue to learn throughout my life. Things change, people change, and it’s all about being confident in yourself that life is working out the way it should be.

xx
6ed0428bc6ee0093ac37cb17fad0f814 af9ced57ce0d8395f9406e0b92c55334 4fbbf4a4d3b425b1ec5ada35058a8141 a139ac5b2fe17807d25a26e8c1ec7293 1b2de51f5155bddd04c6a822b903f77e



dreamer

46ea60d5388615fd23792166eebb8ead
51fd59949475f07b0cb90d3606c8a972 snugglenap c710535cae4d41c1cf10dc3449c005ad

beach nap bedroom

The fact that I miss Australia is an understatement.  I can’t tell you how many times I open Instagram in the morning, where my feed is flooded with Australian bloggers, restaurants, and other people who are in the middle of enjoying a beautiful day in paradise.  My heart hurts a little, then I get up and go about my day.

I know, how dramatic! I had my experience, and I am so thankful for that. I plan to go back again soon, maybe after graduating to either travel or explore…so it was not goodbye forever!

One thing I really miss, and I knew I would miss, is the walk to and from yoga. It took about 15 minutes to walk uphill from Coogee to Clovelly, where I would walk into the intimate space of This is Yoga. Melanie and Michael are amazing teachers, with vibrant and positive personalities which makes the classes even better. After a good one hour sweat, I would make my way back downhill to Coogee. I loved walking at night, looking up at the stars in a complete daze. I would make my way to the end of Beach Road, seeing all of the people eating and drinking at Coogee Pavillion, kids running around playing, and seeing the waves crash on the beautiful shore. The moon would either be lit up over the ocean, or just a crescent in the sky, but it was beautiful either way. The sound of the ocean still resonates in my head, the feeling of the salty breeze, and the overall sense of being grounded.

Sydney truly is a special place. I don’t know anyone who comes back with a single bad thing to say about it. I hope I can go back again soon…but until then I’ll try to keep myself from checking Instagram first thing in the morning!

xx


checking out

IMG_5941…and checking back in at the Sahana Villas! No, I did not take this picture from Pinterest, I stayed in the room on the left for three amazing nights! We had the entire property (with three villas) with our own cleaning and cooking staff. Bali is incredibly affordable, making this $1 million a night-looking space WAY cheaper.

I would do anything to go back here and see the people we met. The owners are such a special family, who made our visit very memorable. Seminyak was my favorite part of Bali. I can picture walking down the streets to shop, eat at Mamasan, and have a drink on the water at Potato Head.

But…for now I’ll be here in Dallas, daydreaming of being tan and vacationing on the beach…


must be on vacation

Alana-Blanchard_tiki_goddess_bikiniswim mermaid beach

tash

…clearly! I haven’t posted anything in the longest time! This semester has been hectic, not to mention it’s flown by! It’s crazy to think I was in Australia a few months ago, and that I had all these goals and plans in mind. So much has changed, but I am committed to going back to Australia very soon!

I’m going to NYC this weekend! I’ve only been twice when I was younger, so I’m excited to go on my own and visit friends.

Dallas has been amazing–believe it or not, I’m going to stay in June for classes. Hopefully I can squeeze in a Bahamas trip in May, I’m dying to get to the beach for some summer sun! I’m also excited to say that I signed up to complete my yoga teacher training with Baron Baptiste this summer. I’ll be going to New York for a week-long intensive teacher training. I can’t wait to see some old faces from level one, as well as meet some new people!

I’ll be sure to keep this more up to date, with a NYC post to follow!

xx


wish you were here

Image

I can’t believe how quickly summer is going by! I’ve been so wrapped up in my routine that I’ve hardly kept up with my blog. I can’t believe that I’m leaving in 2 weeks for Australia! It’s going to be the experience of a lifetime, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me. I’ll be sure to keep you all posted a lot more than I have been the past few months : )

Here’s a few shots I’ve captured this summer. I lucked out with this awesome South Florida weather! Happy Monday everyone!  


the little things

As we go through our days, the cycle of nature remains unstopped. The sun rises, the sun sets–the moon fills, the moon empties–the flowers bud, the flowers bloom. It’s a constant routine that is easily overlooked. I woke up to see the sunrise with a friend of mine the other day and was greeted with the most beautiful painted sky that can’t be bought. I find the little things to hold so much more than just an everyday occurrence.

It’s the little things that bring true joy to many people. For me, I felt present, grateful, and content while watching the sun rise over the ocean. The sun rises and lights a beautiful, endless path on the water that leads to the unknown. My future can only be planned so much, but what’s most important lies in fate. I believe in my ability to help myself before I can help others. I want to share my journey in order to inspire others.

I encourage you to stop for a few seconds when you’re outside, or meditate while imagining you are in a beautiful place, and really listen to the sounds of nature. You will be surprised at what thoughts may link to your observations. It’s the little things, like the cycles of nature, that can answer so many questions you may have, or problems you may hold on to. ImageImageImage


acai addiction

Happy Monday! Ever since I got home for the summer, I’ve been going to 3 Natives for my daily acai bowl fix. I’m pretty sure the people working there think I’m crazy considering I’m there almost every morning… So, in an attempt to save time and money, I found the Sambazon acai sorbet and created my own breakfast bowl! This is super fun to make with friends or family and can be personalized to any of your favorite fruit and topping preferences:

Image

Just stir the softened acai in a bowl (mix in peanut or almond butter if you prefer) and add as many toppings as you want! I added some organic peaches (hint hint, 3 Natives!). I also mixed in a little bit of raw honey and dang coconut chips. If you haven’t tried dang, you haven’t truly lived..just saying. I also like to add some bee pollen, maca powder, and vanilla granola too.

I will say, this bowl was almost exactly the same as 3 Natives. So for those of you who don’t live in the area, you can try it out or yourselves in your own home! However, for me, I just love making the trip there after yoga with friends and family! I also just remembered I have a free acai bowl from my 10 punch card (don’t ask me how many of those cards I’ve been through…)

Hope you all have a great week! : )