just go.

something that makes me happier than anything on earth.  traveling.

i have two trips coming up in june that i could not be more happy about.  i think it's becoming an annual trip to visit my cousin in florida, which is fine by me.  i'll spend time with her and then we have a concert planned to see tritonal.  we are about the only two people that we both know that are obsessed with edm, so it's just going to be us.

then i'm also going to a family reunion in vegas with my dad and sister.  seriously, who has a reunion in vegas.  we do.  can't wait.  part reunion, part party.

i'm off today.  drinking coffee, listening to tritonal, clmd, and whatever other edm pops up.  probably paint a few things and who knows what else.  that's the beauty of a day off (:

via

hair & skin savers from caribbean sunshine

so only one more post on summer, and then i promise i'll move on to the next season.  i'm still not ready to give up my beloved summer and adjust to the chilly temps.  sure, bonfires, boots, scarves, and hoodies are nice, but so is warmth, tanks, and sunshine!

since my hair is so blonde, it's super susceptible to damage from summer and my light skin, as well.  i took some new products on my trip that seriously saved my skin and hair from the summer elements - sunshine, salt water, and paradise.  my hair is used to being washed every few days, but i had to wash it every single day and was a bit worried on how it would work out . . . perfect, really.  i also slather myself with lotion daily, but i knew i was going to have to kick it up a notch.  i never really did get a burn the whole 8 days.

below is a pic of me about halfway through the trip, sunkissed, but hair and skin are still protected and healthy.

this is a rather new line of hair products from arbonne.  since i am a consultant, i am a bit biased, but i fell in love with these.  i was saving them for my trip so hadn't used the product line yet.  they were magnificent.  the shampoo and conditioner left my hair silky soft, the masque was great for when my hair felt like straw, and the mousse gave it bounce for the evening.

these two products were amazing as well.  the first is a prep and protect spray that i had received in one of my beauty boxes a couple of months back.  i took it because it was a small bottle, but i also knew i needed everything i could to help my hair.  i applied after washing and even when i was on the beach.

the paul mitchell after-sun masque has to be one of my new favorite products, ever.  the smell is amazing, like a fresh summery smell, but my hair felt so good after i used it.  luckily i still have some left, so i can use it throughout winter for when my locks get dried out.

this lotion was a godsend.  i saved this for my trip as well and i was so impressed with it.  i just coated my body in it after i came in from the sun and it prevented my skin from drying out while soothing the small amount of redness i got.  i never did get burned on the trip because i applied sunscreen, then reapplied, and reapplied some more throughout the day.

i know summer is virtually over, but these are fantastic products.  if you go on a trip this winter or even want to use some of these during the cold months ahead, i guarantee you will be happy with them.  all are probably still available, however the paul mitchell sun line may not be.

let me know if you've tried any of these and what you thought of them!

goodbye, summer

one love. jamaica.

jamaica.

that's the little island of warmth, sunshine, rasta, and love that i visited a couple of weeks ago and why i've been so absent from the blog world.  i just did not have time to schedule posts before i left and was too busy when i got home.  here is a little snippet of the trip along with some pics.  i know i'll be looking back at these throughout the next several months when we're all stoved up inside this winter. 

at the beginning of september SH, myself, my two sisters, and the boyfriend took a getaway to mobay.  we have been a few times before and since we're all in love with the island, we decided it was a perfect end of summer destination. originally it was for our 5th anniversary, but then it turned into a trip for the sisters and men.

it was simply fabulous.  our resort was excellent.  liquor dispenser in the room along with a fridge that's restocked every other day, all the food one can scarf down, and all the drinks a person can consume make for a pretty sweet getaway, not to mention it was very budget friendly.

the cuture is fascinating, reggae is addicting, and the blue waters are inviting.

each day we basically got up, ate breakfast at the buffet, while drinking delicious blue mountain coffee, and spent the day at the beach soaking up the sun with drinks in our hands.  honestly most of the time it was water because it was so hot, but we had an occasional ocean dream or daquiri (or five) each beach day.

when it rained most afternoons, we headed to our rooms to nap, hang out together, or head to lobby to people watch.  each nite was pretty relaxed and revolved around more food and nitely entertainment.

seven nites just isn't long enough for me.  the resort has lots and lots of europeans and did you know they get at least, at least, 8 weeks of vacation a year.  most of them are at resorts for two to three weeks.  there was definitely a bit of envy and jealousy coming from our group.

it was definitely a much needed vacation that was a trip one has to take to understand.  jamaica is like no other place i have been and i have been ready to head back as soon as i shut the door to our room for the last time.

until next time, ja. . . 

 

 

 

 

clothes for sale (:

help a girl out!  

i'm getting rid of some of my clothes.  this is round one.  i have a lot more stuff.  you pay shipping and i'll discount it if you buy multiple items.  all in great condition.

thedreamtreeblog at yahoo.com  if you want anything or have questions

i'm from st louis if anyone wants to pick up as well.

thanks, girls (:

 

 coral peasant top with flowy sleeves. just not long enough for me. looks better on

than in this picture, but i'm too tall for it.

from tj maxx $6

 large but fits like medium

from old navy $3

 from maurices $4 crinkle tank

medium from ae $3

small - new

from maurices $5
sold

medium worn twice

charlotte russe $5

medium worn once sparkles on hem

from jcpenney $5

medium new with tags same as above

from jcpenney $5 

medium lace & sequins on top/bottom

express $5

 medium with flowy sleeves and sparkles

cato $5

brand new from h&m bought 2 weeks ago

flowy sleeves $8

medium

medium cute dress never worn

jcpenney $7

medium 

charlotte russe $5

vacation does a body good.

Well, normally it does.  This time around it took about 3 days just to blow the stink off and then once we got good and relaxed, it was time to leave.  Nevertheless, it was a much needed week on the beach with my lovely family {minus a sister}.  I didn't feel refreshed when I left, and to me that's a sign that one week is too short, which we say every.single.year.

The Alabama/Florida gulf coast is one of the most relaxing, beautiful, and comfortable places I've ever been.  We have been vacationing here for about 20 years, so naturally it's like my home away from home, even though it's a good 12 hour car ride.

Speaking of car rides, that's always the most fun part for me because we all pile into a big SUV, leave about midnite, snooze here and there while switching drivers, and just enjoy everything about it.  This time however, we took 2 different cars which worked out pretty well, especially since I had about 1/2 the gas cost as my sister in her big gas guzzler.

Once we got there we were so beat that we didn't even go to the Shrimp Festival to listen to Eddie freaking Money.  So sad I missed it, but none of us could bring ourselves to party that nite.  Actually, several of the nites we didn't feel like getting all gussied up, so we came in from the pool, got cleaned up, and chilled at the condo.  When I go to an all-inclusive, I'm all about the free drinks, going out til the wee hours of the morning, and living it up, but coming down here is always so much different.  I like it though because it can be such a slower change of pace.

Day in and day out we would watch the dolphins dance and play in the water as we sipped our tea & coffee in the mornings.  We had no agenda except to relax and keep our plans to a minimum.

Most days we went down to the pool and the beach, and other days we went sightseeing or shopping.  They have the best outlet mall that's always a major excitement factor in the trip.  I got a few things from Kenneth Cole, some new Toms, Gap, Eddie Bauer, and Fossil.  My bank account was crippled and told me I didn't need to go back another day.  

It was an awesome vacation, but like all, it went way too fast and I'm already planning my next getaway.
I have said it many times before, but the beach is the only place in the world that makes me feel 100% at peace and happy.  There is just something about the saltwater, sweet ocean air, and the glowing atmosphere.
I must move to the south one day.  I would just be a happier person all around! 

back to real life.

I can't say that I'm glad to be home from vacation because I am definitely not, but I enjoyed sleeping in my own king bed, having my water pressure back, and laying on my own couch watching Lost last nite.

Unfortunately I came home with the feeling that I am not refreshed, as one should after a vacation, and I need to go back for more.  Since that is not going to happen, I am currently sitting here eating my waffles and detoxing my face with a mask that I have become completely obsessed with.

For some reason, a spot thunderstorm popped up so now I will unpack a few more things before going to get my babies at the kennel. 

I will be back to recap a bit of my getaway, but today I will get everything in order so my suitcase doesn't sit in my room until our next vacation, and I can get things squared away before I head back to work tomorrow.  It doesn't sound exciting, but I'm so thankful I have this day off to recoup.

The picture above is one that we took on the last nite at the beach as the sun was setting.  It was a beautiful evening and everything about the setting was peaceful and beautiful.  I miss that place so very much.

Did you happen to catch all the bloggers who wrote in my place last week?  I hope so, but if not, please check out what they had to say and pay them a visit.  I appreciate them very much and love that I can call them friends.

Happy Monday!

our anniversary getaway.

Last weekend we headed up to Chicago for the weekend for a much needed escape from reality.  We liked to use the excuse that it was our anniversary, which it was, but we needed to just get away for a couple days.

We had been wanting to do this for a while and I'm glad we finally got to do it. 

Chicago's about a 5 hour drive north of here and although I've lived in Illinois my whole life, I had never really been there.  People from the south really don't like to claim Chicago so it's like being in a whole other state when you're there.

It was a good time. 

We took a bus up there, which I was hoping to have taken the train but waited too long for tickets, so I stumbled across the megabus.  It was less than $80 for both of us round trip, plus it is a double decker bus and it was so neat!

We ate well, walked miles daily looking at all sites and stores, took a boat tour, watched fireworks, and just enjoyed being with each other away from here.

Weekend getaways are so nice, but damn can they be expensive!  Definitely worth it though and I'm already planning my next one (: