in the sky essentials

As Erik and I are gearing up to go home for a week (and as I finish off a pint of Ben & Jerry's Phish Food...), I'm going through a million lists in my mind of everything we need to accomplish before our 1:30 flight tomorrow. I absolutely love the feeling of the night before/day of a flight! I had a job for about 9 months where I got to travel every weekend. It was one of my very favorite things I've ever done. By the time I was done working that job, the check-in agents at O'Hare in Chicago knew my name and giggled every time they saw me coming with my 70 lb. suitcase and my huge pelican case with speakers inside. Most of the stuff was for the event I was working, not mine, I swear! I traveled to 30+ cities and I learned a lot at that job. More importantly, though, was how much I learned about packing and the things that you just don't forget when you're traveling.

1. Headphones. Don't get me wrong, I love meeting new people and hearing their stories but sometimes...you get seated next to an awfully loud, obnoxious, maybe cranky, or just an uninteresting human. Flying is such an escape for me and these headphones are a vital piece to those precious moments.

2. Chapstick. There have been a couple times where I could have cried when I realized I left my chapstick somewhere that wasn't my pocket. Burt's Bees has been with me through the thick and thin. I don't recommend getting on an airplane with the driest of air without it. It will save you hours of discomfort!

3. A good book. I always love the escape of diving into a really good, encouraging, challenging book and looking out the window while you are literally above everything else. It's so cheesy but it's one of my greatest joys in life. I can't tell you how much reading books by Steven Furtick, Christine Caine, David Platt - have all changed my life while on an airplane.

4. Ray Bans. Okay, so maybe Ray Bans aren't for everyone but I've had mine for almost 3 years now and they are my most prized possession. They have come in handy for really early flights and the occasional red eyes you're forced to take. I just throw them on and they instantly make me feel a little bit better about how little I actually attempted to get ready.

5. A blanket. I don't know if you're anything like me, but I'm literally always cold. I learned the hard way that forgetting a blanket on a flight is the literal worst. They stopped handing blankets out freely on flights so I started bringing my own and it was such a good life decision. I didn't have the blanket pictured above but I want it now more than I wish I had more ice cream to eat.

Someday I will do a post on how to effectively pack for a weekend, a whole week, or maybe even a whole summer but for now - don't forget these essentials when you're flying high in the sky!

V

Spring evenings

A couple weeks ago we finally reached above 50 temperatures. 6 months of winter is a bit much if you ask me. Anyways after dinner John and I decided to grab some blankets, the iPad, and some drinks, and parked ourselves on the back deck. Condo living isn't always roses but I will never complain about our view. A perfect place to relax out in the boonies after a long day. So we did just that. We took in the fresh spring air, talked about life, listened to music, and after a few drinks, slow danced to some Dylan. I like you spring. You can stay:)

 I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day! 

Sara

#theinstantmeet

photo credit: @iampatrickchin

A couple of Saturdays ago, Erik and I got the opportunity to be involved in an “Instagram Meet-Up.” I had seen random pictures of other meet-ups in different cities and I was so stoked to hear about one happening here in Orlando. Each meet-up has a certain theme from a scavenger hunt, a simple gathering at a bar to talk about photos, or a photowalk around your city.

We participated in a photowalk - an instant photowalk. People brought out their polaroid cameras and it was so fun to see everyone’s vintage camera’s with real film and sounds - oh, how I love the sounds those cameras make! It reminds me of my grandma back in Southern Illinois, so simple and beautiful. 

photo credit: @malcjax | photo credit: @_arizonarose_

We met up at Colonial Photo & Hobby and made our way around Koreatown/Colonial Town for about 2 hours. The rest of the group then headed downtown to wander some more. (Erik and I had to leave a bit early so we could eat and he could get to class. BOO Saturday night 5-9 labs!) After the group was done downtown, they headed to Lineage Coffee @ East End Market for a private coffee cupping and pies made by Patrick Chin! The whole day ended up being filled with community, art, creativity, and just old fashioned fun. There are some amazing people and places that call this city home. 

photo credit: @igers_orlando

It was great to put a face to a name finally - Patrick is a little instagram famous around here + he works with my favorite friend Alli's husband at Real Thread, so I felt like I knew him even before we were introduced! He helped host this whole thing for Orlando, is one of the nicest humans ever, AND has the sweetest little family. (I also heard that his pies were the bomb.)

photo credit: @ayelyssadawn | photo credit: @penelopelane | photo credit: @igers_orlando

I'm thankful that for the amazing people that we've found in this city - from Patrick, to everyone at Lineage, and even Siam Garden where you can eat the best Thai food of your life.

photo credit: @penelopelane

V

// all photos are borrowed from instagram and credit is given through insta username, none are my own. please check out everyone's personal instagram and look at the rest of the pictures on instagram: #theinstantmeet //

you me and the sea

Here it comes, our very first post! Thank you for reading and supporting us!

Let's rewind a little bit. a few months ago I (Sara) presented the idea to Vicky of having an outlet for all the things we are passionate about. Thankfully, she was on board with it! As you may have read in our about section, we are very far apart distance wise so it took some brainstorming on how we were going to make this work! After many Skype sessions and much planning, we decided to sign up for alt summit for everyone! So, John and I ventured down to the tropics where Vicky and Vrik are located. a win win for us - work & vacation! ALT was so great for our new minds in the blog world. It really pushed us to just go for it!

Here is a tiny break down of our trip! Even with all of our classes I think we did a great job of taking in the sun & fun! Our classes were taken poolside which was amazing! (Anyone living in Rockford will understand how great this was.) Friday morning we headed to Rifle Paper Co. ,where Vicky works, for the mother’s day sidewalk sale. Guys, if you’re ever in Winter Park, FL  go there ...you will not be sorry. So beautiful.

 We had a lot of great coffee from Lineage Coffee Roasting and the yummiest superfood smoothie from Skyebird at East End Market. That place is doing it right! We sat down for a drink at Courtesy bar in downtown Orlando followed by the tastiest cuban food at Black Bean Deli. This place was so cute and unique I just loved it!

 Finally our beach day. Okay, you should know I have never been much of a beach girl but I think this day changed that. We headed to Cocoa Beach sunday morning and spent the entire afternoon playing in the ocean, basking in the sun, and even eating some bomb hot dogs. note: vicky loves hodogs!

Feeling crispy from the sun and ready for some dinner, we headed to the pier to clean up/lose the car keys/find the car keys. Now that we knew we didn't have to sleep on the beach we rented some mopeds! Fish and chips, cruising on the beach, and a sunset with friends was the perfect way to end our trip!

//a few photos..!

thanks for a good time florida! we liked you!

 sara