California Girl

You can't control the wind, but you can always adjust the sails...

This week is a blog-hug for the only person I know who travels more than Jason and I, my bestie, Kate.  This girls is always on the go with her career, but on Tuesday it's a pretty-permanent (for now :)) relocation from East to West.  She's heading back to San Diego and although we're going to miss her like crazy, we couldn't be more proud.  I can't wait for my next reason to visit.  I've loved every trip to The Golden State and when she's there, I love it even more!

Dress Quest 2011

I've been on a bit of a traveling hiatus since the move to our new home, but two weekends ago I finally got back at it!  Over the past few years, I've tried to make an annual trip to NYC for one reason or another.  Mostly it's to see my bestie, Katie, who achieved our childhood dream and now resides in the Village.  And when Jason and I made the trip to Rockefeller in 2009 to see the tree, I thought I had reached the height of my affection for the Big Apple.  But this last trip definitely was the icing on the, should we say wedding, cake.

On a Saturday that predicted gloomy rain but turned out to be clear and sunny, mom (who traveled the tracks in from SC - go girl!), the other two besties and I took the train up to the city.  The goal was to find a dress and the means were two very opposite locales...

Kleinfeld Bridal, otherwise known as the place where they film TLC's Say Yes to the Dress (everyone's but mine favorite wedding show), was the ultimate New York experience.  Very fast, very bold, very much - very not me.  But we went for the fun of it and I'm glad we did - it set me up for an amazing time at J.Crew.

After jumping back in our Escalade with our driver for the day, courtesy of the best fiance ever, we headed over to the boutique but arrived an hour early.  Just enough time for some prosecco across the street at Bar Italia - Euro-perfect in every way.  Nice and bubbly-feeling from our late afternoon snack, we entered the mothership, J.Crew Bridal.  It was everything I'd hoped - warm, cozy and our favorite fashions at their finest.  Surrounded by the absolute lady loves of my life, I had the moment every girl imagines - hold your breath, this is the one, the dress he'll see me in as I walk down the aisle.  To say it was magical is an understatement.

We closed out the too-quick trip at a fabulous spot in Katie's neighborhood, Low Country, which had delicious southern food, hard core bourbon drinks and the most fitting atmosphere for the occasion.  I couldn't ask for a better way to kick off my travels in 2011.

Tire Tracks vol. 3

This week we're taking that 21.2 mile trip to Reston... While it's not the longest roadtrip in the world, the move definitely requires a soundtrack!  Here's a sample of what will be playing as we drive the Focus and the Ac loaded with boxes, following the moving truck, over the highways to our new home...

The Old Apartment, Barenaked Ladies
Pink Houses, John Mellencamp
Feels Like Home, Chantal Kreviazuk
Movin' Out (Anthony's Song), Billy Joel
Money For Nothing, Dire Straits
No Such Thing, John Mayer
Two Of Us, Aimee Mann & Michael Penn
Dog Days Are Over, Florence And The Machine

After a brief hiatus, I'll be back in April to finally recap my last trip to Florida and (hopefully) gush about a special excursion in NYC!

21.2 Miles

That's how long is takes to get from our house now in North Springfield to our new townhouse in Reston. Yes - it's official.  Jason and I are homeowners!

While it may not be the prettiest thing on the outside, be assured there is a lot of love on the inside!

After traveling home from Phoenix, AZ this past Thursday, I joined Jason on a rainy evening as we met with our closer and signed our lives away.  But it was well worth it.  While living in Reston will add to the work commute, we absolutely love the area and are sure to share our neighborhood discoveries soon.  Besides, we're all about the miles!

Honeymoon Help

As the knowledgeable travelers Jason and I consider ourselves to be, we thought planning our honeymoon trip would be a piece of cake.  But after countless hours researching the Internet and getting absolutely nowhere, we realized that couldn't have been more wrong! We knew we wanted a place that was, in Jason's words, "all about maxin' and relaxin'."  Yet, we had no idea where to go or how to get there!

So, after the gracious recommendation of our newliest-wedded friends, The Beales, we decided to meet with Jim of Perfect Honeymoons, a travel consultant who specializes in romantic getaways.  As we sat in the waiting room, completing our "honeymoon quiz," we were admittedly a bit skeptical.  But two hours later, we left feeling excited and full of recommendations for our post-nuptial vacation!  Perfect Honeymoons' advice was just that - perfect, which was going to make it really hard to decide.  Still, we managed to narrow it down to two...

Peter Island, British Virgin Islands

A private paradise, Peter Island has won countless awards and rankings from the top travel publications in the world, including Travel & Leisure and Conde Nast.  The retreat is all about serenity and catering to classic desert-isle fantasies.  Its five isolated beaches, lush green backdrop and outlet names like Deadman's and Tradewinds, make it right up our secluded-alley!

Cap Juluca, Anguilla

After recently undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation, Cap Juluca embodies the essence of Anguilla, which has also received many accolades from the travel community, making it one of the trendiest exclusive spots around.  With its expansive white sand beach, dramatic Moorish architecture and plentiful Caribbean heritage, it's no wonder we're completely torn!

I think Jason and I are going to "sleep on it" - I mean, can you blame us?  Who doesn't want to go to bed dreaming of pristine beaches, turquoise water and 5 straight days of relaxing bliss?!