I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane

It's officially summer!!! Well to me I started in the beginning of April! And with summer comes lots of lovely vacations(tell your boss that you'll have a breakdown if you don't get at least 3-4 weeks off). Now since I am going to consider myself a professional traveler at the moment, I have a lot of wonderful travel tips that can help you our where ever you may be headed!

Being a very lucky gal, I have been fortunate to have last summer and this summer at my fingertips to do whatever I please(unless one my freelance jobs interrupts). Now if you are like me, I always say "if you going to go.....you might as well stay a while." With that being said you have to have much in order when leaving. (Having all of your bills in order, having the correct funds in your account to be taken out, having someone to feed your cat and someone to look after the dogs, and all those other "adult" things we must do.) You'll likely be with your friends or your significant other and that also helps in case you're having a panic while packing. "I just now I'm missing something" is always said when I am walking out the door but as soon as I get to the airport and am sitting in Starbucks I realize the only thing missing are my headphones for my iPhone(bought 2 pair on my way to Cali and another on my way home from Florida. And that's just this summer!) I'm also known for literally just picking up and going. Which requires a fast pack, and a fast flight purchase. Let's begin with packing! (BTW I hate/scared of driving so I almost always fly.)

I don't give a crap if it costs $25 to check my bags. They will be getting checked. A few times I have made the mistake of doing the carry on, which now means leaving it plane side before you get on. For some this may be fine but I have 2 bulging discs in my back that do not agree with carrying or wheeling luggage around. This is an important topic because you must know how much your airline is going to charge you both ways and add it into your flight fee. Also add in your extending parking funds if you plan on leaving your car at the airport. As my carry on I usually always do a wardrobe bag. Do you really want your cocktail dresses or suits rolled up in your suitcase. I don't think so, unless you plan on going to the dry cleaner to get everything steamed(which sometimes you still must do if you are attending a big event or wedding.) And what is in your suitcase and where?! Play around with it and you only have a 50 pound leeway so you must get it right. Here is what I do and it's done the job.
1. shoes on bottom. stilettos pit perfectly into the little crevices.
2. fill every empty spot on the bottom where your shoes don't hit with small objects. I do sunglasses(in their case of course), underwear, swimsuits, camera and mini cams, hair bows, and so on.
3. roll instead of fold all clothing
4. leave an empty hole for your make up bag
5. Cardigans on top lying flat with 1 fold
Now on the outside pockets.
1. hairdryer(if that doesn't fit then shove it on the inside side of suitcase)
2. plastic zip lock of ALL products (I had decided not to use a bag on my way home from LA and had to take half of it to the dry cleaner) Not a fun bill to pay!
3. jewelry in it's cases and bags
4. medications that if your luggage gets lost you can live without for a couple days. Sleeping, anxiety, and anything else that can cause withdrawal, KEEP IN YOUR PURSE.
5. Nail polishes

Alright I may have missed some things but that's ok. Hopefully you get the point. Keep your chap stick, sunglasses, glasses, headphones, and a pony tail holder near at all times! As for the phone charger, some pack, some keep it on them, it's up to you. And of course the packing items vary due to where you are headed. You're not going to bring a dress bag to Hilton Head for a week, unless you are attending a wedding while there. And you're not going to pack your swimsuits if you are headed to NYC, when the only two rooftop pools(although they are fab) that I can think right off the top of my head are Gansevoort and Soho House. So what I am trying to say to pack for the location.

Are you going to NYC, DC, or LA? Then as a tourist you should always have cash on hand. It was my 1st time to LA so I didn't worry about cash but I found it to be quite similar to NYC with all of the privately owned convenience stores that only except cash. Along with the amazing taco stands! They are to die! And NYC is the exact same with food and mag vendors, chinatown, gray's papaya(yumm), and convenience stores. Everywhere else now a days pretty much accepts cards. On top of the cash rule, you have to remember you will be walking a lot. And in the evening you will be fine dining and attending fabulous parties so you really must bring it all. LA is the only place where you can in front of Fred Segal and see the beach at the same time. Soo amazing!

Headed to the beach? Throw in all your flip flops, sundresses, coverups, swimwear, and sunscreen in your suitcase. Don't even bother with the stilettos or make up. This is your time to relax! And laying around watching DVD's and playing yatzee are actual priorities. Unless you're heading to South Beach, which you would want to follow the next instructions. Vegas huh? Pack glamorously. The pool parties there are even dress to impress. So throw on the skimpy bikini and stilettos and look glam. Same goes with the nightlife.

I will even give you an outline on what to bring if you are coming to Pittsburgh, PA for some reason. Now even though I am a tad over this town, I do love coming back to it when I have just been in a small town. You most likely will go see sme kind of sporting event. It's just what Pittsburgh does. The Strip District, Shadyside, and the Southside are wonderful for walking around, shopping, and restaurants. Getting a Primanti's Brother sandwich is a must. People actually travel here just to go to a Primanti's. And the nightlife can be very chill with bars and bands or luxurious with the many ultra lounges and nightclubs where you can celebrate with a private table or bed.

So that's that with that. Now as for out of the states, you may need to help me out. I, personally, love city vaca's. Lot's to do! But I also love chilling in a beach town where there is absolutly nothing to do but enjoy the weather and your company! Either way, I hope you all get to take a little time off and go somewhere you enjoy and can destress.

What are your favorite places to visit? Do you like to dive or fly? Beach or City?

Peace & Love
S

To Feel Your Pain, You Feel Mine

I deeply apologize for my absence but I have realized that it is going to be very hard for me to really keep up with my posts these couple months. I am traveling a ton and spending time with my wonderful friends which are more like family. I am also going through a terrifying motorcycle accident my dad was in which will leave him in the hospital and rehabilitation for the next 6-8 weeks. Writing is something I love and I think will be a great distraction from the very sad thoughts I am having but as of right now I can only talk to a couple of people and am emotionally and psyically exhausted. I am sorry and hopefully I can be back up and writing a ton very soon. To all my fans suffering from depression, anxiety, loss of a loved one, those that are in pain either emotionally or physically, and my ED girls; Keep your head up and keep pushing on. You are all in my prayers everyday. Please also keep my father and family in your prayers as well.

Peace & Love
S

There In My Rearview Mirror Disappearing Now

Everyone gets the "I have to get out of town" bug every now and then. I seem to get it a lot more often then others. I truly can't remember the last time I was in Pittsburgh for a full month??? Maybe June?? I don't know. All I know is that I am getting out of here on Thursday or Friday and going to see my lovely sorority sisters that reside in Baltimore. And Friday cannot come fast enough! For those of you that are like myself and like to escape.....here are some things that I do to help me get by. Please feel free to add any additions!

1. Dance. Nothing let's me feel as free and far far far away from reality is a good dance class. I prefer ballet, of course, and try to attend twice a week. Right now I would die to have my old schedule when I was younger which was ballet for 6-7 hours a day. Now for those of you who did not grow up with classical training and would rather try something beginner, there are soo many options out there. There's yoga, pilates, zumba, African dance(I love these classes), and even classes at your local gym. My girlfriend Sharon runs a fabulous "dance the pounds off" class which is cardio and fun! A basic workout can also do the trick. Try one of these. I swear it works!

2. Disappear into music. This is involved in my daily routine but I happen to live and breathe music. I do not watch television and always have music blasting. It's such a great art form. There is nothing better to me. Pick up a guitar or try another instrument that you have always been dying to learn. It's never to late to further your musical education. I had to take a step backwards and relearn how to read music. I knew how to all of middle and high school but I lost it.

3. Write. I think I just stated in my previous blog that if I just have my journal and this little blog everything is a-okay! I know this isn't for everyone but I do believe you should try it just once in your life. This can also mesh in well with your music. Songwriting is just about the greatest relief and getaway you can get. My favorite is writing love songs. Love and Heartbreak and everything in between!

4. Drive. Just get in your car and drive. I have a friend that is constantly driving around to random places and I never got it. But now I do and I realized that this is his escape of the day. He turns up the music real loud and just gets in the zone.

5. Going to the movies/theatre/ballet/opera/musical. You can never go wrong! Going to the theatre, although most of you may already know this, is my absolute favorite thing to do. As soon as you walk into the red carpeted, gold windy staircase, imaginary land, you will already be long gone. Ohh and when the orchestra starts and the curtain opens......well it's just a feeling that NOTHING can replace. It's the most amazing high you can get......if you used to perform at all I'm sure you all know this.

Well I kinda of took this to my own preferences and I am sorry about that. This is best for the person who is in love with Arts. But I do believe, everyone has a performing side inside of them just dying to get out. So please go ahead and give these ago when you need to escape and feel free and released from reality.

Peace and Love,

S

Boys Like You Love Me Forever

This past week I took a lovely vaca down south to Charlotte, NC. And the boys were everywhere!!! Now I have TONS of experience with crazy bf's and dates but this guy took the cake. He proved to me that he was the craziest of crazy, leading him into what I and Vince Vaughn call a stage 5 clinger! We had met on Wednesday and he was cool, played guitar and sang in a band, had dark eyes.....pretty much all the things I like, so when he called the next day and invited me to dinner then to see him play I accepted. Boy I sure didn't know what I was getting into!!!

My ex boyfriend from the band Filter was kinda the same way. Told me he loved me after 2 weeks, called and text "I miss you" a few times everyday while on tour, and clinged to my every word and displayed major PDA. Maybe this is a musician thing.....I don't know. Now the stage 5 clinger, whom we'll call "J", makes my Filter boyfriend seem like a normal boy. Now dinner with J went smooth. We had a lot in common and mainly talked about the arts, performing and visual. It was great to find someone who shared the same thoughts on many subjects. Afterwards we went to the venue and I watched him play. Everything was still going smooth. After the set was over is when shit started to go down. Guys, DO NOT EVER attempt any of these moves on a 1st date!!!

1. Shoving your tongue down my throat in front of a dozen people watching us.
2. Have to hold my hand at all times.
3. Telling me that I am making him jealous when dancing with one of his friends.
4. Constantly confessing to me that I am the most beautiful girl in the world.
5. Introduce your dog to me as the dogs mother!!!
6. Call me your girlfriend.
7. Telling all your friends that you have "found the one."
8. Asking me to move in after only knowing me for 36 hours!!!
9. Telling me and others that we are going to get married.
10. Staring at me intensely and drooling at the mouth.
11. Texting me "I miss you baby" with a frowning face only 45 minutes since I've seen you. And then calling on repeat since I did not respond.
12. Call from different numbers so I'll pick up not thinking it's him. (Such a girl move!)

And the worst of the worst I have ever experienced; Planning out the holidays so we can both spend time with both families!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay I am throwing up in my mouth a little just recalled this hot mess disaster. Now boys.....we like you because you are supposed to be masculine, not a wimpy desperate chick! And girls watch out. If it can happen to me this means it can happen to you too. I didn't know these clingers existed but they are out there and they are scary! Watch out because they do not give the crazy vibe until an hour in. If this happens to me again, or any of you girls, leave where ever you are asap. This is a serious situation that will leave you scarred.

For the rest of my vaca I hung out with the HOTTEST 20 year that looked like he had just stepped of the set of Gossip Girl. And it was soo refreshing to not hear from him every minute of everyday! He kept it fun and sexy, not clingy. Now that's the way to go!

Peace and Love

S