Team BrownChickenBrownCow

Indy hosted their ColorRun this past weekend. The only way you will every convince me to participate in something with the word RUN in the title is to lure me in with bright colors.

Three of my girlfriends from high school and myself signed up, under the surname of Team BrownChickenBrownCow.

In an effort to not be like every other person I've seen in ColorRun pictures, my team chose to wear toga's.

And while there were more tutu's than I could have ever imagined, the toga's were unique and a huge hit!

We had a blast, we just walked & talked the whole time but there were a lot of hardcore runners.

The volunteers at almost all the color stations were grumpy and not much fun so we resorted to things like dancing our way through the stations, snow angels in the powder on the street, and having our own color fights.

And of course, I'll leave you with the quintessential jumping picture. Because really, what is ANY event without a jumping photo.

 

What's in my Beach Bag

I like to think I've got a my beach bag packing skills finely tuned in complements of all the practice. Here are my must-have laying out essentials! 

1. Vintage flour sack tote I got one of these a few years ago from a local boutique, I love that it's a no fuss or frills beach bag that I can roll it up and stuff it in my suitcase


2. Portable speaker dock
My brother gave me this as a Christmas gift and I use it daily. It will last like 8 hours without being plugged in, and also charges your iPod/Phone. No beach party is complete without some tunes!


3. Maui Babe tanning lotion
I kept hearing rave reviews about this stuff, and gave it a shot on our recent Jamaica trip. I am a fan! It's a bit messy though, but it did seem to get me a golden tan quicker


4. Towel clips
I stumbled upon these at an end of the season clearance at Target a few summers ago. Best impulse purchase ever, seriously. These simple things are SO nice to have!


5. Ocean Potion lip balm
It's SPF 45 and tastes like dreamsicles. What more could a girl ask for?


6. Fun reusable cup
Who wants to waste half their day making trips back and forth to the bar for pina coladas in tiny glasses? Bring your own - plus it's earth friendly to not waste all those dixie cups!


7. A patterned scarf
Tie it bandana style around your neck if your chest starts to burn, tie it in your hair as a headband, tie it onto your beach bag as an accessory when not using it


What do you HAVE to have in your bag?

[*These are my own opinions, I have no affiliations with any of the brands/stores linked, I just love the products!]

The Pit

We're headin out to a special place we love that just a few folks know
 

Me and my favorite copilot packed up Friday afternoon and headed out some back country roads towards a place lovingly referred to as The Pit.

To spend the weekend with this cute boy.

The Pit is the blob of land that LT's family owns, it was once a gravel pit that has since been filled by underground springs. I can't tell you how many weekends have been spent out there this summer.

Family, friends and the best food. Swimming, corn hole, horseshoes, cocktails, great weather... really what more could a girl ask for!?

This is too funny not to share--  after 3 days there Russ Russ the Ladies Man was so tuckered out he passed out on the center console 15 minutes into our drive home last night.

Thankful for...

(Two posts in one day - crazy I know. I saw this and HAD to share it though. I realize I need to take this perspective on life)

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Mixer & Mingle Friday: The Chelsea

Every time we go to an all-inclusive resort I get delegated as the official mixologist. I guess when you work in the industry you don't even get a day off on vacation ;)

This trip I had everyone drinking this perfect beach cocktail that came to be known as The Chelsea

Simply mix Sprite and white rum, then add a splash of pineapple juice.

Enjoy! 

And one last tidbit for your enjoyment:: a little slice of I'd Cap That (best app ever) fun from our trip::

 

That Moment.

It's that moment when you glance to your left, then to your right, and then fall into a fit of giggles with your best friend, hands clenched together in a death grip, because you're crammed 4 deep in the backseat of a car speeding through the dark, winding roads of Playa del Carmen. Not sure of your final destination, even more unsure of if you'll make it to see the rising sun that dawn will bring.

They promised you a local club, full of those latin beats you were craving, salsa dancing, cheap drinks. It's that moment as you were doing your best to interpret their broken English, giddily climbing into the vehicle, where you don't ask yourself WHY, but rather WHY NOT?

Sure, every one warns you with narrowed eyes, 'whatever you do - don't leave the resort' but I've always been one to toe the line, push limits, fly by my own wings.

The truth is we had a blast that night, we danced our asses off, and we tucked ourselves into the safe and sound beds of our resort in the wee morning hours without a scratch.

That was over 6 years ago. I think I was 18. When I flip through the pages of my passport similar stories flood my mind. I don't remember the food or the pools or the room service, I remember the reckless abandon. The people. The stories.

This past trip to Jamaica was no different. The last night of our trip I jumped at the opportunity to go out to a local Jamaican night club in Negril. As I was walking off the resort grounds to meet up with my Jamaican buds I felt that nervous feeling bubbling up in my tummy. It's weird how much I trust them after only "knowing" them for 3 weeks out of the past year. But I knew they wouldn't let anything happen to me, it's funny the level of rapport that gets built over such a short time span.

I followed close behind, up 3 flights of stairs to the rooftop terrace of The Jungle.  A reggae remix of Rhianna was blarinig from the speakers, people were dancing everywhere. A smile crept across my face as we made our way to the bar, I was falling in love with Jamaica all over again.

The time flew by, and as I unlocked the door to my hotel room in the wee hours of that next morning I couldn't help but shake my head. Oh the shenanigans that little island country provides. I packed up my belongings and prepared to head to the airport in a few short hours. Another night for the memory books, another great trip.

 

It's a family thing

When I tell people I'm going on vacation, their most common response is "back to Jamaica?"

Which always makes me smirk. It's true. I am obsessed with that little island lying in the heart of the West Indies.

317 is my true home, but 876 is my home away from home.

It's not just me though, it's a family thing.

Daddy-O and I

Mama & papa bear

(Cousin's wife, cousin, papa bear, mama bear, myself, uncle, aunt and friends of the fam)

Traveling with my family is absolutely hilarious. They are a riot. Never a dull moment to be had when you get all of us together!

The older I get the more I realize the dynamic of my family is rare, uncommon.  I'm glad we are all so close though. I can't imagine it any other way. I hope to make many many more memories with them in the coming years, whether within the US border or beyond!
 

I jumped

I'm not very good at the whole "don't post on social networks when you're out of town" thing, partly because I always share pictures and videos throughout the week and partly because if someone truly wanted to break into my empty home and steal my 1994 big screen tube television I probably would applaud them and thank them gratuitously.

Anyways, if you hadn't already caught on, I was back at my second home last week. Eight blissful, relaxing days. No near death experiences this time (although I did toe the line and tempt fate here), no marriages (although Jamaican Hubs was there and this time he spent the week telling the resort about our 10 "cappuccino" babies).

I did, however, jump off a cliff. Twice. A cliff 35ft above the lagoon.

It. was. a. BLAST.

I chickened out the last time we were at Rick's Cafe a few years ago.... so this time as soon as we booze cruised into the lagoon and hopped off the boat I handed my stuff off and marched right up to the platform and down I went!


As soon as I got back up to land everyone complained that I went too quick, and they didn't even get a video.... so of course I did it again!


I highly recommend if you're ever in Negril to go jump. Rick's is sort of meh, too touristy for me - but the locals who are cliff jumpers are a must see!

Disoriented

It's always so hard coming back from a week out of the country. But with a friend and a boyfriend who shower you with this kind of Welcome Home, I really can't complain! I oughta go on vacation more often

Jamaica was a blast, as usual. It gets harder and harder to come home every time. I'll hopefully become more competent throughout today and be able to share with you all the crazy things we did!

Today I Love: Boots & shorts

A few weeks ago LT & I were sitting on the patio of a restaurant in this outdoor mall near my house. A girl walked by in shorts & a beat up pair of boots and in that moment I decided I wanted to be her.

Not counting cowboy boots, I've been too scared to try this trend myself, but I'm really diggin it. Maybe soon I'll work up the courage!

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