young the giant

Embrace Your Inner Trouble Maker

Photography, Thoughts

Hi blog world!

Well, I officially survived the Bud Light Port Paradise Cruise I won a couple of weeks ago from Young the Giant and Bud Light. It was an amazing experience and a 4 day weekend I will never forgot. The musical concerts were out of this world amazing, and I met some really awesome people from across the United States.

I have so many photos and videos that I will make a little summary video/photo diary that I will post on here very soon 🙂

It felt so amazing not to have a worry in the world, especially when we were on the beautiful private island of Coco Cay in the middle of the Bahamas. It really was a little paradise just for the estimated 5,000 people on the 2 Bud Light Port Paradise Cruise Ships. There were a numerous amount of fun activities located all over the island (jet skis, inflatable ocean wipeout course, local little shops, paddle boarding, etc.). Of course there were hammocks and lots of beach chairs scattered along the pristine white sandy beaches, for those who wanted to work on their tans and kick back for a little bit.

I leisurely strolled into the crystal blue water and just floated on my back and soaked up the beauty, the large amount of luck in my life, the happiness that was overcoming me, and the overall euphoria I was experiencing right then and there. I had no worries. I felt amazing. I was surrounded by amazing people. I was content with life. I had no obligations (but to have fun). I had a huge smile that couldn’t be wiped off my face. 

I was embracing my inner trouble maker. I danced. I drank. I swam. I explored. I made new friends. I learned to embrace the feeling of being free and enjoying EVERY moment  (within reason of course). The picture above is shot of me dancing to Young The Giant – the band who I won this amazing opportunity from. I thought it was a perfect image to pair with this saying.

Life is what you make of it. So you better make it unforgettable!

Honestly, What Are The Odds?!

Thoughts

There are 100’s of 1000’s of contests out there every single day. And I’m not afraid to admit that I apply to some of them with just the glimmer of hope (AND LUCK) that I will win at least ONE of them.

So when one of my favorite bands, Young the Giant, posted on Facebook:

We are giving away 5 pairs of tickets to the Bud Light Port Paradise Festival, a 4 day cruise (November 16th-19th) setting sail from Ft. Lauderdale Florida to a private island in the Bahamas for a 2 day music festival where we will perform. The cruise, roundtrip airfare, food and tickets to the music festival are all FREE.   

Heres how it works: post a photo of your paradise on Instagram and tag #youngthegiant. Get creative, your paradise is whatever makes you happy. Make sure to tag #youngthegiant or we won’t be able to see it. We’ll pick our 5 favorite photos and Bud Light will award the winners with a pair of tickets to the cruise where you’ll join us on the sandy shores of Coco Cay Island! HURRY the contest ends this Saturday 10/27 at noon EST. We will announce the winner by Sunday 10/28 at noon EST.   

I thought, shucks, that’s not a bad prize for simply posting a photo on Instagram!

If you can’t guess by reading my blog thus far, my paradise would definitely be ocean- above and underneath. So I picked one of my favorite SCUBA photos and shared it on my Instagram Account.

Just put me in the sea and watch my happiness grow! The ocean is my paradise forever and always.

So on Saturday morning after I went to an EARLY morning orientation for volunteering at this week’s Breeder’s Cup (AKA the Super Bowl of horse racing being hosted at the Santa Anita Race Track- more fun news I’m working at the Trophy’s Lounge with all the VIP/Famous folk) – I get a tweet alert from Young the Giant. Of course I’m still a bit half asleep from waking up at 6:30am on a Saturday morning, but I opened my Twitter and sure enough I saw this:

HOLY COW
OH MY GOODNESS
AHHHHHHH
THAT IS MY INSTAGRAM NAME RIGHT?
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
NO WAY
I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS JUST HAPPENED
IS THIS REAL LIFE??!?!?

Well it really did happen- hard to believe, right? Every 30 mins for the rest of the entire day I let out a little squeal of excitement thinking OMG I JUST WON A CRUISE! Since I won a pair of tickets, I asked my friend Rachel to join me on this epic cruise/music festival in the BAHAMAS!!! I can’t express my overwhelming thankfulness to Young the Giant and the Anheuser-Busch Company for giving me a trip of a lifetime. Other musical performers are: Pitbull, Flo Rida, Far East Movement, Brad Paisley, and the All American Rejects.

Here’s a sneak peek of what we have in store .ut oh..looks like the Spring Break/Summer Vacation I didn’t get to a chance to take this year will be made up for with this cruise!

I tell you, when it rains it pours (a ton of fantastic things). The day before I got a call that might change my entire life in a month (more to come about that in a later post)- and then I was given a $5,000 one of a kind beautiful painting yesterday. Really? I feel like the luckiest girl on the planet right now. I’m going to soak it up and enjoy it while I can. These moments don’t come around often, so I am welcoming them with OPEN ARMS!

It’s time to get my bikini body ready – buy a lotto ticket – get my work done – and keep a smile on my face. Here’s one of Young the Giant’s most popular songs – the lyrics “a wet world aches for a beat of a drum” couldn’t be more perfect looking forward to my 4 day/3 night/2 day music festival in the Bahamas…

Let the Music Take Control

Thoughts

After silence,
that which comes nearest to expressing
the inexpressible is music. – Aldous Huxley

Music has always been a great place to escape no matter what kind of mood I’m in. When you think about it, there is just about a song for every situation you run into while you go through life- happiness, heartache, anger, sadness, inspiration, rage, and so on. Music has definitely helped me get through hard times, sad times, fun times, and crazy times. So today I dedicate this post to songs that make me feel good. Hope you’ve all had a wonderful week full of happiness, joy, and most of all love.

YOUNG THE GIANT- Islands
His voice is like butter…and this acoustic version of this song on the beach makes it even more beautiful.

GROUPLOVE- Tongue Tied
This is the song that makes me want to just jump up and down and dance to where ever I may be 🙂

KITO FEAT. REIJA LEE- Sweet Talk
When this tune comes on while I’m at the gym, I definitely get into a groove. 

THE BLACK KEYS- Gold on the Ceiling
I’ve loved The Black Keys for a long time. This song triggers something in me- not sure what it is but I FEEL IT!

DEVOTCHKA- The Winner Is
This song is from the movie Little Miss Sunshine- which is a fantastic movie with a great message. It’s all instrumental- which is a nice change once in a while in my music library. 

ELLIE GOULDING- Your Song
Her cover of this classic song is unique and beautiful. Her voice is so different from anything I’ve ever heard..

JUST JACK- Starz In Their Eyes
Thought I’d leave you with this final song- it’s a toe tapper that I get excited when it comes on when I’m on a good high while working out. There’s something about English “rappers” that I like way better than American ones. 

What’s the top song in your life right now??

“Smile, You’re Designed To”

Thoughts

🙂

I just wanted to share a quick little something to get off my chest….

I’m just really happy where my life is right now, and the people who are in it!!!

I knew this year was going to be different, but I didn’t know it was going to be so thrilling, eye-opening, and amazing.  I’ve learned a lot MORE about myself than I have ever imagined. I’ve also learned a lot about others, mostly by the actions they take compared to the words they speak to my face. It’s unfortunate, for them.

I entered to be on this TV Show the other evening. I wont tell you all the details yet…don’t want to jinx it- but it’s super exciting! Wish me luck 😉 Speaking of this- I asked my best friend to answer one of the questions on the survey which was : What would your best friend say is their favorite thing about you? Thought it was better actually coming out of the mouth of my friend instead of just guessing…This was her response..literally brought me to tears and inspired me to write this post. Love you Courtney!!!

“My favorite thing about you is your refusal to let anything get in way of what it is that you want out of life…be it a job, an experience, an adventure, no matter, you take initiative and see that it happens. The best part of being that you do it without compromising your character to fit other presupposed qualifications. And the fact that you achieve amazing things without losing who you really are in the process makes you one of a kind and an absolute reward for all those people lucky enough to encounter you.”

I also just found out some really GREAT news for some friends of mine..it’s a secret for now but once I’m allowed to share I won’t be able to hold it in EEEEEE!

Plus-if you read my last post- you will see that I just entered to do my first 5K marathon for children with Cancer and their families. I set a goal to raise $200.00 for the PADRES foundation- and I already succeeded in just 3 days! GLORIOUS! Now it’s time to go over and beyond my initial goal and keep raising money for these families who need our help.

I’m almost at 200 followers on my blog, and with close to 12,000 hits, I couldn’t be more pleased! Blogging is such a wonderful outlet and it connects me to people ALL OVER THE WORLD. On my statistics page, I am able to view which countries have looked at my blog. Some countries I haven’t even heard of before (seriously..it’s wild)!! Makes me feel like my mark is being made worldwide.

I love my job. It is amazing to work with people who have really become my family over this past year…they all have a special place in my heart forever. I’m super lucky.

Speaking of family, even though sometimes we have our drama, there is no other family I’d rather be a part of. I’ve learned so much from all of you.

Just remember that life is great. Think positive, listen to your heart, and smile. 😀 Life could always be worse…it’s a roller coaster really- there are always ups and downs. Just remember enjoy the ride! Sorry if it sounds to cliché … but it really is the truth.

There is no need to be negative all the time. It doesn’t do well for yourself, or others around you. Happiness is a drug that everyone should get addicted to-it’s infectious.

Here are a couple of songs that always put me in a better mood! Have a great evening everyone!

It’s Music Friday!

Thoughts

So I feel like sharing some cool songs- and exposing some bands that I am really getting into at the moment. Sit back and enjoy a couple songs on your last couple of hours at work today 🙂

GRIZZLY BEAR–> TWO WEEKS

A Brooklyn native folk rock band. This band was one of the non-electrical bands to be signed to Warp Records. I just really love the beat and how well their voices harmonize together.

YOUNG THE GIANT–> MY BODY

This band is opening up for the Incubus tour this year (which I am going to on October 7th at the Hollywood Bowl EEEE!). As one of my friends said just the other day while listening to this song, “His voice is so velvety smooth.” – And I concur!

MUMFORD AND SONS–> AWAKE MY SOUL

Mumford and Sons is an up and coming British band. They have a “gutsy and old time sound” as stated on their website biography. I think his voice is super sexy..o yes I do. Their lyrics are fantastic as well- enjoy.

CAGE THE ELEPHANT–> AINT NO REST FOR THE WICKED

This Kentucky band was created in 2006. Apparently they are known for their high-energy live performances- guess that means I need to check them out for myself to see if that is true! 🙂 I really enjoy this song and totally turn it up when it comes on the radio and sing my little heart out.

PASSION PIT–> SLEEPYHEAD

Leaving the best music video for last. You’ll see what I mean. Passion Pit is an electropop band all the way from Massachusetts (say that five times fast). They definitely keep your foot tapping and head bopping.