Travel Reads

Morning Sunshines!!!

I had some seriously awesome input on my packing list. Thanks to everyone who helped out with that. I have started packing...well, sort of. I've started getting stuff out I guess I should say. 

I asked my friends on Facebook what books they would recommend and I had so many people help me with that as well. Last night I went to 2nd & Charles with my friends Chris & Melissa. Unfortunately they didnt have any of the books I really wanted. I did get a book though that is part of Book Crossing. So that's fun! Book Crossing is where you put a tag on your book, log onto their website, log where you are from and your thoughts about the book, then you release the book and ship it somewhere else. So it just tracks all of the locations that the book has been read at. I am excited to hopefully release this book in Hawaii. The book I bought is called "Friends Like These." By Danny Wallace. I will let you know how the book is for sure!!! The books I R E A L L Y wanted was a trilogy that my friend Leah told me about.  The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness.

 I was SO so bummed out when 2nd&c didnt have the books. They had the 3rd book of the trilogy but that did me no good. So, I am still hoping to get a few more books! It's times like these when I really just wish I had a kindle.

F I V E days my friends! FIVE DAYS. I can't wait to see Faith & Dan! 

I can't wait wait wait wait wait to see 

G Y P S Y  M A R I E 

I can't wait to see Island Cream Co. in real life! I can't wait to see that beautiful logo in real life. I can't wait to eat that delicious ice cream!

I can't wait to see Ericka....Leah....Jerry! Oh my goodness. How in the world did I end up with so many great people living in PARADISE! Wooohoooo.

HAPPY WEEKEND FRIENDS!

Bye now

B's

Packing List

Morning Friends!

Today marks ONE W e e k 

until I leave for my month long adventure. 

"But He knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold. For I have stayed on God's path; I have followed his ways and not turned aside. I have not departed from His commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food....So He will do to me whatever He has planned. He controls my destiny." 

{Job 23:10-12,14}

I am incredibly excited!!

I have been trying to start getting my packing list written.

So I thought I would share and if there is anything you think I am leaving off, please feel free to share your thoughts!!!

I will be gone from January 15th until February 20th {if I come back} I will have access to a washing machine and dryer as well :)

•CLOTHING•

3 to 4 Sun dresses

1 pair of Jeans just incase

3 Pair of Denim Shorts

3 Tanks- 3 Tees - 3 Casual shirts

Undergarments 

3 to 4 Swimsuits

2 or 3 Coverups

2 Cardigans

1 Light Jacket

•SHOES•

Sandals

Slippas {flip-flops}

Tennis Shoes

Keens

Dressy Shoes {maybe?}

•TOILETRIES•

Shampoo-Conditioner

Soap-Body Wash

Face wash

Eye Makeup Remover

Tooth brush

Tooth Paste

Razors

Deodorant

Hair Brush - Comb

Detangler Spray

Hair Ties

Head Bands

Flat Iron

•OTHER•

Stationery {because I write A L O T}

2 Hats 

BRUINS HAT <3

Sunglasses

MacBook & Charger

Camera

Ipod & Charger

Books

Water Bottle

Sunscreen { I can NOT burn....I just want to get TAN}

Gee I feel like I am leaving off SO much stuff.

Please if you have ANY suggestions at all, please please please I am begging SHARE.

Also, if there are any books you think I would enjoy reading, share that as well!

Thanks for your help and as always thanks so much for reading ibB! I appreciate it more than you will ever know. 

Bye for now, 

B's

Top Two and HAWAII

Hey there!!

It's already January 6th? Where is January going?

Its' the first TOP TWO of 2015

and this week its all about GOALS for this year

So here you go... TOP TWO TIME!

NUMBER ONE

 Worry Less. Smile More. Don't Regret. Just Learn. And GROW.

I know I have a really awesome and blessed life but sometimes we are all guilty of taking the life we have for Granted. I want to make the most out of what I have been given. I want to dive into ever single opportunity head first without questioning, without over thinking, and without freaking doubting myself. 

NUMBER TWO

Be a complete SPONGE the entire year. 

I want to learn. I want to grow. I want to become a better me. I want to go places. I want to move places. I want to BE the person that God has called me to be. 

I want to BE where God wants me to be. 

So with that I come to this....

I leave in NINE days on the 15th of January for a month long adventure. Its an opportunity that if God wouldnt have been there to open doors, I wouldnt have the opportunity to see the things I am going to see. 

I will be in both Maui and Oahu for both fun as well as business. 

I am SO thankful to be able to go. However, I am concerned though because I as well as my whole family have always known that God gave me the heart to GO. He didnt create me with the desire to be a hometown girl who is comfortable with staying in the same town that she grew up in. He gave me an adventurous heart and I am so glad that he did. With that being said, I am worried that going to Hawaii will change my whole life. You know what drives me crazy about life....the NOT knowing. I like to know whats ahead, I like to have a plan, I like to stick to the plan. But I have always known and said that God's plan is always far better than our own and is usually a plan that we cant even comprehend. While I am in hawaii, I want to figure out and know exactly the reason that God has me there for a month. I want him to use me for exactly that reason. I hope my talents are used. I hope he uses me to take a stressful load off of someone. I just don't want to be there to be there....I want to be there to make a difference for someone, whatever that difference is. 

I want this trip to completely transform my life because its a once in a lifetime chance for me. AHHH I can't wait!

Happy Tuesday friends!

I hope its a beautiful one.

bB***

Goodbye Gypster Hipster

Hi Hi!!!

It's a really sad day here in my world. 

It's my last day with Gypster Hipster.

Over the past year, this little gal has become such a sweet part of my life.

I remember like it was yesterday the first time I ever met Gypsy. 

It was on her daddy's birthday, and I was meeting Faith for an interview.

When I walked in and saw Gypsy, I immediately fell in love with her. I love animals, but there was something about her. Of course, at that moment I never would have imagined that love for animal could grow so much in a years time. 

In June when Faith and Dan asked me if I would take care of her for five months, I knew then that it would be a difficult situation in the end, and it absolutely is. But I have made the absolute best adventure that I possibly could for this pup pup while she's been here and I know I am saying good bye with more memories than I ever could have imagined and I do know that Gypsy Marie loves me so SO much.

 Here is a look back over the past year, Enjoy!!

{this is the first photo I ever took of my sweet buddy!}

Just a recap of our fun time here on our #bhamadventure we...

Slept in and cuddled on the reg

made friends with lots of other pups.

went hiking at oak mountain

went swimming in the lake

went on lots of runs

took lots of road trips to Florence

went to railroad park for a day full of food trucks

had lots of attention downtown

had dinner at Gypsy's favorite places downtown; Slice! and Collins

had fun nights at Good People Brewing

went to Art Crawl a good bit

went to Starkville, Mississippi for Bid Day

became partners in crime with Mylee

and SO so much more.

We have really had a whole lot of fun and made lots of memories. 

My whole family is so attached to this sweet girl. Its going to be a hard couple of weeks.

Gypsy leaves on a plane super early tomorrow morning. Please say a prayer for her travel, as well as for me.

At least I do know I will get to see her again in January and February!!

I guess thats all for today. I am off to get Gyp Gyps stuff together for her trip. 

Aloha nui loa Friends

bB***

It has begun...

Hello There!

As you know, my last few days with my little buddy Gyp Gyp are passing by quickly. On Sunday, I drive to Atlanta to send her off on her way to Hawaii. It seriously breaks my heart. So, right now, I really dont want to ponder on it, so on to the next subject....

I am MOVING to

B I R M I N G H A M 

permanently. Well, you know what I mean....until God is ready for me to go elsewhere.

When I temporarily moved to Birmingham to watch after Gypsy for a few months, I was dead set that I was NOT staying in Bham, and that I was absolutely definitely going back to Florence. So, over the past few months, I continued to fork out rent money, while my apartment sat completely vacant. Although, I will say in my defense, I did stay in Florence most of October!!!! I love LOVE my little space in Florence. I made it a place that really reflected my style, as well as a place that I could really call home!

After I was in Birmingham for about two months or so, I realized I hadnt for one second missed Florence or even thought about it, unless I was writing out my rent check or paying other bills. The only things I would be missing out on from Florence are FRANCES and her family, as well as Epic and my other friends from Florence! {all of which I can visit at any time!!!} I was having so much fun here in Birmingham that I hated the thought of leaving. So, why not stay?!?!

I sure am going to miss the heck out of my cute little space <3

This week I started up the packing process. DEAR LORD!!! This is going to be a task and a half! I packed for a good four hours on Monday, and only completely packed up my Kitchen. My sweet best friend stopped by on her lunch break, brought me boxes, and we had lunch together! YAY!

 I will be heading back later next week with some good ole help from my momma and nanny {fingers crossed} and we will finish up the packing! So by the end of next week, I should be completely moved out!!!

::bitter sweet::

I am glad that I will have the task of moving to keep my mind off of Gypsy being gone!

HAPPY WEDNESDAY FRIENDS!!!

Bye for now!

bB***

Gyp Gyp

I miss my little buddy already!

One week from today, I take Gypster Hipster to Atlanta and she heads off to Maui. So so soooo sad.

Bye for now

B's

January 2015...on a MISSION!

I'm on mission friends. Why?? 

because I am going to H A W A I I 

I'm on a mission because I want to look the best I have ever looked in my life.

Since I've been back in Birmingham, I have been going to yoga or doing yoga at least 5 days a week. Just recently I exchanged two of those yoga days for Barre days. 

Barre is so g r e a t and very challenging. I love it. If you have worked out with me before, you know I can work myself to death and barely sweat a drop and it wasn't because I wasn't working hard. I was!!! But Barre, it really kicks my tail and whats crazy is, the movements you do are smaller than an inch!! IF you have never tried Barre, I really do suggest you giving it a go!!

On some Barre days, I will still go to yoga in the evening just because Yoga is really what I love. It's what works for my body. I missed it so much when I was living in Florence. I couldn't ever go to any classes because they were always while I was at work. but NOW I can go at whatever time I want to!!! Thank the LORD!!

I just L O V E it. I am being consistent and patient. I know I will see change!!

Since I am sending Gypsy to the island in November, I think that it will be the perfect timing for me to visit her. Of course I can't wait to spend time with Faith and Dan, but Gyp Gyp has become my little pal these last few months {she is laying right next to me as I type this...and she is snoozing away.} and I know giving her back is going to be super super tough on me. 

Man oh Man!!! I am definitely planning the start of 2015 off right!!! I have a photography conference in Destin, and then right after is Hawaii!!! Come on...the photography conference is technically Business related right?!?

Anyway, I am super stoked to go to Hawaii and I really really can NOT wait!

I'll keep you updated on my journey!

B's