preview

If you haven't already heard, a big expansion is coming to Disney's California Adventure park. Tomorrow, Cars Land and a newly remodeled Buena Vista Street will be open to the public. This is a MUCH needed expansion and something that I have been looking forward to for a long time!

On Monday, I was lucky enough to attend a special preview for annual passholders. Both parts of the expansion blew me away. In true Disney fashion, the attention to detail was remarkable. I could gush about it for hours but instead I will just show you some of my pictures from the day {so happy they let me take in my camera!}

doesn't that look awesome?

this ride was absolutely hilarious.

mater and lightning mcqueen drove around cars land and then stopped to take pictures...adorable!

my new favorite outfit for mickey.

buena vista street

jesse, caitlin and myself - we had a great time!

thankful

that is all. 

xoxo,

natasha

because I can

So there is this really cool online platform for holding conferences called Function that I was recently turned onto by Joelle from A CharmingOccasion. She had recommended their Alt. Summit classes in one of her posts so I decided to check it out.

There were a few different course offerings that sounded pretty interesting so in the name of self-improvement, I took the plunge and signed up for one focused on branding your blog. The class was really interesting and I enjoyed the interactive format. The biggest idea that I took away from the class was that I needed to figure out what the purpose of my blog is and then come up with a brand statement centered around that purpose.

I've been spending some time thinking {and re-thinking} just what that purpose is. And as of tonight, I'm still not exactly sure but I am ok with that! Until I have it figured out, I might be trying different things out to see what fits. It may be a little all-over the place for a while and feel a little bit random or lost, but we all have to go through that phase right?

Not having a defined purpose just yet gives me complete freedom to post whatever I want tonight. So, I will leave you with a video of two little girls with an awesome talent that I have on repeat. Because I can ;)

xoxo,

Natasha

hello summer

Summertime is here!

Well, maybe not officially but here in Southern California it has felt like it as of late. Even though my years of three-month summer vacations are long gone {wah!}, I still look forward to welcoming summer back into my life each year. 

My summer is already off to a great start. A few weeks ago I went on a horseback ride up to the Hollywood Sign {thanks to Sunset Ranch}

and took a quick vacation with my cousin Addie to visit my brother at Disney World!

Since it will be my last summer in California for a while, my summer activity wish-list is pretty long already {and growing daily} and filled with California specifics. Here is a little preview:

1. Go to a night Dodger game. Preferably one with a firework show afterwards :)

2. Make good use of my Disneyland annual pass (am I the only one who wishes the sign still looked like this?!)

3. Eat lots and lots of mexican food! And definitely make a trip to Tito's Tacos at least once

4. Visit the Getty Villa in Malibu

What's number one on your summer wishlist?

{1/2/3/4}

birthdays and fun facts

This blog is coming up on it's second birthday already. {seriously, where does the time go?}

Since it's inception, the main goal of this blog was to share parts of my life with family and friends who lived in far away lands.

Although I haven't always the most consistent blogger {I've been known to take a few impromptu blog-cations}, I have always been a faithful blog reader. I enjoy reading all sorts of blogs simply because I love the stories that people have to tell. One of my favorite stories to read about is why a blogger decides to blog – there are as many answers to that as there are stars in the sky BUT there is one common theme that I see pop up in almost every blog that I read: community.

From the outside looking in, the blogging community is friendly, fun and powerful. It looks inviting, like a sparkly-blue pool on a hot summer day and I have decided that I want to jump in! I'll be stepping out of my comfort zone and transitioning from pro blog-lurker to contributing member of the blog society!

SO! If you have found yourself visiting me for the first time and are asking yourself “who is this girl?”, here are ten fun facts about yours truly...

1. I am seriously lacking in the “I have lots of cute solo pictures of myself” department, which is why I used a random pre-wedding picture above
2. I love both my parents dearly but one of my favorite things to play-pretend when I was little was orphanage (that and Harriet the Spy)
3. I really dislike homemade cookies, but love to make them for my husband
4. I love taking pictures of our dog, Rocco. He's just so dang cute!
5. I really like Disney and spent the spring of 2011 working in Cinderella's Castle at Walt Disney World {dreams come true people!}
6. When I grow up, I want to be a sweet southern lady
7. In September I am moving to Hawaii with my husband and Rocco!
8. The UP of Michigan is one of my favorite places on earth
9. I am the slowest beer drinker ever
10. I am obsessed with nail polish 
    
    
    

    Care to share a fun fact about you? 

    
    

    xoxo, 

    natasha

it's here

Instagram for Android has finally been released!

To say I'm excited is an understatement.

My very first instagram photo is of my handsome lunch date...

Isn't he a cutie?

xoxo,

Natasha

closet space

There is something magical about having a clean, organized closet.

I spent some quality time with my clothes this afternoon...re-folding, re-hanging, color coding and getting rid of the things I haven't worn in forever.

Boy, does it feel good.

I feel more at peace when I have an organized closet/dresser {tell me I'm not the only one}

Believe it or not, the organizing was not the highlight of my weekend.

Last night, our good friends the Berrys hosted a housewarming party. It was great to see old/new friends and enjoy some delicious food and wine.

I have been slacking on the picture taking lately but I did capture a quick shot of Alex and I pre-party.

xoxo,

natasha