Something Wicked (Cool) This Way Comes

Guys. Guys! I've been tapping away, working on something very exciting. I'm so happy to tell you that I'm working on a complete overhaul for the blog. I can't wait for you all to see my new site.

That's How I Roll

Well guys, we've officially embarked on this year's festive season. Time to dust off the old family recipes. My favorite? The Pumpkin Roll.

Horseshoe Bend

A few photos from the famous Horseshoe Bend in Arizona. Such a beautiful place.

Currently

Currently, I am...

My 2014 Black Friday Shopping List

It boggles my mind why people still go out to shop on Black Friday. I don' know about you, but I'll be in my sweatpants on the sofa. And this is what I'll be buying online...

Darkest Places on Earth

It's been said that Death Valley has some of the darkest skies in the world. When you're all alone out there with only the stars to keep you company, it's pretty hard to disagree.

2 Things Everyone Should Have

I'd like to think I've learned a few things in my adventures abroad. If nothing else, I know there are two things I simply cannot travel without.

Angel of Antelope Canyon

The thing that makes Antelope Canyon so deadly is the very same thing that makes it so spectacular.

And where else can I be made to look like an angel with wings?

Desert Dunes

This time when I say 'it was like a scene out of a movie', that is literally what I mean. If you're a fan of the original Star Wars films then...to the Death Valley sand dunes you must go.

Love it you will.

DIY Gilded Stone Coasters

I should preface by saying I am definitely not the crafty type. At all. And I'll follow it up by saying, if I can do this DIY project, anyone can.

Amangiri :: Spa in the Desert

Blink and you might miss it. A tiny sign on the side of a desert highway quietly directing you to a hidden desert oasis. One of the most spectacular and secluded hotel spas in the world.

Follow me to Amangiri.

Death Valley Days

Hottest. Driest. Lowest. Welcome to Death Valley. Sounds hospitable doesn't it?

Bellagio

Greetings from the city that never sleeps! I had a stroll last night and took in the brilliant Bellagio fountain show. Ocean's 11 could really use a female cast member don't you think?

Gratitude in the Middle of Nowhere

"Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes, in the middle of nowhere you find yourself gratitude." In the middle of the hottest desert on earth to be precise.

6 Quotes to Inspire You

I don't know about you, but I have about a million awesome quotes hanging out in a Pinterest board. I always feel so inspired when I read through them. So I thought I'd pass a few of these nuggets of wisdom along to you.

Crumble Stuffed Baked Apples

It started off very innocently. An apple a day keeps the doctor away, right? Then a sugary, oat-filled crumble was added. And then they were smothered in caramel and ice cream. I wonder what the doctor would say about dem apples now?

Worry

Hi, my name is V and I'm a obsessive worrier. Nope, not warrior, worrier. As in, worries about everything, all the time. Phew, just had to get that off my chest.

Fright Night

One chilly October night, 5 brave souls ventured into the depths of one of America's Scariest Haunted Houses. Ghosts, zombies, and chainsaws a plenty. Read on if you dare...

Around and About

No deep thoughts. No tips or how to's. Just a mash up of friends, food and fashion. Three of life's greatest things. Oh, and that time I walked into a screen wall...

Inside Amaluna :: Cirque du Soleil

If you're a fan of Cirque du Soleil, you're going to want to read this. Over the weekend we went to one of Cirque's newest traveling shows, Amaluna.

Fall Beauty

Does it ever seem like beauty and fashion posts get the most attention? Quite a dilemma for moi. As a 'lifestyle' blogger I don't delve much into those areas, but you guys seem to like them.

Don't get me wrong, I love Sephora just as much as the next girl, but I can't see myself blogging about mascaras every week. So here's my seasonal go at it. My favorite beauty products going into Fall.

The American West :: Places to Visit

What was once looking like a dry spell in my travel diary has taken a turn for the better. Travel plans abound through the end of the year and I need suggestions on our upcoming destinations. Have you been to the American Southwest?

I Survived the Weekend

Happy Monday guys! I'll be honest, this weekend was a complete drain of my brain function. I'm a little low on inspiration so I'll share with you bits of my weekend in photos sans any deep thoughts.

One Thing I Cannot Live Without

It's small and blue. It's been marked and abused.

I've had it since I was 16. Without it I couldn't fulfill my dreams.

It's the one item I cannot live without. Of that, I have no doubt.

A Shoe-lemma

Help! Fashion bloggers, stylistas, anyone in their 20's!

I'm having a shoe-lemma of sorts. Not to be confused with buyer's remorse. No, I definitely don't regret this purchase. I just don't know what to do with them.

Grey Skies & Red Houses

Did you know that there is a day each year where Museums open their doors for free across the country? Sounds like the perfect day for this threesome to get a bit of culture.

Having a Plaid Day

I woke up in a foul mood the other day. I'm not sure why. Fortunately, the summer heat has finally broken and the air was cool. A bit of blue plaid cheered me right up.

Eat Well, Travel Often

Sometimes the simplest things are the most memorable. I just completed my new Travel page chock full of places we've been, places we'd love to go and my ever growing bucket list.

4 Easy Girl's Night Recipes

While the guys are away playing cards,
the girl's will gather and drink hard (liquor).

Here are some of my favorite, easy recipes for nibbles to balance out all of those drinks.

Handstands & Gratitude ツ

My mission : to master the yoga handstand by the end of the year. My method : via the headstand. My reality : headstand achieved! With some not-so-graceful wipeouts in between.

A Whirlyball Birthday

What do you get when you combine bumper cars, lacrosse, and basketball with 7 slightly inebriated adults? One epic game of Whirlyball.

4 Tips for Using StumbleUpon for Blogs

I'm not going to lie. Getting 17,000+ page views on one of my blog posts in a 72 hour period made me want to do a happy dance. There's nothing quite like knowing that so many other people appreciated a post you worked so hard to create.

Peace Out Summer 2014

Goodbye sweltering, itchy, frizzy, sweaty looong days. Hello crisp, dry Autumn air, sweaters, jeans and boots. I missed you.

Hour by Hour

I never realized how strangely diverse a single day in my life could be until I took a photo an hour.

Stellenbosch Wine Tour - What You Need to Know...

Let me first preface by saying that I am no wine connoisseur. I do, however, know the best way to drink your way through wine country in Stellenbosch, South Africa. If you're up for the challenge that is.

Galatic Spa-tastic

What's better than an afternoon at the spa? Having pretty much the whole place to yourself. Cozy up for the final stops on our epic day day.

Afternoon Tea

Mini cakes. Endless tea. Glasses of champagne. And the man of my dreams. What's not to love about afternoon tea at the Ritz?

Hyperlapse Quick Tips

A few super quick tips to making super quick time lapse videos using the Hyperlapse app.

Life Lately

You know you're a parent of a toddler when this is what your 'fine dining' experience looks like.

Gone Shopping

Autumn is just around the corner. Which means fall clothes. Which means cozy layers. Jeans and tees. I've just brought home my first autumn purchases and I couldn't be more excited.

Currently

This is most definitely one of those posts that I will look back on and laugh at years from now.

Etsy Finds

I can't believe it's taken me so long to discover Etsy. With limited spare time on my hands and a growing aversion to crowded shopping malls, this form of online shopping suits me quite well. In case you needed more stuff to Pin or add to your wish list...here's what I've been drooling over lately.

$5 Beauty Secret

I'm always wondering how models and actresses have such flawless skin even without makeup. With $5 and a few items from the bathroom drawer, this is the single best discovery I've had all year.

Challenges

Life is full of challenges. If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you. Call me crazy, but recently I've been diving headlong into new challenges. It's amazing what you can do when you push yourself.

Did You Know... (Some Interesting Facts)

"There is still a lot to learn and there is always great stuff out there. Even mistakes can be wonderful." - Robin Williams

Hosting a Wine Party, Pinterest-Style

What happens when all those fun Pinterest ideas actually become reality? A snobby wine party but of course dahhhhling!

The Best Travel Books

I'm not an expert on many things but I can say with confidence that I am most certainly a connoisseur of travel literature. I get silly excited when I am planning a vacation. It usually starts with my nose stuck deep into a travel book of my chosen destination.

Roaming through Rome : Top 5 Sights & 1 You Can Skip

Rome wasn't built in a day, but you can certainly pack a lot in during a day. Fortunately, we had a few. If you're going to Rome, even if just for a day, there are the sights worth seeing, and some you might want to skip. 

In a Pinch of Salt-ed Caramel Cupcakes

Cupcakes are so 2013 you say? Well you definitely haven't tried these then. I don't care if they're not on trend, these chocolate salted caramel cupcakes are damn good. And easy. I'm sold!

If You See Lucy

First of all, you need to know Lucy is a Sci-Fi movie. By the same guy who directed The Fifth Element. There, expectations set. I actually kinda liked The Fifth Element so I walked in to Lucy with a bit of optimism.

Source: Universal Pictures