Hanging out in DC

I have done some interesting things at events from singing and dancing to being a fairy and a living table. Now, I am able to cross human coat rack off the list. Tryon Entertainment hired a bunch of us for this unique experience at a party in DC. This was one of my favorite gigs ever! We had hangers on our heads, and guest's coats were draped on our shoulders before we walked around a life size coat rack. I felt like a robot Barbie. We didn't have much time to explore, but we got drinks at our cute hotel and I made sure to grab some Magnolia nanner pudding (my fav) before I left. I took the train in from Williamsburg and the bus back. Both were comfortable and easy and I got to see so much of beautiful Virginia. It was another fun weekend surrounded by friends in a city that I love almost as much as NYC. 

Beveling Brunette in the Bahamas

Tryon Entertainment event in The Bahamas <3

I was in The Bahamas for 24 hours last weekend. An awesome entertainment company I work with offered me and a few friends the opportunity to perform in Nassau at a private event. We did our performance on the beach and then danced the night away. The next morning, we had some pool and beach time at our hotel before catching our flights. I had been to The Bahamas many times while working on a ship, but never Nassau. It was so so beautiful! We stayed at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar. It reminded me a lot of Vegas. Apparently they have a million restaurants and things to do. It was my first time performing in another country (not on a ship) and it feels like a dream now. 

Lyric West Side Story

My favorite place of work thus far is without a doubt Lyric Opera of Chicago. I had the most glam experience living out my dream as a Stro girl, performing as a dancer in The Merry Widow. I decided to audition for West Side Story at Lyric. My only expectation was to learn the original choreo from the amazing show and to see my ship friend. I ran into a bunch of my Merry Widow friends and had my stamina tested hardcore. The choreographer for this show, Julio Monge, is awesome. Seriously that choreo made me so so happy as I was performing it. I made it through the dance cuts and ended up having to do it 4 times in a row. Wow! You know all those jumps I do in my beach pics? We had to do that in heels multiple times *hairflip.* What an awesome experience! I ended up being cut after singing, but everyone was belting their faces off and I'm new to that game. I will continue to take voice lessons to build my book and confidence, but I feel that I improve with each audition. 2 of my friends made it to the end so fingers crossed for them! Lyric will always have a special place in my heart. This year wasn't my time, but maybe I'll give it another shot in the future. 

Also...it wouldn't be a trip to a city without Magnolia Bakery. I had nanner pudding and a chocolate cupcake. YUM.

It's important to take time to breathe. The water is so calming. Anyone else come up with big goals at the start of the year and then become completely overwhelmed with them? The expectations I place on myself and standards I have for the way I do things are so insanely high. I'd rather not add something else to the list, but I really need to focus on simplifying my life. Anyway, the above pics are from a day at the beach and a sunset in gorgeous Naples. It's good to be home. 

BK.

It's been a little bit of a joke forever that I never go to Brooklyn. One of my best friends from college used to try to get me there all the time, but it never happened. I honestly don't know why. Anyway, last weekend I caved and explored Brooklyn. We walked Brooklyn Bridge Park, rode the carousel, went to the little history museum, shopped the cute boutiques, and had dinner. Dumbo is the perfect place to take dance pics too with that gorg bridge view. At the end of the night, we went to Brooklyn Bowl. I loooooove bowling and they had live music too. I can't wait to go back. 

Gnarly Harley Paddle Fun

Since 2007, when my family first started visiting Naples, Florida, I had wanted to paddleboard. Everyone at Vanderbilt Beach looked like they were having a blast on them, but I never had anyone to do it with me. Eight years later, I met a guy named Justin through friends and found out he just so happened to have his own paddleboard business, I jumped at the chance to try it. 

I was freaked out at first. As an Ohio girl, I'm pretty terrified by the thought of sharks and gators. However, Justin is an awesome tour guide and kept me calm. My friend Emily was visiting from New York so we got to do it together. We were paddling on our knees half of the time, but finally got the hang of it. By the end of the day, I was hooked. 

@GnarlyHarleyPaddle

I kept hanging out with (and dating ;]) Justin and we continued to paddle in Bonita. I was soon introduced to his adorable pups, Harley and Skiff. They are great swimmers and love to ride on the boards. Their balance is way better than mine and I'm a dancer!

@GnarlyHarleyPaddle

We take drinks, find shells, swim, play with the pups on this cute little island, and then paddle back. I love that you get a great workout without even realizing it. I'm trying so hard to improve my balance and do crazy dancer things on the board. I thought I finally had my arabesque and then fell off and embarrassed myself. 

Justin's tours are super fun and if you're visiting SWFL you should definitely book one. I wouldn't want to paddle with anyone else. He makes it fun and it doesn't hurt that he's a cutie. There are several different packages including a photo option and board rentals which you can read all about on his website.  I am probably the only person who paddles with him who hasn’t seen a dolphin or manatee so I'm sure you will! 

At least I was fortunate enough to find this cute little clammy!

Nap Town

I can't believe another awesome trip to Naples is already over. I got to do all of my favorite things and see almost all of my friends there. It's a tradition that my fam goes to Gumbo Limbo at The Ritz for lunch every trip, so my dad and I went...twice. 

I ordered this amaze balls veggie burger. 

I got to paddle board with this kid a few times in Bonita and we went on some fun dates : ] 

A group of super fun girls I hang out with, The Coconut Society, had a meeting where we discussed volunteering with a greyhound adoption group. We got to play with some of the dogs and they are such sweeties. 

See you again soon FL!

I.Heart.FL

Well, I am finally back in Florida. I had so much fun paddling in Bonita yesterday.  There is this perfect little island that has the best shells and I found this cute sand dollar. 

My new Lilly suit.

The doodles are better at paddle boarding than I am.

That view <3

My favorite Mexican restaurant in Florida is Tacos & Tequila. I went 4 times this trip... One of my friends is a great bartender and works there now. Their margs and salsa are to die! I usually get a California and a veggie taco. Yum.