Even as it snows outside, I am looking ahead to sunny weather and gearing up for our upcoming Spring Break family vacation to Florida. I frequently share my Amazon Favorites on Instagram. You can also shop my faves in our Amazon store. But for the latest and trendiest looks under $30, you have come to the right place!
So many of these pieces will take you into the summer months as well. As a mom of two young children, I try to be mindful of my fashion and make it cute AND practical.
I literally laughed out loud when I saw a Mom sipping wine with this t-shirt on at the airport. Leave it to Amazon to have the perfect t-shirt for a family vacation!
When social media first took footing it was very easy to judge, especially coming from a conservative Indian culture. I remember being a part of the beginning stages of platforms like MySpace and Friendster.
Now, in my late 30s, I respect those who had put themselves out there from the very beginning. It takes time to learn who you are and what you stand for. It also takes time to learn to let go of the judgment.
In the beginning of our blog I was nervous to put myself out there. I was nervous about the judgement, to be more specific. What were followers going to say, you’re not fashionable? You’re not pretty? You don’t have the perfect life?!
Whatever my fears were, they have been conquered.
I’ve learned that being a part of any social media platform, you are often forced to read the good, the bad, and the ugly about yourself. I’ve learned you can’t satisfy everyone. Some people will love you, and some will hate you. When you fall somewhere in a space where YOU are comfortable, it no longer matters what anyone thinks about your journey.
Whatever journey it is you choose, I hope that you find peace in knowing it’s about YOU and no one else.
Social media has given an opportunity for non-multimillion dollar backed celebrity endorsed products to be promoted on a genuine platform.
If you are reading this, you likely follow @chicksandsalsablog, and for that we are thankful for your support and love in this journey that we call, our blog
I’m guilty! When I am in an airplane, waiting room or Lyft… I’m on my phone. I’m usually checking emails, social media or just surfing the net. Sometimes it’s a need, but many times it’s just a time pass. So I put myself up to the test of going back to the days where we didn’t have our phones as a distraction. It was amazing!
Not only did I realize that the emails and texts could wait, but I realized how much I had missed looking down at my phone. Missed eye contact, missed conversation, missed observation of my surroundings.
On a recent flight to San Francisco where I usually relish in the time to recline my seat, open the United app, and watch a movie until I reach my destination. This time, I was determined to strike up a conversation with the person next to me. Fortunately, it was an older woman who I noticed didn’t pull out her phone once….it might have been more difficult with someone who looked like they had no interest in talking. She was enroute to Hawaii for a family reunion. She had strong a Samoan linage and I loved learning about their culture, food and customs. Knowledge comes in so many forms, but so much of our learning comes from what we allow ourselves to take in.
Parenting
Distraction with the phone has become a challenge in parenting, as well. I am personally challenged by the accessibility to my phone which creates a constant need to be connected. Even when I try and walk away from my phone, I reach for it when I remember I need to send that email to the teacher or look up that number for the plumber. I’ve recently been making an active effort to engage with my family in a more meaningful way and stop worrying about setting up the next play date or signing up for the next summer camp. I want to look at my kids in the eyes, make sure they know I am listening so they feel empowered and valued for their thoughts and ideas.
While I think technology has tremendously improved our quality of life, it comes with some downfalls. Put the phone down…better yet, turn it off….walk away and be present. Challenge yourself to connect with other people in the most human way possible….eye contact and conversation.
I have shared before that I live in a small town. Living far from places I like to visit has turned me into quite the driver. Give me a destination and I am there!
I have really grown to cherish my time on the road, I love being alone with my thoughts and of course my music! When I travel, I always make sure to rent a car to get around. Some of my most memorable drives have been around Hawaii and most recently on my trip to the Grand Canyon.
Surprisingly the drive from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon is less than 4 hours and the route goes straight through one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE cities of Sedona. I had good company (my kids) and good music to go along with the scenic views.
Check out our ride and some of the landscape in the video below.
Grand Canyon
At the Grand Canyon we signed up for a jeep tour with Grand Canyon Jeep Tours and Safaris. Although we enjoyed the tour, I recommend skipping the pricey jeep tours and heading straight for the Visitors Center where you can easily build an itinerary according to your time available and personal preferences. There are hikes and view points to accommodate all ages and interests. They also have a cute and FREE Junior Rangers program for the kids to keep them engaged! Two things to keep in mind when visiting the Grand Canyon: it’s COLD, you are between 7000 and 9000 feet high, bring layers, it was 41 degrees the day we went in October. Secondly be sure to catch the sunrises and sunsets, they are breathtaking. Whether you watch the canyon light up in the morning or turn down for the night, the overwhelming beauty that is the canyon is really captured at these hours.
Sedona
On our way back we stopped for a while in Sedona. This incredibly beautiful and unique city has had my heart since I first visited ten years ago. Something about its isolation, desert landscape, and tall red rocks just captivates me. Unlike in the Grand Canyon, in Sedona I HIGHLY recommend a jeep tour. Getting up and around these rock structures is not easy, but with the Pink Jeep tours its fun and scenic! We had lunch at the tasty Oaxaca Restaurant that has the most beautiful view in the city. Be sure to swing by the Fine Arts and Crafts Square where there are interesting boutiques and art galleries, live music, cafes, and more!
This drive was truly one for the books and with the beautiful Arizona sun on our side. We enjoyed every minute we spent on the road. Now, I am off to plan my next #RoadTrip.
