50 states: Big Sky Country for two

This adventure to Montana has been over a decade in the making, and today I'll be able to check one of my top travel destinations off the list. But it's much more than a check mark. I'm not only going to Big Sky Country for myself, but the journey is for my Dad, too. We made plans to someday visit the area together, but didn't get the chance before he passed away.

So when I see Missoula, Flathead Lake and Glacier National Park during the next week, it'll be that much more special. 

What to pack: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 | Picture via

50 states: On island time (Part II)

Our San Juan Islands adventure was so fun, it had to be broken up into two parts (check out the first half here). The latter portion of the trip was spent at Stuart Island, Orcas Island and a night at the marina in Anacortes. 

We enjoyed a spectacular hike to an old schoolhouse and a lighthouse, incredible sunsets, an unexpected but very cool tour of a tugboat, a yummy feast the fiance's mom made for his 30th Birthday, checking out a wedding venue (come back for more on that) and delicious meals at two of our go-to restaurants (Calico Cupboard and Rockfish Grill) in Anacortes.

I already can't wait for next year's boat trip!

Come along with me on my past adventures here and check out more of my photography here.

Scenes from the weekend

Because it's always fun ...

Looking up at a pre-monsoon sky;

Spending quality time with your sorority lil sis when she comes to town;

Reaching yet another mileage milestone;

Eating dinner at your favorite Thai restaurant;

Taking in an exciting baseball game;

Seeing the feline use the fiance's clothes as a bed;

And making the best of a heatwave poolside.

Check out more of my photography here.

You can find me at the Small Shop

It's Erika's Birthday week, and I'm helping her celebrate on her blog today. Head over to Small Shop for my drool-worthy decor inspiration and essentials sure to dress up any party. While you're there, check out her fabulous casa tour and lamp revamp (one of my fave DIY afters).

And now I leave you with the coolest Birthday jam of all time. Nothing says "I'm glad you were born" quite like trick-riding neon jet skis and booty dancing.

Happy Birthday, Erika!!! You rock!

I heart art: black-dicefish

Sometimes I curse technology. Other days, I don't know what I'd do without it. This is one of those times. Thank goodness for Tumblr. Because of the always-inspiring blog site, I now am obsessed with the artwork of black-dicefish. It can be difficult to find the source of Tumblr content, but thankfully it only took two clicks to get to these beauties. I don't know anything about the artist, but their work is incredible.

[Allure]

[Unicorn]

[The Warmth Of The Sun]

[The River Flows Through Me]

[Sunny]

More heart-worthy art awaits here.

50 states: On island time (Part I)

The first batch of photos from our annual boat trip to the San Juan Islands are ready for your viewing pleasure. As always, it was an incredible trip. The fiance's parents, the fiance and I visited Matia Island, Stuart Island and Orcas Island.

Camping out on the boats, hiking, crabbing, meeting new people (including fellow WSU alums), checking out two wedding venues (more on that later) and celebrating the fiance's big 3-0 with a fabulous dinner cooked by his mama were a few of the highlights.

I'm so blessed the fiance and his parents have adopted me into their tradition. Not only are the islands amazing, but the quality time we all spent together was a lot of fun.

See more of my quest to visit all 50 states here.