We have been on Spring Break for the past week. Initially, I thought we would head out on a fun and exciting adventure someplace. Except I think that was my agenda, rather than my daughter, Katie’s, who’s the one on spring break. She had a big equestrian clinic she was invited to attend at the start of her Easter vacation. That’s when I realized…wait…this sweet girl of mine wants to do one thing on her spring break. Ride her horse and train. It’s what she lives for. So I threw my idea of taking a road trip somewhere off the beaten path out the window and gave my Katie the spring break reins. I let her decide where we should go and what we should do every day. And you know what? It’s been a very relaxing and enjoyable time off. Here are my Spring Break Top 5…..
Watching my daughter, Katie, master jumping cross rails during her equestrian clinic. She did absolutely amazing! Plus, it was an incredibly gorgeous day.
Going to Disneyland as a family on Easter Sunday. Here’s a little secret. Easter Sunday is a great day to do Disney. Everyone is either at church or celebrating the holiday with family. So getting on rides was a breeze. And the usual crowds were non-existent. Easter dinner, for us, was a fancy corn dog with a side of salty Lay’s potato chips. It was one of my most loved Easters to date.
Having a girls day out at our beloved beach in Corona del Mar. Where we explored the tide pools and soaked up copious amounts of vitamin D. It was the perfect beach day. The weather was on-point. There was hardly anyone there. Leaving us feeling like we were on a deserted island somewhere exotic. On our way home, we stopped off at Sprinkles Cupcakes for a treat. It’s a post beach tradition, usually saved for summer. Making this an extra special trip to the coast. On our way home Katie said, “…that was a fun adventure today!” Music to my mama ears!
Visiting Roger’s Gardens with my girls. Growing up, my mom always loved taking my big sister and I to this magical garden store in Newport Beach. Now, to take my own little ladies, is a dream come true. Katie is my resident plant lady. So we picked up a few succulents for her bedroom. I would love to go back before our Spring Break is over….it’s that unreal! Everything there is breathtakingly beautiful. It’s like visiting a botanical garden. I always leave inspired.
Slow-to-start mornings…which are definitely the way I prefer to start each day. I love being able to quietly enjoy a warm cup of coffee. Read the news. Plan our summer adventures. Make special breakfasts for my three princesses. Sit and just be. I have picked my phone up less this week and made it a point to be more present. Ultimately, squeezing the most out of this spring break.
If I’m being honest, I’m little bummed Spring Break is coming to an end. But we really do have so much to look forward to! My son is coming home from college for the summer! He’ll be back in no time at all now. I can’t wait to see him! We only have twenty-one days of school left! Katie’s first BIG equestrian show in June. And few summer trips I know will be truly memorable. Spring Break always proves to be a bit of, “what’s to come” tease. It makes me long for summer. Let the countdown begin!
Since this blog is still new, I thought it would be fun to share a little about myself. Who am I? What makes me, me? I want to feel like we are all friends here. Ultimately, I want you to feel like you personally know the person behind the words here on this page. I hope when you read, The Orange, you will be able to relate to the stories I share, on some level.
Now to jump into the good stuff……
Lisa’s Favorite Things I Use Daily {or almost daily}:
I linked the items below…in case you see anything you like. Please note: I don’t get an ounce of commission. Just sharing because I love these things so much! They’re life. 🙂
Vince Blair Slip-ons: I walked 50 miles in London with these shoes on my feet and they never got sore! They feel more like slippers {once you break them in}.
Nordstrom Blanket: I love to get cozy under a blanket all year long. Even in the summer when our house is subzero inside to combat the sizzling heat outside. I took this blanket with me to the hospital when I had our last baby. It came in handy for my husband while we waited through the night for our little princess to arrive.
Anthropologie Volcano Candle: The best smelling candle ever. I love a sweet smelling home. Plus, I feel like candles create a warm and welcoming space for my family and friends.
True Religion Jeans: More specifically, the Jennie Curvy style are the most comfy pair of jeans I own. Like I could sleep in them. They are perfect for curvy ladies – like myself.
Useless, but hopefully interesting Facts about Lisa…..
Favorite Starbucks Drink: Very Berry Hibiscus Refresher
Favorite Book Genre: Mysteries/Biographies and Comedic Stories
Favorite Musicians: Eric Clapton/Ariana Grande/Muse/JJ Grey & Mofro
Favorite TV: Reality TV {the Bachelor/American Idol}, Food Network, HGTV
Favorite Stores: Target & Nordstrom
Favorite Holiday: Halloween
Favorite Colors: Blue, Pink, Yellow, Red
Things I Enjoy Dabbling In: Photography & Interior Design
Self-Improvement Classes I want to take: Cooking, Cookie & Cake Decorating and Photography
Cook or Bake: Bake! I’m very exact so I need a recipe for the most part to cook anything. I’m not very good at winging it in the kitchen. But I can bake a mean cookie or brownies!
I’m the last of 5 children. I have 3 sisters and 1 brother.
I grew up in Orange, California
Sports I have been doing since I was very little: Tennis and Snow Ski
Favorite Place to Ski: Wasatch Mountains-it’s seriously the best powder on Earth!
What I wanted to be when I grew up: A Doctor
Mountains or Beach: Mountains {but I do love to stick my toes in the sand and listen to the soothing sound of the waves crashing}
Seasons: I’m a seasons girl! My favorites? Fall, Winter, Early Spring.
Drive or Fly: Fly…but then again I love going on beautiful road trips. I enjoy traveling & seeing the world. I’m really not picky on how I get there.
I’ve been to 32 of 50 US States.
Countries I’ve Visited: Canada, Greece, Santorini, Croatia, Italy, Aruba, Mexico, St. Kitts, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, United Kingdom
Places on my Bucket List I Want to Visit: Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Iceland, Norway {as far north as possible-I want to see the Northern lights}, New Zealand, China, Thailand.
US States I’ve Lived In: Southern California, Idaho, Utah, Massachusetts
Early Bird or Night Owl: Neither…but more of a night owl
Where I went to College: University of Utah
College Major: Human Development and Family Studies
What I eventually want to do with my college degree: Work in a hospital as a Child Life Therapist
Places I worked before I was a stay at home mom: University of Utah Hospital Preschool, ARUP Laboratories {executive admin}, Nordstrom {cashier in Brass Plum}, Credit Union {teller}
Two Topics You’ll Never Find on this Blog: Politics & Religion. Too personal of a subject for me to discuss in an open forum. And I don’t participate in heated discussions about these topics. Ever.
I could go on and on with useless facts about myself. But I’ll stop there. I don’t want to bore you. Haha… 😉
I would truly love to hear more about my readers. Who are YOU? What do you love? What are your favorite things? What’s on your bucket list? Knowing these things will allow me to customize my content for my faithful readers! Better yet…it allows me to do fun, exciting GIVEAWAYS! Please help me by leaving a comment sharing a little about yourself. Write to me and share who you are, just as if we were sitting in a coffee shop getting to know each other.
Thank you for being here.
Yours Truly,
Lisa 🙂
GIVEAWAY! To celebrate my 45th Birthday {that was on Monday}, with all of you, I’m giving ONE lucky reader/instagram follower a $50 Gift Card to Nordstrom! Since it is my #1 Favorite place to shop! Please follow the directions on my Instagram @theorangeblogger to enter. GOOD LUCK!
The Orange 