PLAYING TOURIST

Soooooo......Hi. How fitting that I'm naming this post "Playing Tourist" when on the other end of the Ithaca trip sandwich is named "I Am Not a Tourist". No one else find that amusing? Just me? Okay.

Justin and I have been in full blown wedding mode. I've had so much material I could blog about, but I didn't have the time to sit down and write them. Since things are winding down (I am totally lying...there is so much to do), I figured I should stop on in for a little check in.

take in the views

minnewaska state park

The thing about having your wedding in the Catskills...is that it gives you any excuse to go visit. This weekend in particular was two-fold. We had our tasting and my aunt is visiting from the Philippines. Sadly she won't be staying until the big day, but it was so fun having a little ladies trip and having them see the Catskills through my eyes (in a very quick 24 hour trip).

So as I was putting together, I was thinking, "Haven't they seen this place before??" So I scroll through a year's worth of writing and found out I never posted our engagement pictures here! There's a little snippet over here if you want to see. (Engagement photo shoot thanks to Josh Darpino.) Go on..take a few minutes, I'll be right here.

Okay? You're back? Great!

After having a quick breakfast in Beacon, my mom, aunt and I drove the back roads of Ulster County to a breathtaking park. So this wonderful little place is Minnewaska State Park. It's a little drive out from New Paltz and is a MUST for a little taste of what the Catskills has to offer. It's great in any season, but in Autumn is where it's at!! You get to see the change of leaves that the Philadelphia area just isn't seeing enough of these days. Also, for those on a time constraint, but really want to see some killer views, it's not much work for a great reward. A short walk from the lower lot is Awosting Falls. And a short walk from the upper lot is the scenic vista of Lake Minnewakasa. But I wholeheartedly recommend taking a full day in the park. The trails aren't crazy difficult, and it is just so dang beautiful.

YES. I AM THAT GIRL WHO WEARS VELVET IN THE WOODS.

ROOLEE VELVET TOP (SIMILAR) = THRIFTED ANTHROPOLOGIE DRESS
CITIZENS OF HUMANITY SKINNIES - COUGAR ANKLE RAIN BOOTS

AND A SELFIE FOR GOOD MEASURE

BLUSHING

Lately, I've been having an identity crisis.

A few weeks ago, I had my bridal shower. So I thought it was an opportune time to "get my nails done" to practice for the wedding. I'm a far cry from being a girly girl. I barely get a regular manicure and pedicure. Let's be honest, I BARELY wear any make up during the week. And I have no idea what to do with a curling iron. So getting my nails done is so out of the box from the super relaxed tomboy beauty aesthetic I rock most days. Sissy at Danger Studio was a total darling about it. I went into it a total n00b, and in the end... I kinda liked it.

I might be falling in love with florals.

When it comes to personal style lately, it's been pretty normcore. Tee shirt. Jeans. Throw on the all-weather army jacket and I'm out the door. This is probably due to the deep purge I did last year and only kept my basics. But lately, I've been missing the fashion statements I used to throw together. Cue this floral button down that Husby wishes he could steal from me (the tables have turned). Like previously stated, I hardly go shopping anymore. I only buy pieces when I know I can wear it at least 60 times. TBH, this shirt kept it's tag on for a good month before I even touched it. I actually wanted to return it because I didn't think it was "me". But after this understated tomboy-esque look, I think you may be seeing more of this shirt in future outfits.

In other news (but not TOTALLY off topic / see floral shirt). Have you listened to Harry Styles album yet? If not, do yourself a favor: crank your windows down and put it on blast. I've been listening to it ever since it came out. Sweet Creature is probably my favorite.

BEAUTIFUL SOUL

Now that it's spring, I suppose it's appropriate to have a plethora of references to flowers and pretty green things. While there definitely is no shortage of that around here (I have some new plant friends I am desperately trying to keep alive), I want to take the time to reflect on some other things budding this season.

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Can I get honest for a second? I was never a girls' girl. Or for that matter, I wasn't very good at the whole "friends" thing. Being in fellowship and in community was never something I thought was for me. I've been abandoned one too many times before. "May the bridges I burn light the way" became my modus operandi. A false confidence to show I could make it on my own. I am perfectly okay going on walks by myself and jamming to good tunes and making small talk to the squirrels. My sanctuary is a book in a cozy corner with a cup of coffee. Social interactions were always awkward and I took those insecurities as a facts I was going to live with for the rest of my life. 

I wore that Lone Wolf name tag like a badge.
And that was okay with me.

I few years back, someone said something that I has always haunted me ever since the words left her lips.  When a person with a seemingly nonchalant attitude is told "You need to get out of your head", it gets shrugged off immediately. My conversations with my inner thoughts were the only friends I knew that I could rely on. The only ones I could trust. Even if they were also the inner demons that sometimes shouted too loud. I welcomed that darkness like a dear friend. One I knew that would never leave me.

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Maybe it's age. Maybe it's all part of getting older. Maybe it's the new and renewed relationships growing in my life. But I've felt these walls crumbling and making way for the light. The whispers turned into commandments. They pushed me into the unknown. Beyond my comfort zone. Beyond myself. To serve. To be in community. To have honest and real relationships, especially with fellow females. And like the clouds breaking for a beautiful brunch with beautiful souls, I am thankful.

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I WANT YOU AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL SOUL.

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YELLOW 108 EASTWOOD R HAT - H&M STRIPED SHIRT (SIMILAR) - UNIQLO SLIM BOYFRIEND
 TOP SHOP PYTHON BOOTIES (SIMILAR) - STEVE MADDEN FRINGE BAG (SIMILAR)

OCTOBERS ARE MADE FOR WEEKEND DATES & VISTAS

Sorry it has been a few weeks. October has been kinda crazy around these parts and it doesn't seem like it will be slowing down anytime soon. This month was filled with moving across the river back to the badlands (thankfully it's only a short stint) and the usual Autumn festivities. The cool crisp air is helping deal with the stress of the new environment (green juices and a plethora of cauldrons of coffee are good too).

Another good stress reliever is enjoying the changing leaf colors with some sick views. This month's choice trails are the Blue Dot/Red Dot Loop to the summit of Mount Tammany. The 3.5 mile trail is filled with a handful of scrambles, but the vistas are definitely worth it. From the cliffside you can see a great panoramic of the Delaware Water Gap (Mount Minsi on the PA side and Arrow Island standing in the Delaware River). Go with some snacks packed and a good amount of water, you'll thank me later. If you're looking to get the same views with an easier hike (lame, but I get it), just go back and forth on the Blue Dot. An extra perk? The mini waterfall along the way.

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ALSO MY FAVORITE FOOTWEAR FOR THESE HIKES?
CAMP SOCKS & UNEEKS BY KEEN

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DELAWARE WATER GAP - MOUNT TAMMANY - WARREN COUNTY, NJ

NOT BORED ON THE BOARDS

I hate the beach.
To be honest, I hate the summer.

Before it was neat because it was "summer vacation" and I could just veg out and watch cartoons. Now it's just hot hot heat and humid gross sticky days. The idea of a laying out to get a tan is beyond my understanding. I was taught to not to get "too dark". (if you're Filipino, you can catch what I'm putting down.) You will hardly find me at the beach. Unless it's to get Kohr's Custard (ace). Or it's winter.

So when I told my FIANCE that I wanted to head to Asbury Park after church, he was pretty stunned. (Luckily, he doesn't like going to the beach either so we're in good company.) I lured him into the idea by promising acai bowls and visiting the United By Blue (a common fave) shop. It didn't take much convincing.

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ASBURY PARK AGENDA

ACAI + PITAYA BOWLS @ DUNES CAFE
PHOENICIA FLEA POP UP
ICED COFFEE @ HIGH VOLTAGE
UBB ASBURY
WANDER

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The last time we came to Asbury was for a wedding so we didn't really get to see what it has turned into since those Surf and Skate days. Let's say ALOT has changed. The boardwalk has these new boutiques and shops (like the previously mentioned UBB), a handful of coffee shops, and some neat eateries (including Korean tacos if that tickles your fancy). High Voltage was a good place to stop to cool down with water and necessary iced coffee. Connected to the shop was a neat furniture store with refurbished finds. Also a coffee shop with Kinfolk is 10/10.

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Sometimes I pretend I'm a style blogger. But I really suck at being in front of a camera. This day I actually remembered to ask Justin to take some "candid" pictures of me so I can post something.  I am pretty proud of this summer ready outfit. The dress is thrifted Anthropologie that I got for a STEAL ($14 is better than the tagged $148). The hat is basically my go-to. You've seen it here and here. The luggage saddle bag is vintage Coach thanks to mommy dearest. And the Instax is V2 after the last one died. But like I said, I suck at being in front of a camera.

This is what happened.

I act a fool.
Look at those boxer braids!
Look at that mean mug!

THE UPPER RIGHT : INSTAX

Happy Saturday! Here are some snaps from Day One of The Upper Right trip. Kudos to boyfriend for capturing my unicorn purple hair in all its messy windy glory.

RIP INSTAX WIDE 300
I'll replace you soon.

HMT

So today is fun hump day post, because it's a hump day that is basically a Friday, well semantics.

Over the weekend the beau and I made our way to Christkindlmarkt in Bethlehem, PA. It's a cute little flea with different vendors that his held all season long. It was cool to meet fellow makers, especially this witty and sarcastic candle maker behind Little House Candles. There were ice carvers and glass blower, whittlers, and ornament painters. It was quaint, and if you're in the North East Pennsylvania area this time next year, you should stop by.

But the real gem of going there is walking the Hoover-Mason Trestle (HMT). Just as the original Steel Stacks has been renovated and re-purposed to be an entertainment center, casino, and hotel, the HMT also got a new face. Think of how New York introduced the High Line to Chelsea to bring a new look to the overgrown abandoned railway, the HMT did the same. Originally it was a small half-mile long railroad that helped transport coke and iron ore to the blast furnaces. Now, it's this very short walkway where you you can learn a bit of history and enjoy the nice weather of December. There are little gardens and cute benches, along with a walking tour and small museum in the visitor center. Not to mention, it makes a nifty background for the new addition in my closet.

WALDEN&CO. Pine Crest Beanie (Webstore Coming Soon!!) | OLD NAVY Denim Jacket (stolen from boyfriend's closet) | FENNEC DESIGN Back Patch | JCREW Coated Denim (similar) | DOC MARTENS Clemency Boot