inspo

Okay, I know summer is technically coming to an end…that is…only if you’re going back to school. Aka, if you’ve been thrust out into the real world, summer break doesn’t exist and the season is declared over when you don’t break a sweat anymore walking from your front door to your car. Therefore, you possibly could still be planning a late summer trip (I know I am). So where are the top places I recommend you should visit? I’m glad you asked 😏

1.Eden Roc in Miami Beach

Okay, numero uno on my list…MIAMI…duh! I love this city. The diversity, the culture, the ocean. I mean, if you like to have fun, you’ll be set. The food is great, and it’s one of those places where you’ll feel like you’ve entered another country without having to stray too far from your own backyard (America).
Why you’ll love it here:
Not one, not two, not three, but FOUR luxurious pools will be awaiting you with some of the most friendly staff and best restaurants on site.

Book your stay!

2. Huntington Beach, CA

Okay, so I’m a little biased here from living in this beautiful beach town all of my early twenties. Why did I love it so much? Street fair on Tuesdays, being in the surf capital, the beautiful homes, walking to the beach every day, BONZAI BOWLS, and the fact that you could accidentally stumble upon a chorus of people singing and playing the ukulele. Yep, this town slows down a bit after the US Open and always has something to offer, no matter what day of the week you’re there. Check out Jan’s Health Bar for the most amazing sandwiches and salads, Ruby’s at the end of the pier for an ice cream cone, and go ahead and take a surf lesson!

3. Big Sur, California

Love camping? Ready to have your breath taken away? pack up your friends, turn your cell phones off, and enjoy this majestic piece of heaven in northern California for one of the most beautiful get aways you will go one. You can go glamping, rent a cabin, or what I recommend, tent camping. Looking down at the ocean from the mountains, cooking over a campfire, and the dazzling stars that cover the night sky will guarantee to give you a good reset on life. Remember to pack bug spray and definitely go see McWay Falls!

4. Austin Texas

Okay, so some might think Austin is a giant bar scene…and, sometimes it can be. But lets not forget it’s the best city to visit for live music and bbq! Ever been to Stubb’s? That where you go to chow down and listen to whatever hot band is booked that night. Also, a little out of the city you can visit Hamilton Pool where you can float in the water, have a picnic with your friends, and relax. Just get there early because it’s first come first serve! And don’t forget! Austin has some of the BEST pizza you can order right out of a window.My best fiend and I are in love with Airbnb, so just grab one and get to seeing the town and don’t forget to stop by Hula Hut for lunch on the lake!

5. St Maarten

Because who doesn’t want to say “See ya!” and head for the caribbean. Now this one may take a little more planning (and a passport) but I just had to throw it in the mix. A friend of mine used to live here and talk about how beautiful it was and how I would be missing out if I never made the trip out there. Well, when I finally did he didn’t live there anymore but I still got to play on the island and soak up all the beauty. And, best place to rent a jet ski if you ask me. Be sure to check out Maho Beach (not for the faint of heart!) for some awesome snorkeling and to watch the planes fly over you so low you could high five the pilot.

I’m hoping by now you’re packing your bags and getting ready to head to one of these beautiful places. Either way, enjoy the rest of the season and be spontaneous, have fun, go somewhere new even if it’s a restaurant downtown. Love you all.

xokris

It’s okay to be alone but you never have to feel lonely.

“In the past I felt pangs of loneliness but my biggest mistake was not drawing nearer to God in those times. He was like a friend I knew I needed to call, or a chore I kept avoiding. God is so much bigger and greater than that. It took anxiety completely breaking me to send me running straight into His arms! And he caught me quickly, not condemning me or ignoring me. He simply told me “I love you. You NEVER were alone. I walked with you through it all.” I cried, I had the most loving women pray over me, and I LISTENED to Him. He is a good father and a good friend whom I will always call.”Recently I wrote this this post on Instagram and had a few people message me telling me how it resonated with them…So I wanted to elaborate just a bit more on something no one likes to feel. Loneliness.

It can happen when you’re by yourself in your apartment, driving in traffic, sitting in a park full of strangers, or in a room full of people that you know. Loneliness hits. Sometimes it can be a bit confusing with ‘why do I feel so lonely right now?’. All throughout my 20’s I have gone non stop. Traveling, moving to different cities, moving to different states, or taking jobs that required me to work with people (sometimes that I didn’t really like) all across the US. I was “living the dream” as some would write on my Instagram photos of me smiling on the beach. But behind all that loneliness would creep up. I saw the dangers of letting it consume me by my dating life. I was picking men just to fill a void I had in my heart where I should have been placing God. I didn’t try to get better, I didn’t pick myself back up after times I fell, I didn’t even love myself well! Picking someone to fill the void will only lead you to pick the wrong person over and over and over again.

I decided I was okay being alone (physically not spiritually) but I was not okay feeling lonely. Where do you turn when you feel loneliness? What steps do you take? Do you dwell in it? Do you confide in others? Rid any shame or embarrassment because I guarantee everyone you pass on the street can tell you, “Yep, I’ve totally been there.” I finally stopped wrestling with how to fix these problems temporarily and fled straight into God’s arms. I asked him what the bible said about loneliness, what it said about him being my friend, and asked him to surround me with people who loved Him and put Him first as much as I so desperately needed to do. And He worked fast! Yes, it can be a process. It’s okay if you don’t “automatically” just feel better, or if you suddenly have loneliness start to creep back up on you. But it’s SO much easier to battle if you confide in your mentors, your close circle, your prayer warriors, your Father.

(I debated sprinkling scripture throughout this blog post, but I didn’t want to drag it on too much, so I’ll just leave these here, I encourage you to please read them.)

Deuteronomy 31:6
1 Samuel 12:22
Philippians 4:6-7
2 Timothy 4:16-18
Also, feel free to e-mail me with any private thoughts, requests, or just to say hi krisband@yahoo.com

To say thank you for reading my first write up on my new blog I want to share a song with you all that I wrote a while back about a time I was battling loneliness for free download! yay!
https://soundcloud.com/kristenwilliams/into-my-heart

–@krisluv

Tag: inspo

Top 5 Places to visit before Summer is Over

It’s okay to be alone: Never feel lonely