THIRST

I feel like I've been a blog sell out lately. I apologize to anybody who might still read and follow me. I don't share lots of personal feelings here, but let's get personal. Truth: I'm tired of the saying that life gives us lemons and we need to take those and make lemonade. I don't want anymore lemonade (I'm totaling referencing this post here). It's not even lemon season anymore. Instead let's say when life gives you mountains, put on your hydration pack and start hiking.

The #Riskbek hydration backpack will keep you happy for a 2 liter trip, carry important stuff, and detach a belt for smaller trips.  But what about a long trek...what about a 2 year trek that life throws your way? You might run out of water and not have a spout to refill it.

Life isn't always easy. There can be heartbreaks and crazy paths along the way and no matter how optimistic you are or how happy you fake being, it doesn't always get better when we want it to get better. I honestly feel the loneliest I have ever felt in my life. I don't understand it because I used to be the girl who had no problem taking a bus/plane/drive to a foreign country where I didn't speak the language all by myself. I had so much confidence. I could take a joke. I wasn't afraid to be alone. I was always the friend who reached out to others first and it didn't matter if they reached back. 

But something has changed. I don't want to go solo. I need to be the friend who has someone reach out to me. If I do send a message to someone, I need a reply. I need to be given hugs. I need someone to take my hand when I extend mine to them. I need a random text or call during the day to let me know you're thinking about me. I kinda just need reassurance. I don't know what caused this, but I feel like I should share because I assume I'm not the only one who has ever felt this way.

I don't have a magical answer...or else I wouldn't be writing this post. I don't know how to act. I don't know what to say. I do know that I have a handful of people (I can literally count the number of people on my hands) who have been amazing friends and loved me during my lame moments. I just want to write and say I appreciate them more than they will ever know. My only advice is to be a friend to others...even when it is hard. We never know when others might need that extra push or kindness. I don't need freaking lemonade; just help me stay hydrated at my most thirsty moments. 

I appreciate you.

GET OUTDOORS

It is now officially Fall. I think this is the best time to be outdoors because it isn't too hot and isn't too cold. Yes, it's just right to be outside enjoying nature. Make sure you have good gear to keep you safe AND comfortable as you go out.

I love this Bright Outdoors Picnic Set. It is a slim wallet with utensils, plates, napkins and such for two people. All you have to do is add a blanket, food, and friend. #thebrightoutdoors

If you like to cookout when you go camping, the Stolevar Ultralight Camping Cookware set is awesome. It comes with everything you need to prepare, cook, and eat your meal...and then clean it all up afterwards. #messkit

If you plan on being out for a long time, then you know you need to have sufficient water. You can easily use this Hydration Pack Backpack with 2L Water Bladder. It only weighs 1lb with empty water bladder and 5lbs when full. #ArcticCurrent

I was given the opportunity to purchase these items at a discounted price in exchange for my honest opinion.

#TripWorthy HAMMOCK

I am obsessed with being outside lately to enjoy this wonderful weather we have been having in Utah. My favorite way to enjoy it is relaxing in my camping hammock. They are easy to set up and take down. They come with storage bags attached to them and all the necessary items to hang them. It is made of parachute-grade nylon fabric that will allow you to enjoy it with another person if you want (snuggle time). 

I talk them up so much, that I have friends asking to borrow them. Why wouldn't I share? Get outside and enjoy this beautiful world.

If you aren't close enough to me to borrow mine, you buy your own HAMMOCK here.

I was given the opportunity to purchase this item at a discounted price in return for my honest opinion.

SUMMER CAMPING HAMMOCK

What is a girl to do when she has a new camping hammock, dude with great hair, and a friend with a camera at her disposal? PHOTOSHOOT!!

So I am obsessed with this new camping hammock. It is great because it comes with everything needed to set it up and hang in it 

(2 steel carabiners, 2 hanging ropes, and an attached storage bag). 

Two people can lay in the hammock (up to 450 lbs).

This hammock is made of strong parachute nylon material.
It measures 107" X 55" (or 270 cm x 140 cm).

It is lightweight and perfect for taking on a hike or anywhere you might want to enjoy an adventure.

#hikingsolutions

I was able to purchase this item at a discounted price in return for my honest opinion.

VOLLEYBALL

Guess who has joined an intramural volleyball team. This girl. 

I need a ball to practice with so I got the Vetra soft touch volleyball. It's an official size 5 ball that feels super soft so it doesn't hurt your arms when you play. I like that it comes in white/blue/yellow colors (instead of just boring white) so other people on the team don't try to steal my ball at practices. It is great for indoor and outdoor play. I think I need to visit the beach to get some Top Gun volleyball action soon. Who is ready to play?

It doesn't come inflated when you order it, but it isn't that hard to grab a needle and inflate the ball.

#vetra

I was given this product at a discounted price in return for my honest opinion. 

POOP HAPPENS

My best friend has paws.

My dog Day-Z and I go on adventures together all of the time.

Walking with dogs means you have to pick up poop. It's a fact. I have a history of having doggy poop bag bundles unroll as I try to grab one from my bag or middle console in my car. It makes a mess and then a bigger mess when I try to roll it back up and then I get frustrated.

Now I have a new Petoyo® EarthFriendly dog waste bag with dispenser. It is like a whole new world with no more bag roll mishaps. The dispenser is easy to open and refill. I would think most bags would fit in the dispenser, but these bags are great. They have a light scent that isn't too overpowering, but might distract you from the stink you are picking up for your pooch. 

The bags measure 9x14 inches each. They aren't the thickest bags I have used before (eco-friendly), but they are leak proof so you don't have to worry about getting a mess on your hands. 

The dispenser comes with a tiny carabiner that I like to attach to my leash. My niece likes to attach it to the belt loop on her pants.  It is great for travel or to take on simple walks with your dog. 

Make your life easier and get a waste bag dispenser if you don't already own one!

#PetoyoWasteBags #animalhearted

I was given the opportunity to purchase this item at a discounted price in return for my honest opinion.

SKATE SKATE

Watch me whip. Now watch me skate skate

I have experience with ice skating so I have recently decided to be brave and try my luck skateboarding. If you fall on the ice, you only bruise. If you fall on cement, you bleed.

But I am brave!

 Meet my new sweet red (8 ply maple laminated deck) longboard. It came fully assembled and ready for me to ride.

Ain't nobody got time for assembling things.

The size of the board is 40"X9.75" which gives me plenty of room to figure out where to position my feet since I'm new at this stuff.

The 71X52mm wheels are bright orange which is kinda fun and they roll smoothly (I assume because of good bearings).

Fingers crossed I make a post tomorrow and my knees are still in tact.

I was given this product at a discounted price in return for my honest opinion.

FIRST AID KIT

Are you or is someone in your house accident prone? My dad likes to do construction, but sometimes construction doesn't like him. (Sorry, Dad, it's true.) That is why we always need to keep first aid kits close at hand at my house.

This First Aid Kit by Protect Life is great. It comes in a small, lightweight canvas bag with handles that make it easy to carry/hold. It is the perfect size to put in the glovebox or trunk of your car or keep in your home or office in a small cabinet. 

It has over 70 common items you might need in case of an emergency or accidental fall. The bag zips and all of the items are located in two plastic pouches that close with Velcro. 

 These are all of the items in each plastic pouch.

Some of the items include: scissors, bandages, eye patch, gauze, and so much more. You can never be too prepared! It is important to be ready in case an unfortunate event happens and this first aid case will provide you with items you need to help protect/aid yourself or others around you. 

As a bonus, after ordering this product, I was given access to an ebook with "Must-know first aid steps for unexpected events" and "First Aid Kit Contents Guidelines" so I would know how to use this kit. How fabulous is that?! Like G.I.Joe always said, "Knowing is half the battle," that's why reading up on this material is good idea. Thanks for a great product!

#firstaidkit

I was given this item at a discounted price for my honest opinion.

DAYS 6 & 7 - MEXICO ADVENTURE

It is the final countdown of our Mexican vacation. We stayed at the resort and dove into the amenities Banyan Tree Mayakoba offers.

 We spent lots of time on the beach during the day.

 Thursday was filled with an archery adventure. 

 Jose helped us keep score and find arrows that might have missed the target.

For dinner, the resort hosted a fancy cocktail night

 full of hors devours, 

mini show with Mayan characters,

 and then a 5 course Mayan dinner.

 We flew out Friday evening.

Before catching our plane, William and I played our first 18 holes of golf.

*We had to have a collared shirt to play so Ivanka and I borrowed some polos from William.*

Big thanks to our Caddy, Miguel.

Flying back to Europe with Condor Business class.