What to do when you're stuck in traffic...

I'm not sure if I've wrote about this on here yet, but I've started a new part-time job. I am really excited about it and I like all the people I've met so far, but before I can officially start working I have a month of training ahead of me. This training happens to be in Lakeland Florida, which is about 62 miles from me. Which in traffic time comes out to about a 1.5hr drive in the morning and a 2hr drive in the evening. Bringing me to a total of 3.5hrs on the road and A LOT of that time I'm barely moving.

To combat the road rage that tends to come over me in those stand-still situations, I decided to be proactive and have a plan to make the time more enjoyable. Yes, I know some of these ideas are obvious but I think they are worth mentioning because they get me through it and they may help get you through it as well. 

1// Read a Book 

Or rather have someone read one to you. Audio books are awesome. If the book is good, it gives you a mental escape from the bumper to bumper traffic that is taking up your reality. I am currently listening to Love Does by Bob Goff. Not only is it entertaining but his stories are insanely inspiring, they make me want to make the most of every opportunity. Even traffic.

2// Learn a New Language

If you are like me and haven't yet mastered a second language, your commute may be the perfect time to start. I have a cheap $5 Learn to Speak Italian Audio set, I bought in a bargain bin, that literally makes me giggle like crazy. I can't say I've retained anything I've listened to yet, but it sure is entertaining. I am thinking about investing in a better set, something like this or this because I do really want to learn.

3// Have a Scavenger Hunt

We all drive the same roads every day, we know them so well that sometimes it feels like we just ended up at home. Auto pilot kicks in and we've made all the turns without even thinking. Because we are so use to our commute, there is a pretty good chance we are missing a lot of cool details along the way. One way to break up your trip and to appreciate your surroundings is to challenge yourself. Create a list of things you'd like to see and then while your driving keep an eye out. There is a good chance, you are passing by some beauty every day and you don't even know it. I plan on making me own list.

4// Rock Out

If you are going to be in the car for a long period of time, I say embrace the fact that you are essentially alone and rock out to your favorite tunes. Create a playlist of all the songs you love, but wouldn't necessarily sing along to with other people around. Then crank up the volume and sing it out. I do this A Lot. Sometimes, to oldies like Backstreet Boys and Hanson and sometimes I use the time to discover new music. Right now I've been listening to Brandon and Leah, Kim Walker-Smith and Skyler Smith and Sara Bareilles. 

Let me know in the comments what you do on your commute, I'm always looking for good ideas.

A Change in Your New Routine

So... one of the biggest challenges to modifying your eating habits and altering your lifestyle is when your routine is suddenly changed. This change can come from life situations, natural disasters, vacations, etc. You name it, if it causes you to stop doing what you've been doing... it can be a stick in your weight-loss bikes spoke. 

Changing your lifestyle is all about breaking bad habits and making new and better habits. Doing so, takes time and commitment. So when something comes along that challenges that commitment, especially something fun... it is a test of will. For me, when I'm on vacation I tend to fall back into bad habits. I don't feel like I am alone in this. I am saying all this because last week I had a few days of so called vacation and they messed with my routine in a big way. That being said, I am not regretting those vacation days. I had a blast, I ate some great food and some not so great food. What I am not thrilled about is how hard it is to break back into the routine I had been in. It feels as though there are all these obstacles, be them big - be them small, but obstacles none the less that keep deterring me. The biggest obstacle is my laziness. I hate grocery shopping. I don't like planning meals for the week, I don't like figuring out what I need to get and what I already have and I don't like walking up and down the aisles trying to find what I wrote down. Not a minute of the process is enjoyable to me. So I haven't done it. I've been home since Tuesday and I haven't gone shopping which means that I've been surviving on Eggo Waffles, Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup. None of these things are bad, but they aren't filled with nutrients either. 

Today is Saturday, tomorrow is Easter. I am going to make something for dinner... I just don't know what yet. I am going to overcome my laziness and make a grocery list, I am going to go shopping here in a few and I am going to get back into my routine. There are definitely things you can do on vacations to keep up your routine, I wish this post was about that... but I am not that person yet. I am the kind of person that wants to try a little delicacy from every nation represented at Epcot, I am the kind of person that will pull through McDonald's on a 15hr drive to DC. If I keep things up maybe in May when I drive to MI I'll be the kind of person that packs a cooler... we shall see.

Here are some pics from Epcot. 

Here is our menu from the day:

In England we shared Fish n Chips (Delicious)

In France I had a Chocolate Crepe (Not as good as in real Paris but it was yummy)

In Japan we all shared California Rolls (I had 2 they were actually really good)

In Germany we shared a Bratwurst (I took one bite... it isn't my thing) 

In Italy Ali had Italian Ice (I didn't have any but I wanted some)

In China we shared Orange Chicken (Very good... almost as good as Cheesecake Factory's)

In America (we ate dinner) I had a side of Mac n Cheese and a Burger

I am happy to report that even though we ate food in most of the countries I only went over my daily calories by 437... which means for that day I was at 1637. Not as bad as it could of been. I say all that because in all the countries but two we shared everything between the four of us. It saved us money and it made our portions much smaller. I guess that is one tip I have for when you are on vacation - - - SHARE EVERYTHING!

The Salt Life: Sand Key, FL

My parents are visiting for the week. It's been a fun filled time. We are only 3 days in and there've been lots of belly laughs, a number of mis-adventures and a sweet amount of time together. We are renting a cottage on the beach and below is what we have the privilege to wake up to and see every night. Today we are going sailing. I'm super excited. More pictures to come.

"The cure for anything is salt water - swear, tears or the sea." Isak Dinesen

(hahah my parents are awesome. I love them dearly.)

xoxo,
Briony

On the road of inspiration.

This past weekend, Tabitha and I had the awesome opportunity to take a road trip to Atlanta to feed our creative fires and get inspired. Whenever an opportunity like that arises, I jump on it. No questions asked, because I know how important it is to feed my passions and break my daily routine.

So this weekend, while we were at Jeremy Cowart's Lifefinder conference we had the opportunity to glean wisdom from someone experienced in our field. Jeremy is a very well known commercial and band photographer, he has had a very successful career in both photography and design. That in itself makes him a good teaching candidate, but the best thing about Jeremy is the heart that he has not only for the field of photography and pushing those of us who call ourselves photographers to be daring and original, he also has a huge heart for giving back. He has started an organization called Help Portrait that is all about sharing love and capturing memories. Jeremy spoke about giving back, using our talents in order to make the world around us a better place, and how we can use our platforms to give others a voice to the world. The concept is simple, but the impact that it has had on thousands of lives is as complex and as deep as they come.

I wanted to share this because, we were challenged to stop saying “everything’s been done before.” Sadly, this saying is known by all of us. It is the most used cop-out , that we as adults choose as a defense mechanism when we are being called out on our laziness and lack of imagination. An original idea doesn’t have to be huge, it just has to be yours. One of the slides Jeremy shared was, “It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.” I loved this quote and I wrote it down as one to keep in mind. Failure is scary, but you have to face that fear in order to experience anything worthwhile.

We are all in different fields, our schedules during the day play-out in a vast number of ways; that being said there is something in our day, in our lives that we can make our own and make the choice to do differently. We just have to start thinking outside of the box. The best way to initiate this change is to do something that inspires you. Change your route to work, treat yourself to a good book, go to the theater, see a live band play, right down your dreams, take a class, etc. There are an endless number of ways that you can find your inspiration. Once you've found it, run with whatever amazing thing comes to mind. Embrace your imagination and start using what makes you so special, with others. “Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless.” Jamie Paolinetti

We all experience burn out, we hit a wall where we feel as if we can see the color draining from our lives and our purpose gets clouded with all the fog that fills our days. When burn out hits, it is time to be proactive and get inspired. “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Howard Thurman

I hope you take this post as an encouragement to go out and find what inspires you. Once you've found it, soak it in and get ready to live it out.

I hope you all have an amazing Tuesday!

Travel Diary: San Francisco

Last week I had the opportunity to spend 7days in San Francisco with my awesome friend and business partner Tabitha. I hadn't been to California in over 26yrs (I was 2 and I don't remember it at all) and I was uber excited about exploring somewhere new.

I love big cities, I am always so taken by their diverse culture, their beautiful architecture, their rich history and their unique and eclectic blend of people. When I was younger I always thought I'd end up living in a city because of all of the above, but living in Chicago for 3months was enough time for me to realize that cities and I are better off as long distance loves, the kind that visit as often as they can but know they will never be in the same place for long. I may not be a full timer but I can't get over how alive you feel when you are in a city. I am sure it has something to do with the fact that there is always something going on, somewhere to go, something to see. It's an electric sort of energy.

One of my favorite ways to take in a big city is to go mega-tourist and jump on a big red open top bus, this seriously brings me soooo much joy. I am sure many of you are laughing at me, especially all of you city folk but I don't care how much you tease the tourist I love me a big red open top bus. I love that they are affordable, I love that the tickets last for two days, I love that they allow you to see the city from a different perspective and I love meeting and chatting with the tour guides. Tour guides are a gem. I like to ask them about their city; their favorite place to chill, eat, get coffee, explore, shop, etc. It is like having an old pal in a new city, they point you in the right direction to see all the best the city has to offer.

I had 3 days with the big red open top bus for this trip and I loved every minute. Because of the tour I was able to experience Union Square, the Tenderloin, China Town, North Beach, Lombard Street, Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, Golden Gate Park, Hayes Street, Alamo Square, Haight District, Market Street, Mission Street, Japan Town and the Bay Bridge on a budget. Below are just a few of the shots I was able to snap as we drove through the city streets.

I absolutely fell in love with San Francisco, definitely one of my new favorite cities. I will leave you with the amazing Tony Bennett's words...I can now say I have a better understanding of them.

The loveliness of Paris seems somehow sadly gay
The glory that was Rome is just another day
I've been terribly alone and forgotten in Manhattan
I'm going home to my city by the bay

I left my heart in San Francisco
High on a hill it calls to me
To be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars
The morning fog may chill the air, I don't care

My love waits there in San Francisco
Above the blue and windy sea
When I come home to you, San Francisco
Your golden sun will shine for me

Explore

I hope you all have a chance to explore somewhere new this weekend, and embrace the chance if it comes to just get lost for a little while :) Dan Eldon says it best, "what is the difference between exploring and being lost?"

Have fun!

A Little Glimpse of La Ville-Lumière: Paris

I now know why Paris is called the City of Lights. Such a beautiful sight. More pics to come.