5.30 Sunsets {16-20}

16. Outside my apartment

17. 360 Bridge Overlook

18. Gracy Farms Ln.

 19. Cuero, TX

20. Austin, TX (off the toll road)

To-Do List{27 days left!}

ME-OH-MY!!  27 days left and I still feel like I have a slew of things to accomplish!  So here is what is left...

**not in any significant order**

1. 11 Sunsets
2. 2 {30 places food/drink}
3. 12 {30 things Austin}
4. 17 days left in daily devotional, Purpose Driven Life
5. Zip Line {Something Adventurous}
6. Find the perfect shade of lipstick
7. Pay it forward
8. Sign up/take dance class @ Inner Diva Studio
9. Deliver flowers to a stranger at nursing home
10. Watch Gone with the Wind
11. 19 {30 days of being active}
12. Start writing a Business Plan for my own Boutique
13. Buy a Fishing Pole
14. Paint chairs for patio and plant flowers {Home Project}
15. New Orleans {Planned Trip}

Finally, finish this blog and post this project publicly!!  Whew, here goes nothing!!!

Adventure Awaits!!

5.30 Sunsets {14-15}

14. Downtown Disney-Orlando, Florida

15. Deck @ house I grew up in-Marble Falls, TX

6.Unplanned trip {Disneyworld}

"M-I-C, see ya real soon, K-E-Y, why because we love you, M-O-U-S-E"

6.Welcome to DISNEYWORLD!
Date:
Activity: Unplanned Trip
Place: Disneyworld
Costs:

The funny thing is when I first came up with, 30 things before turning 30, I decided to retrieve ideas from facebook status post, to see what my friends would suggest I do. One of the first comments was "Disneyworld." So I thought to myself, that would be awesome, but not gonna happen. I jotted it down on my "bonus" list anyway. Sure enough I was hired to work an event in....Orlando, Florida! Naturally, I extended my stay and purchased 2 them park tickets at Disneyworld.  My mom joined me in this adventure and we made a fun girls trip out of it.  They always say if you want to feel like a kid again go to Disney!  Well I agree, it certainly catered to my heart and I believe it would all ages!  Here are some pictures of my favorite things.  Enjoy! 

Epcot

Safari Ride @ Animal Kingdom



Animal Kingdom's "Tree of Life"

Favorites:

 

"Celebrate life"-Walt Disney

5.30 Sunsets{7-13}

7. Drive on 1431 between Austin and Marble Falls

8. Ranch off Fairland Road



9. View from back of the house @ the ranch

10. on a Ranger ride @ the Ranch

11. Drive home from work

12. @ Arboretum in Austin

13. by my apartment after it snowed

5.30 Sunsets{sunset 3-6}

3. Oasis {Lake Travis}

4. Below-taken from a boat on Lake Travis after Aquapalooza

image from my friends iphone

5. Taken in a Pflugerville,TX neighborhood

6. In Pflugerville

“When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator”-Mahatma Gandhi quotes

I am BACK!

After spending 12 amazing days in Florida, I am back to my Austin life!  I am excited to share with you throughout the month of August my lovely journey that has left a significant mark on my heart and memories that I will take with me forever!

(Picture: Me getting ready for an early departure at the Orlando, Florida airport Sunday morning)

4.30 things Food/Drink, 4 {Curra's Grill}

avocado margarita!

Date: 07.15.10

Activity: Try the avocado margarita at Curra's Grill
Place: Curra's Grill "the Mother of all Mex"-Austin, TX
Cost: entree range $9-$30
http://www.currasgrill.com/

Curra's Grill is a great laid back, casual place to go when you're in the mood for some good Mexican food and a refreshing margarita.  They are famous for their avocado margarita(picture above) and after having one last night I know why.  I had a friend suggest the chicken mole, so I ordered chicken mole enchiladas(picture below).  The enchiladas were covered with their special sauce, which was unique and delicious.  Curra's also has an outdoor patio area that looked inviting.  The restaurant space was a lot smaller than I expected and felt a little congested, but managed to still feel relaxing.  Since I live north the location(I35 & Oltorf) wasn't convenient, but if it was easier for me to get to I would be a frequent visitor!

 
Take Away:: drink outside the box
# Completed 30 things Austin:: 4
# to go:: 26
Months until 30th:: 9 1/2 months

Adventure Awaits!!

"MI CASA ES SU CASA"-slogan above entrance door

3.30 Things Austin, 4 {Gold Class Cinema}

Date: 07.12.10

Activity: Watch a movie @ Gold Class Cinema
Place: Gold Class Cinema in The Domain-Austin, TX
Costs: $22 with (free) membership, add $1 if you buy ticket online
Notes:  1) you can reserve your seat online 2) get there 15-30 minutes before show starts to enjoy lounge area and get situated
http://www.goldclasscinemas.com/

If you want to partake in first class movie watching, this is the way to do it!!  I don't think movie watching will ever be the same for me.  My friend and I first relaxed in the modern chic lounge area then were escorted to our movie theatre.  The theatre consists of  seats five rows deep and 8 across.  The seats are luscious orange recliner chairs.  Once we sat down we quickly started getting comfortable as if we were in our own living room.  The chairs smelt brand new and had a compartment for your belongings(although there was plenty of room on the floor).  So we reclined in our chairs, snuggled with our warm blankets(provided), and watched our movie with a table of goodies between us.  It truly felt as if I was in my own personal home theatre.  We were greeted from the moment we walked in and taken care of until the moment we left. What a nice treat and worth EVERY penny!

Take Away:: sometimes in life you just have to splurge!
# Completed 30 things Austin:: 4
# to go:: 26
Months until 30th:: 10 months

Adventure Awaits!!

“Joy is the feeling of grinning inside.”-Melba Colgrove

3.30 Things Austin, 3 {Aquapalooza}

Brad Paisley on stage

Date: 07.10.10

Activity: Attend Aquapalooza
Place: Lake Travis
Costs: "your boat is your ticket to get in"
Notes: wave runners are useful and very popular as a source of transportation to and from concert area to your boat

we were on left side in front of one of the house boats-we swam with our rafts down the middle to the concert(and had a little help from a friendly couple on a wave runner-apparently there were 26 of us lined up holding on and being dragged by their rope)

overhead view(it was reported that 65,000 people attended)

image from friends iphone as we got close to the stage (we ended up on the right of stage)

view from stage-we were somewhere in the middle

Take Away:: all things are possible if you work together

# Completed 30 things Austin:: 3
# to go:: 27
Months until 30th:: 10 months

Adventure Awaits!!


"All you need this time of year is a pair of shades and ice cold beer and a place to sit somewhere near Water"-Brad Paisley lyrics to Water

4.30 things Food/Drink, 3 {Tomunchi Yogurt}

Date: 07.09.10

Activity: Yogurt!
Place: Tomunchi Yogurt (Austin, TX)
(512) 491-7138
1701 W Parmer Ln, #105
Costs: based on weight of your yogurt cup

Self-serve yogurt on a hot summer day?  Yes please!!

This place has been calling my name everyday this week as I peal my melted self out of my car only to walk right passed it.  Today there was no stopping me!  I was able to walk right in and get started on my yogurt concoction.  My personal ingredient choices were: cake batter yogurt topped with ladles of juicy strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, sliced almonds, and chunks of cookie dough.  They have several options to compliment every palette.  I have a feeling I will be posting more yogurt places in the near future.  I am now on a mission this summer to discover as many delicious yogurt places as possible in the Austin area.   

Take Away:: frozen yogurt is one of the most refreshing ways to take a break from the summer heat

# Completed 30 things Food/Drink:: 3

# to go:: 27
Months until 30th:: 10 months

Adventure Awaits!!

"Laughter is brightest where food is best." —-Irish Proverb

5.30 Sunsets {sunsets 1-2}

**Sunsets**

1.West Texas Road Trip

2.Lake Alan Henry

"The sacred lamp of day Now dipt in western clouds his parting day."--William Falconer

4.30 things Food/Drink, 2 {Maggiano's}

picture on left is what the Domain location looks like

Date: 07.01.10
Activity: Lunch @ Maggiano's Little Italy
Place: Austin, TX (Domain Shopping Center)
Costs: Entree average $11-14
Notes: Order anything thing off their 'classic pasta' section and you get another to go!  All classic pastas are $12.95, what a deal!  This place is event and banquet friendly, tons of space!
http://www.maggianos.com/


I was treated to an office lunch as a Thank You for a job well done in June.  We decided to try Maggiano's, which is a newer restaurant in Austin.  The floors at the entrance sparkled from the small square tile and hanging from the ceiling was a magnificent chandelier.  The tables were lined with red and white checkered tablecloths and delicate vintage plates for the bread and oil.  I ordered the lunch special, which was a pecan crusted tilapia topped with shrimp and capers resting on a bed of spinach.  With Frank Sinatra as the ambiance music, the restaurant felt cozy, with a classic Italian flare.  I look forward to going back and having a taste from the wine menu!

my delicious tilapia

Take Away:: travel always makes good table conversation..learned our VP's favorite Europe destination has been Switzerland!

# Completed 30 things Food/Drink:: 2
# to go:: 28
Months until 30th:: 10 months
Adventure Awaits!!

DELIZIOSO!!

Handmade shirts {Twilight-Eclipse}

Although this is not on my 30 for 30 list, it was such a fun experience!  We went ALL out and made tshirts and waited in line(not the midnight feature) for the premeire showing of Eclipse.  So I just wanted to share!

5 Upcoming Events!

1. Twilight Premiere{attire: handmade shirt}
2. FREE music at Shady Grove RAIN CHECK
3. 4th of JULY!!!{aka long weekend}
4. Jared's 29th Bday
5. AQUAPALOOZA

4.30 things Food/Drink, 1 {Perry's-BEST STEAK}

Date: 06.19.10
Activity: Try steak at Perry's Steakhouse & Grille
Place: Houston, TX
Costs: $25 and up-Fine Dining
Notes: known for famous pork chops!
http://www.perryssteakhouse.com/

/

picture of room that we dined in

my mom's dish, so wonderful

What a treat!  My mother, step dad, and I had a lovely evening celebrating birthdays at Perry's Steakhouse.  We started off with a bottle of red wine and lobster as an appetizer.  Then tried their amazing turtle soup and wedge salad.  We each ordered a steak of some sort.  My moms was the picture above, which they seared and cut at our table.  My step dad and I had the filet perry that was topped with crab meat.  After we cleaned our delicious plates we ordered creme brulee and coffee.  The ambiance was romantic, service was amazing, and food was unforgettable.  This is a wonderful place for any special occasion, date, or just fine dining.  They also have wine lockers for those that frequent the restaurant(maybe someday I will have a locker) :)  I do plan to go back and try their famous pork chops!  The Austin location has a pork chop lunch special on Fridays for aprox. $11.  Yummy, I cannot wait to go back!!   

Take Away:: fine dining is good for the soul (and tummy)

# Completed 30 things Food/Drink:: 1

# to go:: 29
Months until 30th:: 10 1/2 months

Adventure Awaits!!

"More is More"-review from Texas Monthly on Perrys, March 2009

all images from Perry's website

3.30 Things Austin, 2 {Embellish}

view from our chairs

Date: 06.12.10
Activity: Try Austin's Rare Magazines "Best of" Pedicure
Place: Embellish Nails (triangle location)
Costs: Pedicure $30(appointment recommended)
http://www.embellishnails.com/

Upon arrival, my girlfriend and I were greeted with mimosas and escorted to our comfy chairs.  Then we were given blankets for our legs and a neck pillow.  The stress and tension from the week started to release and pleasure started to seep in.  Next to our chairs was a table with two bowls of peanut m&m's(my favorite) and a pitcher of water with sliced cucumbers.  Although the pedicure was a basic one, the ladies did a wonderful job and we enjoyed our conversation with them(which I am not used to).  After our pedicures we browsed around the boutique section of the store where they have cute jewelry, gift nick-knacks, and some clothing.  I purchased a cute green/turqoise band ring for $10.  The experience was great (I mean what girl doesn't like a place with pink walls and chandeliers).  We left feeling pampered and lovely!

Take Away:: girlie things make me feel fabulous!
# Completed 30 things Austin:: 2
# to go:: 28
Months until 30th:: 10 1/2 months

Adventure Awaits!!

"A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous"-Coco Channel

3.30 Things Austin, 1 {Rot Rally}

photo: 365 things austin blog

Date: 06.11.10

Activity: Republic of Texas Biker Rally, aka "Rot Rally"

Place: 6th Street, Austin, TX

Costs: FREE to roam the streets, Parking $10

This is one Austin event that I typically stay away from probably because in the past I have not felt equipped with enough man power in my group to go.  Don't get me wrong, I love hearing and seeing the bikes in large numbers swarm over the city once a year.  I have always been leery of going due to the stories people have told me.  I heard there have been casualties in the past, and well, it can get just plain crazy.  My experience turned out to be pretty calm considering what I heard and anticipated.  We started the experience at 6th and Congress where a stage was set up on the street and a concert was getting ready to begin.  Although we didn't stay and watch, further east 6th St. we saw some pretty cool bikes lined up and down both sides of Sixth St.  Biker dudes and dudettes filled the streets with their leather vests, do-rags, and colorful tattoos.  Next year biker attire is a must!  I think we may have seen a couple of topless women.  (I say think because that is what I overheard amongst my friends on a couple of occasions and spared myself by not looking.)  We had a photo opportunity with some dudes dressed up as KISS(see pic below).  Overall, it was typical busy 6th street scene with the addition of bikes and bikers.  We didn't see the bike parade or advertised concerts(Brett Micheals--grrr why didn't I know about this??).  So next time I will try to plan ahead.  Enjoy some of the pictures below!   

Take Away:: bikes are cool, I love austin
# Completed 30 things Austin:: 1
# to go:: 29
Months until 30th:: 10 1/2 months

Adventure Awaits!!

"I came. I saw. I konked out"-quote off a tshirt