The New Me

Hello there! Apologies for my super long hiatus from blogging. To be honest, for awhile there I just didn't feel inspired. But now things are really looking up. I've [pretty darn] recently made the move to our beloved nation's capital, and I am starting to feel alive once again. Here are a few of my new-to-DC adventures, and I can't wait to share more with you as they come. 

{apparently, this is the state for lovers... sooo fitting considering I made the move with my bf}

{is it just me, or do the Metro stations look fantastically space-y?}

{my first H&M experience / discovering new malls with my man}

{I've been waiting to try Caribou Coffee for some time now, and finally got the chance out here on the east coast... definitely was not disappointed!}

Florida vs. Texas A&M II

- Continued from yesterday - 

{tailgating right outside the stadium}

{ah-mazing view of College Station from our seats}

{the restaurant on our final night: the Oasis in Austin... no doubt the neatest restuarant}

{the view of Lake Travis from our table}

{awe.... ;)}

{I've decided I will be retiring here}

{dinner and a show... pretty sunset over a pretty view}

{the courtyard of the restaurant lit up at night}

{and this...whatever it is, it's super neato}

Florida vs. Texas A&M I

I'm back! This past weekend was terrific... yummy food, a return to Texas (man, I've missed it sooo much!), hanging out in Austin (the coolest city ever), a mini tailgating reunion, a great football game (and a victorious one at that!), much-cherished time with some of my dearest friends, and a breathtaking view at a super sweet restaurant on our last night. If I wasn't so exhausted, I'd be begging to go back again this weekend (however, I've decided my fatigue is a fantastic sign of a weekend well-spent). 

{cute little planes at the Fort Lauderdale airport}

{completely empty parking lot at hotel #1...creepy?!}

{no words...}

{best chai EVER, from Austin Java}

{yes, they brought their coozies to the restaurant. they take this whole school spirit thing VERY seriously}

{I want this giant star light for my future house!}

{Barbara Bush's rose garden}

Come back for more tomorrow!

Florida Keys II

Out and About in Key West

I absolutely love walking around touristy places and ducking in and out of all the shops. Key West was no different. I loved the ultra laid-back dive, Key West culture (you have to see it to understand what that means), the live poultry running around everywhere, the food (oh my, the food!) and of course, being so near to not one, but two, large bodies of water.

Here are a few of the sights and moments... 

 {the view from our hotel room}

 {listening for the ocean}

 {overcast view from Mallory Square}

 {Mallory Square... you know}

 {banana pancakes at Blue Heaven... super yummo}

 {little guy wandering around the restaurant}

{Cuban food and smiles after a long day}

Florida Keys I

Lobster Diving! 

Ahoy, mate! Before this trip I had never been to the Gulf of Mexico. Or been lobster diving. Actually, I had never even tried lobster before (this is the sort of depravity that happens when you grow up in a landlocked state). But it was time for an adventure, and man, it was a great one!

The purpose of the trip was lobster diving. While I did not actually partake in the catching, I had a VERY important task: throwing the net to the boys as they needed it. I tell you what, it is harder than it sounds. But anywho, I performed my task well enough to say I contributed! In the end, we successfully caught a bunch of lobster and a grouper (that's a fish)...and got caught in a terrible storm out at sea...and beached our boat (looking back, I wish I would have been snapping pictures at that time rather than pushing!). Pretty awesome, right?

{boating is hard work, so it's a good thing they fed me! seriously one of the best sandwiches ever, and we didn't even have any mayo!}

{dragging behind the boat so I could see some fish...because if you're going to go to the gulf, you MUST get in and swim with the creatures}

{the catch: a bunch of lobster and a grouper. don't worry, I didn't actually touch any fish guts} 

{lesson of the trip: humans only eat the tails. poor little guys. but I feel better knowing they tasted good!}

Hello's

Hello! Kristin here. This is me attempting my maiden voyage across the blogosphere. Wish me luck, and enjoy the spoils!