Friday Favorites

It's Friday! Good Friday to be exact. We've been settled near Vero Beach, Florida for the past 3 weeks...the girls all found friends their age there. Fellow homeschoolers. Every day they would ride bikes together, play hide and seek, swim for hours, and peruse the store for candy. They also found some "adopted grandparents" who would do crafts with them and bring them little gifts. Sweet deal. I'm always so thankful for these connections! Now we're headed down to the Keys! We've got our snorkel gear and our sunscreen and we're ready to roll. 

I am particularly interested in paddleboarding. I paddleboarded for the first time in Vero and I can't stop thinking about it. Must.Go.Again. So that will be one of the first pieces of equipment I find there...along with perusing this site. If you've paddleboarded in the keys...where is your favorite spot? 

Here are a few favorites from my week:

My friend Sarah at Kith & Kin. If you're looking for an "investment" bag...one that is going to last and last and one that you will SWOON over when you hold it for the first time...this is IT. These are straight up handmade deliciousness. I have one of the bigger overnight bags, but this one is next on my list for sure. The perfect day tote (don't let it fool you with the diaper bag assignment...it would be awesome for anyone!) Love that you can customize the fabric swatch. Dreamy. 

I'm totally loving Pocket Fuel. Their Easter series is awesome.

Super cute gypsy-esque clothes and house stuff. This is where I get some of my sweet flags. And mugs. And art. And shirts. And scarves..

I love A Cup of Jo's house tours (and the whole rest of it. she's awesome). But this one is super dreamy. 

Are you a handwriting geek? Be sure to check out Lettergirl's Etsy shop. And her free practice worksheet!

I've started Periscoping! Check out my archived scopes here.

And lastly...don't forget to click over to my oil page for the rainbow-tastic freebie I'm giving away to those who want to get started with oils. I do personalized consultations if you need help with specific health concerns!

I'd love to hear about your favorite restaurants in the keys too...specifically seafood places. Yum yum.

Hope you all have a restful and introspective EASTER weekend...celebrating the FREEDOM that Jesus gave us when he took on all of our sins and paid the price ONCE and for all. So thankful. 

The Top 10 Places I Want to Visit Again

It's no secret that we LOVE to travel. If you've been following us for awhile, you know that we were on the road full-time for 5 years and have had a few different RV's. Now we are on the road about 6 mo of the year...venturing out to our favorite places when we get that nomadic bug. 

We've now been to 47 states in the RV (Hawaii & Alaska were missed for obvious reasons...and Rhode Island, well...sorry Rhode Island.) Which means that we have had time to come across a few favorite places! You'll notice that most of our favorites are are the western side of the country and/or near an ocean. Cuz we just know what we like!

We've started flying a lot more as our business has grown...and as much as I love the RV, I will NEVER TIRE of air travel. There is something so magical about being strapped into a large metal tube and jetting off into the sky. The miracle of flight is impressed upon my heart each and every time we take off. Did you know I was going to be a commercial pilot back in the day? Yep...even had my pilot's license! 

Bottom line...no matter HOW we arrive at a destination, we LOVE the new experiences and the constant motion. Let's get started with our top 10 faves (in no particular order)...

1. Northern California

California. I LOOOOOOOVE California. No, we don't want to move there. But we love to visit! One place we really felt at home was at the Petaluma KOA. It was beautiful and wooded, close to San Francisco and other amenities, and the people were super friendly. KOA's are known for their super kid friendly atmosphere...and this one had a climbing wall, jump pad, tons of activities, and GOATS. 

We are also always on the lookout for great pools...this one fit the bill! It was huge, and had a hot tub...and it during the time that we were there, no one was ever swimming because it was "too cold" for them. Not for my crazy fish family. This photo was one of the most perfect nights there. We had the pool completely to ourselves. And I found a tiny bottle of cabernet at the campground store and my new book had just arrived from Amazon that day. It was a good night. 

2. Portland, Oregon

Ahhhhh Portland. This was during a trip in the fall and all the colorful leaves were falling. We've been back to Portland many, many times...and each time it's fabulous in a different way. But my favorite thing is probably the food, the food, the food. *sigh*. We've stayed at Jantzen Beach RV Park, and I've stayed alone at the Monoco downtown (oh my heavens...best hotel ever). We've stayed in Eugene and Salem and along the coast of Oregon as well. The lush green moss gets me every time. 

3. Austin, TX

The sunsets in Texas are consistently breathtaking...nearly every night. We've spent time in wildflower country...southeast of Austin...and we've spent LOTS of time in the Austin area and I really don't have any desire to venture anywhere else. Maybe a day trip to San Antonio and back to Austin. :-) The coffee? Amazing and abundant. The food is fab, the people are funky. It's good. Traffic is a little intense...but if you're in a walkable area, it's bliss. I'd love to get myself to SXSW one of these years!

4. Jamaica

Aaaaaaah Jamaica. January 2015 was the first time Matt and I had been across an ocean and the first time we'd left the girls in 11 years. This trip was completely free, thanks to dōTERRA...and it was a life-altering experience. Once of those things along the path of life that changes everything. I snorkeled for the first time...which left me awe-struck. We met friends there who are now besties...and on that trip we decided that we will be spending a lot more time on islands. 

Fruit. So much amazing fruit. That slimy little purple thing? BEST. EVER. What is it? Someone tell me the name!

We stayed at the Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall...and it was our first experience with an all-inclusive resort. Our room overlooked the ocean and the salty air every morning was intoxicating. We were completely blissed out the entire time. 

5. Union Station - Denver (on a train to anywhere)

Traveling by train is an experience EVERYONE needs to have at least once in their life! My most recent excursion was out of Denver, in the newly remodeled (and stunning) Union Station. Sometimes I think I was supposed to be born in another era...when train travel was the norm. 

6. New York City

This was the view from my hotel room this past October when I met my sister and sister-in-love and dear friend in NYC for a 4 day rendezvous. The energy of the big city feeds my soul. When I was a teenager, I wanted nothing more than to be a magazine editor and walk the streets of NYC every day. I had no idea what that even meant back then...but it sure sounded glamorous. I'll be doing a separate blog post about our trip there...because I never want to forget those feelings. 

7. Dominican Republic

And...back to an island! In January we went to the Dominican Republic with dōTERRA and fell in love all over again with that turquoise blue ocean. This was me taking a little break to call a friend and sipping my favorite drink while we were there...a caipirinha. Oh my heavens...I would like one right now! They made it with frozen lemonade and tons of muddled lime...my perfect Caribbean cocktail. This trip solidified...again...our desire to bring our girls to an island and stay for awhile.

8. Oceanside, California

Succulents are my spirit plant. ;-) So when I came across The Succulent Cafe in Oceanside...I may have had a little freak out moment. This corner is just a tiny bit of the awesomeness. The coffee was great, the fountains soothing, and it's just a few blocks away from the ocean. Perfection. Everyone must go. 

Speaking of Oceanside...after we spent a month RVing with friends there last winter, we knew we'd be back. This time, we rented a house on the beach. It was the first time we'd ever slept so close to the beach where we could experience every sunrise and every sunset...and everything in between. Getting up in the morning and opening the patio doors to waves crashing was like a dream come true. I have a bit of an obsession with surfers (watching them...someday I will do it myself!)...and the beach we were on had TONS of surfers every day. 

9. Santa Cruz, California - The Redwoods

I can smell these trees through the screen! Redwoods. Go there. The end. 

No really...it's a spiritual experience. I've been able to spend much of my time there with dear friends. In fact, I had a blessingway for Emma INSIDE the "mother tree" at Henry Cowell. In the dark. With twinkle lights and chocolate and tea. It holds a special place in my heart for sure. The above photo was when 7 of us flew in from around the country to be together for a weekend. Traveling with friends or spending time in a new place with friends is one of my favorite things. Matt and I prefer to spend time with friends instead of alone...so RVing works out well for us. Caravan or meet up...or meet some new friends. Full-time travelers are a fascinating bunch. 

And of course, Santa Cruz. The bookshop, Verve, Natural Bridges. It has my heart. It's one of those places I will never tire of.

10. Home - Boulder, Colorado

And lastly...beautiful Boulder. Home sweet home.  Pearl Street never gets old for me. I love the people and the performers and the food and the art...all in the shadow of the majestic mountains. So much goodness to explore. 

Even with my intense love of travel...I still LOVE being at HOME. Sitting by our fire...watching snow softly falling down. 

Or gathering on our deck with our friends and family. Eating, drinking, and laughing together. We'll be returning home in a month or so...and I can't wait to fill this space with dreamers again. 

Where are some of YOUR favorite places? 

Bringin' It Back

Try not to fall over. Yes, this is an actual blog post on Nesting Gypsy! Cuz...I'm baaaaaaack! This past year, I've been doing a lot more "microblogging" on Instagram...but this month is my TEN YEAR BLOGIVERSARY! 10 years. It's crazy. And there are some of you who have been around since the beginning! Which is so humbling and amazing to me.

You'll notice that I've done a little facelifting around here...I changed up the header and added a page about why I love my oils and a page on how you can get started with your own oils. These little bottles of oil have changed our life in such dramatic ways...I kind of have a crush on them.

Our life looks RADICALLY different today than it did 10 years ago...which is to be expected. But it's so fascinating to look back and see the progression of our location, ideals, and thought patterns. As I turn 40 this year...I can honestly say that I'm more excited about my life and our future than EVER before. 

It turns out that as I've aged, I care less and less what people think of me and more and more about the good things I have to offer to the world. I know that my God-given calling in life is to uplift & encourage others...and to help them find the path to their dream life. I do this each and every day as I mentor, coach, and inspire my TRIBE...but I want to make sure that isn't the only place my voice is heard. 

I'll be posting more blogs...sharing my passions and catching you all up on some happenings in our life this past year.  I'm also going to be doing something I'm SUPER excited about, and that is more live interaction. 

I'm going to do more on my Periscope channel...and I'll be offering a broader glimpse into our life and adventures. 

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So to kick it all off, join me tomorrow at 2pm EST on Periscope, where I will do a live 30 min Q & A session on topics of your choice! Travel, RV life, motherhood, unschooling, running a business, essential oils, being an entrepreneur...you bring the questions and I will answer! Excited to see you there tomorrow! 

**If you don't have a Periscope account but want to join in the fun...here is a quick run-through of how to set it up. And when you get on...follow me @nestinggypsy. Can't wait!

I'd love to get re-acquainted with all of you...LEAVE ME A COMMENT and share how you found my blog initially and what you're up to these days!