Weekend Shenanigans

Guess who had a THREE DAY WEEKEND last week? !?!?! Probably the last one I will have for a while. Work will be number 1 on my list for a while. Any how... On the agenda was sleep and clean. Well I can tell you cleaning did not happen. It was more sleep than anything. But what did happen was Saturday Adventure. I love to get out of the "city". Back in so.cal my favorite mini road trip destination was Lake Arrowhead. Who would think that the 1 drive to serenity would be missed so quickly. So I decided to search pinterest for gorgeous nature life around North Carolina. As green as this place is, all the amazing destinations are at least 2 hours from my house.  Eek. I'm glad I don't mind driving. The road trip I decided to go on was to Hanging Rock State Park. FYI I am obsessed with waterfalls. This 2 hour trip was worth it. The water was so pretty coming down the rocks. Guido had fun splashing in the creek. For a pup who hates water, he sure loves hikes to waterfalls. My dad, pup, and I went to only 2 of the many waterfalls at the state park. I am sure I will be going back. I can't think of anything else more peaceful than a small hike to a natures beauty, waterfalls.

If you know Guido (the Pup) you know he hates water. Well he dislikes baths and pools. But Mother Nature's Water he loves!!! I can't get my dog out of creek water, strange pup but I love it.

 I think our 2 mini hikes equaled a total of 1 mile.  

We found out that VA was only 20 minutes away so we crossed into another state. This last month has been me in more states than I have ever been in. All we did was drive back home, but next trip will include some tourist-y stuff. Hope everyone has a good week. 

Don't forget to check out my first giveaway [HERE]

Have a good Week everyone!!!!

Giveaway | G&G Gems

I am not a full time blogger at all. At least not yet. But from the beginning of my country life journey, I knew I wanted to remember everything from moving, packing, the drive, and everything in between. With the blogging life and pre-blog journal, I have had amazing an amazing and supportive group of people all over. These relationships are all very special. I try to be just as supportive as everyone is to me. 

Amanda from Fifty Shades of Grits and Grace and I have teamed up for a special (2) winner giveaway featuring two beautiful gemstone pendant necklaces from her shop G&G Gems. We will be giving 2 lucky winners a statement piece for supporting our blogs. First place winner with receive a Large Aqua Aura Quartz Pendant Necklace and the Second place winner will receive a Green Calcite Pendant Necklace.

Here is a Special Note from AMANDA:

"I am thankful for all of you, and all of the love, support & kindness that you bring to our little space of the internet and blogging world.

I am also thrilled to announce that we have even more handmade gemstone pendant necklaces arriving in our shop very soon! Please keep your eyes peeled and please favorite our shop for the newest listings. Especially since we will be offering a coupon code! You can find that code below ;)"

SPECIAL COUPON CODE: August 17th-21st, 2015! Take $5 off $20 or more in our shop G&G Gems. Use code GIVEAWAY at checkout before midnight CT on Monday, August 24th.

And now for the giveaway! Just follow these easy steps via the Rafflecopter widget below in order to tally up your chances to win one of these wonderful gemstone statement necklaces! Winners will be chosen at random and announced within 48-72 hours of the contest ending via both blogs: Fifty Shades of Grits and Grace & City Girl with Country Charm

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Wishing you all a wonderful week and GOOD LUCK! ;)

Disclaimer: Giveaway applicable to all countries. 18+ or older to win. City Girl with Country Charm & Fifty Shades of Grits and Grace are not responsible for damage/loss via mail. Must respond back to e-mail within 24 hours or a two new winners will be chosen. Good Luck!

The Not So Dirty South | NC GREEN

Happy Friday Y'all. I lovin I can say that now. ok I'm lying I sound funny haha. I must say how green it is in this lovely state of North Carolina. So green, I walk out of my front door and I think I'm in a National Forest. No but seriously, it's amazing how many trees and grass and land out here is not dead. I mean don't get me wrong, So. Cal is gorgeous, however for every dead tree in California there is 5 beautiful green trees here just in Raleigh.
Sometimes when I walk Guido, I take pictures of the scenery. I would take more but everything is green here it starts looking alike.

Of course the crazy amount of mother nature's beauty there is, it comes with a price. Talk about bi-polar weather. It is no joke when people tell you that if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes it will change. One minute its sunny and zero humidity, the next its a storm warning through the county. Sometimes the humidity is what makes going outside horrible. Well that and the mosquitoes. Apparently I arrived in North Carolina during their worse humidity in 20 years. I have been the mosquitoes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I couldn't even walk the pup-pup without getting a new bite. I get so excited when I can walk outside and enjoy our walks, which hasn't been many. I'm a girly girl, however this humidity makes me sweaty and gross. 2 showers minimum!!!! 

The humid weather sure did get the best of my family last week, while I had a day off it was decided to go to the NC State Arboretum and take pictures with my Canon Rebel (here). 1 water bottle for three people wasn't such a good idea. I am pretty sure the disgusting weather made me lose a few pounds that day. We didn't stay for long, but the pictures we got were beyond amazing. I must applaud myself, National Geographic here I come. (just kidding y'all). This states beauty in one place was perfect. Can't wait to go see more. 

I hope everyone has a good weekend. 

keep reading everyone, big event coming soon!!!!!!!!!!

The Not So Dirty South | Road Trip Edition

Welcome to the home of zero traffic, no smog, mosquitoes galore, and the wonderful humidity. I'm in North Carolina Finally!!! Sorry for the delay post, but between getting my settled in my apartment, working like crazy, and my favorite thing I called sleep, I have been a little occupied.

I must say I do not think I could ever move across country again!!!!!!!!! I love California it will always be home but holy crap. I believe that drive took a lot of energy out of me. It's been about 3 weeks and I am still physically exhausted. I'm sure starting my dream job two days after arriving here didn't help, but I wouldn't change it for the world.

Road Trip: Excuse me when I say my parents and I kick ass in driving across country. Between heat, gas stops, thunder storms, and one over night stop, we made it here in time. My deadline was Saturday, July 18th due to the fact my apartment was ready then. Left early Thursday Morning. & when I mean early I mean 4 am / the moon is still up 4am. I remember continuously planning out my trip. My ideal trip  CLICK HERE was set. Like I planned, I drove out my little sentra out of CA. Disclaimer: if driving through CA to Arizona, do not get gas in the last city of California, wait 5 miles and Arizona is so much cheaper. ** While my mom drove the states of Arizona, I attempted to sleep in the backseat. My backseat was a little more cluttered than I planned but lucky for me I can get somewhat comfortable almost anywhere. But having the cutest pup snuggled in my lap, I realized sleep was a little harder than I planned.

I do know I did nap because New Mexico was the next state I would drive. Nothing scenic in that state! I remember I drove until I couldn't drive anymore. I'm pretty sure that was the end of Texas. I am about 75% sure my mom drove part of Texas and I drove the rest but with it being 5:30 am and insomnia going on, a two-week old drive seems a bit fuzzy. I know I got tired because there was no way I was driving into a lightening storm. If you know me you know my biggest fears are thunder // lightening // and earthquakes. While the storm was going on I felt like I was in the Wizard of Oz. By the time I woke up Oklahoma was almost over. I can honestly say the gas station in OK was probably the cleanest public bathroom I have ever been in! Arkansas was in the near future, I slept probably through all of that state. My stomach was in knots so eating anything other than saltine crackers was not in my plan. Then Tennessee, I really thought Oklahoma would take us forever to get through, however Tn is a longer drive.
Other than seeing Graceland, Memphis TN, lack of sight seeing happened in my favorite state.

I was so tired I had to have someone else drive as long as I could drive to downtown Nashville, well that didn't happen. My eyelids were shut for a while. Luckily my mom's phone found Jack's BBQ so my stomach was happy. It wasn't in the best area but I knew how to get us to Brentwood. I have been there too many times to not know how safe Brentwood Tn is. My dad basically until he couldn't drive anymore and that was our one hotel stop. It was in Gatlinburg. Pro: only 35-40 minutes away from ole smokey. Con: I would've been late for signing my lease. Oh well, until next time Tennessee.

As I drove through the Smokey Mountains from Gatlinburg to North Carolina, The weather got musty and humid, but when I say the view looked like National Geographic, I am not joking. North Carolina Welcome Center was goregous. If my home was anything like it, I'd love it. And I was right !!!!

something amazing coming soon....!!!! 

Featured | Ashley from That Southern Mama

Hey y'all, I am Ashley.. I am a wife and girl mama [ toddler & 7 month old ] living in Bama. I blog over at That Southern Mama. On my blog you can find mama/wife related stuff, beauty & fashion, recipes, & even some inspiration. I love coffee, Jesus, regular Target trips, trying to stay organized in my messy beautiful life, a little wine or beer, and family time. Today I wanted to share some motivation with you, but before we get to that I just wanted to say thank you to Delene for allowing me to take over her blog today!

Everyone needs some motivation sometimes. I know I have for a few months now. Packing, moving, looking for jobs all the while doing my normal mama and wife duties. I enjoy turning through the pages of my Bible and finding some inspiration.. some motivation to get stuff done. If you are in need of some motivation for whatever you are trying to do, here are a few of my FAVORITE Bible verses that will help you! 

Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it. 

Ezra 10:4

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 

Philippians 4:13

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.

Psalm 46:5

I have a few digital prints available in my Etsy Shop with that verse. 

But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded. 

2 Chronicles 15:7

"Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." 

Matthew 17:20

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 

Galatians 6:9

Where do you turn for motivation? Your bible? What is your favorite verse to give you that push you need?

Belated Moving Monday | Car Ride

With the craziness of the weekend and last day at Buffalo Wild Wings behind me, talk about time crunch. I'm done packing all the big shipping boxes [which will be sent out tomorrow]. Now it's time to pack my little Sentra that will take me into the country life.

Some stuff is much needed on a day and half trip. 

1. Bare Minerals Moisturizer | 2. Bare Minerals Touch Up Veil | 3. Bare Republic Sunscreen Lotion | 4. Maybelline Eyeliner  | 5. L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Butterfly Intenza Mascara | 6. Bath & Body Works Country Chic Body Spray | 7. Secret Destinations Hawaii Citrus Breeze | 8. Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue | 9. Apple iPad Mini | 10. Canon Rebel T5 | 11. Yurbuds Inspire Earbuds

I can't wait to go back through my favorite and Gatlinburg with my Canon and enjoy the country side. Lets be real here, it is a day and half drive most of my time in the passenger seat with Guido so most likely I will be loading up the iPad with some movies. I am not gonna lie I probably won't sleep very much so looking like I am wide awake with my natural makeup is gonna come in handy. Other than my entertainment, my munchies will be a must. Can you say starbucks overload? I am pretty sure I will be finding an in&out in AZ before I am no longer surrounded by the delishisness of fries + spread. 

Hope y'all has a happy Tuesday. hehe I better get used to saying y'all

Special Sunday Edition

I never thought I'd post on a Sunday. Well I never thought I would have time. But with my allergies deciding it was time for me to sneeze and sniffle my morning away, why not write?

With my move being 4 days away, it finally hit me how much I'm leaving in Cali. My friends and family, and friends who are family. My going away party was a success. Thanks to Alycia, Mom, Dad, Sis, Grandma, Nino, + everyone else who pitched in. With all my goodbye hugs I must say my "tias" really know how to make sure the sadness hits. It finally hit me how far away I will be from everyone I love. I am lucky though people plan on coming to visit / skype / call. Guido and I will miss everyone very much.

I'm glad I stole my hacked my god-brother's phone yesterday at the party. The selfies came out great and I realized I am definitely getting the Galaxy S6. The shutter sensor for selfies is a BONUS. Thanks Chris for the phone!

WARNING: instgram [@delene_andrea] will be overloaded with BBQ pictures. 

Most pics will be in my new place once I order them from MPix. 

With my dream becoming a reality this week, lots of posts will happen.  Well as long as I'm not sleeping or driving.  

Everyone have a blessed Sunday and the rest of the week.