Across Country Drive | take 2

So somehow my original post was deleted. Lame!!! But we will try this again. Officially a week until I am on the road and with the decision of which route, when to leave, who drives what is basically all on me. ok not really the who drives what but you know what I mean. There were 2 route options so with only one including my favorite city . I-40 straight thru was the winner.

California | Arizona | New Mexico | Texas | Oklahoma | Arkansas | Tennessee | 

North Carolina

Since the days are getting closer researching routes and time frame is pretty important. [ I'm not one who would want to end up in NOLA randomly lol ] Knowing when my apartment is ready was my deadline. I'm not financially capable of doing a week long road trip. As great as that sounds working until the very last minute was my goal. With that being said I'm 2 shifts away from leaving my job after 4.5 years. I think I'm done babbling for now... I figure two days will be plenty of time to drive. Especially knowing both of my parents will be helping me. 

With looking up which way to take and when ...yada yada yada, Google Maps was my go to on exact directions. Lucky for me its not very hard when it is only 1 hwy. I have been on road trips with my "sister in law" numerous times and we have concluded the love/hate relationship with the 40. I have been on it enough to know when it's time for me to pull over. Oklahoma and I are not friends. But Texas is.

Pros of Hwy 40: lots of signs for rest stops // welcome areas // gas // food // restroom , fast route , somewhat empty

Cons of Hwy 40: certain states are speed traps , pitch black in one state at night {no lights} , 2 lanes only {sharing hwy with semis} 

Last time I drove the I-40, I was coming back from Missouri [Ft. Lost in the Woods/Leonard Wood] to be exact and I remember stopping at the most twice in each state. That included snack stop + potty breaks for the dogs & humans. That was about a day and half trip so I know with 3 people driving it will not take longer than 2 days. The only detour in my plan is Nashville & Gatlinburg Tennessee. Excuse the fact I'm obsessed with Nashville, But Jacks BBQ is a must whenever in Nashville. The thought of smoked meat, homemade style mac&cheese, baked beans makes me gain the weight. Be prepared on my instagram: @delene_andrea for the #foodporn obsession when I get there. 

Gatlinburg is my next detour because I love some flavored LEGAL moonshine. And in the middle of the smokey's is where Ole' Smokey Moonshine is made...bonus. For a about 2 hours I will be a tourist sampling different ones and buying probably everything in the gift shop. 

 [insert DRINK UP here]

  

I know my family is really worried about weather and gas. So thanks to Google, roadtrippers.com & intellicast.com are my go to during the trip. Roadtrippers gives an estimate on how much gas and places to stop {waffle house & crackel barrel is a must}. Intellicast will be checked daily to give me the weather forecast on the hwy. It's a great website because It just gives the cities on the highway, no other random infomation. I will probably look up if they are apps just to make life easier for all of us. 

Is there any other apps, websites, or stops I should know about? 

happy thursday y'all 

Feautured | Amanda from Fifty Shades of Grits and Grace

Hi, I am Amanda Cruse from the blog Fifty Shades of Grits and Grace. I am a southern mama of two from Alabama blogging about a strong passion and eye for style, fashion, beauty, food, her southern roots (drawl included) and a little bit of everything between. If you get a chance, we would love for you to check out our blog and all the amazing recipes and reviews we have to offer ;)

When my long-time friend, Delene, from City Girl with Country Charm asked me to do a style post to be featured on her blog my first reaction was gratitude, followed by a slight panic attack. What would I write, what would I feature, what types of apparel items would I include? So many thoughts went rushing through my head it was hard to catch even a single one of them. Finally I decided that I would just wing it, wing it as I do posting on my blog. Sometimes I hit a wall and lose focus on what I want to post about, but then it usually always comes to me once I get my fingers moving and the paragraphs flowing.

I really love fashion, style, accessories, and everything that goes along with paring the perfect items to create that perfect, signature look that is just your own. Take it from me, when I say that I am no fashionista, there is no truer truth to be told. I have no fashionable bone in my body. But what I do know about fashion is that if you can wear it, rock it, feel confident, and own it - it honestly doesn't even matter if you are wearing a burlap sack. Granted, there is nothing appealing about a burlap sack, but if you wear it right, it could easily be the next hit trend. Confidence is half the battle, y'all ;)

My style is an acquired taste for most and most certainly isn't what you would think of when you think typical southern girl. That's okay. I have never been one to go with the flow or confrom, if anything I define myself as quite the little rebel. I have an obscure outlook on what I think fashion is or isn't. It's not fancy dresses, expensive jewelry and the highest pair of heels you can stand to walk in. To me, it's so much more and the way you chose to style yourself says is a little deeper than the pair of destroyed jeans you are rocking on any given day. My fashion has changed so much over the last few years, especially when I was trying to be someone I wasn't for the people in my life that thought they should control every little thing I did. Before I met my ex-husband the majority of my wardrobe consisted of things from Buckle - Affeclition, True Religion, Miss Me, Billabong. I also loved Pac Sun until our local one closed in both malls,talk about a bummer. I tend to go through seasons with my style. For a few months I may walk proudly in a raggedy pair of blue jeans, a cut off tee and tennis shoes, and months later I am wearing boho rompers and flowers in my hair, maxi dresses and cute little wedged sandals, and a few months from that I may have on my Slackjaw Americana or Deadskull Co. or tee, cut-off sleeves, destroyed black jeans, spiked jewelry and my cowboy boots. I really don't have a set style. I just throw on whatever I am feeling that day and own it. My current trend is the badbass biker chick tattooed look. Because let's face it, I am a pretty badass person at times and I do have a couple tattoos, so I think I wear that look well if we are just being honest ;) The best part? I can definitely pull it off and above all, OWN IT. I guess that's the Biker side in my, thanks Daddy!

With that said, I wanted to include a few pieces above that I really love that I could definitely see in my closet in the near future. As most know, from my blog, Fifty Shades of Grits and Grace, I have a slight obsession with gemstone jewelry - and rocks in general for that matter. So it's no surprise that I have two or three raw gemstone pieces included in the looks I put together above. I love denim, so the denim sunwashed tunic dress had to be included in the round-up along with the Dolce Vita Haku booties and turquoise sandals. And anyone who knows me know that I cannot ever post a style post without including a bag or two. I really love this Liebeskind Margo Hobo Bag because it has plenty of spaces and compartments. The compartments and space is always a make it or break it for me, especially as a mother. I need all the nooks and cranny that I can get, especially in order to stash away things that I don't want the kiddos getting in to if they just so happen to get their paws on my satchel.

Hope you are all having an amazing week thus far, we are only a hop, a jump and a skip away from Friday! XO

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July is Here!

HAPPY MOVING MONTH Y'ALL

Hello July! Its Moving Month! With 2 weeks left in CA there is so much I want to do and see but so little time. Malibu Winery, LACMA, 1000 steps beach, & of course one last trip to Disneyland on my list but with about 10 days left I'll be lucky if one thing is crossed off my list.
It's offically my last week at Buffalo Wild Wings. After 4 ½ years serving pain in the butt customers, non stop football seasons, and more beer served than one can drink, I am not saying see you later I'm saying GOODBYE. Some of the greatest co-workers to work with. It's definitely bittersweet.

In other news: I woke up with my wonderful insomnia kicking in late last night to a message from my older half sister that I am an auntie to an independent American niece. Sophie is here !!! 9 DAYS late but she decided to be born on July 4th! So proud that she already has a mind of her own. If she's anything like her cousins and aunties, and her great great grandma, my sister better be prepared for a free spirit! Auntie LOVES you and your sister!

Speaking of 4th of July, I hope everyone had a fun and safe holiday. Mine was spent in the heat having yard sale pt. ii. and enjoying my dad grilling & a firework show. If you didn't know I'm obsessed with my camera Found Here and thanks to photography 101 I decided fireworks would be fun practice. Didn't turn out too bad. Next year will be a different scene seeing how I will be 2k + miles away.

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A Week of Madness

Hope everyone has a great week.  Mine was more than just wings and beer.  Baseball &  3 parties + a car accident + yard sale. I need a weekend away.

Last Friday my "family" went to an Angel Game.  I'm a Dodger fan but because the Angels is one of my "cousin's" favorite team & he is finally home from Korea we all went. The group of what seems like a million of us never disappoints a good time.  The game didn't get really exciting until the 8th inning.  While the game was un-entertaining I caught up with Marisa!  I got to know her a lot last year and she helped with a lot.  I love her like a friend and sister but since we are both busy it's gard to talk. Anyways the game was good Angels won . Got home and passed out.

With work being Saturday morning & my cousin's welcome party. We don't see each other much but he is someone I look at like a big brother. The best part was 2-stepping with him.  He practiced and it showed. Me not so much (sorry dance friends I failed lol) . Music + Cheap Drinks + Friends + Family = GREAT TIME. I have to enjoy every moment with friends and family seeing how I'm not sure when the next time I will be home.

Sunday was the last party day. One of my not so baby cousins graduated high school. Talk about me feeling old. I remember babysitting her & telling her if she wasn't good she'd be going into the "Dark Room" [my parents walk-in closet] . I am very proud to say she was never put in there.  Can't wait to see how the world will treat her as she's performing all around it. 

Monday approached faster than I wanted and and as I headed my happy booty to work someone hit the drivers side of my car. Where I live accidents aren't surprising but holy cow it has been one big chaotic mess.  Jesus took the Wheel of my car. Cops came and were so nice . Thank you Alhambra PD. Luckily my car is repairable and hopefully done by the end of this week. 

Moving Monday | Packing

Hope everyone has had a good weekend.  Mine involved work & checking off things on my moving to do list. & ended with my monday morning starting with some monday errands followed by a coffee run. 

6 | 8 | 15 Morning Coffee Run 

 My days off haven't exactly been days off.  As much as I would love my mandatory pamper myself day, packing has taken over my life.  Thanks to my parents it's been a little easier than to pack on my own.  There's 5 sections included in my move:
Car // Ship // Yard Sale // Trash // Donate
My plan is to keep my car light as possible. Oh did I mention we are driving! Yup that's right I know what can happen in a car with my divorced parents & my dog! Ok back to the car,  I want to keep it as light as possible.  The less weight the less gas use the faster I will get there.  So our clothes | daily toiletries | important information & minimal appliances is my plan

Who knew one person can have so much crap!? 

going thru our family's storage. AHHHH!!!!

Guido helping Mommy. [yea not so much]

Anything that isn't a necessity right when I get there is getting shipped.  Umm why is shipping so expensive? I'm on a Delene budget.  As cheap as possible.  Working @ bdubs I never know what kind of money I'll make so every dollar is important.  Shipping is probably gonna be my biggest challenge. Thank you Ziploc Space Bags. They are truly the best things invented. It saves so much space. If I do ship my clothes, it will be in one box. The only good thing is I plan to send everything 2 days before I leave that way it will get there right when I get to my new place.

Seeing how I'm on a servers budget, a yard sale will be happening in the near future. I try to be as independent as I can so me selling things like formal wear will help with money. Whatever doesn't sale will either be sold online or donated! 

I'm starting a brand new chapter so my place should have new things.  My townhouse has a washer and dryer connection so my first big purchase is a washer and dryer! Tips on home appliances would greatly be appreciated!

Hopefully my yard sale brings me some cash for my deposit & gas money.  Lately work has been ok. & I am blessed my managers understand so I'm constantly working.  Sleep Deprived but making progress. 
I wonder what next week in my moving Monday series will include. ..
Have a blessed Monday everyone

Secret is Out

I got my VERY FIRST APARTMENT. I got my dream job! It's official I will be in North Carolina toward the end of July. I feel on top of the world right now. Even though it is early in the AM! 

Moving Monday | Apartment Hunting

Everyone has asked me if I'm excited. As much as I'd want to have a much needed celebratory drink, I'm not as excited as one should be. Apartment Hunting has taken over my life. It normally starts at 7 am and doesn't end until 6pm. If I have work it doesn't stop me from my home search. Thank goodness for apps & google.
Townhomes, condos, apartment...not all the same. If you know me you know my pup is like my kid [he is NOT a guard dog at all] So safest area possible on a budget is #1 on my list. With moving in the humid months a pool is #2. It being pet friendly is #3.  Being about 2000 miles away is kinda hard to tour anything so I have to go by what leasing agents say. hmm knowing they make commission off of my renting they aren't my go to. Luckily my new boss [C] has been willing to help me since she grew up there. If I mention an area she lets me know Yay or Nay. We'll lots of decent, pretty apartments are in areas she doesn't really recommend. So all 15 million apartments I called got thrown away.
Apartment Search take TWO! Between websites & apps, here are few of the best ones I liked.
rent.com : is my top apartment search website to use. Sometimes if you lease from rent.com they send you $100 gift card. It's really easy to use. Filter: City , Budget, Amenities, Laundry
google.com : not for apartment search but for apartment reviews & google the area and map out how far it is from my main office. My parents and I have become google map pros!
apartments.com : is like rent + google maps together! The best part is I can search a radius around my new job. I just didn't like I couldn't put my exact max. price budget.
apartmentguide.com  I loved that it was easy to use. Looked around the area other than the city searched.

I suggest calling apartments and speaking with a leasing agent. Some are very friendly and others just want to make commission. I'm very big on personality, therefore if you do not want to engage in conversation but just want my money... #byefelicia

Lucky after another 3 hour search. A townhouse in my price range with my top 3 necessities were included. I put in my application. Everyone please pray I get it.