Top Tips for a Great Vacation with Friends

I have vacationed with friends, I have lived with friends. Sometimes it turns out great. Sometimes you never speak to each other again. We went to summer camp inseparable, we came back..well...separated. Here are somethings I have learned along the way.

Tip #1:

Leave Your House

My house in the snow.

Staying at home may save you money, especially if you live in a fun area. But! Being in your home makes it too tempting to deal with real life issues, like that HOA letter that demands you have a green lawn when the city has asked you to only water twice per week- what do you want me to do HOA, spray paint my lawn green?! No, no, best to leave it all behind and allow yourself to take a vacation from life. Don't worry the issues will be waiting for you when you get back.

Tip #2

Have Separate Rooms

Monte Vista hotel, loved this cozy room for a quiet get away.

Again, sharing a room may save you money, but unless you have vacationed or lived with them before you do not want to do this. You do not know your friend's habits or how they deal with stress, it is entirely possible and in fact likely that there will be times when you get on each others nerves or just need your own space. Staying in one small hotel room with the person who woke up on the wrong side of the bed, or got annoyed by something you did, or even annoyed with something that you didn't have anything to do with, will exacerbate the problem and make for a looooong "vacation."

Tip #3

Small Steps

Quiet possibly the best weekend vacation ever! 
We are roasting marshmallows and hot dogs at the lake house with Ashley and Andrew.

Before you go on a week long vacation with someone, try to go on a short weekender. The weekend doesn't have to be expensive or far away, just away from home and just with the group of people that will be together for seven days. Get to know how your friend like to spend their vacation. Being friends in real life is very different from being vacation buddies. Some people want to fill their vacation schedule with activities they would never get to do at home, others want to lounge around and relax, some just want to see what events come up and are super laid back..almost to the point of being asleep. 

Tip #4

Do It Anyway

Fitz wanted to play, Hugh had other appointments.

There will be times when you don't want to do what your friend wants to, do it anyway. If they are really excited about a tour or seeing a site, join them. There will inevitably be something that you want to do that they don't and they can return the favor. It's always more fun to do things together, so even if you hate beer and touring another brewery is last thing on earth you want to do, go anyway because its the time you spend with your friend that will make it fun. 

Tip #5

Just Have Fun

Okay, so this has little to do with this blog, 
but I love this picture from our engagement session. 

Try with all your might to not get overly upset with something that happens. It could be someone losing their temper or an airline losing your luggage that has the bridesmaid's dress in it. Try to remember that you all came together to have a good time, so no one is looking for a fight or came along to start disagreements. You came as friends, leave as friends.

I hope y'all have a great summer full of amazing memories and developing inside jokes with your awesome friends!

2012 Bucket List

Bucket List

Recently, Alex and I watched Easy A (for the 4th time..and counting). One of All of my favorite scenes include the parents played by Stanley Tucci (Dill) and Patricia Clarkson (Rosemary). They are dry, witty, and absolutely hilarious. ::watch out for a laugh out loud scene where they repeat "t" over and over again::

Rosemary: Any friend of Olive's is a friend of my daughter.

Dill: The family member of the week gets to pick the movie.

Olive: You get family member of the week every week.

Rosemary: And there's a reason for that.

Olive: Yeah, you pick family member of the week!

Rosemary: Are you accusing me of nepotism?!

Following this bit, Rosemary adorably chants "Bucket List, Bucket List!" Beyond being cute and now overly used by yours truly, it prompted Alex and I to start writing Bucket Lists. The first being things we can do this year and the second being long term/ one day some day. We have already crossed off a few of our short term items and are excited to keep the momentum going! I'll start with the ones we have already completed, because it's always nice to cross things off.

Road trip to a Concert

FUN. is amazing! I have seen many a live show in my day and this one tops the list in performance and sheer talent.

Wearing my new FUN. shirt while eating the most delicious crepe ever! It had Nutella, bananas, strawberries, whipped cream, walnuts, and chocolate sauce! Ah, Vacation Food.

Our hotel was in the Historic District, loved it!

Stay in a Haunted Hotel

Monte Vista was an incredibly charming hotel that names its suites after the celebrities that have stayed in them; such as, Michael J. Fox and Bing Crosby. 

See the Grand Canyon

Awe inspiring. Unbelievably Gorgeous.

Make a Quilt

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First I'll need a sewing machine, and maybe learn how to sew a straight line, but after that I am rocking and rolling this gig.

Learn to Play 'Someone To Fall Back On' 
by Jason Robert Brown

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First I'll need to learn to play the piano. I'm starting to see a pattern here. Note: Singing is optional.

Complete a Book Each Month

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This doesn't seem too difficult, but it is so easy to get distracted by life and forget to do the things that make it enjoyable, like getting lost in the lives of a well-written story.

Go Horseback Riding 
in Rocky Mountain National Park

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I rode once with Alex's family in Georgia, but going through my favorite Park would be very fun indeed.

Vote!

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For this nerd, this is my Olympics, my World Cup, my uber Super Bowl- this is for all the marbles! So excited!!

This is going to be a great year!