{Reality Check}

I tend to prefer reading women's magazines in hard copy rather than online (it seems some sites are so heavily populated with graphics and headlines that I want to avoid sending myself into a visual tailspin) but I recently viewed glamour.com and came across an interesting tag line that read: "Could you go a week without your phone or the internet and feel happy?"

Is this your reaction to a loss in "connection"?

According to a survey (Glamour, please) "more than half of respondents said they felt upset when they were denied access to the Internet; and, 40 percent said they felt lonely." Source.  Now, I can understand that if I were to go without using my phone for a few days, I might feel a bit weird...but would I go as far as to compare being sans phone to "quitting smoking or drinking" or "having my hand chopped off?" I don't think so. Let's get a grip.

It may be time for a time-out...

Ladies (and gents), I really hope we have more going on in our lives that we don't feel lonely without the internet or phone. I get it, we live in a society driven by the notion that we are available 24/7 thanks to advancements in technology. (Even I have been recently craving an iPad.) I've said it to my boss many times before and I'll say it again: Put the blackberry (or insert your phone here) down! Life will go on whether you answer that email now or in the morning, whether you update your Facebook pictures tonight or in a week, whether you keep up with your Twitter account or whether you answer every comment on your blog page or not.

There aren't words.

A year ago, I realized the ridiculous amount of time I spent on my Facebook account so I deactivated it. For 3 months. It was positively delightful and I read several books, spent more time outdoors and didn't miss it for a second (pinky swear). I learned, during that time, how much I had relied on Facebook for remembering birthdays, upcoming events & being updated on people's lives. It helped me to remember that just because technology is convenient, it doesn't suffice for verbally wishing someone a happy birthday or meeting a friend over coffee vs. an online chat.

Remember to make time to go outside & play!

Yes, it is awesome to have an instant connection with others right at your fingertips...but it does not make us happy. It makes us available, but it should not make us dependent.

So my answer to you, Glamour, is yes...

I can go for a week (or more!) without my phone or internet and still be completely happy. (In fact, I will be doing that this weekend while away in the mountains.) And I sincerely hope all of you readers can too.

Images via Google

{Life's A Beach}

It appears my lucky stars are aligning because I practically gave up on the idea of going to the beach earlier this summer, only to be making my third trip this month in just a few hours! See, my sweetheart and I are celebrating our 5 year dating anniversary this weekend (no biggie!) and slacked on planning a getaway...but we both decided we should at least make it to the shore! Of course, our hot air balloon ride was my [little] contribution, but it will be nice to get some R&R together at the ocean.

1. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunblock
2. Marc by Marc Jacobs Polarized Oversize Sunglasses - Havana

3. Victoria's Secret ANK Heart Bandeau Top + Bottom

4. Smartwater

5. Tommy Hilfiger - Anchors Away Beach Towel

6. Ocean Potion Pure Aloe Vera Gel

7. bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation - Medium

8. iPhone + Kate Spade

9. Michael Kors Plate Thong Sandal

10. Forever21 Bangles

11. L.L. Bean Boat and Tote Bag

12. Moroccan Oil

I am looking forward to having some fun & reflecting on the past several years with my sweetheart. It is amazing how much we have grown, both as a couple and as individuals. We have been through so much together; every year of our relationship has been unique and presented its own set of challenges and blessings. There is so much I could say about the past 5 years, but I think it's best to appreciate the team we have become. No matter what the future brings, I'm glad I found the most genuine friend I could have asked for in these past several years.

Now I leave you with these morsels I'm looking forward to:

Image courtesy of © 2011 Chateau de Victoria

Image courtesy of © 2011 Chateau de Victoria

C'est la vie!

Remaining Images via Google

{A Bird's Eye View}

We did it! Friday afternoon, my sweetheart & I took a scenic route to Lancaster, PA to enjoy some city dining (I had no idea this college town would be so lively & fun!) and try some delish homemade ice cream. After checking out some art exhibits and shops, we decided to hit the hay for our early hot air balloon flight the next morning. It turned out to be a beautiful sunrise!

Our balloon!

Excited for the takeoff :)

Up, up & away we went!

We had a fun group of people with us and our tour guide, Dar, was quite the entertainer. He had to beat the other balloons (naturally) so we ended up at 6,000 feet in the air! I must have looked nervous for a little while because my sweetheart kept asking me if I was alright. I just had to take it all in!

Everything got so small...

Wouldn't you be a little nervous too in nothing but a wicker basket?

Amish Country

We ended up doing a little tree skimming action, got pretty close to some farm animals (who were not so thrilled by our loud mechanism) and failed at figuring out just how fast we were flying on the guys' smart phones (probably 5-7 mph).

So pretty!

Thankful for a gorgeous day...

So, because hot air balloon flying doesn't have the luxury of a landing strip, we were instructed to crouch down, lean into the basket dividers to our left and hold onto the rope handles inside of the balloon when landing. Naturally, there is always a risk involved in something I do. See, the hot balloon will "skid" along the ground a couple of times before stopping. This means that you run the risk of tipping or, in our case, skidding the ground only to catch a gust of wind and therefore using a 5 foot embankment to stop our balloon. I was ready for the hit against our balloon, but not prepared for my sweetheart's head to slam into the back of mine. Ouch. Balloon Flyer's Beware: follow the guide's directions and stay low (this means you, sweetheart). I still love you!

Down she goes...

Our flying mechanism!

Champagne toast to celebrate!

I highly recommend this experience to anyone! It was quite fun and enjoyable...and I thought it made for a nice anniversary gift :-) Afterwards, we hit up the nearby outlets, had lunch & headed back into the city to visit the local brewery. Nothing like a little hometown brewed beer to end a fabulous day! I have no clue why we decided to go home after that...we realized afterward that we probably should have stayed another night since we were having so much fun. Now I can't wait to go back!

All images courtesy of © 2010 Chateau de Victoria

{Flighty and Fabulous}

I love color. I love that which is vibrant. And I really love having fun with my makeup once in awhile. So when I was at the mall the other day picking up this adorable handbag I've been eyeing at a sale price I couldn't refuse, I happened to wander over to the MAC counter with my spare change. Hello color mascara!

MAC Zoom Lash Mascara in Blue Charge, Green is Green, High Esteem and Plum Reserve

I was a bit skeptical at first, but couldn't take my eyes off of the green; commence makeover by wonderful MAC rep. A little bit of orangey/brown eyeshadow and green mascara later, I was sold...but not enough to walk away with the product in hand. I was told this was a limited time offer, but didn't have that "you better buy it now or else" feeling.

Until the next day...

I made my girl's night start a smidgen earlier by stopping back to make the purchase and was told that all of the stores were now sold out of the mascara's. DISSmissed. However, I'm a determined lady...and all options were going to be tried. Now commence the wonders of online shopping on my iPhone + coupon gouging = two colored mascara's with free overnight shipping at the same total as if I was in the store (all under 10 minutes time). Bring 'em on!

MAC Flighty Collection

I'm all about the pop factor, and I think this collection offers several fun colors for your summer palette without making you look like a drag queen. I have yet to try on the blue, but I'm hoping it turns out as nicely as the green! I'm not quite sure what "overnight shipping" means to MAC because it has now been two days since my purchase and I haven't even received my shipping confirmation, but I'm not fretting too much because it was free. If I've been scammed, you'll be the first to know (along with the unfortunate soul who receives my phone call). No worries though, because Sephora also has a selection of color mascara's as well!

BADgal Plum Mascara

Buxom Lash Mascara Special Effects Blue Noir

It's always good to have something to look forward to on a Monday!

{Laptop Luxuries}

I am happy to say that the days of lugging a heavy laptop around are long gone. In college, it was essential that I have a real backpack with shoulder pads & back support in order to carry around my miniature computer...otherwise, I would be in worse shape then I already am. Lucky for me, my laptop decided to let me print out my final papers prior to graduation before taking a hiatus of its own. Yes, my iphone is still (and probably always will be) a life source for me, however, I decided to use Christmas money and finally purchase a new computer for 2011. I don't know about you, but for me walking into that Apple store was like walking into technological heaven. The glass gates swung wide open and I was met by flashes of light from LED screens & several individuals adorned with hand-held computers ready to welcome me into their world. As if it couldn't get any better, I walked over to "glance" at the computer bag selection and there it was...staring back at me...

Marc by Marc Jacobs "Pretty Nylon" Computer Commuter Tote

Dare I even say my excitement for the bag was possibly on par with how I felt about the actual laptop? Ladies and gentlemen, not only do we now have the perfect travel-sized laptop that is conveniently lightweight but we also have an assortment of fashionable cases and bags to put it in! Yes, I know this isn't exactly new news but who doesn't love finding the perfect laptop bag...or another excuse to have a fabulous new bag in general? Any large bag will do, but here are some inspirations for spicing up your hardware:

Love, Margaux Brighton Bell Railway

Kate Spade Nylon Laptop Calista

Marc by Marc Jacobs Pretty Nylon Laptop Tote

(I love these MJ bags...I've had one for over a year & swear by it!)

Love, Margaux Metropolitan Station