Photo(s) of the week...

If I could be anywhere right now, I might be right there, in the fresh air, pondering life and being outside. This was such a fantastic day. There really is nothing like this kind of adventure! To tell the truth, normally, I am really nervous about these kinds of things. Not because I'm afraid of heights or anything... but because I'm secretly afraid of being a winded wuss trailing behind the hike with knees about to give out. But it's ridiculous. I've done some pretty outdoorsy, crazy adventures, but sometimes I get nervous about being out of shape! But alas none of us were! Mommas still know how to do stuff... We all climbed, smiled, jumped and enjoyed this moment!

Don't be afraid to go outside and do something... Anyone want to go hiking?

Oh, and by the way, another really awesome thing for me, is traveling with a photog buddy... because it means that I might make it into some photos! ( I have whole trips of scenery and my husband standing somewhere... and no record I'm even there) All photos are a mix from my camera and Jessie W Mathis.

You know how sometimes you just get something in your head and you can't stop thinking about it? Well, this happened to us. Our friend Blake had mentioned to Jessie this amazing donut shop that she remembered while we were there. It wasn't really near anything we were going to be doing, but all of us could not stop thinking about donuts! So we looked it up, payed for a taxi and several hours later we arrived to the most wonderful place, Dynamo Donuts. These donuts were the best thing I have tasted in a long time... ranking up there as my favorite dessert ever.

This isn't an ordinary donut shop... that donut has exactly what your thinking on it: that's a maple bacon donut. Also, seen above is Guinness Soaked Pear Donut, Orange Ginger, Star Anise Double Chocolate, Spiced Chocolate... they have unique specials every day. DEFINITELY worth the trip.

I got the spiced chocolate donut because I'm obsessed with cayenne pepper and chocolate, and every other spicy thing there is. Dipped in my perfect latte- the best thing... oh gosh I think I'm getting a small tear just thinking about it.

The tragedy of this day is I carefully wrapped a Guinness soaked donut in my bag to bring home to my Joshua carrying it everywhere.... and on the ride home, I was afraid of missing my flight so I dashed off the plane, accidentally leaving my bag of goods under the seat! So I shall just have to return to San Fran to get another, or find a recipe and try to make my own donuts.... I read on their site there are 50 top things to eat before you die... this is one of them. Anyone want to open a franchise in CLT? hmmm...

Shivering with coffee, waiting for the trolley!

This might be one of my favorite things to do in any city! It was raining hard, but it didn't stop us from visiting the market by the sea! I would love to visit this place again in good weather when the outdoor vendors are up! They had everything from homemade cheese puffs, fresh meats & cheeses, pastries, coffee, parisian macaroons, oysters and more!

I like my oysters with something hot and spicy.

(as pictured above- that's hot sauce and lemon juice y'all)

I love going to places you can get little tastes of things. What a fun day!

10 things you should do on a girl trip...

1. Shop

2. Talk

3. Eat cupcakes in bed

4. try on lots of clothes

5. Eat new things

6. Wear cute things

7. Take public transportation

8. drink coffee

9. eat cupcakes again

10. cry at least once.

So throughout the next week or so I am going to share my amazing trip to San Francisco.

I cannot tell you what a great time I had. I will just have to show you- so you can experience it yourself!

Let me give you a little history. I am a frugal, somewhat what's the word "conservative" girl. I used to be adventurous and crazy, but I married a big risk-taker so I became a little more moderate to balance us out. Jessie (seen eating a cupcake above) turned 30 this year and wanted to do something special about it. When she asked if I wanted to go, I immediately thought- "no way, I can't just do that... I have a 9 month old baby"... blablabla... But then, I had a heart change, and I just decided why not? So we purchased our tickets (of course I waited to the last minute with my indecisiveness and almost missed out) and wooshed away.

And now, with no regrets, I'm ready to do it again!

We had the best time. Because of the time change we got up really early every day, and I scored an amazing hotel in the middle of the action with a Starbucks in the lobby (sometimes being conservative helps in finding deals...) So we drank coffee, ate treats, shopped, went hiking, shopped again, ate amazing food, scouted for donuts, talked, made plans to change the world, walked everywhere (in uncomfortable boots with holes in the bottom) and relished in the girly-ness of feminine friendship. I don't care what anyone says- there's nothing better than a good girlfriend.

We packed so much in this trip, I can't wait to show you!

Where do you want to go?