Kansas City, I'm In Love.

Fifteen months ago, I moved into an Overland Park apartment that I thought I would be perfectly content in. Don't get me wrong, the apartment was very nice, close to friends and family, and let's be real...had an amazing pool.  But, something was missing.  As my lease was nearing the end, I confided in a good friend about living somewhere downtown and mentioned a loft.  Thinking I couldn't afford that kind of lifestyle, I let it go.  She sent me an email with more websites than I could handle about living downtown.  I decided to do some research and walk-throughs to get an idea of what it would be like moving from the suburbs of Johnson County.  I looked at two places...one downtown and one in the River Market...and two days later, I put down a deposit on a loft at Cold Storage.  I wasn't even able to see the loft I would be moving into just a short 3 months later...but took the chance that I would love it anyway.  And even though I have been here only two weeks, I know it was one of the best moves I could have made.  Close to one of my favorite coffee joints and Harrys; and then there is this Diner...home cooking...almost like Gma Janes.

Did I have to make sacrifices, yes.  One of the biggest was the choice I made to have a family adopt my 10 year old four-legged furry ball, Melly.  Without going into it too much, that day, the day she went to be with her new family, was one of the hardest days of my life.  I cried...alot.  My great friend Shannon was by my side...crying too...we went for ice cream.  Moving on. 

I have never felt more at home than I do now...I have less space, no storage and share a garage with a few other cars, but I feel like this is the place I am supposed to be. I think this 5th-floor loft life with concrete floors, high ceilings, brick walls, walking everywhere, river market living is a part of my life that was missing.  It.is.amazing.

Here is to a new chapter...one where with every turn of the page, it gets better and better.
Shona

Therapy Threads ~ Scents of Style

I wanted to share a little bit about a photo shoot I did recently for Therapy Threads. Dani Singer is the founder of this wonderful product and I felt very fortunate to be a part of showcasing her designs. These amazing scarves are not only fashionable but provide aromatherapy using essential oils.

Therapy Threads is a conscious clothing line committed to supporting wellness and mental health initiatives by empowering wearers to experience healing and wellness while helping end the stigma that mental health can portray. (www.therapythreads.com) Therapy Threads partners with local and national organizations to speak to audiences about mental health. Dani is one of the sweetest people I have met and I am thankful our paths have crossed and to have been a part of such an amazing cause!

Therapy Threads
Facebook and IG @therapythreads
www.therapythreads.com

Photos by Jason Atherton of Atherton Photo.
IG @athertonphoto
www.athertonphotography.net

Styling by Ruby Montoya
Hair and Makeup by Casey Martin

With love always...
Shona

Passports, Sand, and Salt Water

The title pretty much sums it up...grab your passport, we are headed to paradise.  When we were planning a trip to the Caribbean, we looked at many different resorts before deciding on The Riu Palace Bavaro in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.  The reviews were great, 5 stars, and the place just looked like a great way to escape every day life.  6 days, 5 nights and unlimited food, beverages, and beach time...I couldn't think of a better way to spend a week away and in good company.

An early flight out of KC meant getting to Punta Cana early afternoon and with only one hour time change, we didn't lose much time traveling.  After exiting the airplane on the tarmac, we grabbed ours bags, found our transportation and we were on our way to relaxation.  We arrived and were promptly greeted with two "adult" beverages, checked in, had our keys and headed to our room.  I expected a view, but this view far exceeded what I had imagined.  Overlooking the pool and just beyond that, rows of palm trees, sandy beaches, and the ocean blue.  I could handle this for sure.

After exploring the resort and figuring out where everything was located, we hit the beach and I knew for the next 5 days, this is where I would be spending my day.  We set up camp, literally everyday almost in the exact same location...two chairs, a table, the blue-tooth speaker, sunscreen, shades, and endless beer and tequila shots.  Don't worry, we snagged the coconut water from the locals too...you know, to stay hydrated.

Let me tell you real quick about the food, it.was.delicious.  I am not a buffet type of person, but the breakfast buffet was the B.O.M.B.  Fresh fruit, eggs cooked about 157 different ways, bacon, fresh juices, pastries..you name it, they had it.  Of course it's the most important meal of the day, so we always made sure to fuel our bods before hitting the beach.  I will say the weirdest thing I saw though, hot dogs...everywhere.  Whole, diced, chopped, julienned, wrapped in bacon...it was strange. And no, I didn't have one.  We had dinner reservations every night, which allowed us to get dressed up a bit and then hit the nightly entertainment.  The "Sport Bar"...yes, that's what it was called, was open 24/7 and we frequented there for daily coffee and beverages...and nachos.  Lots of nachos.

Photos are the most important part of this blog...so for now, enough typing for me and enough reading for you. Enjoy...and let me know when you book your next vacation to DR. You are welcome!

  

   

  

It was definitely an unforgettable adventure...

#dradventure16

Shona