Tag: beach

  • 5 Ways to Ensure a Fun, Memorable Summer

    5 Ways to Ensure a Fun, Memorable Summer

    Ah, summer. Childhood memories come flooding back, reminding you that the only fun break you had as a child was indeed in the summer. There were no responsibilities, no errands to run, no assignments due. Just you and your friends chasing down the ice-cream truck and chilling in the pool at the YMCA. 

    I’m sure if you can turn back time, you would, but being an adult isn’t so bad. For one, you can finally take a sip of beer when grandpa offers it without your parents going at it with him. 

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    Curfew? Nope. You can also stay up as late as you want. I mean, you probably want to be in bed by nine or ten at most cause you’re exhausted, and your ten-step skincare routine takes quite some time. You know it’s worth it, though, because when you hit thirty (yikes, I know), people will be like, “what? You don’t look thirty!” You’ll know that’s all thanks to the Korean skincare routine you’ve acquired off a sixteen-year-old on TikTok. 

    So yay! Trust me, summer as an adult is great. I think. I haven’t left my house since the second kid popped out…

    I kid (kind of). Promise yourself that this summer, you’re going to create awesome memories, try something new, take risks, and have the time of your life. As tempting as it sounds, a shopping spree at Target is not an adventure. 

    Grab your polaroid and adventure stream; it’s time for some fun. 

    Mom, Take Me to Venice!

    Having been born around the ocean, raised around the ocean, and spent over half my time in the ocean, it’s safe to say that I love the ocean. When summer delivers the heat, grab your surfboard, and head over to the beach. Now, I know it sounds tacky because everyone’s at the beach this time of year, but is everyone there at four in the morning? 

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    You heard me; my mom would drive me to Venice beach at four in the morning to avoid crowds, swim, and practice surfing. What makes this impossibly early adventure so great and memorable? Without doubt, the sunrise, calmness of the ocean, the whooshing of the waves, and chance to meditate in peace. 

    Imagine having a whole ocean to yourself for a couple of hours- the things you can do! Even if you’re not an avid swimmer, I guarantee that sitting at the shore and observing the other surfers prepare for their day is one of the coolest things you can do in the summer. 

    I Forgot the Question, but Camping Is the Answer

    I once read a quote that said, “time camping isn’t time spent- it’s invested.” 

    You want to get away from your modern, industrious city life; then, I may know what might help you reconnect with what truly matters and disconnect from all the noise you’ve decided to leave behind. 

    As we age, we’re more turned on by solitude, quietness, and the perfect “get away” from our current lives. There’s a whole psychology behind this, but we’ll save that topic for a rainy day. The point is that basking in nature has proven nothing but good for the body and soul, and what better time than summer? 

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    This is your chance to clear your mind, inhale some authentic, fresh air, get grounded with mother nature, and realign with your original purpose. Hey, what says fun more than healing your soul, being around a campfire eating s’ mores and drinking a margarita? 

    We Have That? Here?!

    A friend once called me up and asked me if I wanted to join him on a tour of the city. At first, I was confused and a bit skeptical- a tour of our town? We grew up here! Out of pure boredom, I agreed and joined him and a few buddies on a tour of Los Angeles. 

    Holy crap, how have I never been to The Bradbury Building? How have I never heard of the Hollywood Forever Cemetery? I was more intrigued than actual tourists! I captured over three hundred photos on just two hours of touring! Imagine if I spent a whole day exploring the city I called home? 

     

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    The point I’m trying to get across is you don’t have to do anything out of this world to have a great time. What you’re looking for can literally be right under your nose. 

    Take a Risk

    When I was ten, I witnessed a group of men jumping off a cliff and into the ocean. I immediately went to my dad and begged him to let me do the same thing which he retaliates with “it’s too dangerous honey, those people are crazy” or “when you get older, you can do that, too” or “we’ll eventually go.” 

    Spoiler alert, I never got to go on a safari even though it was all I talked about for five years. You say you’ll eventually do it, but as you age, you allow life to get in the way, and you don’t do anything. 

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    Aren’t you sick of spending all your “fun” nights at Applebee’s? Think of something that scares the living crap out of you and do it this summer. Scuba diving? Taking a ride in a hot air balloon? Traveling to a foreign country? Skiing in Alberta? Going on a damn safari?

    When we do something that’s out of our comfort zone, it tends to stick with us for the rest of our life and allows space for change. 

    Let Laziness Win 

    You heard, right. Do nothing. I mean, you can build a hammock and fall asleep under the stars, which is excellent. But if lying in bed and watching Netflix all day is your thing, then go for it. Maybe you’ve had a tough year, and nothing is what you’ve been looking forward to doing. Believe me; I am the last person to judge. 

    Have a safe summer, everyone!

     

  • Outdoor Activities To Check Off Your Summer Bucket List

    Outdoor Activities To Check Off Your Summer Bucket List

    Summer is great. The kids are out of school, the weather is hotter, there seems like there’s nothing to do yet for some reason, your to-do list keeps growing longer and the day seems never to end. 

    Unfortunately, nowadays, the majority of people would rather spend their days inside with the air conditioning blasting on high. If you’re not a parent, you might have your own plans on how to spend your summer days, and that’s ok, but for those of us with children…

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    Let’s just say it’s not the most spontaneous thing watching your kids spend the whole day watching TV and playing video games till their minds grow numb. 

    No matter how busy you are (parent or not), here are just a few activities to help you kick off the summer and keep you hustling.

    Go on a hike

    Why not, right? The weather is perfect for this particular activity, and your friends have been begging you to spare a day and join them on some new trail they discovered! 

    Fortunately, this is a beautiful family activity, as well. 

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    Even if you’re a fitness enthusiast, nature will always have the upper hand when it comes to getting a workout in. The best part (for me at least), you can include your dog. Not only that, but hiking requires little to no equipment! It’s an excellent experience for the little ones, the sights you’ll see are remarkable, and getting to be all around that greenery and fresh air is stimulating and very rejuvenating! 

    Set up a camping trip

    I remember as a child; I never had to think about planning a camping trip, because hello, ‘that’s what mom was for. 

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    But now, being a mom myself, I had to learn how to do all that myself. 

    First, acknowledge that camping is possibly the best thing in the whole world. You get away from whatever life ‘you’ve got going on; you get to spend quality time with your family and friends, you uncover new things such as fishing, setting up a tent, and even building a fire. If that’s not enough, you will also get your daily dose of Vitamin D, peace of mind, the sounds of nature, and of course, the second-best possible thing in the world…S’mores. 

    For more information on setting up your very own camping trip, click here.

    Spend the night at the beach

    By night, I do mean: get there in time to watch the sunset and the sky fill with orange, red, violet hues and gaze in awe at the jaw-dropping beauty that is our planet. 

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    If you thought meditation was good for the soul, try stargazing at a beach in the middle of the night. The sound of the waves coming and going, the crisp night air filling your lungs, and the smell of the ocean decluttering your mind. This is one of those spurs of the moment plans. You can bring a sleeping bag or set up a tent, and that’s it! 

    Visit an Amusement Park

    Growing up in SoCal, this was our thing. Our family would at least hit three amusement parks a week. Despite long lines and the expensive food (we eventually started sneaking in our own), the atmosphere encompassing an amusement park makes you feel giddy all over. If rides aren’t your thing, then that’s fine. You can still join in on the fun because now, several parks offer entertainment, plays/shows, and tours. 

     

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    If it’s too hot for roller coaster rides, then find the nearest water park in your area. Whether you’re going with friends, family, or by yourself, it’s a smart and exhilarating way to cool down.

    Build your very own waterpark

    Yes, you read that right, you can build a waterpark right in your backyard. If you’re looking to save money, invent something new, and be in the comfort of your own home, then this is the activity for you. The best part about this activity is that you can have your little helpers give you a hand so they can keep busy, as well. It’s all part of the fun experience before setting everything up and enjoying the ride. 

    If you need help getting started, click here.

    Learn something new

    I get it. School’s over, and we want to have fun only. I don’t mean to be that person-especially since it’s summer- but learning something new is fun. 

     

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    You don’t even have to sign up for a class or get up early or make it feel like a responsibility. Learning something new could be as simple as perfecting a recipe or as complicated as learning a new language. 

    Granted, you will not learn a new language in 3 months, but getting started is what counts.

    Seriously, it could be anything! Two summers ago, I learned how to rollerblade, and now I practice it religiously. My point being, you never know what your next addiction could be, so why not?

    For a list of fascinating and inspiring things to learn this summer, head on over here