My favorite things

Hey Family and Friends! 

Happy Summer Solstice! 

As you all know my family and I lead pretty busy lives and I will be posting some of my favorite things that help us get through our days. 

These items will be for the family, moms, pets, and everyone in between. Let me know what you think or if you need recommendations for a particular item.

Bran

Viva Miami!!

We needed a quick getaway. 

We had just "sold" the house. The first house I'd bought, the first house that my son would remember, the house to so many memories of the last 10 years and we moved. My son now had changed schools,  for the first time he would be around new kids, first time out of his and my comfort zone of schools and teachers. I was on the brink of quitting my job that I had been on for almost 13 years and not to forget Ms. Aubrey, so you see it.. We had a lot going on.

We needed a break.... I needed a break. Taking a break doesn't always have to be across the country or world. My favorite take a break spot is MIAMI. The energy down there is amazing, you feel like you can conquer the world and it was just what I needed.

We did not do the typical things ie: go the the beach and wet willies. We stayed at the Mandarin Oriental, super luxe hotel. We had an amazing view of  Biscayne Bay. We ate at a great brunch spot in Wynwood, this place was apparently known for their chicken and waffles (yes I indulged) and they had different types of mimosas not the menu (we each had pineapple, cucumber and pear nectar) which wasn't such a great idea to do since we decided we would walk through Wynwood to see the street art in the cool 90+ plus degree weather.  Nonetheless we survived.

At Wynwood walls, a place renowned for its street art, they had a great exhibit from the Taj Mahal, which was absolutely breathtaking. There was other street art to be seen, including a mural dedicated to Mr. 45 himself (pictures below.) We relaxed at the Clevelander and watched ladies get body painted and football of course. LOL We took late night walks through downtown Miami.

(BTW did you know there is a tram you can take to get around the city and its FREE!, who knew?)

All in all, it was a great time to go and relax and release. Think and talk.

Keep up with my blog for more adventures.

#travelagent #travelwithme #travellingwhileblack #blackandtravelling

Bon bini Aruba!

For our anniversary (March,) we visited Aruba. It is a 20 mile long, 6 mile wide island and there is so much to do on the small island.
We visited during Carnival and this is such an exciting time for the island and all Caribbean Islands. Carnival was such a treat! Families and companies sponsor spaces along the parade route and people camp out for an entire day for the parade. Since we didn't know anyone, we 'bought' some seats from a gentleman that had a booth set up, he had some local treats (complimentary), a bar and food for purchase. This was great because we were right near the front of the route and some shade because the sun was blazing. I was shocked to find out that literally everyone participates in the parade; old, young, all nationalities, those with disabilities, EVERYONE was either in the parade or watching. That was great to see.

The next day was a holiday, as the locals rested from Carnival, we visited the Arikok National Park. I would highly recommend when you visit the part, you use an ATV. The terrain of the park is more suitable for an ATV, we rented a car and I was afraid I was going to kill it after all the rocks, bumps and dips we went through. The park is beautiful and you can spend an entire day there as well. There are caves, sand dunes, desert like terrain, goats, natural streams with fish that nibble at the bottom of your feet and so much more.

There are many beaches along the island, I encourage you to visit many of them on different sides of the island. Aruba thrives off of cruise tourism so a lot of the shopping is in strip malls, the restaurants do not stay open late. There are all types of food cuisines there, we actually had a hard time finding a seafood restaurant but when we did! We chose the right one. The food and service was AMAZING.

The weather was perfect, hot with a nice breeze. They happily took our US money and gave us change in Florins.

The getaway was just what we needed!

Are you ready to travel? Contact me to help you plan your next trip!

Paris! The trip of a lifetime

This time last year, I was preparing my family for our first international trip.
Months prior,  I found a plane ticket for the 4 of us to fly round trip for $800 plus tax. I asked  advised my husband that we would be going to Paris.  I could not resist. I had just received my sons passport and it almost seemed like a sign from above. So, we were going to Paris.. Yes!! All 4 of us.

Leading up, I asked friends and family; what did they do while they were there? Where did they stay? Do I need to learn French? Is it easy to get around?

I have now decided to write a post to all the first timers that will be going to Paris.
Here are some things to keep in mind: (these are things that I did and I am not endorsed by any site listed in this blog)

1. What do you like to do? There are a million and 1 things to do and see in Paris. Do your research, that way you won't be wandering around aimlessly. Of course you want to see Senora (hehe) Mona at the Louve but there are 130 other museums in Grand Paris and even more on the outskirts. There are museums for everything you can think of see here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_museums_in_Paris . Make a list of what you would like to see and plan accordingly.

2. Learn how the city is set up and the train. The rail system is amazing and it will be your main way of travel. Get a metro pass and ride away.
I used a map like this one: http://ontheworldmap.com/france/city/paris/paris-metro-map-with-main-tourist-attractions.html and planned our days based on what we wanted to see for the day.

3. Exchange your money before you leave your home country. We used Travelex. Basically, you choose how much you would likely spend, order your money before your travel date and when you arrive to the airport, they will have it ready.
We did have to use our credit card once while we were there and we used the credit card and not our debit card because the fees would have been astronomical.

4. Be careful when coming out of the airport in Paris. The gypsy taxi got us when we first got there. He told us he could take us to our hotel for "18" euros.. We heard 18! great lets go.. when we go there, we peeled off  2- 10 euro bills.. he stood with his hand still out.. he said 80.. 80 euros! 😒

5. Do not be afraid to take your kids. There is so much history and so much to see, if they are at an age to appreciate it take them. Also, we did choose flight times that aligned with the baby's sleep time. That makes for a much more peaceful flight for all parties.

6. Learn common French phrases, its the culturally appropriate thing to do. Tipping is not mandatory, that is a more American "thing."

7. Don't forget your outlet adapter. I won't tell you that I blew the fuses in our hotel room when we first got there because the outlet looks the same.. 😶

All in all we had a great time, the weather turned out great for us and we took a lot of pictures. The food was good and the shopping was great.

Let me know if you want me to help you plan a trip to Paris! I would be happy to help.

Brandeis

#eventplanner #travelagent #Paris #travelwithkids #budget #France #blackpeopletravel #family #familytravel #travel

Alright, Alright, Alright

Dear You,

I am writing this to tell you that I have been writing things, but I have so many post started that I don't know which to finish. I figure everything happens in due time but I definitely wanted to let you know that I miss you dearly and I will get back to sharing my experiences very soon.

You know I'm planning my wedding now and I don't like doing things last minute so last time I checked my "knot" checklist I was a month ahead.. whoo hooo!!? right?! nah.. you know the holidays are coming up and my Back to the Future event and birthdays (my child will be 8)  and the new year.. and poof! it'll be March.
Oh not to mention that I still have to live (you know go to work) and maintain a household and raise a young black man in this here world. And soccer season begins next week and we are trying to squeeze Tae Kwon Do in the schedule because it keeps my child on 5.5 and not 11.5. I would like to take a vacation before we take the big plunge buuuuut yeah that money will be better spent another way.
STUNT DOUBLE.. can I get a stunt double? just for a few months? No? ok I tried.

Well,  that's all the time I have for now. I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to be doing something else.
XO
Bran

I always do this...

Looking at my blog, I am shocked its been a year since I dropped some knowledge on yall.. LOL I like to write when things when they are fresh and have a point but I suppose recently I have been floating through life.
I am so happy with my life right now and the direction it is headed, I almost can't stand myself. For the most part the people I surround myself with are happy for me, that always makes life more enjoyable when the people around you see your happiness and speak on it. Of course there are always the cynics, those that cant wait for you to fail or fall.. but those are the people that keep me going. The thing about life is that you live to learn. We all make mistakes, say things we shouldn't, go places we shouldn't, even keep people around that we KNOW do not have our best interest at heart. But we should be learning, we should make our experiences life lessons to either share with others or just for ourselves to see how far we have come.

Of course things are not easy, it can be a struggle at times but I have been blessed with the gift of a smile. I keep my smile on my face no matter what I am going through because I never know who needs the brightness.

The grass is only greener where you water it.

Recently, I have been having conversations with friends my age and we are all pretty much in the same boat; all searching for fulfillment of some type. Whether its through love or finding their purpose in this life we are all searching for something.

Last week, I was talking to a friend and I told her that the grass is only greener where you water it. 

Instantly a light bulb went off. 

I remember growing up and I didn't have very many friends but the few that I did have I always felt like I was missing out. I always wanted to have sleepovers, go to my friends houses to hang out or go on spring break and my parents would never (ok I did once) let me go. I remember one particular instance where my friend, Kimberly Marshall was going to Mobile, AL with her parents to celebrate Mardi Gras and my parents would not let me go..I mean she was going with her parents.. how much trouble could we get into??!!!

I was so bummed. 

But on the flip side, we were a family of 6: we traveled at least twice a year, I got a car when I was 16 (that I kept until I was like 25..shhh) and I am sure there were things I got to do that others may have wanted to but weren't able.  

Even a few years ago I was down on myself because I felt like I wasn't where I was "supposed" to be; financially, emotionally and even geographically. But I have done a lot of growing, encountered a lot of people (male and female) and I have realized we don't know each other's struggle. Meaning I may see someone who is doing well financially and their family life may not be so great. Or they are married with children but they are in a daily struggle. 

I have learned to envy no one, everything happens for a reason and to live my life for me and my star, Jaden. 

The grass will only be greener where you water and put life into it. So don't worry about someone else's grass it may just be about to die.