Hello beautiful readers!

Wow! We've made it past the halfway point of 2018! This is crazy! I'm so happy you are all still around and survived Thano's snap (#nerdalert).

The middle of the year can definitely feel like a blur sometimes. We're either caught up with the idea of summer fun or constant work that we forget to look back at all the things we've done in the past six months. "Looking back" shouldn't be saved solely for the end of the year. We should always reflect on our day, week, month, whatever works best for you and not feel overwhelmed. 

While we should always think about our accomplishments and the many great places we've visited, we also should look at what didn't work in the first half of the year and see how we can tackle it for the second half. This is where those New Year's Resolutions come into play.

• What worked?
• What didn't work?
• Did you achieve half of your NYR list?
• Is there something you thought you would of done by now that you haven't done yet?

There are two things that automatically come into mind from my personal list of NYR and that is not being more active on my blog (sorry!) and not being more active at the gym.

While they are big on my list, I still don't let them overshadow the many great things I've been able to explore this past six months!

Up to now, I have attended 3 different comic cons, attend Spring Dapper Day at Walt Disney World, visited 15 states, saw my high school friend get married, upon many more fun moments all of which have allowed me to travel over 13,000 miles!!! That is insane! Never did I think I'd be able to travel as much as I have been fortunate enough to do so, but thats what dreaming hard and working harder is all about. So without further ado, I will now share some of my favorite highlights of the year. Enjoy!

January

Somewhere in West America

Outside my first out of state comic con in Phoenix, AZ!

Las Vegas, NV

Butterbeer at Universal Studios Hollywood

February

How can anyone get out of bed with this view?

Blessed with Sebastian Stan's autograph at Wizard World St. Louis 

Meeting Ashley Brown, Broadway's Mary Poppins at Epcot

Meeting Josh Strickland, Broadway's Tarzan at Epcot

Attending my first Festival of Arts at Epcot

Epcot's festivals always have fun photo spots! Cheers!

March

The only photo I got of myself back in Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo Leon eating Nieve Rosa

April

Going in to see Avengers: Infinity War for the first time.

Spring Dapper Day essentials for WDW

Dapper Day at Magic Kingdom, Disneybounding as Blue Fairy and Jane Porter

Having fun at Crystal Palace with Pooh and his friends!

Dapper Day at Epcot, my favorite day

May

The anticipation for Solo: A Star Wars Story was real

June

Seeing Shali get married was a magical moment. Don't you love seeing your childhood friends find happiness? <3

The fields where my family worked 20 or so years ago in Pasco, WA.

Outside the WaMu theatre getting ready for ACE Comic Con in Seattle, WA

There is no appropriate way to eat a churro at Disneyland.

"Yes, tell me sweet nothings."

True Question: who's taller Sleeping Beauty Castle or me?

Do you guys remember that episode of New Girl where Jess
gets served with a warrant? Well this guy gave it to her! 

We magically stumbled on this ICONIC place on our last trip day. WHAT! 

And there you have it! A quick visual journal of all the fun things I've done this year. I won't lie, it's hard work being able to do all the things I've done but if you hold on to the dream anything is possible.

I can't wait to see where the second half of the year takes me (or doesn't? My body could use a break hehe). 

Where have you gone in the first half of the year? Where do you hope the second half of 2018 takes you? I'd love to hear more about your stories.

Until next time!

xo, Elizabeth 

Where Have I Been?

Hello everyone!

Wow, it's been a long time since my last post! If I waited any longer, I would of gone a year without blogging (say what!). I will admit this is a long overdue post since were already a solid month into 2018 (but can we agree that January felt like an eternity?!), I'll give you a quick breakdown of where I have been this whole past year and what I have in store for 2018!

First of, I took time off from blogging because life happened and it blossomed into something I couldn't even imagine. Seriously, if you'd told me I would have experienced what I did this year (which I'll get to in a bit) back in May of 2016 as a freshly graduated college student, I wouldn't of believed you. I'm too excited to upload this post I didn't bother editing and uploading photos. Feel free to check them out on Instagram here or by following my hashtag on Instagram #erodtravels. Let's get to it!

I'll say first and foremost that 2017 was absolutely the first year were I witnessed real growth in all aspects of life. I not only grew to learn the difference between "quality vs quantity" with the people I surround myself with, but I learned to stretch my arms are really explore the world through arts, culture, and travel. It has been a beautiful journey of mine to be able to witness. Sometimes we forget to sit back and reflect on our experiences.

The year has many firsts. First time dates, first time drinking new wines and cocktails, first time attending Disney Parks events like Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and my first Dapper Day event at Walt Disney World. First time going to New York City with two friends who are so special to me now. First time going through big adult like issues. First time at Disney World while the Christmas decorations were up. First time flying alone. First time really taking risks and being happy with the results.

I'm excited to see where 2018 takes me because I know 2017 was just the beginning. I already have a handful of places and events to attend!

I can't wait to see you follow me along on this new journey of mine. I'm just getting started!

xo, Elizabeth

Breakfast at The Guenther House, San Antonio

Hello, my wonderful readers!

One keeps busy when managing many hats of the trade, but we have to keep pushing right? Being out of school has definitely made it harder to see my friends, but what always brings us together? FOOD!

 Last Wednesday, I was able to catch up with my best friend, Kala, over breakfast at a hidden gem in San Antonio's King Williams District called The Guenther House. The house used to be the home of Pioneer Flour Mills owner, Carl Hilmar Guenther.

Alamo City Comic Con, 2016

Hello lovely readers!

I hope you've all been doing exceptionally well because you all deserve wonderful things heading your way! Today I bring to you a post on the other "holiday" besides Thanksgiving that brings us all together, Comic Con Weekend.

Alamo City Comic Con hit my city a bit over a month ago and aside from the special memories I made it also is a full circle for my blog because it's the first thing I ever blogged about back in 2015. So, let's get started!

Crashes and Concerts

Hello my beautiful readers!

I hope everyone has been having a bea-U-tiful September! The holidays are definitely in full swing this year for me--especially now that I'm out of university (yay!).

Now the title for this post may be extremely misleading, but let me just say, "I'm fine!" Allow me to explain. Last Saturday, my brother and I were on our way to the Future Now: Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas Concert. Being 5 minutes away from the venue, as we were about to get on our exit, we were hit in the rear by a pick up truck. The impact sent us off the shoulder into a hilly-grassy ditch, narrowly missing a tree and a highway post in the way.

Luckily, we came out with little injuries consisting of heavy soreness and some swelling in my cheek from the breaking. The gentleman in the other vehicle also came out fine, thank goodness. The car on the other hand, well, not so well.

Once PD came and got our info, we had a choice: go home and let this near-death experience bring us down or continue to go to the concert. We chose the later option.

 

I'm glad we decided to still go to the concert.  Aside from having second row seats, we knew that we couldn't let this bad episode from stopping us living life. My brother and I really felt the need to live life to the fullest. If this was God's way of saying, "Keep going," then by all means, we will keep going. Enjoy some of the hundreds of pictures I took from the concert.

Thank you for reading. Remember, truly do live life to the fullest. You never know if the Exit lane will reach you before you reach it.

xo,
Elizabeth

Tieks-Who and What Are They?

Why, Hello my beautiful readers!

Today I want to talk about my recent purchase that arrive yesterday from Tieks. With graduation being so close I can almost taste it (*insert Patrick Star licking a lollipop here*) my case for travel and escape has been at al all time high! 

Pinterest has be a blessing and a curse during these last fees because it gets me excite for travel but also distracts me from getting final works done. While browsing the how to pack two weeks into a carry on on Pinterest, I kept noticing these little folded shows on almost everyone's carry on and behold I discovered Tieks-the creator of the ballet flat reinvented for the female traveler!

You have to admit, that's a pretty convincing slogan to have! By now, you should have an idea that I love to dress up for everything and anything. Traveling is no exception. Up until now, I would put together multiple cute outfits for a vacation, but they'd always be paired with some form of sneaker to avoid getting tired, blisters, or having cramped/stressed toes at the end of the day. After much research, reading multiple reviews in and out of the Tieks website, and *maybe* a small anxiety attack due to school later, I bought not one but two pairs of Tieks, because "go big or go home" right....right?

I'm not going to lie, not only was the fact that many women enjoyed the shoe for traveling, but Tieks spring banner is what really sold it for me, I mean look at all the pretty colors! 

**aesthetics** Picture from tieks.com

I decided on the Mint Patent and Mustard Yellow flats as my first order. I figured they were good options for spring, a pop of color, and they are my favorite colors so win win win.

This is how it looks like in the mailing box and inside:

I've read many reviews about how Tieks always gives a handwritten Thank You letter. I thought it wasn't completely true but LOOK!

Each Tieks box will always come with a different flower wrapping the box together. I don't know about you, but that makes me feel super special! You better believe I'm turning those flowers into hair clips!

Here is a look at the inside of the actual Tieks box:

The flats came nicely and tightly packed in the box which resulted in cutting instead of unwrapping the box. Box: 1 Elizabeth: 0

This is the flat once it's out of the box.

You can see that the show is really flexible due to its shape when sitting on a table. 

The Mint Patent flat is so stunning and shiny! I'm so excited to wear it with pretty clothes this spring!

The Mustard Yellow shoes also came packed like the Mint Patent.

How the flats are tucked together flat on a surface.

Tieks was also cool enough in putting in a small/medium pouch to place your Tieks in also with another another small pouch that holds a tote bag inside to place your tiring heels or treasures in. How cool and thoughtful is that?! :)

I couldn't wait any longer in wondering about the fit and feel when walking with the flat on. Since they are made of Iralian leather, they'll be a bit stiff and need a bit of breaking in to stretch the leather and let it form to the shape of your foot.

Overall I'm extremely pleased with my Tieks! I'll make sure to write a follow up post on the actual feel of the shoe. One reviewer said she was able to wear her Tieks all day at Disneyland and that was definitely my selling point!

In the means time, keep your head up my beautiful readers! The semester is almost over and we'll all have to finish it off strong!

Until next time!

xo,

Elizabeth