Phoenix Arizona (Crew Love)

So me and 12 other people went to Phoenix Arizona in July 2018. The experience was amazing and it was just not long enough. We laughed, drank, explored, and definitely cannot wait for our next trip! There are three things I learned on this trip:

1.) Phoenix is hot as HELL in July. Go another month, seriously... 

2.) Travelling with my friends is not problematical so I am not sure why people say it can get problematic. If you travel with a good group, it is amazing. 

3.)If Bow Wow is in the club and says he is buying everyone shots: you won't get them. (Inside joke, but it is true LOL). 

We hiked some of Camelback mountain, twerked something at The Mint, and ate some pretty tasty food. Between the photo shoots, shots of tequila, and a brunch that took us OUT this trip was one to remember and I can't wait for January 2019. 

Playa Del Carmen

So my boyfriend and I went on a little BaeCation to Mexico, specifically Playa Del Carmen and let me just tell y'all it was AMAZING. 

We stayed at an all inclusive adults only resort and we had the time of our lives. The ocean was beautiful, the parties were epic, the food was tasty, and the tequila NEVER STOPPED FLOWING. 

What I loved most about the trip was being able to experience the culture. The music that played in the night, the animals, the food, the customs, everything was so amazing. I highly recommend going to Playa Del Carmen if you want to get away and truly enjoy yourself. 

I won dance contests, poured champagne in strangers mouths, rode ATV's through the jungle, zip lined, became friends with a couple iguanas, and had at least 10 shots of tequila a day. 

These are just a few of my favorite pictures from the trip! 

Bahamas, OKC, & Kansas City

Confession Time: I am horrible at taking pictures to capture memories of the places I have been. I have visited the Bahamas twice, Kansas City twice, and OKC just once and these are all of the photos that I have taken. I get so wrapped up in the experience I forget to take some things for the road.

The Bahamas: I went both  times on a cruise and it was great. Now, as a girl that does not come from a place that gets extremely hot I can't lie to y'all I thought I was going to die the first time. I was sweating in places you shouldn't sweat and all I was doing was walking. The water and beaches are beautiful and the drinks are out of this world. You give me anywhere that allows me to be in the sun and drink all day and I am booking a ticket!

OKC: When I tell you the city makes you want to Thunder Up! I went out on the night before St. Pattys Day and it was wild! They have such creative takes on bars/ gathering places that it makes you want to come back for me. I will say I felt like the drinks everywhere I went were really weak, but that could just be more! I enjoyed every piece of this place and I know that I have to make it back for a game sometime soon! 

Kansas CIty: This place allowed me to see SZA (what a remarkable show she put on), had me drunkenly sneaking into a Flo-Rida concert (no I did not drop it low & yes I did sneak in), and obsessing over produce in their very trendy downtown grocery store. Kansas City is the lower midwest take on DC in my opinion. Living down here there are not many places that truly give you the grunge and grit of a big city, but Kansas City definitely gives a good attempt. 

Washington DC

Growing up in Virginia I went to DC a lot! It was where I went on most of my school field trips and the one place I would go on a "mini-vacation" when I had a little extra cash.  D.C truly has everything you could look for in a big city. The food, culture, and parties are unforgettable. 

Top DC Memories:

1.) Bad Boys Reunion Concert (I think I am little Kim on the weekends)

2.) Trip to the D.C Zoo & Aquarium

3.) R&B Only Party/Tour

4.) Drunken college nights on U Street

Top Places to Eat:

1.) ANYWHERE WITH MAMBO SAUCE

2.) & Pizza (they are open on New Years too)

3.) There is a tapas restaurant near the & Pizza and all the clubs in the heart of the city that I cannot find on the internet or remember the name to but they have some AMAZING croquettes. 

Tulsa

If you ever get the chance to travel to the Midwest, Tulsa is filled with good food, great art, an awesome aquarium & zoo, and important historical landmarks.

I have been to Tulsa a few times now and each time I find something different to explore. The people tend to be very friendly and the atmosphere in the downtown area is definitely nice for a midwest city. 

The food knocked me off of my feet! If you ever are in town try: ElginPark, LoneWolf, anything at BoxCar, and all of the food at the mom and pop restaurants. I am a bit of a foodie and this was the place for me! 

The street art depicted was also remarkable up close. The attention to detail and the cultural influences made me feel like I was back in Richmond. 

Historically Tulsa was home to Black Wall Street and there is now a museum dedicated to the history and tragic (government planned) downfall to what was a great representation of black excellence. 

I have a strong feeling I will be back in Tulsa again before the close of the year. 

Japan

Japan is by far the most beautiful place I have had the pleasure of traveling to. The landscape is absolutely breath taking and the culture is rich with pride and history. The temples, shrines, theatre, and food were absolutely remarkable. The people there were kind, their energy was infectious, and they were so very fun. 

I remember one night we went out to a karaoke bar and I ordered a Jamaican 10 speed and I rapped Kendrick's entire verse on F*&(&^n Problems. This experience reminded me of the importance of music and how it can overcome things like language barriers and cultures. Hip hop/Rap has such a heavy influence on Tokyo (specifically Shibuya) and their interpretations and recreations of the art are poppin!

I would recommend traveling to Japan to anyone open minded enough to realize that the world is much larger than just what you know. 

New York

I went to New York for the first time in 2016. Something about the lights, busy streets, and food captured my heart. I have done all of the cliche things and yet I feel like I just can't get enough. I experienced a broadway show, road a paddleboat through Central Park, Ice Skated in central park (on my second trip), ate at BBQ's, ate the best Beef Patties, caught the two dollar bus, explored Time Square, caught the LIRR, fell asleep on the Subway (clearly I am a tourist), and got lost in the city. 

One of my favorite moments was on my first ever trip. My boyfriend and I went and got some authentic New York style pizza from a little hole in the wall close to central park. I asked if we could eat it on the steps of a Brownstone and I have never felt more like Carrie Bradshaw in my life! I am sure that was someone's private property but on that perfect end of Summer day we sat and ate pizza on the steps of a beautiful Brownstone and I knew that exploration was something that lived in me. 

I simply can't wait until the next time I get to explore the concrete jungle.