Gardens and Wandering Trails

Hey beautiful people!

It's been a long time since I've done a travel post about ANYTHING. I've just been so busy with school and my new job. But, today I made it a priority to go out and do something leisurely productive, if  that even makes sense, lol. Today I explored the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park and took an adventure on a trail around Stow Lake. Though it was a little sketchy, with some inclines and wooded stairs, it was quite a nature treat. Here are some pictures from today's shenanigans. All of the pictures you'll see were taken by me. Hopefully I can do more travel posts in the near future. I just need to make leisure time a priority in my hectic schedule. But for now, I hope you all enjoy!

Yours Truly,

Carla Renee

xoxo

 One of the major attractions in the tea garden. This beautiful Shrine was too good to pass up.

 Would you call this a Shrine Arch? Either way, it looked great on this sunny SF day.

 A stone lantern that I couldn't help but take a picture of.

 The Buddha in all of his glory.

 Found this quirky little structure in the Tea Garden. Looks like a bamboo water fountain. It was pretty cool. I kinda want one for myself!

 These stone lanterns can be found all over the garden. All of them were beautifully placed.

 Stone lanterns everywhere!!

 One of my favorite parts of the garden; CHERRY BLOSSOMS!! They're my favorite flower. Definitely had to come to the gardens because they only bloom during March and April. After that they fall off. Glad I got to see them this year!

 After walking through the gardens an organic ice cream truck was spotted. I can never turn down ice cream!! Here is my organic vanilla bean and chocolate twirl ice cream with chocolate chips. It was so good!! I'm definitely gonna have to hunt this ice cream truck down again!

 This is the beginning of the wandering trail. Had no idea where it went, but that's what life is all about! Gotta take risks sometimes!!

 But of course I didn't trek alone! Here is my good friend Roberto, who is crazy enough to go with me on these adventures. Thanks for coming!! :)

 Onward we went!! Seemed like a pretty cool pathway.

 But knowing me, I had to stop every now and then to smell and appreciate the flowers.

No filter needed for these flowers. They were vibrant on their own!! I had to stop for these beauties.

In the midst of our unknown path a tiny bridge was spotted that led to...

 This awesome shrine buried in the shrubbery!!

Then I had a field day with taking pictures. This is one of my favorite pictures. He didn't know I was taking pictures of him at the time. But, I think that's why I love this picture so much. My oblivious model created a stunning photo. Thanks again Roberto! Always a pleasure having you with me during my adventures. :)

Actions Speak Louder than Words

A lot was said, but never with words.

Outside of us there are things I wish I could take back.

The feel of your lips, the touch of your skin.

Running my fingertips across your arms and cheeks.

Just one look into your eyes.

Feeling your heartbeat with my hands.

Reality intertwining with fantasy.

A conversation without words.

A conversation within the heart.




A heart crushed by reality. . .

Brown Skin Beauty: Interracial & Same Race Dating

Hello my lovelies!,

So for the second installment of my Brown Skin Beauty series I will be talking about DATING!! To be more specific I will be chatting a bit about interracial and same race dating; which one is better, what are the pros and cons, and my take on the two. I've been approached about this topic before and I'm excited to share what I think about them and I would love to hear what all of you think about the topic.

First and foremost I don't believe that one is better than the other. It totally depends on the person and what they are comfortable with. Now, there are pros and cons to both that I feel are bound to happen. To start off I'll talk about same race dating. To me, the obvious pro to this would be common understanding of each other's racial experiences. For example, an African American couple will understand each other's experiences with other races and the context that certain interactions are taken in, whether it be good or bad. I feel like that is a huge pro because I feel like it is harder to get that kind of support and understanding from another person who hasn't experienced it because they are not the same race as you. Another pro to same race dating would be the ability to strengthen traditions. Within any race there are traditions that are unique to each. Dating within the same race can strengthen those traditions and can eventually lead to passing down traditions to further generations.

At this point I can only think of one possible con to same race dating and that would be narrow mindedness. I'm not saying it's bound to happen or a completely bad thing. I feel that when dating within the same race there is a chance of being with someone that has the same perspective as you and I just feel that it's great to be able to interact with someone who has a different perspective than you. I feel like that can help build character and just open one's eyes to a whole new perspective that they would have never thought of and vice versa. I find that to be exciting.

Just like same race dating, interracial dating has it's own pros and cons of its own. A major pro I see would be the exposure to different perspectives. Each of you see the world through different lenses and can teach each other what it is that you know and experience. It gives you the ability to blend both of your perspectives together to create a brand new perspective and create new insights that can help each of you grow as a person. Create new traditions for future generations and just learn from each other. It's important to familiarize yourself with different cultures just out of respect for the many different people that live on this Earth and if you can find that in a mate that you can connect with that is a definite plus. It can make you a more well-round citizen of the planet.

The pros to interracial dating are enlightening, but there can be cons to getting into the an interracial relationship. One possible con is miscommunication. The meaning and context of words and interactions can be different among different cultures and may cause tension. But, if both of you want to make the relationship work I feel like that can be an obstacle that the two of you can overcome. Another possible con can be how strict traditions can be. Sometimes there are cultures that would prefer dating and marriage to be within the same nationality and culture. That can be difficult if the parents want their child to date within their race and you're not of the same race. It's possible to get the parents to warm up to you and have a change of heart, but this isn't guaranteed. Another con to different traditions may be that the tradition may be too demanding. But, I honestly feel that if both of you are happy and want to make the relationship work and find a middle ground despite the "guidelines" a culture might have. There may be a few more possible cons in interracial dating than in same race dating, but that doesn't mean that interracial relationships can't be as strong or even stronger than same race relationships. All relationships take dedication and commitment. Interracial relationships just might need a little more dedication, but it isn't anything that can't conqured 

Personally, I do not purposely choose one or the other. It's about the individual and aspects of their personalities that draw me in. I have come across Asian American males that have gotten my attention because of their optimism, perspective, and fun personalities.I have come across African American males that have gotten my attention because of our similarities, and spontaneity. I will admit, most of the men that I have been drawn to were not of my nationality and nationality doesn't rank high in what I look for in a guy. They just so happen to be whatever it is that they are. I'll talk more about dating in general in another post. But, with interracial dating being the focus of this post my stance on this is that race shouldn't be a huge factor in terms of a relationship. Love has no color. It's about the connection you have with that person, a connection that you can't even put into words but in your heart you know it's right.

So with that being said, what do you guys think about this? Do you find race to be an important factor in finding a mate or do you think it's a minimal factor? Are there any pros and cons that you guys can think of that I didn't touch on?

Yours Truly,
Carla Renee
xoxo

New Year, Fresh Start

Happy New Year my lovelies!,

2014 has been such an amazing and busy year for me. I've grown so much as a person and accomplished so much! I got my first job and was able to juggle school and volunteering along with it. In 2014 I found out that working while being a full time student takes a lot of hard work, determination, and time management! 2014 was definitely the year that I became more independent. I was more responsible for myself by making my own decisions, going out on my own, and trying my best to financially support myself.

I'm very thankful and blessed for the experiences I had during 2014 and I feel like 2015 is going to be even bigger for me. I have so much planned and so far this year is on a great start. This year is going to be full of new experiences and adventures that I'm super excited for.

This year I have so much planned! For one, I turn 20 this year! So I have big plans for that, which I will talk about closer to my actual birthday. I also have some "adventures" planned that I will be talking about and posting pictures of.

I'm far from being a perfect person and there is always room for self improvement. Along with all of my adventures that I have planned for this year, there is a lot of growing I want to do. One thing that I want to really work on this year is time management! Managing my time is something I really struggle with. I feel like once I get that under wraps it will open up more opportunities for me to keep up with my hobbies, like photography and blogging.

What do you have planned for the new year?

Yours Truly,
Carla Renee
xoxo

Brown Skin Beauty: Beauty In My Brown Skin

Hey There Lovlies,

This time around I thought I'd talk about something more personal. The majority of my posts are superficial; clothing, adventures, food, and they only say so much about me. This time I want to talk about something more personal, something that will get people thinking. Something that will tell you more about me.

When the word beauty comes to mind some people may think of makeup, fashionable clothing, certain kinds of hair, skin, teeth, and skin. Before, that was my idea of beauty. Wanting to look like one of the girls from the television screen or magazines; tall, long hair, colored eyes. Something that would make me look unique. But, I eventually realized that a majority of that was makeup, photoshop, and other unnatural techniques to make these girls look perfect. I was the short African American girl with short brown hair, brown eyes, athletic build, small bust, always playing sports, sometimes considered 'one of the guys'. I was something you didn't see often, if at all, on television or in magazines. So I didn't have much to compare myself to to make myself feel beautiful.

As I got older I stopped wanting to compare myself to girls on the TV and magazines. I wanted to be the most beautiful me I could possibly be. I wanted to be the most beautiful Carla Renee that could ever exist because I knew God gave me something that no one could ever take or compare; my beauty. My beauty isn't just my physical appearance. It's my poise, my heart, my strength, my drive, and my courage. 

When I am around people I want to have the kind of presence that lets people know that I am respectable, yet fun to be around. When I'm around people I want them to hear and see the happiness and innocence in my laughter and smile. That no man will EVER think twice about calling me anything other than my name. That when it comes to dealing with me you must come correct. I want people to know right off the bat that my heart is pure. That I am a sincere woman that means no harm and only wants the best for herself and everyone around her. That when people witness my courage, strength, and determination it will leave them in awe. That when they see me hard at work all they can say is 'Wow, that girl is going somewhere. She is going to be somebody'.

When people see me I don't want them to tell me that I am pretty for being a black girl. I want to make sure that the last thing they ever think of when they see me are the girls on WorldStar. When people see me I want them to think. 'wow, this girl is beautiful. Not only because she is physically attractive, but because she is a strong-willed, high spirited woman with a pure heart who knows what she wants in life and is loving and nurturing to those around her.' I am proud to stand tall at 5'2 with a pure heart, strong willed, and poise like no other. I'm not perfect now but I am working towards being the perfect Carla Renee that God has planned for me to be.

My Brown Skin Beauty isn't limited to no one ethnicity or background. This can apply to anyone and everyone. So what is your Brown Skin Beauty?

Yours Truly,
Carla Renee
xoxo

Just in Time for the Sun: Fellas

Hello again lovelies!

So this time around I thought I'd show you my favorite fashion picks for men! I was never one to look deeply into men's attire. Neither was I one to have an opinion on my favorite style for men. If I saw a guy that dressed really nice then I would give credit when it's due, meaning that I would tell him that I like his taste in clothing, haha. So I thought I'd give it a try since, for me, the way a guy dresses is important and says a lot about them. So here it is ladies and gentlemen, my favorite summertime styles for men!

Yours Truly,

Carla Renee

xoxo

Tank tops are a perfect wear during the summer time months. Dress them up a little with pants, as shown in this picture, or with a nice pair of shorts. I also like the small pocket design on the tank top. If give it a little more pop. Rather than it just being a basic white tank top. I've noticed that the whole roll up the bottom of the pants thing has become more popular and it looks nice if done correctly. The reason why I chose this picture in particular is because he is wearing lighter colors; white and beige to be exact. I think summer is a great time to part from the typical blues and blacks and indulge in some other colors like these.

I love button ups and they can be worn any time of year. The classic plaid and jeans combo is always a great go to. But in this picture he looks summer ready because of the colors!! I cannot stress enough about color. Summer time is the time for fun and adventure. The model's jeans are great as well. They aren't your regular blue washed jeans. They're a light blue, but they almost look white. Don't be afraid to be a little daring in your color pallet. Try some colors that you wouldn't necessarily try and it doesn't have to be too much. For example, even though it isn't a lot the orange looks great in the shirt. Not everyone is fond of the color orange but there is just enough to make a statement. Summer isn't just about having fun in the sun, it's about having fun with color as well.

I love this look for leisure time. Basketball shorts and a tank top or a baseball tee. Comfort is important as well and this look is great for just hanging around friends, doing nothing, or just at home staying out of the heat. There is nothing wrong with going back to the basics and staying simple. It looks good too. ;)


















What are some of your favorite male looks for the summer?

Cheap Summer Hang Outs and DIY

As a college student on summer break money is scarce and has to be spent wisely. I want to spend time with my friends and make memories. Unfortunately most of the time those wanted memories require money. I hope I'm not the only one struggling with this love hate relationship with summer. I've realize that summer memories don't have to be expensive. They can be just as fun as an expensive day out. Most of these ideas may require purchases of a few cheap items and maybe gas money. But, these ideas can be brought to life no matter where you live. All you need is a group of friends who are willing to think a little outside of the box. Let the Summer thrills begin!

Yours Truly,
Carla Renee
xoxo

One of the best ways to enjoy warm summer nights is by having a movie night with your friends, outside. :)

The outdoor movie set up doesn't need to be this fancy, but it goes to show that as long as you have a projector and something to project the movie off of (i.e. board, sheet, side of the house, etc.) you can get as creative as you want with the set up; lay down some quilts, pillows, snacks, chairs, whatever you want. Enjoy a night at home, under the stars with great company without having to spend a lot of money.






If you want to get away from the city lights and put special attention towards nature and the company of your friends give this summer nighttime idea a whirl.

Stargazing in a bed of blankets and pillows. Once you find a place with a clear view of the sky, load up the truck with blankets and pillows. Watch the sunset and the stars make their appearance in the night sky. Bring some snacks and portable speakers and you've got yourself a beautiful night under the stars with your friends. If you don't have a big enough truck bed, or a truck, to have all of your close friends fit, you can still lay blankets on the ground and enjoy the night. If you don't want to do this with your friends this can also be a creative date night with that special someone. ;)











The previous activities may take a little planning but what if you're with your friends already and don't feel like gathering all the items and putting in the effort of getting everything together. Well, there's an activity that can be done without any planning. You can just do it.

Spontaneous Photography!! If you know of any nice areas near by, go! You don't necessarily need an expensive camera. A phone camera would do just fine. Phones nowadays have really nice cameras and most people have phones. Go out and get creative with your friends and make memories. If you want you can even plan a photography session with your friends. Just ask everyone to dress nice or where a certain color scheme and have fun scouting out your backdrop.

These are some of my favorite inexpensive summer ideas. What are some of your favorites that you have done/would like to do?