Author: DeAndreaAshanelle

Ultimate Guide to Solo Travel in Washington, DC

Posted on by DeAndreaAshanelle

Washington, DC is the perfect travel destination for any occasion (i.e. solo trip, birthday, girls trip, etc.) I recently celebrated my 29th birthday in DC to visit the museums, relish in the history and to see what its like to live there. DC is full of culture, history, and food, so everyone will find something they enjoy. 

This travel guide provides a comprehensive guide on how to make the most of your trip, including everything from the best way to get to DC to activities and restaurants to try. 

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Plan a Weekend Getaway to Fort Worth Texas

Posted on by DeAndreaAshanelle

Fort Worth, Texas is an overlooked travel destination, but its the perfect place to get the authentic Texas experience full with cowboys, line dancing, and culture. Ft. Worth is great for a quick weekend solo vacation because it is a slower destination and safe. To make your trip seamless, I have included must-do activities during your stay:

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Things I am Loving This Week 3/10- 3/16

Posted on by DeAndreaAshanelle

I feel optimistic about this week. I’ve been working hard to get promoted within my company and had an amazing interview this week. I pray I get this job. I remind myself “What is meant for me won’t pass me by”. Outside of work, I have been working on my hobbies and focusing on finding things I enjoy.

1. To prep for my interview, I watched this YouTube channel to help craft answers for challenging interview questions.
2. Use your PTO. I used my PTO to relax at home.

Take advantage of your PTO and use it how you want. One of my friends thought I was wasting my PTO since I didn’t have anything special planned. However, mental health days are needed especially if you feel overwhelmed. And honestly, you don’t need a special reason to use your PTO because you deserve it.

3. Visited Pax and Beneficia coffee shop in Grapevine, TX

I ordered the Amalie smoothie and I highly recommend it. I enjoyed the pomegranate flavor and carbonated fizz. Also, I got a Croissant Breakfast Sandwich and it was pretty good, It wasn’t as fluffy as expected, but the flavor was there. 

4. I ordered jackets from ASOS and Forever21 

I don’t have any non-casual jackets so I decided to buy some nicer pieces I can dress up. Then I purchased a tried and true denim jacket.

5. My book of the week is Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Cultures from the K-Beauty Capital.

I was intrigued by the cover of this book. K-beauty is all the rave and this book dives into the culture and expectations of beauty in Korea and its impact on its community and beyond. Fun fact there are over 8,000 K-beauty brands in S.Korea which is astonishing considering South Korea could fit in the size of Utah. 

6. A free way I have been getting out of the house is going to Barnes and Noble.

If you are a book lover, going to Barnes & Noble is heaven on earth. It wasn’t until recently that I decided to just hang out there. I normally sit near the cafe area and either work on my laptop or read snippets of books. I read some of a book called Ours by Phillip B. Williams and I can’t wait to go back and read more of this book. Unfortunately, my local library does not have the book so I will most likely end up buying this book.

7. Found a free yoga and sauna session on Eventbrite

Eventbrite is by far one of my favorite apps because I find so many free activities to do in the DFW area, especially fitness activities. You got so much with this event. It included a 45-minute yoga session, a 45-minute sauna session, freebies from Buff City soap, and snacks. 

Check out my experience on TikTok

Things I am Loving 03/03-03/09

Posted on by DeAndreaAshanelle

1. Clothes: Abercrombie and Fitch

I bought some new pieces from Abercrombie to help spruce up my wardrobe. I got some new jeans, trousers, and t-shirts. The trousers are going to be the best because I need some good fitting trousers that don’t wrinkle. The last trousers I got from Abercrombie wrinkle a lot because of the fabric they are made of so I got trousers made with different fabric because my co-workers rave about them. 

2. Book: The Davenports (cont.)

I finished this book and it was pretty good. I would rate this book 3.7. This book kept me locked in because I wanted to see how things would end for each girl, but I was disappointed with the ending. I felt like the book ended where it started.

3. Book: Hold You Down

This book had me in a chokehold as I was reading it. I read the bulk of the book in one day. It took me through so many emotions. It is one of the few books that I cried over. This book journeys you through the life of two sisters and their sons and shows how one decision can alter your life and those around you. You will find love, heartbreak, and self-discovery in this novel. The ending was gut-wrenching. I highly recommend you read this book.  

If you are looking to get into reading, remember to get and use your library card so that you can get access to a plethora of books for free. It is a low-cost way to get lost in another world. Also, if you want to build your own library this is a great way to see if you like the book before you buy.

4. Food: Le Reve

I tried this restaurant in Dallas as I saw a few people on TikTok rave about it. I ordered the Vietnamese coffee gelato (⅘), Cookies, and Cream gelato, it was lacking on the cookies and I didn’t like the taste of them, but the cream flavor was its saving grace (⅖), Tiramisu (3.5/5), and Cafe Caramel (⅘).

This place is cute and a good place to work from or hangout with friends. If it was closer, I would visit again. 

5. Watercolor

I am working on finding new hobbies that are separate from technology, so I bought watercolor from Michaels. I am excited to play around and use it as a new outlet to relax. This is my first time watercoloring outside of the little things we did as a kid. My goal is to focus to focus on fun over perfection. I have found watercolor lessons I have found on YouTube that help beginners learn how to draw things. 

6. TV Show: The Good Doctor

I started watching The Good Doctor and it’s such a good show.