Tag: travel photography

Orange Beach Vacation Photos

TRAVEL
Orange Margaritas photo from my cousin and her husband’s date night in OB

Here are some photos from Orange Bach 2021 with Family.

We stayed in a 4 bedroom, five bathroom beach condo. It was lovely!

Views from the condo. We saw schools of STINGRAYS everyday and even saw some jump out of the water. We saw dolphins each day and early in the mornings they really showed out jumping out of the water. Magical. Breathtaking. Beautiful.

Above: A Night in White and Blue: Dinner at Cobalt was exceptional.

Above: This was the Tiki Boat Tour and it was like a mini party on the water.

I definitely caught some breathtaking sunrises and sunsets.

Favorite photo captured of my cousin and me.

Certainly, we will return next year as this vacation is our wind down vacation. We had meals at the condo, movie night, and plenty of down time. My favorite times were in the morning catching the sunrise, meeting the other early risers in the kitchen and onto the balcony to soak in tranquility.

~Nikki

Manufacturing Confidence On the Spot

FROM MY SPIRIT, TRAVEL

Let’s start at the beginning. I booked this tour/adventure for my family and thought nothing about it until the date drew closer. I begin to become afraid of getting on the water in a tiki boat because I can not swim. I have been on three cruises. I still have some fear and I rationalized that as normal. Ok. No problem. I am still getting on the boat I tell myself.

I get on the boat and immediately, fear rises and changes into anxiety. I am now gripping the bar and I am having second, third, fourth, thousands of thoughts. I feel like I can’t breathe. I tell my fiend. I am scared! He says, “It’s ok. Just breathe. Nothing is going to happen.” I am thinking, “How many people have thought or said that and something happened.” I laid my head on the bar. The Captain wanted to know who all could swim and I was the only one that couldn’t. I looked at my friend and he said, “I am not going to let anything happen to you. I gotcha. Try to relax and enjoy.” The Captain saw my fear and begin to tell me his credentials and then he started to explain the physics of how this type of boat works. With the combination of trust in my friend and the captain, trust in God, the logic of how this boat floats, and comforting words (Oh yeah and downing a glass of pineapple sangria!) I started to relax.

I begin to talk to myself silently, “All is well. IF something happens you will not die. All of these people can swim and they will help you. The coastguard is literally in the water. It’s not your time. This is not how you will go and you know this. God is not going to let anything happen to you. Breathe. Look at the beautiful water all around you. Look at the clear blue skies. Feel the breeze. Soak up the sun and moment of this experience. And have a shot of vodka. :-D! ” Hey, my wine was all gone. After this photo was snapped, I thought about if I should post it. I look so confident but, I didn’t start out that way. I also thought about HOW I LOOKED IN THIS PHOTO. I am not a slim chic. I am who I am and I do love myself and my body. (I worked hard to get there) But most of us, even men, have some body insecurities. I saw the double chin. I saw the big boobs. I saw the mid section. I saw the lack of “junk in the trunk”. All of the things that cross between “WHITE AMERICAN BEAUTY” and “MY CULTURE’S DEFINITION” of beauty. This only lasted a split second because I was like, “The hell away with people. I love me!” Pic posted!

For some confidence is a given and for others we have to work at it. Confidence is built through experience. There are times you get to whip out your confidence on the spot and then there are times it has to be manufactured on the spot. The tools I was searching for in that moment seem to escape me. My fear of drowning swallowed up my confidence. TRUST is what I was searching for. LOGIC is what I was searching for. A PLAN for SAFETY is what I was searching for. When those things were presented to me I had to accept those tools. Then I had to use those tools to dig my way out of anxiety and an impeding anxiety attack. I did just that. It was difficult and it had to be done quickly.

I enjoyed the tour. I partied. I learned a few things about the area. I made memories with family. I did something new. I conquered a fear and silenced anxiety that day. Victory.

~Nikki

Travel Confetti: Vegas, the Usual Frontier

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In my casino resort, there was the temptation of this place and not the slot machines. Every day I passed by this place and STOPPED for ice cream!

My three moods while waiting for coffee to brew in the morning.

If you are a foodie, Las Vegas is the place to get your gastro grub on! So many restaurants, so little time!

Lots of Creative Spaces utilized in Vegas.

The Mob Museum

The most interesting part of my trip was The Mob Museum. If you want to talk about organized crime, the mob museum is the place to understand where it all started. The Italians and the Jews, the Irish mobsters and gangs were a very very violent and ruthless group of people. They had the means and money to import illegal things into the country and they did. I find it normal how these gangs are glamourized and many look at the violence in the cities, such as Chicago, as if these gangs have anywhere near the capacity to do what the mob did and continues to do.

Freemont Street

Vegas during the pandemic was different but, I still had so much fun making memories with my family and friends. We made sure followed the protocols and the places we visited did as well. I felt safe the entire time and remained vigilant.

~Nikki

Where Have You Been Nikki? Vegas In A Pandemic

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Las Vegas

Where have I been? M.I.A indeed. I took the yearly trip to Vegas with family, half of the crew, during the pandemic and it was STILL a great trip. I was nervous as one should be during these uncertain times but, from the time we left things were in place from the airlines to the resorts, the city of Vegas and the businesses that we went to. They all had Covid protocols and were very strict about it. However, the Vegas hospitality remained in place.

That is my view from the room. The hotel is one that I really don’t like but, it was chosen as a throwback before the pandemic hit. And although it’s my least favorite because the rooms need a MAJOR overhaul, it is the best location and is connected to some of the best resorts. It also has great food accesses within the hotel itself. And, if you are on the Resort side you have a better view of the mountains.

I enjoyed waking up to the mountains, watching the sunset over the mountains, and getting so much inspiration from watching each day of sunrise and sunset bring a different view and mental perspective. It was less crowded but, still crowded. It was seeing Vegas in a way will probably NEVER see it again. It was not people on top of people and I liked being able to move easily through the casino, resort, streets, and shops.

These are photos from my first evening there.

We had reservation at the Beer Park Rooftop and it was an awesome view of the strip and the food was really good!

I will share a bit more next week but, just wanted to say hello and let you know that I am still here. All is well! It just takes a while to recover for one that has Rheumatoid and Fibromyalgia. There is much to discuss!

~Nikki

Vegas, Fashion, and RA/RD

TRAVEL, Uncategorized

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It’s a yearly tradition now for some family and friends of ours to visit Vegas for a little getaway. I haven’t given it up yet because of Rheumatoid and Fibromyalgia, but I have learned to adjust and prepare. We visit the sites, shop, walk the strip, party some, and dine. We relax and recoup. Some from a heavy night of partying and me, from the toll of doing more than the usual activities and from wearing heels!

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The things I did differently were:

  1. I didn’t forget my hot/cold pack
  2. I brought flats, fold-able flats that fit into my purse for the nightlife. I wore them to walk to and from the club and event. When I was at the event I took of my heels and put on my flats. Same thing to see an entertainer at the club. I was not as nearly as swollen or in pain as I was last year!
  3. I lowered a pair of my heals, but I didn’t compromise cuteness. The red heels in the first photo are from Target.
  4. I used gel inserts for heels.
  5. I didn’t try to cram 100 events into our day and I left evenings open for rest or doing whatever one wanted to do.

This really helped as far as my health and well being was concerned. I was not stressed or in so much pain I couldn’t enjoy my getaway. I didn’t feel like I was holding my family and friends back from doing what they wanted to do (Although, they constantly checked on me and I didn’t mind that at all). They never complain about me and show compassion and understanding if anything. I try to be calm so they will be calm and not worry. I can take care of myself most of the time. 🙂

Jeans, my 49er gear, and black Nikes with orthopedic approved inserts. Listen, I don’t care what age you are, taking care of your feet will benefit you in the long run and it will prevent or help improve your daily activities. I never wore heels everyday when I had the opportunity to do so. I only wore them occasionally during the week and mostly on the weekends. I don’t need heels to grocery shop or to shop at the mall. It’s foolishness at it’s best. And I am a shoe addict. However, there is no honor in ruining your feet for fashion and suffering unnecessarily thinking it’s the only way to look good everyday.

The red heels with the chunky heel are from Target and are trendy right now.

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Both dresses were ordered from Amazon. Yes, Amazon and were about $25 each. I took a HUGE gamble here. I read the reviews to order a size up, which I did and I am glad I did! Also, there were photos and stories of clothing not being well constructed, arriving ripped, and even with deodorant stains!!!! (faints) However, I went with the ones with the best reviews and photos to see what it may look like on. I am glad that plus size women  posted and gave their sizes because it gave me more accuracy than someone that is not near my size. I also looked at when the reviews were written.

The dresses arrived and I tried them on. They fit. I had to pin the black one and I had to snip some thread hanging on the olive green one. Other than that, nothing fell apart and I didn’t have any wardrobe malfunctions. I accessorized with what I had. I’m always looking ways to save money! Vegas can get expensive when it comes to food and drinks.

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Speaking of food, we made it to Diablo’s this year. We had been trying to go there each time, but ended up somewhere else. The food was delicious. The service was great. I also at at Bobby Flay’s Mesa inside of Caesar’s Palace. The chicken and black bean quesadilla was better than I expected and I expected it to be good. IT WAS SOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!!!! The service was great, also. I have no complaints about my dining experiences in Vegas.

Vegas is loads of fun and we visited the Shark Reef aquarium in Mandalay Bay. It has more than sharks! I have video of the sharks but was unable to load them to this platform. The architecture, the other ocean and wildlife were worth the visit. It’s great for adults and children.

 

I enjoyed Vegas as always and I hope I can continue the tradition started by my brother and I.

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~Nikki

 

 

Confetti Travel: Black Paris? A Tour

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Hey! It’s a rare picture of my daughter. She is the reason I took the trip to Paris. It has been her dream trip since she was a small child and now she is entering her first year in college. Here we are meeting up with about 15 ladies preparing for the Ricki Stevenson Black Paris Tour which I HIGHLY suggest anyone in Paris take! ANYONE. ANY RACE/ETHNICITY. TAKE THE TOUR. My daughter was eating up the the experience and wealth of knowledge. I was, too. It opened up her perspective and I was there to witness it.

 

 

 

 

The best coffee and hot chocolate is in Paris. This cafe along with a few others had me coming back for more. Hey, I was on vacation! We made this place our last meal in Paris and it was worth it.

The Ricki Stevenson Black Paris Tour blew our minds. The knowledge, the history, the information and the experience poured into us will never be forgotten. Below are photos of memorials for the Dumas family. There were three that made their mark in history and they are so different in their personalities and contributions.

 

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This is the church that held the funeral of Josephine Baker. Did you know she was decorated soldier that flew planes? She was buried in her uniform. She also was a spy! There was more to her than her beauty and body. She had brains!

 

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View from the church.

 

 

More photos from a historical park that African Americans and Black Parisians, famous as well,  frequented.

 

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Awesome food at an African Restaurant on the tour! Don’t mind my Schweppe’s obsession!

But what was best at this restaurant was the soul-filled wisdom and knowledge poured into us by our wonderful and beautiful guide. We talked current and so many perspectives from a diverse group of women.

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The tour was priceless. It was worth every penny. I will never forget this rich experience of knowledge and culture in Paris I shared with my daughter!

~Nikki

 

Good Morning Paris

TRAVEL, Uncategorized

 

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Once we made it to Paris, the stress began to melt away. We put our bags down and opened up the windows to our hotel room. It was like a boutique hotel and the view of the Eiffel Tower was amazing! Also, just to be able to open up those windows and watch the every day life of Parisians spill onto the streets made me feel at home.

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Our first night we discovered that it doesn’t get dark until 10 pm!!! We had dinner reserved at an Italian restaurant one door down from our hotel. There also was a little mom and pop store in between that I went to everyday for Schweppe’s Mojito flavored ginger ale, water, and snacks. I learned to count my euros! However, I mostly used my debit/credit card which is what is suggested and accepted by most. I needed euros for some of the other places we went as tours.

I love the décor and the food was AUTHENTIC and the dessert was my favorite! So delicious. Every dessert I tried in Paris was DELICIOUS!

Photos below are from exploring our neighborhood.

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I love engraved and hand carved doors and there were plenty in Paris! 

 

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Flowers hanging from windows were the norm. 

 

 

 

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I like fast cars. A Lamborghini will do!

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~Nikki

 

 

Paris. Take Off or Not?

TRAVEL, Uncategorized

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Arrival. Finally. The first thing we see is the Arc.

WE MISSED OUR FLIGHT! First of all you wouldn’t believe the drama and trauma we went through to get here. Flight delayed in Memphis for 2 hours! Then we sat for an hour and a half on the plane. Then diverted to Charles Town, West Virginia for 45 minutes. We made it to Newark and we knew the flight was gone and they delayed waiting on us. They said it was room on the next flight, but on arrival the bridge to let us off got stuck and by the time that was over seats were gone. I broke down crying at the counter. I was beyond stressed. The man put us on standby before booking us a room until next day. We get to the gate, last night and they told us others before us, but I said no we have first. Then they said only one of us. I said nope! Can’t leave my daughter. Again, I sat there and cried and was praying the whole time. Then BOOM they call our name. We get the good seats on the 747. They feed us good. I pass out from exhaustion, but my body was not in pain. Get to Paris and luggage is in Chicago. I blame Memphis because that girl was half doing her job when she tagged it. They comp us to buy anything we need up to $100. Luggage will arrive at hotel tomorrow. We are in our Uber and he speaks little English, but is very nice and is telling us many things. He speaks the language of Congo and French. He is from the Congo. We are laughing at the language barrier. The lady on the plane next to me was so nice and calmed me down. It’s crazy the madness yet we are here. We are safe. We are happy. (Taken from my Facebook page as I documented my journey).

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Marvelous view from our hotel!

~Nikki

Vegas: Arrival, Luxor, Sight Seeing, Food

FOOD, TRAVEL, Uncategorized

I have been silent for a while because I have been busy crocheting holiday orders AND I finally got a chance to go back to Vegas. A trip we use to take every year before Rheumatoid Disease came back. Right, who knew it could come out of remission. I sure didn’t! This trip was expanded beyond my brother and I to more family members. The same crew we went to Orange Beach with.

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The bonus for me was on the night we were looking to party and let our hair down was a night that Lil’ John was scheduled to come to Hakkasan as the guest DJ. Well, I have been trying to catch him there for a long time, but it was never when we planned to go. This was a bonus! We did a shorter visit than usual because my brother wanted to be cheap and fly Allegiant. They do not have many flight time options like Delta or Southwest. We usually stay 4 days and 3 nights PLUS we arrive in the middle of the day instead of in the middle of the night.

But, the bonus was going with a group of family that had never flown before and had never been to Vegas. We had soooooo much fun and the night we partied was EPIC! But it all started at the airport where we had drinks, met a guy that was a promoter who actually worked at the night club we were going to, and we wore our custom made shirts. We stepped off the plane, put our bags down, and hung out into the wee hours of the morning. This photo below is one of my cousins and as you can see we love to take pictures. Our shirts were made by a good friend of mines Key’s Krafts. I am from Memphis and we call it the M-Town.

The next morning we did some exploring and also on Sunday.

 

Oh, the Hotel we stayed in was the Luxor. I have seen it numerous times and been there before. It’s connected to the place we stayed on our very first trip to Vegas which is Excalibur. They have since added what are called the towers and this is where we got the best deal and great rooms! However, the King room I booked was not available when I arrived. I was given a Queen double bed room and a comp for a buffet meal. I had the option to move to the King room the next morning, but after thinking about it I stayed on the ground floor. I have had some great views from higher floors, but when I looked out of my window that morning I liked what I saw. There was a little rock and shrub garden and you could see the hieroglyphics. I liked looking at the Sphinx. I also saw a hummingbird that morning! And I considered how much I like to shop in Vegas and bringing all of those bags to the first floor was convenient!

These are a few photos of the Luxor.

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It obviously has the Egyptian theme nailed. Customer service was perfect and staff was friendly. There were plenty of places to eat inside of the hotel and because it’s connected and very close to four other hotels, finding food was not a problem. The buffet at the Luxor is really good and worth the money. Also, with two Starbucks and plenty of other options in the food court you could not go wrong.

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The food from Excalibur’s Steakhouse was PERFECTION. Everyone in the group savored their meals and handcrafted cocktails. I had the Roasted Pineapple Martini and Salmon with Asparagus (Asparagus cooked right!).

Well, this is all for today. I will post another blog tomorrow or Monday on Vegas: Vegas Nightlife, Fashion, Rheumatoid Disease & Fibromyalgia. (The aftermath).

~Nikki