If you follow me, most of you know my full time occupation is what I call “supporting my husbands working habit”. This job is actually quite awesome, the hours are PERFECT, the dress code is whatever I decide for the day and my boss is the best. The pay, well, I haven’t really asked about that for a while. The one benefit and also downfall is that my husband travels A LOT but every once in a while when his travel plans include a city I want to see I tag along. This past week he was schedule for Branson, MO which I haven’t been to yet so I packed my suitcase again and did some exploring.
The highlight didn’t actually take place in Branson, it took place at a PF Changs located in Bentonville, AR where I was able to finally meet up with the one and ony Jan, a blogging friend I have been corresponding with for over a year. You can get to know all about this incredible lady over at her blog. Jan was the first lady who gave me encouragement and feedback when I first began blogging. I had absolutely no idea you could actually become friends from blogging, but let me tell you, a friendship can take place and it certainly has. This cute lady, as most of you know, is vibrant, energetic, smart, and stylish to say the least. But meeting her in person brought all these qualities to a whole new level.
Some of you who follow Jan may recognize this breathtaking fabric, (yes, it’s the same as her last skirt she made). She was creative and caring enough to present this gift to my husband and me at dinner and carefully wrapped inside were our very own chop sticks. Jan mentioned I wasn’t one to show off my chopstick skills but actually if truth be told, I have absolutely no chopstick skills and if I wanted to eat anything at all and get the food to my mouth I had best stick with the silverware, that is until I learn this fun skill.
The evening and meet up was so extremely delightful and hopefully just the beginning of many more.
Now to the highlights of Branson . . .
When I travel the first thing I do is take a morning run in my new surroundings, this enables me to see all the breathtaking views one might miss in a car.
(this is from my morning run by the lake)
I even found a restaurant for dinner, check out the menu. The food was wonderful (I did stay away from the alligator)
I found the mix of old and new in Branson just to my liking.
My husband told me there was a shopping mall right by the lake, but seriously who needs a shopping mall when you have antique and flea market stores to hunt through all day? Just wait until you see my treasures I purchased.
How many of you remember these?
When I went inside I did have to laugh because most the candy was 5 for a $1.00 now.
My husband was quite excited to be staying in a Chateau on the hill, even if it were in Branson.
And my friends, this is one of my typical travel type outfits. Since it is spring time, I opted for a light weight sweater to layer over my blouse instead of a jacket. I always take along a scarf for extra warmth and accent piece. Both the scarf and the sweater are easy to take off when it gets too warm throughout the day. And you can’t go wrong with a pair of trusty Chuck’s (converse). Normally my husband is in meetings for the day so I do most of my sightseeing on foot.
I found Branson to be a very delightful, friendly and extrememly patriotic city, I look forward to returning often.
As always my friends, thanks for dropping by. Hope you’ve had a wonderful week.
Ohhhh you got to meet Jan…how lovely. I wish I could have been there.
I should never have started blogging in English. I should have written in Dutch. Then I would have met nice Dutch women which I could have visited… You both live so far away.
Anyway… Have a lovely Easter my dear.
Greetje
I’m certainly glad you decided to blog in English, even it we’re miles and miles away from one another, I treasure your friendship through this blogging sphere. I’m certain that someday we will be able to meet up. Love your blonde! You have a wonderful Easter as well.
Everyone raves about Branson Branson Branson. Your make we want to see it all the more! Thanks for your pictures. Looks like the weather was beautiful
Shelley, it really is a beautiful little town, full of great vintage shopping and some excellent food. We also went to a few shows in the evening, I would highly recommend “Jonah”, the scenery alone is breathtaking but the music and acting was top notch.
What great photos, Trina – you have a good eye. And it’s so wonderful that you met Jan – she is a shining star in the blogosphere and you two look so happy.
Thank you Patti, I really do enjoy playing around with the camera lens. I definitely want to make Florida one of my travel visits, remind me which area you live in.
Whoop! So happy for both you and Jan! I think it’s wonderful that you got to meet her in person, and by the sounds of things, you’ll have another visit in the future! How very, very nice Trina! Lovely photo tour today, thank you.
Great pictures. I want some of your fashion sense.
Oh you funny lady, you know me and fashion (and shopping) it’s kind of my weakness and hobby all in one.
How cool you got to meet up with Jan!
Lovely photos of a sweet little town.
I wish I were able to travel with my husband more. Mind you, it is always a minimum of 14 hours in the air, not so fun if I’m not travelling business class. Half the time he has to switch his travel plans mid-trip so it makes it impossible. One of these days…
Do you run with your camera? Or an iPhone?
bisous
Suzanne
Yea, 14 hour air travel is not fun at all (even in business class). My husband is also great at switching travel plans mid trip, that’s the reason I usually stay home.
As for your question, I normally run with my iPhone on the first day and then I take my camera the next time, in my good camera travel backpack. i can’t capture some of the ‘perfect’ photos on the iPhone.
Just a little side note, one of our accounts happens to be in Toronto and my hubby makes several trips up there. I haven’t tagged along this year due to the terrible weather you have had but I’m seriously thinking summer time or early fall is a must. What do you think?
Oh wait, the two of us shopping might be trouble. Although I could just travel up there with an empty suitcase, right?
Great photos Trina, Branson looks a fascinating town, Meeting the wonderful, Jan , how lucky you are.She is always very encouraging and supportive. For me hopefully a trip to the U.S. is in the future, we visited in 1983, a lifetime ago.
So when are you coming to Nashville? 😉
Alicia
spashionista.com
Trina,
I absolutely love what you chose to wear for this traveling adventure. That printed blouse is so beautiful with the white trousers and the lavender sweater tied just so.
I am so impressed that you start each day with a morning run. I also love the photos that you took of this very beautiful and picturesque place.
I absolutely agree it would be so much more fun to browse the antique stores and flea markets rather then the shopping malls.
As always, this is such a fun post to read. Thank you so much for sharing! Kisses, Elle
http://mydailycostume.com
Trina,
Sounds like a bonus to your husband’s job. I would have chose to go along as well. So nice of you being able to meet up with one of your blogging friends, and thoughtful of her to bring the gift. ( I am with you as I need practice eating with chopsticks!) I agree that I love to go to little shops that characterize the area as oppose to going to the mall, one gets a feel for an area with small business and the people there.
Lovely spring colorful sweater and love the light blue converse with the white jeans.. Very springy! Looks like a lovely place to visit anda very nice day!
Enjoy your day today
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
You look great!! What a terrific job you have. I’m looking forward to your next visit to SF! xx