Earth to Echo X Jim Denevan

earth_to_echo_a_house_in_the_hills-1

When I was a kid movies like “Flight of the Navigator”, “The Goonies” and “Stand by Me” shaped my childhood with stories of adventure and wonder.  I remember leaving theaters with my imagination running wild, feeling tangible jealousy that the children in the movie got to experience such incredible things, filled with hope that I might someday have a grand adventure of my own!  I can still recall so many of the details of those movies even though it’s been YEARS since I’ve watched any of them, I can still remember so vividly the EXCITEMENT! That’s part of the brilliance of the movies that you love as a child isn’t it, that you carry them with you forever?!

earth_to_echo_a_house_in_the_hills-4 earth_to_echo_a_house_in_the_hills-2 earth_to_echo_a_house_in_the_hills-3

I was so happy to learn about Earth to Echo, a movie by Relativity Media that caters to that same sense of childhood imagination, that tells the story of kids who discover an adorable little alien that needs their help to return home- exactly the kind of story I LIVED for as a child!  This movie will thrill and stoke the imagination of this generation, and I couldn’t be happier for all the kids (and parents) who will leave theaters with that sense of excitement and possibility!

Relativity Media recently commissioned amazing artist Jim Denevan (seen below) to create an experiential sand sculpture at Lucerne Dry Lake (seriously, go to his website and check out Jim’s work- it’s so far beyond incredible!).  So you can imagine how thrilled I was when they invited Lou and I to come check it out!  We roped our friends Jacob + Anne into going with us and left our houses at 3 am to be there for sunrise to watch Jim finish the sculpture.  And then, on a grand adventure of our own, we went up in a helicopter to see the 700,000 sq. ft work of art that Jim and his team had spent the week creating!  It’s the adorable alien “Echo” from the movie, a piece of art that will evaporate in the days to come.  It felt like a dream, lifting up in the helicopter at sunrise and hovering above this giant sand sculpture, with no one except Jim and his team in sight.

earth_to_echo_a_house_in_the_hills-1-2 earth_to_echo_a_house_in_the_hills-10 earth_to_echo_a_house_in_the_hills-13 earth_to_echo_a_house_in_the_hills-8 earth_to_echo_a_house_in_the_hills-6 earth_to_echo_a_house_in_the_hills-14 earth_to_echo_a_house_in_the_hills-9 earth_to_echo_a_house_in_the_hills-11 earth_to_echo_a_house_in_the_hills-7 earth_to_echo_a_house_in_the_hills-5

What an adventure, right?!  And here’s a video produced by Jacob that I know you’re going to love!  Thank you Relativity Media for creating this magical experience for us!  xx- Sarah

THE PERFECT CARRY-ON: INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT EDITION

what_to_pack_carry_on_international_flight_a_house_in_the_hills_2

I started working on this post a few weeks ago and don’t want to cancel it just because our Bali trip is postponed-  I thought it might be super helpful still for those of you who have upcoming travel adventures!  I plotted my carry-on for months in preparation for the 30 hours of travel we were facing.  I’ve done enough epic plane flights to know that preparedness is EVERYTHING, and ill-preparedness can lead to absolute misery at 30,000 ft!  So today I’m breaking down what goes on board the Boeings with me- from everything shown to a few other essentials that I don’t leave the country without.  Hope you love!

what_to_pack_carry_on_international_flight_a_house_in_the_hills_1

It all starts with an incredible carry-on bag.  This gorgeous specimen of a bag is Lost Property of London via Roztayger, available in black sailcloth as well. (Roztayger also has an amazing travel section on their site, which I LOVE , and offers 10% off when singing up for their mailing list here!)  My non-negotiables for a carry-on are as follows: 1.) must have over-the-shoulder-capability 2.) must be large enough to carry my essentials but not so large as to be knocking my fellow passengers in the noggin as I travel down the aisle 3.) must be versatile and  beautiful- I want it to look stylish with anything I wear.  This one fits the bill perfectly!  Now for what goes inside it…. (more after the jump)

click to read yo

ADVENTURES WITH CADILLAC 2

Cadillac35

I’m so happy you all liked the post about our trip to South Carolina with Cadillac!  I just love sharing these stories with you, it makes me feel like I’m bringing you along with us.  I know at the very least I can give you a peek into some of the places we visit that you may never have been and that brings me so much happiness I can’t even explain it.  I know it’s so cheesy, but it’s true!

Today’s post is about what we did after we left the Palmetto Bluff Inn, leaving our Escalade adventures behind for a ride in the SRX!  Details of the road-trip we took from South Carolina to Florida are after the jump!  You can expect lots of silly vacation photos, some hair that does not do well in humidity and a little more fried pickle talk, among other things. Hope you love!

Cadillac33 Cadillac34

This post is in Partnership with Cadillac. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting!

click to read yo

TRAVEL EATS- HOW TO SURVIVE A DAY IN THE AIR!

blue_diamon_almonds_a_house_in_the_hills_4_30 healthy_quinoa_salad-5653

I’m off to NY next week for a quick work trip and I’m already plotting what edible goodness will be in my carry-on!  Do you do this?  I get so hungry when I travel and can almost never find anything worth eating in airports- and there’s nothing worse than being tired, hungry and far from home!  It’s the quickest way to turn me into a hangry monster!  So here’s what I’m bringing on this trip and a little bit about why.  There’s also a recipe at the bottom for that quinoa salad.  Hope this helps on your next adventure!  xx- Sarah

A JUICY NAVAL ORANGE:  Planes are dry, right?  And oranges are juicy- the good ones anyway.  Which means they’re hydrating.  They’re also full of vitamin C, which is so helpful when you’re in a germ incubator for 6 hours!  Most importantly- they taste so fresh and so sweet.  Yum.

BLUE DIAMOND OVEN ROASTED ALMONDS:  As my acupuncturist has been telling me for months, protein is important for energy!  Almonds are a great source of protein.  They’re also crunchy and fun to munch on while watching episodes of Mad Men on your phone.  I don’t know about you but I get crazy munchies while flying.

HEALTHY QUINOA SALAD:  I need a proper meal when I’m traveling otherwise all of the snacks in the world are no good to me.  I also need one that’s not super heavy, that provides some good nutrition, that holds up out of the fridge and still tastes amazing.  Recipe for this one after the jump!

DRIED APRICOTS:  I like to alternate bites of apricot and almonds.  I think that’s reason enough to pack a handful!

HUMMUS AND VEGGIES:  Celery is hydrating, carrots are packed with Vitamin C and hummus is a protein powerhouse.  They’re all three tasty and healthy.  And that bento box is a lifesaver!

DRIED MANGO:  Maybe it’s boredom, maybe it’s the brain energy I expel creating elaborate fantasies (in my head) about my fellow passengers and their destinations.  I don’t know, I just know I want to eat a lot of things that are yummy.  And mango slices are such a treat!

RELAX TEA:  Crying babies are stressful (no offense crying babies, I know you’re stuck on a plane with plenty of reason to be upset about it!), cold airplanes are uncomfortable, dehydration is terrible.  Relax tea makes all three of those things a little better.

APPLE GRANOLA:  This will serve as a morning snack, one that I can draw out for a looonnnnggg time. Helpful when I’m waiting to board!

NOT PICTURED: SO MUCH WATER I WILL ESSENTIALLY HAVE CONSUMED A LAKE BY THE TIME I LAND

This post was produced in partnership with Blue Diamond Almonds, all thoughts and opinions are my own!

BD-Almonds-Logo[1]

click to read yo

ADVENTURES WITH CADILLAC

cadillac01

A couple of weeks ago Lou and I had the crazy-fun opportunity to spend two days  adventuring with Cadillac and their 2015 Escalade in South Carolina.  We stayed at The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, a luxurious, peaceful retreat that I  couldn’t recommend more.   It was a whirlwind adventure with a kayak trip, a boat ride,  an oyster grill out and a three-hour test drive up the coast.  Of course Lou and I took a million photos, as usual, so I have lots to share right after the jump!  So happy to be able to bring you along on these adventures with us!

“This post is in Partnership with Cadillac. The next generation Escalade is coming. Check it out here.”

cadillac02 cadillac03

click to read yo

HAWAII :: MY HAPPY PLACE

When I made my first trip to the Hawaiian islands I realized I’d spent a good chunk of my life TOTALLY MISSING OUT!  I very quickly worked to make that right, thoroughly exploring every island, many of them multiple times. It fast became my go-to when I need to check out, relax, and get some quality vacation time in.  I love the islands for their warm turquoise waters, the lush tropics, and the variation of experiences available. There is truly something for everyone!  Today I’m busting out some of our old vacation snaps, many of them taken long before this site was even a twinkle in my eye.  I’ll be waxing on about a few of my favorite things to do on the islands, and hopefully inspiring your next vacation!  xx- Sarah  Brought to you by The Hawaiian Islands 

The first days of any of my visits to Hawaii are dedicated to planting my feet in the sand, reading a book, soaking up the sunshine and keeping cool with lots of ocean swimming!  I can practically smell the air and feel the sand between my toes just thinking about it.  The Hawaiian islands have some of my favorite beaches, some with more adventurous swimming (which for me means waves!), and some that are a little more protected and calm. I don’t discriminate though, I love them all equally.  And of course, snorkeling is always involved.  Nothing quite like seeing the fishies you’re swimming around with!  {so much more after the jump!}

click to read yo