Sometimes you just deserve a YOU (or ME) day, you know? A day for nice things and being pampered. Or at least that's what Donna and Tommy from Parks & Rec (and I) think.

Such was the case on the weekend. I had a pretty good week, full of some hard work, and I even landed a couple new contracts (plus I've been so good at not spending frivolously lately) - so I decided to treat myself. I went and got my nails done, and now have a fabulous bright red manicure. I then went to one of my favourite shops in The Junction, Black Daffodil, and bought myself the most beautiful polka dotted halter dress you ever did see (the Rita Swing Dress in Black + White Polka Dot by Pinup Couture). It was a little out of my price range, but looks so totally amazing, and I've been lusting for it for awhile now. On my way home, I even splurged on a Venti iced coffee. And then, to top it all off - I got to play with my camera.

Keeping up with some of my summer goals (I don't think I ever shared the list..) - I've been trying to take more photographs. So I hung up my dress and took a couple in my studio. I've also been doing the A Beautiful Mess 30 Day Self Portrait Challenge! It's been a whole lot of fun, I'm on Day 7/30 right now. You can follow along and join in on Instagram! Search #ABeautifulMess to see other entires as well!

Do you take some time to treat yo self every so often? I hope so :)

Hey guys, I am back again! This time I am with my awesome boyfriend, Pedro, who helped me shoot, edit, and choose the photos. We have a WANDERLUST post for you. Part II of our Brazil trip - the amazing Rio de Janeiro!

After 10 days in beautiful Salvador (read about Part I of our trip to Salvador, Brazil), Pedro, Sonia (Pedro's lovely mom), and I headed out to Rio de Janeiro for some sightseeing, and to visit with Pedro's grandmother. Rio is an amazing city full of history, culture, and of course - some very famous beaches!

Unfortunately it rained almost every day for the whole 10 days we were in Rio... So the dreams I had of getting a tan on the beaches of Ipanema were pretty much shattered. Haha. But don't worry - we managed to occupy ourselves and have a great time!

We visited the Sugar Loaf ("Pao de Acucar"), where we took two cable cars between neighbouring mountains and went on a nature walk.

We tried to go up another mountain to see the statue of Christ the Redeemer ("Cristo Redentor"), but once halfway up - decided the 4 hour wait was no way to spend an afternoon (and to be honest, you can "see" the statue from literally anywhere in the city).

We also visited the Botanical Gardens (Jardim Botanico), and enjoyed some of the local nightlife. We listened and danced to samba and bossanova - and heard the samba schools practicing for Carnival.

I disappointed myself as a photographer in Rio. Most of my photographs were of jackfruit or in Portuguese, "jaca", the world's largest edible fruit (which I thought were amazing looking, but apparently nobody eats), AND of monkeys. And that was it. Oh well, next time

Rio de Janeiro. We walked, we saw, we ate, we drank, we absorbed, we learned, we tanned (or tried), we swam, we danced. Rio rocked us. It was a trip I will remember for the rest of my life. I could go on forever, but I won't :P

Rio de Janeiro is such a vibrant city. If you ever have the opportunity to visit, I urge you to take it. I can't wait to see more of the country, and explore other parts of South America. Thanks for letting me share a tiny bit of my first South American adventure with you!

Check back next Wednesday for more of my travel adventures! Who knows where I will stop next.

DESCRIPTIONS:

View from the cable car at the Sugar Loaf (Pao de Acucar).

Christ the Redeemer Statue (Cristo Redentor) through some trees, Pedro & I in an old cable car at the Sugar Loaf (Pao de Acucar).

MONKEYS!!!! With their tails touching! I died (@ the Sugar Loaf).

Mama monkey with a Baby monkey on her back :D (I believe this was on the road back down from the Christ the Redeemer statue), Crazy flower in the Botanical Garden (Jardim Botanico).

View from the restaurant called, Apazivel (apparently Amy Winehouse ate here when she spent time in Rio - so I thought that was pretty cool), in the Santa Teresa neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro. Wish I had gotten to spend more time in this lovely little area.

Jardim Botanico/Botanical Gardens, We stopped on our drive through the mountains, and I snapped a quick photo.

GIANT PALM TREES!!

Pedro making goofy faces.

Me enjoying a caipirinha (cachaca + lime + sugar + ice) at Rio Scenarium, Live band at Rio Scenarium.

Street art near the Botafogo subway station! There was so much AMAZING street art in Rio. I am so sad I didn't take a million photographs of it.