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RC

2 In food/ travel

The best Tickets in Barcelona

barca-tix-INTOne of the things I was most excited about on our Eurotrip was eating at Tickets. In all seriousness, I set an alarm to wake at 2:55 am one night two months before our trip to score the reservation, and it was worth every bit of wasted sleep.barca-tix-porkleg
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As a foodie, this was a serious bucket list item for me. I was on the waiting list for a reservation at el Bullí when Ferran Adrià announced its closure, and was heartbroken at the thought of having missed my chance. So this, his brother’s restaurant, was the next best thing. The Michelin star was reflected in well-executed decor and lovely service. And as we settled in to our seats at the open kitchen, to watch the chefs execute our tasting menu and enjoy our caparainhas, I knew we were in for the meal of a lifetime.

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Mini airbags de queso were served on a platter of rock salt.  Filled with Manchego foam, topped with aged Manchego, caviar, and pimentón, it was a cascade of flavors and textures.

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Then I had my mind blown by the legendary el Bullí olives.  Alignate spherification encases an intense olive purée just until it dissolves on your tongue. I am no olive fan, but these were glorious and a little bit life changing.

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Our oyster course included two delicious variations. I especially loved the second, where the oyster was served with its pearl  (spherified champagne and powdered silver). Full disclosure, I might have been influenced by the darling waitress who suggested it was because I was una princesa and complimented my skirt.

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Monica was the most perfect waitress ever, for the record. So solicitous about indulging our palates and preferences throughout the tasting menu, and so enthusiastic when discussing the food with us, but never a bother.  We exchanged addresses and emails, I adored Moní that much.

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She’d just brought me my next cocktail, with a dragonfruit base and dry ice cloud, when I was admiring the fancy gold-wrapped jamón iberico gran reserva on the counter. I watched as another waiter lifted the entire ham and its stand to deliver to a nearby table, and I nearly fainted when I realized who was sitting there… Albert and Ferran Adrià.

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I’m not typically the type to get starstruck, but Ferran Adrià is practically a god. Some people hunt big 5 game, but my big five is Choi, Chang, Bourdain, Ripert, and Adrià. The hero worship is real. So after I worked up the guts to stop creeping and staring at the master of molecular gastronomy, I was grateful to have Monica to translate. I was practically vibrating as I held his hands and fawned and babbled about how he inspired me and food and love and cried a little and god knows what all else- sucked to be David attempting to get a picture of my hot mess, and I was too much of a wilting violet to bother him again. The entire exchange is a blur, but I will never forget it as long as I live.

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It seemed almost silly to eat when I was so excited, but the next arrival brought my attention right back to the plate. Crunchy pizza with Bufala straciatella is one of the most popular tapas on the menu, and it was easy to see why. Shatteringly crisp crust, brightly flavorful dehydrated tomato dust microbasil and spherified basil oil are topped with strands of creamy burrata. It was at the same time both definitively a margherita pizza yet completely unlike any pizza I’d ever had.

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Scrumptious smoked eel mini sandwiches were accented with shiso leaf. The bread was an ultralight and crispy air baguette, a perfect contrast to the tender unagi.

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Crabmeat and vegetables were delivered in delicate cucumber rolls,  served floating in a watercress broth.

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This dish was dubbed the Nordic landscape. Veal tartare, lingonberry, shallots, soft smoked cheese and greens were piled upon a dark crisp bread and dusted with sherry vinegar  ‘snow.’   We were loving the experience of eating with tongs rather than traditional cutlery.

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The suckling pig mollete was a delicious grilled jamón y queso sandwich. The tender bread was totally unique to me, with the delicacy of a steamed bao but the crumb and crust of an English muffin.

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Roasted sunchokes and celeriac were drenched in a rich truffle purée. My mouth is watering just remembering- I’m pretty sure I fought David for the last bite of this goodness.

barca-tix-unipasta Korean king oyster mushrooms were spiralized into spaghetti, and serves  in a creamy Parmesan porcini sauce. The texture was just impeccable, and the umami was so perfectly highlighted.

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Spicy fresh tuna tartare  was served on a nori mille-feuille with popped tapioca. Fresh and delicious, the different textures combined beautifully, in a way that recalled California sushi bar tuna crispy rice.

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Maresme was bright and refreshing. Whole Catalán green peas floated in delicate pea soup, drizzled with fennel jus and and sprinkled with crunchy pancetta.

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Even dessert was a three-course affair- my sweet tooth was thrilled! The first was caramelized carrot cones, with a fluffy queso center. All the best aspects of carrot cake and cheesecake, they were served planted in chocolate soil.

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The meringue churros were positively meltaway. I could barely stop nibbling to dip them in the rich spiced hot chocolate, but I was glad I did- the two together were incredible.

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A seriously scientific candy bar, the molecular chocolate eclair  was just plain delicious. Crispy rice and a peanut butter center enrobed in chocolate may sound typical, but it was outstanding.

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A dessert drink to share rounded out our meal.  Cocoa and citrus combined with cachaça for a cocktail that managed to be equally rich and refreshing. And then my new friend Ferran sent over shots of his family reserve orange-and-limoncello and I was so flattered I could have died right there on the spot, and I’m certain I would have ascended straight to heaven.

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After such amazing food and drink and the emotion of surprise hero worship, you could have stuck a fork in me, I was so done. Our incredible dinner experience had stretched more than four hours, so we paid the (substantial) bill and headed out for a moon-and-neon-lit walk home.

loveRavayna

1 In travel

Barcelonian beauty

 

Our apartment on el Born was super centrally located in Barcelona, and the perfect base for running all over the city and getting to the different places we wanted to visit. But the Gothic Quarter was truly beautiful in its own right, and I loved making it our home away from home.

  

Being right in el Barrí Gòtic meant that we walked around a corner and ran straight into the Barcelona Catedral. Stunning does not even begin to capture the vision.  The detailing on the cathedral was so intricate, it was mesmerizing- like the most beautiful hand-tooled lace. I swear, I was more interested in Christian houses of worship on this trip than I’ve ever been before or since! 

   

  

As we walked through our neighborhood, I kept exclaiming over one pretty detail after another.  I was obsessed with the flowers and the wrought iron,  not to mention those quatrefoil sidewalks.  In typical blogger style, I get excited over gorgeous doorways. I hate being so basic but I can’t help it when they are this pretty!

 

 

    

I make a point of visiting parks and community spaces when we travel, and nearby Parc de la Ciutadella was no exception. It was the perfect place to sit and soak in the sunshine for a bit, to plan our next activity or rest our feet.

  

Walking between nearby buildings, we came across a little courtyard. We’d sometimes sit for a moment there, and enjoy watching the world go by. One day it was occupied by by some Spanish children and a gentleman with bubbles. Like kids the world over, they were pretty cute, and an audience gathered to watch them frolic.

   

We made sure to go walking down by the Balearic Sea. Barceloneta along the water was so beautiful, and the docks were filled with sailboats.  The breeze was brisk and the weather was too cool for beaching and sunbathing, but we still reveled in the salt air.
  

  

We’d planned to check out Sant Pau Recinte, but arrived to find they were closed for a private event.  I’d heard raves about the interior architecture and gardens of this former hospital, so I was disappointed to miss out on those. But we enjoyed the beautiful exterior and made the most of it.

        

 While touristing, we made a spontaneous executive decision to skip Palau Guell. The afternoon line seemed longer than reasonable and we’d walked our feet sore, so we decided to prioritize happy hour. We grabbed a few quick pictures and headed for siesta time at home.

  

  

A little leisure time was perfect, because we had amazing dinner reservations that night.  Get excited, because details on that’s up next…

loveRavayna

 

0 In los angeles

fall on the farm


I’ve spent most of my life as a big city girl, but there’s something about the sunshine and scent of the baking earth on the breeze that I just adore. 

  

So we make the drive out to Underwood Family Farms several times a year, and I get my fill of fresh air, farm produce and frolicking in the fields. It’s the perfect antidote to the congestion and craziness of the the city.

  

The farm stand was stocked for the season, and I quickly filled a wagon with pumpkins and decorative gourds. I’m loving all the heirloom varieties that are becoming popular- I think they’re so much prettier than the traditional ones!

The farm was all decked out for the Harvest Festival, and we were happy to enjoy the festive decor sans the crazy weekend crowds. And when I realized the cow train was running, I couldn’t hold back from acting like a kid and catching a ride out to the fields via my friend Angus.

  

Though we patronize the farm stand, we go especially for the”u-pick” offerings… I love getting down and dirty in the fields, and eating handpicked farm-to-table even more!  Fried green tomatoes are one of my favorite foods, so I take advantage of the bushes of underripe fruit and pick way too many.

      

Tomatoes, squashes (and their blossoms!), peppers and more easily filled the wheelbarrow, but the carrots gave me a run for my money! I kept tearing off tops while the veggies stayed firmly in place. As I pried them out of the earth with my fingers, I was wishing we’d brought a trowel along.

  

I was bummed the raspberry fields were bare- they’re my favorite to pick, eat, and cook with. But the heatwave and drought shortened berry season, and the canes had already been cut back in preparation for next year.

But the beet fields were loaded, and I promptly piled up the produce.  They made for quite the farm-style bouquet.

  

And of course, no trip to the farm is complete without visiting the animals.  I hung with my fellow piggie and tried, yet again, to convince David of my need for a pet goat. (He’s not even entertaining the idea, if you were wondering.)

Harvest at the farm really makes it feel like autumn has arrived, even when it’s still eighty degrees out. And I may be prissy, but I’m happy to mess up my manicure if it means I can support local farmers and know the provenance of the food I feed my family.  Frankly, produce this fresh tastes so much better than anything I can find in store.  And y’all know I’m all about eating well.

J. Crew gingham shirt | American Eagle skinnies | Hunter wellies | el Coral Barcelona pearls

loveRavayna

1 In style

WiW: barcelona evening

 In general, I dressed pretty casually while we were in Europe.  As much as I’d love to be one of those bloggers twirling in a couture gown in the Palais Royal, that’s not realistic for my current lifestyle, or our vacation style. It’s more moto boots than Manolos. That said, we planned a few fancier outings, working on our Michelin star collection, and I was excited to take the opportunity to dress up and swan around.   

  

My mom is a couture seamstress, and in weak imitation, I’ve been trying to teach myself to sew. Inspired by Degas’ ballerinas, I got a bee in my bonnet about the perfect shade of blush, and went to town with my sewing machine. I really should have just bought it rather than DIY, considering the literal blood, sweat, tears, and wine it took me to turn a dozen yards of tulle and a few more of silk into clothing. And frankly, don’t look too closely, as it’s a bit janky in places, but everyone has to start somewhere.

  

Even the fancies needed to work within my travel capsule wardrobe (working on organizing that post for y’all), so I paired the ballerina skirt with my chambray oxford. My black wool cape was the perfect topper when the chilly breeze blew. I only took one pair of heels to Europe, choosing these suede t-straps for their neutral versatility, surprising comfort, and walkability on cobblestone streets.

I loved this comfortable yet ladylike look, and it’s so fun to wear something you made with your own hands. With all the elements being repeatable, it was the perfect outfit for a vacation date night, and I couldn’t help feeling like una princesa.

Shein cape | Old Navy chambray | similar skirts | VIctoria’s Secret suede heels | Kate Spade glitterbug clutch

loveRavayna

0 In travel

some spanish shopping

I’m not quite joining shopaholics anonymous, but it’s common knowledge that I like to shop. I’m pretty value-oriented rather than frivolous when it comes to my purchases, so fortunately things don’t get too out of hand. Finite amounts of luggage space and David’s patience also kept my consumerism under control, but I definately hit some lovely shops in Barcelona and have a few good spoils to show for it. 

La Manual Alpargatera was right at the top of my to-do list. My shoe collection is well over 300 pairs, so you could call me a shoe freak- and you’d be dead on.  Coupled with my dedication to shopping local and supporting traditional artisans, I might have gone a little espadrille crazy.   

  

We arrived right as they were reopening after siesta, and a small crowd had gathered.  You receive a number upon entrance and select your styles, so you can specify sizes and colors when they call you. I was purchasing multiple pairs in an assortment of sizes and styles, and was very impressed with the attentive and patient service despite the waiting queue. I scored several colors of traditional espadrilles for myself, as well as for friends and family, and was a big fan of the lace-up style David chose.

 

But when I saw the glimmery muted gold sequins, I was sold. ? On two pairs, technically- needed to hook my bestie up too! And remember that espadrilles are made with natural fibers and will stretch, so don’t size up if they are snug while shopping.  

 

 We have Desigual here in the States- standalone stores and randomly in some airports. I’ve shopped there before, but the stores and selection are significantly larger within Spain. I like their funky styling, but I just looove their ad campaign with Winnie Harlow. For the unfamiliar, she’s an African American model with an advanced case of vitiligo. She is astoundingly gorgeous, and beyond inspirational when it comes to loving the skin you’re in.  I loved seeing her fierceness all over the city- sometimes typical can just be boring. I will say that I find it disconcerting that Winnie anchors the Euro ads, but isn’t featured here in the US. Wish she was- she’s beautiful, and anything but basic. 

We also wandered in and out of shops along our walks.  While some shops were annoyingly touristy, I came across a bunch of little gems.  There’s lots of great shopping in el Born- part of the reason we chose it as our home base.  Carrer de Montecada wound up being one of our beaten paths, because it combined convenience with good shops and great people watching.  We came across the most amusing puppeteer, and spent a little time enjoying the show. 

  

 Art Escudellers was recommended for having quality Spanish crafts and artwork, rather than the more chintzy stuff sold in every other storefront. I lusted over incredible hand-blown glassware and admired gorgeous ceramic serving dishes and the most intricate mosiacs. I took home a pretty hand-painted Star of David round with gold accents, thinking it would be perfect for the holidays.

El Coral is just a little nook, but don’t be fooled- it is home to some gorgeous artisan jewelry. Lots of local raw materials, like coral, pearls and other stones, all at some seriously amazing prices. I contemplated an incredible branch coral statement necklace, as well as a strand of amber-colored pearls, but decided to keep it simple with a new pair of white pearl studs. Classic and classy, they remind me of Barcelona every time I wear them, which is often. 

Ale-hop is an inexpensive little chain, full of gems mixed in with the junk. I picked up a few scarves and some costume jewelry there, postcards and a few kitschy souvenirs, like a miniature snow globe for my niece’s collection.  I think my favorite purchases were a Dali-inspired melting clock for our bedroom bookshelf, and quirky white sunnies.  I actually bought them, managed to crush them in Paris, and went back for a replacement pair when we returned to Barcelona. They’re nothing fancy- I think I paid a whopping five euro- but I think they’re fun!

I also hit up Mango, Boo, Stradivarius, Boohoo and the other Spanish high street heavy hitters. I checked out Le Swing and Blow to see how the Spanish did vintage, and eyed the most gorgeous lacy bits at TCN.  I like my souvenirs to be wearable, edible, or memorable- I want to feel like I’ve taken a city home with me. I was pleased with my packages- lots of good stuff, no touristy junk- my choices were purposeful and pretty.

Except for not getting to bring home a ham from la Boqueria– still sad/mad/hangry about that.

 

loveRavayna

2 In travel

eating across barcelona

Let’s be real. As I’m sure you’ve clued in by now, I live to eat. Delicious and high-quality food is one of our priorities in life, and a cornerstone of vacation planning. I do serious research (family, friends, tripadvisor, metafilter, blogs) to find the yummiest noms, then we map it out and hit as many of those places as we can.

  

Can Paixano, the most amazing little xampanyeria and eatery was our neighborhood favorite, and will likely be my first stop on our next trip to Barcelona. I was and remain obsessed.  It’s a narrow little place, standing room only at the counter to eat yummy charcuterie, grilled sausages, and entrepans, the most scrumptious toasted sandwiches, all washed down with coupes and bottles of their house-made cavas

We went nearly every day in Barcelona, if not to grab a bite, to purchase bottles of my absolute favorite, cava rosat. (I taste-tested all of their varietals to be sure ?). I even went so far as to price out shipping a case back to the States, and settled for taking several bottles with us. Amazingly delicious, and so inexpensive you want to double check the conversion rate. 

 

We were totally spoiled going daily and at off hours, though- and totally astonished by the sardine-packed bar and the long queue when the weekend rolled around. In that case, it was cava to go, and cocktail hour back at our loft. 

We went out of our way to check out Horchateria Sirvent. I’m a big fan of (rice-based) Mexican horchata, so I really needed to compare the Valencian version, which is made with tigernuts. This third generation family owned shop is legendary, so off we went.

It was absolutely incredible- so flavorful and creamy! It honestly reminded me more of my mom’s Trinidadian punche de creme than any horchata I’ve had. I think it may have ruined David for Mexican horchata forever, and I can’t really blame the man.

This horchateria is out near Sant Antoni, in a residential area away from the tourist madness. We try to spend time living local on our trips- I love heading away from the crowds. I’ll note that this was one of the only places we visited where no employees spoke any English. I took Spanish through school and college, and made a point to review before our trip, so I’m decent (though far from fluent.) But I got tangled up with some bits of Catalán, and David, I, and the darling shopgirls all had a good laugh.

The most delicious treat was the granizado de café. It was frozen black coffee (like a slushie), with their rich horchata as creamer, and it blew my damn tastebuds. Seriously, I demolished it so fast that I forgot to share with David (and gave myself brainfreeze). Of course, that meant another round to go, much to my delight. Proof that asking your server their menu favorite can really pay off.

Can Majo was the perfect spot for dinner down by the water. We walked around Barceloneta, then along the boat docks before settling in for an intimate and scrumptious meal. It was touted as the best paella in Barcelona and was easily the tastiest I’ve ever had- mouthwateringly savory, impeccably cooked, with astonishingly fresh seafood.

  

We also had some tasty olives (which is major, if you know me) and fried baby smelt. David had been craving fried tiny fish since we had shared some with a new friend at La Boqueria, but we’d only come across them premade and under heat lamps, which isn’t our style. These little fishes were freshly flashfried- juicy and tender inside of a shatteringly crisp exterior, piping hot, and we scarfed them.

We also loved El Xampanyet, despite the lack of pictures- we tended to go late at night, and neither the packed bar nor dim lighting was conducive. The menu is tapas and conservas, which are canned Spanish delicacies. It may seem strange to go out to eat tinned food, but this was nothing like the canned food we see in the US- trust. The presentations were elegant, the flavors diverse and vibrant and not the least bit tinny tasting. We devoured several kinds of jamón iberico, stuffed octopus and calamari, anchovies and artichokes, pimientos stuffed with queso and patatas bravas, and an obscene amount of tender white asparagus.

I swear, I’d move to Spain just for the cuisine, and be fat and happy all my days. We literally did not have a single bad meal. And y’all: we, hands down, had the most incredible meal of our lifetimes on this trip, and I don’t say that lightly. Sharing that soon…
loveRavayna

0 In travel

barcelona apartment – a little gaudí but just our style

I adored the lovely condo we rented in Barcelona via Airbnb. Located on el Born in the astoundingly gorgeous Barri Gòtic, the old Gothic quarter, the location could not have been more prime. It was hip and sociable, but not as overrun with tourists as las Ramblas, and conveniently located to just about everything. The management company was super helpful, and the apartment was even nicer than it appeared on Airbnb. Victory was ours.

  

The most precious balconies overlooked our narrow street, and I loved throwing open the French doors and watching the neighborhood bustle by below.  It was the perfect place for a glass of cava and a snack when we came home for siesta in the afternoons, and it was here that a crop of itchy hives clued us in that I was either sensitive or allergic to the grosellas (redcurrants) I had brought home from la Boqueria to nibble.  Thank goodness for benadryl.

We also spent siesta time at the apartment admiring the gorgeous reclaimed hardwood ceiling.  With all the walking we were doing (over a dozen miles most days), our dogs were barking! So we made sure to take breaks to elevate them when we could.

With two bedrooms, one on each floor, a giant living space, and lovely open kitchen, we had way more space than we needed. I saw that coming, and offered the room up (seriously) to several friends and family members if they would meet us in Spain, but no one took us up on it… I think they thought I was joking? Regardless, I was happy to use the upstairs bedroom as a dressing room, and David was happy to have the bomb zone corralled.  The decor was intermittently simple and sassy, with clean lines and splashes of leopard fur and neon. I loved the hell out of the chaise lounge- it was the coziest spot when this girl needed to get her nap out.

And the sitting room, neon Jack Daniels sign and all, was the perfect place for us to test our new tripod with some shenanigans… par for the course.

    

I could have stayed forever in Barcelona, and I’m sure our welcoming temporary home played into that. It’s generally pretty solidly booked, but I’d certainly make the effort to stay there again when we return.

loveRavayna

0 In lifestyle

the friday five     002  pink

As I was gathering items for this post, I realized that I was ‘pinking out’ without planning it. Apt for October, Breast Cancer Awareness month, though I’m no big fan of the rampant pink-washing by corporations for the most meager donation. That said, I stand firmly with Planned Parenthood, and it lines up with their recent public statements as well. All that boils down to is, ladies, take care of your health!

Bioderma Crealine: Micellar water has started to gain popularity here in the States, and this French version is my absolute favorite. A few swipes and any grime or makeup, even waterproof mascara, is history. No need to rinse after, your skin will look clean and be refreshed. It’s so much cheaper in Europe, so I brought home multiple bottles.

Dior Addict Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm: This lip balm glides on to moisturize without a hint of stickiness.  And don’t be put off by the overly Barbie shade it appears in the tube- this sheer gloss reacts with your body and reads the most flattering soft pink, your lips but better. They’ll still be feeling cushiony several hours later. And the tube itself is so pretty, too.

Bougainvillea: I love the way it sounds, rolling off the tongue, and the way it looks, decking our cul-de-sac in a wild cascade of hot pink ruffles. It climbs up our house, too, framing the window in front of my desk with a shock of color. I’ve been piling handfuls and armfuls into bowls and onto trays all summer long. They’re starting to to fade for the year, and even though they are the furthest thing from fancy, practically a weed, I’ll miss them when they’re gone.

Vintage jewelry box: I was in Denver with my girlfriends a few weeks ago and scored this rosy beauty for a screaming deal at a vintage shop.  It’s in incredible condition, and I’m loving having a better way to organize my baubles.

Kate Spade card holder: My everyday wallet is a Lacey, and it’s just too big for some handbags and clutches.  That’s when this is perfect- with an interior pocket and 3 card slots, it’s perfect for just the essentials! Id, cash, card, and business cards and I’m good to go with tons of room to spare.

I’m in New York this weekend for a little work and a little play.  Hope y’all have a lovely weekend as well!

loveRavayna

0 In style/ travel

WiW: barcelona daytime

 

We did a LOT in our time abroad (let me know if you’d like me to share our itinerary), which made for several early mornings and long days. And some days, that meant temperature changes of 30 or more degrees within a single outing. Hellloooooo layers!

 

 

 I’ve got a ‘shape like a Coca Cola bottle,’ as Mr Killa would say, which can make layering and dressing warmly tough. It quickly goes from cute to dumpy, and then I start looking like Randy in his snowsuit in A Christmas Story.

 

  

But snug layers lay smoothly, and that’s what I used to still look fit and feminine as I kept warm. Two pairs of opaque tights paired with warm socks kept my legs and toes cozy. A thin thermal shirt went under my sweater, and despite its ladylike styling, this coat is well-lined and really warm, while compact enough to toss in the backpack when temperature rose.

  

Gap sweater | American Eagle skirt | Tulle coat via Hautelook | Hue tights | Breckelles booties | Uniqlo heattech tee |  similar Kate Spade purse | Charming Charlie necklace, ring, sunnies

I’ll rewear this outfit this fall- it’s just  comfortable for a long day, so well-suited to the temperature swings when going in and out of the cold, and still looks polished. 

loveRavayna

0 In lifestyle/ los angeles

a malibu beach day

Despite a scorching SoCal summer, a full agenda and travel schedule have kept us running, with minimal time for relaxing. Though we’re into October, the weather’s not been reflecting that at all- it broke 100` this weekend. So last week, we played hooky one day and headed up to Malibu for a day at the seaside.

We loaded up bags and coolers,  packing charcuterie and salads, watermelon and wine, and carefully hiked along the cliff path down to the cove. I unpacked our picnic as David mixed mimosas and managed a little music, and we had a lovely little lunch by the sea.

  

Though it directly disobeys posted rules, I almost always bring sturdy glass and stoneware on a beach picnic. We pack it back out and take it home to wash- so we’re never leaving broken glass behind and I feel better about not adding disposables to overflowing landfills.

    

Despite the gorgeous weather, the beach was just about deserted. It was so lovely to feel like we had the whole seashore to ourselves. It’s rare that you get to escape the crowds in Los Angeles, so I treasure these moments of peace among the madness.

  

The summer heat wave means that our section of the Pacific is the warmest it’s been in decades.  For the past few years, I’ve barely gone past wading in the chilly waves, but it was warm enough for this cold water wimp to enjoy.

  

As a frank side note, part of me thinks it’s crazy that I’m sharing unretouched bikini photos here. As a former pageant girl who used to care an unhealthy amount about other’s opinions of my body, I spent most of my adult life horrifically insecure about my figure. But I’ve reached a point where I literally could not care less- if a lump or bump or lack thereof offends you, just keep scrolling past. In this way, I’m beyond grateful for the wisdom of age- and the cognizance that strong is far sexier than skinny, and to know that insecurity is a waste of time. I work out and eat (mostly) healthy to fuel my body and be fit enough to handle my crazy life, but #badonkadonk. ?

You know the best way to get a bikini body? Put on a bikini and smile.

So that’s exactly what I do, and on days like this gorgeous one- it makes for a beautiful time reveling in the seaside sunshine.

These are the moments…
loveRavayna 

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