Vlog 7: Southport, North Carolina (Safe Haven movie was filmed here and an update on this post)

Hello loves! I'm back to share my fun and memorable trip in North Carolina last December. If I remember it right, the last time I came here was 2011. I was eighteen at that time and back then was different I was just a tourist visiting. I didn't really have a lot of things in mind or know anything about the state. I live in the United States for three years already and left everything in my country. Being far away from my family and relatives was really hard so I made sure to spend the holidays with my relatives. 

One of the things I love about North Carolina is it's not a very populated state compared to California and Nevada. I wouldn't say there's no traffic nor sketchy neighborhoods. In my opinion, for a big and developed city (compared to where I live) it's a great place to live and raise kids. If given a chance to relocate in North Carolina I would go right away.

Our first local trip in North Carolina was Southport. I was very excited to finally visit the site location from the movie Safe Haven. One of my favorite novels by Nicholas Sparks and probably one of my favorite movies too just because Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough looks great as a couple! 

Safe Haven trailer

Safe Haven book

Southport is only four hours drive from Huntersville. I suggest to visit the area if you're only a couple of hours away. Also good thing was there weren't a lot of tourists that day so we were able to take decent shots and really took our time. Though most of the restaurants and shops were closed so we didn't have a lot to do besides walking and taking pictures. I also noticed that they tore down the shop along the waterfront in Southport and there's no bus stop at all. How funny! I guess they just made it for the movie. We didn't really have the whole day to explore Southport. I wasn't able to see Katie's cabin which was sad cos I really love her cabin in the movie but overall I'm still thankful that I got to see some of its scene location from the movie. Thank you auntie! ;-)

If you guys have any suggestions to do and dine in at Southport. Please share them below! Thank you!

I will also share our trip in World Disney very soon! And when I finally get my new computer I will start editing the video and upload it on my channel. So tune in for that. It might take a little longer though. But please bare with me. Thank you! 

Here are some of my favorite shots from our trip in Southport. 

One of the locals mentioned this house was featured in the movie (not sure how true as I don't remember)

The restaurant where Katie from Safe Haven worked

An update on this post. I finally uploaded my vlog :)

Hair products from LUSH (for oily and greasy hair)

Oh

My

God!

I don't think writing a review about these products would do justice on how GLORIOUSLY AMAZING these two products are. For someone who is struggling about keeping their hair fresh and not feeling oily or greasy throughout day. This is the answer to your problem, YOUR LIFESAVER. 

White Chocolate Macadamia Brownies

December 2017

Favorites from last summer

Good day and happy first day of Fall! 

It's been so long since I last written a blog post in my page. My life had been pretty crazy which is not an excuse at all but forgive me, lovelies. I've been working ten hours a day and we have been doing so much cleaning and organizing in our small apartment. I guess I was just busy being a lazy and uninspired adult. A kind of adult who just exists, work, pay the bills and does not live her life to the fullest. Ahhh, excuses excuses....

Anyway, here are some of my favorite photos I took from April through September: more in my Instagram

Summer hike 

Snow on summer

At Eagle Trail at Lake Tahoe 

Movies:

1. What Happened To Monday

2. The Secret Garden (1993) - my favorite classic movie

Series:

1. Gypsy

2. Atypical

3. Anne With An E

Music:

1. Sarah by Memoryhouse

2. Way To Go by Empire Of The Sun

P.S.
Sorry for such a short and nonsense post
I need inspiration! </3 :'(

Sacramento, California

DAY 1 - Driving to Sacramento, California

After passing our interview last May 3rd, we decided to take a break, relax and spend my birthday and Mother's Day in Sacramento. We thought it was a great excuse to leave our small city as well. And I have been dying/craving for Filipino foods and wanted to stock up many Filipino groceries as I could. But eventually, I ended up buying more Japanese snacks and foods. Lol. I would say it's cheaper there. 

We left the house at 10 a.m. and arrived in Sacramento at 12:15 noon. We had a ten minute restroom break. From our hometown this is the shortest drive we could be to a bigger city. It was quick and fun. The first stop, of course, a lunch to a Filipino fast food chain, Jollibee. I love their burger steak and peach mango pie! It was heaven. I missed how it tasted. Tip one: Never ever convert your money wherever you are. 

Our experience driving through streets of Sacramento and the freeway was a little bit of a challenge for us because we were not familiar and we only relied to our navigator. Since we came from a small city, the volume of the cars are not so many and there are less traffic. So in Sacramento, it was the opposite but to me it wasn't horrible compared in my home country. Here is better. Way better. Tip two: Always put the most patient and reliable person in the front seat.

After having our lunch in Seafood City, we went straight to our motel. We stayed in Lexington Inn in Howe Ave. It was very accessible in our itinerary and at that time we had a pretty good deal.

Day 1 itinerary:

Seafood City - 15-20 minutes drive from Lexington Inn depending on traffic situation
Vacaville Premium Outlets - 44 mins. to 1 hour drive from Lexington Inn depending on traffic situation

Tip three: Keep in mind. Sacramento is one of the busiest cities in California plan your trip accordingly. You don't want to be stuck in freeway traffic for more than an hour and still have more places to go.

After lunch, we rested for few minutes and hit the road again. We went to Vacaville outlet. I was so thrilled to shop at stores we don't have in our city such as Cole Hann Outlet and Tumi. There's a lot of people because it was Mother's Day.

We wanted to leave early so we could still have dinner in Seafood City. We really wanted to try their grilled foods. And to our surprise, the pork barbecue was very delicious. I couldn't resist eating more of it and.... the white rice. To end our night, we just chilled under the stars while in the pool. Unfortunately though, my legs were very itchy and turned red. I think they've put too much chlorine or the water wasn't clean. Boooooo!!!!

DAY 2 - Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament and grocery shopping

For our last day, we didn't have much plan so we attended the mass in Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, it was 11 in the morning. After that we walked around the block and witnessed a cycling event/marathon. It was okay.  You can really feel the city is big and very much alive compared to our hometown. So many things to do and foods to try! There was a part of me not wanting to leave. It felt like I was just in Manila. ;'()

We had our lunch in Chowking. Goooooosh guys, I missed Chowking! I love their lauriat combos! 

Tip four: If you're a Filipino and don't have much access to Filipino foods and restaurants, just dine in and stuff yourselves with all the goodness and enjoy every bite! ;-P

Day 2 itinerary:

Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament - 20 mins. drive from Lexington Inn
Seafood City again, as usual

All in all, I really enjoyed this short trip. We will be back for sure and to my lovely readers who lives in Sacramento. I would love to hear from you! Please recommend restaurants we should try, stores/malls, parks to visit or fun attractions we should see. Thank you!