A Traveler's Guide to San Antonio Texas

Well Hey!

Today I will be sharing a travel experience that me and my husband just had for our one year(of marriage) anniversary! We decided on San Antonio Texas, supposedly a romantic vacation. All of these suggestions are walking distance from the famous Riverwalk that San Antonio is known for. Also prices and estimations are included if you are on a budget! I will tell you all the tips and advice I can give from where to stay, what to do, and where to eat.

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Pictured from left to right: Horse carriage rides($50), The Alamo(FREE), and The Villita(Historic Village)

1. Where to stay:

First of all, We stayed at the Red Roof Inn that was close to the Riverwalk, which was the main attraction why we wanted to visit San Antonio. The Hotel was an overall average rating. It is a couple blocks from the Riverwalk so you have to walk a little ways. Hotels like the Mariott were right on the Riverwalk if you're okay with upping your price. The Red Roof itself worked beautifully for me and my hubby because it was only a place to sleep at night since we spent our days exploring. However, here are some pro's and con's:
Pro's: Walking distance from alot of attractions, To-Go Breakfast(FREE), Pool, microwave and mini fridge, very great price to stay! Con's: No counter space in bathrooms, more like a hospital bathroom with no tub, not the cleanest.

2. What to do:

It can get overwhelming all the things that you can do! In the Hotel we stayed they had many pamphlets and guides to attractions that had coupons as well. There is also a information place close to the mall, Riverwalk, and Alamo that gives FREE maps and the same pamphlets, etc. We decided to choose what we were doing day by day. However, I would strongly urge you before you do anything, is go to the Riverwalk and take the River Barge Ride. They cost $8 a adult person and are 35 minutes with a tour guide and everything. These rides are romantic at night but also very informational day or night. You will be able to see restaurants, attractions and sites that you can visit after your tour.

Next a great place to visit is the Tower of the Americas(coupon in pamphlets). You get to go 750 feet above ground level and see San Antonio in a whole new way. A neat indoor ride, complete with moving seats gives you an informational, fun look at the city as well. The tickets are $11 a person.

Another great thing to do and see is the San Fernando Cathedral. It is the oldest operating cathedral in the USA and boy is it breathtaking! FREE Admission and Donations welcome. This is a little walking distance from the Riverwalk and the Alamo.

Even further distance would be the actual Market in the Historic Downtown of San Antonio. It is a ways from the Riverwalk and Alamo and a little further than the Cathedral but totally worth the walk! Or taxi ride is you prefer. You experience the culture and can find some great things to take back home with you. Not to mention right on the corner of the Market place is the new Latino Art Gallery that is FREE Admission and totally neat! You could leave a message on the wall and record a video of you're experience, not to mention the awesome art.

Where to eat:

We ate so much great food but really found some golden gems on our journey. We wanted to try local places or popular choices from locals as well.  The Rainforest Cafe' is an experience all in itself. You feel you are in a jungle and the ceiling and walls are covered in moss and plants and all complete with mechanical animals that come on every 10 minutes. There are more Rainforest Cafe's in different places so if you haven't yet it is a must try!

Some good choices for lunch would be Jerry's Hot Dogs. It was the neatest little place and you will never experience a hot dog so good! And then the La Villita Cafe' is simply in the La Villita(Village) that can be accessed from the Riverwalk or by passing from the road way. It has neat shops and places as well as a theater where cultural shows are performed and danced in the evenings.

Last but not least Maria Mia is a great place for Mexican, Lucciano was by far our favorite right in the mall alongside the Riverwalk, that is Italian. If you want fancy or just pizza go here its ahhhhhmzing! And then the Lone Star we loved as well. It served a mean hamburger and is locally owned and operated so the food was delicious!!!

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We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to San Antonio and are already wanting to revisit. It can get overwhelming of all the choices of restraunts, attractions, etc. but whatever you do will be amazing and fun! We also went to Six Flags Fiesta Texas which is a 30 minute drive from the hotel we were at. Let me tell you, totally worth it. I don't think I've had so much fun in one day! Consider going if you are in the neighborhood you won't regret it!

With hope and love,
Aerial Melvin
#aerialandtheboys

How To Take Portraits Selfie Style

I am a photographer and I typically create candid photo shoots. Recently I had been asked to practice modeling photography to do model head shots and photo shoots. Unfortunately I was bored and also didn't have any models around to help me practice so I decided to do everything myself! Fun right? Yeah I'm lame.

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So first I put on my makeup. I'm no makeup artist but I have had my fair share of practice on myself and my sister so I applied bold colors on my eyes and lips. I went for the cat look on the tips of my eyes and applied dark purple eye shadow close to my eye liner and edge of my eyes to give it a richer look. Always apply a light color of eye shadow closer to your nose for it make your eyes look bigger. Here is an example of my makeup in color:


To set up my "studio" (2nd bedroom) I have a mustard yellow wall that was available to work with along with natural light through the only window in the room! I then set up my camera on the camera stand, set the setting to the 10 second countdown, and adjusted my lens to a vacant spot. The natural light was coming in without casting any shadows on my face so I used my reflector only once. Here are the photos to give you an idea of what I was working with:
                                                                                                                                                                 

After I was ready to start shooting I just checked every photo I did in case I looked totally ridiculous and then kept doing different poses, knowing I would edit them anyways. The good thing about the 10 second warning is that my lens was able to auto focus when I would have to back up or do close up shots. Here are the results:

Of course these photo were pretty rough before I started editing the crap out of them but I think they turned out pretty good for being the photographer and the model at the same time! I saved myself some money and trouble having to get a model! Yay me! If you have any questions I may not have answered just ask I don't mind:)

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With much hope and love,
Aerial Melvin
#aerialandtheboys

DIY (Cheap) Photo Booth and How to Host a Awesome Party!

 Well Hey!

So in the past 3 months I have helped host two Lingerie Party's at my wonderful and fun mom's house along with my crazy sister! We have a good time and can get a little wild BUT we keep God in the center of our hearts and try to honor Him through a fun night. Marriage is a wonderful thing and should be celebrated!

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Pictured 1st Photo(from left to right): Mom, Me, Future Bride and my sister.
Pictured 2nd Photo(from left to right): Top Row - Friend, Future Bride, Me; Bottom - my Sister and Previous Future Bride in 1st Photo.

How to make a DIY Photo Booth:

We set up the Photo Booth in a bedroom and draped a black bed sheet from Walmart over a window's curtain rod. Both pictures have the same black sheet. We changed up the drapery to make each party different. You can create each draperies on your own from paper and string or buy kits at Hobby Lobby.

As far as ideas for photo props you can find cheap fun or DIY gadgets and goodies to use. For the first shower(2nd Photo Pictured) we had the signs that say different things and include mustaches, bow ties, lips made of plastic that you can find at a Hobby Lobby store or DIY with straws and cut out things like glasses, a pirate eye, and mouths. We also had boas leftover from my bachelorette party from the last year. 

For the next Party(1st Photo Pictured) we used the same props but added in some wigs that my sister and I had collected over the years from halloween costumes. You can ask people if they have any fun hats for a substitute if you don't have any wigs on hand.

Just remember to have fun with a Photo Booth and change things up! You don't have to have certain things a certain way to have a great time. Have the music jammin' and keep the giggles going and the photos will turn out great!

.......................................................................<3<3<3<3<3<3................................................................

With much hope and love,

Aerial Melvin

#aerialandtheboys

INFJ Personality and Quirky Introductions!

Well Hey!

Since this is my FIRST Blog I figured I would introduce myself! I am Aerial Melvin, married since I was 18 years old to my best friend, earning my Bachelor's Degree by 20, and a singer/songwriter looking for the right opportunity all in God's timing! Hence the "Aerial and the Boys" Blog Page(which I will introduce my boys/band soon) I have an amazing family and have been called an old soul in a young body(alot)<3 Every time I take a Personality Test I always come up as a INFJ. And so for that I will begin my Blog today!!!

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To start off, I don't believe everyone is defined into specific categories. I believe we are all "Divergent" in the way that God created us. However, I believe people have similar personalities but maybe not the same tendencies. 

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 Since I personally believe I have an INFJ Personality I think INFJers are very intuative. I am able to predict situations and recieve positive or negative vibes from people. Up to this point I haven't proved myself wrong about someone, however I try not to judge;) 

Just know in my world nothing makes sense. You are always in a fight with yourself between what might seem right and what actually is right. Everything you do is hypocritical such as you can be very organized or very spontaneous. Either way, embrace yourself and all your "perfect imperfections"(John Legend shoutout);)

For those INFJers out there just know you have a unique and rare personality and should embrace yourself instead of let others control how you view yourself. If you're anything like me, you don't know how people take you or see you as and quite frankly you probably will never know. But remember Dr. Suess' quote: Be who you are and say what you feel because those who matter don't mind, and those who mind don't matter.

.....................................................<3<3<3<3<3~~~<3<3<3<3<3..........................................................

Aerial Melvin
#aerialandtheboys