{"id":280778,"date":"2025-06-08T04:45:05","date_gmt":"2025-06-08T04:45:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/a-life-update-outside-suburbia-family\/"},"modified":"2025-06-08T04:45:05","modified_gmt":"2025-06-08T04:45:05","slug":"a-life-update-outside-suburbia-family","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=280778","title":{"rendered":"A Life Update \u2022 Outside Suburbia Family"},"content":{"rendered":"


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After decades of balancing a 9 to 5 job with bucket lists, I\u2019ve finally done it\u2014I\u2019ve retired! It\u2019s been a year now. This year marks not only a major career milestone but also a year of personal transformation. So this birthday was extra special, I\u2019m celebrating with a heart full of gratitude, a passport ready for new stamps, and a renewed commitment to slow, meaningful travel. <\/p>\n

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Reflecting on 10 years of travel, creativity, and personal transformation<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Retirement isn\u2019t the end\u2014it\u2019s a beautiful beginning. I traded deadlines for daydreams, meetings for memories, and I couldn\u2019t be more excited to embrace this next chapter with open arms. While we have always been traveling, now that the kids have graduated and have started working, the timing felt right. I have traded routine for painting, reading, roaming, and just being\u2014I\u2019m loving every minute of it<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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From blog posts to brushstrokes, here\u2019s to the next chapter<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This season of life feels nothing short of poetic. While I have closed the chapter on my 9-to-5 career, and stepping fully into a life I\u2019ve spent the past decade slowly building\u2014one filled with travel, creativity, and intention. This year marks 10 years since I launched my travel blog<\/strong>. And I picked up a paintbrush for the first time in a long time. Both of which have taken me on journeys far beyond what I imagined. As I celebrate another birthday, I find myself not looking back with nostalgia, but forward with wonder. The road ahead is wide open\u2014and I\u2019m finally free to follow it, full-time.<\/p>\n

Now, I get to enjoy the magnolias blooming in the backyard, look for the hummingbirds that visit the honeysuckle, and get to sip coffee and read some books that have been on my list for so long.<\/p>\n

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Lately, I\u2019ve been diving deeper into my creative side\u2014taking portrait and art classes, experimenting with new techniques, and letting curiosity lead the way. It\u2019s been such a fulfilling journey to rediscover the joy of making art simply for the love of it. You can follow my art journey here<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Wanderlust Unleashed: My Big Adventures After Retirement<\/strong><\/h2>\n

What a whirlwind the past year has been! To celebrate retirement, we set off on a journey that felt like a dream come true\u2014I planned a six-week journey through Europe<\/a>. <\/p>\n

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Starting in the storybook streets of Munich, wandering through the rich history of Poland, and finding magic in Budapest\u2019s thermal baths and riverside views. We drove the Romantic Road in Germany, where every village looked like a painting, before heading west to the artistic lanes of Ghent and the canals of Amsterdam\u2026 we ended our trip soaking in sunset views of fairytale spires in Prague. <\/p>\n

Last November, we traveled to India to celebrate Diwali with family\u2014an experience filled with light, joy, and so much warmth. On the way, we made memorable stops in Paris and London, a place close to my heart. In India, we celebrated our wedding anniversary by staying at the Leela Palace in Jaipur. We explored the vibrant city of Jaipur, with its colorful palaces, bustling markets, and timeless beauty. It was a trip that blended celebration, culture, and connection. A connection back to our roots<\/em>!<\/p>\n

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Finally, we had the freedom to travel slowly, deeply, and intentionally. It was more than a trip\u2014it was a reset, a reward, and a reminder to cherish the time we have on this planet.<\/p>\n

Celebrating new beginnings, big birthdays, and bold adventures ahead<\/strong><\/h2>\n

To celebrate my birthday\u2014my first since retiring\u2014I spent a beautiful day in Dallas with my husband and son. We enjoyed a leisurely brunch at the elegant Rosewood Mansion, followed by a lovely afternoon browsing and shopping at Highland Park Village. It was the perfect blend of family time, indulgence, and a little well-earned luxury.<\/p>\n

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Marking milestones and making memories\u2014one trip at a time<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This year, we\u2019re trading schedules for spontaneity and heading to Italy for six weeks<\/strong>. We\u2019ll be slow traveling through Sicily, soaking in the charm of the Amalfi Coast, and wandering through the hidden gems of small Tuscan towns. No rush\u2014just good food, golden light, and the joy of discovering places at our own pace. I can\u2019t wait to share the journey with you!<\/p>\n

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Have I inspired a trip you\u2019ve taken? A city you visited because of something I shared?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n

To each of you who\u2019s been here\u2014reading, following, encouraging\u2014thank you. Truly. If anything I\u2019ve shared over the past 10 years has inspired your own adventures, I\u2019d love to hear your story. Whether you booked a trip, bought an outfit, picked up a paintbrush, or simply saw a place differently because of something I wrote, I hope you\u2019ll share it with me.<\/p>\n

Cheers!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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You know I love discovering and supporting Indian brands\u2014this dress is one of my current favorites! Thoughtfully designed, beautifully crafted, and perfect for days when comfort meets elegance. Bonus: If they travel well \ud83d\ude00<\/p>\n

My dress is by Saaksha and Kinni from perniaspopupshop.com<\/p>\n

Note:<\/strong>\u00a0This post may contain affiliate links, partnership or sponsored content. If you purchase an item via one of these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. But as always images and opinions are our own. For more information on our affiliates and privacy policy at Outside Suburbia see here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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