Spring in my Step

While I adore spring and my birth month, I am seriously not feeling these overwhelming allergies! I have to focus on the pretty things that keep me loving this otherwise amazing season. 

I found these lovely hand-painted champagne glasses at Goodwill.

They're oh-so-perfect for a good glass of bubbly al fresco.

My favorite way to serve champagne? Room temperature with a scoop of peach sorbet. It's an incredibly refreshing way to treat yourself!

I also started experimenting with watercolors for some stationery. I never used to care about paper until recently...I started noticing I was collecting cute notecards in all kinds of different patterns!

Devilish pollen aside, I'm excited spring is here. :)

Birthday & A Road Trip

This is WAY overdue...I'm sorry!  Birthday week was crazy, (as you can imagine ;)

Just wanted to share some favorite moments of my recent trip to one of my favorite cities, LA.

Griddle cafe did not disappoint.

I still wake up drooling from dreams of my Umami burger...

And oh, the salted caramel ice cream sandwich! (with macaron cookies!)

If you're ever in LA, you must see the famous Case Study House #22, The Stahl House

Dinner at our favorite downtown sushi spot, Octopus sushi

And a couple shots from my rodeo birthday bash ;)

My birthday week was absolutely amazing!  My best friend surprised me from Vegas (my expression was priceless!) 

I watched Bridesmaids twice (I don't think I've ever laughed so hard during a movie...except for I Love You Man...)

I had several great lunches and a few fabulous dinners, courtesy of my AMAZING family & friends...

and I partied my butt off (as any birthday girl should!)

I'll share more in-depth coverage soon!  I'm sad it's over, but it was a doozie! 

Xo

D

Wishing, Wanting

At the risk of sounding childish, I've decided to create a birthday wishlist for my quarter-century birthday right around the corner.  First off, I've been dreaming of this supple leather clutch by Clare Vivier that I first spotted on one of my favorite blogs, The Asian Cajuns.  *Swoon*  

Next, I'd love to add this beauty to my rapidly growing coffee table book collection.  Fellini is one of my favorite directors of all time.  If you have not yet seen La Dolce Vita, I am commanding you add it to your queue immediately!  It's luscious and haunting, and leaves you feeling like you had the most awesome sleepover and now it's Sunday and your last friend is leaving. Sad, and yet you had the best time while it lasted.

I've been wanting this NARS cream stick for awhile now, but I just could never justify spending 40 bucks on 1 makeup item.  Of course, I would choose the gorgeous and most commonly misconstrued shade, Orgasm.  

Lastly but not leastly, it would be absolutely amazeballs if these were to magically appear under my pillow next Wednesday...sorry I tend to confuse birthdays with major childhood milestones involving mythical gift-giving creatures.  I saw these on a coworker last week and seriously contemplated snatching them off her ears when she was in my cube.  What can I say?  Nicole Richie be makin' some seriously badass jewelry lately.

Come Fly With Me

I had such an amazing time today with my dear friend Ali, author of the lovely blog, A Pearl in the World.  We ventured up to Mt. Hamilton, the highest peak in our area, boasting about 4,200 feet.  It houses a series of telescopes, and has some of the best views around.  An annoyingly dense layer of fog blanketed the valley below, but made for some lovely photography, in my opinion.  

 It's Laurentine, Mr. Hamilton if you're nasty

We rounded off our wonderful morning with coconut waffles & mimosas at a locally loved restaurant, The Evergreen Inn.  Thank you Miss Ali for the amazing photography and for styling/posing my clueless self!

What did you lovelies do this weekend?

A Breath of Fresh Air

This upcoming weekend, my boyfriend and I will be celebrating his birthday at our timeshare near Yosemite.  (These are the moments I feel so lucky to be a California pearl; in close proximity to literally everything!)  

Anywho, a gal like myself can't just wear some sloppy duds...swapping comfort for chic, I must play the rugged role to the best of my ability...Who am I kidding?  My camping tales are legendary and I can go days without a shower, living on hotdogs and beer.  I didn't win Camper of the Year just by sittin' pretty!  But it sure is nice to imagine all the delightful outfits I should be wearing against the dramatic background of some of the world's most gorgeous scenery!

1. Rugged yet fabulous ankle boots, courtesy of Asos

2. Classic plaid button-up in Spring hues, from Forever 21

3. Some skinny cargos to stuff knives and trail mix in my pockets, similar to these

4. A beautiful earth-toned scarf, also from Forever 21

5. For those rainy afternoons, this trench-cape is perfect, and on sale at ModCloth!

And of course, there's no way I can leave home without some of the basic necessities: 

-The new love of my life, (sorry babe,) the Canon t2i.  

-Andre champagne (let's all just finally admit to ourselves that cheap thrills are obviously always the most fun)

-I would never be caught dead without my Tide to-go because I am, hands down, the messiest eater you will ever come across

-And last but not least, my savior, Batiste dry shampoo which smells divine and soaks up all that greasy HOT-MESSness.

'Til Summer Comes Around

I apologize for the insanely long post, but i went a little crazy with my new camera last Sunday, as you can see.  Bear with me...the sun was out, it was a gorgeous day by the beach...i.e., i was happy as a clam!  We spent the day strolling the cliffs by the beach in Capitola, and then had dinner & wine on the pier.  I convinced the bf to walk along the boardwalk and it was so eerie to see all of our favorite rides completely empty.  It was so hauntingly beautiful...

On the way home, we passed by a carnival (I am a sucker for all things carnie,) and i tried to capture the essence of the lights, sounds, and aromas.  These are the days that I live for!

Oh, yes...I'm wearing a Forever 21 dress, Grass Collection sweater, tights from Target, Chinese Laundry over-the-knee boots, and flea market sunglasses.  If only every day could be this sweet!