Friday, November 28, 2014

Black Friday Picks

Happy Black Friday, everyone! There are lots of ways to enjoy the perks of Black Friday from the comfort of your own home (aka online shopping.) I've rounded up my 5 favorite black Friday sales this season. Many of them give back to the community, and what better way to get in the holiday spirit than to support a great cause?

1. Sackcloth and Ashes - 20% off your order through Monday with the code: HOOKMEUP
They donate a blanket to your local homeless shelter for every blanket you purchase. Read more about their story here.

2. The Shine Project 30% off almost everything on their site with the code : blackfriday30
Your purchase employs inner city American youth as they make the bracelets and are paid a fair wage for their work. Read more about their story here.

3. Alex and Ani - 15% off plus free ground shipping (no code needed)
I chose to purchase a Prints of Love Charm Bangle. Alex and Ani will donate 20% of the purchase price from this bangle to ASPCA, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Click here for more information.

4. J. Crew - 30% off full-price styles and 40% off sale with the code : HOLIDAY

5. Nordstrom - all sorts of black Friday deals (no code needed)  

Happy shopping! :*
 

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I hope you all have a happy day full of love, food, family and friends. May we reflect today on what we are grateful for, and carry with us in our hearts grateful thoughts throughout the year.

I am especially thankful for my family and the love in my life this Thanksgiving.

Have a wonderful day.


Wednesday, November 26, 2014

25 Things for 25 Years: Part 2

13. Love is one of the most powerful forces in the world.

14. Infatuation is not love.

15. Paths have uncanny ways of unfolding. Don't lose hope. Your struggle is worth it. Keep on going.

16. Your pain will teach you something.

17. Forgiveness is more difficult than hating.

18. Tune out the excess noise when you find yourself getting lost.

19. It's okay to ask for help. Learn to differentiate between the times you need to ask others for help and the times you need to help yourself.

20. Recognize the strength within you. Keep conquering small challenges so you continue to grow your confidence and mastery.

21. Don't give up on the people or things that you truly love. Hold on to them and stand up for them when someone threatens them.

22. Have a hero, whether fictional, alive, or dead.

23. The combination of steps in your path are likely unique, but the steps you are taking are often not.  You're not as alone as you think.

24. Examine what it is that makes you trust or distrust someone.

25. Don't forget to renew your car registration, update your address with the DMV, and pay your parking tickets and bills on time ;)

To see the first half of this list, read 25 Things for 25 Years: Part 1 here. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving Eve ;) Thanks as always for reading!

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Wednesday Wishlist: Home

I'm moving again, and I can't wait to get started on decorating. Here are some things I am wishing for as I'm thinking of decorating my new space. 

Wednesday Wishlist: Home



Monday, November 17, 2014

25 things for 25 years: Part 1

I turned 25 in July. When you're a kid, 25 sounds so old. Like, you'll have your life figured out, be married, have a great career, maybe have your first kid and definitely a dog- figured out. Ha! What a wake up call it was to turn 25, have a roommate, have changed jobs twice in the last year, kids and dogs no where near on the horizon... money tight, closet small- not exactly where I thought I'd be, at 25!

That being said, I've learned a lot of valuable lessons along the way, and I want to share them here with you today. Here is the first half of my list (stay tuned for the second half.)

1. You know the saying, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer"? I disagree. How about, "Keep your friends close and keep your enemies and frenemies far, far away." Don't waste your time on people who bring you down, make you feel bad about yourself, or suck up all your energy and happiness. Life is short, don't waste it on poor friendships that don't nurture you.

2. What you are seeking from a man/romantic partner, you probably just need to do for yourself. You want more attention, love, praise? Give those things to yourself. If you are seeking more attention and love from your partner you probably need to start by giving those things to yourself, first.

3. Be well read. Take in news from multiple sources. To be a good conversationalist you generally have to be well read and knowledgeable on a variety of topics.

4. Learn how to make at least 5 delicious and basic meals. Once you have 5 under your belt, the repertoire will just keep growing.

5. Keep going for your goals even if no one else notices, cares, or supports you in pursuing them. You know what they say, "the time will pass anyway."

6. You know your friends' advice, "If he doesn't text you back, he doesn't like you." That's all good and fine, but I'm here to ask you, why are you even wondering why he didn't text you back?? I'm sure you have a million other more interesting and pressing things going on in your life than a guy who may or may not even like you. Move on. Train your brain to think about something else besides text messages. It's a cat and mouse game. Don't play it. Plus, you are fabulous, and he isn't.

7. Keep a running list of things you hope to do. Most people have some form of a to-do list at work, right? Make one for your life so you can keep track of your goals (even goals as small as wanting to try the new coffee shop down the street.) It'll keep you accountable and that way you have everything written down in one place. And how good does it feel to get one crossed off that list?

8. Be grateful. Not only that, I challenge you to regularly write down things you are grateful for so any time you are having a crap day and need a reminder, you have something to read and a specific place to find it.

9. Don't underestimate the power and intuition of a child. Children might be small people, but they are often treated in small ways and they just don't deserve it. Listen to them. Treat them with respect as you would any other person. Children are more intuitive than we like to give them credit for. They notice things adults fail to even see.

10. Stay curious. I know I'm not feeling well when the world seems to revolve around me and my own problems/life. As soon as I'm out of my funk, the whole world seems interesting again. Do your best to stay curious about anything- whether it's science, nature, music, movies, your neighbors- stay invested in how things work, where they come from, and what they do.

11. Keep track of who you are. Everybody has a story to tell. Some people are gifted storytellers, and can captivate an audience with their words and gestures. Others get a story across better by writing it down. Find your medium and share your story. You don't have to start on a grand scale- maybe start by sharing what your favorite restaurant is each month or what book you're currently reading. You'll find it fun to look back on later and it gives you a peek into how you're growing and changing.

12. Don't give up on your hobbies. It's easy to let life get in the way and to be overcome with work, housekeeping, bills and the like. Don't forget to keep your passions alive by remaining engaged and invested. They will give back ten times over.

Stay tuned for the next 13! Thanks as always for reading!

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Christmas Wishlist

Hello friends, I have been sick in bed with the flu for the past three days :( I am finally feeling a bit better today and hope to go back to work tomorrow. I am going to have a lot to work to catch up on :( On a happier note, here are the top ten things I am wishing for this Christmas! I honestly don't have room in my apartment closet for more clothes, shoes or handbags, so unless I am magically granted a larger closet for Christmas, ;) I am wishing for compact things that I can still really enjoy, like these cosmetics, books and movies! I also plan to do a closet clean out soon, so stay tuned for that.


Christmas Wishlist





1. The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan. I've heard the Heroes of Olympus series is good for someone like me who loves Harry Potter and the fantasy genre in general. I also love a good series because what better way to become attached to the characters when there's a string of novels to read in a row? (Ahem, Harry Potter, Divergent, Hunger Games, etc.)
2. Blogger Lauren of sunshadesandsnowflakes.blogspot.com was wearing this awesome red lipstick in one of her insta photos so I commented on it, and she shared that it was her favorite go to red lipstick, Red Lizard by Nars. Seriously weird name, but the shade looked awesome on her. Hope it looks as good on me!
3. This Zara scarf. So perfect. 
4. My go to foundation. To read more about my beauty routine, see my post here.
5. Divergent series!!!! Obsessed. Can't wait to read the third book.
6. Again, go to lipgloss.
7. I want to read more about blogging, I'm still super new to it and could use as many tips and I can get.
8. I am obsessed with this movie. I saw it in theaters two days in a row.
9. Also loved this movie and would love to watch it again.
10. Love Alex & Ani. So far I only have the charm bracelets, none of the bigger, chunkier ones.

Thanks for reading :)

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Favorite Accents











Happy Veterans Day

The flag of the United States of America still stands strong, firm and beautiful thanks to the enormous efforts and selfless sacrifices of our veterans. Thank you today and always for your service. Happy Veterans Day.

Monday, November 10, 2014

Tips & Tricks: Vision Board

Hi everyone, happy Monday!

Today I'm sharing pictures of a vision board I created with a friend. Now, there are lots of ways to make a vision board. Maybe you want to paste pictures of things you hope to have in your future. Maybe you want to paste inspirational images and words of who you strive to be and what you hope to accomplish. For this project I really focused on just breathing, being, and allowing myself to choose images that spoke to me from a nonjudgmental standpoint. When I let go of judgment and let my eyes and heart guide my choices, I really loved what my board ended up looking like.

To create your vision board you'll need:
- A canvas or thick paper
- Scissors
- Modge Podge (or glue)
- Foam Brush
- Magazines
- Anything else creative that you want on your board: sequins, ribbon, photographs, etc.
- Perhaps you want a pen to write things

 If you use Modge Podge, you can put a light coat on the canvas where you intend to place your image, and then a light coat on top if you want to seal it or create a glossy or matte look. You also don't have to put a top coat on if you don't want to. 


 You may want to have a variety of magazines so that your images vary. I used primarily fashion magazines but also magazines that included images of nature and food. 

This was my end result! 

I love this project because it is fairly quick, easy, and fun. Here is my canvas hanging in my bedroom:


I hope you enjoyed this week's tips & tricks! Thanks, as always, for reading!

Thursday, November 6, 2014

La Favorites: Tacos

I'm starting a new series called "LA Favorites" to chronicle my favorite eateries, shops, stops, hikes, etc. around LA and the greater LA area. I'm excited to share the knowledge I've acquired over the past three (almost three and a half!) years of living here with you.

First up, my favorite taco joints in LA. Oh tacos, how I love you so. I could eat you multiple days in a row. I could probably eat you multiple times a day.

Here is a list of my top four favorite LA taco joints:

1. Diablo. This super hip spot in Silverlake attracts oodles of hipsters (and very few non-hipsters.) Their tacos are unique: maple fried chicken, ground bison chili, and braised pork belly are just a few items on their chalk board scrabbled menu. (My favorite item on the menu is the beer battered rock fish taco.) But it's probably their "micheladas" that make them famous, and if you don't know what that is, well, go see for yourself.

2. Loteria. This is almost the anti-hipster spot, as it's located inside the Farmer's Market next to The Grove, the Miracle Mile's shopping haven. Eating in the noisy, outdoor atmosphere of the Farmer's Market is not for everyone, but in my opinion it's something to experience at least once. I happen to love coming to the Farmer's Market, and go whenever I can. I often ate at Loteria when I lived in the Miracle Mile, and truth be told, I miss it!.My favorite item on their menu is the chicken mole tacos with a side of black beans and rice. The tacos are modestly sized, so you may find yourself needing 3 or more.

3. Project Taco. This quaint taco stand is packed with flavor. They are my go-to taco joint on the pier. I only wish they had more seating, but that's part of their charm. It's fast-food without the fast-food taste. These taco ingredients are top notch whether you go for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Definitely the place to go if you want to grab a quick bite and hit the beach.

4. The Fish Shop. The TKO taco is a homerun! These tacos are a good size- two are more than enough to make me feel full. I can hardly go to The Fish Shop without getting the onion rings, too. Trust me, you won't regret them. This spot is kind of tucked away up pier ave because it's in a shopping center. Don't let the grocery store parking lot setting fool you- it's got great food, great service, and hey, enjoy the ample parking that is few and far between in Hermosa!


Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Wednesday Wishlist: Accessories

Today's Wednesday Wishlist is all about accessories! Here are some of my favorite accessories ranging in price from $2.90 to $140. How fun are the phone cases and panda beanie? I really love the look of the CALYPSO St. Barth cashmere finger gloves *swoon* and the Sole Society plaid scarf. What are you favorite accessories this fall? (Also how cute would that red bow be for a holiday party?!)

Wednesday Wishlist: Accessories


 

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