You say goodbye, and I say hello...

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE!!

Just to make things clear...2011 wasn't exactly my year. In fact, I'd rather forget it even happened. Apart from 2 amazing vacations (Santa Barbara in April and San Francisco in November)-everything I wanted to happen, didn't. But instead of making this a post about regret, I wanted to focus on the fact that tomorrow is not only a new day, but a new year. I'm looking forward to taking hold of all of my goals and taking them in a direction where I know they'll be fulfilled. I hope everyone has a wonderful evening planned, and I hope 2012 will bring us all lots of joy and hope. 

I leave you with some of my favorite looks from 2011...

xoxo

Merry Christmas darling...

Merry Christmas!!

It's been two days, and still it feels like Christmas never even happened. With just a blink of an eye, it was over. Too fast, in my opinion. I wish Christmas was a week long celebration! Hell, I wish it was an entire month. But enough of my complaining, because in all honesty-my Christmas was pretty grand. I got everything I could ever ask for in life...my health, my family, my friends, and my love. I hope everyone had a beautiful weekend filled with lots of joy. 

FreePeople headpiece gifted by Pamela/Vintage top gifted by Maeghan/Assorted jewelry/Timeless lace pants/Asos ring

Because I knew you...I have been changed

Last Wednesday, I got one of my Christmas presents early...

My honey surprised me with tickets to see the return of Wicked! I saw it with my family the first time it was in LA back in 2008. But I was extremely excited to see it this time around, because A. I heard the cast is way better. And B. It was Geo's first time, and it's always exciting to share something so near and dear to your heart with someone you love. 

The night was heavenly. It was my first time wearing my new rust and magenta hat, which I got super discounted at BCBG a couple days before. It was the perfect night to wear it. We had dinner at Tender Greens, which if you haven't been, you are really missing out! It's basically gourmet food in a cafeteria like setting. No muss, no fuss. 

Then we made our way to the theeeaaaaattttrrre. To perform at the Pantages one day would be a dream come true. Our seats were as perfect as can be. Right smack in the middle, in the front row of the mezzanine. I must've cried at least 3 times throughout the entire show. Definitely one of my favorites of all time. Thanks for an amazing evening, babe. xoxo

Free People coat/Love 21 top/H&M skirt and clutch/BCBG by Max Azria hat/Asos ring

They were kids that I once knew...

Just some recent pics from my phone...

1.) My hair and makeup for the event I sang at on Saturday. I was going for a 40s vibe. My favorite decade. 

2.) My Christmas present for myself. The gorgeous Winter Kate dress arrived at my doorstep last week, and was an absolute dream to put on. I've been fantasizing over the dress since I first saw it on Nicole Richie at an event a couple months ago. I can't wait to wear it to my best friend's wedding in March. 

3.) I've been living in these red velvet pants from Timeless since I got 'em. They're so warm and so comfy. Plus it goes with practically everything in my closet.

4.) My sister and me at the event I sang at. It was so nice to have my family there to support. Plus the food was absolutely amazing. Especially the cupcakes. 

xoxo

Promise you'll remember that you're mine...

Finally have some Thanksgiving pictures to show you. 

It was spent with family (Nuguid and Ackles) as always, taking lots of pictures, and eating till sickness. Literally. 

We don't do a traditional Thanksgiving meal at my parent's house, which is great since we know we'll have that stuff later on for dinner. Instead we stuffed our faces with lamb, pasta, beef stew, and my sister's homemade cake pops. That's right, homemade! I'll never have to get 'em at Starbucks ever again. 

Dinner at my in-laws was pleasant, up until the last hour when I got so sick I couldn't breathe. So needless to say, I will definitely not be eating like that again next year. 

I can't believe there's only 17 days left til Christmas. Xoxo

Kaitlyn dress/UO necklace/Dolce Vita boots/Assorted jewelry

They had lights inside their eyes...

(Vintage sweater/Gifted scarf/Timeless bag/H&M jeans/UO boots)

The day before Thanksgiving, my sister and I went out on a date. We had been wanting to see Like Crazy since we first saw the trailer a couple months ago. So we got hot dogs at Carney's then trekked over to the Arclight to see it. It was incredibly emotional and really tugged at my heart strings, especially at certain moments that sort of paralleled my life. It leaves you pondering awhile after it's over. I highly recommend it. Plus, I now have such a girl crush on Felicity Jones-what a face! 

My sister comes back for winter break in a couple days! I cannot wait to have more sister dates with her. We have the most fun whenever we're together. 

P.S. The fringe boots I'm wearing, I found at Urban for a mere $30! It has a low heel, super comfy, and fits around my calves (which is rare). I was so ecstatic to take them home. 

They say that the world was built for two...

This was the 3rd and final day of our trip, which was like 2 weeks ago. I realize I'm way behind...but looking at these pics takes me back to the elation I felt that day. 

We went to the same place in front of the Golden Gate Bridge, where we took pictures 4 years ago. But the marine layer was so thick this year, that we didn't exactly get the same image this time around. Just to give you a sense, here is the original:

But the pictures we took this year, the bridge is nowhere to be found. So eerie. But anyway, after that-we had breakfast at La Boulange. I had been wanting to go this place for a long time after I've heard such great things from everyone I know who lived in the bay area. It certainly did not disappoint. They have the best macarons I've ever had. I got my sister and her best friend Veronica each a box, since I know they don't have a good macaron place in Santa Cruz or any for that matter. We left San Francisco early because we were meeting my sister and Veronica in Santa Cruz to have lunch and hang out for a couple hours before our long drive home. Seeing them was so exciting, especially since I hadn't seen Victoria in 2 months. Even though it was short, knowing I was seeing her in a week made it easy to part.

That was one of the best trips I've ever had. There's always something so soothing about going up north. We sometimes feel that's where we belong. Perhaps not right now, but I would love to live there when we're a little more settled. Until next time, San Francisco...


Vintage blazer/Zara star dress/H&M tights/Dolce Vita boots/Jewelmint earrings/Flea market sunnies/Timeless bag

Kissed me til the morning light...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Today I was thankful for not throwing up at my in-law's house due to overstuffing myself. But apart from that, my day has sort of been perfect! Pictures to come soon, since I've found myself way behind on blogging. Instead I give you pics from the 2nd day of our trip. 

First off we woke up to the most amazing view from our hotel. The bay looked absolutely beautiful and picturesque, we spent about an hour just standing on the bridge taking in its beauty. We stayed in Mill Valley the majority of the day, exploring what the cute town had to offer. Then we drove into the city in the evening to do a little shopping in Union Square. Finally it was dinnertime at Tyler Florence's restaurant called El Paseo, back in Mill Valley. I give the restaurant a 4 1/2 out of 5 stars due to it's rustic modern decor and very cozy atmosphere (we were sat next to an elaborate fireplace) and very attentive wait staff. Unfortunately the food was only ok...which bummed me out considering how long I waited to eat there. All in all, it was a beautiful day, and just thinking about it makes me want to go back very soon!  

But back to today, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I'm so thankful for all of the amazing people and blessings I have in my life. And I'm so happy I get to see my family again tomorrow! 

xoxo

F21 coat and pants/Zara blouse/Vintage necklace/Buy.com sunnies/Timeless bag/DolceVita boots

Heaven is a place on earth with you

The beginning of this week was something I had been looking forward to for months now. The husb and I have been working so hard lately, longer hours, etc...that we haven't been able to really relax. So we decided to get away for a couple days and drive up north to a little town just 15 minutes above San Francisco called Mill Valley. We booked a hotel right next to the bay overlooking Sausalito, and the view from our balcony was just exquisite. This post is just day one of our trip...since we drove, we didn't arrive at our destination til about 4pm. We got settled in, then we went into the city for some vintage shopping and dinner at Ragazza. I'm pretty much sure that nothing beats the food and shopping in SF. I got some really amazing vintage pieces and had some of the best food I've had in a long time that night. 

P.S. Five people stopped me at Haight Ashbury asking me where I got my red velvet leggings. Timeless, baby! Come check out our store, we've got tons of great winter stuff! 

xoxo

Free People jacket/UO button down/Timeless red velvet leggings and bag/Dolce Vita "Jamison" boots