Bits + Chains: Cyber Monday

Happy Cyber Monday!!! Today is the day you can avoid the craziness of Black Friday and sit at home and get great deals online.  I have featured Bits + Chains in a post before seen here, but today I am sharing that you get 30% off all orders...oh yea, and I helped out my friend and modeled some of her goodies, these are handmade and good quality!! Click here to shop Bit + Chains online.

Winter Displays: J.Crew

I love J.Crew, but I especially love them around the holidays when I can drive down Colorado Blvd. or walk around South Coast Plaza and see their winter displays.  Their clothes always get me to at least take a second (or third) look, but during the holidays, I cannot pass by.
What are some of your favorite winter displays?

photo c/o J.Crew tumblr

Celebrations and Thanksgivings

Tonight my husband and I are celebrating his new job.  It was an answer to many long prayers and we are both so thankful (just in the nick of time).  So cheers to him and our future together!!!

Here are a few other things I am thankful for this year...

My marriage to my best friend

Sebastian, "our son"

A new city I call home

And every year and most importantly, for my friends and my family (including my new family this year). Happy Thanksgiving!

Winter Nail Polish Must-Haves

I love nail polish, a lot.  Ask anyone who knows me and they will say it may even be a slightly unhealthy obsession.  I am a server and I can often tell what brand and the name of the color some of the guests have on.  Here are a couple of my favorites for the holiday season. What are some of yours?

                                                  Clockwise top left: 

                    Deborah Lippmann "Single Ladies", Essie "Cocktail Bling",

                           Zoya "Carey", OPI "Rainbow Connection"

Girl Crush: Arizona Muse

Arizona Muse is an American fashion model who is everywhere right now.  She started modeling back in 2008 at 20 years old as a long-haired blonde.  She then had to take a break from modeling to give birth to her son, Niko.  When she returned to modeling, she did so with a bang.  She had chopped her long blonde locks and now has jaw-length dark brown hair.  In 2011 alone, she modeled in editorials for various Vogues and walked in Fashion Weeks biggest designer collections.

long and blonde

with her son for J.Crew 

She is stunning and is my favorite model right now.

Anthropologie Wishlist

When shopping at my favorite stores is not financially possible, I do the next best thing and create wishlists.  This is great because: A. I get inspired  B. when the funds reappear, I remember what I've been wanting  C. when friends/family ask me what I want for Christmas, I actually know.  Here are a few items currently on my Anthropologie wishlist.

1. Blurred Calendula Dress
2. Wildfield Quilt
3. Mason Jar Snow Globes
4. Ever-Present Satchel
5.  Loomed Silver Bracelet
6. J Brand Skinny Jeans
7. Encircled Effulgence Posts
8.  Abstract Landscape Pullover

What stores do you love to create wishlists for?

The Art of the French Press

I used to consider the French Press a thing of the past.  With the third wave coffee shops in LA and other cities brewing using the pourover, Chemex and the Siphon, I thought these were the ultimate methods. While the husband and I were in Portland, OR for our honeymoon, we discovered that the French Press had made a big comeback there (afterall, the dream of the 90s is alive in Portland). =)  What is nice about it is when done well, it gives a less bitter (almost sweet) and lush brew.

You will need:

• good beans (whole)
• burr grinder set to coarse
• kettle
• french press
• large spoon
• timer
• coffee mug(s)

(I like to use the free Intelligentsia iPhone app for timing of brews and ratio of beans to water).  CHEERS

{DIY} Autumn Tree

So I very recently started crafting, like this year during wedding planning recent.  And now that I've had a taste, I need to do more.  I made a fall leaves garland a couple weeks ago which I had seen on Pinterest and decided to make use of the extra felt I had and made a cute Autumn tree scene. It was super easy and fun!
(P.S. Sorry about the lighting, I only have an iPhone for my camera)

Materials: Scissors, felt, thread, needle, tacky glue

Just cut out your shapes and sew pattern on "leaves" part,
then glue on backdrop and let dry. 

Then sew on the tree "stump". Up close view. 

Now part of my little fall display with the
Fall leaves garland draping over .

6 months and counting...

Yesterday was the 6 month anniversary of being married to my best friend. I know 6 months is no milestone and in the scheme of things is like a blink of an eye, but it was reason enough for us to celebrate with a day-trip to Wurstkuche and walk around Little Tokyo and a night trip to The York where a little jazz band was playing. Such a fancy and fun-filled day of eating, walking around and having craft beers...quite reminiscent of our honeymoon in Portland! <3

First dance to M. Ward "Let's Dance"

Pre-ceremony instagram

The Exit =)

M83

On Wednesday night, we went with some friends to see M83 at the Music Box in Hollywood.  They of course were fantastic! We saw them on their Saturdays=Youth tour (also at the Music Box) and this show I thought was better.  I loved their light setup, it was space-like from the late 70s or early 80s. with the stars backdrop, pinks, greens, purples and blues.  Enticed by the lights and music, I had a few too many drinks and danced the night away. Here is the music video for their new single, Midnight City. If you are able to see them live, I highly recommend it!

Meet Sebastian

Meet Sebastian, our green-cheeked Conure or "our son".  He was my first birthday gift from my now husband over 3 years ago.  We got him when he was only a few months old and now, he is potty trained (yes, he poops on command) so loving (gives kisses, cuddles and says "I love you") and is one of the many joys I am blessed with. As loving as a dog, but much more independent and with plenty of personality, I absolutely love him!

Cold Front

FINALLY!!! We have actual fall weather here in Southern California.  After back to back storms that brought rain and freezing temperatures here, we decided to go down to Orange County to pick up a space heater we needed (thanks Mom) in order that we may not freeze (our house has no insulation and sits above a car port). We got holiday drinks at Starbucks and went for a chilly walk around Balboa Island. It couldn't have been prettier!

MNG leather jacket, Nudie jeans, Madewell sweater,
Clarks Desert Boots, U/O Renewal Bag, Ray Bans

Look how gorgeous! <3

Bang{in} Hair

I have super thick and long hair.  I have had more than enough bad haircuts--either people make it really choppy, give me the razor/mullet cut it or they bust out the thinning shears and go to town leaving me looking like Princess Toadstool.  I found a stylist I love, but budget issues have prevented me from seeing her post-wedding.  Today after over 6 months of no cut or color, my lovely mother gave me her Groupon for Madison Salon in Newport Beach.  I drove down and decided to be extra brave by letting someone new touch my hair (only cut) and I finally got bangs after 6 years of growing them out and playing it safe by having the same hairstyle! I'm SO happy I did.

Minus 4 inches, layered and bangs.

Thanks Veronica

(Better pics to come next week)

Homemade Tortilla Chips and Vegan Posole

I love chips! They are probably hands down my favorite thing to eat. The crunch, mixed with the salt and the fact you can eat them with anything makes them the ultimate food item.  I decided to make my favorite food at home with the whole wheat/corn tortillas from Trader Joes.  I made some crunchy and some chewy (if you have ever eaten at Malo/Mas Malo you will know the amazingness of chewy chips)!

Heat some Canola Oil in a saucepan on med-low while
you cut tortillas in eighths.

Place them in the oil and let cook for 2-3 min each
side (only 1-2 min for chewy). Then set on paper towels
to absorb extra oil and sprinkle them with sea salt.

Eat plain, with salsa or a dish you like.

I ate mine with Vegan Posole (my favorite soup)! I used this recipe as a base and altered mine with what I had/liked. I garnished it with onions, cilantro, shredded kale and lime!  Muy Delicioso!

A November Welcome

You know how they say "I'm just having one of those days", well I've kind of been having "just one of those weeks."  Nothing incredibly terrible has happened, I've just been waking up at least 2 hours before the sun for the new job that I'm a little bummed on and just have been feeling a little isolated lately. That can kind of throw off your groove.



BUT...

...today starts a new month and I will give it a fresh perspective, press on and be thankful for the blessings I do have (after all, Thanksgiving is right around the corner).  This is a fall basket that my mother-in-law made us with fall fruits, spices, pumpkin beer, bottled root beer and other goodies!  I share it with you as a November welcome! =)