June Cara Box {fair}

This month I participated in my very first Cara Box exchange!  It is hosted by Kaitlyn of Wifessionals and was created in order to connect with other bloggers and bless the other person with a fun themed box of goodies.  I really enjoyed this first one although had a bit of trouble with the theme, Summer Fair or Circus.

I was paired up with Stephanie and Ann Marie (ps-the box is on it's way and should be there within the next day! so sorry for the delay) and it was really nice going through their blogs and getting to know a bit more about them.

Stephanie was so sweet in emailing me to find out about what I prefer and learn about some of my favorite memories of the fair.  After a few weeks of emailing back and forth about life, love and LA, I was so excited to see the box inside waiting after a long day/night at work!

First off, it wouldn't be the fair without cotton candy!

Not sure if she included these because she saw on my blog I like beer or it was intuitive, but either way,  these are great!

So fun and colorful!

A reusable togo cup in order to stay hydrated in the summer heat!

She threw in some of her favorite lip balm which I was super excited about as all of my students used this and I was curious.  The flavor was perfect for summer!

I shared with here that one of my favorite fair memories was always getting BBQ corn with my mom so she got me these great corn holders!

Thanks so much Stephanie and I can't wait to read about your new adventures in Colorado soon! This was really so much fun and I can't wait to participate in July's nautical box swap!

Echo Park Lake

 

This past week, the Echo Park Lake reopened after being closed for 2 years for renovations and clean-up. I am so excited and have already been there several times!  You will see a mix of cultures from around the community riding bikes, walking dogs, playing croquet and painting.  It is my new favorite spot for a afternoon picnic, a walk or just to sit and read a book on a bench lakeside.   

Monday Motivation: Balance

Life is all about balance.  When you are young, you learn to balance by walking.  As a teen you learn to (attempt to) balance your emotions and desire to stand out yet fit in.  As an adult, it gets more complicated as you learn how to balance responsibility with enjoyment, work and fun, friends and family.  Lately I have been trying to find this balance again as I feel like over the last 8 months, my career took precedence (which is okay because it paid off).  It is difficult when you want to do everything and be the best wife, daughter, sister, friend, teacher and server all while trying to learn new things, read, run a blog, and work out daily.  I have found lately that while it is difficult, it is possible.  It just takes some sacrifice, motivation, discipline and patience.  So I start out the week getting plenty of rest knowing everyday will be filled with opportunities to fulfill my responsibilities balanced with enjoyment. Oh and to do lists daily for everything! How do you stay balanced?

Homemade Sugar Scrub

Last month, for Mother's Day, I decided to make something to go along with what I bought for my mom and mother-in-law.  I wanted to make something they would use and feel slightly pampered by (it is Mother's Day after all).  I decided to make a sugar scrub in order to remove dead skin cells and refresh their skin and senses (perfect for a summer gift).  The scrub was so easy to make and took less than 5 minutes so it's a perfect DIY if you have little time.

You need:
glass jar with a lid
sugar (I prefer sugar in the raw)
oil (olive, almond, avocado, safflower, grapeseed, coconut)
scented oils or you can actually use lemon zest for lemon, real lavender, sage, ect.
label
twine (optional)

I do not really use a measured out recipe.  You want to make sure the mixture has enough oil so it can be easily stirred and all sugar has been saturated.  Add a few drops of scented oils and feel free to mix scents (I used lemon and sage for one and lemon, sage and a little tea tree oil for the other).

(pardon, the picture quality, my camera battery was dead and I only had my iPhone)

Shadow of Leaves

My new favorite piece of clothing is this denim jumper from Anthropologie and I want to wear it as much as possible before it gets unbearably hot here in LA.  It is perfect for a picnic, going to a weekend flea market or just for watering our plants and herbs in the afternoon shadows.

Holding Horses Denim Jumper , Madewell Hepcat Shades,  Aldo Shoes (old)

Friday Letters

Dear Summer, Excited to see you again! Although this year we do not have a pool and central air so my enthusiasm may be short lived.

Dear Husband,  I feel like we have both been so busy with work lately and we NEED to take a vacation soon.  A city with good food, lots of places to walk, coffee and brews will do OR something relaxing and tropical-like for a change.  I'm game wither way.

Dear Readers,  I have truly missed blogging but have been so caught up with responsibilities and life, but I look forward to getting involved again.

Dear Sabus, You are such a goon and we are thinking of getting you a little brother soon...NO, not a baby but perhaps a dog.

Dear Siblings, I am so proud of you! Sister for graduating college, Brother 1 for going to school full-time, working and being creative while doing what you enjoy, and Brother 2 for graduating high school.  You guys are making me feel old, so stop it already. ;)

Dear Career, Alas the time has finally come.  I wasn't sure if this was ever going to work but I so look forward to this summer teaching Government and next year teaching 7th grade history!

xx

{Pin}spiration: A Frolic in the Flowers

Today is such a beautiful Spring day in LA!  All I want to do is find a field of flowers to frolic around in. Considering responsibilities prohibit this at the moment, these images will have to do...for now.

All images via

Beware of Beets

My little brother and his friend have been making movies for well over 10 years now (even though he is only 21).  A few years ago they made a video that went viral, Cool Guy, and now here is their newest (and my favorite) Pun{ny} video. Enjoy!

An Early-Summer Day's Denim

I am currently obsessing over denim.  Jeans, jackets, shirts, shorts, overalls-I love it all.   Not in a raw-selvage-menswear-denim kind of way, but in a more lightweight, comfortable yet stylish kind of way: perfect for an early summer in LA.  Here are a few of my favorite looks.

All images via Pinterest