Eyewears

Lately in Los Angeles, our weather has felt more like Florida with the heat, humidity and (gasp) even some rain!  These Roxy sunglasses remind me of Miami and make me wish I was relaxing under palm trees on a white sandy beach with an adult beverage in hand.  I got them via Eyewares who promote activity and adventure through their offering of quality eyeglasses, without the high price.  Check out them to join their VIP waitlist!

 Roxy Sunglasses via Eyewares.com

Thirty.

Last week I turned 30, something I had been dreading ever since I was a child. Growing up in the nineties, it was all about being young, carefree and pretty much never becoming an adult.  I'm reminded of that feeling while watching some of my favorite movies from the time, Empire Records, Reality Bites, Dazed and Confused, Can't Hardly Wait, Hook.  All movies encompass the same spirit of youth growing up and seeing those before them that didn't do it well.  To me, thirty was that scary, now you're really an adult and not-so-cool anymore age.  In all my wisdom now of being thirty for a week and three days (still a total child), I have realized not only is it not so bad, but it's actually kind of great!

I can actually cook real meals now and instead of spending my income eating out constantly, I prefer having people over for drinks and dinner.  I feel wiser, more engaged and I'm pretty sure people in my career consider me more of a peer (I'm a teacher with a nose-ring who looks not much older than those I teach).  I'm starting out this decade eating healthier, drinking less and working out more than in the previous one and as a result, hope to keep this twenty-something bod.  I don't mind "missing out" on things like I used to as there are some nights where I really would prefer to go to bed early and I'm perfectly happy doing so.  I have more confidence in myself and my abilities and if someone doesn't like me, I'm just fine with that. And I finally have a savings (it may be super small but it does exist) so I can finally take mini (and hopefully soon not-so-mini) trips!

Anyone else have a big birthday recently and surprisingly feel good about it?!

The Heavenly [Giveaway]

This is a very big week for me.  In addition to teaching over the summer, we are moving to a new home, I am hosting my very first giveaway and I'm turning 30!  As I've transitioned from a mid to a late twenty-something, I noticed my style has gotten much more minimalistic.  Instead of purchasing a lot of small trendy pieces, I now focus on getting a few classic staples that can be worn in different ways.  

I first met Maggie of The Heavenly Jewelry on Instagram and was immediately a fan of her still-life photos and her rings!  I like that her geometric pieces can be worn everyday and can be casual or elegant.  In honor of my birthday, I will be giving away a set of earrings and rings.  To enter the contest, visit my Instagram (here)  for details.  

Basic Love Set and Parallel Ring

Bonus to all readers, Maggie is offering a discount in honor of her new lookbook and my birthday, just enter the code HEAVENLY30 for 15% off any of her lovely pieces.  Click HERE to shop!

D- Ring

Basic love earrings and Lune necklace 

Minnie+George

I am so excited and honored to take part in the Minnie + George lookbook, a project in which 10 bloggers were asked to shoot one of the new bags in the collection.  Handcrafted in Portland, Oregon by Lori Caldwell, Minnie + George bags are simple in design, yet expertly crafted with leather hides sourced from a 4 generation family business in Oregon, Oregon Leather Co.   Lori named the company after her parents, Minnie and George Caldwell, who were/are her biggest supporters and have demonstrated the importance of love, hard work, dedication and commitment to personal excellence; qualities she exemplifies in her work and craft.  All of her bags are classic, minimalist and durable and there is a bag that seems to fit everyone's personal style!

I took my Standard Hand-Stitched Tote to my neighborhood park for a mini picnic with my friend Courtney who helped me snap a few shots.

 

Click HERE to check out the whole collection as it unfolds over the next week and don't forget to look for tomorrow's bag on The Mop Top.

Jamberries

Recently I've been seeing so many fun nail designs on social media with the mention of the name Jamberries.  I wasn't sure what that was and then an old friend emailed me letting me know she was selling them and asked if I wanted a starter kit.  She had me choose between two designs and two days later, they had arrived.  The kit came with the nail designs, directions, a nail file, an alcohol wipe and an orange stick-everything one needs to apply (other than a hairdryer).  I am somewhat simple and get a little overwhelmed by the thought of trying new things, but one night after Yoga, I found some free time to test them out.  It turns out it was so easy!  They honestly took less than 5 minutes to apply four different ones and there was no dry time!

Try them out! It costs nothing and you will love them! Click HERE to request samples!

Everlane Luxe

 

I have been trying to simplify my wardrobe for some time and Everlane makes it easy for me.  Their clothes are perfect for casual settings or for work so I have been able to clear out the old clothes to make room for less but more suitable pieces.

New Year Resolutions

 Welcome 2015! It's a new year and I am excited to see everything this year has in store.  It's not that 2014 was a bad year, it was actually a good year of growth in many ways.  Like most people going into the new year, I created goals and hope to stick with them past the first three weeks of January.  Some of these goals are relationship centered, some physical, some career oriented and some spiritual.  Something I would love to do more of this year is mindfulness and working on being present.  I also want to live for the moment more and not live in fear of the unknown, basically to take more risks and enjoy the adventures.

Speaking of adventures, we rang in the new year by heading up the coast a couple of hours to the small town of Los Alamos.  We stayed at the Alamo Motel (a must stay) and slowly meandered our way back to LA on New Year's Day.  We went with our friends Eric and Courtney (pretty little fawn) and had such a fun-filled time!  Here are some shots of NYE and our lodgings.

Cheers to a New Year!