JUST DO IT

I think it's safe to assume that I suck at updating and keeping this blog going.  Every few months is better than nothing right?  So, happy new year!  I know resolutions are usually broken (can't remember what last year's was... obviously failed) but this year I'm DETERMINED to keep up with two.

1. Set a weekly/monthly spending budget.
2. Take a class or teach myself how to use illustrator better

How are these resolutions doing?  Pretty well I'd have to say.  I've been using evernote on my phone, which btw is an awesome app, to keep track of my weekly spending and I'm actually doing well.  Let's see how long this last.  Resolution #2 is actually going better than I expected.  I didn't feel like paying $46 a unit plus whatever the fees are to take an illustrator class so I've been teaching myself and it's so much fun!  Besides that, I hope 2013 will be a good year with some personal changes.  Hence this post title.

Some pictures from the irvine flea market.  Windy cold day probably wasn't the best day to go.  Either people packed up early or hardly anyone set up.

 

UO Chambray Shirt | LF Store Scarf | Zara Pants | RM Purse | UO Flats |

Two things to point out.. crazy storm clouds!  Awesome Starbucks + Rodarte tumbler!

Doing it Over

During the summer in LA, there's a day time event every Sunday called Do Over.  It's like a party during the day where you can order pitchers of sangria and just enjoy the music.  It can get pretty hot in LA during the afternoon so I wore a loose top and bottom.  I love anything with an all over print so I was pretty happy to stumble upon these shorts.  Now I want more.  You can never have too many of one piece right?  Right. 

Buckets of Coronas and everyone pretty much had their own pitcher of sangria

Nordstrom top | F21 shorts | Jewelmint bracelet | DIY bracelet | Versace sunnies

New York Day 4

New York was over a month ago and looking at these pictures make me miss my girlfriends.  The Chelsea Market is a must visit.  It started off as just a market but they've now added small restaurants and stores. Next to it is the high line, which I thought was alright.  If you have time, sure why not, take a look.  But it's something you can skip.  We went back to the MET after to go into the museum and I personally like museums so I enjoyed it.  I'm glad I packed plenty of summer dresses and light weight tops because I was definitely breaking a sweat from the heat.

DC dress | F21 chambray vest | MJ purse

New York Day 3

On the third day in New York we probably did the most walking.  The weather was warmer and warm weather + a lot of walking + empty stomachs makes everyone tired and not happy.  We first walked to the MET and then walked to Central Park.  From Central Park we walked to Levain Bakery, back to the park, to the subway, and then finally arrived to the Meat Ball Shop to have our first meal of the day.  You can see why we were a bit grumpy.  After eating some really delicious meatball though, we were energized and ready to continue our day.  We were in soho and being the person who planned and mapped out our trip, one thing I did not know was that many stores in soho close at 7pm.  We didn't get to shop much but it was still nice to walk around the area.  We then had dinner at Babbo, chef Mario Batali's restaurant.  I had expected more from this place and was quite disappointed.  Just not the Italian food I was expecting.  Some dishes were quite bland.  Later that night we headed out to Hudson Terrace for some fun. 

New York Day 2

Day 2 in New York consisted of a lot of walking.  We went to lunch at Penelope's which was a cute little place.  We then walked along 5th avenue to do some shopping.  I finally got to play on the huge piano at FAO Schwarz!  After that was more walking to Rockefeller Center and Brooklyn Bridge.  We finally sat down for dinner at Ippudo, which was just as good as the first time.  New York is so full of life.  There's so much to do and see.  You definitely don't run out of things to do.  The lifestyle is so different compared to LA/OC that I wouldn't mind living there temporarily.  (I could never leave sunny california)

 F21 denim jacket | Express top | UO pants

It's So Magical!

New York with the bffs was so fun!  It's not often that the three of us girls get together so spending four days with them was nice.  It was also nice that our bfs came too.  It was a triple date trip in NYC!  I've been to New York before during Thanksgiving and being there this time when it's warm made the trip more enjoyable.  There's definitely a lot of walking and seeing in the city, which makes it hard to party at night and wake up early the next day with energy. New York is so different from LA that I wouldn't mind living in New York for a year to soak in everything the city has to offer. 

F21 kimono top | Nordstrom tank | COH denim | Sam Edelman sandals | Marc Jacobs purse and watch

More pictures to come.  Hopefully doesn't take me weeks to upload them.

Living Young, Wild, and Free

This Coachella post is obviously long over due.  This year was my first time at Coachella.  I was really iffy about going and didn't make up my mind until two weeks before.  I'm SO GLAD I decided to go!  Seeing Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg with all the surprise guests made the trip worth it!  It was amazing!  When would I ever see all those artist together?  I'm really glad I got to see Miike Snow too.  The weather wasn't as hot as the past Coachella weekends.  It was cold on Saturday and warm on Sunday.  It's so different compared to other music festivals I've been to.  There's a different vibe to it and it was a nice change from the usual edm events I've been to.  My friend who planned it rented out a huge house with a pool in Palm Springs.  It had 4 rooms with a bathroom for each room so it was definitely enough space for 25 people.  I just wish the weather wasn't so cold so that we could've taken advantage of the pool.  I'm definitely going again next year and making my girlfriends and everyone else go!

 

My friend made everyone shirts!

 THE BEST PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEKEND!

 F21 Vest | Foreign Exchange Bandeau | Old Shorts | UO Belt | Steve Madden Sandals | Versace Sunnies

Clear Skies and Vintage Finds

The Irvine flea market only comes around on the first Sunday of the month.  I've heard about it for a while and never had the chance to go until last Sunday.  They moved it right next to the Irvine farmer's market, which is even better!  It's a pretty small farmer's market compared to the one in LA but I'll take it since it's the closest one here.  I bought some gouda spread that the sellers named the George Clooney and it was delicious!  We headed over to the flea market after and there was so much vintage finds!  I saw so many things that I wanted to buy but I have no idea where I'd put it all.  I would need a place of my own before buying all this vintage home decor.  I did however, find something that I just couldn't pass up.  This coat hanger with a clock that still works!  It was priced at $60 but I bought it for $40 which made me even happier with my buy!  I love it and am really hoping I will have a place to hang it up by this fall.

Lavo Brunch

Here's another Vegas post.  What made this trip so much fun was Lavo Brunch.  Since there's no pool parties at this time of year, most people don't have much to do during the day time.  Lavo came up with a brilliant idea to do a brunch where they also have a DJ playing music and you can get a table with bottles if you'd like.  This was definitely a different experience from pool parties and quite possibly even better.  It was so much fun that some of us were too tired and didn't even make it out for the nighttime event.  I had so much trouble figuring out what to wear for this.  I knew it wasn't a club so I didn't want to be too fancy but it's Vegas so I didn't want to be too dressed down.  I finally came up with an outfit that I thought was brunch/party appropriate.  I like it so much that I can't wait to wear it again.  Maybe mix it up a bit though.

 

Foreign Exchange top | Gloss shorts | UO belt | Gloss wedges | Jewel Mint, F21 and Bauble Bar bracelets

IT'S A PARTY IT'S A PARTY IT'S A PARTY!

This past weekend I went to Vegas for a friend's birthday.  We stayed at Palazzo and got our two suites upgraded to two hospitality suites with our own patio.  I have to say, it was pretty awesome.  We opened the adjoining doors and it was like having one huge room to party in.  At this time of year, Vegas doesn't have the nicest sunny weather.  I'm always unsure of what to pack and like always, I pack more than I really need.  Let's just say, if I told you how much I packed, you'd think I was staying in Vegas for a week, not a weekend.  In my defense, it's nice to have options.

 

 Urban Outfitters cardigan | Foreign Exchange tank | Aritzia leggings | Marc Jacobs purse | Booties from a boutique | F21 necklace and cuff