Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Easy Does It

Top: For Love & Lemons 'Nightcap' top (here)
Pants: C&C California (similar here)
Hat: Nordstrom
I kept things loose and relaxed this weekend with some languid fabrics and relaxed tailoring. This unfortunately was not by choice lol. I was in need of something with a little extra room around the waist as a result of my Christmas Eve and Christmas Day binge eating. Plus, I'm totally guilty of overindulging in pastries, chocolates, cookies, pies, and much much more. 

Luckily, I had rediscovered the beauty of drawstring pants (the ultimate quick fix for avoiding your weight gain)! They love me no matter what size I am, which is just what I need during the holiday season! Now that it's almost the new year, it's time for me to bounce back and start working out again. You know...so the rest of my clothes can love me too!!!

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Nice Knits

Sweater: Black Swan
Necklace: Jenny Bird
Tights: HUE
Booties: Jeffrey Campbell x Nasty Gal
Hat: LF Stores
 
Now that it's cooler & Winter is officially here, I can finally wear some of my new knits that I snagged up during my Cyber Monday shopping spree. It was time I updated my winter wardrobe so I stepped up my sweater game and bought some cute turtlenecks, cable knits & sweater dresses. Since I'm kind of a weenie in the cold, it's mandatory I only purchase warm, cozy knits that I can wrap myself in and stay warm all winter long.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Happily Gray

Blazer: Gestuz "Malu" Blazer (here)
Boots: Ugg "Cortona" Convertible Boot in Indigo (here)
Sunglasses: Wanderland "Lauderdale" in matte black/grey (here)
Wrap Watch: La Mer Collections (here)
Striped Tank: Zara
Tights: HUE
Anyone that knows me personally knows that one of my least favorite things has to be cold, rainy weather! When it rains, I have an extremely difficult time leaving my house if I don't have to. As weird as it may seem, I prefer to snuggle up in a big comfy blanket and eat pints and pints of ice cream to cheer me up and cancel the slight depression onset by the rain. I personally find ice cream extremely comforting so it's typically my go-to rainy day cure! 

Another thing that's made this cold, drizzly weather a little more bearable are these Ugg boots! These boots aren't just cute, but they also come with Ugg's signature sheepskin footbed AND they're convertible! These boots are actually two in one! You can wear them as I did or simply unbuckle the shaft for a short bootie. Ever since the weather has gotten cooler, I've been living in these shoes! Not only do I get the warmth and comfiness that Uggs are known for, but I actually find these boots chic and stylish unlike the old classic style that looks like loaves of bread lol. I know...I bet you never would have guessed that these equestrian inspired boots were Uggs! 

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Keep On Truckin'

 
Food coma hit hard from the two thanksgiving dinners I had the night before the trip so Eddie and I had a late start when leaving to go meet up with a huge group of our friends and their families for a Friendsgiving camping trip in Cuddeback.

Since this was the first time taking Eddie's new truck out, we weren't exactly sure what to expect after it's been sitting unused for some time. Because we didn't want to end up stranded if things were to go wrong, we decided to tow it out on a trailer. Luckily, everything went smoothly and we didn't have any issues with it...but better safe than sorry. 

While out in the middle of nowhere, Eddie and I pretty much spent the whole trip eating delicious food that our friends and their parents cooked -- omelettes, hash browns, bacon, deep fried chicken, french fries, sausages, salads, pies, and the list just goes on and on. And when we weren't eating, we were busy running around with the 10 dogs that came on the trip, playing ladder ball against an adorable little 8 year old named Max, bouncing around in the new truck, or dancing like idiots around the campfire.

All in all, it was an amazing trip with some amazing friends! And the best part of the trip was seeing how happy Eddie was with his new truck! I personally miss the "Banana Truck" a lot, but it's time to make new memories with this new truck! Can't wait for many many more trips with my man and his new truck!

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Fifty Shades of Grey

Striped Top: Bec & Bridge 'Elements' Top 
(on sale from $120 to $84 here)
Coat: Joe's Jeans
Jeans: Ditto Brand
Lucite Heels: Jeffrey Campbell "Affair" heels
Necklace: Chan Luu
 
An achromatic color scheme, which means "without color", is probably the easiest for anyone to pull off. No need to hassle about whether or not this colored top pairs well with those colored shoes because black, white, and grey always pair well together! It's a foolproof way of getting dressed. I know on days that I'm feeling lazy and uncreative, I can just simple throw together a monochromatic black outfit or an achromatic black & white outfit in little to no time and still look chic. 

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

BIG SURprises

When Eddie asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday, my first thought was obviously to go camping! Before this past trip to Big Sur, the last time we had gotten enough time to get out of the city was back at the end of March...which has just been way too long. Eddie and I planned on having this trip at the beginning of October for my actual birthday, but his work schedule kept forcing us to postpone it. We initially planned on camping somewhere a little closer like Santa Barbara but last minute, we decided to bite the bullet and go somewhere we've been dying to visit for awhile...Big Sur!!! We had only heard amazing things of this place, so we were both ecstatic when the trip was actually happening. Looking back at these pictures from Halloween weekend only makes me wish I had more time to spend there with my love.
We hit the road before the sun came up and headed straight through the storm to one of our favorite breakfast joints--Paula's Pancake House!
As we were driving, we passed by the beautiful San Miguel Mission off the side of the freeway and decided to go exploring.
After our detour, Eddie took us through an army base with crazy beautiful mountain views and tight, windy roads...where he pretended he was a race car driver. 
Before we reached the ocean, we encountered a few hiccups along the way. We almost ran out of gas with nobody around, which may have been my fault lol. After I panicked for a bit, we encountered a police officer who led us to the nearest gas station...which was on the army's private station! After backtracking for gas, we came across fallen boulders all along the sheer cliffs. 
Once we made it through those obstacles to Hwy 1, we reached this bright and sunny view.
Imagine 25 miles of this gorgeousness! 
After finally arriving at camp, we unpacked, made some soup, & then headed off for a hike.
We decided to go on a short 30 minute stroll on the Nature Trail & then head back for dinner before it got dark, but I was so eager to immediately start exploring that I didn't realize I led us to the wrong trail head. Oops! We only realized this after nearly making it to the top.
 We headed out early the next morning for the Buzzard's Roost Trail when we came across this beautiful underwater pathway across the river. Hooray for waterproof hiking boots!
A view from the top of Buzzard's Roost.
 Lunch: Hotdogs, Belching Beaver's Me So Honey Beer, and S'mores (made with square marshmallows!!!)
Hiked a mile down a steep trail from Hwy 1 and discovered the gorgeous Partington Cove!
 
 Then we hiked back up to our car & drove to McWay Falls, a gorgeous 80ft freshwater waterfall that cascades down into the ocean.
 As beautiful as McWay Falls was, it was just too crowded & noisy so we hiked back down to Partington Cove where we spent a few more hours just watching the sunset as a pod of dolphins swam by us. Everything about that day was just so perfect & so romantic!
After a long night of raccoons raiding our campsite & ground squirrels stealing my pants, we packed up and hit the road for Pfeiffer Beach.
 Sea Anemones, Mussels, & Crabs
 Pfeiffer Beach Keyhole Rock
  Late lunch with a breathtaking view at Nepenthe Restaurant before heading back home.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I just wanted to express how grateful I am for everything in my life. Especial the people that are always there for me time and time again. I owe my happiness to my family, the love of my life, and my friends! 
Now I can't wait to spend thanksgiving day with my family and boyfriend and then head out to go camping with friends early Friday morning! Wishing everyone a safe and happy thanksgiving!