{a few things}

Happy Friday! 

Here are five things on my mind....

1. 

Remember that earthquake last weekend in SF?

I was already awake for some reason, 

so I was really aware of what was happening. 

It definitely freaked me out {it seemed never-ending!}, 

& I was so happy my stepdad was awake on the east coast so I could talk to someone. 

If you're wondering...the gallery wall remained intact.

{but I'm pretty glad my head is no longer right under it}

2.

FYI...that gluten-free cake from my birthday? 

From Whole Foods!

Nothing makes me happier than the fact that I can now walk into a grocery

store & buy a birthday cake without special ordering something

three weeks in advance. 

It was delish too!

^^& you all know my feeling about sprinkles... :)

3.

I meant to blog more this week, except I followed through on this nagging feeling

that something was wrong with my computer– 

{it's slow, the fan's always on, the battery is terrible, etc} 

–so I backed it up & brought it to the Apple Store. 

They did a hard drive check, & as the guy said, "It'll either pass or fa–" 

a big red box came up with the word FAILURE on it. 

Not something I wanted to replace right now, but

considering I have thousands of photos on this thing, I had to do it.

ps. so glad I backed it up! always do that just in case!

4.

Team lunch with the Fab Five outside yesterday.

After today we'll be the Fab Four, & I'm not ready for it. 

ps. those shoes I'm wearing below? new faves. 

^^if that was misleading...I'm not leaving

5. 

Have a great long weekend! 

I'm going on a hike, eating at one of my favorite restaurants, 

& having a sleepover. 

#adultlife

{point reyes}

On the day of my birthday, my roommate & I got up early & drove to Point Reyes. I was feeling drawn to someplace new, & from the photos online, knew this would do the trick.

The weather was so overcast when we arrived, but within an hour blue skies & sun were peaking through. It was so gorgeous! We felt like we were in another country.

It's 45 minutes to Bear Valley Visitor Center from the city...& then another 45 minutes to get to the lighthouse. But the drive is beautiful & totally worth where you end up.

^^one of my roommates... B, thanks for joining!

^^#selfiestick

^^23!

I can't wait to go back!  There are SO many trails & other cliffs to explore. This was one of those pinch me days where I just kept thinking...is this real? do I actually live here? in California?  :)

{23}

....or 32, 

depending on who you ask.

more on what I did tomorrow!

but a note to my sf friends...

the ones who

gathered at breakfast on friday,

& dinner that night,

& hiking on saturday,

& dinner that night...

the ones who ate my gf cake with gusto,

& swapped my candles,

& made me {almost!} forget i was without my other half,

you are all the best 

& i'm so grateful to have you in my life.

{last day of 22}

on my last day of my 22nd year I'm...

Making: little illustrations for a blog post.
Cooking: next week...blue apron! i'm excited to try it.
Drinking: sparkling pink lemonade.
Reading: three things—the sept glamour mag, harry potter 6, and the matchmaker.
Wanting: to be with my sister tomorrow.
Looking: at photos from my week back east. 
Playing: air piano. i really need to get an actual keyboard out here.
Wasting: money on ubers. i need to get better.
Wishing: for more balance.
Enjoying: work.
Waiting: for warm nights.
Liking: that it's friday!
Wondering: when i'll see my younger siblings next.
Loving: masters of sex. that show is something else.
Hoping: i pick up my camera more.

Marveling: at how quickly the als ice bucket challenge spread.

Needing: to purge clothes.
Smelling: like my mom, since i brought back some of her clothes.
Wearing: my mom's shirt.
Following: what's happening in ferguson.
Noticing: my posture. celiac has ruined it. {sounds odd, but it's true.}
Knowing: good things are ahead.
Thinking: about where i want to sneak away to...napa? carmel?
Feeling: grateful.
Bookmarking: peach tart recipes.
Opening: mail from family!
Giggling: at this video. julia can literally do no wrong.
Feeling: almost 23!

^^a fave from last week

{the selfie stick}

I am now an owner of a selfie stick.

What is that, you ask?

This:

{sorry dyl}

My uncle brought one to the beach a few weeks ago & everyone got such a kick out of it, they decided to gift me one for my birthday. 

It was a weekend highlight...

Are these not the greatest? Christmas Card 2014?

This particular selfie stick -- by Looq -- is cool because it doesn't require an app. There's a cord that plugs into the earphone jack & a button on the end that makes it extra snap-happy. {See my brother modeling the button above}.

I mean, it's so easy, a dog could do it:

Here's the one I have! Get one. Let's be self-ish* together.


*self-ish, not stupid. yikes!

{lively style: a perfect LBD}

Long -- not little -- black dress.

When I was home this weekend, Dylan showed me this beautiful black dress she recently bought. The shape was so flattering & pretty; perfect for dressing up or down. I love how it flows, especially with that top ruffle, & the neckline is so chic. Even the back is gorgeous!

When she told me she got it at Nordstrom Rack, I was so stunned! That place is the best. It's always been a favorite of mine, but I only seem to get there about once a year. There's a brand new location in SF that I've been dying to go to, & after seeing this dress, I may need to stop by soon!

Buy it here.

{hello again}

I took a bit of a blogging break. I didn't plan on it; it just sort of...happened?

This work/blog balance thing has been a challenge for me lately.  I wish I was the type of person who could bang out five posts in a week after working 8/9/10 hour days, but lately that hasn't been easy. I rarely pick up my camera. I have so many fashion posts that I'd like to do, but I'd either have to hire a photographer, teach a friend, or take a bunch of self portraits. I don't mind doing the latter, but I think my neighbors would prefer their backyard not being a outdoor studio? Ya feel me?

Some days I felt guilty that I wasn't posting, since I really love writing & I know lots of people read this blog. I've also been getting a lot of you haven't been posting comments lately :) But then other days I was okay with it. Work has been really busy (in a good way!) & after staring at a computer all day, the last thing I want to do when I get home is continue to stare at a screen.

I just got back from spending six days on the east coast, & I'm feeling re-inspired & excited to begin blogging again.

Spoiler alert: I already have tomorrow's post geared up & ready to go. Get excited.