Oroville, CA

Describing this perfect weekend in Oroville has proven to be a difficult task. I haven't been back to this little gold-mining town that my dad grew up in for nearly eight years (the summer after my grandma passed away), and I was excited and a little nervous to return. Brigi, my dad and I met up with most of my dad's family to celebrate my grandpa's induction into the Oroville Union High School District Hall of Fame!

Before the ceremony, we spent the day in Oroville. I had a huge list of places we had to stop at. Hardly anything had changed, from the antique stores downtown, to the summery smell of hot asphalt, to that homey feeling you get when you know you belong.

The intersection where my dad grew up, and my sisters and I shared many happy memories.


The Oroville Chinese Temple. Sorry dad for catching you at an awk moment!


Sank Park. My grandma and I used to walk through the gardens every night after dinner.


Grandpa! This article highlights some of the amazing things he accomplished. What a difference one teacher can make.


They wouldn't let babygirl walk through the casino where the event was held (and where we stayed!). But then the after party was in a bar where no one had a problem with her until like 12:30... go figure.


My only wish: that Grandpa could have accepted this award himself. Miss you and Grandma every day.


Day two: breakfast at the Gold City Grill. My dads meal was called the "Loaded Potato." 'Nuff said.


Legit teepee. This little city is chock full of history lessons!


What a beautiful way to welcome fall!

Right Now

I was taught never to use overwrought cliches, but this picture literally is my thousand words.



Via Ayaros.

Great Minds...

My mother is worried about the upcoming winter I'll experience up here in the bay. Considering a) I've lived in L.A. for four years and have invested in NO winter clothes since high school and b) I sleep in socks and/or flannel sheets in the summer (regardless of my location), I feel wholly unprepared for the cold. On the plus side, this means lots of sweater shopping! I bought this sweater at J. Crew about three weeks ago, and my mom just let me know she bought the same exact one for me (as well as three others, lol). I love that me and my mama have the same taste in J. Crew clothes... or really any clothes for that matter.



Stock up folks it's really on sale now!

Black and Orange

More pics from our fantastic day at AT&T Park last weekend. I cannot wait to make another visit with the fam!





PS: Our sign said: We'll Huff and we'll Ross and we'll Beltran the D-Backs down.

Labor Day Love

This was a my first Labor Day as a full-time working woman, so I fully appreciated and celebrated the holiday. I met my family in Sonoma for the weekend, and we had a fabulous time eating, shopping and catching up. Besides all our favorite shops on the Plaza, babygirl and I always make time for the Pets Lifeline in Sonoma to play with some kitties and doggies. It soooo made me wish I had a forever home for a homeless pet! We also caught a Giants game on Sunday. Ever since I moved to the Bay, I couldn't wait to go to a game with the fam bam. The best part of the game isn't hearing the roar of the crowd or smelling the grease paint – its watching my dad soak it all in. He is the biggest Giants fan I have ever met, but such an unassuming fan. Whenever we go to games together, he'll sit there with his program making notes and keeping score. It's just so neat to watch! Mags and her bf met us there. This Labor Day weekend couldn't have been any better.


Sparkly kitty!


Mr. Tubbs needs a home.


Cody Ross hit a homer five rows in front of us. It was such a perfect day at AT&T Park!

Cube Life

This week was our team's cube decorating contest. Each square of cubemates was instructed to choose a country to inspire the decorations... Viva Italia! Our cube chose Italy (in case that hint wasn't enough!), and I am loving the wine bottles, grape vines and pasta that now decorate our cube. However, my ultimate favorite part of the cube are our faces transplanted onto famous works of art. Aren't we angelic? More pics to come!



Special thanks to Face In Hole and The Rasterbator for making this all possible.