Almost June!

Can you believe tomorrow is June? May has absolutely flown by! There is so much for look forward to this summer, so I'm excited for June to get started.  Linking up with Amber and Neely to share a few things that are ok as we wrap up this lovely month.

It's ok... to tell people it's been forever since I've been home to Fresno.  A month and a half is a long time for me ha!

It's ok... to get equally as excited to see my sister every time I saw her over the last 10 days.  Three times in just over a week is a treat.

It's ok... to ask for directions.  Even though I consider myself a pro at public transit, I wanted to make 100% sure I was headed the right way.

It's ok... to wish all my friends would move to San Francisco.  Seriously, I just miss having all of us in the same place! On the bright side, the more we spread out, the more places I have to visit.

It's ok... to listen to the same songs over and over again.  I can't imagine getting tired of a favorite playlist I created on Spotify, and listen to it throughout the day.  Especially when I need a pick me up!

It's ok... that I haven't read a new book in over a month.  Funny how priorities can shift, and let's just say that hanging out with a certain someone is so much better than getting lost in a book.

It's ok... to realize I have a lot to figure out in my life, but not freak out over all the planning and possibilities.  Things have worked out pretty swimmingly so far. 

So pumped for summer!  Via.

Go link up!

Beach Time!

Shouldn't a little bit of ocean be included in every holiday weekend? Luckily, I got a lot of sunshine and ocean, and got to share it with someone special.  Sometimes change happens over months or years, but I've recently learned that change – and good change at that – can happen really quickly.  Life, you are full of surprises, and I'm working to let go of my Type A tendencies and wholeheartedly embrace this opportunity.

Greg hadn't been to Monterey and Carmel before, and I hadn't been since high school, so a quick beach trip made for a perfect end to Memorial Day weekend. It was an absolute blast!  Yummy food, adorable sea creatures, a touch tank at the aquarium (what up sea cucumbers!), fantastic company, wine, sitting on a sandy beach, gorgeous scenery and lots of laughter were some of the highlights of the trip.  If you ever visit a northern California beach, I highly recommend a trip to Monterey and Carmel.

Start of a great trip.

Seahorses at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Loved this guy.

Greg.

The smell of the ocean makes me so happy.

Cutie otter.  I melted!

Cannot wait to share many more miles with this guy.  The beauty of the 17-mile drive in the Carmel area is totally worth the toll fee.

This recent turn of events has added an extra dose of excitement to life! How was everyone else's weekend?

15 Minutes

Even though this long weekend was jam-packed with amazingness, this girl was a 15 minute highlight of my Saturday.  Friends come in a variety of forms, and Kimi is a special one. We've know each other since we were babies and went to daycare together!  As our lives have gotten busier and grown-up responsibilities have taken us to separate corners of California, there are periods of time where we'll go months without seeing each other; funny thing is, it always feels like no time at all has passed when we do reunite.  Some things aren't meant to be understood, but appreciated and loved for what they are.

I was lucky enough that Kimi ended up in Norcal this holiday weekend, but a crazy Saturday meant we only got to spend 15 minutes together.  Pure pandemonium with a grin on it.  Can you say speedy catch-up sesh?  I was so grateful for all 900 seconds. 

Then.

Now.

Love you lady!

Thoughts

A few letters are a perfect way to wrap up the week.  Thanks Ashley for such a fun link-up!

Dear Sissy, I am so excited to see you tomorrow.  Even though I saw you last weekend.  I just cannot get enough of you, what can I say! Dear Tough Love, I had no idea how much I missed you. Steve's insights are invaluable and the girls are just way too entertaining.  Thanks VH1 for giving me this guilty pleasure.  Dear J. Crew, I cannot wait to be reunited with you this weekend.  I need more stripes in my life! It's also a little embarrassing that my mother frequents J. Crew more than I do (at least since I moved to SF).  Dear recent life developments, you make me want to skip everywhere.  And smile at everyone.  And be cheesier than I thought possible.  I feel like I am part of something magical, and I am so grateful.  This weekend will be fantastic!  Dear Fun, please stop doing awesome covers.  Kidding.  But really, you make my heart want to pop in happiness.  I wish I could listen to you guys all day long.

Happy 75th bithday Golden Gate Bridge! Cute storefront celebrating your milestone.

Go link up!

So This Happened

Lets try something a little less introspective today, shall we? Avocados are one of my favorite foods, and I'd gladly choose avocado over dessert every day of the week.  And I do, ha!  No wonder this made me giggle. 

From EPICPONYZ.  Via.

Life Force

I wake up every day determined to believe in the power of good in this world and am driven to find joy and happiness in the smallest of moments, so it surprises me when even I can't push all of the less happy thoughts away.  It's natural though, right? Perfection and life can't always compliment each other, and let's face it - perfection doesn't exist.  Everything has a purpose and a plan, and if I don't believe it the first 30 times I remind myself of this, well I'll be darned if I'm not going to remind myself again.  I think it's ok to acknowledge the hurt and anger and sadness that can can envelope a moment or a day or a period of time, but I want to be the person that pushes for moments of triumph and beauty.  Because there is so much good in this world. Here are a few happy things keeping me grounded this week:

- Kind words from my sissy assuring me that it's ok to wonder and have a little doubt in regards to why, but encouraging me to choose love.  Love wins.

- Watching The Bachelorette with my roommate.  Seriously, she is the best.  How did I luck out this much?

- Chilly San Francisco nights.  Sometimes it feels like a refreshing drink of perspective and happiness when I walk through the Marina air.

- Calling my mama right when she's cooking dinner, and listening to her describe exactly what she is making.  Even though it makes me hungry, it makes me feel like I'm home and chatting with her at the dinner table.

- A solid run at the gym, trying to appreciate every pounding step. 

- Holding hands and quiet moments.

- A friend texting me a sweet quote for my quote book.  Because I am a cheesy English major like that.

Via.

Sissy Time

My sister came down to San Fran this weekend for the big car hand off.  While the day might have ended with me feeling a little nostalgic about my baby sister driving away in my car through the hilly streets of SF, we had an absolute blast catching up over lunch.  Maggie is truly one of my best friends, and as we have gotten more and more invested in our own lives, I've come to especially cherish our time together.  And to top it all off, her hilarious friend Jack joined us.  Such a beautiful day in the city!

Sidenote: Even if you are not into vegetarian fare, The Plant in the Marina is amazing.  One of the best veggie sandwiches I have ever had, and sissy's plant burger was delicious.  Highly recommended!

Standard.

 

Myspace style.

So yummy.

All the kids have bloomed from babies.

Cuties.

Not that I was discussing my desire for a Bloody Mary and Jack happened to be wearing Bloody Mary socks.

Come back soon guys!

Bay to Breakers 2012

This weekend was amazing for a number of reasons, and to kick the weekend recap off with a bang, let's discuss Bay to Breakers!  This is the kind of race that is perfect for the non-athletic type.  Here's how it works:

1) Dress up in silly costumes with your friends.  My roomie's friends had the idea of dressing up as ducks, and we may have played multiple rounds of Duck Duck Goose amidst all the madness.

2) Start drinking at 7 am.  Feel free to ease into it with mimosas, but shots will be consumed before 8.

3) Make friends with everyone you meet.  Everyone is so friendly, and it's amazing to have magical moments with strangers over their costumes.  Seriously, made a new best friend today just because we were both wearing fanny packs.

4) Take a drink with you for the race.  Preferably in a shatterproof water bottle.  These things are freaking genius!

5) Stop for snacks even if you have to wait in line at the mini mart for 15 minutes.

6) Don't feel pressure to make it more than a mile into the race before you lay in a park... and then decide to call it a day.

7) SKIP EVERYWHERE.

This was one of my favorite San Francisco memories by far.  And the recovery nap felt so good.

Ducks in a row. (Pic stolen from roomie's facebook).

Sunshine-y B2B fun.

Love my roomie.

Quack.

So. much. fun.

Pure madness.

Cute pup! So obsessed.

Bay to Breakers 2012. 

Oh Friday

Dear TV shows, I am excited you are wrapping up for the season.  Even though I will miss Grey's and Happy Days and every other ridiculous show I watch, it will be nice to take a break and explore new shows (or new fun SF things!).  Dear Gchat, thank you for making sure I can keep up with the loves of my life.  There is nothing like pinging with my sweet friend Brittany as we discuss our YOLO-ing.  That girl, and Gchat, are going to keep me young.  Dear Sissy, I cannot wait to see you!!! Prepare for waterworks and a fantastic night.  Dear Bay to Breakers,  this will be my first year participating.  Please throw a lot of ridiculousness my way, but make sure I get home in one piece. Dear Bethany, your endless days are numbered.  Stop being hung up on the past, and love your life as you are living it.  Don't let previous hurts keep you from opening yourself up to an amazing opportunity.

All I want is this. And maybe a few other things ;)

Go link up!

 

On Letting Go

I've never been one of those people that was obsessed with my car, or at least obsessed enough to name it or deck it out in Hello Kitty seat covers.  Living in a city where I walk/ride a bus/take a taxi everywhere is a gift, and I feel incredibly lucky that my car usage has significantly decreased since moving to the San Francisco.  The thing is, the car has been in a spot the last two months where I could grab it if necessary.  Spontaneous trips, errands to Target or giving a friend a ride to the airport was still an option.  Like a distant security blanket, I liked knowing it was there just in case.

This weekend, my sister will be taking my car to borrow it for the summer.  She lives and works in a city where having a car makes a lot more sense, and I feel lucky enough that I can offer her the same sense of independence that my parents gave me when they gifted me with the car 3 and a half years ago.  I think I'll miss the car a little bit knowing those what if scenarios are going to have to proceed sans car, but am grateful that really not having a car will make me feel even more at home in SF.

If anything, I might tear up a little bit thinking about all the memories my little car holds.  I don't want the magic of these memories to disappear as Maggie fills it with her own memories.  I remember the first time I drove it to LA, praying all the way over the Grapevine that I'd be able to make it all the way to school without incident.  I loved driving throughout Southern California to attend babygirl's softball tournaments.  I was excited to finally have the opportunity to drive my friends around, and give rides to younger sorority sisters.  I loved how it felt to drive through the craziness of Hollywood, navigating to my latest (often hilarious) assignment from a celebrity magazine internship.  Los Angeles parking garages were the perfect place to roll down my windows and blast country music.  This was the car that dropped off a friend of mine at the airport, knowing I'd probably never see him again; and then it safely got me all the way to my aunt's house as I navigated some strange and bittersweet feelings.  When I lived with my bestie Nicoley in a fraternity house, we managed to shove mattresses in my car, and that still makes me laugh.  This car has seen a lot in such a short amount of time.

Funny how a hunk of metal that I thought I wasn't too attached to can hold so much value.  Here's to more adventures in public transit, stories from my sister about the car, and letting go of that sense of security I've been clinging to a little too tightly.

Summer 2010.  Bet you didn't know a Corolla could fit a mattress!

Do you love your car? Have any funny names for it? Do share!

Looking Forward, Looking Back

I have always been a huge fan of decorating a room with loads and loads of pictures.  My freshman year of college, I literally covered my armoire (aka my janky standalone closet) doors with photos.  As much as I love to live in the moment and get excited about present activities, I love having all of my memories around me.  No shame, I still get homesick, and having pictures around me makes me feel safe and loved.  There is no telling what I would do if I could cover my walls in pictures and mementos!

No wonder I was so excited when I read this article  from Stylist Home.  Apparently, nostalgia is good for both you and your home.  Pictures and mementos remind us of who we are and who we want to be, despite the everyday pressures of jobs, families and more.  That brief moment where you lose yourself in a picture from Thanksgiving 1999 is one of the best feelings in the whole wide world, honestly.

Instead of cleaning my room, I often find myself adjusting photos and cards and deciding what gets the spotlight during a particular moment in my life.  Here are a few examples:

Puppies.  My grandma.  And a vase full of wine and champagne corks from fun nights. 

Collage on my wall by my bed.  Sweet notes and sweeter faces.

A repurposed china cabinet topped with an Eiffel Tower 'borrowed' from a fraternity, as well as a UCLA globe and a sorority wreath.   Precious (and ridiculous) memories.

Close up.  Boy I love how good it feels to look around my room.

How do your incorporate nostalgia into you living spaces?

Slow-noma

This weekend, I spent two lovely days with my Nan and my extended family in Sonoma celebrating Mother's Day.  My mama had to stay in Fresno with my baby sister, and even though I missed her tons, I wanted to make sure my Nan had someone to make her feel super special.  This lady raised six kids, took care of the house, loved her hubby, and had a full time job.  Simply put, she is a huge inspiration to me, and I don't think I'd be nearly as successful without her support.  And my mama's too of course!  I really appreciate how my relationship with my Nan has strengthened and deepened as I've grown up.  Here's a little peek into our weekend.

Awk picture of a picture.  But isn't my Nan so pretty? This is her high school graduation portrait.

My uncle's dog is such a dork (in the best possible way!).  Look at her sitting all properly.

I feel so at home in Sonoma.  Obligatory mirror pic in my fave sweater.

Duhhhhh.

My Nan's backyard is gorgeous.  I sat in the sun with her all day Saturday.

We even had a chance to say hi to my grandpa this weekend.  I wholeheartedly believe there are holes in the floor of heaven.

Flowers are mandatory for Mother's Day.  Even on jackets.

I hope everyone had an amazing weekend!

Have a Rockin' Weekend

Watching this little girl jam to Gotye's Somebody That I Used to Know made my day.  She was feeling it! I hope you all enjoy this as much as I did, and make sure to do something equally as silly this weekend.

 

Via.

TGIT

I have a tendency to declare a day or a week or even a moment the "best [blank] ever."  I just get so excited and caught up in the feeling and want to share it with the world. Or at least my followers on Twitter!  This week, though, has really had an extra dose of magic.  Work, family, friends... everything seemed to be complimenting each other.  There was a lot that was "ok" this week.


It's ok... to dive into something headfirst with little thought of potential consequences.  Sometimes it is great to take (semi-cautious) risks.


It's ok... to do your laundry and then leave all your clean clothes in your laundry bag.  Priorities people!


It's ok... to spend 40 minutes on Spotify creating a playlist of favorite songs.  Some songs just make me so happy.


On that note, it's ok... to have listened to the new Katy Perry song Wide Awake at least 40 times.  That girl is catchy.


It's ok... that I am so excited to spend the entire weekend with my grandma in Sonoma.  It is going to be a perfect Mothers Day weekend, I can already tell. 


It's ok... that I tried to defend myself with a bottle of sparkling water when I thought there was an intruder in my roomate's room.  Turns out she just left her window open and a breeze just knocked some ish over.


It's ok... to celebrate little victories, like exercising four days in a row.  My roomie is so good at motivating me.


It's ok...to fall in love with quotes.  Like these below.

Via.

Via.

Go link up with Amber and Neely!

Maurice Sendak

Something about the passing of the author of a beloved book of mine from childhood made me feel all nostalgic.  Definitely texted sissy the second I found out.  Thank you Maurice Sendak for sharing your talents so beautifully with the world.  And for being such an awesome, honest man.  You on The Colbert Report kills me every time.  The world lost an amazing soul today.

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Grim Colberty Tales with Maurice Sendak Pt. 2
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog Video Archive

Baby Blues

My roommate is too cute for words! As I was dashing out the door for a date (and so nervous!), she made me pose for pics.  Instant pick-me-up as I headed out for the night.  I am so lucky to have had some amazing roommates in college, but my current roomie makes SF even better than I thought it could be.

I am obsessed with this dress from J. Crew.  So comfy and a perf spring color!  The boots are kind of a sad joke, but I don't think I will be able to fully give them up until I get a pair I love just as much.