Oh Hi Friday

Dear "beach" volleyball, thank you for filling me with nostalgia.  I have so many silly, magical and intense memories of my time playing volleyball in junior high and high school.  Picking up a volleyball this week was like revisiting a slice of my past.  Dear dad, your texts make my week.  I love that we can have a conversation about a pet frog living in our (Fresno) backyard, the Giants and real life stuff so fluidly and easily.  Dear little baby wall heater in my room, thank you for keeping me cozy.  Running home from the bus in shorts a few nights ago and a dress last night makes me really grateful for your warmth.  Dear Tough Love, so glad you are back.  You make me laugh, you make me cry, and I definitely learn something every episode.  You also make me love being single and enjoy meeting new boys just for fun.  You are the best, duh. Dear life, I keep thinking that you cannot get more surprising and wonderful than you have been of late.  And then you do get more surprising and wonderful.  I recently bought a black and neon dress that actually worked, I fell even more in love with my friends, and I have had some interesting moments with figures of the past this week.  I truly believe part of the magic of life is the uncertainty of each day.

Via.

Via.

Linking up with Ashley!

A Little Pinterest Fun

Hi lovelies! What is getting you through the week? I am loving fun colors, squishy kitties, country music and more. Thank you Pinterest for keeping me motivated!

Polka dots.

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I would love to do this to a lamp shade.

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B is for Bethany.

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Motto for life.

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Cute babies make me happy.

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Love this.  How about a little Luke Bryan to make this day a little hotter?

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Link up here!

 

Little Bits of Happiness

What a crazy week this has been! Between the last week of the quarter at work, helping babygirl ace her English class, and loving SF life, it has been non-stop of (amazing!) busy-ness.  One of my very closest girlfriends from UCLA, miss Jo, had a chance to visit while on her spring break and it was so great to catch up.  I'm jumping in on a new link-up this weekend, courtesy of the fabulous Mrs. Stephanie T, to share even more of what made me happy this week.

Passing by St. Brigid church every day always reminds me of my sweet Brigid.  Cannot wait to see baby sis in 10 days!

Mimosas. Need I say more?

I tried a strawberry tamale this week, and it is safe to say it blew my mind.  So delicious!

AND... I received confirmation that the lovely Britt is coming to visit in April.  Don't know what I would have done without this chicky in college, and I miss her every day!

What has made you happy this week?

Good, Good Life

Rounding out the week with one of my favorite link-ups! Head over to Amber and Neely's blog for more fun posts.

It's ok... to get sucked into episodes of Law and Order: SVU.  Once you start watching an episode, it is impossible to turn them off!

It's ok... to wish Go Fug Yourself would post more.  Obsessed!

It's ok... to be jumping for joy that spring is here!

It's ok... to wait until the last possible second to do laundry.

It's ok... to be excited beyond belief for Titanic 3D.  I'm already tearing up watching the commercials.

It's ok... to miss your friends hardcore on their birthday.  One of my besties had her birthday this week, and I am a little bummed we can't be together.  Couldn't college last forever?

It's ok... to want to go to the Jelly Belly factory after nomming on my treats from the Sweet Swap.

It's ok... that my workout playlist is filled with music I loved in high school.  Anything to keep me jammin!

It's ok... to get excited when a random dude calls me 'Red.' My hair is hardly red anymore (maybe in the sunlight?), but considering I dream of being a redhead, it made my day.

It's ok... to feel proud of myself when I only snooze my alarm once.

It's ok... to dress in ridiculous layers when I leave for the morning.  Folks that actually live in cold place, no judgement please :)

GPOY: Gloves, sweatshirt, jacket and scarf.

Spring Sweets Swap

I joined my first ever blog swap, hosted by the lovely bloggers behind Stress Casey and Heartfelt Happenings.  Casey and Shellsea, thank you so much for organizing! I had an absolute blast, and am excited to keep meeting fun, lovely ladies in the blog world.  In absolutely no particular order, here's a list of reasons this swap was so awesome:

1) Jen, the adorable blogger I was paired.  Go check out her blog HERE.  I loved getting to learn a little bit more about her Texas life, her passion for !!!'s, and just how sweet she is (pun intended).

2) Shopping for the swap! I had no idea that shopping for someone I had never met would be just as fun as shopping for my bff's.  Also, $10 budget, I challenged and owned you.

3) Getting a package at my new apartment.  Is getting a package in the mail one of the most exciting things ever, or what? Jen, this is the first mail Ive actually gotten here, and I was so stoked to see a package when I came home from work one night last week.

Not embarrassed that I didn't stop to look for scissors to properly open this.

The color is like a burst of springtime!

4) The packaging was pure crafty goodness.  I love how cute and colorful the basket looks in my room.

Yum!

Love the note.

5) Jelly Belly jelly beans.  Need I say more?  Actually, I will because they are my favorite! I grew up visiting the Jelly Belly factory (it's near my grandparents house), and this girl sent me a huge jar of them.  I wish I could say that they'll last, but once I eat a few, I just. cannot. stop.

Thanks so much Jen! It was great to "meet" you!

It's OK Thursday

Isn't it great to remind yourself that everything is a-ok?  Sometimes the stress of work and life can get in the way, so I love taking a step back and looking at things from a different angle.

It's ok... to get a little nostalgic over March Madness.  My freshman year of college, UCLA went to the Final Four so this time of year reminds me of lazy nights watching the games, amazing friends and extreme excitement all over campus.

It's ok... to introduce myself to the sweet couple that own a market across the street from my apartment.  We are going to become good friends over the next year!

It's ok... to address any packages I send to my family with 'Family' and nothing else. Easy peasy.

It's ok... to put up pictures and fun nesting touches instead of actually unpacking.

It's ok... to be positive and excited for life in spite of any negativity around me.  I like to smile, what can I say :)

It's ok... to enjoy wearing rain boots, but crave sunshine and summertime.

It's ok... to check Cute Overload way too often.  No shame.

It's ok...  to add a trip to J. Crew to my to-do list.

It's ok... to be a little smart phone illiterate.  I have two apps on my Droid, but hardly touch it since I am on the computer all day anyways.  Are there any Droid apps out that I should try?

It's ok... to get excited over a Hamlet reference at work.  They don't come up too often.

It's ok... to be stoked for St. Patrick's Day.  It's my people's holiday after all.

I have faith that our Bruins will have an epic comeback! Circa 2008.

Love ya Joe Bruin. Also from 2008.

Since my Bruins aren't doing so hot this year, I've been rooting for my sissy's team, the St. Mary's Gaels.  Hoping for some Cinderella moments!  Pic from summer 2009.

Linking up with Amber and Neely! 

Apartment Wishes

I didn't do much in terms of decorating in my apartment this past year, but this move is leaving me itching for an extreme makeover of my bedroom.  In a moment of excitement this weekend, I almost spontaneously bought a new mattress, but decided I want to settle into my new apartment, dream up a fabulous bedroom, and find the pieces in the nooks and crannies of San Francisco.  Here are a few things I am wishing for in my new apartment!

1. A Vintage Bar Cart

They look so classy, and would ensure I am prepared for any kind of get together.

Via.

2. A New Bed

I have been loving the idea of simply creating a headboard (rather than buy a new bed set). And considering my affinity for inspiring quotes, integrating a chalkboard would be awesome.

Via.

3.  Old School Decorations

I would totally pretend I was a writer in the 1930's if I had this. 

4. Mason Jars

I think these babies are such a sweet, easy way to decorate.  And perfect for pouring drinks into ;)  Such versatile objects.

Via.

5. A Guest Book

Wouldn't it be fun to have something like this for an apartment to record hilarious moments, memorable evenings and spontaneous guests?

Via.

Head over to Brooke's blog for more fun wishes! 

Wishful Thinking

After getting out of Cali this weekend, I literally have felt high on life.  It is amazing what a little perspective, new experiences and a little anonymity can do for a gal.  Here are a few other things on my mind this week.  Linking up with Brooke at Bright Wishes.

1. A Caffeine Contraption Like This

Oh goodness, wouldn't this (or maybe an IV) make consuming caffeine so much easier?

Via.

2. A Library

I will know I have made it when I have enough space for this many books.

Via.

3. Milk Glass

I have a teeny collection from mama and grandmas, but I would love to adorn my room in these pieces.

Via.

4. A Trip to Brandy Melville

I am craving a trip to my favorite L.A. store for some cozy knits.

Via.

5. Song Lyrics As Wall Art

Wouldn't it be lovely to wake up to something like this every day?

Via.

PS: Big sidenote, but Google Friend Connect is changing a on March 1st.  If you are a non-Blogger site and want to keep following/keeping up with my bloggy after that date, feel free to utilize BlogLovin'.  And if this will affect how I follow you, please let me know on your blog!  Learn more.

A Bright Spot In My Week

I think I love the Wednesday Wishes link-up just because it makes me feel very happy and hopeful. It really is a perfect way to get through the middle of the week, and this week is going speedy quick thanks to the President's Day holiday.

1. A Puppy

Seriously, every time I see a cute dog on the street, I want one. So bad.  I have to keep telling myself I am no where near settled enough for a pet (and my apartment doesn't even allow fur babies!).  Thank goodness for doggies on the street!

Via.

2. This Above My Bed 

I actually think that if I set my mind to this, I could totally make it.

Via.

3. Vintage San Francisco Posters

Isnt this lovely?

Via.

4. Long Nails 

So I can do cool stuff like this to them!

Via.

5. To Share My Feelings With Ben

You've kind of disappointed me sir.  I'd love to run into him in Sonoma or SF and tell him that it was only my diehard reality TV additiction that allowed me to get through this painful Courtney-filled season.

Via.

Go check out Brooke's blog!

Wishes 2.0

I had such a blast linking up with Bright Wishes last week, I couldn't help but want to link up again.  After all, there are so many fun things on the world wide web to wish for.  Dream big, baby!

1. An Oil Slick Lamp

I had never even heard of this kind of lamp a week ago, but it was love at first sight after I saw this post on Little Green Notebook.  Anyone know good secondhand/antique furniture stores in the Bay Area?

Via.

2. A KitchenAid stand mixer

Just think of how many more cookies I could make.

Via.

3. This J. Crew bracelet

Such a pretty color for spring. And stacked bangles are everywhere!

Via.

4. New Taylor Swift

A collabo with The Civil Wars can only hold me off long enough.

 5. THIS
What an amazing, rustic way to organize necklaces.

Via.

Anything on your wish list this week?

Wednesday Wishes

New link-up today with Brooke from Bright Wishes! Here are a few things I'm wishing for this week.

1. To throw a dinner party with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

Doesn't this look heavenly?

Via.

2. Chandelier wall decals.

Especially considering my apartment would look ridiculous with a real chandelier.

Via.

3. TOMS ballet flats.

Since I'm obsessed with the TOMS I already have, these seem like the perfect next step.  Too cute!

Via.

4. Stationary.

I wish I was better at sending handwritten letters, especially since I love receiving them.

Via.

5. Floral pants.

Mr. Groundhog, please let winter be over.  So ready for spring fashion!

Via.

6. Patience

Ever have a week where you are in a hurry all day long and just cannot figure out why? Slowing it way down the rest of the week... at least outside of work :)

Via.

Add a little sunshine to your day and check out her blog!  Hope you are having a fabulous Hump Day.