Time flies when you're having fun..

Picture of Ryan and I from years ago..

Somewhere in Long Beach..

My boyfriend is handsome..

Study Break

3 hours after writing non-stop and studying for my Interior Design final, I decided to take a break and browse for my dream wardrobe at Anthropologie. I always check out their outfits before going any further through their individual selections. Out of their 6 "flurry sweater shapes", I would love love love to own 5 of them. Here they are....

With trying my best to save as much money as possible, all I am able to do is sigh and daydream myself dressed in one of these outfits... sipping on hot chocolate with whipped cream as I'm strolling around Balboa admiring the Christmas decorations. Oh and just to add to my dream wardrobe I picked some individual selects to make an outfit that I would be delighted to wear for this holiday season.. or any season really.

With these heels...
and these accessories.

Girl Time

I love girl time, especially when it's with my cousin and sister.

I haven't had girl time in some time now. I miss it.

Photo Proof

I remembered that I needed to keep to my word from a previous post.

To show some proof of me being able to catch a fish,

I'd thought sharing these pictures would be nice.

Ryan is a good fisherman.

Being a Service To Others

I have never been the type to voluntarily be the first to offer my services to others when asked/needed. I would be the one waiting last minute, thinking and debating wether I want to do it or not in my head for as long as I can.

Tonight I was asked with my friend Brittany to give a little "fashion" class to some young women in two of the family wards in the Newport Beach Stake. We said yes. Funny thing is, Brittany and I know how to dress ourselves and enjoy wearing fashionable clothing but by no means are we fashion experts. She is an interior designer, and I am attending school to become an interior designer.

After plenty of freaking out from the two of us, we headed off to teach our class. In my mind I was dreading it, because I don't like to tell people how to dress... I just know what I like and I wear it. What I'm trying to say is, I know how to dress me.

The night began with a member of the relief society presidency speaking about modesty. Absolutely loved what she had to say. The talks she picked were perfect for the message she was trying to get across and the spirit was there. Then the time was turned to us, amateurs to fashion. I believed it went well, at least I felt good about how we did.

The point of this post is me expressing that even though I am not the most confident in putting myself out there for services within the church, I am going to do it anyways. I know the Lord is by my side and we are asked to be a service to others. By making this decision and I have done things I don't think I've ever believed I would do... and I'm grateful for that decision because it has helped me grow and become more comfortable with being a service to others. I am grateful for the challenges in my life that make me a better me.

October

October might just be one of my favorite months of the year. I mean, yes it's my birthday month (&& Ryan's), but it's not the main reason why I love this month. I think it's the combination of everything. The holiday season begins, handmade projects, birthdays, carving pumpkins, and of course fall! Though this sickness of mine doesn't want to leave me, I'm not holding back from enjoying the time of year. For my birthday, Ryan was such a sweetheart and surprised me by taking off really early from work and took me to Disneyland! Also bought me a pass. I have been meaning to renew my pass for several months now. It was a surprise that made me feel like I was a happy little 8 yr old girl again.



Then, I ended my birthday with carving pumpkins and blowing out a candle at a friend's house.



A couple years ago I carved and painted my pumpkin to look like Jack from The Nightmare Before Christmas.



Then this year I carved a skeleton on my pumpkin.



You could say that I like skeletons..


The weekend of Halloween Ryan and I decided to make our costumes for the 2nd year in a row. Last year we made Octopus costumes out of sweaters...



This year we made Dinosaur costumes out of cardboard boxes from Ryan's shop...



I have an artistic/creative partner, and together we can make some pretty sweet costumes.

Kitty Number Two

Another add on to our apartment. CJ is a Blue Russian. She is lovable and charges at Chloe with no care at all that Chloe can slaughter her if desired. I must say, CJ is the best kitten to snuggle with, especially when she is purring. I think Ryan has a love/hate relationship with her.

get-a-way

The other weekend I decided to go on a get-a-way with Ryan.

Our destination was at his parent's cabin up in Utah.

It was an escape much needed and I enjoyed every moment I could.

No city, no internet, no phone

no connection to the outside world it seemed.

I felt I should share this picture I captured while on an adventurous fishing trip with Ryan.

[I will be posting pictures soon to prove I did catch a fish]

Stupid Sock Creature

my little creation

body made out of socks

buttons for eyes

add some stuffing to plump him up

little red tail completes him

his imperfections are what makes him unique

&& i love him

old skool

nothing's better than coming across childhood pictures

straight bangs, tucked in white t-shirt,

&& to finish the look with some sweet kicks

Etsy

My recent love and passion goes towards these artists/creators on a handmade site called Etsy. Two very talented ladies bring a savvy design to broken down upholstery. A secret of mine is to one day design and rebuild long tradition upholstery with beautiful vintage fabrics and designs.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/sprucehome

sea of love

Doing "homework"...

I can't tell if it's the weather, allergies, or from the little boys I nanny...but I am feeling as if I'm walking the fence on being sick or not. So I am spending most of my day trying to stay in, listening to music that makes my heart dance, going through some inspiring art books, & drawing/doing my "homework" at my desk. In an earlier post I mention a good friend Church Tran. He has been my teacher and getting me back to painting/drawing. Well this homework of mine is to find things that I am wanting to add to my first painting. Possibly one day I'll get a photograph of it and let you see. Life is grand, & I am blessed...

Nanny Nancy

Not too long ago, I was dealing with an upsetting situation having to do with my job(s). For as long as I can remember, I was used to juggeling more than 3 jobs at a time.Not sure why I couldn't get myself to just stick to one full-time job. Maybe I liked having change with work. Not everyday was the same 9 to 5, Monday through Friday consistency. This here is Cole, one of the boys I babysit or "nanny". He calls me Mancy and it makes me laugh. Some pictures from one of our many adventurous days.

Oh and might I add that this little one is only 5 yrs old and knows how to catch on fast to any gadget. Most of these photos are taken by him.

Momma Did Well

Fashion/Style has been something I was born with. Or maybe my momma just loved dressing me in hype clothes and so my passion started when I was a little toddler. Either way, I love it. I try to put my free time at home towards using my talents/hobbies into action. I started this little project a few months ago and it's been sitting on my mannequin for too long. So I decided I am going to get back on it and finish this before another few months goes by again.

Lately I have been very inspired by Japanese fashion and buying Vivi magazines from the Japanese marketplace [Mitsuwa] down the street from my house. I love that they wear whatever they want, of course still looks good & makes sense, without caring what other people think. At least that's what goes through my head as I go through their fashion statements. I mean, why do we have to get dressed up in our favorite pieces of clothing only for a special occasion? Maybe I just want to look cute and fashionable because I'm in the mood to.

Back to the point of my post, my latest project is a black dress with some braided fabric wrapped around just under the bust. I'm still adding and taking away as I go on with finishing it.

[not taking credit for the necklace, just in love with it]

My Morning Atmosphere

atmosphere : [noun] general feeling or mood

Sunday morning, I found myself waking up to the desire to take in some jazz/blues.

Madeleine Peyroux just knew how to hit the spot.

Sweet peace of mind.

Santa Rosa Plateau

I love my family & was so excited to spend some time with them.

This weekend I went on a hike with my Dad, his sweet wife, & some siblings of mine.

I figure I would keep my words short and let you enjoy some views of our adventure.