whats your secret?

{postsecret}

no sparkles here

{cargo collective}

to brighten up your day

Artwork by Leanne Shapton

{via NY Times}

just scraps

this is probably the cutest thing ever...

a guy writes his gf notes on cardboard, then posts them via cardboard love

{it must be real}

{via cardboardlove}

brush. brush it good.

i know that it's pretty difficult to stay eco-friendly in this world of ours, especially when the top 5% of our nation is paraded around like they are the only ones who know how to live

{think those that thrive in million dollar homes with Prada slippers}

i've tried, many times have failed, and have continued hope on keeping my daily routine green - here's an addition that i just can't pass up....

{the environmentally friendly toothbrush. yes you heard right}

made of bamboo

the monthly item is sold at Flannerys Organic Food Shops (where?) and can be purchased online - thank goodness

rock 'n roll

i'm not sure why but i'm fairly addicted to the tunes ofthe Laurel Canyon - even listening to tunes like Jenny Lewis, Jonathan Wilson, Owl City & Dawes during my runs

{as if that will get me going}

{via Rolling Stone}

save it for me

i love to read - i'm currently indulging the bf and tackling two books at once- his favorite author Chuck Palnhiuk ("Survivor") and "The Hobbit"

{the latter which i've never read}

so this idea to create a corresponding jacket and bookmark seems to be the perfect combination for me - now i just wish i had the excuse to go shopping...

anyone know of anyone's birthday/celebration coming up?

{i'm always loosing my place as old receipts, used gum wrappers and sometimes even cards often hold my place in a book}

{via icoeye}

{obsessed}

i'm pretty obsessed with this new vintage ring i got this weekend

{it was replacing another i broke}

designed by a San Diego local, Bird Rock's Capricorn Boutique sells these

vintage rings - mine is an old earring - and it's now become my new spring staple

{it's a Mischa Design - jewelry the stars love}

{isn't this the perfect color for spring?}

it's a rainy day

1. play a game

2. take a nap

3. get it on

4. host a dinner party

5. start a memoir

6. enjoy the pleasures of the world wide web

7. hibernate

{i spotted this list via my Twitter feed and couldn't resist reposting - now i'm totally set on playing Apples to Apples while simultaneously napping/ yoga-ing and throwing a dinner party - sounds quite eventful even for this rainy weekend}

{via 944 SD}

{happy friday}

what are your plans for this weekend? i am still putting together some final touches on my always adventurous weekend plan, though i know that this weather we've been having recently is going to put a serious damper on most of my ideas (especially if our street gets flooded again!)

{via Share Some Candy & behance}

{bubbles}

last night i jumped into the tub and took a glorious bubble bath - it still amazes me how much that can relax me...as i finished up my bubbles, i took a peak at my bubble bath 'heart song' and couldn't resist writing the label down:

{Bubbles are spherical because of surface tension, but the tension that lurks on the surface of your life will evaporate into an Aura Cacia bubble bath}

{image via wiekisomers}

Win $ for Gilt Groupe

When in Rome

Gilt Groupe

Are you interested in catching the premiere of the new Kristen Bell film "When in Rome"?

It's happening this Thursday in downtown San Diego and as special sneak peak to my review of the chick flick and interview with Gilt Groupe founders Alexis Maybank and Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, they're offeringYOU - that's right you - a chance to attend the screening as well. Along with that you'll be getting a chance to pick up a $100 Gilt Groupe credit!

Simply post below for a chance to attend the show as well the chance to pick up a designer dud via Gilt Groupe!

But that's not all...the company is also offering up a chance to join the exclusive shopping network with just a click of a button!

to paint a picture

so clearly i've got a little way to go before my version becomes the one above (while also needing to work on my portrait hanging skills) but i am extremely excited to tackle through some more Goodwill stores this weekend to get there.

{what's even more amazing is that two of those images -

flower sans frame and beach - were my grandfathers!}

{via oh happy day!}

{words to live by}

Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

When you say, 'I love you ,' mean it.

When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye.

Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

Believe in love at first sight.

Never laugh at anyone's dream. People who don't have dreams don't have much.

Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

Don't judge people by their relatives.

Talk slowly but think quickly.

When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'

Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.

When you lose, don't lose the lesson !

Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and responsibility for all your actions.

Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship..

When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice..

Spend some time alone.

{via oh hello}

{shimmery sun}

i thought i'd be a little creative with my beach theme this past weekend and added a few shells & rocks to my decor. this plate was a present and goes perfectly with all the colors and textures with the shells natural colors.

{what do you think?}

{resolutions}

i don't typically like to put together a New Years resolution list but i thought with all the changes that have happened over the past year, why not put something together?

{so here goes...}

take a self defense class

paint a utility box

mud run

GRE/grad school apps

ps. that's an actual pig donning wellies and doing his own version of the mud run ;)

the old man is snoring...

today should be a day of sleeping in, errands and cuddles...it is raining here in sunny

southern California and i couldn't think of a more perfect day for jumping in puddles,

a bubbly bath, my new snuggie and some hot cocoa...

{ via mark roper & frolic - thank youuuuu }

the power of the ad

{these are a few of some of my favorite magazines pages i've picked up recently}

it's funny how they can advertise clothes without even putting up a piece of fabric...

via Nordstrom & Anthro

{Italian freestyle}

aren't these bracelets just adorable? hippy modern with a bit of chic,

they are from Italy and were purchased a few years ago

when i was abroad. still alive today, amazing right?

even more so is that they were 1 Euro each.

Florence's street market is amazing. i'm desperate to go back

{let's save}

table = picture frame

though i sometimes complain about the size of my apartment (but just two blocks from the beach, it's a little hard to get any sympathy) - this seems like the end all design for tiny apartments in cities like NYC. What a great idea - though I wouldn't have any idea about what picture to put in that huge space!

{thanks to Make}

{SD love}

how can you be a local and still remain in awe of your city's tourist attractions? simple...twist things around so that these famous spots are anything but stereotypical - take San Diego for example, the place i click my heels to...

San Diego: A Local Spin on the Tourist Hot Spots

While many spots seem like typical tourist destinations to anyone familiar with San Diego, add a local’s perspective and you’ll find another side to the looking glass - and discover why natives love it so much.

1. Balboa Park: Though the Balboa Park remains San Diego’s biggest tourist destination, it is very possible to enjoy the area without looking like a tourist. Home to the famous San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park’s rolling hills are also filled with museums, the Spreckels Organ Pavilionand the Globe Theater. If you want to save money, enjoy the simplicity of its luscious gardens, breathtaking architecture and people watch your way through a picnic in the park. Lawn areas are often filled with small parties, wedding receptions and more, making for a scrumptious and educational meal. Another pointer: if you make it on a Tuesday, take advantage of the free, rotating museum schedule.

2. Just a skip, hop and a jump across the water is Coronado, the city’s “island” that houses local boutiques, the Hotel Del and most importantly, the Navy base. Driving onto the island provides a quick view of the vast Navy vessels, while trekking through Coronado by foot or bike offers a more personal view. Colonial houses fill every neighborhood in this small section of San Diego. Following a walk through the Hotel Del, enjoy a quick cup of joe courtesy of Café 1134, where the locals embrace the tourists with friendly chatter.

3. Northpark is one of the region’s hidden gems; a renaissance area, this retro, southern city is now abuzz with activity thanks to off-the-wall boutiques, restaurants and bars (like the Beauty Bar, featuring salon style hair dryers), many of whom focus on the local. At night, bars lining every corner of 30th are filled with college students and professionals alike; stop at the Sea Rocket Bistro, where their family style dining offers “dinner and a movie” with projectors set up to view a film following dinner orders.

4. At the center of most visitors’ San Diego holiday is the Gaslamp district. Take advantage of validated parking at Horton Plaza and the small mall’s unique architecture, but venture out into the area’s landmark attractions - restaurants and chain boutiques line the alphabetical map. Venture into East Village for the San Diego staple, Pokez Mexican Restaurant and Vegetarian Cuisine, where locals chomp down on traditional Mexican fare with a tofu twist.

5. La Jolla Children’s Pool - Renamed “seal beach” by locals, the children’s pool still houses some of the area’s largest seal populations. Walk along the La Jolla landmark where at all hours of the day these barking beasts play music to unsuspecting passersby. Just a few short jaunts ahead is Windansea, the local surfing hot spot where everyone but experts gets pushed onto the rocky shores.

via NileGuide Blog

made from paper

{isn't this just the most inviting little shop display you've ever seen?}

Seaside Papery in Coronado isn't just for the average crafter -

but it is all about this little dress, i just wish it wasn't made from paper!

{my dream city}

what do you think?

i took these in San Francisco while checking out the de Young museum - though it was chilly and i was bundled up, all these images were just rolling around through the trees...

No. 44

Doesn't this house just scream modern?

A renovated San Francisco firehouse, up until 1959 this four story home was still up in business and today creates an upscale ambiance right in the heart of SF. A roof terrace, elevator, fireplace and firehouse extras -

{what more could you ask for?}

quote of the day

{quote of the day}

{"Don't leave the duck there.

It's totally irresponsible.

Put it on the swing, it'll have much more fun."}

Sleep Talking Man.

image from Abigail Vintage on Etsy

it's love

i think we all need a little love every once in a while, and this has to be it. Thanks to Le Love and A Cup of Joe for introducing me to this lovely site - it is a sure pick-me-up when feeling down!

oops

So i realize i've been horrible to all the lovely designers, photographers, stylists and more that i have been quoting on my page...without naming them i don't give them credit, and for me that's the best part about my job, so i know how they feel! i hope that every single one that i admire so much as to put on my blog will soon forgive, and as part of my New Year's resolution for blogging plan on sourcing all my material!
on that note...

thanks to Jordan Ferney and her lovely blog that posted a few pictures of framed walls that i've been trying to replicate - it gave me some great inspiration

the style rookie

she's a fashion sensation but i seriously don't understand it...she got more comments on her first week of posting, two years ago - when she was 11 - than i ever have

how does this thing work, please lovelies, tell me.

and in the meantime, subscribe to the real fashion expert, 13 year old Tavi.

it's a (wo)man thing

this season it's all about menswear, which might have been unwelcome in seasons past but luckily for us we can still show off our curves as fitted menswear is all the rage - from designer trousers to button-downs, some even cuter when they come in men's xs, what will you be adding to your closet this season?

Always ahead of the trend, Mary Kate was seen donning her new line the Row's men line of trousers months ago...ah i wish that style sense could be passed down to fans

what else would there need to be?

if you were stuck in my dreams, i imagine it would look something like this - a bit vintage, by the sea and full of love. i adore these!