on moving to new york.

Monday, December 31, 2012



so i am learning that there are several things people say to you when you tell them you are moving to new york, aside from asking you all about your new job, of course {and god forbid one moves to new york without a job!}.


so, in case you find yourself in this very same situation, i wanted you to feel prepared. in a very particular order, this is what happens...

when are you moving?

where are you going to live?

what do your parents say?

well, you can always come back. 

hope you loves are having the best new years eve's! cheers to a wonderful twenty twelve and an even better twenty thirteen full of so many sweet surprises.

ps. thanks, santa, for the stocking stuffer!

incandescently happy.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

one of my very favorite movies of all time is pride & prejudice and i am thankful that this christmas eve it was the movie of choice. i could watch it over and over and catch a new line that's so easily missed in those old english accents. the humor is subtle yet witty, and i don't want to miss a beat. i find myself paying extra close attention, completely fascinated with the beauty of proper english and can't help but think how we've debauched it.

there are several moments in this movie that i think to be the greatest of all time. one is when mr. darcy's hand trembles after he helps elizabeth into the carriage. another is when they meet in the field and finally the moment she admits to her father that she is in love with him. i am a sucker for raw, vulnerable true love accompanied with big words.


i think my favorite scene of all time is the dialogue at the end when mr. darcy and elizabeth are finally married.

mr. darcy: how are you this evening, my dear?
elizabeth bennet: very well. only i wish you would not call me "my dear".
mr. d: why?
e.b.: because it's what my father always called my mother when he's cross about something.
mr. d: what endearments am i allowed?
e.b.: well let me think…"lizzy" for everyday, "my pearl" for sundays, and…"goddess divine", but only on very special occasions.
mr. d: {chuckles} and...what should i call you when i'm cross? "mrs. darcy"?
e.b.: {smiling} no! no. you may only call me "mrs. darcy"... when you are completely, perfectly, and incandescently happy.
mr. d: {chuckles} how are you this evening... mrs. darcy? {kisses her forehead}
mr. d: mrs. darcy {kisses her left cheek}
mr. d: mrs. darcy {kisses her nose}
mr. d: mrs. darcy {kisses her right cheek}
mr. d: mrs. darcy {they kiss}

swoon! we all know i go weak in the knees for terms of endearment. if you want to watch the end scene for yourself and fall in love a little bit, you can check it out here. may we all find the love we are looking for, and may it is inspired by an old-fashioned, classic romance.

i thought i'd never run again.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

on the morning of october fifteenth i sobbed in a pair of open arms, convinced i'd never be able to take another step again without life-altering pain. all i knew is that i wanted it so badly to go away, but was completely hopeless that it ever would. in that moment and in the months to follow, running again seemed completely impossible and out of the question.

then on december twenty fourth i was able to put one in front of the other and i don't mean at a slow walking pace, ladies and gents, it was a full on {minimally painful} JOG {a slow, mindful one}!


we have a christmas miracle on our hands! 

these past several months have been an incredible learning experience. mostly i learned to slow down and to take care of myself. after an mri revealed on november thirtieth that i have a stress fracture in my sacrum i was seven weeks into the three month healing process. and, i couldn't help but look at the symbolism that i cracked the root of my body while basically on the brink of uprooting myself to a new city. life is funny that way {louise haye gets it}.

anyhow, this christmas i am so grateful for two healthy legs who still got me around while i healed. and although i'm not done with the healing process or tests that may get to the bottom of what caused this injury, i know that my body will continue to put itself back together. and for this, i am truly grateful.

oh christmas tree, oh christmas tree.

Monday, December 24, 2012

so, remember my whole thing on creating traditions? well, i must admit, i am slipping when it comes to christmas this year. especially compared to last december {oh i was so proud of my very first tree!} 

we all know i do a mean valentine's day. and i was on a roll for fall - the most glorious time of year. between my birthday, halloween, and even thanksgiving, there was a constant stream of décor and pumpkin-scented candles.

once december rolled around and the busyness of the holidays kicked in, i lost my decorating streak, but i had to create a small christmas tradition at the very least. {we don't want any scrooges running around this joint!}


meet joy. she sits on the entry-way table upon entering my pad and i got her at none other than trader joes. four london-themed ornaments hang on her surprisingly strong, healthy branches {a passport, telephone booth, taxi cab, and double-decker bus if you can spy them}. i smile every time i see her and am reminded of my amazing time in london. a big thank you for this sweet hostess gift!

i hope your humble abodes are more festive than mine this year, sweets. and i sincerely hope you are honoring those sacred christmas traditions of yours like gingerbread houses and new jammies and the annual viewing of a christmas story. my family seems to be breaking a few this year, like crab on christmas eve and lights strung on the house. but, for some reason it feels okay. i think sometimes we need to start fresh. to start over, really, and embrace the non-conventional. i am learning that the important ones stay true no matter what, like santa's visit and stockings and unconditionally loving each other a little more than usual.

wishing you a very merry christmas full of love and good cheer.

ps. for a sweet post on traditions and a reminder that there are thousands to create on your own read here. all i know is the older i get the more i put into my bag of traditions for a future family of my very own.

sparkle.

Friday, December 21, 2012



happy rainy friday, ya'll. just a fun little sparkle to share with you today. while perusing walgreens yesterday {a common lunchtime activity} i decided to test out sally hansen nail polish strips. naturally, multicolored sparkles were the only ones that caught my eye. i was feeling quite festive. after all, 'tis the season.

...and voila!


here are a few tips in case you decide to try:

  • starting with the thumbs is fine even though it advises not to, i thought it was easier that way
  • i would stay away from the intricate patterns as a color choice because the strips stretch out really easily while applying
  • definitely paint a clear coat over when you finish {my favorite is seche vite - dries in 60 seconds!}
i hope you find some sparkle in your friday and happy weekend! xoxo


*pic: my nails in color - frock star

bucket lists volume i

Thursday, December 20, 2012

in light of some big news happening in this neck of the woods, i decided to make an sf bucket list.

here are some initial items jotted in the 'ol iphone notepad {why haven't i caught on to evernote yet?}. some are repeats, some are never been done. many more to be added i'm certain of it.

adventures:
ride a party trolley with all of the bests i've ever had in san francisco {might need more than one!}
a proper day in the wine country
steal a kiss on the golden gate bridge
the alcatraz night tour
a picture perfect picnic in front of the painted ladies in alamo square
long overdue slumber parties with a few besties and the littles

dine about town.
a cozy night at tony's pizza
saturday afternoon high tea at love joy
martini's and dinner at bix
speakeasy style at bourbon & branch

help me cross them off, will you? and until then, to be continued...

*pic: one of my very favorite weekends in san francisco circa 2009 

big news.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012



so i'm moving to new york.

wait, what? excuse me?

yes, my sweets, it's true. i'm making the big jump to nyc. a move my scared-to-go-away-from-home younger self never thought i could do.


i think if you and i have been acquainted for a while now, this may come as absolutely no surprise to you. i began questioning my long-term relationship with san francisco a few months ago. see, there's nothing wrong with us. we're content. we're comfy. we get along great, san francisco and i. we get each other. but, i have this deeply inherent feeling that there's something else out there. somewhere else suited for who i am at this present moment. not a place that is necessarily better, just new and different and challenging. we all need a good challenging change every now and then, wouldn't you agree? especially when things get a bit stagnant.

california has always been my home… my one true love… everything i know. moraga is filled with blissful childhood memories, santa barbara is filled with the very first tastes of true independence, and san francisco is filled with a pretty darn beautiful coming of age story i've written here on it's all happening. a story of growth in which i would not re-write one.single.word.

twenty twelve quickly became the year of trying out new places to live. as i visited new york, san diego, austin, and london i went in with every intention of seeing if i could actually live there. could i crawl in and get comfy and stay a while? and, all i learned is that yes, i could in fact live here. i can find happiness anywhere.

so the story goes that in early august i got put onto an advisory board for the women's lifestyle team at aol. a relatively new team that is responsible for the success of five female-focused platforms {stylelist, kitchendaily, homesessive, makers {also here}, and stylemepretty - yes you heard that right. my favorite wedding blog!} under the aol umbrella and a team full of really rad women. and then the queen of rad in charge of this feat came to the san francisco office and my jaw hit the floor as i experienced this stuff live and i thought to myself, i need to be on this team immediately. these rad gals {and guys!}, see, they speak my language. as a blogger and consumer of thousands of blogs, i belong in this space. my brain is full to the brim with ideas that are going to make these platforms do great because they have oh-so-much potential.

so one thing leads to another and i learned how good people can be. like how inherently good people are. and how for some reason they've invested in me and my future and want to see me succeed. how did i ever get so lucky? the head of aol on the west coast is infamous for saying that we must all form our own personal board of directors. well somehow in my short year and a half at this company, i had more board members than i thought. more people advocating for me than i ever thought possible. so off i go to join this dream team of mine. a role that is completely in line with my passions and my strengths and exactly where i envisioned my career heading, but at the same time where i never thought it could possibly go.

so to conclude this long-winded story, i was running out of my apartment the other day and stopped dead in my tracks to read my crayon artwork goal sheet i have hanging on one of my many bulletin boards. well it turns out that the sun directly above my head reads "live in another city at some point - nyc, san diego, sb to pursue school or other career" my twenty two year old self, she knew what she wanted. and now my twenty seven year old self, she's finally believing that it can come true.


then i got to thinking about the power of the universe. you know how they say when you put it out there, it will come back to you. ask and you shall receive. if that's not living proof of trusting that the things we put out in the universe will come true, i don't know what is. and i'm not just talking about the little things, but the big things. the important things. like adventures and careers and falling in love and creating families. it can happen, it can all happen. put it out there in that universe. and give it everything you've got.

so, thanks for listening. many more thoughts on this BIG news to come. like things i'm afraid of and people i'm going to miss so much it pulls so so tight on my heartstrings. for now, though, i'm so thankful nyc gets to be apart of my story, and i can't wait to write to you.

*pics: nyc | sf

most friendly.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

so one time in eighth grade i won best hair. and then in twelfth grade i won best dressed. and then just the other day when i thought there was no such thing as superlatives as an adult, i won most friendly. and, can i tell you it was the best most i've ever received. thank you, sweet co-workers. being recognized for kind energy put out into the universe means more than a good hair day or a perfectly styled outfit ever could.


this most friendly got me thinking about one of my favorite quotes of all time and one i certainly try to live by. i believe it's said by ms. angelou herself.
people won't always remember what you said. people won't always remember what you did. but people will always remember how you made them feel.
this is exactly why being friendly is so important to me. let's try to make each other feel loved, shall we? because giving love to others only makes us more open to receiving it right back.

this mini award made me realize that i'm in the right place, surrounded by the most wonderful people at aol. see, being friendly is a two way street. after all, it takes a friend to be a friend. so thank you for being so easy to be friends with. love love, me.


happy holidays.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

i must admit, i get more annoyed than i should this time of year when mom tries to pick out the christmas card. i get the annual text, email, and call: we're going to try and take our christmas picture this weekend! same routine. every year. without fail. i should be more on board and incredibly grateful to have three beautiful people to call my unconditionally loving family. and i am! i truly am. i mean, look at these gems.


where did the blond hair come from? i bet you want to know. same here.

i am so honored this year's photo got to be taken at my digs. with the view! that i'll treasure forever and ever. just the four of us hanging on for dear life squeezed on the fire escape. i am so blessed.

happy holidays! love, the martini's.

gone girl.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012



anyone else hooked? i'm on the edge of my seat...


the last time i read a mystery was babysitters club, stacey and the missing ring. oh, please tell me you read it too. i miss the days of stoneybrook, connecticut and living vicariously through kristy, mary anne, claudia, and stacey {i always wanted to be stacey when we made up fake names for ourselves!}. you can revisit your childhood here if you like. i was just momentarily transported back to the fourth grade.

enjoy!

*picture via.

thrive.

Monday, December 10, 2012

i've always wanted to do a fresh juice cleanse. the summer after i graduated college i did a cleanse called isagenix and, honestly, it was awful. out of the nine-day total program, there are four juice only days that are nothing short of disgusting. apparently this said juice is vitamin-packed, but honestly it tastes like artificial sugar water to me.

anyhow, it's time for the real deal. meet the thrive cleanse. i'd heard a bit of buzz about this particular one so i thought i'd give it a whirl...


it's only day one, but so far so good. the juices are unpasteurized, organic, cold-pressed and delicious! and they are delivered right to your door. i mean, who's not a stickler for such convenience!?

my favorite part is the positive mantras on each juice. i have to share...

green dream
your balanced energy provides a sense of calmnes to those around you. you are energized when giving back to others as it enriches your soul.
the role of peacemaker not only comes easy but is fulfilling.

pamp
your highly imaginative energy is magnetic! your sense of humor is fueled by your bright ming and spontaneous nature.

beetastic
you are inspirational and in touch with your surroundings. people love to be around you because you make them feel important.

thrive
{no affirmation - this seems to the fresh lemon and cayenne pepper concoction} 

tropical greens
you are highly imaginative, fueled by your bright mine, sense of humor and spontaneous nature. but beware, you tend to shun responsibility for fun, which isn't always a bad thing. so drink up and be you.

cozy cashew
your strong sense of values will allow you to change the world. both admired and loved as a friend, you must learn to embrace both yourself and your accomplishments.

i can just imagine the two gals who created this cleanse writing these positive affirmations in their journals and then putting them on their bottles... something i would do! 

happy cleansing! 

ps. remember when i did this




#ootd

Saturday, December 8, 2012

so, the other day i had to finally cave and google #ootd. i swore to myself i'd figure it out on my own, but too much time passed for me to still be in the dark about this recurring hashtag {since we live in a hashtag universe, now don't we?}.

well, dolls, if you needed a little help like i did cracking this acronym, it stands for outfit of the day. thank you, atlantic-pacific, pink peonies, and sterling style for teaching me the ropes of a fashion blogger.

i decided to take a stab at it myself today. and while i am not up to par to the greats, and this isn't necessarily a fashion or style blog, i thought, well, why not? i did like what i styled this afternoon {and i did win best dressed in high school, after all. i miss those days of matching socks and, apparently, much better style}.


here goes... shirt: chambré from urban outfitters. vest: ann taylor loft {of all places!}. belt: gap. pants: DL1961 skinnies in merlot. shoes: sam edelman.

... and there you have it. thanks for letting me have a little fun!

thank you, photographer. photo taken after a lovely saturday brunch at one of my new favorite sf spots: source cafe and prior to crazy holiday union square shopping adventures.

words.

Friday, December 7, 2012



her life really was an open book. blank pages ready to be filled with adventures and read aloud to the world.
use your best words she thought to herself. the kind that leave people never wanting to put you down.


happy weekend, lovlies. may it be filled with beautiful words on those blank pages of yours. xo.

*photo: art installation on columbus and broadway, san francisco, ca -  my instagram.

entranced.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

so last night i attended a cooking class and i swear the instructor could have been involved with the kinfolk crew. naturally, i mentioned kinfolk magazine and she knew just the one!

i realized i've been meaning to post about kinfolk for years and have yet to find the chance. well, darlings, with a little cooking class inspiration, today is the day.

i remember stumbling upon this video one slow afternoon a couple years ago and being completely captivated.



kinfolk magazine is an inspirational space for small gatherings and their belief is that eating together is a sacred act meant to be enjoyed.

get entranced by their promo videos for their magazine. breakfast for two is a favorite of mine... lovers, scones, coffee, sunrise, airplanes. i am completely entranced and want to be in that moment.

just right.

Sunday, December 2, 2012



this weekend was positively perfect. do you ever have one of those? completely unplanned. every move in the direction that feels just right. well, just right for me started with an acupuncture appointment that helped kick a cold to the curb {more on my feelings on acupuncture at a later date} followed by a cozy, rainy night in and ten hours of sleep. the next two days of just right were filled with...

getting to spend much needed quality time with some of my bests.

a first-time experience at craftsman & wolves in the mish {a must-go!}.

cost plus holiday décor inspiration.

a leisurely whole foods run.

curled up with a brand new book in my reading nook while being devoured by rain.

another night in with a bff, kale salad, and some wedding mags.

my first yoga class in ten days.

a mani pedi date.

energy work.

a sunday night iloveyoulikefamily friends dinner.

weekends like these are my most favorite of all. and saturdays, oh, nothing beats the feeling of a saturday afternoon at your fingertips. i am oh-so-grateful for weekends like these.

*photo on my pin board.

on being brave.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

everywhere i turn these days i continue to witness my dearest friends braving it out. seriously, whether it's moving or breakups or separations or new jobs or quitting jobs or death or injuries or new beginnings, i'm blown away how each and every one digs deep to channel their tallest selves to stand up to any tribulation. it's truly inspiring. i can't help but think of this saying...
you are only as good as the company you keep.
true that! let's keep the brave ones, shall we?

i've never pinned myself for being all that brave. small acts of bravery, yes, but big huge leaps, not exactly my forté.

but lately, i'm surprising myself {maybe it's all of this brave company or maybe i'm just a late bloomer}.


i think the best kind of bravery is the kind that sneaks up on you when you least expect it, allowing you to prove yourself wrong. the kind that makes you stop in your tracks and say to yourself, wow! i never knew i was capable.

life can be scary. sometimes we are not completely sure of ourselves {who am i kidding, most of the time we are not completely sure of ourselves!}, but we must roll up our sleeves, trust, and be daring. because usually when we listen to that voice coming from somewhere deep inside of us that says, i can do it, it's right.

*photo credit: lbo photos. an afternoon at treasure island staring back at our city by the bay.

spaghetti squash with sautéed kale.

Monday, November 26, 2012



i try my very best to cultivate innovative, quick and easy recipes, but i always end up with the very basics, or what i'm comfortable with: roasted veggies. so, when a friend introduced me to the spaghetti squash, you can imagine how excited i was. it's like real pasta! but better! it was truly love at first site, spaghetti squash and i. and, is it just me or does it taste the way cake batter smells? {love when that rare aha moment of synchrony happens between your taste buds and your nose - they get each other!}.

on top of it being simple and delicious, making spaghetti squash is so much fun. you feel like you are doing a bit of an arts and crafts project making your very own spaghetti from scratch {in seconds!}.

tonight i was craving something easy, warm, and nutritious due to an impending cold my body continues to fight. so, i put my very own spin on the spaghetti {squash!} by dolling it up with extra veggies and spices.

...voilà!

spaghetti squash with sautéed kale:
  • 1 medium spaghetti squash
  • 1 lemon
  • olive oil
  • kale
  • chili flakes
  • cayenne pepper
  • salt and pepper to taste
cut both ends off of the spaghetti squash. slice in half {long ways down the center - i never know how to properly cut a vegetable!}, remove seeds. fill medium-size bowl with about a half cup of water. place half of spaghetti squash in the bowl and cover with saran wrap. microwave on high for 8 min. repeat the same process with the other half. let cool. once able to handle, scrape the insides of the squash with a fork into a long string-like formation. 
in frying pan, sautée a few handfuls of kale with olive oil and lemon juice.
add to spaghetti squash {... i mean, noodles!}.
season to taste: lemon, olive oil, chili flakes, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.

enjoy! the best part is you can add whatever your heart desires to your base of spaghetti squash, the options are endless.

if you are interested in the nutritional benefits of spaghetti squash like i was, you can check them out here. until our next adventure in cooking, goodnight my little chefs!

proud.

Friday, November 23, 2012



it was a crisp fall morning in november. the sky was bright, the air was fresh, and the leaves were radiating of florescent reds, yellows, and oranges. it was the kind of morning that belongs in your memory forever, a setting so idyllic that you felt like you were reading a picture book of your own life.

two childhood friends took a stroll on this page of this particular book that pictured a fall morning scene discussing life and love and relationships and, well, it dawned on them that one was not herself without the other. after nearly twenty seven years of friendship, one slowed her gait and said,

i'm proud of you.

and the other responded, i'm proud of our friendship.

oh this book, this one's the tale of two friends who know every vulnerable thing about the other, and love each other just the same.

*photo found on my pin board, 'tis the season for pinning. 

giving thanks.

Thursday, November 22, 2012



i have a thing for banners, can you tell? be thankful has been hanging in my apartment for all of november, but i am tempted to keep it up all year round. mostly because every time i walk through my door i want be thankful that i am there.

i saw a quote today that said,
it is not happy people who are thankful; it is thankful people who are happy.
this made me reflect on how the act of counting the things i'm thankful for has undoubtedly made me a happier person over the past several years. i've learned that it only takes a few simple ingredients for me to be truly happy. a cozy place to call home. a loving {albeit sometimes crazy} family, a healthy body, a small group of soul-nourishing friends, and the courage to wake up tomorrow with an open heart and curious spirit.

so, on this thanksgiving eve may we all grasp our most basic needs and craft our happiness recipes and be forever thankful. thank you, my sweet pea readers, for taking the time to read my words. for this, i am truly grateful.

essence.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

truth be told, i've always been a vision board kind of gal. as i've grown up, collages would magically appear on the inside of pencil boxes, lockers, on the back of doors, and in journals. i find such calm and solace in the act of cutting and pasting from magazines into journals. snip! snip! paste. write a thought or goal or desire. and so it goes...

in the spirit of feeling like i've lost my way a little bit as of late, and wanting to gain some clarity about what is next, i spent much of this rainy weekend curled up in my apartment on the floor with scissors, a glue stick, pens, blank pages, and a stack of magazines.

i felt at peace and at ease. because as scary as the future might seem, there's something about compartmentalizing it into a journal full of images and words that really makes it all seem okay. i finished feeling inspired, hopeful, grounded, and ready for what is to come.

it's funny, as i looked back over my work and re-read goals made over the past seven years, i realized  that the core of who we are never really changes. isn't that fantastic? our essence is something we develop at a young age, which in my opinion is a true gift.

my weekend art project reminded me that it's all falling into place whether i am fully aware of it or not. while things might not happen exactly according to plan or right on schedule, and i seem to be taking some twists and turns along my path, it's all happening. every thing i've ever wanted, slowly but surely, is all happening.

then i realized that's the message of this blog. oh do you see it too? to know that the lives we strive for, the things we wish to fall into place, the people we want to be, it's all happening. all the time. whether we know it or not.

so, may our dreams become our reality. with each year that passes, may we continue to receive the things we've always wanted even if there are surprises along the way.

*pictures of my favorite journal given as a gift from this one with the inside covers already collaged. oh, you know me so well!

up up and away.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

not long ago, june it was, a dear friend came to town. this dear friend is d. we went to dinner after not having seen each other for well over five years, but it was one of those reconnections where i felt like i saw him just yesterday. oh, i'm sure you know the kind. within seconds i was laughing and within minutes we were going down our lists of places to travel and brainstorming where on this globe we could rendezvous next.


i truly believe if it wasn't for d and our dinner date that i would have never been inspired to go abroad. d is a gem in every sense of the word. he is kind. actually, he is more than kind. what term is worthy enough to give to people who are sweet and patient and giving? those who ask true questions because they are genuinely interested in your answer. those who make you laugh when you need it most, who listen with a compassionate spirit, and who let you be your silly self. because at the end of the day these more than kind people are comfortable with who they are, okay with being vulnerable, and downright honest with facts of the matter.

see, d and i, we just fit. i'm not sure how or why or when, but we just do.

so i paid d a visit in edinburgh and he was gracious enough to let me stay with him so i could experience the oh-so-magical, scotland. there's a dew that hovers over the ground at dusk in the fall that reminds me of childhood winters. i never experienced snow, but that dewy frost, that's something that stuck with me. i found it comforting on our sunday evening stroll through edinburgh.


in three days i was able to have some quality solo time exploring, and grasp the city by walking as far as my legs {and sore hip!} would take me. this included the royal mile to edinburgh castle and up, up, and away to arthur's seat where the views were nothing short of breathtaking. have a look at my best recap of scotland.

hike up to arthur's seat {which i never really made it to, so i found my own}.


view of edinburgh from my makeshift seat.


hike back down looking up.


edinburgh castle from the street.


you better believe i tried some traditional scottish whiskey before our underground ghost tour!


and sat in a tiny coffee shop enjoying the morning light, book, and pot of tea {scone not pictured}.


i can't thank my host, d, enough. you truly are my glass half full.


until next time, g.

one lump or two?

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

i'm home sweet home after the most perfect trip i could possibly ask for. i feel so blessed to have been able to experience two cities that are absolutely magical in my opinion. i'm even luckier that i had two of the best hosts on the planet.

let's start with london, shall we?

i heart london. it's so easy. so walkable. such a seamless system of public transportation. oh that tube! genius. to be honest, i didn't plan a whole lot. i went with the expectation to not be too touristy, but to simply experience the city as if i lived there. and, well, that is exactly what we did!


you may have heard me mention one of my favorites, jamie, who took the exciting leap of moving to london in july. i think of her daily and i admire the brave step she took of living out one of her dreams to live in a foreign city. i've known jamie since i was able to sing and dance, which is really all my life. i consider her a sister, someone i look up to, and truly cherish. she's the kind of person that when you know you're one of her bests, that you matter. like really matter.

i was completely spoiled to basically have her all to myself as a personal tour guide for london and partner in crime for a whole week! oh walk we did. and talk. and laugh. and eat. and drink! and repeat every tube stop name {well, that was just me!} after the lady announced next stop, south kensington. next stop, goodge street. next stop, sloane square. oh i could do that all day.

i've decided that the best way to discover a new city is with one of your oldest, lifelong friends. you take a little bit of home with you wherever you go.

i could write you a novel of our adventures, but i'll let a few pictures speak for themselves and do my best to capture some of my favorite moments {there were just so many!}.

first off, i love the guards. they are so fascinating to me!


it wouldn't have been a proper trip to london without a stop at the queen's digs, buckingham palace, to see where william and kate had their smooch.


oh, benny...


harrods, you had me at hello.


there she is! it really is her great britain.


me, the whole trip: i love pounds! it's like fake money! {the only sane way to view the british pound}


mind the gap!


i heart you, notting hill.


and you too, primrose hill.


high tea {with a champagne appetizer} was a truly divine experience. i haven't giggled that hard in quite some time! one lump or two, darling? please notice the two men in the background. that is guy ritchie and the british {and extremely good looking might i add} actor, henry cavill {apparently he's the next superman!}. 


you guys, is it just me or does this look exactly like me? this poster was all over london promoting a new musical. the actress is named eliza hope bennett {we guessed kenzie! pretty close}.


fireworks in battersea park to celebrate guy fawkes day.


best night with these two!


in all honesty, these pictures don't do the trip justice. we had so much fun and did so many things it was just mental {my favorite british term}! and for an even better recap check jamie's post here.

take me back! truly counting down the days until i can make another visit. sending so much love. xoxo.

where in the world is...

Sunday, November 4, 2012



i hope you can mind the gap in postings as of late. i'm currently on an adventure in the uk - a truly magical place! i'm having an absolute blast and i can't wait to tell you stories and learnings and all of the little things that are making this experience so special.


until then...sending love from across the pond.

*photo: london leaves - my iphone4.

now boarding united flight 930.

Saturday, October 27, 2012



i sat down in 38h and this is what i said to myself.

i booked this trip on august 17th. it was a saturday evening and i was home at my parents house. i'm not sure why this detail is relevant to me, but it just seems important that that was the exact moment i decided to hit purchase. 

first and foremost i feel incredibly grateful for this opportunity. two conversations turned into two real ideas turned into two solid plans in two destinations.

traveling solo is a bit scary, yet freeing, wouldn't you agree? i don't know what i am about to encounter along the way, but i vow to have an open heart. to be kind. to accept how people treat me and to do my best to treat them kindly.



i vow not to get to nervous or let any travel anxiety take over my mind. i am alive. i am human. i am in this space. and i will occupy it. and be my best self. the self that is a joyous dancer who really isn't afraid of anything.

i hope to see a whole lot of new things. meet a whole lot of new people. to go home a happier, more well-rounded person. full of inspiration and ideas of what i want to come. what i want out of life. new perspectives that positively impact my life in san francisco. i've been craving some clarity lately. craving newness. craving something. a move. a change. well, i hope to find it here. and if i don't i'll come home knowing that that's okay too.

remember, life is beautiful. people are good. be open. soak it all in.

sincerely,
me

this too shall pass.

Friday, October 26, 2012


apologies, loves, for the verbose post that is to follow. oh, wordy.

to be honest, an injury is the last thing i expected. it's been a total of three weeks and what a wild and emotional roller coaster it's been. i learned a few things along the way {and still am since i'm just one big work in progress} and i thought i'd share them with you.

i learned that it's okay to give in to every emotion you might be feeling and acknowledge it with the energy you have left. for me, it was the fear that this injury was never going to get better. the fear that i couldn't walk or run again. the overwhelming anxiety that i wouldn't get to go on a trip of a lifetime. could i live like this? i thought to myself. when my answer was no i hit panic mode. see, dearests, when the pain is much bigger than us we just have to surrender to it and take care of ourselves in that moment as best we can.


i learned it's okay to be sad, frustrated, upset, and even uncontrollably sob into someones arms because you are so hurt and don't believe it's ever going to go away. you feel defeated. let that person reassure you that it will get better. i promise,  sweet darling, it will.

this too shall pass.  a mantra i learned never to forget.

i learned to attack from all angles. all hands on deck. sometimes you don't know where to start to get help so you go with your gut or a recommendation and you know what? that might not be the right thing for you. it's okay to try as many treatments and visit as many specialists as you need to. they are creating the recipe that will get you better. if one isn't working for you, stop. move onto the next.


personally, i've learned that acupuncture is helpful beyond ways than i thought possible. i am only two sessions in but i can see how it evokes paths to clear health and calming powers in our bodies.

find a good chiropractor. and find a good PT who calls you kid and who warns you that you might cry and wince in pain {i only shed a tear as i gripped to the table and succumbed to the releasing of the muscles}.

i learned that epsom salt baths are a must. sit in that tub. soak it in. clear out the impurities and the inflammation.

sit on lacrosse balls. do the stretches and exercises you're told to do. unfortunately i learned that sometimes turning to a prescription is the only thing that is going to cause immediate relief. if that's the case, i say do it. i also learned the ways of homeopathic medicine like arnica and trammel which should be taken in addition to something stronger.


i learned that i miss yoga and i miss running, but not as bad as i thought i would. funnily enough, there are more hours in the day now so maybe this break has been a blessing in disguise. it turned my rigid routine world right upside down, if you will. and i guess we all need that at some point in our lives. i know when i get back into exercise {which is a work in progress as even a small jog motion leads to discomfort} i'm going to be approaching it differently. listening to my body. what does it need? and not pushing myself beyond what i can handle out of guilt or for any unhealthy reasons. know your limits. you should be your own motivator of exercise, no one else. the body is a temple, treat it that way. everything in moderation, oh so true.

while i'm still recovering, i am so grateful to be better than i was three weeks ago.

and loves, if you ever need any help on injuries, please reach out to me i'd be more than happy to be the person you cry to. i'll tell you it's going to get better, i promise, sweet darling.

*photo credits found on my pinterest here, here, and here.
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