dusting off the skeletons

Well pumpkin carving didn't happen yet. I know, I know, we're down to the wire, but we did go to a pumpkin patch last night. A semi-real one, unlike this one, although they weren't on the vine {which is what Matthew really wanted}. The pumpkins there were SO expensive though! A super small one was $10 and the average sizers were $20+. I'm not a cheapskate, I swear, but I'd much rather get the $5 ones from the grocery store. So, instead I made some amazing pumpkin cupcakes with cheesecake frosting. Take a look at the following pictures and tell me they don't look delicious! I dare you! Olivia Rae, how did I do??

{My mom decorating some to take to work}

{Being silly with a mini-pumpkin}

yuuuum

And because of the peer pressure by both Janis {my suitcase heart} and S {planet lumière} I am sharing 10 Random Things you probably don't know about me!

1. I have a stuffed animal who I call Lambie {full name: Lucille Lamb Ferreira}. She may or may not still sleep in my bed with me..

2. I have never broken any bones, although I did cut my foot open trying to make butter from Kirsten The American Girl's cookbook. The recipe called for shaking heavy cream in a mayonnaise jar with a marble. I think you can guess what happened..

3. I get scared of driving {and flying} and try to avoid it at all costs. So Matthew normally is the one behind the wheel.

4. I collect postcards and matchboxes. I have a lot of vintage matchboxes that were my Grandma's. {I don't smoke by the way}.

5. I never liked spicy foods but I had to get used to it when I started dating Matthew. In the beginning he'd always order spicy sushi rolls {like spicy tuna or rolls with spicy sauce} and I wanted him to like me so I sucked it up. And then soon enough I got used to it!

6. I am a HUGE dog lover! I would be a vet if I didn't have to deal with putting animals down. I love labrador retrievers {frequently referred to as Labbies}. Sam was our first and then my brother and I got two brothers {one white and one black}. Mine was the black one and I named him Angel {for the reason see #7..}

7. I was a HUUGE Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan {ok still am not not as crazy}. I had probably every picture and every magazine the cast was featured in. I taped every episode on VHS, major waste of money. The walls in my room were covered with pictures and I had stakes under my bed. I have most of the cast's autographs, including Sarah Michelle Gellar. I was also Buffy three years in a row for Halloween!

8. If there was one food I could eat every day it would definitely be sushi. It's my favorite!! I love rolls with avocado, cucumber, spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, salmon, etc. mm I want some now!

9. When I was younger I wanted to be a fashion designer. I drew sketches in my free time and I was looking into FIT and FIDM. But then I realized that my sewing skills were majorly lacking! I still want to learn though!

10. When I was 10 I wanted glasses so badly. I faked an eye exam so that they would give me some and the doctor said he would "my exact prescription." I told him I could see perfectly through the one he chose. Then he told my mom I was lying because he gave me clear glass to look through!! Four years later I actually needed them and now I wear contacts every day!

Ok, that was fun! Hope everyone is having a spooky Friday and getting ready for tomorrow!!

xox

Jack's First Birthday

Matthew and I had so much fun last weekend at his nephew Jack's first birthday party! Jack later changed into a little pumpkin outfit and was a Jack-o-lantern. So cute! Grace, Matthew's sister, did such a great job with all the decorations and treats. The party was at a neighborhood park in San Diego and she hung handmade lanterns and a banner from the inside of this covered area. This girl has major talent and creativity!

Grace, Sean, and baby Jack

 

Matthew and his niece Olivia {his sister Melissa's daughter}

I'm so looking forward to tonight. Matthew and I are finally carving our pumpkins! Let the contest begin!!

One Windy Day

Here's the other funny photobooth strip Matthew and I took last weekend in SD. It's a little silly and unplanned but I still like it. Although it did give me some strange eye makeup. Normally we have to plan the shots all out or else it's just me spazzing and being like, "Wait what are we doing again??" FLASH and then Repeat. {See I need a plan for more than just my career}

The wind in LA yesterday was absolutely insane. I left work and the sky was gray and dark. There was dirt in the air and tree branches all over the road. It was almost like out of a scary movie. And then I go to my car and it was filthy on the inside because I cracked the windows in the morning {expecting a hot day}. Sigh what can you do?

Hanna and I had a lovely dinner last night and catched up about the shenanigans at her birthday party. We shared our favorite salad (Factory Chopped minus bacon and chicken) and sat there for about two hours. I don't think the waitress was too happy but it was a slow night down at the good ol' Cheesecake Factory. I miss having girl time now that I'm not in college! It's just different not seing your besties every day. But it makes nights and dinners like these so worth it!

look book: black and blue

 

 

Not the most exciting outfit post but I really just love the colors black and blue together. I think I've also just been feeling a little down recently. I'm the kind of person that likes always having a plan.. I need a plan. And recently I've just been so confused with where my life is going. I am interested in so many things but I don't know what I want to make my career. I know everyone says it just takes time but I feel like I want to be on my way somewhere. I'm loving my internship at this magazine, but a part of me worries that 1) it's a dying industry and 2) I might not be happy with it in 10 years. I also really want to go back to school but in what? Sigh I just want to know what I would be good at, and happy, doing! Also if it could be around 40 hrs/week (not 60) and I could make some money that would be awesome! kthanks!

Oh well, enough ranting. This is my 50th post {!!} and I just wanted to say how happy I am that I started this blog. I've met some amazing and inspiring people through this thing and I love having this space to express my thoughts and feelings. Thank you everyone for all your kind words and comments. They really mean so much to me! Thank you thank you!

xox

you and me in the photobooth

Can't believe I haven't updated since Thursday! I had such a busy {and fun} weekend. Friday I took the day off and although I wanted to sleep in I couldn't! I hate when that happens! So, I ended up working out. . something I haven't done in months. I also spent some quality time with my Dad and packed for San Diego. Yes, I spent time packing for a less-than-48-hour trip! Don't judge me!

Matthew and I have a little tradition that every time we go to San Diego we go to Horton {Hears a Who} Plaza and take a picture in the photobooth. I think we've only missed going once. This one is perhaps my favorite. {Matthew is just so silly and cute} I'll post the other one we took later this week. Matthew pretends to be a vampire in one shot! I hope everyone had an AMAZING weekend and is looking forward to a spooky week! 

{Changing my mind on my Halloween costume so, as usual, I'm coming up with one the week of!}

sugar and spice ((and everything nice))

 

{btw ignore my expression.. I just got out of the  shower and look tired}

If you're totally ready to get into the fall mood you have to make this recipe for gingerbread! It's from yesterday's LA Times and it is amazing! A little spicy so beware if ginger and cloves aren't your best friends. But add some whipped cream or vanilla ice cream and it will be perfect. Seasonal desserts are the best! Oh and please forgive the poor photo quality (phone pics)..

Octavia's Gingerbread

Total time: About 1 hour, plus cooling time
Servings: 12


1 cup turbinado sugar
3/4 cup canola oil
1 cup dark molasses
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup boiling water
2 3/4 cups (11.7 ounces) unbleached flour
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
2 large eggs, beaten
1 1/2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger

1. Grease a 9- by 12-inch baking pan, line the bottom with a piece of parchment paper, and grease the parchment. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine the sugar, oil and molasses in a large mixing bowl. Dissolve the baking soda in the boiling water and stir it into the sugar mixture. Sift together the flour, salt and spices and stir the dry mixture into the wet one. Gently beat in the eggs and the fresh ginger, using a whisk or a slow setting on an electric mixer, just until everything is combined and there are no lumps of flour left.

3. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake for about 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

4. Allow the gingerbread to cool before cutting.

Also I thought it might be good with cream cheese frosting or honey butter. 

Siigh I'm totally getting festive!

Enjoy!

Recipe from LA Times

oh lollipop lollipop

Lollipops may just be one of the greatest inventions ever!

It's candy that lasts for at least a half hour!!

{Unlike those 5 minute chocolate bars I devour}

Maybe this will help the last hour of work go by a little sweeter!

xox

image from flickr

super trooper

Fixed this boy of mine a late night dinner.

He's been working so much. Think 12 hours days.

For me, impossible. But, he likes it.

I don't know how he does it, though.

He moved to LA from SF in less than a week.

Started a new job.

Commutes 45 min to an hour twice a day.

And he puts up with me!
(while not complaining one bit)

Such a trooper!

We're going to San Diego this weekend for his nephew's first birthday!

It's a little getaway to look forward to!

I'm also thinking about taking Friday off because I need a personal day. 

I've just been so exhausted recently.

All I want is a day to sleep in, chill, and watch TV.

Lazy, I know. But I need it!

xox

the edison.

{me, Anaise, Hanna}

{birthday cake from  Katsuya}

{Meridith, Moi, Anaise}

 

 

Loved celebrating this girl's 22nd birthday!

For the past four years I've been away at school, so it was always a belated celebration.

So glad I was there on the day this time.

I can't believe Hanna and I have been friends since 6th grade!! (11 years!)

Love you Hanna banana!

xox

look book: the plaid fad

I normally don't have the time or energy to do outfit posts but yesterday I did. I'm not really a "plaid" girl (I much prefer stripes) but I couldn't resist getting this top. Maybe it was the sale or maybe I'm just embracing the trend. Either way I thought it was pretty weather appropriate.

 

 

xox

cocoa for two

Matthew worked late last night so we made hot chocolate instead of dinner. Oh how I love this time of year! Btw Matthew drinks Lactaid because he's a little lactose intolerant. I couldn't taste the difference which was good! It's been raining in LA which has been such a nice treat. The only downside is that the traffic is AWFUL! It makes me want to stay indoors even more!

{reading the ingredients while Matthew makes weird faces..}

{marshmallow?}

{mmm delish}

looking forward

(Matthew's last day)

For me, I'm pretty nostalgic. Especially when it comes to leaving something behind. I transferred from UW to Berkeley and that was a hard adjustment. I left a place I had grown so comfortable with, to a place where I knew no one. On Matthew's last day at work they decorated his office and gave him all these boxes of cereal (because apparently he eats a lot of it at work). Even though I'd be excited about the new job it would be hard for me right away. Not for Matthew. He's ecstatic about his team in Santa Monica. He walked in and what does he see? A weenie dog calendar and then a real miniature weenie in his office. Could this job be more perfect for him? And the commute isn't as bad as he thought! I guess it's hard to be nostalgic when there are a lot of exciting things ahead. Tonight we are going to make dinner. Not sure what but I'll be sure to post the recipe :)

P.S. Loving or hating this rainy weather?

first day

Matthew started his new job today and, by the text I received, it's going well! First days are always the worst. For me, I get so nervous and just wish I could be a couple months in already- with a nice routine and work friends. This weekend was busy so unfortunately we didn't make it to IKEA or the Rose Bowl flea market. I helped Matthew move stuff into his new place on Friday and then we went to get sushi for dinner. It's going to be hard to find a place that replaces Zushi...actually impossible. But it was still good! Saturday we organized, built the bed, and set up the kitchen. Sunday Matthew and I helped my mom clean out the garage. It is a mess!

 I can't wait to share pictures of Matthew's new place! Maybe I just like it so much because it's so close to me! I hope you all enjoyed the weekend. I wish I got today (Columbus Day) off! The weather is perfect for sleeping in and drinking tea!

xox

dulce de sweets

I think I've mentioned before that I have a major sweet tooth! I love Violet's Cakes in Pasadena. It's seriously around the corner from my building, which makes the temptations all the more harder to resist!

Here's a list of my favorite sweet things (in no particular order):

- cupcakes, either from Violet's or homemade

- chocolate peanut butter cups from TJs (anything chocolate peanut butter for that matter)

-chocolate covered bananas (not from TJs)

- salted caramels from Fran's in Seattle

- vanilla latte from Peet's

- s'mores (when I was in college I made them in the microwave) 

Clearly a working list but it's a good start! Happy Friday everyone! This weekend is going to be a busy one. Matthew is driving down with a U-Haul today and unpacking his stuff into his new apartment (!). My tiny muscles and I are helping slash attemting to help. We are going to the Rose Bowl Sunday to look for some furniture (since he has none except for a bed). Maybe IKEA tomorrow. I'm also in a huge shopping mode but I'll have to try to curb that since I'm a tad broke. Oh well tgif!

xox

image from Violet's Cakes

a slice of college for postgrads

A weekend with these girls made me miss them terribly. Life is definitely not the same without them nearby. Here are pictures from our Cal spirited, laughed packed weekend.

Andrea, Mal, Jenna

with Chandra

mug shots..get it? 

Me and Mal with our old boss Rachael

Mal, Mia, Annie

Meeting Matthew for coffee and cupcakes this afternoon! yum yum can't wait!

xox

model citizen + best news

Well, I decided to be a good girl and do my jury duty. I have been at the downtown LA courthouse since 7:45. Seriously, that's earlier that I have to be at work. I've been sitting around all day, bored out of my mind, making random friends, and losing all my battery power on my phone. Then I realized that I have to share the best, most amazing news with you all!!

Matthew is moving to LA!!

Yes, that's right. No more LDR. No more packing for plane flights/long drives (major dislike).He got a job in Santa Monica and starts next Monday. I am so incredibly excited! I helped him apartment hunt yesterday and he found the greatest place ever. Hardwood floors, carpeted bedroom, HUUUGE closet, fireplace, central air, and awesome kitchen! It also happens to be less than 5 minutes away from my house. Too close for comfort? No way, babay! 

 

I am super excited to start this new chapter in our lives. While we aren't living together (not yet anyways) it will be so nice to have him close by. Never being closer than 45 minutes has taken its toll. Woo hoo! ((Can't wait to start decorating for him!)) I'm looking forward to sharing our new stories with all of you!

xox

boo who

So until I can upload my pictures from this weekend, here are some ones of me and Matthew last weekend at the pumpkin patch (aka in front of Whole Foods). We are going to go to a real one too, I promise! We are planning on having a contest to see who can carve the scariest/spookiest/mostfreakishly amazing pumpkin. (I think I will win!) Can't wait!

xox

back to normal

Just got back a few hours ago from an amazing weekend up in Berkeley seeing all my girls! I had such a blast and there will be lots of pictures to come! It's so weird because driving up with Mal I felt like we were just going back to school. It seemed so normal to be up there and it was so great to see everyone. While I'm happy with where I am right now I definitely miss college (esp bc of the ones still up there!) I hope everyone had a great weekend. It felt very much like fall and I love that!

xox