look book: jjjump jump

We seized that sunny little day by jumping around my front yard. Yes, sometimes we're like little kids..getting our jumps & rock moves on. {It's pretty fun you should try it!!} Notice my "I Love You" sign..not intentional I just didn't know the right one for "Rock On!" {Or whatever it's supposed to mean} haha I gave us both scores of 10 though!

So, it was a fun weekend planning New York. Our trip pretty much revolves around food which is PERFECT! And I get to see not only my uncles, but also a close family friend who is in a play off-Broadway! I couldn't be move excited. Seeing that our flight is at 7 am tomorrow I'm not sure if I'll have a chance to post before we leave. But I'll be tweeting away and can't wait to share all the stories once we get back next Sunday!

xox

ahoy friday!

Well it's been a wet and rainy week and I've loved it! Even though yesterday I had to move my car every two hours in it and even though I dealt with the scariest drive of my life when it was hailing so hard I couldn't even see the lines on the freeway {and everyone went from 60+ to under 20}. It's been pretty intense weather for Southern California, to say the least. But it's a nice, beautiful change!

I'm excited for the weekend! Tonight I'm celebrating my friend's 21st bday and some friends from Berkeley are coming down to help celebrate! I haven't seen them in awhile so I'm sure it will be a lot of fun! Tomorrow I'm planning on sleeping in a little bit and then getting started on my NYC itinerary! Matthew and I still have lots of plan out, reservations to make, a show to book, etc! I can't believe we're leaving on Tuesday! Oh, how the time has flown by!

Happy Friday !!
xox


this lovely image

a date to the gelateria

Matthew and I love gelato. There was this place in the Bay Area that we loved and we haven't found one in LA that comes close! Some people think gelato is the Italian name for ice cream but that's not it. Gelato has a greater whole milk to cream content than ice cream so that's why it's creamier and more rich. Therefore more delicious! This place that we went to apparently didn't get it. I won't judge a place from the first visit alone but I will say they had lots of unique {read: unauthentic} flavors. I felt like I was in Baskin Robbins! Regardless, it was still tasty and satisfied the sweet tooth!

the kids' table

Over the weekend I replaced my dome-shaped iMac {circa 2000} with a new iMac {21 inch screen of beauty!}. I came across these old pictures of me and my brother Anthony. While the quality isn't that great I love seeing my same house..just with more toys! It's weird to be home without my little brother. Isn't his bowl-cut haircut just the cutest?

I'd Wear That: Golden Globes 2010

Wow..what a weekend! I am SO glad I had today off! It was one of the most productive three day weekends ever. And the best part was that I still got to relax! I watched the Golden Globes last night and here are some of my favorite dresses! I promise I tried not to let my love for the actresses get in the way!

Penelope Cruz in a black Giorgio Armani Prive gown

Sandra Bullock in a gorgeous purple Bottega Venetta dress

Lea Michele in Oscar de la Renta

Emily Blunt in a pretty blush Dolce and Gabbana dress with her man John Krasinski

Rose Byrne in a stunning Lanvin gown

Marion Cotillard in a green Christian Dior gown

What do you think? Would you wear any of these? Or do you think any make the "worst dressed" list? Regardless, how fun would it be to get decked out in a gorgeous gown and jewels?! I'd feel like such a princess!

Images via Google

happy friday + giveaway winners!

Well, I couldn't be happier that it's finally the weekend. Was it just me or did this week last longer than usual? Plans for the three-day weekend include: sushi tonight, possibly going to San Diego to see this one, contesting a parking ticket that was undeserved, starting a crafting project, possibly getting one of these bad boys, watching the Globes, and seeing It's Complicated {better late than never!} What are your plans?

Also I know all of you are very aware of the tragedy in Haiti. It's a devastating situation and while prayers are the most important, money does help a great deal. You can donate here to assist Unicef's Emergency Response or text "HAITI" to "90999" and $10 will go to the Red Cross. A little bit goes a long way! {Over $4 million has already been raised through texting!}

Alright and without further ado..the two winners of my Bare Escentuals giveaway! They are :

Congrats you two! Email me your info and I'll get the eye shadows out by Monday! I loved reading all the responses!

Have a great weekend everyone!
xox

* photobooth picture Matthew and I took at the end of 2009

look book: heather grey ruffled tunic

I just got this beautiful shirt in the mail! Liz had a giveaway a month ago and I won {first time ever}! I love this shirt and what's even cooler is that it's homemade! It's from Dyanas Designs. I love how the Heather Grey Ruffled Tunic combines a classic look with a modern twist. The shirt is made of super comfy jersey and the ruffles are just the best touch! It's super romantic {and in a deeeeeep V}. I personally don't like showing too much skin so I had to wear a top underneath but I still think it's gorgeous! I can't wait to wear it again!

Remember, only one more day to enter my giveaway! I'll be posting the winner tomorrow {Friday} afternoon so stay tuned!

death is never easy

Last night I went to the funeral of an old friend's dad. I actually used to be extremely close with this girl in high school. We'd hang out every day after school and on the weekends. We'd go to Disneyland, baseball games, and movies together. We had inside jokes and loved to laugh together. We used to be best friends. And then something happened. Something I never really understood. She turned her back on our little group. I think a lot of it had to do with the fact she was going through a lot, especially with her dad. Our senior year in high school he got sick and ended up developing a condition where he could no longer walk. I know it was very hard for her to see her once extremely active dad bound to a wheelchair. Her whole family went through a lot these past five years and last Thursday he died from pneumonia.

Honestly, I debated whether or not I should go to the funeral because of the way she shut me out. In the end I decided to go because, for one, I knew and liked her dad, and two, she was once one of my closest friends and I wanted to be there for her in this sad time.

Death is never easy. My grandpa died, as some of you know, this past September and while he lived a wonderful and long life it was still so hard for our family. But for my friend's dad to pass in his early 50s is such a tragedy. It makes you wonder how is it fair for this girl to lose her dad so young. There are so many experiences she'll never get to have with him. He won't be there when she graduates college, or to walk her down the aisle, or to be a grandfather to her children. It's so unfair. I know he'll be there in spirit but it will just never be the same.

I was worried about what she'd think when she saw me but when I went to talk to her she gave me a big hug and told me how much it meant to have me there. No matter what happened we can still be there for each other and I think that's really amazing. Life is too short for grudges.

Things like this make me realize how lucky we all are to have our own lives and family and friends. Our lives and loved ones can be taken from us at any moment and it's so important to appreciate and love them. It's a cliche, I know, but we can gain a lot from "living every day to the fullest."

I didn't want this to be a somber post but more of an opportunity to appreciate life.

image via here

holiday nostalgia

I know some of us are a little bummed that the holidays are over, myself included. But if you still want to savor the last say.. 8 ounces of holiday spirit you need to make this recipe for egg nog. I know some people don't like egg nog but I still recommend making it. Matthew, for one, hates the stuff, but surprisingly loved this! He said it wasn't thick and gloppy as the stuff from the store. It's actually really light and fluffy!

Alton Brown's Egg Nog

Ingredients

nocoupons

• 4 egg yolks
• 1/3 cup sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
• 1 pint whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 ounces bourbon
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 4 egg whites*

Directions

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add the 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until it is completely dissolved. Add the milk, cream, bourbon and nutmeg and stir to combine.

Place the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat to soft peaks. With the mixer still running gradually add the 1 tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.

Whisk the egg whites into the mixture. Chill and serve.

For cooked eggnog, follow procedure below:

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add the 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until it is completely dissolved. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan, over high heat, combine the milk, heavy cream and nutmeg and bring just to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and gradually temper the hot mixture into the egg and sugar mixture. Then return everything to the pot and cook until the mixture reaches 160 degrees F. Remove from the heat, stir in the bourbon, pour into a medium mixing bowl, and set in the refrigerator to chill.

In a medium mixing bowl, beat the egg whites to soft peaks. With the mixer running gradually add the 1 tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Whisk the egg whites into the chilled mixture.

For those of you who are glad the holidays are over, and are already planning a tropical vacation, save this recipe for next year!

Remember to Enter my B.E. giveaway!

weekend update and SURPRISE!

Well I'm sad the weekend has come and gone but I feel somewhat accomplished. Friday night we stayed in and watched Sherlock Holmes. Afterward Matthew and I danced a little Irish jig to the ending credits {yeah we're weird}. Saturday was a comedy of errors..supposed to see It's Complicated but the couple we were going with didn't know we were supposed to reserve tickets online for the theater. Also supposed to make Mexican food but ending up doing that Sunday night. But had a lazy Saturday morning with brunch at King's Road Cafe, bought crafting supplies, cut Matthew's hair {if you follow on Twitter you know how that went..}, completed my collection of LOST DVDs {on a super sale at Target}, started Dexter Season 3 and fell in love with Cavalier King Charles puppies! All in all a nice weekend!

So without further ado...my surprise for all of you. It rhymes with shmiveaway. Yes, I think that means it's a GIVEAWAY!

I am so excited to announce that I am giving away four Bare Escentuals eye shadows! I am starting to get into the bare mineral makeup and Bare Escentuals is the best. Once you get the hang of the loose powders it's really fun {and good for you}! Also, because you guys rock I'm giving four away to TWO of you!


Clockwise from left: Shantung {deep berry}, Humor {brown gold}, Mermaid {dark blue green}, and Soft Focus Savvy {peach cranberry}

So.. if you would like to be entered, comment below with a funny makeup {or fashion} faux pas. Mine is a funny story from my freshman year in high school. The guy I really liked came up to me to say hi {!} and within a second he was like, "Whoah Mara are you ok? Did you get into a fight or something?" I looked in my locker mirror and saw my blue eyeshadow had fallen under my eye and it actually looked like I had a black eye. So embarrassing!

I'll be drawing the lucky two winners on Friday! To get an extra entry let me know you're a follower and/or if you blog/tweet about it. So many chances to win these gorgeous eyeshadows! Good luck and Happy Monday!

tgif.

Happy Friday lovelies!

I couldn't be more excited for the weekend. For one, I can't wait to sleep in! I've had such a difficult time getting up this week. My alarm goes off and I end up hitting snooze at least twice and then I end up having to rush around like a man woman! And can you believe Christmas was two weeks ago?! So sad that the holidays are over!

I have some fun things planned this weekend though! Making dinner with Matthew at his place tomorrow night {thinking Mexican...red rice, black beans, guac, homemade chips, and the whole shabang!} and we also have a double date planned to see It's Complicated. I heard it's pretty cute!

I also have a little something planned for all of you on Monday! I'm surprised {and super honored} that I have 120 followers now. Seriously so crazy! I remember when there were just 5 of you {I could probably name them too!} I ♥ all of you so much and being in this blog community has definitely been one of the most wonderful things! So come back Monday for a surprise and have an absolutely amazing weekend!
xox

look book: a tulip skirt

I may or may not have worn this outfit twice in the past week {read: definitely did}. I got the purple skirt a while ago but like everything I get I always leave it in the box for a few weeks..I know I'm so weird, right? I just like that special feeling of getting new clothes so I try to make it last longer than normal! My roommate at Berkeley always made fun of me because I would also leave eyeshadows in their boxes even though I'd use them!

Blouse J.Crew//Skirt Blaque Market from Ideeli//Shoes J.Crew//Necklace Urban//Silver Cuff and Silver Ring from Matthew for Christmas//Green Bracelet Banana Republic

While it definitely doesn't feel like winter in LA, I'm so excited to bring out my winter clothes at the end of the month. Why? Because I'm going to NEW YORK CITY! I booked my flight yesterday and I'm already getting so excited! I had a free flight voucher from Southwest so I only had to pay $10 for the 9/11 security fee. How awesome is that? I don't even mind that I have layovers on both flights...I'm going to New York! I haven't been since I was 15 so there's a lot of fun to be had and plus I'll be with Matthew!

I'm going to need lots of recommendations on where to eat, where to shop, etc. so please send any tips and advice over my way!

let's have a tea party

I love going down to San Diego. And it's not just because the weather is gorgeous {although that can be a factor!}. I love hanging out with Matthew's family, especially his adorable little nieces Olivia (4) and Isabella (2). They are the cutest things ever!

Matthew's mom had a little tea party with them and it was so sweet! They had milk as tea, coco powder as sugar, and a tad more milk as cream. They stirred it together to make chocolate milk and ate little danish cookies on the side!

Aren't they the cutest? I love that they wear matching outfits too! When I was little I loved having little tea parties with my friends. We'd drink lukewarm herbal tea and add tons of sugar so it was sweet as can be! We also made little tea sandwiches with cucumber and cream cheese. That was my favorite! {I ended up eating it for lunch every day until high school}

I think I might need to bring out my bunny rabbit tea set. You're all invited!
xox