i have the coolest sister.

so this clutch that i've been drooling over for over a year now?

the clare vivier with the hot pink streak?

my sister made me one.

it's really kind of crazy how awesome she is. i'm still trying to wrap my mind around it.

also, i've reached a personal milestone... i haven't purchased any new clothing this month.

not even from target.

not even sweat pants, which, strangely, is one of my favorite things to purchase.

shopping my closet has got me rediscovering and repurposing my wardrobe... made even easier when i'm gifted beautiful accessories!

(thanks, lauren! you are my favorite. also, i think you need to start a DIY blog).

jacket // j.crew. dress // tart c/o ruelala. watch // michael kors. wedges // aldo.

happy chinese new year!

take-out from p.f. chang's is awesome.

winston thought so, too. 

i'm pretty sure he snuck  away a rib bone & hid it under the bed.

we had cupcakes from sprinkles for dessert.

the two made a great combo for celebrating the chinese new year.

even though we never received one of those supposed red envelopes

with a coupon inside.

the s'more cupcake made up for it.

i was in heaven.

maybe i'll get one every day from now until feb 2.

the spences.

it was so much fun getting a chance to take some pics of karli, nick, and lola for their christmas card! they are such a beautiful family, inside and out. i'm so excited to get to spend more time with them this year... starting with a triple date planned for sunday and a book club meeting with the girls the week after!  

we only had about 5 feet of space to move around in, but we still managed to find some little nooks to shoot in. the favorites:

sunday style, inaugural post.

sunday is probably the only day that i wear clothes that aren't pulled from a pile of half-folded laundry at 5am. and the only day that i'm actually outdoors when there still light out. and today was actually my first day wearing a hat as part of an outfit, so why not commemorate it? i'm an accessory minimalist, so i actually ended up taking it off in the car on the way to LA, but it was fun while it lasted!

hat // anthropologie. lipstick // nars schiap. // charm // anthropologie. watch // michael kors. necklace // junghwa. bag // b.makowsky via tjmaxx. shirt // j.crew. jeans // paige flares c/o madewell. over-the-knee boots // nordstrom. nail polish // essie.

our town.

this past saturday, dave and i had the chance to see one of my absolute favorite plays, our town. it's a play about life and moments, and without fail, i think about anything thornton wilder writes for days afterwards. helen hunt was great, of course. her voice has so much presence, and all the actors were right there. and, probably because santa monica in general is just so wonderful this way, the concession food was good. as in, i actually enjoyed the sandwich that i bought five minutes before the play.
afterwards, we stopped at the 3rd street promenade, because i have missed it so much.
our first official date night of 2012 was complete with strawberry nutella crepes from cafe crepe and a stop at LUSH to pick up some bath bombs.
nights like this one make me even more thrilled about this new year. i really think it will be full of special moments.

a monday night.

monday was awesome. monday was a day of relaxing in the morning at my parents' house, baking chocolate chip cookies in the afternoon, and a home-cooked dinner date (bruschetta + spaghetti & meatballs + warm cookies & mint steamed milk) with family in the evening. 

i vote for three day weekends every weekend.

reading & writing...

... just two of the things i'll be doing more of this year. and i have a book club and snazzy, new journal to help things along!

it's 2012!

the first week of 2012 has come and gone! we're feeling so blessed over here because already, our january days have been filled with good food, quality time with each other and close friends, and fun, new things.

pictured: a gift of homemade (!!!) from my sweet coworker. my very first hockey game (ducks v. sharks. a yummy vegetarian meal. a sleepy puppy ball + lululemon (of course, i'm addicted). a little something from anthropologie. a meal and an almond twist to go at pain du monde (the best bakery in orange county).

happy 2012!

the new year is always filled with such hope and anticipation for me. it makes me so happy to know that in the continuum of time, there is that small change that signifies a fresh start.

my intention this year is to make every moment count, to be present, to savor, learn, absorb. to spend more time being immersed in whatever it is that i am choosing to do. and reminding myself that there is a choice.

mindfulness over multi-tasking. peace over production. minimalism over materialism. 

time is a gift.

         

[iphone photos from our today's lovely sunset adventure in corona del mar with the sweetest family i could ever ask for. no better way to start the new year].