Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Fall 2013 Wishlist

Fall has finalllly graced Southern California with its presence. Well, until Friday, when it's supposed to get back into the 80s. We'll just pretend it's full-on autumn in these parts and I'll drool over a few items I've added to my fall 2013 wishlist.


Fall Wishlist

 

Sweater  |  Booties  |  Scarf Necklace  |  Bag  |  Lipstick
 


Monday, October 28, 2013

Out-Of-Towners

It was a busy weekend hanging out with two different out-of-town friends from Seattle and Melbourne.

Friday night My trusty sidekick Kathrin and I met up with Christina of Easily Entertained, for dinner and drinks in Huntington Beach. Unfortunately it was foggy and cold, well cold for SoCal standards and in 60s. Despite that we had a great time at dinner and drinks followed by coffee and great conversation after. Next weekend I head up north to visit Christina. I'm super excited!


Saturday night I spent with a friend from Australia at the Hollywood Forever cemetery watching The Craft. I live really close by and have always wanted to catch a movie there (they do it every Saturday) so I'm glad I got to experience it while still living in the city. After the movie the stars, Neve Campbell, Robin Tunney, and Rachel True, showed up for a little Q&A. Hollywood perks!

sorry, not the best pic!


What are you blogging about today? Your weekend? Something else? Linkup with my co-host, Kimberlee and I and share your post! If you're new to the linkup, here's how it works:

1. Blog about your gossip - all topics accepted so why not link up?!
2. Include the badge (below) in your post and/or link back to Join the Gossip.
3. Add your link to the list below.

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Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Let's Toast the Night Away to Friends

I grew up going to a small club where loud music was played for a gathering of sweaty people all smashed together. And I loved every second of it. I have been kicked in the head by crowd surfers, pushed men twice my size when pits got too close for comfort, and been smashed against many a stages. There's nothing like a punk show.

Now that I'm older I don't get to as many small shows as I'd like. That's why I'm so excited to go see New Found Glory, Alkaline Trio, and H2O tomorrow night. NFG isn't really hard, but they've been one of my favorites for 10+ years. I'm sure the two other bands will get rowdy enough for me to get out some aggression, anyways.

So here's a little sampling of these amazing bands. Enjoy!

New Found Glory - Hit or Miss Ballad for the Lost Romantics
"Here's to us fools who have no meaning, I tip my glass to you. Let's toast the night away to friends and forget about tomorrow."
 
 
 
Alkaline Trio - Mercy Me
"So drive yourself insane tonight, I just filled your tank up and it's not too far away."
 
 
 
H2O - Like a Prayer (Madonna cover)
"Life is a mystery, everyone must stand alone. I head you call my name and it feels like home."

Monday, October 21, 2013

Sinister Pointe


I LOVE horror movies, thriller books, anything that scares me. Every year I make it a point to do something around Halloween. It's usually Knott's Scary Farm, a local theme park that transforms into mazes and masked creatures.

This year I switched it up and decided to go to a haunted house in Brea (CA) with Kathrin of Shop.School.Sleep. It's actually an industrial building that is built up to be a terrifying maze. While it's only one maze, there are different directions and doors you can select, giving you a different experience each time. Go left and experience the hand in a blender test, pick door one and be locked in a room with a bunch of dummies and real people dresses exactly the same so you can't differentiate the ones who are going to jump out at you.

Because there were several experiences, we bought unlimited, front of the line passes. We ended up going through three times and seeing all that the place had to offer. Each walk through lasted about 15 minutes and was great! What made it awesome is that they really spaced out groups. A lot of haunted attractions push large groups through together so you know where the actors are hiding. Having just our group of three go through by ourselves really upped the fright factor.

 



If you live in the Orange County area and are looking for something fun to do this Halloween, go to Sinister Point. I promise you'll have a great time!


What are you blogging about today? Linkup with my co-host, Kimberlee and I and share your post! If you're new to the linkup, here's how it works:

1. Blog about your gossip - all topics accepted so why not link up?!
2. Include the badge (below) in your post and/or link back to Join the Gossip.
3. Add your link to the list below.

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Thursday, October 17, 2013

Travel Chic

 
Travel Chic

SHOP THE LOOK:
 
 
If I were independently wealthy I would travel non-stop. Forget buying nice houses and cars, I would just want to see the world. Since graduating college I have been pretty fortunate to go to new countries and explore US cities I've never been to at least once a year.
 
In two weeks I am SUPER excited to head up to Seattle. I get to stay with a blogging BFF, Christina of Easily Entertained, and take in the city for the first time. We're currently planning our itinerary out and I have no doubt it's going to be an epic long weekend. One thing I already have set in stone are comfortable, warm clothes like the outfit above!
 
What's your travel style?
 
Have a great weekend! See you back here Monday for Monday Morning Gossip!
 


Wednesday, October 16, 2013

A Look Back at My Australia Trip

On this day last year I arrived in Australia (technically on the 17th, down under time). I stayed for nearly three weeks, visiting Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney, spending almost all of that time working to produce two of the largest fundraising events in Australian history. It was super hard. Rain, tough manual labor, going to bed at midnight and waking up at 4am, tent sleeping. Despite all of the difficulties I got to experience the excitement and emotion of thousands of people coming together and riding their bikes for two days to raise money for cancer care and research. So much hope! And, while I only had about three days off to see the sights, I made the most out of my time. I'd love to go back during warmer months to see more beaches and get up to the only area I didn't travel to, the northeast where the Great Barrier Reef is.

To mark the year anniversary of my trip I thought I'd reminisce with some pictures! From on-route at work, to the Blue Mountains, Darling Harbor, the Great Ocean Road (my favorite part of the trip), and lots of pit stops across the country, here are some of my favorite shots from my trip to the land down under.


Monday, October 14, 2013

The Nick Hexum Quintet

If you know anything about me, you know I am obsessed with 311. As in they've been my favorite band for almost 20 years, I've seen them nearly 25 times, and I have had a crush on the lead singer, Nick Hexum, for all of these years. So, when Nick started a side project and released an album with his new band this month, The Nick Hexum Quintet, I was all about it.


This new venture is different from 311 in that it's geared toward jazz. It sounds similar, because it's still Nick's style of singing, but it's far enough from 311 that you wouldn't confuse the two.

Last night was one of the band's three shows in support of the debut album. Held at a tiny Hollywood club called Hotel Cafe, you can't be in a more intimate setting. I was literally right at the stage. So amazing. They played 10 of the album's 12 songs, unfortunately skipping my favorite tune, "Somewhere in the Middle", but nonetheless, I had a great time!


If you want to hear one of The Nick Hexum Qunitet's songs, take a listen to "Super Natural" and let me know what you think!

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What are you blogging about today? Linkup with my co-host, Kimberlee and I and share your post! If you're new to the linkup, here's how it works:

1. Blog about your gossip - all topics accepted so why not link up?!
2. Include the badge (below) in your post and/or link back to Join the Gossip.
3. Add your link to the list below.


Photos courtesy of: me & WhoSay

Friday, October 11, 2013

Ooh We Fancy!

If you haven't yet, PLEASE vote for me in the OnlineShoes.com blogger styling contest. I am getting my butt majorly kicked and could use all of the help you can give! The numbers haven't changed for days so I'm hoping I still have a chance. Only one vote per person (per browser...hint hint ;) and it legit takes two seconds. You just gotta hit like - it's that easy. No need to give any info, log into FB, etc. You can provide your email to enter to win a pair of the same boots, but only if you want.

And if you spread the word, I won't be mad atcha!! THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU ♥



Now onto a little Friday's Fancies action. Today is the 150th installment. Such a huge milestone! To celebrate, I wanted to go all out. I wouldn't mind owning all of these items. A girl can dream, right?


Decked Out in Net-A-Porter


SHOP NET-A-PORTER:

Dress  |  Belt  |  Clutch  |  Heels  |  Necklace  |  Lipstick


Last but not least, a big thanks to everyone for welcoming Kimberlee as my Monday Morning co-host! I appreciate all of you who link up each week and was excited to see new faces. Come back Monday for another installment. Just a reminder, the blog hop will go live at 6am EST. Happy weekend!


Monday, October 7, 2013

OnlineShoes Style Contest. I Need Your Vote!


In the nearly six years of blogging I haven't asked for much, but I have a big favor. Remember that time I voted for you or promoted your blog? Now I need your help! Yes, you. Please, pretty please, vote!

I'm taking part in this month's OnlineShoes.com blogger contest. Me and three other bloggers were given a pair of Clarks Orinocco Sash boots and asked to style them. Look at how cute they are! 


I decided to go with an everyday look for fall - jeans, tee, sweater, and scarf. This is what I wear on a typical day so trading my go-to flip flops from summer with the boots easily transformed my look into an autumn-ready ensemble. 

What I love the most about them (well, tied with the fact they are super versatile) is that they are a little rough looking. The toes and heels are made to appear worn in but still maintain feminine appeal. I'm a big fan of mixing soft and hard pieces and these boots allow for that perfectly. They make me feel like a badass while my jewelry and scarf show my girly side. 


I'm serious when I say that these are stylish and comfortable. I was a little afraid that they'd make my feet hurt, but they are really comfy. In fact, next month I've got a trip to Seattle planned and I am brining them with me because I'm confident that I'll be able to walk around the city pain free. If you are in the market for womens boots pick up these bad boys.


So please, please, please vote. It's SUPER easy. All you have to do is click here to get to the contest then vote for me. Legit that easy. If you'd like, you can enter your email for the chance to win a pair of these Orinocco Sash boots for yourself. Not required at all - but worth a shot! Contest runs from today through October 18. All I need is one vote from each of you, no need to do it more than once.

Thank you in advance. I really appreciate your vote and support. And if you can spread the word - I'll love you that much more!! And if I see anyone tweet about it I may have a little something for you in exchange. Hint hint ;)

Be sure to also check out OnlineShoes.com for a full selection of Clarks Shoes.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Monday Morning Gossip

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Just a reminder, I have a big announcement today at 12 PST so I'm skipping my hosting duties this week. Monday Morning Gossip is still taking place, though. Go link up your post with my new co-host Kimberlee over at I Have A Degree in This.

I'll be back again, with Kim, next Monday for MMG. Please be sure to come back for my post at noon. I'm participating in a contest and will need your help!

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Fall 2013 Color Crushes

 
Purple Pieces
Necklace   ||   Peplum Top   ||   Messenger Bag


Along with Berry (which I blogged about two weeks ago), the other colors I'm loving this fall are purple and navy blue. Both colors make a statement. Purple screams fun, while navy exudes powerful.


Navy Picks







Dress   ||   Nail Polish   ||   Flats


Are either of these colors on your radar this fall? Speaking of radar, Monday I am participating in a styling contest. PLEASE come back for voting details. I promise voting is really easy - a one time thing and you'll have a change to win a prize, too!

As a result, I am skipping Monday Morning Gossip. Don't worry though, my new co-host, Kimberlee over at I Have a Degree in This, will have the blog hop all ready to go. Be sure to visit her to link up! Here's our updated button:




Today I'm linking up for Friday's Fancies!

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Medium Satchel in Purple

I FINALLY received my 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target bag! Instead of heading to my local store I decided to try snagging a bag online and I got lucky. Somehow I managed to get a medium satchel in purple. Here are my thoughts:

PROS:
+This color was only sold online so it's more unique
+I like the shape and size
+For less than $50 the quality is decent

CONS:
+The inside lining of the bag is not sewn down (it's a defect on my bag)
+The shoulder strap is too thin for the size of the bag, I removed mine

The pros outweigh the cons so I am pleased with the purchase and I've been using my bag everyday, so I'm glad I bought it.

Unfortunately the in purple sold out but you can still get it in taupe or black online!