Back to the Future

"I love old photos. I admit being a nosey photographer. As soon as I step into someone else’s house, I start sniffing for them. Most of us are fascinated by their retro look but to me, it’s imagining how people would feel and look like if they were to reenact them today... A few months ago, I decided to actually do this. So, with my camera, I started inviting people to go back to their future."

-Irina Werning

The Jam: Crystal Fighters - At Home

Here's a little ear-candy for ya, brought to you by the English/Spanish band, Crystal Fighters. This song is off their debut album, Star of Love. The whole album is legit. You should download it. Take a listen:

23 Candles

My birthday really snuck up on me this year. Tomorrow, I will be turning 23-years-old. (23 on the 23rd...that's pretty cool, right?) I'm keeping things quiet this year - no party, no cake - just a quiet dinner at one of my favorite restaurants with my parents and my boyfriend.

Here is my birthday wish-list:

A dress-form, preferably vintage or vintage-looking. For awhile now, I have been thinking about the model vs. mannequin debate. The benefit of displaying clothing on a model is that you can style the whole outfit. However, seeing a tall, thin, brunette model clothing might steer women with different hair color, skin tones, and body types away. Displaying clothing on a dress-form or a mannequin is advantageous because it neutralizes the garment. I want to try out both methods before I take a side. If the whole dress-form thing doesn't work out in the end, at least it would look nice in my bedroom.

This dress. Over the past month, I have stopped by the Free People boutique to simply look at this dress - to touch, to marvel, to pine. Last week, I was finally convinced - I had to have it (best friends are good for convincing you to just suck it up and buy yourself a present). I went back to Free People only hours after I had reached the decision that this dress would be mine, but they had SOLD OUT! I know I can still get it online... there is something so satisfying about actually going to a store, purchasing an item, and walking out with it in your hand. Might have to do with a little thing we all know as instant gratification.

A bicycle. Specifically a beach cruiser - a really, really pretty one. Believe it or not, but I have never had my own bicycle. The only bicycles I have ever ridden were my brother's hand-me-downs. When I was a little girl, I always fantasized about a beautiful bicycle I could call my own - one with a basket and streamers. I might be a little older now, but it's never too late to make your dreams come true.

Friendship bracelets. Mark my words, these are making a HUGE comeback. I just need to make some more friends first (the more friends, THE MORE FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS).

Desert Sun

Had a wonderful week off from work last week. My best friend, Morgan, was in town. We hadn't seen each other in 8 months and had a lot to catch up on. We stayed put in San Diego for a couple days: went hiking at Torrey Pines State Reserve , did a little shopping, and ate some great meals:

We stayed in on Thursday night and made dinner. It was super tasty! Stuffed chicken breast (stuffed with artichoke hearts, spinach, almonds, onions, garlic, and gorgonzola cheese), wild rice, and brown sugar Brussels sprouts:

On Friday evening, we drove to Palm Desert. When we couldn't get tickets for Coachella, we decided we should still go (since we had a place to stay and all) and lounge by the pool. That is exactly what we did. It was HOT out there!

On Saturday afternoon/evening, we took a little drive to the Salton Sea, one of the lowest points in the US! We wanted to check out Salvation Mountain, but the sun was setting and according to our GPS, we were on the opposite side of the sea. Instead, we just took some pictures with some tilapia skeletons (you'll see):




"No-chella" weekend was a success. I was initially bummed when tickets sold out (and the prices on craigslist never dropped), but I had so much fun this weekend spending some serious quality time with my two best friends!

Good Things Growing

Finally purchased a little bistro set for our backyard today... it's so nice to have a place to sit! I've been a little camera shy as of late, but here is a picture of Beast and me sitting pretty:

This afternoon, Beast and I went on another super secret succulent mission around the neighborhood. I take Beast on a walk while I snip neighbors' succulents so I look nonchalant and inconspicuous... The plastic bag I carry around my wrist just looks like a poop-bag. Little do they know, I have a pair of shears inside...

As you can see, I'm really "digging" my new hobby. Pun fully intended (as indicated by the obvious quotation marks):

Here are a couple of arrangements I did when I got home... The spotted, cheetah-looking guy in the pot on the left is my new favorite. Also bought some fire sticks from Armstrong today to incorporate. Apparently they grow crazy fast:

I'm turning into a crazy plant lady and I'm totally OK with it. This is only the beginning!!

Picturebook

Wow! I can't believe it's already April!

April is and has always been a good month for me.

Not only is it my birthday month (the 23rd), it just turns out that good things consistently happen in April...

The week (or so) in pictures:

We finally broke down and got a TV. It's a flat-screen and everything!

I beat Noel in Words With Friends...

Twice in a row:

Got down with a cheese plate right in the comfort of our own living room:

Enjoyed a gorgeous sunset from the front porch (and purchased the coolest lantern ever from World Market for a penny):

Scored a giant world atlas at Valley Thrift. The first of many map-related projects, I'm sure:

A pouch necklace I made after seeing a similar one at a Free People store (tried to find a picture online to show you, but no luck). I found this fabric on the remnant table at Yardage Town a few days ago and I'm obsessed with it - it's heavy and thick like a gunne sack but it's actually silk! I got a yard of it, so I'm thinking about making a few more of these pups and putting them up in the store. I think they'd make the perfect little pouch for a musical festival (I just have to figure out some sort of zipper or button solution first so your valuables don't fall out when you're shakin yo thang):

Had a conniption fit at Goodwill a few days ago when I stumbled upon T.Rex - Electric Warrior (1971) on vinyl as well as some Led Zeppelin records, Madonna's original 1984 Like a Virgin album, America, Gladys Knight and the Pips, and others of similar majesty (12 in total) for SIX DOLLARS. Yep, they just so happened to be having a 2 for .99cent sale on vinyl that day. Man, I'm a lucky girl! I've been listening to T.Rex nonstop ever since. I love this song:

This weekend I'm going to LA to visit my cousin and hopefully get some thrifting in...

Next week is the last week of work before our "spring break", which is very convenient considering that my best frayand, Miss Morgan Grimm is coming to visit mid-April. I'm so excited! It's been WAY too long since we've seen each other!

It's supposed to be a beautiful day today. Maybe I'll hit the beach for a bit at some point. Life's rough, I know.

Have a wonderful weekend!