Maybe its the colder weather but I've been all about nesting lately. I recently bought some flowers to brighten up our rooms and I've realized that I'm much more of a single stem (or bunches of three) kind of gal. It's a great way to indulge in pretty petals more often :)
A silly photo? Yes.
A serious cause? Definitely.
Can you be silly and serious for a cause? Absolutely.
Today marks the beginning of Moustache Season, AKA Movember (the month formerly known as November), which aims to raise funds and awareness for men's health by growing moustaches. While I can't grow my own 'stache, I can certainly rally to support as a Mo Sista for my dear friend Brian who lost his dad to prostate cancer and for my girl Caitlin whose boyfriend is a "man behind the 'stache" at the organization.'
Read about the campaign here, spread the word, join a team, grow a moustache (if you're able), or buy these limited edition TOMS. There are plenty of ways to get involved this Mo Season.
A silly photo? Yes.
A serious cause? Definitely.
Can you be silly and serious for a cause? Absolutely.
Today marks the beginning of Moustache Season, AKA Movember (the month formerly known as November), which aims to raise funds and awareness for men's health by growing moustaches. While I can't grow my own 'stache, I can certainly rally to support as a Mo Sista for my dear friend Brian who lost his dad to prostate cancer and for my girl Caitlin whose boyfriend is a "man behind the 'stache" at the organization.'
Read about the campaign here, spread the word, join a team, grow a moustache (if you're able), or buy these limited edition TOMS. There are plenty of ways to get involved this Mo Season.
Hi, how was your weekend?
I wish I could say that the grape costume pictured above was mine but I was much less ambitious dressed up as a burglar (all black? I've got that + ten pounds to buy a cheap beanie and a pair of fingerless gloves). I know, so lame but I only ever do Halloween for social purposes... I'm a total creative contradiction when it comes to this holiday for some reason. It was good fun though and I guess that's why I fall for it year after year.
The rest of the weekend was a bit of a mix, here's a peak ...
• a trip to exchange pants at Levi's turned into a shopping opportunity at Anthropologie. I'm so in love with my new cozy sweater and colorful skirt!
• we also bought this rug from Anthro since it was the cheapest 5x7 we've seen and liked enough to put in our home (extra brownie points for being re-purposed denim!). Once at our flat, we were inspired to change things up a bit so we spent some time re-arranging our furniture layout. The living room still has some way to go decor-wise but at least we've got a few simple little touches like our succulents and a vintage clock to keep us company.
• ate dinner at Wahaca, a Mexican street food restaurant chain. It was okay, but we're still on the hunt for good and simple Mexican food (we may be kidding ourselves, I know).
• Arctic Monkeys concert at the O2 Arena. We had nosebleed seats but they proved to be great for watching the giant mosh pits below. It was interesting to see AEG's formula for arena centers - the O2 is practically an indoor LA Live (at Staples Center) with everything from restaurants, a smaller sister venue, and a music museum. The main difference is that this arena exists solely for performances, not for a professional sports team/league. Oh, and they heavily promote and announce public transportation options with travel updates where as in LA, they practically make half of their bread and butter from over-priced parking...I'd much rather be stuck in foot traffic! The Arctic Monkeys were great but I might have enjoyed experiencing the cultural differences a little bit more :)
[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/31246627 w=741&h=420]Beautiful lights to kick off a beautiful weekend. I hope to get out and enjoy it since I'll be quite busy working on a few projects + figuring out a last minute Halloween costume (yikes!). I'm always so unprepared for this holiday. Any big costume plans for you?
Have a good one!
This week's three rad links:
• Dream handbag via Of a Kind (should have put it on the Amex!) • New app to digitize old photos via GOOD • My vintage hair style image has gone tumbling found via Sart(re)orial (loving the classic style inspiration here)
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDC9Mjpe7Ks?rel=0&w=640&h=25]
Kisses - Lovers
Imagine walking along the Seine in Paris and seeing a bridge from afar with little gold-like specs all over it. Are they lights? Strips of confetti? Nope, they are locks (of love) and they are all home on Pont Des Arts. I had read about something like this in Germany but of course it made perfect sense to have one in Paris too! My mom and I were so enchanted by the find that we spent nearly half an hour reading inscriptions on the locks and searching for the oldest ones. We even witnessed a young couple add their own lock of love to the fence, throw the key into the river and immediately fall into each others arms and end with a passionate kiss! I totally teared up. It was so romantic. So Paris.
Have you ever stood in an old cathedral and been in awe at the architectural detail? Wondering how they could have envisioned such incredible work, or better yet, spent decades perfecting every design? Sagrada Familia, designed by Gaudi, is the modern day example of such ambition. It's still being built and it is beautiful and wild beyond words.
Now that the travel dust has settled, I can finally sort through all of the photos from the adventures with my mom. Today is Parc Guell, one of Spanish architect Gaudi's many works in Barcelona. It was originally designed and built to be a private garden with homes for the city's wealthy families - away from the central city, with fresh air and panoramic views. Lucky for us, the intended use never came to fruition and today the park is free and open to the public.
I was unfamiliar with Parc Guell until I googled "things to see and do in Barcelona" the night before we arrived but now I will never forget it. What a unique and creative place. From the intricately sculpted rock passages to the tile mosaics covering nearly every curve of the park's grand entrance, it's a pretty magical and peaceful place. Well, peaceful until the throngs of school children arrive or the illegal souvenir merchants abruptly pack up their goods and flea at the sight of an undercover police officer!
If you plan on visiting, here's a travel tip: find your way to the 116 bus (we caught it by taking the Barceloneta metro to Joanic) it will drop you off right in front of the park unlike the other guides that lead you to a tube station (Lesseps) wwaaayyyy at the bottom of a hill. We walked down that hill at the end of the day and it took ten minutes, now just imagine walking up it - you'd be too tired to walk and explore around the park by the time you got there! Catch the 116 bus instead, trust me.
Hello everyone, how was your weekend?
The season's cold weather officially arrived and that meant that I officially needed to start putting my winter wardrobe together (LA doesn't prepare you for this!). We spent a few hours on Saturday shopping in Marylebone Village and then made our way down to Regent. The streets were so packed with people that you would have thought it was Christmas Eve, or the day after. It was total madness. With all of the hustle and bustle I was happy to take a break at the newly opened Speakeasy Espresso & Brew Bar just off Carnaby Street. It's a great little spot tucked away from the crowds with yummy coffee and excellent service...you must try it if you are ever in the area.
That evening we went out for dinner and drinks with friends and didn't make it back home until 3:30 am. Needless to say, we had a very lazy Sunday only going out to buy our favorite fresh bread from the local Italian deli and for a late afternoon stroll in the park. It was just the kind of R&R I needed after two weeks of non-stop sightseeing and traveling. My mama wore me out!
This is my mom. She's amazing. She has a thirst for life that is beyond admirable and inspirational. She knows how to live in the moment, savor life's little details, and make the most out of everything that comes her way (good or bad). She's truly a great role model.
She's also really funny and witty which made for several giggle-fests that I'll never forget! I'm so happy that she got to see parts of the world she had always dreamed of and that I got to share a part of this chapter of life with her.
So this weekend, let the ones you love know how much you appreciate them, spend some quality time together or email/skype if you're not near by. There's nothing like family.
Have a good one everybody!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-czgFSbOQc8?rel=0&w=640&h=25]
<3 <3 <3
I can't believe that we almost missed this. Our first of two days in Paris was surprisingly cold and rainy so after a full day of walking around, my mom's leg pain (a joint problem) was too much to bare. So, we decided to stay in at night, ordered pizza, and rented a movie (I know, I know). A phone call spanking from Joe made us realize that we couldn't miss seeing Paris at night - especially since it was my mom's first and only night in the City of Light. Some rest and pain meds later we were walking along the Seine and taking the elevator to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. It was so beautiful and special...I'm so glad that we made it out. Thanks, hunny for 'sometimes' being right ;)
Hi Everyone! I hope you had a great weekend, and while we're at it, a good Monday too. My mom and I have been non-stop since she arrived last Friday and I'm in total awe of her never ending energy. I, on the other hand, am totally beat - it's tough work being a tour guide! I'm cherishing every minute of it though since I'll only be in Europe with my mamma once (well, hopefully not but you know what I mean). We walked circles around Barcelona exploring different neighborhoods and visiting Gaudi's famous Parc Guell and Sagrada Familia cathedral. Both were INCREDIBLE and each deserves its own post so I'll save the details for later. We stayed in the old barrio of El Born which was perfectly central to everything but I wish I could say that the hotel was perfect too. I'm talking about the most miserable reception dude ever at this place (Gggrrrr....).
Unfriendly staff and breakfast charge accusations aside, Barcelona was awesome. The beach was the cherry on top that allowed for a brief R&R session before flying to Madrid. It was my third time in the capital and I love that city now. There are so many locals who enjoy the city along with us tourists that it makes for a truly authentic experience. I really noticed this after being in Barcelona where it felt like I hardly heard or saw any locals. Could be that it's just the area we were in and the things we did but there was definitely a noticeable difference between the two. I'd love to go back to Barcelona to get a better feel for it outside of the architectural attractions. Of course, that is after I do Paris today and tomorrow with my mom. Paris, here we come *putting tour guide hat on noooww....*
I'll be back next week to share some goodies from Barcelona but in the meantime, enjoy this cross-stitching fox spotted above the Columbia Road Flower Market last Sunday.
Have a wonderful weekend!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8OLb1DK9HY?rel=0&w=640&h=25]
This song and album by The Kooks will always remind me of when Joe and I started dating in 2007. It was pretty great to see them perform on Tuesday night and think of how far (literally!) we've come :)
Photo taken in Brighton, hometown of The Kooks
We've checked off nearly every box on my mom's London list so today we're off to Spain to visit Barcelona and Madrid. She's never been to either and Barcelona will be new to me too - can't wait!
Call it blasphemy but I think the whole thing is silly. I get the tradition and the history but the entire pomp and circumstance of the Changing Of The Guard seems completely unnecessary these days. Well, actually it's completely necessary for attracting tourist like us who pour billions of pounds into the English economy every year.
While I did enjoy seeing the ceremony and thinking back to when the Queen actually needed to be guarded in such a manor, I couldn't help but think that I was watching a Civil War re-enactment or something like that. I mean, why not just hire actors to do all of this instead of using actual trained soldiers who could probably be more useful somewhere else? We all know that it's a dog and pony show for tourist any way - the band played a theme song from James Bond for crying out loud!
My mom said that the Queen should come out on the balcony and wave because "its the least she could do" (I love my mom). Her comment proved what an attraction the entire royal family has become, a living museum basically. I know that I don't know all of the facts and that there are some English Royalist (royal supporters) who would have my head after reading this but hey, it's just me as an outsider looking in.
Hi Everyone, how was your weekend?
We didn't waste anytime showing my mom the major sites of London. After an incredible brunch at The Table near the Tate Modern (you must go - cheap and good), we ventured out to spend the afternoon along the Thames River checking out St. Paul's, The Tower of London, South Bank Center, The London Eye, and of course, Big Ben. It was one of the coldest days we've experienced yet but we had smiles plastered on our faces nevertheless.
On Sunday we trekked east to Columbia Road Flower Market where I've been meaning to go since I moved here in April. It was totally worth the wait - what a charming and lively place! It was actually the most "English" setting I have experienced since it felt like we were in a little village market rather than a big city tourist trap. And the shops! This is exactly the type of street I've been looking for in London - nothing but beautifully curated independent boutiques and small cafes and restaurants. It was so awesome to experience that street for the first time with my mom. She's definitely a great excuse to get out there and see/do new things.
On today's agenda: Buckingham Palace, changing of the guards, and afternoon tea. I guess it was just a matter of time before I did the whole pomp and circumstance side of London.
The last time I experienced real autumn weather was when I did a semester at the University of Rhode Island. The fall foliage blew my mind and I'm starting to feel the exact same way this time around in London. The park and streets in our neighborhood are covered in fallen leaves every morning and it's pretty ridiculous how much pleasure I get out of hearing crunch, crunch, crunch beneath my feet as I walk along.
I can't wait for my mom to experience autumn in London with me!
Have a fantastic weekend, everyone. Get out there and enjoy the season!
This week's three rad links... • CicLAvia happens in LA this Sunday. Cycle, walk, play in the city streets - it's the most AMAZING thing I ever did at home, read why here. • It's getting cold and I need these to keep warm - beautiful vintage kantha quilts via Wit & Delight • Touching logo tribute to Steve Jobs via Bored Panda. He was such a gift to this world.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfH0OxWCJU?rel=0&w=640&h=25]
My mom flies out of LA today and arrives in London tomorrow. I can't even put my excitement into words. Beyond thrilled.
¡Nos vemos mañana, mami!