If my nieces have taught me anything this past week, it's this. And my mom - she can play like there's no tomorrow. She's one awesome lady.
reverse culture shock
Have you ever had the once familiar feel totally strange or new? It's my third visit back and with each trip I find that I see things in a different light and am thrown for a loop in the most ordinary situations. When visiting from London I remember thinking that the American (and more specifically, LA) accent sounded so loud and informal compared to the English tones I'd become accustomed to. I mixed words like "lift" for elevator, and stumbled to find the American versions before I got the inevitable perplexed look from locals (still kinda do). Most memorable was feeling severely irritated by servers at restaurants who brought the bill before it was asked for and just like that, dinner was over - all 45 minutes of it. Can't the people just hang???
Now I come by way of Malaysia where I'm learning to live with an entirely new set of norms. One of the first things I noticed upon arriving at LAX was that women were showing cleavage. Cleavage was everywhere. It's no big deal, they were wearing regular t-shirts and tanks tops but with Malaysia being a fairly modest country I really don't see that very much any more. I felt like a total boob gawker but it was a very obvious first impression/difference. At my hair salon I went to use the bathroom and in my effort to turn the lights on via the switches outside the room, I gave the rest of the place an impromptu light show..."oh, that's right, the light switches are on the inside of the restrooms here...silly me!". Then there's getting behind the wheel. My right leg cramped up yesterday from the tilt and push action of driving and when the time came to buy gas (or petrol) I felt like I was tampering with an explosive device. I used to do all of this stuff in my sleep, upside down, and with my hands tied for crying out loud!
Of course everything else is familiar, like favorite places and favorite people, but it's the little things that are proving to be quite comedic, humbling, or flat out fascinating in comparison. Have you ever experienced anything like this?
weekend, we
Hi how was your weekend? I think I finally got over my jet lag but with all the playing and high temperatures going around I'm still feeling beat! The energy necessary to hang with my nieces is insane but I've been keeping up alright. For fuel I've been stopping by my favorite spots like Buster's Coffee, Green Street Restaurant, La Maria, Sushi Roku and of course, In-N-Out (cue parting clouds and singing angels - aaaahhhhhh). And for my spirit, the Rose Bowl Flea Market and the Hollywood Bowl did just the trick to really make me feel like I'm back.
This week I've rented a car so that I can take care of meetings, errands, and visits with friends. Really hoping to pack in as much as I can now so that I can have a restful last week as it will end with a night in Vegas (!!). Lots to do and see until then so I'll try to get more snaps in, that is, of things other than the two little rugrats above.
happy friday
I'm totally late in posting this today but if you follow me on instagram then you know that I've been busy playing catch up with family and friends. It's also nearly impossible to get any work done with little hands clamoring to see what I'm doing and their sticky fingers pressing on the screen as if my laptop were an iPad. This morning I found a love scribble from the youngest, Isabella, all over the hard case and thankfully she used washable crayons. I guess the coloring books I brought from Malaysia were only so interesting!
We'll see what else she gets into over the weekend. I hope you have a great one!
let's play house {palm springs}
1. Curtis Jere / 2. Rust Belt Threads / 3. Mad Mats / 4. Viesso / 5. PopOColor (green, orange), Trina Turk (yellow) / 6. CB2 / 7. inmod
As much as I love LA, my dream is to own a home in Palm Springs. I love the architecture, the slower pace of life, and the dry heat that makes my thick and wavy hair feel silky and flat. My home will have a fabulous backyard with a pool + lounge area and I'll always have my fabulous friends over for fabulous cocktails. I will go absolutely nuts decorating with a mix of vintage and modern pieces, making sure to pay homage to the structure of the house while still keeping things fresh. And yes, the house will of course be one of those iconic single story homes with perfectly balanced asymmetrical lines and no-fuss native landscaping. It will be fab-u-lous. Shall I fix you a drink?
words worth repeating / 26
My sister told me that last week my niece, Juliana, was dreaming up rainbows and mentioned that she wanted to see one. My sister replied with "we'll have to wait until the rainy season, it's too hot right now." The next day, it rained and Juliana got her rainbow. At just two years old, Juliana might understand the power of positivity or rather ask and you shall receive. She's rarely on the other side of the fence and if slides towards negativity, she immediately picks herself up by saying "all better" or "it's okay". She's one smart and adorable little cookie.
{mix tape} back in the day september
When Joe and I arrived in LA during our last visit and got into the rental car, we immediately tuned into KDAY 93.5. KDay plays all of the old school rap and hip hop songs that we grew up with and for me, it's all so quintessentially LA. Even if they're not all west coast artists, the vibe is there. I'm back in town so it was only fitting that I create my own mix! Some song versions are "explicit" so be warned in case you have little ears around. Though, I turned out alright...you know how we do ;)
Click here or the sidebar player to tune in. Enjoy!
1 This Is How We Do It Montell Jordan 2 California Love 2Pac, Roger Troutman & Dr. Dre 3 Poison Bell Biv Devoe 4 Going Bak to Cali The Notorious B.I.G. 5 Check Yo Self ('The Message' Remix) Ice Cube 6 Funkdafied Da Brat 7 This D.J. Warren G 8 Around the Way Girl LL Cool J 9 I'm So Into You SWV 10 Summertime DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
...
Hi guys how was your weekend? On Friday night we stayed out waaayyy past our bedtime (+/- ten shots and drinks each), slept most of the next day for obvious reasons, and then met with other friends for dinner and an impromptu durian tasting. Sunday was productive though as I had to prep for my flight to LA. I'm so sad to leave Joe but I also can't wait to see my other loves, including my mama who is flying out from Colombia! My poor brother in-law is going to have some serious estrogen-overload for a few weeks but it's a small price to pay for a much needed family reunion. I'll stock his fridge with lots of cold beer ;)
I can't wait to give them big hugs and kisses tomorrow...or today depending on the time you're reading this. Time travel is weird...
Blog ya later from the other side of the world!!!
happy friday
We made it through the week - hurrah! While my pre-LA to-do list is still much longer than I'd hope it would be, I'm committed to spending some quality time with this guy before I leave on Monday. I know that three weeks will fly by but I miss him even when we're apart for a few hours! It won't be just about us though as we're also getting together with some new friends for dinner and drinks. It'll be the perfect way to say goodbye to my new home for a bit while I reconnect with my favorite people in my old one. I can't wait.
Have a great weekend!
Oh and thank you for the sweet and supportive comments on my portfolio launch - means so much!
at last
Remember my post about "owning" your title or whatever it is that you do? Well, I finally put together one of the things that makes being a freelance graphic designer and photographer a bit more legit in my book: a portfolio! It was such a satisfying and motivating experience to sort through what I have done and think about the work that I want to continue doing. It still has a lot of room to grow but it's a start. It's my start and I'm excited to share it with you.
Please check it out and do pass it along to any friends, family, and colleagues who might be interested in my work (word-of-mouth <3 is greatly appreciated!). Thank you for being a part of this new creative journey.
words worth repeating / 24
Happy Hump Day. Let's make it a hot week ;)
for more quotes visit Howdy Day!, a daily dose of inspiration + motivation via your browser’s homepage, email or rss.
con dao vietnam
My my was it tough to pick just a handful of photos for this post! We had the most amazing time at Six Senses in Con Dao. We're usually the type to check into a hotel and return only after a day of exploring but this time we were total resort dwellers. Between relaxing in our villa, swimming in the warm ocean, and eating yummy local cuisine, there really wasn't much reason to leave. And to be fair, we were on a small island so the choice was made even easier. We did venture out for a snorkeling trip that was followed by the most incredible fruit picnic on a tiny secluded beach. I kept pinching myself because it all looked like something out of a magazine spread. It was the type of setting that dream holidays are made of.
The resort lived up to its scenery too. Everything was eco-conscious and the staff was beyond friendly and hospitable. Every villa is given a butler so if you need anything you call just one person. Ours was Nghia and I knew we had come to service-heaven when after turn-down on the first night I found a lens cloth cleaner for my glasses and a jar of detergent soap; Nghia had noticed that I was wearing glasses (and that they were dirty) and had caught a comment that Joe and I made about getting a stain on his clothes. How impressive is that? We hardly called on Nghia for things but I can imagine that families really get their monies worth with all of the details that the butlers can take care of for you.
We're already scheming our return because it truly did feel like a slice of heaven. Everything - the service, the scenery, the vibe - was perfect. Places and experiences like this is why we moved to South East Asia. Thanks for the reminder, Six Senses Con Dao.
weekend, we
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Hi guys, how was your weekend? We did a little bit of everything but mainly tackled matters of the home like grocery shopping and cleaning. I actually really love the weekend after a holiday, it makes the simplicity and calm of being at home an indulgence in itself.
I got a lot done but it'll still be a busy week before I head to LA next Monday. I promise that pics from Vietnam are coming mañana :)
Cheers to a good week ahead!
friday pic & pin
Happy Friday, guys. Do you have anything fun planned for the weekend? I'll be enjoying our home, working on some projects, and getting super excited for my visit to LA next month(!!!). Yep, Joe is making me go. I'm happy that he gave me the push to book the flights because I do miss my family and friends like CRAZY. I was trying to hold out until next year but my initial wish to visit every six months seems like it has to be reality in order to keep me going. Seeing this pin for a fancy quesadilla made me smile and think of the wonderful Mexican food I will soon devour. Cali, imma comin'!
Have a great weekend!
This week's three rad links...
• nerding out over these philosophy prints via Smashing Magazine
• this weekend's new read Sister Magazine
• and saving the best for last: a HUGE congrats to my girl, Meg Bourne, founder of Art Feeds, for winning a Do Something Award. Watch her win + the story here. GO MEG & TEAM!
(image left: colorful windows in Singapore by Ana Maria Muñoz, right: Pin via Martha Stewart)
let's getaway {newport}
1. J.Crew / 2. Tiny Armour / 3. Kiel James Patrick / 4. Land's End Canvas / 5. J. Crew / 6. Neuaura
I know I know, I've only just returned from a weekend getaway but summer is nearly over and I can't help but think of Newport, Rhode Island. I spent the Fall semester of my Junior year of college at URI and I fell in love with it. Everything was so different from LA: the people, the scenery, the ocean, the style - I didn't need to study abroad to be in a totally different world. It was the first time I had ever seen and experienced real autumn foliage and I even learned how to sail thanks to the free lessons on offer from the cute boys on the sailing team. While out in the bay during sailing practice, shivering from the freezing temperatures of the approaching winter, I imagined what RI and Newport would be like in the summer. Touring the old mansions, eating quahog (local name of a shellfish, not The Family Guy's town), and enjoying a refreshing ice cream during a leisurely stroll along the waterfront. That place was built for summer merry making and I did promise myself that we would meet again. I might even see how much jib sheet and knots action I remember ;)
words worth repeating / 24
Hi guys, we're back from Vietnam! What an incredible four days of rest, relaxation and eating well. We both returned with painful sunburns but it's a small price to pay for a weekend in paradise ... consider our honeymoon done and done! I've got a ton of work to get back to so a full recap with photos will have to wait until next week. Until then here are some teaser snaps from my phone using vsco cam and instagram. Paradise, right?
for more quotes visit Howdy Day!, a daily dose of inspiration + motivation via your browser’s homepage, email or rss.
friday pic & pin
TGIF - we're off to Vietnam for our first real beach holiday in SE Asia and I feel like a little girl on her last day of school. Joe and I have been really busy lately so I can't wait to get to the hotel/island and have no option but to just cchhiilll. It'll be four days of sun, sand, and maybe some rain. The tropical kind is okay though - I'll take a downpour while wearing a bikini rather than a coat any day!
I'll be back here on Wednesday but will probably sneak in a few instagrams while away, join me will ya?
Selamat Hari Raya to those celebrating the end of Ramadan here in Malaysia and have a great (and restful) weekend to you all!
This week's three rad links...
• round up of sustainable swimwear (loving Cali Dreaming, obviously) via Goodlifer
• take it or leave it? this is for you thrifters and vintage lovers via Apartment Therapy
• pinterest meets blog meets facebook. the latest in social sites via Co. Design
(image left: barcelona beach by Ana Maria Muñoz, right: Pin via Blue Dot)
{diy} belt your board
My first IKEA hack using their cork heat pads - I'm so proud! Check out the complete DIY on today's Poppytalk.
words worth repeating / 23
Says it all.
for more quotes visit Howdy Day!, a daily dose of inspiration + motivation via your browser’s homepage, email or rss.
making a home
Thank you so much for the comments on yesterday's post - it feels great to feel fully settled in. I hope I haven't been too much of a debbie downer the past three months but I have, thanks for sticking by my side.
Moving ain't easy so what do you do when you have to start from scratch or with only a few pieces in tow? With two international moves under our belt I want to share some things I've learned that might help anyone who is moving to a new city or country for school, work, family, or in my case: amor ;)
It's tempting to think that you'll need everything but if you stay true to practicality and enjoyment then you will be okay. In other words, follow Mr. Morris's words and "... have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful".
Keeping that in mind, we moved to London with four duffel bags stuffed with linens and clothing, and shipped three medium size boxes full of kitchen utensils, office supplies, and a few art pieces and knick knacks that were personal to us. Just having a framed picture and a memento from the past offered an instant feeling of "home" ... even if said picture frame was displayed on the cardboard box it came in for nearly three months.
Here are some tips to consider for creating instant comfort and avoiding unnecessary expenses and wasted energy:
• Bring your own bed linens, towels, and pillows. Even if only one set of each to start out with - you'll need them immediately.
• Basic kitchen utensils plus a pot and pan for cooking a simple meal. I always feel more settled if I can scramble my own eggs and not have leave home to feed my morning hunger. These individual items can also add up to a large expense if bought new.
• Personal photos, art, and any tchotskes that are small but meaningful to you. Something that you can place on a counter or lean against a wall and smile at until you find a more permanent space for it.
• Office supplies - it's amazing how necessary a stapler or paper clips can be. Especially if you'll be filling out paper work for new local accounts and such. Having these along with pens, paper, envelopes, etc., saves so much time in having to locate the nearest stationary shop. Of course, you'll eventually find one (and other stores for other things) but the point is to make starting out as easy as possible.
• Movies and favorite TV shows downloaded to your computer while you arrange your internet and TV services. This is extremely helpful for morale on those nights when you're sitting in an empty room eating off of paper plates.
And most important, don't forget to pack your sense of adventure and sense of humor. It's a big test for what you can and can't live without but the good thing is that it's temporary and as long as there's a roof over your head and a pillow to rest on, all is truly well.
As you can tell by the photo above we've moved to KL with a few more items. It was easier to do that this time around since we knew what our apartment looked like and could justify the freight shipping based on what it would cost to buy them all over again. We lived somewhat sparingly in London but now we're ready to go the distance, even if we have to pack it all up again (or leave it) in a year or two. We've gotta love it and enjoy it right now - home sweet home.
Do you have any items that instantly make you feel at home whether moving across town or across the globe?