A Giveaway! $20 to H&M

I want to thank all of my lovely readers. I always enjoy reading your comments, sharing ideas, and learning from you. When I began writing here in 2010 I did not know what to expect, but I've found an international community of bright, positive people - with whom I've had great "conversations" with. What else can I say? You all rock!

So I'm doing a little giveaway for my "followers" (though I'd like to think of you all more as friends), win a $20 gift card to H&M. I hope you'll have more luck finding something super cute & stylish with it than I have.

Just leave a comment here about your favorite childhood memory, or about a recent trip you've taken, or well anything really (I just like to hear those kinds of stories). Also, don't forget to leave your email.

*** Giveaway ends July 5th


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Le Weekend

Grub. Apple Coleslaw & Strawberry Salsa. Of course we also had potato salad, grilled corn and tofu with homemade Apricot BBQ sauce.



The Strawberry Salsa was amazing.



We had our 4th of July BBQ early since we will be in Big Sur for the 4th and not able to grill up tasty veggie treats.

What I wore - I decided since so much effort went into the cooking, I should put some effort into my weekend wear as well.





Built by Wendy dress ( this one is a summer fave I've had for years) - Lizzie Fortunato necklace - UO Cardigan and Charlotte Ronson shoes.

I'm hoping that the weather keeps up and heats up. I still haven't been to the beach (at least not to swim & catch some rays). Have any of you made it to the beach this summer?

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Drives Down the Coast

Last night there was a clothing Swap in San Francisco put together by Lulu's - I did not go. I wanted to attend, as it was a great opportunity to meet other local bloggers, and a chance to hang out with other like-minded ladies, chat, and of course swap clothes - but I did not feel very well yesterday and it's a bit difficult for a 9 to 5'er to get it together to go out on weeknights. I feel that I miss out on a lot of events because of this. I'm not 'old' but at times I feel like it. I work a full time job - I'm at the office 5 days a week and on weeknights, I'm not at happy hour, or at trunk shows, or meet-ups. I'm heading home to make dinner for the hubs - or to run household errands, so that our weekends are free. I feel that these aren't the usual evenings of a 20 something, but oh well. I may miss out on things that may make this blog an "it" one to read, but then I do get to do a lot of other fun things like this...

From a past weekend drive down the CA coast.















While I was wearing hiking clothes, this would be the perfect outfit to wear for such a drive.



I love how Pixie Market put this all together, and while they are not typical summer colors -they do well for the June gloom that sets in along the California coast this time of year.

Next weekend for the 4th of July we are driving down to Big Sur and spending a night in Carmel. I love that part of the California Coastline, so I'll be sure to share some photos.

What are your plans for the upcoming holiday?

Summertime Summerland

The skies are blue and no-sweater weather has finally arrived in the bay. I've been quite busy these past few going for long walks, making watermelon slushies and enjoying the summer weather while it lasts.

Sure my weekdays are filled with the 9 to 5 office work, and I'm often daydreaming about being here...



but, I'm still extremely happy that I can go out sans tights and a cardigan - and of course wear a few pretty new things.





I finally spent some of the gift cards I've had hanging around since Christmas.
Sunnies are Karen Walker, Skirt UO, Bag is by Jade Tribe via Conifer in SF, the top - the shoes - the messy hair - all seen before. I'm most likely chopping off all my straggly locks before school starts. So I have a summer left with my hippie long hair.

Can you believe it's already close to July 4th?

Past Apartments

As you know, for the past year or so we've been trying to find new digs in our part of town. For what seems like an eternity, I've been looking at ads online, keeping my eyes peeled for leasing signs when going out on walks, putting the word out to friends and friends of friends that we were looking ... I have looked at so many photos of homes and apartments, Youtube interior tours, and fliers. I've seen some really shabby sad looking places that would have been scary to live in, and I've seen some really fantastic spaces- that just fell short of what we needed in a place to live.

We've now come upon an opportunity to move someplace new at the end of the summer. Which is great news, that I will write about as we get closer to August. The thing is, now that I'm no longer looking for a new place I have some free time on my hands. So I've taken on the task of organizing my photos.

That's when I found this photo ...



My old studio apartment, by the Grand Lake theater. I guess if I no longer have to obsess about finding a new place, I can obsess about the old places I have lived. I took this photo shortly before getting hitched and moving in with the hubs (most of it was all packed up I have some boxes in the corner behind my guitar). I wish that I'd taken more pictures of this super cute place - It was pink and white (note the hello kitty alarm clock in the lower right) I loved this apartment, it was in an old 20's building and it had an old icebox and Wedgewood stove... oh the memories. One day I do hope to have wood floors and floor to ceiling windows again.

I am now hoping to find at least one photo of my very first apartment in Boston, I miss that place too - but that was pre-my-having a digital camera, so I may need to dig through some shoe boxes for a pic.

What was your first apartment like?

Submarine

Submarine: A film for fans of Harold & Maude, Donnie Darko, and Rushmore.










This film, is being referred to as being a being Welsh Weltschmerz .

"Oliver Tate is my kind of hero. He wears a magnificent blue duffle coat. He has a picture of Woody Allen on his bedroom wall. He is weak, cowardly, selfish and a fool. And, thank God, he is human. Oliver’s first love is not a girl with a heart of gold. She is Jordana Bevan, an arsonist, who refuses to hold Oliver’s hand... He also spies on his parents, to see if they’re planning a divorce. To say Oliver is confused is like saying the Titanic had an accident at sea."

I think I love it and I haven't even seen it yet. I'm hoping to go this week.



P.S. Doesn't Oliver look a bit like Harold?

Things on my mind...

Sitting here looking at the pile of work I have to do I am easily distracted - delving into the work is always the hardest part of tackling big projects.

So, I am procrastinating thinking about - dresses for summer weddings, where to find a copy of the new Lula Magazine, what to make for dinner, and figuring out a way to rope the guy in my life into watching Teen Witch tonight. If you've never seen this movie, it's a *gem* of 80's teen cheeze. Maybe I better wait for a girls night in to watch it...

Here is a super cute remake of the "Top That" scene from Teen Witch- presented by designer Rachel Antonoff - starring Rachel Antonoff and Alia Shawkat.



Here is the original scene...



I wish I could score this Rachel Antonoff dress for summer events...



or this dress from Wren...


I love the water color like floral print -perfect for any outdoor dress up affair. And, perfect for improv. rapping and suburban bike riding?

I'd love to know if you've seen Teen Witch, or what your other favorite 'teen' movies are.

Keeley Hawes - Period Drama Inspiration

Some people just have a face made for period dramas, like the young Helena Bonham Carter, Romola Garai, Jane March, and Keeley Hawes. I recently watched The Last September, based on Elizabeth Bowen's novel, set during the 1920's in Ireland. While the movie does not truly delve into the politics in Ireland at that time - nor the great history behind the struggle, it is a beautiful film. The cinematography is gorgeous, as is Hawes herself.




After watching the film I was so ready to bob my hair and wander about in light dresses.

The Many Lights

London around Christmas.



London New Year's Eve.



Paris.



Notre Dame





Brugges.

I never really like to stay in one place too long. I've moved around many times in my life, I guess maybe that's why I always have that itch to just keep on moving and I'm starting to feel that wanderlust again. I'd like to see the lights of other cities and towns. Only now, with school and work, travel plans are on hold.

Do you have plans to travel soon?