Mojave Daze

It's been a slow week here on the blog, and the weekend, I'm hoping, will be even slower. Taking a much needed break to visit the heat of the desert, and I'm reminded of the strange, eerie beauty of the Mojave as we pass by the towering yucca trees and heat-laden shrubs on our way to the outskirts of Las Vegas.

The weather is already unforgiving, but it feels refreshing and revitalizing, nonetheless. Enjoy this weekend, everyone—oh, and in case you hadn't heard the news...

#lovewins

(photo via Andriana Baker)

If ever there were a spring day so perfect...

... so uplifted by a warm intermittent breeze. — Billy Collins, "Today"

I've been distracted of late by an upcoming vacation. A tropical destination awaits, and I'm giddy with anticipation, eagerness, and anxiousness. It's been several years since my last real adventure, and I don't quite know how to contain myself, but in a week's time, I'll be laying beach side amid the palm trees. I'll just have to remember to pull out my camera every once in awhile.

In the meantime, I'm trying my best to exercise patience, but it is beginning to feel fruitless. I've even had difficulty focusing on watching movies, that's how distracted the prospect of travel makes me. We're heading into a holiday weekend, for some, and while I will be using these next few days to prep for my trip, I hope that everyone finds just a little bit of sunshine and eases into their happy place, even if just for a little while.

Happy weekend, all! xx

(image via Sinjun Strom)

I will be the gladdest thing under the sun

That right there. That has been my expression every morning when I step out into the sunshine, and I take my little pup Gretchen and her short little Dachshund legs on a walk around our neighborhood. Being in Southern California, we don't experience the same kind of winter as the rest of the country. That doesn't mean, however, that winter hasn't been a grind. Work duties have increased, personal time has depleted, but I'm feeling optimistic and invigorated despite it all.

For weeks, I've been dreaming about the spring, and couldn't be happier that today marks its first official day. A vacation with the people I love the most is just around the corner, which might be the real reason there's been a bit more of a kick in my step recently. So in light of that, a little spring poetry on this happy, sunny Friday. And you're welcome for that picture of a smiling kitten in a hat box.

I will be the gladdest thing
    Under the sun!
I will touch a hundred flowers
    And not pick one.

I will look at cliffs and clouds
    With quiet eyes,
Watch the wind bow down the grass,
    And the grass rise.

And when lights begin to show
    Up from the town,
I will mark which must be mine,
    And then start down!
                   - Edna St. Vincent Millay, "Afternoon on a Hill"

 xx

(image via Yvette Inufio)

Moving Forward

I've been thinking a lot lately about how I view this blog, and how I'd most like to communicate to all of you out there. In the past 8 months alone, I've been finding my footing in terms of what I want to say, and the things I'm most comfortable posting about.

Since the start of this year, that 'thing' has been movies.

More than anything, I'm most comfortable writing about film. My personal Project 365 movie challenge has been a delightful struggle, and I've learned so much about myself as an amateur critic—I can't imagine my feelings 2—6—10 months from now. Even the hardest reviews aren't as daunting as, say... talking about my weekend plans, or giving sage closet-purging advice. I'm not used to that, even though when I breathed new life into this space last summer, those are the posts I pushed to produce.

As difficult as they might be, they're also what make a blog personal—and special. The movies I'm watching aside, there's more to me, and this blog, that I want to share. That might mean posting successful or failed photographs of my pets, or asking burning questions like "What's Your Favorite Lipstick?"... or maybe just lamenting about that totally bogus $73 parking ticket I got this morning. *fume*

Whatever it might be, I'm sensing a sort of balance coming back into this space. I hope that any of you out there will continue to join me, support me, and provide feedback about what you might enjoy reading. Of course, there will be no shortage of movie reviews this year, so I look forward to prompting lively debate when I post something you vehemently disagree with. ☺

Hope everyone has a wonderful Friday and weekend! Except that parking attendant, of course.

(photo via Sinjun Strom)

Halloweens Past

A little throwback Halloween Friday from a cheeky little rabbit. A young costumed me circa 1989.

Have a safe Halloween and a wonderful weekend, all! xx

Let's Drive to the Desert, the Heat Will Bring Us Life

Today, John and I head east through the desert to spend an extra-long weekend in expansive Las Vegas. No, not that Vegas. We won't be gambling on the Strip (much) or taking in a show (probably)—the jaunt is to escape Los Angeles for a little while and take a long-awaited vacation just off-Strip. That means no work; which probably won't be difficult, since our condo doesn't have internet.

I'm also going to try to abstain from blogging too much while there—though hopefully, a visit to the Red Rocks or to one of my favorite coffee places will inspire some posts on these reels in the coming weeks.

I look forward to the stretch of open highway, the required stops in Baker and "Fake Vegas" (as John calls it), but mostly, I'm thankful for being able to take a few days to rejuvenate my mind and body.

Have a lovely weekend, all. xx

{photo via Flavio}

"You are still the bread and the knife"

What do you have planned for this weekend? Part of me wants to laze about and do nothing (read: cross stitch), but that may not be in the cards this time. The boyfriend has planned a special [surprise] outing all day for us tomorrow, and I'm eager to see what he's cooked up—I have a sneaking suspicion it may actually involve cooking. Likely because not 5 minutes ago, he insisted on going "alone" to the grocery store. So sneaky, so adorable.

That may prompt me to push for a lazy Sunday. Maybe finding our way to another warm, sunny beach, with just a blanket and a book.

Have a beautiful weekend, all! xx

{image via Charlotte Bland}

10 Years

It's hard for me to believe, but this weekend, I will be road tripping from Los Angeles to the San Francisco Bay Area for my (and my twin sister's) 10-year high school reunion. More specifically, for the Castro Valley High School, class of '04, reunion.

There will likely be a celebratory viewing of Romy & Michele's High School Reunion somewhere in there. And rather than strolling through the quad of CVHS, we'll be boozing it up at a brewery in nearby Berkeley. (Whatever happened throwing the party at the school's cafeteria, where you could sneak off and drink in front of your old locker? Was that just in the movies??)

Reunions are an interesting tradition. Especially now, with social media at our fingertips, when we don't need to have a face-to-face reunion to reminisce about the good old days, or find out who has the most successful career, or who looks different and who looks exactly the same.

We already see it all. Every day, when we scroll through our Facebook feeds. We know who has kids, and who recently traveled through Europe; who is on a career path at a major corporation, or who is preparing for their wedding. And honestly, I see and chat with all my good friends regularly, is it really worth a hefty ticket price just to clink wine glasses and say "Welp! It's been 10 years, crazy, huh?"

In short, yes. Yes it is. You only get one 10-year reunion, folks, and while everyone's high school experience is different, mine was one I have no issue celebrating. I'll see people this weekend that I forgot about, and who I didn't realize I missed. And likely, I'll get those "Am I where I expected to be in my life?" feelings that befall us all—and stress about the perfect thing to where, because duh, I wanna look good.

But that, in truth, is just another part of the tradition.

{picture of Castro Valley, CA circa 1970 by Paul MacFarlane via}

A Morning in Venice {Beach}

This morning, I woke up and looked outside. Cloudy. I told John that I didn't care how overcast it was, I was committed to going to the beach, and wasn't particular about which one. This is LA, after all -- muggy mornings become clear blue skies by 11 a.m. most of the time.

I dragged him out of bed, packed up our beach blankets, towels, and sunscreen -- confident we would actually need it -- and set out. We traveled to Venice, the West Side's eclectic beach town, grabbed the world's best iced Mexican Mochas at Groundwork Coffee on Rose Ave before heading to the Pier.

The beach was quiet, with only a handful of souls -- like us -- who anticipated the impending sunlight. I even got into the water, which I normally refuse to do (me and salt water aren't the best of friends.) But mostly, we just lounged and soaked up that precious Vitamin D.

It was too short of a trip, but necessary for my sanity. The water was warm, the breeze was cool, and the sun re-invigorating. John and I may have to make a habit of this kind of outing. 

"I will carry you and give you life."

Friday has arrived, ya'll. Angelenos awoke to a respite from the heat, with looming rain clouds overhead.

But this hasn't dampened my weekend plans of lounging ocean-side. With (most of) the tourists wrapping up their summer holiday visits, the West Side is now free from beach traffic, and the warm sand is calling my name. A blanket, chilled rosé, and sunglasses are all I need.

Tonight, John and I are catching a show with our friend Tim at the Hollywood Palladium, seeing Chvrches for the first time. Their record has been spinning in my player for almost a year, so there was no way I would miss their stop in L.A. this time around.

Enjoy the weekend, everyone! xx

and here are some links for your perusing pleasure:
♦ Stevie Nicks "selfie" gallery show in the works
♦ this song from the best scene in The Skeleton Twins
♦ tattoo chic is sexy chic
♦ famous women discuss choosing not to have children
♦ Star Wars without music is awkward
♦ 2-year-old performs choreography from Sia's "Chandelier" (too cute!)
♦ my favorite redhead being as classy as ever

{image via Yvette Inufio}

a little surprise

Yesterday, I received a small package in my mailbox. A little gift to myself that I'd been eagerly anticipating. Back in July, I featured some wares & things from Unurth Ceramics, and it didn't take long for me to decide on the exact ceramic planter I wanted to have displayed in my home.

Dimpled with a light fresh, mint hue, I hastily made my purchase and waited desperately for it to arrive.

But...it took a little while to get here. Unbeknownst to me, the shop owner, Jenn, had just embarked on her honeymoon -- and wouldn't you know it, she was so apologetic when she returned for keeping one of her customers waiting on their order, she included a second planter as a surprise in the box! This one with a hint of pinky-blush. Now that's customer service!

The planters are more than I could have imagined them to be, and the quality is impeccable. I can't recommend Unurth enough, even if just because it's worth supporting local artists and their trades.

Now I know that my Saturday will be filled with succulent shopping and some at-home gardening. Have a lovely weekend, everyone. xx

Bartleby the Cat

I woke up to a beautiful sunny morning, and my Russian Blue kitty, Bartleby, was lounging in his favorite spot: the wide window sill of our 6th floor bedroom. I just had to interrupt his sunbathing for a quick picture.

Such a beautiful brute.

This weekend, my dad came to visit our new apartment for the first time, coming all the way down from the San Francisco Bay Area. It's a short visit, but so wonderful to have him here. Only wish he could stay for tomorrow's AFI screening -- this time, we'll be watching Pulp Fiction.

Have a wonderful weekend - go and enjoy some delicious eats or satisfying drinks. And get out of the house; it's beautiful out there. xx

"Now I walk under a pink sky"

via Bahar Özdemir

What are you all up to this weekend? Anything fun?

Me, I've got tickets to the MONUMENTOUR featuring Paramore & Fall Out Boy. My sister, Stacy, is coming down for a quick weekend visit, and she, John, and myself are gonna make a day of it in Orange County. I've seen Paramore live twice before, and I've never seen Fall Out Boy. I'm very excited.

Our weekly AFI Night will continue Sunday with The Last Picture Show, of course -- and I may try to drag John on a hike with me somewhere. Some outdoor exercise is long overdue, so here's hoping it doesn't get too hot! Just need to decide on the hiking location... Any LA-area recommendations?

Have a great weekend, all!  xx