Best pants for fall

These pixie pants from J.Crew are the best leggings for fall (and any season, really). I just bought a pair for my Europe vacation. They have such a high quality about them, have a good stretch, and the zipper detail keeps them looking more sophisticated than most. Perfect for boots, flats, or wedges, this is going to be a true staple in my closet.

Wedding bells!

(Source)

Happy Saturday everyone! Cameron and I are staying just north of LA at his parents' house this weekend because his older brother is getting married today! It's beautiful, sunny, and going to be in low 80's today. Our last glimpse of summer even though it is officially fall. It's a perfect day for a wedding and we are all excited over here. Cameron is playing golf with the boys, and I need to get off Pinterest and wash up. Roxy is looking up at me intently. She must want lunch and a walk. Gotta go!

Meet Carly

This sweet puppy belongs to my parents. I got to finally meet her Thursday night, since I am in LA this weekend. Her name is Carly and she is a standard poodle. Isn't she adorable? Her coat is super soft and the best part is she doesn't shed. I can already tell she has an amazing personality and is incredibly smart. I'm so thrilled to have another dog in our family, and my parents had been feeling the empty nest syndrome since I took Roxy up north with me last year. Roxy still reigns Queen B in this household and quickly let Carly know what's up. 

She is very bouncy and loves to chew. She enjoys a good belly rub and gives you the most attentive gaze, absorbing everything there is to know about humans and her new life. She's such a joy. Welcome to the fam, Carly!

Muir Woods

"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." - John Muir

I took a walk in the woods with my wonderful friend Laura about a week ago. Muir Woods is a national monument north of San Francisco. Neither of us had actually been in this park before so we took a little drive to enjoy the outdoors and look up into the tall redwoods grove.

A few photos I snapped...

Beautiful place to visit, and if you're staying in San Francisco this is well worth the trip over the Golden Gate to spend some time in the early afternoon. I imagine this would be an awesome place for pictures in the foggy morning hours.

20 things

1.       My favorite food is Mexican, whether it be tacos, burritos, enchiladas, etc. This reminds me of a  funny bit by Jim Gaffigan… "Tortilla with cheese, meat, and vegetables." If you know what I’m talking about, right on.

2.       I love to go camping and hike in the woods. It’s my favorite. It can be hard work when you don’t have easy access to water, and you have to wash all the dishes by hand in the cold and keep the fire from going out, but man… the fresh mountain air and seeing stars. Worth. It.

3.       I like to save my money, but I also like to make spontaneous purchases. Target, it’s all your fault.

4.       Roxy is my forever puppy. She is almost 14 years old, which means I’ve had her for the majority of my life. Crazy huh. I love her to the moon and back.

5.       I am messy. I leave piles of clothes on the floor, shoes everywhere, and can never keep up with dishes. I wish it wasn’t so and I love a clean house, but I’m just lazy when it comes to this stuff. Sorry Cam, let’s hire a housekeeper? Haha.

6.       I don’t like scary movies.

7.       I am a private person and it takes me a long time to open up my true self to someone. 

8.       Cam and I don’t have cable or satellite TV and we prefer it that way. Netflix, Amazon Prime, and rentals are plenty. I don’t miss it.

9.       I’m afraid of burglars, kidnappers, and murderers, and the idea of someone peering inside my windows.

10.   I miss my family and friends back home in Redondo Beach. And I miss that BEACH.

11.   I can never decide on a favorite color, but it’s somewhere in the blue and green realm.

12.   Working out at the gym is so boring.

13.   I like to cook. Sometimes.

14.   I am an introvert, and prefer staying home most nights. Socializing drains my energy and I have to recharge alone.

15.   I don’t like annoying kids in public, but I’ve always wanted to be a mom.

16.   I have had Invisalign. And now I have Damon system braces. I can’t wait for it to be all over soon! I’ve always wanted perfectly straight teeth.

17.   I thrive off routine, but always want to make big life changes. I get bored easily.

18.   I’ve been to Canada and Jamaica. Adding Europe to the list in two weeks!

19.   I love Christmas time, but I dislike winter. You know what I mean?

20.   Pumpkin Spiced Lattes. ‘Nuff said.

The funniest card game for adults

Last Friday night we played this hilarious game at our friend's house called "Cards Against Humanity." It is definitely raunchy and designed to shock for laughs. We went through practically the whole box of cards. What's great is they sell expansion packs, and you can download blank cards to make your own. We were busting a gut over this game!

How adorable is our friend's dog, Enzo? He wanted in on the fun, always.

FUN. Concert!

I bought tickets to the Fun. concert as an anniversary gift for Cameron, and it was such a good time! It was at the UC Berkeley Greek Theater, and the opening act was Tegan and Sara. Gorgeous venue, great seats, and a really good show. We also randomly ran into my cousin and his girlfriend who happened to be there with some friends! I was so happy to find these tickets because Cameron has liked this band for a loooong time, and was a fan of the singer's previous band, The Format, during college and never got to see them in concert. If you like this band, I highly recommend catching them on tour because they are absolutely fantastic live. Nate Ruess has a ton of infectious energy onstage.

Pictures after the jump...

Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Nothing is better for the soul than hiking through a forest with giant trees. Solitude, endless beauty, pine tree smell, birds chirping, shaded forest floor, and quiet. The sound of trickling water streams as you make your way down a twisting forest valley and wind rustling through the leaves above you. On Labor Day we decided to put on our hiking boots and spend part of the day in Big Basin Redwoods State Park. This was California's very first state park, and after hiking through its gorgeous forest, I can see why. 

Here are a few photos if you'd like to see...

Delectable jewelry

This donut bangle and these hot dog earrings from Kate Spade amuse me.

That's all.

Remember Tamagotchis?

Remember Tamagotchis and GigaPets? I got a GigaPet first, and then found a lost Tamagotchi when I went on a camping trip. I remember being completely addicted to taking care of my virtual pets, making sure they had enough food and trying to keep them alive. It was all the rage 15 years ago.

Now there is an app called Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. where you can relive this toy from the 90's! I am so excited to download it on iTunes. You can choose your shell color and character, and get notifications sent through your phone. 

Here's to nostalgia! 

Liebster Award

Thank you to Laura from Green Mountain Globetrotter for nominating me for a Liebster Award! I gladly accept. The Liebster award is given to up and coming bloggers with fewer than 200 followers. It is a fun way of discovering new blogs, and connecting with other bloggers. I had not heard of this before, so I did some digging. Liebster is a German word that means sweet, kind, beloved, and dearest. 

Here are the rules:

If nominated, you need to post a blog post with the following:
1. Accepting the award.
2. Answering the questions set by the blogger who nominated you (and comment on your nominator's page so they can read your answers).
3. Nominate 11 other bloggers (try to avoid repeats) for the award. And comment on their blog so they know they are nominated (and remember to link the rules).
4. Set 11 questions of your own for your nominees to answer.
5. Place the Liebster Badge on your post.

Questions:

1. Why do you blog?

I have been reading blogs for a few years now, and have always thought of starting one. I used to have a Livejournal back when that was popular, but blogging is different these days. I like the idea of sharing things I like, whether it be a trip I took, photographs, quotes, fashion, and beauty. This is where I can document my life and my interests, and connect with others. It would be great to grow a readership and share ideas with others in this community.

2. What's the best book you've read recently?

I read 'Bossypants' by Tina Fey in May, and laughed out loud. She had some really funny stories, and I love a good memoir, especially when they are funny.

3. Share a fact you recently learned.

This is really gross, but I learned humans can grow horns, and they are called cutaneous horns.

4. Where do you find your blogging inspiration?

From other bloggers. I have a few favorites that I follow, and their posts inspire me, both in everyday life and in blogging.

5. How do you design your blog?

I used carrielovesdesign on Etsy, and purchased the template I have now.

6. What is your day job?

I'm a buyer at a small Silicon Valley company that makes analyzers for environmental scientists and utility companies.

7. Coffee or tea?

Tea. Especially green tea. But I enjoy the occasional coffee too.

8. What is your greatest accomplishment?

Graduating college I suppose.

9. What was your favorite childhood book?

The Rainbow Fish! I loved the beautiful water color and foil stamping, and the book had a good message. It is just beautiful all around.

10. What item is at the top of your wishlist?

These Frye boots.

11. What's your favorite season?

Summer. I love the warm weather. I love wearing shorts, a t-shirt, and flip flops. I love cold refreshing drinks and being outside. It's a happy season.

I nominate the following people (if you didn't list your number of followers, I guessed!):

Barefoot in Blue Jeans

Moe and Manny

My Craft Affair

Curly Haired Chronicles

A Good Hue

Little House in the Pines

Hey Normal Day

Tales for Scout

The Samantha Daily

Three Sweet Peas

Shelby Lost at Sea

And here are your questions:

1. What is the hair product you cannot live without?

2. Are you a cat or dog person? Or neither?

3. What is your day job?

4. Who is your favorite actress?

5. If you could travel anywhere in the world, and money wasn't an issue, where would you go?

6. What song are you currently playing on repeat?

7. If you could have one super power what would it be?

8. Beach or the mountains?

9. What is your favorite season and why?

10. What is your biggest pet peeve?

11. What magazines do you like to read?

Be sure to link back so I can read your answers!

Sunday in Monterey

Cameron and I took a day trip to Monterey on Sunday. I had never been there, and was excited to see the aquarium, and explore the town for a day. I didn't know the aquarium was in an old canning building, where they canned sardines. Turns out that back in the day people fished all the sardines until they were completely wiped out of the area, and all the canneries shutdown. Slowly the sardine population made a comeback in Monterey, but now Cannery Row is used as more of a sanctuary for marine life.

Old remnants of the cannery.

The kelp forest.

Cameron holding a weird looking crab.

Sea otters are so cute! They have the smallest hands, and they are always grooming their fur to stay afloat.

The open sea feeding was amazing! This tank is HUGE.

Sardine school of fish during the open sea feeding.

You can't see them in this picture, but over near the kayakers were wild sea otters! It was so cool. 

Cameron and I shared mocha Dippin' Dots.

We did some olive oil tasting at the Monterey Olive Bar, and bought some of our favorites.

The line into the aquarium. Word to the wise... get there early, at opening, and buy your tickets online to avoid this line. Parking is also scarce in this area.

Then we took a stroll along the coastline trail, and it was so beautiful.

It was the perfect day to go exploring!