fever

cookie jar

major apologies for my lack of blog posts, the old laptop needed a checkup due to the ever-so-important shift key being out of commission, but all is better now. i think that i was going through withdrawals the first couple of days being without it, but it also felt like i was transported back to 1980, a much simpler time. i made some mini chocolate chip cookies to make it up to you ;)

nature

top photo: my own | middle photo: lindsay josal | btm photo w. graphic : my own

family treasures

my mother recently reconnected with her long lost uncle who was a half brother to my grandfather. the last time my mother saw uncle gene was in yokohama, japan when she was 3 years of age. since then he has been living in new york with his wife and is well into his nineties. i so hope that they will meet up soon as family ties are so important and since my grandfather and grandmother are long gone, it would be even that much sweeter of a reunion. it turns out that uncle gene has been carrying my grandfather’s business card in his wallet for all of these years. how incredible is that? and i find it to be such a coincidence in that i recently just ordered my own.. i guess your loved ones never really leave you..

sitting pretty

xiao wen ju by greg kadel vogue china march 2013.

via: i love wildfox

on my desktop

just a few of my favorite looks at the moment. i probably should pin these as my desktop always seems to magically clutter up.

photos via: just jared | who what wear | graphics: my own

half moon glitter manicure: how to

love it or hate it, this trend looks to be sticking around for quite a little while. i’m going to pair the glitter with nude next time, understated-glitzy is a good name for it i think.

you will need:
• a good high-density glitter polish in silver
• a nail polish is a pretty pastel color {i used revlon 211 charming}
• half moon manicure sticker adhesives
• a shiny clear top coat

instructions:
1. trim and buff nails
2. apply the sticker adhesives to the base of each nail following the natural half moon shape
3. apply a few coats of the glitter polish onto the exposed half moon shape area only
4. allow to dry completely
5. gently remove the sticker adhesives from the nails
6. apply a few coats of the pastel polish to each nail, starting where the glitter line ends
7. allow to dry completely
8. apply the top coat to seal in, protect and add shine

and there you have it, pretty pastel + glitter nails = a perfect spring 2013 manicure! xoxo

poolside

would you not love to be here right now?

via: c o a s t i n

cape lookout

we didn’t actually camp out yet because of the weather, but we are planning to do so this summer. and what’s really nice about this campsite is the fact that it’s right along the beach..

location: cape lookout southwestern tillamook county in northwestern oregon
photography: fs + my own

good read

as per my best friend’s recommendation. if you’re an artist, no, if you like to create, read this. most creatives are blocked, hence needing the wisdom and guidance of this smart woman, julia cameron. so far it’s really good. x

new year’s resolutions

i don’t normally make actual new year’s resolutions, mainly because i’m constantly in a state of self-improvement, one of the annoying downsides of being a virgo.. i like to call it more of a beginning-of-the-year-fresh-idea list! and it’s pretty loose, nothing that will cause me any guilt if i don’t accomplish something. so here we go, this year i would love to, in no particular order of importance:

1. try out new recipes for simple weeknight dinners
2. get bangs
3. stay in touch with friends and family more
4. organize my closet finally
5. start buying furniture finally
6. not worry
7. stop doing 110% and being okay with it
8. be easier on myself
9. take more chances
10. quit being so cheap and not feel guilty about it {another lovely virgo trait}
11. enjoy the ride and go with the flow of life
12. try and remain as true to myself as possible
13. remain child-like {like my niece + nephew lillian + cameron above}

what are some of yours?
xo

luggage

i’m back home from the holidays! and all went well i can gladly report. i hope you all had a wonderful new year and cheers to 2013, it shall be a great one i can feel it! xo

christmas light displays from around the globe

if you haven’t yet had the chance to circle your neighborhood to check out the christmas lights, these displays will surely suffice i am sure.. so incredibly mesmerizing! happy holidays everyone! xxx

via: huffington post

cabin fever

sfendamos wood village is located just outside the city of naoussa in northern greece. wouldn’t you just love to get away from it all right now? it is the perfect place in my mind.

via: dimitris maniatis

holiday pinstripe mani: how to

here’s a really simple-chic mani for the holidays! i start with a nice rich red hue for a base coat + finish it off with a clean and simple glittery stripe down the center, giving it just the right amount of sparkle! oh and btw.. do any of you especially enjoy
a pretty mani for when getting behind the wheel? i admit, i love admiring my nails whilst sitting in traffic ;)

you will need:
• a nail polish in a festive red or wine hue {i am wearing revlon in ruby}
• a nail polish in a sparkly gold or silver {i am wearing revlon street wear in slip 02, one that is slightly translucent}
• a clear, high sheen top coat

to do:
1. paint 1 to 2 coats of the red nail polish + allow to dry completely
2. paint 1 to 2 coats of the sparkly nail polish in a single line down the center of each nail + allow to dry completely
3. finish off with the clear top coat
ready.. set.. go!!