Two Hearts

It's been a while since I was here. And I don't just mean blogging, I mean really contemplating and really writing. I've had a lot of words stored up and no time or energy to put them down. But I thought today was a good day to do that and a good place to start because today is my mother's birthday.

One of the worst confessions I could make to all of you is that I don't send her a gift. Lately, it seems like I haven't even sent a card. It makes me feel pretty bad, considering on my birthday she always manages to send me something even though I tell her she doesn't have to. It's nice to be at that age and place in life where you don't need gifts from those closest to you. After all, you have each other. And I have been more than blessed in life, especially with my family. So in an attempt to make humble amends for the last few years, I thought I would write a blog post for my mom for her birthday present.

My mom gave me this absolutely beautiful and perfect gift for Christmas: a Tiffany & Co. necklace. There are two hearts on it, one engraved with the Tiffany & Co. trademark wording. This gift has meant more to me than many others I have ever received. I always imagined the first time I was given a blue box with a bow it would be from a man. Then later on, I began to think maybe it would have to be from myself. But it was a pleasant surprise and one of the most fulfilling moments in my life when I received the blue box with white bow from my mom.

Some men have really disappointed me over the years; some friends too. And I have really let myself down a time or two, especially when it comes to money. In other words, I don't know if I would have ever been given such a special piece of jewelry had my mother not been the one to give it to me. I know there have been times when we have disappointed each other, but at the end of the day, my mom will always have a special place in my heart.

As someone who never wishes to be a parent it is always so hard to imagine the connection one must feel towards their child. Families are so different nowadays, they aren't defined with such clean-cut words or measured in household units. Marriages do not even seem to be clearly defined or sacred anymore. Even jewelry has taken on new artistic forms. But I love that Tiffany & Co. will always remind me of a girl who was not in search of the perfect man, the perfect family, or even the perfect piece of jewelry -- she was in search of herself, and all the other findings were merely the white bow on top. If you know Breakfast at Tiffany's, you know what I am talking about.

So, thank you mom, for giving me a heart that beats. Thank you for giving me things I don't need but want badly, and would never have asked for. Thank you for letting me watch old movies when I was growing up. Thank you for teaching me to read and to appreciate a good piece of jewelry. Thank you for standing by me no matter how many times I messed up. Thank you for always sending cards on my birthday and giving me something with a bow every Christmas. Thank you for making me breakfast in the mornings (pancakes on the weekends when I was little and now at 28, coffee with creamer). Thank you for taking me to see Tiffany & Co. for the first time (in San Francisco, many years ago). Thank you for not holding against me all those years I didn't send a card or a box with a bow. Thank you for telling me that I could be whatever I wanted, whether it was a teacher, a writer, or a shoe addict. And thank you for reading this post; I know you will, because you never disappoint me when it comes to reading this blog. Thank you for giving me a reason to write.

2012: A Year in Shoes

I try to change up my shoes from day to day. It's one of the small thrills of getting ready and being a girl. 2012 was a year of many shoe purchases, as blogged about here. However, December brought in a major last minute haul with sales sales sales. While I have no regrets, I think it would be wise to save a bit more money in 2013. Here's a look at my newest additions:

Alice & Olivia polka dot pumps: These will go with everything! Bought at Saks sale. 

Miu Miu glitter flats: Found at Crossroads Trading for $95! I always wanted a pair of Miu Miu jeweled flats, and now I have them for a fraction of the cost. The color of the stones and their unusual shapes make me happy.

Miu Miu bronze bejeweled heels: These crystal stunners were too good to pass up while consignment shopping in my favorite string of stores in Corona del Mar. This pair came from On Que Style - a gem of a store where these gem encrusted shoes were on sale.

 Tory Burch Odile Wedge: I've been eyeing these or a while now. When they went on sale, I leapt for them. They come in silver too!

Zara tiger wedge:  I've wanted these for a while too. They are nice and crazy. Zara's sale only happens twice a year, so I had to strike while the iron was hot. They are not the easiest to walk far in, but I love the height. I'm thinking tiger is my new go to animal print. I bought a couple tiger print sweaters lately too.

Miss Selfridge Pina Colada Wedge:  I found these while browsing and literally gasped. The colors are so unusual and the beading with the bling really is different. My darling boyfriend gave them to me for Christmas, but they are on sale now. And the funny thing is, I don't even like pina coladas. 

Can't wait to see the shoes 2013 brings. Happy Shoe Year! 

Cheers to 2013!

I'm a week late, but nonetheless, welcome to 2013!

It's so weird to me that 13 is an unlucky number, because I think this is actually going to be a very good year. I ended 2012 feeling really grateful and refreshed. I want to keep that momentum going.

My New Year's Eve traditions never really contain much. The only constants are champagne and the Twilight Zone marathon. That's right, I love the Zone. It reminds me of what great writing should be like. I love the twists and turns in the plots, the lessons and the very traditional opening, middle and conclusion of each story. Best of all, these morsels are delivered in 30 minutes. I have always been jealous of anyone who can write a great short story. And that's what good writing is: tight, to the point, and ever so moving. 

Compared to 30 minutes, a year is a lot of time. It provides us with countless minutes, hours, and 365 days to get our story in. While I warned in advance that I am not sure how much blogging I will be able to do here with my new job, it is important to me (call it a resolution if you will) to try and post more this year. My resolution last year was to write more, and I would say it was successful. While not everything was posted on this blog, I was able to be published on the Huffington Post, and was so thankful to continue my writing with Romantic Homes magazine and Made Woman. Let's hope this year is another one for great writing.

Wishing you a blessed and joyful year!

Wine & Cakes

I'm a big fan of the daily indulgence that is wine. I love a good red syrah or cab. The holidays bring us together, and in seeking out spots to reunite with friends, I discovered Packing House Wine Merchants  in Claremont. It's the perfect place to have a sip, catch up, and pick up a bottle (the ideal holiday gift). This place has quiet tables and a tasting bar. There's a small menu and a great happy hour. I enjoyed the happy hour Cab and my bf had some bubbly. Christmas cheer(s) indeed!

Another suggestion for a place to quickly chat or pick up the perfect hostess gift: Georgetown Cupcake. If you watch DC Cupcakes on TLC, this is the same chain. I went to their beautiful Beverly Hills location while getting some work done on Friday. I was beyond impressed. They had a lot of holiday flavors that were unique. I loved the gingerbread (which came with an actual gingerbread man) and the peppermint dark chocolate was heaven. Their coffee offerings looked delightful as well. I highly recommend!

Happy Gathering!

My December

I have been a bad blogger lately. But my excuse is that it's December, otherwise known as the busiest month of the year. Now that I have a decent vacation, I am going to try to blog more.

When you are younger, December has such a different meaning. For me, it always meant my birthday, lots of cake, cards from my parents, and Christmas. Lovely, wonderful Christmas. A time when our home smelled like pine, my parents played Amy Grant Christmas music and my sister and I were actually nice to each other. On Christmas Eve we were allowed to open one gift to whet our appetite. And a little secret I've never told anyone -- I used to stay up on Christmas Eve and just write. I remember doing that a lot. I would journal until midnight, until it was Christmas, because I wanted to be awake during Christmas day as long as possible, to really soak it all in.

But at 28, December feels so different. So rushed, so busy. I get angry over traffic, parking at the mall, not having any money and being unsure of what to buy and how much to spend. Something got lost in the years between.

Now that I have a minute to reflect and catch my breath, I see the sadness in that. But at the same time, I am glad that on Christmas Eve Day I have found my way back to this blog, to writing. And as I type I am listening to Amy Grant. And although I didn't have time to get a tree this year, I am still surrounded by decorations, by the love of those I am closest to. And I am so grateful, so thankful. It has been a year of blessings, and I am happy. When you're small you want nothing more than for it to always be Christmas at your family's house, and to live in that memory forever. While that is not possible, it is good to know that life, as unplanned (and often hectic as it is) can deliver those same happy, safe feelings in unexpected ways. Despite all the twists and turns, I have always found my way back to writing, to family and to those songs that remind me what everything in life is really all about.

The pictures above are from my December. It was full of surprises (an iPod Nano from my bf, a birthday office prank from my new co-workers), nights with friends at good restaurants (Brasserie Pascal in Newport), champagne all around, shopping (coats from Juicy Couture and shoes from Kate Spade), a trip to Crumbs (of course!), and lots of glitter (picture taken from my work trip to G the Body Art Professionals).

I wish you all the Merriest, most blessed of Christmases. I hope you take the time to cherish all you have and those around you <3 nbsp="nbsp" p="p">

Introducing: Nail Art Gallery Magazine

My new job has taken me into the beauty industry, and I couldn't be happier! Nail art is not so different from the art I have dealt with previously. It's all about imagination, creativity, a steady hand, and executing a vision. I love that nail art is so popular right now. As someone who adores wearing color, sparkle, and personal style, this is all right up my alley.

That is why I am thrilled  to announce the new publication I have been working on. Enter: Nail Art Gallery Magazine . This digital publication is free to view on your tablet or computer. Simply click on the link and be inspired by these cool designs, including many for the holidays.

It was a lot of hard work putting this magazine together, but in the end, it was so well worth it. I am happy with the premier issue and am looking forward to producing these bi-monthly and exploring new media. I hope you'll join me!

Happy Nail Painting!

My Favorite Things

This is my favorite time of year and with my birthday this past week, I am feeling truly blessed and happy. So much to be thankful for in this life and in this season in particular. I have been so swamped with work that I have not taken the time I would like to savor the fall-Christmas onslaught. Today it felt good to come up for air and write this post. So here are some of my favorite things, in addition to whiskers on kittens, of course:

1. Sketches. I have always been a huge fan, and have talked about my love of illustration here before, but a birthday card from my colleagues, a receipt from Ann Taylor, and a trip to a fabulous nail lounge that had these portraits, got me really loving those who have the gift to draw. I love how others capture the fashion and form of women.

2. My home, Laguna Beach. I have only lived here for five years, but it is such a part of me and who I am. I know I am meant to be here. I was asked recently if I was considering moving to Torrance, near my work. True, Torrance is near Redondo and Manhattan Beach, but it is not the same as Laguna. Where else can parrots greet you outside your favorite eatery? My feathered friends were out at Mozambique to meet me as I enjoyed a glass of wine while overlooking the ocean today.

3. Champagne. The celebratory drink of choice, I had the perfect mimosa today while at the nail lounge and a pomegranate kir for my birthday at Brasserie Pascal on Fashion Island. Trying a new restaurant is something I always say I will do, and birthdays are the perfect opportunity. I came away really loving this gem of a restaurant, and the $5 champagne cocktails at Happy Hour even more. Something as simple as a sip can make any occasion seem grand. 

4.  Tulle ... in white packages wrapped up with grosgrain. I have been really into the look of tulle lately. While it can make many think of vintage petticoats, I love it on an overskirt more. Tulle flows from the waist, really nipping a high waistline. And who doesn't want to look smaller in the waist? I purchased a full, puffy white skirt from Anthropologie and a minty tiered tulle from one of my new favorite sites, BHLDN. I have never received anything packaged so beautifully as this BHLDN arrival. I am definitely keeping the box. It made opening the mail an event, and the skirt came in a garment bag for safe keeping.

5. Jewelry. My affair with handmade jewelry is something I think will be with me for life. I stumbled upon this booth in Laguna with gorgeous handmade designs reworked from vintage. I bought many gifts and soaked in the color and shine. I am a bit sad to think that I don't work with jewelry anymore, as I remember when I see new pieces and meet new artists why I fell in love. I love the passion behind this craft. The effects of it linger in my veins still. My roommate bought me this fabulous white statement piece off Etsy for my birthday. And every now and then, there's still a good store-bought piece at Nordstrom that is worth the money. This pink statement bib is only $29 and I have been wearing it non-stop. You can never have too much.

6. My job. I spent today at Cosi Fan Tutte Nail Lounge in Laguna and loved getting to know the owners, staff and learn about the nail industry in general. The passion people have for nails and nail art is made so apparent to me, and it reminds me of how walking down PCH, picking up some handmade jewelry and sipping a glass of wine makes me feel at home; comfortable; safe. Working has been something that I love to do and am good at, and I am so blessed to have found this new job, and am so thankful for the doors it's opening up for me. I love that going to get pampered is part of the job. My toes are sparkling in OPI polish, and it reminds me of the sand on the beach glistening.

There's nothing I would trade my time in Laguna for. Work is after all, why I moved out to Laguna in the first place. It's where me and my roommates have gone out and danced, celebrated, and dined. It's where I have spent a few birthdays, a few summers, taken visitors, and attended art events. It is the place that binds me to so many people, memories, and loves. The best date of my life was walking along Laguna Beach and stopping for coffee twice.  If you truly love where you live, you stay there and soak it in as long as you possibly can, so that you feel like you will never really leave it.  Sometimes it's the home you make -- whether it's a salon, store, restaurant, or at work, that becomes your favorite place. And that feeling of finally being at home is the best gift imaginable, and no box, no matter how pretty, can possibly contain it.