this year in photos

This year was all about exploring nature (I walked over 3.3 million steps!), and finding pockets of joy whenever or wherever I could. Here are some of the highlights...

a breathtaking sunrise | these flourless peanut butter chocolate chip cookies are a hit (recipe here) | a fun-filled day at the Los Angeles Zoo | admiring this rainy sunset from the passenger seat | a moment of reflection at the waterfall | my Julian Book House haul (I'm a huge fan of the Booktown Mystery series) | an enchanted trail | a month of meeting my daily step goals (My best month!)

my birthday wish list

Looking forward to the long holiday weekend, I can't wait to spend time with my family, eat a copious amount of Thanksgiving turkey and sides, and celebrate a milestone birthday (Yay!!). What's more, I plan on baking this mouthwatering triple chocolate cheesecake in lieu of cake!

I don't expect much for my birthday, but these are the gifts I hope to unwrap...

1. the wager by david grann | bookshop.org
2. pride & prejudice "fond of walking" hat | for wednesday's child (etsy)
3. vincent van gogh "sunflowers" lego set | lego
4. the house across the lake by riley sager | bookshop.org
5. station eleven by emily st. john mandel | bookshop.org

this summer in photos

This seemingly endless summer gave me ample opportunity to spend time with friends and family, get started on my Christmas card collection, and challenge myself to walk an increasing number of laps around the park. Unlike last year, I had no major plans for the summer, but it was enjoyable all the same.

fun fact: the Star of India is the world’s oldest active sailing ship | my youngest nephew's first football game | outfit of the summer | the best chocolate chip cookies I've ever made | sleepy baby Leo | the aforementioned park | a charming puzzle by Charles Wysocki | I spy an adorable woodland creature

a midweek road trip

Last week's road trip meant time well spent with my family, soaking up the sun in LA and Orange County. Our day started at the bustling Santa Monica Pier, then we headed to Downtown Disney to do some shopping, and eventually we made our way to Irvine Spectrum Center for dinner. It was a whirlwind (as usual), and I didn't take too many photos to share here or on social media. Instead, I just tried to stay present and savor the experience. My favorite memories from the trip are: playing the license plate game to stave off the boredom of being stuck in traffic, collecting rocks and shells along the shoreline with my sister, and leaving my nephew in the dust during our Asphalt 9: Legends face-off at the arcade!

a sun-soaked day at the pier | you couldn't miss the giant Aladdin Lego display just overhead | items collected along the seashore | a neon sign at Hello Kitty Cafe (the sign actually says "hot donuts")

a near-perfect day in la

This past Sunday was the day that I'd been eagerly waiting for since mid-November. My sister, her kids, and I ventured up to Inglewood to attend the final Chargers game of the season. Despite the disappointing loss (and chilly weather), we all had a blast cheering on our team, and taking in the sights and sounds of a professional football game. The atmosphere was truly electric. Afterward, on our way home, we stopped by Irvine Spectrum Center to get dinner, and visit some of our favorite stores. It was the perfect ending to a near-perfect day!

we arrived early, hoping to explore the stadium grounds | a bird's eye view of the action | chipotle chicken tacos (need I say more?!) | admiring the stadium's architecture on the way out | I randomly opened this book to that passage; what a lovely sentiment | making a wish at the fountain | the Ferris wheel is the focal point of Irvine Spectrum Center | a delicious mixed berry pocket pie from Hello Kitty Cafe

a december to remember

Happy New Year, everyone! I just wanted to check in and share some of my favorite photos from December, while it's still fresh in all of our memories. The month went by too quickly if you ask me, but it was equal parts productive and joyful, so I can't be too upset. In addition to spending time with friends and family, I also worked on a 12-piece wedding suite, baked a seemingly endless amount of cookies (it's a long story), built a few Lego sets, and got some much-needed R&R.

a late fall sunset | Oreo blondies I made for New Year's Eve (recipe here) | staying cozy in my adorable Grogu slippers | probably the coolest gift ever from my friend Jackie (it's a box of international snacks from Universal Yums) | driving around to see the Christmas lights is one of my favorite traditions | Leo enjoying his comically large Christmas present

a day at disneyland

Our day trip to Disneyland was a whirlwind, so I'll spare you the play-by-play of what happened. What I can tell you is that we pinballed around the park all day, and went on our favorite rides anywhere from 2 to 4 times each. The experience was physically draining—I have the sore leg muscles, not to mention a few bumps and bruises, to prove it—but I did get everything I wanted: quality time with my sister and nephew, a new pair of mouse ears, and some cookies from Candy Palace!

Sleeping Beauty Castle | a Mickey-shaped soft pretzel (Yum!) | seeking refuge from the afternoon heat at The Golden Horseshoe | view of the Millennium Falcon while we waited in line for the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride | the Matterhorn (My favorite ride!) | Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at dusk

a day at universal studios

Last week, I took a break from *gestures wildly at everything* and went to Universal Studios Hollywood with my sister and her family. Very little planning went into this trip. They approached me a few days before, and asked if I was interested in tagging along. To that I said, "Okay!" Fast-forward to Tuesday. We started the day down in the Lower Lot, where we visited the new Super Nintendo World, and went on some rides. Sadly, we never got to go on Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge because the wait time was 3 hours long, and the line only got longer as the day progressed. By early afternoon, we were ready to go back to the Upper Lot. There, we made a beeline to the Studio Tour (My favorite ride!), checked out The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, ate dinner, and went on a few more rides. Since we planned on spending just one day at the park, we had to power through and make the most of our time. Was it exhausting? Sure, but who cares when you’re having fun!

heading into Universal Studios; let the adventure begin! | exploring Super Nintendo World | plane wreckage set used in the 2005 film War of the Worlds | the Book of the Dead (I was tempted to open it, but I didn't have the key) | Hogsmeade | watching the sun go down over the Lower Lot and the San Fernando Valley | me and my nephew finishing the day with a couple of ice cold Butterbeers | a perfect view of Hogwarts as the "Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle" show began

so long, summer

With the official start of fall just days away, I wanted to take a look back at some of my favorite photos from the summer. Unlike past summers, I didn't really have anything special planned, so I decided to just spend my time relaxing as much as possible, swimming, baking, watching baseball (Go Padres!), and of course, working on my holiday card collection... All in all, I guess you could say it was a pretty enjoyable summer!

new succulents | my sweet fur nephew, Leo | taking a stroll around Lake Miramar | the most delicious Dutch apple pie (recipe here) | a beautiful sunset | one of my favorite passages from Goodbye, Again by Jonny Sun | just another late-summer 100-degree day *insert melting face emoji here* | no swimming pool is complete without a couple of inflatable sharks

my birthday wish list

Before I head out to enjoy a fun-filled day, I wanted to share some of the lovely things on my birthday wish list...

1. living with pattern by rebecca atwood | barnes & noble
2. good chemistry magnolia violet eau de parfum | target
3. embellished monogram pouch | anthropologie
4. kerber's farm mini jam sampler | williams sonoma
5. the pioneer woman spring bouquet mug | walmart
6. evie mixed bead necklace | leif

a december to remember

Happy New Year, friends! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. Before we get too far into January, I wanted to share some of my favorite photos from December. Better late than never, right?!

view of the Pacific | Jack enjoying some pre-Christmas pampering | New Year's Eve game night | rainy day road trip | loving my new cards from Rifle Paper Co. | an afternoon at UTC

this summer in photos

tomatoes from my cherry tomato plant | LA-bound | finally joined the 100+ awards club at Minted | DIY art using scraps from old magazines | geodes (from an exhibit at the San Diego County Fair) | cosmic bowling | Sumatran tiger at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park | gold foil hearts (from a greeting card at Target) | rocking my vintage turquoise cuff

my summer bucket list

1 See all 30 movies on my movie watchlist (3 down, 27 to go!)
2 Go to the lakes... Lake Poway, Lake Miramar, and Santee Lakes
3 Spend more time with friends
4 Visit the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park often
5 Get a jump-start on my Zazzle Christmas collection
6 Take a trip up to LA
7 Go swimming as much as possible
8 Meet my friend's new baby
9 Finish a few craft projects that I've been procrastinating on
10 Have a picnic with my extended family
11 Go to the San Diego County Fair

holiday wish list

As a kid, I always made long, detailed Christmas wish lists. On numerous occasions, I even designed a cover, added photos of the high-priority items, and tied the pages together with yarn or ribbon. I meant business! Now that I'm older, I don't really expect too much when it comes to gifts. But, if anyone is interested, these are the things I would love to find under the Christmas tree... Hint, hint!

1. "don't worry, be happy" art print | rifle paper co.
2. rose lip butter | herbivore botanicals
3. e.l.f. 10 pc. nail set | target
4. field & flowers hand creme | library of flowers
5. pixelated posy sweater | modcloth
6. interlocked 14k gold-plated ring | urban outfitters
7. katie daisy notebook trio | paper source
8. i heart you cheese plate & knife | nasty gal

this month in photos

one bookcase, styled | the gorgeous view from the OB Pier | enjoying a Padres game with my family | an afternoon at Balboa Park | hot air balloon flyover | getting ready to photograph this and this | so proud of my niece! | the colorful path at the Spanish Village Art Center | a sight for sore eyes on a hot summer day

this month in photos

freshly baked blueberry muffins | exploring Miniland USA (at Legoland) | wedding presents | a trio of new Mara Mi journals | best friends celebrating our other best friend's wedding | fireworks in black and white | ready for a water balloon fight | my handmade Fourth of July banner | colorful packaging

this month in photos

Disneyland | nail polish for a DIY project | lots of colorful blooms | a 1000-piece puzzle... Finished! | summer reading | the gemstone exhibit at the San Diego County Fair | succulents and deep shadows | teacups at night | a Coke with my name on it

photos from the weekend

How was your Mother's Day weekend? Mine was pretty enjoyable! Since my parents were spending Sunday morning with my niece and nephews, I decided to treat my mom to breakfast on Saturday. Then, on Sunday evening, my family and I gathered for a more formal Mother's Day celebration. We had a delicious dinner, handed out gifts to my mom and sister, and even enjoyed a little CSI marathon!

a gorgeous bougainvillea | Princess checking out my new succulents | an old photo of me and my sister with our mom | making spin art with my niece and nephews

the before and after

Check out the before and after photos of my little ceramic bowl... Cute, huh? About a week ago, my friends and I went to a place called Clay N Latte to paint pottery. I had never been there before, so I didn't really know what to expect. But, in the end, it was a lot of fun, and kind of relaxing too!

my birthday wish list

Taking a break from Thanksgiving preparations to share some of the things on my birthday wish list. My birthday is actually this Friday, but since I will be out taking advantage of the Black Friday sales that day, I thought this would be the perfect time to share the items with all of you. Drumroll, please...

1. 2-pack mini wallets | h&m
2. marc jacobs daisy fragrance | sephora
3. girl talk headband | ban.do
4. parade's end | target
5. ruby sparks | target
6. simply stated stackable ring set | forever 21
7. essie 'penny talk' nail color | target
8. he&i iphone 5 case | britt bass
9. bp. 'moveover' pointy toe flats | nordstrom
10. the color curator necklace | leif
11. citrus floral tin recipe box | rifle paper co.