from lina

lina in europe part 2: first meetings

2012-01-31T09:46:00.000-08:00

meeting nicola at the airport was so surreal. there was a certain celebrity feel to it. that's the best i could describe it. us bloggers read each others' blogs & feel like we know each other - which we do, of course, to a certain extent. but actually meeting face-to-face is completely surreal. nicola & i kept looking at each other thinking & saying "this is really weird" : ) above is the first photo we took together!

riding the tube is quite neat. i love people watching... : ) this ad sign was cute i thought.

nicola's family was so very wonderful! they welcomed me with a cup of warm tea & specifically bought vegetarian food : ) it was amazing. & her family was so very sweet. nicola's sister, victoria, even let me stay in her room for the whole time while she slept somewhere else.

this is me (straight from the airport) enjoying my first (of many!!) cup of tea : )

once i got settled in, nicola & i got busy planning our time together. i loved all the little notes nicola wrote out in planning. i even brought my british issue nylon magazine with highlighted places i wanted to go. i knew it was going to be an amazing two weeks.

replies:

alexia: i'm not sure what happened to your comment on my blog. i think it got deleted somehow or something. but haha! i loved that you thought my trip would end like a movie. that is cute : ) made me smile.

brynna: yes, you really must take a plane trip somewhere! i LOVE flying. from going to the airport & people watching to eating at the overpriced little restaurants inside the airport, to taking off into the air to enjoying the amenities offered on the plane. i just really like it : )

lizzie: isn't the salt & pepper just adorable?? & how can salt & pepper be adorable? i don't know, but they are. & yes, i love the perspective that photos from the air give.

bookish.spazz & mayte michelle: don't they? the food boxes came & i was like, "oh dear. i seriously have to take photos of these"

lina in europe part 1: airplane food!

2012-01-28T08:24:00.000-08:00

so, i am not quite sure how to show you my trip, but i thought i would do it in little sections of small things i want to share with you : )
this time it is the airplane ride! although it sounds boring, & it was some of the time, i actually didn't mind it too much. 11 hours straight is a long time to fly, but when you fly virgin atlantic & have cute little meals every couple of hours & as many movies & tv shows as you can watch on your own entertainment center, it's not too bad! plus they gave us all little pouches of swag: eye mask, socks, pen, toothbrush, & toothpaste.
but non of that could keep my mind from what was about to happen - i would meet nicola soon & the hours were counting down!
i will try my best to reply to comments regularly : )

replies:

jane hyunjoo lee: i did watch some harry potter on my trip : )

brit: no worries! we managed to find amazingly cute shops in paris by just stumbling upon them - sometimes the best way to find new places : )

pauline: thank you! my travels were definitely cherished : )

alexia: so many photos were taken!

bookish.spazz: 'twas very exciting!

natalie: hehe, just reading your comment makes me so excited :D

that kate: had an excellent trip! thanks for all your help!

linda: for sure, linda : )

sarah~mechelle: thanks sarah! hopefully i can show bits & pieces of my trip to you.

kayleigh: thank you! & of course, send me a message! i would love to help with your trip. that is so exciting!!

the tea drinking english rose: hello! it was such a treat to meet you. & YOU are absolutely lovely! our adventures were fabulous.

lina is back

2012-01-25T11:24:00.000-08:00

my two weeks in england & paris was amazing! meeting nicola & her family was definitely the highlight of the trip : ). i have quite a lot of photos as well as a lot of little things to share with you, so i will try to make few posts about the trip.
this bunting is what my sister made to welcome me back to the apartment. although you can't really tell in the photo, it says "welcome home" on it : )
i'll be back with more posts as soon as i can!

at the airport

2012-01-08T13:43:00.000-08:00

leaving for london! will meet nicola at the airport & then we will explore england together & then visit paris :) be back soon!

happy new year

2011-12-31T09:24:00.000-08:00

i know you all must have seen this over & over again already, but i just had to post it. & i must say, that when i first saw it, there were only 304 views. now it has over 3.7 million...just saying.

i had a whole little post to end this year with, but honestly i don't have the time right now! so, i'll just leave you with this little gem & wish you all the best 2012 you can live : )

p.s. i'll be back with replies too!

christmas time

2011-12-29T12:00:00.000-08:00

i hope you all had a lovely christmas! mine was nontraditional (compared to what my family usually does). we went to the city to see a christmas carol preformed on stage in a beautiful theater. i brought my binoculars to see the actors faces close up ;) i had fun getting all pretty to go out. after watching the play, we stopped at union square to see the city's big christmas tree. i took a photo of my papi & sister in front of it (you can see tiffany & co. in the background : ))

this is our ornamentless tree, which has never happened before (the hello kitty gift is mine!). what was also nontraditional is we drove the three hours on christmas day to surprise my cousin wendy & her family with christmas dinner. it was an epic surprise.

this is part of my christmas gift! this year i only asked for things that i would need for my trip to europe. so my sister bought me the hunger games to read on the 14 hour plane ride (ahhh...i am so going to go crazy) & french phrases for dummies & my parents bought me some really nice enzo angiolini leather boots & an umbrella. i can't believe i'll be leaving in ten days!

nicola sent me a christmas gift too! it's so lovely & i'm going to hang it up in my apartment : )

since we went to surprise wendy & her family, we got to see snow on christmas! that never happens. i got to have a white christmas : )

i don't know about you, but i am so stoked to see this movie!! i just have to finish the book before i see the movie though...i'm about halfway through. i got all emotional when i saw the trailer in the theater.

replies:

lizzie: an infinity scarf? ohhh haha i had to look up what it was. i am so not versed in styles. i don't own one of those yet...

em [the writer]: isn't that a christmas story display great? it is so clever too!

jane hyunjoo lee: awww haha i've never thought of it that way, being a really good girl = early christmas gifts. i like to think of it that way hehe.

natalie: i love ice cream in winter. especially when it is raining!

carissa clark: i am having so much fun - as you can see on twitter : )

nicola: thanks nicola! you are always so sweet : ) & my mom says thanks with a "thumbs up" hehe.

ying: ying!! hello : ) i'm so glad you remember the ice cream parlor. i'll be going to london january 8 & paris january 16. i'm so excited! oh & i love amelie! isn't she amazing?? glad you liked flipped. yay for pan am! oh & i hear big bang theory is really good. a lot of my friends love it. i miss you!

crafts, lights, & christmas

2011-12-21T13:56:00.000-08:00

i attended the renegade craft fair in the city this weekend with abbie! i love going to these craft fairs : )

the city was so beautiful

i got my first christmas gift of the year! a lovely scarf from rachel. (love me some scarves!)

i went with my mom to celebrate her straight a's this semester at school at our favorite ice cream parlor. i love their holiday peppermint ice cream!

rachel & abbie came to visit & see my apartment. we had coffee & dessert at the old spaghetti factory & i took them to see the best christmas lights in the city. they even had an a christmas story scene (by the way, best christmas movie ever!)!

(sorry so blurry!)

so, i finished my last paper & turned it in last week. after that, life has been a little bit of a world wind! parties, dates, visits from friends, & good food - all with a festive flair : )

i think this post has too many photos of myself...maybe i should take some down... :/

sooo excited for this!!!
love this home : )
also, my friend olivia just made a music video! check it out here.

anyways, i hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season!! i probably won't be back blogging before christmas, so happy holidays!

replies:

two birds: hello! & thank you so much : ) & i've never seen a drive-through nativity! it is pretty neat.

nicola: awww thanks!! the paper went fine. i got an a-, but it was ok...i suppose...haha.

kendra: hello! yes europe! i will be traveling around london & southern england, as well as paris! how cool that you lived in london! that would be so amazing. & i know it will change my life, i can't wait!

brynna: exactly what i thought, see the pretty nativity by the warmth of your car - perfect : ) & thanks!

jane hyunjoo lee: hehe yay! wow! kimchi tofu burrito! i had one like that from a korean taco truck in los angeles once. so good!!

tara: awww thanks! yes, that would be awesome!

mieke willems: origami is very nice : )

keetee: awww! thanks keetee!! :D

em [the writer]: for sure!! & even more fun now, hehe ; )

thewanderingballoon: hello! thank you : ) i kind of love it too, hehe

this weekend i...

2011-12-11T23:16:00.000-08:00

spent some quality time with my papi eating dinner at rubios (love me the big burrito especial with no meat!)

drank some hot chocolate supplied by vaine while working on my last paper. (only analysis, results, & conclusion to go!)

got dolled up with my new haircut (just added some layers : )) for church.

taught my arts & crafts class origami ornaments. & we had a little holiday party with homemade cookies & ice tea.

went to a drive-through nativity story with live actors & animals. it was pretty neat!

replies:

jane hyunjoo lee: yes, europe!! i leave on january 8 for two weeks : ) uber excited.

pauline: isn't it amazing?! i don't know of any similar ones yet...& my research paper is on gender neutral parenting & parents' reactions to their children's gender non-conformity. can't wait for paris eee!

alexia: it is so inspiring! i've actually had the link to it for a while & just now posted it. & her glasses rock! thanks for the luck ;)

kailey: hello! thank you so much : )

almost

2011-12-09T20:09:00.000-08:00

this little video is so inspiring! i just keep watching it over & over again.

i've been working on my last paper (which is actually a whole study that i compiled from start to finish - concept, research, literature review, finding participants, interviewing participants, analyzing data, etc.) for the past week. it's a lot of work, but each day i'm a little closer to being finished! it is due december 13, so by then i will be officially ready for the holidays!

planning my trip to europe with nicola is so exciting. i am seriously so stoked. we will be taking tons of photos to show you all & hopefully have more to add to here--and--there!

take care fellow bloggers & have a happy weekend!

p.s. i crossed the first thing off my list today!!

replies:

liz, amy, & danica : thanks : ) i really took time to think each item on my list through.

maggie shirley: yes do need to make one of those lists! let us all know when you do : ) & flipped is uber cute ;)

sarah~mechelle: thank you & they were very thought out! yes, you must make a list too. i didn't realize that you just had a birthday!! happy birthday!

missa!: i just drove on the freeway today! so i accomplished it! hehe. & i am losing 15 pounds because - 1. this is the heaviest i've ever been. 2. i am at the very edge of almost being overweight with my bmi. it's not that i feel self conscious about my weight, but i just want to be healthy : ) & maybe we should do number 15 together...

jane hyunjoo lee: it's challenging saying "yes" to more things since i am such an introvert! ;) & yes i do avocado on toast & a smoothie for breakfast hehe. so yummy!

lizzie: oh you have to let me know when you make a list! post it on your blog!

natalie: SIX!! so excited : ) & i wanted to do 21 this semester, but the pet deposit was too much :/

kait: awww thanks kait : ) but i do have reasons for the weight loss: 1. this is the heaviest i've ever been. 2. i am at the very edge of almost being overweight with my bmi. it's not that i feel self conscious about my weight, but i just want to be healthy : ) so, one whole year to lose 15 pounds is pretty reasonable i think!

nicola: thanks : ) i feel much better now.

alexia: yes, you must see submarine! it's quite entertaining in a quirky way ;)

24 things to do before i turn 25

2011-12-01T09:25:00.000-08:00

source

1. travel in europe
2. make a zine
3. develop etsy shop
4. finish my crochet blanket
5. loose 15 pounds
6. meet bloggers!!! : )
7. write in my moleskine more
8. say "yes" to more things
9. spend less time on the internet
10. make more things instead of buying them
11. read at least 3 books for pleasure
12. become more involved with community
13. go on more dates (12/16/11) (12/30/11)
14. buy a pair of black heels with red soles
15. visit cameron's accident site
16. figure out what to do after graduation
17. have a hearing & defend my thesis
~~18. drive on the freeway~~ (12/9/11 drove from the dentist to michaels)
19. bake a pie
20. add more audio books to my ipod
21. adopt a kitten
22. develop 120 film from diana
23. get felix a castle (or something else for him to enjoy)
24. go through & donate my clothes

couch

2011-11-30T14:21:00.000-08:00

just a few looks into my kitchen. breakfast of smoothies & avocado on toast. delicious!

i've been sick for the past two days (even missing school!). i've been camping out on the couch drinking tea while watching movies & tv shows with the tissue box nearby. i have one more paper to write before i am done with school this semester, but i've been too sick to do anything but veg out with computer. anyways, here are a few films & a tv show i've enjoyed recently!

flipped

submarine

pan am

i hope i get better soon so i can get this paper over with & start to enjoy the holiday season!

replies:

brit: thanks brit : ) it was hard choosing the frames, especially since they were a little out of my budget being juicy couture, but i really liked them so i called them my birthday present to myself : )

shelbyisms: oh my goodness shelby!! that is a lot of dinners!! i though surviving three was a lot lol.

jane hyunjoo lee: thank you! black friday shopping is tradition in my family, so missing it was not an option hehe. but online shopping at urban sounds fun!!

keetee: yes! i love the idea that we actually have certain foods that are usually on every table in america on thanksgiving : ) & i never thought of what my apartment smells like! haha i wonder now too...lol. my mom bought me all of those pumpkins & gourds for really cheap at a farm. thanks to her the apartment looked quite lovely. it would be so neat if we could go shopping together!!

tara: thank you : ) !! you are so sweet.

nicola: hehe thanks : )

make it easy: thank you! hope yours was good too!

jazzy e (hivenn): thank you! happy belated thanksgiving to you too : )

brynna: thank you!! i know...i don't think i really like this idea of feeling older. haha. i literally just finished my list & it will be in my next post : ) can't wait to see yours!

juliet winter: hello! yes, i can't wait to go there. just about to book the flat i'll be staying at in january : )

thanksgiving

2011-11-26T09:47:00.000-08:00

i had a few people over the apartment for a little thanksgiving meal on wednesday. moved the furniture around to make space for an extra table. i thought it turned out quite nicely : )
traveled home to my parent's for the thanksgiving weekend & had two more thanksgiving dinners! my tummy & taste buds were happy.
then it was off at midnight for black friday shopping at target! went home & slept for a couple of hours & then made the usual rounds to urban outfitters, jeremy's (a designer discount), & anthropologie. i got some great great deals (like a $120 black leather the sak purse for $20 & a cute $58 anthro top for $10).

i haven't been blogging for quite a while as i have been overwhelmed with thesis work : ( but hopefully i can get back into some kind of regular blogging schedule.
i added a birthday post (below) as i turned 24 earlier this month so that covers a little of what has been going on in my life.

lastly, but definitely not least(!), i was interviewed!! lovely tara has a neat series of blogger interviews & decided to ask yours truly some questions! you can read all about it here.

i hope your thanksgiving was legit & you enjoy your weekend!

replies:

that kate: thank you! i love the sentimental feeling from them.

sarah~mechelle: thanks! i do get kind of crazy eyed at the end of the day, but i try to take regular breaks : )

amy: i love how the paint colors look on the cardboard!

natalie: that's so true natalie! especially when i don't know who owned an item before me, i think of all the travels & adventures it has had : )

ada beth croft: hello! thank you : ) i hope you visit again soon. i love how the metallic paint looks on the cardboard.

aren: thanks aren! i am not the best artist, but i love to try! haha. & "unearthing old gems" is a great way to put it!

carissa clark: hehe thanks : ) my birthday is on the 14th! yay for november birthdays!! i love finding more november birthday people. it's a great time to have a birthday.

keetee: hello! yay!! i'm so excited that you can leave comments now : ) makes me happy. happy november!

jocelyn: hello! thanks so much : ) but i must admit that i didn't actually create the playlist. i found it on tumblr, but i seriously love the music on it! music soulmates -- love it : ) & loving rosie golan's can't go back! listening to it right now...

jane hyunjoo lee: thank you! & i do feel better! the scabs are almost all gone & my knees aren't that sore anymore : )

24

2011-11-17T08:06:00.000-08:00

i turned 24 a few days ago! i had part of my thesis due, so i didn't do too much to celebrate, but it still felt like my day : ) i'm starting to really feel old...which is not good! haha.
i got a cute little birthday package from nicola! i loved the card. that's going to be us in london in two months! i also got a lovely card from amy : )
i'm compiling a list to do before i turn 25. i will share it soon : )

i treated myself to new frames! i usually wear contacts & my last pair of glasses were about 5 years old. my eyes had changed (worse!) so i thought it was about time to get a new pair : )

last week

2011-11-12T08:55:00.001-08:00

last weekend when i was visiting my parents, my mom sent me home with a collection of dishes she found while sorting through my grandmother's things. they are beautiful vintage & i am so happy with such a treasure.

the past week has been a tough one. my days consist of waking up early & then going straight to working on my thesis. i type & research until late at night. i even eat meals in front of the computer. it's been crazy for sure.

also last weekend, i had my arts & crafts group. lizzie & i gave the girls the project of painting totem poles on cardboard. we got inspired by this lovely gal & her work. i think they turned out well!

& it wasn't all girls this time! dylan, lizzie's boyfriend came to paint with us too.

lizzie was the master at totem pole painting!

i painted a little owl : )

today, petunia & her husband are coming from out of town to visit me & see the apartment. excited to spend time with friends after a long, stressful week! i hope your weekend is going well!

replies:

amy: haha! amy i seriously laughed out loud to what you said: "the last time I bought almonds to use I ended up snaking on them..." sounds like something that would happen!

natalie: you must have experience with scraped knees, being a runner! not that you fall a lot. wow. haha let me take the foot out of my mouth now. anyways, it makes me feel better you know how it feels? does that make sense? haha anyways, thanks : )

nicola: another friend said the same thing about it being an artsy photo with the blood & ripped nylons! haha i thought so too : )

linda: that playlist has some real gems for sure!

kayleigh: thanks kayleigh : ) enjoy the playlist!!

em [the writer]: i don't know why your comment isn't appearing on my blog, but i got it in my email! anyways, my favorite songs on it would have to be 3 & 8 & of course welcome home! i had that song playing on my blog for a while : )

janis: hello! & i hope you like the songs!

milk & knees

2011-11-07T11:53:00.000-08:00

i had posted a video from my new roots before & i just saw that another was made. this really makes me want to try making some nut milk! but nuts are really expensive for me right now, so it will probably not happen soon. but it's really a nice video : )

i added contact & about me sections to my blog! haha. check it out & let me know what you think...they photo of me is kind of old, so i think i want to take new ones soon : )

so, i was fell on saturday. scraped my knees up pretty bad...they were bleeding all day saturday & i kept having to change my bandages. now, two days later it is getting painful to move them :( i hope they heal soon! (sorry for the slightly gross photo! but i wanted to show you...ha)

i am currently attempting to write my thesis' literature review which is due next monday (on my birthday!!! :S) it's quite stressful right now....but i have been going down this playlist & listening to every song : ) which makes it not so bad. (from here)

replies:

gracia: hello! why thank you! i am super stoked : ) counting down the days already.

pauline: thank you! i am so excited about paris & england. it seriously is still hitting me that i am actually going. i have been dreaming of going for so long that it still doesn't seem real. oh & i don't know if you saw my reply on tumblr, but thanks for thinking of me & my knees! you are so sweet. they are going to take a while to heal completely, but i'm patient : )

nicola: january!! hehe. ok, let me know when you do so i can link to it!

make it easy: i feel the same way about birthday months! hehe.

natalie: right?? just reading what makes others happy, makes me happy : )

alexia: oh you are lucky you understand! i don't, so i must practice & learn a little before i go!

bits & pieces

2011-11-02T11:41:00.000-07:00

can't wait to go there in january : ) (the other city language videos from ef are amazing too!)

i've discovered a couple of lovely blogs here & here (i must admit most of the links i am sharing today, i've found from the last blog!)

great post from keri smith on living without corporations

beautiful families that i would love to just go on a picnic with

cute looking film & a neat looking film

reply to everyone: i LOVED reading about the things that make you happy & am excited that so many of you are trying it on your own blog! keep them coming!
here are the lists that people have made so far:
kayleigh's list
any's list
brit's list
anastasia's list
maggie shirley's list
mayte michelle's list
& of course there are some in the comments here
(if i am missing any, please let me know! i will try to add to the happy links list : ))

p.s. happy november! my birthday month : )

terribly happy

2011-10-31T18:51:00.000-07:00

source

after reading taza's collection of lists of things that make people terribly happy, i decided to make my own list of ten things.

what makes you terribly happy?

1. watching pride & prejudice (2005)

2. getting letters & packages in the mail

3. small, usually unnoticed beauties in nature

4. eating my mom's cottage cheese loaf

5. random acts of kindness

6. discovering a beautiful song

7. thrifting finds

8. spending time with my family (& friends)

9. "knowing" people

10. working on my creative projects

what makes you terribly happy?? leave you answers in the comments or blog your own & leave me a link! i'd love to read the lists.

replies:

brynna: i'm glad someone else knows what i mean about having your own kitchen! : )

linda: aww thanks linda! i really love it too.

allison: haha yes good plan. i should try to take photos when my sister is around to take them for me.

making

2011-10-27T09:42:00.001-07:00

i baked some tasty bread pudding the other day. i love having my own kitchen & my own oven that i can make whatever i want in. not that i couldn't at my parent's, but it just seems different.

when i was visiting my parent's last weekend, my mom & i went thrifting! i hadn't gone thrifting in so long. i found this cute 90s dress with pockets. i took out the shoulder pads (because my shoulders are already really broad hehe) & added a belt & i loved the outcome.

i really need to improve at taking outfit posts...haha. it just wasn't working for me. sorry it looks so blurry, i couldn't get in the view of the camera fast enough!

i also taught my arts & crafts class this past weekend & we followed kaylah's sweater clip tutorial where you use vintage clip-on earrings & necklace chains to make sweater clips. the girls had so much fun making theirs.

i made one too! i love mine : )

replies:

maggie shirley: it does! i'm sad though because i can't find a theater nearby that is showing it tomorrow :/

nicola: yes i did send you something! haha finally. the letter is short, but i didn't have much time. hope it gets to you soon!

lauren: hello! wow! your house must smell so good with all that baking!

bookish.spazz: the trailer really makes it look so good doesn't it?? after you see it, someone from mix tape should do a review!!

deni: hello! & thank you so much : )

emma: hello! no worries! i'm excited to see what tips you send me : )

nicole: hello! i'm so lucky that my grandmother saved such treasures.

tell me everything that happened, tell me everything you saw

2011-10-17T09:26:00.000-07:00

so, i first saw the trailer for this movie when i was watching 50/50 & i fell in love with it (the trailer at least!). after 50/50 finished, i completely forgot the name for this movie & was searching for it for a few days until i found it yesterday. crazy love with anton yelchin & felicity jones. love them both & can't wait to see them together in this film later this month.

i made banana bread mini muffins last night around 10pm. i wanted to take photos & couldn't find my camera anywhere! : ( i hope i find it soon. otherwise this blog will be lacking in photos...

anyways, i wanted to share the recipe for the muffins. i only had one banana to use, & most recipes call for at least three bananas. i finally found this recipe that only needed one banana. the muffins turned out great & were tasty for breakfast this morning : )

ok, so now i'm going to finish up the first chapter of my thesis & turn it in today. yikes. wish me luck!

replies:

jane hyunjoo lee: awww. ok, when you see it, let me know what you think! & the sandals are quite summery! i got them on clearance, so i think they were trying to get rid of their summer clothes, etc. but that was fine by me - more sales!

sarah~mechelle: no worries! i was going to write you, but i decided to wait for the letter : ) i hope all is well with you! & make sure you get a strawberry plant that actually gives strawberries, because one time i had one that gave no fruit!

plants & packages

2011-10-15T18:39:00.000-07:00

so i finally wrote a letter to nicola & put a package together for her...she's been waiting since may....oops : ( sorry nicola! i also got a little cute letter from amy! i love the stationary she used.

these photos below are of my little plant garden on my apartment's patio. the first photo is of nasturtiums that were started from seeds! look how big they are getting : ) the second photo is of my strawberry plant & lavender plants. & you get to see my new sandals from urban outfitters : )

today was a lovely lazy day that i desperately needed. tonight my sister & i are going out to dinner & shopping. it should be good.
also, i have recently downloaded the app shazam & have been using it to find neat music for a music exchange i am participating in with some bloggers. love that app! so hopefully i will send someone some awesome music : )

replies:

bookish.spazz: hello! hehe i will! for sure : )

natalie: i know! can hardly believe it myself. & i know what you mean about life being too busy. just remember to take some "you" time!

brynna: i was waiting forever to see 50/50 too & have been very busy as well. but the day it came out, i skipped writing a paper to go see it. bad at the time, but well worth it in the long run : )

amy: i am so happy to hear that your friend it going to be ok! that must have been such a relief. & meeting nicola is going to be crazy cool!

sarah~mechelle: we need some more posts from you! : ) miss you in the blogosphere. adventures will be happen!

lauren: hello! i think it is so neat that you & amy have known each other & can just go to the movies together!

jade: hello! & thank you!!

jane hyunjoo lee: hello! oh, joseph gordon levitt is one of my favorite actors too! as soon as you get back from korea (if they don't have 50/50 there) you must see the movie!

maggie shirley: wow! study abroad in london?!? so cool! i hope you can! & then you can meet nicola too : )

believe it

2011-10-09T18:19:00.000-07:00

1, 2

life has been so ridiculously crazy. but then again, if it wasn't, it wouldn't be life, right?
i finally took photos of my apartment. but my phone is being mean & won't send them to my email. ergo no photos yet. :/
& my first chapter of my thesis is due in a week - very scary stuff! (seriously! i am basically writing a book about a project/study that i am doing all on my own. wow.)
& i really can't wait to tell you about it. but it must be a secret for now!
but i do have a happy tidbit of news...

i bought a plane ticket to london!! two whole weeks. i am so stoked. i almost can't believe it is happening. i have been planning & dreaming & wanting to go to europe since forever. it will be this january (cold! but that's ok : )) i am meeting up with nicola who has so graciously offered to take me around her land! also, we are planning to make a tiny trip to paris too!!
so, i need your help! for those of you who live in england or paris (or have travelled there!), do you have any tips, recommendations, or things i absolutely must do/see?? please let me know : ) who knows, maybe you may even want to show us around your town yourself!

also, another tidbit of news: you really need to see 50/50. i personally loved it & am planning to own it as soon as it gets released. i have had many close ones pass away from cancer & it is just the right enough of rawness, realness, & comedy (which you definitely need when dealing).

alright, i think that's it for now. be sure to leave any trip suggestions in the comments!!

replies:

mackensie perry: totally agree with you!

nicola: you definitely must see wild target. you will love it!

natalie, shelbyisms, & amy : thank you ladies!! : )

mieke willems: haha yes : ) travelling will never be the same.

brynna: thank you darling! wild target is definitely a "laugh out loud" movie : )

liska cole: yes i do! my sister & i just got an apartment there about a month or so ago. we will definitely try out that indian place. although, since my sister just got back from a summer in india, she is a little tired of indian food : )

carissa clark: yes i've seen never let me go! beautiful colors. & i think you've been blogging more than me now! haha.

pierre: hello! & why thank you : )

happy today

2011-09-23T13:14:00.000-07:00

when i went home to visit my family this weekend, i found my grandmother's hankies in the backyard. they are so pretty! my mother has been going through my grandmother's things & she found all of these beautiful hankies. she hand washed them & hung them out to dry. i love finding vintage surprises : )

we had a picnic lunch out on the grass too. the days are getting so nice with chilly mornings & warmer afternoons. i love fall so much.

i've been so busy with school & life in general lately. also,....i got my driver's license!! haha. i'm turning 24 this year, & i thought it was about time i got it : ) (i really dislike driving, so i'm pretty happy with myself).

when you are busy busy like i have been, & you are so tired at night (too tired to blog or write papers), you watch movies! & i've found some good ones : ) wild target with emily blunt (top photo) & the greatest with carey mulligan (bottom photo). i absolutely love both actresses. i loved what carey wore in the greatest & emily is always so funny!

so tonight i am going out with my parents for a celebration dinner (for passing my driving test) & then i have two papers to write :/ aiaiai. ok that's all for now...oh i got a lot of movies from the library too, so there will probably be some more movie recommendations soon : )

replies:

nicola: thanks nicola : ) you always make me feel better!

lauren carney: hello! & thank you so much! your comment made me so happy : ) i'll be checking out your blog too soon!

falling colder

2011-09-16T08:36:00.000-07:00

it has been getting colder lately!! i'm so excited because i love fall & winter. but, i should take advantage of the non rainy weather & go on a picnic (like this one below! i'm sure you've seen it around the blogosphere before...).

i made the journey to visit my parents this weekend. right when i arrived in town, my mom took me to have sushi at our favorite place : )

i know i've been saying that i will have photos of my apartment soon, & i will! but probably not until the end of next week. school is getting really stressful right now! i've decided on my thesis topic & have started researching. i have a meeting with my advisor on tuesday to turn in some of my work. eeeek! i'll share my thesis with you all eventually! it's actually quite exciting stuff : )

anyways, i think i'm going thrifting later today! i'll post if i find any thing : )

p.s. how are you all liking the new blogging format? i kind of like it : )

replies:

micaela: ok good! i'm excited to start reading it. although, i'm not sure when that will be, as i have so much school reading to do!

sarah~mechelle: any good new books? : )

liska cole: ooo! i'll have to see the movie after i read the book too. although, i don't really like alec baldwin...haha. haven't seen him in 30rock though! & i think i gave you my tumblr (but i can't remember if i did! so, here it is: linaheart.tumblr.com

make it easy: can't wait for you to show photos of your soon to be new city!!

foggy days

2011-09-10T17:32:00.000-07:00

i bought some new books! first one is get a hobby for $3 & the second one is the girls' guide to hunting & fishing for $1.50. i haven't started reading either one, so we shall see!

i got my first piece of real mail at my apartment from amy! thanks so much amy - it is so cute!!we spent the day in the city for raquel's birthday. it was pretty foggy (as it almost always is) & cold, but so fun!!

we stopped at ike's place for the best veggie sandwiches ever. seriously. then we made our way to north beach (sf's little italy) & had gelato & pastries in a little cafe. i loved it there.

then my papi bought my sister a birthday cake from the same bakers his father use to buy his cakes from - a delicious rum cake with cream puffs : )

i've been quite behind with posting lately & i apologize! life has been, well, a bit crazy lately. but i'm glad that i can always come to blogger & see all of your wonderful blogs. what a great way to relax & relieve the stress & worry of life : )

replies:

little and big: yay for blog connections!! : )

brynna: thank you! & it really is haha. crazy to think about.

amy & natalie: thank you darlings : )

nicola: awww nicola! eeee :D that made me so happy to read. i'm so glad i met you on here too!!

mel: hello! & welcome : ) & you simply must watch the movie & let me know how you liked it ok?

pauline: awww : ) thanks pauline!!

4

2011-09-01T21:41:00.000-07:00

photo source

today is my blogs 4th birthday! i think it is pretty crazy that i have kept this blog for 4 years. i have met so many incredible people through this blog & i am really happy that i have. thank you for continuing to read & engage with my little online home : )

replies:

dani: hello! aww thanks! i love the gnome shakers...but my mom is going to find some vintage ones my grandmother had & give them to me to use! (plus the gnomes were a little more that i would like to spend...)

k: i've been collecting all the vintage things for many years. now i finally have a place of my own for all of it!

amy: ooo! i would definitely want to see your place when you decorate it : ) let me know when you see nowhere boy, i want to know what you think!

liska cole: me too! they really make my day when i'm feeling down.

lemon: hello! & thank you : ) let me know what you think of nowhere boy!

sarah~mechelle: aww hehe : ) & i am going to post photos of the apartment as soon as i finish a few things... : )

little photos

2011-08-25T10:05:00.000-07:00

these lazy kitties greet me each day & lay on the stairs to my apartment. they are so cute : )

i'm going to share with you a few random photos i've been taking with my phone. i will be showing you fuller photos of the apartment, but there are few things i have to fix before i show it to you.

i made some chipotle cornbread & used the potholders i made for the first time : )my wrinkled sheets & blankets on my new bed. i love the colors! (& all of them are vintage : ))the banana & grape smoothie i made & drank from a mason jar while sitting at my 1950s table & vintage flowery table cloth. (i love how i am trying to get a lot of vintage things!!)lunchtime at my 1970s coffee table with my vintage plate & glass & nicola's russian doll coasters : )i want to get these gnome salt & pepper shakers!! aren't they the best?oh & the first movie i watched in the new apartment was nowhere boy, a biopic of john lennon's adolescence & first band & the beginnings of the beatles : ) it was good & i liked it, although there were a few...awkward scenes... but of course i LOVED the retro feel to the whole movie : )my sister's birthday is tomorrow (the 28th). go say happy birthday to her!!

replies:

natalie: oh i wanted the iphone 4! but it was a bit too expensive for me to afford right now : ) & the pink & purple thing is nicola's coasters!

nicola: yay for your coasters!!! hehe : ) & i think it is the proper distance from my parents too!

amy: we should totally eat ramen together one day : )

naomemandeflores: hello! it definitely was yummy!

deni: hello! ooo! i'll have to check out your giveaway! thanks : )

chrischoice: hello! aww thanks : )

sarah~mechelle: i'm having a great time making the apartment my own!

rebekka seale: hello! oh my goodness how cute!! i am planning to get a kitten soon for my new apartment : )

little and big: hello! making the apartment a home is really fun! & i am so happy to hear from you : )

shelbyisms: hehe thanks shelby : )

chantilly: hello! thank you!! : )

From my inspire

2011-08-24T08:17:00.001-07:00

Hello!! I am almost all settled in my new apartment. I am loving having my own place.

I am posting this from new phone! It's a smart phone & I've never had anything like it before. It's so fun! Haha. So, I will reply to comments on my next post, as I am still new to posting on from my phone... : )

The photos are of dinner last night. Ramen with broccoli & cauliflower. Yummm.

I hope you all have a victorious day!!

welcome home

2011-08-20T08:11:00.000-07:00

well, my sister & i are officially renting our first apartment together!! we are almost done moving in. we are about an hour from our parent's house, so it is a little bit draining going back & forth for the move. but i am sooo excited!! i can't wait to get settled in & make the place look nice : ) photos soon! for those of you who write me, email me! i'll give you our new address : )

(i apologize for this blurry cellphone photo!)

replies:

amy: yes i do!! i'm excited for our crafting plans : )

brit: it was a horrible experience, but now we have an apartment we like. i also think that looking with my sister was a good move than having to look without her while she was in india.

natalie: hehe i love her red hair too : ) & the pizza is huge! & when i was younger, i didn't like pizza either! but now i love it : )

nicola: hehe moleskine planning! love it.

crafty planning

2011-08-16T09:30:00.000-07:00

this past weekend i went out for dinner with lizzie (don't you love her vampire red hair & little cute car stuff??) to plan our new year of arts & crafts classes. this is our first year working together on it & i think we have some really neat projects planned! we had a delicious dinner of pizza at her boyfriend's italian restaurant : )

i don't know if you can tell, but dylan (lizzie's bf) is busy folding napkins with flatware (& not looking like a creepy stranger smiling lol) ;)

after apartment shopping yesterday, i think i've found two good apartments! we are going back out today to finally decide on one. photos soon!

replies:

nicola: i AM soooo happy to have her back. & i can't wait to start the new year of living together in our very own apartment after two years of being apart while she was away at school : )

sarah~mechelle: i think you & nicola are both right. & i hope everything works out well!

dandelionkisses: lol!! yup. i love his facial hair!! haha. you will see it soon!

she's home!

2011-08-15T08:08:00.000-07:00

my sister is back from her long journey in india! i was so happy she crossed those rivers & roads to reach me. i was sooo happy to see her : ) she brought back all sorts of cool scarves & fabric & some neat things for me!! i am so happy to have her home again.

i had to add this cute photo of her boyfriend, sammy, busy making a "welcome home" poster to meet her at the airport with. he is too cute : )

well, i got some bad apartment news this weekend! while i was in the process of getting the apartment i found, someone snatched it up before me : ( i was even going through paperwork & they came with money wanting the same apartment. the apartment complex took them as renters with out even letting me know :/ so now i have to find another apartment! ugh. oh well, at least my sister is home so we can go apartment shopping together!

replies:

natalie: i know! i love them : ) hehe

nicola: i think so too! i've already started making more! YES. come stay with me!! no need to pay for a hotel!

k: they are really quite simple & easy once you get the hang of it! i love my japanese masking tape too : )

aren: i love being crafty, aren : )

dandelionkisses: i think i just might make a blanket!! can't wait to see you! maybe i can teach you how to make them!! hehe.

pauline: i knew you would like that i was making them!! you've inspired me to make them because of the ones you have sent me in the past : )

allison: i like the second one too, but i think i may go with the second...but it is a lot more expensive....hmmm...

granny squares

2011-08-13T08:49:00.000-07:00

so, this is what i was making in the last post! granny squares!! i love to make them now, they are actually pretty easy & very fun. i love the colors i chose to make these ones with. i made almost all of them in one evening : ) they aren't perfect, but i'm still learning. i learned from this guy's helpful videos. try making them yourself!! i'm not sure what i want to do with them yet. i can't decide if i want to keep making them & make a blanket or just leave them single for like coasters or something.

hope your saturday morning is lovely!

replies:

amy: oooo! free instruments would be cool! even if they were just used as art project pieces. what a neat idea amy : )

nicola: oh i've missed you! hehe. & YES!! come stay with me!! i will have to return the favor : ) & that was exactly what i was thinking about reusing things. makes me feel good.

make it easy: me too. i kind of wish i could find more vintage like fabric.... : )

natalie: i am SO excited about being able to decorate & make the apartment my new home!

brit: i think the first fabric is a winner : ) can't wait to get busy sewing!

sarah~mechelle: i'm excited about my new project (as you can see above!!) hehe : )

projects

2011-08-12T09:25:00.000-07:00

well, i am officially less busy now! i finished working at my summer job : ) it was actually a really neat job where i displayed & put together exhibits for art & other crafty things....kind of like an art gallery of sorts. but the event it was for is finally over & everything was taken down & returned to the crafters & artists.

the photo above is a neat thing i've been working on! it's a sneak peek, so more on that in another post : )

i found an apartment for my sister & myself! it's a two bedroom two bathroom for a really good price. i'm so happy & excited. now we basically are just waiting for the apartment to be ready to move in. i've been collecting free furniture from craigslist. at first i was a little wary that it would be sketchy people trying to get rid of junk, but it has turned out really really good! so far i brought a comfy chair, a entertainment station, & this large couch (see photo) to my parents house for storage until i move in!

the couch came with out the back cushions (those pillows aren't with it either, they are staying with my parents!) & i decided it would be a perfect project to work on before school started. so yesterday after picking up the couch, i went to the fabric store looking for fabric for two large pillows to sew (maybe using this tutorial from melanie : ) i wanted to find something that would match the wine colored comfy chair i picked up too. which fabric do you like more?

today i think i will go antiquing with my mom for a bit. hope your day is filled with a neat adventure!!

replies:

amy: i know, right?!? i really liked how it turned out.

dandelionkisses: i wish you could have gone too : ( you would have loved it.

natalie: it was perfect weather too! warm with a nice breeze : )

sarah~mechelle: i've missed reading your posts too! hopefully now i can get back to reading everything now. i can't wait to see your package!! yay!

nicola: i miss you!!!! yikes i've really got to get caught up with reading your blog nicola! oh i knew you would like those colored ice cream cones!! they are really something haha.

shelbyisms: no, you are rad : ) i think you could still plan some kind of cute thing for your one year!! but it will definitely need some thought & planning : )

hellomissa: i'm so glad you were there too. wasn't it adorable? like blogger kind of adorable, huh? hehe : )

pretty party

2011-08-07T10:32:00.000-07:00

these are photos of petunia's one year anniversary party. it was so cute!! i helped her with it & i think it turned out really good. everything looked so pretty : )

as you can probably tell, i've been super busy, ergo no posts! & i apologize for not looking at your blogs in a while! but soon things are going to be less busy : )

replies:

maggie shirley: i haven't read the book! but the people who have say that it is really good. & the trippy parts probably were a bit too long....

pauline: i've been watching quite a few movies lately actually...i should do some more of my thoughts on them : ) & all the borders are closing here too! so sad, but good closeout deals!

natalie: for me, i always love movies from books just because i am such a visual person that when i read a book, it always takes me forever to get through it because i am always playing a "mini movie" in my head about what is going on. so, when i watch the movies it makes it much easier for me haha : ) & yes, i really liked the main actress in it!

nicola: the moleskine is a city version of....london! hehe. just preparing a little : )

sarah~mechelle: captain america was really good!! did you get to see it yet?? i loved it : ) except i was a little sad about the ending...

hellomissa: aww missa! hehe. i love times with my papi : ) & i got the movie from the library!

jessica: mmmm...i think i would have liked the time kept of the book better! with the rolls of film.

we blog artists: hello! welcome : ) it would be horrific for a parent to go through something like that. & some parts were definitely hard to watch! i hope you come back soon. love brinja's blog!

bones

2011-07-25T16:30:00.000-07:00

i watched the lovely bones last night. sad movie! parts of it i really liked, but parts of it were kind of trippy & parts of it made me want to scream at the screen. i was balling through most of the last half... the tiny "first love" story in it was too cute though : ) & i loved mark wahlberg & rachel weisz in it. if you've seen it, tell me what you thought of it & if you will see it, tell me how you liked it. i'm curious to know.

anyways, i'm at barnes & noble right now with my papi. well, the starbucks part of barnes & noble that is. i got half the day off of work to spend with him : ) tonight we are seeing captain america.

replies:

nicola: oh yes! : ) it may take me a bit to figure out what to grab & take photos....just warning you : ) oh & tell me how you like edge of love.

dani: hello! you know, i've never thought of it before, but it is good to be alive now & be able to enjoy all the previous generations styles & fashions. if i were born in the 40s, for example, i'd be missing out on maybe the 60s, 80s, etc. : )

maggie shirley: lol maggie! you girls & your harry potter books! i love it. : )

the edge

2011-07-24T09:18:00.000-07:00

i'm feeling much better after a lot of rest for the past two days : ) a lot of movie watching has been happening. this one from the photos is called the edge of love. it is based on the romances of the poet dylan thomas. i didn't really like the story line (made me too sad), but i LOVED the clothes, style, & scenery! so pretty. a lot of times i think i should have been born then. do you ever feel that way? when would you want to be born?

i'm off to work today, but i don't have to go in until 11am which makes me happy that i got to sleep in. there is talk of going to see captain america (another time period piece!). my papi loves going to see movies hehe. & i don't mind because he pays for me : )

i looked at an apartment i really liked last week. it may be the one! i'm really quite excited. hopefully everything works out...

replies:

nicola: hehe i will try to post it! it's so hard to decide though! & you must post a photo too! omg!! we could totally do it for here--and--there! ok ok. yes, let me know : )

natalie: thanks natalie! you know, i should really put all of my documents, photos, & music on flashdrives....i really should. nice list though : ) i like the "...and all of my harry potter books" at the end : )

ablaze

2011-07-23T09:27:00.000-07:00

i've been sick since yesterday : ( worked only a half day & couldn't go on. but i've been spending most of my time in bed watching movies, eating raisin bread, & enjoying this neat website called the burning house, which is where these photos are from. it is where people post the treasures that they would grab with them in the case that their house catches ablaze. i wanted to put one together but just haven't had the time. or maybe i'm really just thinking about what i would bring....what would you bring?

replies:

nicola: i'm so excited about our upcoming adventure. it's hard to keep it secret! hehe.

natalie: thanks so much for the luck on my driving test. it's in about ten days! yikes. & my thesis has something to do with blogging! hehe : ) more soon i think.

shelbyisms: haha!! omg. i was going what? there is nothing about a jared in my post...?? ohh but amy's comment! hahaha. i get it now. hehe.

amy: how interesting about your family not owning a car! i'm sure it is way less expensive! my family owns two cars & a truck & a trailer....so yeah, can get pretty pricey with maintenance!

make it easy: i love that my mom grows the berries in her backyard. she is so cool : ) & you & me both have to save money for upcoming trips across the oceans!

my-my: ahhh! yes, yes, california drivers are definitely scary!! hehe. i think i am in the same boat as you since i am going to be living on my own, i need a way to get to school!

emma: hello! wow. i couldn't imagine having to learn to drive in a place like paris - so scary!

berries from the backyard garden

2011-07-18T20:21:00.000-07:00

wow. i've been so busy lately that i haven't been able to blog like i have wanted to : (

a few reasons i have been busy:

(& also some of the exciting news! (but not all of it!))

1. i got a job & have been working 8+ hours a day

2. my sister & i are going to get an apartment together!! so i have been busy while she is in india, looking for an apartment about an hour away from my parents' home in a big city : )

3. i am trying to do research for my masters thesis this summer (which has an exciting topic that you may like! more on that later i think : ))

4. i have also been applying for a job in the fall as the job i have right now is only a summer job. so i have been sending out my resume to many different places. whew! it's hard & anxious work applying to jobs.

5. i've been practicing for my driving test!! yes, i am twenty-three years old & i do not have a license. basically because i HATE driving. but my permit is about to expire (for the third time) & i have decided that it is about time that i suck it up & get my license already. gosh i'm scared! keep me in your prayers please. yikes.

ok. i think that is it...basically at least.

i am looking forward to looking at your blogs as soon as i get some free time again! maybe tonight : )

replies:

natalie: woo hoo! can't wait to see something in my mailbox : )

amy: awww amy : ) you are too sweet : ) thanks again!

nicola: yes we should watch it one day....maybe sooner than we think!! (hehe part of my "more exciting news"...)

shelbyisms: lol!! wait what? jared?

alexia: yay you are back! & i am finally back too hehe. packages are sooo fun : )

bits & bobs

2011-07-05T22:03:00.000-07:00

i got the cutest little package from amy today! it was complete with a summer 2011 mix containing awesome music : ) i don't know if you know this, but i have a thing for tiny little treasures & amy's package contained itty bitty bits & bobs that made me smile. part of those small things was little fabric triangles & string for me to make my own diy bunting : ) i can't wait! the fabric is so neat looking. (these photos were taken with my phone so they are a tad blurry!)i have some exciting news to tell you soon!! but things are still in work in progress right now, so it may be a week or so before i can tell you : )

replies:

allison: oh hi! yes i do : ) it's here.

linda: oh i think you would like super 8! you know our similar tastes in movies : ) : )

amy: oh boy, i could never really get into liking sam! lol because i kept thinking of him in gilmore girls! (which i didnt like him in at all! lol) so...yeah. haha.

nicola: 50/50 looks like something we both would love!

shelbyisms: hehe in know right?! i'm like seriously excited for kinfolk too. & i like the idea that we can submit things to the magazine too!

brynna: it is!! & it does!! can't wait to see it : )

4th

2011-07-04T14:30:00.000-07:00

Kinfolk from VsTheBrain on Vimeo.

1. the new kinfolk magazine trailer. excited about it!

2. new joseph gordon-levitt movie!! : ) (thanks shelby!)

so today consists of a parade, thrifting with petunia, & fireworks! not a bad way to celebrate the 4th if i do say so myself : ) happy independence day my fellow americans...

replies:

natalie: haha you are opposite of me! i'd rather have like lunch/dinner foods all the time.

shelbyisms: YES.

amy: for me too! dean is probably all-time favorite, but i just really really love castiel : ) i hope there is more than meets the eye too... :/

sarah~mechelle: sister is in india safe & sound! & yeah...i'll probably see footloose too...

brit: yay! but i won't be visiting her. (sadly!) but that would be really neat if i could!

nicola: oh my goodness nicola, you would love super 8!!

///

2011-06-29T14:11:00.000-07:00

well, raquel is gone now. you can follow her india adventures here! after waking up around 2am & dropping her off at the airport, my family & her boyfriend ate a delicious breakfast (yummy potato pancakes for me!).

so after we got home & took a few hours of sleep, my dad & i went & saw super 8. i really loved it. it was quite charming & i thought the acting was good! go see it & tell me what you think, ok?

while i was at the theater i saw that they are making a new footloose! which is a tiny bit exciting, but i have a feeling that they will ruin it... :/ so i'm not entirely sure how i feel about it... what do you think?

now i am spending some time at petunia's! we are about to eat some pizza & watch the office. (even though i don't really get that show or like it! ahaha)

replies:

brynna: : ) i'm glad you think so!

jo: hello! oh good! i hope she has her best holiday there like you : )

amy: let me know if you try out the totoro origami! oh man! really? tumblr has blown it for you! but yeah, i'm frustrated about where they are taking castiel's character!! arg. he is like my favorite : (

nicola: eee! i kind of got the idea of when you sent me all those letters you wrote at different times : )

natalie: i know! i'm so excited for her!!

happy india

2011-06-27T19:54:00.000-07:00

my sister is leaving early early tomorrow morning for india. i'm so excited for her! but i will miss her too : ) i wrote letters for her to open on different days that she is there. she will be there for six weeks!

i've been finding a few things i like...

1. this website dedicated to cute boys & their kitty cats (thanks g!). some of them are a bit odd, but some of them are adorable too.

2. this father's day post from rubyellen's blog. i love it because i call my dad papi too. also, it i have a fuji instax mini too : ) but mostly it is just too cute!

3. kinfolk magazine will be debuting soon! i'm so excited for it. the people behind many of the blogs i follow are a few of the collaborators for it. i love what they are about: "Kinfolk is a collaborative effort to encourage a more natural approach to entertaining. It's the marriage of our appreciation for art and our love for spending time with family and friends."
4. i want to fold this totoro origami!

replies:

nicola: you must go on an adventure like this! perhaps even the grand canyon?? hmm?? : )

amy: i don't like heights at all either! so when i was up there, i was holding on to something at all times haha. i was scared : ) but it was spectacular! & about spn, it definitely had it's moments, but rarely i thought! & i won't ruin the end, but...i didn't like it at all! arg...well, tell me when you finish it & what you think of it : )

grand canyon

2011-06-27T11:58:00.000-07:00

on the way to the grand canyon from las vegas, we stopped at a colorful general store along the famous route 66.

when we finally made it to the grand canyon, my mom & i woke up around 4am to hike around the canyon & catch the sunrise. it was beautiful. epic, to say the least.
the canyon was amazing! & i definitely recommend others to see it. it almost looks unreal & like a painting.my sister & ithere were quite a few deer just wandering around eating. they seemed to be used to all the tourists. i was so excited to see them! so pretty.

replies:

natalie: i think what you are remembering is the venetian (the first two photos are actually from there). that was my sister's favorite casino. so pretty! empanadas ARE super yummy.

dandelionkisses: oh my goodness wendy! hahaha. wasn't the cosmopolitan unbelievable?!

pauline: your comment made happy! it actually is kind of a loud place...but i'm happy my photos made it seem like it wasn't hehe. i didn't gamble because i'm not really into that sort of thing : )

lina's little guide to las vegas

2011-06-23T22:39:00.000-07:00

las vegas was fun! so many things to do & even more things to see. i've decided to give you a small guide to a few things in las vegas to do, free stuff, & food (at the same time as telling you what my family did & sharing some photos!)

there are so many casinos & resorts along "the strip" which is down along las vegas blvd. just about every casino (if not all!) on the strip has free parking in their garage, which is really nice. one of the things i didn't like is that people can smoke almost anywhere & everywhere it seemed. (i'm too spoiled in california i suppose).
one neat free thing was just outside of the mirage. every hour starting at 8pm is a volcano show which lasts about 5 minutes. it was cool to watch. (especially being right in front of the beatles love : ))

the very first thing we did when we got to our hotel at the stratosphere was attack each other with the long pillows on the beds : )the stratosphere is known for the tall tall tower (almost like a needle?) that you can go to to look out at las vegas, ride the different rides at the top, dine, & shop. since we were staying at the stratosphere, we got to go up to the top for free (otherwise you had to pay $16 per adult). it was a really nice view, but since i'm afraid of heights it was a bit scary!i thought this sign was cute : )many of the casinos were larger than life. but my favorites would have to be caesar's palace (shown here in photos! so beautiful!) & the cosmopolitan (which just opened two years ago). i don't have any photos of the cosmopolitan, but it was almost otherworldly inside! a lot of new technology & mind boggling modern art. definitely should check it out. plus across the street from it is urban outfitters : )

caeser's palace is, as you can take a glimpse from the photos, gorgeous. & even has a shopping mall inside which includes anthropologie!my dad used to box, so he had to pose for some photos : )the only photo i have of the cosmopolitan. the big "THE" of the cosmopolitan. hehe.i bought a really nice soft shirt at anthropologie for only $10!! i love how they package it : )now food. well, just a couple of blocks from our hotel (the stratosphere) was a small stand selling venezuelan food called i <3 arepas. arepas are so good! & they also sell really good empanadas. pretty cheap too!

also really good is paymon's mediterranean cafe & lounge (hookah lounge that is!). along with the amazing mediterranean food they have, they also have italian & indian food! wednesday night 5-9pm is 25% off the bill : )

i also really encourage you to look at those pamphlets for tourists. a lot of them have good coupons like free gelato at whole foods & free appetizer with two entrees at margaritaville.

i think that is all for now...there may be more that i will add here later!

now i am at the grand canyon : ) photos soon!

replies:

brit: yes, you've been there huh? anything you recommend?

natalie: i love plane rides too!! it's like one of my favorite things. especially people watching at the airport : )

amy: yes, you simply must go to the grand canyon amy! i'm surprised you haven't! oh & how do you like season 6? i have my opinion, but i would love to hear yours!

shayla: hello! i do make atcs! do you? maybe you would like to trade : )

flight

2011-06-21T09:37:00.000-07:00

raquel graduated! & it was lovely. i painted black block letter signs for her : ) now i am off to vegas with the family! i actually JUST got off the plane & am waiting to get a rental car. on the plane i watched my boys on supernatural & played games with the controller they provided. airplanes are really nice these days...anyways, can't wait to check into the resort (!!) & eat breakfast!! so hungry right now. after vegas, it is off to the grand canyon for some epic sights i'm told. nature is so beautiful.
replies to everyone: thank you so much for all your well wishes to my sister! she really is amazing & was so embarrased when she saw my blog post....ooops : ) but i just had to tell you all!

making future headlines

2011-06-15T15:29:00.000-07:00

this is my sister raquel. she is amazing. let me tell you why:
she skipped junior year & graduated from high school at 16.
one year later she graduated college with three aa degrees (international relations, spanish, & liberal arts) at the age of 17.
two years later she is graduating from the university with a ba in global studies. (for most people this takes at least four years) she is now only 19. her graduation is this weekend!

this summer she is interning in india & is learning hindi.

i am leaving today to go to her university & help celebrate her graduation with her! i'm so proud of her.

arts & crafts

2011-06-15T06:46:00.000-07:00

1. i really liked this rug at ikea... : )

2. i had a few of my atcs on display at a gallery in canada. they were traded for me & these were sent back to me!

3. there was a great sale at the craft store & i stocked up on some yarn & embroidery thread for the friendship bracelets i will be making today. fun stuff!

replies:

nicola: awww thank you!! hehe : )

mini

2011-06-14T13:37:00.000-07:00

whew! i am sorry i have been away so long! i've been quite busy with graduations, outings with friends, & helping my mom with things around the house. & soon i will be on a family vacation. wow. & i thought i would have more free time when i was out of school!

anyways, the first photo is just some stamps my mom picked up & i thought they were awesome! they are "go green" postage stamps. they give many different example of how to be more environmentally friendly. click on the photo to see it bigger!

& i'm really loving my new instax mini 25! i recommend it for sure. just buy it online though, because at urban outfitters it is quite expensive! OR you can enter to WIN one like it on little chief honeybee!
i took it when i visited raquel a while back & took photos of her & her boyfriend (on the right) & her friends with their boyfriends. they loved them! (especially the boyfriends hehe).

lastly, if anyone has any photo suggestions for mine & nicola's here--and--there blog, please leave comments!!

well, that's all right now, or at least all i have time for right now. i'll be blogging again soon - hopefully!

replies: (i'm just replying to last the last post, i'm sorry if you commented in previous posts! thank you though : ) & i hope it's ok!)

natalie: yay for fans of the head & the heart. i'm so happy to share them!

dandelionkisses: you & your bro DO look awesome. omg omg really?? a korean market?! gaaah. you HAVE to take me.

em [the writer]: thank you! i was quite pleased with my outfit :))

my-my: yes! i was so shocked when it happened! i was not expecting it at all hehe.

clark: yes, they are so good! have an amazing time seeing them next month!! i know you will.

nicola: hehe i knew you would like the ringo tag! i would totally text & call you if we could!!

amy: did you know about the head & the heart already??

sarah~mechelle: it is though! it just adds a certain something that you don't get through just listening to an album.

make it easy: it really was!!

hellomissa: hiii! aww : ), well we will just have to go thrifting together & see what we find!

fashioneggpplant: hello! thank you! the beatles are awesome : )

aren: awww your comment made me so happy! i had never heard of the head & the heart either, but i am so glad i found them!

iron & wine & love

2011-06-04T11:42:00.000-07:00

i went thrifting with wendy & found this cute vinage dress with a ringo starr (yellow submarine) tag! i decided to wear it to the iron & wine concert : ) these are our concert outfits. we felt excited & silly picking them out & posing for these photos. (the first one is from my instax mini 25!) iron & wine was fantastic!! it was such a good concert. (the first photo is from my cellphone & the second photo is just for fun, because i thought it looked neat).what really blew me away was the opening band that played before iron & wine. they are called the head & the heart & they were spectacular live. here are some videos of their music! after the concert, wendy & i went to talk to the bandmates & buy their album. that night, when i went on facebook, i saw that one of the main singers (the main singer in the second video) friended me! haha. i thought that was neat : )

visiting wendy was so fun! & i'll miss her & her brother:

replies:

herecomesthesun: yes! you must go & see the uppercase magazine : )

amy: omg amy, the iron & wine concert was so fun! if you ever get the chance, you should see them!

natalie: natalie - go camping!! it is very much worth it : ) all the experiences along the way make the trip!

jo: hello! the girl with the braid is actually my cousin, wendy : )

dandelionkisses: hehe, i try!! miss you...

mackensie perry: hello! awww : ) thank you!! you are so sweet!

the room of wendy

2011-06-03T16:21:00.000-07:00

i had an awesome time visiting wendy! i've posted about her room in the past & everytime i go to visit her, she always adds more inspiring things! so here is another post about her room : )you can buy some of her dreamcatchers here!
i'll be replying to your comments soon!

winner!

2011-06-03T15:53:00.000-07:00

the winner for my camera giveaway is liska cole!! congratulations!

thank you to everyone who participated!! : )

snowing

2011-05-31T18:49:00.000-07:00

i'm back from camping! it was so beautiful. & it actually started snowing! i have never been to this camping place when it was snowing before. it was really pretty & a lot of fun : )the camp has a beautiful nature center that i went to. they had a whole collection of pretty butterflies. (but this is the only photo that really turned out...)for the car ride to the camp, i bought uppercase magazine. i picked up a copy because two of the bloggers that i follow were in it! ebony bizys from hello sandwich & dawn tan from handmadelove! it has really cute little write ups about them & their work.now i am off to visit wendy! i'm leaving early tomorrow & i'll be sure to tell you about the adventures that we have! (including an iron & wine concert!!) this photo of her i just added to my newly revived flickr account. if you have one, add me as a contact! : )
don't forget to enter my camera giveaway!

replies: thanks everyone for the movie recommendations! excited to start watching : )

400th p o s t g i v e a w a y !

2011-05-26T14:33:00.000-07:00

hello! this is my 400th post! woo hoo! & i completely missed my blogs third birthday in september of last year, so i am having an extra special giveaway to celebrate : )
to enter, just leave a comment below answering these questions:
1. what movie do you recommend for me to watch?
2. if you were to make a zine, what would you make it about?
3. why do you blog?
all are welcome to enter!
you are entering to win a vintage smena (cmeha in russian) 35 camera! this camera was manufactured by the soviet union by lomo. it takes 35 mm film. it will come with a lens cap, camera case, original box, & instruction booklet (in russian though!). as far as i know it works fine! here is an example of photos it can take.
the winner will be chosen on friday june 3rd!well, sorry i haven't been posting much! my trip to see my sister was nice : ) the power in my house is out for a few days :/ so, right now i am at a coffee shop so i can check my email & post on my blog! & i'm having trouble leaving comments on blogs right now...so you may not hear from me on your blog :/! but i'll be leaving tomorrow to go camping for the weekend! hope your weekend is superb : )

replies:
dandelionkisses: haha i know right?? she looks awesome!

natalie: : ) that's my sister's dress! haha.

pauline: extravagant is definitely a good word for it! thanks pauline : ) means a lot!

nicola: hehe she does : ) yay!!! thanks!!

linda: yup yup! :o)

danica: it was inspired by a parrot! & has real feathers sewn on the bodice! & thank you!!

birds

2011-05-19T16:39:00.000-07:00

these are photos from the fashion show my sister was in! i didn't take any of these. all of them but the last one were taken by celesti magpayo & the last one was taken by nick norton (i don't know who they are!). but the first two models are my sister's friends & the last girl (the peacock!) is my sister!! the line was inspired by birds. enjoy!

so i am officially done with my first year of grad school now! i turned in my last paper last night. only a year & a half more to go! aha. now that i am done for the summer, i can finally concentrate on all of your blogs! i'm sorry if i've been a bit absent lately! & i will be getting packages together soon! i've been behind on that too.... : )

replies:

natalie: yeah i'm so glad that stephen chbosky is directing the perks of being a wallflower. otherwise i would be worried!

em [the writer]: oh i didn't know about paul rudd! i thought howl was quite poetic (besides it being about a poem!) & james was really good (as always : )).

amy: i have more movies to add to your list soon i think! i'm watching three different movies at the same time right now (not literally!). oh & i kind of feel like sneaking over to pittsburgh (i know people there) & seeing if i could get a sneak peek at it being filmed : ). yeah i've seen nowhere boy in the redbox. i have to get on seeing it too.... all good things is...kind of creepy! just a warning : ) (but there clothes! & cute shop they have in the beginning is !!!)

millo: hello! yay!! let me know how you like them!

hellomissa: oooo! really?? O_o i want to taste filipino style! hehe. see you at church!

to see

2011-05-16T11:50:00.000-07:00

the fashion show was awesome last night & i have some photos! but i will share them a little later. i watched this movie called all good things. it is an interesting movie with a creepy & strange storyline. it is based on real events from 1971 to 2003. kirsten dunst is in it (love her!!) with ryan gosling. the beginning of the movie is pretty cute & i love the clothes that kirsten's character wears. if you have netflix it is on watch instantly.

i am super excited about these other films that will be coming out in a bit: the perks of being a wallflower directed by stephen chbosky (author of the book!) & the adventures of tintin: secret of the unicorn directed by steven spielberg (jamie bell is voicing tintin!).
i also want to see these two movies:
i am actually going to watch howl right now (on netflix instant watch!)...i'll reply in my next post!

almost

2011-05-15T15:00:00.000-07:00

hello! i have been so busy lately with finishing my first year of grad school. (which is why i've been mia lately...!) but now i am almost done. just one more paper to write! last week i made korean style rice porridge! it turned out quite yummy : ) here are photos! & my fuji instax mini 25 came in the mail two days after i ordered it! i completely love it. this is the third photo i took (of vaine!). i took a photo of myself too & stuck it with my package to my mom for mother's day! (i got here a pack of red swedish fish, her favorite!) the package is wrapped in fabric from singapore!well, right now i am visiting my sister in los angeles. on friday i took a 9 hr train ride to visit her! it was long, but i had some time to work on my final paper. one of the main reasons i came to visit her is because she is going to be in her second fashion show as a model! i'm so excited to see her in it tonight. i'll try to take some good photos to show you all!

replies:

sarah~mechelle: yes, i love the package! & yours will be in the mail shortly! just after i finish my last paper : )

natalie: i can't believe wendy made the owl pouch too! it is really inspiring. i feel like i want to try making one too!

shelbyisms: the iou project seems interesting. have you heard about the trunk show? do you think you are going to participate?

stay under the stars: hello! oh let me know which instax mini you get!

april: i love laying out the packages that way! i think it looks so neat : ) oh & they are making polaroid film again! here.

nicola: hehe. i love mr froggy too! i feel like doing a "traveling gnome" thing with him....: )

packages galore

2011-05-03T23:00:00.000-07:00

well, i decided to buy the instax mini 25! i just bought it. & today is my mom's birthday & my dad bought her the instax 210 (& a digital camera!) for her birthday : ) my parents are cool. hehe.

i got back to my place in the city late last night & found two packages in my mailbox! one is from my cousin wendy & the other is from my new pen buddy sarah! both of the packages were amazing! wendy sent me so many cute things. a lot of it was handmade (which i love!). she made me a friendship bracelet (which i am wearing right now!).this cool froggy is going to ride in my purse for a while i think : )raspberry & dark chocolate green tea with rooibos organic tea in a little handmade pouch. yum! i'm going to have some tomorrow morning!& she made this adorable little owl pouch! sooo cute! i love it : )incense matches (neato!) & so many other neat things! (like a mumford & sons cd...!!!)the other package was from my new blogger pen buddy sarah! this is the first package i got from her & it was so cool!cute little golden rosebud buttonsold fashion blue glass marble (love glass marbles!)neat vintage mirror with black ribbonpages from a vintage book. the photos & art & colors are so neat! i really love it.& of course other neat things (like a colorful zipper pouch :D). i am so happy to have blogger friends! you guys are awesome! thank you wendy & sarah!!

lastly, i wanted to share this video with you. i don't know if you have heard from them or about them but i have been getting emails from the iou project (i am not sure why they contacted me, but i think they are contacting a bunch of bloggers...have you been contacted by them or have you heard anything about it?). this video explains what they are about & they will be launching this coming monday, may 9th. the whole idea of it sounds truly fantastic! but being the sociologist i am, i was a little worried about fair trading with the weavers in india (as you will see in the video). i contacted the iou project through facebook & received a quick response to my questions about fair trade. this is what they said & the link they gave me: "we are working with the weaving societies so the iou weavers are getting paid extra & we are further get involved by raising more awareness about their problems & issues e.g we are running a workshop with an industrial design studio ciszak dalmas at boisbuchet: [link]." so, watch the video & let me know your thoughts!

replies:

brynna: i love laying outside on a nice day. it makes me so happy!

sarah~mechelle: i would love to have you in my paper making classes! hehe. ooo! a holga! i've been thinking about getting one of those for ages. i have quite a few other lomography cameras but no holga...maybe later! let me know how you like it!

nicola: oh nicola - you are so cute!! hehe. oh a polaroid 300! ok i see i see. yeah, i'm quite excited about the tiny photos it will take!

jennifer jehanne hua: thanks jennifer! & hello again : )

amy: well, as you can see, i got the instax mini 25! i did some research about them by asking bloggers who had them & searching reviews online : ) i think you should get one!! i'll let you know how i like mine : )

em [the writer]: aww you are so sweet! i just like to do the things i enjoy - a lot of the time : ) & about never let me go, i'm glad we had the same thoughts!

question & more

2011-05-01T20:09:00.000-07:00

this photo is from helen leung. & the camera in the photo is one i am planning to get soon! but i can't decide between the fuji instax mini 7s or the fuji instax mini 25. do any of you have one of these? which one do you think i should get? my mom is going to get the fuji instax 210 : ). then we can both go taking photos together!
i got a postcard from shelby! awesommme! thank you : )this weekend's weather was so nice. so, i took a blanket & pillow outside & laid on the grass. & then i fell asleep & a photo was taken of me hehe.i had my papermaking class today! my girls did so well making all kinds of different colored papers. hope your sunday was good : )

replies:
everyone: thank you for your concerns about my housemate : ) she is doing a little better each day.
april: cozy is a perfect word to describe the video! & you definitely need to go camping : ) oh & where the wild things are is a fun adventure.
amy: we should totally have a blogger camping trip....!! & awesome! i would love the recipe!
inside the cabinet of wonder/nicola: you changed your name! haha. yeah, i just found out about ed sheeran : ) & what a rad toy camera mode! that is so awesome!
hellomissa: thanks for praying : )

videos

2011-04-26T10:26:00.000-07:00

The Woodlands from Justin Koleszar on Vimeo.

1. cute woodland video that makes me want to go hiking (i think i've posted a link to it here before...)
2. amazing voice! great music. you can get his full ep here. found him from g : )

do you have any videos to share? i've been wanting to see some creative ones lately. please leave any links in the comments!

when i came back to my place after visiting my parents for easter, i came to some sad news from my housemate. her beloved dog got hit by a car & didn't make it : ( so she is quite sad & i am going to go out to lunch with her & thrifting. i hope she feels better!

replies:

danica: the origami owl is wonderful! i love to do origami & i hope that i can learn to do it too : )

natalie: she is isn't she?? : )

chnikygirlmel: hello! it is pretty sweet. blogger friends & packages are the best.

dandelionkisses: hehe thanks : )

mackensie perry: hello! it is a very beautiful movie visually.

from amy

2011-04-25T17:38:00.000-07:00

i got a cute package from amy in the mail! it was full of where the wild things are goodies & an origami owl that i loved! thanks amy : ) you are so sweet.
these next photos are just some of the pouches i sewed over the weekend. i used my fabric scraps, so i think they look kind of neat with all of the different patterns.
i want to share this neat project that aron put together! go here. it's a space he created for happiness for others.

replies:

hellomissa: oh goood!! aww : ) yes, do take a photo of the bunting in your room. i want to see it! & you are very welcome indeed :o)

amy: hehe thanks amy! oh my - vegetarian shepherd's pie?! i want to know the recipe!!

april: hello! oh i wish i could sew well enough to sew things that i see in stores!

natalie: quinoa is very interesting! you should try it for sure : ) i hated to sew forever! then i tried it a few years ago & found that i like it now. maybe you should try again!

make it easy: ^_^ same to you!!

eeshie: hello! the tote bag or the bunting? i'll be happy to share with you! : )

em [the writer]: you should try sewing! just a few years ago i hated it though (because it was hard for me!) but then i tried it again & i really liked it. so you should try!

inside the cabinet of wonder: yup yup bunting! : )

just a lazy morning: hello! thank you : )

quinoa

2011-04-24T09:13:00.000-07:00

My New Roots - How to Cook Quinoa from My New Roots on Vimeo.

i saw this on sara mcneil's blog & since my healthy parents had some in the pantry, i decided to make some quinoa this morning! it's quite interesting & tasty too.i've been sewing all weekend! i've missed sewing. & since my sewing machine is still at my parent's home, i rarely get to sew when i want to. but this weekend i was determined to make something for missa's birthday : ) i made her some bunting & i think she liked it! i've also been working on some tote bags & little pouches! (i've misplaced my camera :/ so these are all from my cellphone!) happy easter everyone!

replies:

natalie: yay for sure! i love flowers : )

inside the cabinet of wonder: YOU ARE AWESOME NICOLA....sorry...just needed to say that back to you : )

allison: haha! yeah i was a bit caught off guard with that part too. but i saw it as her way of release. a tad strange, but that's just her thing i suppose.

amy: yum! you need to post some photos of your bento creations!!

holly: yay for my african violet! oh it IS him! i just looked it up too : ) i only knew him from the tudors : ) but i see he was also in a bunch of movies i've seen, including the count of monte cristo! so, i capture the castle isn't so much cute but more....scandalous & a tad tragic...i would say. haha i can't decide if i like it or not! but i like the clothes & the castle etc... let me know what you think.

plants & castles

2011-04-22T17:10:00.000-07:00

i'm at my parent's home for easter weekend : ) when i got to the house, i was so excited because my african violet was blooming for the first time! it is so pretty! beautiful two-toned pink flowers. i've had that plant for probably nine years & it has never bloomed before. i was so happy : )
so, i finished i capture the castle. interesting movie. it is a bit scandalous at times : ) & i really loved the clothes, colors, & scenery. this may be too many photos of it, but i liked how they looked so i decided to share them anyway.now i am going to work on some homework until my parents are ready to go out for dinner. if you see the movie, let me know what you thought of it! i can't really decide how i liked it...haha. if you have netflix it's on watch instantly : )
about last post's bento box, i want to make one like this:

happy earth day & weekend!!

replies:

dandelionkisses: : )

sarah~mechelle: excited to see your answers!

hellomissa: yay! i'm excited to see you! oh my goodness do you have a bento box?? because i do : )

inside the cabinet of wonder: awww : ) thank you! oh i should keep using how to be an explorer of the world! it's been in my file folder of projects for a while now. i should dust it off : )

yellow blue & natalie: yes, you MUST get how to be an explorer of the world! i highly recommend it!

amy: yay for bentos!

april: hello! how lovely to have you looking at my blog : ) yes, i LOVE when stores have ridiculously big discounts. it makes my day!

ella: hello! yes, they are!! love bento boxes.

linda: : ) omg yes, leggings. haha!

mamzelle titoo: hello! why thank you : ) hope you visit again soon!

this is not a bento box

2011-04-19T22:37:00.000-07:00

i finally bought keri smith's this is not a book! i got it for a very nice $5 at a closing borders (60%-80% off list price!) i am so excited to start some of the projects in it. i thoroughly LOVED how to be an explorer of the world & i hope i love this one too.this is just a photo of a delicious lunch i had with a friend at bento box. i thought it was cute with each food item having it's own home : )

replies:

amy: thanks amy!! i'll try & see if it will work better that way. & yeah...i don't go to the theater too much, so i'll definitely be waiting to see your highness on dvd. i have a feeling i won't have my hopes up. p.s. yum for hummus!

holly: oh good! i'm glad you checked him out. i randomly found him on youtube & instantly fell in love with his voice! : )

inside the cabinet of wonder: excited to see them singing!! haha i hope you like it...i wasn't too sure if you would or not. but we shall see! : )

missa: awesome! ok cool. we can work out the details through fb if you want. just send me a message of what you want & everything. i'm so excited about your etsy!! if you need any help, just text me or fb me!

natalie: haha! oh natalie you crack me up! but i totally agree! : )

pauline: yes it did! it came almost a month ago, but i've been so busy that i just now am blogging about it. THANK YOU SO MUCH! you are so sweet & it really made me smile : )

questions & treats

2011-04-17T22:10:00.000-07:00

hi hi : ) i am here working on my paper for my environmental sociology class & am listening to this guy's amazing songs. it is too amazing to not share! also, i am having trouble with the spacing with my posts (as you can tell by the last few posts). anyone know what i can do to get rid of the extra space? i delete it when editing, but once i post it, the space between the paragraphs grows :/ maybe i should just give in & start using the newer editor... anyways, help would be appreciated!

the challenge

2011-04-17T21:02:00.000-07:00

it was a lazy sunday morning today. got a full load of homework to work on for this coming week. i can't wait to go visit home for easter this weekend! a much needed rest is wanted.

linda challenged me to answer this ten question quiz. so here it goes!

1. what did you do 10 years ago? ten years ago i was 13. i was just about to "graduate" from eight grade in a month, so i was planning that. i was also getting ready to enter high school & start taking classes at the community college. big changes were happening! part of me wishes i was still that old : )

2. what did you do one year ago? one year ago i was getting ready to graduate with my ba in sociology. so i was probably stressed about getting my senior project done! i already received my letter that i was accepted to graduate school, so i was pretty excited about that. what else...what else.. oh! again planning for graduate school. & it seems i was just ending a camping weekend.

3. five snacks that you like? well, i don't snack, but if i was to pick five snack type foods... ice cream, hummus & pita chips, guacamole & chips, chocolate covered raisins, & swedish fish : )

4. five songs which you know the whole lyrics to? i know the whole lyrics to many different songs, but these have nice little stories to them: "count on me" by bruno mars - i learned & sang this at cameron's memorial because it is the kind of relationship we had. "hey, soul sister" by train - my mom loves this song & we often sing it in the car when we are going somewhere & are listening to it. "hey jude" by the beatles - this is one of the songs my mom would sing to comfort me when i was little. "the remedy" by jason mraz - this song is one that my friends in high school & i tried to sing all the words to as fast as he does, fun song. "swing swing" by the all-american rejects - a song that i would sing with my friend all the time about nine years ago.

5. five things you would do if you were a millionaire? travel(!!!), buy my parents a house, donate money, buy my sister anything she wants, start a meaningful organization

6. five bad habits? procrastination, watching too many tv shows/movies, eating too fast, not knowing if someone is serious or just being sarcastic, not vacuuming

7. five things you like to do? watch movies, read blogs, craft, go to fairs & festivals (especially craft fairs, zine fairs, & food festivals), be with my family & friends, get mail/packages

8. five things you would never dress in or buy? ugg type boots, mini skirts, stilettos, bling, leggings as regular pants (without a shirt/tunic long enough)

9. five favorite toys? my laptop, my ipod, my books, my sewing machine, my busy bear

10. five people i'd like to see taking this quiz? wendy, nicola, amy, missa, sarah~mechelle

replies:

inside the cabinet of wonder: isn't it a neat idea for a letter?? since it was a world puzzle, she even marked where she was : )

natalie: for sure! i totally agree : )

amy: yeah...maybe i could find it online... i'm glad you were feeling better! i hope that by now you are much much better!

dandelionkisses: i knew you would like the owls : )

mckenzie mullen: yes they are!! i love love love them.

holly: hello! about never let me go, it was basically a well done film, but it just made me sad & i didn't feel good after watching it :/ but i think you should definitely see it anyways! lol. because you may like it! no i didn't read the book & that may make someone like it! spring is very pretty, but i miss my fall & winter!!

from pauline

2011-04-14T10:22:00.000-07:00

a few weeks ago i got such an awesome package in the mail from pauline! she made me a crocheted tea coaster & little felted owls in their matchbox home. she wrote the letter on a puzzle & used a mel stringer sticker! pauline is so sweet & creative : ) replies: yellowblue: oh i know! i hadn't even thought of colored glass in my future home, but i really like the idea too : )

amy: oh wow a sequel!? awesome! but sad too since no english subs :/ feel better amy!! i'm feeling a little better today - i think i'll even make a trip to the market to pick up some greatly needed food & produce!

brit: isn't it?! that is actually just the front of the property that is quite large in the back. she rents a quaint studio from it : )

weekend at tamara's

2011-04-13T18:01:00.000-07:00

i spent a lovely weekend at my friend tamara's home, a few hours drive from mine. i went with petunia & her husband. tamara has the cutest little place & i especially loved the colored glass.her bright kitchen holds a clever collection of teas.we ate indian food at our favorite place. we always go here when we visit this town.at a festival, we spotted a blue dog! see him?while at the beach, we came upon a wedding & slightly crashed it for a little bit. weddings always make me happy : )my toms took me many places this weekend.i took a photo of this because i really liked the yellow color on the wall!i'm back home in my busy city & am feeling a bit under the weather now :/ but i watched a japanese film recommendation from amy called nana (it was cute!) & am watching i capture the castle (i'll let you know how it is soon!) now, so that makes me happy.

replies:

natalie: i need to get into a spring mood! but i really miss winter... :/

pauline: well, now this awesome find is headed your way! : )

amy: me too! i thought the creamer/pitcher was way cool. so you are reading never let me go?? wow! that is pretty neat. i am so bad at actually reading books before i see the movies...

inside the cabinet of wonder: aww! yeah it sold the night i listed it! i want to go find some more things to put on etsy soon!

sarah~mechelle: oh you are so right! i totally forgot about maria having a carpet bag in the beginning of the movie!! oh by the way, how did you like never let me go?

dandelionkisses: yup he was stationed there!

shelbyisms: hehe for sure shelby! i'll be lookin'. oh yeah i know! i didn't really like it that much... :/ it just made me too sad. & not in the beautiful kind of way...

new vintage

2011-04-07T15:03:00.000-07:00

i opened my shop up again & added some new vintage items! i'm excited because i think they are really neat & it was kind of hard to part with them... : )

i also added an upcycled tote bag that i will be making more of soon!

blooming

2011-04-07T08:52:00.000-07:00

everything has been blooming so pretty at my place. it's all so lovely & smells incredible : ) i watched never let me go last night. it was kind of a downer, at least it made me feel that way, but it was quite interesting & the colors, scenery, & clothing were lovely (but had a sadness to them too). what i really liked was the three main actors. they are some of my favorites, especially carey mulligan. have you seen it? what do you think? i'm off for a mini trip with petunia & some friends this weekend. i'm excited : ) i have no idea what happend to my replies....ooops... replies: allison: ooo! i haven't heard of that book, but i looked it up & it looks interesting! natalie: thanks! everything turned out just right. my favorite colors are green & pink hehe. amy: thank you : ) the photos are actually representing the mexican holiday day of the dead. it's part of my heritage & all very interesting! but they do look quite zombie-esque! dandelionkisses: haha really? yeah it would make sense that that was where he would be stationed. that is where papi was too : ) make it easy: you are right on the money with the sugar skulls! & thanks, i'm happy you enjoyed my music! that kate: it was a lovely trip : ) & you definitely must try the lychee one! it's really good & tastes quite like it! brit: brit!! i've missed you & your posts! i hope you are well too : )

green & blue

2011-04-03T21:54:00.000-07:00

this is the polaroid my sister took of me on our trip. the blue & green blanket in the background is a vintage one that i picked up at the thrift store the other day for $6. though you can't tell from the photo, it has birds on it! i brought it with me back to my place in the city & i'm going to use it for the first time today. i went to festival de la famillia today with my friend. they had an art gallery with lots of neat photographs & paintings. these are a few of my favorites!i'm headed to the library at school early tomorrow because i have a project due tomorrow night. i hope it turns out good!

replies:

natalie: it was! the fairy treehouse even had a children's book that went with it, but i don't remember what it was called...

petunia: awww thanks : ) the brown cup was made of chocolate & inside was a mocha mouse (i think!). it was good, but a little too rich for me!

dandelionkisses: haha yes! we'll just add it to our growing list of places we have to go together! lol. we were in san diego : )

amy: it was the first time i tried calpico! the lychee is really good!! : )

inside the cabinet of wonder: the polaroid (above) just for you! hehe. aww thanks, i'm blushing now! haha. zandra rhodes's work is so awesome! i really liked it all!

family road trip

2011-04-02T08:47:00.000-07:00

i'm back from my trip! it was such an enjoyable trip too. we did so much & it was difficult to pick out photos to show you all. so, i apologize for the abundance of photos in this post! the trip with my family lots of beautiful scenery:& we ate lots of new, interesting & delicious food! (i liked the art on this restaurant's menu)we spent time at a few different beaches : )& i brought my polaroid along to enjoy too! (my sister is taking a photo of me with it :D)we visited many museums & they were beautiful, inside & out.one museum had a whole collection of work from zandra rhodes. it was all very beautiful!i am standing in front of some of her fabric. such pretty pink!this little fairy treehouse was my favorite!we all had such a lovely time & i can't wait for the next trip i will go on! (maybe next weekend!)

replies:

mlle.emma: haha really? i've never seen toys. i looked it up & it seems interesting! the windfarm is one of my favorite places. i think it's just a beautiful combination of nature & technology.

april: hello! & thank you, i surely did have fun : )

inside the cabinet of wonder: awesome time nicola! thanks : )

shelbyisms: isn't oh comely awesome?! it kind of reminds me of australia's frankie. the us needs a magazine like them! & haha i'm all excited at the idea of being "published" too :D

natalie: it really is! i love wearing the little hairbow.

k: having a pen buddy IS super cool. i'm sure if you just post on your blog or ask another blogger, they would be happy to write to you! : )

brynna: pen pals are awesome! especially if they are across the world : ). for here--and--there, nicola & i were trying to think of some kind of project that we could do together & incorporate the fact that we lived in two different countries. therefore here--and--there was born!

sarah~mechelle: eeee! yay i can't wait for the package! : ) (i haven't been back to my place where i live on my own, for the past two weeks, so it is probably waiting for me there!). oh & you saw oto-na-ri? sweet! yes, i loved the flower shop! i hope you watched until the very end, because after or during the credits they have a little more. kind of like a little epilogue i suppose.

gemma: hello! i know, right?! i'm going to try my hand at some pipe cleaner people soon.

dandelionkisses: seriously, huh?!? let me know how you like solanin!

linda: ooo! ok ok. i shall accept the challenge soon! thanks!

amy: hehe : ) i don't really read too much manga. i've only read about two. i found nana on youtube & have it saved, so i will be watching it soon! & i'll definitely look up hana kimi! thanks, amy! i will tell her that you said to open an etsy!

family time

2011-03-25T08:14:00.000-07:00

on a trip with the family = day 3

i'll be back soon with photos & replies!

happy weekend!

oh comely story

2011-03-22T10:31:00.000-07:00

this is the beyond amazing package i got from nicola a few weeks ago! it had all kinds of goodies in it & tons of handwritten notes. it made me so very happy. thanks nicola!! : )

so, i have a story to tell you! as most of you know, nicola & i are pen buddies, sending packages back & forth to each other. well, a couple of months back, i asked her to send me a copy of oh comely magazine, because i had recently heard about it & wanted to check it out. since it was only in the uk, she was happy to send me a copy, no sorry TWO copies! : ) near the same time, she sent a letter to oh comely telling them how i wanted a copy & also about our joint blog here--and--there. & guess what! they published her letter in the next issue! : ) i thought it was so neat. & really exciting!

replies:

brynna: isn't it adorable? i love the little clouds on it & the fact that it is called "love is in the air" makes me happy.

dandelionkisses: haha aww thanks : ) yeah! that's the big sweater that i got & told you about. it reminds me of you. i hope she opens an etsy too : ) well, the only one i started was solanin. it's pretty good so far. a little bit scandalous for regular manga i would say. it's rated t+ (older teen), so...yeah. haha.

inside the cabinet of wonder: hehe : ) thanks nicola. the sweater is really big & comfy. i got it thrifting a few weeks ago & i love it.

allison: thanks allison :] means a lot.

sarah~mechelle: ooo really?? the oto-na-ri one? or you're beautiful? tell me how you like it for sure!

the attic people: hello! thank you very much : )

hairbows, diana, & manga

2011-03-21T11:34:00.000-07:00

the party was really fun. we played our favorite board & card games. then we visited the used bookstore where i found exactly what i wanted! oishinbo & solanin. solanin has a japanese film that was based on the manga that i want to see soon, but i'm having trouble finding it with english subtitles...check out the trailer here. (in japanese!)

missa made me some handmade hair bows! aren't they so cute?? she is thinking about perhaps starting an etsy. i think she should! what do you think?? oh boy...these photos are pretty goofy looking. i laugh at myself when i look at them. but the bows look nice!! thanks missa!i'm hoping to go thrifting tonight...we shall see how the day goes though. i seem to have a lot of homework...even on spring break!! :/

one last thing! the dainty squid is having a giveaway of a DIANA MINI!!! it's so cute! it is called "love is in the air," isn't that adorable?? go & enter to win here.replies:

liz: hello! yes i have seen sunshine cleaning & i LOVE that movie. it's such a good one. my sister & i love love that movie : )

em [the writer]: it is : ) definitely check it out.

amy: ooo! i'll be sure to check out nana! thanks amy! & i'll also have to check out the comic it's based on. oh yes, i noticed emily's ballet part & wondered about if she did training for the role or what. she's such a good actor! i haven't seen any japanese dramas. they are probably good too!! i should check some out... mmm...i want boba again now. haha. & i'm going to look up these chinese pancakes now. yum sounds good. & thanks for being there for me, amy. i'll keep your offer in mind : )

dandelionkisses: yes you must. & then text me!

my-my: oh gooood! yes, & tell me how you like it! : ) so you watch korean shows too?? which ones have you seen? my mom is really into it too haha.

shelbyisms: thank you shelby : ) means a lot. haha. i wish i could take you to the asian mall : )

oto-na-ri

2011-03-20T09:47:00.000-07:00

i woke up to these lovely yellow flowers this morning on my windowsill. they made me smile : )
i watched the japanese film oto-na-ri last night. it's a tender movie of love. it's about two neighbors who live in apartments next to each other & share a wall. they hear each other go through daily activities, but never have actually met face to face. she's a florist & he is a photographer. the sounds they hear from each other comfort them through life. you can watch it with english subtitles here. & here is the trailer, but it's in japanese : ) anyways, i recommend it!
also, i watched the adjustment bureau last night with my papi. it's quite interesting. the meanings behind things & the explanation of fate, destiny, choice, & free will are all interestingly portrayed in it. but i did think the ending was kind of on the corny side...but emily blunt is in it, & i love her, so it's ok : )

today i am off to a birthday party & hopefully a used bookstore with petunia so i can pick up solanin & oishinbo. (if they have it!) hope you all have a happy sunday!

replies:

holly: hello! thanks : )

dandelionkisses: oh i know! & we both had mother-daughter days?? how neat! awww.

inside the cabinet of wonder: oh i knew you would like the cup! hehe.

natalie: hehe doesn't it look amazing?? & i love the asian mall. i would go there more often, but it is a bit of a drive...so i only get to go a little bit.

my-my: yes, that's so true about the asian mall! so many surprises hidden away in every corner. thanks for letting me know about your new blog...i was wondering where you went! i think we are all slowly getting through everything, it is slow but sure : )

sara & sarah~meschelle: thank you for your kind thoughts : )

asian mall day

2011-03-19T06:35:00.000-07:00

thanks for your words of encouragement : ) they mean a lot.

yesterday was fun. i am visiting home for spring break, so my mom took me on a little day trip. we went to the asian mall. both of us have been watching a lot of korean tv shows & we felt like some ramen with kimchi. we then went shopping at the cute little asian stores. i bought some pens & paper & a gift for wendy. then i drank boba tea while we went grocery shopping at the market for goodies to eat & cook. it was such fun : )

oh & i'm really hooked on these korean tv shows! haha. if you want to see what it is all about, i recommend starting with you're beautiful. i love these shows because they are really cute & funny & about first love : ) they make me happy.

so, i am quite behind on blogging! i have a few posts that i want to share with you, so bear with me. i need to catch up.

(cellphone photos again! i'll be back to using my camera soon though!)

replies:

to all of you who commented on my last post: i am so grateful to have people around the world who are there for me : ) you guys are awesome!

pauline: thanks for checking up on me : ) i'm baaack!

em [the writer]:hello! oh wow! how neat. well...you know where to find a copy of the haunting of the hill now : ) aww, you are so sweet! i love the collaboration you ladies have over at mix tape. & you all cover many things i am interested in. well, welcome to my blog : )

ellie's desk: hello! i must confess, i don't know much about shirley jackson. but i should find more out! thanks for checking out my shop.

a book of short stories: hello! yes! readymade is my favorite magazine, sooo goood.

natalie: haha yes! wouldn't it be so neat to just spend spend some of your summer like that? i think so.

danica: yes, you really must check it out! for sure.

sarah~mechelle: i totally agree. i'm planning on using the tips from it for my mini spring break vacation! can't wait.

domestica: hello! oh how neat! that is such an interesting story, like a movie or something : )

brynna: hehe : ) the car is pretty awesome! yes, definitely pick up a copy.

dandelionkisses: haha. i know i know. i have photos i want to use from my camera too! but you know me & getting photos uploaded haha. takes a while...

asha: hello! thanks : ) i love thrifting. period. hehe. yes, you must take photos of what you find!!

my brother

2011-03-18T16:26:00.000-07:00

well, as some of you have noticed, i haven't blogged in quite a while. life has just been too crazy lately. at first school was just super busy & hard. but then the unimaginable happened. saturday night (3.5.11) i heard the worst phone call ever. the news was that my brother, cameron, was in a serious motorcycle accident with severe head & neck injuries. i drove the hour, straight to the hospital & stayed there until i got home at 3 in the morning. the next few days were relatively the same & i was in shock & i was numb. he suffered significant brain damage & did not wake up from a coma. he passed away late monday night (3.7.11) at 24 years old.

although he was not my brother by blood, he was part of my family. & honestly i can't put into words how i feel just yet. it's a mix of so many emotions. but now i feel like i have a hole in my heart where he was. but day by day it's starting to get better. i actually started this post 5 days ago, but i couldn't finish it. but today i felt like i was finally ready to tell you about it. i just needed someone to listen. thanks : )

cameron bought me my diana f+ camera & i plan to use much more often. every time i do, i'll think of him : )

i'll be replying to all of your comments soon : ) it's been a while & i'm ready to get back to blogging.

at this moment

2011-02-24T11:39:00.000-08:00

i have just added a couple of new items to my shop! i'm kind of excited about these new finds i made & wanted to share the love : ) these two vintage plays are perfect for an afternoon of fun with your friends. i could just see it - with tea & fun costumes.

also at this moment i am loving this month's readymade magazine! so amazing. it has a whole section on planning mini trips & adventures. love it. (cellphone photo quality...)

what adventures do you have lined up?

replies:

natalie: awww thanks : ) wow! what a neat little fact about hulu! i am so happy about hulu. haha.

inside the cabinet of wonder: yes yes i can i can! thanks nicola : ) oh...& i haven't gotten your package yet...but i'm sure it's on its way!

dandelionkisses: isn't that guy dope? (lol i never used that word before...ha!) & yeah, papi has one of those asian guys too...& he actually uses it as an ear scratcher hehe.

allison: thanks a bunch! the food was very yummy & i'm going to heat up the leftovers right now for lunch!

this is just too neat

2011-02-23T22:58:00.000-08:00

when i watched this my eyes got really big & my mouth dropped. so amazingly cool.
what a slick guy. i mean look at those socks!
found it on shauna & stephen's blog.

hello

2011-02-23T20:54:00.000-08:00

hi! wow i've been really busy lately! i haven't had time to look at all of your awesome blogs, let alone blog on my own :/ lately my life has been looking like this photo (taken with my phone...so bad quality!). i've been working on homework whenever i have a chance. even with lunch : ) yummy lunch by the way! vegetable udon at a place called bento box (cute name!). it was super good.
so, grad school has been taking it's toll on me. but i've been pushing through! i just finished this semester's first term paper on environmentalism & religion. quite interesting. & i'm really loving that environmental sociology class.
ok, well i will try to blog more. & look on your blogs too! it's tough though...at least right now.
oh & last thing i want to tell you is that i've been watching a lot of korean tv shows on hulu lately...haha i guess some of my time has been going there lately. but i need some me time, so i'm fine with that : ) (oh & i ate the udon because after watching all of those korean shows i was craving some food like that...hehe.)
replies:
yellowblue: oh how wonderful! it must have been a really neat exhibit! the card that wendy gave me is a vintage one & i love it : )
shelbyisms: haha shelby : ) she sent you a package too?!
amy: i know, right?!
natalie: the bracelet is so neat! one time when i was visiting wendy, we made all kinds of friendship bracelets. it was way fun : )
dandelionkisses: your package made me giddy & happy! haha & i don't know if you know this, but the asian guy is an ear scratcher...lol!
inside the cabinet of wonder: aww happy valentines day nicola! i hope it was brilliant : )
k: yes yes! i need to make some friendship bracelets soon.... : )
carissa clark: CARISSA! i'm so glad you are back!! haha but now i am kind of gone...lol. but i'm trying to make a comeback now lol. missed you!
brit: the handkerchief fits perfectly in my collection : )
jhames stewart: hello! thanks! yeah, i love the color of the bottle too! glass bottles can be so beautiful. & i love that it is the recycled glass ones you buy : )

from wendy

2011-02-14T08:23:00.000-08:00

i got a package in the mail from wendy this weekend. i loved it so much! it had so many cute & pretty things in it. she's a great package giver : )hibiscus pineapple lychee tea = really yummy!!awesome friendship bracelet that matches my house sweater!lovely vintage hankie for my collectionpolaroid of us looking silly : ) & beautiful fabric scraps were a few of the wonderful items in the package. it made me so happy : ) thank you so much wendy! i'm gathering items for your package already!

my internet has been acting up lately so i haven't been able to blog as much as i like.

happy valentines day to you all! i hope you do something special today for yourself & others : )

replies:

liska cole: really?? haha how neat! yes, i've definitely have seen amelie (one of my favorite movies!).

natalie: i absolutely adore the coin purse. it's a perfect addition to my coin purse collection. & i'm sending the mushroom off to a pen pal! with everything under a dollar, it made it even more exciting! hehe.

amy: the owl is a trivet i believe, or you could probably hang it on your wall too.

cb: hello! oh wow!! i saw that it IS the same owl! haha how awesomely peculiar! almost whimsical in a way : )

clark: i totally agree! haha. moms always just know what to do to make things better : )

sarah~mechelle: yes! i think i did know that. maybe the "op" stands for opportunity?? hehe.

olivia juliann crabtree: hello! haha i try my best at being a master thrifter! i like that title : )

liz: yes definitely three cheers! ooo! i want to see what you found! did you blog about it? i'm going to check : )

finds

2011-02-08T11:56:00.000-08:00

i went thrifting over the weekend with my mom. she is one of my most favorite people to go thrifting with. i just wanted to share what i found with you. i got some pretty neat things & nothing was over $1!

replies:

shelbyisms: awww! i love that you did that : ) that makes me really happy. i wonder how far the card will go? hehe.

natalie: it's peppermint ice cream, alisa's favorite. i was worried that i wouldn't be able to find some because they usually only make it for christmas time. but i found it! yes, they are tulips!

amy: i do teach a paper making class : ) it's for a community youth group called 4-H. i am the arts & crafts leader & this year we are making paper all kinds of different ways. it's really quite fun : ) wendy recommended priceless as well! i should definitely see that one then. thanks!

allison: ooo! ok i will look it up. thanks so much allison!

dandelionkisses: hehe awww thanks wendy. ily2 : )

micaela: wasn't it a good movie?? i enjoyed it for sure : ) & thanks for all the suggestions! i'm going to look them up to watch : )

hellomissa: oh i know! we were looking for you at church to invite you over too! oh well :] yes tanaka! haha i took self defense from him about 4 years ago. loved him! he is so awesome. are you taking self defense or judo?

party time

2011-02-07T10:39:00.000-08:00

hello everyone : ) wow. i'm sorry i haven't blog in a whole week. i have been so busy with homework & life. i went home for a five day visit with my parents because i had to teach my paper making class & to celebrate alisa's birthday.
alisa came over for lunch & i was so excited, so i decorated the dining room & made some food. i used my vintage table cloth, hung some bunting & streamers, put out some crowns that i made a while back for everyone to wear. it looked so cheery & alisa was happy & surprised : ) (sorry about the cellphone photo quality!)i've been watching a few french films lately. a quite amusing one, heartbreaker, is worth a watch. any other french film suggestions? happy febuary!

replies: (wow so many! hi everyone :D)

dandelionkisses: for the letters photo i used a placemat from lydia hehe. & of course publicity for your shop!! : ) miss you.

k: awww : ) that makes me happy. & i think that is my only wall that is big & empty enough to put things on.

amy: aww amy! haha. yay for etsy's! yes! i just eat the tj's masala burgers by themselves. they are so good. awww i love sanrio, morning glory, etc. stuff too! & my parents are determined for this year to drive too...ugh. lol. i'm excited about seattle!! i hope i can go : )

inside the cabinet of wonder: oh good i'm glad you like that i reply : ) ohhh!! i got your christmas present! thank you so much! i really really love it!!

alexia: oh gooood. & yes i believe it is haha. i actually think i got it from your's or carissa's blog & liked it so much that i wrote it with sharpie on printer paper & taped it to my wall. haha.

chelsea jade: ohhh putting together packages & decorating them is one of my favorite things to do : )

sarah~mechelle: oh yes. i absolutely love getting & sending letters & packages : ) & of course i would like a new pen pal. hehe. i'll leave my email in a comment on your blog & you can send me your address. yay!

linda;: hello! oh thank you : ) yes, i love both the music & the quote.

chelsea talks smack: hello! & thank you : )

jazzy e (hivennn): oh! i will see if you're giveaway is still going on! i'm sorry i am just checking it out now!

asunlitday: hello! it is called bunting! i love it & making them is easy. you should totally make one for your self : )

danica: i completely agree that snail mail is the best : )

allison: oh! haha ok ok : )

natalie: i'm very sure that you don't have limited creativity ability! i mean, you do have a blog & that is quite creative : ) & redoing your room is a perfect project for summer! yes, replying is taking quite a bit of time haha.

g: awww! get some pen pals! they are truly one of my favorite things. & little boy says "hi" : )

shelbyisms: why thank you very much shelby dear : )

hellomissa: aww melissa that mail story is so cute! yes & technology makes life easier, but it also takes away from the personalbility (is that even a word?? lol) of people. & i do read & love each comment i get! & i know that i would like to read replies if i left comments for other. so that's why i do it : ) missed you at church!

lauren: i love kitty photos too! haha. on tumblr i am always reblogging kitty photos. & i want my own kitty too!! little boy is my housemates cat :/ but he is good (for now!). p.s. the triangle banners are called bunting : ) & absolutely love them too.

liz: hello! why thank you very much! & of course you can participate in the pay it forward hehe. i'll leave my email on a comment on your blog & you can email me your address!

shinh: hello! eeee! thanks & cheers : )

trip to the post office

2011-01-31T10:19:00.000-08:00

i'm going to the post office today to mail this stack of letters, postcards, & packages. some of you will be seeing something in the mail shortly!
oh! i have a question: do you like that i reply to your comments? do you read them? haha just curious : )
i spent the entire day doing homework yesterday & little boy kept me company : )this is just a few photos of the wall behind my bed in the room i rent. see one of wendy's dreamcatchers hanging? i love it : )

replies:

natalie: yes! i saw one that was in the shape of a panda face once. so cute. i video chat with my cousin wendy a lot & she always shows me her latest buys & such : )

shelbyisms: haha thanks! oh that's so true! skyping is definitely helpful for long-distance relationships i'm sure.

k: hello! food on blogs always makes me hungry too!

inside the cabinet of wonder: i wish you a lovely lazy sunday sometime soon too. & for some reason, bento boxes remind me of something you would have hehe : )