Last night, Laur and I hosted our very first Halloween party! Hubs and I dressed up as a web and black widow, with the little guy as a cocoon. We sipped on signature cocktails with lychees and branded cherries, and we ate swamp chili, devils on horseback (addicting!), deviled eggs, chocolate “pate,” and so many other delicious things. The best part, though, was spending quality time with our friends. That just doesn’t happen enough.
last monday, we saw bon iver live at the shrine auditorium. CRAZY GOOD. the instrumentals were so rich, and the mood was just magical. their new album is fantastic, but my favorite part of the night was the last song before the encore, for emma. they had the whole audience standing up, feeling the music, swaying and singing. such a brilliant night.
I love every season, I really do. I love the changes that mark each season and all the little things that make each season special. Longer nights mean more game nights with friends, fireside scented candles, home-cooked meals. Colder days mean printed scarfs, polka dot blouses, weathered leather bags, chunky sweaters, jeans tucked into boots, and morning lattes. I love that fall brings a fresh start, a new school year, a new syllabus of my own (coming up this week!).
This fall, I’m trying out new things. Daily 7:15 a.m. workouts, a Chinese language class with UCLA extension, regular hot yoga classes, more happy hours and restaurant favorites on the agenda [pictured: R + D kitchen, the Library Alehouse], and more nights that involve reading books in bed.
I’m hoping for slower days, more cuddle time and afternoon naps. This fall for me is going to be about making lots of personal and lifestyle changes (inspired by this month’s Whole Living mag). I want this season of my life to be more contemplative, more deliberate. Less about being busy, and more about being productive. Less multitasking, more quality time.
I’m embracing this new season.
We bought our very first tent (yes, cute was a factor) and tagged along on a family camping trip to Malibu Creek State Park. The temperature was scorching inland at the campsite, so we headed to Zuma Beach for a glorious afternoon of sunshine and sea breezes. Hubs helped cook dinner, and my cousin made blackberry Mountain Dew cobbler in a dutch oven with coals (makes me wish I could have been a boy scout). We ended the weekend with a trip to Malibu Seafood and an evening showing of Guillermo Del Toro’s latest, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark. Even though our getaway was just a little over 24 hours, it felt like so much longer, as all getaways should.
Can’t wait to get some campsites booked up for next summer! Sleeping under the stars on summer nights is a dream.
This past week, we house/dog-sitted for a great couple I’ve known from middle school. Winston got a few lessons in puppy social skills, and we had some time to relax in the cutest little bungalow. Of course I took way too many iPhone pics. Highlights (there were lows too, like um, visits from an unfriendly neighbor, but vacations are about focusing on the fun) from the first part of the week :
Not pictured:
Crazy how days just fly by. More photos to come.
Last night, husband sold the car that has been a part of his life since high school: a 1966 Dodge Coronet with plates that came practically customized for him. He rebuilt the car with his dad, took it to prom, and to college. That car transported us (and subsequently broke down on the side of the 405) on our first Valentine’s day. We rode in it on our first date to the Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade. The first time I drove to Irvine with David was in that car, with the windows rolled down and the music blaring. And just over two years ago, we waved goodbye to our best friends and family amidst a cloud of bubbles and drove away in it to our first night as newlyweds and the beginning of our marriage.
so thanks for all the memories, Blue Bomber!
you will be missed.
[all photos by Raya Carlisle]
My puppy baby turned a year old this past Sunday! I can’t believe that how fast the little guy has grown… he didn’t even weigh two pounds when we got him. He makes us so happy every day with his furry cuddles and nuzzles and endless puppy kisses. We can’t imagine life without this precious fur ball as a part of our little family.
happy birthday, Winston!!!
today it took me 2 1/2 hours (!!!) to get home from work today. INSANITY.
so to redeem the night, we went out for margs. I wore gray, lots of it.
top / target. clutch / cynthia rowley. sandals / sam edelman.
mostly because we can do spontaneous things like this.
and I can now check ‘kayaking in the Back Bay’ off my 101 in 1,001 list.
win. win.