Weekend Recap: Star Gazing

This weekend Vanessa and I packed up her car and headed up North to Oregon to visit our oldest & dearest friend, Mandy. I've lived in Northern California my entire life and I'm almost embarrassed to say that I had never been to Oregon. Well, all I can say is that it was well worth the wait. Oregon is absolutely gorgeous.

The girls and I had a blast taking in all that the small town of Shady Cove had to offer. We spent the weekend relaxing & hiking around the Rogue River. I loved checking out what the locals had to offer (wine, beer, and excellent food-- I was a happy lady to say the least). And of course we got some thrifting in; small towns always have the best little treasures. A highlight of the weekend was seeing my friend Mandy on duty as a Park Ranger at Joseph Stewart State Park, it made me feel so proud to see her at a job so perfect for her!

We also spent hours looking up at the stars. There's just something so magical about looking up at sky full of twinkly lights. There's beauty out there in the world, and I spent my weekend enjoying it. It was an amazing weekend packed with all my favorite things and I couldn't ask for two better friends to spend my time with.









I hope you enjoyed your Labor Day weekend as well.

Look of the Day: Purple haze

Yesterday I wore purple.
"I am wearing purple in honor of those who have taken their lives and had their lives taken due to bullies and lack of tolerance."Cnn.com

When one of my best friend's, Mandy, came out after high school it did it change how I felt about her. She was still Mandy. My oldest and dearest friend. Nothing else mattered, and nothing about our friendship changed.

I'm so glad Mandy had a group of friends that supported her and didn't judge her. Unfortunately not all people have a support group, or have friends they can turn to. And as a young adult that can be very hard, especially if people are bullying you.

So yesterday I wore purple in Mandy's honor and in honor of the young people who took their own lives after being bullied. I hope one day people will not be bullied. And I hope one day Mandy can have all the same rights and opportunities I do.

It was so nice to see so may young people wearing purple yesterday.

I hope days like today continue to bring awareness.
NOH8

JBrand Jeans, Nordstrom Cardigan, Janelle Haskin Turban from Etsy.

Did you wear purple yesterday?

Things I love: The Panda Army

Well I'm still collecting myself after a very busy weekend including a baby shower, a 50th birthday celebration and an epic Giants game. Casey was so sweet to surprise me with tickets to the game on Sunday. He had a softball tournament on Sunday and felt bad I couldn't watch Saturday's game. I am still shocked he bought me tickets!!!

It was the perfect game with an ending I had been dreaming about. We were right in the mix high fiving the players after the cliched the National League West.

How Casey surprised me with the tickets.

Thank you! I love you!!

It's been 7 years coming.

We were suited up in support.

Panda Army!
{I still believe I am the original Panda}

Victory lap.



here come the players!

And big shout out to San Diego Padre fans, that was a heck of season and great match up.
And Braves fans, we'll see you in the Playoffs

Things I Love: This Week's Breakdown

Anyone else a Tosh.O fan? Well I missed last night's episode but it was for a good reason. We had a blast celebrating Mandy's birthday last night. We hit a few small plate wine bars. One for small plates and one for dessert. Good food, good wine, and good friends. I think we kicked off her 28th year pretty nicely!

The crew.

When someone else takes over the camera...

Hear no Evil, Speak no Evil, See no Evil.

And that's this week's breakdown.

Things I Love: Oldest & Dearest

I am so lucky to have an amazing circle of friends. Today I am honored to celebrate the 28th birthday of my oldest and dearest friend, Mandy. Mandy's mother and my own Mom were pregnant together, and we've been friends since she was born..I'm just a couple months older.

After 10,227 days of friendship I am happy to report we are still great friends and I am so proud to have friendship that has been this strong, for this long. So after several years apart I am excited to be in the same state {California} to celebrate her birthday tonight!

Love ya Mandy! Happy Birthday!!

Not sure if we meant to match or not...

Weekend Recap: Saying Goodbye, Saying Goodbye to Hollywood

Happy Monday!! I hope you are having a great day and had a fabulous weekend. I know I sure did. Despite waking up with what I thought was a cold on Friday I ended up powering through the weekend and made a last minute road trip down to LA and I'm SO glad I did! I hadn't been my last amazing trip in January, and wow it had been too long. I had a blast visiting my sister's new place in LA, showing my Mom and friend Mandy around my favorite places in Hollywood and just enjoying the heck out of life. I even got to reenact my Briney Spears encounter at it's original location. Gosh I love LA and last minute adventures.

My Happy Place.

Sunset Marquis.
Wendy, it was Bumping.

Pretty darn happy.
My shirt is from my trip last week to LF Stores in San Francisco.

Venice Beach.

Santa Monica

Did I mention how I love the beach?
Marion Davies' Guest House

Obsessed with old Hollywood.

Ready For Those Flashing Lights.
Papa Paparazzi!Britney encounter re-enactment:
Starring me as myself, Andrea as Britney Spears and Mandy as Sean Preston.

Click here and here for the Britney encounter recap and pictures of me jumping on a bed.
The OPP crew

Coffee Bean in Malibu. A must stop for me every trip I make down to SoCal.
You know I hit up Planet Blue...

Loving life.

So. Hard. To. Leave.

I like to take a minute to a few people:
My Mom for everything, including planning a trip to LA and sparking the urge for me to go.
My sister for living in LA and providing me with a place to stay, and for being my Designated Driver.
My Husband for allowing me to letting me go whereever the wind blows me when he is busy with softball.
Mandy for pressuring me to go even when I was afraid I was sick. And for letting me show her around for her first trip to LA!!!
My Dad and Rena because they just rock and inspire me to dream big.
Dustin for putting up with us crazies and for getting us into the club I wanted to check out.
Wendy for finding the coolest places in LA!! Can't wait to meet you there again!
And for anyone who took the time to read or comment on this post!

Look of the Day: The Little Black (and WHITE) dress

There is something to be said for things you can always count on. A go-to recipe, a fabluous hair dresser or the prefect closet staple. My weekend has been nonstop so l when I was getting ready for the Charity Fashion Show Saturday Night, I knew I needed an easy outfit to put together. There is something to be said for closet staples during times like that. The little black dress being one example of a piece that you can grab, throw on with some accessories, and wear over and over again. And that is exactly how I feel about this black and white Parker dress, it's like an old reliable friend that I know will always be there for me. So last night when I attended the Charity Fashion Show, this Parker dress was the perfect dress to grab and throw on and my old reliable friend friend Mandy was the perfect date for such an event! Our night was little strange but The Charity Fashion Show itself was very a fun event. Even Mandy, who is not into fashion, enjoyed herself at the show. We had a fun time watching the lines, checking out the clothes (and models) and enjoying the show.

Rocking my Paker Racerback Dress, Joie Rumor Jacket and Cynthia Vincent Luella Wedges.

It was fun having our name on seats, I only hope I can attend more fashion shows in the future!

I was excited for the Nanette part
(you know I was thinking of Chloe during this segment and how she could have worked some poses in the Nanette's dresses) .

I loved the pieces in Karen Lum's collection.

I forget who's dress this was but I loved it, too bad picture came out.

Another dress I liked but hard to see in the video.

Congratulations to the Charity Fashion Show team for putting on a great show and YAY for the fabulous event sponsors like ShopItToMe that helped make the event possible!
For more pictures from the show check out the FCubed blog.