Things That Make Me {Happy} - Old Music

A rediscovery of old, great music:

{Inspiration}

Been MIA - writing my law review note and spending time with Max, aka my cupcake, while he is visiting from Oakland. The days are filled with sailing and sun, beers and meat, good company and lots of laughter. Here are a few things I've been enjoying in the little time I have to spare :-)

want Writer's Tears whiskey

Interesting stories on tattooed women of yore/I want another tattoo (as always)

New Tegan and Sara - omg must see:

Comprehensive bottomless mimosas in LA - who's going with me?

Other things:

Shrimp Asiago Bisque

Lace Hoodie DIY

Chargrilled Peach and Roasted Fig Salad with Prosciutto, Blue Cheese and Walnuts

This gorgeous Tumblr

Tattoo Inspiration:

Source: thightattoos.tumblr.com via Amber on Pinterest

Source: fyeahtattoos.com via Amber on Pinterest

Source: stumptownmag.tumblr.com via Amber on Pinterest

Exciting Things Afoot

Sophie (right) and her BF, Freddy, who I've been puppysitting

Well, update #1 is about my cleanse. I think I've kept to it about 80% of the time. I haven't had any coffee, no dairy, no red meat, no soy, and no gluten - except for my splurge night. My one major fail: I've had two glasses of wine over the last ten days.

However, two days ago, I wanted to take my brother to Tommy's Burgers and we splurged on chili cheese burgers with chipotle cheddar and sliced chilis. UM SO GOOD. Also I had root beer. So a few thoughts on this. One of these things makes me want to throw up. I'm not sure if its the meat, the gluten, or the dairy. I guess a chili cheese burger wasn't the best combination to test out my cleanse thing. Despite the scrumptiousness and the fact I only had half a burger, it was really rich and I woke up the next morning feeling nauseous and sluggish. I also had a root beer - no caffeine, but a ton of sugar. My jeopardy performance was phenomenal.

However, I'm back on the cleanse now and I feel really good about it. I think I'm going to try to apply it to whatever food I make at home. That way at least 60% my meals are balanced and healthy and I can keep my energy stable.

Okay - more interesting things:

1) My Santa Cruz boys: Grant is moving home and I can't wait. Max is coming to visit over MLK weekend - like omgmycupcakewillbehere! and Jas and I are still planning a visit up to SF this month to visit my honeybun Rob.

2) I've booked a wine tasting weekend in the Central Coast for my mom, my aunt and me. So excited!

3) Planning a trip to Japan and maybe one (or two) to NYC.

4) I ended my unpaid internship at the LACA. It was a phenomenal experience and I love everyone there. But it had been six months and I have a few other opportunities I need to focus on, so it was time to bid them adieu. I learned so much and I'm so grateful for that experience.

5) I've been hiking/running with the Sophs everyday and next week, I add in my regular yoga classes, which haven't been regular in ages. WOOOOO!

6) Thinking about new volunteer opps and also expanding this lil blog :-)

7) I'm hosting my own Dinners for 12 Strangers with my friend Anthony! I loved D12 at UCLA and I'm so excited I get to facilitate a social/networking experience for students, alumni and faculty. It's one of the many unique things that SAA offers Bruins. :-)

okay thats all I got so far... off to buy books and make lists. xoxo

{I Want} Free People

Everything in the new Free People catalog is amazing. I want to be in it and wear everything. Also I want to be warm, because I'm far too cold with this winter weather and my lips are chapped.

Source: refinery29.com via Amber on Pinterest

Source: refinery29.com via Amber on Pinterest

Source: refinery29.com via Amber on Pinterest

Elysian Park Hiking

Uh, so I didn't realize that Elysian Park had such a lovely little trail. Jacy and I took our wolves, Tucker and Sophie, for a jaunt and ran into Sophie's love Freddy. We had them off leash for quite a bit of the trail, which and great views of Mt. Washington, different grove things, and downtown. It was just the type of afternoon I needed. xoxo.

Sophie and her Freddy

 Sophie with Uncle Tucker leading the way

Beautiful afternoon glow

Four Cheese Mac n Cheese and Catan

I died and went to heaven. My housemate made four cheese mac n cheese, so I cheated and had a nibble. IT WAS FOUR CHEESE - white cheddar, garlic chedder, brie and one more I didn't hear because I was entranced with the bacon-breadcrumb topping.

Boring life update follows - feel free to skip: Anyway, aside from my relapse: However, I have to say that I didn't get a caffeine headache today. I am usually struck by them within 15 minutes of waking up. Today, that didn't happen! Today, I had a quick lunch of quinoa, avocado and over crisped chickpeas - my own recipe and pretty delish. Then I indulged in some almonds for snack. I say indulged bc it makes me feel better about not being able to inhale nutella at a superhuman rate. I had shrimp spring roles for dins and some blackberries. Dessert was a tall glass of carrot juice and coconut water. One of the things that stood out to me today was that I wasn't really hungry. Now generally I graze. But today, because I can't really eat anything processed, I had to make dinner and lunch and it took a lot of time. So I had two bigger meals and more filling snacks, but my energy was way more stable than it usually is. I also took Sophie on a long walk plus some hill/stairs work.

Avocado, Crisped Chickpeas and Quinoa

Tomorrow, I'd really like to squeeze in some yoga, but that's story for a different day.

Back to more interesting things illustrating my nerdiness and why I need a #foreveralone hashtag: I discovered Catan. And even better was Startrek Catan - a christmas gift from my housemate's gf to my housemate. Seriously, this couldn't have been a better gift for him. So we played. AND I LOVE BEING COMPETITIVE. So fun.

Catan Starship

It did interfere with finishing work, but I'm glad I finally got to learn.

bedtime. xoxo.

Champagne Toasts and Goals

Champagne with Raspberries on NYE

Usually I make intense lists of my New Year's Resolutions. This year, however, I have two:

1. Think less: I spend far too much time worrying, planning, fretting, thinking, etc. I overanalyze far too much. I weigh pros and cons, the best approaches, the consequences, and then never come to a decision. This year, I don't want to lose time overthinking things.

2. Act more: Related to the thinking bit, I spend a lot of time planning and wondering and a lot less time acting. I plan workouts that I never do. I plan trips, but then get overwhelmed. I make lists of books I want to read and then never read them. This is dumb. I want to just get up and do things. I want to blog, write, exercise, spend time with friends, be more efficient with work, and be more impulsive about the things that make me happy.

In other news, I started a 21 day elimination diet. It's gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free; also no alcohol and no coffee. Since before finals, I have been self-medicating with lots of rich food, too much caffeine and wine. Bad news bears for my energy level, my skin, and my state of mind in general. I just want to be more mindful of my eating habits and work on being more sustainable as well. I'm on my second day. I cheated already a bit last night with a glass of wine (or two) during a game of charades, but today has been good.

The rest of my vacation has been spent with all my lovelies, including Lauren, my best friend who is visiting from Japan. I also have been able to catch up with Rahia, Jacob and Larissa, go out with Christina, Ellie, and Evan, be inspired by high school friends (esp. NJ), and just loving my family.

Other things this year: more shows (inclu Coachella and OSL???), a yoga retreat, NYC, maybe a trip to the Pacific Northwest and hopefully, Japan to visit my bestie.

Gearing up for a full day tomorrow - yoga, grocery shopping, laundry, cleaning my car and finally finishing a lingering work assignment (and getting started on another one :-))