Dressember Part 1

So every year, my lovely friend Jackie participates in Dressember, which essentially is 31 dresses in 31 days. Every year, I say I will participate because I have over 87 dresses I never wear and its a cute idea. But then finals roll around and temperatures fall to 68F, and the idea of wearing a dress is terrifying.

However, I have been feeling in a bit of a rut and I once read a study that the idea of "dress for success" is rooted in legit psychological studies. It is a bit of a placebo effect, but looking good means feeling good which means performing well. And lets be real, around finals time, I need all the help I can get. Plus, spending three months in yoga pants was doing nothing for my self esteem or social life.

In the midst of all this, I realized that women all over the world do Dressember for an amazing cause that I've actually spent a majority of my academic and professional life on - human trafficking. This organization both raises awareness and funds to combat trafficking. Although I didn't participate in the fundraising, I was glad for the coincidence and another reason to talk about the very relevant and important issues of human trafficking, both international and domestic, that deserve attention and support.

I plan on writing more on this issue after I finish some more work, but until then, here is a recap of my Dressember Style so far :)

Thanksgiving + Friendsgiving + Sleep/Food/Coffee

Places Featured:

Dirty Laundry - 725 N. Hudson, Los Angeles
Green Bliss - 305 N. Harbor, Fullerton
Donut Friend - 5107 York Blvd., Los Angeles
Purple Yoga - 120 W. Wilshire, Fullerton
Echo Park Lake

This year, Thanksgiving was phenomenal. My mom roasted duck with an orange sauce (our family is against turkey), sage stuffing, fried Brussels (my contribution), stuffed mushrooms, and roasted butternut squash. Then Jason made chocolate lava cakes with custard for dessert. I'm still recovering. It was just my mom, aunt, bro, Sophie and I. Usually, we have a lot of people in and out, but it was nice just to kick it with my bro (with limited squabbling over GMOs) and curl up on the couch and watch movies together. In between naps, I made it to yoga with Greg at Purple Yoga - I'm still sore. I also got to do the trails with Nathalie and Green Bliss on a rainy morning with Kels. I was so happy to have catch up time with my friends, especially before my neurotic finals self kicks in.

Every year in Santa Cruz, my friends and brother would have a "Friendsgiving" or "Fakesgiving" before they all headed home for the holiday. I never was able to make it, but this year on Saturday, our friend Molly hosted a SoCal version at her place in Westwood where we feasted on fresh baked breads, exotic salads, and more traditional meals, but an amazing dessert table. What made it even more special for me was getting to spend time with my brother and his friends, who I don't see frequently enough.



[UM ALSO WE WERE AT DINNER WHEN UCLA BEAT U$C!!!! GO BRUINSSSSS!!!!!!!! - BEST NEWS EVER]

After dinner, Paige and I headed to Dirty Laundry in Hollywood for our friend Karly's birthday. (Note: I always have the best time with Paige - I love her). This venue just opened up a few weeks ago and is hella legit. When you pull up, the building is just a random apartment building, neutral and quiet. Then there's the bouncer. You walk down and are totally transported to this brick basement, complete with flickering lights and hot bartenders in suspenders. Suspenders = hawt. Karly looked gorgeous and we had such a good time taking in the scene. If you are going, be sure to reserve a table, especially Friday and Saturday nights.

So Jas and I woke up early on Saturday and took Soph to Donut Friend - well, she waited impatiently in the car for her apple fritter. I got the Smores 34 - a chocolate cake donut with toasted marshmallows, chocolate glaze and graham crumbs. Bobes went all out with a chocolate cake donut, maple glaze, pastry cream, raspberry jam, mint and chocolate curls. Delicious, but Jesus. Then I drove him up to Ventura to meet his friend for his ride up to Santa Cruz. I miss him already but I'll see him in a couple of weeks.

Afterwards, I was feeling a bit meh. So Evan, Jacy and I took the dogs (Sherwyn, Tucker, and Soph) to Elysian and then to Echo Park Lake for an impromptu picnic (80 degrees in December - we have to take advantage).  Then I headed back to the Fig House and pumped out some work before heading to TJ's to pick up groceries for the week. I know - so exciting I had to blog about it.

Overall, I had such a relaxing weekend. I'd like to think that I am grateful and show that gratitude everyday. But sometimes I get a little lazy and forget how lucky I am. But I am. :)

Love love love