Quick Friday Update - Ten Things

This will be quickie. (I know you're disappointed, but it'll have to do.) I suffered from some awful stomach bug/food poisoning thing this week - might have been karma, but probably bad thai. Lots of quasi-dramatic episodes requiring pulling over in traffic and vomiting into lavender scented dog poop bags. I can now say, after a lunch of beers and burgers, that I am back to fighting form. (Minus some residual heartburn).

The light at the end of this week? My bestest bestie, Lauren, is coming up tonight for homemade sorbet mimosas and dancinggggg with Carey, Evan, Mark and Brandon and anyone else who wants to see get down to 90s hiphop. #myfavorite.

I'm also seeing Aziz Ansari and Amy Schumer on Sunday with Jeff and maybe doing a Brazilian dance party tomorrow night with Grant.

In the meantime, things you should be reading/eating/doing/listening to:

1. Ta-Nehisi Coates' Between the World and Me. [Stolen from my over eager FB status:] I want everyone I ever speak to again to read it and breathe it and love it as much as I have. It is simultaneously pure poetry and incisive and heart-breaking truth, tackling racism, family, and class lines. If there is only one book you read this year, please make it this book. It gave me incredible insight and inspiration.

2. Fools, Wild Child - my favorite folk artists back with a lil mo' modern stuff, but equally catchy and satisfying.
3. This video - I want to be a teacher like this and I want to be able to learn like this: Encouraging Students to Persist Through Challenges. (I may have teared up watching this.)
4. This house - I'm dead.

5. Pre-ordering the new Kinfolk Book. Kinfolk: Interiors for Slow Living.

6. Machiko got me a signed copy of Austin Kleon's Steal Like An Artist Journal. The journal asks you to take 10-15 minutes to go through creative exercises to keep you focused on your goal, while encouraging creativity and innovation. I've added to my daily writing exercises and it's been inspirational and a conversation started. For instance, I just did the "Ten things you want to learn exercise." I surprised myself with the fact that many of the things I want to learn, I've already been attempting. I just need a little extra push. PS have I said today how lucky I am to have Mach as a roomie?

7. Just signed up for the online Beginning Watercolor class through CreativeBug. Obviously I need some guidance - here's a portrait of Sophie I did a minute ago. As a friend said, "It looks like a giant mouse with eyebrows."

8.  From Buzzfeed, "19 Signs You're the Thirsty One in Your Group," to which my friends respond: "Amber, did you write this?" #noshame. Also, lol boys.

9. New podcast addiction: StartUp. Perfect for a nerd like me or someone wanting to start their own business or just wondering how the hell it happens.

10. Random music I'm playing on repeat:

When everything is upside and topsy turvy

Things are settling now, but not in the way I expected. Living in Echo Park, especially with Machiko, is amazing however. Our mornings are full of hiking, smoothies, eggs in a cast iron skillet, psychoanalysis, and foam rolling. Evenings are Farmer's Market inspired spreads with fresh flowers, Evan's sous chef-ness, puppy cuddles and synth pop.

I am happy with that. And I am happy with my job. And I am happy that I have the time and flexibility to focus on being happy, healthy and mindful and being able to focus on side projects.

A lot of this introspection has been brought to the forefront by Starting Bloc, an amazing institute I attended earlier this month. I learned that I oscillate, almost maniacally between being so available to people that I burn out and swing toward isolation and introversion. I'm learning to find more balance and identify which relationships I need to invest in and prioritize.

But before I get too maudlin, I have to say this month has been and will continue to be full of amazing, memorable and life-giving experiences.

Two weeks ago, my mom, bro and I met our family in Vegas for a long over-due reunion. Jas and my cousin Jag are carbon copies of each other - chill, laid-back, sensitive men, while Neen, Karen and I are bombastic nurturers with a penchant for margaritas. And seeing my mom with her sister was beyond amazing and warming and wonderful and inspiring and lovely - as was seeing them at a club with us and watching people twerk. [Also we loved Hakkasan, Julian Serrano, and Mon Ami Gabi - thanks friends for the recs].

Machiko, Cassi and I also hosted our first D12 at the new apartment, which went well with homemade bruschetta and hummus; pasta salad with fireroasted peppers, kalamata olives, tomatoes and cucumbers; kale salad with cara cara oranges, feta and avocado; and rosemary, garlic, lemon chicken.

After, I was reunited with my O-Staff loves, some of whom I hadn't seen in four or five years. They are still my family and put up with so much from me, including abbrevs, dog obsessions, coaching me through my first years of college and being my support system through my toughest times. I am overwhelmed by the gratitude and love I felt for them on Saturday and I hope I see them all sooner rather than later.


I also got to see Larissa and her adorable Princess P. Larissa was my sounding board for a lot this weekend and helped me really focus in on my next steps for this year. It also helps that she is the funniest and warmest person like ever.

Other things to look forward to:
Birthday celebrations!
Sara B is visiting me this weekend!
Mammoth!
More Vegas!
Sylvan Esso and Jose Gonzalez shows!
(And cuddling Sophie at the end of each and every day)

 Also some inspiring words that have been helping me focus on bettering myself, especially re: interpersonal relationships:

- I cannot give you power, I can only give you the space to assumer your own power.

- "Doing what one wants to do because one wants to do it is hard for a lot of people, but I think it’s particularly hard for women. We are, after all, the gender onto which a giant Here To Serve button has been eternally pinned. We’re expected to nurture and give by the very virtue of our femaleness, to consider other people’s feelings and needs before our own. I’m not opposed to those traits. The people I most admire are in fact nurturing and generous and considerate. Certainly, an ethical and evolved life entails a whole lot of doing things one doesn’t particularly want to do and not doing things one very much does, regardless of gender.

But an ethical and evolved life also entails telling the truth about oneself and living out that truth." Cheryl Strayd, Dear Sugar columnist

- "Courage is the price that life extracts for granting peace." Amelia Earhart

- Choose joy.

Moving Shenanigans and Such

So I'm moving this weekend! Wooooo! More on those specifics later.

Currently, I am trying to find a super-duper roommate to replace me at the Fig House. I've been interviewing people all week (and still have six more tonight), so I'm inhaling a pizza and a spot of wine before the next batch roll in.

So far, we have had some great candidates. I want to be friends with most of the people. Also, I'm already getting nostalgic for the Fig House and I haven't even started packing yet.

Meanwhile, I have a huge project due for work tomorrow, plus another job and two lunch dates. Also, I'm going out tomorrow. Life is so hard for a 20-something, spoiled grad student.

I wasn't going to post today, but between house showings I've been browsing Pinterest.

I want to bake:
Baked Chocolate Coconut Chai Donuts



Flourless Chocolate Citrus Cookies

I want to drink:
Rose and Cardamom Egg Nog

Blackberry Thyme Sparkler

Grapefruit Jasmine Cocktail

I want to see:
The Golan Palace

Trabocco Punta Torre

Halaveli, Maldives

Hokkaido, Japan


 I want to make:
This leather wrap bracelet

These etched cutting boards

These gold mugs

Cardio Barre - I'm Just Like a Ballerina. Sort of.

I've been in a fitness rut for a reallllly long time - probably a few months since I started working the beginning of the summer.

When I was in London, I was running like a madwoman. Then I was into bikram for a while. And then once I adopted Sophie, we were going on 1-2 hour hikes everyday.

Then I started the 9-5 and although I get into about an hour dog walk in a day, I've been really ignoring my fitness, which is where Groupon/Living Social come in. [Not to mention I gained 6 pounds while I was in Brussels and my body is starting to rebel against beer, fries and coffee in that order.]

I've purchase a few passes - yoga, cardio, etc. and have been trying them all out. Last week, I pulled out my Black Swan and went to Cardio Barre with Aline and her mom.

Okay, so I went in thinking I was going to flounce around like a prima ballerina and like, actually look graceful doing it. 1) I was not graceful 2) Even if i could hope for coordination in lieu of grace, I failed on that count too.

However, I LOVED it.

The class was super fast paced with remixed top 40 hits based on ballet, yoga and pilates moves. My entire body was worked out in segments focus on particular body parts. We did a warm-up, followed by legs, arms and then core. The instructor pushed us without being militant and I definitely felt the burn then and now, especially in my inner thigh and calf area.

The cons, you ask? The first thing would be the expense - its $17/class. However, I got a Groupon and so its $50 for 10 classes. Pretty good deal, right? Second gripe would be the carpet. It sort of freaks me out. Like people's sweat and skin cells. And although I liked the fast-pacedness and shiz, I would have liked a little more direction before I started flailing around. The lovely woman next to me (who look like a profesh ballerina - like shoot me) was sweet enough to show me some moves, but that was after I was already looking like a epileptic zombie.

All in all, I can't wait to go back to Cardio Barre (and the weight that I was in the picture below)

Making Me Happy

1. Catching up on my crime TV shows
2. This new video by The Neighborhood.

3. Having a lot of work to do (although trying to find the motivation is a bit difficult)
4. Seeing Wake Owl tomorrow 

5. My mom making pound cake in the kitchen right now.
6. Puppy cuddles - duh
7. Wine tasting in Malibu this weekend.
8.  Legit blog posts:

• Home Inspiration.
• I'm only wearing black from now on.
• Chocolate tart with shortbread crust.

9. Also Sumptown and Sprinkles are coming to DTLA. OMG I can't.
10. Pinningggg:

Source: 24.media.tumblr.com via Amber on Pinterest

Source: capecodcollegiate.tumblr.com via Influenster on Pinterest

Source: the-streetstyle.tumblr.com via Amber on Pinterest

Source: nastygal.com via Amber on Pinterest

{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

{Inspiration Wednesdays}

This week has certainly had some emotional turmoil amongst tests and real life. But today was sweet as I spend most of it in the kitchen. I made bulgogi chicken tacos with a radish-jalapeno salsa for lunch. Then I perfected my lavender sea salt caramel cookies by substituting shortbread for pie crust to counteract the sweetness and working on a little sweet treat for my law school peeps for our contracts exam tomorrow. I'm feeling okay about it as long as I can keep track of all those nuances.

In other news, I'm seeing Kat tomorrow for drinks in DTF which will legit make my week. This weekend will be fun with property studying (jk). Actually, my aunt and the munchkins are coming down this weekend and Aunt Mote and I are attending her work holiday party. And we have a dinner with Katherine planned, which is always a fave. Best news ever is that my bffl Rob may come down next week, which I can hardly contain my hope and excitement for(!)

I'm hoping I can squeeze a little time out this weekend to check out the Renegade Craft Fair, but I have to relearn the Rule Against Perpetuaties, so we'll see about that. Content with work, life, and mis amigos though so most definitely a happy camper, esp. with the scent of sweet, triple chocolate brownies wafting toward me. Win.

1. Photos of Florence by Tom Beard via Flowerchild Dwelling

2. Rue Holiday issue is out! I want everything on this page:

3. This cute photo from a truly intriguing subject

4. Shot of LA by John Williams via Una Bella Vita

5. So into lace and tulle. The first photo is from this is glamorous and the latter ones are from A Cup of Jo.

6. VB's spring line. Love.

7. I want to join this Rare Beer Club

8. Incredible photos of animals from 2011.

9. And some pinning:

Source: chicisimo.com via Amber on Pinterest

Source: abeautifulmess.typepad.com via Amber on Pinterest

Source: honestlywtf.com via Amber on Pinterest

Source: lulus.com via Laura on Pinterest

{Inspiration Wednesdays} Gift Guide...

For me... It's almost December which means I'm going to be super-irritating and start paging through cyberspace for all my wants and desires. (Then I'll move onto everyone else's desires and a gift guide for them :-) ) I most certainly need a few breaks here and there between finals; the first one is Monday and my hair is greying at a rapid pace. Yesterday was a doozy - 11 hours straight of contracts and civpro... today will be slightly more mellow; in fact, I haven't even sorted out what it is I want to do. But definitely on the sched is a study sesh at Larchmont with Vivs and dinner with Katie as a library break.

The other big news of the day is that the family and I are headed to Cincinatti to visit two aunts, two uncles, six cousins, a new-born second cousin and a menagerie of animales! This is the first time that Jason, my mom and I have actually traveled together on a plane since Jason and I were independent creatures, so it should be fun and... fun. But I am so excited and also planning a trip up to NorCal before school starts Jan 17. At least there is looking like a life after finals.

Anyway, back to other things I want (in addition to a pony):

The Row Toms ($140) - so luxe and extravagant. I would never buy these myself. Because that would be a waste of money, but as a gift? Perfect.

Marais Mary Jane Flats ($96) - totally goes with my new prim and proper ambitions.

Yoga Pass at Purple Yoga. New Year's Resolution Time.

Michael Kors Wristlet ($79.95) - I actually just need this.

Ten Things Bracelet ($24) - Stocking Stuffer?

Coffee Beans from Verve (Santa Cruz), Nude (London), Sumptown (Portland)

Coach boyfriend rose gold crystal bracelet ($348) - please?

Fragrance Sampler from Sephora ($50) - I need to find a new scent.

More from Etsy: baby owl earrings ($15), love ring ($75), detox handmade soap set ($20)