{Inspiration Wednesdays}

I had a productive and fun evening last night. First was a solid library sesh with G and then I got to have dinner with Veronica at Church & State (more on that tomorrow.) Woke up this morning feeling a little under the weather and a bit sore (pathetic from my light jogging), but my bro had bought me pumpkin spice coffee AND my mom was playing the Black Keys. It was like I woke up to heaven. There was very little traffic and now I'm at the libs, reviewing Service of Process and getting ready to go to another Restorative Justice speaker, this one from Homeboy Industries, which provides job training and education to at-risk youth, some who were previously involved in gangs. Speaking of which, I want to try Homegirl Cafe, which is downtown LA. It is a "social enterprise assisting at-risk and formerly gang-involved young women and men to become contributing members of our community through training in restaurant service and culinary arts." How legit is that? And Aviva said the food is amazing.

1. Lol. First up, a shameless plug of my own critique of Britney's new video. It's kind of funny and you should read it.

2. Sweet Music Videos



3. Gorgeous apt decor via English Muse

4. Cute home/food oriented books. So into the illustrations:

Farm Anatomy found via SFGirlbyBay

They Draw, They Cook found via automatism

5. I love Ryan O'Connell from Thought Catalog, especially his newest essay on "This is Why I'm in Love with You." I want to write my own piece about why I'm in love with his writing.

6. Dreamy beds from confetti garden

7. I want these Docs via Lyla & Blu

8. My soup addiction continues:

Source: healthylivingforyou.tumblr.com via Amber on Pinterest

9. And because I can't help myself, some more fashion inspo:

Source: i51.tinypic.com via Amber on Pinterest

Source: vi.sualize.us via Amber on Pinterest

Source: brunchatsaks.blogspot.com via Brunch at Saks on Pinterest

Tuesday Wanderings

So this is the second day of my commuting and it hasn't been nearly as bad as I anticipated. (Lol and knowing my luck, I'll be stuck in traffic for three hours.) But driving allows me to catch up on my music and get all that neurotic thinking out of the way before I get to school and today the drive was only about 27 minutes. And I am thankful for the additional time in the library. In fact, I'm currently working on my civpro outline. Yay.

In other news, Gillian, Aviva, and I attended an informational meeting on mentoring youths at risk, which sounds like an amazing opportunity. This morning before I even went to the meeting, Carrie and I were G-chatting about our future cafe/community space/gallery/bakery/bar/boutique (this is like our dream) and Carrie brought up 826 LA, which is an organization on Sunset that runs after-school programs, including one on creative writing for young students. I was telling her I would love to do that. After today, I know that I need to get back to my volunteer work. It is something that has always grounded me and kept me focused on issues that are important to me, especially social justice ones, while allows me to build personal relationships. So now I just have to figure out which one is best for me and make sure I have quality time to allocate to whatever I choose. I don't know if I should look in Los Angeles or Orange County. My friend Aimee just started volunteering at her local pound in Santa Cruz, which appeals to me too. Or working in an urban garden. So many options. I really want to find a long-term opportunity, so I think I'll spend some time this weekend doing research on the best option for me.

Since moving home, I really want to up my productivity, since I've gotten off track with everything that has been happening in the last few weeks. I managed to catch up on some personal emails today with my international friends ( <3 Elisa and Lauren), drafted a cover letter, and went on a run (I am abysmally sore). I want to catch up on my outlining by this weekend and make soup. I don't know why I'm into soup right now, but just go with it.

But there is some fun in the works. For instance, yesterday, Aviva and I studied at the Bungalow on Larchmont. I had a delicious soy chai latte. Cool me considering studying at a locale other than the library fun. But tonight I am meeting my friend Veronica at Church & State for a French bistro dinner - the menu looks phenomenal. I still have two hours before I eat and my Elevenses bar is not tiding me over like one would hope. Then tomorrow, Nathalie and I are indulging in lavender milk tea at Eden Cafe. It's actually what the idyllic summer evenings of my preteen years tastes like - happiness and relaxation. Did you like that metaphor? :-) Then, Vivs, G and I may go to the Beverly Hills Barrister Happy Hour on Thursday and do some much needed networking. But we are definitely attending a panel on the death penalty on Thursday and the LGBT symposium on Friday, which I am so looking forward, especially the panel on LGBT families and the law.

And Saturday is the Public Interest Law Foundations Auction and Dinner. It'll be fun to get dressed up and help the community while I'm at it. Also hoping to fit in a trail run (Kelsey, are you up for it?), try a new recipe (soup again,) and squeeze in a yoga class.

Thankfully, all this activity is probably going to improve my state of mind, focus, and general well-being. And of course, I always need accompanying music :-)
My pick for this week:

{Music Monday} Greg's Recs

So I've been in a music quandary lately, hopping back and forth between Jay-Z's new stuff and indie-folk from last summer. It's been frustrating. So I accosted my new law school friend, Greg, on FB chat for music recs after hearing that he liked Bon Iver (sure win) and also that he had been to the Wild Beasts concert recently. So here are Greg's suggestions for indie/folk/chill music that is perfect for studying. I hadn't heard Youth Lagoon before and now they are on repeat. And Twin Sister I hadn't previously been a huge fan of, but on a second try, I'm finding them oddly appealing.

Check it out and thank you Greg!

{Inspiration Wednesdays}

1. Some music inspiration:

Oh Land's cover of The National's Bloodbuzz Ohio

bloodbuzz ohio // oh land [the national cover] by sexmusic

Lykke Li's cover of Unchained Melody

Lykke Li - Unchained Melody (Righteous Brothers Cover) by Pop Labyrinth

Mirah's "Don't Die in Me"

.

2. via English Muse: What Hipsters Like

3. These dresses from Dahlia via Skunkboy Creatures. In Love.

4. With these tights via Wit + Delight

5. Cup of Jo featured the work of English photographer Tim Robinson. Robinson documented the responses of friends and family when he told them he was going to be a dad. How cute is that? These are my faves, but click on the link to see more.

6. Thiswater-marbling manicure tutorial from Keiko Lynn - Amazing and it looks so easy.

7. Oh Joy made these delicious s'mores with pumpkin butter and hazelnut butter. I NEED TO MAKE THESE.

8. This outfit via Stolen from Grandma. Just no words, except I want it.

9. I love fall nights. via Confetti Garden.

Yardhouse Celebration

Post midterm craziness, my section headed to the Yardhouse at LA Live, where we had entertaining conversations on post-structuralism, hangovers, and hypotheticals. It was a riot and I got to enjoy my IPA of the moment, Speakeasy, and also try the Shipyard xxxx, which was pretty good. The post-lunch quiet of the restaurant meant that we got to take over and it was a really great way to bond with my section, since the fright and anxiety of test-taking really brings people together. And then once happy hour set in, we got a variety of flatbreads and dips and wonderful comfort food. It was a perfect remedy to post-exam jitters :-) (I also need to remember that 6 cups of coffee and just a half of a banana does not equate to a good breakfast for an exam.)

As far the test goes, I felt well-prepared. Let's just hope that my multiple choice test-taking skills are up to par with law school.

Now for some sleep!

xoxo

{Music Monday} Home

Hmmm... So I'm moving home to my mom's house for a couple of months and I'm looking forward to it for the most part. The biggest thing, however, is that I will no longer be able to blast Eminem at all hours of the day and night and play Superbass on repeat 17 times. Sad times. On the other hand, my family still has great taste in music, but I still need to transition. Hence this playlist, which contains some of the fam's throwback faves. Enjoy.




*Google readers should click through for the playlist. xoxo

Pre-Hibernation Friday

I'm about to go into hibernation to study for my midterm, minus the 12 hours I have set aside to celebrate Tawsh and Jen's birthday. They are having an alter-egos and drag themed party tomorrow. I'm going as a nerd. You may ask if that is really my alter-ego, but that side of me is one that I tend to downplay for whatever reason. Plus, I have some great tweed pants and my JC flats haven't gotten nearly enough wear. Add those to some fishtail pigtails and my Warby Parkers and I'm going to be the cutest geek on the block.

Currently finishing up my property outline while eavesdropping on my mom and brother watching Bill Maher. I've missed a lot of news this week while I've been obsessing over property. Next is to memorize said outline and work on future interest problems. Also looking forward to my study sesh on Sunday with Vivs and G.

Also I've been collecting pins of outfits that I will so enjoy wearing when working on international human rights on capitals around the world.

Source: joannagoddard.blogspot.com via Amber on Pinterest

Source: express.com via Amber on Pinterest

Source: us.asos.com via Amber on Pinterest

Source: shabbyapple.com via Amber on Pinterest

Source: sayyestohoboken.com via Amber on Pinterest