centered.

i'll be honest, as much as i have tried to embrace this in-between time while i wait for a job to come around and after all of the constant stimulation of twenty-something straight years of school culminating in the craziness of masters projects, i am quite far from relaxed. 

while i am firm in my desire to pursue the best possible position for me, i remain restless in the everyday.

if it weren't for my little friend yoga, i don't think i would be sane.

(via)

the past few months have given me the blessing of time.

time in which i have used to explore several different types of yoga and made it a conscious practice to set aside time to practice mindfulness in the midst of my always-thinking-little-mind. 

my inner contentment has never been more centered than in the little hours of the day on my mat. 

and to that i say,

om.

anniversary trippin'.

a few snapshots from the absolute PERFECT weekend with my boo.

we hiked, cooked, wine tasted, relaxed, campfired, bookstore shopped, coffee dated, played cards, and just simply enjoyed each others company.

something that we rarely have the time to do with just the two of us.

like i said, it was simply perfect.

i mean, lets be honest, is this not the sweetest face ever?!

and if that isn't cute enough, he gave me a copy of '1000 places to see before you die' tabbed with our traveling to-do list for our future and the sweetest of cards for our 'no-present' celebration.

what a catch.

happy anniversary b- i'm the luckiest.

(mush fest is over now, i promise:)

six years.

happy six year anniversary b!

this week brandon and i celebrated six years of mushy gushy romance.

i can honestly say i have never been more in love than i am today. 

everyday is a blessing with you b and i can't imagine life without you by my side.

and a few more.

the most sincere, loyal, conscientious, hardworking, hilarious, handsome hunk i know.

off to a weekend of camping, hiking, bonfires, wine tasting, brunching, and smooching in the malibu hills with my lover boy.

i love you b.

pursuit of happiness.

on a daily basis here in the city,

(san francisco to be exact)

i find such happiness.

my career seems to be coming together,

my living situation is the best,

my opportunities seem endless,

my creative desires are being met,

my social tendencies are perfectly provided for,

and this city is the mecca of all that is fun for the twenty-something.

(the only really BIG thing missing is the boy. 

none-the-less, i continue to remain blissfully in love with him from 400 miles away.)

(via)

in my consistent pursuit of happiness and contentment, i have found three things that i absolutely love.

farmers marketing.

picnicking.

yoga.

three simple, fairly inexpensive, and refreshing ways to celebrate the everyday.

i highly suggest adding these local adventures to your weekly routine.

what makes you the happiest everyday?

mushy.

this is my mushy post about love.

you've been warned.

(via)

currently sitting in the boy's apartment-

girl all ready for her little worker to come home,

bikes all ready for an adventure,

dinner all ready to make, 

movie all ready to play,

dessert all ready to bake,

and couch all ready with blankets and pillows for a movie night in for the two of us.

don't worry, it's complete with fall comfort food (our favorite) and a christmas movie (my favorite).

i love you b and little stay-cations are the absolute best with you.

i am so proud of who you are and what you are becoming, 

but i am more humbled by your genuine love and strong family values. 

thanks for making me your girl, year after year.

happy holidays to the only guy (besides dad) that tolerates my obsession over christmas as much as you do.

you are the bestest!

quotable.

i challenge you to find some inspiration

daily,

weekly,

or monthly.

focus on a quote or two that hits home and go from there.

it really helps me.

a few that i'm liking these days.

oh happy day!

enjoy your crisp fall thursday:)

happy november 1st!

mornings like this.

crisp stroll to grab a latte.

etta james pandora.

tall, warm socks.

scrambled eggs, sliced avocado, and wheat toast.

relaxing blogroll read through.

nursing papers, presentations, and studies.

finding new sources of inspiration.

colorful to-do lists.

(via my pinterest)

just a mere wednesday morning.

but a good, cozy one at home,

just for me.

extraordinary.

finding extraordinary in the ordinary.

thats what i've been trying to do for the last little while.

my life is pretty awesome, do you know that.

pretty, darn blessed i'd say.

here is my little list of those things that bring me extra happiness.

vanilla lattes.

magazine reading by a pool.

outdoor lunch dates with friends.

diet coke in the afternoon.

backyard bbq and wine nights.

pedicures.

snuggling with b.

bagels and cream cheese.

anytime with my girls.

new socks.

days at the hospital helping strangers get better.

small dinner gatherings.

homemade breakfast with my family on weekend mornings.

lavender, tea, candles, and calm music when i go to bed.

weekly quotes and verses with my b.

watercolor painting.

fresh flowers.

spontaneous nights of pure fun with my girls.

"Do ordinary things with extraordinary love." 

-Mother Teresa

me + him.

so i have a big, giant crush on this boy i've been dating of four and some years.

he's my best friend and my favorite ever.

got to spend a bunch of gushy, mushy time with him over my easter break

and it was absolutely the best.

gosh, i'm smitten.

a few moments from our little joemamas-morning walk-avila beach-coffee date.

i love you with all my heart brandon nicholas.

can't wait to see you in a few weeks!

and for the record- this was the best vanilla latte that i have ever had. ever.

no place i'd rather be.

sunday, happy sunday.

they are the greatest. 

since i'm still new to the city and making friends (like i'm in preschool again),

i have been doing things by myself to get out of the house and see the sights,

even if that includes taking myself out to lunch.

yes, yes i do that.

and i actually think is great.

don't get me wrong, some more san francisco friends would be great too,

but for now i am content with my mixture of group and solo outings.

today, i ventured to the fort mason area and the sunday morning farmers market in the marina.

i fell in love.

i think i'm a farmers market player.

love them all, spend time at all of them, and lust over a different one each day of the week.

as for the fort mason farmers market-

i'm crushing on their rotisserie chicken, ranunculus, and blood oranges.

hope you enjoy round two of iPhone pictures for this weekend.

have a happy and great sunday!

there's something.

there's something about drinking hot coffee on a rainy morning that i just absolutely love.

{via my pinterest}

nothing quite hits the spot like a cozy breakfast and a cup of jo near a rainy window.

hello exam study guide, you are a slightly unwelcome addition to my lovely rainy morning.

soon enough it'll be the weekend- and i think i may have a few of my favorite visitors here to soak up san francisco's cafe, night-life, and shopping glory.

oh yes. can't wait.

spring.

i almost forgot to mention.

happy day after the first day of spring!

i love spring for several reasons.

garden goodies start to pop-up.

brunches and prosecco.

my april birthday.

fresh flowers.

yummy easter quiches.

yellows, oranges, and greens are everywhere.

crisp morning walks.

summer plans.

sandals, sweaters, and shorts.
to name a few.

hope you had a happy second day of spring!
xo!

rough life.

oh just lunch time. enjoying my sando. no big deal.

only 3 tests and 38 drug cards between me and slo.

spring break baby.

wahoo!

valentine.

happy valentines day to my one and only valentine- ever:)

i love you like crazy brandon nicholas!

can't wait for a postponed valentines date this weekend-
all my love, hugs, and kisses from 397 miles away!

perfection.

a little late but thought you should know about my little yosemite trip with the boy.

its become quite a little tradition for b and i to take a little trip around the holidays as a part of our christmas present to each other and in celebration of his birthday (the day after christmas).

two years ago we visited yosemite together and it was perfect.

covered in snow and complete with snowboarding and snow hikes.

this year we decided to visit yosemite again and it was perfect yet again.

not a drop of snow and low key due to my lovely leg brace and crutches.

we sipped hot chocolate at the ahwahnee,

hiked to glacier point,

enjoyed delicious fancy meals at tenaya lodge,

cruised the back roads,

and picnicked on the beautiful yosemite hills.

p.s. i've decided dating a physical therapist is the best thing in the world. and dating a pediatric pt is even better. i was taken care of like a princess. thanks b:)

25 days of christmas.

hooray! the 25 days of christmas have arrived!

it is seriously my favorite time of year!

i love december!

i absolutely cannot wait to get home now.

i am craving the palmer house. big time.

the smell of pine, vanilla, and cinnamon.

the short, fat tree with a variety of homemade ornaments.

garlands and wreaths everywhere.

fireplace nights and coffee on the couch in the morning.

the spilling over of brown, white, and red packages.

candles, christmas music, and nativity scenes.

comfort food and an overwhelming dessert table of goodies.

apricot cookies and peppermint hot cocoa.

christmas parties and holiday festivities.

and the anticipation.

so incredibly excited for home but enjoying my study break naps while listening to christmas music, mulling spices, pumpkin bread, and store-front la windows!

on a depressing note, i am missing the good ol' san luis obispo downtown chrismas parade tomorrow night. and for the record this will be my first absence in 23 years. super depressing.

but can't wait to be home a week from tomorrow!

happy december and enjoy opening your advent calendar for the first time today!

whoops.

so maybe i was supposed to be studying and i got a little side-tracked and found some christmas inspiration. but can you blame me? its frank sinatra, dean martin, and bing crosby's fault.

left-to-right and top-then-bottom

1. dyi advent calendar

2. herbal homemade fire starters

3. perfect christmas sugar cookies

4. rosemary wreath

5. cranberry scones

6. kitchen rosemary trees

7. homemade marshmallows 

8. diy craft tape stocking and tree cards

9. diy glittered decorative stars

10. salted caramels and perfect packaging 

(all found on my pinterest)

happy decorating/crafting/baking/holidaying!

grateful.

just arrived back in la from a weekend at home.
it was so great and in the spirit of thanksgiving,
i must say that i am incredibly grateful for my life.

mom and dad,
nights at walnut,
dinners with all of my family,
brandon,
warm fireplace nights,
real simple magazine and coffee,
time with my best friends,
downtown slo cafes,
my cozy bed,
scarf and boots weather,
dads bountiful garden harvest,
living with han,
emt class,
great calming fall-time music,
peppermint tea,
first scheduled grad school interview,
snuggle time,
tube soaks,
good health,
my support system.

so many things to be thankful for.
growing up we had 'gratitude journals' that we would write in daily at school...
what a cool idea.

(p.s. can you hear the christmas music? i think its almost time:)

***also, this is my 150th post. kinda sweet- i think!

the boy.

hanging with the boy.
i think he's pretty cool.
loving this weekend.

just thought you should know.

mushy stuff.

four years ago,

this past saturday (july 30),

a handsome young man asked me to be his girlfriend and kisssed me

on the lifeguard tower in avila beach.

(mind you it was past curfew... woops:)

i said yes.

happy four year anniversary brandon nicholas.

i love you oh so much!

needless to say, i surprised him for the weekend down in la.

i won't get mushy, but it was just the best!