As much as I wanted to stay home and get things done, the heat as of lately has been scorching for us here in LA county. I re-scheduled things around for this weekend, or for Friday just so I can roam freely to the close by cooled temperatured cities. Little did I know after Pasadena, Silverlake, and Melrose.. I spent the afternoon back in Venice, and adoring the cotton candy sunset in Santa Monica by the beach!


I headed over to Abbot Kinney to one of my favorite menswear: Jack Spade. As I wanted to get a birthday gift for Chris Dean. I fell in love instantly with this shop as it felt like a beach house rather than a shop. As simple as it may look on the outside, inside was just the same with little pops of textured wallpaper in the dressing rooms, muted accent pieces, and vibrant dark wood floors.

After a fulfilled brunch at Lemonade earlier in the day. Prior to dinner, I stopped by Urth for a quick bite of Cinnamon Raisin bread pudding, and Mint Black Iced Tea. Both combinations were perfection. To only daydream and wish everyday was like this.. I'm already trying to find anther excuse to go back to the Jack Spade shop. I think early Christmas shopping for the male folks' is called for!

Prior to going out of town a few weeks back, I wrapped up little goodies for my little cousins birthday. I added baby lips lip balm, accent rings, a necklace, and earrings. What girl wouldn't want accessories and beauty products on their special day?!


I have a wide variety of fabrics, as I use them for design boards at work, or personal projects. I've incorporated fabrics lately in gifts, as I find it to be the perfect finishing touch! This time around I used pastel colors with neutrals. The wrapping paper was simple as it was double layered tissue paper.

On my days off, i've become a homebody when it comes to mornings and early afternoons lately.  I've been indulging in home cooked meals, and un-boxing and dusting off my variety of table tops from thrift stores, anthropologie, and antique shops.


When it's not cereal, fruit, or a breakfast sandwich. Simple delights as eggs, bacon, or french toast simply do the trick! Now if only I can add in more crafting and baking that would be the perfect definition of a well rounded homebody (on my part!). Cheers!

I felt at ease this weekend, as I found a smooth balance in social outings & relaxation at home. I don't recall the last time I stayed home, drank tea, and made a meal or bake in the kitchen. Somehow, I managed to try new things, spend all afternoon with family, enjoy drinks with great company, and enjoy the simple (tabletop) things at home.

I normally view Mondays as a good busy day to start off a great week. I was feeling a bit sour yesterday due to the fact that I was still in vacation mode. I came to work with the weather being windy, gloomy, & grey. I wanted to just curl up and have a cup of tea. Instead my colleague made me an espresso, which was quite sweet.



I took a stroll down Ocean Ave to get some fresh air, but craved for the sun to come out. The positive note to all this gloom is I can start wearing fall attire. There's always some brightness in the gloom!

Apologies for the lack of updates. As always summer is quite filled. I hope things will tone down a bit when Fall is upon us. I spent this last weekend in Palm Springs (later post w/ details).


I spent this weekend with my family (a summer ending tradition). The older I age, the more I do realize how valuable it is to have family close to you. This past weekend a new friend joined us, and kept saying- how lucky we are to have one another, and loves how close our bond is. I like to think that's how our parents raised all of us, to be close with our peers in your family, or possibly our culture. Whatever reason it maybe I'm so thankful and look up to all of my older cousins.


My mind is still in vacation mode. As I kept telling myself while passing through the windmills how much I didn't want to leave.. I'm unpacking now, and getting my schedule back in route, and getting in touch with people to pencil them in on my days off.. Yes, i'm dreading today as much as you.

Anyhoot, cheers to great company!

I'm such a sucker for twine, fabric ribbon, and endless butcher paper! August is now in it's full effect and Summer traditions are playing it's role. Last year while in Palm Springs we celebrated my cousin's birthday. She just turned 13 at the time, so I thought her theme should be "After Twelve is.."

If work was truly optional. Weekdays would be vacant and filled with tea rooms & museum venturing. I'm a big fan of visiting places during the week, as the crowds are nearly non-existent and traffic (depending what hour) is smooth sailing. Prior to summer I made a visit to the J. Paul Getty Museum, ate a delicious brunch, and instantly fell in love with The Life of Art exhibition.

The past few weeks have been exceptionally busy. I wanted to strictly relax this past weekend, and have time for myself. On my days off, I enjoyed creating concepts, writing, reading, and watching endless episodes of Breaking Bad and Sex & The City, odd combination I know. I had music playing and candles burning throughout the night, it felt wonderful to be in my own company, comfortably.




I'm very ecstatic for Friday to come, as I'll be taking a little trip to my 2nd home. As much as the weather will be scorching, I do plan on sun bathing and shopping. Not to worry, i'll have my sun hats and fabric/paper fans of course!

Lets have a great week. xx

Summer lately has been quite busy. Now a days, my days off are filled going one place to another, sooner than I know it it's already after midnight! The weather has cooled down, but still warm enough to take a swim in the pool. Everyone is still in vacation mode, including myself.. I'm counting down the days until i'm back in the desert, and enjoying everything my 2nd home has to offer. In the meantime I wrapped up these little goodies for my god daughters, for their little vacation to Hawaii next week:



I put together coloring books, markers, stamps, and sticker books (of course all disney princess) for my gals so they have things to keep them occupied during the plane ride. I gave the little wrapped goodies to their mother and had her surprise my god daughters when she got home. I recieved a photo of them holding their gifts with the biggest smile on their faces! Now those are the things that warm my heart.

Happy Weekend xoxo.

Last Friday I headed over to Downtown LA near Little Tokyo and finally tried out the Chado Tea Room right next to the Japanese American National Museum. I've always gone to the Chado in Pasadena. I must say I favor this location rather than Pasadena. The service is impeccable, and it's surrounded by Windows that over look the garden area of the Museum.


They have over 200+ tea's to choose from. I couldn't decide so I had the server pick out a black fruit tea for me which was absolute perfection. I always enjoy their Salmon sandwich, along with their fresh baked scone with jam & creame.


As most of you know, I'm very big on tea rooms. This tea room is more modern and casual, compared to the floral/antique ones you've all seen me post or have hosted my Birthday parties in. Everything is simple here on white table top, and each teapot has a little cat pot holder, it's quite adorable!

I try to celebrate all the positive little things in life with the people around me. Whether it's a job promotion, graduation, new car/house, or engagement. It's always great to see happiness and joy with all my darling friends and family.











































I picked out this simple dish for her as I was instantly attracted to the red. At the time, Anthro was having a sale so I bought a handful of these in different colors and designs. I have a few that I use on my vanity, and I keep some on hand for a quick go-to gift.

I woke up early this morning to get a little work done before heading to work. Doing my normal morning routine, while checking emails I saw the delightful email that Kate Spade is having a surprise sale. I instantly got up from bed, and headed over to my laptop so I can see what goodies they had. I have my eye heavily set on these following beauties:

party pearl drop earrings

great gatsby book clutch

villabella fabric quinn

I started off the weekend right with Afternoon Tea (later post). I ended the weekend off perfectly with brunch and a little picnic. While galavanting throughout LA with my little bright green crossover! I was contemplating on this bag while shopping in Las Vegas before heading back home. After going back to it two to three times, my friend convinced me I had to snatch it! Since then it's been everywhere with me!

Ever since MJ released "Dot" I was always in anticipation for what's to come next. After work I headed over to 3rd Street Promenade and stumbled upon Marc Jacob's newest fragrance Honey, and instantly fell in love! I love the mild mixture of floral and a hint of fruit. I have a feeling this is going to be my signature scent throughout the remaining months of Summer! 

Maybe it's the feeling of summer in full effect now. As hot as it can be for us in Southern California I sure enjoy the sun kissed festivities. I'm ecstatic for what's to come this month and for what's in store for September & The Season of Fall.







































So let's continue to keep the mason jars ice cold, and the stripe straws bright!
Cheers.
xoxo