Oh my, how it's already going to be April! March was filled with so many great things, a handful of little vacations, crafted up a storm, and celebrated birthdays. Not to mention apart of the little vacations, I took a trip to Vegas about a week and a half ago. I wanted this visit to strictly embrace Vegas itself. I didn't do the 20-year-old-something routine no day clubs, no clubs- Strictly eating, shopping, drinking, and of course adoring all the neon signs.




I wanted to make it a point to go to Fremont St. As i've haven't gone in so long. I must admit it has a completely different scenery and crowd. Although, nothing compares to it's old classic decor and flashing lights. I wish I had more time to explore there and really see the interior of each hotel, maybe that's an excuse to make another trip again real soon! We'll see ;)

This past week was full of Birthdays. Earlier in the week was my brother's birthday in which we celebrated earlier today. The beginning of this weekend was celebrating one of the girls birthday. We started off my friends celebration very casual: Dinner and the recent and new episodes of Scandal, not to mention our little version of a margarita (Chilled limeade and shots of Vodka). The following day we had dinner at the melting pot, and had her open presents. This past week, and weekend was strictly for celebrating I can't wait for next month! Cheers XO.

We all have a restaurant, cafe, or coffee shop that we go to all the time in downtown repeatedly. You all can agree with me that BL is one of the classics when wanting to eat someplace in downtown. Anytime I have an upcoming lunch date, and debating where to go is difficult, I always splur out "Bottega?" and it always seems to fit and hit the spot.




I always try to order something new each time I frequently visit a restaurant. I'm not too much of a fan of the pasta there but I adore their pizzas, desserts, and small plates. Not to mention they have one of the best french macarons in town! Although, the grand macaron is not something I choose as a favorite dessert dish. Shown above is the Affogato- Vanilla gelato w/ espresso & whipped cream with an espresso macaron. Which is what I always get when dining for dessert. Now, the bakery on the other hand is a whole other story!

Hope everyone is having a great Saturday. XO

One of the gloomy days we had here I headed over to Hollywood to have an early afternoon tea. I've never been to this tearoom before, as I normally go to the Chado Tea Rooms in Pasadena or Downtown LA. What I didn't realize about the Chado in Hollywood is that it's located in Hollywood & Highland. It felt somewhat nostalgic as many memories have taken place here in highschool! Now I can finally say that i've been to all Chado locations. The one I favor most would have to be the Downtown location, as it's connected to the garden of the Japanese American National Museum.




I do love the Hollywood location's display of teas as it's along the walls vs. one area. Out of all the tea rooms i've attended, I adore the tea loose leaf collection they offer the most! The quality, price, & quantity is reasonable which will be in another post! Can't you tell... I have tea on my mind? :)

Earlier this month while work was hectic and busy, during the few days I have off in the week I stayed at the Langham with my dearest friend. I am definitely an old soul. I love traveling and exploring during the week as spaces, rooms, and atmospheres seem to be empty, free, and quiet. After an 13 hour work day I un-winded and that's when my staycation started..




Endless things I love about this place: The location is just a few minutes away from home, but seems worlds away. The endless windows that brighten up the space during daylight. The classic style of decor, marble floors, old paintings, stainless steel and brass decor, I can go on and on!

One thing I do want to fully experience at the Langham is the Afternoon Tea. I've had tea there before when it was the Ritz Carlton but with the recent transition I have yet to attend Tea. Maybe this could be a possible location for my Birthday next month? Mmmmm something to ponder over..

I took a week off from r&e as I took a little trip to Vegas last week, and came home to handle a few personal things. Everything is back on track with my normal routine. Trust me, these week off posts won't happen as often! Now, let's rewind back to mid-March to when I finalized and put everything together for my baby love's 1st birthday:

One of the many things on my list when doing L. Belle's party decor was cupcake toppers. Cakes and cookies where are already being professionally made ;). I decided to make strawberry cupcakes which i'll share in another post. I wanted to incorporate something else other than an anchor. I found a seashell rubber stamp so I instantly thought of the color coral. I wanted a little pop other than navy blue, so I found a polka dotted sheet and used that as the background.

I knew when crafting for baby L. Belle's birthday it had to be girly and nautical. I instantly thought of the anchor/sailor things at PS. I came across their streamers which instantly gave me inspiration for bunting stripes and anchors. The colors where simple: baby pink & navy blue. I was fortunate enough to have everything on hand. All I had to do was get an anchor template and I was good to go!



Anytime I make streamers/bunting I always hang them out in my bedroom to see it's entirety. It's just so funny how much a difference bunting can make a room look girly/kiddy/childish (photo above). Either way it was pretty to look at. It flowed perfectly at the birthday party, which will be another post of it's own ;)

Material on hand: Construction paper from dollar store, and bakers blue & white twine from PS.

Indeed I had 5 days off straight from work. Although, each day was busy filled with planning, crafting, amongst other projects. I finally had today to relax. I felt drained last night, but am thankful to rest today and take things at a slower pace :)

All this warm sun shining weather and blue skies makes me miss the desert so much! Especially this time of year as the warmth of spring is nearly upon us. I keep day dreaming of wanting to get away, and be in a different atmosphere. Here is the last time I went to Palm Springs, the weather was warm, bright, and it all took place during Fall/Winter.
I have a tradition of going to Palm Springs each year for my birthday. I have no plans of it this year as travel plans are more geared to further destinations ;). I hope when Spring Break and Coachella smooths over I'll be able to go back to PSP, and truly enjoy the authenticity of the city I adore and love so.

Favorite Hotels in Palm Springs: Movie Colony (hidden gem), The Saguaro (shown above), 7 Springs Inn & Suites (best priced), & Ace PSP

I had plans to have dinner with my cousin. I happen to be the god mother of her twins. A simple "ninang was thinking of you" gift was in order. I put together things from Sanrio, crafted up crowns, and somehow everything just seemed to flow in polka dots!


With my god daughters, one loves pink, the other loves purple. So I made sure with candy, wrapping, and crowns it would all fit to what one loves. When their mother came home with the goodies, they were all in smiles and laughter. It's so cute to see the lovebugs happy! xo

Materials: Polka dot box from target, construction paper & paper crowns from dollar store, & happy tape.

I'd like to consider last week as my: staycation. I was fortunate enough to have some time off to spend at a hotel with a close friend and relax entirely (it'll need a post all on it's own). After checking out we had reservations for afternoon tea. It was a perfect ending to our staycation, and a great start for this past weekend.




I've been working non-stop. Surprisingly I don't feel burnt out just yet. This week as I always say, will be busy. It will be my nieces first birthday and being the tita that I am, I'm going ALL out. I've bought all my materials at Paper Source already, so I can't wait to share and show you all what I've got in store!

I feel like work is non-stop now a days. Whether I'm at work in Santa Monica, or putting in here on rae&ella. I have some-what of a balance going on, but I really need to keep a firm schedule and routine when it comes to crafting, posting, photos, and social media-ness. I think it's excessively important to have a great work environment. Whether your at a desk-job home away from home, or if you're passionately doing something on your free time. Space and atmosphere is key. This is how I work at home..

I try to keep a basic color scheme going on. Sometimes it can get incorporated with other colors but it all seems to flow perfectly. Half of the things on my desk are gifts from loved ones. The hand painted color clothes pin I use to hold wrapping paper/sheet paper are from my little sis. The basket with colorful twine is from my little cousin. Also the simple wood frame chalkboard overseeing everything is from G. I adore how well my loved ones know me.

Back to work and more crafting.
Happy Friday!

One of my closest cousin's job description includes a ton of traveling. As sweet and thoughtful as he is, he always picks something for me anywhere and everywhere he goes. The other day I was organizing my things and I stumbled upon a few things he's gotten me here in Ammmurrrrrka. Trust me this isn't even half the things he's gifted me. Some include tea from Australia, interior books from the middle east, a teacup from the UK, etc.


The red leather bookmark from NYPL, is probably the one I use most/daily. Vintage blueberry incense, and vintage coupon book he got me a few years back on his first trip to SXSW. A pirate gold/black label from the 826 Valencia Pirate Store. Lastly, a few well-known stickies.

I love how my friends/family gift me things that I can also craft with. The vintage coupon book from Austin has so much variety. I made a little "pre-paris" gift kit. I added a Vintage floral silver tray (shown in the 1st photo near underneath the incense) along with gold polkadot jars ;), and Midnight in Paris to view.

Materials used: Recycled Antho tissue paper, Recycled bakers twine from Christmas, and this Black dot tape from Target.

It's so rare when my girlfriends and myself are free at the same time. We planned a date were we can all get together, drink wine, and have a lovely dinner. Of course being in my mid-twenties I do enjoy glasses of (white) wine or liquor (whiskey preferred). In this case we had endless glasses of wine.



We found this cute Italian restaurant owned by an Italian couple. They brought over their recipes from Italy and incorporated them here in the states. The food was amazing, and there was no corkage fee. I spent hours with my girls laughing, catching up, and planning ahead for what's to come. After dinner, we headed over to one of the girls houses and continued on the wine and opened a bottle of Whiskey. Low-key relaxing nights are what I enjoy most. It clearly just shows, i'm getting old!

Cheers!

Happy March everyone! I'm sure we're all on the same page with how fast this year is going. I don't even know where to start, when it comes to how February was, and how March is going to be. I spent this weekend at work. When it cleared from rain on Sunday, I went to brunch and did a little shopping for my trip in April.

I'm such a sucker for Vintage costume Jewelry. This vintage shop pretty much has everything I could ask for. Hair scarves, sunglasses, dresses, hats, the whole shabam! Plus it's on one of my favorite streets to get dessert, food, and shop! I've got a Old Glamour Hollywood party to attend to at the end of this month. I have a feeling i'll be stopping by this shop again real soon!

Hope everyone stayed warm and dry!