NYE and Happy New Year!

Hey guys I'm sorry I've been so missing in action lately.
I have good reason...I am literally on vacation...and my awesome friend from Philly showed up to surprise me, but if you read my latest blog entry you know I knew that already. We are having a blast and I do admit I feel like a little tourist guide showing her what Los Angeles has to offer...and Orange County of course! She's having fun and is unfortunately telling the whole wide world where we are and what we are doing...at least people know we are still alive. :)

More on her being over here later on...

...right now I'm wishing you all a very safe and fun New Year's Eve and a wonderful start into 2012. May the New Year be bright, shiny, awesome, full of love, laughter, fun and peace for all of you. Let's rock it!!

{via}

See you all NEXT YEAR!! :)

xoxo

Back to reality!

St. Louis was awesome.
Cold, and so not what I was used to and still...it was everything I needed for my time being in the Midwest. I had a blast seeing family again, and spending some time with them and seeing where they actually live. Believe it or not, I had never been there. They always visited me, so now I thought it was about time to visit them. I think I did the right thing!

I had so much fun in St. Louis. We even went up on the Arch and enjoyed a rather clear view of the city! Unfortunately, as you can see...there was NO SNOW. I was bummed. Then again, maybe it was better this way! ;)

More pictures to come...

I have to admit I am happy to be back in California again. Just being back to my regular schedule, regular wardrobe and all makes me happy. Ridiculous I know...but it's what it is. Besides, I would not be able to share the following awesome news if I wasn't back to my regular base!

My BFF (never thought I'd use this expression ever) in the whole wide world is expecting a baby!!! I am beyond stoked. Beyond!!!! Now I'm certainly hitting the baby fever...seriously! Either way, the baby's due this early summer and I am just stoked. I may even go as far as throwing her a baby shower. I know she wants one, but parties like that aren't common in Switzerland so I don't know. Oh well. At least I get to buy more baby clothes now! YAY!!

And there's more news...but I can't spoil it yet because I never know who actually reads my blog! I will once the time is right...just remember my words for now...I know something that certain people think I don't know. They are trying really hard to confuse me but it ain't working baby!!! I know how to investigate...and well, I'm usually two to three steps ahead these days. I just pretend I am not! I just pretend I don't know anything at all. I really don't.

Hope you had a fantastic Christmas (if you celebrate it)...and hope you are enjoying the last few days of this year!! Can you believe that next week is actually already next year?!
I still can't!

Have a brilliant day.
Stay happy, keep smiling...and just pretend you didn't read the part about the secret thing I don't know about. I really just made it up. Maybe. Hmmm, yes yes, I just made it up. ;-)

xoxo

P.s. I really did not make it up! I know!!!

Merry Christmas everyone...or happy Holidays of course!

Nowadays you just don't know what to say anymore...to me it's Merry Christmas!! Sounds just better!

Hope you are having a fabulous weekend.

I happily returned from the mid-west...more about my little trip later on. Right now, family and friends time is all that counts.

xox

Celebrate Your Holidays with Purple Glitz & Sparkles

Why hello Selma's blog readers!

I hope you are having an amazing week leading up

to Christmas (wow, did I just say that?!) 

I honestly don't know where the time has gone, seriously.

While Selma is on her lovely trip having fun, it is I,

Sierra from Ocean Dreams blog sent here to 

entertain you! I thought I would bring some

festive fun to my bestie's blog and since I know how

much she loves the color purple, I thought I would

find some amazing photos on Pinterest to glitz 

up her blog world today.

Hopefully all of this purple glitz will brighten your

Christmas world as well! :)

{via Pinterest}

Sit back and relax in your sparkly dress...Christmas is on its way!

 {via Pinterest}

Whenever I see Selma I always manage to give her something

purple. I can totally see her having pretty purple nails with sparkles

like these. Aren't they gorgeous?!

{via Pinterest}

Don't forget about your sparkly purple heels!

The bows on these pumps are positively

precious and of course purple, lol!

{via Pinterest}

Okay I just love her purple eye shadow. 

Yes, please!

{via Pinterest}

This is just pure magic. Can I be her please?!

Also, let's not forget about a purple Christmas.
There's something oh so magical about purple on a Christmas
tree and pretty purple ornaments.
Don't get me started about the dining room -
so pretty!

So I found the last two photos on My Purple Hoodie on Tumblr.

Selma my dear, you must check this Tumblr page out!

Purple everything!! :)

Have a beautiful Christmas lovely readers and

thanks for reading this very purple-icious post! :)

Selma will be back before you know it
and until then let her know that you miss her!
I know I do!

xoxo, Sierra

Time for the Holidays

My lovelies,

While you are reading this I am happily enjoying my time in St. Louis. Wish me luck while I am strolling through this marvelous city. And yes, it is colder than in southern California but I will certainly not complain. Absolutely not. Thank you. I grew up with cold winters. Even though I was never a huge fan of snowy grounds and watery shoes (yes, even in solid, hard winter boots this can happen!)...I still love the holiday season and its snowy moments. There is absolutely nothing more beautiful and pure than standing outside, looking up into the sky and feeling the snowflakes slowly falling and landing on you. As cold and icy as it may be I feel most alive when this happens. My favorite and best moments!!

I hope I catch one or two snowflakes soon!

xox

P.s. I have some fun news to tell but this has to wait!!! And don't worry, I am not moving away again. 

What I have been up to!

So my lovelies...it has been a while and I know I am a bit slacking off here with posts. However, life happens, and life should happen outside this world and I am absolutely fine with not posting every single day. You should be, too. Just saying.

Well, December has been a crazy month so far. Finals, Christmas preparations, birthdays, trips...it's been interesting to say the least. And sometimes, I just have to say "no, I can't!!!". I even turned down a fun opportunity to meet fellow bloggers last week for a fun fashion/tv event (see posts by them here, here, and here). I simple couldn't go due to some heavy exam I could not postpone. I was bummed, but hey, it was okay. Sometimes you just got to say "no", even though deep down you want to say "heck yeah!". And sometimes, you just got to have good timing and a bit luck on your side as well. Yes, I was bummed I couldn't go that day, but when I got home that night (all drained from weird numbers and stuff) I received an email telling me I won a giveaway! YAY. Finally is all I can say. :) I'm telling you, as crazy as December has been so far it's been good too. 

Here are some pictures that prove I am still alive.

What a fun night we had...touching the stage...literally! 

In the midst of all the stress, at some point I managed to go to Laguna Beach and enjoy the sunset. I still don't remember why I went but really, is there a reason NOT to go to a beach and look at how the sun sets? It was a romantic night. Very much so. I was just stuck alone. Oh well.

And yeah, sorry no pic of me. I had a very ugly hair day week, heck even month. The only person that saw my new hairdo at some point was Erin. I think she liked it, huh?! It wasn't as horrible then. Haha! It's gotten worse. It just needs to grow back fast...like really really fast!!!

Who knows, next time I share some short hair pic of me...maybe! ;) 

Stay tuned.

Happy almost mid of December everyone!
Unbelievable.

Man Candy Monday!

I'm busy...yes yes. Nonetheless I could not resist today and share some Man Candy Monday love...it's been a while that I joined the fun over at Join the Gossip. Here I am again. And yes, I can see your eyes and mind go "what the heck?!". I have to admit, he is my favorite of all. Yes, there I said it. At least I'm being honest. Right?

I liked him with longer hair, too.

Matthew Gray Gubler.

Just join the fun and hop on over to Leeann's blog and look at some more Man Candy for today, or heck this week!!!

Don't Think...

I think this pretty much describes my week.

I've been busy, and if you saw me you'd be thinking I wasn't...but I have been. I wish it was "good" busy though...yes, I believe there's a difference between good and bad busy. Ha!

And today, craziness came all together and kept me in bed. For a long time. 

Thank Goodness for some bubbly dark drink that helped a little, and aspirin, and water...and the dogs taking care of me.

I'm still not better but I am forcing myself out of bed, out of the house, and into some cooler but fresher air. Finals can wait a little (wish me luck next week!), and the Christmas presents too (as long time followers you know I usually sent stuff away by the end of November, and this year?! Not so much. The boxes aren't even sealed yet!).

I'll take it easy this year. But I will be studying for finals and will work on everything starting tomorrow...just not the boxes. They'll become New Year's gifts I assume. Ha! Oh well, we shall see.

Yes, I think too much!!!

At least I know what I'm getting this year for Christmas!!!

Do you?

Happy Thursday everyone.

Stay warm.

Stay happy...whatever you're doing...enjoy it!!!

xox

P.s. welcome new followers! Thanks for stopping by and reading!

It looks like Christmas

Good morning everyone.

The time has come...and yes Christmas is coming closer and closer each day. In one week I'll be pretty much done with most of my classes, most of my finals and this year's awesome holiday season can finally start. Finally!! I am certainly excited! So I thought I'd give myself a little break and join Michelle's weekly fun again. This week obviously with some Christmas fun...oh, excuse me, pins!

Are you excited?

I may even get to see and feel some snow flakes this season! I'm already excited. It'll make me feel at home!

Are you on Pinterest, too? Follow me if you like.

Why not join in the fun and share your latest pins? I just did! :D

Or just hop on over to Michelle's.

Happy Wednesday!

Homesick

Yes, I am homesick. Just a little bit but enough for me to go onto sties and find out how even more gorgeous my city back in Europe is. Crazy, huh? Where was all this beauty when I was there? Really? Not fair. However, just thinking about the cold winter temperatures...I am happy I am in California. Thank you.

above photos via Luzerner Zeitung Online

Besides this quite gorgeous ice skating rank...today, is also Santa Claus day! Yes, it is. And somehow I think it's a lot better to have this day on December 6 than having him come in for Christmas. Don't hate me now but it's just my opinion. Every year I chuckle a little just because to me, Santa Claus will be part of December 6...and so not coming through a chimney. ;) Ha! Then again, who wants such a Santa and his helpers to come in on Christmas?! I certainly don't!

Isn't Santa's helper scary?! I'm certainly no fan of his...but these helpers encouraged us to behave more, and work more on our good behavior throughout the year...otherwise Santa would know and December 6 would not be a fantastic day!

Santa photos via Luzerner Zeitung Online

Yes I was scared of December 6. Santa and his helpers would come to school and visit classes, walk through the city, and his helpers just looked incredibly scary...especially when you are about 8 or 10 or 15 or even 25! Ha!! Worst was, when the helpers were friends of mine and waited until they'd spot me on the street...fantastic. Little Selma definitely got scared (regardless of age!). But for the record, I was never scared of Santa although he certainly had some power over me...just his helpers always caused some heavy chills.

This is the only thing I am not missing. I love the holiday season and I am quite sad I don't experience it with familiar places and with my mom whom I miss daily...but today is a day I am happy I am not walking through Luzern. Thank you! 

Happy Santa Claus Day!!!

"Do you lye crytol gel?"

Ok, folks, let me tell you one thing...

Today is one of those day that I cherish, appreciate, and love my life as of this moment and my life in southern California. There are times I don't (let's be honest, we all do!!), there are times that I feel incredibly homesick, and there are times I just want to hug everyone around me. 

Today is one of these days. I had fun. I went out and about and maybe drank a few drinks too many (whoops!!),  and just had a blast!! I finally (and by finally I really mean finally!!) saw Anjelah Johnson. If you are not familiar with her, that's okay, but just know you are missing out big time!!! Luckily fate was on my site and I purchased two tickets at the right (or helped someone in need out), and voila...I had a blast. Granted, I froze my butt off while waiting outside (darn this awful California weather these days!), but at the same time was happily sipping on my Chai Latte. Yay!!! Best time to enjoy some warm beverage anyways...

...and now, scary Sunday is around the corner. Sadly. I have to study like hell to get at least a B on my freakin' math exam tomorrow. No way will I ever get an A in this class. 

What is wrong with me? Why am I pushing myself through school again? Will it really help me feel more accomplished, more satisfied, and even smarter? Who knows. Seriously.

At least I am here, and I am living life...that is all that counts. Sometimes you just gotta do all this....and sometimes, as worthless as it may look to you and even sound to you it is all worth the wait, the trouble, the struggle, the agony...it is worth it!!! 

I feel blessed, do you?!

Happy weekend everyone.
So sorry I've been MIA lately...I feel I'm missing out on a lot...but hey, I have less than two weeks. One paper due, and all my finals scheduled for the 14th. Can it be any more awful? Oh, and my friend's birthday is coming up too. I know what we are gonna do that weekend, and I don't have to look for a birthday gift anymore. Our fun night out tonight was worth every penny! Thank you. But I'll be in big trouble figuring out what to do and how to juggle school and fun and life and well, me. Haha!

Wish me luck!

xoxo

Happy December

Already? Yes, it is December!!! 

I can't believe it either folks. But it's what it is and yes, we really have one month left of this year. 

So go out and celebrate life and December!

And I just saw the following video on TV and thought I should share it with you all. I need some fun in my life...and I know we all do, every day. The smallest things should brighten our days...not just the big ones. :)  It's kind of weird but fun at the same time. Besides, I know I need some Christmas spirit. There's no decoration in the house yet! Yes, believe it or not, but so far we've been slacking off a little. If you know me you know I LOVE Christmas. The decoration, music, food, clothing, feeling...I love it all! So it feels weird not having any Christmas twinkly and glittery fun in the house (yet!!). I am determined to change this soon. Wish me luck!

In the meantime, have fun with the video.

And if you live in southern California....try not to get blown away in the next days. Should I hold on to the palm trees in front of my house? They are moving like crazy but look stable. ;)

More info about this video is found here.

Have a brilliant day!

Life

Life happens these days.
I don't know where I should go or what I should do in order to keep smiling, breathing, and heck, surviving. Thanksgiving break was fun, saw a couple of movies (J. Edgar and The Help - yes I know, I am so behind watching this movie...but hey, at least I saw it!), slept in (so needed) and appreciated the blog/twitter/facebook world a lot. Why? Well, you got to sign in at the right time, read the right posts and then decide in seconds. I scored some awesome sold-out tickets for December 3 to the Improv. We wanted to go but couldn't decide whether work and school allowed us some time off, and then it was too late to get them. You should have seen my face when I saw someone trying to sell her tickets (yes, Kori I'm talking about you!). I went gaga. Ok, maybe not, but I was seriously not even thinking twice about it...I said yes, asked my friend, checked work schedules and yes, got them the same night. Sometimes you just got to answer and act quickly...otherwise, the luck is gone! I think I was lucky that night! Thank you!!!

So, am I excited? You can bet on it!!! (Happy early Birthday M.!!)  :)

I am also working on preparing Christmas gifts these days...I have pretty much everything ready and will send them soon. If not, Christmas gifts turn into New Year's gifts which is nice, too. Everyone gets something for Christmas...so why not for New Years?! Ha!!!!

So yeah, do I sound busy?
I hope so, because I truly am.
Did I ever mention finals are coming up, too? No? Well, yes, they are and I am already freaking out.
However, after finals I'm going to St. Louis so yay!!! I'll be having a blast there.
Oh, right...I'm also packing for my trip...seriously...these next two or three weeks are going to be insane!

Have a fabulous day everyone.
Stay warm...enjoy life, and don't take it for granted (I have my reasons why I'm saying this today!!).

xoxo

I am "blank" because...

Well I should I titled it I am copying things. There I said it. No, don't worry...I'm not stealing things, I am just borrowing the idea. Maybe it's the same thing. Either way I saw the following on different blogs (like here and here) and just felt like sharing this great idea. I feel I'm lacking ideas and feel my blog needs some lift-me-up moments (which of course, this post today doesn't really qualify as a lift-me-up post. You better be the judge of that one though!), and so I think a "I am "blank" because..." post is needed!

So here it is...have fun!!

click on image for source

I am weird because...

I don't like chocolate or peanut butter
I talk to myself when I feel lonely (I know it's horrible!!), stressed, or irritated
at my age I don't have my shit together (excuse my language!)
music can easily dictate my mood these days
I watch teenage drama shows on TV even though I am no longer a teenager

I am a bad friend because...

I leave my friends behind and move on with my life (in another country!)
I sometimes do not respond to text messages right away because I have nothing to say
I am jealous of what my friends have and I don't

I am a good friend because...

even though I'm far away I always think of them and want to share every detail with them
I sent my condolences across the ocean when I learned my friend's dad passed away on Monday
my friends know I'm bringing home any kind of souvenir gift wherever I go (clothes included)
I remember birthdays easily and would never ever forget them
I support them with anything I can contribute if they are in need

I am sad because...

I can't spend Christmas, New Years, or even Carnival season with my family and friends
"aunty" Selma misses out on her little nieces and nephews growing up
next year would have been the year I would have taken my cousin to Vegas with me (as promised)
     but this is never going to happen - so instead I'm planning on going and drinking on her behalf
sometimes I have nothing really to say or do and it makes me feel awkward about life

I am happy because...

I live in California again
I have friends I can rely on and never have to feel left out
of new friends I met over the past year
I can walk around without a heavy winter jacket and scarf all around my neck during winter
the dogs accept me and want to cuddle every day
this semester is almost over

I am excited for...

little things happening on a daily basis

my trip to St. Louis and countryside Illinois
Christmas
my friend visiting me soon
the future and what it has in store for all of us!

Hope you had an amazing week, and a fantastic Thanksgiving if you reside in the U.S.
And if you went out for Black Friday hope you didn't get pepper sprayed!

Time for...

Pumpkin pie, of course!!!
And maybe a glass of wine.
I know, weird combo but I so feel like it.

Life's happening these days...
...and of course, I'm trying to work on my eating habits so I'm ready for Thursday!

Hope your week is great!!!

xoxo

Wordless

I really have nothing to say today! Really!




Have a fantastic weekend!!!

Winter Fashion

Lovelies...

...as some of you know, and I've mentioned it quickly before, I am going away right before Christmas. I'm slightly excited. Cold winter will welcome me once I land there and it will be perfect for me to enjoy "real" winter. We all know southern California doesn't really have winter. I like it that way. However, pre-Christmas and Christmas in general should consist of warm, cozy clothes, hot drinks that don't make you sweat, and colder temperatures with possible snow. I am definitely looking forward to all these parts. Now you may wonder "why on earth is she even considering going to an area that might be covered in 20 inches of snow? She lives in California where it's sunny and warm, pretty much all year round." Yes, you're right. However, I have to. It's family. And I should not ignore that part of my life, should I? And heck, I didn't even have to pay for the ticket so that's all good with me.
*early Merry Christmas to me?!*

So, by looking forward to some fun winter getaway, I thought it was perfect timing to share my love for winter clothing...and linking up with Kori's fun Fashion Friday series!!!

And when it comes to winter...I just shiver by just thinking about it...so I was googling and pinteresting...and that's what I came up with this week. Enjoy!

I just feel like I need a pair or two, or three, or four...

Have a fantastic day and stay warm!

Plenty to be THANKful for - hometown

Today I'm linking up with Meghan (and several more awesome bloggers) and the two-week "Plenty to be THANKful for" challenge.

Today's topic is I'm THANKful for My Hometown...

...and since I am away from my hometown, or from one of my hometowns (yes I have more than just one) and since I actually miss it dearly these days...this topic and idea comes at such a great time. Thanks! ;)

I am incredibly thankful for my hometown! I am proud of it, and I am proud to call it home...and I love the fact that its sister city is a city I must visit soon. Hello Chicago, I'm talking to you!!!!
Just wanted to share some pictures with you!

My hometown is Luzern, Switzerland.

It's my favorite place on earth (yes, there I said it) and even though I will always have some sort of a love/hate relationship with it you can bet anything you want I will never ever live in another Swiss city other than beautiful (and sometimes tiny) Luzern. I know a few fellow bloggers have been there already and if you for some reason haven't (totally understandable) you got to go. Not just for me, but for you. And if you don't mind the cold...it's equally beautiful during a hopefully snowy holiday season! This is mainly what I miss most these days!! Trust me, I do.

And my favorite of all...especially walking home at night underneath this made my heart smile!!!

click on images for sources

Are you THANKful for your hometown?!
I hope so!!!

So what you waiting for? Go on over and link up...I just did!

xoxo

P.s.: I also love my other two hometowns....just saying! ;)