Polka Dotted Love

Hey everyone, I'm Selma and I love polka dots.

I feel so relieved now knowing I finally shared this little secret with you all.

I wouldn't go overboard by having everything dotted but you'd see a few things here and there in my apartment. Of course all those dotted items would have been deliberately bought to brighten my daily mood. Can't help it, I always smile when I see polka dots.

Today's inspiration is simple...polka dots. They will guide and support me through a LONG day.

Happy Tuesday.

{all photos via my pinterest}

Can I please have those outfits?! Thank you!

xoxo

Love was in the air - my little gossip of the day

My weekend was filled with one theme: LOVE.

Saturday my friend M and I left Orange County to drive all the way to Santa Barbara for a dress fitting. It was a gorgeous drive with a few stop and goes but we made it pretty much in time, and ah-ed and oh-ed when we saw our friend wear her wedding dress and getting it properly adjusted. We had Sushi for lunch, enjoyed the sun, and then changed for a next love event in Los Angeles; my amazing friend's, E, engagement party.

I loved this view; with or without a clear view over my favorite town. My simple phone camera might not have captured the whole beauty of this sunset with a view of downtown L.A. but trust me, it was beyond gorgeous. Plus, that lovely pair of palm trees just got to me - it was a love-filled weekend. 

Yes, these are mini cupcakes from Sprinkles! As you can see, they were gone pretty quickly.. So was their yummy ice cream. Loved the details of this party. Not only was it the location, it was the little thing...the candles, the flowers, the balloons, the s'mores cupcakes *so E's wish to have s'mores at her engagement party was granted*, the music, and the food just made this event perfect. The hostess did a fantastic job. Thanks again!! :)

How was your weekend?

Linking up with Leeann and her weekly Monday Morning Gossip.

All photos taken with my ordinary phone camera.
Professional photos and links follow.

Back to School Outift 2013

Happy {early} Friday everyone.
I am so glad this week is over. Not only was it my first week back in school, back with my fun friends, and interesting professors, but it was also my first week to realize how much I missed having some sort of a purpose. I don't want to spend the rest of my life in school so that's not my purpose but I finally realized that my being in school is finally making sense. And just re-reading this I know my statement just right now did not make any sense at all. Oh well. It was a tough week. The weekend can begin.

So, without further ado. I'm linking up with Long Distance Loving and her weekly Friday Fancies. This week, of course, it's the back to school special. So, have fun with my outfit. It's simple, it's easy and it's what has been missing on campus...color!!! I see a lot of black, blue, and gray. I love these colors but it's still August so color is definitely needed. Plus, I simply say that when you add some color your mood changes...so having a stressful week or day ahead? Color up and have fun. ;)

Have a fantastic weekend.

xoxo

Quote Of The Day - Love #10

“Once upon a time there was a boy who loved a girl, and her laughter was a question he wanted to spend his whole life answering.” ― Nicole Krauss, The History of Love

*****

Love is in the air my dear friends.

Unfortunately not for me, at least today that is.

BUT, one of my awesome friends just got engaged and I'm not just thrilled for her but I am overly excited. She's such a great person with so much heart and I know that she and her now-fiance complete each other. They are about to take wonderfully blessed new steps further into their relationship and I cannot be more happy for them. With that being said, attending their engagement party this weekend will be bitter sweet (in a good way of course), wonderful and just perfect. Cannot wait. 

xoxo

Lately - A Random Post of Random Stuff

When in California you need to do your nails. Sorta. But, I did them anyways...and they turned out colorful.
Excuse the blurry photo...I think I was walking while I took that one. Major blogger fail. ;)

When I need to relax and think of something other than school books I take my phone and play along. And sometimes it just takes a little longer than anticipated. I've been stuck for over 3 weeks. Great. :(

Two weeks ago we went to the OC Fair here in Costa Mesa. It was a lot of fun, and we even won a pink monkey. No picture of it though...it's not that photogenic. But this construction of pure sand is...no scaffolding or anything, it's purely made out of sand. I'm in awe.

Driving into our garage we saw this. There was no one around. Who left a vacuum cleaner all by itself in the cold dark night? Really, poor little thing. But seriously, who does that?! And yes, it was like midnight when we got back and saw that...not really what you would expect at that time of day, well, night.

Linking up with Shanna today.
It's been a heavy load of new school week and I am not done yet. All I want to do is sleep and do nothing. Really. So, I decided to quickly update you on my latest boring events. Food pictures will follow soon. And I think I still owe you an update on Switzerland, do I?!





Happy Wednesday everyone. :)

Back to School

{via}

Hopefully this isn't the case, but yes, today is the first day of school.
Back to reading books, writing, taking notes, and back to wondering why

 I chose to go back to school for my 400th degree. 

Why oh why?!?!?!?! 

That's my Monday Morning Gossip for today.
I can't say much more since I'm literally speechless.

Where did the time go?
Why didn't I sleep more? 

Oh well, fingers crossed I get to be excellent this semester. 

We are all in for a crazy ride this time. 

Wish me luck!

 Linking up with the fabulous Leeann for her weekly Monday Morning Gossip.
Go on over and say hi please. ;) 

xoxo

My Kinda Style

Happy Friday everyone!

It's so sunny and so breathtakingly beautiful today...I'm heading out - I might even buy a new pair of sunglasses. Who knows. A girl needs to splurge sometimes. No?! 

Happy Friday! by crazylittleworldofmine

Splendid pink print dress / Strappy sandals / Alex Monroe bird necklace / Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses / Columbia / Kate Spade / Essie nail polish

Linking up with Long Distance Loving for Friday Fancies!

Have a great weekend, and don't forget to follow along via Instagram!

Quote Of The Day #9

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.” - Bernard M. Baruch

****

We all know this. But once it happens you stand there and wonder...and then it hits you. You are doing what you want to do, and you are saying what you want to say. Nothing else. And those that really care about you accept you for who you are, what you do, where you live, and how you live life. No judging, and no gossiping.  

This quote couldn't be more true!!

xoxo

My GF rant, or my happy crazy revelation

I'm not a fan of daytime TV. However, today, I decided to stay home and clean. All day. So I did, but I also needed a break and so I happened to watch the Dr. Oz Show. Funny coincidence that it was about gluten, my favorite new protein. Today's episode just made sense to me. Not only did it confirm to me that I am not alone in this (and I know I am not), but it also confirmed that I was right about my Swiss doctors (yes, plural!). They always misdiagnosed my symptoms. For so many incredible years. 

I cannot tell you guys how many times I went to the doctors because I just knew I needed help. I knew something wasn't right and that I was sick. You can't feel what I felt for months at a time, not find a thing, and then try to live life as if nothing ever happened. I faked my happiness. I tried to understand my doctors because well, for once I am not a doctor so I put my faith into my doctors, and second, I knew that doctors are humans after all and not Gods. So I understood the fact that they just couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. For the longest time I was diagnosed with low blood iron which yes, I did have. But when all kinds of similar symptoms persist and you just wonder why because your iron is excellent then something else must be the cause. All I always got was "try to not move too fast, and stimulate your blood circulation" so I would feel better in the morning and not always experience this morning sickness for the rest of the day. Hmmmm....for two days that worked. That's then it. And what about my skin? Those pills worked once but then not anymore. I mean, do I have to live like that for the rest of my life? I don't think so.

One of my best friends here in California who also is gluten intolerant convinced me to give a doctor's visit another try. Just because my Swiss doctors never ever even came close to thinking my symptoms and feelings could be food related didn't mean that my new doctor couldn't find something else. I'm not saying my Swiss doctors were bad, but they quickly gave up and thought I was nuts when I entered their office every other week. I needed a break from this nonsense. And I found my break.

So yes, going gluten free changed my life. I'm still struggling but I found my happy space. I cannot believe it took me so long to find out. When I watched Dr. Oz today there was this lady that talked about how she was misdiagnosed all the time. Got pills for this and then for that, and hello? It hit home for me. It felt like I was looking at myself in the mirror.

Even though gluten-related problems are increasingly common some people don't even know they have them. We just need to be more aware. Old-fashioned home-baked breads don't fully exist anymore. They do but they are so modernized or quickly done that there's always traces of gluten in them which yes, cause health problems.

What I learned again today was that many doctors simply didn't believe in gluten to be causing a health problem. Or, well, bread or pasta to be the source of certain health problems. I am glad this has changed. Maybe I should email my doctors back in Europe telling them that they might have to look into this. Maybe I'm going to do this. Who knows. And look, Santa is going gluten-free for once. ;)

Rent rather than Buy with CampusBookRentals

Do you have a bookshelf full of college textbooks that you no longer look at? You are not the only one. Whether or not you are going to college now, you clearly remember how expensive it was to buy textbooks. Once the semester was over the book became obsolete and you just kept it somewhere in your room or storage area and let it be. Happened to the best of us. 

Summer is almost over. For some of us this means that college starts soon again and that those expensive books are needed as well. How about saving money buy renting books rather than buying them? So, I thought this is a perfect opportunity to do a sponsored post for CampusBookRentals.

I am quite impressed with CampusBookRentals I have to say. It is simple, convenient and a great solution to any new college semester. Plus, by renting your college books through CampusBookRentals you not only save money but help a great cause, too.

 Here are a few perks of renting through CampusBookRentals:

• you save 40-90% off of bookstore prices (amazing!!!)
• they offer free shipping both ways (yes!!!)
• you can highlight, underline and write in your textbooks
• they also offer flexible renting periods and extensions
• you get 21-day risk-free returns
• they give back and donate to Operation Smile with each textbook that is rented

 Here is how it all works:

Also, you can make money by renting your books. Their new program, RentBack, allows you to rent your books to others so you make 2-4 times as much money. It is just like having a little business on the side because every time your books get rented you get paid. Sounds great, doesn't it?

Renting books has just become easier and better.

Whether you are going to college, are in college now or just know someone that is going to need a lot of books in the future I would definitely recommend CampusBookRentals.com! Their reputation and partnership with Operation Smile makes them worth it. Plus, I personally like companies that give back. We all do, don't we?!

Happy Friday!

{via}

Happy Friday my lovelies.
I've been MIA I know.
Jet lag is gone. Yay.
Suitcase is unpacked, and clothes are stored away.
The dogs love me again (as if they ever did not love me).

The sun's sorta out, and the palm trees call my name.

I've met my best friend Wednesday for dinner and a much needed fun evening.
I've had sushi already (duh??!!!).

And I'm enjoying GF food available all over...thank you.

I still need to get into the swing of things.
However, I'm back and I'm loving it.

All I need to do is catch up with you all and meet up more friends I have missed over the past two months.

Going to a wedding shower this weekend will keep me busy.

Main problem:
What am I going to wear?!!
Ideas?

What about you? Any fun plans ready for the weekend?

Have a fabulous one.

xoxo

Back Again

I am fully back in California. Not yet adjusted but doing well. Jet lag is a nasty little thing but I'm handling it gracefully - with a coke bottle in one hand and sunglasses on 24/7 so no one would think bad about my tired puffy eyes. 

I have been mostly relaxing, unpacking, snuggling the doggies, and enjoying the cooler weather. Unfortunately, I received an email today that wasn't pleasant. A friend's husband passed away after his surgery last week and it's weird to think of this whole situation as even happening. I mean, I'm so far away and reading that this is happening right now is just so surreal. However, in other (better) news...I'm meeting one of my best friends today for a light dinner. Can't wait. I need my funky friend to cheer me up and distract me from everything. ;) Girl time is always fun, no?!

More updates on my whereabouts this summer, upcoming craziness, and reviews (I have two so far) will follow...I'm a little behind these days but I'm sure you are okay with that.

Missed you all.

xoxo

50 Things About Me

Hi my lovely friends!  I'm traveling and re-adjusting again. It's been a wonderful summer. It was a wet, rainy, cold and then very hot, sunny, cultural, historical, political, tragic, funny, fruitful, baby-filled, laughter-filled, explosive, exhausting and European summer. My heart aches every time I leave home for another, and once I land in one place I immediately forget the other place and vice versa. Needless to say, I'm a crazy little mess right now. I'm jet lagged, unpacking, sleeping, and dreaming. If I am not around blogging which might actually happening with my readjustment, Twitter and Instagram definitely keep you posted on my whereabouts.

But back to my regularly scheduled programming.  I found this survey on a few blogs and decided to play along today.  Be prepared - this is a LONG list of super random questions. It may provide you with a little more insight as to who I am.  

I've tried everything but I have no idea why the font, spacing, and sizes and whatnot are all off. I'm lost. Sorry.

1. Do you like blue cheese? No. I've tried it many many times, but this is one cheese I cannot stand.

2. Have you ever smoked a cigarette? Unfortunately, yes.  My mom smokes (yes, I know!) so as a young teenager I wanted to be as cool as an adult and tried it. Not proud of it. I also only did it once and never again.

3. Do you own a gun? Absolutely not.  I've never fired a gun, and I don't intend to. I've been exposed to guns (work related among others) and that's that.

4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? I went twice. It was okay. Don't even remember if I drank something. If I did I ordered a strawberry shake.

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? For normal check-ups, yes. Absolutely. Not sure why though. It's always an annual check so I should know what awaits me each year.

6. Do you like hot-dogs? Yes I do, with mustard only. Now I just can't have the bun anymore, and a gluten free hot dog bun is just not the same. 

7. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee with milk. And if no coffee, then cold milk.

8. Can you do push-ups? Yes. 

9. What’s your favorite meal? I have many favorite meals. Real authentic cheese fondue is one of them (not the stuff you get at the Melting Pot - sorry, but yikes!), Sashimi and Sushi, and pretty much everything Turkish. :) YUM.

10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? My rings mom and grandma gave me. When jewelry stays in the family it's awesome. I would have never bought those rings myself but they are so gorgeous I can't stop wearing them. 

11. Favorite hobby? Watching tv/movies, zumba, reading, photography, and blogging.

12. Do you work with people who idolize you? What kind of question is this???  I think it's safe to say that the answer is NO.

13. Name a trait that you hate about yourself? I talk too much. Haha!

14. Middle name? Pamela

15. Name 3 thoughts at this moment: 1.) Will I survive this fall semester?, 2.) I'm so bumped about something that didn't turn out as planned which I cancelled, and 3.) Hopefully I won't fall asleep by 5pm today. I MUST stay up longer. I MUST stay up longer.

16. Name 3 things you bought yesterday: a bottle of water for $6 at the airport. That's it. Nothing else. 

17. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink: Water, coffee, and wine. Pretty much yes, all of these.

18. Current worry right now? Money!

19. Current hate right now? Hate is not the right word, but I really dislike dust and silverfish - they are disgusting.

20. Favorite place to be? Istanbul, Luzern, and wherever I am happiest like this place called Southern California. I'm spoiled.

21. How did you bring in New Years? Shouldn't it say "ring in New Years"?  In Switzerland with four of my best friends and their children.

22. Favorite place to go? I so wanna go to Chicago and New Orleans and North Carolina.

23. What is your most recurring dream? I don't really have a recurring dream. Yet.

24. Introvert or extrovert? If I'm with a bunch of new people I'm a total introvert and if no one approaches me or says something to be I stay a loner. So typical. Once I'm okay with whoever I'm surrounded with I don't tiptoe around anymore - then the extrovert person comes out for sure.

25. What color shirt are you wearing?Colorful tunic dress...so no shirt. ;)

26. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Yes, did that once. Loved it. But well, cotton is okay too. ;)

27. Can you whistle? Yes. However, there are times I just really badly fail at this.

29. Favorite color? Purple, turquoise, gray, black and sometimes pink.

30. Would you be a pirate? No. 

31. What songs do you sing in the shower? I sing along to the radio station if it's on, or to my play list I feel appropriate to listen to in the morning when I shower. But my singing these days is more of a humming not a singing out loud and forming words.

32. Favorite girl’s name? There's a few, mostly English. Won't name them here. 

33. Favorite boy’s name? Again, won't name them.

34. Who is your loudest friend? Amanda, then Melanie. I think. ;)

35. What’s in your pocket right now?  No pockets I'm wearing a tunic dress. 

36. Last thing that made you laugh? The dogs getting excited to see me again. So cute and so adorable. Them jumping and licking and smiling made me laugh.

37. Bed sheets as a child? With animals on top, or clouds, or hearts. I had plenty.

38. Worst injury you've ever had? My ligament snapped and tore off and then tore my right ankle in three pieces. I also broke a left toe and it's now crooked thanks to my doctor thinking it was just sprained. Beyond that, I have to say that I've been pretty lucky.

39. Do you love where you live? I love California, and I love Orange County. Enough said. Plus, even though it's not in the city (aka L.A.) it's close and as a big city lover that's what I like.

40. How many TVs are in your house? 1.

41. What is your worst habit? Not sure if I have one. My talking too much maybe?!

42. How many dogs do you have? Two - however, they are my roommates'  but aunty Selma loves them regardless and calls them hers at times. ;)

43. Does someone have a crush on you? Not that I know. My friend's son once said he liked me a lot more than the girl next doors....the cutest. Maybe he does?

44. Do you own slippers? Own, yes. Wear, no.

45. What is your favorite book? I have plenty to name. One that just comes up is Extremely Loud & Incredible Close

46. What is your favorite candy? Sour Apple Rings

47. What is your favorite sports team? In Soccer it's Real Madrid (yes, weird for a non-Spanish person but it's what it is). Other than that I don't have a favorite as in ''I need to cheer incredibly and unstoppably for one team" kind of favorite. I like my local baseball teams (yes plural), and the local basketball teams (again plural). And by local I mean the Los Angeles Area...you do the rest - if one sucks I have another one to go with. ;)

48. What song do you want played at your funeral? Ugh. This is so morbid.

49. What were you doing at 12 AM last night? I was sleeping.

50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning? Jet lag, you suck. It was 4am. 

Bye Europe, See You Later

My bags are packed, everything is ready. I should be ready too.

My time in Europe is over for now.
I will miss it. I will long for it.
But, home is where the heart is, right?
My heart wants to adjust again and longs for another place.

Enough said.

I will miss my mom, my friends, their families and children, and everything I will miss when I am not there with them. It is what I chose to do. It is what needs to be done. 

It's funny, whenever I doubt myself there's this scene in The Notebook (don't judge) and the obvious question towards the end of the film to choose for oneself what one really wants in life. Whenever I doubt myself, have second thoughts and what not I think of this scene and ask myself if what I am doing is what is making me happy, and if it is something I want to do or if it is something I am forced to do. I always know the answer before I even ask the question.

I'll miss you, Europe.
Be kind to my people.

And also, be kind to me.

See ya next year Europe!!!

xoxo