The Time I spent in Orange County

Two weeks ago my favorite person and I went to Orange County. That is where his family is from, and where we both met and lived before we moved to the Sacramento Area. This was definitely long overdue. Yes, I went last month for a longer weekend but it wasn't enough. He hadn't been back since early August so it was really time. There is no way to describe how much we both miss this place. It felt great being back and seeing friends and family again. It was a happy and healthy week for both of us.

It was fun having brunch on a bright and sunny Saturday by the beach {hello, of course!!}. It was also amazing having pets around again. Loved snuggling with doggies and cats. Made quiet evenings so much more fun. A few trips to the beach, hikes overlooking the Pacific, walking through L.A.,  and just fabulous days spent in our favorite area and climate. We definitely had a blast. We will be back. Sadly not any time soon but we will; until then, I am sending Southern California lots of kisses.

My Love for the beach

This image pretty much sums up my feelings when it comes to the beach. It is my happy place. It is my place to recharge, relax, and find tranquility in this chaotic world we live in. Not everyone is as privileged to have a beach nearby. Since I moved I am not as fortunate to go to the beach. I miss it daily, especially during the summer. I never took it for granted but I also never fully took it seriously. The ocean and its beach were just there. Now they are not. 

I love the beach so much. It brings back peace to my busy life. I am not running around like a hamster but things happen in life. We work, we study, we read, we clean, we cook, we run errands, we help each other, and we try to breathe in between. We have friends, family, spouses, neighbors, and pets. Life can be hectic. When we least expect it we end up sick with a simple cold or even the flu. Our hectic lives are halted for a few days, yet our brains never stop to run. So, when I go to the beach and sit down in the soft and often warm sand I get a chance to relax. The air feels better. My mind stops running. I feel at peace. I am me again.

So, today I am going to the beach!
I don't care how cold or warm it is, I am going to walk on sand and listen to the waves. Last year just around the same time I did the same. It was a gray day but a beautiful one, just perfect for a walk on the beach. Can you see the surfer in the back?! I believe I also had a bad hair day. Yet, it felt so good!

I'm so excited. Happy Beach Day.

image via beach bliss living

Off to Los Angeles

This morning B and I are off to Los Angeles. It has been five months for him to be back home and one month for me. It is time for the both of us to see friends again, visit family and enjoy the area we miss so much. There are no words to describe how much we miss life down south. Not saying NorCal is bad, it is just not us. That is okay. We are making the best out of this situation. Also, B's grandpa is in his 90s and even though he is a healthy {and quite funny} man we simply don't know how much longer he might be around. So, we are making sure to spend as much time with him as even possible; something I couldn't do when my grandma was around since she hardly recognized me anymore. We definitely need this trip. We absolutely need to unwind and recharge. Cannot wait.

Have an absolutely perfect day!

Missing Southern California

Early August it was time for us to hop into one car and drive 7+ hours south to Los Angeles. The excitement I felt prior to our departure is indescribable. Packing was no fun, but to know that I will be in an area where I feel home and safe was needed. It was time to rejuvenate. We both needed that. Also, it was time for me to pack up more of my belongings and completely move up north. As of a few days ago I officially moved to Sacramento. Yay. 

I drove most of the time down which was a pleasure for me. The second we drove closer to Los Angeles I got excited. I might have yelled out a few signs and locations that were dear to me and meant I finally arrived home. During our trip we both understood what we had been missing, and how much we had longed for this place. I always told him that Southern California will be in our hearts and souls, and that no matter where we end up going we will miss it. He always disagreed with that; until we drove into Los Angeles. His mind was set to moving back and finding a job down south once we will be done with our education. Really looking forward to that. Until then, we will visit often and it will feel fabulous.

I missed these doggies. Aunty Selma was greeted with love and kisses, and some slobber. I enjoyed my snuggle time with them. It is funny how much I had missed the company of a dog, or a pet in general. We have no pets in Sacramento {yet} so this was long overdue!

 

My friend performed at the Improv so it was a must to show up and cheer. It was a fun night filled with jokes, laughter, good drinks, and a clapping crowd. Also, and so not related to the Improv, I love my new tumbler...so made for me!

Eating is one of my favorite activities. Exploring new places, or going back to old favorites was one huge highlight during my ten-day vacation. Also, yes, I ate that bread and it was delicious. I also paid for it later on that day when my stomach rebelled. I was so hoping it was gluten free. In fact I tried to convince myself it was gluten free even though I knew it wasn't. Bread simple is made out of wheat flour, unless otherwise stated.
In short, I ate a ton; no wonder my pants won't fit me anymore. I kept my photos to a minimum...so please use your bright imagination, I know you can!

 

A trip to the beach was on our list as well. Plus, a trip to Gelato Paradiso in Laguna Beach after the beach was also a must. Neither disappointed.

I consider these people my family. We may disagree, we may frown, but we also laugh, share, and love. I am so glad I had the opportunity to see and spend time with them during my stay. We shall see each other soon again. I promise. And yes, I am the one on the far left - wearing my very comfortable Kate Spade sunglasses; it was a sunny day in Santa Monica!

Hope you enjoyed my little recap. It was wonderful, and I cannot wait to go back!  

Linking up with Monday Morning Gossip.

Join the fun and hop on over!

Vacation Time!

It is finally time to go home. Sort of. We are heading back south to Los Angeles and Orange County. I am beyond thrilled. I cannot even put it into words. Knowing that I will be in familiar territory again, seeing all or at least most of my friends, and going to my favorite restaurants excites me so incredibly much I could give each and every one of you reading this a huge hug. If you feel something squeezing you that would be me.

Have you ever gone away for a while and returned home?
How did you feel?

I don't feel as excited as I would be when flying to Europe but I could still jump up and down, and twirl around for hours. So looking forward to cooler temperatures, playing with dogs and cats, and going to the beach. So ready for this. I have really missed it. Eeeeek....so excited!!!!!

xoxo

P.s. I'll be still blogging though. :) 

image via here

Love Where I Live - MMG

I took the above picture about an hour ago. I took the doggies for a long walk and encountered this gem. I always walk by here. I always do, but I never fully realized how beautiful it actually looks. So I took this. The reason I'm posting this today is not only for Monday Morning Gossip (or in my case, Monday Evening Gossip). It's for me to remember where I have lived for the past three years and what I will be missing once I move away. Before I get into this topic - and I might as well touch on this in another post - I want to look forward to this week; with a list. Maybe I'm going to continue making a list to keep track of my last few weeks left here in Southern California. I will miss it dearly. Yet I know I will return; latest on 7/4 or 8/15 to a dentist appointment. :)

The Happy Moments to Look Forward to this week

♥  warm weather (a given here maybe, but I'm still so happy about it)
♥  gluten free bakery visit on Wednesday so I get my gf cake/cupcakes for my birthday in June
♥  spending time with my favorite person
♥  catching up on friends and blog friends
♥  Mary Kay Party I am attending to support a very dear friend (I started to love this stuff! WOW!)
♥  creating Easter bags for that mentioned MK party
♥  Easter Sunday spent in Hollywood

The Not so Happy Moments to Not Look Forward to this week

-  math exam on Wednesday; I'm dreading this one the most. Yikes.
-  Easter Decoration - well, I love it but our apartment lacks any deco so that is why it's on the sad side.

I guess this week is going to be fun except that one hour on Wednesday. I have more to look forward to than I expected. Cannot wait.

Are you linking up with Monday Morning Gossip over at Leeann's and her co-host Kimberlee? You should.

Venice

This weekend I went to Venice Beach. My friend M and I felt like we needed to be tourists again and go to Venice. It had been years for the both of us so it was fun to walk around and see all the crazies. In a good way though. I like Venice. It's rawness is enriching so to speak. Plus, getting away from the damn bubble we live in is always a must. :) 

 I am an art lover...not sure what to think of this...but hey, it's colorful and it fit perfectly with Venice.

An obligatory beach picture was needed...including palm trees of course. Blog failure on my side basically occurred because I forgot to be in the picture. But we were smart enough to take a selfie of us... :) 

We are aware of the fact that we were matching...our sunburns later on were matching too. :( HAHAHA.

Have a fabulous day everyone.

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

See ya...

Yes, Splendid, you are so right.
I love L.A. too.
And that is why I am ready to go back.
It's not going to be easy to say my see-you's but it's going to be okay. It always is.

I'm looking forward to seeing friends again.
I'm looking forward to not wearing my winter jacket, two pairs of socks, and gloves. No more!

I'm looking forward to wearing my Christmas gifts (sunglasses, and some awesome tops by, oh my, yes Splendid!)...and I'm just looking forward to engaging more in life.

For some of my favorite bloggers, 2013 is going to be their year. 

They will welcome new life into this world, and others will arrange to change certain things in their career or life in general. And one of my favorites stated she is going for the word MORE. I think I agree. More laughter, more trips, more coffee dates, more fun, more music, more silliness, more adventures, and more of whatever comes along is just one fantastic way to look forward to anything this year. 2013 will also be my year no matter what will come my way! {thanks Lacey}

Have an amazing weekend.
I know I am going to have a blast. And even if not, I will make it fun!!!

xoxo 

P.s. Europe, I'm missing you already!!!!

Heading Home

Bittersweet weekend.

I am leaving home to get to another home.
I am leaving with mixed feelings.
I am leaving with excitement as well.

Will catch up as soon as I am settled.

As soon as I am ready to share my life again...you will notice it.

Either via Twitter or Instagram.

As always.

I'll be missing you lovely Switzerland.

I'll be truly missing you, but we get to see each other again in December!!

Until then.

xoxo

P.s. But of course I'll return to the blog world...as mentioned above.
But I believe it may take a while.
We shall see.
Stay tuned.
Missing you all already.

Weekend recap

Last week was horrible. I had so much to work on I thought it would never end. On top of it all, one of my closest friends got this terrible toothache that pretty much made me suffer with her. There's nothing you can do but pop in those meds, wait and hope for the moment you feel nothing again. Crazy. I needed something uplifting, something fun, something that would distract both of us.

It just so happened that my friend Erin celebrated her birthday Saturday night. And hey, you only turn 30 once so you better celebrate and be part of that spectacle. Plus, who can say no to yummy food and drinks? I certainly couldn't! ;)

Not to mention the Avalon hotel letting us be their guests. Thank you.

How could I have said no to this?

So glad I was in town!

 I had the Erinberry Mojito.
It was very good!

 Most of us I'm sure wanted to jump into the pool, but we didn't.
It was closed anyways...maybe better! :)

 Candy...absolutely necessary!

A slice or two of the birthday cake.

I liked it...it wasn't too sweet and that was just perfect!

 

 Don't mind my pose...not sure why I wanted to make myself shorter!
I blame it on the Erinberry!!!

It was a great evening!!
For more (and better) photos please visit Lynn's blog over at The Actor's Diet.

Hope you all had a great weekend.

It'll be slightly silent in the next few days (especially next week) around here...finals are approaching.
I know you understand.

xoxo

Pinteresting Wednesday! - Los Angeles Edition!

It's no secret I love Los Angeles. Yes, say and think all you want but I do. I also love Orange County. 

Frankly, let's just really be honest, I love southern California. So no one's fully left out here.

Since I'm leaving soon, I thought I'd share some of my weekly finds and happy pictures!
This is where pinterest comes in. If you are not already on it, you are missing out! Clearly. ;)

And of course I'm also linking up with Michelle again...and her weekly series...Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday!

Have fun!!!
And don't forget to head on over to Michelle's and look at more pictures from pinterest!

 

 

all pictures via pinterest

Oh gosh, how I already miss this view...and all those lovely palm trees!


Have a great Wednesday!

xoxo