My Happy Place

There is so much going on right now. My brain is one big jumble of crazy thoughts. I have some big decisions to make. I am making sure to listen to both my head and my heart. 

When my mind feels a little cray, I either head to the gym or get my bootay to the beach. Yesterday I headed to the beach. I really needed to sit with my toes in the sand, to smell the sweet salt air and listen to the waves crash on the shore. It is my happy place. I spent two hours listening to music, and spending some alone time while watching the sun set. I still don't have the clarity I need but I felt a little soothing deep in my soul.

 Angels Baseball Cap/Wildfox Baggy Beach Jumper/Mossimo Destructed Denim/Glitter Toms

Where do you go to get away from reality?

What is your Happy Place?

Happy New Year, 2013!

Happy New Year!

I am SO excited for a fresh, new start. 

2013 is going to be an incredible year!

This past week was not my best week ever and I was NOT looking forward to New Year's Eve. At all. It tends to be a holiday that is over rated and never lives up to the expectations I have. My friends forced me to follow through on our dinner plans. And by forced, I was threatened. Yes, I have fabulous friends. Haha. I didn't buy anything new to wear. I wore an old LBD, some strappy nude sandals, a statement necklace from 4 years ago and a leather jacket. In spite of not feeling up to going out AND not feeling that cute, I ended up having one of the best New Year's Eves ever! Go figure!

I paid for it yesterday. After driving everyone to their cars and then having brunch with the crew, I spent the rest of the day in bed! I would have to say that there is nothing better than having a lazy New Year's day!

Here are a few pics from the night!

I will be back to regular posting tomorrow.

 Dinner at Las Brisas in Laguna Beach

 

I saw this pic on Instagram (@countrysayings) and LOVED it! I am an avid reader, love country music and fulling believe that we write our own stories! Living life to the fullest, never saying no to anything that makes you happy and loving with all of your heart is how I am living in 2013.

 

2013 will be my best year yet!

Bring. It. ON! 

Through my iPhone lens

I have had a love affair with my iPhone for years.

Yes, I said it. 

It may sound sad, it has definitely been an issue in a relationship in the past BUT my phone keeps me connected to everything and everyone important in my life. Social Media has heightened my phone use. For the good and the bad. I love having my phone for pictures. And Instagram. Obviously.

I LOVE seeing a glimpse into people's lives. I am nosy and inquisitive. Some of my favorite posts from blogger's have been their Insta Weekend, What's in my phone rundowns. I posted some of my Weekend Wonders last week. I think you will see more of these posts when I am busier. I take a lot of pics that I don't Instagram and that I don't always share on the blog. 

So here are some pics from the last week...

 L. I am OBSESSED with this hat and wore it four times last week. Yup!

R. I also spent four days at the pool last week. My tan is proof!

 L. Fun color combo on a gloomy day last week. Mossimo cropped Skinnies and Steve Madden 'Gretta' (on sale NOW)

R. Oh these eCards! They just make me laugh and laugh.

 My time for my first 5K...I was on the first of 8 boards. :)

 After the race. I got this cool, too small shirt and a medal. SCORE!

I am wearing the Old Navy shorts that I am in love with!

 L. Spending time with my sissy. Hats are from Target.

R. She made me a high protein breakfast before the race. That meant a lot to me because we have different communication styles and this was her way of showing her support.

 Pool Time. LOTS and lots of relaxation and reading! Needed for a stress free, happy life

 Spending LOTS of time with the little man who has my heart.

SEE...wearing the hat again ;)

 My Summer work out uniform (only with longer shorts when I run. Chub rub is not cute!). And YES...I am pimping out this amazing work out top. Again. I bought THREE colors, people!

 My Stationary from Amy at The Pink of Perfection! I won a set and bought a set because I am in love! The colors are incredible and the fact that it is glitter makes me so happy. They are simple and blank on the inside. So I can pour my heart out. The styles are so 'ME". Peacock feathers and the beach. <3

I wanted to remind you to check back on old posts for my replies to your comments! I really appreciate them. If you ever want to know where I bought something in these posts and I haven't linked them just shoot me an email!

Happy HUMP day!

Only two days to the weekend!

WAHOO!!!!

Changes are Coming...

                                                Source: iwastesomuchtime.com via Mandy on Pinterest

I have been pretty transparent in 2012. Well, as transparent as I have felt comfortable with; hoping not to share TOO much of myself on the blog and the internet. Being vulnerable and sharing my heart is not always easy nor comfortable. But the last six months as I have shared with you my fitness and weight loss goals, talked about finding myself again after ending my relationship (Here, Here, Here, Here, ), my thoughts and excitement about turning 30 and documenting my style, I have gotten quite the steady following. With that following I have gotten more comments, I have connected with many of you over emails/Twitter and I have gotten LOTS of questions.

I have been thinking, A LOT! Now that I am in a new phase in my life I think I am going to start a weekly post that touches on life as a single woman in her thirties. I have been asked if I would consider blogging about dating; which would include the dates I go on, what to wear, communication, pretty much the good, bad and the ugly. There have been questions about how I {re}built my self esteem, how I handle friendships/relationships (like my ex), what I plan to do with my 'career',  and how I "really" found my happiness. Clearly that is a LOT of info and I think it is time to address some of it. I am ready to share my heart a little more frequently along with my personal style.

                              Source: pursuitoffelicity.tumblr.com via Mandy on Pinterest

BUT (yes there is a but) I am extremely nervous to be so vulnerable. I don't plan on holding back and I don't want to be insensitive. I would never want someone to Google my name and see that I talk about all of my dates/relationships/experiences. I don't want people to be afraid to date me or share with me in fear that I will talk about them. I want this to be about ME, what I have learned so that I can HELP YOU!

Sooooooooo.......

- Does this interest you?

- Will you comment or email me questions or situations along the way so that I am keeping the info fresh and tailored to you as the reader?

- Do you think that this is a good idea?
- Can you help me come up with a name for this series???
{Flirty Thirty, Thoughts of a Thirty something, a play on Sex And The City?}

I cannot do this without your interaction.

So PLEASE let me know what you think!! 

I mean, how could you not want to read the thoughts and advice from THIS face? ;)

Weekend Wonders

I find that a key to my happiness is staying surrounded by people that make me better. Filling my time, doing things with family and friends and getting out and being active has made all the difference. 

I love that we have apps like Instagram that make it SUPER easy to document our lives. I am having a slight love affair with taking pics. And since I looked like a complete slob yesterday, I have no outfit pictures to share. I thought that I would share some bits and pieces of my weekend.

Weekend Wonders

 This is my view when I am blogging. On this particular night I was watching the CMT Music Awards, lusting over my new Shoemint shoes and creating a collage all while sitting on my comfy bed.

  

Best way to get end a bad day...dinner date with my Dad at our fav restaurant.

  I posted on my FB that Luke Bryan's wife better watch out because I want to marry her man. Then I saw this eCard. It makes me laugh so hard.

 GIRLS night out! A view from the boat and a pic with one of my favs, Jacqui. She makes THE BEST organic cupcakes, cake pops and salted caramel. You need to check her out and order some yummies. She ships and delivers!

 Not only did I get to meet Heather of Glitter and Gloss (which was amazing, obvi) BUT I got to try on some of her bracelets that she will be selling soon. I loved my mini arm party. And I may have gotten a friendship bracelet from her. The gold bracelet featured in both pics is called the 'Coco' and that beauty is mine. I am IN LOVE with it. I'll let you know when her shop goes live. You will LOVE her pieces.

 Apparently Cameron Diaz and I have the same outlook on love. Miss Amanda posted this on Instagram and I quickly took a screen shot and re-posted. It spoke to me and I couldn't have said it better myself.

 I am having an 'Orange' moment and I am in love with my choices from Stylemint and Shoemint this month. The Malibu tee and the Mia T-Strap heels are a perfect combo. Look forward to an outfit post soon. It is perfect for Date Night!

 Slumming it on Saturday. Showing my love for the LBC. I moved one city over and it feels like miles. I miss my old neighborhood (which the Ex still lives in so I don't frequent that often) and the quaint boutiques, unique restaurants and being a block from the beach. I was feeling very nostalgic on Saturday and made sure to spend some time there.

Getting drinks at a new Gastropub with my girlfriend. Cute place, good crowd and yummy beer. It was a fun night!

I am super blessed to live this life that I have been given!

XXOO

 

Thoughts. Happiness. Life.

{please excuse the profanity...but MAN this is so true!}

I often have {what feels like} millions of things going through my brain.

If I could have a super power it would be an on/off switch for my thoughts. I would love to be able to crawl into bed and just flip the switch. I wish I could say that my over thinking is more prevalent when I am going through a lot but it is just a characteristic I possess at all times. It has been no secret that I have been through a lot this past year. I left two jobs, ended a 6 year relationship, started my fitness regimen, found a job in a new field AND just turned Thirty. 

HOLY HELL! 

I have really spent the last few weeks reflecting, thinking, crying (in a good way), growing and learning from it all. I am the type of person that fills every minute, keeping busy and making little time to reflect on what went wrong in favor of just living. I have never felt so free and my life is a reflection of that. My heart {ME} is so happy. 

I have cultivated some old relationships, strengthened new friendships and I am letting new people into my life. It has been pretty awesome. It is crazy how the healing process works and how different it is for each individual. I wouldn't be at the place that I am today without my work outs, blogging, an insane amount of country music, hours of watching 'Brothers and Sisters' (this show deserves it's own post on how much I learned from it) and true support through open arms and listening ears from people in my life.

Everyone keeps asking me what my "plan" is. I understand why...I am never without one. It is usually detailed, precise, well thought out and actually happens. So I thought I would share what my plan is with you all. 

To be happy, to live in the moment, to love without fear.

I want to be madly in love with someone who never stops pursuing me, to get in a car and just go without worrying about the details and figuring it out a long the way, to take risks, not be so calculated, say yes more than no and without too much thought, and radiate happiness to everyone I meet.

I don't want to live by so many rules, to do what is always expected, to be so contrived. I don't want to be so serious or predictable. 

You may be wondering where this is coming from, why I am sharing this on the Fashion blog. I had a conversation yesterday with someone who reads my blog and is in a position to give me incredible feedback. She asked me where I see my blog going, where my voice is coming from. I was able to answer immediately. After that she said that I always come across as authentic. That was the best compliment EVER. It got me thinking and it made me want to share more. I hope to always have a voice that just one person can relate to (if only one person reads what I write, that is enough to satisfy me). After sharing yesterday that I was feeling uninspired to blog, that conversation changed all that! Thank you, Meg!

When I pull away from blogging it is generally because I have gone into "think mode" which I think is a good thing! I appreciate those that still read and comment even when I am being sporadic. I still haven't been reading your blogs very often, nor have I been commenting. I apologize for the lack of support but I am not apologizing for the break. It is needed. 

Here are a few pics of what I have been up to. I plan to get back to fashion related posts ASAP :)

 Stagecoach. Country Music just soothes my soul.

 Being Silly and Free.

 Bowling on a lunch break with the team. I never even thought that I would have a job that allows me the ability to just have FUN!

 Spending time with my baby sis {and family}. This was at the Angels/Yankees game. Baseball is just a part of us!

 Girls Night Out in the town I grew up in.

Temecula Balloon and Wine Festival.

Spending hours in the sun, at Starbucks with my girlfriends!

Great conversations, giving advice and just accepting.

 

The Big 3-0!!

I. Am. Thirty. Years. Old (young?)

I have so much that I want to say yet I am not quite sure how to word it. I have been chock full of emotions all weekend when it finally hit me that the big day was coming. 

My twenties were quite the ride. I learned so much about myself. I learned what I want, what I do not want, what I will settle for, what my deal breakers are and I know who I am. I will look back on my twenties with no regrets, full of knowledge and with complete happiness.

I had an incredible last day of my twenties. Since my mother was in Arizona with my sister I had a lot of time to spoil myself. I slept in, did a little {window} shopping, got a mani/pedi, laid out with a book by the pool, had dinner with my best friend, her family and little girls, had cocktails by the fire pit and snuck a work out in. Pretty much a perfect day!

 

Neon and Neutral Nails 

On my nails: Essie 'Sand Tropez' 

On my toes: Sinful Colors 'Neon Melon'

*** This is the first manicure in over a year and my last pedicure was at least 7 months ago. I always do them myself and now I remember why. I honestly think I do a better job. BUT I don't do the cuticle thing so it is nice to have those maintained every now and then***

 

 I swear I am NOT that red in real life.

And Karen Kingsbury books are incredible.

 My outfit and hair for the day

Shorts are Mossimo and my sandals are Gap.

Phone Case: Kate Spade

 Cocktails and Fire pit...does it get any better???

 With my BFF

I am honestly SUPER excited for my Thirties. I truly feel like the Thirties are for LOVING. Loving myself, first and foremost. Hopefully finding the kind of love with someone that leads to marriage. The unconditional love of having a child. And lastly just loving life whether all of that happens or if none of that happens. One thing I know is that I am enough. I am confident in who I am, where I am going and with the decisions I have made. I am not in control anymore and have given the wheel to the Lord. I am trusting that he knows the desires of my heart and that his plan is better than mine could ever be!

If you have been reading for the last few months you may be wondering if I achieved my weight goal. I wanted to lose 30 pounds by my 30th birthday. I have spent the last 19 weeks working out 5x a week, the last four weeks working out 2x a day, three times a week. I have changed my diet and changed my life. Unfortunately I am a few pounds shy of my goal. I am trying not to dwell on it (super hard for me) and not be down on myself because I have accomplished so much. I am proud of the changes, I have created new healthy habits and I am starting my Thirties on a path to a trim, healthy and strong body. That means the world to me!

 All I want is to blow out my candles from a Sprinkles Salty Caramel Cupcake.
It is the one thing in life that I cannot resist. It is spectacular tasting!
And when I get married...I will be having these instead of a cake.

So with all of that said I would like to give a big 'CHEERS' to you all!

Thank you for being a part of my journey, for loving and supporting me, and for INSPIRING me!

I hope that all of my readers that are mother's had an incredible day and were spoiled and loved on!!