Summer? Is that you?

So it was hot this weekend. HOT. I loved it. I even got my first sunburn...which isn't so great. But it's already faded and I made sure to restock on my sunblock so I avoid getting another one.

I went to Alameda, did some sunbathing, beach walking, and sangria drinking. It was definitely a good time.

So I feel like everyone has a favorite season, and I have to say mine is summer. Which is odd, even to me, because I don't like being hot... like I really hate it? One thing about Davis I really do miss is that central A/C. Oh well.

But I still really do love summer; I love lounging at the beach or the pool, going out at night without a jacket, the smell of wed grass and hot pavement, wearing shorts or sundresses and sandals everyday, just everything. I also think summer is the time for so many fun things: the county fair, baseball games, hikes, beach trips, outdoor concerts, the Fourth of July, camping...

I think I like summer because it, even though it starts halfway through the year, feels like it has so much more potential, like it's the beginning of something great. My last few summers have actually been really fun, so I hope the streak continues this year (despite the fact I'm now a "real" adult with a "real" job).

I may sound like a total cliche with all this stuff, but I guess that's just how I feel right now. My brain also might be slightly fried from work and not enough coffee...but you get the idea.

Are you excited about summer?

Under the Weather

I had grand plans to post some more this week, but I've been knocked down by a nasty cold, missed work, and have had to play some serious catch up now that I'm back. But! I have fun things planned for this weekend, including a cocktail party, museum visit, and even a play. So maybe I'll take some pictures or something. Yeah.

Anyway, I saw this one a favorite blog of mine and it made me giggle. Hope it makes you giggle too.

Paris Shots, Part Four

The Golden Gates at the Palace of Versailles

Château de Vincennes

Paris Shots Part 3

I forgot to post more shots of Paris! Forgive me!

The Opera

Père Lachaise Cemetery, where I spent Christmas. Creepy, I know

Oscar Wilde's grave

Which I kissed for good luck...(Jenny did too!)

The Pantheon

The Sorbonne

Favorite shots of Paris (part two)

I start my mornings off right...

Pont Alexandre Bridge

Big statues and shadows

Cause I like to take dorky pictures in front of things...

...and so does Jenny

the Seine 

So scandalous! (The Kiss by Auguste Rodin)

Merry go round in the Tuileries Gardens

Place Vendome and the Tuileries Gardens

Favorite Shots of Paris (part one)

Please excuse the crummy weather in some shots, it was winter dudes.

Place de la Concorde

Christmas Market on the Champs-Élysées

 

A pretty street and a pretty house

Metro...is it weird that I miss riding it?

The HUGE Louis Vuitton store I just had to take a picture of (TWICE)

Arc de Triomphe

Place de l'École-Militaire

 

Day and Night

 

This happened on the metro in Paris

Home Again Home Again

Happy New Year friends!

I've been back from Paris for almost a week now and the jet lag has finally worn off (I think). I'm getting back into the swing of things, getting back to work and getting ready for a move (more on this one later).

Paris was amazing. I was so, so sad to leave. But I took lots of pictures (and video) and I'm just getting everything organized and edited before I share them all, but I wanted to pop in and say hello.

I'm also working on redesigning my blog; I've already implemented a few minor changes, but I'm going to do more, even if it means learning some HTML to do it.

I hope you all had a lovely holiday and I look forward to getting back to blogging. I see some good things happening in 2012!

Also, how gorgeous is this?

Does that not make you smile uncontrollably? I do think there are few things in this world as beautiful as the Eiffel Tower at night.

Christmas in Paris

I know I said I was taking a break, but I just had to post about this. Because this is a big freaking deal (at least to me). So I 'm going to France (Paris) for Christmas. And I'm so happy my face hurts from smiling.

But first: a back story.

I don't know exactly when I became obsessed with France and French culture/art/history/food. I think I have to give my Grandma Jeanne some credit because we always used to watch A&E documentaries about art ("Breakfast with the Arts" anyone?), and I always remembered the French Impressionists. I still, even years later, after studying more art than I thought humanly possible, find my breath taken away by Water Lillies by Monet or The Ballet Rehearsal by Edgar Degas. I definitely think these created this romantic, artistic version of Paris that I carried around with me for years.

Then, freshman year of high school, I finally saw the movie the cemented my love for Paris and all things French: Amelie. Cliche, maybe. But I LOVED that movie. I saw it 4 times while it was in theaters and then bought it on DVD and the soundtrack (Yann Tiersen is AMAZING and this song is my favorite). Since then, I love just about any movie set in France or in French. Even if maybe it's not that good, I'll watch it, just to hear the language.

I majored in art history in college, and I studied a lot of French art and architecture, and despite practically drowning in it, I still love it. I want to learn everything and anything relating to this history of culture that country. I mean, really, it's SO fascinating. And I have always dreamed of living there...one day, right?

I got to go to France in high school, when I was fifteen. It was, and still is, probably my favorite trip I have ever taken. I was nervous because, what if it didn't live up to my expectations? Oh, but it did. It really did (The food! The art! The gardens!). I never wanted to leave and was sad when it was time to go home.

But, now, I'm going back. Finally, 8 years later. Tomorrow, to be exact. And I am so excited words cannot even describe it. This trip was a college graduation gift from my mom (the tickets) and it might be the best gift ever. Because not only is a trip to Paris, but I get to bring one of my bestest friends in the whole wide world: Jenny. She's just as obsessed with France as I am and I couldn't imagine a better person to take this trip with. We are going to eat lots of good food, check out some museums, and just wander the city we both love so much.

Even though it's Christmas, and we won't be spending it with out families, I have to say I think Christmas in Paris is pretty dang awesome. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas or Joyeux Noël!

Au revoir les amis, je vous verrai dans le Nouvel Année! 

I just had to share this

You won't get it unless you know about this website, in particular, this post. I laughed forever after seeing this...so awesome.

Pinning Happiness

I haven't posted in TWO WHOLE WEEKS. I don't really know what was up with that. I guess I just didn't really have much to say. Also, I've just been exhausted between work/stupid editing class/social life/gym to come up with content for ze blog. But now I am back, with a vengeance! Since Wednesdays are "pinning" days from my much overused Pinterest account, and since it has been so long since I graced the blog land with my wonderful presence (joke people, a joke), I decided to do my "happy pictures." These are pics that for some reason put a smile on my face, are beautiful, funny, but of no real use (not outfit, home decor, or cooking inspiration), but could make a nice piece of artwork. Or something. You know.

Images via Pinterest

 What about you? have you found anything good on Pinterest that makes you happy or inspired? Link up in the comments!

New Job? YES

I have started my new job and I think I love it. I've only done half days this week, but it's been awesome and I can't wait to start full time on Monday.

I like having something to do all day. I like learning new things. I like getting to meet and talk to some very interesting and eccentric people. So far I've been doing lots of publicity things, setting up radio interviews and sending press materials out, but I have my first manuscript to go through and edit/comment as we begin the publishing process. It's really exciting! I'm helping produce a book, people, for realsies. And it's about yoga, which is right up my alley and I feel like I have a lot to say about it and, you know, stuff.

But things are going really great. I like that I'm going to be busy, have guaranteed hours, have finished products to be proud of...just everything. Blogging may be less frequent, as you can see I haven't in a week, partially due to housesitting without my computer, partially due to the new job, but I want to continue as best I can.

So for now, life is good. And I'm really excited for what's to come.

I HAVE A JOB!

Remember last week when I was all lost and stuff about work and where to go? Well, I guess I kind of figured some stuff out. I got a job. A real one, that does not involve folding other people's laundry or walking a dog or driving anyone to school.

I'll be doing marketing and publicity for books at a very small (but well established/respected) firm in Sonoma. Eventually I might get to start editing and producing books as well. I'm really excited, because I love books and getting to work with them in any way is good for me. The position is entry level, but they are willing to take a chance on me and really help me enhance my skills, to learn and grow and reach my full potential, and I am very grateful for that. This is my foot in the door of the working world. No more nannying for me.

And I found this job randomly; as I said before I was just sending out resumes to anything that sounded intersting. I hadn't been receiving any responses, except this place and one other job that I actually didn't want. I went into the interview not expecting to get the job, but I still tried my best and it turned out to be a good thing. So, I'll go in for a few half days and training next week to learn the ropes, then I start full time on August 22.

Things are looking on up!

Oh mah goodyness!

What a week it has been, my lovely friends!

You are looking at my super comfy bed. In my dad's house. In Marin. Not Davis. Cause I don't live there anymore. Hooray!!!!

I had my last days of work last week, which was so wonderful. I was so ready to leave that job. Sigh.

Then on Friday, I packed up the last of everything and my dad and I loaded up everything into a van and I moved home!

There's still a lot to do, I have to finish getting my room together, then I'll post some pictures!

This week I also went back to my old nanny job, which I LOVE, I have my graduation and party this weekend, and I'm HOME.

So, life is good.

(now I just have to find a real job. Ugh)

Happy Tuesday!

Today it is hot. And I took full and complete advantage of that hot and lounged by my lovely apartment pool. I will definitely miss this pool when I leave, I will admit that my friends.

I only stayed out for about and hour and a half, and I do wear sunscreen, with a higher SPF on my back tattoo, but it was still wonderful. I think I really needed all that vitamin D, because I'm in a totally happy mood right now. I hope you all are having a wonderful Tuesday!

CUPCAKES! CUPCAKES! CUPCAKES!

In case you couldn't tell by the title of this post, I like cupcakes. Or any sweet, chocolate-y cake/cookie/brownie type thing. And for the last two weeks I have had an undying urge to bake cupcakes. So tonight I did.

For the record, I really like to bake but currently lack the tools to do all the baking I want to. Not for long though, because once I move back to Marin, I will have access (thanks Dad!) to all kinds of tools. KitchenAid mixer people! Until then though, it's had stirring and sticking to easy stuff, mainly from the box, not from scratch. Sad face.

Anyhoo, I got some chocolate cake mix, whipped frosting, and pink sprinkles and held a little baking party by myself in my kitchen. I swear that's not as strange as it sounds. I just really like to bake. And I had the kitchen to myself with no interruptions. So.

CUPCAKES!

Look how pretty they are, baking in the oven. Chocolate!

Then, frosted and pink sprinkled!

And they are delicious! I only ate two (shocking!) but they are moist and the frosting is divine. I finally satisfied my cupcake craving, and the results were magical.

P.S. I also ordered a copy of Bossypants yesterday and should be getting it soon! I read the first two pages in Urban Outfitters yesterday and was cracking up, so I'm really excited to actually read the whole thing. Tina Fey, I love you!

Oh I do love a good buffet!

One thing Davis does have is a mighty fine Indian buffet. And sushi buffet, but that's for another post. Yesterday was turning out to be a lovely day, and I went and met up with Alex and Cat to partake in the deliciousness of Kathmandu Kitchen all you can eat lunch buffet. It was delicious.

 

Though, I must say, Indian food is incredibly delicious, but it really doesn't photograph well, does it? But oh, that naan! The korma! The fried chicken thing! So wonderful. And pigging out at a buffet with friends? Even better!