The Golden Year

This year, I turned 27 on the 27th - a golden birthday that I was really excited to celebrate! I'll admit that I'm a little obsessive when it comes to birthdays, whether it's for myself, family or friends...I believe that the whole month should be a celebration. You'd think since I'm now approaching my "late 20s," the excitement would die out but I was actually happy to become one year older, wiser, and braver. Birthdays have always been a great time to reflect on the year, and this year was no different for me.

Daydreaming in Belize

Belize was truly picture perfect. Every year, I try my best to set aside a few days for a summer getaway - I like to think we all deserve a mini vacation mid-year! Belize has been on my travel wishlist for some time now, so on a whim, we booked a ticket and found a beautiful resort on Hopkins Bay (one of the best private beaches in Belize!) where we escaped to a city that I've been dreaming of exploring.

Camping in Yosemite

It's been years since I've been to Yosemite! The last time was back in elementary school when my best friend and I went to a Summer Camp and took full advantage of all the water sport activities for 2 weeks. There were, of course, many not so fond memories like treading water for 10 minutes to pass the swim test, carrying a 20 lbs pack while we hike up a mountain for 2 days, or my forehead getting eaten alive by mosquitoes (I have pictures to prove it).

Coachella Recap

Coachella has always been my favorite music festival to spend with my closest friends, and the best way to transition into Spring - even if it's over 100 degrees in the desert! This year, we decided to do weekend 2 of Coachella, where we celebrated Easter with bunny ears, endless dancing, and with an incredible music lineup.

5 Things...

I've recently noticed that I needed a complete spring-cleaning, both in my closet as well as my personal life. Sometimes we get so caught up in our lives and the lives of others that we forget about growing ourselves. Just within these past few months, I have had a bridal shower, a bachelorette party, a wedding, work stress, birthdays and have forgotten about my own personal goals. I know that many of us are constantly dealing with the same distractions, so here is a reminder of 5 things that we can all continuously work on to better our lives!

Distressed Jeans

I don’t think you can ever go wrong with a pair of jeans, a simple top and a comfortable blazer - and to be honest, this is my ideal outfit for a casual workday. Distressed jeans are a favorite of mine and it doesn't get any easier to get dressed in the morning...it looks great with everything!

NYC Diaries

From the bright lights to the amazing city and people, I absolutely love New York City...so much that I would love to move there in an instant! The food, the nightlife, and the endless possibilities of things to do no matter what time of day/night it is...call me crazy, but I love the hustle and bustle of what this city offers.

Leave your Mark

Happy new year, everyone! I hope 2014 has been amazing for you so far :) I am beyond thrilled to take on the new year...and truly challenge myself with new goals and to live out my passions. 2013 was definitely a year of growth for me, and I couldn't be more thankful for all the wonderful memories and experiences that I shared with my friends and family. From my travels to best friends getting engaged and married, there were many highlights from the year that I'll cherish for a lifetime.

Bestia

So, I have found my favorite restaurant in Los Angeles! For months, I've heard nothing but amazing reviews about LA's most talked about restaurant, Bestia. I have wanted to try Bestia for a long time, and it finally worked out perfectly when I was in the area for The Downtown Art Walk, which occurs every month on the 2nd Thursday.

Sweater Weather

With the temperatures dropping in LA, my style becomes more relax with over-sized sweaters, scarves, and boots. The cold weather definitely makes me want to bundle up in knits, sip hot cocoa in front of a fireplace, and have Christmas music blasting - it's the perfect weather for comfy sweaters.

'Tis the Season

It's officially the holidays - my absolute favorite time of the year! From the decorations to Christmas shopping and the holiday parties, 'tis the season for laughter and cheer. I created a bucket list of all the things I want to do this December, so feel free to join me for some holiday fun!

Polished Casual

Photo Credit: Anna Mari Gonda

The idea of comfort is always best on the weekends. As much as I love my skinny jeans, I'll occasionally want to pair my boyfriend jeans with some polished pieces, classic heels, and a striped top for a comfortable day of shopping and running countless errands. Downtown Pasadena has everything a lady wants!

SoCal Road Trip

Southern California has always had a special place in my heart. Trust me, I absolutely love to travel, anywhere from the Caribbean, Asia, and Europe, but this past trip, I went 'old school' and decided to take a mini road trip along the coast. Yes, I had an actual map. And yes, the drive was beautiful.

Getaway to Catalina Island

It's the Catalina Wine Mixer! It's been years since I've last visited Catalina Island, and to my surprise, I actually loved every bit of it! Catalina Island is one of Southern California's best-kept secret - and the best part: it's just an hour boat ride off the coast from Los Angeles.

7 Days of Happiness

It's really easy to get caught up and often forget what's important in the world. We can all get complacent, take things for granted, and become less motivated through work, fitness or even relationships. Lately, I've been in a little rut, and realized that the easiest way to reach your own happiness is to simply take a moment to breathe and to be thankful. During the week, dedicate some time to creating your own happiness...

Summer Must-Dos

We only have a few weeks left of summer, so why not take full advantage of the warm weather with countless beach trips, girl's night out, and travel often? Summer is absolutely one of my favorite time of the year, where you can enjoy the sun, the beach, and even the summer activities.

Livin' La Vida Cabo

As mentioned before in my previous Cabo San Lucas post, I was beyond excited to have spent a few days on vacation at one of the places I've always wanted to visit. It's one of the best vacation spots for those living in California because the flight is literally only 3 hours away from Los Angeles. I mean, if flights were cheap...I'd do weekend getaways to Baja California all day, everyday.

5 Things...

Do you sometimes feel like you're traveling through life on autopilot, going through the motions, and having every day pass like the one before it? No matter where you are in your life, try to always remember that everyday is a gift.

Black & White

Who says you can't wear black in the summer? Although I love colors and patterns to any outfit, I decided to do a classic black & white, while adding in key accessories to give that extra POP!

Weekend Recap of Coachella

Do you sometimes wish you could go back in time and relive certain experiences? I still have Coachella withdrawals and seriously wish I could go back to one of my favorite weekends with my closest friends.