TED talks: A Great Story

I think that I've always loved to tell stories. I was an only child until I was 8 years old, when my little brother was born. So for those first 8 years of my life, I had to be creative about how I'd keep myself entertained and not bug my mom every 10 minutes with my whining, "I'm boooooreedddd." (Her response? "Hi, Board, I'm nail! It'd drive me crazy).

I have memories of talking to myself, playing House and Store, and eventually having some imaginary friends. I remember after I saw Harriet the Spy I pulled out my raincoat and notebook and tried to spy on my neighbors in the adjacent apartment buildings.

I came across this TED talk from their Facebook page.. and while the speaker, Andrew Stanton seems to be promoting his new film, it does relate to great story-telling. As a person who wants to write and tell stories to make a living, I found this to be very inspirational and helpful in my endeavor! Watch & let me know what you think.

Virtual Vacation to... Palm Springs, CA

on the way to Palm Springs

 Let's take a drive, shall we? It will only take us two hours! How about we go to one of my most favorite places to vacation, Palm Springs. The hot, dry desert feels so good on my skin which is used to the ocean breeze and moisture (rough life, huh?). 

Pack your bags with your best bathing suits, sunglasses, and a good book or two... don't forget the sunscreen & Maui Babe for the best tan..

via Arielle

via Arielle

Of course, we'll stay at my favorite hotel, The Ace! (But, I've been hearing great things about the Viceroy & Alcazar, too).

via Arielle

We'll raid the mini bar, it will be too hard to resist when they make it look so nice like this. I think a Tanqueray & tonic with lime will be perfect by the pool in the day, and at night while we gaze at the clear, star-filled skies in the hot tub.

via Arielle

via Arielle

Feeling the warmth of your skin during dinner & the tan lines that accumulate are the best. 

 

via

We'll sit by the firepits outside of our room while we keep the vinyls spinning... We'll order cocktails with cucumber & mint while we snack on chips & guacamole...

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Wouldn't it be nice?

Thursday Drive

These past few nights I haven't been able to fall asleep until 2 or 3 am, and then find myself waking up at the very un-reasonable time of 7am. And again at 7:45.. and again at 8:30... So this morning when I woke up at 8:45, I decided I should just embrace (?) these extra couple hours to my day and do something.

the new issue of InStyle with some coffee

blueberry pancakes at Stacks in Burlingame

the drive back to school across the San Mateo bridge

sometimes I really like what my horoscope has to say

compliments of iGoogle:
You know where you stand in the world today now that the Moon is in your 10th House of Public Responsibility. You have more confidence about what you're doing at work, but this doesn't mean you should hide any feelings of uncertainty. In fact, sharing your vulnerability now might open a doorway to a beautiful experience with someone very special. Don't let an opportunity get away from you; tell a friend or loved one how important he or she is to you when you have the chance.

Shout out to all my best girlfriends & family & boyfriend. You guys are amazing and keep me sane. I love you all so much, don't ever forget it!

via

inspiration mondays

I found this graphic somewhere on pinterest, and was immediately drawn to it. Yeah, yeah, stuff like this is posted everywhere- but for some reason last night, it really stuck with me. It made me realize all of the great things I have in my life by following the things on this list. And also that I wouldn't be where I'm at today without taking risks and going to this new place in northern California. Sometimes taking a step back and really looking at what is in front of you, you realize all of the goodness that is there. 

I pulled out a collage/paint/drawing book and some oil pastels & pencils and was up until 2 just letting some creativity flow out of me. It felt soo good. Today isn't any different; it feels good to be visiting this side of me again, it's been much too long. 

Stay curious, and remember that it's not always as bad as it seems. 

note to self 01

get an underwater camera for summer. 

'22'

I go through waves of being homesick. 

Don't get me wrong; it feels great to have moved so far from home and doing things independently (I'm getting there), but being at such a great distance from the place that you grew up is tough. Being away from the ones that I love, the comforts and familiarity of all that surrounded me there. 

This week has been great: a new job (finally), actually being passionate & excited about said job, and meeting some great people. My mind has been occupied with thoughts about ingredients to items on a 21-page menu, 30 different kinds of cheesecakes, and waking up early enough to make it there on time. 

But now that things are slowing down, my feelings of home-sickness have returned. Talking to my friends on Facebook chat, seeing posts on Instagram, only talking to my boyfriend once a day... it simply isn't enough for me. 

I can only say that 'I miss you,' so much. It starts to get old. When will it be that I can see you? Be next to you? Make plans with you for tomorrow? For next week? Tell you that I want to get my Disneyland pass again, because the rest of you go every night and I'm so jealous.

Evenings filled with cotton candy, churros, Space Mountain, spinning teacups, and don't forget the fireworks. Afterward, we can go home and be lazy babes on the couch; you can pick the movie tonight. No, you. 

This short video by Gia Coppola really makes me miss home. It has all of the elements of a summer day in Huntington Beach: palm trees swaying in the breeze with a clear blue sky backdrop... salty bathing suit tops and tan skin underneath your dress... messy buns on top of your head.. late nights and cheap beer.. I miss these things so much. I miss these things being in my life all of the time. I miss them being an option to my day. 

This is my life at 22 23. 

Feeling homesick

And this preview has made it worse...

I love French subtitles and anything that involves me crying in movie theaters. (???)

happy december!

Today is the start of the last month of the year, and also the countdown to Christmas.

Not gonna lie ("Bible," Kardashian reference, sorry), I was just catching up on Glee season 2, when the Christmas episode came on. Everything about it was so perfect, and it has definitely got me in the mood for the holidays!!

You know how ABC Family does the 25 Days of Christmas and they show a movie every night? Well, I was thinking of doing the same thing. I dunno, not exactly, but essentially I just thought I'd write out a list of movies I want to watch, activities I want to do, things I want to bake, etc. before the month is over.

Movies I Must Watch

Miracle on 34th Street (black & white version as well as color!)

Christmas Vacation

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (cartoon & Jim Carrey will do!)

Home Alone 1 & 2

The Santa Clause 1 & 2

Love, Actually

It's a Great Christmas, Charlie Brown

A Christmas Story

Elf

It's a Wonderful Life

The Polar Express

The rest of the holiday list to be continued...

obsessions on a monday

I am driving back home on Wednesday morning and am so excited. My productivity level has been at an all-time low, and I'm very impatient to see everybody!

Meanwhile on this lovely Monday/this past weekend, I have been really into the following things:

U.K. Vogue thanks to the wonderful Amy's mom/mum! Seriously drooling over every page. I'm trying to refrain from speed-reading through it, it's just so pretty.

I'm getting pretty good at these at-home mani's. essie in tart deco=my all-time fav.

The changing colors of leaves that means Fall is here, Winter is near.

New Nars lipstick in Heatwave. The perfect orange/red as recommended on a cup of jo.

Just listened to her new album, Ceremonials on Spotify tonight. This song makes me feel like I'm on drugs, in love, dreaming, sleeping, so happy. It's perfect.

watch instantly tonight

Hello! It has been a very un-productive/productive Sunday to say the least. Un-productive if you think doing homework is what I should have been doing, or productive if you think I should have been in my pajamas in bed while drinking coffee & Watching Instantly on Netflix all day.

Because that is exactly what I have been doing. Oh, and I painted my nails #dark.

Anyway, if you are one of many who has the funds to watch instantly on Netflix, (or I've just realized it's streaming on Hulu, too!) I suggest you watch Bill Cunningham New York. It's a documentary about the original street style photographer who shoots for the New York Times style section. He's been at it for years!

After watching and my nails had dried, I was really inspired to get a film camera, to write more stories, to take my journalism class more seriously, and to go shopping for cuter clothes.

You can look at Bill's shots from this week here.

P.S. a list of the 10 best documentaries here. I would add Babies & The September Issue, though!