Ripped Jeans

This heat wave is real, very real ! I feel like I am living a lie because my hair went right back up in a bun about 2 seconds after taking these photographs. Cool down mode! 

Staying Cool

It is the first weekend of October and the temperatures were triple digits through some parts of L.A! That is going to take some getting used to for this East Coast girl (Not complaining though) I love having the chance to wear summer clothes even as we begin fall. I paired this girly floral dress with some ankle boots that are usually reserved for winter weather. I love how the delicate sundress felt with the bulky black boots. 

The end of Summer

This summer was a whirlwind. I think I will always remember this summer as a huge one. It was the summer I finally made my way over to California, something I've been dreaming of for years. Not only did I make it to California but I got to do it with my best guy by my side. We had fun driving for hours and hours, keeping each other company when we were so far in the middle of nowhere that even the radio didn't work. We got to see so many parts of this country, parts I never even thought of seeing! We stayed strong together when our first apartment turned out to be a nightmare, and now we always have the horror story to tell ! We got to move to California twice! We've made new friends, performed on countless new stages, met crazy people, seen a few celebrities, seen a ton of sites all across the country and have learned a thing or two. As this summer comes to an end I am sad to see it go but I am so excited to see what the rest of our first year as California residents brings ! Thanks for being the best partner in crime !!

Back home in Virginia on the Morning we left for our cross country adventure. 

At the Starbucks at JMU, classic Mero rest stop! 

A giant Snake (in an aquarium) 

Our best attempts at mean mugging. Also that Cat Tank 

Poolside in Dallas, TX 

Kisses on the rooftop in New Mexico

Hours and hours out on that open road 

Beautiful little town in Arizona

Lounging poolside on our way across the country. A couple of days in Dallas, TX 

Hundreds of hot sauces found at the food court in The Grove

My introduction to In and Out Burger. It's as good as they say don't let anyone tell you otherwise. 

Hide out from that California sunshine 

Biking around our very short lived first neighborhood in LA (**do not live there!**)

Smiles and sunshine at the Grand Canyon

During a quick trip home o Virginia at my favorite place in the universe; my best friend Katie's family/my second family's pool for an impromptu pool party. 

Quick trip back to VA for a beautiful wedding of a long time friend 

Endless hours at random Los Angeles bars for open mic's 

Karaoke in Silverlake at the coolest party I've ever seen for the 4th of July

An unplanned trip to Vegas, our refuge during an unfortunate 'My first apartment in LA' horror story. 

We've taken a selfie in like 15 different states 

On the tippy top of some sort of sky high building in Vegas 

Surprised to discover LA has the best pastries of anywhere (HOW DOES ANYONE STAY SKINNY?!?) Pictured is  a Ponchik (an Armenian doughnut) from my new found favorite place Papillion Bakery !! (insert the raise the roof emoji)

Coffee on a trip through Palm Springs with Matts wonderful Family

Palm Trees are the new normal

Kisses in Napa 

My trusty companion

So summer brought a ton of fun but also some hardships, those two mixed together = a lot of growth ! So excited to see what Fall, Winter and Spring will bring us ! 

CATS

I never admit it to my mom or anyone back home but I miss our family's pets ! So I downloaded this free app a couple of weeks ago, you can put cats into your pictures. Its a little too much fun. Its called Cat App, if you find yourself missing animals I would highly recommend it. Below is some quality art I have made in the past 2 weeks, I am thinking of putting together an exhibition. 

Memory all alone in the moonlight ! 

24

 I turned 24 this year. It was my first birthday away from home, all the way on the other side of the country from home! While I miss home, Matt made sure 24 was my best birthday yet. Very simply we hopped around L.A on what was basically a guilty pleasure tour. First stop was breakfast at Alfred coffee, a fun over the top trendy (& pricey) coffee shop. At Alfred we split croissants and sipped ice coffee while people watching (another guilty pleasure!) it is a hang out for a lot of aspiring actor/model types--they should just film a reality show starring the patrons. After we hopped over to DASH, the boutique owned by the Kardashians, this was not a part of the original plan but it was right by where we parked--how could we not !? The selection of Kardashian water and Robert's sock line was pretty impressive ! Although guilty pleasure aside I have to say the selection of clothes was really fantastic, too expensive for me right now but in a dream world I would have bought about 70% of what I saw.

After a day of hopping around we hit West Hollywood for happy hour. Got nacho's at my favorite place, Tortilla Republic. They even put a candle in the nacho's for me which pretty much made my night. Then we hit PUMP that new bar by Lisa Vanderpump (of the RHOBH fame, because c'mon guilty pleasure!) unfortunately when we went to pump there was some super old lady, pretty intoxicated who was being loud at the bar and just plain me --specifically to me. So we ended the night on a slightly stingy note but I guess you can't have  a day filled with guilty pleasures in WeHo and not expect to encounter a hollywood troll by nightfall (thats when they come out!) Either way that won't rain on my parade, 24 was a simple and fun filled day I feel so lucky and so excited for the year ahead of me ! Here are a few pictures from the day, the night time snaps are a little blurry!

Sunglasses no one can see through= the most important people watch accessory. 

What was left of breakfast-- the ham and cheese croissant was yummy !  

Calling the Arthur George sock line impressive is an understatement

Right before hurricane mean lady hit

Thanks for a fantastic day Matt ! 

Last but not least --> Birthday Nacho's with a candle- new high or new low ?  (jk new high duhhh)

#Basic

What do you wear to your 4th trip to the DMV in 1 month !? I'll tell ya what ! Heather grey tee, high waisted black jeans, white sneaks and a BOLD red lip. BAM. In other news the DMV is awful and theres no parking which feels kind of ironic but if you make appointments its not so bad ….also if you have a surprise sushi date afterwards as a reward it's basically a trip to Disney World. (Please scroll for sushi #foodporn)

Matching glasses, Matt opted out of the matching red lip option --> HIS LOSS

Caption runner up: The couple that is blind together, stays together  

Theres a sushi place right near our apartment with amazing happy hour prices and I feel so lucky we found it. I am obsessed with them ! I forget what these rolls were called or what was in them..magic and stardust ?  #sushijoint 

I just realized I'm rocking head to toe Old Navy, I used to love them - then hated them - then got a gift card and now I think I love them again…vicious cycle Old Navy, I see your game! 

Thanks for reading 

xoxo 

Forever Friday: Shop Shop Shop !!

Ever the online shopping addict. I have been looking around all week, swooning over new pieces for fall. I've made 3 boards with a few of my favorite pieces to update your look for fall; for a boho chic student, a working gal, and of course a weekender ! (Workin for the weekend - but really workin for those weekend clothes!) #swoon

1. Boho Chic Student

Leggings
Flats

This first board is for back to school, when I was in high school and college I was obsessed with the 'boho chic' feel. Its good to take advantage of how experimental you can dress while you're a student ! I miss it ! My favorite pieces here are that green maxi (I've seen it in the store too its gorgeous ! I wish I had somewhere to wear it! ) and the floral kimono…seriously IM DYING, I may have to splurge and buy myself that one. LOVE this kimono right now.

2. Working Girl

Working Girl

Button Front Tops
Watches

These may not seem to all flow together but I think each of these pieces are perfect updates to punch up your office wear. My absolute favorite is that pink coat #powerpink, that coat is going to transition into the winter so well, plus you can do it casual like the model or dress it up for a night out -- It's making me jealous that the weather is too warm for coats over here. That geometric white + black blouse would be so perfect and modern with a black pencil skirt and a top knot. The cowl neck sweater is a classic and tan is SO SEXY in such a subtle way !  Blue is going to be big this fall and I love the relaxed fit, flutter sleeves and work appropriate cut out detailing on this top. Last but not least that faux leather skirt would look amazing paired with the pale pink top - HELLO MAD MEN #Joan. Plus that watch, hello, if you're in an office go for the power watch-- when people ask you for the time they'll be like whoa hello did I just ask Hillary Rodham Clinton for the time !? #iphonesarentwatches

3. Weekender/Workin' for the Weekend

Weekender

Forever 21 <span>Day Dresses</span>
Forever 21 <span>Boots</span>

I LOVE WEEKENDS. So relaxed, plus you get to wear whatever you want ! No rules ! So first things first, for a fun friday night out I am in LOVE with that strapless V-cut jumpsuit. That is a show stopper, pair that with a necklace (maybe that gold one from the working girl board) Va Va Voom. The rest of this look is very relaxed, I am more a day time girl than a night time girl. I can't wait to hop on the overalls trend -- a great way to keep rocking those summer crop tops while staying seasonally appropriate. I can't get enough of the F21 Barbie collection they just put out, so over the top and whimsical. That black and white barbie sweatshirt would be perfect for a relaxed brunch with the girls, or if you're feeling extra girly that blue and white floral dress, not pictured are the really cute cut outs in the back -- but not too much cut out theres room for a bra which is fantastic ! Lastly that relaxed trench, if you only get one thing from this to update your wardrobe GET THE TRENCH, so versatile and classic I laaahhhhhv it ! Oh and I lied that wasn't last, how cute is the bold red lip with the boyish plaid button up ? I can't wait to try that look.

Well that was fun. Have a great weekend and happy shopping ladies !

xoxo