The Monthly Edit // Apr. '20

"Quiet the mind and the soul will speak."

- Buddha

I took a drive on Wednesday morning through the wineries. I woke up to a glorious blue sky with painted clouds, took one look at my car keys sitting on the kitchen counter, grabbed a very excited Nettie, and made a beeline for the door. I needed to clear my head, and what better way to to do that than by driving through the valley with all the windows down on a sunny day.

The warm air smelled of jasmine and orange blossoms. After the rain we had at the beginning of the month, the barren vineyards had transformed into a sea of lush emerald green. I turned the radio up, laughed at Nettie's lips flapping in the wind as she stuck her head out the window, and let out a huge breath that I had been holding for what felt like weeks. The beginning of April dragged on, but the ending was exactly what I needed. 

Fazeli & Robert Renzoni Winery

We watched one of our favorite shows on televison, Ozark. We only allowed ourselves two episodes per night, but the season went so quickly and was so gripping that we felt kind of depressed once it was over. If you haven't watched the series, you must! Just make sure you start at season 1. Other notable shows included "How to Fix a Drug Scandal" which I highly recommend, and The Housewives of New York City and Beverly Hills. I like watching The Housewives back to back with a glass of wine in hand. Say what you will about reality shows, but they offer a fun break from actual reality.

A few of my favorite people have May birthdays, so I searched Etsy for personalized meaningful gifts. I can't be with them physically this year, but that doesn't mean I can't still wish them a happy birthday! Plus, I'm all about supporting small shops and businesses now.


A family member who is licensed in the practice of mindfulness started a Zoom workshop, and I'm learning so much already. The class is once a week for two hours, and along with therapy sessions, it is really teaching me how to be present in my own life. We as humans have over 60,000 thoughts per day, and much of those days are lived on autopilot. No wonder we are anxious, distracted, and overwhelmed.

It's been pretty warm the last couple weeks (dare I say hot) so I ditched my joggers and long sleeve shirts for shorts, camisoles, and kimonos. I really only dressed up a bit for Zoom calls and virtual happy hours, but it was a nice excuse!

Nate and I spent last weekend cleaning up our backyard. It was overgrown with weeds. We have rented this house for a few years, and although there are many things we aren't allowed to change about it, we do what we can to keep things nice and make it feel like home. We really want to buy our own home, but with everything going on now, we will have to wait longer than we expected.

Happy May! I hope everyone is going to have a great month. Summer is near...

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California Love

I've recently come across some absolutely beautiful sentiments from writers who are aching for their communities, cities, and states during the coronavirus pandemic. Krystal from This Time Tomorrow dedicated a post to New York City, and as tears welled up in my eyes from her poignant words, I knew that I wanted to do the same for the state I call home. Having been born in Los Angeles, and my dad's side of the family having deep roots in the San Fernando valley, I know that I've taken this place for granted. It's easy to do. You become spoiled. You get caught up in your everyday life and you forget how good you have it. The palm trees, the ocean, the sunsets - they all become routine and fade away into the background.

My mom and I moved to a small town called Temecula in 1988. L.A. with all of its hustle, bustle, and traffic had become too much for her, and she wanted to raise me in the simplicity of a quiet neighborhood. My dad stayed behind working in Reseda, but he drove down every weekend to see us. I remember that drive. Back then, it only took an hour and a half to make your way down the valley through parts of Orange County, and then you'd start seeing more greenery, less cars and people. Finally, there was Temecula cascading into sight. 108 miles separated us, but it felt like worlds apart.

I didn't leave much when I was growing up. I went back and forth between L.A. and Temecula, but it wasn't until my late teens that I really started exploring California and all it has to offer. And it has so much to offer...


The Pacific Ocean: my sanctuary when life feels too blurry or confusing. One deep breath of salty air and it gives me the courage to keep paddling, a not-so-subtle reminder that "sometimes in the waves of change, we find our true direction." Whether it's calm or choppy, low or high tide, it is constantly shifting.

Big Sur, California

Carlsbad, California

The Mountains: a welcome escape, especially during warm California Winters when you crave some snow like the rest of the country. The winding roads lead off into little secert lookouts and hideaways, each one more scenic than the last. Finally when you get to the top, snow and ice covering the pines below, you realize just how far you have come.

Big Bear, California

The Desert: my husband's personal favorite, so much so that he turned his inspiration for it into a business. So many people love getting away and riding their dirt bikes and off-road vehicles along the sandy, rocky hilltops. I mostly like to watch, being the risk-averse person that I am. But they say "the desert is truth, life pared down to the bone."

Ocotillo Wells, California

The Valley: those hidden gems, tucked between hillsides and mountain ranges. I've been up to Paso Robles, a beautiful place with even better wineries. I have yet to go to famous Napa, probably first on my next "must-see" list. But Temecula is where I was raised. It's familiar, it's the comfort of knowing someone or something so well. And now as an adult, I can appreciate its imperfect beauty while sipping on my favorite local wine. 

Temecula, California

Everything In-Between: From San Francisco to Pismo Beach, Santa Barbara to Laguna, I can absolutely vouch for the special qualities that make each area of this large state so unique. I haven't been all the way up north since 2014, but I can't wait to go on another long road trip and explore even more. Each time, there is something new to see or a detail you missed before.

Palm Springs, California

Long Beach, California

San Diego, California

Dear Cali,
From the mountains to the sea, I'm in love with your vast diverse beauty, and the 40 million people who also call you home undoubtedly agree. I've thought about leaving, what it would be like to live somewhere else, but we both know I could never leave you. There's a reason why travelers come from all over the world just to get a glimpse of you. Some never leave, holding on to a hope that you will help make their wildest dreams come true. You are one of a kind, California. And you have my whole heart.
Sincerely,
A California girl

I cannot wait to get back to the places I know and love most, in a state that has shaped me into who I am.

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Carlsbad Flower Fields

Nate and I have been trying in vain to see the Carlsbad flower fields for literally two years now. I clearly didn't do my homework, because the flowers are only in bloom from March through May, and we always attempted to go during the Summertime. You'd think I would just google it, but nope. I just figured eventually it would happen, and finally this weekend, it did. This post is picture heavy because it's hard to narrow down which picture is prettier than the next! Most of these aren't touched up at all because mother nature doesn't require filters. I hope you enjoy!

Elizabeth Stone Jewelry

Express dress

Kendra Scott bracelet

Sole Society heels, similar

Gorgeous right? I really can't describe it in any other manner. I'm basic that way. I will say that it was too crowded for my liking, so if you can go during the week, I'm sure you'll enjoy it more. You can't actually go into the fields, which makes sense logically but people couldn't help themselves and they got yelled at for attempting. I wanted to lie in the flowers, but that will never be the case, at least not in the Carlsbad flower fields. I'll try my luck somewhere else.

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California Christmas

Wearing //

Express moto jacket, similar

Zara cami, similar

Loft jeans

Sole Society sandals, similar, love these

Michael Kors bag

Kendra Scott bracelet 

(great for small wrists)

It seems that most parts of the country experienced a Cali Christmas too. With record highs on the east coast, I actually saw on the news that the west coast was colder! That's just plain strange. I found reactions mixed on social media. Some of you loved the warmth, while others had a little trouble getting into the spirit this year without the snow. I'd probably fall into the latter, being that I've only been to the snowy mountains a handful of times. My first encounter was at eighteen! Talk about being sheltered much. I can only dream of one day going on vacation and experiencing the beauty of a white Christmas. I hope everyone made the best of it anyway. Mine was very relaxing. I got the chance to meet and hang out with some amazing bloggers that I consider friends. I'll share more on that later, but check out Caryl's post in the meantime if you haven't already!

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Navy and Camel

Wearing //

Anthropologie dress, on sale!

Rebecca Minkoff tote

Sole Society heels, similar

Fossil watch

Elizabeth Stone Jewelry bar necklace

Beauty //

Toes in Essie Recessionista

I think camel and navy is such a classic color combination. I remember seeing it a lot last year, and this outfit has been in my head ever since. The only problem was, I didn't own much navy so when I saw this dress on sale, I knew I had to have it so I could get my navy fix. I already own the printed version so I wasn't ordering blindly. However, this is a petite size 6, and the other is a regular size 6 so I am glad I can see the difference! The proportions are much better, and the straps don't slip off like the other dress. I try to shop petite as often as I can, but if it's not available, I just go for it. I tell myself I will get alterations but that rarely happens. I'm a lazy petite. 

Speaking of rare, why the heck is it so hot in October? It was 95 degrees at the beach on Saturday. At the beach. In October. What? I'm so confused!

What's your favorite Fall color combination? 

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My Must-Haves for Fall 2015

Let's get the elephant in the room out of the way, shall we? I live in southern California as you all probably know, and while I love it here, I really do wish that we could experience Fall properly like most of you do. I keep joking with all of my friends that Fall is a mythical term here, because it really doesn't exist. I do however like to pretend that I know what I'm talking about. It may not be cooling off anytime soon, but I try to incorporate as much Fall as I can by changing up my accessories and beauty products to reflect the new season.

I've asked my blogger friends from different areas of the country (and Canada) to compile their personal "must-haves" lists for Fall, but I will begin today by sharing mine. I am lumping mine into two categories, style and beauty. My list doesn't change much from year to year, but it's fun to reflect anyway. All of these are classically Fall, with one trendy piece thrown in.


1. A jewel toned bag

2. Light-weight cardigans

3. The cape 

4. Vamp nails

5. Red & wine lips

If you have any questions on specific products shown, feel free to ask! I decided not to describe why I chose these because I think they are fairly obvious and speak for themselves.

The second portion of this post will be up on Monday, and I can't wait to read how my list compares with my blogger friends.

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