final west coast holiday.

Holidays are very nostalgic. At least for me they are. I always seem to make it a point to either discuss or make a personal mental note to myself of what exactly it was I was doing the year before on whatever holiday it is I'm celebrating. Where I was. What I was wearing. How I was feeling. Who I was with. Who I wasn't with. The reflections are often tender, as for me, I've found myself in places quite different from one year to the next.

Last year, for example, I was hiking in the Laguna Canyon with my friend Kendal. We ended up walking a good five miles post hike to get to what I thought was the nearby beach (ha, my sense of distance can be so terrible.) I remember I took a long nap after that, and then just hung out at home by myself for the evening. Sounds sad, but it was actually quite nice. A gentle calm before the storm to come in the months after. At the time, I was getting ready to move out of my beloved college Irvine apartment into a home in Dana Point to be closer to my restaurant job where I had been recently promoted to management. It was a month filled with stress, fear, and excitement. My college era was over, and I was starting a new chapter in my Orange County adventures: The one where I was a full-time working CAREER WOMAN! I had high hopes. And at the time, I thought it was exactly what I wanted for my 24 year old.

Until I realized it wasn't.

It took a few months for that realization to show up, and then a couple more months to act on it. But ultimately it got me here. Back in Ventura. And basically, it's just crazy how much can happen and change in one year.

I have no idea what next year's Fourth of July will look like. (Or all the days leading.)

But this year's was great. My last real holiday on the West Coast and I spent it with my sister and her friends. We drank and we laughed and we ate candy. And we hopped a barbed wired fence to climb a mountain, for what was definitely the best spot to catch the fireworks show. (total rebels, I know.)

I missed my own friends in LA & OC, but hugging Ventura+my family as tightly as I am in these final hours.. well, it only seems right. I'm going to miss this little home town of mine.

And I couldn't be more proud of myself for the brave distances traveled from the last fourth to now.

I hope you all had a nice holiday as well! See you tomorrow at Blog Brunch? Say yes.

stories about san francisco.

Question: On a scale of 1 to 10... how annoying would it be if I swapped out NYC for San Fran as my city move? 

Haha. I'm not serious about it. But, the thought has definitely crossed my mind the past week.

What a week! Here I am sitting on my own bed in Ventura, feeling rather exhausted, and also, pretty speechless. I feel like I just woke up from a dream. There are not enough high fives I can give myself for making this last minute decision to journey up North for the week. I have loved and been to San Francisco many times, but this last time was by far the best. Whether is was because it was a spontaneous decision or because I had a whole collection of spectacular souls waiting to meet me there, it was just what the doctor ordered for this stressed out lady: a breath of fresh air+some whiskey+the world's finest artisan pastries. Holy whoah. I finally had myself some of those fancy macaroons that errbody be postin' up on pinterest and I didn't think it was possible, but they do in fact, taste even better than they look. Absolutely DELISH.

As for the details of this trip, what can I say and where do I begin? It's always the loveliest of times being beside my best friend. Don't you feel the same way about your best pals? I am fortunate to have many close friends in my life. All of which currently live pretty far away. But Bailey is the best-est of them all, despite the fact she lives the furthest away. We've been keepin' it cheeky and real since the seventh grade where we first met in church youth group, a time we often reflect on with laughter and shame. Ever since then we've been the best of friends, even if we sometimes go months without talking. We just do our individual things and no matter where or when we meet up in our lives, we just pick up wherever we last left off. It's never weird and it's always awesome. And pretty much I just love her to pieces. I mean, what's not to dig about this Courtney Love sort of attitude? You tell me.

We totally had some drinks and got silly. And our beautiful friend Eva (who is also a fellow Ventura native livin' in the San Fransss) joined us which was delightful and sweet. 

As if those girls weren't enough to put a smile on my face, there was also Alexandra and Rebekka who greeted me with warm hugs and hand shakes. I've been reading these girls blogs for awhile now and singing their praises on the double. So naturally, when the opportunity came to meet them in real life, I jumped allll over it! And I'm so glad I did. Both of those ladies are just as amazing and beautiful in person as I imagined them to be, and I continue to feel so grateful for this blogging community that we all belong to. I have been introduced to so many wonderful people here and I can't wait to meet every single one of you someday! (Please if you are EVER in Ventura/LA/Santa Barbara or NYC/New Jersey area starting in August... let me know! I would be tickled to exchange some high fives over coffee with you!)

Sadly, I was too shy to demand a photo or five when we were chillin' with Alexandra and her crew, and was so disappointed about it after the fact, that when Rebekka and I got together for part duex of our meet up, I said, "LET'S TAKE SOME PICS!!!!" So we dids. And then we hung out at Delores Park, which is probably one of my most favorite spots in all of San Francisco. In fact the photo in the last post is one I took of it several years ago. Gorgeous park sitting on top of the city--always filled with colorful characters laying out or picnicing or making music, and dogs! I love all the different dogs that come running through. Sometimes I feel like that park alone is reason enough to want to move to San Francisco. I mentioned this to Rebekka, and she was kind enough to remind me that NY has some pretty amazing parks too. Having just moved to SF from NYC not even a month ago, she would probably know. So that made me THAT much more excited for the move.

In general, this whole time spent in this magical city made me feel much more relaxed and pumped for New York. It definitely confirmed my suspicions of being a city a girl at heart, and I cannot wait to get lost in it all. It's so backwards to what I'm used to--I mean between California and Brazil, I'm used to the laid back, beachy kind of scene. Suburbia to the max. But on water. And I do love the calm of it all,  I love the small town vibe that comes with it, the t-shirt+sandals look, the In and Out Burger, the many collections of palm trees in a row and shoes filled with sand. This is what I've grown up with. And I know that there is a part of me that will miss it. But. It doesn't even begin to compare to the excitement I feel when I'm carrying my feet along a crowded street, even if there is homeless people yelling and/or following me. The excitement that comes with riding public transportation. Haha, I got so excited every time Bailey said that words, "We'll just take BART." I love getting on those trains, maybe because, in part it reminds me of riding the subway trains in NY, or maybe just because it's fun. You experience so many different kinds of faces sitting in those things, and it's just exciting to be getting from one part of the city to another. Even if you are getting completely lost in the process. I actually had to get on a couple of buses all on my own this week, and it was kind of nerve-racking because I wasn't sure if I was going the right way, or if I was for sure on the right bus even. But then when I did get where I was trying to go, it was like, TRIUMPH. I did it! I got to where I was trying to go! You feel so much pride and accomplishment. Just from taking the right bus somewhere.

And the best part of being in the city? The rich mix of different cultures and the on-going celebration of individuality. I have a hard time putting it into words, but there's a very free-ing feeling that greets you on a crowded city sidewalk. You feel like you can just go outside wearing whatever you like and just be yourself, and people don't just accept that of you, they celebrate it. It's an amazing thing, and an amazing feeling. It's a feeling that in 24 years of living in Southern California, I have struggled to match. Even in LA, where I lived for a good year, I didn't completely feel it the way I have in SF and in NY. It's a different kind of energy filling your lungs, one made up of creativity and unconditional love. And I want more of it. All of it.

After all the adventures with friends, there was one more person who unexpectedly made his mark in this random journey. He's someone who may never again be mentioned, but in my heart of secrets, I pray that that is not the case. I swear I am a champion at small and peculiar affairs. I have had many of them in my short lifetime, each one worth writing a play about. And the struggle to understand and appreciate them goes on and on. I could easily go on and on about how so and what I mean by that, but that's for another time perhaps. For now, I will just say that I was introduced to a very dashing and interesting man via Bailey's boyfriend, Will. Of all things he was Russian, which to me was very interesting since I know basically nothing about Russia. Except that they are responsible for those little babushka dolls that are always still very amusing. Anyway, we hit it off surprisingly well my second night in SF and that led to hanging out the third night, and then spending the fourth night together. Yeah, I was suppose to come home Thursday. Instead, I gave my work shift away and came back Friday. All his fault.

But it was worth it. My favorite kind of people are the kinds I can sit around and philosophize with.... and also make out with. You know what I mean? He lived on the other side of the bay, in a little Italian inspired town called, Sausalito. What was suppose to just be a quick lunch before I hit the road, turned into an entire day spent lounging, walking around his town, exchanging lists of our favorite authors and musicians, films that we both wanted each other to watch. He even took me out to a nice sushi dinner. And I knew he was definitely my kind of guy when the bill came and he asked me if he should tip more than ten dollars on a forty-four dollar bill. God, I love a generous tipper. I would have had sex with him right there.

Don't worry. I didn't. Not there at the restaurant anyway.

And in all of this, I know what you are thinking "uh, so much for your platonic pledge, Jen" and you are right. But sometimes, in the moment of things, something feels right, and damn me if I don't act on those feelings. So I acted on them, and I feel no shame. Maybe a little confusion now, as I try to understand fate and all of its mysterious ways of working. Six days ago, I had no business with any kind of romance, and now there is a Russian in the world who is being missed. I don't know what to make up of what occurred. All I can say is that it was something very nice and special that happened, and I didn't take a moment of it for granted as it was happening.

I think the overall lesson learned this week is just that: To live in the moment and take every ounce of it in. Even if the future has you going somewhere far away. You can't depend or even consider the future all the time in everything you do. Because really, all you have is right now. Five days ago, all I had was a couple hundred dollars and a longing desire to get away for a few days. I was reluctant because it didn't seem like the wisest or the most practical of decisions, but I said, "fuck it" and I went for it anyway.

And in a nutshell, that's how I came to experience my best time in San Francisco to date.

How has your week been? Have you guys ever been to San Francisco? Ever had a short term romantic affair? 

P.S. I'm a thousand years behind on e-mails! I'm working this whole weekend, but will be back in reply action this week! love you alls.

today i'm celebrating my favorite bloggers.

Ah, so I've got a fat list of things I've been meaning to write about, but since I'm a procrastinator through and through in EVERYTHING I DO, I'm putting off the list to participate in a link up today. And not just any ordinary link up... a pretty neat one, maybe you can join too... It looks like this one is open for a week. So how about it, eh?

After blogging for only a very short six months, I am smitten and amazed by the the people I have connected with. It's unreal... no pun intended (wink winksss). SERIOUSLY CRAY that after such a short amount of time, I wake up every morning feeling like I have a brand new circle of best friends, all of whom I've never met IRL. Best friends who are funny, clever, supportive, creative, inspirational, and as Alexandra Rosas might put it... just "fun-lovin'".

This post is an homage to them. To the human beings who keep me glued to my computer when I should probably be outside ice-blocking at the park. Then again, who needs Vitamin D when you've got friendships as golden as these....

I mean really.

My ultimate dream: that we'll ALL one day have a GIANT PICNIC.

With our laptops.

Just kidding.

No laptops. Just us and all our greatness. (+some vino & cheese)

But then later on our lap tops.

So we can blog about it all. #duh #youknow

This post is for a great few of my favorite bloggy friends.

Side note: There are so (SO) many bloggers in which I wanted to include in here. Seriously. I struggled to keep it at any sort of minimum, and still, I know that I fall short of mentioning so many. These are just the ladies (and one husband) who I have followed and kept up with on a daily basis since I first started this whole thing. Please, if I left you out... I'm sorry! I love you, and no doubt there will be a time and place SOMEWHERE where it is publicly expressed. This I promise!!

Let's get it started shall we....

(the link up asks)

Do you have any real life blog friends?

Ok before I even answer this one, I just have to say that when I first read this question (at 3 a.m.), I read it as "Do you have any real life friends?" to which I immediately thought, "I'm not sure about this link up... first question and they are already implying that I'm a loser with no friends? Hmm.. maybe they're just being cute and funny with this one? Or ballsy? Or honest? I mean..I have real life friends, sure. It just doesn't appear that way as of lately. I mean sisters count, right? All my real life friends live far away. I don't know about this question.. I don't think I like it. Wait a minute. Ohhh... it says do you have any real life BLOG friends. AHAHAH ! OK!!!"

food fashion and fun finds

The answer is yes. I have one BLOG friend in real life. Her name is Alisia and she is a darling. We worked together for a short time in Orange County at the fabulously fresh Seasons 52. Have you guys ever heard of that place? Pretty awesome. Sometimes miss it. Always miss the wonderful people I worked with, which included this young lady, who I'm so happy to have kept in touch with after we both split ways with said establishment. She just recently got married and moved to downtown LA, where I hope to meet her for some sushi again before I leave for the big apple. Word up, Alisia!

And by the way , I have 298374837 real life friends (in case you're wondering. and by 2983749837 I mean 581 friends on Facebook.) 

Which blogger are you just dying to meet?

becoming what i always was

Well, this one is a no brainer. Although, I would like to meet basically every single person in this post along with all my loyal and supportive readers (YOU), there is one gal in particular that I'm dreaming of someday having sleep overs and tea parties with. And that would be: Miki! But nevermind the sleep overs and the tea parties. More like bank heists and jail time. Homegirl said something about us being twins that were separated at birth in hell... I know, it sounds whack (I, for one, have no idea what the hell she's talking about)....but I think she's on to something! The pair of us would definitely get into a lot of trouble while snacking on mass amounts of candy and making every single person laugh along the way.

No, but really. This girl is really funny. And smart. And an old soul. And she has freckles and bangs. So duh I love her! Pretty crazy to think that six months ago I stumbled upon her blog via Twitter. And now we're getting married. It's official. She DMed me her phone numba last night. If you know her, you're probably thinking, "but Punky, she's already married." And you're right. She is. But I'm pretty sure she also lives in the state of Utah. Which probably means she's mormon. Even if she says she's not. And well, you know how the mormons do. (Ok. So technically she would have to be a dude, and her husband Jared would have to be a chick for that point to be valid. So that I would become wife numero dos. I know. I'm confusing. And not funny. Whatever.)

Which blogger's closet do you want to raid?

These three. Definitely. Not only do these ladies have stylezzz that are note-worthy, but they are just absolutely beautiful. Each of them have this sort of glow (yes on the internet.. and IRL, I'm certain) that I absolutely admire. To me, these women define what it means to be beautiful. Cause to me, beauty is CONFIDENCE, CREATIVITY, and KINDNESS.

I love you Alex, Rebekka, and Gentri! I pray for the day when I may have the opportunity to meet you.

And steal, I mean, borrow all your clothes.

she signed in red lipstick

she is red

gentri lee

You are stuck on an island, which blogger would you want to help you survive?

Oh, these two. For sure.

meg in progress

the alison show

Meg's love for food would ensure that we don't starve to death, and Alison's DIY attitude would promise survival in the craftiest of ways. Also, they are both hilarious women and would help the time fly pretty quickly before Jack and Sawyer's plane came a-crashin'. 

And just so you're aware exactly how COOL these ladies are, you should watch this. Alison is pretty much my vlogging hero. And now she's about to become yours too.

The first blogger you remember meeting and connecting with?

lemons avocados and the bay

Six months ago I sent Tammy a request to be my friend. And not on Facebook. It was via e-mail. I found her+her blog through Twitter and just really connected to her easy-going personality and her Southern Californian lifestyle... I'm a socal baby myself so the connection there was easy. And I really wanted to be her friend!! So like a little kid on the playground I asked, "Can I be your friend?" She said yes :) & the rest is history. Since then, Tammy has not only been a sweet pal, but a wise mentor. She definitely has this blogging business down and has been a complete God send in any and all advice I've needed. Tammy, I love you. You're the bestest. Let's go see Book of Mormom and bring a box (or five) of fruit by the foot in with us. 

Any blogger that you admire and look up to?

Oh gosh. So very many. And as time goes on, this list continues to get more colorful and intense. For right now though, I think I will go with the ones I first started reading that inspired me to start my own blog.

nat the fat rat

First up: Nat. Surely you've heard of this brilliant being before. I can't say I've had much social media exchange with her, as she's what I like to call "a big kid" in this blogging world, but sometimes I feel like I know her the best out of everyone I follow. There's just something very magical about the way she lets her readers into her world while simultaneously allowing each and every one of us to feel valued and appreciated for being a part of it all. I wanna know how to do that. Not to mention the fact that she's so darn pretty and so is her writing. I really freaking hope for the day that I may run into her in NY. I might just beg her and Huck to let me tag along on their cookie quest or swing swingin' adventures. Natalie, if you should by the grace of goodness read this, I would like to plan an accidental run-in with you. That's all I want for Christmas really, thanks.

a blog about love

Then there's Danny & Mara. Oh, wow. These two. So ok. This is what happened. Before I even started my blog and before I even read any, I was trying to figure out what a blog even was. And once I got that part sort of figured out (barely), I started browsing the net for specific blogs to give me a better idea. At some point, I typed into my google search: a blog about love. And what do you know? Danny and Mara's blog titled, A Blog About Love popped up and then filled my screen. I read one post and then started from the very beginning and read EVERY SINGLE post that followed after it. These two have quite the story to tell, and boy do they tell it. With such beauty and such abandonment. My experiences do not compare, and I am probably nowhere near as wise as they are, but.. I do believe that my purpose in this blogging world is very similar to theirs, in that, I want to share the love. I want to encourage and inspire and offer up everything I've learned in my life so far. I want to make a difference in other's lives, however big or small that difference may be. Thank you Danny and Mara for inspiring me. For restoring my faith that true love does exist: that it doesn't always mean fireworks and a never-ending honeymoon: that it starts with self-love and prospers with RESPECT and finding someone who holds the same values as you. And that the practice of hard work and patience and compassion is necessary and indefinite in all the we do. Thank you for touching my heart in ways that obviously... I'll never be able to stop talking about!

donuts dresses and dirt

This lady, Sheri. Who has shown me the kind of support that has really made me feel special and loved and gifted in so many ways. Believing in yourself is important and it's really all you've got at the end of the day, but man it helps a lot to have a cheerleader or two every now and then. Well, Sheri is mine :) And that's without the fact, that I love her swagger-filled blog and also feel like she is the kind of woman, who I could hang out with, even if she's a little bit older than me... not by much tho :) 

As a blogger she inspires me because she really does give back and show love to everyone she encounters. I mean truly. You guys should all follow her on Twitter. You'll be amazed by HOW MUCH goodness she shares, and also you'll be amazed by the THE GOODNESS SHE SHARES. 

Sheri, you inspire me to keep at doing what I love. And to keep recognizing and sharing the work of others CONSTANTLY as I move along. Thank you for all of this. 

good day regular people

And then we have Alexandra. 

Who I stumbled upon about five months ago while I was doing some research about the great big Blogher conference. I happened upon a collection of THE VOICE OF THE YEAR videos... which is an incredible event that takes place at said conference, and in those videos, was Alexandra's piece. I shared it already on my blog before, but since I only had about five readers at that point in time, I must share the goodness with you again here today. I've watched this at least ten times. There are no words for how wonderful I think this woman is. And how blessed I am to call her a reader! She reads and she writes to me and she promises hugs this summer at Blogher 2012. And I'm just a happy girl for all of these facts. 

Who is the craziest or funniest blogger?

In no particular order:

greetings from texas

mish lovin' life

hope squared

There is a reality TV show for bloggers, who do you want to be cast with?

These two hooligans. We would have our own show called YES, WE THINK WE CAN DANCE or BAND OF BLOGGERS... where we basically make our own gangster music and then dance to it. 

It could work. I mean just check out these stills. These moves are SICK. (Tho not as good as Alison's if you watched the video above... Alison, will you be in our dance crew please?)

www dot COOL dot net

artsocial

nobody puts sarah in the corner

Favorite blog design?

secondhand sundays

Again. There are so many. How do you choose? Or how do you not choose and include all of them... when you make choices like I do to incorporate photos of each blogger with their names labeled? So much fun, but I have to go to work. So I'm going to only share 1 blogger who I actually just met via Twitter recently. I really like her.. and I hope she likes me too. But what I really reallllly like, is her blog design. It's pretty bangin'. Good job, Bekuh/can't wait to "hang" wit you some more. 

There's also Bethany who basically fits into all these categories. You can read all about her here. (Love you Bethany... thinking of you and wishing you well in Kuwait always! #glamgang )

And that's it! Like I said. So many other amazing friends I'm made in all of this (especially in the last couple months... you know who you are!), not a single one that deserves to be missed or not mentioned, please know this and that I love you all!!!!!! And I hope you'll join this link up as I think it's a really good one :)

I don't even know or follow the hosts of it... isn't that terrible?? Or maybe great. Because now I shall know them! Thank you Britt and Jessica!

Bethany MOVES to KUWAIT!

Hey so, you wanna know one of the reasons why I absolutely adore blogging? Because I stalk blogs and then successfully convince its authors to follow me back on Twitter. Echoed by joining cliques I randomly produce.

Meet Bethany. Victim (slash winner) to all of thee above. No lies: I stalked her blog for several months. Then called her out on not following me back on Twitter. (She then followed me back/cheers.) Only before she happily obliged, along with Alexandra of She is Red (another MUST READ.) to join what I have now dubbed the Glam Gang (double cheers). Which by the way, anyone and everyone is welcome to join.. all you have to do is be silly and loving. And hashtag glamgang everywhere you go. Easy.

Anyway. If you don't follow Bethany already, you should. Not only is she beautiful, smart and charming, but she's about to embark on a pretty impressive and unique new chapter in her life, which I am very honored to preview here today. And also follow in the time to come!

So grab yourself a capri sun (or margarita, whatever) and get pumped for the following Q&A!!! It's a goodie!

♥           ♥           ♥           ♥ 

  1. Tell us the name of your blog and what it's all about.

Rinse Repeat is where I share my life via photos and thoughts, however messy they might be. Lately, life is pretty messy since I'm about to move across the world! Usually my blog focuses on travel and capturing the quieter part of myself that's tough to share in person. It's where I've turned to write about depression, heartache and anxieties...but also crafts, recipes and lots of parties.

I try to keep it as light as possible, and when that fails I throw in some glitter! 'Cause glitter solves any problem, right?

2. More importantly, what are you all about? What do you do for fun aside from blog?

Well, I'm frequently on the Twitta' and Instagram, which reveals this: I'm all about little moments. For most of my life, I've lived in a small Wisconsin town and my life matched it. Growing up, life happened at a fairly slow pace and there was plenty of time to make little flower arrangements or giggle with girlfriends over magazines. I always imagined I'd mature out of this slow-paced life to become a powerful CEO. Ha! That' didn't happen. Aside from now getting my passport stamped on a regular basis, I remain the same dorky Midwestern girl. I love spending my days fidgeting with home decor, shopping, reading biographies and catching up on the latest episode of Downtown Abbey.

Truth: I am ultra normal, dare I say...boring, at times, girl who eats a little too much. My well-worn yoga pants prove it.

3. Word on the net is that you're moving to Kuwait....what's that all about? Are you excited? Scared? Is it your first time living outside of the U.S.?

The rumors are true! Soon I shall be mingling with the Kuwaitis! My husband specializes in IT on various military bases...his latest job has taken him to Kuwait for a year. I'll be really honest: Kuwait wasn't my first choice. And I may have cried a bit. I visited for two weeks earlier this year, so I know what I'm getting into! But for many, many reasons I'm so jazzed to be there. Living inside a culture other than my own will be eye-opening, I'm sure, and I hope it will deepen and challenge me.

But socially and creatively, it's a little shocking! Although I won't be want for Pizza Hut or IKEA--Kuwait's retail options are highly westernized--their customs are quite conservative. Examples from what I've been advised: no baring of knees, cleavage or shoulders and little to no photos in public. Oh, and try not to look men directly in the eyes, as they're likely to think you're flirting with them.

In other words, take what you do in the US...and do the EXACT opposite. ;) All that said, seeing my husband on a daily basis is going to be inexplicably fantastic.

4. If you could split a scone with any female actress, dead or alive, who would it be?

Hands down, Tina Fey...but as Liz Lemon from 30 Rock. In that case, we'd probably ditch the scones, change into sweatpants and head over to Cinnabon, where our platonic relationship would really soar to new heights. Liz Lemon is one of those characters with whom I simply relate: a lifetime of sketchy boyfriends, the mediocre job and recurring social awkwardness. I love it, I love it all.

5. If you could ride on a ferris wheel with any hunk, dead or alive, who would it be?

Can we all swear this is a judge-free zone? I'm on a ferris wheel and to my left is...Anderson Cooper. The hunky silver fox, whose daytime talk show I rarely miss. Nevermind that he's rumored to have a boyfriend. In my ferris wheel dreams he's wearing his typical Anderson button-up shirt, sexy black glasses...and he is really in to me. No, it's not your typical crush. But, I feel this can be explained by stating that my husband is ten years older than me and therefore I've totally stopped digging 20-something guys. Oh, the scandal! And by scandal I mean...my grandmother publically discussing my need to start "trying" for children now, lest my husband be 80 when our children graduate. Thanks, Gram.

Anyway...ahem. Anderson Cooper.

6. What are some other places in the world you'd love to travel to?

Oh, lord. Everywhere. Aside from wanting to revisit Ireland and France, I'm dying to hit Italy, England or Switzerland. But beachy locales like Bali, Greece and Sri Lanka are also on my list (after a few months of working out). I'd do almost anything for a passport stamp. Almost. Annnnnything.

7. Tell us a few of your favorite blogs. You know, the ones you click onto almost every day.

I wish I had a reader's MO to explain what I like: events, decor, personal, shopping...I'm a grab bag. For me it's a balance of pretty pictures, good stories and a pinch of personality! Here are a few of my faves!

Creature Comforts, Making it Lovely, Katie's Pencil Box, Lovely Little Details

8. Any guilty pleasures? Help us all feel less alone... share 'em!

Cake. Cake all day long. And here's where it gets dirty: it's not fancy cake...no wild flavors or special frosting. We're talking $2 slabs of chocolate cake from any old grocery store...and I've perfected the art of eat the entire thing in one sitting.

Beyond that, any reality love + dating show will catch my eye. We're talking The Bachelor, Millionaire Matchmaker, Love in the Wild, old reruns of Temptation Island. I'm fully aware that I'm too intelligent and well-behaved to watch this filth. But, I just cannot stop. If there's love and people behaving badly...I'm hooked.

9. Bob or Jillian?

Bob, please! I'm such a soft, emotional person, and not necessarily the most motivated. Jillian would break me into four thousand tiny pieces, and leave me crying on the floor. Bob has a sweetness to him which could likely lead to a few extra trips to Subway if I were well-behaved.

♥           ♥           ♥           ♥ 

Hey now, see what I mean... is this girl cool or what.

I really hope you guys will take the time to hop on over to B's blog and drop her some love as she leaves for Kuwait TODAY!

Oh and one last thing... a farewell vlog for my friend :)

Vlogging.....definitely not my style, but every several days after a solar eclipse I'm happy to showcase some awkwardness for a blogging friend who is moving continents away. So, Bethany, this is for you!

And thank gooodness that our third GG mate, Alexandra, joined me in making a fooool of myself ! Haha. Thank you, A DIDDY !! :)



Bethany, we looooove you!
#glamgang.
Post Edit: You guys. You MUST click on the link above and watch Alexandra's vlog. Homegirl did anything but make a fool of herself. She made me cry. It was that beautiful and heart felt. And dang it, now I'm just embarrassed of my silly little vee log above! Haha, YIKES.
All ok though. More than anything, I just sit here completely touched. This blogging world is so good. I am a million kinds of grateful for the friends I've made. Bethany. Alexandra. Everyone. All of you. You all make my heart smile. Day after day. Thank you.

Friday's Letters.

Dear Readers: A couple of things.

1. I love you

2. Thanks for your patience as I'm re-working a new blog design. I decided the last look was a bit too middle school-ish looking. Ha. It was time for a makeover. What do you guys think? 

3. I'm excited to share with you that I am looking into branding Punky and the City! I know I've only been here for like five minutes, literally. Like five minutes.... but I really am trying to sell myself as a writer and this blog has already opened so many doors for me in such a short amount of time. It's nuts. Needless to say, it's going to be a bit harsh on the pockets, and it will definitely mean another redesign in the near future.. but it will be the real deal and well worth it. I'll be surrendering my amateur designing ways and having a real web/ graphic designer come in and take over. I can't wait for it! Super excited for where this little baby blog will take me in my writing career. As always, I have to say thank you to you, my readers! You are few, but your feedback is intelligent and wise and more intuitive than I could ever have hoped. Thanks for clicking onto my blog. For commenting. For writing to me. For sharing my writing with others. For being a friend. For pushing me and inspiring me to keep writing. And lastly, for humbling me as a human being! Cause honestly, you all blow me away with your own blogs, your own stories, and your own words. It is such a RAD blessing to be sitting next to you all in this little land of BLOG. 

4. Lastly, film club is on hold. Sorry dudes, but not only is my mac's dvd player not working at the moment, but I'm getting real close to the big move and I've got all kinds of craziness going on as I prepare for it. I will hope to re-ignite our AFI extravaganza after I'm in the city!!

Dear LA: You always show me a good time, don't you. Last night I met up with a handful of darling ladies at the awesome Harvard and Stone. Gosh, I love that bar. Hot bartenders, live music, rustic decor, and a fire place! My kind of atmosphere. From the left is Alisia, Chloe, and me--- my friends are sassy!

Here's me and one of the best gals I know, Ms. Sarah Jaye. This lady makes me smile through and through. She's the first friend I made when I moved to LA at 19 and knew virtually no one except my sister. We've remained friends ever since and she's literally seen me progress from one chapter in my life to the next. And the next. And now the next again. So thankful to have her in my life! Sarah, if you're reading this: you is the bomb, mama. Love you!

Dear NYC: See you in two months. TWO MONTHS! I can't even believe how close you are. I am shaking. Half fear/half complete utter joy and excitement.

Dear Self: Maybe don't ever mention that you are feeling "a little hung over" anywhere near the boss again. That doesn't amuse him. 

Dear Jack in the Box: We had a a little dance last night, huh. Haha. My sister came bursting into my room this morning as she normally does, and asked, "How was last night?! Did you have fun??" Then she looked over at my desk and said, "Oh you got Jack and the box.....ahaha, it was one of those nights, huh." Yup. Keepin' it real since '87. That's just what I do.

Dear Danny: We met last night at the bar. I was groovin' to the band and then you started talking to me. You said, "They kind of sound like the Smashing Pumpkins, right?" And then I said, "Is there more than one band called the Smashing Pumpkins?" (Because the Smashing Pumpkins I know, sounded nothing like the band that was playing at the bar last night.) You looked at me confused, and I decided to cut you a break and said, "Yeah! A little bit!" We exchanged some more words, including the fact that I'm an aspiring playwright and that you write films, to which I said to you, "No way!" in a dead serious manner. But maybe you do write movies, what do I know? Why am I being such a jack ass? Then you said to me, "You look really cute tonight, by the way." And I said, "thanks!" even though inevitably I was thinking in my head, What other night do you have to compare with? We just met tonight, hombre. And also, I'm concerned for the dialogue in your film scripts. Is this how your guy gets the girl? Yikes. But I was as sweet and cordial to you as this girl could be, even though I did say BRB and then snuck out of the bar without ever saying goodbye to ya..... whoops. Sorry bout that. I just don't do well with those moments when guys in bars who don't charm me start asking me questions that involve numbers and itineraries for the remainder of the evening, which I could feel approaching as our conversation politely advanced. Could I have been wrong? Yes. Did I want to take any chances? No. 

I'm a tough crowd. Especially when it comes to men in bars. What can I say?

Dear Bed: You sound good. How about it!

Night night my friends.

Sushi Dinners & Self-Primping.

A couple a days ago I decided to go nuts and spend $60-something dollars on a pedicure and gel manicure. This is a ritual that usually only takes place before vacations to Hawaii or Brazil or every two weeks back in the day when I was 19 years old serving cocktails and making more money than your mom with the nursing degree. Hey, what happened to those days, by the way? Wasn't my college degree suppose to at least match my income as that once upon a time ago martini girl straight outta high school? Oh yeah, that's right. I studied Theater. CRAP. Well, I went nuts anyhow and got all primped up, simply because I FELT LIKE IT. Somedays, the gym isn't enough of a pick me up, ok. I want to look down at my feet and smile because I see bright and pretty colors on my toes shouting "Hello!" So whatever, I threw some dollars around and had my feet scrubbed. And my arms massaged. And my nails treated. Why not?

Then, because I was feeling so loving towards myself, I thought....how about some Sushi for dinner? Actually, it went like this: I drove to LA and met my homegirl Alisia downtown and she said,  "Sushi?" and I said, "Uh, yeahhh." It was a very Lo/LC sort of moment (in my head). We went to this cute little joint and had hot sake and miso soup, and no edamame because it never made it to the table, but we forgave it, because all in all it was a very lovely time. Alisia and I had not hung out in quite awhile and it was nice to catch up. Not only is she a sweet, awesome, super fashionable gal, but she's a blogger too! How about that. It was so nice to have someone to talk to in person about this new obsession of mine without them looking at me like I need help and/or a life. I have a life, non-bloggers of the world. We all do. We blog to make documentation of it. HellooOo. And also to show off cool photos we take. And to participate in give aways. And to have a legit reason to have Twitter beyond the purposes of stalking celebrities. Well, I speak for myself on that last one, anyway.

Anywho, there was much talk of blogging. Certainly from me, in particular. I went on a roll, talking a mile a second about all the incredible stuff I've learned since I started this thing. Clearly, I need to hang out with other bloggers-badly, because all this excitement in me is becoming so repressed, with no safe environment free of judgement to be released. The second I felt the invitation to talk about it, I kind of exploded. Haha, sorry Alisia!

By the way. Here is the lovely lady herself. I hope you guys will all go check out her blog. She's pretty new to this whole thing much like me. Support for us rookies is much appreciated!!!

You can find her at Food, Fashion and Fun Finds. She's also on Twitter @alisia_e ! She's super nice and you'll love her as much as I do, no doubt.

In other news, tomorrow morning I will be purchasing my one-way plane ticket to New York. July 26th is the official day. Let the countdown begin.

Afternoon Buzzin' w/ Some Lady Friends.

For the recs, that basil-something cocktail was my first touch of hard liquor this whole year. Not like that's a sticker-worthy statement or anything, but I'm just sayin'. Drinking just doesn't fulfill me the same way gelato does. Or dollars in my wallet. Or easy times on the treadmill. Or mornings that are pleasant. 

Needless to say, I did order myself a drink today. I'm not about to say no to a $5 cocktail. Sister, please. If I show up to a fancy restaurant, prepared to maybe spend $12 on a single drink, and the server/angel then notifies me that that $12 drink is actually only $5 because by the grace of God I have arrived during Happy Hour, um.... that's the Good Lord telling me to have a drink. And enjoy it. Well, done and done. 

And boy was I buzzzzin' off that one. I guess extended sobriety/being a super light weight in general will do that to you. BUT HEY. This is all besides the point. 

The point here is that I just had an absolutely charming and wonderful lunch with two of my most favorite college pals. The three of us hadn't seen each other in awhile, so it was really nice to get together and catch up. Heck, it was nice for me to get out of my little bat cave of a bedroom. My life has become quite the neapolitan of work/blog-related things/and hanging out in my pjs all day as of lately. All great, no complaints. But like Gretchin Rubin points out, "no matter what the people are doing, they tend to feel happier when they're with other people." Heard that.  So I called up some homies (via the Facebook) and said "Lunch, ya?" (Spoiler alert: They said YA!!!!!)

Meet Claire and Anais. These two pretty faces are very special people to me. As a transfer student coming into UCI, I struggled to break down the towering fortresses of a very tight-knit drama department. As a whole, college was not (I repeat, not.) the most joyous of times. Just let my tumblr tell you. I struggled to fit in, struggled to feel connected to my peers, struggled to feel worthy, capable, certain of anything. Looking back, a poor attitude and a strong lack of self-love/belief had much to do with that "struggle", but that's not to say that people were warm and welcoming towards me when I arrived. They weren't. Not even a year or two years later. It was a very cold place for me, and I hated being unique to that feeling, while everyone else was laughing, holding hands and having a swell time. It made me feel like something was wrong with me. Like I really was that "weird girl", but maybe not in a good way after all. When in fact, I am that weird girl, but I do believe in a good way, and nothing was wrong with me, I just wasn't in the same space or the same frame of mind as all those kids were. I wasn't as passionate as they were about acting, I wasn't as competitive as they were about getting casted. I wasn't as social as they were constantly. I wasn't as interested in discussing Glee and Spring Awakening and auditions and projects and shows everyday, all day. Suddenly memorizing lines for a scene felt like going to the dentist to get a cavity filled. I just wanted to put it off and reschedule and not have to "deal" with it. I wasn't a true "drama kid" anymore (which in itself was a very scary and doleful revelation). What was once a favorite past-time of mine; playing dress up and putting on shows with the kids in my mom's home daycare, what was once a full-time hobbie of mine; participating in community theater and being a drama nerd in high school/junior college, was now just that- a past-time. My interests had changed. And my proposed post-college agenda was much different than all my fellow college mates. It was an agenda that no longer included pursuing acting at all. It goes without saying, I found myself surrounded by people who I just didn't share that much in common with. It wasn't until my final quarters at UCI (conveniently) that I started to really grasp this and was able to accept the fact that not only a. I probably/definitely picked the wrong major (though I can argue against that now in ways) and b. I really wasn't genuinely going to fit in with my classmates... ever. And I did try, believe me (and not in just a Courtney Robertson sort of way, ha), there were times in which I reached out, in which I conversed, in which I engaged. But that awkward disconnect always seemed to be there. And I always felt like a cartful of lame for even trying when the interest and the effort wasn't genuinely reciprocated. 

****Almost always. Luckily, there were a few kindred spirits who came out of the wood work. And Praise God for it. Just because two people don't share a majority of the same interests doesn't mean there isn't an opportunity to connect with each other in some other way. But it takes two to tango in such a movement, and I can only say thank you and thank you and thank you some more to these two ladies for digging and taking an interest beyond my acting resume and my all-time fav musical. (Which is CATS by the way. Just kidding. West Side Story.) (Not sure if that answer is much better, but I like to think it is a little bit. Seriously, who can stand CATS? Or better yet, Phantom of the Opera. Seriously city vacationers, you're going to spend your broadway experience seeing Phantom??? I pity you.) (I take it back. No, not the pitying. The saying West Side Story isn't a legit fav. Sure, it's been done over and over again, but I'm talking the original film here, with Natalie Wood, in all her brilliance. If you don't know what I'm talking about, shame. on. you. Go watch West Side Story. Now. I mean, after you're done reading, commenting, following me on Twitter, and 'liking' me on Facebook that is. [winky winkssss !]) (Thanks.) (I digress.) (I KNOW.) (And actually, I feel like I just contradicted myself a bit there with all of that theater ranting. The truth is, musical theater will always have a special place in my heart, and I do talk about it still and appreciate it, I just no longer eat, breathe, and dream it anymore. That's all.) Ok. Where were we? Oh yeah, I love my friends! And it was truly so magical to see them today.

What I looooove is being at this age, (that yes, at most moments is confusing as fuck), but also the most opportunistic period of our lives. It's so exciting for me to hear my friends talk about the possibilities of au pairing abroad or working on organic farms in foreign countries or investing in creative business ideas, or auditioning for grad acting programs in Australia. I feel so blessed to share that excitement and that inspiration with them. To be a genuine supporter! And in return, feel the love and support as well. 

I guess this is what friends are for, huh. :)

Before, I take this post to a closing, I did want to share something awesome with you. Anais was telling me about the book/project Soul Pancake. Have you guys heard of this?? I gatta go get me a copy of this book like now, because it sounds too awesome. Well, anyway, Anais had the opportunity to participate in one of their projects outside of the book and here it is ! In addition to a great lunch with some great friends, this video really made my made day. (Thanks Anais/which heart guy are you????)

Cheers! To life, love, and friendships. Oh, and Happy Hour.