Monday, February 25, 2013

2013, You're Spoiling Me

Two months and twenty days...that's how long it's been since my last post-- yikes! So incredibly much has happened in these last two months, it's surreal. I rang in the New Year in Japan with my 96 year old Grandmother, bathed in the natural hot springs of Shimoda with my Mother, made my first international sale, witnessed a mother whale teach her baby how to breach while sipping a cocktail on Lana'i, saw two shooting stars, the moon for the first time through a telescope and went to Hawaii with my boyfriend and came back his finance.

I am one lucky girl.

// Lana'i //
// Oahu //

// Lana'i //

// Oahu //

// Sun Silhouettes //

// Sunrise on Lana'i //

// Sleepy Town of Shimoda //

// Shimoda Shore //

// Tempura Udon //

// Shinto Shrine on New Year's Eve //

// My Beautiful Obachan //












Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Fashion Trends: 12 Pretty Ponytails


 In case you need one, here are five good reasons to rock a ponytail.

1. You awake to what's about to be a really horrible hair day
2. You're late for work...again
3. It's raining/snowing/windy as hell outside
4. You're so over your 'do
5. You want to update your look without paying $400 to get your hair did

Ponytails are so quick and easy yet they always look amazing. Messy, sleek, side-parted, braided or bouffant-boosted, a ponytail will clean up your look in minutes. What's your favorite kind of ponytail?




// Part-Happy Pony via Refinery 29 //








photo credits to: Glamour Magazine UK, All Best Hairstyles.com, The Beauty Department.com and Love Hairstyle and The Perfect Line.com

Monday, December 3, 2012

Christmas Time is Here


December!? When did that happen?!? I took my car in for an oil change this weekend and to both my mechanic's and my horror, the last time I had had my oil changed was...wait for it...January 2012!!! (I hope my Dad doesn't read this) It really seemed like I had it changed 4 months ago-- ok, try 12 months ago. Time. Flies.

Every year since I can remember, I've made a Christmas card that I send out to family and friends. I just updated a few of my favorites and put them up for sale in my Etsy store, i make pretty. Take a look!

I also wanted to share a super simple no-bake recipe for Date-Nut Coconut Squares that I found in Martha Stewart Home Living. I've been making these healthy treats on the weekend and bringing them to work for breakfast. They go so well with a cup of coffee. Recipe below.

Last but not least, check out this Holiday Bake-off Recipe Contest on Made Just Right. The winner gets an all expense paid trip for 2 to Las Vegas which includes, a stay at the Wynn, dinner at Country Club, tickets to see O by Cirque du Soliel and $1000 in cash! What an amazing prize! 





// Simple 'No-Bake' Date-Nut Coconut  Squares //

Makes 12 Squares

Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted raw cashews or almonds
- 1 cup pitted dates
- 1/2 cup dried unsweetened shredded coconut
- pinch of cinnamon

1) Pulse 1/2 cup of nuts of your choice until coarsely chopped.

2) Add 1 cup of pitted dates (the softer the better), 1/4 cup of dried coconut, and a pinch of cinnamon and purée until smooth.

3) Place 1/4 cup more of the dried coconut on a plate. 

4) Take date mixture and form into 1-inch cubes. Dip all sides of the cube in the dried coconut to cover.  (I dip half and leave the other half plain as they are already quite sweet from the dates).

Cubes can be stored up to 1 week at room temperature in an airtight container.




Thursday, November 29, 2012

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Fenton, California


 

 Every time I go home to visit my family, it has become tradition to take a hiking day trip some where new. This past trip home, we decided to go to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. This beautiful park located in the Santa Cruz mountains has over 20 miles of self guided hiking trails that weave guests through centuries-old majestic Redwoods, Douglas Fir, Ponderosa Pine, Oak, Riparian and rare ancient marine deposits called Santa Cruz sandhills.

We took the Fall Creek trail which was about a 5 mile hike along the creek bed. Some of my favorite sightings on this trail were banana slugs and a patch of small springs that have popped up out of the forrest floor-- simply magical.

I took all of these pictures with my iPhone using an olloclip. Did I get carried away with the fisheye lens? Yes. But that's okay because it was my first time using an olloclip and, if I do say so myself, I think the pictures came out great!


 // K and O in awe //


// Olivia & Mr. Banana Slug //


 // Happy Accident in Full Effect //

// she'll be comin' round the mountain //

 // Leaves like Glitter //

// So Enchanting //

 // 2 Creeks converging (or reuniting?) into 1 //



 // i was here //

// shrooms galore //



 // Daredevil Dad //


 // uprooted //


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