The Magnificent Display at Dusk

The upside to a 4 and a half hour drive at dusk is watching the sky transition with beauty and grace as the sun sets and the moon rises. The sunlight becomes such a pretty golden color and everything looks mellow and nostalgic. I feel like this is a good metaphor for the time of year we're entering, when 2012 is slowly setting and we can already feel the energy of 2013 upon us. So many big changes 2012 brought (and I'm sure there will be a few more before the year is over) and it feels like now is the time to reflect as things begin to mellow out and we can see the year coming to it's end.

Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?

Tell me, what is it you plan to do

with your one wild and precious life?

(From "The Summer Day" by Mary Oliver)

Are there any last changes you want to make or things you want to finish before 2012 is over? Any resolutions you still need to work on?

A Minute in the Life: Scenes From the Week

Ok, so I cheated a little, these are scenes from the week-- and the week before that ;)

// Avian Espionage //

// Sunset Santa Monica //

  // My boyfriend found this cartoon, yup, that's me alright! 

Right down to the drunken Snow White (below) //

// The year I was a drunken Snow White.

My roomies were pretty amazing-- and still are //

// The Valley //

// A new Birthday Card I made to add to my Etsy Shop //

// From Oscar's on Rose //

// Up on the Helipad 'Where's Endeavour?' style //

// Spotted: Space Shuttle Endeavour flying over North Hollywood //

// Endeavour taking off from LAX, taken by my buddy David da' Chenster //

A Minute in the Life: Anxiously Awaiting Autumn

With temperatures in my apartment reaching 98 degrees this past weekend (curses to whoever didn't install air conditioning)-- I'm done with Summer and ready for Fall and Winter. Cool evenings, rainy weekends, warm, home-cooked meals, fall leaves and autumn skies. Sigh. What about Fall are you most looking forward to?

Lancaster, CA: Ripley Desert Woodland State Park

Known for it's Joshua and Juniper Trees, Arthur B. Ripley Woodland State Park is located about an hour away from Santa Monica in Lancaster. We drove out here to see the Poppy Reserve which is located right down the road, but unfortunately, we did not receive enough rain this past winter and there  are no poppies to be seen. We decided to go to Arthur B. Ripley Woodland State Park which was right down the road. It's tough to find the entrance, so it's best to keep an eye on your odometer or GPS as you approach the entrance, which is literally a metal gate. There is no parking lot, you can pull over and park your car along the side of the road. This park was nice and it was wonderful to see the Joshua Trees and Juniper Trees, but there isn't much more than that to see, and the walking trail was very short. The coolest part of this trip for us was taking advantage of the empty stretch of dessert road to take some pictures in the middle of the road. I would definitely make the stop if you are going to the Poppy Reserve, but otherwise it's not worth the long drive.

Roatan, Honduras: Day 3

Day 3.

Boat trip! We spent the entire day cruising around the Caribbean waters, checking out different views of the island, and enjoying the warm sun and conversations with one another. 

Nic vs the undefeated chess champion of Roatan.

Pictures don't do justice do how beautiful this island is, it's so happy and bright, so vivid. I also remember how the air had that sweet smell of burning wood.

We stopped at this tiny island to snorkel and enjoy the view.

 As the sun began to set, we stopped at Hole in the Wall, a little restaurant on Roatan that is only accessible by boat. We enjoyed an all you can eat steak and lobster buffet, it was DELICIOUS. 

i Heart Technology: Holga Lens & Filter Kit for iPhone 4 + 4s

"This might make an iPhone geekgasm occur this Holiday season if gifted to the right person. Holga has decided to cast a little of the photography magic on the iPhone world with this awesome special effect lens kit." Check out the Sis and her Fabulous & Festive Sweater in this holiday product review. I will be  playing with this toy this Christmas break for sure!

Experience and Explore: Portola Redwoods State Park Part 2

If you missed Part 1 of this post, you can find it here. Though the drive into Portola Redwoods State Park is torturous, the view is amazing. I was too car sick to take pictures on the way in, but was able to catch some on the way out. Timing your departure from the park just right will reward you with views like these. Enjoy!