goodbye birthday month.

welp, it's officially over after today.
i can no longer say "it's my birthday month"
(i am sure MANY people are happy about this)
i can't believe October starts tomorrow. what!?
too many fun things are planned this month (it might actually be giving me anxiety)
marathon is next weekend (again, what!??)
oh, and i have the best halloween costume idea. everrrr.
however, it's a secret so you will just have to wait to find out.

i hope you guys all had a wonderful September, and an even better beginning to a new month.

cheers,

MAY-JAH TALENT ALERT.

do you ever wish you had an amazing talent?
mine would HANDS DOWN be to sing like any one of these people:
Celine, Christina, Whitney (younger pre druggie self), Mariah....

well, my SECOND wanted talent would be to paint.
like, really paint.

kind of like my friend shauna.
um, she's so good it's silly...

i got these gifts for a few friends and my family.
all meaning something different but all special.
















to order one of her fabulous paintings visit her site:
http://www.littleshopofshavs.com/
or just click here:
Little Shop of Shavs

*make sure you tell her i sent you!!

happy hump day to all,

not me monday (on tuesday)

here we go... again!
e-n-j-o-y!!

all the things i did not do this week.... including a few things that i welcomed back to my life!
drum roll please..........

i did not love my 2 1/2 hour chiropractic massage. the word massage should not be placed in here. 2 1/2 hours of pure pain getting out knots and trying to realign my ribs. kill me.
i did not love running in this pain. 2 weeks until 26.2 miles. i'm so ready (sarcasm)
i did not love packing and unpacking in my new place........... it is AMAZING.
i did not love dinner with an old Chicago friend. she is also getting married in april. whooop!! congrats girl. love you.
i did not love welcoming both pumpkin spice lattes (thank you starbucks!) and indoor back into my life. i hadn't played in so long, and i love my new team!! but it makes me miss the thundercats!!
i did not love katsuya and the galaxy game (i did not love that they lost!) but i did love dancing at the new hot spot 12th & highland. so sad, beaches officially closed. bummmmmmer.
i did not love getting to spend a full day with rachel jones. we shopped for my cute new place......!!! decorating all week!
i did not love my clients photo shoot sunday. i can't wait to tell you what magazine it's for (can't disclose yet!) AND the shoot was perfection. loved the stylists and everyone on set!!
i did not love my new redondo beach gym!! however, you should never run on the treadmill while watching extreme makeover home edition. let's just say people stared.... and a few tears were had. ooooops.
i did not love planning what i am going to be for halloween!!!! it's a secret BUT it's AMAZING! might be the best idea i've had!!! oh boy oh boy!!
i did not love learning that my new roomies will be here in 7 days. let the countdown begin.
i did not love the 100 + heat in LA this weekend! holy heck i am still sweating!!
i did not love finding a letter through my move my dad wrote to me a few years back. god i miss him.
i did not love 24 hour diners. actually, there should be rule about entering them. fries at 3am is never a good idea. gross.
i did not love my friend shauna's friends new site.
um, amazing. please check it out. i am actually intrigued on who she picks!!
kind of sad i didn't think of it. ha!
i did not love learning that one of my favorites (aka ms. dobin) will be gracing me with her presence halloween weekend! yes, she and i will be dressing up in the best costume ever.
i just need to talk her into it! (shouldn't be hard.... she loves me)
i did not love glee's return. can you say excited for the Britney episode tonight!!?
i did not love finding great carmel apple recipes!! so excited to make them soon!!

post your not me mondays!!
it's so much cheaper than therapy.

hello, again.

i have been MIA the last few days/week.
mainly because i have learned that packing and unpacking (party of one) is extremely hard to do.
especially trying to carry boxes (lots and lots of boxes) up stairs in our new place.
i am exhausted.
but..... i am all moved in, finally!!

i have a few decorating ideas, and a few more "staple" pieces i need to get.
but i am happy to say i have a new address, a new bed, and a cute new kitchen.

all i need are 2 cute new roomies (coming next week!!)

seriously, how cute is our new place?

sneak peak:

kitchen (not decorated yet)

decorating my room this week when i can find the time.

will post pictures after it's all done.

happy Monday to all and hope you had a lovely weekend.

kisses,

Autumn traditions checklist.

things i must do this autumn season....

-pumpkin shop and pumpkin carve with my roomies (and pumpkin seed bake, of course!!)

-enjoy as many pumpkin spice lattes as possible, hot cider, and hot cocoa (anything hot!)

-bake pumpkin pies (or any pie for that matter)

-wear cute leggings, sweaters, tights, pea coats..... oh i love fall clothes!!

-make carmel apples

-figure out what i am going to be for Halloween and try to keep it a surprise (never works)

-snuggle by the fire watching "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown"

-get candy for the trick or treaters

-wear scarves, daily.

oh i just love this time of year!

i feel giddy already!!

happy first day of autumn (yesterday)

kisses,

boxes galore.

if you were to come to my new place.... this is what you would see.
BOXES.
everywhere.

my goals for this week:
i will unpack everything.
i will organize my closet.
i will get groceries so i don't have to eat at Starbucks again (don't judge, it was close)
i will get towels so i can actually shower.
i will get my bed set up.
i will order my desk.
phew, i am exhausted thinking about it.......

i need a large glass of wine and a bubble bath.
maybe i will add that to today?
one can only hope....

happy hump day to all.

not me monday (on tuesday) and some random updates.

here you go folks!
all the things i did not do this past week - and a few random tidbits.
enjoy my lovies.

i did not absolutely love seeing the venice beach canals for the first time. i just can't wait to go back!
i did not love season finale of the bachelor pad. wow, pure drama.
i did not love starting the happyness project. i love it already.
i'm contemplating doing my own.
i did not love running all week with pure pain. oh ya, doc said "you have a few miss aligned ribs in your back and a few out in your front" ohhh really? is that why i can't breathe or run properly.
don't worry, marathon is 3 weeks ago. i will be ready. i will be ready. i must be ready.
i did not love surprising my new roomies with house warming gifts.i just love them.
i did not love buying myself a birthday gift (yes, my birthday is over...) but i love my new top. it's my new favorite item in my closet. you gotta have a favorite.
i did not love surprising my momma at home. nor did i love seeing her face.
i literally saw every emotion go through her brain in 7 seconds. something like this...
(who is this girl? she looks familiar... i think? i know her! she's my daughter! she's in Sacramento? i'm confused but oh so happy!! Jen surprised me!! wow i just love her)
okay i added the last part, but let's be honest. i know she does.
i did not love our 7 hour spa day (another surprise!!) full of facials, massages, lunch, and laughter.
i did not love mikuni take-out with momma, galaxy game on tv, and lounging in our pjs.
i did not love watching my momma yell at the tv while watching football. gotta love a true sports nut.
i did not love my brother coming home from a wedding a little tipsy. or a lot tipsy. you decide how funny he was. fun game, right?
i did not love spending an entire weekend relaxing at home with my favorite people. (sorry anyone reading this from Sac and thinking why i didn't call you, it was a family only weekend)
i did not love northridge drinks with the crew.
i did not love organizing, sorting, packing, and starting to move into a new place!! it's perfect.


post your not me mondays!!!
it's so much cheaper than therapy.


***fun update: i will be fully moved into a new place tomorrow***
***please donate to our run if you haven't already - we are so so so close!!!***
***i am exhausted, packing and unpacking is brutal***

so busy.

i'm officially too busy to blog today (well this counts i guess)
this is all i can do from my phone waiting for an appointment.
i've been organizing, sorting, and packing.
oh ya, i'm moving tomorrow.
on top of work and my already busy life.
eeeeek.

i will be back with big updates tomorrow.
and a good not me monday (on tuesday)

hope you all are having a not so busy monday.

WHAT'S IN MUH BAG... (fun photo friday edition)


i love "what's in my bag" random-ness.
it's always so fun seeing what other people carry in their over sized purses.
i thought it would be fun to dump mine out and share what's in mine.

sidenote - my purse changes daily, and what i store in it depends on what i have going on that day with my clients, or personal stuff.

today it was a little messier/more clutter than normal.

it looks pretty small from the photo but this bag can carry all my crap, i mean goodies.

(double sidenote - if this picture doesn't prove i need a new camera - i don't know what will)



contents:

-my notebook that goes EVERYWHERE with me to jot down inspiration, clients weekly schedules, to-do's, doodles, and notes.
-highlighters, pens, and sharpie.
-ipod
-business cards
-essie nail polish
-mom's ring
-2 pairs of sunglasses
-chapstick
-lipstick
-3 bracelets
-1 headband
-tide stick
-picture of my dad
-sony studios pass
-starbucks gift card
-stamps
-keys
-lulu lemon pouch that holds my lulu gift card and pottery gift card from my birthday


note - my phone, wallet and change are always in my purse, but i put my ID and my debit card in my lulu pouch because this purse simply can't hold what my even bigger purse can. and my phone was charging.

TGIF big time.

canals.

i'll admit it.
since starting to live here 1 year ago (besides Southern California in college)
i haven't really explored as much as i would like to.
but, that all changed a few months ago.
i've started to do more things for me, and started branching out of manhattan beach.
a dear friend is looking into buying a house in the canals soon.
they are even putting in an offer today (yes!)

venice beach canals are darling.
i seriously had a jaw dropping love affair when i turned on the first street.
how cute are these houses?
and the canals... to die for.

i can't wait to row a boat, picnic,BBQ , and watch the sunset on the canals.

i tell ya, a little exploring goes a long way..........

book worm.

over the past 2 months i have been reading these 5 books.
i started with Emily's first book then didn't want to stop....
they are such easy, fun, quick reads.
i finished book #5 at midnight last night
(5 hours of sleep does not look good on me btw)
i just can NEVER put her books down!!

i love emily giffin.
since i don't have much time during the day,
i make sure i have about 30 minutes to an hour before bed
(instead of watching tv, i read... mom, you're so proud right?)

i finished her last book last night and i am quite sad.
what do i read next?

luckily, my friend downloaded a great new book on my ipad for me.
called the happiness project
i will be starting it tonight (if i can stay awake).

not me monday.

here we go (again!)
all the things i did not do this week.
and let's be honest......... i was a busy girl this past one.
and of course busy having fun celebrating my big 2-5.
thank you brother for the sweet blog shout out friday.
you are such a gem.

welp, here goes........

i did not love returning from an epic vegas weekend only to start work at 5am the following day. yikes, still recovering.
i did not love officially signing papers to the new condo!! oh my excited. less than 2 weeks until i am in the most perfect condo. can't wait to decorate!!
i did not love hearing Rihanna's new song. new anthem for us gals when we move in. definitely buying her new cd!
i did not love dinner with the girls. one of my favorite things to do is eat, drink, and talk/laugh about life.
i did not love katsuya 2 nights in a row. i could eat sushi all day, everyday.
i did not love discovering a new favorite bar. 12th & highland.
so cute. and so fun.
i even got a birthday shout out from the band. i'm kind of a big deal.
i did not love losing my voice. twice. raspy voices are so sexy........ not.
i did not like booking my flight to miami for one of my most favorites senior game. oh man, counting down the days already.
i did not love getting birthday flowers, cards, emails, text, tweets and facebook posts. i have amazing friends. true story.
i did not love my lulu gift card and pottery barn that i got from my bosses. shopping spree!! yes please. i just love them.
i did not love birthday lunch at pomodoro. best bruschetta i have ever had. the wine wasn't too bad either ;)
i did not love my purchase of the cutest decorating book. ever. so many great ideas!!!
i did not love celebrating my birthday for a full week straight. let's not do this again. mkay?
i am exhausted (but so so so worth it)
i did not love having jack & the box and chick-fil-a all in one day. i don't even eat fast food. apparently i needed fries? uh, major running session tonight. gross.
i did not love my 3 hour borders ME time. i could sit and drink coffee for hours upon hours...
i did not love going to the movies by myself. seriously, is it creepy i LOVE doing this? drew barrymore is cute.
i did not love watching the VMA's while prepping my clients work week.
it's gonna be a busy week!!!!!!!!!!!!
i did not love taking a few days off of running. hammy is starting to feel better. thank goodness.


post your not me mondays.
it's so much cheaper than therapy.

Fun Photo Friday - Guest Blog Birthday Edition!

Guess who turns 25 today?!

That's right - the blog-master herself - Jen Robin.

Seeing as though it is her birthday and she works 24/7, I decided to give
her a break and take over the best blog on the Net.


Not a bad gig, right?!

Well, usually fun photo Friday is reserved for a picture that makes us laugh
or tells a story about what's going on in Jen's beautiful mind that day.

However, I don't like to play by the rules and I don't think it's fair to
have only one picture.

If you know Jen, you know she cannot be described in
only one word and her infectious personality and love for life cannot be
defined by any set of words contained in a dictionary. Thus, Fun Photo
Friday consists of a plethora of pics for your enjoyment. She probably
doesn't want most of these on her blog, but guess what, it's my blog today
so I get to do what I want!

On a day like today, we should all take a moment and appreciate the fact
that this little lady is a part of all of our lives. I can tell you from
personal experience, Jen smiles brighter, laughs harder, dances crazier,
texts and emails faster, gives greater, and most of all loves endlessly more
than most of us can ever imagine or dream. Here's to you Jen on your 25th -
may all your dreams become a reality and please keep on smiling :)

Love you more than you will ever know,

Guest Blogger.


p.s. I am assuming everyone knows who I am but you still have to guess or it
wouldn't be as fun!

fall.

is it seriously fall already? how did that happen? well, technically it's not until September 22nd (or that is was google said) but i am going to pretend it is anyways. it's cold in LA, and that is weird. i think summer forgot to hit the southern part of CA this year. oh well, there's always next year.

i am still on quite a high from Vegas. a fun high. because i don't do drugs, so obviously not a high high.

moving on....

i am really into yoga these days. mainly because lulu lemon (my all time favorite yoga apparel place) has free classes. i mean, it's the least they can do since their clothes are so darn expensive. we had class a few weeks ago on top of a swanky hotel in Manhattan Beach. rooftop view of the ocean. even i was into it (let's face it, how can you not be with a gorgeous view) my zen was on it that day. i want to be able to do this one day......... or at least have this gals figure. i die....




my 2 friends and i will be moving into the cutest place ever on September 24th. you should probably mark your calendars, and send me something fun in the mail (at our new address) just sayin..... it's adorable.

i am seriously looking into investing in a camera. like a blogger lover camera but obviously not a professional photographer camera. there is a big difference. so if anyone knows of one, or where i should start the search.......... i am all ears.

i went by borders yesterday to pick up the new martha stewart magazine. i couldn't believe i forgot it came out this week! silly me. thankfully my friend let me know. already read it twice.

i color coded my way through an entire notebook this year (it's only September!) and i already needed a new one. don't worry, went to papyrus and got 2 for the price of one. so cute. already wrote this weeks to-do's in it. there is always much to be done in my world. i saw this and thought it was appropriate.

the last season of Oprah starts next week. i am thinking about taking a half day to mentally prepare. i don't even know how i am going to sleep sunday night. (mom, obviously i will be working hard on monday and not taking a half day - i mean, that's what tivo is for)

then glee and greys all in one month. shucks, i haven't really watched tv all summer. in fact, i have read 6 books instead (i will pat myself on the back, thank you very much) but i just can't NOT watch those 3 shows. who does that? not me. in fact, i might host a glee party. bring your dancing shoes.

my birthday is tomorrow. my 25th to be exact. i can't believe i was born 25 years ago. where has the time gone? i feel like 25 is my year, and if it isn't i am going to take it as MY year. i need it. in fact, i am officially declaring this will be the best year of my life. i am going to put it out in the world...................... that's for you lottery.......... you hear me? best. year. ever. not that money would make me happy. but i sure would like to retire my mom this year. come on lucky lotto!!!

for the people that say, i hate getting old.............. well, i love it. i mean, i think 25-30 is just so fun! and i haven't even started day 1 of my 25 yet. oh boy oh boy.

lots to look forward to, and lots to be thankful for.

it's days like today that i know my family is proud of me. it's days like today that i know my dad is smiling big.

hopefully you are all having a happy day.

meet carly.

this is my friend carly:

isn't she gorgeous?

meet her creative work:



(she can do whatever your little heart desires, this is just one of her many samples)

carly says:

every couple is unique, every wedding is unique, and my goal is to keep that uniqueness alive with custom wedding designs. i work closely with every couple i get the pleasure of designing for, in order to best create their vision, and something that they feel is a perfect fit for them as a couple and for their big day. every wedding is a creative adventure that i love to be a part of!


i totally agree.


now go ahead and contact her for your special occasion.
you won't regret it.

her email: carlymariepatterson@gmail.com

just let her know this really cool gal named jen sent you.
mkay?

happy hump day to all.

best. pre-birthday party. everrrrr.

one of the best weekends of my life.
such a lucky girl to have my very bestest come with me to vegas.
it was just perfect.
30 people perfect.

some highlights {that i can share, of course}

VIP baller status at all clubs
food & drinks in the cabana
dance party USA
SUV limo and shots! shots! shots! one the way
5 minute dance battle that was EPIC
day following black foot
lounging & laughing all weekend long
let your DOUGIES loose epic pool bash
the best nachos known to man kind
winning $14 on a crazy vegas game which i still don't understand
loving on my besties
jumping jumping jumping in the pool
room service every night (great decision)
making new {amazing} friends
making plans for next labor day...


best. weekend. ever

fun PLANS friday.

well folks, i am off!
leaving tonight for 3 full days of the most amazing VEGAS experience ever.
celebrating my 25th with 30 people is probably the coolest thing ever.
what a way to celebrate the quarter life-ness.
oh my gee, i have wonderful friends.

i will be MIA until Tuesday.

but when i return i will have:

plenty of fun photos to share.
dance party stories.
a table service/baller status smile.
a poolside tan.
a full belly filled with fun (and a little alcohol).
sore feet from dance partying to much.
an empty wallet.
plenty of memories.
and some crazy (can't share) stories.


oh snaps.
let the adventure begin.

happy labor day weekend to all.

i'll see you on the flip side.

etsy love.

i just received a fun little package in the mail (doesn't that just make your day?)
it's like my morning starbucks run..... always makes me happy.

how cute is my new necklace?

miss rachel is brilliant.
take a peak at her blog and her etsy site.
and buy something cute for yourself!!
in the note section tell her you found her through me!
i love connecting people.

you will love your goodies!
i promise.

September: things to be happy about.

(this list is mostly for myself, but i thought it might be fun to share)

*besides you all know how much i love an excuse to make a "list"


all the things i am happy about for September 2010:

1. vegas: 30 amazing friends celebrating my quarter life-ness with me labor day weekend. epic.

2. dinners with wine: celebrating my actual birthday on the actual day with close friends and family.

3. party for my clients: (AKA 1 big dance party)

4. training for my marathon (continues): really starting to enjoy running. minus my possible pulled hamstring on my long run last night. cool.

5. moving: finding a cute place, and decorating it as cute as can be.

6. mama: planning her 60th birthday celebration.

7. donations: less than $1,000 to go until we reached our goal. pretty cool.


i love september.
mainly because it's my birthday month.
but also because the season starts to change.
i have lots of things to look forward to.
and because i know i am not starting school with the rest of the kids (sorry teens) it will never get old.

wishing you all a wonderful September.
go out and celebrate.