Monday, December 30, 2013

50 Things I did in 2013

Not doing any new years' resolutions because I forget or fail at them, so usually my resolution is to get through the year and make it worthwhile. :)

Top Ten of 2013
1 Getting Engaged :)
2 Getting Ms. Daffy (she and Chester are snuggling in the other room ah! it's so cute when they smoosh their faces together)
3 Moving back to Orange County
4 helping Matt buy a car
5 Getting an Amex (ooh! fancy! haha)
6 Vegas in April
7 Maui in July
8 Tahoe in December
9 Grad School at Chapman
10 buying a house (and maintaining it)

40 Extra Amazing Happenings of 2013
11 trying snowboarding (and skiing)
12 playing tennis with Frances
13 rock climbing
14 5k run last January
15 boot camp with Kaia
16 planning a wedding
17 Pet Expo in April
18 sporting club membership
19 wedding dress shopping
20 Road to Hana (survived)
21 driving a mustang on Maui (so American...)
22 Engagement photo shoot
23 Housewarming party
24 shooting a gun for the first time (terrifying!)
25 Angels game with the Chapman gang
26 buying new furniture
27 Chapman Economic Forecast
28 practicing networking
29 paella making demonstration by Chef Rick!
30 Opus Bank visit
31 Katie's halloween party
32 new computer
33 Quiksilver visit
34 MBA bowling tournament
35 Start up Weekend
36 Aerie visit
37 Black Friday
38 hosting Thanksgiving
39 San Diego visit
40 Balboa housing tour
41 Winter Ball at Chapman
42 surviving finals
43 planning Ellie's baby shower
44 getting a facial at Massage Envy
45 went tubing in Tahoe
46 wedding food tasting
47 xmas stockings
48 cooking experiments (lamb and blue cheese steak)
49 baublebar and Ulta hauls
50 "cozy cabin" massage in Tahoe (my xmas present to Matt)

Top 10 things I'm looking forward to in 2014
1 Wedding shower
2 Ellie's baby shower
3 Bachelorette party :)
4 Oahu with Matt and Scripps gang
5 wedding in March
6 honeymoon in Bora Bora
7 Becoming an aunt again to Mr. Brian Shen
8 getting hired for an internship in the summer
9 turning 25
10 celebrating with Matt when he turns 25

Happy New Year everyone :)

Friday, December 27, 2013

December favorites

I can't believe the year is almost over!!! what?!

Also the weather is super amazingly nice in socal right now, so it doesn't feel like winter. I went for a run at noon and it was 77 degrees. what?!

Anyways, here's some of my December favorites, happenings, and things I'm looking forward to :)

This amazing necklace from Baublebar. Just ordered it online :)

The Naked 3 palette from Urban Decay is amazing!

Ritz resort at Lake Tahoe. Amazing snow and ski-in, ski-out privileges

These warm slippers from American eagle. on sale now for $20

Attempting snowboarding for the first time. I mostly sat in the snow and watched other people succeed.

I switched from MAC paint pot to this urban decay 'sin' eyeshadow primer. i love it!
I just ordered one of the NARS lip pencils to give this brand a try. I hope to try the eyeshadow duo and the blush in 'orgasm' color soon!

This amazing photo from a different blog about celebrating the new year. love it :)

Other favorites from this month:
Hash House a Gogo food in San Diego
The ritz: everything really, the food at all their restaurants, their BBQ, their spa, and the amazing complimentary tea.

December Happenings:
I went to the Econ Forecast
Watched American Horror Story season 3
watched Vlogmas (I hope to do vlogmas at some point, next year?)
Ulta shopping
SD visit for the holiday party
watched Thor
went on the Balboa house tour
REI haul for winter 
the Winter Ball for MBAs at Chapman
finished finals (not sure yet if i passed)
planning my sister in law's baby shower for January :)
went to Tahoe for a week AMAZING
did some pampering- got a facial, did my nails, hair, and got a massage

What I'm looking forward to in the new year:
MacArthur Xmas is sure to be chaotic fun soon
Matt and my couples' wedding shower
Ellie and John's baby shower (they picked a name- Brian!)
going to Matt's cousin's wedding
Valentine's at VS (this means chocolates with a purchase, woot!)
the Bachelorette party in LA
and of course, the wedding :) we have a flower preview in January woohoo

Looking forward to the next few months. Thank you so much to those of you who visited my blog this year, it means a lot!

Thursday, December 26, 2013

More last minute gift ideas...

If you still haven't exchanged gifts or you have a birthday for a friend coming up, here's some last minute gift ideas!

Enjoy~ :)

This cute set at Ulta from Benefit with samples of all their favorites...

This blue necklace from BP at Nordstrom (under $25)

A photo frame collage is easy to do if you make prints at Kinkos using the Sony photo machine and get a frame from Michael's or Aaron Brothers :)


These amazing lined gloves from Urban Outfitters. REI also has a few waterproof styles for under $40.

These amazing festive hair ties. American Eagle has a set with hair clips for under $10 :D

Philosophy has amazing smelling bath products if you want to stay in a festive mood after the holidays 

Socks or slippers are always a great cozy idea



Monday, December 16, 2013

Christmas Sweaters

So it's that time of year for Christmas themed sweaters and tshirts...I've been looking for something festive, other than a santa hat, I don't really have cheesy cute xmas themed clothing.

Here's some ideas:

Men's peppermint themed tshirt from Target

Decoration themed women's sweatshirt from Target

Women's dog-reindeer themed sweater from Abercrombie

Hilarious cute kittens in a stocking from target

Men's the Grinch tshirt

This one is hilariously disturbing....What are we cracking exactly?

Reindeer themed sweater from Old Navy

If you're looking for something more couture, here's a sweater from Wildfox

A very merry Star Wars Christmas from Target

And a "I'm not trying to hard" tshirt

I love this one- Christmas, christmas everywhere sweatshirt

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Closet Tag

I saw this closet tag on Youtube and I was hoping to blog it...


1. What is the oldest item in your wardrobe/closet?


My docs (2 pairs) I could die in these shoes I love them so much.


Mostly workout clothes since I hate replacing them and tank tops, but there's a few prom dresses hiding in there.

2. What is the newest item?

Ivy and blue dress from Nordstrom. Loving the metallic lace fad right now.

3. What is the most expensive item?

My book bag was a few hundred bucks. Ouch- but I use it every day.
(not my exact dress) but my wedding dress of course.

4. What is the cheapest/most affordable item? (that you wear/use a lot!)


Mix No 6 flats from DSW.

My wedding shoes: also from DSW.

5. What was the biggest bargain?

my favorite Miz Mooz boots. not cheap but I wear them all the time so they're worth it ($200? i think?) I have had them for 2 years and they are super scuffed.


my American Eagle scarves. I wear scarves every day in fall-winter-spring.


6. What was the biggest waste of money?!

my kate spade bag. felt like a great purchase at the time and now it doesn't look as nice since I overused it.

my nike shoes....I love them but I never wear them enough.


My suit separates I bought. Way too expensive and they're expensive to take to the cleaners.


BONUS QUESTION - Show us your three favourite items right now!



My striped banana dress. so comfortable!



My madewell dress! Love the fabric (It's like Luon)




My banana wool lace sweater from last year- it's sooo warm.

My jumpin jammerz onesie. so warm in the winter :) and so cute ...I hop around the house.











12 days of christmas! Gift Guide and Ideas

12 great gifts for women:

something sexy

aerie Holly lace set




Aerie perfume sampler

I love this because it's actually a tiny version of their spray bottles, NOT a rollerball.

something cute


Anthropologie Hedgehog measuring cup set for baking. Elle has these on her youtube channel and they are awesome!


love the Pocketbac at Bath & Body Works. also a very inexpensive gift! 5 for $5!

something wonderful



Candles from Bath & Body Works are always a hit.


something comfy


Pink sweats



Bath & Body Works socks

something pretty

Anything from Baublebar.com. Love that site!


Urban decay palette




Rebecca Minkoff. Only the most awesome purse designer.


something scary

everyone I know is loving this show right now.

something warm


Restoration Hardware blanket. Everyone loves blankets!


12 great gifts for men:

super classic

Fossil watch

super luxury

Spicebomb by Viktor & Rolf



Express Men's socks- now 4 pairs for $25!

super useful



Saddleback leather portfolio- bonus: smells like a new car....Matt bought this for himself a few months ago and he loves it.

Leatherman utility tools are so handy and cool!

super awesome


Pebble watch

super fun
 
Beer making kit (recommended by Elle) from Red Envelope. So cool!

If you know his favorite tv show.


 super naughty

 

not technically for him to wear but you know....

I love the AE boxers! They are so awesome and some of them glow in the dark!



super tasty



hot chocolate gift set. Everyone loves this!

create your own beer, chocolate or bacon advent calendar!