SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

We are not makers of history.  We are made by history.  Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Ryan and I had an amazing time at San Juan Capistrano!  I mean I learned about this place while growing up: creating missions and reading books about the priests when I was in elementary, but to experience these missions all grown up was quite a beautiful journey.

If you ever stroll down San Juan, its a great place to visit because everything that has been preserved up to now is on display.  From the way the mission stood still to the remnants of old structures, you are able to uncover has time has evolved.  

  

LOS FELIZ, LA

Los Feliz is definitely the hot spot if you love outdoor cafes, art, graffiti, thrift stores and old record stores.  Ryan and I were actually lost looking for a watch stop (he needed his watch re-strapped) and we ended up here:  this artsy one of a kind place called Los Feliz.  As I strolled along the street with a cup of coffee in hand, I realized its right next to Griffith! So, if you're ever going hiking to Griffith Park, you have to stop by Los Feliz.  Its a long strip full of independent shops and great eateries! 

CLIMBING GRIFFITH PARK

To the mountains I shall go.
As I'm getting older, I'm getting sick and tired of indoor activities, ie. shopping, dining in and watching movies... Since its summer, the best thing to do is to stay outdoors and go climb a mountain.  I mean, why be indoors when you can be active, release your stress and scream on top of a mountain!  A great start:  Griffith Park. Accomplishing moment about climbing Griffith Park is that you can stop by the Griffith Observatory and see all the fascinating spaces, rock and stars.

SNIP ITS OF L.A

It's better to travel well than arrive.  Buddha

 I seriously can't wait for Ryan to move into downtown LA.  I mean Santa Monica is great and all, but I think its time to let go of the beach and head inland. Here are some snip-its from my recent travels:

ERIN WASSON

Fashion fades, only style remains the same. Coco Chanel

Erin Wasson is definitely consided one of my favorite models.  She has that rugged, bad-girl, rebelliousness in her that I can't get enough of.  Loving the indie, rock-n-roll, boho look for the summer!

CRACKED ON CAFFINE

I have measured out my life with coffee spoons T.S Eliot

For those of you who don't know, I'm completely obsessed with coffee and I can't ever imagine my life without it.  To my first cup of coffee in the morning, to my afternoon cup, to my mid-afternoon pick-me-upper and finally to my "if I have to stay awake" cup, I just can't EVER enough of it!
One of my favorite spots in LA has to be Urth Caffe.  I love Urth just because they serve great sandwiches, soups and they use organic coffee: its a must try.  (You have to try their Japanese green tea latte).  If you're ever in the Venice area, stop by, you can probably catch Ryan and I enjoying a cup of coffee outside with our favorite reads!

THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MAKEUP...

A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous  - Coco Chanel. 

With girls, I think there's something about make-up that absolutely fascinates us. For me however, its all about prevention, maintaining a dewy/fresh look and adding a little pop of color.  Now that I've hit my mid-twenties, I feel as though I should be using a lot less, but more. (Less makeup, but more good stuff for my skin).  For adding something to my face, I can never live without lip products: lipsticks/vaseline/lip balm...  My current obsession: lipsticks...from reds, corals, pinks, to nudes... a pop of color brings a vibrant glow to your face.
My ultimate essentials: I never leave home without sunblock on my face (SPF 70) and I absolutely never forget to put on anti wrinkle cream and Retin-A at night for a boost of collagen.
And in all, make-up is a beautiful staple and its a product girls can never live without, especially our "holy grails." Here are some pictures I found via into the gloss that I absolutely like, especially the Nars products. Enjoy!