Santa Cruzin'

It may seem really unusual, but Z and I share the same birthday. Seriously? What are the odds? When we initially started dating, I thought he was using some ploy to hit on me when birthdays came up. I immediately sought out his driver's license and saw that he was indeed not kidding around. Sharing a birthday with your boyfriend has certainly had its benefits: one year we were able to go to Disneyland for free and the other year we planned a nice trip to Seattle. This particular year, we went to the Santa Cruz Board walk and pier since I had never been before. The weather on the day that we went could not make up its mind: it would be sunny one moment and then foggy and over-cast the next. We spent the day  partaking any tourist activity we could think of: playing boardwalk games, exploring the fun house, and eating in yummy garlic fries. 

After exploring what we could, we joined Z's family on the beach for a lobster cook-out. I was in absolute heaven, but I guess it's just because I am a huge fan of anything that has been dipped in garlic and butter. Above is a wonderful photo that Z took of me where the camera's strap decided it wanted to make an appearance. Camera Strap Photo bomb! Oh well. I can't wait to go on this year's birthday excursion and hopefully take more photos (no more camera straps, please!) and eat more delicious food. Perfect way to spend your birthday!

Outfit Details:
Shawl Sweater // Vintage
Chambray Tank // Mom's old shirt
Black Jeans // Urban Outfitters
Tan Clogs // Dansko Clogs
Straw Hat // Borrowed from Z's dad
Brown Belt // Vintage

The Great Outdoors

According to the email from Starbucks that I received regarding their release of the pumpkin spice latte, it is officially fall! Fall! My birthday takes place during my favorite season: fall. If you ask me, everything is better; the food, the weather, the clothes, the music (there's just a certain type of music that is fall music, just like there's summertime music). Even when I was younger, fall was this sort of transitional time, like a new beginning with the start of the next grade in school (I loved school so this was actually something I looked forward to). Plus my birthday is in September! If only the weather would catch up with me. San Francisco heats up around this time for its Indian Summer, but I just want to layer cozy fisherman sweaters over polka dot button ups, bake pumpkin cookies, watch Hocus Pocus, and drink salted caramel hot chocolate. Pumpkin-flavored everything is my favorite. Also, I'm looking forward to the rain. I'm a big fan of it all in fall because that means we're just one step closer to winter and the holidays.

For birthday celebrations this year, Z and I will be spending time with some family and friends since my cousin also is a September baby. We're going to camp up in Mendocino and you have no idea how excited I am!

Below are some photos of when we went up to Northern Tahoe for the weekend:

Can't wait to take photos of the next outdoors adventure!

Black Night Ultraviolet

Just hanging around wearing my best Wednesday Adam's dress and looking for a copy of Teen Witch so I can rap "TOP THAT" to Z. I used to watch that movie a lot when I was a little girl because the main character's name is my own middle name. Louise's dorky-ness was relatable. This probably explains why I am such an awkward person.

Outfit Details:
Victorian Dress // Thrifted
Black Gem Ring // Forever21

Reflections

I'm still trying to grow out my bangs to reshape them properly. Part of me would rather hide behind my bangs and blend in like the good little wallflower that I am, but I cannot. Someone asked me the other day how I was dealing with my mom and her cancer. I did not really know how to answer that question since no one has really asked me how I've felt. To be honest, I've never truly thought it through. But who would want to consider the possibility of losing the only parent you've ever had and what it would be like? I believe that she will get better and she needs to have a positive outlook and know that she's not alone. Things have happened in my past that were not so-called "happy times", but it's best if you deal with the situation and move on. It's not worth holding on to any anger/sadness/resentment that you may have because life (as cliché as it may sound) really is too short. Sorry for the seriousness in this post. I'll resume to talking about pugs, mermaids, and pizza.


Outfit Details:
Black Floral Headband // UO
Green Cropped Sweater // Thrifted
Red Lipstick // NARS in Shanghai Express

Salt Water

One of my favorite places to visit on the Central Coast is Avila Beach. I was born in a little town near-by so this little gem of a beach used to be one of my family's favorite retreat destinations. I never realized how fortunate I was to have grown up on the central coast with its abundance of hiking trails, beaches, trees...basically value its proximity to the wilderness. The weather was absolutely gorgeous when Z and I were visiting.
I took these photos using this toy camera (Yunon YN 500) that I had found in a thrift store. Since it is a cheap little plastic camera, it created all these light streaks on the pictures. After being in the city for awhile, I would really love to make a trip down to Big Sur before it gets too cold. I've never been before and I think it would be a perfect way to spend the weekend.

Z and I are currently watching a marathon of LOST episodes on NETFLIX. Although that should not really make me want to go out camping, being confined in a cubicle at work for 8 hours a day, 7 days a week can really motivate someone.

Outfit Details:

Floral Sun Dress // Vintage

Grey Cardigan // UO

Brown leather Bucket Bag Purse // Vintage