Friday fixins'

Burano, Venice

Flowy skirts

Bunch o' nummy things ta grill

Pretty outdoor dining

And a fun summer playlist for when you're loungin' pool side.

Weekend recap

This weekend was almost too fun (besides 8 hours of LSAT class). After weeks of planning Bellie's first Bee-day, her party on Saturday was a complete success. It's crazy how fast a year can fly by! Then I got to celebrate Casey's graduation from SFSU; we've been friends since first grade...also weird when you can start using phrases like "we've been friends for over A DECADE". When did that happen? And a day on the yacht was just what the doctor ordered on Sunday. This weekend made me realize just how many incredible people I have in my life. I'm beyond blessed and so thankful.

Beautiful Bellie turning 1. My best friends.

Celebrating graduations with my oldest friend. And a day spent sea-side with my favorite boy.

How did I get so lucky?

Picnic perfect

There are few things that I love more than dining al fresco. I just love it. And I'm obsessed with outdoor summertime concerts and movies where you can bring your own picnic and draaank; some of my local faves include: Doheny Blues Festival, Sunset Serenades in Laguna Beach (Fridays), classic movie and a picnic at Chapman University (Fridays), concerts at the pier in Santa Monica (Thursdays), concerts in the park at Hart Park in Orange (Wednesdays)- the list goes on and on. Just a few weekends ago, Adri, George, Bellie, Kevin and I had an awesome dinner outside by candelight, and it was perfection. It seems that in this day and age, we eat just to fuel ourselves, rushing through it and not taking time to enjoy it. I'm guilty of eating breakfast in my car on my way to work :/ This is why picnics and dining outside, away from the tv and with time to enjoy eachother's company, are perfect. They force us to slow down, and stop to smell the wine and cheese.

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Food and drinks:
My go-to picnic food always includes a variety of the following:
- Wine
- Cheese
- Crackers
- Some type of meat (prosciutto, turkey sammies, etc.)
- Something sweet. Duh.

Some recipes I want to try for my next picnic outing:

- Strawberry mint sangria!!

- Marinated figs with brie

- These awesome sammies

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Materials:

I always seem to forget something.

- Blanket

- Cups

- Utensils

- Plates and nappies

- WINE OPENER (I've forgotten this more often than not)

- A mini table or long tray to hold and serve everything (makes it so so much easier)

I posted this picnic basket last week, but I can't get over it. I wantitneeditgottahaveit.

Outfit:
The comfier, the better. I prefer shorts or a long comfy maxi dress. Don't forget that sweater for night time shows!

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Me sneaking wine into cups while picnic-ing in Santa Monica with Kev.

Happy al fresco dining, peeps!

Me wants summer

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Can you tell it's been a long and dreary week? I just wanna prance around in my bathing suit on a boat taking me to my summer house in the Hamptons, like, is that really so much to ask?

Goodbye, dearest summer

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I'm never particularly excited when summer ends; I live for the beach, the pool, warm nights and being tan. But fall isn't so bad, as I do like boots, scarves, a good coat, and early morning lattes when it's cold. I'm hoping to get out to the east coast at some point this fall, I love it over there during these months. Anywho, happy season change!

Don't leave

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Supposedly summer's "over" (whatever that means for us in So Cal). Where did it go?! I'd like a warm ocean, the smell of BBQ, and late nights to continue for just a tad longer. Please?

My favorite time of day

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Twilight (contrary to 14 year old, vampire-loving belief) is the time of day right after sunset, and is one of my favorite times of the day (along with the moment right after the sun rises). I especially love being at the beach during this hour. Pretty pretty.