Outfit // Hats Off to You

Life is interesting. I have found myself thinking about many things lately. When I lay in bed at night, my mind is flooded with ideas for projects, a list of things I need to accomplish, and just thoughts about the what ifs in life. It is really all too much for me to process sometimes and keeps me awake longer than it should. Then, when I am faced with extra time to myself, I hardly ever know where to even start. Do I want to blog, make art, go for a walk, tackle a DIY, do homework I should have done, take photos, go shopping—I just don't know. Or, what should I be doing with this time? I should probably be using it in a constructive and productive way, and usually feel guilty when I don't. Clearly, I need some organization in my life.


I really hate to over complicate things (which is probably exactly what I am doing right now), but I hate to feel unfulfilled and like my precious time is not being used wisely. I am also probably making it sound like I have an abundance of free time in my life, which is not the case. Maybe that is why I tend to over analyze and over think things of this nature, because I don't have much free time and want to make it last and be worthwhile.

I hate to say this, but I feel like a bit of this pressure I feel comes from Pinterest, though I am a huge lover of the site. Essentially everything on Pinterest is picture perfect, which can be intimidating and make me feel as though what I have/what I'm doing/where I'm at/how I dress, do my makeup, and even organize my closet is not good enough. I, a user with something like nearly 4,000 pins, just realized that. Sure, all of the pins I find filed away on my boards are pretty, but are they attainable, realistic, real life? Probably not. And that is not something I should strive to achieve in all areas of my life, whether it be how my bedroom looks or what I want my future (very expensive, by the looks of my board) wedding to be like.


Maybe this all stems from stress, who knows. Life gets busy quickly, and then all of a sudden three months have flown by and you're like, "hey, do you remember January? Remember how nice it was?" And that is that. Another week, another month, and then another year is gone. Overwhelming to think about, is it not?

But I guess there is this: do whatever makes me happy at that point in time. There is no need to worry about the organizational state of my closet (it's a lost cause anyway) or feel bad about all the forgotten and undone DIY pins on my crafting board.

After I had put the photos of this post together and sat down to write words to go with it, I really had no idea what would come out of me. Mostly, I never know what to write for outfit posts because I am no style expert and my commentary would be something like "I got this shirt on sale. I like it and think it looks good with these pants and this chambray. Also, I like this hat. The end." and that's boring and would make me sound like a twit. Side note: How do all you fashion bloggers do it? And wait, am I a fashion blogger? At any rate, these words just starting coming out of my fingertips, and when the fingertips get moving on their own, you must obey. So I did and here we are.

What are your thoughts about free time, Pinterest, and happiness?

Outfit Details:

Shirt // Lucky Brand

Chambray // American Eagle

Pants // Uniqlo

Hat // Lucky Brand

Shoes // Crown Vintage via DSW

Adventure // Hippie Tree Swing

Last weekend, Dai and I were visiting some of my family in Marin County. After our visit and before our yummy pizza dinner, I looked up a place I had heard about and seen pictures of: An off the beaten path tree swing with a great view. I was actually looking for a specific place near the ocean coast, but it turns out that it is very elusive and I could not find one bit about it on the internet. I did, however, come across this spot, Hippie Tree.


It is clearly very similar! And dare I say, better? I mean, I am on the top of a hilly neighborhood, with a view of nearly the entire SF Bay. And swinging! Hard to beat, right?

Now, let's point out a little geography. In the left photo just above, you see near my head the gates of the Golden Gate Bridge. Then, in the photo directly above that, you see Angel Island as the land mass in the middle/rightish (I'm 99% sure that is what it is), as well as downtown San Francisco, part of the Bay Bridge, and all the little happy boats on the water to the left. It really is quite the view!

I (clearly) had a great time swinging, even though it was a little difficult to hop up on to the swing itself. Being only 5'1" and the seat coming up to my waist did not make things easy! Swings were always my very favorite part of a playground and I still enjoy going on them from time to time (like when I am working as a nanny in the afternoons hehe). This swing was actually nearly impossible to propel yourself on, but luckily Dai was a good sport and helped me out ;)


Please note that you can see that the swing seat is actually coming the middle of my back... I think I need a step stool! I hate to say it, but this swing was also rather dangerous haha I took my hands off the handles for just a split second to adjust my sunglasses, and as I swung towards the water, I went swoosh and slid right off the seat and landed about 3 or 4 feet away from where I was dumped off. Luckily I landed on my feet even though I was caught off guard, but goodness it happened so quickly that I didn't even know what was happening until I was standing there all disheveled and dumbfounded.

Nevertheless, I am always one for a great swing adventure, especially when there is a beautiful view involved! Little spots like this remind me of why I love living in the Bay Area, something I never thought I would say as Southern CA born girl.

Hippie Tree // Entrance is through fire road across from 100 Gilmartin Drive, Tiburon, CA

NYC Part 6: West Village

On the last day of our visit, we started off the day by taking the subway from our hotel down to Battery Park to wave at Ms. Liberty. It was drizzly as we walked around the muddy park, and we decided to catch a bus up to West Village for brunch once we had our fill. I remember sitting at the very back of the bus with my head on Dai's shoulder, looking at the wet, busy city through the foggy windows.


I can't really begin to tell you how much I loved this part of the city. Wandering around the small, crooked streets made me feel like I was London more than New York City. This part of the city is also rather quiet, which is something that I appreciated after a week of bustling streets and people everywhere I turn.







This was one of our simplest days of the trip, but yet one of my favorites as well. It was a bittersweet day though, as I knew that we would be boarding a plane back home to California the next morning.

I am so happy that I challenged myself to keep my camera out along this entire trip when it would have been just as easy to leave it tucked in my bag, unused. I love all of the memories I know have and can't wait to print my favorites out to frame or make a cool scrapbook out of like this one recently posted on A Beautiful Mess.

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend! I was able to be productive and spend some much needed time relaxing. Here's to a great week ahead!

NYC Part 5: Empire State Building

On our second to last day in New York, we visited the Empire State Building. This was something that I was particularly looking forward to on this trip. Let's be honest, I was looking forward to everything about this trip, but you know what I mean. Even though the Empire State Building is such an iconic figure, I was kind of bummed about it costing $30 each for us to go in. But hey, if you're gonna do New York, you gotta do it right and price tags don't matter here.



And let me tell you, I was not disappointed. It was so cool. Maybe I'm just a goofball, but I really loved it. There is something so peaceful and beautiful about seeing this city from 86 stories up. Everything looks so tiny and calm in a city that is the furthest thing from that.



As we were at the top, on the observation deck, I called my dad. I was lucky to get just a little bit of cell reception way up there, and I used it to call him. I am so glad I did because it is something I will always remember. As I was talking to him, telling him about where I was, it started to snow. Just for us on the top of the Empire State Building, I'm sure of it. It was magical. What other time in your life will you get to stand on top of the Empire State Building, looking down at this beautiful city, talking to your dad on the phone, and it starting to snow while doing it? Never, that's when. So I shall let that memory be all mine, tucked into my heart forever.



Hey, one of the first decent pictures of us together on this trip! By someone who could actually work my DSLR! Trust me, it's the worst trying to explain to people how to use one... Or we just ask for someone to snap a photo of us with our iPhones, and even then...


It's pretty majestic, is it not? Have you been here? What did you think of it?

We are almost done with these New York posts, and I must say, I am getting kind of sad about it...

West Coast Love // Pizzeria Picco

This past Saturday, Dai took me to one of my very favorite restaurants to celebrate my birthday. I know, two weeks later, because he really is just the sweetest. We went to Pizzeria Picco, located in Marin County. For some reason it has happened that my most favorite places to eat are here! Remember Sol Food?


Picco is the smallest and most gourmet pizza place that you will ever go to. There are only about 10 spots to sit at along the bar inside, or at their outside tables. I always wait to sit inside because it gives you the best Picco experience.



The menu is filled with the most interesting and unique combinations, made with only the freshest, local ingredients, which is one of my favorite parts. We ordered three pizzas because we are crazy, but did take a whole pizza home as leftovers. I just couldn't decide which ones to get and Dai said I could get anything I wanted, so thats what I did :)

I love everything about their pizza. The crust is the perfect thick-thin ratio, and everything is wonderful. We ordered a Margherita pizza with made to order Cesar salad on top, a sauceless pizza made with thinly sliced potato, rosemary oil, mozzarella, and garlic (pictured above), as well as another pizza with house made sausage, pepperoni, mozzarella, and basil (pictured below).


And it was delicious. Duh.


And as if we hadn't eaten enough, we finished things off with their very popular soft serve, because no trip to Picco is complete without it. Dai had the Tcho chocolate dipped cone pictured above, while I had vanilla soft serve topped with caramel and sea salt. Many moons ago, this was the very first salted caramel thing I ate and I have been hooked ever since. Seriously my favorite combo, and the way Picco pulls it off is wonderful. Only the finest caramel and sea salt. I could eat a whole bucket of this stuff, but I'm ladylike, you know, so I won't...

I'll leave you to salivate now.

Pizzeria Picco // 316 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur, CA