Almost time to jet set!

I have a day and a half left in the office and then I have a nice long weekend at home followed by a ton of travel! This week is my last week at The North Face which is a little bittersweet, but I am so looking forward to my new role at Lucy.

On Tuesday I head to France with my mom and I can't wait! I also just found out the day after I get back from my Europe trip I am heading to Portland to spend a week working with my new team at Lucy. I'm really excited to meet my new co-workers who are moving here in August to be a part of the Alameda Lucy office!

While I am in Portland I am staying at an adorable hotel that my girl Erika recommended called the Ace Hotel. It is such a fun and hip little hotel and I know it will provide some nice inspiration and a very positive transition into my new job. Yay for jet planes, new beginnings, and inspiring travels!

Quote of the week

"Most people would rather be certain they're miserable, than risk being happy."

Robert Anthony

Image by Herakut, an amazing graffiti artist duo! Check 'em out!

Congrats Sudzilla!

This weekend I went to my lovely friend Surya's bachelorette brunch. The brunch was at her momma's house 2 hours outside of Yosemite in a little town in the central valley. It was so much fun! The food was homemade and amazing including some drop dead delicious scones and strawberry pie! It was so wonderful to be surrounded by so many beautiful, inspiring, and intelligent women! And not to mention, I am so happy that my Surya (Sudzilla) is marrying a super wonderful man! Congrats Surya!

Paint by numbers

All i have to do is make it through the work day and teach a climbing class this evening and then I'm hitting the town with the ladies! I had to throw on somthing for work that I could wear out tonight, so here it is.

I'm wearing an Eight Sixty skirt, BDG Burnout V-neck, Black leather slouch boots (similar here), Chain necklace (similar here) and Metal ring (similar here) .

Travel Basics

JCrew Belt (similar here), Aldo Booties, JCrew Tank (similar here), JCrew Cardigan, Nordstrom Rack Chain necklace (similar here) (and less expensive here), Target pleated shorts (similar here), Target Bikini, Cynthia Vincent for Target sandals, Anne Klein Studded sandals from Nordstrom Rack (similar here), JCrew Printed Ruffle tank (similar here).

Over the last couple weeks I've been stocking up on some inexpensive travel basics for my France/Italy trip. I hit up places like Nordstrom Rack (my personal fav.), the J Crew outlet, the Aldo outlet, and Target. I was mainly looking for comfy basics that could still be dressed up and chic if needed, a swimsuit for the beach, some good walking shoes that still were stylish, and a few fun accessories.

Quote of the week

Let hope inspire you, but let not idealism blind you.

Don't look back, you can never look back.

Don Henley

*image from Tumbler

Branch Line

My friend Leighsa has started a blog for her floral and event design business Branch Out. The new blog will share her teams inspirations and feature events and ideas for weddings and parties. As one of her designers I will be guest blogging as well. I'm very excited to be a part of Leighsa's creative little world. Become a follower of her blog here! Branch Line

*images from Branch Out

Yosemite again and the continued crush fest!

Amelia and I packed up the Volvo and took a ladies trip to Yosemite Valley. We had no idea where we were sleeping or when we were heading back, but we decided to fly by the seat of our pants and just figure it all out along the way. I had just been to Yosemite last weekend and was feeling so excited I couldn't stop talking about going back. Amelia had to get in on the action.

After we made plans to head to the Valley Amelia hurt her ankle bouldering, but she was the ultimate climbing partner and came along as my moral support and spotter anyway. She is so rad and having her with me got me super physched to crush!

We met some really awesome people and got to crash at Curry Village in a tent house with an old friend of Amelia's who now works at the Park. It was kismet, I suppose cause the plans just sort of fell into place.

With some amazing beta and support from all the folks we were climbing with I sent Octagon V6, which I tried last week and could barely get through the third move! I also started to project King V7. The first day I started projecting it I got all the way to the top-out and fell! So disappointing! I continually got to the top of the climb all weekend so I am confident with a little more dedication and hard work I can send soon! I can't wait to get back!

Girls night out

On Tuesday Daniela and I went out to Mua and had dinner and drinks. We tried out my new Fuji Mini max camera and I am physched on it! Check out these fun little mini Polaroids it takes! I am so excited to take this to Europe and snap some awesome pics.

Quote of the week

The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.
Chinese Proverb

*image from FFFFound.com

Yosemite!

I spent Saturday bouldering in Yosemite Valley with my friends Kim and James. I have always been intimidated by the Valley, I guess that's my only excuse for only going twice in my whole life (and never going in the last 3 years-crazy, I know)! I sure am glad I finally went back. I had such an amazing time.

We bouldered at the cathedral boulders and the sentinel boulders. I had my proudest send to date on "So Good" V5 after watching James' beta for the top out. We all also sent Crippler V4. I was physched to finish both these climbs as they were super heady for me. It was the first time I have ever bouldered that I didn't feel afraid of heights (a huge accomplishment for me to say the least)! As a result of my new found confidence I took two big falls off the king boulder, one of them almost landing on James Lucas' head! Thank god he's a good spotter!

We worked on a bunch of other stuff that I will for sure be projecting in the future. I'm super stoked to try and finish The King V7 and Sentinel Traverse V6 just to name a few. It was a wonderful trip (although admittedly too short)! I can't wait to get back out!

Love Love Love

I am loving these looks from All Saints!

They are so tough and rocker but still super sexy.

I want!

Pining to climb

Lately I feel a little stuck (in my cube). I have spent the last few weekends in town which has been really great, but I suddenly feel antsy and all I can think about is getting outside to climb and be outside with friends. I was looking at some pics from a trip I took with work last year to Joshua Tree and I swear I started to have symptoms of withdrawal. I'm hoping to get outside one day this weekend and boulder with my girl Kim and I can't wait! Until then I thought I'd post some fun pics from my trip to J-Tree. I miss real rock!

"Imagination Inspiration" and Quote of the Week

I saw these photos by Tim MacPherson and I just loved them. I appreciate how they capture the imagination of childhood. It seems so hard for adults to let go and get lost in imagination. These photos inspire me to dream, to create, and to see the world outside the box. It's a good reminder that even though we can't control the way things are, we can control the way we see them.

Window Blues

The sun is shining and I am staring out my office window pining to play outside. Since I can't be out in the beautiful weather, I can at least get into the spirit with a fun Spring time outfit. I'm wearing a Ditsy print dress (similar here and here) accessorized with Miss Sixty boots (similar here and here), Urban Outfitters belt (similar here), Lucky Brand Horseshoe necklace (similar here) and stacking rings (similar here).

My theme song for the day is by Likke Li.

Window Blues

I sleep with windows open

I sleep with eyes wide

In case you would come walking

In case you change your mind

But don't strain yourself for me

Don't break yourself for me

Don't lose your selfish ways for me

I keep a leash around you

And I keep it nice and tight

In case you would go walking over forbidden line

But don't go out soft on me

Don't come across for me

Dont lose your selfish ways over me

Un deux trois quatre cinq six

A hundred times around

Keep on flunking out

Keep me wanting more

Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com

Yay Mom!

With mother's Day right around the corner I've been thinking about my mom a lot. I am super physched to be spending the first half of June with her in Europe! I'm sure it will be a wonderfully memorable trip and I hope it brings us closer than we already are. I am so thankful that she is footing the plane tickets for us both to spend some quality time in our home land. What an amazing gift! This mother's day I have a lot to thank her for...I wonder what I should get her?? To provide myself some mother's day inspiration here are some pics of where my mom is taking me next month! Yay Mom!

DTP (down to party)

Friday night I went out with some friends in Oakland. We started at Cafe Van Kleef and watched a band play, then we hit up Heart and Dagger saloon where we blended in amongst the twenty something hipsters, greasers, and bikers. Then we brought the party to Kingman's Lucky Lounge where we stuck out like soar thumbs and gave on-lookers idiot shivers as we danced our little hearts out. It was a silly and very fun start to the weekend!

*bottom two photos taken by Jason Lam