Ombre Bracelet.

I thought I would share this beautiful DIY trend to celebrate my new Ombre hair.  

For those of you that don't have pinterest, I have a whole folder full of cute little projects like this one.  This is one of my favorites though that I am dying to try!  I wish I had time!  Maybe one of you will have time to make this  gorgeous ombre bracelet from Teahab, a DIY Life & Style blog.

At The Races.

My friend C & I went to the horse races at Del Mar this past weekend.  I think I am hooked.  We bet 2 dollars each on a horse the first race and C won $5, then we both lost the second race. We chose our horses based on their names and colors of course. On the third race, one of those rich guys who looked like he knew what he was doing told us to be on a particular horse, so we each pitched in $1 and he won! We split the $3.40 profit! The best part about it was the people watching though.  I've never seen such a mix of high profile and well... POWs in one place before.  There was a definite class structure to the whole thing and it was interesting seeing how people reacted to it- the POWs judging the high society and the elites judging the POWs (sorry-there's just no other word).  Then, there were people like us who were just there enjoying the experience and totally clueless about where we were "supposed" to belong. 

Wink & Wish won!

Total Spent- $5  (horses) + $4 (ice cream) 

Tickets & Parking- Free

Total Won- $3 split between us (it felt like a hundred) 

PINK Nation.

PINK Nation app LOVE.

I finally got internet at my new place today- woohoo! Can't wait to start posting again <3

Signs of Summer.

Oh, I caved and bought a 3 month subscription to my favorite Aussie magazine, Frankie.  

It's is just so... me.  It's just random and lovely.  Plus, I love the writing.  It's feisty. 

There's nothing I love more than sipping a cappuccino and reading a Frankie magazine.  

I am actually at a deaf meet-up group right now, and I am finding this completely fascinating.  I love doing new things, and this is definately new to me.  My new roomie invited me, and I am so happy that I came.  I was a little nervous that they would think I wasn't cool because I couldn't sign, but just hanging out with these guys is inspiring.  I have this new goal to learn how to sign now. So, I will be going to these meet-up groups every week.  Within just one night, I learn how to say greetings, the alphabet, descriptions, how to hit on someone, and how to sell face cream to someone.  One of the guys my roomie was signing with turned out to be an Olympic basketball player, but how would I ever know that if I didn't go somewhere out of my comfort zone?

I have always been so in love with learning about other cultures and languages, but it never occurred to me that the deaf culture was right in front of me.  Everybody learns Spanish, but no one bothers to learn how to sign- that's what one of the guys we were signing with was saying. No one thinks to come to a deaf meet-up group if they don't know how to sign, but I would encourage you to because it totally bridges the gap that we inevitably place between us.  

Find a meetup group for something that you don't know anything about: MeetUp

Momentos to Life.

I decided to watch one of my favorite movies, Eat, Pray, Love today.  I related so much to Julia Roberts in that movie the first time I watched it.  I seriously felt at the time that the movie was made for me.  I remember so clearly the part where Liz tells her friend,  "Do You know what I felt when I woke up this morning, Delia? Nothing! No passion, no spark, no faith, no heat, absolutely nothing! I think I’ve really gotten pass the point where I could be calling this a bad moment. And it just, it terrifies me. Jesus, this is worse than death to me. The idea that this is the person I’m gonna be from now on?!
Delia: You know what? This happens to people. They fall in love in their 20s, they get married, they do the granit counter top, white picket fence thing in their 30s. And somewhere in there they realize ‘this is not for me anymore’. And so they fail, they fall down, they hurt like hell, they straighten up and march their bruised asses to the shrink’s office. They can’t just check out.
Liz: I am not checking out. I need to change.
Delia: You have a support system here, Liz. You have friends and family who love you.
Liz: And do you feel my love? For you? My support for you? No! There’s like nothing! I have no pulse! *sigh* I’m going to Italy.
Delia: Italy? Why Italy.
Liz: What did you have for lunch today?
Delia: I don’t know. Salad?
Liz: Exactly. I used to have this appetite, for food, for my life. And it is just gone. I just want to go someplace where I can  marvel at something. Language, gelatto, spaghetti.. something!"
I remember understanding so much how Liz felt.  It was exactly what I felt before I decided to go to Australia.  It is the reason I decided to go to Australia.  I had the exact same conversation with almost everyone in my life. So, the plan was to travel the world.  I had no destination, I just knew I needed to leave. Everyone thought I was crazy.  I had worked for 3 years saving my pennies.  For what? At the time, I didn't know for what, but when I saw this movie it was clear as crystal.  I was going to go to Australia for 4 months, Italy for 4 months, and then Hawaii for 4 months.  The moment I landed in OZ, it was literally like I had been numb my whole life and suddenly I could feel! It was like a veil had been lifted from my eyes, and for the first time in my life, I felt!

It’s such a beautiful thing, being able to look at your past and realize why things happened the way that they did.  Sometimes, you’ll never know, but sometimes you can see it once you are past it. To this day, I don't regret a single moment of my life because it brought me to this very place in San Diego where I finally found the peace and joy that I have been looking for my entire life (but more on that later)...

I have an app on my phone and iPod called Momento.  It’s a sweet little diary-esque app, where you can jot down daily notes, tag pictures, places, and people.  Best part is, you can lock it.  But I am going to do the unthinkable and unlock my diary entries from my year in Australia.  Looking back on where I was before Australia, all the ups and downs I went through in Australia, and then where I am now, I’d say I learned some great life lessons.  I always say that time warps when your travelling, and a year can feel like a lifetime worth of knowledge and experience.  So, I’d say I’m pretty wise, haha, not.  Anyways, I hope you find something worthwhile in these.

Suffocated with pollution, anxiety, and expectations, I escaped on a plane to Australia.  The best part about this story is that it worked.  From the moment I hopped on the plane in Denver, Colorado to my friend's house on the other side of the planet in Sydney, Australia, my life turned upside down, again and again. 

Momento: Day 1 (On the plane)

Flying to Oz.  Remember the importance of being kind to everyone no matter old or young.  Don’t judge anyone.  Talk about what you love.Positive thoughts=what you loveNegative thoughts=what you don’t loveWhat you give=What you receiveAmplify good feelings@ Think nonstop positive thoughts.Give love through good feelings.  A change of feeling is a change in destiny.Joy. Hope. Passion. Excitement.You determine the outcome of a situation based on how you feel about it.
Before I embarked on my journey, I felt nothing.  Now, I feel excited, passionate, and blissful.  Now I am on a new frequency.  I have the power to change the way I feel and when I change my circumstance, Instantaneously, my life changes!  {I listened to the Audiobook, 'The Power' ('The Secret' sequel) the entire 16 hour flight}

Momento: Day 3 (Just arrived in Sydney)

Put forth a clear enough request and everything your heart desires must come to you! The universe is endlessly bountiful.  1^st day in Sydney: Walked in warm rain. Tour guide taxi driver. Eiffel tower keychain in the mailbox.  Walking into an empty house. Ricotta cake at an Italian café.  G’day mailman and hot Aussie boys.  Short shorts, high waist.  Side pony tails & tied crop tops.  Feels like paradise. Feels like Danny Deckchair.  No worries, no stress.  I feel like I am meant to be here.  I just walked past a church sign that said “In 2011, give your worries to God.”

{Pictures 1,2,&7 via Tumblr}

S'mores Day!

Nutella, Raspberry and Chocolate S'more for National S'mores day!

{recipes}

Feel Healthier.

I found this diet on Pinterest, and I decided to do it!  I was doing it not to lose weight but to prove to myself that I could abstain from sugar and coffee for 7 days.  Because this plans starts out with as much fruit as you want and keeps the quantities pretty high, staying off sugar actually wasn't that hard! The coffee was a different story though- I caved on Day 3 after my intense migraine on day 2.  Overall, I felt better, didn't crave sweets as much, and I lost 5 pounds.  I didn't even exercise during this week. So, all in all, I would love to recommend this to you if you were interested in doing it.   I never felt hungry which was great, too!   I think I caved on day 5 (it was 4th of July) and had a s'mores at the bonfire. I'm planning on doing this again soon because I liked it so much!

This plan can be used as often as you like without any fear of complications. It is designed to flush your system of impurities and give you a feeling of well being. 

During the first seven days you must abstain from all alcohol
You must drink 10 glasses of water each day

Day One All fruits except bananas. Your first day will consist of all the fruits you want. It is strongly suggested that you consume lots of melons the first day. Especially watermelon and a loupe. If you limit your fruit consumption to melons, your chances of losing three lbs. on first day are very good.

Day Two All vegetables. You are encouraged to eat until you are stuffed with all the raw or cooked vegetables of your choice. There is no limit on the amount or type. For your complex carbohydrate, you will start day two with a large baked potato for breakfast. You may top the potato with one pat of butter.

Day Three A mixture of fruits and vegetables of your choice. Any amount, any quantity. No bananas yet. No potatoes today.

Day Four Bananas and milk. Today you will eat as many as eight bananas and drink three glasses of milk. This will be combined with the special soup which may be eaten in limited quantities.

Day Five Today is feast day. You will eat beef and tomatoes. Eat two 10 oz. portions of lean beef. Hamburger is OK. Combine this with six whole tomatoes. On day five you must increase your water intake by one quart. This is to cleanse your system of the uric acid you will be producing.

Day Six Beef and vegetables. Today you may eat an unlimited amount of beef and vegetables. Eat to your hearts content.

Day Seven Today your food intake will consist of brown rice, fruit juices and all the vegetables you care to consume.

Tomorrow morning you will be 10-17 lbs. lighter than one week ago. If you desire further weight loss, repeat the program again. You may repeat this program as often as you like, however, it is suggested that you are allowed two glasses of white wine in addition to the instructions on the program. You may substitute champagne for white wine. Under no circumstances are you to drink any other alcoholic beverages with the exception of beer which is allowed. Any liquor (bourbon,vodka, rum) is forbidden. Cream drinks are especially forbidden. You may have an occasional cordial such as creme de menthe or schnapps, but you must always limit yourself to two drinks. If you wine, drink only wine that day. If you have beer, drink only beer that day, etc. Alcohol adds empty calories to your diet. However, after the first week it will help your digestion and settle your stomach.

G.M.’S Wonder Soup

The following soup is intended as a supplement to your diet. It can be eaten any time of the day in virtually unlimited quantities. You are encouraged to consume large quantities of this soup.

28 oz, Water, 6 Large Onions, 2 Green Peppers, Whole Tomatoes (fresh or canned), 1 Head Cabbage, 1 Bunch Celery, 4 Envelopes Lipton Onion Soup Mix, Herbs and Flavouring as desired.

Additional Comments

Vegetables as may be taken in the form of a salad if desired. No dressing except malt, white or wine vinegar, squeezed lemon, garlic, herbs. No more than one tea spoon of oil.

You have been given a recipe for the WONDER SOUP which can be eaten in unlimited quantities. This soup is a supplement while you are on the program and it should be a pleasure to eat. Not everyone likes cabbage, green peppers, calory etc. This recipe is not inflexible. You may substitute vegetables according to your taste. You may add any vegetables you like: asparagus, peas, corn, turnips, green beans, cauliflower, etc. Try to stay away from beans (lima, pinto, kidney, etc.), however, because they tend to be high in calories even though they are very good for you.

Beverages you may consume while on the program :

   1. Water (flavoured with lemon/lime if desired).
   2. Club Soda is OK.
   3. Black Coffee. No cream or cream substitute. No sugar or sweetness.
   4. Black Tea = Herb or Leaf.
   5. Absolutely nothing else except the fruit juices which are part of day seven. No fruit juices before day seven.

How and Why It Works

Day One you are preparing your system for the upcoming programme. Your only source of nutrition is fresh or canned fruits. Fruits are nature’s perfect food. They provide everything you could possibly want to sustain life except total balance and variety.

Day Two starts with a fix of complex carbo-hydrates coupled with an oil dose. This is taken in the morning for energy and balance. The rest of day two consists of vegetables which are virtually calorie free and provide essential nutrients and fibre.

Day Three eliminates the potato because you get your carbohydrates from the fruits. You system is now prepared to start burning excess pounds. You will still have cravings which should start to diminish by day four.

Day Four, bananas, milk and soup sound the strangest and least desirable. You’re in for a surprise. You probably will not eat all the bananas allowed. But they are there for the potassium you have lost and the sodium you may have missed the past three days. You will notice a definite loss of desire for sweets. You will be surprised how easy this day will go.

Day Five, Beef and tomatoes. The beef is for iron and proteins, the tomatoes are for digestion and fibre. Lots and lots of water purifies your system. You should notice colourless urine today. Your allowance calls for the equivalent of five “quarter ponders”. Do not feel you have to eat all this beef. You must eat the six tomatoes.

Day Six is similar to day five, Iron and proteins from beef, Vitamins and fibre from vegetables. By now your system is in a total weight loss inclination. There should be a noticeable difference in the way you look today, compared to day one.

Day Seven finished off the program like a good cigar used to finish off Victorian meals, except much healthier. You have your system under control and it should thank you for the flushing and cleaning you just gave it. {GMs Diet}

A day in La Jolla.

The sea lions were super playful today.  I couldn't believe how close they were getting to the people snorkeling!

We ate at our favorite breakky place in La Jolla: Aroma (aka. Barfly). I think everyone who lived in La Jolla was at La Jolla Cove and at this tiny little beach. Even though just around the corner there was another beach where only 5 people were on.  Everyone was beaching, tenting, snorkeling, kayaking, and playing with the seals and sea lions.  

I stumbled across these suprisingly pretty orange wedding decorations as I was walking along the cove.

I'm in a state of transition right now.  Even though it's got it's usual mixed feelings, it's time to move.  I love change!  So, I'm excited to see what this next chapter of my life has in store for me.  I'm not moving to a different country this time, but it's going to be very different than how I've been living in La Jolla.  I'm going to be a legit valley girl, living near Fashion Valley mall in San Diego.  

I live based on my gut feeling and the sense of peace that I get with every decision I have to make.  I don't know how to explain it, but I just know that this is where I am meant to be.  I know that something amazing is going to happen.  So, of course I am excited!  Plus, every few months of being in the same place I start to get that travel bug, so I think this will cure some of that.  I still have so much more of San Diego to explore!  I have cliffs to jump off of, festivals to dance at, and trails to hike!  Even though I am excited to continue living here, I still have commitment-phobia.  It's a year lease... a year.  So many things can happen in a year.  So many places to see, travel to, and blog about!  So, I will be making a conscious effort every day to live as if I am a traveler, not a tourist (or someone that gets stuck in routine and doesn't appreciate their opportunities). I want to explore the places of San Diego where the locals know about and keep from the tourists.  I want to break the code, and I want to share them with you.