and so i say goodbye

"this trip couldn't come at a more perfect time," said g.

and i completely agree.

tomorrow morning we leave the rainboots for swimsuits, strip ourselves from the distractions and lather on the tranquility. costa rica, we are all yours.

in my personal effort to minimize, again, this trip couldn't come at a more perfect time. no iTouch, no computer, cell phone - off. this vacation from work, stress, and the everyday routine is more of a vacation from everything that ties me down. so, i happily forgo these things and prepare for seven days of freedom. adventure. spontaneity (oh, how i get the chills just thinking of giving up control).

so until next week, i give you my love. now i have to groom these ferociously hairy legs of mine.

new day tunes

it's a new day in the neighborhood. actually, it's a new month. and lately, a new life. so here are the tunes that are currently filling me up with all thoughts tender.

welcome home

i invite you to my new home...

down the path

front door

walking in

at the table

come visit! 

this is how i celebrate

turning a quarter-of-a-century-old was just as amazing as i imagined. not only did i wake up for the first time in my new studio (photos to come), but i also had the chance to live a day doing the things i love with the people i love.

mama by my side. early morning breakfast at huckleberry's. trip to the farmer's market. decorating my studio, making a home. and then to g's for a divine six-course, five-hour-long dinner complete with longtime friends, wine, and leisure conversation. perfection.


here are some tidbits from the day i turned 25...

our abnormally huge cauliflower baby

last minute-prep

the completed table setting

amuse bouche

pre-party lovin'

i love this guy

endive-citrus salad

lifetime friends

done

...after countless glasses of wine, multiple courses, and sweet company

this had to be one of my favorite birthdays. thank you to everyone who made it so special. 

downsizing

i've never been one who cramps. who tries to squeeze the most things in the smallest of spaces. i like space. open air. each item to have its own place in the world. however, this personal preference requires a fair amount of room. but in a matter of a month, i've discovered something truly remarkable: there's no need to cramp or squeeze if you don't have a lot to begin with. (and the lightbulb goes on).

today marks day one of downsizing. today, i make the move from a one-bedroom apartment to a studio (complete with kitchen, thank goodness). in making this transition, i've had to clean out closets and cabinets, sell/donate furniture and decorations, and choose those things that fill me.

the past few weeks have been a game deciding between what i want vs. what i need. at first, this was painstakingly difficult, but the more i surrendered to myself - to what makes me, me - it became a game between what i like and what i cherish.

so far, day one of the move has been liberating albeit exhausting. each time i open the door to my new abode, my heart is lifted by the prospect of saving money and the realization that what i have is exactly what i need/treasure. and no more.

in other news, some elephant-of-a-bird took the biggest you know what on my car. thanks.

cha-cha-changes

my mind is in a flurry...all because of the to-do's in this nonstop life of mine.

rent was raised at my apartment, so i'm minimizing and moving into a studio next weekend. on the same street, up one block. still within walking distance to susie cakes and whole foods. phew!

the same weekend i pack up my things and move, i'll be turning the grand 2-5! and as if things weren't already exciting/busy, i will be celebrating the grand 2-5 in between moving. g plans on hosting a lovely gathering with all the necessities: food, wine, candlelight.

bills. account transfers. bills. and more bills.

tying up loose ends for our getaway to costa rica in february. can't we just be there already? isn't there someone to take care of reservations/car rentals?

but what should i be comlpaining about? these changes are GREAT changes! i just need to get my trusty moleskin out and start writing things down.

cambria, revisited

6 months later, g and i had the urge to get out of town and visit the central coast...again. we wined, we dined, we watched mother nature's beasts in action, and ventured to the quaint dutch town of solvang. just what we needed.

the following is a montage of photos and captions, chronicling our travels north:

morro bay from a distance

taking the scenic route

one of many tasting rooms in paso robles

his first wine purchase

my first treat purchase

the vineyards 6 months ago...

the vineyards in the peak of winter

more wine-tasting

the niner estates 6 months ago...

...and now

four more bottles and counting

cruising on the 1

yeah, if we had an album cover...

watching hundreds of elephant seals fight, mate, and suckle at the teet. quite the telenovela.

i love that guy

pit stop in solvang

picnic in the park

strolling through town

tempted, i'm sure

so long, for now!