Sweet sun-date

Wearing: Diesel jacket (similar), Savvy Trends top (similar), Target x Rodarte collaboration skirt, Zara heels (similar)

I've been spending a lot of my time with my baby cousin Kayle. I haven't seen her in a few months and now she's almost taller than me. Well, she's not really a baby. She's more of a pre-teen now. I can't wrap my mind around her growing up so fast.  I kept in touch with her while I was traveling throughout Europe and she loved all my macaron photos.

Me: "Have you tried a macaron before?"

Kayle: "Only the ones from Trader Joe's that my mom buys."

After that conversation, I knew I had to take her to Bouchon Bakery in Yountville. It would be a new experience for the both of us since I've never been to there either. We both had a lovely time outdoors, enjoying our delicious macarons. Kayle took her first bite and sighed in bliss. She said the line is absolutely worth the wait.

As a fellow macaron lover, I had to do my duty and show her the way. Now she's anxiously waiting for another pastry weekend adventure. Smart kid.

In a few hours, I'll be on my way to Malibu. I finally decided on a dress and can't wait to show you. Now if only I had a magical fairy to help me pack my bag...

In the meantime, stay updated on my Instagram! 

Ps.
I got into the routine of blogging. It feels so weird missing a few days.

No more waiting

In need of a new jam to get you going? Listen and repeat.

Enjoy! 

Casual weekend wear

weekend with madewell by arainymelody featuring leopard print flats

Wearing: Madewell// tank top, boyfriend jeans, leather tote, zip pouch, leopard flats

Lately I find myself gravitating towards a more simple style. It makes putting outfits together quicker and I get more wear out of it. Madewell is the perfect example of effortless and cool. They carry pieces that are worth investing in. For those of us on a budget, the best time to shop there is when they have an additional 40% sale. I've been able to snag t-shirts for less than $10.

I created this Polyvore set because 1. I'm addicted to looking at the collages and 2. this is my current weekend outfit on repeat. Tank, denim, flats and a tote to carry to toss my life in. The pouch is for the little things that seem to get lost. Chapstick, keys, bobby pins...you know what I'm talking about. The look is easy to change up with a few accessories or even a bright lipstick for that pop of color.

With that said, I'm going to enjoy the summer sun and Grace: A Memoir.

Happy weekend! 

Berliner dom

Wearing: c/o Charlotte Russe top (similar), c/o Charlotte Russe skirt (similar), Topshop sandals

I wish I had taken more photos in Miami but I was having way too much fun catching up with friends. I made it a point to not do touristy things while I was there. Liane dropped me off at the airport before heading to work.  I always find myself involved in funny situations with airport security. (And by funny, I mean I'm panicking at the time and then my friends laugh at me later.)

Exhibit A: When I was stopped at Hong Kong International airport because they found a mini knife in my bag. I had chills when security said, "You are carrying a small knife." After freaking out and having security go through my luggage, it turns out said knife was a travel size nail file. Face palm.

Exhibit B: Arriving at Bankok, Thailand, I had no clue where I was staying because my aunt had booked the hotel through a travel agency. Everyone else got to go through customs except me. I stood off to the side for who knows how long until security decided it was okay.

I forgot about those moments until something happened this time around while heading to Berlin. First, I wasn't able to board the plane because I forgot to sign my passport. I don't even know what to say to that. I signed and went on my merry way. I located my seat which was next to a rather nice gentleman, who talked about all the cool things I should do in Germany. He mentioned he flew a lot for his work and I asked him what his occupation is. 

Homeland security.

Go figure.

Ps.

Thank you Charlotte Russe for the outfits! 

The big day

the big day by arainymelody featuring a pink dress

Wearing: Nasty Gal pink tube dress, Topshop palm romper, orange chiffon dress, Topshop pink lace dress, & Nasty Gal daisy yellow dress

Kidding! It's not my big day but a good friend's big day. I made this Polyvore set because I still haven't figured out what I want to wear. I've been searching high and low for dresses and from the set, you can see that I'm all over the place. I want something pink but then something floral catches my eye. Another few tabs later, I'm like, "Oh wait, what about a romper?" I obviously have no idea what I'm wearing yet.

I'll be heading to Malibu next week and I can barely contain my excitement. I love weddings. There's something magical about being in a place where two people are pledging their love to one another in front of family and close friends. I missed out on the lovely Parisian bridal shower because I was in Europe. But! I've been fortunate enough to help out here and there. I can't wait to see the venue and how everything is put together. No worries, I'll be snapping plenty of photos when given the chance.

Congratulations, my friend. Wishing you all the best! 

The one that got away

{Img via}

Sorry for all the going back and forth with traveling posts. I can't help it-there are just so many things going on in my mind that I want to write about. For instance, these Topshop oxfords. 

When I was in London, Tonh was on this endless summer search for Birkenstocks. We went into Topshop on Oxford Street to check it out. While she was shopping for potential sandals, I came across the above said shoes. 

White. Oxfords. Perforated. Gold tipped. 

What's not to love? I immediately went into shoe hunting mode and searched for my size. When I discovered there was none, I asked the sales associate who became the bearer of sad sad news. 

I haven't thought about the shoes since that day. Then I received an e-mail and saw they were on sale. It was meant to be! My insides were jumping for joy until I realized there are only two sizes left...neither being my size.

Now it's 1:40 AM and I'm sighing wistfully over these pretty shoes that got away.

First time

Wearing: YesStyle dress, GAP jacket, Giuseppe Zanotti shoes, Forever 21 rings

Before heading to Berlin, I decided I'd make a stop at Miami to see my friend Liane. We've known each other since we were old enough to sign up for an e-mail account during the 56k dial-up days. So yes, we met on the Internet on a Sailormoon forum board and I'm pretty much going to leave it at that. The last time I visited her (two years ago?), she took me snorkeling at Key Largo. It was my first time and I just fell in love with the warm Atlantic ocean.

She asked me how I felt about kayaking this time around and again, it'd be my first time trying something new in the water. I was kind of nervous about it because I kept thinking of whitewater rafting and flying off. I know, I know. The two are completely different but still! The night before, I went on Youtube to watch videos of how to get into a kayak.

Yeah...

When we got there, it turned out to be much less terrifying than I had anticipated and incredibly fun. I enjoyed the breathtaking scenery and good company. Plus it was a great arm work out. I didn't want our precious few hours to end.

The day was perfect. 
___
*I only took one photo of kayaking and you can find it on my Instagram. These photos were taken before my trip but I still wanted to share them.

Anything and everything

Img via

I meant to update yesterday with a blog post about my first stop. I started writing it and found myself going off to run a few errands. Suddenly it was already dinner time with my childhood friend Alex. A quick catch up is never the case with us. We're forever talking about anything and everything. By the time I wanted to finish up the post, I fell asleep to watching Pretty Little Liars. 

Oops.

I have something to tell you

Wearing: YesStyle dress

I can't believe the last time I blogged was in April-it sure has been a while. I guess you could say I was having writer's block. I started feeling uninspired and had no motivation to write. At that point, I was deciding if I wanted to take courses during the summer or do something spontaneous. I'm usually not the spontaneous one but the one who will go along with plans if someone suggests something. Most of the time, that one person is my bestie Tonh and this time around she told me to go to Berlin. (She's a California bohemian who currently resides in Berlin.)

What the heck.

Who does that?

Certainly not me. We both kept toying with the idea but never came up with solid plans. It was an idea we flirted around with because she was leaving California soon. Finally I came home to visit my parents and discussed it with my dad. The conversation went along the lines of:

Me: "Should I save money and finish up my classes? Or should I be completely broke and travel the world?"

Dad: "That's easy. Be broke and travel the world."