Life Lately

Well, it's been a hot minute now, hasn't it?? Good grief, Charlie Brown!


Work/life have been extra crazy these past few weeks, so pardon the absence to whomever out there peruses this hobby of mine. 


Although I suppose one can argue life is always crazy, but oh well--that's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it! :P


So here's life lately, c/o my iPhone.....

{gorgeous dahlias}

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday, everyone!

A few things currently making me smile....

+ Sunset in Santa Monica

{people who say LA isn't pretty just don't know where to look}

Happy Friday!

A few favorite things currently making me happy...


Favorite Flower:

{peonies}

Huntington Gardens!

A few weeks ago we took a family trip to Huntington Gardens. &I must say it's absolutely gorgeous. 

{california poppy}

Weekend Roundup: "We're good."

My girlfriends & I have been talking about a Vegas trip for ages. And this weekend it finally happened!

As expected, the trip was short, but contained no shortage of excitement...

+ endless laughter

+ sing-a-longs while getting ready

+ heel exchanges

+ dancing to our hearts content

+ late night snuggles

+ a sprinkle of bad decisions

+ (several) cocktails

In the end, we all got back home exhausted, bodies sore from walking/dancing, some of us with a little more cash, & filled with new "remember when" stories. 

{here we go}

{California Love}

{gorgeous orchid arrangement in our lobby}

{missing kuki-chan}

-----

All in all, a successful Vegas weekend. 

Can't wait to do it again soon!

Make it last forever, friendship never ends.

- Spice Girls, "Wannabe"

xoxo,

trey

Bits of Happiness

As the weekend approaches (long weekend for some), I leave you with a few things that are currently making me smile, and hopefully will make you smile too...


1. Flowers in bloom!


Most guys don't understand the point of giving flowers, arguing the obvious--"they die." However, while the life of a bouquet of flowers is fleeting, the happiness it brings lasts so much longer. When in doubt, buy the flowers.

They're so friendly!

2. Emoji fun! I downloaded the emoji application for my iPhone and it's awesome.

On Valentine's Day, my cousin & I were discussing The Notebook. Here's a screenshot of part of our text conversation. 

If you love The Notebook, you'll instantly recognize where this is from. 

If you don't...well then you should watch it again!

Yes, our texts usually look like this.

3. A hilarious, loving piece of advice from my father about love & Valentine's Day...

As for not having a Valentine at this time. Remember, you want the right valentine, and not the wife beater - so be patient. Keep an eye out, and just be you. You are a good catch, and your future Valentine will be the same for you!

Thanks, Dad:

...for reassuring me that one day, someone will love me for me.

...for reminding me to always keep my eyes open, because love can be found anywhere. 

...for stressing the importance of patience, because nothing worth while ever comes easily.

...for knowing that my future Valentine will be just as awesome as I am. ;)

And finally...

...for reminding me that I want "the right valentine, and not the wife beater." 

Phew, I had almost forgot. :P
Ladies, remember that one! 

----

Happy Friday!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I am not a fan of Valentine's Day.


Before everyone assumes it's because I've turned into a cynical, love-hating, single girl, let me just clarify that it's not the case.


In fact, I love, love.


I love being in love & I love seeing people in love. Whether it be between family, friends, or a significant other, I think love is everything.


My annoyance with Valentine's Day is mainly due to the pressure that it causes, which usually overpowers the actual celebration of love that it's really about...


Pressure to "define the relationship."
Pressure to get the right card/gift.
Pressure to plan something just right.
Pressure to not get your hopes up.
Pressure to not disappoint.
Pressure to not feel disappointed.
Pressure to not wallow in your single-dom & feel sorry for yourself.


Love should be celebrated every day. Now I know that's not realistic, but isn't an "I love you" card/gift more meaningful when you aren't expecting it?? Thoughtfulness because you wanted to, not because you were supposed to...


I'm not saying not to celebrate Valentine's Day--because really, why not have another reason to celebrate--I'm saying to think about celebrating love throughout the year, as well. :) 


Oh well, enough negativity! We'll just embrace it--Happy Valentine's Day!


To my wonderful family & friends who always make me feel so loved:

I love you & am grateful for you, every day. :)

pun-ny cards I sent out to friends. 

Love is the answer--at least for most of the questions in my heart.

Like: why we here? where do we go? & how come it's so hard?

-jack johnson, "better together"

xo, trey

Best Invention Ever!

Today my brain decided to stage a protest against productivity and stay on weekend mode, even though I had a million things to accomplish. Needless to say, I came home frazzled & exhausted. 


The only thing keeping me from complete frustration was my excitement to come home and eat cereal. Wow, that sounds quite pathetic...but this is not your usual milk & cereal experience! 


To preface, I HATE soggy cereal. When I was a kid, I'd try to eat my cereal as fast as possible before it got soggy. If it got soggy, I threw it out. As I got older, I wised up and settled the method of on pouring a bowl of milk, then adding cereal a bit at a time so it never gets soggy. (Definitely less wasteful.)


But now, my cereal eating has evolved one step further--the Obol!!! 

It's an bowl divided into 2 compartments at different heights with a connecting "slide." So your cereal is separate from your milk and can be slid into the milk when you want. GENIUS! 

Best Invention EVER.

I'm not sure if I can fully explain how happy this makes me. But it really really really does. 


*A special thank you to my aunty for this amazing find!*


And just when I thought my bowl of cereal would be the highlight of my day...I get a knock on my door and it's my little brother, with an early Valentine's Day present!! *insert shock* 

So pretty.

Typical--a guy can do a gagillion things to frustrate you, but do one thing sweet and all is forgotten. 


Well played, brother. You're definitely getting older & wiser. Ha! But seriously, thank you. Love you. #bestbrotherever


I guess today wasn't so bad, after all. :)