You know those moments in life when you find yourself in a new place and it just makes the rest of the world fall away? New roads beneath the tires and sand between your toes; you’re immersed in fresh surroundings having the time of your life. I guess some people call that a vacation.

This past weekend I suppose I had a little mini vacation with my love. We had our friends’ wedding in Ben Lomond near Santa Cruz on Sunday and decided to take advantage of the trip and three-day weekend by staying in a hotel, going out to dinner and driving along the coast on Highway 1 back to San Francisco on Monday. It was spontaneous and a little expensive so last minute but it was completely worth it.

The wedding was absolutely gorgeous (congrats Shereen + Josh!) and the scenic drive up the coast was exactly what I needed. I don’t know if it was not seeing each other for a week or the brewery beers we shared at one of our stops but Glenn and I were more giggly than usual. We couldn’t stop laughing, touching and being silly with one another. I love that. There’s been a lot of talk from our family + friends lately about when we’re going to settle down together and tie the knot. It’s very endearing and we definitely talk about it. I think our love is a lot like this trip: we know where we’re going but we’re choosing to take the scenic route ;)

Now it’s Tuesday morning and its back to reality. Fortunately, I only have five more days of work before next vacation to Nashville in a week! I’m getting really, really excited. Surely I’ll be sweltering in that Southern summer heat but that’s what whiskey on the rocks is for, right?

▲ I miss my boyfriend. In case you haven’t already witnessed me whining about it across other social media sites, Glenn is living in San Francisco during the next month. He’s working full-time for one of the companies he contracts with and they need him in the office every day right now. He is absolutely loving it; I’m so proud of him. But, it has been a little rough going from seeing him everyday to not at all. I’m looking forward to making a trip up there this weekend to visit and also attend our friends’ wedding in Ben Lomond. Plus, I have Monday off so I get a whole extra day of adventuring! Let’s just hope my car doesn’t decide to break down on the Golden Gate Bridge again. Fingers crossed.

▲ Fresh bedding + sheets do wonders for the bedroom (and soul). To preempt the sadness of being relegated to sleeping solo for awhile, I decided to spruce up my sanctuary aka Cal King bed with some new sheets, comforter and pillows. As an avid nap enthusiast I consider this a good move. There’s just something about sleeping in a *new* bed that is calming. I also picked up a surprisingly soft shag rug which I’ve been on the hunt for, forever. Target never fails me.

▲ I’ve got to get better about saying no to things. It’s for my sanity, really. Sometime I get so excited about an opportunity and say yes immediately, only to realize I really don’t have the time and then it just becomes a disappointment–for them and for me. Note to self: you don’t have to do All! Of! The! Things!

How’s everyone’s week going?

* photo

I’m not even going to apologize for the sporadic posting around here. All I can chalk it up to is lack of inspiration lately; a funk of sorts. I’m tired of seeing the same things everywhere both on and offline. I need some variety in my life! I was going through my archives the other day and it made me miss using this space for my writing. In the 5+ years this blog has been around, it has taken on many forms–from fashion blog to design blog to photo blog. I suppose my life consists of my passion for all of those things but for one reason or another this space hasn’t felt like me lately. So, I’m working on it. I know I’ve just lumped myself into that somewhat annoying category of blogger who gets all existential on their internet presence, but nonetheless I want to refine why and what I share here whether that be a personal essay, photos from my week, links and giveaways supporting things + people I admire, etc.

Speaking of which, the photo above is that of my dear friend Chelsea. It’s taken by the amazing photographer Parker Fitzgerald and is one of my all-time favorite shots of her. Chelsea’s equally rad sister Abby runs an online shop selling some super fun things…you may want to check back here on Friday (hint, hint).

WATCHING / Game of Thrones + Mad Men, religiously. I feel like GOT’s last episode was insanely good. Lots went down and **SPOILER ALERT** can we talk about John Snow and Ygritte?! Holler. I also think its very clever of the writer’s to pronounce her name the same as the bird ‘egret.’ Mad Men has made me think about when Don + Betty Draper were together, lately. Does anyone else miss them as a couple sometimes? I do.

THINKING ABOUT / The future. A lot. With some of the people closest to me going through some hard times, it has really made me appreciative of the support of family and friends. Maybe its being Mexican and growing up in a huge family but I know that I want to be surrounded by my children and grandchildren when I’m older. Glenn and I talk about marriage + kids and its something we definitely both want someday.

READING / I downloaded Where’d You Go, Bernadette? to my Kindle on Diana‘s recommendation and I started it last night. I’m only a few pages (percentage?) in but I’m enjoying it so far! I want to pick up The Fault in our Stars next, I’ve heard good things.

LOOKING FORWARD TO / Finishing my tattoo this weekend! I can’t believe I started it almost 3 years ago. The anniversary of my grandfather’s passing is this month so its fitting that it will finally be completed. I’m also looking forward to a trip to wine country on Saturday night to visit my BFF Dane with some of the gals. Delicious food, wine + music are in store for us; so pumped!

MAKING ME HAPPY / Positive client feedback. Landing gigs collaborating with companies I love {more on that later}. Evening walks around the block with my two dudes. Replicating a recipe I loved from a restaurant. Drinking lots of water w/ lemon. Vacation in a little over 30 days!

As always, thanks to the lovely lady Danielle for the inspiration behind these posts.

* photo + type by me

Sometimes, no matter how many walks you take, things you read or pictures you see, there is just no inspiration. This week was one of those times hence no Link Bytes today. And you know what? It’s okay. I had dinner with a different friend every night this week instead of coming home and gluing myself to another screen–something I haven’t done in a long while. It was so nice to catch up and be outside in a social setting enjoying good food + conversation. Last weekend Glenn asked me out on a date (yes, we still do that) and I was sort of taken aback because I had to think back on when our last date night was because we’ve both been so wrapped up in work + freelance lately. That, is not okay. It’s nice, necessary even, to unplug and take a week off every now and then to spend quality time with people you love. My date + friend nights were much needed and fulfilling; this week has left me feeling recharged and ready to get back on the work grind this weekend. It can be tough, but I want to get better at balancing work + play.

* photo