Snorkling at Poipu Shores

My family and I stayed at Poipu Shores for the five days. We had glorious weather, fantastic sunsets, and snorkeling everyday. We munched on tasty Puka-Dogs (a type of hawaiian hot dogs) and drank tons of Hawaiian Sun-teas. I didn’t want … Continue reading

Bachelorette Cruise in Kaua’i

About a week after my birthday my family and I flew to Hawaii for my cousin’s wedding. My cousin and her now husband live in Hawaii, so it was a destination wedding for only my side of the family, as … Continue reading

Venice Beach, a Roof with a View, and Sunsets on the Pier

On our last day in L.A we walked along the canals and Venice Beach, had rooftop drinks with a gorgeous beach view at Hotel Erwin, and saw a fantastic sunset at the Santa Monica Pier. I had a lot of fun visiting … Continue reading

Pastries, SnowPiercer, and Perch

On Wednesday we started off with at this fantastic little bakery called La Monarca. I sipped an amazing little cappuccino, and munched on this pineapple pastry. It was so good we went back there again for breakfast the next day!

We explored a good bit of Silver Lake, popped over to Koreatown to see the movie SnowPiercer, which was entertaining. We followed the movie up with Beard Papa’s green tea cream puffs (delicious!), and then pre-dinner cocktails at this fantastic open-air rooftop bar called Perch. It was amazing to see the city all spread out for miles on all sides.

We followed it up with dinner at Fifty-Seven, which was all around tasty.

 

Summer in Tahoe

I don’t know about you guys, but sometimes it’s hard for me to let myself take a break. I get too caught up in my to-do lists, going to the gym, seeing friends, and all sorts of other random things … Continue reading

Summer Adventures

In the last 3 weeks of summer I have:

  • Gone berry-picking with my brother

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Summer Adventures

  • Watched Frozen with my brother

Summer Adventures

  • Made strawberry shortcake-yum!

Summer Adventures

  • Visited Natasha at Google, again!

Summer Adventures

  • Had a girls weekend in Pittsburgh with my mother, including these delicious waffles!

Summer Adventures

  • Watched a rain and thunderstorm in Pittsburgh, just outside of this building

Summer Adventures

  • Saw my very first drive-in movie (How to Train Your Dragon 2)

Summer Adventures

  • Had a beach day with my girls, and used my newly finished t-shirt quilt!

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  • Followed up the beach-day with some fantastic horchata ice cream from Marianne’s

Summer Adventures

Watched a gorgeous sunset with my dadSummer AdventuresSummer Adventures

  • Participated in our family portraits photo-shoot, taken by the talented Andria Hautamaki (more photos coming!)  Aren’t we a cute ‘lil family?!

Summer Adventures

 

  • Knocked 2 things off my 101 list!

So far, its been a great 3 weeks of summer! How’s your summer going? How was your 4th of July? What did you do for it?

Love,

-S

Sunsets, Sparklers and a Night in SF

A week ago Friday, a few of my friends helped me knock off another item on my 101 list. We gathered at my parents house, lit some sparklers and tried to draw out hearts, stars and names. We were more or less successful, but we also had a lot of fun!

We have another box of sparklers left so we will do them again sometime soon! There was lots of laughing during this photo shoot (that may have hindered our ability to take clear photos!), and it was a great evening overall.


 

From there we went up to the city and hit up the Starlight Room at the Drake Hotel. Annie’s friend Dereck is a manager there, and always makes us feel so welcomed. This was my second time there and I swear he is ruining all other clubs for me!

I know I had a busy but awesome weekend! How was everyone’s weekend?

Did you get to do some fun things but also take a break?

Love,

-S

Color Run in San Francisco

This gallery contains 35 photos.

About two weeks ago my mother and I went up to Candlestick Park for my Color Run. It was my first time running with them, and I had a blast. My mother took the following pictures while I ran the … Continue reading

Cayman Islands Part 3

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Since coming back from the Cayman Islands, I have jumped back into my busy, stressful life. Grading (and yearbook) has been a big time sink lately and I look forward to the end of the quarter. I’m hoping for another week of amazing unplugged time during my next break, the first week of April.

It’s almost Friday!

Love,

-S

Cayman Islands Part 2

The sun was warm, strong and made playing in the water that much sweeter. We snorkled most days and enjoyed hours of reading by the pool, in the hammock or on a beach towel. We checked out local places, and picked up some Tortuga Rum, Rum Cakes and other fun treats to bring back home. We munched on tasty coconut popsicles, watermelon soda and banana chips from the local grocery store in the afternoons by the beach.

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Mahler -4The smell of fresh ocean everyday, full bellies every night and copious amounts of sleep made for a week beyond unreal. It was a week I could do every year if I could. I came back feeling refreshed, and ready to tackle the rest of the school-year.

It makes me think every break I have should feel that good. I know I struggle with unplugging, but when you do, it’s better than you can every imagine.

Love,

-S