"My favorite pastime is letting time pass, having the time, taking my time, wasting my time, living out of time- against the current. " -Francoise Sagan

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Salute!

My Christmas was delightful... more or less.
Our Christmas tree died prematurely unfortunately, due to improper trunk trimming. We left it up because it's radiant and glows- well, at least the little lights on it do. We had a great Christmas meal, and over the weekend we went to Grass Valley, and Crush 29. It was nice to be with my brothers and sisters and we had good time, laughing and playing games!
Next year we will be spending Christmas in Atlanta and maybe it'll be a white one!

For New Years Nathanael and I decided not to make resolutions that are personal, because most resolutions people make are things they should think about daily, and do daily throughout their entire lives... the New Year resolutions, I've found, are little traps that set people up for disappointment. Now, I'm not saying that for some people New Year Resolutions don't lead to a lifestyle change, but my guess is that for the majority, it is not.

So we decided to make a resolution about the places we most want to visit in 2009. Making these resolutions based upon the idea that our financial situation stays mostly the same (however we pray that it does not stay the same!) throughout the next coming year. This is our list tentatively:
  • Fort Bragg, Ca
  • Lake Tahoe, Ca
  • Sonoma, Ca
  • Yosemite, Ca
  • Santa Cruz, Ca
  • Monterey Bay/Carmel, Ca
  • Cambria, Ca
  • Palm Springs, Ca
  • San Diego, Ca
This list isn't based on places we haven't been to yet, because I've been to every single one of those places, and Nathanael has probably been to half that are listed. It is a list of the places we'd like to re-visit MOST. I think we can do it, because (luckily) most of those places are day trips... however, some we'd have to make a two day holiday or more out of it. Also, I made a list of all the places we've been in 2008 and it's A LOT of places- I was surprised!

We hope that we can take some of these trips with some family, but if not that's okay too...

And of course, I hope to love my God more fervently in this coming year as I hope to do more so everyday... and that I come closer to being the woman of virtue that God wants me to be. My prayer for all my loved ones is that they may keep themselves in the will of the Lord and that He may bless them with health and spiritual prosperity!

Salute and Happy 2009!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Fancy Sugar Pants (Corduroys)

I found the perfect pair of pants! They are by J.Crew and I am in love with Stretch vintage matchstick cord. Last year I bought two pairs of the stretch vintage bootcut cord, and they were comfortable, but no where near as versatile as the matchstick! I wear them with my light tan boots, and under my black boots, and Uggs (no not the typical Uggs, I have lace ups that are quite sweet) and with my flats, and even with converse! My favorite is rolling them up a little and wearing them with my strappy oxfords... so beautiful!

I hate wearing jeans, or really anything other than juicy pants or sweats while traveling, but I actually wore these cords on an eight hour car ride back home from San Diego, all while being sick. That's how comfy they are!
J.Crew is always generous to those us who need more length in the leg, so if you are tall, don't fear to order them in size Tall.

When I first ordered the matchstick, I ordered the green pair... but they sold out so quickly! So then I got the deep indigo, and I'm really so glad I did, they are a beautiful color and goes with everything! Green could have been tricky when it came to the browns. The bootcut come in a really beautiful aubergine color, that I wish the matchstick came in, but alas!

So I guess another pair of these are on my wish list, they are on sale too!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Enchanted Forest

That is the theme of our Christmas tree, this year and last. We have a bejeweled star on top that doubles as a snowflake and something else. The jewels are topaz... we also have little jewels hanging all over the tree, that are also topaz. Little red birds with sparkly red chests (typing out breasts didn't sound so good for some reason). Different ornaments ranging in size, that are matte and shiny in dark purple, copper, red and magenta. Little fairies tucked away in dark gold and purple. I really like it.

Next year however we will have to something more masculine, like blue. More blue says Nathanael. I am already planning on it. We will still use our bejeweled star/snowflake, the copper and gold ornaments, only we'll add blues- from teal to icy blue to dark and bright blue. It'll be beautiful. I just finished this tree, and I'm already thinking of the next one! I'll post pictures up some time this month.

Friday, December 12, 2008

The Perfect Eye

I guess I'll start with the classic cat eye...
Lately, I've seen so many people try to pull off the 'Lauren Conrad' unsuccessfully. Their lids are squiggly and sometimes one eyelid is lined thicker than the other.
First off, I suggest you buy a wet liner that is cheap until you get the cat eye down. Second get a black pencil eye liner. Line your eye (in normal thickness) with the pencil- then use the liquid liner... the pencil mark helps hold onto the liquid and will give you a more steady line.

Also, do not use the tip of the liquid liner, used the side- if you've taken a drawing class, try to remember how the teacher told you to hold your pencil at an angle... that is the same angle you should apply ALL liners to your eyes. And it allows for more stealth in motion and less pressure to the eye.

Speaking of eyeliners... Don't be afraid of color! Yes, I own over 13 colors... and some are ridiculous! But that's not what I'm referring to- ridiculous colors. I mean aubergine, plum, dark teal, navy, violet, dark orange brown. These really soften your eyes and can do wonders in bringing out your eye color! It's all about the color wheel. Complimentary colors... Purple to Yellow, Green to Red, and Orange to Blue. Brown is a neutral made of two complimentary colors... so some people's eyes are more towards green, or yellow- brown eyes sometimes lean towards on specific color of the two complimentary.
  • Green eyes, would look great with dark burgundy or plum eye liners... make sure it's not too reddish cause they might make you look ill.
  • Blue eyes, work great with warm violets and plum towards purple.
  • Brown eyes, depends on which way your leaning, if you have golden eyes- go for violets and purples. If you have greenish brown then lean towards plumy colors.
  • Black eyes, or DARK brown... Never wear bright /dark navy or green. You might think it works, but it doesn't!
I know some grocery store make-up brands came up with a whole line of eye cosmetics for each eye color. It got me mad! Why would you layer blue eyes, with more blue. That's cute sometimes but for an every day look, that you'd want to brightens your color, it would not work. Fail.

I generally wear a plum (I have different make up brands version on the color, but my favorite is Nars) on my top lid and corner of my bottom lid, daily. When I go out and I put on a black liner or darker color, it really helps in dramatic contrast. Since I don't usually wear dark liner, the difference if noticeable!

Also, Sephora has great deals on Sephora Brand cosmetics... on my bottom lid I sometimes use a pale pink Sephora eyeliner, to open up my eyes- or sometimes a periwinkle to make eyes look more green. (I have gray eyes, and the color is easily manipulated by what is reflecting. A cloudy day means light gray, and a sunny day means teal.) I read this in an InStyle Magazine as well, so what I'm saying is backed up by InStyle- but I've been doing it for years... Not to toot my own horn, but I've never needed a lessen in make-up, and whatever I have read in Mags, encourages what I've been doing. ;)

>> The models in lid are lined with white, however I feel that's too dramatic for every day people (ie. those of us who are not in a photo shoot!), that's why I opt for a pale pink/peach. It wakes up your face!


My FAVORITE make-up must have is benefits Moon Beam and High Light... They are great for everything and anything. I always use them as base coats to eyeshadow, and it really boosts translucent colors. I also dab it on my cheeks if I'm sun kissed or with blush, and wear it bare on my lips and brow bone, with a little eyeliner. They also have a stain that comes in the same type of bottle as pictured left, I use that on my cheeks... and could be used on lips- however that doesn't look to hot on me!



And remember a good brow shape not only frames your eyes, but your whole face! Don't arch them out too much, and don't pluck them in from your nose too far. Follow they're natrual shape!!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

"All the ducks are swimming in the water..."

One finned Koi at Balboa

We're back home and I have a cold! This always happens... the around-Christmas-time-cold never fails! However we are so glad we took the trip down! I love La Jolla because you can walk everywhere, and because while you walk you see such beautiful things, cute houses, wild flowers, the ocean, and... BANANAS!


Bananas on Pearl Street

This time we visited a whole bunch of new places that we didn't make it to last time. Including: Balboa Park, Windansea Beach, Del Mar and Mount Soledad. We met up with Eunice and Andrew, as well as Jeremy and Laura and Diana too... fun!

Balboa Park
Del Mar


Windansea Beach


Dana Point, Eunice & Andrew

RJ's Cafe, Diana
The Cottage, Jeremy & Laura

One day around noon, Emma and I decided to go walking around The Cove and then go shopping, so she could take advantage of my retail employee discount. While shopping, we stopped into a Borders & Books and got some hot drinks. I ordered a small Cocoa Trio and boy did I regret it!!!! I should have went with the large!!! Anyone who knows me, knows I make a mean cup of Cocoa but this was really top shelf. They topped off my cocoa with whip cream, shaved white chocolate, a stick (about the size of a KitKat) of Belgium chocolate and then added some fudge syrup! I mixed it all up and it was gorgeous! I have been hooked since. Give it a try.
I am enjoying some as I type.


Minus the Belgium bar of chocolate

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Lovely La Jolla

I- on chance got Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday off from work, and we thought with gas prices being so low... why not head down to San Diego!? So we did! Filling up my Civic's gas tank was only $17, and after I got off of work on Tuesday we drove on down! It is soooo nice here! I do love the fog and chill we have in NorCal, and I know that San Diego was having some fog, but today it was clear and mid 70's! We walked over to Froglander's ( a yogurt place in La Jolla) at around eight pm and I didn't even need a sweater! I love La Jolla because it's like I'm in a different country! What I mean is, yes, it is very Californian- but it also is very European-ish. Well, that's just my feeling!

I feel blessed that we are able to take little holidays down, and that Em & Raz are so welcoming and fun! Plus we get see other family and friends whenever we come down too. It's really special that Nathanael and I get to come down here... and we are grateful!

Sunday, November 30, 2008

AUSTRALIA!

A total must see. Now if you know me, you know what a big Moulin Rouge fan I am... when I saw MR it topped my love for Romeo & Juliet (by Baz Luhrmann of course) and I loved Strictly Ballroom. However Australia trumps even Moulin... BELIEVE IT! I loved it and recommend it. Baz keeps making better and better movies and I can't wait for what he'll direct next!!!



The funny and really great thing is... Hugh Jackman is my favorite actor, or better yet- If I would have to say who my actor crush is, it would be Hugh Jackman. Maybe he reminds me a bit (or a lot) of Nathanael, but I think he is fantastic. On top of that he's in this new (and totally brilliant) Baz movie... so maybe that's a small little part why I thought the movie was great. However, bias aside- Jackman did a great job in the movie, for sure! Nathanael agrees! Not about Hugh Jackman being his actor crush too, but that Jackman did a great job in the movie... and that he too loved the movie! Ha!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Thanksgiving

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
For flowers that bloom about our feet;
For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;
For song of bird, and hum of bee;
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee!

~Ralph Waldo Emerson




Saturday, November 22, 2008

I love Gas

Gas prices that it!! We hit $1.89 in Roseville at the Chevron by my the house and it makes me excited because now it's cheaper to travel, and I mean WAY cheaper, to go places we want to go. Like to visit Em and Raz in San Diego, or to go to Tahoe. Tahoe and San Fran. aren't too far anyway, but it's nice to know the fill up won't hurt much!


It's getting colder here, so Nathanael and I unpacked all of our winter things! I am so excited to wear my boots, and sweaters! I am really lusting over a pair of riding boots which I probably won't get but still want! "Dear Santa, I really really really want..." YA right.


I am excited for Thanksgiving and speaking of... Thankfully I am working Sunday- Saturday with a paid Thanksgiving Day off, and that is GREAT! It's crazy going from no real schedule and no work to everyday of work. It's more tiring than when I was always working a ton. Anyway, about Thanksgiving, along with my famous Pumpkin Rolls, Nathanael and I will be attempting to make a Milk Chocolate Crepe Cake (only ours will probably be a Hazelnut Milk Chocolate Crepe Cake, since we do love our Nutella!) and we are excited!



Friday, November 14, 2008

Pasta a La Checca

While living in Atlanta, my sister in-law Alina took me to this really darling Italian Restaurant called Figo Pasta. I so loved the Pasta a la Checca I had there that I designed my own recipe, and it tastes just as good! Expect of course the Penne... Figo has me beat there, because I cannot and will not attempt to actually hand make pasta.

Here is my recipe, and I am not good at writing out my own recipes because I do NOT measure or count anything- I try!

Dice 5 campari tomatoes into bite size pieces
Chop 4 large basil leaves (don't mince)
Chunk Mozzarella cheese 1/2 cup
Garlic is optional - add to taste

Boil Penne (I use whole wheat) 'til al dente
Drain water from Penne and add hot to cold diced tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. Add olive oil, salt, pepper to taste and mix!
Served hot or warm.

Voila !!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Recently

I really can't wait to go up north for some hiking! I feel so blessed that we don't have to go too far for some real mountain hiking... not that the air in the foothills isn't clean and crisp but the trees in the forest really add punch. Nathanael and I feel so blessed to be back in California!

** I got a job!!** It's really not a 'big deal' job, but it's something and I am so happy for it! On top of that this week I've been doing some temping for our family Acupuncturist... No better environment to work in, seriously.

So we are enjoying the fall weather tremendously. When we're not searching for jobs (which we consider our jobs) we're taking 4-6 mile long walks, and they are brilliant! The sunset tonight was intense and the colors didn't just fade away after the sun went down- I guess the typical sunset colors were hospitable and called upon uncommon colors to the sky and the colors grew stronger a good hour afterward. And before the sunset, the moon was HUGE! It was peeking over the Sierra Nevada's and looked eerie just because of it's size! God is GOOD! We always say we have to bring the camera next time, so... next time!

Prop. 8 passed! The people of California spoke again for the second time and again gay marriage was banned. I really thank God for this... this prop. was on my heart more than the outcome of the presidential race. Some people think Pres. Obama will in the end allow gay marriage but I hold out hope and am just so happy. It makes me proud that California stood up to all the bullying (and boy was there bullying) and voted YES!
It gets me fusterated when I would hear out-of-staters say 'Oh those crazy Californians allowed gay marriage'- FALSE. We never voted it in, 3 judges in SF overturned the states majority vote against it, and that's why we voted for it again this election year. Anyway!

Here are some pictures from our Hawaii trip that I promised! Just a few...

Kailua Beach, Oahu

Near the Volcanoes, Hawai'i

Waimea Canyon, Kauai

Polihale Beach, Kauai

Zip Lining, Kauai

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Who knew!?

I'm really getting into the whole Scrapblog thing. I decided I was going to make a publish a book using Scrapblog about Nathanael & I throughout our relationship. Or something like that... this is my first page!


The one I made for this blog's header was my first one, and now that I've got the hang of it I actually like this one (posted above) better than the header! Oh well! There's always time to make a new header, ya?

MT's Prayer

Today I have had the great pleasure of lying in the grass at a park (our favorite park- the one Nathanael proposed to me at) that over looks... well, everything! It is my favorite place, a little haven and the weather was more than ideal. Maybe I am just getting foggy, but I don't remember another day in my life where the weather was so perfect. It wasn't just the bright sun, that was kind rather than intruding- or the soft breeze that was neither warm or cool. I think what I liked best was the smell. This sweet fresh smell... it was invigorating. But gentle, and soft. The best day ever. Even as I write this, the breeze is flooding my room with this light fragrance and freshness.

It made me think of this prayer of Mother Teresa's:
Dear Jesus, help me to spread Thy fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Thy spirit and love. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Thine.


That prayer was the first time I thought of it as fragrance. I've always thought of the Holy Spirit being a light, and that the more I was within the word, the brighter my light would shine. That I would be a beacon for those who didn't know our Savior. After reading that I thought, how incredible that sensory example is. When I walk into a room, I hope my light shines bright, but when I walk out... that light is gone, right? Well just like everyone knows, if you are doused in the perfume, people smell you before you arrive, and you linger after you leave. Now that's what I call leaving an imprint! haha!


I guess today wouldn't have been so perfect if there was a rancid smell in the air. No great imagery could cover up a really awful stench. But even if I could barely see, or was looking down a smoggy city and I smelt that peace and serenity in the air, it would somehow calm me.

I pray not only to be His light in the world, and to have on my lips His words, in my heart His song, but that wherever I go to spread His fragrance as well. I want to be so full of Him that it puts all my senses in action!

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Quote (or Picture) of the Day

New & Improved!

After deleting my blog for a little maintenance I am happy to announce we're back in business baby! With some help from Scrapblog I was able to create the new header! What do you all think?

Update:
We went to Hawaii about three weeks back and loved it. We spent time on three different islands, Oahu (not so impressive), Hawaii (very very interesting) and Kauai (a REAL treat! It's not nicknamed the 'Garden Isle' for nothing!)... I will be posting a few pics in the next coming weeks!

Welcome back!