Valentine's Day....again.

I am not usually one to dislike things.

I like a lot of different things. 

Valentine's Day is not one of them.

Over the course of my years as an "eligible Valentine" there have been a number of memorable years but nothing like that date night every little girl dreams about.

When you're younger, Valentine's day just means lots of red dresses, candy, and goodies from Grandma. Now no complaints here on THAT set-up. 

But then you get older and there is a lot more pressure to be #winning at the dating world. It doesn't even matter if you have someone or not, on Valentine's Day it is almost essential to have a date. 

Now throw that pressure onto a brand new relationship that really doesn't need the stress nor does it have the history for a truly romantic evening...chaos. 

My first year at college, Valentine's Day was girls' night and my girlfriends and I got dressed up, got Starbucks and went to a movie. I wore a red coat. 

The next two years were highlighted with making extra money at the restaurant I work at off of everyone else who had a Valentine and getting yelled at by grumpy men who didn't have a reservation or snapped at by women who really needed another drink because their night was not going as they had imagined. And then of course there is the truly precious couple or two that just make you want to be in love with someone on the spot. 

Last year I even had a friend drop off flowers and balloons and chocolates to my apartment on his way to HIS Valentine....

Oh yes, I am not a fan of Valentine's Day.

Now in reality, here's why: I am a romantic.

To my absolute chore I believe in doors being opened for me, flowers just because, and when I find Mr. Right I want him to get my Dad's permission.

I WANT that perfect date and because I haven't found it yet, well, I shall relish my dislike for this obligatory holiday and I will not wear red.

5:10pm on Friday

Ahi Tuna Salad. 

Homemade Brushchetta.

Which means in 20 minutes it will be the weekend!

(And don't judge me for blogging in my office....this will only take a second.)

But I was thinking about what I'm going to have for dinner.

I do that about this time every work day and sometimes it's as simple as what I picked up at the grocery store the day before or where I'm meeting a friend to eat out but most times I haven't gone to the grocery store and I am hungry.

Hungry = everything sounds good

Sourdough Bread Bowl with Clam Chowder.

So how do you decide what you want for dinner when you can have anything!?

I could go through the In-N-Out drive through on the way home.

I could swing by Trader Joe's and pick up some fresh veggies and sourdough for bruschetta and avocado with mozzarella cheese and a little olive oil, vinegar and pepper over the top.

I could make a chicken pot pie from my freezer and finish the soup I had for lunch yesterday.

How could you NOT be overwhelmed!?

*sigh* 

I love food. 

And really...what am I going to eat for dinner???

Birthday! (It's never too early)

I LOVE birthdays.

I always have.

My family makes a huge deal about all of our birthdays every year with countless celebrations and lots and lots of love.

Birthday morning you wake up to siblings, pets, and parents jumping on you singing at the top of their lungs. This is then followed with your favorite breakfast (strawberry shortcake) and sometimes (if you were really lucky) no school! The aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmas, grandpas, and neighbors would come over birthday night for presents and cake and ice cream and the "Friend Party" was a whole extravaganza in and of itself.

I always did my own party planning.

My birthday parties were epic.

Sleepovers, jump houses, beach camping trips, BBQs, silly string fights, ice skating, movie night, ice cream sundaes for dinner, and so much more.

In my opinion, it is NEVER too soon to start counting.

So here we go.

23 in 57 days!

{What are your favorite birthday traditions?}

Coffee Shop Favorites

The other day my old roommate Mallorey recounted her adventures of coffee shops. Favorites, habits, old and new. She got me thinking about my coffee haunts and as I attempted to answer her question about what my favorite coffee shop is...well it turned into a novel and now it's a post.

So Mal, this is in answer to your question.

I really have a number of favorite coffee shops but you can categorize them by city so we'll start with the ol' home town favorite.

*Disclaimer: I still love Starbucks. I go to Starbucks most frequently. But, let's be honest...a large part of that has to do with them being EVERYWHERE! And I get one free drink every 15 purchases...ok moving on.

Aroma Roasters. 
Santa Rosa, CA

A favorite of my Grandmother's as well, Aroma's has big bay windows with bar seats facing out into the square downtown. Delicious coffee, scrumptious treats and an ice cream bar in the back! No couches to be found here but the solid wood chairs, stools, and benches leave one in great shape after a long afternoon read. The cliental is also quite scenic with the artists, hippies, environmentally friendly, and musicians abounding. Obviously they have great taste too.

Note: Future customers, please clear your dishes or the staff will greet you just a tad bit cooler than the time before.


I <3 Coffee. 
Buena Park, CA

Never judge a book by it's cover...or a coffee shop by it's storefront. 

Fruit shaved ice.

Walking distance from my little college apartment, the lovely korean woman who owns and operates this place knew my boyfriend and I quite well after two years of frequenting her establishment. She will also hook you up with the BEST tea for a cold remedy. Our favorite treat? A small fruit shaved ice to share and two black coffees. Followed by a game of JENGA of course!

Note: This is a great place to take a group of friends to hang out and eat yummy things while playing a board game or two.


McClain's. 
Fullerton, CA

Sign from the front.

Sign from the back.

As Mallory already said, this was a favorite all through school and I went often. Open until the crack of dawn, wi-fi, couches, heated patio, and lots and lots of plugs w/ extension cords if necessary the only down sides are a) cash-only b) $1 (on pain of death) for internet and c) don't argue with HER. It's her place and you really don't want to be on her bad side. Still, the chili is amazing and if you dump your cappuccino all over the floor...she'll help you clean it up and make you a new one. But then again, that might just be because she liked me. I guess I'll never know.

Note: LEAVE A TIP! It's for your own good. I promise.


Coffee Klatch. 
San Dimas, CA

Despite the fact that this is the ONLY coffee shop (besides Starbucks) in San Dimas, it is quite charming. The coffee is delicious and my girlfriend Lorena visits regularly so I often end up swinging by during lunch or on my way home from work for a cup a' joe with her.

Note: No credit card transactions for less than $5 and the seating is only kind-of-comfortable.


The Night Owl. 
Fullerton, CA

Add caption

I'm sorry to the rest of the charming places listed above but this, currently, is my FAVORITE coffee shop. Darling and oh-so-comfortable chairs, unique mugs, free wi-fi, cute patio, delicious food, a variety of beverages including smoothies and shakes and teas and coffee, I will now be making my coffee trips in Fullerton to The Night Owl. Nice baristas, live music, I could go on and on!

Note: If you go, please call Mallorey and I so we can join you!

COFFEE LOVE.

New Books & Half.com

I am generally an Amazon.com enthusiast, but this time the prices just didn't match up! At the recommendation of a friend I checked out Half. com and now have these three wonderful texts speeding on their way! I have never read anything by these authors so I am quite looking forward to exploring them as this new year unfolds. 

Originally published in Spanish in 1967 this novel, now published in 37 languages, follows a patriarchal family styled after a metaphorical Colombian town.

Published in 1940 and originally selling for $2.75 as well as nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, the antagonist is a young american in the Spanish Civil War, which Hemingway acted as a journalist during. 

Published in 1910 this novel focuses on the struggles of the classes and relationships between. Forster was an English novelist and this is considered his masterpiece. 

What are you reading?

My love-hate relationship with red lipstick.

I love red lipstick. Bright. Beautiful. Bold. How could one ask for more when trying to dress up your look for the office or a party? Unfortunately, there are a number of drawbacks to red lipstick that I have recently become closely familiar with.


WHY ONE SHOULD NOT WEAR RED LIPSTICK ON A DATE
You really don't want his first words to be, you have lipstick on your teeth. 


WHY ONE SHOULD NOT WEAR RED LIPSTICK ON NEW YEAR'S EVE
1. Constant application necessary. And let's be honest, who wants to have to worry about what their lipstick looks like during the countdown-to-midnight?
2. Your champagne glass will be forever changed. Red lipstick comes off. Frequently and in large quantities so your host will spend all of their New Year's Day trying to scrub your lipstick off of his/her champagne glasses. 
3. Your  midnight kiss will thank you. Personally, I like my men without lipstick on. 


WHY ONE SHOULD NOT WEAR RED LIPSTICK TO THE OFFICE
It bleeds. By the end of the day your lips will look a little more...well, clownish, than the really should.

I still love red lipstick. 

So here is my question to you, how do we avoid these calamities!? Am I just new to the game or are this sincerely unavoidable elements of big, red, beautiful lips?

2011. 2012. And beyond.

This last year was not what I expected. But when does life ever hand you what you expect? What's that clique saying? When life hands you lemons, make lemonade? Well that's what happened and that is exactly what I did. 

2011 was full. It was full of great loss and heartbreak. It was full of immense joys along with pure bliss. As Plato teaches us (over, and over, and over, and over...) you cannot have pleasure without pain and last year was an extreme of each. 

I wouldn't have it any other way.

There are a lot of things I want to change. There are a lot of things I want to accomplish. But for right now, in this moment, in this place, all I want is to do my absolute best. No lists, no plans, no change-my-lifestyle-now routines. Just me, working really hard to become a better person and do the best I can at everything I can. 

2011.Graduation. new friends. LOVE LOST. CAREER. overworking. BLISS. Dreams realized. HOPE. failure. Great sorrow. Changes. p e r s e v e r a n c e. 2012. ANTICIPATION. no expectations. JOY. Shock.excitement for the unknown.  Determination.