Proud Sister

My baby brother Chase (I say baby but he is almost 28) is the most amazing, creative, funny, goofy, caring guy and has always lived life on his terms. His unique and ever evolving style makes him stand out in any crowd but just comes naturally to him. It's really what I love most about him and what makes him so special.

Recently the surf/skate/board company Matix created a pair of boardshorts based on Chase's wear and tear thoughout the day. They also filmed a silly "day in the life" video. It's really cute and I had to show it to all of you!

Matix website

Chase's shorts video

I love you Jep, Jeppy, Jeppis, Guppy, Gwungy, Gwungo!!!!!!



Straight [Road] Trippin!

Two weeks ago I completed a 6,000 mile road trip with my brother. It was for the fun of it but also because our other brother was getting married in North Carolina. We mapped it out to be completed in 11 days and included 3 days in NC for the wedding and family time The trip allowed us to stop into some places we never would have seen otherwise, meet really neat people, eat some amazing food, listen to excellent music and appreciate the beautiful sunsets and landscapes God has given us! The states we drove thru were in this order:

Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma,

Arkansas, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina,

South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi,

Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California

Being the parsimonious person that I am, I was able to get us great rates at hotels along the way. We got 4 free nights and an amazing rate of $39 for 2 nights at our overnight stops. While in NC, we stayed at Brennan & Arin's beautiful and brand new, four bedroom home! The only thing that really took a toll on our pocketbooks was gas. Once we got to NC though, we took the roof rack off my car which really helped us get better gas mileage. It was such a great trip and I am so glad we did it instead of flying. I took a ton of photos along the way to chronicle the madness. Here are a few of them:

The start of our adventure-Ozzie the dog did not join us.

Vintage shirt, Merrell long sleeve, Active pants, Asics running shoes, Raen sunglasses

We met up with our cousin in Arizona

Forever 21 beanie, blouse and leggings, vintage flannel, H&M flats 

Ummmm, there was nothing to do while driving through Texas so I entertained myself.

Vintage flannel, Raen sunglasses

My "happy to find an antique store" face.

!!!!!!!!!

Forever 21 jacket and shoes, vintage blouse, American Apparel pants

The married couple

Vintage dress, Jessica Simpson heels

Wrightsville Beach, literally coast to coast for us!

Forever 21 sweater and cropped pants

I was able to stop in and visit Buster Brown's family in Mississippi

Forever 21 dress, Toms flats

Met up with my old friends Keith in Austin, I loved this town!

Forever 21 jacket, pashmina from Paris street vendor, vintage flannel, Matix jeans, Asics shoes

Pizzeria Bianco - a must in Phoenix 

Some of my treasures I picked up along the way.

Things I Love Thursday

 Cadbury mini Easter eggs

(I love them but try not to buy them or else they'll be gone in an hour!)

Ladybird Dawnson's baby shower

(she is a beautiful mama to be)

Free iPhone apps that waste time

Hanging out with Jep in Hollywood, errr anywhere

Hiking Runyon Canyon



Best day ever!

In December I posted about moving to a new place and being really excited to decorate. Well it's been a lot of fun with all the painting, DIY projects and organizing. But one thing I hadn't done was get a couch. Well now I have one! I found it on Craigslist for only $50 and texted my brother to help me pick it up the next day. Based on the pictures it was perfect. Vintage, floral, long, different-so I was really hoping it would be as good in person....It was better!!! Amazing condition, in the same house for 20-30 years, vibrant fabric and dirt cheap. They were actually getting rid of a love seat as well so I came away with two couches. I let my brother keep the love seat as I didn't need it.

I didn't know what to expect when we were driving to the house but hoped for the best. The home was a large ranch house on a huge lot tucked away in an old neighborhood of north Orange County. Before we saw the couch, the two of us wondered who would be selling it and why. I assumed it was an old couple that passed away and family was trying to sell their belongings. I was right! The house hadn't been lived in for 3 years because grandparents had passed away and now the grandson was selling things off slowly. The couches were amazing while walking through the home, I saw a bunch of other things I wanted. They said they were selling just about everything so we asked if we could look. They said yes so we spent the next TWO HOURS sorting through the entire home. It was like our own private estate sale. Luckily they were very sweet and knew that we were appreciative so it didn't bother them. I looked through every single kitchen cabinet, searched shelf, linen closet, garage, the backyard and more. It was amazing and I scored some great pieces. Pyrex, milk glass, a blender, iron skillets and more. I spent $120 and got about $500 worth of goods. My brother bargained $250 worth of tools and parts.

And what is best is they are starting an organization for pet owners with medical bills for their fur babies. I, of course, told them I would love to volunteer so hopefully I will be able to support them sometime this year.

Vintage sweater, vintae Harley Davidson t-shirt, Forever 21 leggings, Zara booties

After all that "shopping" I stopped into a vegan restaurant Free Soul Cafe near the home. Best desserts!!!!

Once home, I went through all of my new prizes. The day was so great:

finally got a couch

met some new friends

hung out with my brother

scored some great home goods

ate delish vegan food