The Summer of Picnics

Holy, guacamole- where has the time gone? I can't believe that tomorrow marks the end of July! Summer is quickly slipping through my fingertips, and ironically enough it's been mild, chilly, and overcast for the better part of this "summer." SoCal, I shake my fist at you!

Nonetheless, I've been managing to keep myself busy, albeit not in the most productive ways. I haven't done as much reading or writing as I would like to- but that should all be changing soon enough. Turning 26 this week makes officially closer to 30 than 20- and I may have had a teeny, tiny meltdown.

One activity that I've fallen in love with this summer has been picnicking. There's absolutely nothing more relaxing than enjoying fresh food, good company, and mid-afternoon cloud gazing. The mild temperatures allow for longer picnics, and I can't complain to that.I'm so fortunate that Los Angeles has a lot to offer in the way of public areas- from parks, beaches, museums, and yes-even a cemetery. I have to say that my favorite picnic to date was a few weekends ago at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Each Saturday night, a mausoleum becomes a screen to a classic, and Angelenos pack the grass to watch a movie above and below the stars. After ten years, it's not quite LA's 'best kept secret,' any longer- I suggest arriving early (around 5ish) and starting the picnic early- my friends and I even brought Trivial Pursuit to help pass the time. The game was cut short when the gates opened around seven, and once inside a DJ spins until the movie starts, usually after sundown- or around 9pm. Saturday Night Fever was showing the week I went, and it was such a fun, disco-loving atmosphere. A few bottles of wine later, and my friends and I were having a midnight dance party. Without a doubt, I'll be visiting again before the end of the summer. If you're in the LA area, be sure to check it out.

Another fun place to picnic is at the Getty Museum. My roommate and I went for their Saturdays off the 405 event, which was a lot of fun. Although the band that was performing wasn't to our liking, we did enjoy the Beatles music beforehand. Another one of those surreal I can't believe I'm back in California moments- sipping on wine, listening to the Beatles, and surrounded by a bunch of hip people. Yeah- I just used hip as an adjective. I'm officially 80.

I'm definitely on the lookout for fun, new places to visit- picnic basket in tow- and I'm especially eager to test out new picnic-friendly recipes. My last masterpiece was an olive-feta spread, and it will be accompanying me on every picnic, it was that good! While I entrust my paper Trader Joe's bags and a soft-sided cooler, I am on the lookout for official gear- I want to be the real deal!! I stumbled this post over at Design*Sponge (one of my fave blogs) and immediately but this company at the top of my wish list- how cool is Boxsal!? Environmentally friendly, convenient, and creative- my three favorite things!

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Any other picnickers out there? What is your go-to food item? Place to visit?

Updated

I'm so excited to start actively writing again- I have so much to share! In the meantime, I've uploaded posts from my old blog- they're integral to my story and truly capture all the pitfalls and successes I've had in the last year. It's definitely been a growing process, and a journey I'll never forget.

On Finding Balance

"I used to think that one day I'd be able to resolve the different drives I have in different directions, the tensions between the different people I am. Now I realize that is who I am. I do feel I'm getting closer to the song in my head. I wasn't looking for graces. But luckily grace was looking for me."
Bono, as quoted in Rolling Stone

The last few weeks I've been stuck in a rut. I initially blamed it on feeling under the weather, but quickly figured out that I'm running myself thin- jumping from one social engagement to the next, I've ignored what should be my biggest priority-- myself.

It's true that there have been countless moments where I've felt the need to pinch myself. To take an extra five seconds for a deeper breath of the fresh, beach air. Holding back the desire to hug everyone around me and never let them go. I am so grateful that I get to call California home, because I never thought I would have this opportunity again. I am very lucky, and I am very happy.

But somewhere in the last few months, I've lost the clarity I had rediscovered- about myself- who I am, what I want, and where I see my life a year from now, five years, ten years. I replaced my "me time" with happy hours, pool parties, and late night dancing. That's not to say that I can't enjoy spending time with my friends- but I need to find the balance between having fun and being responsible and focused on what's important.

And that balance, is where I will find my fleeting happiness.

Viva la FIFA!

Big events always warrant the question- Where were you when...?

So where were you when Landon Donovan scored the winning goal to win Group C and advance in the World Cup? (ps- I love, love, love that Donovan plays for the Galaxy- yeah LA!)

Words can't even express the rollercoaster of emotions that game was to watch, especially at 7 in the morning. Followed by the adrenaline rush in the 91st minute, needless to say it was very hard focusing that morning at work. I was with a group of my favorite co-workers and side-by-side we sat, nervously watching every missed goal and bad call- and in unison jumping and cheering as we advanced to the next round.

It was one of those moments where goosebumps crawled all over my body and my heart swelled with pride. A rallying moment for Americans across the country, and a well-deserved spotlight for a sport that most Americans debunk as a "real" sport.

Today is the next USA match, the first in the knock-out round. You better believe I'm donned in my red-white-and blue, and rooting for the boys to bring it home.

Summer Sick Days

Last I wrote I had grandiose plans of a summer staycation-- then I preceded to get sick, and I'm still sick, and my weekends and weeks have definitely not gone as planned. But, then again, isn't that the way life goes?

That being said, I am taking a time-out from my go-go-go lifestyle to refocus on myself- my interests, my goals, but most importantly my health. No one should ever be sick three weeks straight in the dead of summer. Once again I'm reminding myself that it's okay to say no- and it's okay to do your own thing, even if it isn't considered to be fun or cool by the majority of people I hang out with (I admit, I need to find more people like me to be friends with. Takers?)

And heck- yesterday was technically only the first day of summer!

Summer Staycation

{she hit pause studios}

Happy weekend! Hope it's sunny and warm where you are. Southern California is fighting its annual June Gloom, but I managed to grab a few hours of rays this afternoon.

June is shaping up to be a pretty low-key month for me due to a very spend-happy May. I'm actually looking forward to taking a break- I have so much piling up on my to-do list that it's starting to get overwhelming. I don't know where to start, and once I even manage to, I get too stressed out!

I'm in the process of planning out my June weekends with low-key, budget friendly activities and I'm eager to start my summer stay-cation. I think it will be fun to play a tourist in all of Southern California, and hopefully I will meet some cool, new people along the way.

What are you summer plans?

If Dancing With the Stars Went Indie

I try to keep my reality television consumption to a bare minimum, but then Spencer starting wearing crystals and I couldn't not watch. Seriously, crystals? The guy is certifiably insane.

But I digress. I sporadically watched Dancing With the Stars this season since Chad "OchoCinco" and Erin Andrews were both on the cast. (For those who don't know, Chad plays football for the Bengals- my hometown team, and Erin is a sideline sportscaster for ESPN- a job that I once coveted).

I just happened to discover this amazing little video and imagined how awesome these two would be on the show. Don't you remember the dance number in (500) Days...? Hall and Oates! Can't they just be together in real life? They are too freaking adorable. Wait- scratch that- I want Joseph Gordon Levitt all to myself. But Zooey is a gem, I can't hate on the girl.