Original Los Angeles Flower Market

Last weekend, Angela and I woke up early and went to Original Los Angeles Flower Market, which is arguably the absolute best way to spend a Saturday morning in LA. We made a stop for lattes at the beautiful Verve Coffee (succulent walls, gold & white accents, extra dreamy) and then proceeded to spend a slightly excessive amount of money on huge bunches of greenery and flowers wrapped in big slices of newspaper. The next morning, with a big pot of coffee, I laid them all out and slowly arranged them into vases and bottles. It was beautifully therapeutic and may have to be a monthly errand from now on.

lavender dreams

I'm becoming my mother and I don't care who knows it.

My mom loves lavender. Growing up, our yard always had a huge lavender plant in front, warming in the sun and housing hundreds of bumblebees. She was always drying tiny purple bouquets in the kitchen window, gathering the petals and scooping them into little bags to hide in drawers or on shelves. A few months ago, she thrifted some hiking boots for me and when I got them in the mail, I stuck my hand inside the boot to find one of these little bags of purple fragrance.

That being said, I wasn't very fond of the scent as a kid. Too soapy, I thought. I never understood why my mom and others liked it so much. But then, as all things tend to go, I grew up and became my mother and realized the appeal of this little violet floral. I bought my first lavender plant a few months ago and loved watching the stalks appear and flower - every day I would point out the new blooms to Evan, who lovingly pretended to care every time (thanks, boo). 

The next step was to hop on the Essential Oil craze that I keep hearing so much about. This Hungarian Lavender Essential Oil is wonderful - a bit lighter and more green than the usual scent, and perfect for so many uses. I'm still learning about essential oils, but lavender EO can be used for anything from calming & sleep aid to bath oils to minor cuts & burns and on and on. I've also seen recipes for Lavender Lemonade with a few drops of essential oil, which sounds kind of amazing. Have tips or ideas for using this little cure-all? Leave a comment or send me a link!

Thanks to Bramble Berry for this Essential Oil sampler pack.  

photographing the little things

I used to bring my camera everywhere. In college especially, after getting my first little DSLR, my camera was always in my bag or hanging on my shoulder whether I was at a house party or in a park. Somewhere along the way I stopped doing that, choosing to bring the real camera only on roadtrips or adventures or big events. I've felt stifled creatively lately, feeling envious of other people's images; jealous that I don't have anything to photograph. Which is just kind of stupid. I realized that, though it may feel like a hassle, bringing your camera on silly, day-to-day trips is the only way to stay in practice and stay creative. So, my new goal is to get back to photographing life in the small ways - like Sunday trips to the market. Life's good. 

diy macrame planters

Though it's quite rare, every once in a while we get lucky and the skies of LA all of the sudden crack and release what seems like months of rain, all at once. After a week of particularly hazy, smoggy weather, this was so welcome last Sunday. It poured and poured all afternoon, which made it the perfect date for two girls from the Northwest to brew a pot of coffee, bake some warm, buttery biscuits, and sit on the floor together, creating. 

Angela and I used to get to do this all the time, when we were college roommates, but now we live with boys and do adult things most days. This cozy, girly afternoon was just what was needed before the return to the work week. These DIY macrame planters were (fairly) easy, after a few rounds of frustrated laughing through various tutorials until we finally got it. We plucked the succulents from my front yard, which is another thing I love about California...succulents are everywhere. Since tutorial writing admittedly isn't one of my strong suits, see Angela's explanation at if found, make for the full process! 

p.s. remember these goddess photos of Angela? this needs to happen again, asap. 

wildy, messily, marvelously

happy, happy weekend! 

“We begin to find and become ourselves when we notice how we are already found, already truly, entirely, wildly, messily, marvelously who we were born to be.” 

― Anne Lamott

Sunday Christmas

yesterday may have been my favorite Sunday so far this winter. i slept (wa-a-ay) in, drank my coffee in bed, made a big brunch and read Amy Poehler's Yes Please while I ate, went to Trader Joe's to buy a baguette & a big bouquet of Christmas greenery, and then spent the rest of the afternoon dancing around my kitchen to John Legend and wrapping Christmas gifts. Granted, I had to work in the evening, and a guy waiting ever so patiently for my spot at TJ's yelled driving instructions at me like I'm an idiot, but none of that could kill my Christmas cheer. It was a great day, and these are my favorite wrapping styles yet. 

Greenery from Trader Joe's, parchment paper & washi tape from Marshall's, Rifle Paper Co. floral paper from Shop Pigment, the cutest and most whimsical store in San Diego!