It's My Party (And I'll Cry If I Want To)

Two weeks ago my sister, mom, and dad came into town as she moved back from Ohio to California! She'll be living in #therealoc so not too far away from me.

Well, little did I know that all along they were secretly planning a surprise birthday party for me (my big 3-0) and completely caught me off-guard! My birthday isn't til tomorrow so it was well ahead of anything that would raise my suspicions.

The rouse was to go to dinner with a small group of friends to welcome Christine into town. When I opened the door, I saw my parents, Ryan's parents, my closest friends from LA and OC, friends that drove in from Sonoma County and a friend that flew in from Chicago (what!)

It was an amazing feeling. Completely caught off-guard and just tears galore. Oh to be loved.

My sister made a huge photo collage in the shape of a 3-0 with pictures from everyone who came and (horrific) childhood photos. Everyone signed it and it is now hanging over my bed on the wall. I also got some amazing gifts from my parents, family, and friends. My mom bought me my wedding shoes, my friend Rhona gave me a monogrammed necklace, some friends gave me alcohol (THEY KNOW ME SO WELL), and my sister gave me a camera to mount onto Dallas' collar so I can see what she sees!

It was an amazing night, I was still reeling from it three days later. It only reminds us that we really do need to surround ourselves with people who matter the most. This is what life's about.

Spring has Sprung

Hooray! Spring is finally here! The weather is definitely warming up though it's not quite shorts-and-shirts-weather yet. There's only so many times I can wear leggings and a tunic, so I've switched it up by pairing a sweater with a maxi dress for the cooler mornings and warmer afternoons. Plus with maxi dresses, I don't need to shave my legs...and with a sweater, I don't have to shave my armpits. HAHA.

H&M striped maxi (similar here), F21 black sweater (similar here),
black havaianas, F21 studded belt

This unique necklace is from my very own partner (in crime and AskPhivy). Tramanh gave this to me...oh I don't know, over a year ago? It's from a local Seattle jeweler and is super cute and thoughtful!

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Weekend Update: 3/16-3/17

I am so excited because my younger sissy, Christine, has landed in Orange County...for FOREVER! She is moving back to CA after 5 years in Ohio and I'm so excited for her! I'm sad for my parents because truly have an "empty nest" now but I think we're lucky because our parents kind of expect us to move out and on with our lives. This weekend we're spending quality family time together as both of my parents flew in with her - from visiting Ryan's and my wedding venue to having brunches and dinner, I haven't seen my family since Christmas, so it'll be nice to visit them again! But that's the future stuff, let's talk about what I did last weekend. LET'S TALK MORE ABOUT ME GUYS.

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You know when you have friendships that are just...easy? This is one of them. My friend (who is 9-months pregnant btw...can I just say I want to look like her when I'm pregnant?!) emailed me at 6am to say hi and low-and-behold, I was randomly up and emailed her immediately back! We decided to do a spontaneous lunch and I'm so glad! She's expecting her baby any day now and I'm just waiting for that text from her!!

On Saturday, Ryan and I went down to San Diego for a spontaneous day-trip and to start our second registry at Macy's. I'll tell you what - we have a lot of Macy's in LA (and a lot in OC) but decided that since we love SDeezy so much, this is a perfect excuse to go. Unfortunately when we finally go there (2+ hours later), I was so tired and hungry I could not concentrate on what pots & pans I wanted. Instead, I just kind of glazed over and started scanning things for the fun of it. Not as productive as we had hoped! But we did get to eat dinner with Ryan's cousins and his fiance. We texted them:

Ryan: "Dinner tonight?"
Cousin: "Sure, any place in particular?"
Ryan: "Nope, up to you guys."
Cousin: "How about vegetarian"
[Me: WAT. Why? No!]
Ryan: "Good suggestion, maybe something else though?"
Cousin: "Cool, how about Korean BBQ?"

How did we go from a vegetarian dish to the exact polar opposite? IDUNCURR, I love KBBQ!

That night I also learned that if I'm watching television and Dallas wants me to pet her, she will tug on my blanket until the remote falls to the ground and push the buttons to turn off the TV. SHE IS A GENIUS DOG.

Though Sunday was St. Patrick's Day, Ryan and I didn't go buck-wild and drink green beer. Instead, it was his Goddaughter's 5th birthday (PRINCESS-THEMED BIRTHDAY), so you know I was all about that. Ryan and I were the only people there without a child and I was going around taking an immense amount of photos so I know I looked super creepers. She's my flower girl, I can stalk her all I want! A few of my favorites:

Stay tuned to my wedding page - this week I write about how Ryan and I chose a photographer (FINALLY!)

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His & Her Sweater

One of the best benefits of having a boyfriend? STEALING HIS CLOTHES. Ladies, you know what I'm talking about. Oh just a t-shirt here, a sweater there...how come their clothes are so much more comfortable than ours? Yes, I could go shopping in the men's department to truly find a men's sweater I would wear - but why would I do that when I can raid Ryan's closet? Duh, just makes sense.

men's j.crew sweater (similar here), h&m shirt (KINDA similar here),
lululemon leggings, jessica simpson booties (similar here)

This deer-printed shirt is one of my favorites...except it shrank and now is like a baby-tee. I haven't worn it in over a year because it keeps riding up, but DUH one morning I had the realization that I could just have layered it. Now it's back in rotation!

OH and for all you fellow bloggers...and actually, people who take pictures in general...here's a head's up - MAKE SURE you know exactly what billboard you're sitting on when you decide to take pictures in a public place. OR ELSE YOU MAY SIT ON WHAT IS AN HIV-AWARENESS CAMPAIGN. I wouldn't post about it if it wasn't true...for your enjoyment only:

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Week in Review: 3/11-3/15

A few things I've been doing this week (outside of work):

My typography & handwriting. 
Handwriting is a lost art and if you've seen my daily notebook, you'd know that I'm the last person to have nice handwriting. I should have been a doctor with my handwriting is what I'm saying. But after being inspired by the creative ways to write things, I started my own handwriting journal to test out different font types. I'm kind of addicted...it's doodling that I can actually do!

Cooking from Scratch.
Check making my own avocado-cilantro dressing and homemade BBQ sauce off the list of things to make from scratch! Surprisingly easier than anticipated, I love the sense of accomplishment I get when I make my own sauces and dressings! I've also been YT'ing how to cut properly (using a rocking motion instead of see-sawing back and forth) and have noticed that as I continue to practice, I'm getting better and better! Next stop: The Next Iron Chef!

Running in the fog.
I've been kind of lazy when it comes to running on a daily basis, especially with the time-change last Sunday. The sun isn't up til 7am! Luckily having Dallas gives me a (false) sense of security. How can any murderer want to hurt this face?!

questions? askphivy! | @hoisinivy | instagram

If Shoes Could Kill

As a little break from our workday, my coworker/bestie and I decided to scout our building for places to take new blog photos. Normally I hate doing this because there is inevitably people around (and I'm always horrified to know people can see me take blog photos), but I decided to suck it up and be okay with it! Fake it til you make it!

The shoes-printed tee is an oldie but goodie from Brooklyn Industries - one of my favorite shops in NY. I discovered them in Brooklyn (duh) and every time I visit NYC (2-3x a year), I always buy myself and Ryan a tee. This year Ryan went without me (to be there for the birth of his niece) and he kept the tradition by buying me two tees! Lucky me!

brooklyn industries tee (old), forever 21 blazer, forever 21 jeans,
steve madden lace-up booties, hot topic studded belt 

These are my ghetto-fabulous shoes. I mean, army green, lace-up, platform stilettos? COME ON!

Since I don't have any pictures of Dallas, here's an outtake! Rawr!

questions? ask phivy! | @hoisinivy | instagram

Flared Out

I bought these flared jeans a few seasons ago and though the style comes and goes, I can't help but whip them out every now and then. But I am absolutely required to wear heels with them (thanks to my short legs and long torso, if I don't, it only emphasizes my weird proportions). I paired it up with a classic white button-down for a clean and simple look. This brown (vegan) jacket makes its reoccurring appearance as I find more and more outfits to throw under it.

brown vegan jacket (similar here), martin + osa white button down (similar here),
7 for all mankind flared jeans, top shop sunglasses

Last week I bought these black & white striped sunglasses from Top Shop (at The Grove in Los Angeles) and have been sporting them ever since. At $32, it's not a bad price for a pair of sunglasses with a distinct look.

questions? askphivy! | @hoisinivy | instagram

Spring Showers

We're only a week away from the official start of Spring! Here and there we've been getting our share (omg so much rhyming) of springs showers in LA and while those are romantical and all - nothing beats a RAINBOW that comes out it. Rainbows are like bubbles: no matter how old you are, you still love them. I mean, who has walked through an onslaught of bubbles and have NOT wanted to run around pop them all? Anyway, last weekend, Ryan and I saw a couple of rainbows right over our church and ran out to take photos of them...yes, THEM. It was a double-rainbow!! (Too bad my camera didn't catch them that well - you can kinda see the 2nd one in the first pic).

I finally got to whip out these rainboots I've had for awhile - I think this is only the 2nd time I've got to wear them all year! Is it bad if you mix the rainboots socks brand with the rainboots brand? Does it matter?

H&M sweater dress (similar here), H&M trench (similar here), lululemon gray wunder unders (similar here),
sperry rainboots (similar here), hunter rainboot socks

questions? askphivy! | @hoisinivy | instagram

And just for funzies :9