A Dose of Pretty

{A sunset-hued rose + late afternoon sunlight.}

Editor’s Note: With my upcoming birthday and the semester ending soon, I will be taking a short break to celebrate properly and wrap up the school year. I will be back on June 10th with plenty of new content. x

When I was in high school, our college and career center had a sign that said: “The days are long but the years are short.” At seventeen, I understood what the quote was saying, yet I didn’t get it. But, at thirty-five, I get it.

The days are long: As I get closer to summer vacation, I understand that it will be here before I know it even when it feels a million miles away from me.

And the years are short: Because when I remember high school, I realize it was half my life ago even though it sometimes feels as if it was just yesterday.

With yet another year flying by {how are we already over five months into the new year, or um, rather should I just say year?}, I’m striving to truly savor each day. Because the days are long even if the years go by far too quickly. This weekend I plan to celebrate Mother’s Day by going to brunch with my son, and spending time with all three of my boys. And I’m excited to head to San Francisco to celebrate my birthday next week. I hope you have a great one as well and I’ll see you back here next month! x

{A playful kitten who reminds me everyday that dreams do come true – since being a cat mom was my dream for about three decades before I met him.}

{A summery color combo that gives me tropical vacation vibes: pink blooms + green leaves.}

{The sweetest afternoon drink: a creamy caramel boba tea + crème brûlée foam.}

{The prettiest shades of purple: from lavender to violet.}

{A new, mini fragrance to try out for my birthday. Should my new motto be new age, new signature scent?}

x Paris

Destination Pretty: A Girls Weekend Getaway


Lately, the thing I’ve been missing the most would be traveling, especially with friends. While it feels like I haven’t traveled in ages {in reality, it’s been a couple of months since my last work trip and a few years – aka, pre-COVID-19 – since my last international vacation}, I decided to share a few glimpses from a girls trip to Los Angeles from several years ago that was filled with a healthy dose of cupcakes + cocktails {virgin for me & boozy for everyone else}.

I’ve always been a huge fan of the weekend getaway – trips to wine country in the spring, the beach in the summertime, apple picking in the country in the fall, and to the snow in the winter. But while I used to make those weekend trips and vacations with friends when I was in college, as I’ve gotten older I tend to make those trips with my partner and family instead. So, when I had to go down to LA for work many years ago, I decided to extend my time down there and have a mini girls weekend. Filled with summery-hued drinks at the Sunset Tower Hotel, lazy brunches after late nights out {including tattooing our name to the bathroom wall at Piano Bar – which has sadly closed down since}, decadent meals at Gracias Madre {who make vegan food taste incredible} and La Boheme, indulgent desserts at Bottega Louie {whose raspberry and vanilla Le Grand Macaron and Nutella beignets were worth flying to downtown LA for alone} and The M Cafe {who made the best gluten-free vegan chocolate chip cookies and strawberry frosted cupcakes}, as well a plethora of pretty, it was the perfect pick-me-up weekend spent indulging in cupcakes and cocktails + a healthy dose of girl time. I hope this serves as some inspiration for your next girls trip, whether it is a staycation at home or at a pretty destination. x

x Paris