If it makes you happy, wear it!

Hope you enjoyed your Valentine’s Day, whether single or in a relationship! I actually love Valentine’s Day. A lot of people think I love the holiday because I’ve been in a relationship for a few years now, but I’ve actually loved it since I was younger.

As a young girl I watched wedding shows sometimes more than cartoons…I know, weird right. I was the student who wanted to give Valentine’s candy and cards to all of my classmates growing up. I just always loved the idea of love.

I know some people believe that Valentine’s Day is just a superficial and commercialized holiday, but I see it as a special day to go all out for your signifcant other in a different way than the other 364 days of the year.

And if you are single, practicing self-love and taking yourself on a date that makes you feel beautiful, confident, and happy is also a perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day.

Yesterday, Shawn and I actually had a very lowkey Valentine’s Day. It was a rainy LA day so we decided to stay in and catch up on all of our tv shows, which was fun and relaxing.

I only left my apartment to take the pictures you see in this post and then went back to the comfort of my bed, blankets, and snacks.

A few days ago I was trying so hard to figure out what to wear on Valentine’s Day just in case we went out somewhere. I was thinking about buying a pink skirt or a cute red dress to wear, but I honestly wasn’t feeling pink or red this year for the holiday.

I felt like every year I aimed for something pink, red, or white in my outfit to match the usual theme of the holiday, so I switched it up this time for a less bright and less girly look and I loved it.

Don’t get so tied up on themes or what other people are wearing, wear what makes you happy. For my non-traditional Valentine’s Day outfit, I decided to wear navy and black!

I wore a navy blazer from H&M and paired it with a black Topshop bralette, black FashionNova jeans, and black dress shoes from Nordstrom Rack. I felt like this outfit was sexy enough for the lovey dovey holiday while still being simple and stylish.

As I mentioned earlier, it was a rainy day, so I was excited to add my umbrella to my outfit. My umbrella has pink and white polka dots on it, which added a nice pop of color to my Valentine’s Day look.

If dresses make you happy, wear them. If crop tops make you happy, wear them. If you don’t feel comfortable in shorts and they make you unhappy, don’t wear them.

Anybody can wear anything that makes them feel confident and happy. All bodies are good bodies!

Have a lovely weekend!! 🙂

Smorgasburg LA!

Last Sunday I decided to take a trip to a place here in LA that I’ve been wanting to visit for some time called Smorgasburg!

If you are like what in the world is that, let me explain. Smorgasburg is held every Sunday in downtown LA from 10 am to 4 pm. A bunch of local shopping, food, and drink vendors set up tents to sell their amazing food or awesome merchandise.

Attending Smorgasburg is also a great date idea! It’s lowkey, fun, and you get to try out new food and drinks.

I found out about Smorgasburg on Instagram when I saw numerous pictures showing delicious looking desserts and drinks and I knew I had to visit. I love all things shrimp so I knew I had to stop by the Shrimp Daddy booth to get a meal and I’m so happy I did.

The meal left me speechless. Take a look at it below:

I ordered a pineapple boat which is grilled shrimp, mac salad, rice with curry paste, and pineapple chunks served in half a pineapple. The plating is beautiful and it tastes delicious. I definitely reccomend trying it out if you attend Smorgasburg.

To finish off my meal I got a yummy, mango ice cream cone from Wanderlust creamery. I give it a 10/10!

I decided to wear a dressy casual look to the event. I paired a black and white polka dot, crop top from H&M with skinny jeans from Topshop, and black heels from Nordstrom Rack.

I also rocked a sporty fannypack from FashionNova. What do you think of my #LOTD #OOTD? Let me know in the comments below. Also tell me if you’ve visited Smorgasburg and have a fave food spot or plan to go, I want to go again!

Have a great rest of your weekend!

One year LA Anniversary!

Just four days ago was my 1 year anniversary of moving to LA. It’s crazy to think that I’ve already been living here for a full year. It really flew by! This post is going to be a timeline of a few of my favorite LA moments over this past year. Enjoy!

Moving to LA – 10/22/17

Visiting Echo Park – 10/31/17

Visiting The Grove – 11/3/17

First birthday in LA – 11/18/17

First holiday season in LA – 12/8/17

New year, new look – 1/1/18

First rainy day in LA – 1/8/18

Visiting Griffith Observatory – 1/16/18

Visiting the Love Wall in Beverly Hills – 2/8/18

First Valentine’s Day in LA/Visiting the Natural History Museum – 2/14/18

Attending my first wedding – 4/21/18

Celebrating my 6 year Anniversary – 4/25/18

Visiting Santa Monica – 5/4/18

Visiting La Brea Tar Pits – 6/6/18

Attending Janelle Monae concert – 6/28/18

Visiting Manhattan Beach – 7/10/18

Visiting Little Tokyo – 7/24/18

Visiting the Beverly Hills Sign – 8/9/18

Hiking to the Secret Swing in Elysian Park – 8/23/18

Visiting Universal Citywalk – 9/27/18

The adventure continues – 10/2618

Hope you enjoyed traveling through time with me and I look forward to bringing you all on many more journeys! Have a lovely weekend!

Pink & Lace Look for a Non-Traditional Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day has always been my favorite holiday. I’m such a die-hard romantic where all things lovey dovey, cute, sweet, and couple related makes me extra happy!

Even though every day spent with your significant other should be just as important as Vday, it is still fun to have a day solely dedicated to being over the top romantic!

With Valentine’s Day comes lots of pinks, reds, and whites. I’ve always seen Vday as a day to wear a dress and heels.

To prepare for the holiday this year I tried to go for a non-traditional look that is still romantic, but also a tad bit edgy.

I decided to pair a white, lace crop top from Forever 21, with a light pink poncho from Kerisma. Throughout the day numerous people asked was the top and poncho one piece and complimented my look for styling it as such! 🙂

With my top and poncho combo, I also wore brown Hudson jeans and black, military-style heeled boots from Nordstrom. I feel like this look was a perfect balance of chic, modern, and romantic.

How do you feel about non-traditional Valentine’s Day looks? Leave a comment below!

Know Your Love Language <3

Let’s face it, dating is hard. Giving someone your undivided attention, sharing your personal thoughts and feelings with another person, and putting a lot time and affection into someone is not an easy task, but it can be done.

Knowing your Love Language can help make you and your significant other’s dating experience much easier.

What is a Love Language?

Your Love Language shows you your emotional communication preference, how you like to receive love from others, and shows whoever you are dating how they can love you in the best way possible.

There are 5 types of Love Languages:

Words of Affirmation: this Love Language affirms other people by using words.

Acts of Service: people who use this Love Language need a partner who shows that actions speak louder than words.

Receiving Gifts: what makes people feel most loved is by receiving little gifts from their significant other

Quality Time: these people seek and need undivided attention from their partners

Physical Touch: with this Love Language, people believe that touching is the best way to show love to one another

Knowing your Love Language and knowing your partner’s can help you both express affection to each other in the best way possible. These Love Languages can help you connect with your significant other with a sense of intimacy and fulfillment.

Once you both know how to properly love each other, you two will have a better understanding of one another, will have better communication, and your love life overall will improve.

Now don’t think single people should be left out of this Love Language test. Being single is an even bigger and better reason to know your Love Language. Once you discover how you should be and want to be loved, when dating, you can seek out someone who will satisfy your needs.

My Love Language is mainly Words of Affirmation with a close runner up being Quality Time.

Take the Love Language Test here and if you are in a relationship, get your significant other to take it as well! Get on the right track to improving your love life ❤

What to do for Date Night?

Every couple goes on dates, whether it’s to the movies, the zoo, for a walk in the park, wherever you go, it will definitely be a fun time spent with your significant other. The problem occurs when you don’t know what to do or where to go for your date night and you get in a rut. This list will help you get out of that rut and jump into a whole new era of date night ideas.

1) Cook your favorite meal together

If you love to eat shrimp scampi and your husband loves pasta and steak, why not set aside a few hours and cook both of your favorite meal. The two of you will have fun helping each other cook and you will definitely enjoy the meal! There will probably be food left over and that can be saved for a cute at home dinner date later in the week.

2) Have a spa day

You both have been working hard at work all week and you two really could use some rest and relaxation. Setting aside a Friday or Saturday night for back massages, foot rubs, and facials, could really be beneficial for you. You will feel happier, less stressed, and much more relaxed.

3) Stargaze/Cloud watch

Depending on if it is night or day, stargazing or cloud watching can be a perfect calming date idea. Grab a blanket or two and lay in the grass and just look up at the sky. Tell each other the pictures you see in the clouds or the constellations you can name or just relax and talk about how your day went.

4)  See a comedy/improv show

Who doesn’t love a good laugh? Laughter is great for a healthy relationship and going to a comedy or improve show will add a lot of joy to your relationship. Sit back, relax, and be entertained for an evening and just forget about work, the kids, and any stresses you have.

5) Play Truth or Dare

Yes, this may seem a little childish to some people, but who says adults can’t have fun as well. Playing truth or dare with your partner can spice up your relationship and get the two of you sharing secrets and doing fun and silly activities. Whenever you two get bored just start asking the other to do some dares or reveal a secret. This is an easy way to have fun right in your home.

6) Go to a drive-in movie theatre

Put a spin on the traditional movie going date. Why not hop in the car and go to a drive in theatre where the two of you can relax and cuddle in the car and watch great movies. It’s a way to get out of the house and be entertained, while still being able to be comfortable and have some privacy.

7) Take a dance class together

Consider taking an upbeat salsa dancing class or a slow paced and romantic waltz class. The two of you will be learning a new skill together, getting a workout, and having fun! Once you learn the dances, you can have mini dance sessions around the house. Twirling and dancing around can make you feel youthful, vibrant, and bring the two of you closer together as a couple.

10 Little Ways to Make Your Partner’s Valentine’s Day Better

My favorite holiday is in exactly one week…Valentine’s Day!

I’ve always loved Valentine’s Day, even as a little kid in school giving cards to all of my classmates ^-^ Now that I am older and in an relationship, VDay is even more fun!

Here are 10 little ways to make your partner’s VDay even better. Enjoy!

1) Make them a list of all the things you love about them!

2) Cook them a romantic dinner. Include all of his/her fave foods!

3) Write them a cute, lovey-dovey poem.

4) Have a movie marathon. Watch all of his/her fave movies!

5) Give them a relaxing back rub.

6) Visit your favorite date spot!

7) Agree to do something fun and spontaneous!

8) Leave little love notes everywhere for them to find.

9) Dress nicely for them, even if you’re aren’t going out.

10) Say I love you!!!

Remember, Valentine’s Day can be every day. let your significant other know you love him or her each day of the week. xoxo ❤