DIY: Hot Chocolate

Use whatever you normally would add to hot chocolate…peppermint, marshmallows, or chocolate chips, then layer them in the mason jar. 

Place the circular paper around the lid of the jar and fasten the metal part around the lid. String the tags around the metal outer lid and there ya go!

enjoy!

xx

Gift Wrapping 101

I love wrapping presents because I think a nicely wrapped gift contributes to what's inside. For typical square boxes, don't be afraid to mix things up. Use thick or thin ribbons of different colors, add handmade tags, or even small ornaments to liven up a dull looking present. 

and for the friends & family who have birthdays near the holidays, the last thing they want is a gift wrapped in Christmas paper or anything red and green, so go with something different– I did turquoise and gold!

xx

the desert

I spent the past three days down in Palm Springs, recuperating from too much food & all of the stress the holidays can bring. 75 degree days in late December is exactly what the doctor ordered.

xx

Six Snaps

Love this cutting board! So cute and only 20$, a perfect gift idea. Find your state here!

fresh sushi dates with my dad are a necessity. 

taco fix.

One of the many wise words of Sir Winston Spencer-Churchill

cinnamon swirly deliciousness meets a croissant...

I still don't understand the obsession with these French cookies, but I loved these colors!

xx 

Home for the Holidays

I've been back in the States for nearly a week now and haven't had much time to reflect on my time abroad. It is really easy to get caught up in a routine and quickly fall back into the way of life that you're used to living at home. But that's the whole purpose of going abroad; to skew our daily understandings, to call a new country or city home, and to shape the way we view places, and more importantly, each other. Yet after this marvelous experience, no one really tells you that coming home after a semester of studying anywhere, but especially somewhere like London in my case, can be a bit of a let down. I realize I'm not really in a place to complain…leaving one world class city to come home to another one isn't exactly the worst situation to find yourself in, but I still think it's worth reflecting upon. Living in London completely flew by; it was such a tease to be in a city that offers so much but for only three and a half months. In the wise words of Samuel Johnson, "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life", which I couldn't agree with more. There is just simply something about London– the amount of free museums and galleries, the foodie scene, the people– and that 'something' I miss tremendously. Coming home, everything is the same; it's the way you left it and coming back to this after being exposed to so much may be comforting to some, but also a bit mundane. I suppose the old saying 'Home is Where the Heart is' lives up to it's name, especially during the holidays, it's easy to see how especially beautiful San Francisco is. But now I am left with the question, is it possible to have your heart split in to two places to call home and appreciate them both equally?

here are a few shots of the beautiful city by the bay.

xx

Hump Day Tunes

I'm thinking of starting somewhat of a new series, nothing too formal, but just a sampler of new music on Wednesdays, as a mid-week pick me up. Sometimes it'll be me posting, other times it'll be friends or bloggers who have an eclectic taste in music, like today's post from Sara. She and I go all the way back to the Spice Girls and Britney Spears cassettes and jelly sandal days, aka I trust her musical taste. Check her out on 8tracks to hear for yourself! In her own words, this mix includes "lots of lovely ladies, including some new international talents worth checking out such as, Lorde, Chloe Howl, MØ, Charli XCX, and CHVRCHES to name a few". Enjoy! 

Sara (klipklapklep.tumblr.com)

Name In Lights– Little Daylight

No Angels (Feat. Ella) – Bastille 

Holdin On – Flume

Afterlife – Arcade Fire

No Diggity (Bondax Edit) – Blackstreet

You're So Dark – Arctic Monkeys

XO – Beyonce

Dancing Anymore – Is Tropical

No Strings – Chlöe Howl

Julian – Say Lou Lou

Run (LCAW Remix) – Daughter

We Sink – CHRVCHES

No Better – Lorde

Keep You – Wild Belle

Counting Stars – Angel Haze

Mother Protect (Goldroom Remix)– Niki & The Dove

XXX 88 (Feat. Diplo) – MØ

SuperLove – Charli XCX

Concrete Wall – Zee Avi

I Wanna Go (Belarbi Remix) – Yuna

If you like this mix, you can find it here.

xx

Chocolate Festival

WARNING: If you are hungry and/or love chocolate, it might be best to not read this post.

On Friday we had a friend in town, so we decided to show her around our favorite spots along Southbank, starting at Borough Market, with our hearts set on ending at the Chocolate Festival. Steph and Kels got started early on the chocolate hype at Borough with their cute little cupcakes! 

We were not let down once we reached the Festival…

What would this even taste like?!

Chocolate espresso beans, of course.

goodies in our bags for later, we kept walking along the river until we reached Big Ben, were overwhelmed by tourists, and decided it was time for a pint! 

xx