One year ago today...

I am a lover of most, if not all, animals. I grew up with MANY pets -- dogs, cats, turtles, rats, lizards, fish, bunnies, etc. Though my favorite has always been cats... I know, I know. They're evil little demons who will eat your face if you die alone in your house while your dog will starve to death before they ever think of doing such a thing. Well... survival of the fittest I say! LOL.

But seriously, this is the story of my first pet adoption as an adult and how Cider was the chosen. I really wanted a cat and our apartment unfortunately doesn't allow dogs so we spent time looking for adoption centers. We searched for two weeks and for some reason it was legitimately hard to find a place in our area that actually had a decent selection to choose from. Finally I came across Adopt & Shop Culver City (click to learn more) and I was thrilled to see so many kittens and cats. The staff was so wonderful and helpful from the moment we walked in. The facility was clean and had plenty of "play rooms" for potential pet parents to spend some time with the babies. We played with about 5-6 different kittens hoping to find that one playful, friendly and hopefully not skittish cat. Having liked all of them but none standing out I was thinking we'd have to come back another day BUT I noticed some back cages with a litter of kittens in each and then ONE little baby by herself. Apparently she had had a cold but she was all better so we could play with her. 

We played with her and she was playful and like climbing into our laps so we told her to "meow" if she wanted to come home with us, she climbed up to us and let out the cutest little mew -- she was the winner ;) We kept the name the center gave her because it just seemed to fit and she's been such a great addition to our home bringing joy all year... except at 4am when she decides to run track across the living room but you know, CATS. 

If you're looking to adopt I recommend checking out one of the many Adopt and Shop locations, they're amazing! Also they team up with SNPLA (click to learn more) for discounted vaccines, the Culver City spot is the first Saturday of every month and we go for all of Cider's boosters and vaccines. 

Check out Adopt & Shop Culver City Yelp: CHECK HERE

FOLLOW CIDER ON INSTAGRAM @cider_cat TO KEEP UP WITH HER CAT SHENANIGANS #meow

Where To Get Drunk With Your Bae (WTGDWYB) Part I: Seven Grand/Mas Malo

This fun little series is about where to get drunk with your significant other. There have been times where our friends are being lame and can't get the evenings plans together so we had out for a night out on our own or we just want get a few drinks, which sometimes turn into a long night. This will be a list of our favorite spots with tips about atmosphere, drinks, etc. 

Seven Grand is a great little whiskey bar located above Mas Malo in Downtown Los Angeles. This place is great if you enjoy some good whiskey, they have a nice selection. There's what I call like a cabin decor -- wood walls, dark colored furniture, deer heads, antlers, small deer lamps and so on. Although a little pricey this is a great place to chill and have drinks while shooting some pool and smoke some cigars, side note: there's a small selection of cigars in the back corner bar.

Don't miss out on this spot, great place to get carried away for the night with just you and your person. 

World Series Heartbreak

If you have read my blog before you have to know I have deep love for the Los Angeles Dodgers. You would also have to know that I was extremely excited for them to be in the World Series, their first time since 1988. And lastly, you would have to know how utterly sad I am that we lost in Game 7 last night. I appreciate the fact that we at least made it and were able to have a fairly decent series and that it wasn't a total blow out. But man to be so close and not to take it all at home is rough.

I just have to say -- Boys in Blue, I still love you.

Until next year.

Mini Korean Beauty Haul

I have heard so many great things about Korean beauty products for such a long time that I finally had to try some out for myself. I highly recommend checking out Amazon for some great steals and there's plenty of reviews to read so you can pick what's best for you and your skin type.

Product #1: MIZON Snail Recovery Gel Cream - it has 74% snail secretions, I know EW right? But snail secretions are packed with nutrients that are in most skin care products already so you're basically getting the good stuff directly from the source! Even better this one is a 2 - pack! Check it out here.

Product #2: ETUDE HOUSE Collagen Eye Patch - as I think most people know collagen has many benefits that aren't just limited to your skin care but it is a building block for elasticity and necessary for reducing signs of aging. You can get this in packs of 10, check it here.

Product #3: ETUDE HOUSE My Lash Serum - I love this serum! I'm unsure of what ingredients are directly beneficial for eye lash growth but it seems to work; making my lashes fuller. I even use some on my brows and it makes a difference.
Find it here.

Product #4: MLMSY Life Hospital Collagen Lip Gel Mask - again with the collagen! People I'm telling you it's like magic. Softens lips and fine lines around your mouth reducing the signs of aging. My boyfriend says I look like I'm from Silence of the Lambs, "it puts the lotion on the skin" lol. Check it out here if you don't mind the serial killer look.

Share with me your favorite skin care/beauty products in the comments below; and don't forget to subscribe!

Summer 2017 - RECAP

After being MIA for most of the summer I'm here to do a recap of some of the fun I've been having - mostly in picture :) Hopefully you've been killin' your summer as well. 

Scroll through and enjoy!

May

Mother's Day with the best there is - Creole/Cajun lunch in Santa Barbara

One of  many Dodger games

#itfdb

SKYSLIDE at SkySpace in DTLA.

June

Father's Day at 6 Flags with my dudes :)

I turned 30 on June 23rd... I surprised myself & kept it lowkey, spending the weekend with my family. I didn't even take a pictures - except this silly one the next day. I was trying to get a picture with Cider cat but she slipped away right as I took it. She hates me haha. Can't complain 30 feels pretty good.

July

Spent 4 days in Encinitas and San Diego, celebrating a birthday and eating and drinking NON STOP

...but good people, good food and good drinks is the best.
Enjoying the Dragon Bowl at BANG BANG SUSHI/BAR - so good it sneaks up on ya!

Another Dodger game... of course!

August

One of many Twilight Concerts on the Beach

Beach, drinks, music.

Stop on the way home from a day trip to Palm Springs

Dinosaur Museum

Babe's Cowboys play the Rams in preseason

Joys of THAT Pink Mailer

I recently re-subscribed to ipsy as I canceled my monthly shipment a few months back due to I wanted to save a little. At only $10 a month it doesn't seem like much but it all adds up. Although, I realized how much I missed the joys of seeing that bright, shiny pink mailer in my mailbox each month. Also before my "21 Days of Beauty" splurge I couldn't remember the last time I actually bought mascara, I had samples upon samples and since I wear little to no make up on a daily basis those mini tubes were lasting me a long while. 

Ipsy finally coaxed me back with "miss you" emails or "see what's new"notifications. In February they were offering a free ColourPop Cosmetics Ultra Matte Lip with MY choice from 3 shades and I was suckered in right before the offer ended. I chose a pink/purple-ish color called Viper. Patiently waiting for it's arrival and TODAY - it finally appeared!

As it is Friday and for some reason that always makes me happy no matter what I'm doing, the trademark pink mailer from ipsy was icing on the cake that is Friday so I just had to share :)

I've listed the products below, click and check them out:

The IPSY pre-launch of the Glamour Dolls x Lisa Frank Angle Blush Brush tickled my inner child, reminding me of pencil holders, backpacks and notebooks from fourth grade.

UNICORN BRUSH HERE!

 I love a good lip balm so Adesse New York Cupuacu Butter Lip Balm was so smooth on soft on my lips! *heart eye emoji* CLICK HERE

I don't know they do it but I've been wanting to try a new bronzer but never know where to start and then this arrives. Ciate London Mini Bamboo Bronzer - check it out HERE.

A girl can't go without her liquid eyeliner and precision is key. Jesse's Girl Liquid Eyeliner has got to be sent from the cat eye wing gods. Perfect your cat eye HERE.

Eau Thermale Avene's Rich Compensating Cream is like silky smoothness on the skin. Mind you if you don't like thick moisturizers this might not be for you. See it HERE.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Ulta's 21 Days Of Beauty 2017

I could not believe my eyes when I came across an article about the "best products to buy" for Ulta's 21 Days of Beauty. I had never even HEARD of this wonderful 3 week beauty bonanza! Of course, I ran to the nearest Ulta to join in on the fun. I could have done more damage but I had to refrain from draining my entire bank account #willpower

Ulta's 21 days run from March 19th to April 8th giving you plenty of time to shop and save. I really wanted to try the EXUVIANCE Performance Peel AP25, originally $77 at 50% off. After that I couldn't help myself and purchased my first ever bareMinerals powder foundation and brush, bareMinerals Lash Domination Volumizing mascara, itCosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye water proof concealer, along with a couple extras make up setting spray and purse hand sanitizer.

I've never purchased or used bareMinerals products even though I've always heard great things so I am excited to use the foundation and mascara. I don't wear make up every day so I have yet to try it out. I might have to do a make up post ;) There's a couple days left to get some great daily deals, which I'll probably be doing, and if you want to know exactly what's on sale each day go here: Ulta's 21 Days of Beauty

If you'd like to buy some of the items I purchased follow the links below:

Foundation:  bareMinerals Original Foundation SPF 15 - Medium Tan
Brush: bareMinerals Beautiful Finish Brush
Mascara: bareMinerals Lash Domination Volumizing mascara
Concealer: it Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye concealer - Medium
Facial Peel: EXUVIANCE Performance Peel AP25

Big World, Petite Girl: Murphy Ranch Hike

I am so excited to share my Saturday adventure. 

The boyfriend suggested this great hike that also includes some interesting history. 

Located in Rustic Canyon not far from the Pacific Palisades a little piece of World War II is tucked away in the hills. Take a mile hike up a paved road until you reach the stairs (so many stairs) that will lead down to Murphy Ranch. Once a large compound with a water storage tank, a fuel tank, a bomb shelter, now only a few structures remain scrawled with many layers of graffiti. Murphy Ranch was built in the 1930s by Nazi sympathizers for Nazi activities in the United States. The compound was intended to be self-sustaining for many years until law enforcement seized it in 1941 after the Pearl Harbor attacks. By 1990 the ranch was abandoned and closed. Just last year many structures were demolished as they were deemed unsafe.

Unfortunately when we took the hike to check out the grounds many of the buildings we had heard about were boarded up or knocked down. Although there isn't much left it is still fascinating to see the remnants of what could have been and signs of people that actually lived there. We spent 2 to 3 hours exploring the area, even taking a trail that lead to nowhere. 

Check the pictures below. I highly recommend Murphy Ranch trail, if you're bored on the weekend, need something to do or just like history... Just make sure you do it before they tear down the remaining buildings.

For directions to Murphy Ranch and what trail to follow, these ones proved to be the most helpful:

Thanks to Jeff Hester, creator of this one.

SoCal Hiker: Murphy Ranch - The Nazi Compound in Rustic Canyon

And AllTrails... one of my favorite apps.

AllTrails - Murphy Ranch Trail

Hopefully this will be the first of many in the "Big World, Petite Girl" series. :)

Super Bowl LI: Patriots Nation

For those who know me, you know I'm a die hard New England Patriots fan. 

I attended my first Pats game this year when they dominated the 49ers in San Francisco #happiestgirlever

I've been counting down the days 'til February 5, 2017 and being that politics are trying to ruin my favorite sport and surround my favorite team (they're already the most hated team in the NFL, it comes with the territory) I wanted to share the fun things that I read over this last week or so in honor of the most celebrated holiday of the year, Super Bowl Sunday.

First off, the Puppy Bowl -- you heard right, the PUPPY BOWL! 

C'mon, what's not to love!? Check it out below:

The Puppy Bowl, Explained.

Bad Lip Reading... 

The guys who came up with this are geniuses, click below.

NFL 2017

Jimmy Kimmel Mean Tweets are always funny... 

and even funnier with NFL players.

NFL Meant Tweets 2017

Who doesn't enjoy little rivalry.... Sam Adams definitely does.

Sam Adams vs. Atlanta Store 

Tom Brady on Instagram is pure gold... if you haven't seen it yet, you should. 

Tom Brady's Wolf Pack

Last but not least to throw in some fashion fun for my fellow female football fans.

How to be fashionable and rep your team for the Super Bowl.

Rep Your Team And Look Cute Doing It.

Thanks Gisele!

Enjoy the day and root for the right team ;)

The Patriots are the right team if you haven't caught on.

All my love to Brady, Edeleman, Belicheck and Kraft today.

Holiday Hiatus

Happy 2017!

Oh how I have missed writing! I took an unintentional hiatus over the holidays - I am so glad to be back in 2017! I can't believe we're already through the first week. I seriously feel like I just finished the countdown and kissed my boyfriend at midnight. I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years and didn't overdo the season because it's never worth it. #losethestress

I'm usually into a low key NYE, this year I did it a little differently and I spent ringing in the New Year on a yacht cruising the San Diego Harbor - no, I'm not a baller but it was a kick ass party with an opportunity to dress fancy. Unfortunately the cold, beautiful day turned into all night rainfall so no top deck dancing but it was a lot of fun celebrating with some great friends and good drinks.

End to all the fun - 2017

Like I mentioned last year I'm not much of resolutions person but I received a Fitbit Charge 2 for Christmas, by far my favorite gift, the boyfriend did well ;) so I decided that I need to step my gym game up to get my Summer body by Spring. A great end to the last year in my 20s and a great start to the year my 30s begin! I'm so ready for more amazing new adventures in amazing new places.

Share with me how was your holiday season. Tell me about your New Years Eve, good or bad, and what resolutions you may be trying to stick to. Also, don't forget to subscribe with your email to "Stay Up To Date" and/or Bloglovin' over there on the right side. 

Top photo compliments from: The Styled Society Instagram - give her a follow, she's amazing!