Summer lovin'

I love summer, it stays light for so long the weather has been delightful.  It's slushy season.  I've been walking along Puddingstone in the evenings (after 7 equals free parking). It's glorious and I know that in California we need rain, but right now I'm just enjoying some rather lovely summer days and nights.

I've been working on fixing up our backyard, replacing some of the dead grass with some prettier (and drought tolerant) options.  Currently still working on the clean up portion, but once I get into the more decorative parts I'm thinking I'd like to go with a kind of Wonderland-meets-Labyrinth motif.  I think it would be a fun way to combine a couple of my favorite movies. 

I wonder if I could find a Hoggle garden gnome somewhere???

Between working in the yard, a couple of 2-mile walks earlier in the week and the trek to Top Deck at Dodger Stadium the other night I've been doing pretty well with keeping active.  Luckily for me the weather has been pretty nice this week.  Here's a quick look:

A view from my hike/walk @ Frank G Bonelli Park/Puddingstone

Hello Kitty night @ Dodger Stadium 

My go to products this week have been: Physician's Formula CC cream in Light/Medium...which I've let it "cook" while I'm getting ready and Josie Maran's Argan Oil Mascara.  That's pretty much it, I'm keeping it pretty simple. 

Hope you are having a lovely summer! Cheers to you. 

Product review: Body Shop's Honey Bronze

Picked this up after seeing a before/after on Pinterest...my home away from home.  Simple to use, and not too shimmery.

Basic faux tan rules apply:
Shower and exfoliate
Towel dry
Shake up the Honey Bronze
Apply
Give it a couple of minutes to dry before putting on your clothes
Wash your hands of any residual bronzer

I'm liking this one a lot, I'm sure I could go darker with this on my legs.  It never appears orange, just a little bit of color for shorts season.  Even though it's called shimmering dry oil...it's not so much that you feel like a glittery vampire/stripper.

Bought mine online from The Body Shop along with a couple of other items. Honey Bronze Shimmering Dry Oil in Honey Kissed ($22.00 for 3.3 ounces...a little goes a long way).

Beach Day Prep

Bolsa Chica, CA 

June 1st and my first official beach day of the summer!  I will take a beach day over just about any other kind of day.

The night before a beach day is best for shaving the legs and underarm (trying to do these things day of will most likely result in skin irritation...and if you end up with a nick--ouch).  Currently using Lush-Prince Triple Orange Blossom Shaving Cream (I choose to get the smaller size which retails about $14.00).  

Day of: I start with sunscreen before anything else. For sunscreen, I like Sun Bum and Ocean Potion; I figure before you put your swim suit on you can better reach all your spots and places.  Don't forget the toes! Then come the swim suit and cover up.  

Into my bag goes: a large beach towel/blanket (for laying on) and a normal (smaller) towel for drying off. Additional sunscreen (now is when I opt for the spray on kind). I also like to bring a face sunscreen and keep it in my cooler (makes it nice cool and refreshing).  Sunglasses (an older pair that won't make me cry if it gets scratched or carried off by a wave).  Small cosmetic bag for cash, ID and keys. 

Snacks/drinks: I like to have a sandwich place pack me a sandwich, bring chips to share and generally a fruit of some kind: watermelon, pineapple, strawberries.  Also a large container of water (I like to fill it with ice too).  For the 21 and over crowd: Those little frozen daiquiri-juice pouches draw much less attention than red party cups.  Vodka spiked watermelon goes over well. For additional ideas may I suggest searching Pinterest for Beach Drinks? ***Proceed with caution though and keep an eye out for beach cops.

Any beach tips or treats that you'd like to share?

Aloha and cheers!

crazy week...leads to bright future

What a crazy week at work! We were short one person down at the end of a quarter...stressful for sure, but overall our little office pulled together and got stuff handled. We've got until Wednesday to see how we did for the quarter total, but I think it's looking good.

Now that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel I'm looking forward to getting my life back. Some of things I'm looking forward to in the next couple of months are:

• Getting back to YBB at Heartbeat House, over in LA/Atwater...Love dancing with Luisa and Kristen teaching!
• Meeting up with the Pilates trainer.  Just going to look at the cost as an investment in me.  I really like this quiet little studio in La Verne, Equilibrium Fitness.  I've been working with Becky, but everyone seems nice.
• Would like to schedule a little trip in there somewhere too...so many ideas up in the air.  Suggestions for solo travels anyone?
• Getting together with friends for some lovely summer nights!

my pretty wishlist (summer edition)

my summer wishlist by tamorama featuring lucky lou shoes

Oh Summer, how I've missed you.  This is my most wonderful time of the year! What I'd really like this summer is to spend some time by a pool, with a pina colada by my side.  I'd also really like to get back into shape...and I've got plenty of time on my hands right now, so I've got no excuses!(That is also where the yoga comes in a bit).  I'd love to go for a ride on my beach cruiser down by the ocean (I know it's not pictured, I just thought of it).  And those shoes! I've wanted a pair of Lucky Lou's forever, and they seem like a perfect summer shoe (that I could wear all year).  The palm trees...my namesake, and hopefully the tattoo that I'll get....eventually, if not this summer, then you know sometime else. haha, I'm such a chicken!

What's on your wishlist for summer? Things to do? Places to go?