{Dog Days} of Summer

Oh, Summer...

The sun beating down, the waves crashing on the sand, barbecues, bonfires, pool parties, water balloon fights... Summer is here, and I don't want to waste what small amount of Summer we have left. 

I've been spending an hour or so every day lounging on the beach, reading, playing in the water, and relaxing. I've been making sure to find a small part of every day to relish in happiness. 

I've found love recently, and I honestly think it's because I've started to take the time to appreciate a small part of every day. When I take the time to appreciate the beauty around me, I'm reminded that I'm beautiful and worthy of love, and so are the many people around me.

If you aren't taking the time to appreciate your life every day, I highly suggest it. It's very much worth it.

xoxo

Beach {Bonfire}

A few weeks ago, I made a post about all of the things I hoped to do this summer, and having a beach bonfire was on this list. 

Well, we had a bonfire, and although there was only a few of us there, it was a lot of fun! We created the wonderfully delicious Reese's S'more above, and oh my gosh I will never go back to regular s'mores. The reese's s'more is just too good! 

Our bonfire was so big! It was really windy, so unfortunately it became extremely cold and we had to leave around nine. However, there will be more chances for bonfires this summer!

Have you ever had a beach bonfire?

What s'more creations have you made?

xoxo

Outfit Idea: {Bonfire}

Beach Bonfire

Anchor top / Long sleeve sweater / White racerback tank top / Striped racerback tank / LC Lauren Conrad bootcut jeans / LC Lauren Conrad skinny jeans / LC Lauren Conrad low rise jeans / LC Lauren Conrad boot cut jeans / Flojos oxford shoes / Blue beaded jewelry / Charm necklace, $32 / Nordstrom black hat / Passigatti beanie hat, $41

Tonight, I'm going to my first beach bonfire since moving to Santa Cruz last summer! I can't believe I haven't had a bonfire yet but I'm hoping tonight's goes well! It's going to be a pretty small group but I'm still very excited! I'm about to curl my hair (it holds! Even with wind! Amazing!) and then pick out a cute but (hopefully) warm outfit for tonight! 

Then it's time for firewood and s'mores!

xoxo

June is here!

Hello, everyone! 

June is here, and with it comes summer! For most places, that means warm, summer weather, but here it fluctuates between foggy and grey, and hot and sunny. I love that we get such variety all year long. 

I love the feeling in the beginning of summer: hope and joy and readiness for the feel of the sun on our backs.

It's like anything can happen during summer. 

This summer, I have so many plans and it is certain to fly by! I just hope that I can slow down and enjoy it for a moment or two. I'll post a summer bucket list (many of which will come from my 101 things in 1,001 days challenge) soon!

Enjoy your summer!
What are your plans for this season?

xoxo

Quote of the Week 1/13/2014

"It's always summer somewhere."

-Lilly Pulitzer

I'm enjoying what I've nicknamed "June"-uary here in Northern California - it's been 70 degrees and sunny for most of this year! Pictured above is a photo I took on a jog Thursday evening  - such a beautiful sunset, no? So, while the weather or your mindset may not be the best, just remember what the great Lilly Pulitzer once said,
"It's always summer somewhere."

It will be your summer at some point, too!

Enjoy the day, whatever the weather!

xoxo

P.S. Announcements to follow!

My Birthday Weekend {Part 1}

Tequila!

This weekend was so much fun, and I am so thankful for the friends and family I have in my life. I am feeling extremely blessed. 

This weekend, my family came to visit and we went out to one of my favorite restaurants on Friday night (can you say happy hour?) where we had a few margaritas and a wonderful time. It was such a great gathering and it felt like a vacation! 

On Saturday, my mom and I went shopping (mostly for Christmas stuff), relaxed, and then in the evening, we went to the arcade and we won a stuffed-animal otter! (I have decided to name him Leo!) It was a great night. Then, on Sunday, we went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium (post to come), and here's a little sneak peek:

It's a sea cucumber!

I had a wonderful birthday weekend and I cannot wait to share more about the aquarium with you soon!

What did you do this weekend?

xoxo

Summer is Sailing Away

As made clear through many of my prior posts, I am very much looking forward to Autumn. It is my favorite season: I love the crisp, chilly air, especially when it is foggy. I love the sweaters, pumpkins, Halloween, hot cocoa, and so much more.

But, I will also miss Summer: the heat, daily walks on the beach, swimming, shorts, smoothies. It's all sailing away now. This summer, I was not able to go sailing, although I have had a very strong urge to. I've admired the cute sail boat fence (above), watched sail boat races and went to see the regatta at the harbor:

A grey day, but well worth it!

Since I was not able to go sailing this Summer, I have resolved to go sailing within the next 1,001 days (well, now we're at 997, but you get the picture). It's a part of my 101 in 1,001 to-do-list/challenge, and I am very much looking forward to it!

xoxo

Happy September!

Hello everyone!

Sorry that I haven't been posting for a few days; I visited my hometown last week and now my mom is visiting so I haven't had too much time to spend on the computer!

I hope that August was great for everyone and I'm so excited for this month. It's the first "Brrr" month so I'm really getting ready for Autumn! 

It seems that the weather agrees:

So foggy!

The weather has cleared up for the afternoon, though, and I'm sure that there are plenty of Labor Day visitors in town and on the beach. I'm just relaxing with my family and friends, BBQ-ing, and enjoying the last few days before heading back to work.

What are you doing this Labor Day weekend?

xoxo

My Beauty Favorites: {Summer}

Summer Favorites by darlingdreamer featuring an essie nail polish

Maybelline voluminous mascara / Essie nail polish / Essie nail polish / Styling product / Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream

When I was little, I was really into makeup: it fascinated me, and because my mom never really uses beauty products, I was enthralled with everything to do with makeup or hair. I wasn't allowed to wear makeup until I was sixteen years old, and for a few days here and there, I really enjoyed it. But now, I'm a person of minimal makeup: I do really like using Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB cream, because it evens out my facial color, moisturizes my skin, and provides SPF 30! It's also very light, I can't even tell I'm in makeup! I also use Maybelline's Cat Eyes mascara, which makes my eyelashes longer and more pronounced (as well as making my eyes pop!) without clumping. 

As far as hair goes, I'm usually just a brush-and-go girl, unless I'm braiding my hair or putting it up in some other way. Not Your Mother's Beach Babe texturing spray gives my already wavy hair something a little extra. 

And last but not least, nails! I love to paint my nails to match the season or my mood. It's a good way to express yourself. During the Summer months, I really go for the bright colors: turquoise, corals, pink glitter, bright blues, etc. But my favorites this summer were Essie's Turquoise & Caicos (also Naughty Nautical!) and Sunday Funday. 

What are your favorite beauty products this Summer?

xoxo

Quote of the Week: 8/12/13

Evening in Santa Cruz, California

“When you do something noble and beautiful and nobody noticed, do not be sad. For the sun every morning is a beautiful spectacle and yet most of the audience still sleeps.” 

- John Lennon

This week's quote is really special, I find, because often we do good things because we want to be acknowledged for it, and that is not the point of doing something good is not suppose to be to gain praise. To do something noble and good just for the sake of doing it, out of the goodness of your heart, is something to hold dear, whether there is praise or not. As long as you know you did a beautiful deed, that is all you need. Cherish the feeling and harvest in yourself the ability to do noble and beautiful things just because you can and you want to. That will take you far. 

Also, wake up every so often to enjoy the gorgeous sun on a chilly morning. You will not regret watching the beauty of a sunrise, promise. 

xoxo, 

Caryn Elizabeth

Wow, what a weekend!

So, last Friday was my new university's orientation for transfer students, and while I was expecting to meet a ton of new people, I really didn't meet many people, and besides running into them on campus, I doubt that I'll see any of them again. I may have met more people had I not gone to the wrong major's advising meeting in the morning. -sigh-

So, apparently at my new school, there is a difference between Italian Studies (my major) and Italian language studies (apparently not my major)... So I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off all day long, thinking I was taking all of the wrong classes, only to find out from one of the student volunteers that I was doing all of the wrong advising all day. 

Luckily, I was sent to the literature and history departments before they left (I cut it really close) so I have all of my classes for this quarter, but I have no idea how to get around school (there's buses to take you around campus, but which one do I take? When do they run?) or which college is which. So things are going to be pretty confusing for the first week or two. 

My mom came for the weekend, though, so I got to spend time with her and my doggies. We went on a nice morning walk on the beach pictured above, and then a friend from home came to visit. The three of us shared the best cupcakes in the world and then went to see the Conjuring.

Rotten Tomatoes

The Conjuring started off alright, particularly since the doll pictured above was involved in the beginning of the film, and the doll alone is just freaky. However, toward the middle of the movie, I thought it was just going to be another mediocre horror movie. It started to move really slowly and went for a lot of cheap scares that just weren't scary. But then, at the end of the movie, things looked up. It got pretty frightening - there were a few laughable moments, but overall, they put together a horror film that was better than I'd seen in a long while. 

Enjoy what's left of the weekend! 

xoxo, 

Caryn Elizabeth

Girls' Night In

Every once in a while (more for me lately, since I don't know anyone in this town), a girls' night in is the best option for a Friday or Saturday evening. Pop in a DVD (or two or three), have a cocktail, and cuddle up on the couch. It's the perfect remedy for a long week at work.

My favorite cocktail of the moment: strawberry daiquiri!

Mix Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum with Safeway's Cocktail Classics strawberry daiquiri mix. Throw in some ice and a few frozen strawberries and blend. Viola! A very yummy, easy cocktail for Girls' Night In! 

The Best Girls' Night In Movies:

Legally Blonde: It's funny, cute, and feminist! Love it!

Breakfast At Tiffany's: Because Audrey Hepburn is the greatest! 

The Covenant: Well, this is a personal favorite... It's actually pretty bad, but the boys are just so cute! So, it makes up for it. 

What are your favorite Girls' Night In movies or activities?

I'd love to know! 

xoxo

Boardwalk Concerts

Last Friday, 7/12/13

Every Friday night during Summer, the Boardwalk has free Friday night concerts, which is great entertainment for people on a budget (like me!). So my roommate and I headed downtown for some cheap food before going to last week's concert, Blue Oyster Cult. 

It was a pretty great show. We were a bit late so we had to sit pretty far back, but as you can see above, the view was pretty wonderful. The music rocked, and the crowd was enthusiastic, which made the show that much better. 

For those of you also on a budget, you should check out if there are free concerts or shows in your area! It certainly does something to shake up your weekend. 

xoxo

Caryn Elizabeth

Healthy Summer

There's something about summertime that makes me want to eat better, exercise, and become a healthier person. Maybe it's all of that fresh fruit and veggies, or maybe it's something in the air. Either way, I'm doing my best this summer to become a happier, healthier version of me. 

Some of the yummy goodness I've been enjoying is pictured above. Currently, my favorite healthy snack has been hummus with broccoli, tomato, and carrots. However, fruit is what I love most: I am obsessed with pineapple, strawberries, and mango. They're seriously the best. I've been making smoothies to-go and walking on the beach, which should be great for my calves! (The exfoliation of my feet in the sand doesn't hurt, either). 

So this summer will be a new beginning for me: I will eat better. I will exercise more. And I will become the healthy person that I know I can be. 

What are some of your favorite healthy foods/snacks?

Much love, 

Caryn Elizabeth

Summer Reading

Who doesn't love lounging by the pool, or better yet, the ocean, with the sun shining bright overhead, book in hand? I certainly love that feeling; I wait for it all year long.
Here's some of my book recommendations for this summer:

Commencement by J. Courtney Sullivan

Synopsis: Four girls (named Celia, Bree, Sally, and April) are placed in the same dorm during their freshman year at a Northeastern liberal arts college. They're all quite different in personality and background, yet over the course of their four years in school, they struggle with adult life, learn lessons, and bond as a group. They reunite four years after graduation for Sally's wedding, and despite their growing differences, their devotion to one another is strong. However, one of the girls finds trouble and it is up to the other three to help her. 

My review: This book kept me up reading for days, despite the fact that I tried very hard to spread it out. The characters' stories each drew me in, and I felt as though I could be a part of this group. The situations these girls end up in are very realistic; this is a great read for college students and those entering adulthood. 

My rating: 4.5/5 stars

Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley

Synopsis: City-girl Corrinne's world is falling apart. Used to her extravagant life in New York City, she and her brother are sent to live with her grandparents in Texas, and Corrinne refuses to accept it. She will do whatever it takes to get her life back on the "right track:" going to boarding school, getting her credit cards back, and more. However, she's stuck in public school with a job shoveling manure. Will this city girl find a home in the country?

My review: It was a quick read, and one that I really enjoyed. The protagonist acted like a spoiled brat at first, but that was to be expected. She grew up quite a bit, though, and became a much more enjoyable protagonist. This book was sweet and a bit predictable, but sometimes that is just what you need. This is a perfect summer read. 

My rating: 3.5/5 stars

Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares

Synopsis: In the fifth and final installment of the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants books, Tibby, Carmen, Lena, and Bridget are beginning their adult lives, and despite the fact that the Pants have been lost, their friendship continues on. The closeness that they once shared is missing, however, and it has affected each of the women greatly. Tibby reaches out to the others, sending them plane tickets for a reunion in Greece. That trip will change their lives forever, in the least expected way. 

My review: The Sisterhood has been a part of my life since middle school, but I feel that this book was written in such a way that even if you hadn't read the other books, you could grasp that these women shared a deep bond. Much has happened since the last installment, and the girls have grown up and apart. During what should have been a happy reunion in Greece, something entirely unexpected happens. I cried, I laughed, and I cried some more. But the end of this book, and the series, was worth all of it. 

My rating: 4/5 stars 

Happy reading, 

Caryn Elizabeth

Moving Out

It's hard to do, for some. Awfully easy for others. For me, personally, it's been quite difficult. My whole life, it had been just my mom and me against the world. And now, it's just me and my 20-pound Italian Greyhound/Jack Russell Terrier. My roommate should be moving in sometime this month, and hopefully that all works out for the best. 

On the other hand, living seven-tenths of a mile from this lovely sight isn't too shabby! I've been pretty busy with work and unpacking, but when I'm feeling way too stressed or overwhelmed, I'll just come down here to this little beach with a book and relax for a little while. 

This is my baby; her name is Angel. She's not too fond of the water, but she certainly loves to dig up the sand! 

Until next time, 

Caryn