{12 Days of Christmas} Stocking Stuffers

Sip Back and Listen Flask // It's a Done Meal Kitchen Timer //Anchor the Call Mug // Home Sweet Houseboat Wall Hook // All Along the Watts Tower Flashlight // Sippin' in the Stars Flask Set
Refinements are Forever Cocktail Shaker

Christmas is coming - only 6 days away! 
I've compiled some of my favorite things from Modcloth for stocking stuffers - most of these gifts are under $20! 
As you can see, there are many coastal-theme (read: anchors and lighthouses, my favorites) items as well as flasks/drinking items, which I know my friends would love! 

What are you hoping to find in your stocking this Christmas?
xoxo

ps. **This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.**

Christmas Boat Parade {Northern California}

Christmas Boat Parade

{Northern California}

Last weekend, I was able to make it to a Christmas Boat Parade on the harbor after rehearsal; the preschool I work for was part of a "Friendly Beasts" Christmas performance. It was so much fun! 

It's been an annual tradition for my family and I to go to a boat parade around Christmas time, I cannot wait to go to the one with them in Southern California soon! 

Sharing this tradition with my friends was a really great experience for me, one that I hope to be able to continue next year. 

It is always so much fun to see how each boat comes up with cute concepts for Christmas lights! My personal favorite is this one: 

It looks like Rudolph! So cute!

What are your favorite Christmas traditions?

xoxo

{Week of Thanks} My family

A mosaic I love.

My family means the world to me.

I do not know what I would do or who I would be without them in my life. While I live too far away to make the trip for Thanksgiving (I get to see my mom though!), I cannot wait to see them for a whole week in December. With them in my life, I feel very blessed.

Happy Thanksgiving!

xoxo

My Birthday Weekend {Part 3}

"... the sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonders forever."

-Jacques-Yves Cousteau 

Here's the last few photos of my birthday that I wanted to share! Above is such a cool jellyfish! They have a jellyfish exhibit right now, and it is so awesome! I think I took fifty pictures in there, but I obviously couldn't share each one! I liked this one best, so here you go!

View from the back deck of the Monterey Bay Aquarium

This place is so gorgeous! 

Half-chicken and salad

Doesn't this meal look delicious? We went to the Fish Hopper restaurant on Cannery Row - this was actually my mom's meal, but hers looked (and tasted! I stole a few bites) way better than mine so I am glad that I got a shot of it before we started to eat.

This was the view from the restaurant, which had huge windows on all sides to show the bay all around. It was absolutely gorgeous, and I would definitely go back. 

xoxo

My Birthday Weekend {Part 2 - Monterey Bay Aquarium}

Otterly adorable!

I am so excited (still!) that I was able to go to the aquarium this past weekend. It was on my list of 101 in 1,001, and the main reason I wanted to go was to see the otters! I would sit and watch them all day if I could - I love otters! They are so cute and playful. 

Isn't this view of a sea star nifty? There are so many interesting creatures to be seen at the Monterey Bay Aquarium!

  To the left, we see the kelp forest (I want to say it was the first of its kind in an aquarium, but don't quote me here!) as well as many silver fish and a leopard shark. If you look closely, on the right, you can find a fish poking out of the shoe!

Can you spot the flatfish? 

There's two!

This trip was particularly enjoyable for me because I took oceanography about 1 year ago and love learning about marine biology! 

xoxo