Miss {Bee}

Just "Bee"-in' Me.

Lately, I've been feeling very cared for and special - it's a great feeling and I'm savoring it because it has been a while. It's certainly a good way to end the summer. I start my fall classes online next week, and the one class I'm taking at a campus starts the first week of September. I'm ready for Autumn but also quite sad to see the Summer go. 

These last few weeks of Summer, I hope to be able to spend lots of time with my friends, my new love, and my family. The second weekend in September, I will be a maid of honor in a wedding.

It's all quite exciting, but hard to keep anxiety to a minimum! 

So I will just continue to "bee" me and enjoy the summer while it lasts, because there's a whole lot headed my way this Fall!

Oh, and in other news: I was totally spoiled by my mother, who bought me this Heidi Daus ring:

It's a bit gaudy for my usual taste, but it's a bumble bee so I'm totally into it. 

What are you up to these last few weeks of Summer?

xoxo

{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

Quote of the Week: {July 28, 2014)

"Deep Summer is when laziness finds respectability." 

-Sam Keen

It's summertime and it's easy to find things to do, but sometimes, when the weather's so warm, all you want to do is walk on the beach or lay out in the warm sun. I have definitely been indulging in both of those things, and enjoying it profoundly. Being lazy in the middle of Summer is not something to be ashamed of, it's expected. Relax a bit, find somewhere that you like and enjoy just being there. 

What are you doing this Summer?

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

Summer {Bucket List}

1. Bonfire!

2. Make 2 new recipes from Pinterest!

3. Throw the most kick-butt bridal shower

4. Go to a concert!

5. Midnight movie premiere

6. Watch the sunrise

7. California State Fair

8. Lose 20 more pounds (I'm down 20 already!)

9. Have a picnic

10. Meet someone new!

Some of these came from my 101 things in 1,001 days challenge, and others are random, but I hope to be able to accomplish these all by September!

What's on your summer bucket list?

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

May Day!

Happy May Day! 

It's been so hot this week - it was already 90 degrees yesterday! We've been trying to stay cool by going to the beach or to the park and lying in the shade, but the only time we get relief is at night. 

I have been up to so many things: I'm taking three classes, working a lot, and trying to have a social life, so unfortunately, this blog has kind of fallen by the wayside. I hope to be able to post much more during summer. It's already feeling like summer, and I am so happy! 

I hope you all are having a wonderful start to May! 

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!

Summer Bucketlist 2013: End of Summer

I know, I know, the last day of Summer isn't technically until Saturday, so I'm a bit early to posting this. However, this weekend will involve figuring out where all of my classes are, buying last-minute school supplies, decorating for Autumn, and looking for part of my Halloween costume...  so it is unlikely that I will complete anything else on this list before the "technical" end of Summer. It has been a great season full of work, play, and walks on the beach!

So here it is, my bucket list with all that I've completed stricken out: 

• 
  
• Get a job
• 
  
• MEXICO!
• 
  
• move in to my new place

Swim with the dolphins

• 
  
• Bonfireeee! 
• 
  
• Swim in the ocean
• 
  
• Watch the sunrise 
• 
  
• And the sunset
• 
  
• Make sweet tea
• 
  
• Get a nice tan
• 
  
• Drive-in movies
• 
  
• Watch fireworks
• 
  
• Try a new recipe
• 
  
• Go camping 
• 
  
• Make butterbeer (added to my Autumn list!)
• 
  
• Disney Movie Marathon
• 
  
• Learn something new
• 
  
• Have a picnic 
• 
  
• Roadtrip!
• 
  
• Get a new tattoo (decided against this one until I have lost at least 30 pounds and have a bit more money!)
• 
  
• Go to the mystery spot
• 
  
• Water balloon fight
• 
  
• Visit Hearst Castle 
• 
  
• Girl’s Night Out
• 
  
• Go hiking
• 
  
• Take a ton of photos
• 
  
• Summer Scrapbook!
• 
  
• Save up money for Europe  (*not nearly enough, but it's a very small start!)
• 
  
• Get a passport
• 
  
• Go to a concert
• 
  
• PARTY! (:

What did you complete this Summer?

xoxo,

Caryn Elizabeth

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

Lighthouse Adventures

The Walton Lighthouse, Seabright Beach, Santa Cruz, CA

This past week, I had an afternoon off of work, and the sun was shining. My roommate and long-time best friend were faced with a dilemma: what do we do with all of this extra time?

She's really been eager to go to a lighthouse, any lighthouse, since we moved in, so we put ourselves in Siri's hands and went for an adventure! Siri did not know how to get to the lighthouse because there is no specific place to park for it. You have to park at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz, California, and take a long beach-hike to get there. It was quite the workout. But we made it! 

Walton Lighthouse, up close!

There were a bunch of warnings about dangerous waves and such, but the bay looked calm, so we walked up and took a bunch of cheesy tourist pictures, of course.

Posin' all tourist-like

We just had to! We couldn't resist! We also hugged the lighthouse. We looked ridiculous but it was so much fun.

"for the people and mariners of Santa Cruz"

It was a fun adventure, and I cannot wait to explore the other lighthouse in Santa Cruz! 

xoxo

Book Review: Twenty Boy Summer

Goodreads

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Anna Reiley is getting out of town with her best friend forever, Frankie Perino, for a twenty-day-long trip to sunny California. Frankie thinks that the trip to Zanzibar Bay will make it the "Absolute Best Summer Ever" (A.B.S.E. for short). According to Frankie, if they meet at least one new guy a day, it is likely that she will find her first summer romance. Even though Anna agrees to the game, there is a secret Anna's been keeping from Frankie: she has already had her summer romance. A year ago, with Frankie's brother, Matt, right before he died last summer.

My review: For starters, let me just say that the cover art is absolutely perfect. It's rare that the cover fits so perfectly with the content of the book. Moving on, the beginning of the book totally grabbed me by the heart, and then broke it (my heart, that is). It really gets you involved, right from the beginning, making you feel like a part of the story. When the pace began to slow, I will still so emotionally invested in what was going to happen to Anna and Frankie that I had to get through the book. Anna's emotions and thoughts/memories about Matt were sad but made it so easy to relate to her. While the story was filled with sadness, there was also rebirth: a new beginning in California, meeting new boys, etc. It was hard to Anna to stomach at first but even after everything, I did not walk away from this book feeling sad. I felt hopeful, and that is something that I rather like in a book.

My rating: 4/5

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

Succulent {Garden}

The final product!

So, in an earlier post, I said that I would update y'all when I began to work on my own garden, and now my garden is complete (for now, at least!). I added moss roses to some of my planter boxes that had plants left by the previous owner of my home:

Although the moss roses added a little something to my garden, the plants I was most excited for were the succulents:

Echeveria Chroma

I wanted a nice mix of the colors, heights, and looks of succulents, so I started with my favorite, (pictured above) called Echeveria Chroma, and (pictured below) Graptosedum, otherwise known as "California Sunset": 

Graptosedum "California Sunset"

After that, I wanted to add some height and interesting-looking succulents...

Elephant Bush

The one pictured below, called Blue Chalk Sticks, is super funky! I love it!

Blue Chalk Sticks

String of Buttons

Last but not least, I bought the String of Buttons, which is super cute and fun, in my opinion! The finished product is shown at the top of the page. I really like how it turned out!

It's really important, with succulents, to have a well-draining soil, so I used Miracle Gro Moisture-Control Potting Mix, which you can buy here if you so please. 

Happy gardening!

xoxo

Cupcake Adventure!

The best cupcake shop in the world. 

That is the exterior of the best, I mean best, cupcake shop. They have great and unique flavors, and everything is local and organic, which I love. 

I actually first found out about this shop at a bridal expo for my friend last year, and man, were we hooked. I then decided to take my roommate, who has a huge sweet tooth, here a few months ago. Whoops. Now she requests that we come here all the time! I love cupcakes but these are so rich that I have to be careful not to eat too many! 

We were downtown yesterday and just had to stop in for a bite:

I ordered the "Bramble" cupcake, which is Vanilla Butter Cake with Raspberry Rose and Cream frosting, and the "Chocolate Hibiscus," which is, you guessed it, a chocolate cake with hibiscus and cream frostings, topped with a blueberry! Delightful!

xoxo,
Caryn Elizabeth

My Playlist: August 2013

My Playlist by darlingdreamer

These are the songs I've had on repeat for weeks now.
What's your favorite song of summer?

xoxo

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

Pre-K Wednesday: Camping Theme! (With Mason Jars!)

The school where I work is up-and-coming, which is great because our class sizes are low and we get to come up with new ways to teach, finding what ways work best. Right now, we're trying theme weeks in order to inspire our creativity as teachers and give our students some structure. So, our very first theme week is: Camping!

We set up a tent and a "picnic table" inside the rec. room, and with our mural, it looks like the kids are camping on a beach! For snacks, we've been doing things like graham crackers, hot dogs, and we're even going to have s'mores! Since we can't have the kids around an open flame (danger alert!), we're going to cook them on the stove and let them pretend to make s'mores with their own "campfire:" 

Link

Earlier this week, we did a mason jar printable project: since we don't have fireflies/lightning bugs in California, we used the printable on top of black construction paper, and let the kids finger paint lightning bugs!

My example piece

Example in the middle, with two great projects by the kids on either side.

This project was great: it was easy, quick, and the kids loved it. We will definitely be doing things like this again.

xoxo,
Caryn Elizabeth

Summer Reading: Under the Never Sky

Goodreads

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

I have found a new book obsession: The Under the Never Sky series. I'm not kidding; I devoured the first two books in two days only to find that the next book won't be out until January. January! And so begins the waiting game. So anyway, during the first book, I was a little bit unsure. But I pushed myself through the one really awkward moment, and I was rewarded with a wonderful second half of the first book and an even better second book.
You can tell from the cover that there is romance involved, but I feel like this book is more than just the romance, which is always a big plus for me. I'm a romantic but if that's the only thing driving a story, it drives me insane. So that fact alone kept me enthralled. This book was classified as a Dystopian on Goodreads, but I feel that it leans more towards Sci-Fi (just giving you fair warning!). And so, without any (more) delay:

The Synopsis: Aria has always lived in Reverie, a protected dome, where she has access to the Realms, which can take her anywhere her heart desires. In the dome, and in the Realms, nothing can hurt her. She's safe. But the Realms aren't real. When her mother goes missing in the Real, Aria takes a risk to try to find her, and she pays: she is exiled to the outside, in the wastelands. Her chance of survival is slim to none, but then she meets an outsider. Perry's searching for a lost family member, too, and even though he's a savage, Aria knows her best chance at survival is to become his ally. They must face many things together, and despite reluctance on both sides, they are each other's best hope for finding the people they love.

My rating: 4/5

Goodreads

Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Since this is the second book in the series, I don't want to post the synopsis because it will give away the end of the first book. If you're one of those people who likes to know the ending before reading the book, feel free to click on the link above! So, I'll just get to how I felt about this book... It was, in Reverie-speak, "champ." I blasted through this in less than a day, and that's including work, so I am definitely going to be rereading. It was just so good and I wanted to know the ending so badly. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

My rating: 4.5/5

Happy Reading! 

xoxo