A December to Remember.

December 2, 2013

Rodeo Drive. Beverly Hills, CA

It’s beginning to look a lot (more) like Christmas over here in Los Angeles- artificial snow and all!  Cyber Monday, Black Friday, and Thanksgiving have all come and gone at this point, and believe it or not, there’s only a month left of 2013.  Wait… what?  Am I the only one who feels a bit rushed here?  Where did all the time go?   I guess that’s a common complaint for this time of year- but with Thanksgiving falling so late, it all seems to be coming at me a bit quicker than I can recall in years past. 

Oh well! Sometimes not having a lot of time to dwell over gifts and travel/holiday plans is best.  Actually, I knocked out almost all of my holiday shopping online last night and finally booked my flight back home for Christmas... annnnnd I'm exhausted.

Speaking of exhausted, I was lucky enough to be able to attend a wedding this past weekend for some dear friends in which the time they spent planning, was, (in the wedding world) unspeakably short.  In just a couple of weeks, this couple and their families were able to put together what was one of the most beautiful weddings I have been lucky enough to attend.   What made it so wonderful wasn’t some fancy band they had playing or venue they'd rented out, it was the heartfelt speeches, the closeness of the two families uniting, and the admiration we all had for these two truly exceptional people, (who have been dating since they were in middle school!).  While elaborate weddings can certainly be a blast, what truly matters is the celebration of love, and when that is so profoundly genuine, (grand or tiny, planned out for many years or just a couple weeks) it’s rare to find the kind of bond I witnessed this past weekend. 

Therefore, I guess what I’m trying to say, is that even though we may feel a bit rushed (like I feel currently about getting things accomplished before the close of the year, or perhaps my friends may have felt when planning a wedding with only a couple weeks of preparation available to them), the truth is that ready or not, life comes at you quickly.  So with that, I’m going to work as hard as I can to get things done this month because we still have time before the year is officially wrapped.  With that, I'm going to rip off the slogan from that one car commercial and vow to make this a "December to Remember". 

Dress: Ruche

Tights: Forever21

Boots: Aldo 

Black top: H&M (similar) 

Giving Thanks

November 28, 2013

Los Angeles, CA

I have never been much of a chef.  In fact, I have always had an incredible knack for burning even the simplest of meals: easy mac, frozen pizzas, microwavable veggies, anything intended for easy and effortless - I’d somehow find a way to turn to charcoal.   That’s why for Thanksgiving, a holiday focused so heavily on food, I’d always steered clear of the kitchen.   Instead, I’d allow my Mom, aunts, and sister to work their cooking magic while I was usually more helpful in the “admiring department”- letting them know how great everything tasted (pretty important job if you ask me… in fact, I don’t know how they are surviving this year without their number one admirer).

This year, however, I stayed in Los Angeles for the holiday and so I figured in order to honor my family properly, I better try my best to cook at least one dish on my own.  So after a delicious brunch this morning, I put on my Anthropology apron (which always makes me feel more official in the kitchen) and actually pulled off what appears to be quite a delicious pumpkin bread.    Who knew I was capable of such a feat?  Not only has it left my apartment smelling like a treat, but it’s made me feel a little more festive this Turkey Day afternoon. 

Thanksgiving is such a wonderful holiday isn’t it? We get to take a day off, eat delicious food, and remind each other how grateful we are to be here and have one another in our lives.  It has always been my favorite holiday and though we may not be able to celebrate with some of our family or friends directly, it is just important to take the time to recognize all that they do for us and all that they mean to us.  So this silly little pumpkin bread is for you guys back in New Hampshire, my (f)east coast family who may never get to taste this amazing pumpkin bread but who I love dearly and am forever grateful for each day.

Don’t hesitate to send your friends a little text or shout out of thanks- it’s important to recognize those who make your days brighter.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Xo

Cozy & Cloudy

November 20, 2013

Beverly Hills, CA

After a week of sunshine and unseasonable warmth, it’s finally become a bit chilly over here in Southern California and therefore, I finally have reason to wear this oversized, comfy, sweater from Urban Outfitters.  I picked it up on one of my recent trips back to Boston and I’ve been waiting and waiting for a day like this to be able to wear it!

It was back in early September, but on this particular day, it was already windy and chilly (and I was still dressed for summer) when I set out for an afternoon lunch with my Mum in Harvard Square.  Unwilling to sacrifice my favorite lunch spot because of the cold, I was totally frozen by the time we finished our sandwiches at this adorable deli with outdoor-only seating.   It was my Mum who actually saved the day (like she always does) and found this sweater I now so adore.  How is it that Moms always know exactly what we need?  After that, we went over to Starbucks, sipped on some hot chocolate, shared some wonderful time together, and I was warmer than a fireplace by the time we started walking again.

I plan on living in this sweater this season (especially when I go back east).  My entire outfit today is preppy and inspired by that day I spent in Harvard Square with my Mum.  Perhaps it’s because I am spending Thanksgiving away from my family for the first time ever, or perhaps the cloudy cold weather reminds me of home... either way you spin it- I’m a bit homesick today and so I let that come through in my wardrobe too.  As you can see, this outfit is very fitting for an east coast stroll around campus or also a cozy cloudy late afternoon lunch date with friends over in Beverly Hills, which is where I'm off to now!

Sweater: Urban Outfitters

Button up: J. Crew (Similar)

Boots: Forever21

Purse: Marshalls

Photos Taken By: Jennifer Biswas