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    Outfit, Travel

    Christmas Time

    December 22, 2014
    Photos by Ale Veyna
    Outfit Details:
    Ruche Earrings
    Anne Klein Satchel
    H&M Parka (Similar)
    Beige Pleated Dress
    ASOS Leather Belt
    Black Tights
    White Mountain Loafers

     

    This weekend I went out with my sister Ale on Saturday morning to do some last minute Christmas shopping. Afterwards we headed over to Burlington Arcade, which is located on South Lake Avenue in Pasadena. It’s such a cute place that is very similar to the Burlington Arcade in London. What I love about this place during this time of year is that it looks so festive, and all you need to do is sprinkle some fake snow on the ground to create the perfect Christmas scene.
    Last time I visited Burlington Arcade, I wanted to go into Float-a sandwich, pop and coffee shop-but unfortunately they were closed. My sister and I ended up wandering in there on Saturday, and enjoyed some delicious coffee and sandwiches. I honestly don’t know why it took me so long to try out this place because it’s so close to my house, and the coffee is delicious!  I think I’m also going to try one of their ice cream floats next time I visit. After coffee, Ale and I made our way next door to Tiny Universe, the cutest stationery shop.  I’ve been very good about not spending money on clothes, despite all the sales going on this season, but I couldn’t resist buying a couple of trinkets from the shop’s beautiful selection. I ended up buying a pinwheel pin, another pin with an illustration of a fox and cacti, and a gorgeous card from Rifle Paper Co. That’s $20 well spent if you ask me!
    I hope that you’re all enjoying this holiday season and making time for family and friends. Most of my plans are taking place on the 24th, since it’s Mexican tradition to have dinner on Christmas Eve and open up our presents when the clock strikes midnight. I’m not only excited about spending time with my family, but also getting to eat delicious food that I only get to have during this time of year. Tamales are one of my favorite traditional dishes, but because making them is very labor-intensive, my family really only makes them for special occasions such as Christmas. I’ve never learned how to make them myself, but I guess that I better add that to my list of resolutions for next year so that I can pass on the tradition. While I’m on the topic of resolutions, have you all started thinking about yours? I’m curious to hear about what others have planned to accomplish in 2015.
    xoxo,
    Helen

     

    Outfit, Travel

    Lazy Weekend in Boyfriend Jeans

    September 15, 2014
    Photos by Sara Hatakeyama
    Outfit Details:
    H&M Tee (Old)
    Old Navy Boyfriend Jeans
    Lotta from Stockholm Peeptoe Clogs in Tan
    Straw Tote bag (Gift from my Dad from his trip to Mexico)
    This weekend, I definitely made an effort to get out of my neighborhood of Pasadena, and spent some time in other parts of town. L.A. is such a big city, that sometimes it is easy for me to get lazy and stuck in a routine, and frequent the same places week after week. But I need to remember that having access to so many cool places is why I love living here. My friend Sara and I tried to do some exploring on Saturday–I use the word “tried” because the 100 degree weather this weekend drained us of our energy before we could even accomplish much. However, we did manage to have a delicious brunch at Auntie Em’s Kitchen in Eagle Rock, and then made our way over to Highland Park for some refreshing horchata lattes at Café de Leche. Caffeinated drinks and a good meal always make for a successful outing, if you ask me!
    My outfit definitely reflected my lazy mood, in a good way. I got these boyfriend jeans from Old Navy last month, right before I embarked on my 6-month shopping cleanse, and they are super comfortable. The loose fit makes them appropriate for hot weather, since the don’t stick to your body like skinny jeans do. I’m really looking forward to transitioning these into fall and winter, because I think they will look great with oversized sweaters and coats.
    If you’re ever looking for a place to eat brunch in the L.A. area, you should definitely head over to Auntie Em’s Kitchen, which is one of my favorite spots. I wish I had taken more pictures of the place to show you how adorable it is inside. The restaurant has a very cute bakery and shop at the entrance, and I love how homey it feels.I decided to venture out and try something other than my usual order of french toast during this trip, and instead I ordered some delicious pancakes with a peach and whiskey glaze. I’m glad I did, because they were delicious! Sara ordered a Caprese sandwich, which also looked amazing.
    Café de Leche is definitely one of those coffee shops that I need to visit more often. It’s really cute inside, and it seems like a great place to read a book or spend some time studying. More importantly, they also make really delicious drinks. I usually don’t like flavored coffee drinks, but I love their iced horchata espresso. Sara got their iced horchata chai, which she said was also really good.
    I hope you enjoyed reading about my weekend adventure. I need to remember that I started this blog as a way to motivate myself to get out of the house, and not just post my outfits. I’m hoping to have more energy to run around town once this heat wave disappears.
    xoxo,
    Helen Grace
    Outfit, Travel

    Soaking Up The California Sun

    July 14, 2014
    Photos by Laura Nolan
    Outfit:
    Crocheted Vest (Handmade by my Grandmother)
    Forever 21 Cropped Top in Polka Dot Print (Similar)
    Topshop High-Waisted Bikini Pants
    Linen Skirt (Handmade by my Mom)
    Dolce Vita Zen Flat Sandal (Available in Black)
    Crocheted Bag with Bottle Caps (Also handmade by my Grandmother) 

    This weekend I drove down to Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano to hang out with my best friend Laura. As you may already know from some of my previous posts, Laura and I live two hours apart, and Orange County is our halfway meeting point. Since Laura will soon be moving to China for a year, lately we’ve been making a serious effort to see each other more often.
    Since neither of us had ever been, Laura and I decided to visit the San Juan Capistrano Mission while we were in the area. The mission is a place that is very rich in history, and it was wonderful to spend part of our day touring the monument and learning about the people who first lived there when it was built. It was such a beautiful and serene place to visit, and it reminded me of why I love living in California.

    As you may have already noticed, many of the items that I wore this weekend were handmade by my Mom and Abuela/Grandmother. I love receiving gifts that are handmade, because I feel like they are much more unique and personal. This vest and handbag are two of my most favorite items because they were made by my grandmother. They are particularly special to me because my grandmother has C.R.E.S.T., a disease that makes it hard for her to use her hands–it’s so astonishing to me that, despite of her disability, she puts in the time and effort to crochet items like these and is also able to achieve such intricate detail.

     

    As usual, I was in charge of taking Laura’s yoga photos, and I snapped a couple of outfit photos as well. I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again–I can only wish to be as strong and graceful as Laura is one day. She always carries herself with such poise, and her photos look like they belong in an Anthropologie catalogue.
    Before going down to the mission, Laura and I spent a couple of hours lounging and soaking in the sun at the beach. I’ve been making an effort to go to the beach more often this Summer, since I feel like I need to start taking more advantage of one of the most wonderful activities that California has to offer. I’ve also invested in a swimsuit for the first time in years, so I no longer have that as an excuse to not make my way down to the beach. While I’m on the topic of swimwear, I have to say that I’m so glad that high-waisted swimsuit bottoms are back in style; I feel like they make it easier for girls like me, who don’t like showing too much skin, to go out and have fun in the sun.

     

    I feel like I’ve been going at full-speed this Summer. There isn’t a weekend that goes by where I don’t have anything to do. I’ve been having so much fun, but I do feel the need to slow down and spend a weekend just focusing on myself. I think that it’s always important to set apart time to focus on self-care and recharge. Doing that definitely gives you energy to get back out there and take over the world.
    How are you enjoying your Summer? Do you have any goals or activities you would like to accomplish before it ends?
    xoxo,
    Helen Grace
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