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    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
    ——
    Follow my adventures in real time on Instagram
    Outfit, Travel

    It’s Beach Time!

    June 2, 2014
    Photography by Laura Nolan
    Outfit Details:
    Forever 21 Sunglasses
    Old Navy Chambray Shirt
    Forever 21 Crop Top
    ASOS High Waist Linen Shorts
    H&M Strappy Sandals in Black (Not Pictured)
    My best friend Laura and I met up in Dana Point this weekend, since it’s our halfway meeting spot between L.A. and San Diego. I had only been to Dana Point once before on my first year of college, and I basically spent all day seasick on a boat collecting water samples for my marine biology class. Needless to say, my first visit to the area wasn’t a memorable experience. Thankfully, this trip made up for my last. Laura and I decided to head over to Dana Strand Beach while we were there, and I loved how calm and relaxing it was. I’m not much of a beach person, and I’m used to frequenting busy L.A. beaches that offer limited and expensive parking. Unlike most beaches that I’ve visited, Dana Strand Beach had tons of free parking, and it had a very calm vibe to it.
    What I really loved about Dana Point is how friendly everybody was. People noticed Laura and I taking pictures of each other–she took outfit pictures of me for my blog, and I took pictures of her in various yoga poses for her Instagram–and they were quick to offer to take a picture of the two of us together. Laura thinks that many of the beach goers had a friendship crush on the two of us. However, my guess is that many of them were probably super impressed by Laura’s awesome yoga poses. She is currently participating in Free People’s Instagram Yoga Challenge, and where else can you find a more serene spot to practice yoga than the beach? I can only dream of the day when I’ll be as strong and graceful as my best friend. You should all go check out her pictures on Instagram and cheer her on throughout the challenge.
    After lounging at the beach for a couple of hours, Laura and I decided to head out for lunch. Thanks to recommendations on Yelp, we ended up going to the Hummingbird House Cafe in nearby San Juan Capistrano. Little did we know that this particular cafe was located on Los Rios Street, which just happens to be the most darling street I have ever laid eyes on. Los Rios Street is located behind the San Juan Capistrano MetroLink Station, and is lined with houses that have been converted into shops and restaurants. These businesses all had a boho chic and vintage feel to them, and every store we walked into had a nice garden and lounging area which made you feel right at home.
    This was the outdoor dining area of the Hummingbird House Cafe.
    Las Catrinas, a cute and colorful shop featuring Mexican/Mexican-Inspired Jewelry, Crafts and Artisanal Products.
    Laura has the coolest laid back beach style.

    I can’t believe June is here already! It’s already starting off to be an exciting month. Not only did I meet up with Laura this weekend, but I also had the opportunity to celebrate my friend Sara’s birthday at a cute restaurant called Abricott in Pasadena. It’s seems like it was only yesterday when I had made my New Year’s resolution to start this blog, and made a commitment to doing new and fun things. I’m very proud of myself for keeping up with it.

    What was your New Year’s resolution and are you keeping true to it? Are you making any new resolutions now that we’re halfway through the year? Let me know, I’d love to hear from you.

    Love,
    Helen Grace
    Outfit, Travel

    San Diego: Day I

    April 28, 2014

    San Diego Travel Diary Day 1

    Photos by Laura Nolan

     

    Outfit Details:
    Anne Klein Satchel
    Maxi Dress from ANGL
    H&M Pleather Jacket
    H&M Strappy SandalsI drove down to San Diego this weekend to visit my best friend Laura, after not having seen her in person for almost two months. Laura is my former roommate, and it is strange to think that I now have to drive miles to see her instead of leaving my room to go knock on her door. It is really funny, though, because when we were first assigned as roommates, Laura and I both didn’t think that we would have that much in common. Before meeting in person, we both had looked at each other’s Facebook profiles and had developed preconceived notions of what the other would be like. However, once we actually started living with each other, we found out that we both had very similar interests and values. Laura and I quickly became inseparable, and developed a very special bond. We’ve been friends for more than 7 years, and I couldn’t be more thankful to have found such a wonderful and supportive best friend.

    Balboa Park in San Diego, CA
    Laura was such a wonderful tour guide and made sure that I got to see the best of what San Diego has to offer. After I arrived at Laura’s house and got settled in, our first stop was at Cabrillo National Monument, which is located on the Point Loma Peninsula. This weekend’s weather was quite unusual for California, and was rather cold and windy. Most of the time that we were at Cabrillo National Monument, Laura and I felt like we were going to be swept away by the wind. Regardless of the weather, Point Loma was beautiful and I definitely want to stop by again next time that I am in San Diego. 
    Laura and I also stopped by Balboa Park, which is the home to an array of museums and gardens. It is very easy to spend the entire day there since the park is so beautiful, and there is so much to see and do. While I was there, I really enjoyed stopping by the Botanical Building because there were so many unique plants, and it was very peaceful despite it being a very busy day. I also loved walking through the Spanish Village Art Center, which features several studios and galleries with work from local artists; the center is very colorful and unique, and I felt like I was transported to a completely different world. It is definitely a place to visit if you’re in a creative rut, and you want to find a place where you can be inspired.
    Aside from driving all over San Diego, Laura and I had the opportunity to catch up and do our favorite things such as eat ice cream and watch Parks and Recreation (we’re really easy to please). We even managed to squeeze in a Skype date with our other best friend Kelsey. I couldn’t ask for a more perfect weekend! I’m sad that I had to leave San Diego, but I am so thankful that I got to spend time with my best friend.
    I hope you enjoyed this blog post, and thank you for stopping by! I’m really looking forward to sharing more pictures from San Diego with you next week, because it will give me an opportunity to look back at this amazing weekend.
    Much Love,
    Helen Grace