i just booked my flight...

source

for Los Angeles*!

The exhilaration of buying my ticket for LA is still with me. It's going to be my first time EVER in California.

While I wish I was going here, or here,

LA is going to be really fun and exciting because I am meeting S out there!

I have a couple of things I am excited about, curious about, and just plain confused about.

As a true blue east coaster (philly!), I know that growing up I associated LA with Hollywood.

Are they even the same thing? I know these are 

incredibly stupid questions but I am just typing freely here.

I also associate LA with smog and names of beaches that may have appeared 

on Hollister graphic tees of my youth. 

Sorry, but I just do...

If you have read my blog or know me, you probably know that S is relocating to LA for work. 

This is a time to celebrate the transition, 

and just have some fun with lots of downtime, beach time, and exploring time.

The time that we will spend together just exploring 

the area is probably what I look forward to most.

*oh, and I really won't be in LA, but the beaches nearby. even better!

so excited! enjoy your weekend. ciao, xo

coffee diaries | green street

I'm realizing that my coffee chronicling (aka diary-ing) needs to be turned into a more suitable verb that rolls off the tongue. Scouting? Searching? Whatever it is I am doing, it is a lot of fun, especially in the summer. I don't know what it is about it,  but the quest for the perfect latte is made even more enjoyable when there is a subtle hint of warmth in the breeze.

It is equally as enjoyable when the cafè you find has a vase of fresh cut flowers and the sweetest arrangement for outdoor seating. It was screaming to me from half a block away when I first caught sight of Green Street.

I think what I liked most about Green Street was the ambience - not so much the coffee itself (which is good, no denying) but rather the context in which I enjoyed the coffee. The leafy green trees lining Spruce St. provided the perfect amount of shade, while the cafe provided the perfect table setting. I wish I could go back here and bring a couple of friends, just to sit for hours on end. The latte is a little pricey at $4, but definitely made by an expert hand. The coffee is roasted locally, too, which makes it even more appealing - the entire Green Street operation is a neighborhood enterprise. Philly made? I like it.

notes from the coffee diary:
- smoky linger and "durable" foam
- rich and bold. seems to be on the darker side.
- sweetened with 2 packets stevia.
- cafe atmosphere is bright, airy. love the lively decor.

Green Street Coffee
1101 Spruce St.
Philadelphia
@greenstcoffee

feeling bright and summery

just a couple of fun scenes from the beginning of my summer.

Greetings from the beach! I thought it was about time for another video! It's always good to do these once in a while, and summer videos happen to be my favorite. Having my camera out to record it all is one of those things I have to do every time there's a big event or even if it is something small out of the norm. As usual, I am starting out the summer with a BUNCH of goals - bucket list things, but also goals in outlook and lifestyle that seem to fade away once the summer ends, too. And I ALWAYS say this! But I want to be lighter, freer, airy-er (is that a word? do you know what I mean?), more open, smiling, decluttered, healthy, spontaneous, bright and vibrant. That's exactly what I want to be. This video here is a little peek into my family and me - and the first few weeks of our lovely summer! I hope you enjoy. ciao, xo :)

chinatown

tank AE | sandals LOFT | shorts Forever21 | bag Pratesi (Florence, IT) | sunnies anthropologie | watch kate spade | bracelet Summer beads

Hellllllo there! This is me, but not really me, since I am currently sitting on a beach somewhere without.a.care.in.the.world!

But I felt bad neglecting you, so I left some posts for the week, including this gem from CHINA....town!

A really unexpected walk through chinatown in philadelphia proved to provide the perfect backdrop for a few outfit shots!

some notes on the look: I love this tank top...it is really flattering and long in the back.

long enough to tuck in - and it is such a bright neon pop of color!

I bought it from AE on sale, for about $7..what a steal! but can't find it anymore. I wish I could

because I would probably buy it in every color!

As for the shorts, I get so many compliments on these! I am so happy that these are in -

the flowy, floral/print shorts that kind of look like a skirt - 

because they are the most comfortable thing to wear, hands down. 

This was a really nice, but hot day out - this was the perfect breezy outfit to stay cool and light.

being hot in the city is particularly uncomfortable, and I was a-ok all day!

city girls, what do you wear in the summer to beat the heat? oh, and check back tomorrow for a cute vid!

ciao, xo