Boutique Inspiration Board

images via Pinterest

 

. . .what if it does

100th Post!

via Pinterest

I've been putting off writing this post for lack of time and really, at this point, lack of anything interesting to say.  My schedule is tremendously easy compared to the last 2.5 years of law school.  Nonetheless, I've picked up a project to work on - opening a consignment store with my sisters.  I have to say that it is extremely hard to work with 3 other dramatic people with different visions and end goals, but boy am I trying hard to make it work.  I'm on an oddly strict schedule when it comes down to it, so something's gotta give.  Although this was originally my dream at the get go and I would love to be able to nurture it from fetus to birth, I realize that I cannot take this on 100% without it affecting law school, my passing the bar, and my new job this Fall.  That's why I decided it would be a family run business and I'm willing to compromise with them.  Besides, splitting the start-up costs and other expenses is definitely worth it at this point of my financial life.  This was something I've always dreamed of when I was younger, and although I'm taking a slightly safer path in terms of consignment, it will still be something great to check off my list before I turn 30.  My sisters and I haven't really told anyone about this yet- we've just been researching, planning, and trying to find the perfect location.  They're great dreamers, like me, but their biggest struggle is execution - so that means I have to carry them through most pitfalls we encounter so they don't quit on me.  One is working hard to get to Pharm school, the other has 2.5 kids, and the other just doesn't follow through with what she starts.  So with all our other obligations, we have to really try to focus at the planning stages.  I read the entire How to book (Too Good to be Threw by Kate Holmes), created an inspiration board on Pinterest, and have some ideas of location.  So biggest goal is to have a grand opening in April! Yes, that's 3 months away!  I feel that because I've blogged it all out, it has to happen!  So I invite you on the beginning phases of my entrepreneurship journey!  Less blogging about Politiks (school, etc) and more blogging about Blahniks (fashion)!          

Henri Cartier-Bresson, Brasserie Lipp, 1969 Paris

Which brings me to the culmination of being 25.  Yes, my birthday is not for another 18 days, but what perfect timing but now to reflect and plan again?  About a year ago, I made a very boring "life map" . . .


circa Jan 2011: 

Age	Goal
25	JD/LLM in progress
26	Graduate, Pass the bar Work for the IRS for 3 years
27	Work--- Engaged
28	Work ---Married
29	Work---First Kid
30-35	Open Tax Boutique Firm

   
I guess I was trying to be safe and somewhat realistic, but now that I realize I can control what happens in the future and it never hurts to dream big, I will get back on track with what I truly love.

Age	Goal
26	*Open Boutique  *Graduate Law School/Pass the Bar *Start Work
27-28	*Work
29	*Work: make manager  *Marriage
30 &up	*First Kid *Make Partner *Get published. . .  dream: NY Times Bestseller :)

Now that looks a lot more fun!  The last 25 years was great!  I wouldn't change a thing!  I feel like I've accomplished as much as a I possibly could and paved such an exciting future for myself!  Here's to a wonderful journey out of my twenties!

Love,
Nat

entrepreneur mode all week. . .

via pinterest

I'm really going to make this happen . . .

Being a Tall Poppy

via Forbeswoman

"I believe passionately that to lead the lives we are capable of—rich in contribution, daring and purpose—we must first be willing to stand out from the crowd.  After all, how can we expect to have outstanding success if we aren’t first willing to stand out?  And never has there been a more important time for us to be willing to step out, stand out and challenge “status-quo” thinking—to risk being a Tall Poppy. . .

Margaret Thatcher once said, “You cannot lead from the crowd.”  She would know.  We cannot lead others by walking the path of safety.  Nor can we lead ourselves the same way. 

In every adversity lies opportunity.  But it takes boldness, audacity and courage to extract it.  In our personal lives, and the challenges we face in our relationships, finance, family and faith. . . More than playing safe, they demand our taking risks. 

Now is a time for audacity, not austerity.  Are you willing to risk it?  More so, can you afford not to? 

Live Boldly, Lead Bravely!"

From the article "A Time For Audacity, NOT Austerity" via http://www.forbes.com/sites/womensmedia/2012/01/17/a-time-for-audacity-not-austerity/

California Dreamin'

via etsy.com

Last night I was thinking about what I would do this semester to make money.  I have always had some sort of part time gig and more throughout the school year.  But not this semester.  Full time student only = no extra cash.  Upon thinking of different options I went back to thinking about how much money I can make selling my designer duds.  Vintage stores and consignment stores are not an option just because I feel they rip you off.  Online is just too hard with eBay, Etsy, etc. . . So I was thinking what about an actual brick and mortar storefront?  There's tons of people I know who would love to sell their vintage/used designers, but just don't know how and where they can get the most bang for their buck.  So last night this idea brewed for hours in my head until 3am!  I just couldn't force myself to sleep!  I shared it with the 3 sisters today and they are on board.  Hello Spring!  These buds will blossom into something marvelous!

via weheartit.com

End of the 1st day of the last semester

I already feel it- this semester will be great.

No more fun books to read in bed tonight.

Back to good ol' fashion law reading.

Chipping nail polish already. . .

Bonne Nuit!

tickets booked for new york in february . . .

. . . to wave goodbye to the end of a quarter century . . . :(

Karlie Kloss for Free People 2012

check check and check

Today is the last day of winter break!  I did exactly what I set out to do and it feels great!

Winter Break Plan
1.  Read more: see last entry 
2.  Blog often: I sure did!
3.  Bikram Yoga: as much as I possibly could and squeezing in the Jillian Michaels workout at least once a week.  Detox plan was on and off but I lost 3 pounds this week.  3 pounds to go to get to my ideal weight.                                 
4.  Bar Prep Plan:  Eh. . . I did a couple things for it, but still ways to go
5.  Mini Getaway with the BF: Wine Country!
6.  Plan Graduation Vacation: Europe!
7. Remodel Vanity and Office area: 

Before
(I forgot to take a before photo and
took this right before I was about to paint it :/)

After

No pics of office area, just vanity area.  I repainted the wood to black.  Replaced the knob.  Got a new mirror (for free from my brother in law who had it in his garage!).  Bought new trays and cups and tissue holder for less than $100.  I never got a chance to get a new stool, but that can wait.  Not bad. 

I was going to have a longer entry today, but running late!  Have to work out real quick and meet up with a friend for lunch!  But I wanted to share a quick find!  I was having dinner at a snazzy Cuban restaurant called Habana with the bf last Friday night and while we were waiting for our table we decided to check out a vintage store next door.  Out of the corner of my eye I spotted an interesting brown bag behind the register and decided to take a closer look.  What do you know, it was a vintage Miu Miu bag!  I was hesitant because I never buy used designer bags for fear they might not be authentic, but this one was definitely real and in great condition!  An easy 4 figures purse for a mere $98 was definitely a steal but I wasn't sure just because I didn't want to buy the bag merely for the brand.  We left it there and went to dinner but I couldn't stop thinking about it all night!  Even after two caiparinhas!  So we came back the next day to buy it and I absolutely adore it!  It was a great way to end this winter break!

Before Sunrise . . . Before Sunset

Last night I made the bf watch "Before Sunrise" because I read an article about it in ForbesWomen and because it looked like a romantic movie with substance (and took place in Europe).  Despite the bf's groaning during the movie at alleged lame, cheesy parts, I absolutely adored it!  It was about two twenty-something strangers who meet on a train and decide to explore Vienna together.  They walk around the beautiful city and just talk about love, life, religion, politics, and everything within 24 hours.  There was no modern day lust, but pure connection of finding a soulmate.  Of course they fall in love, but make no promises about the future.  Julie Delpy was absolutely stunning and flawless!  The couple embodied the type of timeless chemistry I could only yearn for.  

Favorite scene in the record booth

We watched the 10 years later sequel, "Before Sunset," where they meet again in their 30s (in Paris!) and life just didn't manifest itself into a fairy tale ending. . . and that's why it felt so real.  Love this movie. 

 "Life's hard. It's supposed to be. If we didn't suffer, we'd never learn anything" -Jesse

"Memory is a wonderful thing if you don't have to deal with the past" -Celine 

"I read one of (my journal) from '83, the other day and what really surprised me, was that I was feeling with life, the same way am now.  I was much hopeful and naive, but the core, and the way I was feeling things, is exactly the same!  It made me realize I haven't changed much at all." -Celine

via IMDB.com

"Paris is always a good idea"

Paris in 2006

After enough persuasion to my benefactor bf, we will revist Pah-ri this summer after all!  And Venice, Rome, Madrid, and all those wonderful places I have yet to see!

Snippet from Sabrina:

"I am a part of all I have read"

via Pinterest.com

Today is the beginning of the last week of this great, relaxing break.  I have done almost everything I set out to do, except the bar prep part, which will be reserved for this last week.

I have finished The Happiness Project and Bonjour, Happiness!.  I have attempted 3 Julia Child's recipe . . . and failed 2.  I have started to read the last Shopaholic book of the series, Mini Shopaholic, and could not seem to enjoy the Becky Bloomwood I loved so much growing up - perhaps I have grown out of her . . . nonetheless I will try to finish it, although it's last on my list.  I am currently also reading Tout Sweet: Hanging up my High Heels for a New Life in France and Simple Abundance.

I knew I've been gaining weight, but it was not until I saw my wine country photos that I realized the excess chubbiness.  And so, I have decided to start on a strict detox diet program from another book, Yoga for Weight-Loss.  Today is day 1 and all I had for breakfast was hot water + lemon, and a small bowl of organic, sugar-free cereal + nonfat soy milk.  Although it's a 28 day program, my goal is to at least make it through 1 week before school starts next week.  I'm feeling a little droopy from caffeine withdrawal already.

Last week, I found an old book in my old boxes called Simple Abundance.  I bought this book back in elementary school or Jr. High at a local library's used bookstore.  It reminded me of my weekend trips to the library, attempting to read every book on each shelf.  I even had a notebook of all the books I read with ratings and reviews.  I remember befriending the old woman in the bookstore who also shared with me her log of books she had read.  I remember reading so many self-help books and accumulating all the quotes I loved and still love.  Ah, I was such an old soul. . .

via pinterest.com

I decided that I've been reading so many happiness books, I should give this particular book a try.  On the very first page I had inscribed my name in a hot pink gel pen.  I guess my signature always had a heart in it.

Upon reading the first couple pages I felt the power of these old words.  It felt even more nostalgic seeing my old highlighting of the passages that still spoke to me over 10 years later. . . I can now see that this book was really the original for all the modern books that I've been reading.  In The Project Happiness, the author talked about a play called "The Blue Bird," where 2 children spent a year searching the world for the blue bird of happiness, only to find it waiting for them when they return home.  In Simple Abundance, the author talked about a famous Victorian lecture called "Acres of Diamonds" where a farmer sold his farm to travel the world in search of a particular diamond.  He died never finding these riches, but the farmer that bought his farm, who cultivated and appreciated it for its beauties, ended up discovering a diamond mine (literally).  Reflecting on these cliche anecdotes, I too have been searching on the web and in bookstores for all these books to buy about inner happiness.  I have spent so much money and time on these books with cute covers, just to feel unsatisfied with the substance inside.  Who would have thought that the book I was hoping for, to fill that void, cost me $1 over a decade ago and was collecting dust in a box.              
   

Wine Country

Day 1: Starting our trip off right

Scenic drive

Stopped by Santa Barbara for a seafood lunch at Brophy Bros overlooking the harbor

Made it just in time to Solvang to catch the Farmer's Market

Walked the quaint Danish streets near our hotel

We then had a steak dinner at the Hitching Post and tried our luck at the smoky Chumash Casino.

Ended the  night with strawberry fondue and red wine

Day 2: The Wine Tasting Experience

Sunny morning in Los Olivos

Short hike to Nojoqui Falls  

First wine tasting experience at the french provincial-esque vineyard of Sunstone Winery

After another tasting stop at Bridlewood, we stopped at Gainey Vineyard for a peaceful picnic on the hills

We had dinner at Brother's Restaurant and ended the night watching Sabrina, a Audrey Hepburn classic.

Day 3: Wrapping up our trip

Breakfast at Paula's Pancakes.  Walked around and visited a cute little bookstore.

Went to Fess Parker for our last wine tasting stop.  

Relax

Picnic at the park with the bf's nieces

Ended the evening researching for our trip at Barnes&Noble

2012

I celebrated the coming of 2012 with the bf and friends at a beautiful skyscraper flat in downtown LA, overlooking the city. 

 We were too busy taking in the breathtaking view outside the fire lit patio that we lost track of time and missed the countdown inside! 

I got my midnight kiss, but it was so anticlimactic because we didn't get to feel the adrenaline of counting down! 

 Perhaps this was a good way of ringing in the new year . . . getting lost in the moment and losing track of time.

It was a wonderful night in my new Alice&Olivia dress and borrowed jeweled necklace.