Roadblocks of the start up

The first major roadblock were petty arguments among the cofounders (my sisters) because there were too many chefs in the kitchen.  That was resolved . . . for now at least.  The next hurdle was finding a location.  We found a location and so negotiating the lease shouldn't be a big deal since my mom's flower shop has been a faithful tenant one door over for the last 25+ years.  The ultimate hurdle we are now currently facing, is financing.  We thought it would be easy if we each put in a couple grand, but calculating all the costs of rent and renovations has been a reality slap across the face.  Based on my research, bank loans for start-ups are extremely hard to come by.  The best option is to borrow . . . from who would be the question.  One sister is a stay at home mom, another sister works part time, and another sister is a student.  My money maker won't start until October.  It'll be all too easy to quit or even to postpone until the end of the year, but I want this business up and running before I start work.  I want to be fully committed to my job and not have this start up lingering in the back of my mind.  Time is what I have now (except from May to July for final exams and the bar), but money is what I don't have.  Later, I will have the money but absolutely no time.  So what do I do?  Go find the money one way or the other because you can't buy time.  This seems to be the part where most people with great start-up ideas quit, but not me.

After all, it's just spilt coffee.

via Julia.blogg.se

"It is a long road ahead . . . so choose a beautiful one"

I had a wonderful 26th birthday!  

To kick start a "new year, new me" I dyed my hair auburn again- but this time even brighter!

On the day of, I didn't plan a fancy night out with my friends, getting dolled up to go to a nice restaurant and then dancing the night away at some trendy club. . . This year, along the same vein of being more grounded, I decided to plan an intimate hike in the morning with some friends and brunch.  I loved it!  I've never been a nature person and everything that seemed to bring me happiness in the past always included dollar signs.  But the wonders of mother nature and the experience with great company are priceless.  I love hiking; I would definitely do it again. 

2/18 Hike at Temescal Canyon

Bday girl outfit: sweats, tennis shoes, and a ponytail for a change

left my mark at the end of the hike

Brunch at the shabby chic 26 Beach Restaurant in Venice

Because the day would not be complete without a White Sangria and Bloody Mary

Life List before I kick the 20s bucket

Because I should have made this at 20 . . . leaving my early 20s tomorrow, there's still time . . .

22

Life

Marry my soulmate 11/15
Have kids 
Buy a home in the suburbs   09/13

Invest in a nice camera 08/12
--
Get married in Thailand
11/15

Career

Sign Nat, Esq.11/16/12
Publish a NY Times bestseller
Be a guest blog contributor
Open a fashion boutique 02/02/15 SOPHI-
Write an article for Forbeswoman or HuffPost Women
Get a promotion at work 10/13
--
Leave the corporate world 1/16
Pursue a spiritual profession

Self Improvement

Join a book club

Conquer my fear of public speaking
Assume a leadership position for an event
Learn a foreign language (conversational French or fluent Spanish)

Paint a big canvassed masterpiece for our home
Plant a beautiful garden 2/14
Create a ceramic work of art (yoga pose statue)
--
Deepen my yoga practice

Give Back 

Join a community volunteer group
Plan a charity event
Take an alternative vacation (with a charity group) (via) 

Adventure

Hiking 2/18/12 at Temescal Canyon
Camping: roast marshmallows under the stars and swim in a river
Wander around Europe and soak in its historic beauties 08-09/2012
Eat, eat, eat in Asia 01/15/15 (Vietnam & Thailand)
Run a marathon  3/31/12 at Lake Elsinore . . . good start
Go on some sort of self improvement retreat (again)
Skydive
Hot air ballooning
Go on a cruise 08-09/2012
Biking by the beach 08/2013
Learn to surf (preferably in Hawaii)
Bungee jump  3/11/12 at Bridge to Nowhere
Kayak on a phosphorus lake at midnight (via) 

--
Yoga retreat in Bali

(will be adding to this list)
--
updated 4/2016

DVF

"When I was young, I lived like an old woman and

when I got old, I had to live like a young person" – DVF

via womenforchange.info

romance and adventure

"The truth is, I am hungry for romance and adventure in life. I always have been. I thought my life would take me to live in Italy, but I fell in love with a man who chose Kentucky instead.  So, here we are. . ."

So begins this woman's journey for more romance and adventure in her life.  She sounds a lot like me if you replace Italy with Paris and Kentucky with California.  I stumbled across her website and read every inspiring article for the last couple hours in between class.

I should be feeling inspired and prepared to relay all these wonderful tidbits I found in her article, yet suddenly I feel even more unsure about my own life.  I don't know or understand why because I should be the most grateful person, yet I feel like Elizabeth Gilbert . . . My bf once told me that he was afraid I was going to pull an "eat, pray, love" on him one day. . . Surprisingly, that is not a far stretch from the truth.  I know that what I feel is lacking in my life cannot be found in Italy, India or Bali, but it stems from a deeper sense of self.  I just don't know how to snap it out of its senses.

I wasn't going to blog tonight but suddenly I felt this wave of emptiness and a horrible sense of unfulfillment.  It's odd because I'm not going through any quarter-life crisis and I do not have to default to living my "plan B" because "plan A" fell apart.  I am currently living my plan A!  So what is it?  I don't know . . . Perhaps turning 26 in a couple of days is making me become this melodramatic person that's questioning everything . . .

Is it really a pea or something deeper than that. . .

part of Eugenio Recuenco "Fairy Tales"

love me for my flaws and all

via michellephan.com

It's been a family tradition for years now that my sisters and I help out for Valentine's day at my mom's flower shop.  Like usual, it was extremely busy.  As soon as I step foot at the shop at 8:30 a.m. until I left for dinner with the bf at 7:30 p.m. there were constant swarms of people waiting in line.  We had boys and men buying flowers for their girlfriends, wives, or even mistresses!  It was a good feeling providing service for these people in love, who were willing to spend almost a bill on a mere dozen of roses.

The day went smoothly until I had my second to last customer come in at 7 p.m.  She wanted a dozen red roses but we ran out, so she was willing to settle for pink roses.  I made the same special for her I was making all day for everybody else.  She looked very bothered as I spent the last ounce of my energy completing the arrangement and making small talk with her and her daughter.  It took me 15 minutes and as soon as I told her there was a tax charge for using a credit card, but none for using cash (an Asian thing).  She rhetorically said, "why would you charge me for tax too when I didn't even get the colors I wanted."  I kindly told her that it was the end of the night and that was all we had and that the pink roses were still fresh and pretty.  A part of me was thinking how I would much rather sell this batch of roses to someone who would appreciate it . . . I mean nobody forced her to "settle" for anything.  She paid me and as I turned around to put the money in the register, she says "you know what, I can't do it, I don't want it."  I told her that's fine and turned around and took the money back out of register and gave her money back, and she left.  My work of art just sat there on the counter looking rejected and I stood there looking dejected.

For some reason I was so upset!  I don't know if it was because I was so tired from such a long day, or because she was the first person that rejected my floral arrangement, or because I felt insulted that she didn't like it, or because I was mad she made me go through the entire process just to realize that she really didn't want pink, or because her negative energy killed my night, or all of it combined.  Luckily, a couple minutes later a guy came in and didn't hesitate to buy it.  That did make me feel slightly better, but I must say that I was still bothered through dinner with my boyfriend.  I was feeling so negative I almost got mad at him for wasting money on one of my Valentine's gift- an overpriced Burke William gift certificate.  While he was telling me that I never know and I might enjoy it because of the stresses of law school, I was looking at the card and read "this gift card is nonrefundable" . . . out loud.  Yes, b*tch mode.  Because I am so fortunate to have such a forgiving boyfriend, he let it go and took the comment with a grain of salt.      

Reflecting on all this, I realized that this was a major flaw of mine I needed to work on . . . I cared too much what people thought and worried about the dumbest things that it not only affected me, but my relationships.  I cared too much for little incidents like this that should remain within it's designated time slot and not have it seep into any part of the remaining night with my boyfriend.  It was Valentine's day and I was being such a downer.  I tried the whole "fake it 'till you feel it" during dinner so I could enjoy the rest of the night.  Ultimately I was in a better mood with the help of Merlot . . .

Writing about all this now, it sounds so dumb, but everything felt so much more magnified in the moment . . . So moral of the story?  Don't ever let petty incidents like this drag on longer than it has to, be a better customer because customer service is a tough business to be in and, of course, be a better girlfriend.

Happy (late) Valentine's Day.                  

Purpose

Sasha Pivovarova for Vogue Paris 2010

As you can probably tell, I have been feeling very lackluster about my life lately . . . I feel I've accomplished all the goals I've set out academically and career-wise, but something still feels askew.  I bought a journal a couple days ago and decided to get back into the groove of writing to myself again.  I feel it was something that got me through my teenage years, so perhaps it will continue to guide me through my 20s.

Last night, I talked to the bf about everything I've been feeling lately, following the funeral . . . reflecting on my own mortality . . . what difference would I really have made when I leave this earth . . . how many people would I really have touched . . .  and just how I feel I'm right where I want to be in life, yet I feel so empty as a person.  Surprisingly he didn't turn the other side and dozed off like he didn't hear me . . . instead he listened and concluded that perhaps I just needed more meaning and purpose in my life and perhaps doing community service again will fill that void.  Of course!  That's a start!  I feel that because I'm not stressing and juggling so much nowadays I literally have all this time to reflect on my life and realize what's really missing.  I used to do community service so I can fill up my resume and school applications, but I never really cared for it . . . But now, thinking back to those days . . . can you believe I've reached that point in my life where I want to do community service just so I can feel fulfilled?  I took the initiative and signed up with Girls, Inc. of Orange County and hopefully will find meaning in my own life by helping young girls find direction in theirs.  Such a selfish act is volunteering, is it not?                    

Happiness Project

Sasha Pivovarova for Club Monaco 2012

"I had everything I could possibly want - yet I was failing to appreciate it.  Bogged down in petty complaints and passing crises, weary of struggling with my own nature, I too often failed to comprehend the splendor of what I had." 

"What a wonderful life I've had! I only wish I'd realized it sooner." - Colette  

"How could I let go of everyday annoyances to keep a larger, more transcendent perspective?" 

"One of my goals for the happiness project was to prepare for adversity - to develop the self-discipline and the mental habits to deal with a bad thing when it happened. The time to start exercising, stop nagging . . , was when everything was going smoothly.  I didn't want to wait for a crisis to remake my life" 

"Exercise for sanity not vanity" 

"If you do it for other people, you end up wanting them to acknowledge it and to be grateful and to give you credit.  If you do it for yourself, you don't expect other people to react in a particular way."  

"I have an idea of who I wish I were, and that obscures my understanding of who I actually am" 

"You've always had this desire for legitimacy, and you'll have it forever.  It's probably why you went to law school."  

"I ignored options that, no matter how enticing they might be for other people, weren't right for me." 

"Challenge and novelty are key elements to happiness" 

"People don't notice your mistakes as much as you think" 

"One reason that challenge brings happiness is that it allows to to expand your self-definition.  You become larger. . .  Research shows that the more elements that make up your identity, the less threatening it is when any one element is threatened" 

"Between the ages of 20 and 40 we are engaged in the process of discovering who we are, which involves learning the difference between accidental limitations which it is our duty to outgrow and the necessary limitations of our nature beyond which we cannot trespass with impunity" - W.H. Auden 

"I was confident enough to take criticism graciously and able to respond without attack or self-justification."   

"There are times in the lives of most of us when we would have given all the world to be as we were but yesterday, though that yesterday had passed over us unappreciated and unenjoyed" - William Edward Hartpole Lecky 

"Knowing what you admire in others is a wonderful mirror into your deepest, as yet unborn, self" 

"The things that go wrong often make the best memories"

Favorite quotes from "The Happiness Project"  

Reincarnation

Rose Byrne for Muse 2011

"50,000 years ago, there are not even a million people on the planet. 10,000 years ago, there's, like, two million people on the planet. Now there's between five and six billion people on the planet, right? Now, if we all have our own, like, individual, unique soul, right, where do they all come from? You know, are modern souls only a fraction of the original souls? 'Cause if they are, that represents a 5,000 to 1 split of each soul in the last 50,000 years, which is, like, a blip in the Earth's time. You know, so at best we're like these tiny fractions of people, you know, walking... I mean, is that why we're so scattered?" -Jesse, Before Sunrise 

. . . and for all those reasons, I have decided to "unprivate" my blog . . .

Lessons to My Younger Self

via TheBeautyDepartment.com

"From the moment we are born as women, the world conspires to make us feel insecure about absolutely everything—the way we look, dress, talk, act." -Cindy Gallop  

"I picture myself as a young woman and realize what I would say to that young woman who was so intent on being “a good girl,” doing things perfectly, making sure everything was under control and the best it could be, feeling guilty about the smallest dust-up with a friend, worried about disappointing someone . . . I would tell her that she is OK as she is . . . I would lighten her load and tell her she doesn’t have to be perfect.  I would tell her to trust herself to be in the moment and not always on guard.  I would tell her to breathe, and not to waste time in worry and guilt . . . I would tell her not to be afraid to fail because every experience counts and will come in handy somehow, somewhere.  I would tell her to trust her honest heart and good soul.  In short, I would love her.  This I tell myself now, and anyone who will listen—to love and have faith in ourselves; this is the source of our energy, our joy, and our real power—and will lead us to speak in our true voices to the world." -Joyce Kulhawik  

". . . learning to avoid judging, learning to accept.  Aha!  All this time, I was the judge, and I thought I was the person being judged.  Imagine that.  Fear serves, and for the most part it serves you well.  But fear also limits you.  Test this by remembering a moment of great challenge, when you were not at your best.  Feel those unpleasant physical sensations—maybe nausea, or a rapid heart beat, or emptiness.  These sensations are evidence that you've given in to you fears." -Joanna Barsh 

"Chill out. There are lots of things to stress about, but there are many more things that you’ll miss if that stress consumes you" -Sandy Jen  

"Travel is a colorful metaphor for life.  There is something magical about falling asleep on a plane and waking up in a new city or a new country.  Each new day brings a unique sense of exploration . . . Travel initiates the child-like joy of discovering something new, novel, and memorable.  Just experiencing another way of life takes you out of yourself.  It forces you to adapt and to gain a new perspective.  . . when things go awry, it does not spell inevitable disaster.  Nearly all the time, you live to learn another day." -Jennifer Hill    

"You may not fully realize it now, but your 20s are amazing years.  You have endless time to yourself, and the world is still your oyster.  You’re old enough to think about adulthood but young enough to still have hopes, dreams, and idealism.  My advice to you is to capture those thoughts now—while they are stll emerging and while your brain still perceives the world that way." -Julie Bornstein

via Vogueweekend.com

via http://www.thedailymuse.com/founders/lessons-to-my-younger-self/

it's so strange that things are so different, yet still feel the same . . . life just keeps going as though nothing ever happened . . . life stops for no one.

death is such a numbing experience.  it's so much different from merely having someone walk out of your life.  i can't believe how one minute I'm introduced to my boyfriend's best friend's wife, then the next I'm writing a college paper about how an aspiring model became a young mom in high school, then I'm visiting her at the hospital with "it's a boy" flowers, and soon I'll be bringing flowers to her funeral.  she had the perfect life: a loving husband, two beautiful kids, a nice home, a good job, a close-knit family. . . she was only 26.  I don't understand how this can all happen so suddenly.  people say God works in mysterious ways, but I just don't understand how he can allow this to happen - and to such kindhearted people.  as I grow older, death just seems to be a common thread intertwined in all our happy moments. . . it does make me appreciate life and my loved ones that much more and help me really realize that nothing lasts forever.  only time can heal.  my heart goes out to their family.        

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.