Another year goes by.

This year had its trials. 

I moved further away from work and school. It was an unexpected and fast move, but it turned out to be for the best.

I broke my radiator....and my head gasket in my vehicle. Someone hit my car and left an unreadable note...in the rain. I had to buy new tires. And get new brakes. I had to spend roughly $2500-$3000 on my car this year. And I was unprepared. But it gone done, and taught me lessons. For instance, if your check engine light comes on...that ish is for real. And watch the heat on your car. Yes, I drove 20 miles while my car was overheating and had NO idea.

I struggled with balancing classes, working full time, friends, boyfriend, family, and time for myself.

I've felt lonely as I've watched what growing up does to friendships.

I've felt insecure by no one else's fault but my own.

I got sick and had to miss five days of work.

I've had nights where I can't sleep from anxiety. ((Worrying about something that may never happen is a waste of time by the way. I'm a rule follower and a chaser of the American dream to some extent so you can imagine how my mind can take off sometimes...))

I watched those I love overcome challenges and go through heartache.

The Chargers didn't make the playoffs....twice.

But these trials were few and far between compared to the happiness I've had.

Really none of this can surpass the amount of positivity, experiences, and love that 2011 brought me.

2011 was a truly amazing year.

I celebrated a year with this kid by taking a jeep wine tour in Temecula!


Completed FIVE classes towards my degree (while working full time--boo ya! 13 more to go!)

Went to a beer festival at at the greatest brewery in the world, Stone.

Went on a weekend cruise to Ensenada...and ate my weight at the buffets there.



Started a blog.



I saw Tim McGraw in concert.



Enjoyed the beauty of Michigan and saw my youngest brother graduate high school.




Saw Taylor Swift in concert.....UP CLOSE! And saw Rascal Flatts. Don't worry, Anna, someday I'll go to a country concert with you too.

Turned old. (25!)




Went to Hawaii for the first time with my boyfriend and his family.







Went to Vancouver! And am now dying to visit Seattle and the rest of the Pacific Northwest.




Met crazy and awesome new "online" friends.

Redecorated my room.

Went to the Chargers/Broncos game (they lost)

Went to the Padres/Dodgers game (they lost)

Went to Nashville for a trade show with my work.

Went to Las Vegas for a trade show again.

Spent Christmas time with family.

Ate at amazing restaurants.

I adopted a child for Christmas.

Donated $30 to charity from the Sloanbook giveaway!

I'm blessed.

How were you blessed this year?

Oui.

Style inspiration: Anything French.

The pictures and clothes just make you want to grab a bagette, right? Or am I the only inner fatty on this blog? I'm obsessed with the structure and romantic vibe of French ladies.

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.







Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest






Mourning.

Today there will be no fabulous post from me.

I'm devoting a day of blog silence in memory of the once hopeful Chargers season.

No post-season for us=No post today. Capeesh!?

(And hopefully there will an open head coach job post soon??)




RIP San Diego Chargers Season 2011.

Not another Monday.

I officially spent my Monday off either being really productive or really unproductive. Probably the latter since I have candy wrappers all over my coffee table.

My day went a little something like this:

I rocked my new SOLOs! Thanks guys!



I snuggled my bff's kitty, Mikey. He's snuggly huh?




Went to a gay bar in Hillcrest where they make the drinks STRONGGGGG and the boys love to compliment you. I wore a sweater I haven't touched in three months and they may have convinced me to let it out into my regular line up. MAY HAVE. It has poodles on it. I'm more of a plain jane these days. Especially since an ex co-worker once told me I dress like I'm in Miami.

Seeing as this was 3 years ago, I should probably let it go.

Except now I am borderline Goth.........

............

...KIDDING!


Bought matching rings at my favorite boutique in Hillcrest called Twirl. I am FINALLY on the rose gold train. Chooooo choooooo.


The drinks we chose were called Blackberry Lemonades. They're DELICIOUS. And had floating plastic mermaids in them.

Mermaid drinks at 3 PM on a Monday? Yes, pleaaaaase! 


A San Diego sunset never lets me down.



A little more of Michael.


My cute homemade Pinterest inspired gift I received from Natalie!



Watching Midnight in Paris and then off to bed! Can't wait to catch up on blogs tomorrow!! <3

Date Night


Two years ago this kid took me ice skating on our third date. It was at one of the most magical landmarks in San Diego.

Hotel Del Coronado is a castle upscale hotel on Coronado island just off the coast of San Diego.

Every year at Christmas they create a fake ice rink outside just steps away from the beach.

That's how we gotta do it out here since we don't have a white Christmas, yo.

((And yes, we decorate palm trees!))

So anyhow we went again this year, but now this kid is my boyfriend.

And this year he brought flowers!









I guess we like each other :)