Rosie

My family had two dogs from when I was about 10 years old until I was around 21.  A few years ago we had to put down our oldest dog Nina due to congestive heart failure.  Since then our male dog Junior has been alone (but enjoying it), and we kept saying to each other, "NO MORE DOGS!"

Well, my brother rescued a dog a week ago.... but, we turned her into a shelter just in case her owners were looking for her.  Also because we promised each other: "NO MORE DOGS!"  As the days passed we all realized how much we missed her, and finally broke down and decided to adopt her! 

It was not a simple process, though.  First of all, she was actually promised to another family who visited the shelter after we dropped her off.  They were supposed to pick her up Monday night between 4 pm and 7 pm, but failed to show!  Due to that, we had the opportunity to adopt her, and we were so ecstatic!!

Here is the gorgeous new dog we were so happy to bring home:

And here she is with my mom and Junior.  They were all so tuckered out!

Blazing saddles

I've always had the most difficult time finding a blazer that I like, and I finally found one that fit me well!

I guess my issues were always my broad shoulders and small chest, haha.  Either my shoulders felt like they were going to bust out of the size that fit my small chest and waist, or my boobs and waist were too small for the size that fit my broad shoulders!  Since this one is not your typical blazer, it worked well with my body type.

Gap "Band blazer" - Navy, $98.

I would have preferred the gray-ish herringbone color better, but they were sold out online AND in my local store.  Despite that, navy is still a very versatile color.

Although this won't go great over a girly dress (... or will it?), I have a preppy-equestrian style in mind after buying a $12 khaki skirt from Nordstrom.  It involves a nautical or plain creamy shirt, boots or black flats, a high waisted, A-line khaki skirt and my blazer.

Longsleeve Tops by Lands' End Canvas
Boots by Dolce Vita

Or... I'd use my new khaki skirt, my chambray top, and a woven Nordstrom belt I have to re-recreate this look from http://kendieveryday.blogspot.com/:

I don't get how these ladies with "What I Wore"-type blogs look cute EVERY DAY!  I look like a bum 4 out of 7 days a week--typically on UCLA football game days, days that I'm late to class, or days in which I don't have class, thus I stay in my pajamas.

Viceroy - Palm Springs, CA

 

For the final stop in my streak of vacations, a few girlfriends from class and I went to The Viceroy hotel in Palm Springs to soak up the sun and relax before grad school starts.  I cannot believe we're starting our Masters program this week!

 

The first day was spent getting used to our accommodations--definitely not hard when you have 2 huge beds and a gorgeous room to hang out in!  We ate a late lunch at Citron (the in-hotel restaurant), and then hung out at the pool.  For dinner we ate Italian food at Kalura Trattoria.

 

@ Citron - picture taken by Louisa.

Turkey club croissant.

Late afternoon at the "Family" pool - picture taken by Louisa

Walking to dinner.  Perfect weather at night; however, unbearable during the daytime!

Eggplant ravioli

The next day we rode bikes to the main strip and ate breakfast at Pinocchio.  It had some interesting decor, but apparently it's been around forever so it has lasting power!

Getting ready to bike! - picture taken by Louisa.

We enjoyed some more pool time from 11 a.m. til dinner time - RIDICULOUS! 

To end the night we ate some Mexican food on the main strip, got ice cream at Rite Aid, and talked by the pool for hours!  What a great trip--can't wait to do another one soon!

BOGO Jamba Juice!

Just found this on a coupon website.  Enjoy until 9/22!

http://www.jambajuice.com/eb/BG/jbbg.html

The rest of Napa!

After visiting Castello di Amorosa, my friend and I went to the V. Sattui winery (owned by the same people who own Castello, apparently), Bouchon bakery, and Domaine Chandon.

Although we didn't drink any champagne at Domaine Chandon, we took lots of pictures!  We actually shared a bottle of their "Etoile" champagne with my friend's cousins the night before Napa, hehe.  It was quite delicious, and I'm not much of a champagne person.

 No, these mushrooms are not edible ;) - @ Domaine Chandon.

V. Sattui Winery - photo taken by me.

The V. Sattui winery was much smaller than Castello, but it had wine that was just as amazing!  In fact, I bought a bottle of their moscato.  We had a really nice picnic on their grounds and ate some really yummy food from their deli.  If you ever go, it's expensive, but it is good!

 Enjoying the food @ V. Sattui.

Enjoying the Moscato @ V. Sattui.

Although I had a really good experience at the Bouchon bakery in Vegas (yummy macarons and foccaccia), I was SO disappointed with the brioche bread pudding at the Bouchon bakery in Napa.  Their baguette was good, but come on, make bread pudding that actually has some bread in it! 

@ Bouchon Bakery.

Bread pudding with 90% raisins/baked grapes.

Despite the Thomas Keller FAIL, I had a really good experience in Napa and cannot WAIT to go back again!  Sadly that probably won't be for a while, but I can hope...