Did I Mention I Recently Went To California?

The "Father of the Bride" house. I adore Pasadena and its gorgeous neighborhoods.

Riverside Farmer's Market

So many famous British and American artists to take photos of at the Huntington!

John Constable's "Salisbury Cathedral From The Bishop's Grounds". Swoon.

Beautiful, and so reminiscent of something you'd see in a Jane Austen film.

The Huntington Library, Art Collections, & Botanical Gardens. My Mecca.

I suppose Ariel is my Disney Princess soulmate since my spirit animal is a mermaid.

It was definitely a jolly California holiday with Mary.

Unreal. Mainly because as a 22 year old this was my first Disneyland experience.

Laguna Beach

Lovely turquoise birds

The sun setting on a fun weekend getaway, made complete by Virgin America setting the mood for us, and a PLU win over Redlands (after all...it was the purpose of our trip).

Bubbling Over

It's October. Can you believe it? Frightening (certainly in 28 days it will be). I had my last first day of school last week. PTL this is my last quarter, otherwise I think I'd simply die (or at least acquire some serious Seattle seasonal depression) having to drag myself back to school after the winter holidays. 

As for autumn, I am fully immersed in the necessary rituals. How so you ask?

I'm up at sunrise, only to sit in dark lecture rooms. Colorfully quirky professors project slides of portraits, landscapes, and history paintings onto the walls, bubbling over with information in enthusiastic fashion.

Textbooks are being read. Dare I say that I am enjoying them? Say it isn't so!

 College football Saturdays are getting the blood and competitive juices pumping through my veins (and maybe conjuring up some nerves as well). The roars of the crowd, the blowing whistles of the referees, and the slightly out of tune wail of the pep band collaborate to surge excitement through us all.

Walking down the street I hear the constant thud of prickly green orbs cracking open and popping out horse chestnuts. Sometimes I give a little start. Other times I get bopped in the head.

My daily wardrobe is starting to take on darker colors, thicker knits, and more layers. Hoorah!

I couldn't take it any longer. On October 1st I put up autumnal decorations in the house. God bless my job at Pottery Barn...and the dollar section at Target.

Speaking of discounts...autumn also means working while I'm in school. I am saving my money, no doubt about it, but I have also found myself picking up a couple extra shifts. Anthropologie is just across the way. Don't judge me. That dress was $188 off. You just can't say "no" to that!

A hankering (no pun intended) to watch "You've Got Mail" has set in...and the other day I sniffed my Scotch tape and freshly sharpened No. 2s.

Veggie soup. Oatmeal. Banana bread. Hot tea.

I go to The Confectionary once a week after work just to look at the Halloween decor and the old fashioned jars filled with sweets. Enchanting.

I'm hosting a harvest party with my housemates in three weeks. Friends, carving pumpkins, and a whole lot of fun!

Another autumnal right of passage? The inevitable cold. But "Swankie Hankies" with cute little jack-o-lanterns makes it a bit more bearable.

Autumn, bring it. I love you. More than you will ever know.