Butterflies.

"Cherish your solitude. Take trains by yourself to places you have never been. Sleep alone under the stars. Learn how to drive a stick shift. Go so far away that you stop being afraid of not coming back. Say no whenever you don't want to do something. Say yes if your instincts are strong, even if everyone around you disagrees. Decide whether you want to be liked or admired. Decide if fitting in is more important than finding out what you're doing here. Believe in kissing."

 - Eve Ensler

♥ ♥ ♥

Getting Hitched

Oh, Monday. You showed up so quickly. And after such an eventful weekend I am sad to say, I am not that happy to see you. 


Top story: This weekend my manager from A Tropical Affair married her boyfriend of four years at Casa De La Guerra in the company of good friends and family from all over the country.


 Sam and I worked all morning, anticipating the event, constantly reminding each other: "Ahhh! Geneva is getting married tonight!" and "3 more hours!".  The morning hours rolled by slowly, due to excitement and a slight hangover (one of my best friends Christine made THE strongest margaritas EVER the previous night... goodness). Fortunately, by the time 4:30 rolled around I felt better; we slipped into our dresses, refreshed makeup in the fitting rooms, and were off to celebrate!
The ceremony started just as the sun set, in the beautiful courtyard of Casa De La Guerra. The site was tastefully decorated with paper flowers (made by the bride!), mexican blankets, and sparkly lights, while the tables offered sombreros, stick-on mustaches, and maracas! Needless to say we, the attendees, were entertained all night. Over the course of the night the girls and I enjoyed authentic mexican food (including freshly made sopes and churros), sipped delicious margaritas, and fought for the attention of the most darling man on the dance floor--the red-headed, two year old. 

Geneva looked absolutely stunning as she walked down the aisle. She sported a darling A-line, mid-calf dress, adorned with pockets, and the most fabulous glitter-cover Kate Spade slingbacks. I couldn't help but tear up when I saw her. It was my first wedding that I have gone to that wasn't a family member so it felt especially meaningful. Mr. Ives is lucky to have such a lovely lady for a wife. 

Highlights of the event:

1. The flower girl continued to spread flowers around the venue well after the ceremony was over. 
2. We met and sat with a customer of the store who, ironically, is also being Katy Perry for Halloween. We bonded. She was hilarious and the girls and I agreed that she is definitely our favorite customer now. 
3. Dancing to The Strokes. 
4. Peel and stick mustaches! 
5. My boss and her husband owning the dance floor. They are absolutely two of my favorite people. 
6. Free sombreros!
7. Seeing Geneva party all night so that she would sleep easily on her way to Europe at 5am. 

I want to go to a wedding every month.

Catching Up

I think I need to play catch up. These past few weeks have held a lot of events that I have been super exciting for me.

Okay first, a big applaud to the Giants. This week we clinched the National League West champions title and are now moving on to play for a spot in the World Series (and if everything works out I might be able to go to a game). I'm elated. It has been far too long and the boys have finally shaped up. Grandpa and Dad say they will do it this year.

Next, the transfer to UCSB. Stoked. I absolutely loved my experience at city college but there is a feeling that can not compare when on a university campus. It's rad. Not to mention I might have the most killer professors. My Campaigns and College Drinking professor said these words when someone asked if we were having a final as it wasn't listed on the syllabus, "Oh yeah, no we're not. It was scheduled for a Saturday, so I said fuck that". Love her. Not to mention she is intelligent and teaches a class that is useful, fulfilling and stimulating. I digress. So glad to be at UCSB after two years of hard work. My list of must-take classes?

1. Studio art. I chatted with a girl in my feminist studies class who is a studio art major and I had an instant flashback of sitting in my high school art studio, listening to my ipod, and painting for the quickest hour of my day. If I could get school credit to sit in a studio for three straight hours, one day a week I might be the happiest girl ever. Cross your fingers that I can get into a class.

2. French. Hello?? I'm going to be in France one year from now! Gotta get practicing. Merci, oui, menage trois. That's all I've got at this point. ;)

3. More comm classes with Afifi. She is proving to be one of my favorite professors already. If any of you readers are comm majors at SBCC, she is the female version of Garard. So. Rad.

And last, but maybe most importantly, my puppies are visiting. They came to Santa Barbara with my sister on Sunday and are taking a full week vacation from my mom and stepdad. Their silly grins make my heart smile. How do I live without a dog on a day to day basis?

Princess Bella Lu

Pippa Kimball

I'll keep the good news coming. :)