15 While 25... (updated!)

Last year around this time I made my 25 While 25 list. While I'm still working on my 26 While 26 list, I thought I'd take the time to go through my existing to-do's and see how well I did.

Turns out, not bad! There's a few I might be able to squeak in the next couple of weeks, but for now we're going with 14 out of 25. I'll take it!

To recap:



1. Bake a cake - Cake. Baked. Fear not, I only made half a cake, hehe. I made my favorite, yellow cake with chocolate frosting.



2. Sew a duvet cover - Found lots of fabric I liked...all too expensive. I'm going to carry this over to my 26 list :)

3. Go away for a weekend - Winter Wineland in Sonoma county, CA. Such a WONDERFUL weekend with friends. Unfortunately all my purchases from that weekend have been consumed. Let's go next year!!



4. Plant herbs out back - Yeah, that never happened.

5. Make a desktop background - Needless to say, I've made many. ;)



6. Go to the new library - When I wrote this I was living at my old house where they had just built a brand new library. Here the library is right down the street and I have STILL not visited. Hoping to rectify this within the next couple of weeks!

7. Apply for a fantasy job - During my job hunt last summer, I applied for a position with DeviantArt where I've been posting my art for the past 6 years. It didn't work out but I was proud of myself for accepting the challenge.



8. Invent a cocktail - I still have 2 weeks!

9. Read a Jane Austen novel - When I wrote this list I semi cheated because I had Emma already started. Would you believe my bookmark has not moved all year? Me neither...

10. Get something professionally printed - For Christmas this year I made my Dad a poster to commemorate one of the most exciting moments of our year.



11. Coin a catch phrase - Waymazing. Get on board. It's waymazing. ;)



12. Draw and complete a picture - Finished! As of 6/27...just in time! It's Merida from the new Pixar movie Brave. Check out the trailer here!

13. Go to Disneyland - Epic family vacation!! Was a total blast to go away with my 3 favorite people and have the most amazing time. I'm so blessed to be able to spend this time with my family and I treasure every moment.



14. Make my Christmas cards - Notice I said make not send. So...sorry about that.



15. Have a Harry Potter marathon [with Eleanor] - Do you know how hard it is to find the time to watch 7 movies? Also moving to 26 list.

16. Update my website - I did at one point...but I should probably do that again soon.



17. Buy a fish or keep mine alive - Had a fish. Loved my fish. Miss my fish. RIP Molson.



18. Bake a peach pie - Well, it is peach season now, isn't it? We'll put this on the 26 list.

19. Buy a new sofa - I'm sitting on it right now. It's quite possibly one of my favorite things.



20. Self-host my blog - This was actually a really good goal, but seeing as my blogging sort of faded away after I moved, I didn't feel the need. This is something I really should do and I'd like to this year. Hopefully...

21. Make coq au vin - Delicious.



22. Take a nice photo... - It happened. That's enough.

23. Buy a new font - Man, fonts are expensive. But, pending a good deal, this could be remedied by the 27th!!

24. Write thank you notes for all gifts - Honorable goal and I failed miserably.

25. Move - YES!! One of my first goals that I completed :) It's been a fanTASTic year because of that. I love Pleasanton to pieces.



So there you have it. Roughly 14 out of 25. I'm proud of myself for doing this list, for hanging this list in my home and for trying new things because of it. This year has been all sorts of crazy but so many WONDERFUL things have happened. I've met friends of all sorts, found a new job, traveled and grown a lot. Although my birthday has crept up on me once again, I feel ready for it this time. I feel like I've aged a year and I mean that in the best way.

Bring it 26!!

26 list coming soon!

Sending lots and lots of love to you all! Thank you for reading my little blog!

Love,
Marina

Pretty Links...

As promised, I have QUITE a few links to share with you that I've been hoarding over the holiday season. Some of these will be finding their way to me very soon....:}

First off, House of Harlow has recently updated their shop with the new spring pieces. I've always been a fan of the "not too expensive" jewelry, but this season's items are stunning. Right now my favorite is this set of Art Decco inspired earrings. Yummy.



I was looking for a poster for my brother for Christmas on Threadless and I came across this GORGEOUS poster. I have a thing for red foxes and I adore the color palette of this piece. DO WANT.



I found this brooch in an Etsy showcase a while back. I love jewelry that has both silver and gold in it and this pin is no exception. The delicate etching is lovely as well.



I saw this artist in a Storque article a couple of months ago and fell in love with her edgy designs. Her shop is currently closed for vacation but you can view her past work in her sold section. This is my favorite that she's done.



I have plenty of purses, but I'm always on the lookout for more. I LOVE silk dupioni and this clutch makes perfect use of it. This is a custom listing but i LOVE the color combo in the photo.



I have no idea where I could ever wear a necklace like this one but I think it's stunning. 'Nuff said.



My pal Eleanor decided that I need to have this skirt. I agree too. It's even cool from the back! LUUUUHVE!



Well that's all I got for you his time! I'm always bookmarking pretty things so I'll have more soon. Have a super week!

Love,
Marina

Slam Bang Finish...

Once upon a time I had a blog...

And I updated frequently...

Then life got hard (in the best way) and I stopped for a while...

Now I'm back to show you some pictures of what I've been up to!


I practiced my paparazzi skills on the race horses across the street.


I stocked up on Christmas supplies at Trader Joe's.


I decorated for Christmas.


Pleasanton got foggy. :}


I dressed up for Christmas.


Twice.


My brother gave me the best Christmas present EVAR.


I got some new shoes.


I made some new friends, quite literally.


There was wine tasting.


Sassy outfits.


And this. Quite possibly the MOST important thing of 2010. :) Giants winning the world series and all...

Sending all my love and best wishes to your 2011! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! I've missed all of you and I hope to be back regularly soon. I've got a lot of fun Etsy finds to show you and will be posting those VERY soon.

With Love,
Marina

Of Giants, Pilots and San Francisco...

Well, we did it. I know I haven't really advertised just HOW big of a San Francisco Giants fan I am [on this blog], but let me tell you...

I'm a big fan.

Like larger font type of fan.

Last night after 52 years of waiting, my beloved team finally won the World Series. I have never been so proud!

I happened to be IN the city last night for the win, even though my boys were playing in Texas. Let's just say San Fran was CRAZY! But it was a little magic. :) I was in town to see Stone Temple Pilots perform at the Warfield. Here is my journey:




Pleasanton BART station.

Skipping over the pizza and TV we were all huddled around to watch the last pitch. I was too excited to take pictures, but this is what happened:



Still get goosebumps... Anyway, onward!



The marquis needed an update, OBVIOUSLY.



Before the show.



Mmm, 90's rock guitarist....yes please!



Riding back in silence on BART at the end of an eventful night.

It was a magic night to be in the city. A magic night to be a Giants fan. A magic night for the Stone Temple Pilots! All around good times.

Hope all of you are well! Sending some fall love your way!!

Always,
Marina