July 4th

My friend Alli came all the way from North Hollywood to spend the fourth with me in Long Beach. We were originally going to head down to Laguna Beach, which is where she grew up, but her mom had house guests and there wasn't going to be room for us. Instead she came to me and it was so nice. She said she hadn't been to Long Beach since she was seven and didn't have good memories so she was pleasantly surprised. The day got off to a great start when she magically found a parking spot right in front of my apartment. Then we headed down to the beach where we walked, talked, and of course, people-watched. All that sunshine got us scheming about dinner and we ended up going to Saint & Second which was so delicious! The cocktails too! After that we headed back to my place and opened a bottle of wine and watched some of the fireworks on the roof before heading down to the beach again to dance around in the sand and see them a little closer. Such a nice day ... 

xx 

Mariamma

Just Lace

Funny, but after that last post about it being my day off I got a call from work asking me to cover for someone ... so yesterday was actually my first day off. I used to work in the morning but for the past couple months I have been working at night and it means that my sleep schedule is completely flipped. I really love getting to wake up when my body wants to. It's such a luxury! Today I walked to the gym, came back and made a particularly delicious lunch, and then took an hour-long nap before work. I feel like I have time for myself and it feels damn good. I'm savoring this, appreciating it. Also, literally everyone who came to my birthday get-together in Chico brought a bottle of wine so I've been indulging in them before bed ... tonight I sampled Julia's rosé and it was fucking delicious. 

cheers to getting enough sleep & self care <3

Mariamma

Good Days Only

Top - Free People | Jeans - Rollas | Sandals - Blowfish Malibu 

Hello hello! I just went to yoga for the first time in a couple weeks. I've been feeling a bit tight from going to the gym so I thought it would be a good idea to allot today to just stretching. I always bike to yoga and I lay it down next to me on the grass during class. I've had the thought that I could get too zen and someone could swipe it quickly so I lay my yoga mat case and my backpack over the frame. As I was walking my bike off the lawn after class today someone did actually try to steal someone's bike! After the owner started yelling that it was her bike a guy from yoga knocked a girl off the bike at the intersection and got the bike back. It was so crazy! The girl had a yoga mat but walked off quickly without it. What a silly decision! Yoga on the bluff is a free/donation based class so it just seems so strange to take a free class based on loving and nourishing yourself and then greedily try and steal someone's mode of transportation right afterwards. I was impressed with how quickly that guy sprung into action though. And I feel a bit sad for the girl who attempted the whole thing. 

Anyways :) I have tomorrow off and I'm happy about it. I've been scheduled with Tuesday & Thursdays off the last couple weeks and it's actually pretty nice. I never work more than four days in a row which feels really easy. 

cheers 

Mariamma

Palm Backdrops 4Ever

Hello lovelies! I was quite productive this morning. I got my car detailed and went to the new gym for the first time. I am turning my car in tomorrow and then I will officially be a carless SoCal resident - unheard of! I drive my car so little, just for road trips basically since I live three blocks from work and can bike almost anywhere in Long Beach. My three year lease is up and it just doesn't make sense to spend a bunch of dough on a new car when it isn't necessary. There are other things I'd rather spend that money on ;). I got it thoroughly cleaned at a spot right around the corner and it looks as good as new! I am running one last errand with it tomorrow morning and then dropping it off at the dealership! It's such perfect timing that the new gym opened yesterday so I don't need to drive to the North LB location anymore - and that won't be an option anyways. I walked there today and it's only a mile. There were little restaurants and shops that I hadn't seen before so it will be a fun way to explore downtown a little more as well. 

<3 life is good

 Mariamma

Birthday Back Home

Photos by Jenelle Zavala

Dress - Thrifted (and tailored by my Mamma moments before this little shoot <3)

As you may have seen on my Instagram, I went home to Chico, CA for my birthday last week. I was unsure what I wanted to do this year for my birthday but this last-minute decision worked out beautifully! Last year I was tucked into the Montana mountains. It was the perfect place to reflect on the year I had just had and the year ahead of me. I didn't want this year to be anything less and thanks to my beautiful Mamma and lovely friends it was a perfect day. I kind of feel like I was 27 for multiple years, even though it flew by in other ways. Birthdays are opportunities to check in. They're mile markers ... Are you where you thought you'd be? Do you want to do more? Less? Create a new path even if it requires hacking your way through with a machete? Haha 

cheers to new years 

Mariamma

Summer Mood Board

So ready for summer! 

Yosemite

Hello loves! I am chillin' in my usual coffee shop, post yoga on the bluff. I am addicted to one of the paninis here so I've been loving going to yoga and then working on the blog and eating lunch down the street. I am excited to share these photos! Yosemite is too beautiful for pictures to truly capture. I had such a nice weekend with a mixture twelve old and new friends. We camped for two nights with no reception, no electricity, just coyote howls and lots of stars. Fresh air does a body good. One thing that makes Yosemite so unique is the striking contrast between the soft green meadows and the towering rock formations and mountains. There is nothing gradual or transitory about the valley. It is two extremes that together, create a true work of art. Nature is magic. I am excited to be heading up to Chico in a couple weeks for my birthday. I have my two days there already jam-packed with plans which include more nature and a little dancing, among other things.  

Happy Monday 

Mariamma

Wild Wind

Hi babes! I just got back from Yosemite and I can't wait to show you the photos! I knew Yosemite was beautiful but in-person it was beyond striking. It was such a lovely weekend with old and new friends! I realized I've gone to three national parks in the last few months! I'm happy to be getting my nature fix. I really love traveling and seeing things for the first time. Being reminded at how gorgeous this planet is keeps what is truly important at the forefront of my mind. Nature is my therapy I suppose. I hope you all had a nice weekend, wherever you spent it! 

xx 

Mariamma

Junk Yard

T-Shirt - Hanes | Shorts - Vintage | Moccasins - Minnettonka 

This was one of the first spots my cousin took me to in the desert. Artist Noah Purifoy created this "Outdoor Desert Art Museum" out of 'junk' items. It is open to the public in the Mojave Desert and we had a lot of fun wandering around in the dust and sand. I've had today off which is nice. I am looking forward to a couple restful days. On Mothers Day last weekend I worked a 14 hour shift and I've been feeling like I'm on the verge of getting sick ever since so I'm taking it really easy today. I cleaned a bit this morning (still wasn't totally unpacked from the desert), caught up with my friend Jenelle on the phone, and then headed to my favorite coffee shop to catch up on some blogging ;) and eat one of their delicious paninis haha! I picked up all the items from the tailor yesterday and I'm thinking of doing a little post on that. I dropped off two more items yesterday though so maybe I'll wait 'til those are done as well. Getting things tailored isn't necessarily cheap, but it makes a lot more sense than throwing $$ away on cheap items that won't last. I'm really excited to wear these items that I've had tucked away for so long! 

xx 

Mariamma

Mars

Jumpsuit - Vintage | Sunglasses - Ray Ban | Boots - Lucky Brand

Mission to the desert! I really love how these photos came out. My cousin Cheyanna took all of them. She has such a good eye! In actuality Joshua Tree was so windy. My jumpsuit matched the rocks and all but really we were just trying to find a large hill that would block some of the wind! I start to feel like I'm going crazy when I'm having to squint and my hair is being blown everywhere and car doors won't stay open and ... all worth the photos later haha. I went to they gym today after work at 6:30, forgetting that it closes at 7, so I didn't really get my yayas out. I have to wake up early for a long shift tomorrow so I'm off to bed! More photos from my trip to come!

smooches on smooches

Mariamma

Little Dove

Top - Boohoo | Jeans - Fashion Nova

Hello and happy hump day! Today is finally my Friday. I got scheduled for 10 days in a row, so basically two weeks of work all crammed together, but I've finally made it to the promised land! And guess what I get to do tomorrow!? I get to go see my cousin Cheyanna in Joshua Tree and meet her new baby! I am so excited to visit with her and spend some time in the desert. Yesterday I took a pile of clothes that has been sitting in a corner of my room to get tailored. The first place I went was a cleaners/tailor but when I started going through the items the woman cut me off and said she was in the middle of eating lunch and could I come back in 2.5 hours ... I was so confused. I had to go to work in a little over an hour and I felt like she was just turning me away. So I packed my stuff up and found a tailor a few blocks away that is super legit, and all men sewing in the back! The older man at the front had me try everything on and pinned it accordingly. One of my items is a cheetah print maxi dress that I got at the thrift store. I want to shorten it into a mini dress and man was he encouraging that. He kept telling me I could probably make it shorter haha. Very different from when my mom hems my clothes. I'm really excited to get it all back in a week.

xx 

Mariamma

Casual Friday

Happy Friday! I had a lovely start to the day by having breakfast with my friend Lauren. She is moving away within the month so I wanted to hear how planning is going and just catch-up in general. I got the fried green tomato benedict and it was amazing. I worked this afternoon and then headed home to change out of my pants and into some shorts. Finallllly! I am so ready for the warmth to hit!

xx 

Mariamma

Claire & Kurt's Wedding

What a magical weekend! I drove seven hours each way to go see two of my favorite people from college get hitched! Kurt is my honorary big brother and I've known the lovely Claire for just as long. This weekend was amazing. I got to see so many people that were so influential in my college years whom I hadn't seen in far too long. The setting was amazing as well - bursting with oak trees, tire swings, a creek, all covered in tall grass. Most of us camped along the creek in a little neighborhood which was nice when I wanted to fall into bed after dancing for hours the night of the wedding. I'm so happy I was able to be there! 

xx 

Mariamma

Red Cross

Earrings - Boohoo | Top - Boohoo | Skirt - Vintage

I'm up far too late with far too much energy right now. I have to pack tomorrow to go to a wedding this weekend and I wanted to get a lot of things done tomorrow, so hopefully I'll get sleepy soon. I just read through my last few posts and all I talk about is how sore I am haha. I am sorry if I sounded like a broken record! I think it's just a novelty while I'm getting back into shape and it has literally been making it hard to walk so it's been on my mind a lot lately haha. Last night I went to dance class and learned how to do something I've wanted learn for so long. I was practicing a bunch at work today when I thought no one was looking and got caught a few times. After class some of the girls and I went to Taco Tuesday at a restaurant/bar nearby and got margaritas. It was a really nice ending to the day. 

Cheers to new dance moves and margaritas! 

Mariamma

Lace & Denim

Lace Top - Victoria's Secret | Denim Dress - Thrifted | Boots - Free People

Hey hey! I hope you're doing well! I've a had a really nice couple days off. It started off with a movie/wine night in the bathtub. This has become one of my (not so guilty) pleasures. It's been quite chilly considering summer is around the corner and sometimes I just crave to be warmed to the bones, which a bath provides! The wine and movie just make it that much nicer. I tend to overheat quickly too so the movie or show distracts me and allows me to stay in a bit longer. You should try it ;). I've been to the gym both days I had off too. I was so sore this morning from yesterday but I still went to a Butt/Belly/Thighs workout class this morning. I don't think it would have been very hard if I hadn't been SO sore. It felt good to move all that lactic acid through my system though and I rolled out my muscles a bit on a foam roller after class. Afterwards I went to get a smoothie. Did you guys know that Jamba Juice has a 'secret' menu? I thought I'd try one that was recommended called the "Red Gummy." It was a little too sweet for me but it did taste so much like a gummy bear! I'll probably stick with my favorite Peanut Butter Banana one ;). 

xx

Mariamma

To-Do

I just got off work and it's only noon! I have the whole rest of the day and I have a list running in my head of things I want to get done:

• gym (I'm so sore that my boss said I was walking like a robot this morning - so I need to go move my muscles)
• wash my hair (yes, that's making it to the list)
• nap (I got off late last night and then worked at 6am this morning) 
• read my new book (trying to stay on that!)
• laundry (I have no clean workout clothes)
• take out trash/recycling
• cook the tofu curry that I have all the ingredients for (eggplant!)
• clean (trying to clean for at least 30 min a day while being educated/entertained by a podcast - this way my apartment is always so fresh and so clean) 
• take photos for the blog
• get ready to go out with Francesca tonight! 

Wish me luck! 

xx 

Mariamma

Ivy

Bom dia babes! Today is my Monday so to speak but I have begun working more at night rather than in the morning so I've had a very leisurely morning. I went to the gym yesterday and am so sore today. I had trouble crouching down to get something from a bottom drawer in my dresser this morning haha. I love being sore though. It lets me know that I actually worked yesterday! With a work schedule that fluctuates, so does the rest of my schedule ... but so far it's working well for me. It's nice to sometimes have mornings off, and sometimes be done by noon. It's a nice balance. Plus, working so close to where I live means that no time is wasted on commuting so I still feel like have a lot of free time. Last year I felt like my life revolved around working ... making sure I got enough sleep for work, that my car had gas in it, and I didn't have a lot of time to grocery shop and focus on what I was feeding myself. I am so grateful for where I'm at. 

xx 

Mariamma

Good Read

I am attempting to start a new book. As a kid I was such an avid reader. I remember being so interested in books that I would wake up in the middle of the night and crouch next to a lamp on the floor to get a little more time reading. It's frustrating now that books tend to just put me to sleep. I've said quite a bit that, "When I'm actually an adult I'll read every day before bed," rather than watch TV or scroll through Instagram. So I have yet to reach full adulthood. I have heard so many things about how using screens right before bed isn't ideal and I'd love to start a healthier habit. This week I will read before bed even if it just makes me sleepy. It's also occurred to me that maybe I should find some more enthralling books haha. 

xx 

Mariamma

Mustard

Good afternoon babes! I was supposed to have today off but I got a call right after yoga this morning that someone needs tonight covered. Luckily I didn't have any plans until later tonight so that works out pretty well. And now I get to postpone my free day, which I'm not mad at. The Grand Prix was in Long Beach this weekend which meant it was really busy at work and parking was almost impossible. I worked from 2-midnight on Saturday and then 8:30-4:30 Sunday so I was exhausted last night. Nothing too exciting to update you on.

cheers 

Mariamma

Newport Sunset

I was on a bit of a roll there last week with posting and then this week got the best of me! There was a lot going on both at work and at home but it seems to be settling nicely. The last few days in Long Beach have been soooo beautiful. A little taste of summer that leaves me wanting more! I started off today by going to the gym and then getting my hair trimmed and getting a boba tea on the way home. The last time I grew my hair out I was so adamant about not using heat on it and it was so healthy. This time around I have had a lot more fun styling it (that's what it's for after all ... and maybe warmth haha) but I can definitely tell the difference in health. I chopped a few inches off the bottom but it's so long now you can't really tell. After I got home I walked a couple miles in the sun to the Goodwill and ate some fruit with lemon and tajin from a cart along the way. A long juicy walk ;). I didn't find anything at the thrift store today, which is rare. The photo above was taken in Newport Beach this past weekend. My friend Francesca and I met there for a beach picnic and coffee date <3. 

xoxo 

Mariamma