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

Cheetah

Hello and happy Saturday night! Yesterday I picked up this lovely cheetah print number at the Salvation Army along with an oversized, double-breasted black blazer (with gold buttons!). I was excited to take photos in this dress today. It's a little big but perfect with a belt. I tried on so many waist belts in my closet and they all looked great with it. I decided on the brown one in the photos because I got it at the same thrift store a couple months ago. Entirely thrifted outfits ftw!! The fabric has this wrinkle-proof texture which will be perfect for the belted look because it won't bunch like normal fabric. I was feeling quite saucy in my matching nail/lipstick combo as well. It looks as though the weather in Long Beach is finally going to warm up in the middle of this week and I am so looking forward to a little less layering. 

<3 

Mariamma

Saturyay

Happy hump-day folks. I just had two lovely days off - a bit productive and a bit relaxing. I am about to go check out a michelada spot with my friend Ashley. One of the chefs at work told us that it is the best place in SoCal so we are going to investigate! These photos were taken last week on a little Saturday outing in the sunshine. This park is in-between Long Beach and Seal Beach and I decided to do some exploring. I had taken photos with a photographer there but I had only really seen the entrance. I was curious about how far back it went. In true SoCal fashion, it wasn't very large and was surrounded by fancy houses haha. I'm really craving a getaway into nature. I'll just wait for it to warm up a bit and then I'll scheme :). 

x 

Mariamma

Manhattan Beach

Whatttttup! I had a sweet little lunch date with my friend Alli today in Manhattan Beach. There are so many pricey little spots but then we stumbled on our kind of spot: cheap and tasty Mexican food! It was so nice to explore and window shop ... and I may have made a swimsuit purchase. Summer is almost here and you know I'll be ready ;). 

xoxo 

Mariamma

Sparkle

Here are more photos from my trip to Anza-Borrega State Park. Those sun flares are pure magic! 

Today I have a few things on the agenda ... repotting some plants and soaking in the sunshine on what is supposed to be a 90 degree day! I think I'll take a nap too. You know it's a going to be a good day when you're already planning a nap at 6:45 a.m. 

Happy Friday!

Mariamma

Desert Dessert

A few weekends ago I went on a little day trip to the desert. I just needed some silence and solitude. I love me some city, but I can't live without my nature. There is something so magical about the desert and its muted shades. No harsh hues but lots of snarled cacti that will insert themselves in your feet via your open-toed sandals ... BEWARE ;).  

smooches on smooches 

Mariamma

San Pedro

Yesterday we woke up early and went to breakfast along the Marina and then decided to use the beautiful day for some exploring. First stop was the Korean Bell of Friendship and then down the road we stopped to hike down to the Sunken City. There's still so much of LA I haven't seen, and little trips like yesterday's really remind me of that. We ended the day at a Dodger's game ... my first pro baseball game ever! We ate plenty of "Dodger Dogs" and garlic fries and drank $15 tall cans. It was a good time. :)

Happy Easter! 

Mariamma

Canopy

Happy Sunday! Today was a relaxing one for sure - and it was much needed. I had a slow morning: eating breakfast, hanging with the puppies, Jax and Bentley, and catching up with one of my best friends on the phone. I'll be heading home in a couple weeks to see all my friends, so we had some conspiring to do. Then I headed to the most relaxing Restorative Yoga class. The class is a perfect combination of stretching and napping, both of which I love! Then I came home and made a very yummy dinner while catching up on The Voice. I hope your day was just what you needed too.

Cheers to a great Monday ;) 

xoxo 

Mariamma

Living For the Weekend

Hi babes! I had a bit of a rough week. I got really sick at work on Wednesday and left early.  I was out of commision Thursday too but was back by Friday. I decided to cut my cleanse short because I'm not sure if the herbal pills I was taking were the cause. Either that or they were working and I just really needed to be cleansed haha.  Friday night I hung out with Jackson on the couch and watched Love & Basketball and The Notebook back to back. Whatever channel that was, thank you ;). Saturday I did laundry, cleaned, visited a really cool plant nursery near my house that is only open one day a week, and then went on a lovely adventure with Carolina. Afterwards, she came over for a girls' wine/pizza/sleepover night  with my roommate and some of her friends as well. Today I went to dance class and then caught up on some work so I'm not behind tomorrow after missing a couple days. If only Monday was part of the weekend ... life would be perfect. 

muito amor 

Mariamma

 

SoCal So Good

Like my cheesy title? ;) I've been antsy to share tidbits from my weekend because it was OH so good. It deserves documentation. Saturday afternoon I drove a little South and met up with my childhood friend Ryan who lives only about 30 minutes from me.  He took me to this super dope brunch spot in Newport where you get free bottomless mimosas when you order off the brunch menu ... SUCH a steal! After catching up over chicken & waffles and eggs benedict, we sauntered on over to the beach and swam! Highlight of my life! I haven't been full-on swimming, diving under ocean waves since Rio, and something in my soul was screaming Hallelujah!!! Ugh, so good. Usually it feels too cold, maybe it was the champagne haha, or maybe it actually was warmer. That night we drove into Downtown LA and went to an improv comedy show that was awesome. Sunday was less packed, but after a day like that, a relaxing day is perfect. I chilled at home until the evening when I got dinner with my friend Dani in Long Beach.

Old friends & new adventures. I'm so down. 

xoxo

Mariamma

Huntington Beach | Labor Day

Yesterday I drove all the way to work, arriving at 7:30 am, only to realize that the entire building was locked. My boss told me over the phone to just take the day off - a very awesome surprise! I even got paid for my time in the car so all's good in the hood.  I decided to go check out a new beach and Huntington was the lucky winner! I hadn't gotten enough fun in the sun when I got home so I hit the pool.  And to top my day off, I did a moonlit workout in the backyard. I'd say Labor Day was a huge success. I hope you all had a wonderful day! 

xx

Mariamma

[Btw, that giant surfboard holds the world record for 'Most People on a Surfboard' ... 60+ people)!