Looking back, I think 2018 was a big year for me. I began the New Year with both a full-time and part-time job. There was a lot I wanted to do but didn't have enough time to. Though I learned a lot, I was pretty burnt out for most of it. Late October, I bid my farewells to my part-time job. Since then, I have had some time to re-energize and self reflect. Be there any self-growth in 2019, I will be keeping discipline and commitment top-of-mind.

Some things I'm looking forward to this year:
  1. Exploring things that inspire me.
  2. To read a minimum of 4 books. One in each category: personal finance, investment, historical fiction, and the last one can be anything that piques my interest when it comes. 
  3. Looking after myself more frequently. Mentally, emotionally, physically. All of it.

Talk soon,
Ada
Greetings from Big Bear! I am currently at cabin with some of my best friends. During my downtime, I decided to write this blog post because it's been a while. I planned on creating a Christmas Gift Guide, but low and behold, Black Friday and Cyber Monday has long passed. Instead, I will show you a few of the things that I have considered getting myself this holiday (and birthday, for me) season.

1. A bicycle I have been thinking of ways to lessen the amount of gas I use week-to-week. Although I don't travel far, I drive around quite often. I drive mainly to work, but since I live relatively close to work, I am considering buying a new bike. It would save me the gas and I would get some exercise. Sound investment? I concur. Buy this one to feel like you are Schwinn-ing. *ha ha ha*

2. Candles to fit the season The is the kind of treat you really don't want to spend money on, but you love it so much that you convince yourself it is okay. You will eventually talk yourself into this Diptyque purchase by telling yourself that you can use the glass to store pens or brushes.

3. Hand cream I get it. This is an extravagant hand cream because for something like moisturizing hands, you probably don't need to pay this much. But if it's for a birthday treat to oneself, why not? I work a lot with my hands and in this current moment, I'm appalled at the state of them. I deserve me some Aesop hand cream--as you probably do as well.

4. Health supplements Honestly, my skin has never been worse. I have done facials, do face masks, exercise, I eat relatively healthy and I drink very close to 8 glasses of water a day. Maybe this is late-onset acne. So I'm thinking it doesn't hurt to try something like The Super Elixir by WelleCo. And if that's not enough, this is how the marketing got me: the packaging is gorgeous.

5. An at-home safe I'd like to think my neighborhood is relatively safe. We've been at my house for eight years and knock on wood, but nothing crazy has happened. But I have since moved downstairs to live in the unit in the back with my janky wooden door, I've been thinking of getting a safe--per recommendation of my mom. According to the big yellow stars on Amazon, SentrySafe does a lot of great ones like this. I take care of all my family's identification documents, bills, and things of that sort. This would be a very responsible adult purchase. But I can't tell you I haven't tried to imagine this as a giant password protector for my journals and diary.

6. Portable speakers I have been finding myself in need of some portable speakers. For some reason, I find my laptop speakers not loud enough. Or when I am driving in my car and my cassette tape overheats, it auto-rejects and I'm left with a 45 minute drive to wherever and have to sit in silence or play music off my phone. These amazing B&O Speakers also have a built-in microphone! Perfect for the drive to Big Bear or hiking on Sundays.

7. A silk top I have been lusting after so many silk tops. Silk being expensive and tops having so many to choose from, I must say, the Bianca from Realisationpar takes the dust. I am swooning!

8.  The staple belt This isn't something I currently need. Rather, I felt it necessary to at least mention a solid staple belt. I have had my Isabel Marant belt for 5 years and it is still going strong as my go-to. Here is one called the Zap leather belt that looks really similar to mine, also by Isabel Marant.

9. It girl heels This season, I've been binge watching Sex and the City. And each episode I watch, I become more and more obsessed with Carrie Bradshaw. And if you're going to buy yourself anything this season, it should be a new pair of Manolo Blahniks for they could never do you wrong. But if that's out of your price range, there is also this wonderful pair of Marc Jacobs patent sandal to help you take on the new year.

10. Annual splurge Every year for Christmas and my birthday, I buy myself one gift for the two days. This occurs once a year. I spend all year saving up for something great. Usually it's a pair of shoes or a new bag, but I have decided to do something different. I have a few already that I have collected over the years, but nothing that I really need to baby. This year, I bought myself a Leica Minilux

Until next time,
Ada


Just last weekend, I went to Rise Festival with a friend I had made only months before. I invited her to send her off before she moved up north for work. It was an incredible weekend getaway that was long awaited. We showed up a little before the release of the first round of lanterns. In short, it was one of the most beautiful evenings that I have ever had.

Although the moment of lanterns rising passed fairly quickly, the night will be easily remembered forever. Until next time!





 

This was part of a citywide art initiative by Impermanence that used development sites as canvases. Very, very cool. For this project, 3 houses were painted on the corner of a residential block. Everything was painted a bright fluorescent pink. From the bushes, the floors, to the walls and the doors. I was lucky enough to see it in person and take some pictures before these houses were demolished for space to build new apartment buildings.

Pink has definitely been trending for the last year and a half. The color choice definitely makes a statement. It's like a real-life Barbie Dream House!















Floral tank top, Topshop Pleated Culottes, Topshop Fringe Sandals, Fisherman Market bag

To read more about the project, click here.


I have not posted in a while. Obviously, I have cut my hair a few months ago. But here are some pictures of me in the early summer when I still had incredibly long hair.

I stepped away from blogging for a while. Life got in the way? Although blogging was not really a priority for me but rather something I was interested in trying out.

But let me update you. Since early summer, I have:

  1. Cut my hair (obviously)
  2. Got a dog. Her name is Nala. You will all meet her soon.
  3. Tried to get back into fitness.

That about sums it up.




Los Angeles State Historic Park, what a beautiful place to be. When I used to live in Los Angeles or just about moved away, there used to be a cornfield here that was put up as an art installation. It's almost been a decade and since the cornfield. And since, there has been some events, a rave, and now it's a historic park. The lighting here is lovely and I think this park is a great one to bring a group of friends and family to for a picnic. An incredibly easy walk to or from Chinatown.





According to Google, the end of summer was the 22nd of September. I would just like to formally say goodbye to summer. Fall is here and I'm ready to embrace the cooler weather! See you all in knit sweaters and knee-high boots.

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