Arbonne

During our visit to the Gentle Barn, Mark and I enjoyed the various booths set up around the property offering everything from vegan food to cosmetic samples. We ate lunch at the Gentle Barn and shopped at the gift store. I was excited to see that Arbonne had a table set up at the Gentle Barn. Arbonne is a company that I have read about on vegan beauty blogs for a long time now. There are so many mixed reviews about this company and their cruelty-free policy. It seems that no one can obtain the same answer from any of their reps. I decided to approach the the women at the table in an attempt to get some clarification about the brand.

Below is an email I sent to the Gentle Barn after speaking with the Arbonne rep. I felt it was important for them to know how my encounter with Arbonne unfolded. 

"My husband and I visited the Gentle Barn for the first time on Sunday, January 4th. I heard about other animal sanctuaries on Instagram, so I did a little research and found that Gentle Barn is the closest one to me. Being able to spend time at the barn was a humbling experience for me and I enjoyed it very much. I greatly appreciate the help and second chance at life that the Gentle Barn has given these animals. The staff and volunteers were knowledgeable and seemed to really love the animals. It is a very family-friendly environment that teaches children about the importance of animal rights, so I can't wait to bring my future children to the Gentle Barn. It was nice to see the different stations set-up all around the property, like the vegan hot dog booth, face painting post, the gift & snack shops, and the Arbonne table. 

Over the last year I have done extensive research on cruelty-free cosmetic brands with vegan options. In the beginning of 2014 I completely changed my lifestyle by becoming a vegetarian and only using cruelty-free and vegan products. I have always heard mixed reviews about Arbonne, so when I saw them at the Gentle Barn I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to ask a few questions about the brand. When I approached the table I explained to the women that I was a supporter of cruelty-free/vegan products and I had a few questions about Arbonne because the reviews online are so mixed. I was surprised when one of the women became incredibly offended and said, "That is bullshit! We don't test on animals. We even use soy ink in our ads and fliers. Give me a break! I am a vegan!" Needless to say, I was a little put off by her aggressive attitude and the way she initiated the conversation. I tried to explain to her that there are many great sources online to find cruelty-free/vegan brands, but Arbonne isn't on many of them. I told her that I, myself, have even tried to reach out to the brand on multiple occasions to inquire about their stance and have heard nothing back. To which she responded, "I work for them and I can't even get a response back! They gave me a $20 coupon last month because I sent so many unanswered emails." She appeared to be unnecessarily flustered about my questioning Arbonne's practices. She seemed to be uneducated about the term "cruelty-free", but because she was blatantly unreceptive to my inquiry I decided to not push any further. Just because a company does not conduct animals testing themselves, does not make them cruelty-free. If Arbonne is owned by a larger parent company, that company could potentially test on animals, which would make Arbonne and its proceeds categorized as NOT cruelty-free. Also, if Arbonne doesn't require proof that the ingredients they purchase from their suppliers are cruelty-free, then they have no way of knowing if their products are 100% free of animal testing. There is a wonderful website called Logical Harmony that is dedicated to giving its followers the most current and up-to-date information on cruelty-free cosmetics. The founder is thorough, honest about her findings, and encourages her readers to do their own research by teaching them how to get started. Arbonne is a brand that has come up many times and she has not been able to get a clear answer from corporate Arbonne that states their stance on animal testing. (Here is the website, if you're interested: www.logicalharmony.net/cruelty-free-vegan-brand-list/#axzz3Nxvsqatv)

The Arbonne representative handed me a catalog with her card—Ziggy Mrkich was her name. To abruptly end our conversation she asked me if I would like to try a sample and to be polite I said, "sure, why not?". She began to fumble through her samples for a facial moisturizer, then proceeded to ask me in a quite condescending tone, "So, you're in your 30's.... or 40's?" I had to chuckle... I am in my 20's and by now I could tell she was intentionally being rude because she did not like where our conversation was headed. It is unfortunate because my husband and I were having such a great day filled with positivity and joy until Ziggy came along, filled with such hostility and negativity. As a sales representative of a company that you BELIEVE to be genuine and ethical, wouldn't you strive to work with new potential customers by providing them proof and comfort that your product is as great as you say it is? Also, wouldn't you encourage questions and applaud someone for being aware of the animal testing industry and attempting to make a difference by getting as much information as possible—not berate someone for being bold enough to ask?

Sadly, I would never purchase anything from Arbonne whether it is a cruelty-free company or not based off of this one single interaction. I will also urge anyone I meet to do the same. 

I took the time to send this message to you because I think it is important for you to know how your patrons are being treated. Visiting the Gentle Barn was an immensely pleasant experience and, once again, I thank you for everything you have done for the animals that live there. The animals you have saved are grateful and clearly live a much more peaceful life. If I didn't live two hours away, I would be a volunteer in a heartbeat! I value the time I spent at Gentle Barn and am so glad I hugged a cow before I encountered Ziggy, or the day might have ended very differently. *smiley face*"

I can not wait to visit the Gentle Barn again! There is so much love and compassion within its walls (or fences, I should say). I decided to reach out the Gentle Barn regarding this incident because I would hate to think other patrons who approached the Arbonne table were treated this way. Fighting against animal cruelty is a lifestyle and those who embrace it shouldn't be chastised, especially by someone claiming to live the same harmonious lifestyle. 

Immediately after reaching out to the Gentle Barn, I was contacted via email and telephone by a man named Jay. He was very sweet and apologetic for Ziggy and her attitude. He thanked me for coming forward and sharing my experience with him. He let me know that was currently doing research to confirm Arbonne's practices and claims. He told me he would keep me posted on his findings. 

By following the Gentle Barn on social media, I know he is currently in Tennessee taking care of Dudley, the rescue cow that I mentioned in my previous blog post, so I completely understand why he hasn't gotten back to me. I am in no hurry, but can't wait to see if he discovers any news on Arbonne. 

The Gentle Barn

Since adopting the vegetarian lifestyle and becoming more aware of animal rights, I have taken a great interest in animal sanctuaries. Earlier this month Mark and I visited the Gentle Barn in Santa Clarita, CA. The Gentle Barn has over 170 animals that have all been rescued from severe abuse. When you arrive they ask you to sit through a 10 minute orientation explaining the purpose of the barn, how to interact with the animals, and how the organization got started. They also ask that you hug a cow before you leave! Their philosophy is simple, "you can't have a bad day if you've hugged a cow". This, I have to agree with... Once that is over you are free to roam around the facility and spend as much time as you wish with the animals. Here are some pictures of our trip!

This cow (below) is named Faith and she is blind (blind faith). This is her bio from the barns web page:

"Faith was rescued from the dairy industry. She was taken away from her mom at only a day old so the breast milk she needed could be taken for humans, put into a veal crate, and while she was there had untreated conjunctivitis that caused her to go blind. When she came to The Gentle Barn she would spin in circles, never having walked a straight line before. With the help of our volunteers, Faith learned not only how to walk a straight line but how to run, play and receive love. She is now happy, healthy and loves people!"

Reading stories like this make me so grateful that places like the Gentle Barn are around, but they also make me very sad and hurt my heart because I know that for every animal they save, there are another million that are treated even worse all over the world.

This handsome man is named Sir Lancelot and his story goes something like this:

"Sir Lancelot was grossly underweight, lame and almost ridden to death. He was taken away from his abusers by the LAPD and Los Angeles Animal Control. Sir Lancelot was scheduled to be euthanized and at the last minute an officer called and asked us to save his life. We will not stop working with him until he can gallop and play with our other horses and has joy in his eyes."

We spent a lot of time in the horse stalls. I have had a fascination with horses since I was a child. I find them to be one of the most graceful and beautiful creatures to roam the earth.

Our day wouldn't have been complete without a selfie with a goat! 

This is Sir Francis and he is turkey that loves to show off!

This is Biscuit and he weighs 1000 pounds!!!! He lives a posh life that includes belly rubs, sun bathing, and rolling in the mud. 

Visiting the Gentle Barn was truly a touching experience for me. It warms my heart to know that people will go to such great lengths to ensure the lives of animals are just as enjoyable as it is for us humans. This volunteer kept feeding this horse carrots out of his mouth. It was pretty dang cute!

I follow the Gentle Barn on Instagram and Facebook and have been choked up with every single post recently. Two members of the staff went all the way to Tennessee to save a cow named Dudley. Dudley was in such bad shape that one of his feet had to amputated.
You can read all about his journey here.
I immediately get teared up anytime I read an update on Dudley. His story is so inspiring and uplifting. I am so thankful he is receiving the care and treatment he deserves and will live out the rest of his days being hugged, brushed, pet, and loved.

Mark and I REALLY enjoyed the Gentle Barn! Everything was so wonderful... until I met an Arbonne rep named Ziggy. BUT we'll save that story for another day. :-)

Happy New Year: 2015

"Isn't it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back everything is different?"

2014 was a year full of ups and downs for me.

Many terrible things happened, but many great things also took place. The new year is a time to embrace change and move into the future with a warm heart and an open mind. I look forward to taking advantage of this period of regeneration and putting my resolutions to work! This year my resolutions are nothing more than feelings and ideas I attempt to implement in my everyday life. I have set attainable goals for myself which can easily be met with a little reconfiguration of my attitude and lifestyle choices.

I made some substantial changes in my life in 2014 and my biggest goal is to build on those practices to live a more balanced lifestyle. My greatest accomplishment of 2014 is the knowledge I've gained about animal rights with regard to vegetarianism & cruelty-free cosmetics.

This year I will continue to eat healthy vegetarian meals and focus on being active. I will also continue to support companies who produce cruelty-free products with vegan options, which is not only beneficial to the earth and the lives of animals, but also to my well-being. I will do things that make me happy—like write this blog—even if I am the only one who reads it. I will concentrate on being the best, most understanding, and supportive wife I can be. And finally, I will do all that I can to make my dreams a reality and continue to try to become pregnant.

I am surrounded by so much love and support through my friends and family, that I truly feel anything is possible! I am excited to see what 2015 has in store for Mark and I.

Anti-Animal Testing Protest

This blog post is about this article: Anti-Animal Testing Protest
A good friend of mine tagged me in a Facebook post saying, "this article reminds me of you".
It is from a couple years ago, but this is something I have grown increasingly passionate about over the past year, so here are my thoughts.

First, I think it is unfortunate that something this dramatic has to be done in order to raise awareness for such an archaic, outdated practice. I also find it unfortunate that protests of this caliber are not held in places (like the US) where animal testing is happening EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Many countries around world have banned or put laws into place restricting the testing of chemicals on animals for cosmetic purposes. Although we continue to make strides in this seemingly never ending battle, we are far from becoming a cruelty-free country (with regard to cosmetics). With all of the resources we now have, testing on animals is completely unnecessary and just plain depressing...

Second, I admire Jacqueline for going to such great lengths to stand up for what she believes in. The treatment she endured is similar to that of caged and helpless animals who are abused and tortured daily for no other reason than to perfect a cosmetic solution or discover new, less expensive ingredients for household items. People often turn a blind eye towards situations that make them feel uncomfortable or sad. I praise her for shedding light on this issue and bringing its sadistic nature into the streets for people to witness. If more people were aware and forced to recognize what is truly going on behind the closed doors of a laboratory, policies would change and people would be more concerned with animal rights. Animals are not humans, but that doesn't mean they don't deserve to be treated with respect. They are innocent, defenseless, and don't have a voice or free will to speak up and put an end to this.

Yes, there is a difference between her and the animals this is happening to. She has the power of free will. She is choosing to do this protest and allowing her fellow artist to conduct these experiments on her, BUT that is what makes this even more sad for animals—they don't have the option and they often die a painful, horrifying death (which is probably a relief to them after everything else they've been exposed to).

My hope is that some day we will live in a country (or even a world) that has more respect for the humans and animals that inhabit it. 

A Bearded Man Cooks Me Dinner

In our house I do most of the cooking—not because Mark is terrible, but because I enjoy it. However, there are some nights when I just don't feel like cooking... Luckily, he is there to save the day and whip up something tasty.

Last week Mark barbecued these delicious skewers on our Hasty Bake. He boiled the potatoes and corn on the stove. Then he stuck corn, potatoes, shrimp (and sausage on his) on wooden skewers, before seasoning them and grilling them on the BBQ. He served them over brown basmati rice. This meal was pretty simple and quite yummy!

Last night Mark created a veggie tikka masala Indian dish. He chopped cilantro, zucchini, squash, mushrooms, potatoes, and onion. He sauteed them in a large pan on the stove and once they were no longer raw, he mixed in a tikka masala sauce packet from Sprouts and a large handful of raw cashews. Once everything had simmered together for about 30 minutes he served it over tandoori rice and garnished with more cilantro. I have never been much of an Indian food lover, but Mark is a huge fan! I figure since he is—ever so-lovingly—putting up with my vegetarian dishes, it is only fair to branch out into his neck of the woods. I actually really enjoyed this dinner for a change! It was flavorful and zesty, plus it tastes identical to the way it smells (which I find uncommon for most foods). 

So grateful for this man! Thank you for being so supportive and encouraging during this time of change and exploration in my life. You are more than I could have ever hoped for and I appreciate your constant involvement as I strive to be the best woman, wife, and person I can be. 

Vegetarianism: 3 Reasons Why I Choose To Be A Vegetarian

My decision to not eat meat technically started a few months ago, but has been in the works for several years. Coming from a family that incorporates meat into every meal, you would think I'd be genetically programed to enjoy its fleshy consistency; however, my personal preference is quite the contrary. I have consumed my fair share of cheeseburgers throughout the years, but there are so many forms of meat that I have never enjoyed eating. As the years pass, I have slowly terminated certain meats from my diet. Earlier this year I made the decision to become a vegetarian—I suppose the correct terminology would be pescatarian because I would find life difficult to enjoy if I had to live without sushi. There are 3 major reasons why I decided to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle.

1.) Let's face it, I am a crazy animal lady! The thought of killing an animal brings a quiver to my lower lip—whether it be for meat, skin, fur, bone, etc. I don't want to be responsible for any animal suffering pain or experiencing fear of being repeatedly tortured and/or killed. I will admit, I can't even watch most of the videos out there today. It deeply saddens me to see any animal struggling or in pain. In my younger years, my views were still the same, yet I was able to disassociate my food from the reality that it was once living. However, I am unable to maintain the same willful ignorance as I become more knowledgeable on the topic of animal rights. There are countless meals which can be prepared without meat. This encourages me to get creative in the kitchen and prepare tasty meals (that satisfy my carnivorous husband).

2.) The older I get, the more health-conscious I become—especially since we plan to get pregnant in the near future. I want to focus on being the best woman I can be and that includes being the healthiest woman I can be. Vegetarianism helps me hold myself accountable for what I am eating. Each time I put a piece of food in my mouth I have to think about what is in it. Last year I would have no problem dipping my breakfast biscuit into my moms infamous gravy without ever thinking about the ingredients. Her gravy is made with fried sausage, one—it's pork (and who knows what else?!) and two—it's fried and extremely unhealthy. Deciding to be a vegetarian causes me to become more aware of the ingredients in the foods I am consuming. This allows me to stop and think before I eat anything and question if it is a healthy choice of food. Being vegetarian also forces me to eat more fruits and vegetables throughout the day. Instead of eating an egg and ham sandwich for breakfast, I eat a fresh fruit smoothie or oatmeal. Instead of eating a turkey sandwich for lunch, I eat a salad. Instead of eating a steak for dinner, I eat a veggie burger. I am able to incorporate more nutritious foods into my diet, that will help me to lose weight and remain healthy, without including meat.

3.) Since becoming a vegetarian I have learned to become more patient and excepting of other people's opinions and beliefs. Daily, I want to pull up videos on my iPhone for my husband to watch when he mentions craving ribs or beef stew for dinner. And no matter how much I know it won't change his perspective, I have a burning desire to inform him anyways. But the fact is, he is educated. He knows and understands what happens at slaughterhouses and to him it is just "the circle of life". Now don't get me wrong—he is a great guy and an animal (or should I say pet) lover, but he whole-heartedly believes that God put animals on this earth to feed humans. As his wife, I have to respect his decision to eat meat—just like he respects mine to not. He is completely aware of the facts and has made an educated decision, which he is entitled to. I strongly believe every individual should live a life that makes him/her happy and fulfilled, but I also believe people should spend more time educating themselves on the horrific events that occur at slaughterhouses and the frightening circumstances these animals are forced to endure. If someone has educated themselves and continues to be a meat-eater, fine. I can't say I understand it or agree with it, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion and lifestyle.

Not only has this change made a positive impact on my health, but also on my way of life. It gives me joy to live a more balanced lifestyle in which I eat more earth-based foods and use only organic & natural beauty products. I don't think I am quite committed enough just yet to live a completely vegan lifestyle, but I wouldn't rule it out completely for the future. I definitely enjoy vegan options of my favorite foods and snacks when they are available. This is a process and it has been a slow one up until now. I am always searching for new ways to better myself as a human and right now I feel like I am on the right track. J

Animal-Free Fashion

Being conscious about the products I buy is a choice I make, mostly because I am curious what will be clothing my body throughout the day, absorbing through my skin when I apply my makeup, and/or feeding my stomach when I eat.

The other day I was online shopping at Nordstrom and I noticed Toms had a line of vegan shoes. My first thought was, "aren't all of their shoes vegan?" I have been wearing Toms for years! I love the comfort they provide once they have molded to my feet. I can stand in them all day long without achy feet at the end of the night. They also have a large selection of styles and patterns to choose from. I own over 10 pair of Toms shoes. I Googled around a bit to see what I could find, but it all seemed like hearsay, so I though I would go straight to the source and find out.

I went to Toms website and clicked on the "Contact Us" section. I sent a message that asked, "I noticed you have a large selection of vegan shoes. What makes the traditional Toms shoes non-vegan?" A few hours later I received a message from Toms in my inbox. I was so excited to see what they had to say. I opened the email and read their response, "The non-vegan shoes have animal products in them." This response not only disappointed me, but frustrated me too. Obviously, I understand the meaning of vegan because I asked why a majority of them weren't. Wouldn't it be common knowledge that I am seeking a more detailed response instead of a reiteration of the word vegan? I wrote back and said, "I assumed this simply because they are "not vegan". Can you be a little more specific? What is used in the shoes to make them not vegan?" Needless to say the customer service representative didn't get back to me. 

About 2 days later I went back to Toms website and began the process all over again. I asked the same question, but a bit more specific. "I noticed Toms has a large selection of vegan shoes. Can you tell me what materials are used to classify the traditional Toms shoe as non-vegan?" When i received a response I was, once again, utterly disappointed to receive almost the exact same answer from another Toms employee. 

Immediately after receiving the second answer I went back on the website—with a little more attitude—and asked my question slightly more aggressively. "I have been emailing for the past few days and it is a bit disappointing that I cannot get a straight answer... I noticed Toms sells a selection of vegan shoes. What animal byproducts are used in the average Toms shoes which classifies them as non-vegan? I keep receiving answers like this, "All styles marked as "vegan" are made without any animal byproducts". I understand what vegan means. I am looking for specific materials that are used in the shoe, which makes it non-vegan. Please help me to understand what else is in my shoes, besides canvas and rubber." This time it only took about 30 minutes for my to receive a reply. I was more satisfied (well, not with the answer itself, but with the detailed explanation I was provided), "We use pig suede for all leather insole styles of TOMS. It is tanned (cured) like any garment leather. We back it with woven gauze to limit its stretch so the shoe keeps its fit over time."

I had no idea... This whole time I was under the impression my shoes were made out of canvas and rubber. I didn't realize that suede was even an animal product (but this is all part of the learning process). I have always been a curious person. My curiosity has definitely been enhanced since my new-found enlightenment about the world of cruelty-free and vegan products has begun earlier this year. I have recently begun purchasing faux-leather handbags, and to be honest, they are just a great as the leather ones I have. I clearly can't get rid of everything I own and replace it with new, cruelty-free and vegan products, but I can become more knowledgeable about the products I am actually buying. After taking a look at the vegan Toms, I think I am sold! They are just as stylish and not too much more expensive. I feel good in knowing I can take little steps to change my lifestyle for the better. I totally get it—we all have brands and products that we LOVE and don't want to live without, but if you have the option to purchase the same products you would usually purchase or a cruelty-free/vegan version of the same products you usually purchase, why wouldn't you make the change? It seems like a no-brainer for me!

I fully believe knowledge is power, but I also believe people should be free to make their own decisions; however, I wish more people would expand their horizons and be slightly more open to change. There are so many options to replace the cosmetic, clothing, and accessory brands we use that do not use animals in any way, shape, or form. All it takes is a little extra effort and research to find which brands will work for you. 

Tuesday & Tattoos

In my attempt to be a healthier human, I have been walking Domino for about 30 minutes every day. It is good for him and myself to get out each evening to stretch our legs and get some fresh air. Mark must have been in a good mood last night because he also walked my parents dog, Ammo. Ammo isn't as well behaved as our beloved Domino, so my mom is usually the one who takes him out. Last night Ammo was on his best behavior and these two besties had a great time strutting their stuff around the block.

After our walk I prepared a very easy (and scrumptious) dinner. Sprouts carries a nice assortment of frozen fish, so anytime there is a sale I try to stock up. Mark enjoys fish and it is a nice break from all of the meat he consumes. I preheated the oven to 400 degrees and tossed two fillets in two separate pie tins. This particular fish is coconut breaded tilapia and when it was finished cooking it smelled amazing! I also took a bag of frozen brussel sprouts and put them in a baking dish. I put the fish and the sprouts in the oven for about 30 minutes. I had a bag of frozen quinoa and kale, so I put that in the microwave too. This dinner took literally no effort, but Mark enjoyed it. I am so lucky he isn't a picky eater! 

After dinner we stopped by Mechanical Concepts Tattoo in Huntington Beach to watch my mom get her first tattoo. Anyone who knows me, knows how much I LOVE tattoos! I got my first tattoo at 15 years old—in a hotel room—which I will admit, isn't my proudest moment, but I have been hooked ever since. I ended up getting another at age 16 in Mexico and another at age 17 in Hawaii.

In high school, there was a shop called Outer Limits on Tustin and Chapman in Orange that everyone went to for tattoos and piercings. They were infamous for being exceptionally clean and doing incredible work. I got my first legal tattoo at Outer Limits when I was 18 and just kept coming back. My tattoo artist was named Mike D and he was one of the best artists at the shop. About 4 years ago him and his wife moved to North Carolina to open his own shop. This left me without an artist... 

Throughout my time working in the bridal industry, I met all sorts of people: doctors, lawyers, homemakers, fiances of famous sports figures and news casters, morticians, flight attendants, models, and even tattoo artists. I had remembered helping a cute little lady who went by the name of "L". She was spunky and had a light in her eyes that everyone around her was drawn to. She was engaged and during her appointment I helped her find her dream dress. As we got to know each other she told me she was an artist at Outer Limits—at the time I didn't think anything of it because I had always gone to Mike, but I am sure glad I kept her in my mental Rolodex because when I found out he was leaving I needed to find a replacement. 

I examined L's profile and really admired her style of work. Her and I worked together to design my half sleeve and I couldn't be happier with the outcome. Over the years she has become one of my closest friends. Outer Limits closed earlier this year and L relocated to a new shop (which better suits her).

Now where was I? Oh yeah, my mom has been wanting to get a tattoo for some time now and she always knew she wanted to go to L. She finally made the appointment and committed to a design, but our whole family was worried how she would deal with the pain. My mom is small and not exactly what I would call "tough"; however, she sat like a champ. Aside from digging her nails into my dads hand, she made it through the 1 1/2 hour session like a pro. 

The First Weekend of September

As usual, Mark and I had a busy weekend spending time with friends and family. I started my weekend off right by leaving work a little early, so I could go home and cuddle my dogs. I sat down and watched a movie while these two big cuddle monsters made my legs fall asleep.

#dalmatiandogpile

When Mark got home from work, we got ready and met two of our favorite people for a sushi date at Sushi Boom on Chapman in Orange. We are so lucky that our friends Brian and Jen Jen share the same intense love for sushi that we do. And of course, no Japanese meal would be complete without tempera Oreos and green tea ice cream. 

Mark treated me to an early lunch on Saturday. We walked to Arthur's while our tires were being rotated on both cars. It was nice to sit and chat over a nice meal—on a weekend. Since we have been together Mark has worked Saturdays. He was finally able to quite his Saturday job and now he only works side jobs, which leaves him more time to spend with me. J

After doing all of my wifely duties on Saturday afternoon (laundry, dusting, organizing, etc.), I treated myself to a mani/pedi duo at my favorite nail salon, Lee Nail Spa at the Orange Mall. I went with a classic white to brighten up my week!

Later that evening Mark and I attended a surprise birthday dinner for Mary, Mark's mom. Their good friends Brad and Linda held a dinner party at their house for 20 of Mary's closest friends and family. 

Sunday we spent the day at the Santa Ana Zoo where we celebrated Daniella's 2nd birthday! Daniella is the daughter of my high school BFF. She is obviously super busy raising a toddler, so it was great to catch up and enjoy each others company. 

Needless to say, we were exhausted by the time Sunday night came around. We were so excited to be part of two special birthday celebrations! 

Labor Day Weekend

I don't know about you, but I had a very busy, fun-filled Labor Day weekend! My oldest brother, Mark, my dad, and some of my male cousins and uncles went camping over the weekend, so my mom and I decided to have a girls weekend. We gallivanted all over town and by Monday night, we were exhausted!

It all started Saturday afternoon when we visited the Orange International Street Fair. The street fair takes place at the Orange Circle or The Plaza (whichever you prefer), every August. It is considered old-town Orange—surrounded by beautifully maintained historic houses, vintage eateries, and the infamous Chapman University. The city blocks off several streets and assigns different countries to each section. In each "county" there is live music, ethnic food, beer, etc. There are also booths selling everything from art and jewelry to kitchenware and clothes. It is a great place to meet your friends, grab a bite to eat, and observe the inebriated fair goers (or elderly women line-dancing).

Our first stop was my new favorite ice cream parlor, à la minute. What makes this place unique, is the technique they use to make their exquisite frozen concoctions. à la minute uses liquid nitrogen to freeze their ice cream so they can make it right before your eyes. They also claim to use a 100% organic ice cream base and strive to purchase ingredients from local distributors. Mom and I shared fresh mint chip—it was divine. 

We then moved along to the accessory booths were I picked up some awesome items thanks to StyleFox! I fell in love with this chunky, color block piece (it was on sale too!). I enjoy the modern, yet Art Deco vibe that this necklace gives off. 

The next piece I found drew me in with the color alone! I am a huge fan of the color pink and absolutely love the knotted flowers made of rope. This necklace is a bold, statement piece that will bring a burst of color to any monochromatic outfit. 

The final item I chose for myself is this striped, canvas handbag. I am obsessed with all of the colors because I feel like I can make it work with nearly any outfit. This bag also has a super cute light blue, peacock feather pattern liner. My favorite thing about this bag has to be the FAUX leather. No animals were harmed in the making of this purse... J

 

My sister-in-law, Megan, recently rented a home near "the circle" in Orange. She was away for the weekend and allowed us to use her driveway to park so we could walk right into the fair. I got her a little sum'n sum'n as a thank you.

Check out StyleFox's online store!

We ended the night at my favorite street: IRELAND. I do enjoy the food and occasionally the beer, but I LOVE the music (and apparently the crowd did too). 

The fair wound-down around about an hour before closing, which is 10pm. My mom and I promised my grandfather a bratwurst sausage so we picked one up and headed down the street to his house. We spent about an hour and a half talking and then headed home. When we finally got home it was past 11pm, but we took the dogs on a walk anyways. I enjoy walking Domino at night because he has a pretty rad light-up leash and collar combo.

The next morning we headed to The Velvet Lounge in Santa Ana for a buffet, endless champagne, drag show brunch! My mom and I were accompanied by my dear friends Jen Jen and Ruthie. 

Monday my mom and I went to the movies to see Maleficent (finally!) and of course we brought Yogurtland to snack on during the film. We finished off the weekend with lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant, Richardo's. All in all, I would say it was a very successful ladies weekend!