Prepping for Summer

What I am wearing:
Minnie Ears - Disney (purchase here)
Romper - Forever 21 (purchase here)
Belt - Forever 21 (similar here)
Boots - Steve Madden (similar here)
Watch - TOKYObay (purchase here)
Rings - Tiffany & Co. and ToFebruary
Hat - Cotton On (similar here)
Bracelets - BCBG (purchase here), James Avery, and Crew Cuts
If there is one thing that I know I have not done in years, it is taking a vacation. Over the past eight to nine years, I have purposely missed out on family vacations because of school and work. I admit it, I am a work-a-holic. I keep telling myself over and over that school is important and I have to do well in order to get a good job. Boy, was I wrong. At the end of the day, employers do not look at what grades you got in school but how you apply what you have learned to every day situations. I could be the top of my class, but lose a position/interview because my people skills were not up to par with someone who did average in school. It was an expensive yet draining experience.

I am happy to announce that after all those nights staying up for finals and sewing myself backwards, I am taking a real vacation. In exactly a month from now I will be basking in Florida's sunshine and cruising to the Caribbean where I will thoroughly enjoy my stay at the Disney World Resort (and visiting the Harry Potter attraction at Universal's). I am stoked and a bit scared. What plans do you guys have for summer? Also, if you have been to the Caribbean or Florida, what places should I visit and how should I pack? Should I even do a "What I Packed For My Vacation" post?

P.S. Do you like my new layout? I have been banging my head against my keyboard for weeks trying to clean out my layout. I really wanted it to be minimalistic while still keeping true to who I am as a designer. Let me know your thoughts!

Bi-Weekly Instagram: Food and Changes

(01) Strawberry and greens salad with chipotle dressing. (03) Participated in "Comic Book Day" on May 4th with Watchmen. (05) Purchased Pharrell's Places and Spaces I've Been book. (07) Rediscovering Yogurtland again. (09) Found my love for the guitar and ukulele again. (11) Obsession with pastel treats. (13) Zara top (old), JCrew shorts (old), BCBG bracelet, TOKYObay watch

I rearranged my furniture so I wake up to the sun. (02) My boyfriend's brother's kitty, Bailey. (04) Taco salad minus the hard shell tacos. (06) My boyfriend bought me an iPad Mini. (08) My secret egg roll recipe. (10) H&M top (old), Target shorts, Crew Cuts bracelet (similar) (12) You can eat anything, but in moderation. (14)

I think I owe many of you an explanation for being gone for nearly a month. My camera that I shoot with (Canon PowerShot S95) has a bad battery so I have been waiting patiently for a new one to arrive. I also could not take any outfit photos because I had relatives visiting for half a week as well. Many of you pushed me to figure out something to post so I figured that this would just have to do in the mean time, haha. For those of you who do not know, I am back on Instagram again as (@penandthinker). My Instagram hiatus is over, but I do not post as frequently as I did before so you definitely do not have to follow me.

I want to take this time and thank all you mothers out there for being fantastic parents and that your children do love and appreciate you. Have a safe weekend everyone and have a Happy Mother's Day this Sunday!

Secrets Revealed

What I am wearing:
Top - Zara (old, similar here)
Shorts - J.Crew (old, similar here)
Sneakers - Vans (purchase here)
Beanie - Neff (purchase here)
Ring - Tiffany & Co (old, similar here)
iPhone Accessory - Artbox (purchase here)

What he is wearing:
Top - Uniqlo (purchase here)
Jeans - Uniqlo (purchase here)
Sunglasses - Rayban (purchase here)
Watch - Timex (purchase here)
Sneakers - Nike SB P-Rod (purchase here)
First and foremost, I do want to say that it was very difficult for me to even want to post this up with the horrific event that happened in Boston just yesterday. Please do keep everyone in that area in your prayers and if you do not pray, keep them in your thoughts.

I apologize that this post was so picture heavy, but I could not write this post in parts no matter how hard I tried to. This past weekend was the best weekend that I have ever experienced in a long while and the reason being was that I got to see my boyfriend. The last time I saw him was in June of 2012. He lives in Hawaii and I live in California. They say that long distance relationships do not work because you miss out on things that "normal" couples get to experience. I never went into the relationship thinking that it would not work out because of the amount of water between the two of us. In fact, every time that I have ever gotten to see him made me fall in love with him all over again. It was like going on constant first dates and honestly it makes it easier and easier for us to say goodbye each time we have to part from each other.

The meaning behind today's post is all about my secret relationship. That's right. All of you know that I was in a relationship, but my family did not! This weekend, I finally had my boyfriend meet my family and introduced him! This was pretty shocking for them as I have never bought home a boy and introduced them as my boyfriend. Now that the meeting was a success, I can now plan my trip to Hawaii and visit his family. Love is a beautiful thing, especially when you can share it with others.

Appreciate the ones that stick by you and tell them that you love them.