If you read my previous post you know about my lovely visit to Plitvicka. What you don't know is that we were supposed to stay there another night, but thought, what's the point? We've seen and done everything in this little town so we decided to take a road trip down to the Dalmation Coast and begin our ocean adventures in Zadar. And thank gosh we did! This sleepy little beach town had one of the most peaceful art installations I had ever seen. If you ever have the chance to experience the Sea Organ, an architectural object and an experimental musical instrument, which plays music by way of sea waves and tubes located underneath a set of large marble steps, do it. You won't be disappointed. Ryan was able to jump off it and swim with the locals at sunset, a quiet and peaceful experience where everyone claps when the sun goes down. I thought, if only I was brave enough to do this, but alas, I've always been scared of things that are new to me and slightly daring. That night I promised myself that I would return in the morning to face my fears and make the plunge. We came back early, where I was hoping to be the only ones and of course it was full of more locals jumping off and swimming. It took probably a half hour of convincing myself, but finally once Ryan told me he would hold my hand and not let go, I jumped off the sea organ into the deep blue. What a rewarding and beautiful experience that I'll never forget thanks to Ryan, my extremely daring and always adventurous, big fish, who never lets me walk away from things that may scare me.

Hat: Nordstrom Rack

Necklace: Brass Plum Nordstrom

Dress: BKB in Hermosa Beach

Shoes: BCBG

Sunset at The Sea Organ

Frida the Monkey wandering around Zadar

Exploring the Roman Ruins in 

Tank Top: Forever 21

Beaded Necklace: Nordstrom

Shorts: Angel

Shoes: Steve Madden

Captain Hat: Croatian Souvenir

After my jump into the ocean

Hat: LA Dodgers cap

Bikini: Sperry

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Plitvice Lakes, or Plitvicka Jezera. However you want to say it, say it, or don't. I'm pretty sure every Croatian person I met pronounced it differently anyway. Whichever way you choose it will remain to be one of the most beautiful National Parks I've ever seen. Sea foam green, sometimes light blue, sometimes crystal clear water engulfs you from every angle. I honestly felt like a fairy was going to fly by me and sprinkle her fairy dust. The walking areas are somewhat frightening; a four foot wide wooden bridge with no hand rails, and only two feet between you and the water. Falling in wouldn't be the worst thing that happened, it's hot out and the water looked seriously refreshing, besides for the millions of fish swimming in circles (I hate fish). We got an early start knowing we had a very long six mile trek ahead of us in the scorching sun, beginning at the lower lakes, and finishing up at the upper lakes. Besides the view of the gorgeous, delicate waterfalls, I couldn't get enough people watching in: a foreign couple with their Pug t-shirts and their pug in a legitimate baby stroller, four young ladies from Indonesia that kept trying to get in our picture, Chinese tour groups that would not walk on the right side of the teeny bridge, two nomadic Americans in search of their next adventure; we experienced it all, while laughing and sweating along the way. Plitvicka, Plitvice, Plitvijka- thank you for showing us all your radiant beauty. We'll never forget you.

Hat: Freedom Artists

Tank top: Lulu Lemon (usually too pricey for me, but when it's really hot this material is the best)

Shorts: Champion

Fanny Pack: Eagle Creek

Shoes: New Balance

It's crazy to think that it's been twelve whole years since I lived in London, and for some reason I can't seem to let it go. It's like a breakup that I never recovered from. I had a rebound fling with Hong Kong, but to my surprise, I still couldn't let London go. So I returned, and returned again, and again, and again, and again. I'm not kidding you. But when I met Ryan, I stopped my wild travel excursions to be taken seriously by my new love. It's been 6 years since I last visited and when Ryan told me we were going to Europe for our Honeymoon, he surprised me with a four day stop in London so I could show him around. This guy knows the way to my heart. It was everything I could have ever dreamed of. The love of my life with me and the "other" love of my life. Tears streamed down my cheeks when the plane landed at Heathrow; I had made it back to my home...Marks & Spencer hummus, Cadbury Flakes, Haribo Starmix, Boots Pharmacy, Costa Coffee, Pret-A-Manger sammies.... were all waiting for me. I know what you're thinking: that I can find all that in the US now! But alas, you will never understand how different it is. I took Ryan to all my favourite old walking spots along the Thames starting at the Eye and making it to The Globe. Visiting my favorite museum, The Tate Modern (which I don't love as much in my 30's, but was so hip when I was 20), checking out The National Theatre, where my fellow classmates and I would catch the latest Helen Mirren play on a Thursday. He even did my old walk to school with me so I could see my old friends, The Giraffes (who I named Goldie and Lucy back in the day) in Regents Park, went to the market in Camden where I would buy earrings to wear out that night on my lunch break.
When it was time to part, I cried. The way to the airport was ripping out my heart strings. I always thought I would settle down in London and live there forever. But I look over and see Ryan next to me. He holds my hand, knowing how hard it is for me but still smiles. I'll always have London to visit, but there's only one perfect person for me, and it's not her, it will always be Ry, a million times over.

Warm Saturday at Portobello Market

Hat: DSW

Bead Necklace: Nordstrom

Tank Top: Forever 21

Jeans: Gap

Shopping Bag: Stumper Fielding on Portobello Road

Shoes: New Balance

PS- most of this is now gone since my luggage was stolen :(

Walking through Regents Park to my old tube stop at St Johns Wood

Scarf: Nordstrom

Sweater: Irene's Story

Jeans: H & M 

Earrings: Nordstrom Rack

Glasses: Francesca's

Travel gear needs to be simple and easy so I can mix and match the whole trip! 

What a fabulous weekend I had bonding with my sweet, adorable nieces. Marrying Ryan, if anything was the best thing because I gained these two into my life. They live in Ohio so they were only here for the summer, and sadly they have to leave to go back to school tomorrow. Kylie, the ever stylish and girly 12 year old, and Joli, the spunky 9 year old tomboy, loved helping me with everything ALL weekend. I couldn't believe how these two wanted to cook with me, clean for me, pick out my clothes- everything! How did I get so lucky, and when did kids become this fun and helpful?? I'm already bummed about them leaving, but looking forward to a lifetime of dancing the "nay nay", swimming in the ocean holding hands, future holidays, clothing shopping, photo taking, watching American Ninjas, Tammie's muffins and watching these two beautiful girls grow up- hopefully not too soon. 

PS they picked my outfit and photographed me for todays' post :) 

Aren't they just the cutest????

Hat: Nine West

Shirt: Nordstrom soft black V Neck

Lace halter bra- lette: from Frocks & Rocks in El Segundo

Skirt: Forever 21

Bead Necklace: Nordstrom

Sunglasses: Forever 21

Booties: Dolce Vita at Nordstrom

Let's face it, I'm not a size 2, or a 4. I am also cursed, or blessed, with rather large hips and a butt too. In this day and age where curves are all the rage, I still haven't come to embrace mine, and it's difficult to wear all the super cute styles that are suited to a tiny girl, and not a size 6. However, I do enjoy my muscular legs and am thankful at times that I look like a woman. I am still learning to wear tight dresses, but as I get older (oh my god 32!), I sometimes feel like I garner too much attention with my big hips and I am not the girl that loves all eyes on her goods. So, until I embrace the bootie I will show you one of my favorite flowey dresses that works perfectly in the summertime and can easily transition into fall with some cute leggings, boots and a scarf. And maybe soon, I'll debut a tighter look, if my husbands' lucky.... ;)

White dress with eyelet detail: Nordstrom Rack

Scarf: Nordstrom Brass Plum

Lace booties: Anthropologie

Sunglasses: Forever 21

Turquoise earrings: vintage

Obviously when you live at the beach life is pretty much fabulous, and we are the luckiest people in the world to live where we do. I happen to be even luckier to have my parents live up the street from me. Which also means, family brunch- all the time. My family frequents our neighborhood café, Tammie's, for their delicious muffins, cappuccinos and omelettes. However, on this Friday, Tammie's was ::gasp:: closed! How could she? So my parents and I had to venture up north to 22nd street to try out the new Green Store spot. As a kid I was a regular at The Green Store. They had those delicious gum cigarettes (how could they make those??), and long fruit popsicles. But now, since Hermosa is changing everything, they sold and updated to a fancier, schmancier shop that serves french bread, Boar's Head meat, and "Boxed Water" (what?).  We had a blast trying something new, (even though my dad's Greek Omelette had green martini olives in it), and I had fun wrangling my momma to snap a few pics of me in my Friday Brunch Best. 

Leggings: Nordtrom

Tank Top: Old Navy

Long button top: Forever 21

Sandals: Old Navy

Necklace: Forever 21

Sunglasses: TOMS

Last weekend I happily became a Godmother. Ryans' sister, Jenny, and her hubby, Joe, asked us to be there for their precious daughter, Presley. How proud we both were and what a special day for the family. I've told you all in my previous "Going to the Chapel" post that we always have a wedding to attend, and this was no exception. From the Baptism in Malibu, we were to head straight to a 3:30 wedding in Cayucos, California (central coast). So, I had to be ready for both the baptism and the wedding, that was to go ALL night. Church and outdoor wedding attire into one...you think it's easy, right? But you want to be somewhat cute and sassy for a barn wedding, and you have to be classy and elegant for a baptism....how to tie them into one??? Here you go..... 

Tie tank top : ANGL

Ruffle skirt: Anthropologie (on sale!)

Shoes: Enzo Angiolini (the red shoes are everything here)

Sunglasses: Ray Ban

Leaf Bracelet: H & M