Dragon Fruit

I was lucky enough to be included in Samantha from Dragon Fruit's very first giveaway, and to my surprise i won! The jewelry i am going to receive is created by Portugal designer S. Maria Rosa. The pieces are so unique and beautiful-unlike anything i have ever seen before. I am so excited i can't wait to get them in the mail. Thank you again Samantha!!

You can check out her AMAZING blog here, i'm sure you will love it too!

Oscars 2011

My favorite looks from the Oscars last year. Absolutely gorgeous! 

I am up to my neck in homework today but i'm hoping that i will be able to finish just in time to watch my favorite part--the arrivals. And if i don't finish, i'm sure i can squeeze in just a few minutes ;) I can't wait to see this years gowns and get-ups on the red carpet.

Who and what i am rooting for-

Actor in leading role-Jeff Bridges

Actress in leading role-Natalie Portman

Best Picture-Tie for me, between Inception and Black Swan

What are you most excited for?

xo,

Rachael

Birthday surprise!

This past thursday was my boyfriend spencer's 19th birthday and these are a few pictures (taken with my phone so they are not of the best quality) of the gift i gave him! Last week had been both hectic and exciting, trying to plan out the perfect birthday present. After being together for three years i have somewhat run out of ideas on what to give him, without repeating any gifts. I have always loved going all out on presents to make sure he has a special day, and i didn't want this birthday to be any different. After lots of debating i finally decided what to give him and i think it was a success!

Here is a list of what is inside the basket:

• Striped T-shirt from RipCurl
• $50 Vans giftcard for new shoes
• Stance socks to go with new shoes--sounds strange but seriously best socks around!
• Variety of gluten free snacks (because he is now gluten free!) including hard candies, peanut butter cups, chips, pretzels, and beef jerkey!
• Funny card with a picture that looks like my crazy cat that loves spencer

I can't take credit for the wrapping though--my sister should be a professional wrapper, she is amazing. Even though it is somewhat hard to tell without having seen it in person, it looked awesome!

And today we took a trip to the mall so spencer could pick up his new shoes :)

Hope everyone is enjoying their saturday!

xoxo, Rachael

Dear god, make me a bird so i can fly far, far, away from here

After weeks of discussing where my family will go on our next trip, I seriously cannot wait for summer! I am counting down the days until i can have the stresses of school and all of the work it entails lifted off my shoulders. (At least until my summer classes start :( ). I need some down time to clear my head and i think a family vacation will be the perfect thing. Last year there was nothing but June Gloom, even through July and August. I think its safe to say i went back to school paler than when i finished classes! So hopefully a relaxing trip away will make up for last summers dreadful weather and a nice treat for all of the hard work.  It is still unsure of the specifics on when and where we are going just yet, but what i can say is i will be sure to pack all my favorite bikinis ;) I'm craving some fun in the sun and that comforting feeling of being able to wear my bathing suit all day long. Three more months-I got this!

I'll meet you where the waters warm; To meet my solitude-to meet it head on.

Even though the sun was out and shinning, the air felt breezy and chilly as it is beginning to get cooler in preparation for more rain this weekend. So to stay warm for school today, I sported my new favorite sweater that i scored at the LF sale. LF is by fair the best boutique in town. (Well, close to my town it is about fifteen minutes away in Laguna Beach) And although it is completely out of my budget, I love absolutely everything in the store. They carry everything from limited edition Jeffrey Campbells, Millau, Mink Pink, Y-London, and not to mention the most amazing jewelry. So when i heard about their 60% off only sale of the season i jumped right on it! And when i mean right on it, i mean waking up at 6:30 to get there when they opened at 8. And needless to say it was worth it! I came home arms filled with some gorgeous pieces-this sweater being my favorite. The cozy draping and nordic print caught my eyes immediately, and the fact that it was sixty percent of the jaw dropping $178 price tag was even better. If you have not heard of LF yet, you can check out their site here!

(Wearing: LF sweater, F21 lightweight sweater (underneath), H&M skirt and sunnies, UO tights, Steve Madden booties, misc. jewelry)

Happy Wednesday everyone! 

I'm going to be spending the rest of the evening watching the premiere of America's Next Top Model and eating some well deserved cookies ;)

xoxo,

Rachael

Samantha Gradoville

 Samantha Gradoville by Sean & Seng for POP SS 2011

Doning some of the most colorful prints of the season, including designs by Prada, Versace, and Max Mara, Samantha Gradoville looks absolutley stunning in this shoot by Sean & Seng. Makes me want to visit Thailand even more now!

Alexander Wang

Alexander Wang Spring 2011 collection.

(source: Vogue)

 Effortlessly beautiful

xo, Rachael

Let the sun rain down on me 'till covered in dew

(Saw this Rolls Royce in the parking lot! it was g o r g e o u s)

The rain finally let up today leaving the most gorgeous puffy white clouds and sun-filled sky. Perfect day for an adventure! My sister Julia and i headed to old town San Juan to check out my favorite vintage finds store--Antique Barn. A"barn" (which has that appearance from the inside) featuring 10,000 square feet of some of the most unique and cool vintage pieces-what could be better than that?! If you ever find yourself in the area you need to stop by, it is amazing! After visiting each of the seven sections and coming across some really creepy old babydolls, i unfortunately left the store empty handed. (Although there were several items including three amazing mink coats that i was coveting, i have been trying out this new thing where i don't buy everything insight. So far it's working..maybe..sorta?) Afterwards we headed over to Rambos street to check out the old no longer running train station and the adorable homes turned boutiques. At the end of the road is a family run petting zoo which we of course had to stop by. It cost about ten dollars per person to enter, but standing from the fence outside there is just enough room to reach your hand down and pet a few llamas, a donkey and an emu! Definitely one of the funnest days i have had in a long time.

(Wearing: H&M poncho sweater and sunnies, Paige denim jeggins, Collin Stuart boots, DIY necklace, Steve Madden satchel. On my sister: UO blouse, watch, and bag, Paige jeans, raybans, Steve Madden boots)

xo, Rachael