So You're Looking for the Perfect Graduation Gift

Fret not! I've got you covered!

It's that time of year again! GRADUATION TIME!! I am going to my friend's graduation this weekend and I can't wait to be there for her like she was there for me! And then in the following weeks, the rest of my friends with be graduating!! It's such an exciting time and it really feels like their is electricity in the air. Everyone is buzzing and ready for the next big thing!

I thought I would round up a few of my favorite gift ideas for anyone struggling with what to get their friend/loved one/etc. Let's begin!

1. For my graduation/our Christmas gifts, my friend bought us all bracelets that said, "Tucson." I absolutely love my bracelet and it's such a special gift because we all will be leaving/left Tucson and now we can always remember the memories we had in that desert town. You can put the person's name or the name of the city they went to college or even their hometown! Either way, it will really mean something. HERE'S the one in the picture. There are so many options though.

2. I. Love. Flowers. Honestly, who doesn't? Is there anything sweeter than being gifted flowers? Well what about if those flowers came straight from the fields and also helped charities such as Wish Upon a Teen and Trees4Trees? Bloom2Bloom would be a perfect gift for a grad who is further away but you still want to send some love. We sent two bouquets to some relatives and they LOVED them.

3. This one is similar to the first but in necklace form. How fun would it be to get someone a state outline of where they went to college or are headed to next? Or even their home state! Etsy has some gorgeous ones like THIS one. Also, I'm such a fan of rose gold.

4. Now this one would be tricky for me because I can't bake very well for the life of me but I have friends who love to bake for special occasions and give the goodies as gifts. I think it's a great idea because you spent not only money but a good chunk of time to bake the yummy treat. Also, if the cake has edible flowers such as the one ABOVE, then bonus points.

4. For my graduation I also received a blanket similar to THE ONE in the photo that screams the Southwest. My friend gave it to me and it's always something I'll treasure to remember my time in the desert. I have it lying at the end of my bed for a pop of color. How nice would it be if you got the graduate something unique from their area?

5. Lastly, everyone can use a beautiful candle like the one ABOVE. Not only will it smell amazing but it can also be a nice decorative piece! If you or your family is giving money as a graduation present, this could also be a nice complementary piece. I'm obsessed with that blue color!!

Did I miss anything?? If so, let me know in the comments!!

So....

I'M GOING TO GRAD SCHOOL!!

I'm moving to Oregon in August to get my masters in Speech-Language Pathology and I couldn't be more excited!!

I have to be honest though. I was 99% sure this wasn't going to happen. I completely felt like God was telling me grad school was not a stop in my path and instead I needed to find alternatives. On MONDAY I was looking up apartments and jobs in the Sacramento area so I could be proactive and have a plan for once the summer ends. And honestly, I was content. I had grappled with the pain and rejection of not getting in anywhere all of March and April was spent picking up the pieces and trying to find a purpose. 

But God is sneaky like that. I think He wanted me to sweat it out a little bit and see how I handled it. And He wanted me to see that no matter the outcome, I would be fine regardless. 

My mom and I both agree that if I had heard in February or March when everyone else I know heard their good news, I probably would not have enjoyed it as much and would not have gone through the important journey I did. I wouldn't wish my March on anyone because it was filled with a lot of heartbreak and uncertainty but at the same time, isn't that when we learn the most? Isn't that when we realize how strong we really can be? I look back on the last two months and I think, "Dang, I'm proud of myself! High fives all around!"

Just as Whitney from Blonde Atlas wrote in her Saturday post, God places those periods of "Saturdays" in our lives for a reason. If I had not experienced my own Saturday, then my Sunday would not have been as sweet. My Sunday would not have been such a huge exhale and sense of relief. And as much as I struggled with the waiting in the beginning, I really do believe that I was trusting almost the whole way. I made plans, I updated resumes, I looked for jobs, I sought out advice, etc. etc.

So when I heard my exciting Sunday news, I was shocked, I was elated and I was emotional. I immediately called up everyone I hold dear and shouted the news to them. And because we had all been on this journey together, there were many joy-filled screams. 

And to close it all out, my parents and I bought some champagne and toasted to the roller coaster ride this spring has been. Is there any better way to celebrate??


"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for these who have been trained by it."
-Hebrews 12:11 

These Are a Few of my Favorite Links

*link

What. A. Week.

Guys, God is so good. I have a pretty exciting post for Monday, but if you follow me on any social media like TWITTER or INSTAGRAM, then you may know what it's going to be about. ;) 

For now, here are some of my favorite bits and pieces from across the web::

1. THIS post and recipe by Amanda at Marshall's Abroad looks mouthwateringly delicious!!

2. Love THIS lace tunic on Haley from Sequins & Things!!

3. THIS post on 25 Famous Women on Female Friendship was SO good. Seriously I love when women build up other women.

4. Can I have all of Happy Habitat's blankets?? Look at THIS one!

5. Gift giving is my love language and so THIS company has the right idea. I love the idea of sending little parties to people we love.

And because I know we all lead busy lives and I don't want to keep you too long, I'll keep it to five. But thank you for stopping by and have a great weekend!!

Off to the Safari

I wore my hair wild (aka natural) to really get into the safari vibe I feel when I wear this vest. 

When I first saw THIS VEST I thought it was a bit too daring for me and then my aunt persuaded me to try it on and we both loved it. I paired it with my Target white JEANS and I love how it pops the vest even more. I decided to wear it as a shirt but you could easily wear a shirt underneath for colder weather.

Is anyone else freaking out that it's almost May? I just looked at my calendar and had a mini panic attack that May is sneaking up so quickly! There is so much to do to prep for May and I'm not anywhere near ready. Yaaaaaaaaaay. ;)

Maybe it's just a mid-week thing. HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

Why Knot {Explore}: UC Davis Picnic Day

 This past weekend, my friend Sarah invited me to her school's picnic day! She goes to UC Davis and even though it's only a short drive from where I live AND my mom went to school there, I had never seen the campus or the cute town. Davis is seriously adorable and everyone bikes, which I absolutely loved. It was a jam-packed day in the hot sun (it was almost 90 degrees!!) but so much fun! 

Here are some highlights::

 One of the biggest highlights for me was when I got to milk a cow!! How many people can say they've milked a cow?? It was actually pretty easy and the cow (her name was Pretty Lady) didn't seem to mind all that much. Such a neat experience!

 I firmly believe these will never get old. We had the perfect amount of people to be all of the animals!

 Sarah and I both made the wise decision to wear hats or else I think my pale skin would have easily burnt. It doesn't take much. I'm actually pretty proud of myself because I only got the smallest sunburn after a whole day in the sun! (#irishskinproblems)

 

We saw this "Coke" can in the distance and thought it was pretty hilarious. I wish I could say I don't drink soda because I know it's absolutely horrible for you but every once in a while there is nothing better than a couple sips of Coke. I actually prefer Coke Icees above all else. 

I missed the UA Spring Fling this year but made up for it with Picnic Day. Experiencing something like Picnic Day made me so glad to live in Northern California. UC Davis is doing a ton of research in sustainable farming and trying to find the best way to feed a growing world and I find it fascinating and so important!

Hope you had a great weekend!! Listen to "The Fall" by Imagine Dragons and wait for the build if you need a way to escape the Monday blues. :)

P.S. If you don't already, you can follow me on Instagram HERE! Join the party! 

Style Crush// Jamie Chung

Have you guys witnessed the amazing style of Jamie Chung yet?? I ran across the second to last picture of her outfit she wore to Coachella this past weekend and it stopped me in my tracks. So classy! Yet still so fun! Basically it's my dream music festival outfit. I would probably look like I was going to a business meeting wearing a long pencil skirt like that but she totally pulls it off. 

Can I have her closet?? I would wear all of the above in a heartbeat. She even has an amazing style blog called, WHAT THE CHUNG? that you should check out. She seems down to earth and fun too which is an added bonus to her spot-on style.

Also, side-note but doesn't it seem like an influx of celebrities are starting fashion/lifestyle blogs? Julianne Hough just started one and who knows who's next!

 Who is your current style inspiration?

And happy Friday! Have a fantastic weekend! I'm going to UC Davis' Picnic Day and on Sunday my town is having an antique fair!! Can't wait for both!

The Highlight Reels

I was reading the She Reads Truth Monday devotional post all about seeking and they wrote something that made me sit up and think. In the first paragraph they talk about a characters epiphany in a movie. You know the one when they realize how they've been living their life all wrong/their best guy friend is actually the love of their life/how they need to take THAT job, the one they've been avoiding/ etc. etc. etc. All the cliche epiphany's. 

But I do love that part in the movies. I love when we've been sitting there for an hour watching his/her life build up to one moment and when it's just about to happen, I often find myself grinning and giddy. Even when it has nothing to do with my life, watching someone's life pan out, even a fictional life, is exhilarating and worth watching. Is she going to get the guy? Is the guy going to realize that she's "the one"? Will the company finally realize his/her potential?  Will she leave everything and pursue the dream?

Sometimes it seems nice to have a short story like in movies. To have a clear beginning, middle and end all wrapped into 2 hours and the character has all their questions answered. But then I realize I like the nitty gritty of daily life. Movies don't show daily life. They show the highlight reel of a characters life. We all get those highlight reels every once in a while, but then we also have the bits that would never make it into a movie because, let's be real, they aren't often that entertaining.

I feel like I am right at my epiphany. Or at least I hope I am. ;) And this is just one epiphany of many! I want this section of my life to be jam packed with fun highlight reels (with the occasional boring bits) and I want to take the leap. I'm not sure what "the leap" is yet, but I'm sure it'll be exciting and terrifying, as most leaps are. 

Just curious, what have been some of the highlight reels in your life? Those moments that stand out as greater somehow?

Why Knot {take a trip to Berkeley}

 If you follow me on social media than you know I was in Berkeley at the end of last week/the weekend. I have several friends that go to UC Berkeley and will all be graduating in May so I wanted to take a trip down before everyone scatters. It was so nice to step away from home and be surrounded by other 20-somethings again! One of my goals was to eat as much good food as possible and drink lots of coffee/tea. This picture was taken at the first coffee shop, Cafe Milano, where the iced coffee was delicious and there was a book written by the Dalai Lama casually left on the table.

 I love Berkeley's campus. The buildings are beautiful and historic and all of the trees are about to fill their limbs with leaves. These trees are a bit behind and looked a tad creepy but they also reminded me of the LACMA lights in LA. Anyone else see it? Just me? Cool.

 My friend Matt & I adventured into San Francisco on Friday because everyone else had class and I finally got to visit Warby Parker! The store was perfection and I even found my next pair of glasses if I decide to take the plunge! (I wear the PERCEY glasses and I swear by them)

We also met up with my friend at an AMAZING pizza place called Archive Bar + Kitchen. If you're in San Francisco, please eat here. I had been craving really good Italian style pizza and I finally found it here. Get the Lucas pizza but pass on the rosemary lemonade. I found it a little bland. But Matt got the ginger beer and LOVED it.

Lastly, if you're in Berkeley, we ate at Pedro's Brazil Cafe and it was delicious! Also we got tea at Asha Tea House and the lemon jasmine green tea is fantastic!

It was a short trip but definitely needed. Little weekend trips are the best way to get re-energized for the week ahead!

Everybody's Working for the Weekend {links}

{via}

Hey there!

I'm currently in Berkeley enjoying some time with friends and pretending I'm back in college. There have been some fun things I've run across the internet this week so I thought I would share my favorites. Follow along on my INSTAGRAM and TWITTER for some pictures of my weekend! 

THIS MAN'S VOICE is so beautiful. I'm so excited to hear him live in August.

THIS made my LOL (literally). Jon Snow has always and forever will be my favorite GoT character.

THIS post by Chelsea from The Financial Diet was so interesting and thought-provoking (and also written in a slightly humorous tone).

Oh how I want THIS SHIRT.

Will someone make me THIS DRINK?? And while we are on Wit & Delight (an amazing blog!) you should check out THIS POST on sisterly love. It's SO true.

Have you ever cooked Kielbasa before? I made THIS RECIPE the other night for my family and we devoured it! Also, it was crazy easy to make. 

Have a serious case of wanderlust?? Check out my SISTER'S BLOG and take a look at her amazing pictures. I wish I could fly out there right now and visit!

Did ya'll know that authors are writing modern re-tellings of Jane Austen classics? I recently found out and have been reading the retelling of Northanger Abbey. It's not as good as the original (Obviously, they never are) but it's still fun! HERE IS the newest one!

Have a great weekend!! :)

(reminder: all capitalized words are links!!)

Mood Board

dress, tassel, clock, shoes, earrings, polish, bag, tank, candle, suit, print, book, bottle, dress 2

Clearly I've got a 50 shades of blue situation going on here. Blue is supposed to be one of the most calming colors which is why so many companies paint their walls blue and I totally get it. There's something earthy yet tropical about the color that makes me take a deep breath and wish I was on a beach somewhere. Most of these items are under $100 (score!) and then some are definitely on the splurge end of things. But those shoes!! I have absolutely no reason to buy those Vince Camuto beauties but I so wish I did. 

Every spring/summer I paint my toes blue and keep them that way for the entire season. I've been doing this since I was younger and for me it's the sign for barefoot season. I really don't like painting them any other color during this time because for me, it's a celebratory color. Blue or nothin'. I'm eyeing that light blue Butter color for my next pedicure.
Do you have a go-to nail color? 

Have a happy Wednesday! Go out and buy something blue. :)

The Easter Dress

As you can see, I recently splurged on a new Kate Spade bag. Remember how I've been obsessively talking about my first adult purchase and how I would love for it to be a Kate Spade bag? Well I saved up my pennies and received this beauty just last week. I love it's light spring color!

 

 Happy Easter from me and my sister!

Now let's talk about my Easter DRESS. I recently picked this beauty up from Nordstrom in the TopShop section. Guys. Everything in the Topshop section of Nordstrom is AMAZING. I'm not usually someone who likes exposed backs but I thought this one was so classy and subtle that I couldn't pass it up. It ended up raining on Easter (classic California, we are in the worst drought ever yet it decides to rain on Easter of all days) so I paired it with my leather jacket from Target (purchased a while back) and I loved the biker-girly looked it created. 

Last month when my family had a big family dinner, I was not in the best place and ended up feeling down the entire time. Even my little cousins noticed and were all, "What the heck is wrong with you? Is something wrong?" But yesterday I felt hopeful and was able to enjoy myself and talk with the people I love. Maybe it was the power of the dress... ;)

I hope your Easter was filled with joy and hope for the rest of the year!

(anytime I capitalize a word, that means there is a link attached if you're interested in looking up the clothing item!)

Nesting

link

When you're in your 20's, it seems like you are never in one place for too long. Everyone I went to college with has plans of moving either for grad school or they are moving back home. I already made that jump since I graduated in December and still I felt unsettled. I let my pictures remain pushed up against the wall instead of hung, I didn't buy actual bedding for my bed which consisted of a duvet and no cover, and I was content letting everything sit just as it was when no one was living in this room. 

But for me, and maybe you're like this too, nesting and making a place unique and fit for you, is an important step in accepting where you currently are. I wasn't rushed to fix my room up to how I wanted it because I felt like I was going to be leaving soon, so why even bother? But therein lies the problem. Nesting forces us to move in our belongings and make space. It requires that we open up our mind to the idea that we never know how long a stage will last so we might as well get comfortable.  

I recently hung up my pictures, rearranged by bookshelves and bought the duvet cover because gosh darnit, I'm here now and I'm going to make the best of it. There's no reason my room has to look like a shell of a place while I'm living in it!

And maybe it's April and maybe I'm a sucker for new beginnings and fresh starts but every month I feel my heart get a little lighter at the thought that we have a new month ahead of us with unknown adventures, people, and hopefully some new plans.

Have a happy Easter! This Easter I am thanking the Lord for His grace because lately he has been extending quite a bit to me even when I don't deserve it.

Indiana Jones Style

When I stepped out of the car wearing this outfit my friends reaction was, "You look like a female Indiana Jones!" It must be the hat and the leather running throughout the outfit so I ran with it and voila, it's the title of this post now :)

I stole these shoes from my mom's closet and have worn them for pretty much everything since I found them. I also got this dress out of my sisters closet and have kept it in mine since she left for Italy (thanks Col!). I'm really good at borrowing other people's clothes... ;)

This area of town is my favorite because of its tree-lined streets and quaint homes. My parents always talk about retiring in the neighborhood and I 100& think they should. I'm all for cozy little homes and bonus points if they have cottage windows. 

I picked up this hat at a little boutique in Folsom called Southern Kissed and the color was what caught my eye. It's such a pretty emerald shade that I couldn't resist. The rest of the outfit is borrowed (as I mentioned) or older. The dress is from Old Navy a while back and I think everyone should own a simple, classic dress like this. It's one of my favorites to throw on when I need a good & comfortable go-to outfit. THIS ONE has a similar fit. (Also, PSA: all of Old Navy's dresses are on sale right now!!!)

I couldn't find a hat exactly similar to mine but Topshop has their classic Fedora at Nordstrom HERE and it's pretty great.

Have a lovely Wednesday! Oh yeah, and IT'S FINALLY APRIL!!! (leaps for joy and does three almost cartwheels)