bidding adieu to you, summer

Well, before summer officially ends, I should say a few words before I bid adieu. This summer's been pretty short but sweet. Had a bit of a rocky start and a few hiccups here and there, but overall a memorable one nonetheless. I had a chance to visit family in SoCal (whom I haven't seen for 5+ years) for a cousin's wedding and explored a few new spots in LA. Then crossed over to NYC (again) to eat and catch up with a life-long friend over food and evening strolls. 

I think what also makes this summer a milestone one is the fact that I've finally lay to rest a part of my past that's been haunting me on and off for the past 2 years. It didn't fold up neatly like I wanted, but I think having the ending that it did finally forced me to accept its fate and reality. Sometimes we really can't explain or comprehend why things happen the way they do, even when we try our best to not let the cards fall that way. But I believe the universe knows what it's doing and how to balance itself out so I just have to trust it and let it do its thing.

The photo above was taken at the Santa Monica Pier where I had the evening all to myself to people watch and catch the sunset. It's one of my favorite photos taken this summer because it captures the essence of the season so perfectly. Whenever I visit SoCal, a sense of nostalgia floods over me and always takes me back to my childhood summers spent with my cousins. It's also where I had my first gush of puppy love and discovered what a rush of butterflies felt like. Le sigh. As an adult I can't see myself living there, but it's nice to know that whenever I visit there's always a sense of familiarity and fondness for the place.

I'm excited for fall and especially the holiday season this year. Mainly because I plan on making my place more holiday-friendly and maybe even host a teeny tiny get-together with friends. So much to look forward to. More to come, soon!

cities and wheels

Seattle Great Wheel and Pacific Park at Santa Monica Pier via Instagram.

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I am such a sucker for Ferris wheels. There's something so nostalgic and wholesome about them, and they instantly remind me of hot and humid late summer evenings. I'm not sure why exactly, but it's the image and feeling I get whenever I encounter one.

This past summer, Seattle got its very own Great Wheel. I haven't had the chance to ride on it, but just seeing this ginormous circular structure plopped right on top of Pier 59 makes me feel so giddy and happy. It makes the city look complete.

And while I was in Orange County this past weekend with friends, I got to see another Ferris wheel at the the historic Santa Monica Pier. A vintage design that's both lovely and colorful.

san francisco through polaroids

A few weeks ago, a couple of my friends and I spent a glorious and sun-filled weekend in San Francisco. I had been keeping a small stash of original Polaroid film in my fridge since the day I found out they were no longer in production, and promised myself that I would use these precious packs of film sparingly. Well, after three plus years, I was finally down to my last two packs (just 20 exposures!) and decided to splurge.

One of my favorite things about San Francisco is that they have a huge food scene. I mean, don't get me wrong, Seattle is pretty up there with eateries, but it's more of a slow and steady culture. SF kind of engulfs you right off the bat and gives it to you in one big blow. So you can pretty much guess what my friends and I did all weekend. We ate (Fisherman's Wharf)...and ate (Ferry Plaza Farmers Market)...and ate (Smitten Ice Cream). I also got to meet the lovely Mindy, and we bonded over lunch at The Slanted Door.

We rented a car and drove quite a bit. It wasn't fun being stuck in traffic, or having to pay toll, but hey, it sure made us feel like locals. And I have to say, these photos are a little bittersweet to look at. Bitter because it means no more 10-pack, original Polaroid instant film, but sweet because I couldn't have thought of a better trip to use it on.

aloha!

Springtime in Cairns, Australia. Circa August 2010.

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Isn't that cool? The word "Aloha," that is. It means "Hello" and "Goodbye," among many other things, in Hawaii.

And that's where I'm headed to right now. I'm joining a couple of friends who are already there to experience the island life for the first time. I have no set agenda, which means no time line to adhere to, which means anything can happen. As long as sun, sand, and waves are in the picture, I am a happy gal.

While I'm gone, I don't want my blog to collect any more dust than it already has, so I've prepared some vacation posts. Hope you guys enjoy, and have a fantastic week. Aloha!

serious travel organization

Okay, so I thought I was a well organized person when it comes to packing for trips. I make a checklist of things I need to pack, and occasionally will add an extra check box for when I pack to head home. But then, I saw this link from @Etsy's tweet, and visited bugheart's Flickr stream, and OMGosh...

I am seriously blown away by how meticulous Gwen's travel planners are. Every single item, down to her accessories, are accounted for in these adorable illustrations. And to the right, she carefully selects which outfit and accessories she will wear each day. This makes me smile so, so much.

seed + shop loves

Okay, cuteness overload or what?! Aussie's fashion line for kids by Seed. There's also a women's line.

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If you're ever planning a trip to Australia, please be prepared for some amazing shopping. I mean, REALLY prepare. Trust me, you'll thank me later.

A few shops and eateries that I passed by, visited, and loved:

Card & Caboodle in Melbourne and Paper Couture and Paper2 (both in Sydney) for beautiful paper goods, accessories, and gifts. (Sadly, Paper Couture was closed on the day I visited, but Jo Neville's work is wonderful so her shop is nothing short of extraordinary.)

Lemon Twist Cafe in Sydney for some delicious breakfast served by a friendly staff with stick-on staches.

Bay Hong in Sydney for great Vietnamese food. All the waiters wear male ao dais.

Chee Soon & Fitzgerald in Sydney for international housewares, fabrics, and accessories.

And a big thanks to Justine of Upon A Fold for recommending some of these places. (Her shop is amazing, too, btw.)

jigsaw + no penny jars here

One of my favorite discovered shops in Australia is Jigsaw. So feminine and beautiful, don't you agree?

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Australia does not use pennies. That's right. The iconic, copper-toned coin that us Americans more often than not find on the ground, between cushion covers, and any place immaginable that a penny can live, is nonexistent in the land of Down Under.

At first, I found this quite strange and somewhat illogical because prices in Australia end in odd-numbered change that would require the use of pennies. Like, how would $1.97 work? Either I'm short 3 cents or the shop loses out on 2.

But after a few transactions that left me short-changed, I finally caught on and realized that Aussies round their prices up or down to the nearest multiple of 5 cents.

Toward the end of my trip, I found this system to be quite convenient and practical. I mean, at least I wasn't collecting a handful of loose change in my purse, or holding up the line just so I could use up my pennies. Just saying...

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Edit: I just googled this and the ever-so-knowledgeable Wiki says this method of pricing is called "Swedish rounding."

what's in a sign?

Photos taken in Melbourne.

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One of the first things I noticed when I stepped on Australian soil (aside from the fact that Aussies drive on the left) is the different terminologies and symbols used on road signs and such.

For example,

footpath = sidewalk,

or takeaway = togo/takeout.

And the one that deems most bizarre by Australians and Americans alike is...

giveway = yield.

oh australia, how i do miss thee

Anglesea, Cairns , Surry Hills, and Sydney.

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Hello friends!

I am finally back from the beautiful country of Australia, and I must say it has been one of the best trips I've taken in a while. (I actually got back a week ago, but really needed a vacation from my vacation. You know what I mean..?)

So, how was it? Pretty much A-MAZING!

I'm kinda suffering from separation anxiety to be honest. Saw so many things that I am missing at the moment, and so many more things I wish I had seen.

Oh Melbourne, how I wish I got to enjoy one of your alley cafes. Your historical city is quite charming, to say the least.

Cairns...your reefs are lovely and you really had me at the waving tortoise. Then came the lagoon and tamarind tree. You spoiled me.

And beautiful Sydney, pictures don't do you justice. And all your shops...oh, your wonderful, wonderful shops....swoon!

More things to share about Aussie in upcoming posts, including some great new shops I discovered.

g'day, mate!

Hello friends!

By the time you read this, I will be well on my way to Australia!

I am sorry that I did not prepare any vacay posts while I'm out, but I promise there will be many stories and pictures to share once I return.

Enjoy the rest of August and I will see you again in September.