-Jane Austen, Mansfield Park (1814)

 I've never once thought Aztec prints to be particularly feminine. Not soft and classy, anyway. And while I do like the way it looks on others, it's just not something I can see myself wearing very often. I'm often reminded of my previous job, where we sold numerous Aztec print leggings. They were bright and funky. Some were pretty out there though. You cannot not notice them. Right along that time, Aztec prints were trending everywhere (and still are). All the store and boutiques had some variation of them. They were boho but edgy at the same time. Not your dreamy bohemian but the more grungy/cool fashion you see quite often these days. I associate them a lot of festival wear. 

 When you’re feeling playful, what better place to be than the playground. This park has undergone extensive renovation. It feels like a campground, which makes sense because for the first time ever, there’s a Girl Scout organization established here now. I’ve shot pictures here a couple of times already in different areas, but never really talked about it. It’s always full of people. I can see why though. It's not very big but it's still quite lovely. Family friendly. A great place for children. 

Undeniably, the rain from El Nino gave life to all the sleeping plants and trees. How lush and bright Spring appears. All the flowers seem to be vying for the gold medal. Which one is displaying the most splendid colors, the most fantastic aroma? I cannot decide. The competition is fierce. I wish for more rainy days to wipe anew the smog-ridden city of Los Angeles and bright to light a clarity rarely seen in the hills and mountains that surround us. And of course, because we are still experiencing a drought!

 As you may already know, I am particularly fond of vintage clothing. There is something unique and timeless about them that I find endearing. This dress in its natural state has large, puffy sleeves. I always meant to alter it myself but I never did get around to it. A simple fix was just to roll it up a bit so as to seem like my shoulders were being gobbled up by all that fabric. I think it looks rather nice this way. The only problem is that the dress doesn't stay buttoned! I had already left the house when I realized this misfortune. Luckily for me, no one else was around to see. And the bobby pins I found in my backpack saved the day!

Though the temperature has dropped to a more tolerable 80-something degrees, the difference is barely discernible. I feel like a brick wall that has absorbed all the sun's rays, still hot long after it has already set. Because we didn't feel like paying $6 for an ice cream cone, we went to Rite-Aid. A lively employee zoomed by us and kindly shouted that they were having a "buy one, get one free" deal, to which we excitedly screamed back, "Which ones?" But he was nowhere to be seen. Suffice to say, we eventually figured it out. And now, I have a tub of pistachio ice cream with hardly enough pistachios. Perhaps I should buy a bag of pistachios and stick some in. Would that work? By the way, look at the cute little turtles gathering around!

When I first spotted this top at a small boutique in Japan, I knew I had to have it. It had the most adorable cartoon drawings of things one might find in England. I've always dreamed of traveling to Europe and exploring the countries there. Hopefully soon! I'm reluctant to wash it often as I fear it it fading. I love it so much!