Gossip Girl Here

Hey Upper East Siders,

This week the reboot of Gossip Girl dropped on HBO Max and I would be lying if I did not say I was a little bit excited. 

I didn't actually watch the original series until it was off the air and on Netflix but then I completely BINGED watched it. And while the plot could get a little beyond belief, I was absolutely in love with the fashion- especially Blair's wardrobe. 

Here are some of my favorite Blair moments from the OG Gossip Girl (and believe me when I say I had a hard time limiting the amount of photos!)

And now the reboot! I definitely tuned in to watch the first episode and the drama is already underway. This reboot has a darker, more sinister feel to it already. There's no denying how much social media has changed since the OG-GG and this show has already shown how influential it can be in a teens life.

 I like that we know right off the bat who GG is and "her" motive- though it seems a little cringey and sad that this is the teacher's only resort to get control.  

As for the fashion? The jury is still out on this one. I'm a grandmillennial who is still wearing skinny jeans and has a side part so I might not be into what highschoolers deem fashionable.  BUT I have seen some promotion stills that have peaked my interest and can't wait to see what this reboot brings to the table. I'm thinking I'm going to like Audrey Hope's wardrobe the best but so far I am not in love with her character.

What are your thoughts on the reboot? Anyone else feeling the urge to restart the OG Gossip Girl?

XOXO Gossip Girl

Whimsical Wednesday... a love letter to novelty

 If you've stumble over here from Instagram then you know I'm mildly obsessed with novelty bags.
Now I know these are not everybody's cup of tea but I have always loved a good theme party and this is kind of like a theme party for your everyday outfit. 

I've seen on boards people shy a way from novelty for being too "young" or impractical but I find most of these purses to pretty functional and fun. 

So here are a few of my recent snaps of some of my novelty purses out and about!

These two are a preview from the Holiday 2021 release!
The Chicagoian in me can't wait for the pizza!

Dresses of Summer

After the events of last year, summer comes with a breath of normalcy and with that occasions to get out of the pandemic pajamas I've spent maybe a little too much time in. 

Here are some of  my summer favorites that I've been eyeing..

Hill House Home: The Akilah Nap Dress in Mermaid print

Hill House Home: The infamous Nap Dress in Pampelonne Paisley

Hill House Home: The Akilah Nap Dress in Navy
Might seem a little dark for summer but oh how I love a good Navy dress!

Lilly Pulitzer: Rivera Midi Dress in Matcha Green Boho Babe

Lilly Pulitzer: Bria Off-The-Shoulder Maxi Dress in Multi Sea Shellabration Engineered Woven Dress

Lilly Pulitzer: Novah Stretch Midi Shirtdress in High Tide Navy Shaka Shaka Shake Engineered Woven Maxi

Lilly Pulitzer: Analeese Midi Dress in Zanzibar Blue Boatylicious

Kate Spade (outlet): Fleurette toss voile smocked dress in Yellow Sesame

Kate Spade (outlet): Wild Strawberries tie-waist mini dress in River Blue

Kate Spade: Gingham one-shoulder dress in Lava Falls

Kate Spade: Kate Daisy textured seersucker shirtdress in Black 

What are your summer favorites?

Escaping the heat

 Summer is officially here and mother nature has definitely turned up the thermostat here in NorCal. On Saturday it was going to be 108° so we decided to head to the coast for refuge.

We headed into Fort Bragg and were surprised to find a classic car show happening.

It was really nice to walk around and peak in all the shops- another first since the pandemic shut down. 

It didn't take me long to spot "A Sweet Affair", a patisserie that had macarons! 

This little patisserie also had a pretty impressive selection of delicious treats and I'm eager to try more!

After strolling around downtown we decided to get lunch down in Noyo Harbor and were especially lucky to get one of the best seats at Noyo River Grill!

Shelly enjoyed the view too!

Father's day weekend is typically a pretty special weekend for us as it usually falls pretty close to our anniversary and traditionally is the weekend of the Arcata Oysterfest. Since Oysterfest is still on the Covid backburner, Gray made sure to get some oysters while at the grill. Hopefully next year we will be sitting on the Arcata Plaza enjoying Oysterfest again. 

We ended the day with a stop at Noyo Headlands Park. 

We sat at a picnic bench and tried all of the macarons I had picked up earlier. 

It was the sweetest wrap up to a great day on the coast.

Home Sweet Humboldt

This past weekend we made our first *post vaccinated* trip up to Humboldt for a memorial and to finally spend some time with our family and friends. When I moved away from Chicago for school, I had no idea how much Humboldt would truly become my home. Since graduating I've moved around to a few different places in California but Humboldt is still my home at heart. It has been well over a year since we had proper visit to Humboldt due to the pandemic, so this time around we tried to visit some our favorite places. 

My in-laws back porch is one on my favorite places to be.

We had brunch on the bay so Shelly had to make an appearance of course! 

I made a point to get up early and go to my favorite creperie!
They are still only doing to go orders but the crepes still taste amazing!

I of course had to stop and pick up some macarons from one of my favorite bakeries, Brio!

My roommate and college used to work here and would bring home the most delicious treats!

Aren't my Grams neighbors just the cutest?
I reeeeally want a mini highland cow!

 

Had to make a quick drive by to see the Pink Lady and Carson Mansion.
I used to walk my pup past these beauties all the time. 

It was SO GOOD to be able to see our friends and family and HUG them, I just wish we had more time! I can't wait until we get to head back up again and see (and taste) more of our Humboldt favorites! 

30 Random Facts About Me

 Hey y’all! Welcome to my little blog. My name is Amber and I am a grand-millennial living in the countryside of NorCal. I love to tell my story through photos of all the things I love. Come escape the ordinary with me!

I recently stumbled upon some “Random Facts” posts and thought what better way to get to know me. If you’re brave enough you can tell me some random things about yourself in the comments, so I can know ya better! Enjoy!

1. I am the youngest of EIGHT girls. Both of my parents had 3 kids from previous marriages and then got together and had two more.
2. I love being outside, especially at the beach or on a hike!

3. I have visited 4 US National Parks and have visiting them all on my bucket list.

4. I have never dyed my hair and usually cut my own hair.

5. I almost went to Texas A and M to study Marine Biology. Instead I went to our JC for a year before transferring to Humboldt State University for Zoology

6. I love baking bread. And eating bread. And allll the carbs.

7. I was in show choir in high school and this was before Glee (aka before it was cool)

8. My favorite land animals are elephants and sea animals are killer whales. I have been lucky enough to have worked with elephants and see killer whales in the wild.

9. I get seasick

10. I have a really strange range of musical interests. No one ever knows what I'm going to put on Spotify next.

11. I am a Francophile. I love everything about the culture: the food, the history, the landscape, the architecture, the BREAD and MACARONS— all of it.

12. Did I mention I love bread and macarons?

13. I don't drink coffee but I am addicted to Coke Zero. I can (and will) drink it morning, noon, or night.

14. I didn't have a cell phone until I was a freshman in COLLEGE. And it was a prepaid trac-phone.

15. I took dance lessons for 15 years. I love to still get into a class when I can and when I can't you can find me tapping down the grocery store aisle.

16. I have 3 dwarf nigerian goats.

17. I am a Star Wars nerd. Like dress up Leia and throw a Star Wars marathon watch party (themed food and drink included!)

18. I work in the Wine Industry but I don't drink any type of alcohol. You need a DD? I got you.

19. I am a Jack of all trades and Fix-it-Felix. If something breaks at work I'm busting out my tool box to try and fix it.

20. My favorite color is Tiffany Blue and I've collected the vinatge pyrex in that color.
21. I used to be a vegetarian and then vegan for 5 years combined.
22. My favorite holiday is Christmas. As soon as we bought our house I bought a 12ft Christmas Tree.

23. I used to be a zookeeper. I work with a ton of animals including Africa's Big 5!

24. I have a weird habit of having to touch textiles. If I'm out at the store and see something that looks soft or has a weird look I NEED to feel it.

25. I have a guardian angel named Nanook. She was my soulmate dog that we lost to cancer on Christmas Day of 2019. Also, fuck cancer.

26. I have never broken a bone.

27. I once pierced my own nose. I had a nose ring for a few years and it's since healed. Every now and then I think about doing it again.
28. I collect novelty handbags. Most of my collection is Kate Spade and I love them!

29. I can recite all the US Presidents in order because my 4th grade teacher made us learn them.

30. I rock a lot of polka dots. And bows. And anything sparkly.