Loving Life

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 21, 2012

 

 In my zen place.  The sand beneath my feet.  The sound of the waves caressing the shore.  The smell of salt in the air.  The warmth of the sun on my skin.  The emergence of the smile from my heart.  Perfect.

MONDAY FEBRUARY 20, 2012

Weird and extremely interesting.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2012

 

 Beauty is everywhere.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2012

Oscar likes the roof (as we established last month), so I decided to join him on the roof.  Little did I know he'd be so excited to soak up the sun with me.  After he attempted to lick off all of my sunscreen (and putting my in laughing fits because of it), he finally laid down and kept me company. 

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2012

Flaming margaritas with amazing friends - what could be better?  These two hours spent eating and drinking were filled with so many stories and laughing that my stomach and face literally hurt.  These are the best.  Irreplaceable and unforgettable.

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2012

Every time I go hiking, I fall more and more in love with life.  Best decision ever was to make it a point to do this as much as possible a week.  It's a must for me to get out of the daily routine and take in everything around me; I mean really take it in- using all of your senses to live in that specific moment...living moment to moment, breath to breath.

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 15, 2012

You'd think I was in school again because my face is consistently in books lately.  I guess that's a sort-of-true assumption, though.  I'm not officially going to school, but I'm putting myself on a schedule with reading specific books that will help my career, plays to find scenes for my reel, monologues, and just to stay active in my craft.  The book aspect is just part of my "schedule."  Wine and a good play?  What's not great about that?

Love.

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2012

 Love is having a best friend that will love you no matter what you look like, what you sound like, or how weird you may be.  Luckily, we compliment each other in that way as you can see from the picture.  Two nerds peas in a pod.  Happy Valentine's Day!

MONDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2012

 Lo got a recipe from Matt's mom for gluten free vegan breakfast bars - this was the end result.  They were beyond delicious and addictive, and the best part - they're good for you.  It's always fun to make breakfast or lunch to bring to work because it gives you something to look forward to on your break, and then when you finally get to it, it's so worth it.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 12, 2012

 I BOUGHT A YOGA MAT!  Yes, I'm a nerd, but I took this picture to send to Terah, who I will be doing yoga with at Runyon.  This is part of my new plan for the year of trying new things that will benefit my life in some way.  This will be good for me not just health-wise, but because it will be a guaranteed few times a week I get to hang out with Terah, too.  I am very excited for this new venture...as you can see from my cheesy smile.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 11, 2012

 

 

 My latest obession: Fruit Smoothies.  I discovered Lo's blender in the cupboard and decided to throw some blueberries, strawberries, and a banana in one day...and I have yet to look back.  This has become a favorite (and healthy) treat for Lo and I, and I honestly look forward to it every time we make them.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 10, 2012

 Another Adventure Day.  After work, we randomly decided to go the beach.  We grabbed our blanket, some water, a book each, and headed toward the ocean.  We both, of course, passed out as soon as we closed our eyes, but it was worth it.  Waking up to the salty air, the sound of the waves, and the sand around you is kind of amazing and extremely peaceful.  Finding my Zen for the day: check.

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2012

 

 I was hiking and this caught my eye; a flower alone in a sea of green with the sun peaking through to shed light on it.  Beauty is everywhere; we just have to make sure we're opening our eyes to catch it all.

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2012

 

 Family Dinner Night.  Menu: Lo's Salad, Mama Leone and Aunt Anne's homemade gnocchi, and Mama Leone's Spaghetti Sauce and Meatballs.  Delicious.  There is nothing like amazing food and the best of friends.

Start of Feb

 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2012

 How often do you have random Adventure Days?  Thank goodness I have the best roommate and we're able to do just that.  We left in the morning with no destination and ended up all over and had the best day.  By 6:00pm we were both exhausted from laughing so much, belting out Celine in the car, and talking nonstop.  Random Adventure Days - you should do it; it's good for the soul.

 MONDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2012

 Margarita Monday.  We used to have these back in college.  It's the perfect kind of day to catch up with friends, share stories, and laugh.  

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 5, 2012

 

 Afternoon snack with Lo.  Chips and Guacamole.  And a Sam Adams.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2012

  

 It was a beautiful clear day again while hiking.  This doesn't even look like LA; it looks like some European country town.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2012

 

 I've never seen LA so clear.  It was breath-taking and beautiful.  You could see the distant mountains perfectly, the colors on the buildings downtown vividly, and the gleam of the sun shining on the ocean in the far distance.  Love.

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2012

 Sometimes, all it takes is a weird picture Danielle sends me to make my day.  Here is Lola sitting on her head. haha.

 WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 1, 2012

My new favorite obsession: hiking at Runyon Canyon.  I started a new sort of life regiment today including being more conscious about exercise and the foods I'm putting in my body.  So far, a terrific start.

Most of January

TUESDAY JANUARY 31, 2012

 Snow!  I got snow for my Thanksmas.  This is outside my house.  Fun seeing it.  Not fun shoveling it or scraping off cars.

MONDAY JANUARY 30, 2012

 I drove to get coffee and this was my view.  I look like I'm in the country, but really, this is the side street near my house.  

SUNDAY JANUARY 29, 2012

 My Thanksgiving/Christmas dinner aka Thanksmas, complete with Mom's turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, broccoli rice casserole, salad, and Grandma's gravy, as well as her pumpkin and apple pies.  Food was eaten, Games were played, and Fun was had.  So amazing.

SATURDAY JANUARY 28, 2012

 Victoria learned how to make meatballs this night, and we of course had to sample them.  Such a fun day with those two and my mom.

FRIDAY JANUARY 27, 2012

 

 My first day back at home.  Well, this was within the first hour of being back in Michigan.  I already took over Danielle's bed, and the dogs of course joined me for my nap.

THURSDAY JANUARY 26, 2012

 My airport ritual.  I generally get to the airport way too early because I hate the rush you get when you are running late on time and there are lines.  I'd rather get to the airport super early, grab a beer, read a book, or catch up with some friends on the phone.  Plus, it makes me tired for the plane ride, so I'm more likely to fall asleep.  Love.

 WEDNESDAY JANUARY 25, 2012

 

This was my third time attempting to win tickets to see "Wicked" at the Pantages Theatre.  My friend Stephanie from work came with me this time.  I did not win the $25 front row seats, however, we were able to get $45 tickets (that were originally $120) in the lower mezzanine.  It was definitely worth it.  I love theatre so much, and especially love this show.

 TUESDAY JANUARY 24, 2012

 

 This is my absolute favorite type of coffee that Starbucks offers.  I saw the box and kind of freaked out a little.  

MONDAY JANUARY 23, 2012

 In honor of the Chinese New Year (and my love for Chinese food, in general), Lo and I decided to celebrate by getting food from our favorite little place around the corner.  Delicious.

SUNDAY JANUARY 22, 2012

 Snow...in LA?  Not quite sure where this random pile of snow came from, but it definitely stopped me in my tracks.

SATURDAY JANUARY 21, 2012

 Small world.  This is me and Nathan.  Here's the story of how we know each other:  Nathan worked in Ohio with Steven and is his current roommate in NYC. Steven is my roommate from Wayne State.  Nathan went to college with my good friend Lauren, one of my close friends out here in LA.  Therefore, Nathan and I have a couple ties.  So, when he came out to LA to visit, we hung out obviously.  Crazy, right?!

FRIDAY JANUARY 20, 2012

 

 Another of the pictures from my shoot with Amy.  This shows a more commercial look.

THURSDAY JANUARY 19, 2012

 

 I got my headshots done by Amelia Gotham.  Such an amazing photo session.  Being a director, actor, and photographer, as well as having directed me in "Shudder," she knew how to work me to get great results.  We got headshots, modeling shots, commercial shots; overall amazing day.  Here is one of the headshots from the day.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 18, 2012

Lo and I went out to "Hugo's" to catch up.  I got their amazing green tea latte with almond milk and agave plus their vegan pumpkin pie.  "Amazing" does not even begin to explain the taste of these items in my life.  I have never been disappointed by the vegan/vegetarian/healthy restaurant, but always seem to forget about it.  Must add it to my list of places to continue going to.

TUESDAY JANUARY 17, 2012

 I found my Tuesdays @ 4 shirt today and it made me so happy.  So many amazing memories with just a simple shirt.

MONDAY JANUARY 16, 2012

 This is what happens when I supervise...Ryan falls asleep on the pastry cart.  haha.  You have to find amusement somehow.

SUNDAY JANUARY 15, 2012

 

 Mattie's Birthday!  Woke up in the morning, made breakfast, coffee, and played "Coffee Talk."  So fun.

SATURDAY JANUARY 14, 2012

 

 Matthew's Birthday!!!  We went out to dinner at El Compadre and celebrated with chimichangas and flaming margaritas...and his complimentary birthday flan.

FRIDAY JANUARY 13, 2012

 I woke up early today and made myself a delicious omelette with green peppers, onions, bacon, and parsley flakes, with a side of bagel.  After I set it all on the plate, this was looking back at me.  How can this not make you smile or start your day off perfectly.  An unintentional smile from my food? ok. :)

 THURSDAY JANUARY 12, 2012

 I love coming home and finding notes on my desk - inspirational notes at that.  Best roommate for sure.

 WEDNESDAY JANUARY 11, 2012

 Slowly, but surely, we're making the apartment more and more like home.  Lo and I went to Ikea today and bought a lamp for the living room, a lamp for my room, the coffee table, and one of the white cubes on the wall, among other things.  So fun decorating the apartment.