Sincerely, Brittany

sitting on the dock of the bay (day one)

2013-07-10T08:30:00.000-07:00

I just got back from a far-too-short long weekend spent in Monterey with my family! Despite being on vacation from school for over two months, it was so nice to escape the heat wave that has settled in Sacramento for the past couple of weeks. It was so much fun and so exhausting, as vacations often are. We brought our labrador retrievers with us and despite that our youngest had a rough time adjusting to a new environment, they had a blast in the dog-friendly town. We stayed in a little cottage called the Sea Breeze Inn and Cottages (in the town of Pacific Grove) and spent a few days walking the beach, exploring Fisherman's Wharf and Carmel, and eating the most delicious food.

The photos in this post are all from Saturday afternoon when arrived after our long drive. Over the next couple of days, I will be sharing a few handfuls of the hundreds of photos that I took over the weekend. We all have a habit of forgetting to bring cameras with us on vacation and this time one of us actually remembered to bring it. Sadly, we kept forgetting it in the room, so these are all courtesy of my iPhone 4S camera and then filtered through the VSCO Cam app. One day, I will share more than cell phone photos, I pinky promise.

I hope you are all keeping cool this summer!

(DEEP DOWN) I REALLY DO LOVE SUMMER

2013-07-04T02:04:00.001-07:00

Moving quickly past the fact that it has been almost six months since my last update (yikes!), I want to jump right into saying hello again and appreciating the beauty of summer this year.

Summer is a peculiar season for me. Every spring, I dread the idea of hot concrete beneath my bare feet and laying under a fan that just never seems to spin fast enough to keep me cool. That is how my dramatic winter-loving mind remembers past summers, at least. But when summer finally arrives... I always wonder how I could ever want to skip this season. Enormous bowls of fresh fruit, laying out by the pool, my favorite summer playlist on my iPod, endless smoothies, and driving at night with the windows down... what could be better? Although I am sure my feelings toward this season will change (as always) when autumn finally rolls in and my sweaters come out of hibernation, I can't think of anything I love more than summer today.

Here is a little peek into my summer so far...

1) We have been having an extreme heatwave this week with temperatures reaching over 110°F for five days now. We are spending a lot of time in the pool, the movie theater, and other places like that that allow for fun times without risking heat exhaustion. // 2) It is no secret that I have an addition to Starbucks, especially lately. That chocolate frappuccino can be a little too heavy for me when it is really hot, though, so I switch to blended strawberry lemonades on those days. // 3) One of our labradors, Bleu, really hates this heat; he prefers to lay on the bench in the shade while we take advantage of the pool.

4) Sorry to my anti-feet readers! I got a pedicure with my brother's girlfriend before their graduation, so I am just showing off my neatly painted toes in the pool. // 5) I have spent some time babysitting my sweet little cousin, Hank, this summer. I have discovered that I do not have the magic mommy touch to keep him from crying, but I certainly don't mind staring at his adorable face while he is sleeping. // 6) I have been wearing the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains every day this summer. They're so long lasting and all of the shades are so pretty. This bright pink one is called Sweetheart. (I also have Honey, Adore, and Rendezvous.)

7) My mom and I rescued this little guy from a storm drain out in front of our house and found him a home. I wanted to keep him, but our dogs weren't having that. I was sad to see him go, but I am so happy to know he has a good home. // 8) On the cooler nights, we have been spending a lot of time roasting marshmallows around the fire pit in our backyard. Smells just like a campfire, which is one of my favorite scents. // 9) Lazy mornings are one of my favorite things about summer. I love sleeping in and I will miss it dearly when I no longer have summer breaks.

I hope you are enjoying your summer and, to my American readers, have a lovely Independence Day!

THE HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS

2013-01-09T14:41:00.002-08:00

Yesterday, I celebrated my twentieth birthday surrounded by my beautiful family. It was one of those birthdays that to some might seem uneventful, but for me, it was a mix of fun and mellow -- and that's just how I like my birthdays. I have never enjoyed being the center of attention at a big party, so a day spent at home with a few of the people I love was wonderful. I only wish I could have seen a few of my closest friends, too, but I'm looking forward to celebrating with them this weekend.

I started the day with a trip to Starbucks and the Palladio with my mom and then relaxed at home for most of the afternoon before heading to my favorite burger restaurant for dinner. I opened gifts when we got home: a couple of pretty necklaces from my mom, a new cup and Starbucks gift cards from my brother, and some green from my dad. The day ended with delicious cupcakes from Whole Foods before burying myself under my blankets and watching a movie. It was the calm day I needed before the semester begins next week.

My birthday is always a day of reflection for me. Like New Year's Eve, I can't help thinking about the past year and wondering how the next one might play out. This past year has been nothing short of amazing. I grew so much more than I ever expected to do in the span of just one year. I met and formed close friendships with some truly wonderful people. I learned to drive (finally) and got my first car. I chose a major (also, finally). I got my first job and began working in a student leadership position. Nineteen was really good to me. I'm looking forward to seeing what the next year will bring.

PICTURE WINDOW

2013-01-06T14:00:00.000-08:00

1. Aren't these plush seals the cutest things you've ever seen? I saw them when I went on an Ikea shopping trip with my mom earlier this week. I just love that store. // 2. A plate full of cookies and a book to read before classes begin. It isn't a book I would choose to read in my free time, but it is teaching me a lot about myself, so I'm enjoying it. // 3. Makeup (I am a Neutrogena fanatic), a new Victoria's Secret clutch (only $10!), and the January issue of Vogue. // 4. On our way home from looking for a birthday cake at Whole Foods for Tuesday. I can't believe I'm turning 20! // 5. New shoes. I can't wait to wear them with my navy dress to my aunt's baby shower next weekend.

WINTER 2013: FOUR SIMPLE GOALS

2013-01-03T13:10:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, I shared a list of most of my New Year's resolutions for this year and one of those resolutions is to use Four Simple Goals (first shared at A Beautiful Mess) to keep myself on track throughout the year. I want to feel accomplished and productive when next New Year's Eve arrives, so setting smaller goals seems like the perfect way to achieve the larger ones. Also, I just love making lists. Here are my four simple goals for the rest of the winter (headed by a very summery photo of my faux flowers from Ikea... clearly, I am wishing for warm weather today since our heater isn't working).

1. Make yoga a part of my daily routine. Today is day three of hobbling around in pain because of a pinched nerve in my lower back, so I have decided that making my body stronger needs to be a higher priority for me this year. Hopefully the inflammation will go down enough for me to go to a yoga class at the gym this week. I think adding it to my daily routine, even if it's just for fifteen minutes in the morning, will make a big difference for me.

2. Practice photography. I am challenging myself to take 365 photos this year, so I want to practice and spend some time learning more about photography, especially over the next few months. I think it will be fun to see how much I improve when I compare these early photos to the ones I take later in the year.

3. Approach my lessons more creatively. This semester, I am helping twenty freshman transition from high school to college through lessons in the classroom and I am co-teaching a class on leadership. Rather than just presenting the information to them, I really want to be more creative with the lessons and discussions I lead. I want the students to be interested and engaged in the topics. I want them to see how each lesson can be applied to their life now and in the future. Any advice from the lovely teachers out there for my students' attention?

4. Finalize my blog's design and title. I recently made some improvements to my blog's design and chose a title ("Sincerely, Brittany") that I felt suited me and my blog at the time, but I am still not entirely committed to those decisions. I have a few other ideas for the design that I want to experiment with and I am still exploring different blog title options that might be a better fit for my blog. I want to make those decisions and implement them here by the time spring arrives.

Will you be setting four simple goals for yourself this season?

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS FOR 2013

2013-01-01T19:11:00.000-08:00

I hope you all had a fun (and safe!) New Year's Eve yesterday. I had a low-key dinner with my family before playing board games and watching the ball drop in Times Square on television. I ended the night wrapped up in lots of blankets with a mini Law & Order: SVU marathon. I also took some time to write out my resolutions for the new year. I love the process of deciding what goals I want to achieve in the year that follows, even if I don't end up accomplishing all of them. Like many people, I struggle to keep up with resolutions for longer than a month or two, but I still hold onto the hope that this year will be different and that I will make significant progress with each one. So in keeping with the tradition, here are my resolutions for 2013. I plan to share my monthly progress with each of them this year.

1. Make healthier choices. // In years past, I have written down more specific health-related resolutions, such as "lose 30 pounds" or "go to the gym 5 days a week". It is no surprise that I was never able to keep those resolutions. They never work out well for me. So, I hope that something less specific will challenge me but not make me feel like a failure when I don't see a certain number on the scale. My plan is to make specific changes in my life rather than reach a specific goal. I want to drink more water, eat more greens, eat less sugar and red meat, try going to yoga classes, and put my gym pass to good use.

2. Read twelve non-school-related books. // With the exception of the few books I read last summer, I have really only made time to read books for classes since starting college. It has been difficult for me to justify sitting down and reading for pleasure, something I have always loved, when I have an unfinished assignment hanging over my head. This year, I really want to take the time to read at least one book per month that has nothing to do with my classes. I am planning to start with Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple and Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.

3. Stick to the "One Little Word" challenge. // It was created by Ali Edwards back in 2007, but I first read about it last summer. It is a challenge I immediately fell in love with and knew I wanted to include in my list of resolutions for 2013. This year, I decided to choose "balance" for my word. The past semester was my most stressful one yet and I have a gut feeling that the next one is going to be even more overwhelming (... and incredible, too). On top of a lot of college-related responsibilities, I also have some health problems that are brought on by stress and I want to maintain strong, healthy relationships with my family and friends. I can't think of a better word than "balance" for the year ahead of me. I know 2013 has the potential to be one of my best yet, but I am going to need to find a way to not only balance my responsibilities but also find balance within myself in order to make this year a great one.

4. Complete a "365 Day" challenge. // This is one of the more challenging resolutions I have on my list, because consistency is not something that I have always been good with. I am better now than I once was, but doing a challenge that requires me to work at it every day is going to be tough. At first, I was certain I wanted to do something related to writing - writing in a journal everyday, perhaps? But I have this complete and utter fascination with photography. I have always loved experimenting with it and learning more about it. So, I have decided to take 365 photos this year. I thought about getting more specific, maybe choosing a certain subject, but I think just taking 365 photos will be enough of a challenge for me. I will be sharing them on Instagram, but I will also be holding on to the originals to edit and share next throughout the year.

5. Learn how to better manage my money. // I have never been great about managing my money. One of the main reasons for that is because I am a big impulse buyer. If I see something I like and think I might use, I usually end up at the cash register with it in my basket. This year, I want to start keeping better track of my finances and making better decisions about how I spend and save money.

6. Complete a "Four Simple Goals" challenge each season. // In the past, the wonderful ladies of A Beautiful Mess have shared four simple goals they want to meet during various seasons (posted here and here). I have always loved those blog posts, so in addition to my resolutions for the year, I am hoping to choose four simple goals to meet each season. I am planning to post my four goals for January and February by the end of this week.

I am so excited to start tackling this (long) list of resolutions. If you post your resolutions on your blog, feel free to share a link to it. I would love to see what you are going to accomplish in 2013.

Cheers to an amazing new year full of possibilities!

CURRENTLY: DECEMBER EDITION

2012-12-28T16:57:00.002-08:00

Watching: Once Upon A Time. I bought the first season on DVD when it was on sale at Target the day after Christmas. My roommate and I started watching it last year, but my mom hasn't seen it yet, so we started watching two episodes per day starting Wednesday. I love getting her hooked on new TV shows.

Listening to: Imagine Dragons' Night Visions. I have had this album on repeat for almost a month - minus the time I spent listening to Christmas music. My brother introduced me to the band's music a few months ago and I immediately became a fan. My favorite tracks are "Radioactive", "Demons", "Every Night", and "Bleeding Out". Have a listen on Amazon or iTunes. (You can also listen to the whole thing for free on Spotify!)

Working on: brainstorming content for my blog for 2013! I came up with a few one-time ideas for posts, but I am currently working on potential weekly features. So far, I have come up with doing a "Currently" post once or twice a month. I am thinking about a weekly "Must Haves" series (example: "Must Haves... For A Rainy Day" or "Must Haves... For A Long Plane Ride"). Nothing is set in stone just yet, but I think it could be fun. Also, I have seen a few series related to survival tips and I thought it might be fun to try something like that (maybe "Survival Tips For Students" with a bunch of fun, more creative tips instead of the standard "always bring 3+ pencils to an exam" advice... even though that is really good advice).

Indulging in: my shopping addiction. Here are a few of the things I am hoping to add to my shopping cart this weekend: the softest hoodie ever, v-neck tees (in white and pale blue), a few bottles of nail polish, and these lenses and this tripod since I am going to continue with my iPhonography until I save enough money to buy a DSLR. I am also lusting after this "Hello" pullover and I really want the Gracie bag from Jo Totes, but I am resisting (...for now).

Reading: Exploring Leadership by Susan Komives. I am co-teaching a leadership course this semester and this is the textbook for the class. I need to read all 500+ pages before the semester begins in mid-January, so I thought I might switch things up and start reading it ahead of time instead of three days before I start teaching. I am only two pages in after sitting down with it for half an hour, so it isn't too likely that I will be successful with this whole "not saving it until the last minute" thing, but hey, at least I tried!

Obsessing over: Reading My Tea Leaves and Nat the Fat Rat! I follow @dottiedee on Instagram and she mentioned that she was reading RMTL, so I clicked the link and looked through it for a couple of hours yesterday morning. It is such a lovely blog that I have fallen completely in love with. I particularly enjoy her survival tips for life in a tiny apartment series. Then I found a link for Natalie's blog through RMTL last night. I am only a few pages in and I already love her and her adorable family. This post had me tearing up by the time I got to the sugar cookie recipe at the end.

Anticipating: the new year! I know it's a little cliché, but I love the idea of starting fresh when January 1st arrives. I am really looking forward to putting together my New Year's Eve post with a list of my resolutions, my one little word for 2013, and a few other fun things.

What are you currently up to?

Inspired by the currently posts at Sometimes Sweet!

AT THE WEEK'S END

2012-12-23T18:39:00.000-08:00

This was such a relaxing first week home from college. This much needed month-long break couldn't have come at a better time. Earlier this week, I was able to sleep in until noon a few times, which was a nice change from getting up for class almost every morning. I went out shopping with my mom for a day, redesigned my blog for most of another, and relaxed with my family for the rest. I can't wait to celebrate Christmas Eve tomorrow night!

Four Things To Know About Me This Week:

I have tattoos on the brain right now. I have wanted one since I was fourteen, so now that I have set my mind on getting my first one when I come home from school in May, I can't stop thinking about it. I am ninety-nine percent certain that I am going to cave into my desire to get it on my wrist, even though the logical part of my brain knows I should pick somewhere a little easier to cover when necessary. These are the ones I am debating between at the moment: fighter, wanderlust, quotation marks (!!), anchor, and all was well.
I have had Michael Bublé's "Cold December Night", "Santa Clause Is Coming To Town", and "White Christmas" on repeat all day today. I can't believe the holiday season is almost over. I'm not ready for people to look at me like I'm crazy when it hits mid-January and I still can't stop listening to my favorite Christmas tunes.
I started the process of redesigning my blog this weekend. It is still far from finished (I'm not 100% happy with on the content's font and I really need a new photo for the sidebar), but I am so happy with the progress I have made in the last forty-eight hours. I can't wait until it's all done.
I helped my family consume three dozen peanut butter blossom cookies this week... I really need to switch from baking to walking when I get bored. (Side note: I might need to add that Mile A Day challenge to my list of New Year's Resolutions for 2013.)

Three Instagram Photos That Describe This Week:

1. My mom and I baked peanut butter blossom cookies for our neighbors and one of her friends from work. They were so delicious. // 2. I am a little too in love with taking photos of our Christmas tree this year. This is the third or fourth one this week. // 3. Bleu isn't enjoying this stormy weather (he misses playing outside), but as I mentioned in my last post, I can't get enough of it.

Two Things I Really Want Right Now:

I am obsessed with this "Merry Christmas Ya Filthy Animal" sweater. My life just won't be complete until I own it (so dramatic, I know!). It just seems silly to order it when it's not possible for it to get here before Christmas, so I will just have to make myself wait to order it until next fall. Then I can wear it all of December. Without a doubt, it will be the best purchase I have made in a long time.
I am really looking forward to going out shopping with my mom the day after Christmas. The list of things I want to buy is never-ending. Maybe a few boxes of white Christmas lights, these shoes, this bag, new blush and bronzer, a new shade of Essie nail polish...

One Blog I Can't Stop Reading:

Delightfully Tacky // Elizabeth has the best wardrobe ever and she seems like such a sweetheart. I have been looking back through some of her posts this week. They are all so inspiring. Some of my favorite posts on her blog are Tips for Taking Your Own Outfit Photos, Our First Christmas Tree, and her Remix Archive series.

I hope you enjoy the holiday with your family and friends. Have a wonderful week!

DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS

2012-12-23T02:24:00.001-08:00

Even though I have been dreaming of a white Christmas, I will happy settle for a rainy one. The past few days have been the epitome of my favorite winter weather in northern California: rain on and off all day with a few five-minute downpours. If I hadn't forgotten my rain boots at school, I would be outside jumping in puddles like a six-year-old. I just hope it lasts through Tuesday. Curling up in my pajamas on the couch, rain tapping on the window, hot cinnamon rolls for breakfast with my family, and Home Alone in the DVD player... that sounds like the perfect Christmas to me.

Speaking of the perfect Christmas, I thought it would be fun to put together a list of all of the things that have become Christmas traditions for my family and share it here:

Waking up when it is still dark outside and wrapping up in warm blankets in front of the tree while opening presents with my brother and our parents.
Eating cinnamon rolls and a family recipe referred to as "Christmas breakfast" because we only have it on Christmas morning. (I have no idea what it is actually called; I just know it includes eggs, bread, and cheese.)
Watching a Christmas movie or cartoon (usually Home Alone, Santa Clause Is Coming To Town, or How The Grinch Stole Christmas) on Christmas night before falling asleep.
Snacking on cheese, crackers, and salami throughout the day instead of eating a huge meal. (Instead, we always have our big Christmas dinner - honey-baked ham, mashed potatoes & gravy, apple pie, etc - on Christmas Eve with my grandmother.)
Listening to the best Christmas music: Dean Martin ("Let It Snow"), Frank Sinatra ("Jingle Bells"), Bing Crosby ("Santa Clause Is Coming To Town"), and Michael Bublé ("White Christmas"). (I love Blake Shelton's "Home", Kelly Clarkson's "Grown-Up Christmas List", and Colbie Caillat's "Santa Baby", too.)
This year, it's just going to be the four of us on Christmas for the first time in several years, so we are starting a new tradition and going out to a movie. We haven't decided what we're going to see yet, but if I had to guess, This Is 40 will be it.

I would love to hear your Christmas traditions, too, so please feel free to share a link to yours in the comments!

SUMMER 2012 MANIFESTO

2012-06-07T15:34:00.000-07:00

There is something magical about this time of year. Summer comes around and children emerge from their houses in swimsuits to jump into the pool or run through the sprinklers, trying to beat the heat that is just starting to settle over the city. The scent of sunscreen is heavy in the air as the sun bakes it into their skin. New mothers float around the pool with their babies clinging to their necks as they experience their first summer. Teenagers bury themselves under blankets until the sun goes down and then it's time to sit out on the front lawn with friends, laughing as they take photos that they will later look back on and say were the best times of their lives.

In the past, I have often craved the opposite. I looked forward to the cold weather. I wanted cozy over-sized sweaters, giant cups of hot chocolate, pouring rain, and hours spent watching Netflix in my bed. But even this cold weather-loving girl is not immune to the irresistible lure of the pool water when it sparkles and winks under the sun or the strawberry lemonades that draw me out of the house to the Starbucks across the street on a hot afternoon. This year, unlike years past, I have been craving the warmth of the summer sun. I want wait to dip my feet in the water, to eat popsicles in the backyard, to eat s'mores around a campfire... In fact, I am actually writing this post out by the pool, under the shade of a giant umbrella-covered table as the dogs race around the backyard and jump into the pool once they have thoroughly overheated themselves.

I have finally fallen in love with summer. Diving into the pool because the concrete is too hot and you just can't wait for your skin to soak up all of the sunscreen you lathered on just a few minutes ago. Barbequing in the back yard. Sticking out your tongue after you eat a popsicle to see if it changed colors. Creating the perfect summer playlist for when you are driving in the car, laying by the pool, waking up in the morning, and going to sleep at night. Having movie marathons until the sun comes up. Fireworks and sparklers on the Fourth of July. Exploring new places with your family. Wearing sandals every day. The scent of chlorine on your skin and in your hair after you get out of the pool. Eating giant bowls of fruit after spending the afternoon with the relentless rays of the sun beating down on you. This is what summer is all about and I am planning to enjoy every minute of it.

After seeing Elise and Caiti share summer manifestos on their blogs, I was inspired to create and share my own, hence the Instagram collage with the list of things I am going to do and enjoy this summer at the top of this post.

What is on your summer manifesto this year? Feel free to share a link to your list in the comments!

MY BIRTHDAY WISHES

2012-01-07T18:13:00.000-08:00

I have seen this idea pop up a few times on some of my favorite blogs and journals over the past couple of years. I thought it seemed like a fun and creative way to set goals for myself, so I'm trying it this year. Maybe making my goal “accomplishing everything on this list by my next birthday” will somehow make everything on it seem more achievable in comparison to when I slap the “New Year’s resolutions” title on it. There is just so much pressure that comes with that.

I hope you all enjoyed your first week of the new year! :)