Neko no Jikan

I've been terribly slacking on my blog posts lately. I've been so busy and so much has happened ... instead of blogging on my downtimes I've just been resting and doing absolutely nothing! Sometimes you just need those days where you can just relax and not have to worry about anything!
Anywayyysss... that was super off topic with my current post! I took so many pictures in Japan that I have to break it up into these different entries. I could simply just do a quick photo diary summary, but Japan was way too interesting to just sum it up into one post!
Japan had all sorts of cafes! Maid cafes, beer cafes, robot cafes, Gundam cafes.... and cat cafes! Yup! Lorenz and I checked out Neko no Jikan in Osaka ~ Japan's first cat cafe! Super cute cafe with the bar right on top of a cherry blossom tree! There were so many different kinds of cats and they were all so friendly. Some of them would just walk right over to your lap and try to make themselves comfortable. The coffee and tea were delicious as well! It was a pretty relaxing place to just unwind after a long day.

your journey starts when your trip ends

I had the amazing opportunity to go to Kenya as an Initiative Ambassador for Free the Children! The experience was life changing! I got to see, first hand, what all our fundraising was going to. The children I met were so enthusiastic, thankful, and eager to learn. Visiting the all girls school in Kisaruni was probably my favorite part. The girls I met there were so inspirational and had such big dreams! Their hospitality and intelligence completely blew me away! If you'd like to see my video submission, click here!

Nabana No Sato

I'm so thankful to have been able to see this amazing light show in Japan. It was a bit of a drive from Tokyo, but it was absolutely worth it! It's an annual event held around winter to early spring in Mie Prefecture on Nagashima. The place was also filled with beautiful flower fields and cherry blossom trees.

on repeat.

Hicksville at Night

Sighhh... The holidays are over and it's back to work. I'm spending my Saturday laying on my bed with my laptop looking back at the photos I took at Joshua Tree. I really miss that place! It was freezing cold, but so cozy at the same time. I remember freezing my ass off while taking these night pictures. Setting up the tripod was so hard, because my hands were so numb. I want to go back when it gets warmer so I can stargaze at night.

Illesteva

Someone please help me find these Illesteva Leonard sunglasses in blonde! I've looked everywhere and can't seem to find them! I'm assuming they discontinued them because the newer models are out now. I've seen them in blonde/havana & other colors, but I just want them in ALL blonde! Swooon.. I'm in LOVE with these. :(

WE COULD GO ANYWHERE!

It was one of those days where Lorenz and I both had the day off and felt like we could go anywhere! We spontaneously took a day trip up north to San Francisco. We left around 4AM and returned close to 2AM. FIrst stop was Brenda's French Soul Food! We've been wanting to eat there for so long, but every time we were in the bay it was super packed! After that we explored art & found Waldo at the SFMOMA. Then we visited Twin Peaks, one of my all time favorite places in SF! It was a gloomy day, but the view was still amazing! We also walked around Haight St. and got a mint mojito iced coffee from Philz! There were two adorably furry dogs watching me sip my coffee. For dinner, we ended the night at Ippuku in Berkeley. Sigh.. I left my heart in San Francisco.

Call me pumpkin!

Decided to paint instead of carve pumpkins this year. A polka dot "Yayoi" pumpkin & two mini glitter ones. I love chill nights like this.

The Color Run!

Powdery fun! I'll let the pictures speak for themselves!

Dia de los Muertos

Tamales, Mexican hot chocolate, Micheladas, Chicharrones de Harinas, Margaritas, and sugar skulls ~ this event was super packed!! They even had a live Mariachi band playing Mariachi versions of all the latest hits.. haha. Amazing grave decorations & costumes too!!