1  A WEEK FOR FRIENDS - I’m really pumped to have a couple friends pop in to LA to hang!  

Today my college friend Erin is coming in from Dallas … just a little stopover on the way to Papua New Guinea. A pre-scouting event of sorts before her family of 4 move out there! Crazy but awesome. Yay missions!  

And then my good high school friend Ann is here for about a week. We’re getting together over some cupcakes tomorrow to catch up on her adventures in Paris!

Look at all my living-abroad friends. So cool.

2  UMAMI BURGER - My quest for the so-called “best burger” in town is still in progress. This last week I went with my friend Lauren to Umami Burger (which is adjacent to Fred Segal - first time going in there. Interesting). 

I do have to say that Umami’s sweet potato fries are amazing, but the Plan Check burger still in the lead. Next up: Father’s Office and Hole in the Wall.   

3  IT’S AUGUST WHICH IS OFFICIALLY BIRTHDAY MONTH - I need to start planning something for my birthday. Any suggestions?

I’m still planning on going to Portland for the fun. concert with my sister. That can be a semi-birthday trip slash sister bonding time. I don’t really know what to expect out of Portland. Maybe some hipster bike-riding and/or finding Donald Miller’s go-to spots for writing. And I really want to find that “Portland is Weird” billboard. That looks awesome.

I’m thinking dinner with friends here … and then week of rest in Portland. I like the sound of that.

4  I DID HEAD SHOTS FOR THE FIRST TIME LAST WEEK - Since living in LA I’ve been finding all sorts of ways to use photography. I’ve been pigeon-holed in weddings for so long that it feels so refreshing to mix it up a bit.  

I did interior shots awhile ago and have another job lined up. And the kids clothing company one was a smash. And so I thought I’d give head shots a try. And having a friend who is a former actor sure helps!  

I must say, having a pro makeup artist and stylist and an experienced actor sure made this learning process invaluable! 

5  ARE Y’ALL WATCHING THE OLYMPICS? I haven’t really … not having cable really puts a damper on that whole aspect of things. But I’ve managed to Youtube / live stream some parts. But with all the delays and Twitter spoilers, it really takes the essence out of it in a way.

Anyways. Here’s a little Olympics song from Tiger Weather to brighten your day!

[VIDEO REMOVED]

This is incredible. And inspiring.

4,748 Self-Portraits and Counting

Hello world. It’s almost AUGUST. Which is crazy. It’s almost my birthday.  

I’m going to celebrate it the way my old roommate would - straight up birthday month.  I expect cupcakes every day. Please and thank you!  

Anyways - here’s what’s going on with me:

1  WORKING HARD FOR THE MONEY - I’ve been working mad overtime lately. Mostly because my trip to Lake Geneva/Chicago last week really got me behind. But hey, I was on a boat - and therefore, I couldn’t work. So yeah.

Anyways. I’ve been working mad hours lately. Just between SEOperks and photography and Etsy stuff. Then I’ve been out there networking and meeting people and going to craft fairs (I got to meet Danni @ Oh Hello Friend and talk to the DKNG people!). It’s been busy. 

People think that working from home is all pajamas all the time, but sometimes when you gotta get down to it - you gotta hustle. I’m out there trying to make connections and half the time I’m still brainstorming how to get all these entrepreneurial dreams out of my head and into reality. Seriously, especially after seeing Launchpad LA. I gotta jump on that! 

Anyways. I’m hustlin’. I think it’s time to get an intern. 

2  ONE DAY WHEN I FINALLY GET CAUGHT UP - I’m going to treat myself to Batman.  That’s the plan.  

My community group watched it on Sunday when I was still in Chicago, so I didn’t get to see it with them. Which makes me sad because I’m the type of person who watches summer blockbuster hits at the midnight showing. S’all good though. I’ll make it up with the Bourne Legacy.  

3  SMITHWICK’S & DUTCH BLITZ - So on Saturday I got to hang out with my Florida friends (who are actually from Indiana). We were planning on hitting up this bar in North Hollywood that serves an East Coast beer that we love. But we decided to just go to BevMo, grab a few beers, and go home to play Dutch Blitz.

I still wish we could have made it an actual Florida night by having some Yuengling, but I’m happy to have:

Anyways. I have a deck at home. Come play with me!

4  DINNER WITH ANDREA / WESTSIDE TAVERN - So I had dinner with my good friend Andrea and her husband on Friday night. Catching up with Andrea was great! I’m sad that she lives super far away, even though it’s still technically LA. We def need to hang out more though. It’s going to happen. 

Ever since I’ve been in LA, all I’ve heard is this huge debate as to where the best burger in town is. Westside Tavern happens to be mentioned quite a lot - so that’s where we went.  

Let me just say, it was a good burger. But I think Plan Check’s burger was better. 

5  MACBOOK PRO OR IMAC - I need your input. I’m thinking about upgrading soon and don’t know which route to go. People are telling me iMac, but honestly I don’t know where I’d put it. I don’t exactly have actual office space. But it’d be good considering all the work I do from home.

Anyways. If you had an opinion, let me know!

Even though my first notion of “Purity Ring” usually is true love waits … this recent single may change that. The killer smooth beat throughout the song woos you in (and can also serve as music therapy).  

Although the words are kind of morbid. Reminds me of some sort of pathology doctor. Weird. I’m just going to ignore the lyrics for now.  

Anyways. Check out the debut album “Shrine” out this week.  

• I’m hungry
• I really need to update my website
• I really need to edit those pictures …
• the dad on Awkward. is hot - yeah I said it.  The DAD.  
• i need to rewatch all of New Girl before Season 2 starts
• fashion in the 90s was horrible (still watching Dawson’s Creek)
• love me some random Skins songs - everything from Tony’s singing to Wild World to the Osama musical, etc etc
• going to meet a friend from college for dinner - haven’t seen her in like 5 years!
• we’re going to Westside Tavern - apparently they have the best burgers in town … we’ll see.
• I need to order new business cards - passed out my last one yesterday.
• I really want to make more magnets.  And then tag someone’s fridge - just randomly.  That would be awesome.
• I’ve been craving ice cream lately - but like the good, homemade kind.  Like from the Old Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory or Molly Moon’s.  I think I’m going to have to stop by Sprinkles …

I think that’s it for now.  Just random thoughts sitting in my brain.  It was either going to come out on Twitter or on here.  I voted here.  I think the picture and the bullets make it cool.  Ok bye!  Have a good weekend :)