Friday night was the rehearsal dinner for the wedding we attend last weekend [more here].

I am not sure how many of you have ever been to Hopland, but it is literally a mile stretch of quaint little buildings on highway 101. The dinner was at one of the inns  in town (there are only 2, I think) called Lawson Station. While the kitchiness was awesome, we heard the rooms left something to be desired… anyway.

That is Patty and I taking pictures in the bathroom. Turned out that was where the best light was.

On Me: Dress- Thrifted and hand ruched by me, Necklace- my Grandma’s, Shoes- Nordstroms

All around, the dinner was about catching up with all the out of town families and being introduced to new people coming into the family. It was awesome. Lots of wine and beer and that always equals fun!

I think the best part of this whole night was the BF’s Grandma. I love her. She gets so riled up at the BF’s jokes and Patty’s sense of humor that I just about peed laughing.

She wasn’t really as boozed up as this photo makes it look, but it was still funny nonetheless. We had such a great time.

The BF was egging everyone on by doing interlocking chugging contests – hence the last picture of him and his Aunt. It was hilarious. His family doesn’t mess around.

Back Row: the BF and Ace (aka: Gregg, Mavrick, Goose – he’s a Pilot).

Front Row: Patty, me, and Mary

After 4 long hours of drinking, eating, a Niki-dominated game of uno, and catching up… we all walked across the street for a midnight game of bacci ball. Amazing. Turns out Patty is a ringer – good thing I wasn’t playing her. LOL.

We were so tired. So so so tired. It was crazy and fun night… and we still have one more night to go!

More pics of the wedding day festivities and drive home soon!

Click on the pics for the larger versions!

More photos can be found at my flickr and Patty’s Myspace!

This weekend was a blast. the BF’s cousin Lane got married in beautiful northern California Wine Country – Hopland to be exact.

We left early Friday morning … like super early. Like, 4AM early.

That’s right people – I took a super unsteady shot of the rental cars clock so people wouldn’t think I was exaggerating. It was sooo early – it actually felt earlier since we went to sleep at midnight the night before. Yikes.

We made excellent time (from the OC to Ukiah it took 7 hours). We were just enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way and loving the heat.

That night was the rehearsal dinner. Since we made such great time, we were able to have a quick nap before visiting with the family and getting ready.

To say it was a mad house at the BF’s Aunt and Uncle’s house is a complete understatement. 5 dogs, 1 cat, 2 old ladies, the BF’s mom, and countless people running in and out all day was the complete story of was took place this weekend. It was awesome. So many good times.

Here are some snaps of the dogs:

Stella and Bosley: they are Beagal/Basset Hound mixes.

Baxster and Olive: both Goldens and very mischievous!

And Saba [say-ba]. Sada is a mix. She was rescued by the BF’s cousin Paul while he was in medical school in the Caribbean. She was a little anti-social, but I loved her!

the BF’s Aunt and Uncle’s house was gorgeous! I mean really really amazing – especially the back yard. They have put so much hard work into this house and it has completely paid off.

So many pics, so little time… I think I will do this update in 3 parts. Next up… the rehearsal dinner!

All the images have links to their larger images… just click the pic!

There are also a ton more photos at my Flickr and Patty’s myspace!

I am exhausted. After a 12 hour car ride yesterday, I wanted nothing more then to stay in bed all day today… but alas, I am at work playing catch up – and doing a quick post.

More pics to come later. Such good times. I really think I need to convince the BF to move to northern California. I miss it already!

On me: Necklace – diamonds from Grandma, Dress – Express, Belt – Vintage, Shoes – Payless (they are gold!)

On him: Shirt, Shoes & Tie – Nordstroms, Suit (jacket not pictured) – Express, Sunglasses – no idea.

Finals. Enough said, right? How ’bout insane work to top it off. That is my life right now… that and moving plans (see ya idiot apartment complex managers are your insane rates!), being sick (stupid, stupid head cold), wedding trip plans (the BF and I have several weddings to attend in the next few weeks), and Germany!

That last one is the thing I cannot wait for. It’s almost here.

Anyways, I am here to apologize for my absence. No excuses (even though I have some really nice ones, right?).

All I have to say for my self is this: I did have a semi epic thrifting experience yesterday and I will have pics posted this weekend (and that should make up for everything *sticks tongue out*)

But I have to complete my final paper, hence the short and sweet post. I will leave you with this!

The BF’s classic picture face. Adore it… my mom is still training him to keep his eyes open… he’s doing an awesome job. HAHA

Tank: F21, Sweater: Express (a gazillion years ago), Jeans: Anchor Blue (not pictured – clearly), And I am pretty sure I am wearing my Chuck Taylors.

The Sartorialist is rocking my socks lately with his photos from Governor’s Island.

It’s  my dream world – my pin-stripe, soft shoeing, swing dancing, parasol carrying, oxford wearing, wiggle dress dream world in the flesh.

Photos: Sartorialist

This has been a very angsty week for me – and it’s only Wednesday (;lahdfaksjdh24874!#@*&@^)!.

Today, I wanted to punch everyone that works for my school square in the teeth. But thats enough of that…

I think the next things on my list of items to stock up on for my wardrobe are cycle shorts. That’s right people – throwin’ away the cut off demin and jumping head first in the memories of my childhood.

It has always astounded me how fashion eventually comes full circle. My mother (in the late 80’s and all of the 90’s) dressed in tees and cycle shorts everyday – religiously. It was her to go outfit that she generally accessorized with a neon scrunchy and keds – and then forced me to be her mini me.

Eventually, I grew to dispise anything with a thread of spandex because it, uh, accsentuated my, er, giantic a$$. There I said it. I was a chubster back in the day, so naturally, I (mentally) burned all cycle shorts (and like clothing) out of my wardrobe at an early age.

So, when I opened up my dresser a few weeks back and found a pair of black cycling shorts, it was no wonder I was like “What in the *bleep* are these!?”.  I have no idea where they came from. Most likely I borrowed them from my mom in some desperate attempt to cool off (or something) a few eons back; but I like to think that the Fashion Gods have smiled down on me and looked past my naiveness.

And now, I am officially turning into my mother (sigh). I cannot get enough of them. While I am still damning the scrunchies to h-e-double hockey sticks, I do plan to invest in a few more colors of cycle shorts for the summer. Paring them with the BF’s shirts and my brand new wedges might be my staple for summer – much to my mother’s pleasure (and “I told you so when you were 8″’s).

Photos: The Style Wanderer, Hanneli, Piret

Work is crazy… and not in a good way. So, I am taking a very much deserved blogging break to do a little update.

I made one of my DIY’s on Friday… the fringe zipper necklace. Turned out amazing. Haven’t taken a decent photo of it yet… but will today or tomorrow.

Otherwise… work, school, cuddle with BF, work, school, cuddle with BF… basically the story of my life right now – oh, and getting ready for Germany!

But back to the things at hand.

Any chance I get, I try to get my mind of the mundane. And as the title of this post alluded to – today I am getting inspired by Japanese street style. This isn’t the first time I have posted photos from the Japanese style blog DROP, and it probably wont be the last.

I think it’s the color and the confidence that the people seem to ooze. And they are totally fueling my obsession with bright, vibrant colors. I am desperately trying to avoid blacks and grays… like the plague.

Well, back to work work. Sigh.

No doubt I will be day dreaming of color combos for future outfits…

OH! And I am going to liquidate my closet. Like everything. Getting rid of some vintage 80’s slouchy boots ($35 and in great condition), probably my pair of Doc’s (worn like 3 times, $90), and oodles and oodles of clothes. If you want dibs on the boots, let me know – email: nikitoes02 [at] gmail [dot] com. I will be posting pics soon… hopefully.

Photos: DROP

I said in my last post that I am working on a bathing suit DIY… and I am. I have taken photos throughout the process and will be posting them soon!

But all this DIY’ing has made me go bonkers… literally. Everything I see, I think I can make it. While I would like to think this is true, I just don’t have the time… school and work, you know.

On the other hand, I do have a a few possible simple and quick DIY’s going in my mind right now…

An Elastic Harness:

Zipper Fringe Necklace:

Random Zipper Tee:

I will keep you posted on my DIYing as they progress, but plan seeing these in the near future.

Photos: Norweigen Wood, BleachBlack, Rouge Marie

Another adventure on my b-day was a shopping excursion with Jade to Forever 21 and American Vintage.

This hat was my biggest score of the day. Perfection.

I am doing a bathing suit DIY right now, so pics to come soon! YAY!

Tee: F21 (ages ago), Hat: American Vintage

Lately, I have been trying to schedule posts a couple days out because, lets face it, life gets crazy.

However, I had to do a quick post about the new issue of N.E.E.T! I just adore this online mag… It has totally turned me on to a few designers that I love!

This latest issue has me drooling over the new stuff at Pixie Market…

And jonsing over this necklace (Jade, we need this… stat!)

They also did a spread on Karla from Karla’s Closet.

Definitely, worthy the look-see!