5 Podcasts You Should Listen To

Podcasts are something I have always been interested in. Or, perhaps I have always liked the idea of listening to podcasts, but never got around to actually listening to them until recently.

It was all a cosmic, happy accident. I was in major need of some downtime, sick of my music playlists, but still wanting something to feed my soul auditorily. Voilà! Podcasts! I started with Elizabeth Gilbert's "Magic Lessons", because I know Liz's voice, and I trust it. (Eat Pray Love is practically scripture to me, no matter how banal that sounds.) My gut did not let me down and it was everything I was hoping it would be. And thus started my love for podcasts. They educate, inspire, and entertain!

So, without further ado, here are the podcasts I have listened to recently and recommend!

1. Magic Lessons by Elizabeth Gilbert. This podcast is the juicy overflow from her most recent book, Big Magic (which I have yet to read but it is on my upcoming to-read list). It addresses the path of creativity, and how to find that extra nudge and overcome fears associated with the pursuit of creativity. Also, her voice is calming and sounds like warm honey. So there's that.

2. Radio Headspace: Dallas Clayton and Inspiring Creativity. Clearly there is a theme going here, but I like to think we are all creative by simply being human, and we all need to listen to these stories! Dallas Clayton is a genius. A true modern poet and artist in a world full of Etsy shops and "artists" everywhere. He has a magnetic authenticity that draws people in. His positive outlook on life and the explosion of color with which he creates helps distinguish his work. But there is something electrifying and candid and utterly splendid about his perspective.

3. One Part Podcast by Jessica Murnane.  I found this lovely podcast through a great food blog I read, A Cozy Kitchen, and I was instantly hooked. Jessica talks about relevant topics (to my interests) and has that friendly, girl-next-door vibe. She is a pleasure to listen to and really knows how to engage with her readers and guests alike. Definitely one to bookmark!

4. Happier with Gretchen Rubin. The very first podcast I listened to of Gretchen's was about the "Four Tendencies" and it BLEW my mind! (I am a Questioner/Rebel, for the record—surprise, surprise!) I had Matt take the quiz too, then I spent the next three days analyzing and dissecting what it meant for our personalities and relationship. It was eye-opening to say the least, and helped me to change some of my less-than-desirable habits.

5. Here's the Thing with Alec Baldwin. I love Alec Baldwin. Wacky antics and anger issues aside, the man is insanely talented and hilarious. And sharp. I am extremely nosy about people's lives, specifically celebrity figures, and Mr. Baldwin gets the scoop on all the people. I just listened to the one about whether Warhol did in fact like Campbell's soup. Spoiler alert! He did.

Image source 1 | 2

Who Is Your Celebrity Crush?

If you read the blog A Cup of Jo, you probably saw today's post titled, "Who Is Your Celebrity Crush?" Considering I have a weak spot for silly, trivial questions and quizzes, I had to satisfy my curiosity to see who everyone picked! The pick of the day was Andy Samberg, and I was all "Hey! I think he is sexy, too! My husband kinda looks like him!" (Proof of that right here when he dressed up as Hot Rod for Halloween in 2012. Perfect timing for that plug!)

As fate would have it, it just so happens that my celebrity crush is a buddy of Andy's and it all began after seeing him on SNL and Hot Rod (it's on Netflix, and you should definitely watch it).

It is the one, the only...

(Drum roll, please...)

 Mr. Bill Hader!

I used to be ashamed to admit that since he is "not conventionally good-looking." I randomly posted about it a few years ago on my personal Facebook and everyone gave me the internet WTF side-eye. But there is something about him that makes me all twitterpated. What it is, I am not entirely sure. Obviously he is hilarious and a talented actor, but I genuinely find him physically attractive. Maybe it's the broad shoulders? Perhaps he reminds me of someone on a subconscious level? I don't know. I just like the guy, alright? Apparently I am not alone since a few people listed him in the comments on Cup of Jo after they saw Trainwreck. I got a little defensive and huffy and thought, No! Bill Hader is MINE! I am the loyal Bill Hader admirer! Bye Felicia!

You probably thought I would have picked Justin Timberlake or Chace Crawford if I had a "freebie", which sounds like an obvious run-of-the-mill answer since all I ever seem to do is ramble on about JT and Gossip Girl. NOPE. I would be super nervous if I ever met them. But Bill? Bill is comfortable and real. Bill is just a normal dude, and I like normal.

So, now I must ask YOU the question of the week! Who is your celebrity crush?

P.S. I would like to note that Paul Rudd is my runner-up. Apparently he is incredibly nice. My brother used to own a driving service in Park City and one of his buddies drove Paul Rudd around for the night during Sundance. He ended up giving the driver his exceptionally nice parka, which was then given to my brother for reasons I still don't understand, other than the fangirl moment it provided me. Oh, and that he was probably beyond wasted and scratching his head the next morning, asking himself, "Where the hells bells is my fur-hooded parka?"

P.P.S. If only Bill Hader had been in the place of Bobby Moynihan, my celebrity crush dreams would have been realized in the SNL "Single Ladies" sketch. If you like it then you should have put a ring on it, Bill, Paul, and Justin!

P.P.P.S. Uh, hi. Uh, my name is Dave and, uh, I like to party. 

Image sources 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

This Made Me Laugh

There are three things in life that will always make me laugh hysterically:

1. Babies laughing uncontrollably
2. Seinfeld
3. Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake

Hands down, without fail, you can guarantee I will be splitting my sides with any of those. And maybe I will be almost as cute as Beyonce while doing it and be all, "I woke up like this." And maybe, "I sneezed on the beat and the beat got sicker." (A girl can dream, right?)

I can't believe it took me this long to see this most recent segment with Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake on The Tonight Show. (Please read here and here for all of my Justin Timberlake fangirling. Hashtag ILOVEYOUJT! Hashtag LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!) And as expected, I watched it six times in a row and laughed harder each time. What makes it even better is that the song they feature in it, "Open Your Eyes" by Snow Patrol, will forever make me think of Ryan Reynolds in Just Friends. That dude is hilarious (and fooiiine). He needs added to the list. Okay, we're adding him to the list.

UPDATED LIST OF THINGS THAT WILL ALWAYS MAKE ME LAUGH HYSTERICALLY:

1. Babies laughing uncontrollably
2. Seinfeld
3. Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake

4. Ryan Reynolds

Guys, I just got lost down the Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively rabbit hole while looking for a picture of their baby. For the last 15 minutes I was literally just clicking through pictures of them, and then ended up scrolling through her Instagram. She is funny and silly too! She's included in the Ryan Reynolds bundle.

Alright, enough already. Let's get to the point! It's time for all of us to watch the Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake "Looks" segment below, and then freak out laughing even more at the end! Deal? Okay, ready, set, go!

Top image source from Cosmopolitan

Let's Talk About The VMAs!

I was planning on writing a post about hormonal acne, but that's BORING when compared to talking about the VMAs!

So, did you watch it? I mostly waited around until it was over so I could peruse the highlight reels. I did watch All About Eve on Netflix though, which is basically the same thing, but it doesn't kill your brain cells by the second like evil reality television and MTV does. In fact, it's quite the opposite. One could add it to their "I'm Cultured" manifesto by knowing lines from the Oscar-winning film. You should watch it.

Anyway, back to Miley and her shock factor outfit choices! Or lack thereof. Yes, she was neked practically the whole night, so no surprises there. Did you see her and Nicki Minaj go at it for a hot second? That was funny.

Let's see... what else... Oh! Justin Bieber cried. The Biebs is a boobie! Actually, I don't believe they were real tears, but I DO think his red carpet outfit was spot on. Like, I want that exact outfit to be my fall momiform. I am not kidding.

Kanye! (Like how I am on a first name basis with everyone? We're old chums, all of us!) Not gonna lie—I thought his speech was endearing. He is just a sensitive, little dork like the rest of us, all the Yeezus-ing aside. Also, I was kind of waiting for him to bust into a stand up comedy act in the middle. Just sayin', bro.

Last thing I want to talk about: The Queen Bee Miss Taylor Swift! She was up there strutting her stuff like she owned the place. Her confidence is admirable, and she is absolutely gorgeous, but I still stand beside my statement  that she is not a nice person deep down inside. (YOU are a mean girl, you're a *$&%*!)

How do we feel about Taylor Swift's "Wildest Dreams" music video? I kind of had this face the entire time. Or at least anytime Scott Eastwood was not onscreen. Yikesabee, that man is foooiiinnnee! You do know he is Clint Eastwood's son, right? Clint, for the record, was a knockout in his prime, so it only makes sense he produces wildly attractive offspring.

I kind of think the whole video was a fantasy come to life after Tay-Tay finished watching The Longest Ride. Have you see that movie? Add it to the Nicholas Sparks list! After you watch it, you will see what I am talking about. I know it is based on the movie, Out of Africa, but I can just picture her being like, "I want to make out with that sexy beast of a man. And since he doesn't date crazies like me, I will swoon him for the sake of 'my music' with my cat lady powers of seduction in the wild sahara! With lions! And billowing tents! Mwah-hahaaa!" (Well played, Swift. Well. Played.)

I feel like she is kind of going for a Lana Del Rey sound and vibe, but less dark (obviously, she's Taylor Swift). Yeah? No? Just me? I do have to admit it's catchy and I've watched it six times now, so I guess I'm drinking the Swiftie Kool-Aid. Watch it for yourself and return and report!



Image sources 1 | 2

10 Reasons Why Juan Pablo Is The Worst Bachelor Ever

Coat: H&M
Trousers: LOFT
Sunglasses: Anthropologie

Photos by Nathan Petty

If you are a fellow Bachelor watcher, you absolutely have to agree that Juan Pablo is the worst bachelor in its history. I didn't watch the first few seasons, so there may be worse contenders. However, for the sake of recent people to spotlight, JP is downright terrible, especially after following a class act like my boy, Sean. Here are the reasons I want to die (just like Andi does) every time I watch Juan Pablo:

1) He refers to people in the third person when talking directly to them. There's a good chance he may well turn into Jimmy from Seinfeld.

2) The used and abused line of "I dohn't want to dee-sapoint my daughter" as a lame excuse to not kiss somebody he just straight up didn't want to kiss. You weren't fooling anyone with that one, buddy.

3) I understand the whole ESL thing, but I just don't feel that JP is the brightest bulb in the box. His vocabulary consists of maybe 40 words, and I am tired of hearing how "sex-eee" everyone is.

4) Speaking of language barriers, shoving your tongue down somebody's throat is not always the answer for filling awkward silence, Jaunito Pablito. (I'm mostly directing this to you, Sharleen. No wonder you voluntarily elected to go home!)

5) Speaking of kissing and considering three-quarters of this season's airtime is filled with it, JP doesn't seem like a very good kisser, IMO. Too much weird tongue action going on, as previously mentioned.

6) This face.

7) When Juan Pablo is asked what he likes about someone, his first three responses are always something to do with physical appearance, and then maybe he will end the list with something like, "Oh, she's fun." Translation: Juan Pablo is shallow. Andi further validated these findings when she called him out this last Monday on how he never asked what her religious, political, and philosophical views were. This could also be attributed to reason #3 listed above.

8) Juan Pablo is king of all womanizers, possibly even trumping the likes of Casanova, Lothario and Rico Suave. Perhaps it would be more suiting if we refer to him as Don Juan Pablo from here on out. He knows all the tricks in the book. All those tears he sheds? Ultimate womanizing powers of manipulation, right there. The man has it down to a science. There is even a special Spanish word to describe all of his skirt-chasing antics: machismo.

9) I genuinely believe the only reason he agreed to be The Bachelor was to stroke his ego, make money, and gain publicity for his consulting business (kind of how Jef Holm went on solely to promote his trendy water company, because I still maintain he likes boys). As if Don Juan Pablo needs help "finding love." Ha! Dude's a hot, ex-pro soccer player! Preeeettty sure he has no issues nailing down dates with supermodels.

10) He likes Nikki, and Nikki sucks. I'm putting all my chips in that he picks her, even though I think Clare's calculating ways are more up his alley.

Disclaimer: The Bachelor for me is like watching a train wreck; no matter how horrifying it becomes, I just can't look away. This list may seem like I hate Don Juan Pablo, but I don't hate him. I just find his behavior repulsive. But who am I kidding? The whole concept of this show is revolting when you cut down to the bones of it. This article pinpoints all my angsty, feminist feelings perfectly.

So, what say you? Is Don Juan Pablo the worst, or is he the worst?

A Random Thing Or Two-sday

 Jacket: LOFT. Skirt: LOFT. Tee: LOFT. Scarf: H&M. Wedges: Boutique.

*Let's just get this out in the open... this entire post is dedicated to the season finale of Gossip Girl. Perhaps we should re-title it "A Random Thing Or Two-About-Gossip-Girl-sday." Also, DO NOT continue reading if you haven't seen it and don't want to spoil the fun.

1) The first 40 minutes of the show, I felt like I was going to throw up out of sheer anticipation. The kind of butterflies and anxiety that start at the pit of your stomach and slowly crawl and climb their way to your heart and up through your throat. I think I'm still reeling from the emotions of it actually being over. Season finales are just as terrible as finishing up that last page (an event you so desperately wish to avoid) of the best book you've ever read. I guess all things have to come to an end at some point, right? I hate it.

2) Okay, let's get down to business... Dan was Gossip Girl? Really? REALLY? I completely identify with the girl that replied to his reveal with the moving words, "That little b****." Couldn't have said it better myself. 

3) We all knew Chuck and Blair would tie the knot. If the writers didn't jot that into the finale, the Gossip Girl community would be demanding heads. But, the "5 years later" thing with a dapper bambino named Henry? I just about died. Why did they wait until the bitter end to give us the offspring of Chair? 

4) Now let's make a little run-down of all the couples living happily ever after: 

• Lily and William: Why am I not surprised?
• Jack and Georgina: Again, why wasn't this implemented into the show sooner? A scheming match made in heaven hell.
• Rufus and ?: Really though, who was that lady? One of Dan's publishers? *Update: I have just been informed it was Lisa Loeb (looks like I need to brush up on my 90's pop culture). The perfect old and hipstery, angsty pair, don't you think?
• Chuck and Blair: Still dying over Henry Bass.
• Dan and Serena: So happy they got hitched, and I found myself secretly pining for their real life reunion (which leads us into the next bullet point because this deserves one of its own).

5) Every time I watched this final season, I couldn't help but wonder how Penn Badgley and Blake Lively handled their onscreen romance since they split in their own personal lives. Blake Lively is married to Ryan Reynolds, for heaven's sake, but there still had to be some kind of emotion behind it. Especially the scene as Blake Lively merrily floated down the stairs at the very end and fell into the arms to her glowing groom, the dear Penny Penn. Now, I am definitely a Team Ryan gal all the way typically, but a little, teensy part of me wanted the Gossip Girl ending to translate over into the real world where Serena and Blake end up with Lonely Boy.

6) How shall I ever fill this Gossip Girl void? This looming, dark crevasse only left with empty dreams of high fashion and headbands? The new spin-off of Sex and the City sounds like a nightmare. Send some suggestions my way, per favore.

A Random Thing Or Two-sday

 Dress: Vintage. Jacket: LOFT. Chambray shirt: Target. Necklace: H&M. Flats: Nine West. Sunglasses: Anthropologie.

1) The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are having a royal baby! Yes! Kate Middleton is prego! And possibly with twins? Gahhhh. I am still dying over it. Apparently Suri is too.

2) Fact: All the gifts in The Twelve Days of Christmas would amount to 364 presents (source). Go ahead and add it up for yourself.

3) Isn't this watch the coolest?

4) Pretty sure Elmo's voice was inspired by Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons' version of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause."

5) Would you rather have twinkle lights for hair or glitter ball ornaments for eyes (and your eyes would still function with pupils and all, they'd just be enormous, glittery, and gold)? In fact, that would make the cutest little Christmas character. Maybe I'll get really ambitious and make one!

A Random Thing Or Two-sday

Shirt: Target (couldn't find online link, but it's in-stores). Pants: LOFT (similar). Necklace: LOFT (similar). Flats: F21.

1) We have a pink wig floating around the house, and everyone who enters has to take a photo with it. Kind of like the whole Flat Stanley project, except this wig hasn't traveled... yet. Should we start The Wig Project in the blogosphere?

2) Fact: It is impossible to hum while plugging your nose (source). Try it. Warning: You may run the risk of passing out or bursting an eardrum if you attempt this too vigorously.

3) In case you aren't obsessed with the lives of celebrities like me and missed the big news, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel tied the knot! And another one bites the dust.

4) Luke has 5 teeth now. The great tooth count is increasing at an alarming rate. My nerves are a bit frazzled with it all (crying, there is a lot of it). Matt and I decided he kind of looks like Chucky when he squishes his eyes and cheeks and shows off those chompers. It's kind of messed up and scary, I know, but it's the truth. I will not link that one up even though it is Halloween. I am still traumatized from sneakily watching one of the 1,547 Chucky movies behind the couch as a 5-year old when I was supposed to be in bed. That's what you get for having older brothers, mixed with blatantly disobeying your parents. Let's just say I usually learn the hard way.

5) Speaking of freaky horror movie killers, would you rather be the target of Jason from Halloween, or Freddy? Oh wait, they already made a terrible movie about that.

A Random Thing Or Two-sday

Shirt, Sandals: LOFT. Skirt: H&M.

1) Fact: Apples are more efficient at waking you up in the morning than caffeine (source).

2) So much for scarves, layers, and pumpkin infused drinks. It has been piping hot here in Southern California. I can't wear anything other than a tee and a skirt without feeling like I'm melting, so my beloved beanies, I will see you in a few months.

3) Remember this video? Turns out they have a blog!

4) We all know Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds tied the knot by now, so get a load of this photo of her ring! Next step: baby!

5) If you had one day left on earth, what would you do?

A Random Thing Or Two-sday

Blouse: Thrifted. Scarf: Vintage. Skirt: c/o DownEast Basics. Belt: LOFT. Heels: GUESS.

1) Boom! New blog design. I always love a fresh new design. It's almost as good as completely rearranging all of the furniture in the house. Almost. At least our blind chihuahua, Benny, won't assume any new head injuries from this change.

2) Fact: According to some random statistic I found about the internet, there were 3.146 billion email accounts worldwide in 2011 (source). That still leaves half of the world without an email account. How do those people survive!?

3) I don't understand why anyone in their right mind watches Fashion Police on E. Let's dissect this, shall we? The fact that it looks like Joan Rivers goes under the knife every week and then has the nerve to get on national television to talk about how terrible people look makes NO SENSE. I would never listen to any fashion advice she has to give. Ever. And for the record, I don't think her insulting schtick is funny. I'll stick to watching the the Rachel Zoe Project, Joan.

4) Speaking of pop culture, I just found out yesterday that Adam Levine is single and has been for a few solid months. What rock have I been living under? Looks like I need to subscribe to a hard copy of People, because clearly my web browsing skills just aren't cutting it these days.

5) Would you rather become best friends with your favorite celebrity (who would it be!?) or receive 5 years worth of free gasoline?
 

The Fourth With Randy Johnson

Our 4th of July was spent with Matt's side of the family. We hung out at the beach, ate some hot dogs and hamburgers, and just did our thang. It was a little overcast at the beach so it was a very laid back, sweats and hoodies kind of day. However, something pretty awesome occurred...

Lounging at Salt Creek beach in Dana Point on the surfer's side, we enjoyed watching local surfer guys spin 360's and do all sorts of crazy things on their boards. Photographers often frequent this joint because of the talent and pure radness. There happened to be one extremely tall guy with a $15,000 camera and lens set up to our left. There was a shorter, more fat one to our right too, so we thought it was no biggie.

About an hour later, my brother-in-law was like, You guys, I think that is Randy Johnson. I'm walking by to check it out.

Five minutes later he came back affirming that it was "totally Randy Johnson."

Then Matt decided to stroll by and inconspicuously sneak a peek. He came back affirming that it was "totally Randy Johnson."

Being that I am from Washington state and was raised on the Mariners, I had to go take a gander. After all, I watched the Mariners when the Randster was in his prime years.

I used little Jojo as a decoy to go play in the sand since we were all being ridiculous at this point at taking turns to go look at the poor guy. I didn't want to make him feel awkward.

At first I was all, That's not Randy Johnson. That guy taking the pictures is old. Randy Johnson is younger than that.

About twenty minutes later he started looking around and probably caught on that people were beginning to figure out it was him. It didn't help that our family kept yelling out Randy like we all had Tourrette's. He eventually packed up and in that moment I knew it was him. The Big Unit (say it in this voice, it has a much more dramatic effect).

Of all the times I decided to not bring my camera, Randy Johnson decides to show up and show off his retired hobby of choice. Go figure.

It doesn't get more American than that folks. The fourth of July, complete with hot dogs, hamburgers, the beach, and baseball Hall of Famer, Randy Johnson.

Blank... Or Maybe Not, Thanks To JT

Dress, Blazer, Necklace, Belt: LOFT. Shoes: GUESS.

For the first time in a very long time I don't have anything to say. My mind is blank. I'm trying to decide if it's writer's block or I'm just plain old lazy. I just Googled (is that officially a verb yet?) "writer's block" and learned some interesting things... so that's why Eminem went AWOL in the rap/hip-hop world for so long!

Now I finally have a reason to blame Justin Timberlake's lack of delivering a current album. C'mon, JT! Pull it together! If it means having JB leave you so you have a source of angsty inspiration, I'm okay with that. Alright, that's a lie. I'd be sad. I hate Hollywood breakups and would frown every time I saw tabloid covers smattered with a depressed Jessica Biel walking the streets of Hollywood in loneliness. How could you??? {insert weird, disappointed granny voice}

Bottom line, you just need to give us some of that musical goodness already!

Welp, looks like I found something to write about after all. Thanks, JT, for contributing something to my life (although I wish it was new music if you couldn't already tell).

Palm Springs Round 2

Palm Springs is for the pool-loving, Hollywood obsessed, small store shopping and authentic restaurant goers. Sound like you? Me too.

This last trip we took a couple of weeks ago was extra fun because Stagecoach was happening. All the people walking around the shops downtown were adorned in cowboy hats and boots. I may have even heard a yeeee-haww! or two. It also explains the stellar Budweiser shenanigans.

Matt was all, "Oh my gosh! I think they are filming a Budweiser commercial!" and I was all, "Nuh-uh, that is awesome." We were a little bummed to find it was just for Stagecoach, but it was still fun to see. Even the dalmatian was sitting up top with the driver!

We walked over the Hollywood stars where Marilyn Monroe and Ginger Rogers once waltzed about, perused through the general store museum, which houses antique household items dating to the early 1900s, and strolled through some mom and pop stores. My favorite is the mid-century modern furniture store. It is fabulous, in every sense of the word.

A word of caution... don't take pictures in the store. The shop owners will yell at you.

Lucky FABB Was Indeed Fab

My friend, Mollie, of Mollie In Seattle.

Lucky FABB brought together the most talented, beautiful array of people and created a buzz of energy and inspiration. Everywhere you looked there were pops of prints, candy colored lips, bags for days, and enough Instagram photos to fill the bandwidth of Twitter and Facebook combined -- or so it seemed.

The conference convened on Monday at the Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica and you can have no doubts that the Lucky Magazine team spruced it up to the nines. {Side note: the Annenberg Community Beach House is free to the public and makes for an amazing sunny California day trip to the beach. There is a pool and garden area to lounge in for a small fee. Best of all, the ocean is its backyard since it literally sits off of PCH. I highly recommend it as a site to see}. 

The day was all-around spectacular. The panelists could not have been more perfectly suited, as they invited some of the most influential celebrities, bloggers, and entrepreneurs in the fashion industry.

I honestly need to state that Zac Posen is the most enchanting man I've ever had the pleasure of seeing. There is a wanderlust, dream-like quality that exudes from him, which concurrently forges a sense of conviction in your soul. He described fashion as "moving architecture", gave advice to remain resilient and true to your character, and emphasized the power of being cordial and generous of spirit to lead a successful life and career. Even the suit he wore exemplified his otherworldly charm. My favorite words of inspiration he spoke were, "Create something meaningful and impactful to stand the test of time."

Obviously the other speakers and panelists were amazing as well. Elizabeth Banks is hilarious and deserves her own comedic gig. Randi Zuckerberg is a genius, just like her good ole' brother Marky Mark. I need to get in contact with Mama Zuckerberg and ascertain her sensei ways of parenting. I would like to train my children to be Harvard/Princeton brainiacs. Maybe I'll see if she'll be my Facebook friend ;) Anyway, Randi was amazingly down to earth and relayed valuable technological information to increase success in blogging.

Usually I feel like that freak who brings my camera everywhere in fear that I'll miss out on a good photo op, but not at Lucky FABB! Every blogger had their camera slung over one shoulder and a handbag on the other as we all flitted about, united in trigger-happy glory. The photographers probably wondered what their purpose was in being there.

The breakout sessions were full of fabulous gift bags and goodies, and the neighboring historic Marion Davies Guest House was decorated like a living Pinterest board. There were endless treasures and lovely trinkets adorning the aged structure. It was the perfect infusion of vintage and modern pieces to create an artistic, fashionable surrounding for the workshops.

I can confidently express that this first West Coast Lucky FABB was a resounding success and is the beginning of something great for fashion and style bloggers. Way to go, Lucky Magazine! You really came through and I loved every minute of it.