milkmaid braid tutorial (video)

Some of you expressed interest in a tutorial for a milkmaid braid, so here it is! I had a lot of fun filming and editing this, so I hope you enjoy. Feel free to subscribe to my YouTube channel and let me know if you have any questions!

- Christina

instagram | bloglovin' | twitter | pinterest | youtube

liebster award

i like the lack of perfection in this photo. i debated posting it a few weeks ago and decided not to because of the hairs on my knee. no one is perfect.

I've been nominated for a Liebster Award by Oli. (Thank you, Oli!) I've heard of this award in the past but didn't think too much of it. I actually Googled it to get a better idea of what it's all about. I'm flattered to be chosen. It doesn't really fit in the aesthetic of my blog, but I think it would be fun for my followers to learn a little more about me. Enjoy!

1. What is your favorite season, why? 

My favorite season is summer. (My favorite season is almost over. :() I love summer because the possibilities are endless. You can go to the beach, go camping, dip in the pool, have a picnic, outdoor dinner party...

2. What is inspiring you most, right now? 

Photography/videography & blogging. 
They all go hand in hand but I'm constantly inspired to improve those skills.

3. What project or purchase for your home is on top of your to-do list? 

I don't have anything on the top of that list. I've been saving to travel next year so home improvements aren't on my radar. I think if I were to spend money right now, I'd buy some paint and paint my room and some furniture.

4. What setting/place brings you the most peace/calm? 

:cheesy alert: 
When I'm with my boyfriend.

5. Favorite flower? 

I really love poppies. They are California's state flower, so they remind me of my favorite state. (I went to a poppy field earlier this year. See some photos here.)

6. Your lesson of 2014? 

Don't be afraid to be yourself and speak up for yourself. I find myself not saying how I feel so I decided no matter how fearful I am, I need to speak up for myself. I feel better when I do.

7. Your song of 2014? 

John Mayer's rendition of Beyoncé's "XO." It's a combination of two of my favorite artists.  

8. Favorite book, why? 

I REALLY enjoyed The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. >.< (I read it in a day!) I read it before they made it into a movie and now that everyone knows about it and makes fun of it, it makes me embarassed to say it's my favorite book. Haha. I don't read as much as I like. I just finished #GIRLBOSS and I really enjoyed it as well. 

9. What do you envision your life being like in 10 years? 

TRAVELING CONSTANTLY. I eventually want to make a living traveling and seeing the world. 

10. If handed 10 million dollars, what would you change about your life? 

I would be traveling constantly RIGHT NOW. I wouldn't be waiting for next year.

11. If teleportation were possible right now, where would you go first?

Paris, France. I was introduced to the French New Wave in college and it made me obsessed with Paris. I really need to see it for myself.

That's it for my questions.

More for the bloggers I nominated after the jump!

my weekend 004

How was your weekend? Mine was really enjoyable but I got SO sunburnt yesterday. It's so painful today. Makes me want to lay in a bath of aloe all. day. long. Here's a little round up of photos from my Instagram.

It was my cat, Oliver's birthday! He turned 3. #crazycatlady. I've raised him since he was super young, like 3 days old. His mom wasn't around so I bottle fed him, wiped his butt and was there when his eyes first opened. He's kind of a special guy to me.

There are vegan cheese its on the market. (!) They're pretty popular because every time I looked to buy some they were sold out. I got a box this weekend they're good! (they kind of get stuck in your teeth pretty hardcore, but so do regular cheese its.)

Yesterday I went to dog beach with Keith and his family. Always a good time at dog beach but ya, I got toasted.

How was your weekend?

- Christina 

instagram | bloglovin' | twitter | pinterest

link love

The weekend is here again! Any fun plans? Tonight I'm going to play in an alumni game. I played volleyball in college and they invited us back to play the newbies. I can't wait to compete! I'm also going to the beach Sunday. Warm sand between my toes, I can feel it now. (A really sad side note: I haven't been to the beach or a pool all summer long.) Here are some links to get your weekend started.

Why I wear sunscreen every day.

I have some tees that I need to cut. This DIY will be helpful. 

Have you ever tried free-lensing? I really want to try it out this weekend!

I want to read this book.

While I read that book, I'd love to have this to drink.

What are your plans for the weekend?

- Christina 

photo by me. this is when i accidentally painted my nails halloween colors last week.

wwafwd? // what would a french woman do?

Inspired by this post, I began to think about how French women's mannerisms differ from American. While reading, I was slouching in my chair with chips on my nails. Something I can assume a French woman wouldn't do. I'm not saying that I need to be perfect 100% of the time, but it's the little things I can change.

1. My outfits for work can be a little more polished and thought out. I seem to be always rushing out the door, so I don't put a lot of though into my outfit or accessories.

2. I can reserve work out gear for when I am actually working out. I can't imagine a French woman going grocery shopping in yoga pants.

3. Standing and sitting up straight. (I've been trying to remind myself to do this a lot lately! It will also strengthen my core muscles, so that can't hurt.)

4. Take off my/repaint nail polish when it starts to chip.

 I could make this list a lot longer but that can become overwhelming. What are somethings you think you could change to be a little more polished?

- Christina 

affordable presents: movie tickets

I've been on a major budget for the last couple of years. My boyfriend and I are saving to travel next year so I try not to spend money on things. (If I'm going to spend money, it's on food and gas.) I'm also becoming less and less materialistic. (On purpose & as a result of spending less.) With that being said, my presents for friends have changed a bit. I've been striving to have more experiences that are affordable. 

My dear friend, Dee Dee and I would go to the movies almost every weekend as kids. It's something I really miss so I bought us movie tickets. I found this printable which is a Photoshop file that you can edit. Worked out perfectly to add a little message. 

Because I was giving her something that was pretty simple, I made the packaging a little extra special.

What do you think?

- Christina

link love

It's the weekend! This week went surprisingly fast for me, fortunately. Tomorrow I'm doing something that I've been looking forward to for months. I am going to do videography for a wedding. Videography is something I am very passionate about and I'm going to dip my toes in the water. I'm also going to a photography exhibit on Sunday. Can't wait. Here are some links to get your weekend started. 

I don't know very much about Tallulah Willis, but this video she did was very moving. 

I just discovered this backpack through ohdeardrea & I really think it will be great when I'm traveling next year. If you watch the video you can see all the compartments that would be great for my laptop and DSLR. They also have a pocket that has all of the card slots like a wallet (that pocket faces your back while you're wearing it). I think I like the blue, but the other colors are so cute too! Advice?

This recipe for french toast looks so easy and tasty! (& healthy!)

Tonya from Moptop is doing a really cool giveaway. I love her blog & style. & bangs. #duh

A perfect blogpost for #caturday.

Making a jewelry organizer from a cutlery tray is a genius idea!

What are you plans for the weekend?

- Christina

image and edit by me

milkmaid braid

an outtake :) #notpleased

I've been familiar with a milkmaid braid for awhile but I was recently inspired to try it when I read this post. Keith and I were on our way to Disneyland and as I looked out my window, there was a girl with a gray/purple pixie cut. I thought it was really cool. Then I had the thought I always have when my hair finally grows to the length I want it to be, "I should cut my hair short." But then I thought to myself, "I should actually try hairstyles that short haired girls can't do." So a milkmaid braid was my first choice.

So I'm sitting in the car doing my hair, and it turned out to be very easy! There is a learning curve and I can see my flaws but I will soon get the hang of it. (I used the tutorial linked above.) I foresee this hairstyle staying in my future (especially in the fall with scarves coming back!). This is a perfect hairstyle for when my hair is dirty. It basically covers your greasy roots with beautiful braids. (TMI? Everyone gets greasy hair.) I also decided to do fishtail braids instead regular braids because of the layers in my hair.

What do you think? Would you try a milkmaid braid?

- Christina 

my weekend 003

donut heads

I had one of those "lacking in photo taking weekends." Saturday I spent my day working on blog posts that I can't wait to show you(!), and Sunday I took another trip to the Orange County Fair. (I think this video is more fun than the last. We played a lot more games.) Keith and I were on a mission to get plush donuts that we've wanted since our last trip to the fair. We finally got them! 

I also went to Long Beach Harbor and relaxed on my friends boat to celebrate her birthday. Tons of fun, but really no photos to show of it. 

How was your weekend?

- Christina 

link love

Finally. The weekend. I plan on finishing #GIRLBOSS (Shhh, don't tell anyone I didn't finish it in time for the A Beautiful Mess Book Club). & I'm going to a game night on a sailboat Sunday afternoon. Super excited! Here are some great reads to get your weekend started.

This is an ADORABLE DIY. 

I love these party ideas.

I've had this DIY pinned for forever. Maybe I'll actually do it! 

These flats are on sale. Love.

I tried a milkmaid braid for the first time this past week. I used this tutorial.

I want air plants in my life.

What are your plans for the weekend?

- Christina

photo by: Courtney Seymour

birthday present

details of my gift bag. super cuuute.

My younger sister, Ashley gives me the cutest presents. She has great taste and is in a constant environment of creativity (she is a manager at Paper Source and a professional photographer). Her presents are so thoughtful and she knows my style well. She even goes as far as saving a gift bag for a year so I can it on my birthday. Isn't she the sweetest?!

- Christina

my weekend 002

My weekend consisted of:

1. Going to get my nails done with Caitlin for her birthday. I hardly ever get my nails done so it was a nice change. 

2. Getting coffee and a birthday treat with Caitlin at Freesoulcaffé in Tustin. 

3. My Laika Magazine coming in the mail. I can't wait to read it! 

4. Going to the dog park for a mini adventure.

5. Going to the Anaheim Packing District with Keith, Schmee & Grace. It's a converted orange packing house that now has a plethora of places to eat and shop. It's really cute & worth returning to. 

How was your weekend?

- Christina