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still following this blog?

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fifth & rose

adios to ali in lala land.. it's been real

now you can join me at my new home!

Outfit Of The Day

So I'm totally in lust with all things striped right now.

Especially this incredible Givenchy blazer:



but at $1500 that will never be in the cards for me.

Anthropologie made an adorable knock-off:



I swooped it up to try on but alas, the small was a bit too tight and the medium was way too big.

So instead I ended up with this little number from H&M that doesn't scream knock-off but gives me the striped blazer that I wanted with a $30 price tag. I love it!

blazer - H&M, tshirt - pure & good, jeans - AG Stevies, shoes - target

(don't judge this horrible picture, I'm in a hurry - I promise my next outfitting post will be a bit more professional)

Weekend

My weekend's are not exactly what normal peoples weekend's are like. Quite frankly, the weekend is not something I look forward to. Weekends in retail are busy, hard, and tiring.

I love my job, but this was a long weekend.

Thankfully I had this little gal to come home to..



And I'm dreaming of my 3 day holiday weekend (how did I get so lucky?!) vacation to Palm Springs.

So.. you can come home again?

Anyone listening? Can I just pick this thing up and start over again pretending I didn't stop blogging for 6 months?

well it's my blog and I say I can so.. what's up, we're back!!

My juices are flowing and I want to write again. so.. I should probably start by updating yourself and myself on what's been going on since December.

1. We moved to the beach! (The stress of that move was precisely around the time I stopped blogging because that was apparently too stressful too). Anyway, we now live in a tiny apartment in Venice about 5 blocks from the beach and 2 block's to Santa Monica's Main Street. We absolutely love it here.

2. Christmas happened. We spent some time in Toledo and Chicago with family. For me, it was short but sweet. Then I went back to work.

3. Then, I worked, a lot. I worked.... worked some more... worked a little bit more... and tried to have a little fun in between.

4. I turned 25 and had a housewarming slash birthday party. It was quite fun!

5. I don't know what happened during the months of February, March, and April. It's a blur to me.

6. Oh yea, in April Lauren and Parker got married. It was perfect and lovely. Then, my mom came to visit and we went to wine country and I fell in love with Santa Barbara. Then, we learned that it's the #1 most expensive place to live in the USA. Dreams were crushed.

7. We celebrated our 2 year anniversary on May 10th and a lovely hotel in Redondo Beach. It was so nice to "get away" for a night. We decided we need to get away more often.

8. We got a puppy! A 6 month old llasa apso fur ball , whom we dubbed "Harley". Also known as.. Hara, Harlsworth, little girly, and "NO!"

I think that brings you pretty up to date on the happenings around our little apartment. We're officially obsessed dog owners and only seem to frequent the establishments that allow our little lady to join us. My how the times change..

I'm hoping for a fun, relaxing summer, but fear that work will too often get in the way of that. I think work should be like high school or college. Work hard for 2 semesters then get the summer off! Perhaps I'll write a letter to Obama.. maybe he can work on that next, you know after he cleans up the gulf, ends the war, and fixes the economy!

Here's a picture of the little peanut to tied you over:

Project Runway

If you're like me and love everything Project Runway you have to check out this post from the amazing Darci @ With This Ring Weddings.

I was so thrilled when I read her blog today because Carol Hannah was my favorite contestant this year. Hands down! Her collection was amazing and wearable. I think I would wear every single thing she sent down the runway.

Her Etsy shop is just darling, and I wish I could buy almost everything she features. Her wedding collection preview dresses are amazing and affordable and I want the dress below! Santa?!

Girl's Guide to Movies

I started hearing a lot of buzz about this film a few weeks ago and couldn't wait until I got a chance to see it for myself. I can't quite describe to you my feelings about this film. It is heart wrenching, depressing, funny, sad, and amazing film. I walked out of the theater with a heavy heart for Precious Jones, and I can't imagine anyone seeing this film and feeling any different. It is not at all a light hearted film. It is probably one of the most depressing films I've ever seen in my life. Yet, I can still say I enjoyed watching this film. Precious is played by first time actress Gabourey Sidibe - and WOW what a talented girl. The other cast members included Mo'Nique, Mariah Carey, and Lenny Kravitz who all did amazing jobs. While this movie is incredibly sad, it is about hope and perseverance. If you want a deep film that's really going to make you think, go see this movie. (If you want fluff, I don't recommend it for you!)

Girl's Grade: A
Boy's Grade: A

Happy Turkey!

We are enjoying a relaxing day off (yay!) a delicious potluck Thanksgiving dinner with friends, and telling each other all the things were thankful for.

I am thankful for Chinese food, cute clothes, Christmas decorations, and holiday drinks at Starbucks.

I am also thankful for my wonderful family, darling friends, amazing husband, and my health.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Big Ten Pub Crawl

On Saturday morning I had the day off, instead of sleeping in and enjoying a relaxing day.. I woke up at 7:00 am and traveled to Redondo Beach for the annual Big Ten Pub Crawl. My beloved Ohio State Buckeyes played the disgusting Michigan Wolverines this weekend.

We arrived at the Pier in Redondo Beach around 9:00 am and started drinking mimosas.


Enjoyed watching our Buckeyes beat (for the sixth time in a row, I might add) the disgusting team from the north.


It smells like roses! We are so excited for our Buckeyes to play in Pasadena on New Years Day!

I am..

In case you need to catch up on my life I am currently...

excited about decorating our new apartment for Christmas!
worried about finding said apartment in time to move in by December 5th. (yea, that's soon)
reading websites with recipes for Thanksgiving turkey.
creating cheesy potatoes!
loving relaxing nights with Peter.
hating busy schedules.
wondering how I will survive the cold when I go home for Christmas!
craving time with my family.
listening to the 500 days of summer soundtrack on repeat.
watching anything with Kristen Wiig (I want to be her BFF, for real)!

DVR-ing Grey's Anatomy, Project Runway, Friday Night Lights, The Hills

(this list was adapted from one of my favorite bloggers Kerry @ your wishcake)

Holiday Fireworks!

While relaxing on the couch with hubby tonight, watching last night's SNL we heard a super loud BANG! which sounded like a gunshot. We looked at each other with fear in our eyes. A second later, another BOOM! and then we realized.. it's fireworks from the Christmas (or should I say Holiday?) Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Grove tonight!

We just enjoyed an amazing (and completely random) fireworks show from our backyard. Holiday fireworks? Only in LA.. I love it here!

The Search Is On..

So, our lease is up at the end of this month and we're on the big hunt for a new place. I think that apartment shopping is one of the most annoying things in the world. If I could make a list of the most annoying things they would be; apartment shopping, looking for flights, doing dishes, and laundry. All four of those things have to be done, and often, but nonetheless they are always annoying to me.

Anyway, we are currently living close to Hollywood in a rather large apartment complex. We are pretty unhappy with the complex, how much we're paying for rent, and the way we've been treated by the management. In turn, we're moving! We definitely decided we want to be closer to the westside. For those of you unfamiliar with LA that means.. close to the beach!


We are so excited to move that way. We love the neighborhoods in the Venice and Marina Del Ray area. We think it fits our personality and we can't wait to walk to the beach together next summer!


We spent all day Saturday apartment shopping and luckily found some really great places! We are encouraged and excited to actually be saving money and to live someplace that we feel happier.

Halloween 09

I dressed up 3 times for Halloween this year. I think that is an all time record for me.

October 30th = "zombie cheerleader & band geek" inspired by some amazing band uniforms we found at a thrift store in Hollywood.


October 31st daytime = "hippie" I don't have any photos of this since it is the (poorly executed) costume I wore to work during the day.

October 31st night = "roller derby girl & her coach" inspired by the film, Whip It! My name was Cupcake Killa (thanks to Jon!) and I was pretty rad if I do say so myself.

What did you dress up as for Halloween?

Life Update #2

We decided to celebrate fall by attending an apple orchard in Oak Glen about an hour away from LA. It ended up being about 95 degrees the Saturday we attended the orchard which made it feel less than fallish and a bit more like we were in an apple orchard desert. Luck wasn't with us that day because when we arrived at the orchard they were out of apples. What kind of orchard runs out of apples?! At least we got some cute pictures of the girls in some bonnets and myself in a creepy rabbit hat.



We didn't end up getting any apples. We did purchase a pumpkin picked fresh from the path, drank way too much apple cider, and enjoyed a few delicious doughnuts. Oh fall in Los Angeles... you are nothing like the fall I know in Ohio, but don't worry I love you nonetheless.

Life Update #1

So, apparently I took about a sabbatical from blogging. I miss writing, sharing my life, and my blog friends so I'm officially back! First I will have a series of posts about what I've been doing for the past two months and then hopefully jump back into regular updates!

About a month ago we went camping in Little Lakes Valley a few hours north of LA. We hiked in to the park with HUGE (and I seriously mean HUGE, like I'm going to pass out HUGE) bags on our backs. We hiked several miles to our campground overlooking a beautiful lake, surrounded by mountains. It was literally the most beautiful and peaceful place I've ever been. At night, the stars.. oh my I can't even explain how amazing the stars were.


Here is a picture of the whole group at our lovely campsite in our "kitchen" where we spent most of our time enjoying pitas, peanut butter, and dehydrated meals (which were surprising delicious, or maybe we were just surprisingly hungry and willing to eat anything..).


This was probably one of the toughest and most physically draining weekend's I ever experienced. I wouldn't say I'm the most "out-doorsy" of girls but I actually did enjoy my time in the wilderness. It was nice to get out of LaLa Land for the weekend and enjoy the fresh air.

I'll be missing you..

I miss blogging. I'll be back soon, I promise.

I'm sorry for my the sabbatical.

Big news in my life.. today it rained in LaLa Land. It feels like fall and I'm wearing boots.

Open Letters

Dear Blog,

Contrary to popular belief, I did not forget about you. I've been a very busy girl with little time to do much of anything. I haven't been to the grocery store or done laundry in weeks, let alone have time to write some blog posts. Please know, my dear, I'll be back soon with tons of excitement. (I even traveled up north to do some hardcore camping and hiking!) Please stick with me, blog, I promise I still love you.

All my love,
Ali in LaLa Land

Dear Job,

You are taking over my life. I'm tired. Retail is hard work. I need new shoes.

Love,
Ali in Job Land

Dear Fall,

Today is apparently the first day of you, but it's almost 100 degrees outside. I know I bragged a lot when it was warm in the winter, but I'm ready for some cooler weather already. I'd like to pull out my boots and sweaters again.

Love,
Ali in Summer Land

Weekend Plans

I am so excited, we have so many fun things planned, including my mom visiting LaLa Land for the weekend! We're planning a trip to the Getty Center, the beach, a hike, a college football party, and the Dave Matthews Band concert on Sunday! Whew! Mom's going to leave exhausted.

On Saturday our beloved Buckeyes..



Are playing the team from my new city..


I'm sorry Southern California, on game day I don't love you quite as much... GO BUCKEYES!

Girl's Guide to Movies

Ok, so I had some requests to review Taking Woodstock and I thought I better do that before the weekend comes and you're trying to decide what movie to see and you're cursing Ali in LaLa Land for not reviewing any movies this week. (Ok, that's a stretch, you probably won't do that.)

Moving on.. I don't know if everyone will like this movie. I thought it was a little slow but overall it was good. The relationship between the family at the center of the movie is funny and endearing. I definitely enjoyed that. I also enjoyed the main character and his quest to take care of his family but still have a good life.

The Good: Awesome description of the actual Woodstock, I hope that if I was a young person living then I would have been there. It looked like a great (albeit crazy) time!

The Bad: It was slow, at some points it was just going along too long and I was thinking "wrap it up!"

The Ugly: If you have sensitive eye's you may not enjoy the nudity or the drug scenes.

If I were you, I'd probably wait until it comes out on DVD.

Girl's Grade: C
Boy's Grade: C+

Tuesday Morning Ramblings

• I'm fairly certain that if Peter didn't beg for meals 2-4 times a day I could (and would) sustain myself on wheat thins, cheese, diet coke, and dill pickles. I'd also probably enjoy some sushi, wine, and chocolate chip cookies from time to time. But alas, I have a hungry husband who apparently needs more than just cheese and crackers from me.

• I went to Target on Sunday (note to self: never go to Target on a Sunday again, holy crowdedness) and only spent $10. I think that's a first.
  
  
  
  

• On said trip to Target I spent some time in the greeting card aisle trying to pick out a few cards. I was really disappointing in the selection and left empty-handed. Can we please get a little less corny, card makers?
  

• We saw two movies on our Friday "double dip" movie night. First, "Taking Woodstock" then "Extract" I'm conducting a very unofficial poll to see which one you'd like to see a review of first. Please comment your answer. I know how much you all look forward to my movie reviews since I'm such a great critic (again with the sarcasm here).

Fire

This is the worst title for a blog I've ever seen. Also, I've come to the conclusion that I need to start doing some cooler things so I have something to blog about.

I'm sure by now you've all heard about the fire's in the La Canada area of Los Angeles. No need to worry, about the fires affecting our home, nor are they anywhere close to us, we're very safe here in the city.

While we're safe, it's very very very hot out and the air is very smokey. I've never experienced anything like this!

We have air conditioning in the living room of our apartment and since we're on the first floor, we don't have a great breeze coming through our windows. For the past few nights our living room couch has become our bedroom. It feels like a sleepover every night!

On Saturday there was a huge billowing smoke cloud in the air all day and that night we were able to see the fire's burning from our friend's roof all the way in Venice! Below is a picture of the smoke clouds I took with my cellphone.


While I write this rather lightly, I'm not forgetting about the families that are being personally affected by the fires and have lost their homes. We are and will continue to be praying for them, and I hope you will to.