Take me back!

"I thought San Diego must be Heaven on earth...It seemed to me the best spot for building a city I ever saw"

Alonzo Horton, builder of New Town, site of current downtown San Diego, 1877

A couple months ago I took my first trip to California and I was beyond impressed. Now I know why people will spend an exorbitant amount of money to live there. I can't imagine why anyone would ever be sad living in a place like this. San Diego... I miss you.

beautiful La Jolla

they look cuter than they smell

random child: can I use you in my blog? 

Hotel Coronado complete with haunted rooms

Friday Musings

• The Texas bar exam is over. Three days of living you-know-what. Luckily it wasn't me taking it this year.. but sometimes it still felt like it :) Proud of you Jack. 

• I am moving to a town home today. It needs some work so I will try to get some before and after shots. I have moved EVERY year the past eight years and I am beyond over it.

• Random picture of the ocean in La Jolla... because this blog is called All the Pretty Pictures and because I wish I was there right now.

Creepy post

"If you really knew me, you'd know..." I love animals. Even creepy ones. Like these. I think frogs, lizards, and pretty snakes are adorable. 

"If you really knew me, you'd know..."  I don't consider bugs animals. Those I can do without. In fact, my distaste for bugs is so strong that I often have nightmares about them. I had one last night. I will spare you the details because it was far too disturbing :)

if you are swimming in the greenbelt in Austin, watch out for this guy

i felt so sorry for this hurt squirrel

San Diego Zoo

One of the items on my bucket list was visiting the San Diego Zoo. Staring at beautiful/cute/funny/strange animals is my idea of a perfect day. The highlight of my visit was watching the meercats in their faux colony. The fact that one of them was always on watch was hilarious to me... I mean, have they ever had to face a predator in the zoo? It reminded me of animals in movies and the fact that they have no idea they are in a movie... love it. Here are some of my favorite pictures:

sunning

i want one 

i want a yard full of these 

meerkats!

Perspective

"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As long as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles." 

                                                                                                           - Anne Frank
                                                                                 The Diary of a Young Girl, entry for Feb. 23, 1944

July Birchbox

One of my favorite things in the entire world is getting mail (good mail, not asking for money mail). That is a big reason why I love birchbox. Another reason is because I hate spending money on beauty products and make-up. I will embarrassingly admit that most of everything I use comes from Walgreens. Now I can sample products every month without having to spend tons of money on them... and the small sizes are great for traveling. I have to say that this month's box might have been my favorite, the sole reason being there was food in it. 

love the package within the package

 my favorite thing to get is lipgloss 

how cute are these headphones? 

Do y'all get birchbox??

Three macarons, please

For some reason, these little guys just get me every time. I can't walk into a chocolate shop/bakery that sells macarons without buying three one. I got these macarons from Chocolate Secrets in Dallas, which will be the subject of its own post in the near future. The flavors are watermelon, champagne and lavender. Aren't they so pretty? Now.. go get you some!

Happy Friday :)

Wilmington, NC

Do you ever go back to a place you've been a million times and try to appreciate it all over again? Last weekend I tried to be a tourist in my own hometown and admire all the beauty Wilmington has to offer. Growing up I couldn't wait to move away and go to college and now I am kicking my 15-year-old self for not realizing what I had. I mean is there any sound sweeter than that of crashing waves?? 

Some of you might have heard of Wilmington as the city where Dawson's Creek was filmed. My best friend Mallory and I were extras in the prom scene (below is a picture of the building where we filmed the scene). I had SO much fun, despite the fact that they paired me with the "dork" who was around 15 years older than me, had a long bushy ponytail and a plaid suit--- what?? Mallory's date was more attractive but he was also older and was slightly creepy. Oh and Katie Holmes told Mallory she liked her dress.... memories :) 

Luckily my best friends still live there... can I come stay with y'all again soon?? 

how has no one said anything about this prominently displayed confederate flag? 

the cute little diner where my mom and I had breakfast 

this place fills the street with the scent of baking waffle cones

cute riverwalk farmer's market... love this guy's shirt :) 

Cape Fear River 

USS North Carolina Battleship 

Dawson's Creek prom scene filmed here 

Bellamy Mansion, once the headquarters of the Wilmington occupation by the 

 Federal troops during the Civil War 

wilmington chicks 

Till next time