Christmas Time in ALASKA!!

It's Christmas Eve and we just got home from running last minute errands and attending church...  We headed north.. FAR north to Fairbanks, Alaska.  My family lives here and this is our third Christmas in Santa's home state (North Pole is about 10 minutes down the road where he lives).. since it's Christmas Eve and I want to spend time with my family BUT I realize I'm way behind on postings (I have yet to put up a Thanksgiving post) and I wanted to put up a quick picture of little Coconut and wish you all a Merry Christmas!!  Stay warm and eat LOTS!!  It's -22 degrees outside and I'm trying to stay toasty inside!!

Coconut's first Alaskan Christmas!!

...Mele Kalikimaka to you and your family...

Fun at the Fair...

My brother and his girlfriend Jennifer came to visit San Diego and we went EVERYWHERE... I've been bad about posting the random stuff we did, but I just went through all the fun pictures and I realized that I have a few postings worth out of all the places we went to.. So much fun! I don't get to see my family too often, usually only once a year during the holidays, but now that I live on the mainland, kind of makes it a little easier. I'm trying to convince the bro to move to SD so we were sure to show them all the cool places and fun things to do in the new town as well as some of the nearby towns (future blog posts to follow). On one of the days we headed to the Del Mar Fair.. errrr San Diego County Fair? Whatever the heck they call it now... The day we went I put all "dieting" aside.. I was looking forward to the fried Snickers! I had never had one before and the thought of it was intriguing.. Probably one of the best things I'd ever had... I don't regret one calorie!!








Oh and the games... We didn't win any of the big prizes.. but I wasn't too sad.. I don't have any place to put a bigger than life size monkey..


The rides were pre-ty sweet.. Definitely like the fair rides because it borders that "dangerous" side with all the creaks.. and we definitely rode the ferris wheel.. an absolute must!






Tarot reading anyone?


I brought along my Holga camera.. check out the vintage pics.. Corn on the cob... duh..




...pretending to be a little kid is sometimes so necessary...

Getting Cultured at the Getty Museum....

For Easter weekend I headed north to Los Angeles to catch up with friends and family (as previously stated in my brief Easter post).. I got to see my (great) Aunt and Uncle I hadn't seen for at least 3-4 years.. one of the perks to moving back to the mainland, actually being close to family again! They were non stop and wanted to take me everywhere! It was not what I was expecting.. I was thinking we would just hangout at home and watch some TV.. maybe even play some mahjong.. we are asian. Easter morning we headed to church and I hadn't been to a proper Catholic church in awhile but somehow the prayers came back to me and all the logistics of what "to do" during mass. After we decided to head to the Getty Museum.. I had never been before and was super excited!! The museum itself lies up high on this hill overlooking LA.. utterly beautiful.. Take a gander...






I had no idea what to expect once inside the museum.. It's been quite awhile since I had felt like I was on a field trip touring a castle or museum.. The Getty Museum was magnificent.. I have a bunch of images and here are a few of my favorites.. (sorry that the color/sharpness isn't the greatest, they didn't allow flash and I was relying on my tiny Sony camera)..



These were Pilgrim flasks.. They obviously knew what was up..


Vintage heaven...










French Tapestries... My Aunt likes to take pictures.. definitely related..



Onward to the Roman Empire...


Lady Gaga is not the original hair bow wearer...




This looks like a shot that was planned for a fashion editorial... This man was dressed to the nine's...


This painting was titled "The Model Resting"... Took the picture for obvious reasons..


The detail was amazing..



Larger than life...


A little ode to Easter..


Good day with family... Check out the Getty Museum if you're ever in LA.. They have rotating artworks so it's not always the same!


...family is forever...

Easter...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!! I've been such a bad blogger lately that I literally have about 10 things I need to blog about.. life has not let me catch up whatsoever.. but I can't complain.. I'd rather be busy than not. This weekend I wanted to hang out with friends and family and enjoy time without agendas or "to do's".. I got what I wanted and couldn't be happier. I headed to Los Angeles for the weekend and enjoyed a nice schedule free 48 hours. I'll make a separate blog post about the details of my LA fun but for now, Happy Easter everyone!! Hope you got to eat all the chocolate covered bunny's your heart desires...

*Photo via Bliss Tree

I leave you with a childhood memory of mine... Peter Rabbit. Growing up in England made me aware of culture and antiquities. My Mom got me started on Peter Rabbit and bought me some dishes for display and books with the little furry animal to store in my own china cabinet which I still own today.. Matches perfectly with my vintage decor..



...we are always seeking something different or new under a rock or hidden corner that isn't always better than what we have, sometimes we have to enjoy what is right in front of us and appreciate life..

Wishing you a very Merry Classy Christmas...

I'm currently in Alaska spending time with the fam (as I sit here watching them play Rockband 3).. It's cold outside and all I want to do is find a fireplace somewhere and stick my toes next to it.. We woke up late today and headed downstairs to find our stockings filled and Christmas tree bursting with presents.. I couldn't wait for everyone to open up the ones I got them!! I could barely sleep the night before!! A better Christmas post with pictures later of my Alaskan adventure, but for now... Merry Christmas everyone!! I hope you're toasty and spending time with those you love!!!

May you never be without a pair of red hot Stuart Weitzman's for the holiday season...

*Photo by Mark Ramelb


...holiday wishes and starry kisses...