italy in mexico

One of my favourite days in Mexico, my sister, my mom and I went out shopping to the downtown market. They have really cute clothes and shoes there, and it's always really unique things that you would never find at the mall at home.

It's also neat to see all of the different things they sell there, in one stall you can find colourful tapestries and art pieces, and then you turn the corner and find yourself staring at a row of severed pig heads.

Once we'd exhausted ourselves and spent most of our pesos, we went wandering the streets near the market looking for a restaurant we'd heard amazing things about, and we found ourselves in the most adorable area. It had very European architecture and so many cute restaurants.

We ended up at a little Italian place on the corner, drinking glass after glass of cool white wine, and sharing a cheese plate and bruschetta. We sat and talked for hours, and we even saw a girl in a beautiful red dress on the way to her quinceanera.

Once the sun started to go down, we wandered a little further and found a cute little art gallery with beautiful paintings and sculptures that also served delicious margaritas.

I've been coming to Mazatlan for most of my life, but had no idea this little area existed. It just goes to show that there is always something new to discover, even when you think you a place inside out.

mazatlan

We spent a really great week in Mexico with my family over Christmas and New Year's, it was so nice just to relax. We had a bit of a harrowing experience right when we arrived, I was trapped in the tiniest elevator possible with 5 people and two giant suitcases in 100 degree heat, on Christmas day.

We weren't sure how long it would take for someone to come save us, and it was a bit scary. We got out eventually, and after a few margaritas I pretty much forgot about it, although I refused to get back on the elevator for the rest of our trip.

bonita

I'm having so much fun in Mazatlan, I don't want to leave.

I remember now why when I was little I always wanted to move down here to go to university, and I've got a renewed determination to learn Spanish.

unplug

I watched this video a few days before I left for Mexico:



I think she is definitely right in that we need to re-evaluate our relationship with technology, and make sure it's not taking the place of actual person-to-person relationships.

I'm taking this week away to unplug and really be present in the moment and enjoy the time with my family, and I suggest you do the same.

christmas

I hope everyone has the best day today, and gets to spend it with all of the people they care about.

I am hopefully either on my way to Mazatlan now, or I've already landed and I'm enjoying a margarita with my family.

Merry Christmas!

viva mexico

We booked our tickets for Christmas in Mazatlan with my family yesterday. I am so excited to go, my grandpa has a house there and I used to go all the time, but I haven't been since I was 18.

Most of the memories I have of being a kid are in Mazatlan, and it's kind of weird to think I'll be going back there and bringing my husband. I still very clearly remember stealing quietly from my bed and creeping down the stairs in my Aladdin night gown to see if Santa had found us in Mexico.

Lazy beach day, before I realized that I should be scared of sharks

I remember swimming at the Granada pool and playing mermaids with my sister, and then stretching out on a lounger to eat Oreos and Ritz crackers that my grandma stocked by the closet-full when we came to visit.

A palm tree started on fire and we forcibly adopted two iguanas. Mine was named Princess. I was terrified of her.

I loved driving my grandpa's golf cart, visiting the crocodiles that lived on the first hole, and spending days at the beach jumping over the waves until I was too exhausted to move and then laying on the beach looking at the wares of the beach vendors and trying on jewellery.

The money keeper around my neck is both a great place to keep your pesos, and a stylish fashion accessory

My sister and I would creep around the house at dusk and try to catch iguanas and geckos, and spend our days trying to sneak into the pool at the El Morro so we could jump off the highest rock in the waterfall, and then reward ourselves with a dip in the hot tub.

As we got older we'd go out drinking and dancing and maybe to a foam party or two. I know people who won't go to Mexico because they are scared, but I've only had wonderful memories and met great people there.

I can't wait to be back there with my family again and to show all of 5 year old me's favourite places to 26 year old me's favourite guy.

makai

A few more picture from my trip. Ok a lot more pictures. I literally can not resist taking a billion pictures, it's so beautiful there. Even when I lived there, my phone was just full of pictures of the places I saw every single day.

You would think it would get old, but it really doesn't. Just when you think you're immune, it sneaks up on you and takes your breath away again.

cromwells

I have this dress in black and white, and it's a bit of a struggle to wear anything else, ever

Brandy Melville

these trees make me happy

Ocean House in Waikiki. Almost too beautiful to eat, best served with a POG mimosa

hello lover

brunch with my second family

surprise

My little rat sister turned 21 last Tuesday, and I really wanted to be there to celebrate with her. One night in August after a lot of red wine I decided to buy a ticket to Hawaii without telling her about it. As it got closer, I started to get really nervous. What if she had plans or was not that excited to see me? I felt like she would be really excited but I've seen too many romantic comedies not to appreciate the true awfulness of a grand gesture gone wrong.

I flew in last Wednesday night and walked up to what I hoped was the right door (I'd never been to her place before). She opened the door, and absolutely did not recognize me at first. An instant later when she realized it was me she got a look of sheer terror on her face, like she thought I might be there to tell her some really bad news.

A second after that she must have remembered that it was her birthday and put the pieces together, because she was really excited and happy to see me, and I didn't have to go sleep on the beach for the night.

I had such a fun weekend, I love hanging out with my sister, and her friends on the island are really fun. Hawaii is my favourite place in the world and always will be, I feel happiest and most like myself when I'm there.

twenty one

Happy 21st birthday to my little rat sister today. We got off to a bit of a rocky start, sometimes I would eat your popsicles, sometimes you would try to stab me with a steak knife. You know, the usual.

But over the years I accidentally discovered that not only did I love you, I liked you a lot too. I have more fun with you than almost anyone else, and even though I miss you, I'm so glad you've adopted the islands and love them as much as I do.

I'm so proud of the tough, funny, smart chick you've grown into, and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for you, because I know it's going to be amazing.

Also, I'm excited to finally go to the bar with you in 'Merica and not have us both be named Jasmine.

We will come at you like a spider monkey

We both look amazing in bandanas, fact

favourites

pillboxes

too hideous not to include

sisters

Skydiving

Maid of Honour

I've been trying to get rid of her for years but she's very resilient

triathletes