Mani Monday

white // gold leaf

succulents & cacti // pink

yellow triangles // clear 

I go through times where I'm really interested in changing up my polish and other times where I just don't care to do it.  This past week has been a week I am having fun with spring nails.  I am a lifetime nail biter but keeping my nails perfectly manicured always helps to alleviate that.  I can't stand when my cuticles are a mess or when my polish begins to chip because it causes me to pick at my nails.  So at the sign of any significant chipping, I repaint, which can be twice in a week.  (And this isn't always a good thing for maintaining healthy nails) 

Currently I have the succulents and pink on and I hope it lasts for Coachella this weekend.  

Happy Monday! (I'm on spring break!!!)

Have fun with your nails and remember, nail art is hard and takes some practice.  

Follow our Pinterest board for Nailspo (nail-inspiration).  

 // hashtag #doittogetherandoften for all your spring projects //

Off to Neverland..... Karissa's 25th Birthday

Elsa's croc costume was so great!  She just added a paper teeth, tongue and cotton ball eyes to a green sweater!

smiles

Christina loved her gun. 

Captain Hook and Smee

My parents, John and I. 

The group. 

Jenga!

Jell-no shots! 

I love this candid. 

Friend, Aubrey, watching Peter Pan. 

that smile tho....

Everyone knows I love to throw a good themed party. As March approached this year everyone started to ask what my plans were for the big 25. Being kind of lazy from the planning and coordinating that Christina and I had done in the fall and winter for DIT&O I wasn't interested in putting a lot of effort into a big party nor was I initially interested in having a theme. Alas, you could imagine the disappointment that friends had when I said no theme, so we brainstormed over drinks one night when my birthday was the topic of discussion. We thought of a few, and when Peter Pan came to I knew that was it. 

As an only child for the first 6 years of my life all I would watch was Peter Pan. I was obsessed.  Some nights I watched it twice before bed. 

My parent's backyard, full of plants, greenery, and lounging furniture, was the perfect setting for Neverland. 

My mom has scarves and curtains hanging around the patio to block the sun during the day but it provides a flowing, private patio too. I wanted to have the movie projected at the party and John set it up perfectly.  It projected on a white curtain and was in perfect view.   Above the garage were Peter, Wendy, John and Michael silhouettes flying off to Neverland.  We had some scrap vinyl that John traced the characters on using the projector, luckily the vinyl was easy to cut with scissors because it was thick.  Each part of the backyard was labeled "Mermaid Lagoon", "Pirate Cove", and "Indian Camp".   The long black and white tassels from the NYE party were reused to decorate Pirate Cove.  

And that was about the extent of my decorating.  But really all we needed.  I was so happy everyone dressed up.  We had drinks, played XL Jenga and took a ton of pictures. 

Kadie helped me make Pixie Punch: prosecco, gin, cucumber, lime, and juiced cantaloupe. Chrstina made vegan jell-no shots and we put edible glitter on them! They were sooooo good.  We will be experimenting with the recipes soon to share with you! And thanks to my mom for making posole for when we all got hungry.  Also because of my BYOS (bring your own snacks) request, there were yummies like hummus, dips, sweets and things on a snack table.  

As far as our costumes, John and I went to Crossroads and I found my dress and he found that neon green shirt.  We had a good time putting them together.  I made the feather headdresses out of paper! (budget friendly!) My mom had so much fun putting my dad's costume together (Captain Hook).  She thrifted everything! 

It was such a great party.  Thank you everyone for coming, dressing up, bringing drinks and snacks!

Who would have thought?! A Peter Pan party for a 25 year old! 

ANOTHER DIT&O Giveaway!

We have another giveaway featuring vendors from our Craftravaganza! This giveaway you can win 4 pairs of flower earrings from Iris of Iris Unique Handcrafted Jewelry, a silver gemstone midi-ring from Kaitlyn DeSpain, & a pincushion from Natalie of Pincushion Alley. 

To enter this giveaway:

Repost any of the above images (or any DIT&O image) on your Instagram & tag us @helloDITO along with this hashtag #ditospringgiveaway

If you do not have an Instagram account, you can also post on your Facebook or Twitter.
If you post on all 3 social medias, then that will count for 3 entries.

The winner will be announced April 30th.

Good luck!

Seabirds Kitchen

 

Um, yum? That's where my brain goes when I think of Seabirds Kitchen. Seabirds was established right around the time I became vegan (around 4 years ago). They started as a food truck (awesome, right?!). Their stomping grounds were mostly Irvine, so Keith discovered the truck while he was at UCI. I would usually visit their truck when they parked in front of Irvine Lanes and when they were at Santa Ana Art Walk. 

But now, they have a brick-and-mortar at The Lab in Costa Mesa. It's a cozy little spot to get your grub on. My dear friend Jenna and I went there yesterday for dinner. We ordered the Zippy Mac, Burnt Brussels Sprouts, and Potato Taquitos. Those are all apart of the small plates section of the menu, there is so much more! All of their food is organic, local and VEGAN. 

Even though the truck is no more, Seabirds is still out and about. They cater and will vend at the Los Angeles Beer Fest! If you're ever in the area, please check them out!

Photos by Jenna Lowery & I. 

What does family mean to you?

Warning: This may be a real downer, but I had to share how I feel. 

We've all heard the saying "blood is thicker than water" but have you heard the rest of the famous quote?  Because of a recent family death I've been thinking a lot about what family means to me. The quote by American author Seanan McGuire, really strikes a cord with my exact feelings.  What I call my family is a group of people that I love and care for, that I trust and keep in touch with– and most not  even blood related.  

I love my parents for showing me that family doesn't have to be someone related to you.  I also don't ever have to wonder what it would be like to have a sister because I have a sister in Christina, Teresa, Mena, Maria, Kadie, Miranda, (really in every woman I call my friend) and of course my soon to be sisters-in-law, Arlana and Shannon.  

My mom, dad, brother and John are my family and soon John and I will be married and I am becoming officially a part of the Raya family.  

For everyone that chooses to be in my life, I love and appreciate you.