The Cutest Way to Give Someone Money

{Bouquet of $15 roses}

Can we just agree that this is the cutest way to give someone money for their birthday? My loving mother decided to step outside of the box this birthday when I asked for money by giving me a bouquet of $15 dollar roses, an idea that she found on Pinterest - thank you social media.

Want to know how she did it? Here's a tutorial that can help you.

Happy Fourth of July

{Fourth of July Flags}

Happy Fourth of July! What are you up to this holiday? Since the holiday is on a Wednesday this year (which looks way too suspicious if you call in "sick" on Thursday), I am taking it easy and spending time with friends, barbecued meats, and lots of cocktails.

Last night as an Independence Day pre-game, I went to the Hollywood Bowl with my roomie and her family to watch Barry Manilow in concert with fireworks - I can't even make that up, and it was awesome. It wasn't even the first time I had seen him in concert...

I hope that your Fourth of July is relaxing and filled with lots of fireworks! Tell me, what are you up to?

Taking the Subway

Last night, whilst working on checking things off of the Los Angeles bucket list, we decided to take the Subway downtown to Orochon. Not only did this check three things off of my friend's bucket list before she leaves (1 - go downtown, 2 - ride the subway, and 3 - eat at Orochon), but riding the subway was extremely convenient to get to our destination. 

Although we had to wait for the train times, taking the subway helped us avoid traffic and paying for parking. The tickets are $1.50 each way, and were extremely convenient for us to take from my boyfriend's high rise apartment in Korea town. 

By 2015, LA officials say that the purple line on the subway will extend all the way to Santa Monica, and it will be a quick 45 minute ride to downtown from the Westside. So here's the question: would you take the subway in Los Angeles? 

A lot of my friends think taking the subway is unfathomable, dirty, and disgusting - but to them I say, as I laugh in their faces, that it is better for the environment and reduces traffic on the streets of Los Angeles, much less reduces your stress since you don't have to sit in traffic. Other large cities (Paris, New York, Rome, etc.) have a fantastic subway system that no one regards as "dirty." If LA just had a better mode of public transportation (and locals changed their perception of the subway), a lot of our problems on surface streets would go away!

How do you feel about public transportation in Los Angeles?

Fight For Your Right

I have been incredibly MIA lately online - and I apologize. But I'm very excited to announce that I will be freelancing (in my spare time) with the amazing A Whisper to a ROAR team to promote the documentary that follows activists in five different countries around the world fighting for democracy and to make a difference.

A Whisper to a Roar tells the heroic stories of courageous democracy activists in five countries around the world – Egypt, Malaysia, Ukraine, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.   From student leaders to prime ministers and heads of state, these activists share their compelling personal stories of struggle, past and present, with their countries’ oppressive regimes. Shot over three years and completed in February 2012 by award-winning filmmaker, Ben Moses, the film was inspired by the work of Stanford University’s Larry Diamond, author of “The Spirit of Democracy” and Director of Stanford University’s Center for Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law. It was funded by The Moulay Hicham Foundation, whose benefactor, Prince Moulay Hicham of Morocco, is a renowned public intellectual and democracy advocate, particularly in regards to the Middle East. (via)

I have seen an advance screening of the film, and honestly it is one of the most raw and captivating accounts of the plight for democracy that I have ever seen. I was an International Development Studies major at UCLA, and this type of story completely resonates with me. It's a very moving tail that will make you want to get out and make a difference. A lot of these people risk their lives for basic freedoms that many take for granted.

Please take a look at the A Whisper to a ROAR trailer, and look at how you can GET INVOLVED. At the moment we are looking for people to be on our "Feet on the Street" teams in Los Angeles and New York, as well as "Web Wonders" across the world. You'll be working directly with me if that's any incentive and you'll get some pretty cool perks. Check out the volunteer page for more.

I'm extremely excited for this project (I'll be working with volunteer management as well as social media contributions). Please like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and like them on Pinterest.

In the Dollhouse: A Twisted Barbie & Ken

This series of 10 photographs shows your not-so-average "perspective" of Barbie and Ken from Vancouver-based photographer Dina Goldstein. The series "In the Dollhouse" looks at their not-so-perfect lives.

B is a super doll, the most successful doll in the world. Her partner K is grappling with his sexuality and finds himself in a loveless marriage. He struggles with his position in the household and faces his lack of authenticity. (source)

The series starts out as a clever parody and then takes a dark turn. It adds such a dreary and unexpected twist to the picture-perfect plastic pair.

I personally enjoy it since playing with Barbies was my favorite game as a child (and I still resent the fact that my Barbie Dream House was prematurely sold in a garage sale). I always knew that Ken had a wandering eye; I just didn't know it pointed in that direction. It doesn't mean that I don't to borrow his pink heels though...

Only one thing concerns me: who's going to take care of their dolphins, seals, tigers, dogs and horses when they split?

Joyeux Vendredi (Happy Friday)

{Le chat, le mow}

Isn't this cartoon hilarious? Though I'm not a "cat person" I have a pet cat, and I'm an eternal Francophile, so this cartoon literally made me laugh-out-loud. Do you get it? (You wouldn't imagine to how many people I've had to explain it!)


What are you up to this weekend? I have a birthday party, a sushi date with the roomate and I have to bid adieu to the boyfriend who gets to go to three glorious French cities for -get this- free (well, actually for work, but it's still pretty fabulous nonetheless). Not only is he visiting Paris and Lyon, but of all places he is visiting ma petite ville of Grenoble, tucked away in the French Alps. I'm extremely jealous as I assume a French cat would be if someone drank their frothy milk (because milk in France is a revelation). Le mow.

Remembering Ray Bradbury

{"I'm surrounded by metaphors." - Ray Bradbury; photo via} 

I don't claim to be the most literate person (I'm working on that), but when such an iconic writer passes, it's hard not to pay attention. Ray Bradbury is one of the best science fiction writers of all time, known specifically for his dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451 and The Martian Chronicles. The first novel of his I ever read was The Illustrated Man, the first book that I read for my Honors English class Freshman year of high school. It was a novel that resonated with me throughout my entire education, and sparked my interest in science fiction.

Bradbury lived a full and interesting life. Here are some things that I found interesting about him:

Ray Bradbury wrote Fahrenheit 451 in the basement of UCLA's Powell Library for $0.20/hr. He wrote it in 10 hours.

In 1951, Bradbury predicted an automated machine where you push a button and it gives you cash instead of going to the bank.

He also predicted that humanity would become so obsessed with entertainment, that we would resort to watching car chases on television.

Bradbury suffered a stroke in 1999, and dictated his works over the phone to his daughter until his death in 2012.

Ray Bradbury was the genius behind the Oscar nominated film adaptation of Moby Dick.

Follow my lead and buy Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451.

{Ray Bradbury, American science fiction author}

Rage Against the Cliché

{Osa Johnson rides a zebra}

I don't crave chocolate.

I prefer whiskey or scotch to any other alcoholic beverage.

I'd rather have a steak than a slab of tofu.

I'd rather squeeze a lemon in my eye than watch an episode of Grey's Anatomy.

One of my favorite books is Ender's Game.

I actually like museums.

Now you're probably thinking: did Amy write this, or a boy (probably her boyfriend or cousin) hijack this blog? Never fear, it is I.

Have you noticed that in the minds of many twenty something women living in Los Angeles, there are these kinds social stereotypes that we feel that we have to fulfill, as much as we don't want to admit them? I seldom choose sweet over salty and hate the conventional running on a treadmill for hours on end. Blasphemy! This kind of rebellious behavior may as well revoke "girl card", right?

Friday Favorites: A Coloring Book for Grown Ups

{Grown up coloring book - via}

It's June. It's June! It's June! And you know what that means? One month until it becomes my birthday month. Now, here's my early birthday gift to you.

This coloring for grown-ups book is fantastic. In fact, it's more than fantastic: it's like kindergarten, but with more drinking. More drinking, you say? I didn't think I could add any more drinking to my kindergarten days, but this sounds amazing. Who's ready to whip out those crayons, or water colors for the crazy kids?

Have a fantastic weekend! I'm heading down to San Diego for one of my cousin's graduation parties at the yacht club... you're just jealous. What are your plans (aside from printing out these awesome coloring pages)?

{It's everybody's favorite game: Hipster or Homeless?}

{Those social networking sites can really be a distraction}

Embracing Summer

With June commencing tomorrow, it's officially summer. I realize that summer doesn't officially start until June 22, but here in Los Angeles, June marks summer for all of us (even though summer is actually year round here, they don't lie). I'm looking forward to a summer filled with weekenders, weddings, and getting great use out of my wet bar.

This is also the first time in six years that I don't have to move in June to a new residence! I think that calls for the best summer ever...

These photos from photographer Paul Costello capture the true essence of the season and encourage you to embrace summer in a Palm Springs in the 1960s meets Abercrombie & Fitch sort of way. What a great way to say goodbye to May and hello to June?

And if that doesn't do it for you, here's 20 ways to open a beer bottle.

Obsessed with... Antique Glassware

{Antique Snifter Glasses - via}

Some people collect stamps. Some people collect Beanie Babies. I strive to collect antique glassware. I'm not sure where this obsession came from, but for Christmas I asked for these green glass beauties and ever since I've been utterly obsessed. One day I hope to have a bar complete with vintage glasses of all shapes and colors.

Strange maybe? I like to think of it as a classy obsession. Here are some of the vintage glasses on my up-and-coming wishlist.

Friday Favorites: Trinket Round-up

{Robot 'Armed with Technology' Tea Infuser - $14.99 here}

Who is excited for this long weekend? Chances are if your full-time job is an office job (like me!), you're eagerly raising your hand, jumping up and down, and frantically trying to uncork a bottle of champagne or find that bloody bottle opener. This weekend I'm spending it in Los Angeles -shocker, I usually go to Vegas with the girls- having dinner parties and barbecues, taking advantage of the Los Angeles social scene, and hopefully spending at least one day on a South Bay boardwalk. What are your plans?

To celebrate the holiday weekend, here's a collection of trinkets from all around the internets that gave me a chuckle, and hopefully send you on your weekend ways with a laugh.

{It may be lazy, but it sure as hell is efficient}

{A tailgater's dream grill - $220 here}

{You got your banana in my wine bottle - $8.00 here}

How to Facebook Stalk 101

{Facebook stalking at its finest}

Everyone is on Facebook, even my 77 year old Grandma. While she doesn’t necessarily know how to use it, people like my mother use it to stalk and comment on my every move, using photos as evidence to try to prove that I’ve been hiding the truth (or something like that).

Art with Heart: Satirical Illustrations by Pawel Kuczynski

The best kind of art is art that makes you think. This series of satirical illustrations by Pawel Kuczynski does just that - it makes you think. Since 2004 Kuczynski has been working primarily with satirical illustrations and has won countless awards for his depictions of society. Common themes seen throughout his artwork include greed, poverty, wealth, and other controversial social issues. He takes serious subject matters and portrays them with his cartoonish charm that adds a sense of whimsy to otherwise heavy subjects.

More photos after the break. Do these photos get you thinking as much as they get me thinking? These illustrations are brilliant.

Facebook, I own you (well, part of you)

After much debate, I actually convinced my dad to use some of my IRA money to buy into some $FB. I am now a proud owner of 6 shares (the original goal was 5 shares).

Here's a funny little widget I found: Mark Zuckerberg's Wealth-o-Meter. Track his wealth as his company goes public. Poor little rich boy was only worth $19.14 billion at IPO price $38. It's now huddling around $40 (I managed to get in before it broke $40).

What a great way to start the weekend, right? Investing in my industry.

Twitter Klout: Accurate or Arbitrary?

{Klout has gotten out of control}

Klout, klout, klout. How much drama must you cause on the internets? My Klout has stayed steady between 40 and 55 within the last year or two - but it fluctuates no matter what I do, no matter who retweets me, no matter how much work I put into it, it fluctuates (like a yo-yo diet).

Society is becoming too reliant on Klout as a measurement for success: airports are making special lounges for people with 40+ Klout and top executives are not being hired because of a low Klout score. And you know you're a thing when people make a parody tool after you (Klouchebag.com to be exact).

So here's where I come in: while I tend to be overly skeptical (I find this to be a strong suit, by the way) about most social media measurement tools, I decided to give you the breakdown of this one. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Enjoy, klouchebags.

Auto Trading: Let's Talk Cars

When do you decide that it's time to buy a new car? In my opinion there are two trains of thought: (1) get a new car every few years or (2) get a reliable car that you can drive until it dies. I tend to lean towards the latter.

I have this strange attachment to inanimate objects: my car is my baby. When I turned 16, my dad graced me with a gently used steel blue BMW 325i that I have treated like my own child ever since I got it. Recently, we had a scare and my coolant tank exploded - but I sucked it up and paid the bill, resisting to trade her in for a newer model.

Now here's the dilemma: the BMW is the ultimate driving machine (they don't lie when they say that). With my salary, there is no way that I'll be able to afford another BMW, so I'm thinking maybe a cute little Prius C (with a sunroof) or a Civic Hybrid since gas mileage will have to be the kicker that pushes me to make this decision. However, despite the mileage, these cars do not have the love and affection and years of maintenance that my first car has... but I am getting older and it may be time to bite the bullet... but do I have to?

So here's where I'm stuck: since my car is 10 years old and running on over 100,000 miles, do I stick with it until it dies? Or do I trade it in while it still is worth enough for a car payment on a new car? I'm leaning towards keeping it around for another year (or two) because I love it, and I love the way it drives. But the allure of a new (gas-efficient) car is tempting. What would you do?

{Her name is Betty - oddly I named her before Betty Draper came into our lives}

Give a Hand to Wild Life (a favorite from the archives)

{Give a Hand to Wild Life}

Have you ever seen this ad? This morning I was browsing twitter and saw this link that listed ideas that changed graphic design. I scrolled through the article and was reminded of one of my favorite PSAs of all time - the World Wildlife Fund's "Give a Hand to Wile Life" campaign (2008) by Saatchi & Saatchi Simko agency in Geneva.

Body painter Guido Daniele transformed hands into recognizable animals playing into the literal and figurative meaning of the slogan. This ad campaign hits extremely close to home not only because I am obsessed with tigers, but also because it hits the perfect balance between artistry and sentiment. There are so many animals from our lifetime that will not exist to see another generation (I mean, we already lost the black rhino).

What are your favorite ad campaigns of all time? The best ones are the campaigns that don't even make you realize that it's an ad campaign (like this one).

Let's Talk Oral Hygiene...

{What's your nightly oral hygiene routine?}

I go to the dentist about every 5 months for a cleaning (which in my opinion is definitely more than others who narrow it down to every 9 months or even every few years!). I don't usually get cavities, but I am constantly being yelled at for not flossing!

I hate flossing. I bought a Sonicare toothbrush because I read that it if you brush with a Sonicare you don't need to floss (not just for the bright white smile that comes with it).

However - did you know that bacteria starts to build up after only 24 hours? If you floss daily, you don't need to worry about the bacteria that makes gums sensitive and leads to gum disease and even tooth loss. Time to pick up the flossing... daily.

How often do you floss? What's your daily tooth-brushing routine? I definitely would love to know. Visiting my dentist today really doesn't help my OOCD (oral obsessive compulsive disorder).

10 Reasons Not to Hate Twitter (And Why You Should Embrace It)

It's time to get on the Twitter train.

For the life of me I still cannot get some of my friends to get a Twitter account. No matter how I coax them, or show them how I stay ahead of the curve with my news and gossip, they still think it's creepy that I have so many "random people" following me. So to all of you Twitter haters out there here are my 10 reasons not to hate Twitter.