Upper Park

Here is a little flashback to a day in the sun and water with my friend Acacia and her puppy. Upper Park is the upper half of Bidwell Park that runs through Chico and up into the hills. It frames a creek that travels through town. Lower Park is lush and green with a tight-knit canopy that keeps the vines and moss green below. Upper Park on the other hand has dry, rustling blonde grass and a canyon of lava rocks where the creek runs through. The water was still pretty cold - it warms up in July - but we managed to swim upstream a bit and have a little picnic and sunbath on a little rock ledge. I've taken so many photos this month that it's hard to find time to upload them all! I love this 'problem'!

<3 

Mariamma

Spokane

If you've been following along on this month's adventures on my Instagram you know that I am currently in Montana and Spokane was a nice little pit-stop along the way! I flew stand-by with Southwest Airlines and the closest I could get to Montana was Spokane. It just so happens to be where Braxton and Alex live, two guys I met in Vegas a few weeks back. Braxton was kind enough to show me around Spokane on Saturday and introduce me to a few of his friends. The Spokane River was a definite highlight with a drawstring bridge that swayed as you walked across it.

I'm currently in Charlo, Montana staying at my cousin April's house which is right up against the majestic Mission Mountains. This range has snow on the tops year-round and makes for an insanely beautiful backdrop to ... life! I feel immensely grateful to be here. I daydream about coming home to Montana all year long and I haven't been back for two years. Hanging out with my family, watching the deer make their way across the fields, and picking strawberries from the garden - it's been a dream! Photos to come!

xoxo

Mariamma 

Thursday Night Market

There are quite a few things that make Chico summer so wonderful, and Thursday Night Market is surely one. Every Thursday evening a few streets downtown are blocked off to make way for the throngs of people who come to shop at the booths and stands along the sides. There is anything from produce to clothes, to homemade soaps and food trucks. The city plaza is at the end of the street and there you can find a fountain that keeps kids cool and entertained while different community performances take place on an adjacent stage. This week there were hula dancers! I went with my mom this past week and we strolled around, watched the dancers and my friend Jesse who was singing and playing guitar in-between a couple booths. It was a lovely little evening that ended in getting a little saucy with my mom at a jazz bar afterwards. My mom is the cutest. 

<3 

Mariamma

Creek Catch-Up

When I first pulled into my mom's driveway a week ago I was greeted by Aisha, a girl I used to babysit when I was in high school. My mom was giving her mom a massage and she was waiting patiently in the living room. It was a lovely welcome home to get to catch up with her and hear all about her soccer stardom, graduating from 8th grade, and playing violin. When she asked me if I'd be willing to give her a photography lesson I was very flattered (with the little that I know). So, this week I met her after school and we trekked into Lower Park with a camera and some iced tea.  It was mostly us talking and sharing funny junior high stories ... there are so many to choose from. Here are some of the photos she took of me after a bit of a "lesson." The ones I took of her have been added to the Portfolio tab above.

x 

Mariamma

Summer Reads

Hello lovelies! I finished rereading The Alchemist this week ... a book everyone should read at least once, and now I'm picking up where I left off with State of Wonder. A common thread through both: Brazil! The Alchemist is written by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho and State of Wonder takes place in Brazil and even has some Portuguese dialogue, which I've been enjoying. Makes me feel sorry for whoever reads that book and has to type everything into google translate haha! I recently asked in an insta post about suggestions for "happy summer reads" and got two responses which I will add to my list. I'd really like to get in the habit of reading everyday again. Cheers to adventures in print and in your head! 

xo 

Mariamma

Creep

I realize I've never shared music on this blog but it used to be a common occurrence on my old one! Here is a beautiful cover of Radiohead's Creep by Scary Pockets + India Carney. Fun story about Radiohead: I had never listened to them but they were performing at the first ever Outside Lands music festival in San Francisco in 2008. I was there with a friend who loved them and dragged me through the crowd to the literal front and that was my introduction. It was EPIC. They had these hanging lights everywhere and the music was awesome. This version is captivating. So captivating that I have probably listened to this 20 times today. Those vocal tho!!! 

Chiquito

Summer is magical and I am gulping it down.

I feel really lucky to be in Chico, my hometown #2, at this pivotal moment when the creeks are warming and the college students have left. Us locals get to take over what is rightfully ours ;). The sun is warm on some days, perfect for walks in the park under the epic oaks. And other days it's hot, perfect for whole afternoons spent at swimming holes.

Summer is medicine and I am gulping it down. 

xo 

Mariamma

Silver Dollar Fair

It's become tradition in my friend group to go in a big posse to the Silver Dollar Fair in Chico, and despite moving to LA last year, I've managed to make it every year for the festivities. There's something magical about the junk food, the janky rides, and warm summery nights. 

cheers to good friends and sloppy times

M 

Backyard Oasis

I have this lovely routine ... 

Lay in the sun, on the comfy lounge chair, with polarized sunglasses and a nice layer of spf, read The Alchemist (or another positive read), and insert yourself into the pool anytime the sun gets even the slightest bit intense. Now repeat. This is my recipe to happiness. Simple. Fool proof. 

Love you, 

Mariamma

Juicy

LA is known for its health freaks ... and I suppose it's a relatively good thing to be a freak about. I've accidentally lost a little bit of weight over the last few months though I have no idea how much because I refuse to weigh myself. I've just been less hungry, craved sugar less, and started walking more. Other than losing a little bit of my curves I feel good! It has happened in a natural, healthy way but I hope to get some of those curves back in dance classes! Speaking of which, I found a samba class in Long Beach last night so I won't have to drive 45 minutes for class in Culver City!! The teacher was amazing - super positive, encouraging, and with a very original approach to teaching samba. She taught the feet portion last rather than first and focused primarily on the hips and torso which seemed to encourage people to feel the movement before thinking of the steps. Super fun! Anways, all that to explain mine and Alli's trip to Pressed Juicery. I highly recommend going if you have one near you! We sampled a ton of different juices that I had never tried and in the end we were both feeling Vogue's Pink Lemonade. It tastes like sweet lemony rose water <3. 

Saude! Gesundheit! Cheers to your Health!

Mariamma

Las Vegas

The last time I was in Vegas I was 16 years old and I was there for a family reunion. It was fun - we ate well, went to a Cirque du Soleil show ... and I pined for the nightlife I could not participate in the whole time! I had been wanting to return now that I'm well-passed 21 and I finally got the opportunity a couple weeks ago! Here are some photos from the adventure. I hope you enjoy!

smooooooch 

Mariamma

Friday Morning

Good Morning! It's a grey day here in LA and ... somehow that made me crave waffles. Maybe it's the nostalgia for cozy mornings at my Mamma's house where she always makes waffles and a smoothie. Spoiled. I'm slacking on the smoothie part. I'm just chilling on the couch in-between the puppy and my roomie, helping her pick wedding invites. Cheers to weekend! 

xx 

Mariamma

Manhattan Beach

Whatttttup! I had a sweet little lunch date with my friend Alli today in Manhattan Beach. There are so many pricey little spots but then we stumbled on our kind of spot: cheap and tasty Mexican food! It was so nice to explore and window shop ... and I may have made a swimsuit purchase. Summer is almost here and you know I'll be ready ;). 

xoxo 

Mariamma

Sparkle

Here are more photos from my trip to Anza-Borrega State Park. Those sun flares are pure magic! 

Today I have a few things on the agenda ... repotting some plants and soaking in the sunshine on what is supposed to be a 90 degree day! I think I'll take a nap too. You know it's a going to be a good day when you're already planning a nap at 6:45 a.m. 

Happy Friday!

Mariamma

Desert Dessert

A few weekends ago I went on a little day trip to the desert. I just needed some silence and solitude. I love me some city, but I can't live without my nature. There is something so magical about the desert and its muted shades. No harsh hues but lots of snarled cacti that will insert themselves in your feet via your open-toed sandals ... BEWARE ;).  

smooches on smooches 

Mariamma

San Pedro

Yesterday we woke up early and went to breakfast along the Marina and then decided to use the beautiful day for some exploring. First stop was the Korean Bell of Friendship and then down the road we stopped to hike down to the Sunken City. There's still so much of LA I haven't seen, and little trips like yesterday's really remind me of that. We ended the day at a Dodger's game ... my first pro baseball game ever! We ate plenty of "Dodger Dogs" and garlic fries and drank $15 tall cans. It was a good time. :)

Happy Easter! 

Mariamma

Canopy

Happy Sunday! Today was a relaxing one for sure - and it was much needed. I had a slow morning: eating breakfast, hanging with the puppies, Jax and Bentley, and catching up with one of my best friends on the phone. I'll be heading home in a couple weeks to see all my friends, so we had some conspiring to do. Then I headed to the most relaxing Restorative Yoga class. The class is a perfect combination of stretching and napping, both of which I love! Then I came home and made a very yummy dinner while catching up on The Voice. I hope your day was just what you needed too.

Cheers to a great Monday ;) 

xoxo 

Mariamma