LONG overdue!

I already know what you're going to say, so don't even bother. This post is LONG overdue. I know. Many of you have reminded me. More than once. So let's get right down to business, as a lot has happened since April. After all, it is the middle of June now. (Figuring out how to sort this was a nightmare, so there's really no order at all.) Beware: I have a lot of updates, so stretch that pointer finger. You're going to be scrolling for a while. Don't say I didn't warn you.

A little over a month ago I started a new position with Full Picture. I really enjoyed my time at KMA, and Kip taught me everything I know about PR so far. (Of course I learned a lot in school, but nothing can prepare you for real-world experience other than the real world itself.) I'm forever grateful for all of the wonderful opportunities I had during my time there. I have so many fun memories I will cherish forever.

Before I left, I got our dress client - Shail K - featured on KCCI Channel 8 Des Moines. Naturally I used my sister, cousin and a few of their friends as the models.

They all looked so pretty!
 

Filming a segment for Entertainment Tonight at Kyle by Alene Too.
Joe Zee, Creative Director of Elle, and Nancy O'Dell


***

The first few weeks at Full Pic have been amazing! They have welcomed me with open arms and made me feel like party of the family. For the first time in a long time I don't have the "Sunday sorrows." I actually find myself excited for Monday mornings, which is so refreshing! I look forward to going to work each day, so I think that's a sign that I'm right where I'm supposed to be. I'm really looking forward to what the future has in store!

My first event at my new job was the Victoria's Secret What Is Sexy? List photo op at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica.

Victoria's Secret Angels

Lily Aldridge, Adriana Lima and Behati Prinsloo

<3
 

Mondrian Los Angeles, one of our clients.

Best view of LA!

Artsy view from my new office window.



A couple weeks ago I went to a taping of Fashion Police at E!
This is the only pic to prove it considering you can't have cell phones in the studio.

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Lots of random stuff...

"90s chicks" at a Levi's event in WeHo.

Complete with a performance by Charli XCX

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Saturday pool party at the Roosevelt Hotel.
Only a few people showed up.

Soaking up the sun per usual.

Cooling off with Michelle in the pool.

Inception @ Exchange featuring DJ Mark Knight.
Downtown LA

It was hot in there. Can you tell?

 

 

Goodnight or good morning?

I'll let you decide.

***

Bumped heads with David Arquette at Bootsy Bellows.

Tweeted about it for fun and he responded haha

***

Katie flew into LAX for a weekend with her friends in Palm Springs.

I couldn't not see her considering she was that close.

Of course it wasn't nearly enough time!
 

I wore my NYC sweatshirt for the occasion obviously :)

***

Runyon Canyon hike with Syd.

We go for the view, not the workout.
 

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How we like to spend our weekends.

Forced Matt into going on a romantic hike at sunset.
He loved it.

***

 

 

Memorial Day Weekend

 

We spent Memorial Day is this beautiful backyard.

 

He's my family when I can't be home with mine.



Always mocking me.

 

Picture of a picture taker.

We couldn't miss the gorgeous Silver Lake sunset.

Silver linings.

***

 

This past weekend.

 The Nervo Twins at Create Nightclub

This pretty much sums things up.

***
 

Prior to my new job, my mom came to LA for the first time to spend a week with me. We had such a great time, and I was so glad she could see everything first-hand.

Take a look at some of the fun things we did while she was here:

Dinner at the Grove.

Thank goodness Mom will indulge with me!

My cousin, Macy, asked me to help with her Flat Stanley project.

I was so touched that she thought of me!

 Flat Stanley arrived when Mom was here,

so needless to say we had a little too much fun taking pictures of him.

This was moments after he arrived!

Mom, Flat Stanley and me at the beach in Santa Monica.

My two boyfriends.

  

Santa Monica beach.

Mom's first time to the Pacific Ocean!

Flat Stanley testing the water.

Ready for a nice little ocean pic...

...and then this happened!

Hiking up to the Griffith Observatory.

This is a must for all my visitors!

We made it to the top!

This view will never get old

  

Lunch a Lemonade!

Doing the usual touristy thing. It's a must.

***

In less than two weeks, she will be back with Madeline and Marshal, and I CANNOT WAIT! Talk about long overdue! I know they have been wanting to come visit since I first moved here a year ago. (Yes, that's right, I have officially been in LA for a year! Where does the time go?!) My mind is already going a million miles a minute thinking about all the things I want to do with them. Regardless, anytime spent with family is fun. Having them here brings me a sense of comfort. Eek! I'm so excited! :)

Rewind a bit more...prior to my new job, but after my mom was here (do you follow?) I was able to get home to Iowa for a long weekend. (I will always considering Iowa to be home.) It worked out that I had a few days between jobs, so it was the perfect time to get away. I hadn't been home since Christmas, and I didn't think I would be able to get back until this fall. That is LONG time! I am so glad I didn't have to wait until then.

But before I went home, Matt was sweet enough to take me to an early birthday dinner. He has been telling me about Rock Sugar ever since I moved here, so that's where he took me. It was ah-may-zinggg!

So excited!!

Happy Birthday to me!

Another year and so much to be thankful for.

***

I got off the plane and went right to Amy and Jeff's house to see the cutest twin cousins ever! I missed them so much!

Reading one of their favorite books.

***

One of my favorite parts of my trip was surprising my best friend Ashley, who had just had her precious little baby Lincoln. (It was killing me that I couldn't get home when he was born. Missing out on experiences such as this is one of the hardest parts about living in another state.) Even better, it was my birthday! I couldn't have asked for a better gift than seeing her, Ethan and their beautiful baby boy.

Perfect way to start my birthday.

He is perfect.

***

That night, as family tradition goes, everyone came over for dinner to celebrate my birthday. My only request for the evening was a BBQ and my absolute favorite dessert, which is Grandma Nancy's rhubarb crisp. Although she thought it was funny to tease me that the rhubarb was not ready (I tried desperately not to seem too disappointed), she came through with the best crisp I've ever tasted. My 23rd birthday is definitely one of my favorite birthdays yet. I am so blessed to be part of such a loving family!

Yes, we still take a group pic of all the kids... minus 2

(We're missing Joe and Alex. It's just not the same without everyone there!)

I will never be too old for this :)

We coordinated, or so we like to think.

***

I mean, how cute is this face?!

***

Watching Maddie at her band and chorus competition.

Yes, we were wearing winter coats in MAY!

***

Lauren, Averie and I.

I love these two girls and was so glad we got to see each other!

***

Happy Bachelorette Party, Katie!

Love seeing familiar faces!

***

Marshal just started band! When did he get this old?!

He ended up choosing trombone just like Maddie.

We got treated to a private concert in which I was instructed (by Marshal) that I wasn't allowed to post a single photo on social media...

Oops! I couldn't resist!

***

Goodbye Iowa.

Until next time...

While goodbyes are always hard - and never seem to get any easier - I must admit that leaving the two little munchkins is probably the hardest part. I waited 22 years for God to bless our family with these two beautiful babies, and of course once it was time for me to move away they finally arrived. I couldn't be happier, but I really hate missing out on watching them grow and develop. They're so precious and perfect... I can never get enough!

***

Rewind EVEN MORE to my dad's birthday and Easter. Yes, this is sad. It's been THAT long since my last update...

I was bummed I couldn't be home to help celebrate my dad's birthday.

They went to one of our favorite pizza places for dinner.

Our apartment happened to be serving pizza that night for March Madness...

(Hence the basketball napkin.)

 

I sent Dad this pic to say I was celebrating, too.

He replied with this:

 He won.

Happy Birthday to the best dad a daughter could ask for!

***

Moving on to Easter - another holiday I wish I could have been home for.

Thank goodness for iPhones and FaceTime!

  

Tyler and Grace's first Easter!

They looked absolutely adorable in their Sunday best.

Who's having more fun here? Me or them?

She was way more interested in that egg.

***

My sisters and I have found many uses for FaceTime.

The most recent? To watch Marshal showing his lamb.

If I can't be there, this is the next best thing.

***

There you have it. A recap of the last few months summed up in a few words with pictures. I guess it makes me smile that you're checking back for updates. I won't let three months go by until the next post. I promise.

I'll leave you with one of my favorite LA sunset pics to date.

Thanks for reading!

xx
Mallorie