Hi there! Is it spring-y where you live yet? Here in SD, allergy season is in full swing. The flowers are blooming everywhere, which makes all the sniffles worth it 1,000,000 times over. Plus, after all the rain we had throughout winter, the green grass and colorful flowers combo is somehow making this Southern Californian paradise even prettier (which I did not think was possible)! They don't call San Diego "America's Finest City" for no reason, people.

Black and white striped off-the-shoulder sweater (also seen here): Old Navy

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Light washed distressed skinny jeans (also seen here, here & here): Target

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BCBGeneration black stacked heels (also seen here, here & here): DSW
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Black skinny belt with cutout details (also seen here): J.Crew
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Gold geometric triangle necklace (also seen here, here & here): c/o Style Lately

Turquoise stone and gold link bracelet (also seen here, here & here): c/o HBunnie Creations

Madewell gold cuff bracelet (also seen here, here & here): c/o Shopbop
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Rebecca Minkoff "Mini Avery" black tote handbag (also seen here, here & here): c/o Shopbop
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Today's blog photos were taken in Ocean Beach, which is an adorable hippy town in San Diego. If you are planning a visit to our SoCal city, I highly recommend checking out O.B. It has a dog beach, a pier, and some of the most delicious vegan food in the area! It's definitely one of mine and Matt's favorite places here. What is your favorite neighborhood in your city?

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The Top 12 Late 1990s and Early 2000s Movies

Has anyone seen any good movies recently? I feel like there haven't been a ton of great films out in a hot minute (other than La La Land. I f*cking loved La La Land, just like every other sane person). You know what I miss though? Late '90s and early 2000s movies. You know which ones I mean: Save the Last Dance, Never Been Kissed, Legally Blonde, She's All That, Bedazzled. (Just kidding. Bedazzled is a trash movie, even I can admit that.) Yes, they do make me nostalgic, which never hurts, but movies also were just so fun back then. Sure, sure, the acting was usually subpar (minus Heath Ledger in 10 Things I Hate About You. He was always perfect). And the story lines usually lacked any real grit. But my god were (and still are, because if I see one on Netflix I will watch it, every single time) they entertaining. That's the true Golden Age of Film, if ya ask me. (And I think the Academy would agree with me.)
Thus, for your reading pleasure today, I take you on a journey of my "Top 12 Late 1990s and Early 2000s Movies" as judged by preteen me.

12.) Save the Last Dance UGH. THE EMOTIONS. I remember crying a lot in this one. It proved the true love can overcome all sorts of barriers.

Image via Pinterest

11.) Romy and Michele's High School Reunion Nonstop laughs. I can (and have) watch it 40 times and still crack up at these two Post-it creators.

Image via Dump a Day
10.) Coyote Ugly
I was always afraid my parents would find out I watched this movie, because it was a biiit too sexy for a Midwestern middle schooler, what with all that exposed midriff shimmying on the bar and all. Who can resist the songs and dancing though? Oh, and Tyra Banks.

Image via Tumblr
9.) Center Stage Ballerinas, forbidden romance, eating disorders, fierce competition, cattiness... DRAMA, DRAMA, DRAMA. I ate it up. Honestly, Center Stage earns a spot on this list from that last dance scene alone. If you have no clue what I am talking about or want a refresher you can watch it here. (How cool is her hairdo? And red outfit?!)

Image via Tumblr
8.) She's All That A romance tale for the ages, this one. Spoiler alert: rich, popular athlete falls for glasses-wearing nerd-o. Who coulda seen that one coming?

Image via Pinterest
7.) Never Been Kissed Drew Barrymore. I need not say anything more.

Image via Google
6.) Legally Blonde
Freaking Elle Woods. Where do I begin? She is lovable, has amazing hair, and her pink outfits are what dreams are made of. Plus (another spoiler alert) she goes to Harvard Law. ("What? Like it's hard?")

Image via BuzzFeed
5.) Clueless "As if!" This was the quintessential 90s movie. I mean, Cher's computer program that helped pick out her outfit launched a billion girls' lifelong dreams. I'm still waiting for it to come around.

Image via Moviefone

4.) Bring It On

This gets such a high ranking A) because it is hilarious and B) I was actually a cheerleader when it came out. (Stop laughing. I know it's hard to believe.)

Image via Google

3.) Spice World It stars the Spice Girls AND it features cameos from Elton John, Alan Cumming, and aliens? Girl power home run!

Image via Google
2.) Mean Girls There's a reason it's one of the most quoted movies of all time. (And I'll never stop rooting for a Lindsay Lohan comeback!)

Image via Google

1.) 10 Things I Hate About You

Matt and I actually bonded over this "chick flick" early on in our relationship. He wasn't afraid to admit it is one of the greatest films of our generation. (He even bought me this DVD for one of the first gifts he ever gave me and I still watch it today!) Therefore, this may earn the top spot because it's partially nostalgia, but really Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Heath Ledger, Andrew Keegan, Alex Mack Larisa Oleynik, and a fake baby belly to scare teens away from getting pregnant?! ALL STAR CAST.

Image via Pinterest

Honorable Mention: Radio

It's a fantastic movie, but I personally can't rank it in the Top 12. "Why, you monster?!" one may ask? Well, back in 10th grade I went to the movie theater to see Radio in a group - which included a guy who was a grade older than me that I had a HUGE crush on. Not 15 minutes into the movie, I am crying shuddering from sobbing so hard, with snot all over my entire face and hands, that this particular story has now become one of my most embarrassing anecdotes for whenever someone thinks they had an embarrassing teenage life.

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Now it feels like a perfect time to pull out all of these DVDs and have a marathon this weekend in honor of these classics. 🙏
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What were your favorite adolescent movies? Do you agree with my picks? Or have you committed a grave sin and have yet to watch all of them?! (If so, stop Internet'ing and go watch - right now!)

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Knot-Tee: Cardigan + T-Shirt + Ripped Jeans + Slip-ons + Crossbody Bag

Today was my first full day as a 28 year old. March 19th not only marked my 28th year around the sun, but it also indicated the beginning of my entrance in to the "Undoubtedly Nearly 30 Club." When you're 27, you're not really sure if you are considered "mid-20s" or "late-20s." Well, one good thing about turning 28 is that you now know for sure that you are "almost 30 years old." And that means it's time for those of us in this exclusive club to make some major life changes. For me, I chose to start with huge personal changes to really start the year off on the right foot: I changed my hair part, for one (and yes, don't get me started on how pissed I am that you didn't notice.) (Joking.) (Kinda.) And, secondly, I finally grew a pair and started mixing prints, which you can see in today's post. If you like it, hooray! If you don't, that's cool too. (I also decided to be a lot tougher in my "late 20s.")

Black and white Aztec print oversized open-front cardigan (also seen here): The Blue Door Boutique

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Pink t-shirt (also seen here, here & here): J.Crew

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Light wash ripped skinny jeans (also seen here, here & here): Target

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Black and white polka dot slip-on sneakers (also seen here & here): American Eagle

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Cognac belt (also seen here, here & here): Gap

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Black crossbody bag (also seen here, here & here): Target

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24K gold bar "A" initial necklace (also seen here, here & here): c/o oNecklace

Gold geometric triangle necklace (also seen here, here & here): c/o StyleLately

Love Tatum gold chevron ring: Shoppe California

Totally kidding about the above. I'm from the Midwest - I could never be so rude! But seriously. I hope you can accept the New & Hopefully Improved Allie Version 28.0 😉 
(You'd better.)
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What changes did you make (or do you plan on making, if you are still a youngin') when you officially reached DUN... DUN... DUNNNN... "your late 20s"?

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Knit Happens: Blanket Scarf + Sweater + Skinny Jeans + OTK Boots + Clutch

Hello! How is it March 15th?! Time has been flying by, I tell ya. We recently came back from my best friend's wedding in Orlando (congratulations to Chelsea and Matt!). We had the absolute best time celebrating their nuptials with our college buds and enjoying good, ol' Florida life. (Our rental car was even upgraded for free to a Mustang convertible, which was perfect for driving around the state with the top down. Ahh, pure nearly-spring bliss.) We're back home in California now. (That is, after our flight back to San Diego couldn't land due to the marine layer being too thick, and had to reroute us to Los Angeles in the middle of the night. Once at LAX, we all then loaded onto a charter bus back down to San Diego, and finally got home around 5:30 AM 😴... Oh well, one upset for a whole long weekend full of fun is totally worth it, if you ask me!) Now Matt and I are getting back into our normal Pacific Standard Time routines -- and gearing up to celebrate my 28th birthday this weekend! When did so many years pass? How is it possible that time goes by quicker and quicker every damn day?!

Oversized dark gray knit sweater: H&M

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Light wash skinny jeans: c/o eShakti

Brown over-the-knee flat boots with buckle detail (also seen here & here): Target
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Burgundy, navy blue, and white printed blanket scarf with fringe: ilymix

Deux Lux burgundy woven clutch: c/o Shopbop
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Not only is my birthday coming up, but so is SPRING. The flowers are all in bloom here in S.D. and the sun is shining for hours on end. After all the rain we've been getting (see photos above and the raindrops in my hair for reference), I am so grateful for a little warmth and sunshine. It's almost time to put away the boots and bust out the wedges!

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Palm Down: Grandpa Cardigan + Graphic Tee + Skinny Jeans + Ankle Boots

Hi there! How was your weekend? Matt and I fit in as much as we possibly could, because we leave for Orlando this week for my best fran's wedding (HOORAY!). It was raining today though, so we decided to take the dogs for a drive up the coast to Carlsbad. On the way back, we just so happened to come across a surfing competition. We pulled over and watched from the car, and at the end there was the most amazing sunset over the ocean. It's moments like that that make me remember just how very lucky we are to live in Southern California. There's no place like it. 😍

Chunky burgundy oversized grandpa cardigan (also seen here): Old Navy

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Palm tree "Siesta" graphic t-shirt: c/o Shopbop
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Hudson dark wash skinny jeans (also seen here, here & here): c/o Shopbop
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Carlos by Carlos Santana nude ankle booties (also seen here, here & here): Famous Footwear
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Cognac brown belt (also seen here, here & here): Gap

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Madewell gold cuff bracelet (also seen here & here): c/o Shopbop
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This palm tree print shirt has me super excited for spring/summer. Although it doesn't really get "cold" here in San Diego per se, it gets chilly enough to make me thankful for the sunny, warmer days ahead. I will welcome them with open arms.


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