L is for Ladybugs!

Anyone who knows me at all knows that I love ladybugs. Why just the other day I had one land on me while I was walking downtown.

In Europe ladybugs are associated with good luck, and I suppose they must be here too since they are frequently found with four-leaf clovers. Just one more reason my sister Megan and I clearly belong together.

I'm not entirely sure exactly when or why I fell so hard for these small, garden-friendly creatures. But I am a lover of polka-dots as well so that may have something to do with it...

I love them so much I even have a ladybug tattoo!

OK Bri, are you happy now?!

K is for Knishes

Okay, I know what you're thinking. Knishes? Seriously? Yes, seriously. Knishes are surprisingly tasty fried Jewish treats that are readily available on New York City street corners. You know, like from street vendors, the same way hot dogs are sold. See?

Thus, this favorite thing reflects two of my loves: Jewish food and NYC. While I have only been to New York City once in my life it left a long-lasting image and impression. It will always be one of my favorite places in the world. Nothing beats the Met.

And my love of Jewish food is unarguably due to my stepdad, Shrek, and his Jewish upbringing. Also thanks to him, I was introduced to a fantastic Jewish Deli called

D.Z. Akin's. Mmm, yummy.

J is for Jewels

This favorite thing happens to be a mnemonic device as well as a literal love. One of my oldest and most steadfast nicknames has always been Jules which, of course, sounds like Jewels.

And it is the name of a fantastic Balanchine Ballet that I am a fan of.

But I also love jewels, gems, jewelry, basically pretty sparkly things. Typically the more expensive the better. Because as we all know, diamonds are a girl's best friend.

I is for Ireland

My intense desire to visit this beautiful country stems not only from my passion for Irish dance (which of course instilled knowledge of tradition and culture) but also from my personal cultural heritage. While I am only 1/16 Irish, it is there. And having grown up in America with parents that have no real connection to their cultural lineage, I have always had a desire to find these connections for myself. This includes visiting the countries of my ancestors: Portugal, the Philippines, Germany, Sweden, and Ireland.

H is for Home

After having relocated to Sacramento for college and now moving 3,000 miles across the country, I can say with complete confidence that there truly is no place like home. And for me, home will always be San Diego.

G is for being a Girl

I have been teased throughout my life for various girly habits I possess, such as fretting over breaking a nail or checking my make-up and reapplying lip gloss.

As most of my friends know, my father has been a licensed cosmetologist since before I was born, which means that I have spent a lot of time around professional hair dressers, manicurists, estheticians, make-up artists, you get the idea.

So, as I say, "It's not my fault I've been getting manicures since I was three!" (Which is true, by the way. I was three-years-old.)

And despite whatever teasing there may be, my philosophy has always been and will always be what a Hallmark card I have says:

People say high maintenance like it's a bad thing.

But I say, let's consider the results.

(and who doesn't love a little Anne Taintor?)

F is for Friends

My friends are some of the most fabulous people in the world. They can always make me laugh, when we're just having fun or when I'm feeling down.

No matter how far away I go we manage to stay close. Blaze (pictured above), my bestedy-best friend, and I can go months without speaking and it's like no time has passed at all.

Then there are the friends who get inked with you.

The ones you go shopping with.

Or, one of my personal faves, the friends you can geek out with.

To all my wonderful friends: You guys are fantastic!

I LOVE YOU ALL!

E is for Elle

For a couple of years now Elle has been my favorite fashion magazine. It inspires my fashion and style choices as well as a desire to try new, funky make-up techniques. I have saved many pages from various issues of this publication for my inspiration book.

I must confess, I also love their catchphrase: Cherchez la femme - Seek the woman

See what they're all about at http://www.elle.com/

D is for Dance! (and Disneyland! duh.)

In the second grade I began asking my mother to put me in dance classes. I distinctly remember taking home a flier from school for a community dance program. It took four years for it to happen. Sadly for you, my faithful reader, I have no copies of my embarassing early dance portraits to post. My dance training has since included ballet, tap, jazz, modern, choreography, African-Caribbean, and my all-time favorite, Irish. I have never loved doing anything as much as I love to Irish dance. I only agreed to take the class as a last resort elective and found an incredible new world of dance and fantastic friends, even in my teacher!

I quickly learned that I shared with this teacher a love of Disneyland that is practically unspeakable, particularly to anyone who does not know what it is like growing up in SoCal with the opportunity to enjoy the Happiest Place on Earth with any regularity. However, I also share this fanatical love with this lovely lady, my friend VolleyGirl:

who oh-so-generously took me there for a fabulous 3-day trip as a college graduation present. Oh don't worry, I do love her and know what an amazing friend she is.

I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date!

No time to say 'hello'. Goodbye! I'm late! I'm late! I'm late!

Sorry for the delay in postings. The last few days have been a little hectic. But now, let us continue the alphabetical love fest!