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I love traveling. But traveling usually means a looot of walking, which usually translates to horribly calloused and blistered feet at the end of your trip.

That’s why I made sure to pack my comfiest pairs: my trusty Nike Dunks (I went with the khaki and white one since it’s neutral enough to pair with anything) and my Posh Pocket tassel flats (perfect for the dress I’m wearing tonight to watch Wicked!). Can’t wait to explore more of Singapore today. (:

What about you? What kind of footwear do you bring on trips?

Love,
Macy

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You want to hear something funny? (No? Good, I’m going to tell you anyway.) I was listening to Phoenix the other day and thought Thomas Mars was singing, “Here is your sign, I missed it.” It turns out the actual lyrics were, “Here is your signed armistice,” because, DUH, the song’s title is “Armistice.”

After feeling a bit stupid for about two minutes, I started trying to remember all the signs I missed last year. But it turns out that even if 2011 was an epic drama to trump all epic dramas, I have absolutely no regrets. None. Not the mistakes I made (there were a lot). Not the stupid things I said to cute boys (there were even more). Not even the time I superglued my fingers together and had to type “superglue fingers help please” on Google, then had to walk to the store to pick up a bottle of acetone with my hand shoved into my jacket pocket and my face burning with shame.

(I have a point, I promise!)

Some of you may be looking back on last year thinking, “I wish I did that; the opportunity was right in front of me,” or “I wish I didn’t do that; all the warnings were flashing like a million EDSA billboards.” Some of you may be feeling bad about the things you did or didn’t do, or all the signs you missed or thought you missed, so I’d like to urge you now to make peace with 2011—give it a big hug, then move on. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I believe there’s no way we could’ve missed the signs we were absolutely meant to see. Which means there’s no room for regrets because (get ready for this grand revelation) everything in our life happens for a reason—a good one. And when you believe this as much as I do, there’s nowhere else for you to go but forward.

A few things pushing me forward: an exciting, growing reading list, a chance to touch and inspire young girls through the very same medium that touched and inspired me when I was a teen, and a pretty new daily companion that encourages me to keep on pursuing everything I’m passionate about.

(See, I told you I had a point!)

Love,
Marla

Posted in Candy, Love, Reality Bytes | 4 Comments »

2011 started out slow and steady for me, but by the time the second half rolled around, to say that things got downright crazy would be an understatement. Somehow I ended up in situations I never thought I’d ever be in: opening my mailbox and reading an acceptance letter bearing good news about an artist’s grant I had been waiting and praying for; surviving the most nerve-wracking interview of my life; traveling alone in the middle of a nasty hurricane and finding myself up in the air as the winds battered our tiny plane; being attacked by mosquitoes while writing a story in a town on the other side of the world; falling asleep in front of a fireplace wearing five layers of clothing, with a big black dog (who probably weighs more than me) curled up on my lap; and sitting at my desk writing a very special letter for all you Candy Girls.

There were milestones and feelings and changes and OMG THERE WERE FEELINGS. And when everything became overwhelming and I couldn’t quite come up with words or explanations, I calmed myself down by putting one song on loop and lying in bed for about half an hour, just thinking and processing.

These were the songs I overplayed this year, and they paint a pretty good picture of what 2011 was like for me. Don’t you think it’s amazing how a few songs can tell an entire year’s worth of stories? I hope you can give them a listen (click on the screencap below to view the playlist on YouTube!), and I hope they bring you some form of comfort and clarity, too.

Happy new year, everyone! Looking forward to sharing 2012 with you. :-)

Big hugs,
Marla

Posted in Candy, Candy Rap, Reality Bytes | 2 Comments »

Laika and I have been friends since we were little girls dreaming of Prince Charmings and fairytale endings. We’ve grown up together and we’ve seen each other at our very worst and very best. I’m super excited for her because a new chapter in her life is beginning—she’s getting married next year!

I can’t wait to see her in her wedding gown, walking down the aisle to marry her Prince Charming and have their very own fairytale ending. (: But before that, we’re throwing a sparty (spa party, haha!) shower for her tomorrow. I’m super excited to get together with all our girl friends and bond over sweet treats and get-pretty treatments. Check out the invite I made for her shower:

What milestones are you looking forward to in 2012? Share them with us!

Love,
Macy

Posted in Candy, Love, Reality Bytes | 1 Comment »

There’s something about Christmas that makes me feel giddy inside. Shopping for presents, seeing the recipient’s faces light up when they open the gift, and even receiving your own are just a few of the things that make me oh-so happy during the holidays.

Three things this Christmas:

Holiday nails. I painted my nails in Sally Hansen Sonic Bloom with Etude House BR005 gradient tips.

Red Velvet mini-cupcakes. My friends absolutely loved these bite-sized treats that I brought to last weekend’s bash.

Snowflakes and red ribbon. Wrapped my gifts in brown paper bags and personalized paper snowflakes.

What are you loving about the holidays? (:

Love,
Macy

Posted in Candy, Reality Bytes | 2 Comments »