♥♥♥

3 day'er on the horizon

a storm is brewing outside, which i welcome with open arms. these babies are rare in southern california so you have to grasp them when you can.
a 3 day weekend is also hours away. needed? YES.

on the agenda:
catch up on netflix movies
make a tasty dinner with fresh chard from the peruvian's school garden
sleep
long beach swap meet, rain or shine
getty villa
bake some gluten free bread
less computer and more pulp
watch the rain and sleep some more

*toodles*

lovers rock

Sexopolis: Jean Pierre Mirouze
Feelin Frisky: Sly Johnson
Bonnie and Clyde: Serge Gainsbourge & Briditte Bardot
100 Days 100 Nights: Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings
You Made a Believer Out of Me: Ruby Andrews
Baby I Love You: Aretha Franklin
Superman Lover: Johnny "Guitar" Watson
Queen Majesty: The Uniques
Fever: Susan Cadogan
La La Means I Love You: Alton Ellis
Number One: Gregory Isaacs

this is how i do saturdays

Saturday Strawberry Pisco Porch Puppies
1/2 bag frozen strawberries
the juice from 3 mini limes
4T. sugar
1/2 c. soda water
a heavy hand of Pisco (maybe 4-5 shots)

mix all in a blender until smooth.  adjust to taste...more sugar, more pisco =)
serve with a sugared rim, a slice of lime and a sunny sky.


don't blame me if you get get naked.
Roy Ayers Ubiquity - Everybody Loves The Sunshine by sopedradamusical

a little bit of therapy

so lola and the rest of our casa was featured the other day on apartment therapy. it's been a treat to see these wonderful photos of our house as well as read some really generous feedback. thanks again bethany for finding me and touring our house. xx

photo of lola ala bethany nauert

eat at home

before

tonight's dinner is sponsored by what we already had in the fridge and a couple of items from trader joes.   making food at home is not only MUCH more affordable but you also get tasty leftovers (there's only 2 of us) for the next day's lunch.  first up:


3 Cheese Pear Onion Focaccia
1 package whole wheat pizza dough (trader joes)
1 apple, cut in thin slices
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
aprox 1 1/2 c. sharp cheese (you could use one, two, three...whatever floats your boat.)
         *i used a combo of sheep feta, drunken goat and aged english cheddar...leftover from superbowl
           sunday
3 T. olive oil
chili flakes to taste
3 in. sprig of fresh thyme (growing on my balcony)

-oil a large baking sheet with 1 T. of olive oil and spread around with hands until totally covered.
-with hands, work pizza dough into about a 12-in. circle
-saute onions with remaining olive oil until onions are caramelized and light brown
-arranged sliced apples on dough, add onions evenly, distribute cheese and top with chili flakes and thyme leaves
-bake in a pre-heated 450* oven for 20 min

after

 next up:

"Cream" of Broccoli Soup
this recipe has been floating around my house since i was a kid.  always a go-to winner and perfect for a fall/winter night when it's cold and broccoli is in season.  i've altered it a bit to make it a bit more waist friendly.  
1 lg head of organic broccoli, chopped into pieces
1/2 white onion
3 c. vegetable stock (i prefer to use better than bouillon if i don't have homemade)
1 t. curry powder
1/2 t. fresh ground pepper
1/4 t. mustard powder
1/2 c. milk (whole, low-fat....just no non-fat)
1T. flour
1 T. butter
lemon wedges

-in a large saucepan, cook the broccoli, onion and vegetable stock until broccoli is fork tender.
-removed from heat and blend with a hand held blender (LOVE mine) or in your classic blender. *be careful since contents are hot.  do not over fill your blender as hot liquid will blow out)
-return contents to saucepan and add spices and butter.  bring back to a simmer
-in a small jar with a lid (or a bowl with a fork) mix the milk and flour well.
-add milk/flour mixture and cook on low for about another 5 min, stirring often.

wa-la!  serve with a squeeze of lemon and you have yourself a fine meal.

v day

"i love you" in chinese: gift from my mom for chinese new year

leather fortune cookie. DIY fortune ready....

yes, the hallmark holiday is around the corner and yes, it is 90% consumer driven, but it's also a nice reason to give those you love a reminder.  (we can never give enough of these.)

since we are on "budget 2011" over here, we've decided to make a meal together at home.  and honestly, i know it's going to be cheaper, tastier, FUN and a more memorable time than any restaurant could provide us.  we both love to cook and have decided to make something decedent and possibly a bit more time consuming than our typical meal.  the recipe hunt has begun.  i think a coctel de fresas con pisco might have to be in order, representing the peruvian half of the family.

lb treehouse

the desert by charley harper

along with my etsy site, i also sell larger items on craigslist that aren't so "shippable".  i decided it would be a good idea if i had a spot to compile all that i have for sale.  one stop shop.  the treehouse was created last month.

we often refer to our house as the treehouse since we live in the top floor of a duplex that has amazing views of the city and is surrounded by trees. we live amongst bright green, yapping parrots, crows galore, hummingbirds and many other tree dwelling creatures.

welcome to the treehouse:

view from bed

sunset from the living room

skateistan

gnar. and yet so cool.........

etsy favs

my mom gave me the idea to make these.  i found someone already making them on etsy: scrabble wine charms i'm still planning on creating my own for all the drunks that loose their glasses @ my house. (btw, i hate the word charms)

color theory tshirt: rainbow spectrum wheel this entire etsy shop has some great graphic tees.  check the others out too.

baby hipster pants, really called baby leggings navajo print

leather mini clutch in antique gold

antique french bone handled cutlery

marine chiffon blouse (i like the entire outfit)