tiny BUBBLES

desert dreaming

2012-01-26T17:22:00.000-08:00

our "room" @ hicksville, Joshua Tree

the weight

2012-01-26T17:14:00.001-08:00

❤❤❤

today's craigslist scores:

2012-01-19T15:00:00.000-08:00

getting my sand on today to bring this baby back to life. (big round, white marble slab-top not pictured)

and THIS just makes my heart flutter. hot, hot barcelona day bed in PERFECT condition with the softest leather ever....i don't want to tell you how much i paid. it's illegal it was so cheap. more photos to come on both

day at the museum

2012-01-16T16:38:00.000-08:00

my husband had the day off from teaching for the MLK holiday. we've been wanting to go to the California Design, 1930-1965: "Living a Modern Way" exhibit ever since it arrived at the LACMA. we discovered last night, every holiday, target pays for the general public to go to the museum for FREE...all day. so cool! ta-dao, we had a sweet date planned.

my mom also knew we wanted to go to this exhibit, so for christmas, she gave us $$ for tickets and lunch/dinner. the gift of an experience is far superior to a "thing" you soon forget about. i highly recommend this route for anyone.

here are my highlights from our day and what i savored most, enjoy!

spine chair

mini shell chair

milo b. coffe table/planter

rattan seat for 2

doggie bag

dreamy avanti by studebaker

another weekend

2012-01-13T09:44:00.001-08:00

:::make it a good one:::

lb swapmeet

my swapmeet score: turkish kilim pillow

post swapmeet victory meal @ don chentes, best carnitas burrito in our hood

MIA for a bit...

2012-01-04T16:04:00.000-08:00

so much has gone on lately....
we lost our baby almost 7 months in utero.
we moved out of our old apartment, and into a lovely new house.
we ended a year full of very high highs and very low lows.
2012.
we are so optimistic about this new chapter in our lives. lots of change on the horizon and i can't wait to see what's in store for the year ahead.

starting to put the living room together...with the help of lola of course

backyard avocado tree

backyard tangerine/meyer lemon trees

coconut curry red lentil soup. YUM

nye 2012 @ our new house

i hope this year brings us all health, wealth and happiness....and lots of good food and friends in between.

polka dot

2011-12-18T12:08:00.000-08:00

via EmersonMade

via ASOS

via Victoria's Secret

:::RIP Felix:::

2011-12-12T09:20:00.000-08:00

yellow&black

2011-11-22T16:59:00.001-08:00

ala atlantic-pacific

ala musings in femininity

ala lookbook.nu

ala tory burch

from my latest inspiration boards....

nature's modern art

2011-11-20T12:49:00.001-08:00

i think these pyrite cubes are so visually interesting and beautiful. it makes sense why we gain inspiration in design from our natural surroundings.

lately

2011-10-26T18:58:00.000-07:00

Ace Hotel, PDX

Etsy scores...

toilet paper roll bathroom art

local bbq

vincent thomas bridge

enough said

new packaging

homemade halloween

lolita brigante

pacific city, or. surf

3 is the magic number

2011-09-01T19:52:00.000-07:00

"A man and a woman had a little baby,
Yes, they did.
They had three in the family,
And that's a magic number."

and we're adding #3 to our little family this march....

Josef Frank

2011-08-13T10:21:00.000-07:00

Josef Frank (July 15, 1885, in Baden bei Wien – January 8, 1967, in Stockholm) was an Austrian-born architect, artist, and designer who adopted Swedish citizenship in the latter half of his life. Together with Oskar Strnad, he created the Vienna School of Architecture, and its concept of Modern houses, housing and interiors. *from wikipedia

i'm in love with his fabrics. they are full of color and life. this one reminds me of something charley harper would create:

green birds

or in an amazing nursery as accent pieces

Navigar

the fabric use for the drapes and some of the pillows is called Brazil

curry roasted cauliflower with lemon and tahini

2011-07-28T13:20:00.000-07:00

this is such an easy dish to make and is full of flavor and nutrition. cauliflower is packed with vitamin C, magnesium, anti-inflamatory vitamin K and omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, B vitamins and folic acid! who would have guessed?! now on to the recipe:

1 medium head cauliflower, washed and cut into florets
2-3 T. olive oil
1 t. curry powder (or more to taste)
1/4 t. garam masala
salt
1 T. sesame seeds (these have a lot of calcium for the amount!)
1/2 yellow or white onion, sliced into 1/2 strips

tahini (i buy it from trader joes in the refrigerated section next to the hummus)
lemons
cilantro/italian parsley

mix all ingredients together in a bowl.

spread evenly on a baking sheet and cook @ 400* for about 15 min. half way through, move cauliflower around with a spatula to evenly brown.

once it is brown and roasted to your liking, take it out of the oven and sprinkle with cilantro or italian parsley.

you can eat it fresh out of the oven or served at room temperature. delicious with a squeeze of lemon and a dip in the tahini bath. soooooooooooooooooo tasty. enjoy!

this weekend:

2011-07-14T13:51:00.000-07:00

carmageddon is on the near horizon, but i'm still willing to venture into LA for this sweet food festival started in oakland. so many free classes to choose from, demonstrations and FOOD FOOD FOOD to nosh. see you there!

bouchons au thon

2011-07-14T13:20:00.000-07:00

one 6-ounce can tuna packed in water, drained well
1 cup lightly packed grated Gruyere
1/2 cup creme fraiche
3 tablespoons tomato paste
3 large eggs
1/4 cup finely chopped yellow (i used red) onion
2 tablespoons finely chopped Italian parsley
1/4 teaspoon salt

_____________________

set oven rack to the middle position, and preheat the over to 325*F. grease 8 cups of a standard-size muffin tin and set aside.

put the tuna in a bowl and use a fork, mashing and poking, to break it up into small pieces. there should be no chunks larger than a dime. add the remaining ingredients and stir well with a fork, mashing a bit as you go, until the mixture is throughly combined. it will be a soft orange-pink color.

divide the mixture evenly among the 8 prepared muffin cups. bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the bouchons look set on top and around the edges. transfer the tin to a rack and let cool for 5 minutes. carefully fun a small, thin knife around the edges of each bouchon to make sure it isn't stuck, then carefully removed them from the tin. they will collapse a bit as they cool.

serve warm or at room temperature.

yield: 8 bouchons, enough for 4 light eaters

recipe from a homemade life

these are delicious. light, airy with flavors of tuna, gruyere and tomato. somewhat like a soufflé. wonderful with mixed greens, fresh herbs, lemon and olive oil or roasted potatoes.

my weekend

2011-07-11T16:50:00.000-07:00

yosemite is magical and so was our friend's cabin.

today's weather: hot

2011-06-30T15:14:00.001-07:00

can you dig it?

2011-06-23T13:36:00.000-07:00

agenda for saturday night: the warriors @ the hollywood forever cemetary

to my dad

2011-06-19T13:52:00.000-07:00

thank you for teaching me to love cooking...and have fun while doing it

thank you for getting us out of sticky situations when we needed it most

thank you for teaching us to keep smiling and move forward, even when sailing through rough waters.

WE LOVE YOU!

lola, interpreted through nina

2011-06-16T17:00:00.000-07:00

greyhounds are a silly bunch

the $1 loaf of bread a 6 year old could make

2011-06-10T14:19:00.000-07:00

all i can say is WOW. forget buying ok store bought bread or expensive artisan loafs. those days are over! this easy and cheap recipe yields an amazingly delicious end result with a crusty outside and soft, chewy center.

i've read rave reviews of sullivan street bakery's no-knead rustic bread recipe but have yet to give it a whirl. today after reading the recipe and step by step instructions on a favorite blog, bigBANG stuido, i was determined to give it a try....asap. i have my grandmother's cast iron pot which was the perfect vessel to bake this brown beauty in. since it's been awhile since i last used it, i had to season the pot first. MAKE THIS!

RIP

2011-06-08T11:59:00.000-07:00

i just learned that Eric Doran, owner of Eat Chow in costa mesa, was killed memorial day weekend in a car crash.

some people you know you like right when you meet them. eric was one of these people. my husband and i had the pleasure of meeting him a couple of times while dining at eat chow with friends. he was SUCH a nice guy that exuded passion for life and his food. yet another ugly reminder at how fragile life is. my thoughts go out to his family and his wife who is in critical condition. you will be missed eric!

pretty in pink

2011-06-07T17:15:00.001-07:00

"the tones of gray, pale turquoise and pink will prevail." christian dior

LL in the house!

2011-06-06T10:29:00.000-07:00

one of my dear friends is in town from NY and we're meeting up today in venice for lunch. can't wait to catch up with my girl, eat some amazing food and do a little strolling. my heart it races....

sunday funday

2011-06-05T12:13:00.000-07:00

i LOVE dates. nature's caramels. i make an appetizer from time to time that is manchego stuffed dates wrapped in bacon which are out of this world. i took this idea and decided to make a "pizza". using what we had in the refrigerator, a little slice of heaven was created.

thinly slice two large white onions of your choice and saute on medium low in a skillet with olive oil until the onions are golden brown. i used a tart pan as the form which i generously oiled before placing the pizza dough (trader joes) in. work the dough to the outer edge of the dish, making sure it has an even bottom.

while you are cooking the onions, in a separate pan, brown 8 slices of thin, center cut bacon until almost done. (they will finish cooking in the oven). remove from pan and drain excess fat on paper towels. top the dough with the caramelized onions. i cut about 11 dates into quarters and spread them evenly over the onions. rip bacon into smaller pieces and arrange over dates. sprinkle fresh thyme and goat's milk feta (trader joes) over the top to your taste.

bake at 450* for 15-20 min. delicious with a tasty white wine and a seat in the sun.

♥♥♥

2011-06-04T17:13:00.001-07:00

local long beach....TONIGHT

2011-06-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

The Mattson 2 + Rad Cloud and Seth Petterson

tonight, 8-11pm
$5

it's that time again, movies in the cemetery

2011-06-02T10:33:00.000-07:00

saturday june 4, 2011

Gates at 7:30pm
Film at 9:00pm

Hollywood Forever Cemetery
6000 Santa Monica Blvd at Gower
VIEW MAP

$10 donation tickets available at gate
$10 parking

BUY PRESALE TICKETS ONLINE NOW!

As a courtesy to other movie-goers: no tall chairs.
Bring blankets, picnic dinner and drinks for this special screening under the stars

and don't forget to check out past dj sets HERE. if you haven't gone before, a dj spins pre-movie while you nosh and sip at your picnic spot. GOOD TIMES!

RIP

2011-05-30T21:42:00.000-07:00

gil scott heron
april 1, 1949- may 27, 2011

3 day'er on the horizon

2011-05-27T09:20:00.000-07:00

on the list of to do's:
a lil' bit of outdoor hangin'
a lil' bit of sippy sippin'
a lil' bit of bike ridin'
a lil' bit of celebratin'
a lot of chilaxin'
and maybe, just maybe a lil' sale if i can motivate
enjoy your 3 day'er too!

los libros

2011-05-26T16:14:00.000-07:00

back when reading rainbow was all the rage, i was addicted to levar burton's weekly picks of new books to sink my imagination into. then came the scholastic book sales at school which i devoured. reading was big in my home and continues to be. now i read reviews and take advice from people who's opinion and taste i respect. well some of them have been raving about a book or two. i decided to give their recommendations a whirl and am now waiting for them to come in the mail:

(non-fiction)
amazon review: When Molly Wizenberg's father died of cancer, everyone told her to go easy on herself, to hold off on making any major decisions for a while. But when she tried going back to her apartment in Seattle and returning to graduate school, she knew it wasn't possible to resume life as though nothing had happened. So she went to Paris, a city that held vivid memories of a childhood trip with her father, of early morning walks on the cobbled streets of the Latin Quarter and the taste of her first pain au chocolat. She was supposed to be doing research for her dissertation, but more often, she found herself peering through the windows of chocolate shops, trekking across town to try a new pâtisserie, or tasting cheeses at outdoor markets, until one evening when she sat in the Luxembourg Gardens reading cookbooks until it was too dark to see, she realized that her heart was not in her studies but in the kitchen.

At first, it wasn't clear where this epiphany might lead. Like her long letters home describing the details of every meal and market, Molly's blog Orangette started out merely as a pleasant pastime. But it wasn't long before her writing and recipes developed an international following. Every week, devoted readers logged on to find out what Molly was cooking, eating, reading, and thinking, and it seemed she had finally found her passion. But the story wasn't over: one reader in particular, a curly-haired, food-loving composer from New York, found himself enchanted by the redhead in Seattle, and their email correspondence blossomed into a long-distance romance.

In A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table, Molly Wizenberg recounts a life with the kitchen at its center. From her mother's pound cake, a staple of summer picnics during her childhood in Oklahoma, to the eggs she cooked for her father during the weeks before his death, food and memories are intimately entwined. You won't be able to decide whether to curl up and sink into the story or to head straight to the market to fill your basket with ingredients for Cider-Glazed Salmon and Pistachio Cake with Honeyed Apricots.

true story+ food/cooking+ travel= happy me

(non-fiction)

booklist review: So many illegal immigrants die in the desert Southwest of the U.S. that only notorious catastrophes make headlines. Urrea reconstructs one such incident in the Sonoran Desert, the ordeal of sun and thirst of two dozen men in May 2001, half of whom suffered excruciating deaths. They came from Vera Cruz; their so-called guide came from Guadalajara. Jesus Lopez Ramos was no master of orienteering, however, just an expendable bottom-feeder in the border's human-smuggling racket. Tracing their lives and the routes to the border, Urrea adopts a slangy, surreal style in which the desert landscape shimmers and distorts, while in desiccated border settlements criminals, officials, and vigilantes patrol for human cargo such as the men from Vera Cruz. The imaginative license Urrea takes, paralleling the laconic facts of the case that he incorporates into his narrative, produces a powerful, almost diabolical impression of the disaster and the exploitative conditions at the border. Urrea shows immigration policy on the human level.

true story+ us "underground" history= intrigued me

pinterest: fashion inspiration

2011-05-17T10:01:00.000-07:00

i love fashion but often don't make the time for it....shopping for it that is. i can spend ample time in a thrift store working the outer edge, aka housewares and furniture, but when it comes to the center (clothing) i loose interest and patience fast. i've had more luck shopping and finding inspiration online that i can store in my memory bank for future use. well then i discovered pinterest and i'm been hooked. for me, it's a one stop shop to store all of this nonsense like my wish lists, and visual ideas. here's a little sample of some fashion finds i've come across lately. my personal board is located here. check it.
pinner for lifer.

it's true

2011-05-13T13:21:00.001-07:00

hopefully i'll see you again soon sf. missing me some city action.....

i am los angeles

2011-05-13T12:58:00.000-07:00

Jules Dervaes - I Am Los Angeles from I Am Los Angeles on Vimeo.

life has been SO busy lately. between work, fun and starting up a new business, blogging has taken a serious backseat. i have made a bit of time to read some new amazing blogs and watch some rad videos like this one from the i am los angeles project.

enjoy!

asparagus quinoa with preserved lemons

2011-04-26T15:56:00.000-07:00

saute 1lb of asparagus in pan with olive oil or oil from preserved lemons. cook until asparagus turns bright green and starts to get some pan coloring, about 5 min on medium

in a saucepot, saute 1/2 chopped red onion and 1T. olive oil until onions turn translucent.

add 1 cup quinoa to pan with onions (i used regular and red since that's what i had in my cupboard.) cook over medium heat for another 3 min, stirring often. add 2c. water and cook quinoa as directed on the box.

i love trader joe's organic quinoa for it's price and the fact it's ORGANIC. i've also used this in place of barley when making tabouli. i used a wonderful preserved lemon from Tabitha's Appropriate which you can order online or purchase in various CA locations. SUPER flavorful.

when the asparagus is done, take out of the pan and cut into bite sized pieces. make a preserved lemon dressing for the quinoa. preserved lemons tend to be VERY salty since this is part of the preservation, so make sure to rinse them before you use. mix 2-3T. chopped preserved lemons (really to your taste) with 2T. olive oil, 1/2t. cumin and fresh ground pepper.

let quinoa and onions cool to room temperature then mix in asparagus and lemon dressing. adjust with more preserved lemon if necessary (and if you need salt, don't rinse the lemon this time.) top with shaved parm and wa-la! spring in a bowl.

my architect: a son's journey

2011-04-26T13:46:00.000-07:00

louis kahn

salk institute, la jolla, california

esherick house, chestnut hill, pennsylvania

i just watched an interesting documentary on architect lou kahn. a giant in twentieth century design, with a personal life that not many were privy to. he left behind 3 children with three different mothers, only one being acknowledged publicly at the time of his death. this movie chronicles his son's journey to discover who his father was, both his passions and his personality as well as his "extended family" via lou. makes you wonder how much you really know your own family. so many people of an older generation keep their past hidden. it's a trip. if you have netflix, you can catch it on your instant queue.

road trip!

2011-04-16T14:17:00.000-07:00

my great grandparents road tripping in joshua tree

tomorrow we head east into the desert. neither of us have been to joshua tree yet, and this is the perfect time of the year to catch wild flowers and wonderful weather. we'll be staying at hicksville, which i can't wait to check out. it's going to be a much needed and fun trip with my love.

Southgate High School Urban Farm

2011-04-16T14:12:00.000-07:00

my husband is a math teacher at southgate high school. he's also been helping lead the green club there. a couple of weeks ago he was asked to take over the farm. he gladly agreed since he has a great love for gardening and there is ample opportunity at this school to start something big. i've been hearing him talk about the farm plans as well as the really cool kids that are part of the green club. friday i was able to see it for myself. they are just starting this large project, but so far, the creative ideas are popping.

the wonderful company, wolly pocket, donated the hanging planters which i absolutely LOVE and can't wait to have some day at my own house.

the kids have planted many different vegetables in the wolly pockets. baby radishes are sprouting in these.

they got donations from tire shops in the neighborhood to give them these used tires to turn into planters. UPCYCLE!

brainstorming

mr. santillana with his crew. these are the green minds of the future that are going to make a difference in our world.

yeeeeeeeeep!

2011-04-12T14:06:00.000-07:00

today i paid a visit to dave hester's thrift store in costa mesa. i wasn't planning on going, but since i was in the neighborhood working.... well i had to stop in. i'll give it to the guy, he's got some good stuff...but the prices are way higher than i'd ever pay. all of his items for sale come from storage units he buys, just like on the show. i was tempted to yell YEEEEP every time i saw something i liked.

some sweet ass greeted me at the front door

4 beautiful cane and chrome chairs in perfect condition but @ $400, you've got to be kidding me Dave.

nice lucite, brass and glass console table but i'd be dead meat if i bought one more table or chair home.

YEP! i did buy something. i couldn't pass these nightstands up. crazy Dave originally had them priced at $499. he be trippin. i snagged them for $99. they are gorgeous in person, SUPER well made and that brassy goodness on the bottom screamed my name.

detail of the woven fabric like material around these super heavy wood nightstands. they are a bit too wide for our bedroom so the guest room will be home. photos to come....

rise n' shine

2011-04-08T09:33:00.000-07:00

fried egg

ciabatta roll

sharp cheddar

morningstar fake bacon (i love the real deal...don't get me wrong...but this stuff is great too)

tabasco

*coffee*

chair whoreder

2011-04-07T17:51:00.000-07:00

i can't stop. it's sick. i don't NEED more chairs...but i just can't let a good deal pass me by! i need a garage. i need a warehouse. i need a job shopping for other people. regardless, my chair obsession goes on and craigslist provides:

today's $40 score. gold, velvety goodness in PERFECT condition!

i had my madre pick this one for me via fresno craigslist. not too many folks looking for plycraft there but they sure are in LA so this baby will be for sale soon.

since my other friends were taking up too much space in the living room, my beautiful falcon chair is now visiting us in the boudoir.

and this of course isn't a chair, but it's my latest project via some great inspiration from chezerbey's bathroom. we've been saving toilet paper rolls so i can make this. it's got a way to go but i LOVE it. more to come on this one in the future...

vinyl explosion

2011-04-06T10:20:00.000-07:00

this friday @ the pike bar/restaurant, i'll be dj'ing with mao won and barbarella. come on down, have a drink or two...listen to some wax and shake that rump! party starts @ 9.

when life gives you bananas....

2011-04-05T21:36:00.000-07:00

you make banana cream "pie". we had some beautifully ripe bananas about to take a leap to the dark side so after reading this recipe, i knew i had to give it a whirl. i left out the excessive cream cheese and whip topping (that fake business is not allowed in my house) and condensed milk and the result was fantastic. i think it would have been too rich and sweet with those babies in the mix. big hit over here and quite cool looking if i do say so myself. pepperidge farms chessmen cookies often made an appearance in our house growing up. the buttery flavor is divine and beats the hell out of the vanilla wafer version.

meanwhile my sister is probably gagging as she reads this. bananas and cotton balls give her the willies. guess what she's getting for christmas?!

where's waldo?!

2011-03-28T15:19:00.000-07:00

heading to northern california for a couple days for work. rob and i will be road warriors on the purple trail. give us a honk if you see us on the I-5.
over and out-

it's FRIDAY!

2011-03-25T09:57:00.001-07:00

:::RIP:::

2011-03-23T10:10:00.000-07:00

aztec hippie

2011-03-21T16:57:00.000-07:00

UK's miss selfridge's aztec blanket cape

black skinny jeans

kyoto tan stud lace up wedge

and then.....

whipstich flopy hat by topshop

emmersonmade sunwashed low-riders

aztec blanket purse via etsy

a little break from the rain

2011-03-21T12:00:00.000-07:00

we've had some incredible rain the past 48 hours in long beach. last night around 4am, it sounded like the sky literally cracked open and gave the earth it's all. more is on the way, but at the moment, the sun is shining and steam is rolling off everything outside. it's gorgeous x10.

Nina Simone - Here Comes The Sun by B1G_Apple

a lovely song for a lovely rainy day

2011-03-20T17:45:00.000-07:00

hortense miller: the woman who lived well and lived right

2011-03-19T22:35:00.000-07:00

thanks to sunset magazine's facebook page, i learned about a house and garden tour happening today in laguna beach- the home of hortense miller. hortense was an amazing woman, far ahead of her time. born in 1908 in saint louis, missouri to manley mann (yep!) and anna mann, she was strong willed from a young age. she decided to be a vegetarian at 12 and was a declared feminist soon after. she married oscar miller, a lawyer 20 years her senior from chicago, and the two moved to laguna beach in 1953. i can only imagine the laguna they arrived to back then....untouched and wild compared to now.

they bought 3 acres of land and built a mid-century style house that captured the beauty of it's surroundings with amazing natural light and an open floor plan. unfortunately oscar died soon after the house was completed but hortense continued to live there for the next 55 years. according to those that knew her, she had a wicked sense of humor, a close group of friends that visited often and a love for native plants and art. her house is filled with her artwork, sculptures and essence. although she is not alive today, she was greatly felt in every nook and cranny of her her home. the house and garden was donated by hortense to the city of laguna beach in 1976 but she continued to live there until a couple years before her death. normally you have to make a reservation to see it, but today was a spring open house. i am SO intrigued by her and can't wait to learn more.

she took what she was given in life, the opportunity to own a home like this, in such amazing surrounds and ran with it. she lived a rich life full of books, friends, art, ocean and gardening and made it just shy of her 100th birthday. her obituary and garden website give more incite into her fascinating life and character.

her jewelbox of a home almost hidden from above where you enter.

pergola on the hillside above her home

guest room with an ocean/garden view

hortense's art on a lamp

guest bathroom

hortense's sun art in the bathroom

hortense's art in her bedroom of the history of the region she came from

her bathroom

microscope from her days as a science teacher in her bedroom

handmade globe hanging in her living room. ::LOVE::

i love that she wrote the titles on the spines of books that were too warn to read

covered garden patio off the kitchen

the ocean is the brightness out there

handmade plant id signs everywhere

bamboo lattice

walking on one of the many trails on her property and the view of the canyon below

handmade macramé sliding screens

inspiring for sure........

the view from my phone lately...

2011-03-18T18:30:00.000-07:00

lakers!

friday nights @ home

lolita es esleepa

old school

father-in-law's bday

my favorite teacher on st. pat's day

seuss and stripes

sweet dreams

2011-03-16T10:55:00.000-07:00

in my mind, i've been working on my bedroom for MONTHS. i'm trying to figure out the color/pattern combo i want to use and can't seem to find anything i like...or can afford...or can find in the present era.

my current set-up (photo by bethany nauert)

below are some bedspread inspirations i've recently come across from the new book, handcrafted modern.

bedroom of George Nakashima

bedroom of Wharton Esherick

difficult to tell by this cellphone photo, but i'm in love with the beautiful jade green bedspread/blanket. very simple but elegant and the color is amaz.

bedroom of Walter Gropius

diagonal white chenille? bedspread goodness

bedroom of Russel Wright

and now this leads me to peru. peru is known for their beautiful alpaca wool blankets. i've found some online that i'd love to own and use as a bedspread but generally the cost is bananas. then it clicked. i married a peruvian! time to use these family ties! next time we make a visit down south, i'm going to do some serious shopping and brining back alpaca gems for my house and for sale....AND for better prices and styles than what i'm seeing out there.

i remember beautiful handmade blankets in cusco being sold all over the place. large geometric patterns, stripes, deep colors galore.... unfortunately i didn't buy any in 2000 when i went with some girlfriends, but my next trip will be different people! i'm on a mission.

luv to japan

2011-03-15T10:02:00.000-07:00

i found this graphic made for the low end theory and thought it was perfect. nothing but LOVE for Japan. everyday seems more and more devastating with new problems and more earthquakes. i'm amazed by the Japanese's continued strength. i think california would be a REAL mess if this disaster was here. so much to learn from all of this. STAY STRONG JAPAN!

#13 on the 13th

2011-03-13T23:48:00.000-07:00

what a beautiful day in downtown LA. amazingly, this was my first time to the beat swapmeet and i can't believe i waited so long. as wax bonkers as i am, i have seriously been missing out! record deals galore, fantastic dj's mc's, vendors and FOOD! thank you so much Corazon de Jah for inviting me to be part of the fun and dj @ your delicious food booth. you guys rule.
BIG UPS!
until next time.......

attention crate diggers!

2011-03-13T13:01:00.000-07:00

Today is the 13th Beat Swapmeet!

Grandstar Jazz Club - 943 N. Broadway - Downtown LA 90012 (Parking Available on College Ave) Los Angeles, CA

Beat-Swap-Meet is a record swap meet consisting of over 35 invited vendors & collectors from California and surrounding states, selling Blues, Funk, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Punk, Reggae, Rock, Soul, and World 12" and 45 Records. An event considered to be the 1st of it's kind, Beat Swapmeet hopes to reunify LA in a way that is long overdue. Come through, listen to Beats, Swap records & Meet new people.

FREE ENTRY with canned food....don't forget.

I'll be dj'ing @ the Corazon de Jah booth. roll through, check out some good tunes, eat some great food and pick up some wax!

Reggae Selectors on the 1's and 2's:
12-1p – Jay Bless
1-2p – Fiyah Heart
2-3p- Listen Recovery Crew
3-4p – Filiblunt from the 805
4-5p – Fraulein <----that's me
5-6p – Chinney

ITAL food:
Menu: Soyrizo Taco, Mole Verde Taco, Salad, Chili Fries, Plantains w/ unCrema, LA Vegan Dog, Organic Drinks

www.corazondejah.com
http://www.beatswapmeet.com/

FAUX pas

2011-03-08T08:34:00.000-08:00

long beach apartments/homes have a weird "style" obsession with faux fireplaces. i see them EVERYWHERE and i don't get it. either have a real fireplace or don't have one at all! mine has a pipe, which i'm assuming gas might have come through at one time, but now the whole thing is just a design eyesore. i've been trying to figure out what to do with this baby since i moved in. it's not a masterpiece yet, but we're finally getting somewhere.

meet Ace Hardware's Arabian Nights:

it's a dark, charcoal grey. we love it. it's still in need of something but at least we're moving in the right direction.

maybe something like this brass number by architect, alla kazovsky

some logs HALF way up.....

or maybe just some nice big floor pillows when extra company stops by....

who knows. the actual fireplace "space" is quite shallow so if i put anything in it, it can't be too large.

2011-03-06T21:03:00.001-08:00

max fish: dive bar/art bar

2011-03-03T14:22:00.001-08:00

♥♥♥

2011-02-24T10:35:00.000-08:00

3 day'er on the horizon

2011-02-18T14:15:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-14T13:26:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-12T13:35:00.000-08:00

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

peru daydreaming

2011-02-10T11:00:00.000-08:00

Palabritas Beach houses in Lima, Peru (all photos from my cousin-in-law's last trip there in december)

we have a peru trip in the works this summer to visit my husband's family and do some south america traveling. i was there in 2000 and can't wait get back. peru is such an amazing country with a mix of cultures, design and food. from the coast to the andes, to the jungle...it's got something for everyone. until then...i daydream about what's to come.

a little bit of therapy

2011-02-09T11:02:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-08T20:01:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-07T14:05:00.000-08:00

"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

2011-02-07T08:59:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-05T18:58:00.000-08:00

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

etsy favs

2011-02-04T13:15:00.000-08:00

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)

2011-02-02T18:17:00.000-08:00

i like big burl and i can not lie....

2011-02-01T14:27:00.000-08:00

5'8"x6'8" of pure burl beauty! i can totally imagine this as a table top with a brass base and my white panton chairs around it. old growth redwood burl doesn't come around every day...unless you live in humboldt co. i'm scared to see what they're asking for it. the price is not even listed. well a girl can dream!

giclee prints

2011-01-31T08:20:00.000-08:00

group hug

flora

year of the rabbit

2011-01-30T10:02:00.000-08:00

A placid year, very much welcomed and needed after the ferocious year of the Tiger. We should go off to some quiet spot to lick our wounds and get some rest after all the battles of the previous year.

thursday, february 3rd, is the chinese new year. fresh starts are always welcome in my life so why not participate in this one?! my mom just emailed me to let us know she will be visiting southern california mon-wed and will be staying with us tuesday night. what a treat! she suggested we make a chinese dinner to celebrate the year of the rabbit. i like her style! i'm now hunting for tasty looking recipes that don't require 42 rare ingredients. i can't wait to take her to marukai market, one of my favorite asian markets around. eye candy galore.

*UPDATE*
after two, yes two, dead opossums were pulled from underneath my house the last two days and a gas leak was discovered as well, we will be going OUT to eat. no hot water, no working stove. gas is shut off until the leak is found. HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!

the treehouse

2011-01-27T20:35:00.000-08:00

photo ala bethany nauert

today the lovely bethany nauert came over to photograph our home for apartmenttherapy.com (look for it monday, february 7th). what a gift it is to have our apartment professionally documented for years to come! the ever changing canvas of this place is a way for me to express myself creatively. i love decor and design and it's exciting to see some of my hard work (or play) get some props. i can't wait to see the rest of the photos. she just leaked this sweet photo of the credenza in our bedroom. i love her composition! thanks again bethany!

my go-to lunch

2011-01-27T14:34:00.000-08:00

i make this lentil salad ALL the time. it's healthy, cheap and well, damn good. add an egg over medium and you're in business!

long beach lentil salad
1 package steamed lentils (trader joes...near the other packaged veggies. already cooked easiness)
1 cut up bell pepper- i prefer yellow, orange or red for this salad
1 onion, chopped and sauteed in a little olive oil
1/2 c. cubbed sheep feta from trader joes (the best they have by far...comes in a lg. block)
s&p
olive oil
balsamic
smoked paprika
chopped fresh italian parsley...or any other fresh herb you have laying around

combine all, season to taste and wa-la!

vietnamese coffee ice cream

2011-01-23T14:52:00.000-08:00

i am a BIG fan of iced vietnamese coffee. not only does it taste divine, but the entire presentation is somewhat magical. after reading david lebovitz's recipe for vietnamese coffee ice cream and i could not wait to try it with my new ice cream maker. after doing some hardcore house cleaning today, i thought this would be the perfect reward....and i couldn't have been more right.

i've adapted his recipe to make it my own and it came out AMAZING. this will be a staple in my culinary bag of tricks.

make very strong coffee by brewing 1 1/2 cups of water and 1/2 cup of ground coffee. when using a paper filter, it will yield 1 cup of jet fuel, aka coffee.

once coffee is done brewing, mix 1 can of sweetened condensed milk, the 1 c. strongly brewed coffee you just made, 1 T. ground coffee and 1/3 c. vanilla almond milk (original recipe calls for whole milk but this is what i had in the fridge). mix well until condensed milk is completely incorporated in the other liquids.

add the mixture to an ice cream maker and churn until it becomes thick. (about 25 minutes)

i had some semi-sweet chocolate chips in my cupboard so i added about 1/8 c. to a plastic baggie and crushed them with the bottom of a heavy cup to make smaller chips.

when the ice cream was almost done, add the chips to the mixture

this is the loveliness that comes out of your machine

this is the quantity of what is made. freeze for a couple of hours before you devour the whole thing.

happy sunday!

dirty bird

2011-01-20T16:05:00.000-08:00

she was a dirty chair from the wrong side of town when we first met.

craigslist was our connection. her online profile looked much better than in person. i offered less money.

i brought her home because i saw she had good bones and just needed a wash. $25 later, she was a new woman.

it's amazing what a little upholstery cleaning can do.

lay lady lay...

2011-01-19T12:03:00.000-08:00

at $4,900, i could buy a small used car or this...my pick, well the bed of course! insanity price but a 1970's insanity brass frame!

LOVE LOVE LOVE. leather, chrome, glass...hotness. $1,800, not so hotness. the husband thinks he can get this made in LA for MUCH cheaper. guess what his new project is going to be?

another HIGH price ($2,500) for this 1960's chrome headboard, oozing with style.

i've been hunting for a headboard so long i've almost given up. yeah right! craigslist is my main source and i'm looking to spend far, far less than any of these. BUT inspiration like this gives my mind direction as to what i'm looking for. the hunt continues.......

the farmhouse chair

2011-01-18T10:04:00.000-08:00

yes, this might leave a funky pattern on your backside but it looks worth it to me. love the architectural design of this accent chair from bend. kudos!

2011-01-17T09:38:00.000-08:00

The quality, not the longevity, of one's life is what is important.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

lp luv

2011-01-13T20:00:00.000-08:00

ok, if this pervy pose wasn't enough, check out some of the song titles:
reach out and touch
he's more than just a swear word
you're gonna love your new life with the lord

just because he's albino, doesn't make him the devil!

songs of bootlegging, robbery and love

tranny? you make the call.......

and then there was howard.....

naughty mariettA? do tell.......

johnny cash vs. jimmy swaggart

smokey, the hipster hippy.

1.11.11

2011-01-11T07:21:00.000-08:00

11 days into the new year and some of our resolutions, which i like to call changes in life patterns, are coming into effect. my husband has a 38 mile round trip commute each day to work, often in hell traffic. not only is this expensive, but mentally and environmentally draining. since we live in the great county of LA (can you hear the sarcasm dripping from my voice), we are not blessed with good public transportation at all. we are fortunate that the blue line begins in downtown long beach which is part of his new commute. i'm also part of the new commute.

we live 7 miles round trip to downtown so i've agreed to drive him to the train stop. this is actually a fantastic thing on many levels. it gives us time to talk in the morning before he jets off to teach high schoolers math all day, it gives our dog an always exciting ride in the car and it gives me the sunrise. the most beautiful of colors happened when i was still driving home but the view wasn't too shabby once i got back. 2011 is bright.

LOVEloveLOVE

2011-01-07T17:38:00.001-08:00

via the selby
*and my kind of soundtrack too*

homemade coffee vanilla bean liquor...35 days and counting

2011-01-04T20:17:00.000-08:00

today was the big day. the day kahlua lost the race once and for all. i've never been a huge fan of the stuff but when i found this recipe i had to give it a whirl. REAL espresso, REAL vanilla beans and REALLY good vodka makes one hell of a mixer. tonight i whirled it up with some organic vanilla soy milk and it is near perfection. meet my new after dinner cocktail of choice.

merry christmas....to me. love, me.

2011-01-04T17:51:00.000-08:00

i've had my eye on ceramic watches for quite some time but haven't pulled the trigger due to their cost...well at least for a good one. UNTIL i was on ideeli.com about a month before christmas and found this baby. for those of you that don't know about ideeli, it's a site where designer goods retail far below their original price, but only for a limited time. i've scored some fantastic clothing deals on this website. so check it for yourself. you might just thank me.

2010-12-31T14:43:00.000-08:00

What I did in 2010

. Got engaged to my main squeeze
. Planned and executed a DIY wedding in Palm Springs
. Decided to seriously focus on my hobbies as a business
. Etsy became my friend
. Guerrilla gardened all over Long Beach
. Adopted a sweet greyhound, Lola, from the Tijuana racetrack
.Made the decision to move north in the next couple of years (Nor Cal or Oregon)
. Dinner parties x10

What I want to do in 2011
.Read more, watch Bravo less
.Expand on my Etsy/Craigslist selling
.Take advantage of the lovely outdoors around my house and bike/walk daily

.Budget, budget, budget and save for the future
.Small travel trips around the US and a large trip to Peru
.Grow our family from 2 to 3, sorry lola, i meant 4
.Visit my family more often

sequin season

2010-12-29T19:55:00.000-08:00

ASOS mixed embellished tunic dress

Parker sequined jacket LOVE

sequin and silk blazer by TT Collection

this lovely number from the english company asos

and the back truly sold me

who would have guessed this hot number came from victoria's secret?!

love these ABS gunsteel sequin leggings with a simple top and blazer

another gold number ala antik batik can you guess what one of my favorite colors is?!

a new purse for a new year

2010-12-29T18:31:00.000-08:00

the smell of this purse is divine. can you smell it through your screen? i sent N a link to this baby months ago, hinting i'd like it as a christmas present. and then i forgot about it. well not really...it was deep in the back of my mind but i didn't think this handmade leather beauty would soon be mine. and what a surprise as i was greeted by it under the tree! perfecto and so "me". one gift that you really wanted vs. twenty that you didn't...makes everything good. thank you love for always paying attention to the details.

twas the night...or two...before christmas

2010-12-29T17:18:00.000-08:00

lola ready to par-tay

guava mojito with yohimbe extract

bingo gifts ready to be won

south africa in the house

england in the house

frozen peppermint cake

smoked paprika deviled eggs with fried shallots

i want to rip that lamp/fan out of the ceiling. UG. if this wasn't a rental and if it didn't get so hot up here in the summer, i'd smash it to pieces.

cheers to an eventful 2010. we are looking forward to bigger and better things in 2011. may there be more adventures, FUN, travel and growth!

my christmas wish

2010-12-16T14:29:00.000-08:00

my dad and i, chirstmas morning 1980

my dad has had a long road of "recovery" since his stroke 10 years ago. for all of the strides he's made, he's had his fair share of setbacks. many of these setbacks have been his own doing; the reasoning part of his brain was severely injured during the stroke. his judgement and decision making skills are lacking which can lead to problems galore. he's also had some plain horrible luck thrown in to this nasty mix.

two months ago he was hit by a car while crossing the street on his scooter. the woman driving wasn't paying attention and plowed into him. i have no idea how he walked away from this one, but he did. his scooter was busted but he left the scene without a scratch, just his shaken nerves.

last sunday, he was on his scooter, cruising to get some food when he drove straight into an open hole in the ground. a 6 foot hole. he went head first, landing on a bunch of pipes below with his 100+lb. scooter landing on top of him. this was a hole made by the city to fix some gas lines. the workers left the hole open while they lunched at the taco cart. once again, i'm amazed he didn't crack his head open...or much worse. he is quite injured and hasn't slept much since this event. he's suffering from horrible nightmares along with some severe pain throughout his body.

on one hand, i guess he has some of the best luck around. he's survived two serious accidents in less than 3 months but also, i wish someone would cut this guy some slack. enough is enough. i hope 2011 brings him an accident free year.

the season is for giving

2010-12-15T09:26:00.001-08:00

caramelized, spiced pear butter

2010-12-04T15:44:00.000-08:00

my grandma was known in our family for her delicious seasonal pear butter. it was something that was savored until the last scrap in the bottom of the jar. typically we'd eat it on toast but sometimes a spoonful would do the trick too.

the trick to this recipe is caramelizing the sugar before the pears are added. caramel+ pear butter? TOGETHER?! it's EASY to make, uses few ingredients and makes a fantastic gift. grandma stroup's would be proud i'm keeping this baby alive.

Wash the 15 bartlett pears but do not peel or core them; slice pears into a heavy saucepan (at least 5-quart size). Add 2c. water, cover and cook until tender (about 30 minutes).

Remove from heat and press the pears through a colander or a food mill. Measure the pear pulp (you should have about 8 cups) and return to the pan. Dump the excess skin and big bits of pear that don't go through the colander.

Using a frying pan, heat 1 1/2 cups of sugar, stirring until it melts and caramelizes to a medium brown color. This is the secret to giving it a wonderful depth of flavor and caramelness. Pour immediately into the pear pulp (the syrup will sizzle and harden, but dissolve again as the preserves cook)

Add the 4c. sugar, 1t. ground cloves (i used about 6 whole since i didn't have ground), 1 1/2t. ground cinnamon, and 1/2t. ginger. Cook uncovered on medium, stirring frequently as it begins to thicken to prevent it from sticking (about 45 minutes) Stir in 2T. lemon juice just before removing from heat.

Pour hot mixture into steralized 1/2 pint jars, put on lid tightly. (i used old jam jars we've been collecting.) Process in boiling water bath for 15 minutes. (i skipped this part. this makes the pear butter last longer and able to store out of the refrigerator. i'm going to just make sure the recipients are told to keep it in the fridge.)

this recipe yields 9 1/2 pints

DELICIOUS on some good bread, toasted with cream cheese. the texture of my grandma's pear butter is more smooth than this recipe makes. i ended up blended some with a hand food blender for a smooth batch and left the rest a bit chunky. i'm a fan of the smooth, the hubs is a fan of the more jam like texture. take your pick!

$12 and $2 hollers

2010-12-03T16:40:00.000-08:00

this baby was priced at $24 which is WAY over my thrift budget for such an item but once i googled it and found a similar one online for $395...but on sale for $197.95....well hello there! i went for it. thursday was my lucky day. red tag sale: 1/2 off. $12 holler! all leather, unique style rad brass closure in the front.

this $2 hot little number was also another i couldn't pass up. great style, great condition...SOLD.

food mill anyone? this single serving food mill caught my eye on the shelf and all for $1.95. just when i was talking such trash about nothing being at the thrifts this time of the year, wham! bam! thank you mam..

this is where vegetables go to die