Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Clean Laundry

Is it only Tuesday?

Don't know about you...but I CAN NOT wait to get my weekend on.

My biggest plan: line drying my laundry outside.

Shut up. Don't judge me.

I really like line drying. Sergio hates it. But I do most of the laundry soo...guess who's gonna be wearing sun starched shirts next week?

Oh, and I'm going to see a vampire movie. Maybe throw in some yard work. Go for a walk. Eat food. Drink.

Come on July 4 weekend. Get here already!

What are you doing this weekend?

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Dwell on Design 2010



Today we got to attend (air quotes) The West Coast's Largest Design Event (end air quote). It was really fun and we are pooped. My feetsies hurt. And it's not just because I have gimpy feet. We walked a lot more than usual and well, I do have gimpy feet. (Stupid accessory bone.)

My wallet was not entirely unscathed but there were a few very close calls with $100+ price tags I'm proud to say we triumphed over. It's just that when everything is in the $1000+ range, anything under $400 seems like such a deal....right?

Some of my favorite things.
  • Air plant chandelier installation
  • Metal mesh horse art piece
  • Phatport (for my dream electric smart car!)
  • Prefabs
  • Drool inducing ceramics!
  • Chairs. I don't know why I like them so much. I love chairs. (Probably because of my gimpy feet.) And there were so many gorgeous and quirky designs.
  • Amazing interactive art installation -- see video at bottom.
  • Margaritas.
The last item was at lunch at El Cholo down the street where Sergio had a salad the size of his head! We circled back into the trade show to meet up with Nelson and Liz. They were on the prowl for adult friendly kid items. It was so fun and totally worth it!











Thursday, June 24, 2010

New Dress A Day

Meet Marisa.



Cool transformation, huh? What makes her even cooler is that she creates a new piece, every single day. You see, she is 207 days into a year long project to forgo traditional clothes shopping, with the added challenge of making something new every day.

Armed with a pair of shears, a sewing machine, and sometimes, a good roll of tape, Marisa sets about customizing garage sale and flea market finds. I'm not a seamstress, but it doesn't look like what she does with the clothes is particularly difficult. What is impressive to me is her ability to see the better version inside each original garment and the public commitment to her self-imposed challenge.

Witness her quest on her blog: New Dress A Day.

Reading her blog makes me want a sewing machine. But I doubt having one would actually spark any kind of sustained creative activity. I am such a sloth. Lazy, lazy sloth. zzzz...z..

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Baby Cats

Help! Give these babies a new home!

What? You hate kittens? Come on! What's wrong with you? Kittens come pre-packaged with superkittypowers!

Check out the "love me" stare:




And then there's the "make me yours" mew. (Turn your sound up -- the payoff is in about 9 seconds.)



Seriously. They need homes. They really do. Go on, watch that video again.

UPDATE: Baby cats have found new homes!! They are now named Gertie and Peaches. Thank you Soojin and Aaron.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

World Cup Breakfast

Not particularly pleased with Italy's performance so far. But, I was pleased with my breakfast effort. Brie cheese omelet and a drizzle of white truffle oil. Popped a pineapple slice on top, just because.

yum.

Oh, and we have house guests. Both confined to our master bath right now, lest Micio and Mia decide to take a swipe. Jenny and Chi dropped them off last night. This is temporary housing until they get back from their anniversary trip to wine tasting country. They will be seeking a new family for these little ones upon their return.

However, if you promise to give them warm and loving homes, please, please, please let me know....



They are so small. We are feeding them from this:

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Grilled Salmon and Ikat Eggplant

Fired up the grill tonight and dined on the patio. It's a routine I'm determined to set on repeat all season long. (I love summer!) We chatted and chowed and listened to the birds and our neighbors as they cheered the Lakers to their win.




Hey, does the eggplant remind you of modern ikat? Even just a little?

I've got ikat on the brain lately. I grew up quite anti-ikat. I mean, it just looked so ooolllllddd fashioned to me. But now, just recently, like as of three days or so ago, I've realized that I like ikat. A lot. The print looks so natural and real and pretty. And I especially like the word: ikat. And I really like typing that word. ikat. ikat. ikat.

ikat.

And look! The perfect ikat summer dress!



Don't you worry. I can't buy it. It's from last summer's collection and so, all gone. This is actually totally ok with me. I might have bought it and really, unless it's a massive winning lottery ticket, I don't need to be buying anything these days.

Here's a semi-recent cozy ikat home design round up from aphrochic!

Monday, June 14, 2010

Magic Red Satchel

So, I found a new to me blog, which has led me to the discovery of The Cambridge Satchel Company.




oh oh oh. they're luscious. and they emboss ... so deliciously old skool.

I want to be this girl:

I feel like she's about to be swept up into a fairy tale...about to become besties with a silver unicorn...about to skip through a grove of shimmering trees to find the rambling ruins of a still decadent manor...about to creak open a giant wooden door to a roomful of musty, hand-bound volumes...about to delicately turn the page to discover (gasp!) an illustration of herself, toting the perfect red magic satchel, strolling in the woods...

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Waikiki - June 2010

We had an amazing time. We also used every coupon we could find and shared meals when we could. Our proudest thrift of the trip? Spending 90 early morning minutes watching a vacation club sales pitch in return for luau tickets. Meal, show, transpo to/from hotel, 3 drink tickets each. Value: $144. Yeesssss....

Our favorite part of the entire vacation was our day at Hanauma Bay. From the $2.50 bus ride there and back that gave us a mini tour of the coastline, to the amazing aquarium-immersion like snorkeling to the relaxing, uncrowded beach -- it was incredible.



Also worth mentioning was our fabulous meal at Morio's Sushi. It's a teeny place established inside of a neighborhood nature food store. I made reservations from L.A. before we left. There, we ordered the oyster appetizer and chef's choice dinner. We also made meal-time friends with Karen & Andy, and Glen & Sarah. We offered Chef Morio sake but he preferred the beer a fellow diner later gifted him instead. He gave us endamame at the end of our meal, perhaps as a rueful gesture?



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Favorite scenery photos








Photo Album below:

Honolulu, HI June 2010