Amy's Bridal Shower

This past Sunday, I had afternoon tea at a gorgeous old Hancock Park home. It was classy. It was gracious. It was like a magazine. I should have worn heels.

But the day wasn't about the house. It was about a beautiful girl named Amy (in a ridiculously perfect deep plum dress and shoes!).

She's getting married in 33 days (eee!) and her Maid of Honor, Joanna, hosted a lovely Bridal Shower tea in her honor. Joanna handmade all the delicious treats, including the adorable jars of berry jam we took home as favors. Joanna's stylish mama was also on hand to help all the ladies feel welcome and pampered.

There were fun games, lots of bubbly and smiles, a sweet yellow Labrador and a ton of love showered upon the bride to be. I only wish my camera battery hadn't petered out in the end.

If this party's warm and friendly guest list is any indication of who's coming to the wedding...well, I can't wait! It's going to be great party!






Here's the full album:

amysbridalshower

Luxirare Camera Bag

Holy Crap.






How expletive rad is this?!?

This solves the dilemma of how to stylishly and covertly lug around a full-on DSLR. genius.

Via luxirare

Discovered via blusingambition

8.27.2010 - Dinner and a stroll

Sergio got a haircut last week. Cutie.

milkaLOOM

This b/w geometric pattern caught my eye:



A few clicks through the wares though and I am totally crushing on the fresh blue, lemon and black creations. By Chamilka in Melbourne via milkaLOOM on etsy.



yummy.

Discovered via Simple Lovely!

Succulent Centerpiece

Isn't it just wonderful? A lovely, lovely gift from Liz & Nelson. She divulged a story of how this was their second attempt at gifting me a succulent arrangement. Unfortunately, the first one didn't quite make it... So when they found this at the Renegade Craft Fair, they thought it was perfect for me. And it is. :)

love it! Thank you Liz & Nelson!

Dining Room Rug

I finally found the dining room rug I've been searching months for. We are not allowed to own any common area rug that's plush and lush due to the furmonsters' penchant for claw sharpening on exactly the newest (and usually most inappropriate) item in the house. So, this one is sturdy and rough and perfectly right. And I love the chevron pattern with slightly asymmetrical edge. We also moved the wine bar thing into the breakfast nook and it's such a relief to have the full dining room back!



And we put the sideboard and mirror back to where they were before.



The distortion on my little pancake lens fisheyes the edges. The room really isn't as big as it looks.

Prosecco Party!

We hosted a prosecco party this past weekend. I had so much fun, I only took three pictures the entire night. And here they all are.

Photo 1: Homemade caramelized fig and onion pizza, courtesy of Diana. YUM. YUM. (I hereby formally request this item be brought to our next bowl concert picnic.....)

Photo 2: Btru, Diana and Lior chatting. They were the firsts to arrive. (Notorious LA traffic strikes again! ugh.)

Photo 3: Lior asking about my fantabulous camera. I think he was asking about the lens. That's why he looks like he's trying to squeeze me in a tiny box with his fingers from afar, while the ladies look on.



Thanks everyone for coming!! I'm sorry I didn't take more photos. My hands were busy with the prosecco glass wielding and food to mouth action.

Hello Girlthursday!

Many, many months ago, Lois of hello girlthursday and I did some virtual bonding over our mutual CViv love. As I followed her blog, I began noticing a smattering of similarities between us and I left a stalkerish comment on one of her postings, listing a few of them. Thank goodness it did not freak her out because we got to meet up last week while she was in town for a cousin's wedding. I think she is so cool! And super nice to bring me a little treat from Toronto H&M. Sergio and Carlo chattered away in Italian all night, which made me happy.

Thank you (and Todd especially) for trekking through hellish LA rush hour traffic, all the way from Torrance! I picked my new favorite bar as our meet up spot. I was pleased that Betsy joined us as well. I think they're all pondering Lois' Cali beach shell spoils in those first few photos. Isn't her shirt chic and cute?




We ended the evening with a spot of gelato and a chat outside in the summer night.

So fun!

P.S. Neither of us spontaneously combusted or ceased to exist as we feared might happen when doppelgangers meet. Thank goodness. That would have been awkward.

Water Grill review revisted

Hey, check it out! My little write up on the Water Grill dinner I took Sergio to last year showed up on the restaurant website!

I'm keeping company with the likes of Zagat.com, LA Magazine, LA Times, NBClosangeles.com...cool beans!!!

Looks like I'll be pushed off soon as newer reviews are added to the top of the list. Still, kinda neat, huh?

(mmm.... i want to go back.)

Perfect little...

Perfect little vase by Eri Sugimoto.



Perfect little painting of two perfect little birds by The Mincing Mockingbird.



Sooo lovely, non? Both perfect littles were discovered at the Renegade Craft Fair by Omar & Amy who turned around and graciously bestowed them upon me.

Thank you Omar & Amy!

Belated birthday love

You know what one of the best things about coming home can be? If you come home to a belated birthday present waiting to be opened by you.

An unassuming brown package was tossed through our fence, resting on our little brick walkway. Hitesh had alerted me to it before we left and I was worried it might have been taken or there would be trouble with the delivery company.

Look at the origination address!! Unison!! eee! Alps and Tesh must have remembered my post about Unison Home and the pillows I purchased from the Dwell booth last month.

Isn't it so pretty? Yes, you're right. I'm a lucky girl. So lucky to have such thoughtful friends :)

I cannot wait to host a gathering around this lovely, lovely creation. sigh.



Grazie mille Alpna and Hitesh!!!

Lake Cachuma 2010

Lake Cachuma is a fish stocked reservoir located just north east of Santa Barbara, in sipping distance of the tasting rooms located in and around Santa Ynez. The fish were elusive but not the good times. Sergio thinks he has found a new hobby (fishing).









Full album here guys:

Camping at Lake Cachuma

P.S.
Oh man were the squirrels ambitious! I found one in our tent the first day and later that night, we found our tortillas had all been sampled by the rascals!

P.P.S.
The first morning, after a fitful night of sleep, I blearily stumbled over to the lake and was surprised to find myself in the exact same spot I had been several years earlier. It was the first time we had ever visited the campground and it was one of the last times I took pictures with b/w film. The lake is much fuller this year and so pretty. Just like last time, the early morning fog nestled on the water while water birds glided about like tiny loch ness monsters.

Vinoteca & Art Show 7/31/2010

I have a new fave bar! Vinoteca Farfalla on Hillhurst. They serve Happy Hour every day! I think, the walkable parts of Los Feliz might be my dream neighborhood...

From Hillhurst Ave. and Atwater Art Show

Madonna Chardonnay, Napa.
yummy!

Model Citizen Studios Art Show - Atwater


We were so happy to finally see Carla again! We really enjoy her work. My favorite piece of hers was snapped up by her brother years ago. damn. I should have purchased it when I had the chance! Hmmm...maybe I'll invite him to a duel for it one day...


Check out the cool camera effect!

For more pics of our lovely Saturday:

Hillhurst Ave. and Atwater Art Show