Happy New Year everyone!

Let's make 2011 amazing!

6:31 am - 12.31.10

Beginning of an end.

Bed me baby!

One final goal to accomplish before the new year? Get off the motherf-ing floor! Our "bed" has technically been on the floor since we moved in 2.5 years ago. Yes, years my dears, years. Our mattress sits atop a box spring so, deceptively, it appears like we have a bed. But we don't. And really, I'm 33. I'm, like, an adult. (Mostly.) I think I deserve to wake up in a real bed everyday.

I have been stalking the Edland bed from IKEA for years. Ever since it was yellow! Back then, it was called the Hemnes. I showed it to Sergio back then and said we could paint it white since I knew he wasn't into the yellow. He was not into the style either though. Since then, I made him accompany my visit with the bed every time we were in the IKEA showroom. Still no. Flash forward to yesterday. Young House Love posted about their Edland bed.

I forwarded the post to Sergio...and, drumroll....he said yes! yippeeee!

I purchased the bed today! (BTW, IKEA was ka-ray-zee today! I guess a lot of people need furniture for the new year.) We plan to assemble tomorrow when I get home from work. Or on NYE day before dinner. We WILL wake up in a new bed for the new year! We will, we will, we will!

I'll post before and afters, well, after.

Photo from younghouselove.com
(How cute is that little pup? Perhaps even cuter is that his name is Burger. That might beat out my favorite dog name!)

2010 Roundup

This time next week, it will be 2011. gulp!

I don't know about you but 2010 has been so grand, I can't quite pry my greedy little fingers off of it just yet.

A few highlights, in no particular order...

We made incredible memories--too many to count--with people we love.

We met new friends both far and near.

Las Vegas, Hawaii, Cabo San Lucas.

Bebi and Nora visit.

Ace Hotel Palm Springs.

Clare Vivier!

...via whom I got to meet some of my blogosphere heroes.

Witnessed declarations of love, again and again.

Sergio built an amazing back patio and bin enclosure.

Babies, babies everywhere!

Finally got to meet Noe after following his mom's blog forever.

We installed central air and heat. eeeeeee!!!!!!

Our house is awesome and we're so lucky.

My goodness, I love life.

But wait! There's a few days of 2010 yet to appreciate. Let's make 'em count!

Holiday Snapshots

I hope you're having a fantastic holiday season. I know we are. Here are a few snippets I didn't have a chance to fully blog about.

Amy and Omar's Caroling Party


Sunset from our front porch


Sergio building the bin enclosure


Meeting Grayson for the first time


Readying the house for Christmas Eve Dinner


We're a little tired but it's been so great.

Domo Slippers

I love me some cozy slippers. grrr...

Rainbow reward + Bin enclosure

It's been raining nearly nonstop for daaaaays. Nice to return home to find the colorful surprise.



And, check out the wonderful new bin enclosure that Sergio built! Lovely, non? It hides some useful but seriously unattractive plastic bins.

The many faces of Noe

Noe and his parents have been staying with us for the past few days.



You'd think the current monsoon that's trapped him indoors and a short stint in urgent care would dampen this little guy's jovial spirit. Nope. He is the most easy-going, happy person!

He endures a daily regimen of medication: two inhalers, eye drops, nose drops, antibiotics oh my! But it doesn't even faze him. He's got books to read, cats to chase, magnets to arrange and you to charm. He's got no time for cranky.



I've really been enjoying his many expressions.

Holiday Potluck 2010

Look, all our holiday decorations are up!

It's a party-in-waiting.



I had a great time. I didn't pick up my camera once!

Grayson William Lee

One of my oldest friends, Nelson Lee, became a daddy this past Wednesday. I have known this guy since I was born (literally). I am beyond thrilled and cannot wait to meet Grayson!




Congratulations Liz and Nelson! And welcome to the world Grayson. We've saved a spot for you at the party.

Thrifty Thursday! - 12.16.10

The sconce is from yeeeaaars ago. It was from a prop sale and I have three of them. I think I paid less than $3 for all of them. The old-timey Santa candles (I have a pair) are about a year old to me but obvs way older than that. They're actually broken and precariously stacked to look whole, but I like them anyway. Kinda gnarly but I think they exude a bit of grimey charm. One day, I might actually light them!

Sorry of lack of posts. Festivities have been getting the best of me. But the holiday decor is up and I can't wait to show you. And Sergio built an awesome enclosure in the backyard which means we don't have to stare at ugly plastic trash bins whenever we look out the windows, which I also can't wait to show you!

Missing Bear

Ginger, an old high-school friend, posted this on her Facebook profile last weekend:

"Anthony lost his angels bear that daddy gave him so I woke up to these missing bear signs all over the house. LOL"

How freaking cute is that?!?

Jeana Sohn Closet Visit - Matilde Riccardi

Loving Jeana Sohn's Closet Visit series. Am kind of obsessed with the most recent visit.





The fashion, of course, is inspiring. But look at how she captured the light. The one on the bottom right with Maltilde wearing the red headband especially. It hints Vermeer.

6:37 am - 12.11.2010

From Misc.

Thrifty Thursday! 12.9.2010

Vintage necklace. From my favorite no-frills, super affordable vintage store. It's become a favorite piece. Worn it 3 out of 5 days now. love!

Sorry for the photo quality and lighting. These are cell phone pics. I was too damned lazy to go find my camera and then have to upload onto the laptop that was way at the other end of the house... I'm a sloth, remember?

Crafty Goodness + Nick's Cafe

There are so many pop-up shops and craft shows during the holiday season, it's difficult to keep track of them all! There is certainly no shortage of interesting and special gift ideas. This particular weekend though, it feels like all people crafty and arty are setting up shop.

We have plans to attend Unique L.A. with some friends. It's the "largest independent design & gift show in the country." Partial proceeds go to 826la. Cool.



Maybe we'll swing by Artisanal LA just around the corner. It's 2 for 1 entrance to this one if we show them Unique LA wristbands. Our local coffeeshop, Cafe de Leche, will be there and you know how I love to support local businesses. They're touting the newest food trucks, roasted chestnuts and partial proceeds go to LAUSD edible gardens projects. Well then. Yummy, local-centric and charitable. Seems lovely.

Then again, there is the first ever Holiday Renegade Craft Fair in L.A. being held at the cornfield again. We had a pretty good time when we attended the regular show this past summer.

We might go back just so we can visit Nick's Cafe! It's an old LAPD hangout from waaay back in the day, right across the street from the park. I can imagine how seedy the area must have been when it was an industrial rail yard. The inside seating space is teeny counter service only. Outside boasts a smattering of plastic patio furniture strewn about. And it's cash only. I can't remember if Sergio liked his meal but I had the most an amazing split pea soup. They must use ham hocks.

I don't know. We shall see. There is soo much going on aside from these three shows. I need to get the house cleaned up and decorated! And work is surprisingly busy right now. Speaking of, it's my company party on Saturday night. What an I going to wear? AND Alpna's Annual Phony Christmas dinner. EGADS. breathe. I do love this time of year though. So festive and fun. Just a little busy.

Huntington Library and Gardens

What an amazing place. I can't believe we don't visit more often.









- Top to bottom -

• Pink lusciousness in the ridiculously fragrant rose garden.
• Yummy moss sandwiches tucked up above the Japanese garden entrance.
• Weeping willow crying out CHARTREUSE!
• Golden ginkgo leaf confetti.
• Magical fairy sized pine forest.
• Lightbulbs!
  
• Isaac Newton's own copy of Opticks, published 1717. Yes, really.

The gardens are obvious superstars here, but the Library collection is ah-may-zing. The permanent exhibition, "Beautiful Science: Ideas that Changed the World," is worth a visit alone. This tightly edited roster of original manuscripts and hand-scribbled notes from marquee names such as Ptolemy, Galileo, Darwin, Aristotle, Newton, Einstein...(list goes on and on) gave me goosebumps!

Happy (early) birthday Stephen! And thank you Sean for inviting us. It was a great day!


Stephen and Sean at entrance to Chinese Garden.


The Chinese garden.


Full album here:

HuntingtonLibrary_12.5.2010