Date Night / Cook's County - West L.A.

I spied Cooks County while driving home from a fun non-shopping spree in West L.A. one Saturday. We didn't have reservations so were seated at the counter with a view of the kitchen. We didn't mind though. Our server was exceptional, as was the food. We meant to head elsewhere for dessert after looking at the menu, we stayed. The rosewater fritter on huckleberry compote with key lime ice cream was so delicious. This was a spontaneous date night, spurred by Sergio's new haircut.

Marfa Amigos at Heath

Full set here.

After Photo Camp, a few of us jaunted over to Heath for the Marfa Amigos show. In addition to the luscious leather furniture by Jamey Garza, gorgeous cozy pillows by Constance Holt, and El Cosmico posters, there was amazing BBQ (served from a giant smoker/grill towed all the way from Austin, TX, margaritas, and live music. I met Marfa brands soap-maker Ginger Griffice while in line for the restroom. She had on the most amazing yellow dress. I kind of wish I had stayed longer - the music was seriously awesome. But I was craving my pajamas like crazy so scooted home early.

(Hi Laura, Scheherazade, Morgan, Laure!)

Photo Camp

I was so excited when Laure + Morgan announced: Photo Camp. Not only because I admire these gals somethin' fierce, but because I knew I would learn lots (thereby hitting some of those resolutions) and meet some fab peeps. CHECK and CHECK.

We started camp with introductions, dove right into Photoshop, had lunch, and then did a little shooting in and around the room -- which was the magically sparkleful ban.do headquarters. Our lunch desserts doubled as a tabletop set up. It was so interesting to see everyone's unique perspective! There were certainly lots of camera ready moments in the room but my favorite thing to shoot is people doing what they're doing. I was once going to be a photojournalist you know. Feels like a lifetime ago. Anyway, I spent the pre-Mad Men season premier hours practicing on Photoshop. I obviously still have lots to learn but am so happy with my progress!

Before and Afters


(The change is subtle with this one but it's such a sweet little dress, I had to include it.)












Full set here.

Thanks Laure and Morgan! It was a blast. Can't wait to see everyone again. (What's this about Marfa?)


Instagram

Photo Camp forever.

Number Nine Noodles + Beer / Long Beach

We stopped in at Number Nine Noodles after a long, cold and windy morning at the Long Beach Antique Market. It is such a great find! So tasty and we weren't parched afterwards -- which is usually the case from sodium or MSG laden meals at other Vietnamese Pho joints.





It was such a nice experience, I can easily see this spot becoming our post LB flea market go-to.

Thrifty Thursday! 3.22.2012 // Gold Flatware

A while back, I pinned gold toned DVF flatware onto one of my Pinterest boards.



Just a smidge out of my price range. Well, more than a smidge.

West Elm is currently carrying a set too at a fraction of that cost.




Imagine my glee upon finding these puppies at the flea market last Sunday -- at a fraction of the fraction! (I daresay, it might even have been a fraction of the fraction of the fraction.)



They are Swedish and most likely from the 1920's. I mean, how could a flea market find ever be more perfect for me?

Sure, some of you may think they're tacky. I obviously don't. I think they're warm, different, a tad decadent, and perfect for brunch on the patio with bloody marys and mojitos. I do apologize for the photo. I just laid 'em all out, flea market grime and all. I don't have time right this sec to turn them out properly. They're quite lovely in real life, trust.

Take a look at how pretty a table with gold flatware CAN be:


photo via mylittleapartment.blogspot.com

I mean COME ON. Don't you want to pull a chair up to that table?

Bloody Margarita

A couple Sundays ago, I made a Bloody Margarita. Fresh squeezed juices from blood orange, linme and tangelo, a pinch of sugar, agave tequila, and Hepp's Thai Ginger salt rim.




Refreshing and such a pretty hue! Perfect for the seasonal warm-up, patio and pool parties, with tacos...endless possibilities.

Four Years

Happy Anniversary caro!

xoxo

Ladies Tea Time / Chado Tea Room - Hollywood

Tea with the ladies was a nice change of pace. We met up at Chado Tea Room in Hollywood on a soggy Saturday morning. Catching up and making summertime Palm Springs plans over proper English tea was just the perfect way to spend the day. The fresh scone with cream was dependably delicious! As was the tomato soup (after they heated it up) and my Lavender Earl Grey tea. The service was honestly kind of odd. One particular server was a bit of a grouch. The other gentleman was much more helpful. And the atmosphere of this location is lacking. It could use curtains or art to cozy it up a bit. I do prefer the 3rd street location because it feels more like a traditional tea room. But you know, I would totally do this again. I felt the menu was a good value for the quality of the food and tea, and it was so fun despite the location and staff's shortcomings. I did observe that reservations are a must. We were one of the first parties of the day but the room filled up quickly after we seated.

Chado Tea Room - Hollywood
6801 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028

Daily 11:00AM to 8:00PM (Kitchen closes at 7:30pm)

Phone: (323) 472-8111

Dorothee Schumacher & her home via The Selby

I came across Dorothee Schumacher and her amazing home while perusing Tracy Wilikinson's blog 149sullivanstreet.com. (Tracy is the creator of beautiful tw pottery and I learned from her profile that she's local to NELA!)

Dorothee's house is the latest home featured on The Selby. It's one of the most beautiful, magical, cozy homes I've seen. The cute overload of animals roaming around helps. And the amazing chicken coop. oh, and the CLOSET. dreeaaammmyy.










I showed the two photos below to Sergio and whined about wanting a teeny horse of my own. He said, "Sure. We can keep it in the back."

You think he thinks I thought he was kidding?



All photos via The Selby.

Checking in

2.5 months into 2012, I feel good about my resolutions. Here they are in no particular order (in case you weren't keeping track).

1. Learn my camera
2. Take better photos (and learn how to edit ruthlessly!)
3. Create more
4. Learn something new
5. Get healthy and be honest about it
6. Live consciously
7. Clean-up the blog! 

Progress Report

1. I've enrolled in a photo workshop! And uber excited.
2. See #1.
3. We just started noticing tiny sprouts from the seeds we put into our box a few weeks ago. And we began composting finally so we're creating dirt. Good dirt. Also, see #4.
4. I'm learning how to knit! It kind of stresses me out though. I'm always afraid I'll drop a stitch (which I've done) and totally mess it up. #1 and #2 takes care of some of this one too.
5. Teeny steps here. I got a scale and don't mind using it. I've taken a couple yoga classes at our local fitness studio. There's a bollywood cardio class there on Sunday that sounds fun. Sigh. It's tough to stay motivated. I just learned that 30 mins. of hula hooping can be as intense a workout as a boot-camp class or cardio kickboxing. Maybe I'll get a hula hoop this weekend.
6. This resolution is tricky because it can be interpreted in a few ways. Mostly I lead my life with a deep sense of gratitude. Secondly, I want to make things happen instead of letting things happen. It's harder than it sounds.
7. Well. I'm ok if this one falls off as long as I'm busy with #1-6.

There you have it. I had always been so afraid of talking about things I wanted in case they didn't happen - resolutions included. But I've come to believe that for some things, there's a better chance if I put it out into the universe -- if only to hold myself more accountable.

So, how are you doing on those resolutions?

Hepp's Salt

Salty fanciness.



We found Hepp's Salt at the State of Unique show last month. It's amazing how much flavor Brian Hepp can infuse into the humble salt mineral. The savory crystals transform whatever food they're sprinkled on, added to, layering in deeper dimensions of flavor and aroma. Smokey, spicy, bright, nuanced... how does he do it?

Honestly, I've been stingy with the stuff. Will revisit here with photos of something I've actually used it in for reals.

We learned that they're based in Venice, CA but don't have a storefront (yet). Find their salt bars set up at local farmer's markets: http://www.heppssaltbarrel.com