Should Auld Aquaintance Be Forgot

Happy New Year Everyone!

I can't say that I'm sad to see this year end, it was full of bad endings to good decisions, stress, sadness & loss.  I have always loved New Years, I get caught up in the whole "starting over" thing & even though I don't make resolutions, I am making one this year:  To start over (again!) and to keep sharing my experiences with you on this blog.  Thanks for being here, and here's to 2011!

(photo via Jak&Jil)

What's For (New Year's Eve) Dinner?

The Barefoot Contessa's Lemon Chicken

I got Ina's new cookbook for Christmas and this recipe immediately jumped out at me.  I love chicken, I love lemon, and I love serving this over couscous!  The recipe is surprisingly easy and I imagine would adapt to variations easily as well.  It's just yummy looking enough to serve to company or for a special New Years dinner, but simple enough to not stress out over!

(Recipe after the break)

The Crafty Bug

I got bit y'all. 

I can't seem to let a day go by without doing something crafty.  I was SO exhausted when I got home from work today (I can't deal with customers who use the word "filigree" seriously) but after collapsing on the couch for a couple of hours I got all inspired to make some garlands.  I made the larger one out of some fabric scraps but the colors seemed a little too spring/summer for this time of year, so I pulled out a roll of dollar store wrapping paper and made one that was a little more cozy and wintery.  I love them both!

Thrift Score

I found more cute glasses- surprise, surprise!

At this rate I should probably open an Etsy shop and start selling things if I don't want to end up as "The Girl With Too Many Dishes!"  These gold and white teardrop 50's tumblers were $1 each and at first I almost bought just two, but then thought- what if one breaks- and I ran back and got the third.  I'm so glad I did, a trio just looks more picturesque, don't you think?

Acorn Christmas Ornaments

I was so inspired by all the cute acorn products I was seeing on Etsy and the like that I felt compelled to make something of my own! 
I started off by firing up the ol' PC Stitch program and designing a simple acorn, then I stitched it onto some fabric.  I liked it, but it needed a little something, so I added a smaller acorn on each side in slightly different colors.  In the back of my mind, I remembered seeing some wooden cross stitch ornament frames at the craft store, so I went to Michael's and found exactly what I wanted.  I also grabbed some gold dusted fabric, which I thought would be perfect for the holidays and make the project a little more glamorous!

I love how 70's childhood the whole thing turned out, all brown and wood tones, with a little disco thrown in for good measure.

I used DMC thread (colors 420, 780, 300, & 801) on 14 count Aida gold dusted fabric.

Loot!

I was so happy to get three amazing cookbooks for Christmas: 

"Ready for Dessert" by David Lebovitz

"How Easy is That" by Ina Garten

"The Gourmet Cookie Book" 1941-2009

I am so stoked to get back in the kitchen and try out some new recipes, and I can't wait to share all the results!  First up, Ina's celery & parmesan salad and David's banana cake with mocha frosting and salted candy peanuts. Yum!

Blog Break

Hi there.

Just wanted to let you know that I am taking a little blogging break due to some family issues.

I will be back after the holidays, so have a merry merry everyone!

Weekend Dilemna

Here is my weekend dilemna:  I have never worked a "normal" Monday through Friday, 9-5 job and I can never decide if that bothers me or not.  I like to go shopping and run my errands on the weekdays when the stores aren't as crowded.  But I would also like to have the same days off as everyone else, and go out on Friday & Saturday night and have Sunday brunch too!   Do any of you have this same problem?

Anyway, this weekend should be fun.  There are several craft shows this weekend in Los Angeles- Renegade, Unique LA, & This.  I am also making a quick trip down to San Diego, I haven't been there in ages and it will be nice to get out of town.  Bon Weekend!

The Best Thing To Wear For Today {Taking Care of Business}

Today feels like a day to get things done! 

This outfit can go from work meeting, to shopping, to drinks with friends.  I love navy & peach together, and the sequined bag adds a little fun to the whole ensemble.

{click on photo for details}

Perfumery Love- Bond No. 9

Have you tried Bond No. 9 perfume?

I first sampled the line back in 2005 at Fred Segal.  I drove all the way across a maze like Los Angeles (pre-GPS on my phone!) to get a sniff.  I fell in love with all the scents, but especially with Chinatown, and I have been smitten ever since.  When I was in New York earlier this year, I was strolling around Bleeker Street and spotted the Bondmobile (in front of the Jack Spade store!). 

I literally screamed and started jumping around, thinking that the store must be nearby, and sure enough it was right behind me!  Hilarious.

Bond No. 9 frequently does special packaging for events or holidays, but this year they have outdone themselves with the limited edition "Chandelier Dreaming".

The 42-ounce bottle, which comes filled with your choice of Bond scents, is dripping with 25 drop crystals; hence the name (the bottle was inspired by the windows of the lighting stores on the Bowery). Only $2,500!
You’ll smell divine!

The Hair Files

I have a file called "Hair" on my computer, & it's full of photos of hairstyles that I like.  I make sure it always syncs to my phone so if I just happen to find myself in a salon accidentally one afternoon, I can show the stylist all of my hair inspiration.  I found some photos of my latest cut obsession online the other day, what I'm calling "The Long Cleopatra Bob" & after also seeing two girls with the same hair on a H&M video at the Brooklyn Flea, I am declaring this my must have style of the season and I won't stop growing out my hair until I get it!  There are two things about this look that really make it what it is.
1.  The bangs must be the perfect length (covering the eyebrows but above the eyes).
2. The cut must curl in slightly at the bottom.

P.S.- I know exactly where I'm going to go when my hair gets longer: DryBar!

Thrift Score

I found these amazing champagne glasses while thrifting today. 

I love the unusual shape & the silver band around the rim adds a certain something.  I originally bought them to do this project but for now they are enjoying their life being ornament holders!  I only bought two but I am loving them so much I may have to go back & get the matching four I left behind!

(photo taken with Hipstamatic iPhone app, edited with Picnik)

Retail Therapy

I bought this glass deer ornament today & it is making me ridiculously happy.

Crate & Barrel, set of two $11.95

Tacos Arizas

Remember when I mentioned yesterday that I was going to be eating yummy tacos this weekend? 

After getting off work late last night, I hightailed it over to Echo Park where my favorite taco cart resides on the corner of Logan & Sunset (right next to the Walgreen's).  It's called Tacos Arizas & it's the bomb!

I got my usual, 3 carnitas tacos.  I have also had the carnitas burrito & it is tasty excellent but very spicy & I'm not usually in the mood for that.  I keep meaning to try some of their other meats & items but I am so hooked on those sinfully good carnitas tacos....

They also sell Mexican coke in bottles here which I adore & the salsa/relish bar is always well stocked.  This place is open late into the night so check it out next time you are in the area.

Making It Work

Dah-lings, what are you up to this weekend?

I have to work on Sunday, but I'm also doing some fun things. My to do list:

1.  Paint my nails

2.  Eat delish tacos

3.  Watch "The Wire"

4.  Work on cross stitch projects

5.  Find lots of interesting things to write about on this blog!

Have an amazing weekend!

(awesome stitchery work above from Lucky Jackson)

Acorns!

My obsession with acorns just started this past September. It was one of those things where the item you become obsessed with has always been around & you wonder where your mind has been all this time! Acorns seem especially relevent during the fall & winter, so I wanted to share some of my favorite products that I have come across with you.

Something's Hiding In Here Acorn Charm in Yellow, Mint, Pool Blue & Mellon. $12.00 on Etsy.

 

Motz Tiny Wooden Acorn Speaker $34.99

Set of 6 Wool Felted Acorn Ornaments.  14.00 on Etsy.

Set of 100 Whole Acorns $7.25 on Etsy.

Want/Need

Want- Pigeon Toe Ceramics Disc String Lights in Citrus $150.00 on Etsy

Amazing & gorgeous.

Need- Philips 60ct. Faceted Mini String Lights $9.00 at Target.

Sigh.  These are fine, but... after seeing the ceramic variety, it's hard to settle!

The Best Thing To Wear For Today {Daytime Disco}

I'm still loving the 70's, so this "Daytime Disco" set is the best thing to wear for today.

I haven't set foot in a Gap store in ages, so I was perusing their website last night & I found all these lovely wearable pieces that have just a little bit of glitz thrown in, as well as some faded denim & an awesome pink glitter wallet/clutch that transitions perfectly to nighttime. Enjoy!

Sneak Peek

A lil' sneak peek of the cross stitch I'm currently working on.  Since you can't really tell what the pattern is until it's finished, I just wanted to show you a small part of it.  It has been taking me FOREVER, and I am so ready to be done with it!  I have really been enjoying working with a different colored background & I think the green thread pops so much more than it would on a white fabric.

Cross stitched with DMC thread on 14 count fabric.

What's For Dinner?

Sandwiches!

I'm kinda particular about my food, I don't want just any sandwich, I want one that is PERFECT. Right now my fav sandwich is ham with mayo & mustard, pickles, Dave's bread, and the most important ingredient- chips. Yes, I am one of those people who absolutely has to put chips on her sandwich. And my favorite is Kettle Chips Salt & Pepper flavor. They are the best!

Stocking Stuffers (Under $10!)

Just a few of my favorite things:  glamorous ornaments, glitter, diamonds, whisky & candy!

(click on photo for shopping info)