What's to Come

"Write it in your heart that every day is the best day in the year."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

What better way to welcome the new year and the start of a new decade than with a list of my resolutions. Keep me honest Internet!

I need must cultivate my inner creative. It has become non-negotiable as I  have neglected it for the past few years  as a result of a stressful career that left little time for anything other than contemplating my suicide. I want to learn to paint, I want to make bold and fearless decorating decisions... I just want to make stuff! Maybe set something up on Etsy? How exciting!

I want to cook 4-5 days a week. I love to think about meals I've made days after I've made them (and ate them.) Along these lines, I want to develop a better understanding for wines. I have the basics down; tannins, the finish and of course quaffing! But I want to really develop my pallet, I want to pair fantastic wines with fantastic dishes. Still along these lines, I want to host at least one dinner party in 2011. Even if it's just one other couple sharing a few hors d'oeuvres over a couple glasses of wine.

2011 is the year that will host my wedding. In Costa Rica. I want to be a better more attentive, supportive and loving fiance. I want to be an even more attentive, supportive and loving wife. Happy Life... Happy Wife.

I need to save save save. For a rainy day, for retirement and for the purchase of our first home. No more impulsive buys (bye-bye online shopping and magazine addiction) and no more nonfat hot chocolate from Starbucks every other day. But, HELLO fat pocketbook!!

Lastly, the resultion at the top of everyone's list (except for mine... a sign perhaps?) I need to lose weight, I need to keep it off and I need to make healthier choices. I will do some foothill hiking this winter/spring, and will get in the water when I can. I want to take advantage of my seaside town with its beautiful beaches in 2011 wearing little more than a bikini and chapstick!

I'm excited for what's to come... I hope you are too!
May this year bring Peace Love and Happiness.

Cheers!

xx
Silvia

Go Away Rain!

... Or at least go someplace with stable hillsides!

It's raining again in typically sunny California. My litttle town of Laguna Beach has been hit hard once already this month by major damage-causing rains.



I'm crossing my fingers that this downpour leaves us with only wet hair (albeit full of body!)

And a need for a makeshift raincoat.



Photos via: Daily Breeze, Stolen Camera, Blue Sky Rains and Icanhascheezburger

Tis the Season

For spending all of my days looking at beautifully-decorated-for-the-holidays homes!

Photo via Beach Bungalow 8

Whoooo are you?

This guy! In a hat. Nuff said.

The Birthday that Keeps on Giving

Hello again internet! It has been almost a month since my last post and I am happy to report that I am happy! My birthday on the 19th was fantastic! Thanksgiving was great! and the SC v Notre Dame game this weekend (a birthday gift from Bryan) was a blast! (Except for the rain that drenched us in the stands and the terrible loss to the Irish.)

yet still... we keep on Fightin' On!

Happy Birthday!

Today is my Bryan's birthday. The BIG 2-7 on the 27th! 

Bryan, this is how I feel every day that I get to spend with you:

Completely happy to be me... with you. Happy Birthday my love!

Throwing Caution to the Wind

Today, I am making a move to keep these smiles on these faces. 

Chi-Chi-Chi-Le-Le-Le!

I have been catching bits and pieces when I can throughout the day of the Chilean Miner rescue today, and more than once I've had a pesky 'something in my eye'. It is a beautiful day when hope becomes reality. Today in Chile, and throughout the world Hope won. 

TGIF- Time to Make Time

This weekend will be about re-prioritizing my life. 

Somewhere amidst the paperwork and emails and stress-induced-hives these two guys fell by the wayside. Not. No. More. 

Happy First October weekend! 

Beat the Huskies!

and

Fight On!

My Warm Fuzzy Feeling

Via Style Me Pretty

The past few weeks have been nothing short of hellish. I swear, this is my quarter life crisis. This photo is a representation of what I want to create... A warm fuzzy feeling with beautiful tables settings, events and warm environments that people can create life-long memories in.
 I listened to an interview of Jasmine Star, an amazing and amazingly successful wedding photographer based out of Orange County and there were a few things she said that really struck a cord, most notably something her husband said to her four years ago when she started her photography business venture:

"I'd rather see you fail at something you love, than succeed at something you hate."

Amen. 

TGIF- Ooohhh La-la

I like to play a little game called Wouldn't it be funny if... ( A very amusing game I should be playing in my head and not out-loud probably).
Last night it was Wouldn't it be funny if we had a pet Penguin?!?! I decided to youtube pet penguin and came across Lala, a King penguin living in Japan with a loving family (he was rescued form a fishing net, was nursed back to health by this family and as all true love should be he refused to leave them). He lives in his very own air conditioned room underneath their stairs. The real kicker, he wears a penguin backpack when he walks to the neighborhood fish market for a little shopping. (The size of the fish he gobbles down when he gets there is pretty impressive too btw!).

Here is the youtube video:

Of course immediately after watching this video 5 times, I had Bryan google California laws on keeping a pet penguin... alas, they're too steep... My Lala will have to live in my dreams... 

What a wonderful way to begin the weekend, no? 

Una Buena Vista

The Buena Vista Social Club is what I listen to on those breezy evenings when I chop white onions to saute in a little bit of oil in preparation for dinner whilst sipping chilled Chardonnay. As I swirl my wine glass and sway my hips to the cuban beat how can I help but smile?

Candela is my favorite song as it's about a drumming mouse and a dancing cat.. cute!

Ay candela, candela, candela me quemo ae

Ay candela, candela, candela me quemo ae

Click here to watch a live recording of this song. 

The trumpet playing in this video... AMAZING!

Nook Update

I returned the Nook from my previous post. Too slow. Too heavy. Too disappointing. Perhaps the Kindle 3 or the Nook 2 will win my heart.

Nook is Book (without pages) shhhh!

I walked into Barnes and Noble (Second only to my beloved Pasadena Vromans) with the intent to purchase a gory book recommended to me by my friend Megan (The Surgeon by Tess Garritson, for those of you wondering.) I walked out, thirty minutes later, with the September issue of Cosmo (A most favorite guilty pleasure of mine) and the $149.00 Wi-Fi Nook (I'm too cheap to spring for the $189.00 Wi-Fi and 3G version).

That's Walt Whitman on the screensaver btw. 

For those that really know me, my book collection is something I have been working on for most of my life. I treasure my most favorite books like most people value their teeth. For the longest time I was adamant that I would never sell out to the e-readers. I would walk past the Nook sales desk and let my eyes feast on the gadget, I would always pick one up but would quickly shoot down any sales pitch with I will never give up flipping pages, and of course would walk away with secret longing in my heart.  Well, satisfaction be damned! I gave in and while I have yet to download my first e-book I will be rushing to Coffee Bean today after work to indulge in my favorite beverage (regular vanilla ice blended, no whip) and my favorite activity (Downloading books apparently).

Thankfully, there is  14-day return period... just in case paper cuts and dog ears are too much to stay away from.

Eureka!

"I consider all forms of personal expression to be art. Art to me is a beautifully curated +/or written blog, a savory home cooked meal, a simple line on paper, a great outfit, a physical space that's been appointed in a way that fills me with a rush of happiness, excitement or calm. As long as I respond to it, I know I've made a connection, for a moment, with its creator. I'm pretty sure this is the point of creativity."

-Beach Bungalow 8

I found the blog Beach Bungalow 8 via Absolutely Beautiful Things and when I found the above on a post from July 2010 I cried like a baby during a thunderstorm. Everything the writer of Beach Bungalow 8 said in those three sentences are what I have been trying to discover for myself through this blog and everything I surround myself with. 

I am inspired to live my dreams, even if today's dream is to walk into my house full of all that I adore to kiss the love of my life, snuggle my beasties and enjoy a double-shot vodka tonic (or two!) 

My heart is happy. Afterall, con familia y amigos la vida es un carnaval!

Dennis Gibbens

On my daily read of the Living section of the LA Times, I came across Debrah Netburn's article on LA based Architect Dennis Gibbens' downtown Venice mixed-use townhouse. While I'm not the biggest fan of concrete and modern architecture, I am a fan of beautifully lighted spaces. Funny thing is, his home doesn't have many windows (Think clever use of skylights, reflective surfaces, transparent floors and indoor courtyard).

Photo Credit: Benny Chan

Photo Credit: Ryan Turner

Photo Credit: Nazy Alvarez

I went to his firm's website and what I found... I la la la la la la love... 

Party Like It's 1999

On Wednesday night we headed to Downtown Disney for a private event at the House of Blues, but we started the night with a drink at Catal Restaurant's Uva Bar (A member of the Patina Restaurant Group). We were running late and drat the luck! I wasn't able to order my favorite dish their Manchego Salad, Uva Bar is always a great place to people watch and enjoy an aperitif.

The entertainment for the night (other than lots of drunks. There was an open bar after all) was Sugar Ray, responsible for such hits as Every Morning, Fly and Someday. The fact that he opened his set with a little self-depricating humor 'Are you guys ready to hear the number one hit from 1999?' ( you had to be there to appreciate the humor in that I suppose) made it all the better.  After a few tee-hees we were pleasantly surprised at how good Mark McGrath and his band sounded. Although, the cover they did of a Bob Marly song was nothing short of atrocious!

Ha! That face!

After three glasses of wine this picture seemed like a good idea. Somewhere behind all of that glare and flash is Sugar Ray. 

Want to party like it's 1999? Watch their Someday video!

To see the full screen video click here. 

A Spade is a Spade is a Spade

When I was a Junior in high school I saved all of the money I got ( from birthdays, bribes, Hanukkah) so that I could buy a Kate Spade handbag. I now have a small collection of her classic, beautifully designed (and reasonably priced) handbags. Her collection includes small leather goods, jewelry, clothing, eye-wear,  shoes, paper goods, housewares... (I fear I will go broke with all of the bee-autiful things to spy and buy!) Here are a few of my faves.

All of these items can be found at KateSpade.com Happy Shopping! 

*Btw, the Spade in Kate Spade came from her husband Andy, brother of the actor and comic David Spade. 

Handbag: Sutton Place Willa $365, Shoes: Gala $350, Ring: Shimmer Skimmer Dragonfly $125, Earrings: Coral Reef Starfish Stud $45, Dress: Starlight Kay $425, iPod Nano Case: Nano Case $25, Pencil Case: Jane Street Creative Becca Pencil Case $75, Vase: Gardner Street Rose Bowl $100. 

Oil Oil Everywhere!

I ordered this 'Help Us Get Cleaned Up' tote bag from the Help us Get Cleaned Up project. An organization raising money for the animals, fish and birds affected by the Golf Oil Spill. These totes are 100% organic bamboo with 60% of the proceeds being donated to the Ocean Future Society. At just $24.00 it's a good way to help our feathered, fury and water-loving friends well... get clean!

This is the other side of my bag

These new designs will be for sale starting July 25, 2010. Pre-order your today!

This (appropriately) artsy bag was designed by French artist William Benhamou.

You Lucky Dog

The love of my young adult life has always been Colonel Boogie. My now 7 year-old miniature wiener dog. We have a love hate relationship... I love and he hates (exaggeration, he tolerates.) But early in the morning, when the air is nippy he trots to my side of the bed (because he knows I do his bidding) and sticks his face in mine so that I lift him into the bed and under the warm covers. This is how he likes to sleep: Head on pillow, paws on top of blankets. 

This love will be everlasting. 

Ice Ice Baby

I spotted JR's Shaved Ice on my way to get my brows tamed today. JR's is in Oceanside, at the corner of Vista Way/Coast Hwy (In the Liberty Gas Parking lot). Because I am a juvenile when it comes to sweets... especially icy treats I knew I had to stop on the way back to work. I ordered a Pineapple shave ice and it was everything it should be: icy, yellow, sweet, pineapple-y delicious and only $2.00!. The perfect treat after having hair ripped off your face. More info on JR's Hawaiian Shaved Ice here. 

Cannery Row

We have agreed that Monterey is our 'spot'. The drive along the coast through Carmel, Big Sure and Buellton (not along the coast but exceptions can be made for Spilt Pea Andersen's) is serene and breathtaking. ( I'll post photos from our last two trips there next!)

We still throw around the idea of getting married in Monterey... big wedding be damned! More photos from this wedding here. 

The Steinbeck Stamp on the envelopes... I love. 

Flower Bracelet

I would love to walk down the aisle and tie one of these simple and elegant flower bracelets on Bryan's Mom's wrist before the start of the our ceremony. I picture myself whispering in her ear as I kiss her cheek that I will always love her son and will never hurt him.... Sigh... I'm such a romantic... Our Wedding is planned for September, not prime Peony time but with the magic of greenhouses and forced flowers... I can make it happen! (Would a small bright Hydrangea bloom work just as well? Probably... I love options!)

Video and pictorial instructions on how to make these lovely flower bracelets can be found here. 

A Very Important Date

We have decided on a September 10, 2011 as the BIG day. 

(9.10.11- it looks so pretty doesn't it?)

The next step... Decide on a budget, but who wants to do that? I'd rather look for Save the Dates!

These are both from EvaPaul Wedding Invitations, you can find them on etsy.com.

The following two are from Ello There, on Etsy.Com.

Or this one from Papeterie: 

Too many decisions to make... good thing Save the Dates are not supposed to be sent out any earlier than six months before the wedding day!