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...