Oh My Goodness

2011-12-13T10:42:00.000-08:00

2012 Calendar Choice

I purchased a calendar from the Etsy shop of Leah Duncan. The geometric print which will add some style to my office walls. Yippee!

I don't have a favorite color. Really.

2011-09-30T08:30:00.000-07:00

All are items I own. :)

2011-09-30T08:29:00.001-07:00

Copper accent bookshelves

2011-06-20T08:13:00.000-07:00

My friends painted the backs of their bookshelves with metallic copper paint and I had to share because I think they are so pretty!

Times - Tenth Avenue North

2011-04-27T22:01:00.000-07:00

Now you know what I'm really doing when I say "I'm busy or have plans."

2011-03-09T19:05:00.000-08:00

Add caption

Courtesy of Blunt Card

Beautiful Peacock Feather bags

2011-03-09T08:04:00.000-08:00

I came across this Etsy shop and saw these amazing peacock feather handbags. I think they are beautiful!
It is from the shop of Daphnenen and she has lots of other fun and functional bags.

Couch potato dreaming

2010-12-02T09:02:00.000-08:00

I have been hankering for new living room furniture for quite some time. I have always been fortunate enough to have furniture given to me, or bought at a low price but I have never owned anything new or that reflected my style. As most people are wont to do, I dream about decorating in a style that I truly enjoy and find aesthetically pleasing. Below, all but one I found on the website Custom Sofa Design. As you can tell, I'm not fond of big, fluffy, rolled arms, or prints. I'm not sure of the style, but I'd say a cross between traditional and Mid-Century? I have bookmarked three local (to the L.A./ Orange County area) shops that do semi-custom to custom sofas, and for not much more than buying at your local Macy's. If you are in the same area, check out these businesses.

Custom Sofa Design

Sofa Craft

The Sofa Company

2011 Calendar

2010-11-18T09:35:00.000-08:00

My yearly Etsy calendar purchase, from the shoppe of 1canoe2

2010 Calendar

2010-01-26T15:48:00.000-08:00

I have a fondness for well designed calendars (see last years calendar) and treated myself to this SusyJack beauty. I intend on framing some of the pages at the end of the year which is why I purchased this calendar. Imagine my delight when I came across an article in the February 2010 issue of Better Homes and Gardens last night (Btw, a big Thank You to Karen who sent it to me.) featuring a bedroom that had just that; two framed prints from the SusyJack 2010 calendar. My idea exactly, with some extra inspiration to boot. I can't wait to get the calendar up on the wall at work (yes, work- my drab grey walls are in dire need of some color and style.)

Humility

2009-12-11T12:47:00.000-08:00

I receive a daily email from the website, DailyOm, and this article resonated deeply with me. I have personally found myself over the years dismissing other people's point of view, whether it was me thinking they didn't know as much as I did, weren't as smart, were far above my ability of thought, or were so far out of touch with my own reality that their own experiences couldn't be of any significance to me. This article clearly points out that I have been wrong in that thinking and have much to gain from all people I come in contact with. Every person has sage advice and I will try to employ this thought from now on.

December 10, 2009
Of Equal Worth
Humility

The notion of humility as a virtue brings numerous images to mind. We tend to envision those rare individuals who humbly bear life’s struggles while downplaying their own strengths. Yet humility is also associated with people whose insecurities compel them to judge themselves unfavorably as a matter of course. The true definition of humility, however, does not correspond precisely with either of these images. Humility is not passivity. Rather, it is an utter lack of self-importance. The individuals who embody the concept of humility appreciate that each human being on the planet occupies a unique place on an infinite spectrum of development. Though they can take pride in their own accomplishments, they also understand that the people they interact with each day are as valuable and have as much to offer the world as they themselves do.

To be humble is to accept that while there will always be individuals more and less advanced than yourself, those on all parts of the spectrum of development can provide you with insights that further your personal evolution. Recognizing these insights is a matter of opening yourself to the fact that not only do others think and feel differently than you, but their life experiences have shaped them in a very different way than yours have shaped you. This means that while you may have a greater understanding in some areas, others will always be able to teach you something. When you cultivate a genuine yearning to know what skills and talents those you encounter have been blessed with, you cannot help but learn humility. You instinctively understand that emotions like envy breed resistance that prevents you from growing, and that being flexible in your interactions with others will help you connect with unexpected mentors.

When you practice humility, you want to become as accomplished and evolved as you can possibly be, yet you are willing to submit to the expertise of others to do so. You understand the scope of your aptitudes yet you choose to eradicate arrogance from your attitude, and you can distinguish the value you possess as an individual while still acting in the interests of your fellow human beings. Humility, simply put, is a form of balance in which you can celebrate your own worth while sincerely believing that every other person on the planet is just as worthy as you.

Condiment Heaven

2009-10-19T12:46:00.000-07:00

A few things I highly, highly recommend picking up. There are plenty of ways to use them.

Trader Joe's Pumpkin Butter. De-li-cious!!

I am slightly obsessed with The Ginger People. I buy their products often. You should, too.

The Ginger Syrup and the Ginger spread are two of my favorite things.

School Lunches around the world

2009-06-10T12:48:00.000-07:00

I found the link to these articles from Slashfood and couldn't resist sharing.

http://whatsforschoollunch.blogspot.com/

http://interestingemailforwards.blogspot.com/2009/05/school-lunch-from-around-world.html

For the most part, our meals are unhealthy. I can't imagine having the option for an entire artichoke at lunch. How wonderful would that be?

Another problem with our schools. Feed them processed chicken fingers because it is cheap. In the long run, don't the health problems caused by a poor diet cost the system more?

More Huntington Library photos- Yeah, I really like flowers. :)

2009-04-22T17:56:00.000-07:00

Huntington April 2009

2009-04-16T19:46:00.000-07:00

I just love, love, love the Huntington Library and can go a bit nuts getting a picture of every living plant. Here a just a few of the pictures I took. I never seem to make it to the desert garden. Next time, next time!

Striped Rug Heaven

2009-01-22T11:40:00.000-08:00

I have died and gone to striped rug heaven. Anyone who knows me knows of my obession with stripes. Straight, even lines are spectacular. When I came upon this site by the way of Decor8, my heart did thousands of backflips when I saw all the choices of colors. I now have a reason to save for one or two or heck, even three of these beauties. They are from the Dash & Albert Rug Company.

Clicking this sentence will take you to the page of many colors.

Photos via Dash & Albert

Come to California, Patty

2008-11-20T09:15:00.000-08:00

One day, hopefully sooner than later, Patty and Dan will come for a visit. Here are few pictures to entice you. Do you see the native plants? ;) The first picture was taken at Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Gardens in Claremont and is one of my favorite gardens to visit. It is a small, primarily native plant garden run in connection with the Claremont colleges. The second picture was taken at Manhattan beach in early November on an extremely windy day which meant the beach was deserted. I have never seen it without people. It was a bit surreal.

The wine tasting one? That is at Sterling Vineyards in Calistoga, where you should definitely go. It is so lovely there. March, anyone?!

2009 Calendar

2008-11-19T12:50:00.000-08:00

Yeah! I finally decided on a 2009 calendar. I found it on Etsy (where else?) and can't wait to receive it and hang it up. I also plan on framing the calendar afterwards, as I love the prints and colors used. It is from Anemone Letterpress and is local to me, in Pasadena, CA. Check out the owner's blog at anemoneletterpress.blogspot.com/

Drool

2008-07-01T14:53:00.000-07:00

From the Wisteria website. I love me some wood furniture.

OM Sisters bellydance

2008-06-20T21:40:00.000-07:00

Take a look. 'Tis my cousins group!

Favorites

2008-06-17T20:40:00.000-07:00

Looking back at some posts, it seems that I post what I like and dislike. On that note, here are some of my current material desires:

So true, So true

2008-04-15T21:00:00.000-07:00

"I show my heartfelt concern for others through my sarcasm and indifference."

And how. ;)

Lunch with friends

2008-01-03T21:22:00.000-08:00

To start the new year off the best way possible, I took my second day back to work off and spent a nice, leisurely lunch with friends from far away places at a delightful spot in Fullerton called Cafe Veronese. It is an old, historic home that has been turned into an art gallery/coffee house/garden. We were able to catch up, dish, divulge and relax all. Five hours after we arrived the last two of us left and below are some memories.

Mommy and me

Smiling Chrysanthemums

Full sized flowers

Wonderful gals

Itsy Bitsy Spider

2007-10-26T09:48:00.000-07:00

Was not so itsy, definitely not bisty.

I consider myself not squeamish when it comes to the creepy crawlies. I have lived with spiders in harmony thus far and imagine it will continue. I am the woman who stops to take a picture of a tarantula in the road when I see one. I marvel at the intricate webs that are woven. I respect the species as a whole and can't quite understand people who are freaked out by them.

So what happened this morning to my self proclaimed bad ass self?

I let out a high pitched, ear shattering squeal when I nearly planted myself face first into a spider about the size of two quarters welded together dangling from gosh knows where in the tree branches above me. SQUEALED! Thought number one: AHHHHH! Damn, that spider is big! Thought number two, accompanied by a quick, furtive glance at my neighbors windows: I hope I didn't wake anyone.

Call me a hypocrite, call me squeamish, call me a chicken. Just know that tomorrow morning, I will be paying very close attention to the air above me while I walk by the trees.

Vote- choose- just vote

2004-10-29T13:00:00.000-07:00

Well, I am voting against my party for the first time in my life. As I get older I become much more of that "bleeding heart liberal." Scary, eh coming from the woman who really likes the mantra of everyone for themselves.
With a few exceptions that I wholeheartdly agree with, screw Bush. Kerry, here I come. All I can say is I hope I don't live to regret choosing him. I am not happy with Bush, and Kerry isn't much better.....however hopefully he will do some greater good in the areas that are being neglected/ignored.
More clean air... kerry better strive for it. Not that I am a tree hugger... but Bush kills the environment.
Ergh.