tinywino

I am super bad at blogging....

2010-10-15T22:01:00.000-07:00

I never blog anymore, maybe because I am too busy with school.Yep that's the reason! I have no time to eat, sleep, or hang out with the fam. I feel like I am in medical school or something but its just interior design! I should probably be cleaning up the enormous mess I just made while I was doing my homework, or cleaning my insanely messy house...or I should be doing more homework, but its 9:54 and I have been working since 3 so I guess I can take a break. I really wish I had time to watch some TV. I have Mad Mens to watch, and 30Rocks and plus I would love to just not think or cut things out with an xacto knife for 30 minutes. I really need an office for all my design stuff. its getting crazy in here.

French Fridays with Dorie! I know I know, its Monday...

2010-10-04T18:35:00.000-07:00

I just started the French Fridays with Dorie, even though I know it's Monday. I just got back from The Epicurious Entertains New York event where I participated in the Home Cook Cook-Off, and won! Super cool! Dorie was one of the judges and I was so honored that she liked my recipe! I got her book while at the event and absolutely had to try out these Gougeres! I actually made them last night, but they didn't turn out so good because I didn't beat my dough enough. Also, last night when I made them I used Gruyere which I love, but I felt they were lacking in some cheesey goodness so today I used Cabot Extra Sharp White Cheddar. The only bummer now is that I am home alone and no one is around to eat them with me. They turned out pretty delicious but I think I am doing something wrong, for one thing...my oven is crappy and it burns things. It is a serious problem, but that's apartment living. they are nice and fluffy and eggy inside though, but not like the picture in the book. I am going to try them again tomorrow before we go to the Belle & Sebastian show at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. They will be perfect for the cold night with a bottle of wine and other snacks. We will have the best picnic in the whole place!

VOTE FOR ME!!

2010-08-05T12:17:00.000-07:00

Ok, attention EVERYONE! This is very exciting news I am about to share with you.
I am very pleased to announce that I am on of the 15 finalists for the Epicurious 15th Anniversary Recipe Contest! My Rosemary Pistachio White Chocolate Chip Cookies need your votes! You don't have to register or sign up for anything, all you need to do is follow the link above and scroll down to the bottom and VOTE for my cookie recipe.
I will be making some more cookies to share with everyone, but I need your votes!
Ok, love you all. Happy Voting!
P.S...I don't know all the details about voting multiple times or only once, or only once per day but rest assured I will figure it out and let you know!
Thank you so much EVERYONE!

Garden Party

2010-08-02T15:07:00.000-07:00

Garden Party Succulent Arrangements is now in business. I recently just participated in my first craft/handmade show that was put together by the Handmade Brigade of Orange County. It was so much fun and I got a lot of really great exposure. I have been working on some new arrangements and have also decided to start making handmade cards for various occasions. So far I have made a few Thank you cards that I think are really adorable. They are available for purchase individually or in a pack of 5. Once I get a decent amount produced they will be up on Etsy.
I will be participating in another craft show coming up in September. I don't have all the details yet, but once I do they will be up here.
Ok, well here are all the new arrangements and a sneak peak at the Thank You cards!

New Stuff...

2010-06-04T21:58:00.000-07:00

My goodness, its been ages since I've blogged...like real blogging, not on my tumblr so much new stuff!
Today I started a new batch of succulent gardens (pictures coming tomorrow). They are really amazing looking if I do say so my self. I am really looking forward to the up coming flea market at the LAB on June 27th. Its going to be so much fun (I will send out details and a flyer soon enough)!
I have also started working on my ipod monsters, and will make some ipad monsters as soon as I win this @smilegen constest which ends on Monday.

I love that its summer time officially, so many fun things to come!

Environmentally Friendly Cleaning

2010-04-28T15:15:00.001-07:00

Seventh Generation
I recently started buying the Seventh Generation family of products. I instantly fell in love with the lavender & mint dish soap, and decided to get other cleaning products for the house. I am by nature a total neat-freak OCD person. I love having a clean house, and I also feel that every person should do their part for the environment. I also hate the smell of chemical cleaners. They give me a headache and make it hard for me to clean the entire house in one day. I just cleaned everything with these amazing products and my house smells amazing. It smells clean and fresh, and its also like using aroma therapy. My bathroom smells like Thyme, my kitchen smells like mint, and I am in love! I highly recommend using these products, not only because they are good for the environment, but because they are good for you as well and they are only a few cents to a couple of dollars more than the generic brand. I find that Target has the best price on these items, at only a small amount higher than their Up&Up brand.Its a win!

Babycakes!

2010-04-13T17:14:00.000-07:00

So excited about this cookbook. I bought some bananas the other day and I am letting them get nice and ripe on my counter so I can make her Vegan Banana Bread recipe. It looks so good. This book is really well written, detailed, and put together really nice. She includes all the information on the products she uses and the science to baking with unconventional ingredients and substitutions like coconut milk, agave syrup and spelt flour.

Silver Bowls

2010-04-13T15:08:00.001-07:00

My favorite type of container! I have bought so many silver bowls in all shapes and sizes and I cannot wait to fill them all up with beautiful lush succulents. I love the vintage-ness of them and the way the green contrast the patina of the bowls. As of right now I have 1 larger bowl with many varieties for $22.
The smaller arrangements in silver Ice Cream cups are $12 (They are my favorites!)

Terra Cotta Arrangements

2010-04-12T15:48:00.000-07:00

These two arrangements turned out really nice. I love all the different textures and layers of color. They are in terra cotta pots about six inches high. Either one would look great as a center piece for your patio table or maybe in the kitchen.
$25 each.

Arrangements in Clear Glass

2010-04-10T15:59:00.000-07:00

These ones are fun, a little small. A good home for these might be on a shelf or windowsill. I wasn't sure how to tackle the clear glass/dirt situation, but it turns out that peat moss is basically the greatest thing in the world. Not only does it hide the dirt it helps the water drain through and be absorbed properly. Amazing!

Butter Dish $18

Glass Creamer $14

Solitary Succulents

2010-04-08T10:23:00.000-07:00

These guys are too big to be planted in an arrangement, but I love they way they look all by themselves so it all works out for the best.

$15 each.

Succulents

2010-04-06T14:28:00.000-07:00

I am proud to say I think I got the miniature succulent gardens all figured out. I have a lot of pictures to post. I am interested in selling these little beauties, they are eco-friendly and make great gifts!
Enjoy!
(cream & sugar succulent $45)

More Succulent News

2010-04-04T15:24:00.000-07:00

After looking at the finished product for a few days I decided that I don't really like how they look and I want to redo them. I googled arrangements and found some inspiration. The arrangements that I liked the most were the ones with lots of plants in the same container. I want my arrangements to have an earthy but subtle elegance to them. I am looking into joining a handmade show in the summer and I want to sell the mini gardens.
So..I am upping my succulent game.

Inspiration

Get ready!

Some Finished Product

2010-03-25T14:49:00.000-07:00

Some of the succulents I've made so far.

First Attempt

2010-03-23T14:38:00.000-07:00

Well....I think I succeeded in my first attempt at planting succulents. I think they they turned out really cute. Most of all it was fun and relaxing to get my hands dirty. Tommie was really curious about all the new things to smell. She tried to eat some plants and rolled in the dirt...bad kitty. I am really excited about making more of these little gardens. They are really fun. It was scary at first and I ruined a couple of the plants but all in all it wasn't that hard. I think I will be better at planting next time around. When I have some money again I think I will do some more.

Ready Set Garden

2010-03-22T13:32:00.000-07:00

The Assistance League on Wilson & Fairview in Costa Mesa is a wealth of containers. I got large and small, glass and silver. I am really excited to start planting. I have googled 'how to plant succulents' trying to figure out how to do this. I wasn't scared until I got everything together. Its a lot more intimidating than I had previously thought. Some of the varieties are really fragile and they loose leaves with the slightest of touch. I think I need to do some more research before I start.

The Plant Stand

2010-03-21T11:10:00.000-07:00

Today I went down the street to The Plant Stand to purchase supplies for my container garden when I was distracted by the succulents. They didn't have too many varieties, but I was inspired. I got a few different kinds. I think I am going to try making some miniature succulent gardens tomorrow. I just need to find something to plant them in. I will have to make s trip over to the Assistance League and see what I can find.
Succulents are a perfect gardening project for southern California, with all of our water woes. The succulents are drought resistant and beautiful. By re-purposing tea cups, ash trays and other miscellaneous containers the succulent gardens are a perfect eco-friendly gifts, and home accents.
I will be posting updates on this project tomorrow.

Spring Is In The Air!

2010-03-19T10:09:00.000-07:00

Today I had an overwhelming desire to start a container garden on my balcony. I love the idea of being able to grow and use fresh herbs and vegetables. My plan is to find some wine boxes and attach wire to them so I can hang the boxes from the posts on the fence of my balcony. I have also been looking into hanging tomato and strawberry plants. The Instructables blog had a few ideas on how to make some, but Target sells them in a box ready to go. I want to make everything organic though, so I will probably have to go the DIY route. I purchased a compost pail, but I am not sure if I am brave enough to compost in an apartment. My balcony is long and narrow so saving space is important. I am excited to see how this urban gardening goes. I will post updates as soon as they are ready.

New Projects

2010-02-28T15:06:00.000-08:00

I am going to start making stuffed animals....and I am also going to make an effort to learn how to weave on a loom...so get ready for awesomeness.

Baking Adventure!

2010-02-15T15:12:00.001-08:00

I really want to make Parisian Macarons. They are difficult to master, and amazingly tasty. I searched and searched and came across David Lebovitz blog, lucky for me he had a couple of recipes and some recommendations of Macaron cookbooks. The only one printed in English is I love Macarons by, Hisako Ogita Japanese Pastry Chef. I just ordered it from amazon.

Repurpose

2010-02-04T14:21:00.000-08:00

I am going to re-purpose this blog again. I am lazy and never blog, but the AT&T guy is coming to set up my internet so I can actually start doing something more regularly. I think I am going to start posting photography and maybe some stories about funny things that happen to me.
I am not entirely sure though. We'll see.