Becky, Domestic.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BE LISTENING TO // THE LUMINEERS

2012-09-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

The Lumineers // The Lumineers

Purchase or take a listen to this amazing debut album. Prepare to dance around your kitchen in your underwear.

You won't be sorry, and neither will your dog.

ALSO: check out their fun video for my newest favorite song! Yay! [dancing resumes]

QUOTED

2012-09-13T10:00:00.000-07:00

L.A. IS HOME

2012-09-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Happy one year in L.A. to me!

2012-09-11T12:18:00.000-07:00

I was home alone this weekend which led to watching lots of Kardashians with Gus (what can I say, he LOVES those girls) and somehow ended up watching Friends on Nick-at-night for the first time in probably 5 years. It made me realize that I need to watch the entire series again, because unlike the first time i was watching it in 1997, I can now completely relate to it. As in.. I am fairly sure some of this show is based on my life in New York.

I loved becoming an adult in New York, but it is such a unique place to grow, and live on your own for the first time. It is so cheesy but anytime I run into post- New Yorkers here in LA, it never fails to come up in conversation "once you live in New York..." and it is true. once you live there, you can make it anywhere. (Talk about a great way to set up expectations for the rest of your life, everything was easy after 25!)

I moved to Los Angeles one year ago as of tomorrow. I spent one last September 11 in NYC, and visited the still in-progress new tower, and sent all of my positive wishes for New York into the universe.

I Love You NY,

Thank you for making me who I am and for being so wonderful.

Happy Friday

2012-08-31T12:26:00.000-07:00

It has been the kind of week where you need a weekend just to sleep and catch up with life. It has been a busy one, but here are some of the highlights that I caught via phone photo.

[ matching sharpies & post-it notes. its the little things ]

[ prepping for Fashion Week & Fashion's Night Out ]

[ Hot date at the Santa Monica Pier ]

[ our friends The Gumbo Brothers performing at the Twilight Concert Series ]

[ an extra snuggly puppy + my favorite jeans ]

MERRY

2012-08-20T16:39:00.002-07:00

There are few things better than magical twinkly nights full of little boys in fancy clothes and friends celebrating love.

BACK FROM THE DEAD

2012-08-10T12:01:00.001-07:00

I have literally nothing to report from this week.
Monday-Wednesday have been pretty much wiped clear from my memory, just a few groggy flu bugish snippets of either a boy or puppy cuddling me in bed.

I did attempt to go in to work on Wednesday morning.
the universe sent me back to bed right quick with an earthquake that shook downtown LA and evacuated our building. Marching up and down the 2 flights of stairs in 90 degrees was too much for sick Becky, so I turned around and went right back to bed.. for the rest of the day.

The best, brightest part of the whole week was accidental video feed on a planned Skype date. Nothing nothing nothing in the world cheers me up like seeing my girls laughing happy faces.

I made a giant pot of chicken soup, which I ate one bowl of, I cant even look at it now.

I am back to work today for a few hours, I am already feeling droopy, but I had to get out of the house for awhile, I was starting to get a little crazy. There are only so many Kardashian episodes that one girl (and dog) can watch in a day.

Have a wonderful weekend, don't forget to take your vitamins.

And for any other ex-New Yorkers

FINALLY FRIDAY

2012-08-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

My boyfriend is hosting the 'pre-party' of a friend's bachelor party at ours tonight.

I told him that my only rule is no strippers in my closet.

I don't want them touching my shoes.

(There won't be any strippers.)

& to share:

a few phone-photos from my week.

Have a beautiful weekend.

[my sweet baby sleeping & my dream scooters]

[my mini & it's twin-ie. ha]

THANKS MOM

2012-08-02T11:08:00.001-07:00

I just had a conversation with my Mom, asking her to ship me my tutu.

Because I can't live with out it.

And yes, I am almost 27 years old.

My life is unbelievably awesome.

STUPID S*** I HEAR AT MY FASHION JOB // 01

2012-08-01T11:22:00.005-07:00

One of my favorite / least favorite thing about my job is that I overhear some of the most amazingly stupid things, ever.

I am constantly entertained / horrified by the things that these fashion girls come up with. (If i haven't told you the glass eyeball story yet, please ask, that one needs to be told in person)

One day I will collect them into a book or something, but they are just too good not to share now.

Overheard on the shuttle last week

"Well mom, I am just having a really hard time finding a dog airline" ...
"Seriously, it seems like there are no airplanes just for dogs."

I bet it WOULD be hard to find a dog airplane. I hope she works that out.

DOOR COUNTY

2012-07-30T11:46:00.000-07:00

Last week I spent a long weekend in Door County, WI with my boyfriend and his family. We had an amazing time swimming in Lake Michigan, reading, eating, and relaxing, I didn't even bother turning my phone on all weekend. It was the first time in at least a year when we went OUT for ice cream and didn't make it at home, It's the little things.

I loved being back in the Midwest for a few hot summer days.

On another note, today I am designing invites in Chinese.

I have no idea what they say.

Fun stuff.

[ridiculous rental - perfect for blaring 80's music with the top down]

[this goat lives on top of a restaurant]

[beautiful rainbow handmade glassware]

[vintage hand-painted Chinese dishes]

[Lake Michigan]

[hot summer day]

[fleures]

IF YOU DON'T LIKE GAY MARRIAGE

2012-07-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

In light of all of the recent Chick-Fil-A spotlight/dissapointment, I thought I might share some encouraging information that I found.

A former target addict, I stopped shopping there two years ago when the company donated $150,000 to fund Tom Emmer, and anti-gay politics. I was very pleased to read that in June, Target donated 100% of earnings from a "pride" t-shirt sale, AND now sells a line of greeting cards, specifically for same-sex marriages.

I am not sure that all is forgiven, but I am glad to see that Target is taking steps to make things right.

Now if only the chicken place would learn.

Can't we all agree that everyone deserves to love whomever they choose and let it be?

2012-07-27T12:12:00.000-07:00

This week has been a whirlwind, vacation, travel, a very busy 3 day work week, earthquake, dinner parties, and tonight, the Olympics Opening Ceremonies, which are recording now in order to watch with friends at home later. [I hope they are recording anyway, the technologies of our television system thingie is sometimes beyond me]

Hope your weekend is wonderful, and relaxing!!

Also, check this guy [Mark Jenkins] out, he makes beautiful art with packing tape, trust me, it is amazing!

CHANGE THE WORLD

2012-07-26T10:11:00.002-07:00

MEET MISS SUBWAY

2012-07-25T14:35:00.000-07:00

[Left:Thelma Porter, Miss Subways of April 1948, the first woman to integrate a beauty contest in America via ETSY]

I just stumbled upon this fantastic article on Etsy, focusing on the 'Miss Subway pageant' which began in New York in the 40's. There is a book in the works and you can donate to the project here.

Also, here is a video featuring former Miss Subways. who knew that this was a thing!? Oh New York, so full of quirky surprises.

SMART CAR

2012-07-20T09:00:00.000-07:00

Frustratingly Hilarious.

I am off to Wisconsin!
Have a great weekend.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BE LISTENING TO // Imagine Dragons

2012-07-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

Imagine Dragons // Continued Silence

Continued Silence is Imagine Dragons' debut release, and it is excellent, especially for a first go.

It is also 1 million times better than this 'call me maybe' song everyone in my office is listening to.

Enjoy, you can thank me later.

SEASONAL FRUTAS & VEGGIES // L.A.

2012-07-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

We are so spoiled in California, we have amazing local produce all year long, but there are seasons when things taste better than others. Strawberries for example, are out of this world in May... the farmers markets have tons of varieties and tasting them all to find your favorite is the best part. We have also been eating tons of heirloom tomatoes, perfect with fresh buratta and basil.

Check out what fruits & veggies are in season [in Los Angeles] here.

CHICKEN SOUP

2012-07-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

Chicken soup is one of my favorite things to make.. it is practically impossible to screw up. I typically make it when one of us isn't feeling well, there is something so comforting about warm homemade soup.

I usually just throw in whatever veggies we have in the fridge along with carrots and celery [which i hate. ew] This batch had 1 giant onion, potatoes, and italian parsley. I also freeze the leftover rinds from cheese and add those as well.

I season with salt and pepper, rosemary, bay leaves and thyme.

really what it comes down to is patiently waiting, which is hard to do when your entire house smells like hot deliciousness.

[the parts I pick out]

[pretty neutrals]

WEEKEND FOREVER!

2012-07-16T10:54:00.000-07:00

How is it possible that the weekend is over already? I swear we must have forgotten a day in there somewhere. Fortunately, it was spent in [my opinion] the best way possible.. multiple naps, breakfast on the roof, lounging in the sun, plenty of time to hula hoop, cuddling, and sunshine.

Saturday was a productive yet lazy day at home, our only ventures into the world being the dog park and dinner down the street.. while Sunday we scootered to Venice for a street fair, the beach, about 1 million tourists, and a new favorite restaurant.

[street fair]

[Venice Beach]

[great barware]

[windsock]

[playa]

[Gus kiss - close up]

[dinner]

GREEN THUMBLESS

2012-07-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

Wow, this guy is almost as good at caring for plants as I am...

Enjoy your weekend!

BIRTHDAY PIE

2012-07-12T10:31:00.000-07:00

I made my mom pecan pie for her birthday. I was surprised by the short list of ingredients as well as the insane un-healthiness of this pie. It may be the most sugary-sweet thing I have ever baked! Turns out, we like sugary-sweet. YUM.

// Make your Mom a pie with this recipe.
// Make life easy, cheat with a frozen gluten free crust from Whole Foods.

[before]

[after - only just a tiny bit brown on top, still very edible!]

WEEKEND ADVENTURE

2012-07-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

While my Mom was in town we went hiking at Charmlee Wilderness Park which is one of my favorite hikes. You can't beat the ocean view on a clear day. We were glad not to have Gus along on this adventure, because a super confidant coyote kept crossing our path. His lady was hiding nearby, but must have been feeling shy because we only saw her briefly. I love being reminded of just how close the wilderness is here.

I'm not sure if it was the haze or if it was just because my camera lens was dirty or something, but all of my photos had a soft blurry ghost effect. It made everything look dreamy and magical.

[beautiful view of Malibu]

[wildlife]

[purple dream flowers]

More photos after the jump.

[stairs to a home that has been gone for years]

[texture]

[Mom]

[glowing pod plant]

[Charmlee 1953]

[sweet message]

["Hi!"]

CHEERS

2012-07-10T11:05:00.000-07:00

my mom came to LA this past week to celebrate her birthday and to give us both a much needed vacation. We spent most of our days eating (oysters, sushi, pie, fajitas) but managed to squeeze some shopping, hiking, and beach days in there as well. I love having my Mom around, we have such a great time together.

Happy Birthday Mom, come back soon!!

The Trevor Project is an amazing organization that provides crisis prevention services to lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth. I was thrilled to spot this inspiring artwork in CB2, which is now a corporate partner of the Trevor Project. I love being part of a city that is so bright, positive, and progressive.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BE LISTENING TO // The Shins

2012-07-09T11:24:00.002-07:00

I love...

The Shins // Port of Morrow

so should you.