For The Love of Liz Lemon

This is something I can definitely sink my teeth into...literally!

[via craftzine]

I make a mean Liz Lemon impression. Chris on the other hand, makes a mean Joey Potter impression. Two peas in a mean-crooked-smile pod.

:)

Shoe Party

I'm happy to say that our home is a relatively "clutter free zone". But! One current trend seems to be copious amounts of shoe pairs cluttered up in our living room. 

Um, I think it's time to give those Vans the boot!

Chris started this and I, for some reason, have followed suit. 

What kind of clusters do you (or your partner in crime) subconsciously create in your home?

Rolling With The Homies

Earlier this week, I engaged in a bit of small talk with an older woman sitting next to me at In & Out Burger, while we were waiting for our respective 'to-go order numbers' to be called out. Topic? Earthquake weather and purses. I know...sounds ridic but I somewhat believe in such a thing as 'earthquake weather' and right now, it's the talk of the town.

In my last post I mentioned the eerie summer temps hitting the southland, but this week, we were hit with rainy-chicken-pot-pie weather. I'll take that..with a side of hot chocolate...no, no better yet, champurrado! Shoooot..I even thought about pulling the snuggie out of hibernation. The rain called out for my fav boots (in the hunt for a new black pair...tips are welcomed!) So, the boots officially came out of the closet and I completely forgot about this neato tip I spied over at Deliciously Organized a few months back.

Rolled up magazines tucked in boots help these babies stand at attention! Another storage solution for my ancient magazines I just can't bare to throw out....just yet...cross my heart.

Hangin' With Mr. Cooper

File me under cuckoo bananas but I want a Chicken Crib!

how cute is this?!

From day one as an official homeowner, I declared a desire for a chicken coop in our backyard. Chris rejected the idea in a flash but I'm still for it. Not too long ago my in-laws found a homeless chicken in their backyard (and they live no where near farm life...nor do we). The chicken has since taken up dual residence in their yard along with their neighbor's yard. I guess you can say I've been living vicariously through my in-laws, er, squattin' chicken. Anyhow, last night I came across this landscape architect's neato coop design.

just a couple of hipster hens

Here's the thing, as a youngster I spent the entire summer (clap clap clap clap) deep in the heart of Mexico, with the fam. To keep my sisters and I occupied, we'd adopt a couple of baby chicks (sometimes ducklings). We'd raise the little guys, have them race against each other, hide them in the closet and scare the bejesus out of our aunts until it was time to fly back to the states. Oh the nostalgia is killing me!

How about a little game of marriage ref? Coop or no coop?

No Boys Allowed

Like many early generation Y'ers, I spent most of my 7 year old days idolizing Punky Brewster...not only for her jazzy style or sunshine hair bands, but for her super-fly tree house. Alas, my backyard tree house days consisted of the living room and a queen size bed sheet draped between one end of a couch and a leather recliner.

But enough of my jibber-jabber, take a look at this itty bitty lodge.

I'd say that's a mighty fine example of a graduated tree house. 

Show of hands, who in blogland grew up with their very own tree house? Was it everything you (and I) thought it would be? 

Floral Arrangements

As we all swoon over the latest issue of Lonny, I can't help but to blame the online magazine for germinating granny-loving floral condition.

Case in point...

I'm gushing over the paver design below despite the fact that I would like to go all Super Mario Bros on it and blast some flower power. 

Sorry Chris...but I've been stung by the flowery design bee. :)

psst. don't think I wasn't going to mention page 167! one day Oscar's room...one day. 

I'll Drink To That!

I must have been wearing luckypants last week because my bacon loving heart won The Brick Cottage's Mad Men-esque cocktail glass giveaway!

Before Chris and I unwrapped the goods over the weekend, Karrie included a lovely handmade note inside. Isn't she just too cute for words?!

Our new drinking buddy nests on our new vintage coffee table and made it home just in time for Mad Men night.

Thanks again, Karrie!

Going Mad

I hope our guests weren't too peeved by my whispering throughout last night's Mad Men season premiere episode. Seriously, I could not stop gushing over that beautiful caramelized orange button tufted couch every time it made an appearance. 

What I wouldn't give to be Pete Campbell's butt in that scene. I know what you're thinking...furniture groper. What can I say? I love touching furniture. 

And then there was Roger's Nesso lamp sitting on his tulip office desk. Which is also available in orange, btw.

But it was the scene below that sent Chris' eyes and mine to meet.

I want that dividing wall square pattern...painted...in our master bedroom walls...well just on one wall. 

Anyone else going mad?

Two Girls, One Pup

Don't let the ill title fool you, this post is rated G as in Girrl, you did this all by yourself?!

A few days ago, I offered to help my friend Annel assemble a cargo-load of Ikea bedroom furniture for her new digs. I've experienced countless hours of abstruse illustrated instructions in my life, not to mention imma pro working with their "z" shaped allen key, so what better time than now to expose the 'Rosie the Riveter' in us both.

Exhibit A: Hopen bed

It was smooth sailing assembling the base until half way through the booklet, we realized we needed an adjustable wrench...which we didn't have. So the buck stopped here:

Fast forward, with wrench in hand, and we were hoppen'.

The only other hardship endured, was the fact that I could barely get my gangly self in a comfortable working position.

Exhibit B: Mavas Entertainment Center

This doodad had three times as many puzzel pieces to put together. We never planned to imitate Paula's Abdul's 1990 billboard hit, "Opposites Attract", because we were literally going two steps forward and two steps back for an hour on the piece pictured below. 

(aye!)

The remaining 14 steps were a one-way street and did not involve any disassembling of parts.

And now for the pup.

::Kobe::

As far as I know, the furniture is still intact. ^_^

That's Gold, Jerry! Gold!

Don't hate me, but I am one of the few people who hasn't watched an episode of Glee. I know...I live under a rock. Lets just say I'm avoiding any jr high flashbacks as I was part of an experimental choir/dance* group in the mid 90's [insert cringe here].

I may not be a watcher just yet, but I'm definitely a supporter. Over the weekend we filmed a friend's Glee audition tape, and as soon as I heard "Gold Digger" was on the performance list, I insisted we film in Oscar's Room.



Not too shabby.

Phil indubitably has bona fide moxie. And on that note, lets all take 5 seconds and vote for him here. 

[*btw, we were called "Glitz"]

Give It Away, Give It Away, Give It Away, Now

I've been feeling a bit under the weather lately, ergo home projects have been on snooze control. Nevertheless there are some primo giveaways currently in (blog) motion which has turned my Monday frown upside down. 

Such as the Layers of Meaning giveaway hosted by Push the Envelope (I'm gunning for the Graphic Thank You cards...one can never have too many merci cards on deck. Can I get a hallelujah on that note?)

Or my Jem Sarah over at Russet Street Reno whose giveaway will provide a ray of light in any room because she is truly, truly, truly outrageous when it comes to diy'ing.

La Dolce Vita is giving away a custom 5x7 area rug by FLOR. Uh huh you read it, FLOR! The Uh Oh Orange shade is to die for (in my book).

And last but not least, SmilesFromMel (one of my new fav blogs) is giving away heaps of fun including a trio of some of her breathtaking photos from abroad.

Now if you'll excuse me, my spoon full of sugar is calling.

I've seriously been downing homemade vegetable soup for days now! Just like mom used to make. 

Would You Be My Friend If...

...I carried this lunch bag to work every morning?

via: swiss miss

My owl obsession is growing like a weed.

It's almost Friday and I'm in love!

(Not So) Good Vibrations

I'm not gonna lie, I'm shaking in my boots. We West-coasters have had quite the earth stir these past few weeks and I am not a fan. I'm a weenie when it comes to earthquakes...and thunder...and roller coasters. My heart races, my eyes scan the room for any structural damage, I dart for Chris...and then the cat. I'm hypervigilant for the next few hours until I either fall asleep or get distracted by another task.

Today's earthquake felt like a waterbed; moving to and fro. Luckily there was no damage. But that wasn't the case a few weeks ago when a 4.4 magnitude hit at 4:04am (coincidence!?). We woke up to the sound of glass breaking. There I was lying in bed thinking of all the possible items that may have fallen.

Such as the countless number of vintage soda bottles.

Or this 'old-timey-sports' crew of Kessler whisky filled figurines. 

A pair of 1984 political party decanter memorabilia filled with kentucky straight bourbon whisky. 

They make great bookends, no?

Or perhaps one of the many Jesse LeDoux framed art prints (which had yet to be hung) scattered throughout our home.

Turns out, those lil asian porcelain figurines were the only catastrophe (pictured in the lower right corner of the above photo).

Thank goodness neither of them were filled with any sort of hard alcohol. We don't drink, but our decorations sure do. 

Today's Motto

::via Kitty Genius::

True that.

Peep Folks and Fun

Every year the Washington Post hosts a Peeps Diorama contest guaranteed to tickle your funny bone. The challenge? Recreate an illustrious scene using the barnyard gelatins. Extra peep-points for pun filled schticks.

::click here to view the top 40 finalist slideshow pics::

Peeptacular, no? So every year I tell myself, 'I'm gonna enter this year.' But I never do...until this year...well sorta. I narrowed it down to two scenes...Peep-peep-Longstocking or McPeepland. I have a thing for Grimace, so McPeepland sealed the deal.

I know we've all made a diorama at some point in our elementary school days, but I don't recall it ever being this onerous! Below is a picture of what I was trying to accomplish:

And here is what got done:

It took me the entire weekend just to get the peeps ready for dress rehearsal. The deadline for photo submission was March 1st (wah). I'm telling ya, next year, I'll be ready. Seriously. 

Seriously.

Carpet(bac)teria

It comes to no surprise to our friends and family that Chris and I are a couple of germaphobes. And when I gawked at this, I was attracted to the Dirty Dishes collection instantly.

::E-coli::

Always wash your hands before eating. Always.

Blog Love 2

Earlier this week some of my favorite bloggers granted our lil blog with the following humbling award.

A million thanks to Little House on the Corner, Thrifty Little Blog, Russet Street Reno and just added House Notes! The quartet of lady bloggers are creative, spunky and wads of fun. And without a doubt, they are on almost everyones blogroll.

Now as the story goes, listed below are ten things you may or may not have known about us.

1. I'm Mexican...and I grew up in East Los Angeles and somehow managed to come out with my eyebrows intact and sans the accent.
2. Chris and I began dating soon after we met in Biology 101 class on the beautiful campus of Cal State Fullerton almost 10 years ago. 
3. I didn't announce our engagement (to anyone!) until a full week after the proposal (I wanted to enjoy this blissful time without the zillion questions a bride-to-be is engulfed with as soon as there is a tangible diamond ring on her finger).
4. Chris is currently taking a woodworking class. (!!!)
5. He also surprisingly baked a Chococat cake for my birthday one year.

6. Chicken on the bone scares me. I can't deal with any meat on any bone. Boneless all the way, baby!
7. Our college graduation party was held in a bowling alley. 
8. People have often mistaken Chris and I as brother and sister. 
9. Ten months into our engagement we secretly tied the knot. No I wasn't with child though the rumors flared up like a hemorrhoid. A month and a half later we had the best post wedding reception at Park Ave with all our friends and family.

10. And we designed our own marriage announcements.

We are just a couple of odd balls...who pose with cupcakes. ^_^

I would like to tag the fabulous award to the following bloggers who inspire me with their salivating decor, home design and daily finds.  I urge everyone to check them out during your relaxing three-day long weekend! 

Chez Larsson

Retro Renovations

Jenn Ski

2 Modern Design Talk

Design * Sponge

Making It Lovely

The Inspired Room
MadeByGirl
deedee9:14
The Yellow Front Door

Farewell Oh Nine

One of the best things about having my own place is the ability to party like it's 1999! Tonight we are hosting our very first NYE dinner party shindig with a few close friends. We've only hosted a few get togethers this past year; mostly because I thought our house wasn't quite ready for its debutante ball. Is it ever too late to throw a housewarming party...say a year and a half later? Oh well. Only recently I realized our home will most likely never be "ready" but always a "a work in progress." 

I will be cooking all day today (wish me luck!) and incase I pull a Monica (remember the Friends episode where Monica caters her parents party and a glittery blue press-on nail fell in the quiche batter ruining the entire tarts? Her mother then pulls out frozen lasagnas from the freezer in case when she screws up aka 'pull a Monica'?) Well, I've got a couple of Digiorno pizza's in the freezer just in case.

Is it crazy to bake a dessert I've never made before?? Probably, but I couldn't resist not to try out this delicious-to-my-eyes recipe via SmittenKitchen. 

                                          ::image via smittenkitchen::

I hope everyone out in the blogosphere has a safe and happy night! Let's make twenty-ten be the best year yet!

Sick Days

A late post for a late week with a justifiable reason. A locust by the name of 'food poisoning' attacked my immunity and left me on bed rest for the past 3 days. 

Looks like I will be sitting this one out, baby Jesus. But, right before the regurgitations, Chris and I were blessed with not one but two of these bad larrys.

The full monty (and backstory) next week!

Happy Holidays!