Thank You

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the hoopla of the holidays, but Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday for a couple of reasons: there’s no gift giving involved and it’s about recognizing what you’re thankful for in your life.  The food factor doesn’t hurt either, and this year I’m pretty lucky to have two Thanksgivings to celebrate with two sides of my family.  Also, my brother-in-law and his fiance’ have been cooking up some Turkish meals that are to die for, and I’m getting my palate ready for our trip to Turkey next May.  I’m a pretty lucky lady and I have a lot to be thankful for: my health, my work, all of you that read this blog, and of course:

A superstar husband

My family

So many amazing friends and equally amazing memories

And plenty of good meals.

Weekend Revelry

My mom came to LA from Houston for a visit and as always, her visit was way too short.  We packed a lot in including two dinner parties, shopping, and a big blowout at my brother’s place.  It was one of those magical weekends where you lose all sense of your responsibilities and just let go and enjoy the present.  Actually, that’s what the next couple of months seem to be all about.  It’s like the holidays begin around Halloween and end at the beginning of January, and during those months there’s a lot of lackadaisical business going on.  For me, these months are really inspiring and I tend to get a lot of creative things done.  Hopefully that remains the same this year…Some scenes from the weekend:

Farmers’ Market at the Grove.  It can be overwhelming because there are way too many food decisions to make.

We went with fish tacos, my favorite food in the world.

Mom was happy with them.

We hit up Anthropologie afterward and my sweet mom bought me this gorgeous oversized ring and two notebooks.  I can never have enough blank notebooks, or any kind of stationary.

My hubs and I took my mom to Mustard Seed for breakfast.  I never tire of this spot.Darryl had the breakfast sandwich recommended by our friend James.  It was mind blowing.

I had the chilaquiles verdes.  This is by far my favorite thing to eat for breakfast, but it’s hard to find good ones.  These were pretty decent, especially for a restaurant that doesn’t specialize in Mexican food.  I ate so much food this day that my back started to hurt.

We went to my brother’s apartment and I was totally impressed with his landscaping skills. My brother is a Merchant Marine and he soars the high seas to Alaska quite often.  He found this whale skull and walrus jaw and had them sent home.  Amazing, no?  Every time I see the whale skull I can’t stop staring.

Went to our “Aunt Jan’s” house for dinner one night.  She has a pretty awesome collection of quilts that I admire every time I visit along with antique objects that she finds in random places.  I love the horse head hanging on the wall.  She stuck an apple in its mouth and it looks even better.

I stopped by Whole Foods today and totally freaked out when I saw these Halloween cupcakes.  I wanted the Cookie Monster.

Clear Intentions

I am not a huge follower of astrology, but I would say that when Mercury is in retrograde things can get a little crazy up in here. Emotions are in full swing and I blame everything on the planets.  Well, almost everything.  I used to read a random astrology website on the first of every month, but when the highlights started to revolve more and more around real estate I got bored.   Today an email from Star Pathways was forwarded to me, and apparently Mars has entered Leo (that’s me) for 8 months.  It goes something like this: “It generally stays in one sign about 8-9 weeks, so this is a long time. Mars here is very fiery and dynamic. It wants to move forward. But if you don’t know where you are going, you may end up someplace else. Do you have a clear picture of what is up next for you? Do you have a plan? Are your intentions clear as to the next phase of your life~whether personal or professional? Are you excited about where you are headed?”  Man, I am feeling the pressure here.  I am definitely a planner and I’m excited about where I’m headed, so let’s hope the path stays clear.  Below, some awesome images to give me some clear intentions.

Mariah Robertson (via madrepadre)

Leslie David (via madrepadre)

Today and Tomorrow (via madrepadre)

Tiger Lily and Tiny Teeth (via madrepadre)

Weegee (via My Best Fred)

Sherry & David Benjamin (via My Best Fred)

Soneron (via madrepadre)

Love All Around (via madrepadre)

XOXO

The past couple of weeks were spent working and visiting friends in New York and Philadelphia, running around like crazy and taking in every ounce of greatness that both cities have to offer.  The last five days were spent in Philly hanging out with one of my best friends, Hollie.  She is truly one of the most inspiring people I have ever met and I miss her terribly, but California’s loss is Philadelphia’s gain.  I hadn’t been to Philly in almost ten years, and this time around I got to explore parts I had never been to.  The days consisted of lots of great shopping, way too much eating, and a whole lot of dancing and gossiping.  I can’t wait to go back.

Hollie!

California Dreamin’

Sundays are my favorite day of the week.  I always feel refreshed and completely ready to take on the world when I wake up early on a perfect L.A. Sunday and start my day.  That sounds so Mr. Rogers, I know, but I’m a total morning person and I LOVE it.  I woke up last Sunday and hit the Rose Bowl with my friend Nina and spent close to four hours shopping and wishing I had unlimited amounts of cash to burn.  If you’re a flea market shopper, you know that sometimes the best flea markets can be an absolute hit or an absolute miss.  This one was a hit.  After leaving Pasadena, we headed back to the hood and had coffee and tea at Casbah Cafe’, the most charming cafe’ in Los Angeles.  Inside, it feels as if you were dropped off at a bohemian paradise that’s part Morocco, part Paris, and part Turkey.  The design aesthetic is both romantic and exotic, with huge chalkboard menus covered in boulangerie style type. Delectable pastries and snacks are carefully arranged next to striped tote bags, since the cafe’ also doubles as a boutique filled with a well-edited selection of clothing, accessories, and home furnishings from far-flung corners of the world.  Just looking at how perfectly merchandised everything is from the food to the furnishings makes me happy.  It’s a neighborhood gem that I cherish.

At the Rose Bowl: This vendor always has the best selection of random furnishings.  It’s like he raided an abandoned department store, movie theater, farm, and hotel 40 years ago. Nearly everything is awesome.

Like these old hotel key rings, for example.

This guy was serious biz with his Navajo-ness.  So good.

Hand beaded moccasins.  I’ve come across these a few times, but never in these cool colors.

I really wish I would have bought this insane collage.

Heart.

The lovely Nina

And then on the way out I saw this:

A 1974, 4.5 Mercedes Benz.  The extended version.  My dream ride.

I think I was made for this car.  The owner offered to take my picture while sitting in the driver’s seat.  I was afraid that I might steal it, so I declined.

July Lust List

Are you one of those people that celebrates your birthday all week?  As vain as it sounds, I am definitely one of those.  Once you make it past 30, you deserve to celebrate for a week.  On the agenda: beach, horseback riding, roller skating party, cake, tacos, more cake.  Yes, I am pretty much still a child.  These are a few things I’m lusting after.

Clara Bag by M.Z. Wallace.  This will be arriving soon.  Happy Birthday!

Alexandra Cassaniti’s black patent leather wedge – perfect for summer.

Alexander Wang onesie

Family book by Lauren Dukoff

Repetto “Jackson” shoe.  I never get tired of black patent leather.

Audible Visions CD mixed by Ill-Studio and Alexis Le-Tan.  I can’t wait to get my hands on this. This song reminds me of Thrill Kill Kult and a little bit of Ministry – some good new wave and industrial mixed with the perfect dance beats. Check out the video below.