gypsycab

introducing the pretty bird shop

2011-03-03T15:42:00.000-08:00

my little sister texts me the other day to tell me how much she likes some of my photos. she specifically referred to an album i call "this & that" on my fb page. so we had a lengthy text convo about art, photography, my "work", etc. it was sweet to have finally bonded on something other than memories of our childhood summers or family drama.
this was not the first time someone showed interest in my pics, a friend asked me to show some off at a gallery exhibit he was part of about a year ago. i was shy, and completely unaware that a non-professional photographer like myself could do such a thing, i was taken aback frankly. after having more and more kind peeps from a wide spectrum of life encouraged me to give it, whatever "it" is a try i was finally down. here we go...
alas i opened pretty bird shop on etsy to show and perhaps sell some of these random photos of mine. so far, no sales just views and one hearted item!

vogel house

2011-01-10T23:06:00.000-08:00

we have finally moved into what we call the new old house. new because it's what you call a place when it's new to you but old because well, it's an old 1940's-50's era home. we ended up falling in love with the charm of the place and made all final decisions to move on in. january first was the day we arrived, although it's only been a little over a week, for us it already feels like we've been here much longer. i think it's a good thing, as i type this i sit under a milk glass lantern above the built-in desk typing away on our mac desktop that is so similar in color to this beauty of a fixture. i dream of the many dinners, cozy nights and bright mornings that are ahead of us. each day both el esposo and i can't wait for the sun to set as we've missed every sunrise tucked away in our dark bedroom. you see, we have this big panoramic view from our living room and dining room windows. when the skies are clear we can see the golden gate bridge, the financial district, and the sutro tower. along with the sf view, we also get some of mt. tam and nearby marin. at night we doze off as the lights from the all the cities, and traffic begin to flicker and shine. it's quite a meditative state to gaze from above, in your cozy house on top of the hill. i bet rose and louie, the previous inhabitants, felt the same.

revisiting...mon anniversaire!

2010-12-29T10:27:00.000-08:00

it's long come and gone, but it was indeed a quiet, sunny and pleasant birthday. on december 16th i woke up and took a bike ride to berkeley where i went into guerilla cafe and had a light yet tasty birthday breakfast and coffee. continued riding through the berkeley hills, grabbed a red velvet cupcake at a nearby cupcake shop, then off to a manicure and pedicure session. arrived home to take my dog tuula for a nice long walk. finally got all gussied up in a warm sweater dress, tights and boots and went out to dinner with el esposo and brother-in-law. our final destination for the night was chez panisse, for the most decadent and beautiful birthday dinner. appetizers, main courses, wines, and desserts later we had very little energy to continue onward with the night. so we skipped the plans we had in mind beforehand and headed straight home. for once there were no crazy loud anything, no dancing, no bar hopping or night caps. tucked ourselves in and called it a night. nonetheless, a very delicious way to end the day.

relaxation. a mandatory Rx

2010-12-29T00:21:00.000-08:00

Doctor's orders. Relax. Well, not necessarily a doctor more like a dermatologist. But either way it's what I'm supposed to be doing, just relaxing. Forget about anxiety, tension, nervousness, anything that causes you to become overwhelmingly uneasy and stressed. Not an easy task when you are about to move and have a billion life things looming over your head. But it's a strange thing when you give up all control and even under tense situations, know that you must and should let go and ease up. Never really gave it much thought until now, but indeed I am a nervous, tense, freaky worry ward. It basically comes down to chill the heck out or...have your 'certain' problem become worse or not get any better. Major gripe or is it? Perhaps this is one of those cliche "everything happens for a reason" moments, maybe just maybe something so easy as relaxing could turn into a life changing situation. Perhaps years later I will be recounting state of events in my life and the turning point will kick in right about now, right where I learn how to relax and take life with a grain of salt. So help me Zen, I'm searching for you.

my christmas list

2010-12-15T13:07:00.000-08:00

on my third birthday. yes, santa was sort of there.

i'm getting quite tired of being such a good girl year after year and never reaping the benefits of such outstanding niceness. kinda feel like being naughty from now on. let's just say that santa is quite a bastard to me. always has been. but i do still believe in him. maybe just maybe i'll get what i want this time. if not, perhaps i will get these for myself, i suppose.

anyhow, these are the things i want...crossing my fingers and sending good thoughts to the north pole.

1. a Public bike

2. micro gem headphones

3. it takes a village SF poster

4. a red coat

5. sovereign flight cocktail hat

6. a pair of boots

7. this dress

8. a camera

9. tap dancing lessons and shoes

10. black apple paper doll book

just listing 10. the first 3 would make me really happy.

crappy day.

2010-12-14T21:01:00.000-08:00

my little helper, miss Purl.
the first ever smallbatch freezer, it was tiny. inside a gorgeous little pet boutique called Hazel & Gertie's.

i really have no other words to describe today. no eloquent, no witty, or otherwise. just crappy. the weather was a nightmare, just truly despicable. grey, wet and ominous. our house is and will be a bit upside down for the rest of the month as we are moving and have boxes, and craigslisters coming in and out. our move in day is january 1st, what a pain. but once done and finished i'm hoping that we don't move for a while and rather stay and nest in our new but rather old 1940's granny house up the hill.

not only are we moving our living residence but also our business where we process and store all things smallbatch is moving also. moving to a bigger, more efficient facility. yes, smallbatch is a big bitch (this is an ongoing inside joke at home) as it takes up so much of our energy and pretty much has consumed our every day lives for the past 7 years. nonetheless, it's growing and moving in ways we never dreamed it would. i remember the bowl, and i remember the client list(it was tiny) and i remember the struggles of starting this little business we call smallbatch which now is growing in staff as well. the early days were challenging but also so very exciting, everytime we had a new customer, positive feedback, picking up materials, even the pain. but with growth and success comes something that i won't dare explain, because it might come out in ways that might make me seem ungrateful or disenchanted. anyhow, back to the early days of this small business, el esposo and i knew that we couldn't stop dreaming and couldn't stop providing for our customers but we weren't sure why. just a natural inclination drove us to where we are today. from curating our first logo at home to working hard for our second logo ( i walked the graphic designers dog for a year in exchange!) to delivering pet goods on foot, train, and bike. all of these were only a handful of milestones in this journey. the journey of working for oneself...around the clock. in time i'm sure our responsibilities will lessen, but in the meantime i still don't get to see el esposo who's constantly away micro managing and making sure our little company functions and provides as it should. back to packing more boxes, wish us luck world. and perhaps a little more stability.

melancholy

2010-10-23T11:53:00.000-07:00

song list for this gloom stricken day...

mad world

naked if i want to

helpless

sweet jane

there is an end

influx of things.

2010-10-19T14:58:00.000-07:00

today has been a mash-up of thoughts, images, opinions and feelings that provoke a random stream of consciousness. a constant flow just filtering right into my mind.

now these are for your ears, listen...

beck, devendra, and MGMT covering Leonard Cohen's Sister's of Mercy

devendra banhart's autumn child

regina spektor's laughing with

nick drake's time of no reply

Mr.Blue

2010-10-05T23:06:00.000-07:00

I've said it once, I'll say it again: I love my cat. His name is Blue and he is the apple of my eye. A bit of a health scare has me vowing to do all in my power to keep him happy, healthy and safe forever and ever. I might add that he is the sweetest, best feline boy ever. The vet told me so, however I already knew that. Looooove that boy of mine.

arcade fire blues

2010-09-29T17:50:00.000-07:00

arcade fire is playing at the greek and i need two tickets for this sunday, part of a birthday gift. i'm kicking myself for not committing and buying them right away, now i'm on craigslist searching aimlessly for a pair. SOLD OUT. hopefully, the cosmos will align and help me out of this one. if i end up finding tickets, this will be my 4th time seeing these kids perform, and i must say every time has been special. come on craigslisters, email or phone me back! argh. anyhow, this band brings back a ton of memories and emotions. many nights involving their music...a bittersweet new year's eve, a raucous fun night, a serene night after stormy months. this would/will be a birthday memory. i hope it happens.

watch and listen...

lomo love

2010-09-02T13:28:00.000-07:00

home ec revisited.

2010-08-27T15:09:00.001-07:00

my sewing machine and station

yes, i joined a home ec class but this one is an online one. it's been way too many years since my last school home ec class and this time i'm hoping actually learn some useful crafty things. i have been meaning to use my sewing machine purchased in january and currently collecting dust for some time now(about 7 months to be exact). every time i turn the thing on and attempt to do something i'm instantly distracted, unmotivated and well just so lame. i say this because it's how i feel about quitting on the sewing dream i have, a dream consisting of everyday projects that will turn my world into a handy, crafty heaven! instead i collect all these "projects" i'd like to make one day that are collecting on top of my sewing machine , that i avoid looking at. well, that is hopefully all in the past because home ec has 25 projects for me to learn at my own pace with live chats and friendly support from three crafty ladies and a whole bunch of other home ec dropouts like myself that are attempting to redeem themselves or simply trying to learn new projects. so, here i go...dusting the machine taking a photo of it to post on the home ec flickr group and take off! wish me luck and cross your fingers people, maybe an actual push might help. thanks. let the sewing dream begin...

otsu recipe

2010-08-26T08:41:00.000-07:00

for dinner
for lunch...with some rooster sauce!

in japanese otsu means something strange, quaint, stylish, chic,,spicy, witty, tasty, romantic...delicious! the word otsu reminds me of the awesome store and publishing company called little otsu in san francisco. anyhow, i made this recipe yesterday and posted a photo of it on my facebook(i know, pretty lame) and a couple friends commented on how tasty it looked...and it was. another friend asked to share the recipe, so i have. right here! these noodles are slurp-tastic and perfect on a warm day.

this recipe came from 101 cookbooks which i'm really obsessed with:) i made some changes, added extra, omitted, or simply skipped.

otsu recipe (soba noddle salad)

the grated zest of 1 lemon

fresh ginger, cut into a 1-inch cube, peeled, and grated(i usually will freeze any leftover ginger to use later)

1 tablespoon honey

3/4 teaspoon cayenne
3/4 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup unseasoned brown-rice vinegar
1/3 cup shoyu sauce (wheat-free soy sauce) or plain soy sauce
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

12 ounces dried soba noodles
12 ounces extra-firm nigari tofu
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
3 green onions, thinly sliced (i used red onion, because that's what i had)
1/2 cucumber, peeled, cut in half lengthwise, seeded, and thinly sliced (or you can cut it into thicker pieces it worked for me)
1 small handful of cilantro sprigs, for garnish (i added extra cilantro because i really like cilantro!)
1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds, for garnish(oooops this time, i forgot to toast the seeds, but it worked just fine as well)

in a food processor (or use a blender) process these ingredients until smooth. combine the zest, ginger, honey, cayenne, salt then add the lemon juice, rice vinegar, and shoyu(soy sauce), drizzle in the oils and pulse to combine.

cook the soba noodles in lots of rapidly boiling salted water just until tender, then drain and rinse under cold running water to stop them from cooking.

while the noodles are cooking, drain the tofu, pat it dry, and cut it into rectangles about the size of your thumb (½ inch thick and 1 inch long). cook the tofu in a dry nonstick (or well-seasoned) skillet over medium-high heat for a few minutes, until the pieces are browned on one side( i drizzled some olive oil on my pan). toss gently once or twice, then continue cooking for another minute or so, until the tofu is firm, golden, and bouncy. yum!

in a large mixing bowl, combine the soba, the ¼ cup cilantro, the green onions, cucumber, and about ⅔ cup of the dressing( i added all the dressing this time because i really loooove this dressing). then you toss until well combined. you add the tofu and toss again gently. you then serve on a platter, garnished with the cilantro sprigs and the toasted(or untoasted) sesame seeds.

this dish serves a lot of people! it's great to bring to a party, picnic, or as leftovers for lunch the next day. i added some sriracha sauce, because i like things to have a kick no matter what i eat...i'm mexican.

88 was a good year: Big!

2010-08-25T09:09:00.000-07:00

1988 was indeed a good year for me. I was about 6 years old, my mom, older sister and I had just moved to california, my niece Karina was born (which meant i sort of got a younger sibling) and the movie Big with Tom Hanks was out. I was absorbing american pop culture and adjusting to all the new turns our little family was taking along with being shoved every movie I had missed while living in Baja right in my round little face. Mary Poppins, Airplane, E.T., Poltergeist, Raiders of the Lost Ark and such turned my sad little doe eyes bright with delight! Anyhow, enter the movie Big with Tom Hanks, introduced to me by my cousin Belinda who just knew that I would really like it being a much more mature little kid. She was right, even at that tender little age, I acknowledged the great acting skills, the magic, the story...the big apartment, no homework, pizza at all hours of the day, the trampoline! It instantly became one of my all time favorites. When finding a VHS copy for a buck recently, I was instantly smitten all over again with one of my all time favorite childhood movies. Back then 30 seemed so old but with 30 being just a few years away, it's safe to say that I'm permanently Big.

the baking machine.

2010-07-29T09:50:00.000-07:00

I stole these photos from the SF Food Wars page.

A month of planning, testing, eating, mixing, freezing, baking and competing have finally ended. I am left with oven burn marks on my hands and forearms, sleep deprived(have since recovered) and with plenty of flour, some left over butter, and everything else to bake a pie or two. The SF Food Wars' Pie or Die competition came and went and somehow I made it through. Team gypsycab(#13) fed 200 and some pie eaters, some of which came back for seconds and a few asked me to share my crust recipe. Bourbon? Oh I like bourbon! Was the ongoing reply to my bourbon and peach hand pies, although a few stayed away completely because of the bourbon content...and the bourbon and peach reduction squirted on top of each little pie piece! Anyhow, we(el esposo and I) found a friendly face among the crowd a good friend of ours miss Jeannine Giordan came by to support us and Jeannie Choe who is the founder/creater of sf food wars, and to eat pie of course. People really got creative with their pie creations, I only sampled a few but it was a nice array of sweetness. So, 20 pies later the winners were announced, one team won (twice) and poof! all done. We packed our gypsycab sign and leftover pie bones and headed to Kiji for some superb sushi intake. Did I mention it was windy as heck? Yet very sunny with rolling clouds, a perfect san francisco day I must say.

search for: gypsy cab

2010-07-19T10:34:00.000-07:00

This morning right before I flew out the door to run errands, I had a moment to brainstorm and gather ideas for some decorations. The SF Food Wars Pie or Die competition is this sunday and well, it feels like I'm going to die. While not literally, it sure feels like a heap of trouble. In addition to baking small hand pies for 230+ people I have to decorate the area where I'll be competing from. Yikes! Team gypsycab(my team name for this competition) sure needs some help right about now. So, back to this morning's brainstorming session...I searched for images of gypsy cabs in hopes of obtaining some inspiration to create a name banner but didn't find a whole lot, and then suddenly came across the two photos above. About a year ago I posted some items on my Etsy shop(gypsycab vintage) and sold several perfectly wonderful vintage goodies, among them was a darling white purse. It turns out that the gal who purchased this purse shared her purchase on her blog along with other pre-loved items that completed a very fashionable outfit. I'm glad that "the white purse" found a very glam home and lives on in full fabulousness, as it was saved from a sad life in a dark closet! No, I have not began or finished my banner or have any decorating ideas, perhaps the search for all things gypsy cab has just begun.

p.s. Dear world....If I ever attempt to compete at anything ever again, I sure hope that someone would please hold me back and tie me down. I. will. go. die. now. thanks.

one tired girl

2010-07-09T16:35:00.000-07:00

With the bustle and hustle of everyday life, we often find ourselves revving up on stimulants of sorts to get through our days. Coffee is an absolute must for me every morning and even though I've tried to ditch it, somehow I keep having my hot cup of joe come morning time. Besides that I pretty much don't rev up on any other energy boosters, well, perhaps the occasional sugary snack. Which takes me to a place in search for alternatives for my much needed energy. It goes like this....My body is searching for: the adequate strength and vitality needed to sustain my physical and mental daily activities, HELP! So with a little self talk I grabbed a bottle of daily vitamins, and supplements, a ginkgo tea(for memory, clarity and alertness), healthy meals, and lots of water. How about a long hot bath, some mindless t.v. and even a really good book at the end of the day? Throw in some exercise with my dog and plenty of rest, I should be good. But did I mention I picked up another part-time job and entered myself into a pie contest? This should be interesting!

a hymn for eva

2010-07-08T08:35:00.000-07:00

This beautiful hymn was written for baby Evangeline Simone. Amongst discussions regarding business, conflicts, and frustrations, she always grounds everyone around her. Specifically taming her father and uncle.

at least we have her
to bring us back to earth.
and vacate our minds from unearthly things like business and lawyers.
at least we have her to love the sky and trees
and remind us all we were once too, sweet little peas.
and much later, at last when we finally have the chance
we will thank her and praise her for that gracious reminder
she, without knowledge or expectation, bestows on us each day.
when we have forgotten everything and have nothing good to say
and we fight with our brothers and our wives and ourselves.
and we will sing evangeline thank you for being born
eva eva evangeline, thank you for that day.

written by a very proud uncle, David Vogel.

apron sweetness

2010-07-07T11:18:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I came home to a very sweet package in my mail. It was from Anna and Jake, who have been on a mission to raise funds for Jake's surgery and treatment(poor little Jake has mass cell cancer). I purchased the apron right away when I came across their blog a couple months ago and was touched...who am I kidding I was beyond touched, I cried my eyes out and frantically posted their blog info. everywhere and hugged my dog tightly. The apron is beautiful it has a real retro feel to it and it came with a really sweet note from both Anna and Jake. The Apron Campaign is still up and running, posting updates on Jake's treatment and recovery and still offers darling aprons for sale. By the way Jake is a sweet rescued cocker spaniel with a face that melts you to pieces. Time to bake and smooch on my dog like crazy.

two meals. one love.

2010-07-06T12:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, felt like a sunday instead of a monday. Perhaps it was the aftermath of 4th of july weekend and no work that made it feel that way. So David(el esposo) and I decided to use this time to catch up on things we never have time to do as a pair. Cleaning, organizing, backyard work, painting, shopping, building, making and cooking:) We stopped to grab some ingredients early in the day for lunch and dinner. I made tasty, juicy lamb burgers with an interesting avocado yogurt spread and my better half prepared a scrumptious and hearty savory bread pudding for dinner. Behold, both recipes....try them!

Lamb Burgers with Avocado & Yogurt spread

1 1/4 lbs. of ground lamb

2 cups of thinly sliced red onion soaked in ice cold water for 30 minutes(for crunch)

2 1/2 tbsp fresh mint chopped

1 1/2 tbsp minced garlic

salt and pepper to taste

1 ripe avocado

2/3 greek yogurt

thick slices of tomatoes and/or lettuce pieces

whole wheat burger buns or ciabatta rolls

mix the lamb, 2 tbsp mint, 1 tbsp garlic, salt and pepper and form about 6 patties (forming bigger patties will make about 4 smaller ones will form about 6)

grill em' or fry em' on a pan, i did about 2 minutes each side on high heat. toast your buns and make your spread. mash your ripe avocado into the 2/3 cups of yogurt, mix in the mint and garlic (1/2 tbsp of each)salt and pepper to taste, spread it on top of the patty and add your other fixin's (red onion slices, tomato, lettuce)Super easy, mega tasty!

Asparagus with Manchego Cheese Bread Pudding

1/2 loaf french bread , cut in small cubes (we used hearty acme bread)

1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 onion , diced

1 pint (2 cups) halved cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes

1 bunch asparagus , cut in 1/2-inch pieces on the bias (3 1/2 cups)

8 eggs (we used clark summit farm eggs...delicious and organic)

1 cup milk

1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

1 tsp. kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper to taste

1 cup shredded manchego cheese (oh, delicious spanish goodness!)

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
then place the french bread cubes in a lightly greased 13x9-inch baking dish.
Place the extra virgin olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes.
add the tomatoes and asparagus. Cook another 2 minutes, and then pour over the bread cubes in the casserole dish.
whip the eggs, milk, Parmesan cheese, salt and black pepper. Pour on top of the vegetable mixture. Sprinkle the Manchego cheese evenly over the top.

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Serve immediately!

pie dreams

2010-07-01T13:58:00.000-07:00

Easy as pie. Sweet as pie. Piece of the pie. Pie in the sky. All darling phrases that involve the ever comforting and scrumptious, pie. I am on pie time 24/7 since my recent competitor entry to the SF Food Wars "Pie or die" coming up on July 25th. Yes, I love eating pies mostly of the sweet variety but I do loooove baking pies! However, making itty bitty portions for pie-a-holic tasters and judges is a whole other thing. Enter my pie "mad scientist" state of affairs, I talk pie, read pie and have turned my kitchen into pie central. Practicing and preparing myself for pie mayhem. SO, from this point onward (at least until the competition ends) it's a pie or die kind of month for me.

p.s. prepare thyself for some peachy, flaky goodies a la mode...

she's so lovely: Florence + the machine

2010-06-25T10:45:00.000-07:00

It's been a couple of weeks of having a song so resonant and alive in my head, that I find myself singing it when I find the need to bust out some energy. The name of such a song is "Dog days are over" by Florence + the machine. The song is a power house of instruments from viola, violin, drums, piano, hand-clapping, back-up vocals and of course singing from Florence herself. Her voice reminds me of Kate Bush, gospel-like and big with heavy rock and soul undertones. Simply lovely and climactic it makes you wanna get up and shake your world upside down. Go ahead, take a peek. Play it loud.

SF summers = chilly toes.

2010-06-24T16:46:00.000-07:00

brrrr! my chilly SF view...

thank goodness for hot spiked drinks!

Ah yes, as Mark Twain once said "the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in san francisco" that statement is nothing but true. My first year of cold summer weather was a real bummer as I really missed my usual L.A. summer heat. I love hot sunny summers full of picnics, bike rides, barbecues, sun dresses, and sandals but living in northern california one must succumb and conform to the chill. Today's 53 degree reality has sunk in and made me realize that after all we do have indian summer to look forward to. Time to bust out the hot apple cider, mexican hot chocolate or perhaps a hot toddy. Whatever warm beverage I chose to prepare I know the most warmth comes from my furry companions. Off I go...Under the covers to snuggle with my brigade of pets is where I'll be. Warmth, how I crave you.

spiked apple cider

makes 2 cocktails

1 cup apple cider
2 cinnamon sticks
4 oz bourbon
1 Tablespoon cinnamon sugar

1. Warm the cider on the stovetop with the cinnamon sticks until it’s reduced to about half a cup. This should take about 15 minutes over low heat.
2.Pour the cinnamon sugar on a plate. Just barely dip the rim of your glasses in the cider, then dip it in the sugar.
3. Add the 2 oz bourbon to each glass and top with the cider.

4. Garnish each glass with a cinnamon stick and enjoy!

i run therefore i am

2010-05-19T09:03:00.000-07:00

There are many reasons people take up running. Mine are simple, my dog needs exercise as I do. This is something we do together which gives us time to bond and work on some basic behavior training along the way. Lets face it a tired dog is a really good thing, and the endorphins I get from it aren't bad either. Also, it's something I can do no matter where I am, just as long as I have a good pair of running shoes and the will to get up and get going. There's a funny thing that happens to me while running, it's the bopping motion that feels almost like my body is rocking itself and it's such a soothing feeling. I have fond recollections of being around 3 or 4 years old, once in a while my mother would pick me up in her arms and run to catch a cab or bus. That feeling of being up there in her arms and bopping up and down while seeing the world from that height was amazing. Certainly, getting up and forcing myself to go running isn't as easy as my up-in-mom's-arms story but once I get a rhythm and I know my dog won't be making any more potty breaks, it's on! The feeling of the wind touching my face, my lungs expanding as I take in air and exhale it, feeling my heart beat, my legs feeling stronger with every step, my arms swinging side to side with every stride, and the bopping motion combined make a perfect harmony. The cool down process is just as good, my body feels relaxed, calm, and cool. In sync, open and ready for whatever comes my way.

hooray, it's friday!

2010-04-23T17:30:00.000-07:00

Sunny friday, how I love thee. The spirit of TGIF is ringing loud and clear round here, and plans are certainly en route! Tomorrow's plans are making me feel quite silly and giddy with delight. A barn concert at one of my very favorite places on earth, Pescadero in Half Moon bay. A dreamy gorgeous little town on the coast is where all the fun will take place. At 4 o'clock the barn concert will have a hippie bus painting session, then music, BYOBBQ, then more music till' the wee hours of the night, under the bright, shiny, coastal stars. Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers is the musical act that's making me act so spunky, I'm a big fan and seeing them play "IN" Pescadero(my fav. place ever) is too much happiness to contain. They'll be playing later in the evening. On sunday, I'll be interviewing a very talented artist that I can't wait to meet and ask questions to. I can't imagine how it will go and what to expect but she's from Iceland and is probably the craftiest, friendliest, cutest thing around. So excited. Too excited. Happy friday and then some.

just another earthling.

2010-04-22T14:30:00.000-07:00

Like all other creatures living on earth, today I celebrate "Earth Day" the best way we all know how. We say "happy earth day!" to each other and all the other celebratory terms and things that go along with it. What does today actually mean? Why can't "Earth Day" be everyday? The awareness of being more "earth-friendly" has dramatically increased throughout the years specially now that this place we call "home" has had some serious troubles and are being ever-so-present in our lives. Global warming isn't the only subject that causes worry but it certainly is real and not sure it's getting any better. However, I do believe there is definite acknowledgement throughout but not enough to reverse the already present state we all find ourselves in. We are all in this together good or bad, it's how we manage to make things a bit better step by step or by making huge dramatic steps, anything helps I suppose. I have a list of things that I have changed in my life throughout the years that are completely different from the counter-productive and eco-damaging things I was brought up with unknowingly, of course. Awareness, changes, action, and doing it over and over again as much and as long as we can. Not sure things are irreversible but they can surely be better.

There's so much pollution in the air now that if it weren't for our lungs there'd be no place to put it all. -Robert Orben

There are no passengers on Spaceship Earth. We are all crew. -Marshall McLuhan, 1964

We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.

-Native American Proverb

Till now man has been up against Nature; from now on he will be up against his own nature. -Dennis Gabor, Inventing the Future, 1963

a kombucha a day...

2010-04-21T17:13:00.000-07:00

Kombucha(pronounced kom-BOO-cha) is my secret elixir. Not sure how secret it is as I talk about drinking it all the time and I'm either toting a bottle of it around or drinking from a bottle throughout the day. The list of reasons to drink this fermented elixir is extensive, some being are: supports digestion, the immune system, metabolism, liver function, anti-aging, cell integrity, and healthy skin and hair...wow. These are just some really great selling points, so good that almost daily I make a kombucha purchase. Perhaps kombucha holds a type of placebo effect on me, as I "think" I feel different after drinking it, suppressing my appetite, giving me good-feeling energy and makes my skin soft and clear. It's been about two months of drinking this stuff and perhaps it really is kicking everything into gear....vrooom! At first I really couldn't stand the taste, vinegary and with "live" clouds floating in it I was scared. However, like all things in life you gotta keep at em' if you really want to get used to something.

The brand I drink is called Synergy and the man who started this company (G.T. Dave) began bottling the super stuff after his mother's success drinking it during her battle with cancer. It's on the bottle along with a description of the wonders of kombucha. The dream team includes: active enzymes, viable probiotics, amino acids, antioxidants, and polyphenols. All which combined together are a kick-ass team to have on your side. Not sure exactly how all this works? Well, a holistic doctor or nutritionalist might have more insight than wikipedia or my personal story-tellings, but if you go and buy a bottle and drink it down, you can give it a shot and "ta-da!" see what it's all about. Meanwhile I have a collection of bottles to give to a friend who makes her own fermented elixirs...yeah, crazy.

tuesday escape exit.

2010-04-20T18:42:00.000-07:00

Alas, the weekend came and went like a bat out of hell. Managed to accomplish a multitude of tasks while spending some much needed time at home. Somehow, it's tuesday and I realize that the petty two-day break was hardly enough and I'm seriously dragging myself everywhere. So with these tuesday blues, and the gusty wind I carry myself to a much more fun, exciting, and relaxing rabbit hole/escape exit via some photos. I developed a few rolls of lomo shots this weekend and found some favorites that warm me up inside and keep my spirit cheerful and sustained...keeping things calm and cool while I wait for the weekend.

hooray, it's friday!

2010-04-16T12:42:00.000-07:00

Diana mini...get one
home inspiration by dottieangel
the critters... 2 of 3!

TGIF. Straight up. Even though I don't have any exciting plans, simply not having to be anywhere, nor rushing to get anywhere, and being able to sleep in makes today a fine day indeed. However, this does not mean I haven't a thing to do, because that I have tons of which I plan to tackle one at a time and like a bull. List includes, developing some film (some lomo shots I took with my DIANA mini), laundry, painting, mowing the lawn, cleaning the office, finishing DIY projects, and spending some good quality home time with the critters. Some new recipes I've been dying to try will be added to the list(both food and cocktail ones). If this seems boring, well... maybe it is for a conventional weekend roster, but for me this all sounds divine. It's dream-boat quality as I have not had a spare moment to enjoy the home front activities for some time. Call me mundane, I call this nesting!

paper crane wishes.

2010-04-16T12:33:00.001-07:00

I love origami! I'm good at folding certain shapes and even little dogs and cats but lately I've got cranes on my mind. For many reasons, one being that I love birds, the cranes hang nicely and they hold a certain serene effect on me. An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish. This belief makes them popular gifts for special friends and family. I really, want to make some in beautifully colored paper and hang then in my office or anywhere I need some uplifting. So get your folding on, make a thousand paper cranes or maybe just a handful. Do it, as hanging these little birds in one's home is thought to be powerfully lucky and awe inspiring as well(the folding of more than a few cranes can be quite a challenge!).

If you're a newbie at origami or simply aren't familiar with folding paper "cranes" click here for instructions and find origami papers at your local craft store. One more thing, make a wish after you've completed folding...one thousand cranes! Getting my wish list ready, this is gonna take a while.

all the many bus rides...

2010-04-15T16:02:00.000-07:00

Public transportation has become a big part of my weekly routine these days as I commute from one side of the bay to another. Transportation in the form of Bart(bay area rapid transit/train) and Muni(buses, trolleys, cable cars/streetcars) have become an everyday experience and "oh!" what an experience it is. Sometimes painful, hysterical, annoying, disturbing, scary, yet always keeping me on my toes and helping me move around without a car or my bike. The use of headphones really help to add a certain sparkle and diffuse some of the otherwise uncomfortable stares, situations, and such. It's almost as if the help of music makes everyone seem interesting who without the soundtrack would not be so inviting to your eyes. I refrain from reading as it causes me to become nauseated beyond belief, but a good tune aids in making the ride a far more exciting one or simply sedates that part of you that wants to...get the heck out! The train offers an array of characters and the stations always seem like you're in purgatory neither here nor there and the station agent's voice often sounds futuristic, cold, mechanical. Bus rides come in all different flavors, the 45 offers an interesting asian flair, with it's elderly pushing, shoving, and sometimes picking fights with another of their(elderly) kind. But in all fairness the torture only lasts a short time, it ends in chinatown. Besides the children on this line are very sweet and curious as I am. The 41 towards downtown is more on the touristy side with very little eye contact, people spread about with no one sitting next to each other unless they have to. The 22 is a moving asylum from hell, or it can be and makes for very good stories over dinner. I can go on but I won't as I have not seen it all in the public transportation area. I'll discover some new soundtracks and images to compliment each other, that I am sure of.

caravan happy.

2010-04-14T08:32:00.000-07:00

Perhaps someday I'll be a real gypsy and get myself a caravan. You know, the type of thing equipped to live in and is typically towed by a car and used on vacations? I would love for nothing more than to set up camp in some remote gorgeous outdoor setting and enjoy life the slow way. With nothing but fresh air, books, records to listen to, my dog, good ol' sunshine, big puffy clouds and glittery stars to tuck me in at night. Blame it on wanderlust setting in and the urge to fleet which is growing bigger and greater and with the caravan/camp idea embedded in my head, the traveling bug feels warmer and cozier. A home away from home feels like just the right thing for me. So, now I dream and search for this perfect gypsy home to call my own. There are many different caravan inspirations out there, and the great part is, you really can make it your own by adding that very personal touch that you create by being... duh...you. I really wish I had this home-on-wheels for April 24th, when I'll be heading down to Half Moon Bay for a wonderful day of gorgeous nature, awesome music (yes, Nicki Bluhm will be playing) bus painting, and barbecuing at a Pescadero Barn concert. Nothing better than some country fun. I simply cannot wait!

baby boom!

2010-03-23T10:49:00.000-07:00

Perhaps it is the economic recession or perhaps it is coincidence but these days it seems just about everyone is expecting a baby. My in-laws are awaiting the arrival of miss Eva and my work friend is awaiting the arrival of mr. Oliver. I wonder if during this economic strife, couples tend to worry less about material objects and objectives and spend more time living life and along with that comes making babies. Whatever it is, I'm happy to shop for baby gifts and anxiously wait to see what these lil' beans will look like, sound like and grow up to be. New friends, are coming my way.

happy hour magic: long vodka

2010-03-19T17:33:00.000-07:00

In San Francisco there is a bar with...a lone palm right smack in front of the place. The name of such place is of course, the Lone Palm. The bar is somewhat hidden between the crowded, hip spot that is the Mission District (valencia corridor to be exact) and Noe Valley. On 22nd st. you will find this place and if you're cool enough and have lived in the area this is where you tend to go. For happy hour, ringing in the New Year (as I have in the past) and to unwind from the bustling hood. The place is dark, cozy and they play silent films, generally the bartenders play awesome music and the drinks (they specialize in cocktails) are amazing. A rather pretty, rather charming gal by the name of Isla makes these funny drinks called "Long Vodkas" she swears they are popular in London where she began bartending(she's originally from scotland, just thought I'd throw that in!). Anyhow, these long drinks are just that, long, refreshing, and go down easy without being overly sweet or sugary. As myself and my counterpart always ask "what's in this Isla?" and "tell me more" the darling Isla wrote her secret down on a piece of paper. Yay! long vodka city here I come. Okay, I just finished my first one and contemplating my second as it was a hard days work of mowing my backyard lawn, crafting, cleaning, and lounging in the sun.

Here's a recipe for:

Isla's Long Vodka

-a tall glass full of ice

-2 oz. of vodka

-splash of rose's cordial

-a few spalshes of bitters

-1 oz. soda water

-1 oz. sprite (is used my own ginger lemonade/2 oz. and skipped both the soda water and sprite)

-lemon and lime (optional)

hooray, it's friday!

2010-03-19T15:10:00.001-07:00

poster by farouche

photo by thenewclotheshorse

With the sun being out and the warmth of the weather I couldn't be happier...and it's friday! So go on and be happy for no good reason, I say. I'll be mowing my lawn, drinking ginger lemonade and enjoying the sunshine.

p.s. I do believe spring is officially here.

flower power!

2010-03-18T19:04:00.000-07:00

Spring is most definitely in the air and around the corner! It's made it's presence in our back yard and I was instantly pinched by this with bright, beautiful flowers. Full blooms in yellow, orange, magenta, and pale white/blush tones, which I clipped at the stem to bring the spring spirit indoors. I can only imagine what the fashion and interior design world have in store for us all with beautiful floral and botanical inspired prints and such for us to adorn our lives with. I should get my super bright sneakers out to play...a bad shoe purchase that I'll share later. Hey, who can blame a girl for loving a pair of sneakers in bright yellow with Liberty fabric (in bright floral hues)? A lethal combo indeed. Yay for spring fever!

luck o' the irish.

2010-03-17T16:40:00.000-07:00

May you find a four leaf clover and a hefty pot of gold. Wish I was in County Cork Ireland, taking in all the beauty this gorgeously green and hilly land has to offer. Of course I would join the rest with a few pints of beer, some irish car bombs and all the irish ways!

meet: blossom dearie, cult chanteuse.

2010-03-16T08:22:00.000-07:00

get dearie's style on modcloth

piano inspirations on apartment therapy

I betcha you've never heard of Blossom Dearie. But if by chance you have and are a big fan, well congrats to you as you a very "hep" to the jive! Recently I came across this wonderful voice that was new to me as it was distinctly different, much like other jazzy-cabaret sounds but nonetheless, different. The melody was upbeat andfabulous, and the voice was incredibly girlish and it seemed too silly to be serious, which for me is completely perfect.

Blossom dearie, the jazz pixie with the little-girl voice, perfectly retro spectacles, buttoned up-sharp collar shirt wearin', wonderful piano playin' lady was the cabaret and nightclub sensation of the 50's and 60's. In 1952 she formed a vocal group, the Blue Stars of Paris and years later she moved to New York City to pursue a music career and began to sing in groups such as the Blue Flames (with theWoody Herman Orchestra) and the Blue Reys(with Alvino Rey's band) before starting her solo career. At this point she was walking among giants of that time, big names like Ella Fitzgerald, and Peggy Lee among other female jazz singers in the spotlight. But Blossom was the first to fuse cabaret and jazz together, she had a very independent spirit, kittenish voice, a singer/songwriter and managed to have her own record company which she named Daffodil Records. Among all the tremendously cool and whimsy work, Blossom's voice appeared in Schoolhouse Rock!(you know, the very cool children's educational series that makes you sing and learn?)her voice appeared in "Mother Necessity","Figure Eight"(one of my favorites) and "Unpack Your Adjectives". Her style was minimal and precise, fitting her voice just right, and leaving you feeling bouncy after listening. Since discovering Blossom Dearie I've been diving into her music trying to find everything she recorded or worked on and also being inspired by her style and ways. I've been searching for a piano for my house ever since my Blossom discovery. Because hittin' the piano keys is ever so uplifting, whether you're an experienced pianist or you know enough on the piano to make you feel that bepop thing Miss Dearie knew so well. Plus, I think we can all agree that a piano makes a fine accessory in any home, big or small.

missing: sleep!

2010-03-15T23:52:00.000-07:00

poster by ashleyg

Eeek! Lack of sleep made a zombie out of me throughout the day. Perhaps it was the time change, drinking coffee in the evening, bizarre dreams(better off not sharing!), the dog and cats running through the house during sleeping hours, or the fact that I had worn myself too thin with projects throughout the day. Whatever it was I had a teeny amount of sleep, far from my usual long stretch of sleep time that often surpasses the recommended amount. I woke up feeling very awkward, disconnected yet full of stumbling, uncoordinated energy, and so I had a few cups of coffee and off I went. Only to find myself crashing severely shortly thereafter. No computer access throughout the day, plus the sleepy state of affairs kept me away from posting anything, not that I had a single clear idea on my mind except coming home and catching some good zzz's.

meet: blossom dearie, cult chanteuse.

2010-03-14T23:10:00.000-07:00

get dearie's style on modcloth

piano photos on apartment therapy

I betcha you've never heard of Blossom Dearie. But if by chance you have and are a big fan, well congrats to you as you a very "hep" to the jive! Recently I came across this wonderful voice that was new to me as it was distinctly different, much like other jazzy-cabaret sounds but nonetheless, different. The melody was upbeat and fabulous, the voice was incredibly girlish and it seemed too silly to be serious, which for me is completely perfect.

Blossom dearie, the jazz pixie with the little-girl voice, perfectly retro spectacles, buttoned up-sharp collar shirt wearin', wonderful piano playin' lady was the cabaret and nightclub sensation of the 50's and 60's. In 1952 she formed a vocal group, the Blue Stars of Paris and years later she moved to New York City to pursue a music career and began to sing in groups such as the Blue Flames (with the Woody Herman Orchestra) and the Blue Reys(with Alvino Rey's band) before starting her solo career. At this point she was walking among giants of that time, big names like Ella Fitzgerald, and Peggy Lee among other female jazz singers in the spotlight. But Blossom was the first to fuse cabaret and jazz together, she had a very independent spirit, kittenish voice, a singer/songwriter and managed to have her own record company which she named Daffodil Records. Among all the tremendously cool and whimsy work, Blossom's voice appeared in Schoolhouse Rock!(you know, the very cool children's educational series that makes you sing and learn?)her voice appeared in "Mother Necessity","Figure Eight"(one of my favorites) and "Unpack Your Adjectives". Her style was minimal and precise, fitting her voice just right, and leaving you feeling bouncy after listening. Since discovering Blossom Dearie I've been diving into her music trying to find everything she recorded or worked on and also being inspired by her style and ways. I've been searching for a piano for my house ever since my Blossom discovery. Because hittin' the piano keys is ever so uplifting, whether you're an experienced pianist or you know enough on the piano to make you feel that bepop thing Miss Dearie knew so well. Plus, I think we can all agree that a piano makes a fine accessory in any home, big or small.

hooray, it's friday!

2010-03-12T17:41:00.000-08:00

It's friday. It's cold and raining but my spirits are up thanks to some good company, exciting home improvement projects, and a couple of drinks. Wish I could transport myself and the house to a much warmer, sunnier place. Much like birds do, their flocks take off when the weather and conditions are full of gloom and have nothing to offer. To be like a bird and fly...oh, what a feeling that would be! Have a great weekend whoever you are, avian lover or not and may you find the release you are looking for. For now I stay where I am and keep warm with my internal "contour feathers" as I'm missing the necessary "flight feathers" that help me take off (it's all bird talk).

happy hour magic: classic margarita

2010-03-12T10:58:00.000-08:00

Hip, hip, hooray! Right about now and with the weather acting up, it's happy hour time. We're painting a few rooms this evening and working on some home projects and shall I repeat myself, the weather is straight up nasty. So, with a drink in one hand and a paint brush in the other I tackle this evening with a warm, slightly intoxicated smile.

All I have this evening are two words...classic margarita! Here is the recipe for this timeless elixir (timeless in my opinion):

classic margarita with salted agave rim

-1 1/2 oz 100% agave tequila
-1 oz lime juice
-1/2 oz Cointreau
-agave syrup
-kosher salt

1.Squeeze about a Tablespoon of agave on a small plate.

2.Place a tablespoon or two of salt on another plate. Dip the rim of a glass in the agave (then dip your finger in the syrup and lick it...totally optional), then quickly dip it into the salt.

3.Combine tequila, Cointreau, lime juice and ice in a cocktail shaker and shake, shake, shake for 10 seconds.

4.Pour margarita into salt-rimmed glass and...salud amigos y amigas!

kitty cat madness.

2010-03-12T09:20:00.000-08:00

Blue, the greatest...most of the time.

a super bad kitty that shouldn't be on top of the fridge!

platter replacement found on replacements LTD

salad bowl sold by compostthis

My cat is officially a jerk. I love the fur ball to the moon and back but this morning Blue really made me re-analyze our relationship, just a bit, I mean I really love the guy. Anyhow, in his crazy monkey-cat world he decided to make the top of our fridge his playground and knocked over some items which were of course vintage and some of my favorites in the kitchen.

Items broken beyond repair include:

-a large dinner platter(vintage and part of a fine china set)

-a heavy glass salad bowl that I adored no matter how much others didn't.

After picking up the mess and taking a few deep breaths I searched on etsy to find similar salad bowls as mine will be missed. To my surprise I found the same exact salad bowl but for a much steeper price, I paid a total of $3.00 at the community thrift store in SF of all places and found it again on etsy for $35.00 plus shipping of course. This salad bowl was produced by Anchor Hocking for Bazooka Bubble gum (weird) as a promotional deal sometime in the mid-1950s, and there were only 960 made. Wonderful, my broken one was part of the 960.... ARGH! The platter I also found by searching Grantham Royal-Doulton (the manufacturer) and I can get another for $139.99, my platter was part of a complete set that cost me $100. Gotta let go! So, farewell my precious, vintage, salad bowl, and platter you were both loved...and Blue is grounded.

kitchen homework!

2010-03-11T16:43:00.000-08:00

While visiting my brother-in-law and his wife I discovered a fun little idea from the sis-in-law. Courtney is her name, and while sharing a recipe with me she opened up a binder, the kind you use in school to keep all your homework tidy. She had a ton of printed pages from epicurious, and such online recipe sites. In addition to the printed recipes, she also had handwritten stuff and even tiny little scraps of paper were in the binder. Recipes that were written by strangers at bars, restaurants, and parties all whom had written down cocktail recipes and culinary secrets with the lovely Courtney. Immediately, I thought "what a great idea" keeping a binder where you can organize all your printed or handwritten recipes.

I found a bright colorful binder, added subject dividers for recipe categories, and pasted some weights/measures conversion tables (because I have bad math skills) on the front of a divider page and finally included a plastic binder pocket to store receipts and extras. I keep all of my recipes that I cook with often in the binder and keep it close by, of course I still refer to my recipe books but the binder keeps all the paperwork in one place and out of drawers or the office.

Pretend it's school time and grab these items next time you're shopping for printer paper, pens etc...

-binder of your choice

-subject dividers

-3 ring folder or a binder pocket

Done!

she's so lovely: nicki bluhm

2010-03-11T08:23:00.000-08:00

her album cover is gorgeous!

hot momma! love the jeans, body suit, bracelet, and bangs.

she's a california lover, it's true!

dynamic duo and a lovely pair N & T Bluhm

this dress is amazing!

I wanna go wherever she's going!

A very talented and lovely singer/songwriter has been constantly on my mind for some time now. Her name is Nicki Bluhm and even though I first knew of her as Tim Bluhm's girl (now wife), she really holds her own these days, because this girl is on fire with her ever so-lovely presence. Her melodies, and style grab a hold of you in a very charming way. The kind of gal you want to hang out with, raid her closet, go for a hike, have a girls night out, and then watch her play a guitar riff under a california sunset. Her sound is a beautiful mix of americana/folk/blues and some classic pop/rock that you'd hear back in the vinyl era, I hear some Bonnie Raitt and Joni Mitchell in there but with a totally fresh feel to it. I think of Linda Ronstadt and even Cher when I see Nicki, perhaps it's her style and hair but it's definitely her talent.

Her voice is amazing, she's got me singing along every time I hear or see her play, a really wonderful performer. Oh, and she's one tough cookie as her band mates, "The Gramblers" are all boys, some of them members of the band The Mother Hips (including her husband Tim Bluhm), and some contributions from Jackie Greene are in her album. You can download her music on itunes or purchase her album online on her site. Right about now, I'm singing "Toby's song" and then I'll have "I'm your woman" stuck in my head, I cannot wait for her to release a new album and fall in love all over again. Love to love Nicki Bluhm!

the golden hour

2010-03-10T18:14:00.000-08:00

The first and last hour of sunlight is known in the photography world as the "golden hour" or sometimes as the "magic hour" in cinematography. The quality of light at this hour produces a certain dreamy effect, lighting is softer more diffused and much warmer. Shadows are longer and the overall feel is captivating. All this illumination that comes from the sky scatters down, and if you're ready with a camera at hand you too can capture and bask in this golden hour.

I found a site that allows you to find the golden hour anywhere in the world you may be, so if perhaps you're not sure or want to set an alarm to tell yourself "hey, go snap some golden hour shots!" you can. Click here to find out the golden hour in your neck of the woods and off you go...chase that sun before it slips away!

respect the curves!

2010-03-10T10:50:00.000-08:00

hotness is: this curvy goddess!

I love Joan played by Christina Hendricks from the show Mad Men as does everyone else who is obsessed with the show, the era, the fashion and the curves on miss Joan Holloway. Mattel, put out a series of dolls based on the characters on the show. Don Draper (the womanizer), Betty Draper (the Grace Kelly-like housewife), Roger Sterling, (the silver fox), and Joan Holloway (red, otherwise known as the bombshell). Mattel got the color of their hair and clothes somewhat right but sadly left Joan's luscious beautiful curves out. She looks like skipper (who has the body of a thin pre-teen). They certainly left out all the "Va-Va-Voom" from Joan's body, and it's a total shame because this was their opportunity to give us all a different, real, true-to-life barbie doll.

bundt's the word!

2010-03-09T08:10:00.001-08:00

I love, love, love vintage bundt pans and in the past month my collection has grown. To honor my darling little collection I've decided to bake up a storm of deliciously moist bundt cakes!

The first recipe I begin this journey is with a Cardamom Vanilla Bean bundt cake recipe (eeek, two ingredients I simply adore, cardamom and vanilla beans!). I suggest you try as it is perfectly divine in every way, and your house will smell so good!

Ooooh, this cake not only keeps well but also becomes tastier over the first day or so. It's delicious toasted or served with ice cream!

ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar(use less sugar is you don't want it as sweet)
1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise
4 large eggs
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 cup whole milk or butttermilk (I used regular milk as i already had it)
1 1/2 cups chilled heavy cream (optional, for whipped cream)
2 1/2 tablespoons confectioners sugar(optional, for whipped cream)
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract(same...optional, for whipped cream!)

preparation:

Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Generously butter pan and dust with flour, knocking out excess.

Whisk together flour, cardamom, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Beat together butter and granulated sugar in mixer at medium speed, scraping side of bowl occasionally, until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Scrape seeds from vanilla beans with tip of a paring knife into butter mixture, reserving pods for another use, and beat until combined well, about 1 minute. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in lemon juice until combined well. At low speed, add flour mixture and milk alternately in batches, beginning and ending with flour mixture, mixing until just combined.

Spoon batter into pan, smoothing top. Gently tap pan on counter to eliminate air bubbles.

Bake until a wooden skewer inserted into center of cake comes out clean, about 1 hour. Cool in pan 1 hour, then invert onto a rack and cool completely, about 1 hour more.

Beat cream with confectioners sugar and vanilla extract using whisk attachment of mixer until it just holds stiff peaks. Serve cake with whipped vanilla cream.

it's a wonderful life...

2010-03-08T11:29:00.000-08:00

I am

the only one

can ride that horse

th'yonder

I'm full of bees

who died at sea

it's a wonderful life

I wore

a rooster's blood

when it flew

like doves

I'm a bog

of poisoned frogs

it's a wonderful life

I'm the dog that ate

your birthday cake

it's a wonderful life

it's a wonderful life.

-Sparklehorse

Forever more you are...and you continue to comfort me. Thank you for the gift of your sound and the image you've embedded in our hearts. This exit was not your last, as you will continue on.

hooray, it's friday!

2010-03-05T11:54:00.000-08:00

photo by sheena lu

photo by hula seventy

It's here, the day that brings joy and delight to our week! The infamous friday, otherwise known as party time, weekend, anything goes. We all seem to hail "TGIF" in different ways, cocktails after a long week, quality time with friends/lovers and family, shopping, catching-up, listening to records at home, and so on.

For me it's a rather simple day, my biggest task is to sit for a portrait later this afternoon and I'm feeling a bit nervous and excited. A swarm of thoughts blast through my head when I think of it, mostly consisting of the obvious "what to wear", "how to sit" as I have never been part of such an experience. It's quite a thing to have a talented artist do a portrait of you, and it's quite a big thing to one day be able to see a captured image of oneself on canvas, it's beautiful yet haunting.

I've received advice from friends mostly to enjoy myself others advice me to "look regal" that was the funniest one, "eat something light, and relax" said another, "bring a prop!" said my sister, and "make sure you brush your hair" is what I hear my mother saying in my mind. We'll see how this all unfolds, I'll make sure to keep everyone's advice in mind and have a good time. After all, it is friday.

stop-motion gorgeousness.

2010-03-05T09:07:00.001-08:00

I found a beautiful little video for a band called A Fine Frenzy, although I'm not familiar with their music (which sounds, sweet, young, very catchy) I did fall for this video. Their latest album is titled Bomb in a Birdcage(love that title!). And why shouldn't I love this darling video? It's beautifully shot in stop-motion animation and the objects, wardrobe and subject are perfectly dreamy. The kind of day dream I often slip into and grouch about when I snap out of. For those of you unfamiliar with stop-motion(remember Gumby?) it's a form of animation that has an illusional effect to show something real or fantastical move as if by magic. The process is arduous and requires the object to be moved for every frame thus giving the illusion of it moving ever so slowly and puppet like. Comprende? If you don't you're not alone the artists involved in this type of work are magicians and work really hard at what they do.

I'm sure everyone and their grandma has either blogged about this gem or has seen the video an uproar of times, I don't blame them. I felt as if I had walked into the Belljar boutique in San Francisco, a truly gorgeous shop. Think beautiful little dresses, taxidermy drenched in forest magic, birdcages, sweet-smelling fancy bars of soap, feathery headbands, all objects old and new that transport you into a real day dream.

happy hour magic.

2010-03-04T17:49:00.000-08:00

from eat make read

one of my vintage set of tumblers...

Get ready to relax and enjoy a drink darlings! I know I can always use a little happy hour potion to ease off into my evening. I've been dying to try this super easy cocktail recipe from the wonderful world of Kelly Carambula from eat make read. I brought out one of my vintage sets of glass tumblers (which I retired from my etsy shop and decided to keep) and off I go! Enjoy.....

Recipe for a delicious blood orange gimlet:

serves 1!

*1 oz. blood orange juice

*2 oz. gin

*ice

*blood orange slice, to garnish

1. Pour the juice, gin and ice in a cocktail shaker and give it a good shake.

2. Strain the liquid into a nice, dainty glass and garnish with an orange slice.

Now...salud, cheers, salute, prost!

she's so lovely: zooey deschanel

2010-03-04T09:40:00.000-08:00

with M.Ward in She & Him

with Joseph Gordon-Levitt

sultry and vamped up

bangs and dresses and heels...oh my!

Inspired by miss Emily Roers' recent post on her scrumptious blog the daily loves and having just watched (500)Days of Summer. Wait, it doesn't stop there, and listening to She & Him for the past year I decided to share my lady love for the multi talented and ever lovely... Zooey Deschanel!

Not sure where I should begin with this as it breaks down into a.) her fashion style, b.) her acting and movies(most specifically (500) days of summer) and by golly c.) her musical talent.

So I will begin at the bottom with c.) her musical talent. Zooey is part of a dynamic musical duo alongside the amazing M.Ward, they go by the name of She & Him. I was first introduced to their music a bit more than a year ago by a wonderful friend named Anne Magill who has the utmost appreciation for the coolest, most heartfelt, and talented musicians both old and new. She often left music for me to listen to or burned me some CD's of her favorites. In one of these such instances I threw in a CD of hers labeled She & Him not having the slightest idea of what I would be listening to, all I knew was the look on Anne's face as she pointed to the one CD I should listen to first!

An absolutely splendid sound, oozing with a powerhouse of talent is what She & Him's Volume 1. is all about. Instantly I was charmed by "Sentimental Heart" where she's wrecked laying on the floor lonely without him and then she's playfully sitting on the shelf on "why do you let me stay here?" but there's more much more, on "take it back" she doesn't want to be loved or fooled by him. In a nutshell their sound specifically Zooey's, offers a true retro exuberance that is fresh and modern but utterly charming and timeless and M. Ward's instrumental sound seals the deal.

I can go on and on with c.) but i won't because I'll have everyone spewing zzzz's for days. I continue with b.) miss Zooey's acting and most specifically her performance in (500) Days of Summer. This doll-faced darlin' is the type of actress that makes you really believe that she actually is the character she's portraying. This sense of realism is what makes her really stand out above the masses of actresses today. In (500)Days of Summer she is charming as is the movie itself, a classic boy-meets-girl yet complicated love story, with fun and sweet moments. I'm happy to say it even passed the "dude" test, perhaps because of the drunken karaoke pixie's song and the soundtrack or because guys can also relate to such a tale.

Alas, we have arrived at a.) miss Z's fashion style. Complete with charmingly girlish and retro flair she falls somewhere between a modern day Lolita, Gidget, Audrey Hepburn, and a fresh faced Julie Christie complete with the same retro hairdo. Yet at times you see all the folky girls of the music scence from the past. Expect to find ruffles, bows, mary jane heels, flats, tights, high waisted skirts, and the kind of candy colored dresses that utter femininity of the most delicious kind. I for one would love to raid her closet and perhaps her music collection as well. As for her favorite movies of all time perhaps we share the same ones for mine is extensive and all over the place!

send me mail!

2010-03-02T12:00:00.000-08:00

Recently, I acquired a lovely vintage typewriter as the one I owned had long given out. Having it repaired was more of a burden than simply finding a replacement for it. So now I own this dandy little blast from the past and it's ready to give some letter writing a go!

Staring at my avocado green Royal Sabre, I contemplated on the thought that perhaps letter writing and correspondence in general may be dead. At least to a much newer generation even newer than my own. I for one have always loved receiving mail, specially a good letter one from a dear far away friend, a lover, even a parent. As a teenager in french class I often received letters from my french pen pal, we would exchange thoughts and information about our teenage lives, I would send mine in french and write about "le lycee" and "mes amis" and the pen pal in provence would write about "rock music" and "summer memories" in english. This all leads me to a most perfect rant and rave on the lost art of letter writing.

There was a time when writing letters was our only means of communicating over long distances. In today's world, we can pick up a phone and speak to anyone anywhere in a second or two. I have found, in my not very scientific research, that most people prefer to use the phone when they have something to say. Speed and ease of use are the main reasons. Whether personal or business related, people pick up a phone to talk or text before they pick up a pen (or sit in front of their computer).
Most people enjoy the one on one of a personal conversation. Interacting is an important component of communication. However, there are times when writing is better.

Sure, it's nice to hear someone say, "Darling, I love you." But to read it in a letter, knowing someone took the time to write it, makes it that much better. It is permanent, and almost delicious! And even if, at some time in the future they take those words back, you still have a permanent record of it. Once written, you can read it over and over again, and cherish it time after time, knowing that someone cared enough to take the time to write. After all, writing is not an automatic response. It requires thought and concentration, and effort. People often speak without thought, it is for the most part, an automatic response.

Let us not forget the e-mail and instant message and text message, oh my! Why take the time to write a heartfelt letter when you can sit down(or not), put your thoughts into a few brief sentences (often incomplete and with abbreviated language) and send it off into the vast world of the internet!

I love receiving three page, heart-felt, soppy letters, filled with words carefully chosen and eternal. Maybe I'm just a hopelessly romantic dreamer, or just downright old-fashioned.
Imagine, cards and letters filled with genuine sincerity from both the author and sender...you. Try it you'll like it, and so will your loved ones when they receive it. And who knows, maybe they'll write you back. Won't you feel special then!