Art in the Making

This piece above is my Art. Have you started any new hobbies or resurrected dormant ones during quarantine? I’m mildly startled that the word quarantine just feels so normal to say now.

Each week I make small doodles or drawings in my bullet journal which has evolved from when I first started. It always give me great pleasure to see what I come up with each week. Recently in talking to two friends on separate occasions I realized we all were creating Art. So I scheduled us a Zoom session this past Saturday and we spent over 2 hours chatting, painting, even a bit of silence, like we were all in the same room. This is our “therapy” session and so delightful to be with likeminded friends.

I so dearly miss my weekly ceramic sessions in the Central Valley of Cali. It pains me not to be able to get on a wheel or create something by hand and see the process of firing the clay and watching what color my glaze will really turn out to be. My future studio has now expanded in my mind once again. It will have all these area’s Photography, Art (think messy easel, paint spattered concrete floors) and Ceramics. This is going to be a big studio filled with light filled windows. Well in my mind it will be.

I just bought a stack of watercolor postcards which I can’t wait to start a new series I have in my mind. We shall see what transpires in the coming months.

Bullet Journals

About a year ago I realized while my work life is very organized, my personal life is even fuller and a bit less organized. I needed to start keeping a journal, but not the ones of my youth, which I've shredded or burned, who really wants to read about all their angst.

I had heard about bullet journals, but had no idea what they were. As I started to look online at different types I was immediately drawn to the pictures or graphics people put on their journals. That had me, any excuse to draw or doodle, I'm all over it, and if it helps me get organized then super bonus.

So almost a year later my doodles have changed, my watercolor skills slowly improving, and this past month I've explored road trip scenes in America. So here is a sneak peak at this weeks journal. I am a bit behind in my reading schedule and I find when there is a week I'm not keeping this journal then nothing gets read and I feel like my week is a bit all over the place.

Do you bullet journal or do any journal type of entries? I would love to hear about them and be inspired by what you do.

Kenzo Ad

I feel this way after a stressful day at work. If only I had that dress and actress Margaret Qualley's move. Seriously I've watched this over and over again. Enjoy some crazy, creative and great advertising, makes you want that perfume doesn’t it.

Written & Directed by: Spike Jonze
Actress: Margaret Qualley
Executive Producer: Humberto Leon & Carol Lim
Costumes: Heidi Bivens
Song: Mutant Brain (feat. Assassin) by Sam Spiegel & Ape Drums
Production Design: KK Barrett
Director of Photography: Hoyte van Hoytema
Choreographer: Ryan Heffington

Mindless Monday

Mindless: having no apparent purpose or rational cause. That's what I call my mind today. I can't seem to focus. The humidity last week has pickled my brain. Trying to be present with the task at hand. Here it goes:

During one of my shortcuts through the LA traffic I stumbled upon this mural. Literally down the street from a place I use to work at for over 7 years. I love these little pieces of sunshine that you find in random places. Who said a building had to be boring grey or white or cream. A little splash of color goes a long way.

Below are few of my favorite "red" things that are inspired by this mural. Some affordable some on my wish list and others are a pipe dream (uuhhuu Valentino Camo Sneakers!)

1. Dusky Pom Basket 2. Essie Lollipop Nail Polish 3. J. Crew Bohemian Red Regent 4. MAC Brave Red Lipstick 5. J.Crew Rhubarb Gemma Flats 6. Crosley Bermuda Turntable with Stand 7. Valentino Camo Sneakers 8. Fabled Land Pillows

Lamp Makeover

In our attempt at redoing our bedroom, I was able to afford one lamp, it's on my side of the bed, and of course SB says "why do you get the new lamp." So I decided to pimp his lamp, so he got a new old lamp, same difference.

With spray paint cans in hand I went to town. I have to say this one wasn't easy. I had a hard time getting the tape perfectly around the lamp, who knew. As you can see there are flaws and had to spray several coats on it since the paint dripped and wasn't adhering to the old glaze. I tried sanding it down with a steel wool, but that didn't even help much. So it's not perfect, but I have to say it looks really nice. We bought a new white lampshade from Target and all was complete.

Before it was not bad, but with the new WHITE room it really needed a little facelift

Spring Gems

Here are a few of my Spring Favorite items. The new Anthropologie BHLDN collection is stunning in person, the rose gold and lace is just lovely, so pretty and delicate you will have a hard decision deciding on which one to buy. And the poufs, there are on sale now, just saw them in the store for $99, so go get em. My visit to Tom's flagship store in Venice had me trying on half the sunglasses, the ones feature are brand new. So great for Spring and Summer. I promise I'll get on the Summer bandwagon in a minute. Or maybe by the end of the month.

Dresser Makeover

Have you ever admired a piece of furniture that someone else owned? Well I admired this dresser that my friend Michelle had. A tall dresser with various drawer sizes, this was a departure from the dressers I had growing up. She had her things displayed just right. Well she moved to Texas 10+ years ago and I gladly bought this piece of furniture from her. It fits in my small room, where my King size bed takes over the WHOLE space. After 10+ years I wanted an update. I struggled with whether to sale it, buy something brand new, or makeover a piece of cheap Ikea furniture. Budgets came in and inspiration hit me here. I couldn't afford a new chair or sofa in that amazing green couch, nor did I have room for such a thing, so I drew from that color and the rest of the dresser and room fell in place. I am incredibly happy with the result and now I can say I LOVE this piece of furniture. I'm addicted to this makeover, looking around the house for what else I can pimp!!

Here's what I did and what products I used.

Step 1: Empty all drawers and remove all the hardware.

Step 2: Sand off old paint or stain. I did a light sand as it wasn't a thick stain on the wood. Afterward make sure you wipe the dresser and drawers clean, you don't want any dust or sanding on the drawers before you prime them.

Step 3: I used Benjamin Moore - Primer and painted all the drawers and the dresser. Let this thoroughly dry before the next step. My take two coats.

Step 4: I used Benjamin Moore - Amazon Moss (2037-10) color in Eggshell finish. I matched this as closely as I could to the green couch in the inspiration image. I probably painted up to three coats, you may need more or less depending on the piece of furniture.

Step 5: After the paint thoroughly dries, you might need a few days, then apply an acrylic polyurethane to seal the paint. I did this as an after-thought, and only after I made a few scratches in the top of the dresser (yes I had to sand and repaint), I knew I had to fix this. So I used Benjamin Moore - Stays Clear Acrylic Polyurethane.

Step 6: Spray paint your hardware, a can of spray paint is so much cheaper than buying 13 new knobs. I used Krylon - Metalic Gold Spray Paint. Again I'm addicted, I ended spray painting some old picture frames in Gold after starting this project.

That's it. This literally only took me two to three days and made such a huge difference in our room.

Before it was dark and sad in my autumn maple painted room.

Sanding the drawers before priming is key.

My living room and balcony in the process of painting the dresser and making over the bedroom

Spray paint old hardware to give it a great facelift

Final product. Dresser looks so much better and if it had feelings it would be super HAPPY!

Mindless Monday

Are you craving Margarita's today? I think many of you are. I tried to make one the other day. I'm not a huge tequila fan these days, but this was a tasty way to use a seasonal ingredient like blood oranges. With that said, Megan from the blog The House Wife In Training Files does it right. Look at her amazing images and recipes here, I found her on Pinterest and had to try this refreshing cocktail. Whatever you are drinking, personally I'm still on my second cup of coffee, enjoy your week!

Photography by Eric Striffler. as seen on Remodilista

ItSweet Color

How often does your color taste change? Mine is going through a major shift.

Almost 19 years ago when we set up our first apartment it was the a bit overwhelming to go from just decorating your bedroom, that you rented or lived at home, to having many more rooms to claim color ownership of. So I erred on the side of neutral.

I'll never forget someone telling me that the colors I picked on my registry were so boring. I was afraid of color, which is ironic, because I loved to paint and play with color, but not for me.

Actually that bled into my clothes too, afraid of color, I mostly wore black, grey and brown. Again, I can think back to the day when I was walking around in bright lime green and hot pink that someone told my mom my clothes were too loud. So black, brown and grey it was.

So a few years ago when I was going to England, I'd decided to figure out a new color palate for me based on the colors of the season. I knew it was time to add color back in my life. I am a firm believer that what you wear and see everyday has a big affect on your moods. Picking colors from the season, was so fashion forward to me. Probably behind really, but who cares. This way I would know that I could find things during that season in that color palate. I eliminated one color from that original palate, only because every time I tried that color on I looked sad. Then one color I added because my eyes really looked happy when I wore that one.

Now I love color, I have few basic items in black, but the rest is all color all the time. I'm gravitating to color more and more. So today is what has inspired me. Below are a few of the Pinterest pins that I love. And now that I pulled them, I can see Pink, Green and Yellow are in them all.

I've recently started adding yellow into my wardrobe, so afraid of that color on me. But I bought some yellow and grey shoes so I knew I had to get over it.

And then I find that color bleeds into my food, I've been buying foods at the markets purely because they are colorful, then I need to figure out what to do with them. What fun!

Michelle Armas painting as seen on Oncewed.com

Has art inspired you? I've been inspired by a few pieces of stationary to create great recipes and write them down on, or send my food with little splashes of color on the packaging. Really anything can inspire you.

I am loving the pops of color in a room. I can't wait to show the dramatic change in my bedroom, from dark and cozy to bright, light and airy.

This makes me incredibly hungry for something PINK.

Natasha Poly by Patrick Demarchelier for Vogue China January 2014 — Natasha Poly by Patrick Demarchelier for Vogue China January 2014

I'm in the process of spray painting just about anything I can get my hands on. I love the splashes of muted color on these pots. What colors are you gravitating towards?

Mindless Monday

I have to say my brain has been on serious vacation mode. I am dreaming of being out in the Barrier Reef, isn't is just so peaceful looking? I'm slowly trying to get myself back into a routine. I fear this won't happen till September. Still lots going on. May is shaping up to be a roller coaster, but I'll find a way to manage. I've been testing recipes, finalizing our bedroom makeover, fixing our new pimped out dresser and clearing the DVR of about 2 months worth of shows. I hardly watch live TV anymore. Today I am in cleaning mode, which includes the physical cleaning of the apartment and my email inbox. I am so wishing I had joined this program 4 0 bags in 40 days . Seriously how is it we accumulate so much stuff that quickly. But we do. So time to shred, bag, and get rid of it. So I start my own little challenge at my apartment before I start this project with my grandmother's house. Yep that's coming in May. Stay tuned for more road trip madness. Eventually I'll get my Belize post up. Have a great week all.

Perfect Party Bar Setup

While I was traveling through Belize I guest posted on The Hip Soiree about how to set up the perfect party bar. I'm currently trying to figure out how to replicate this at home, much more scaled down, of course. This party gave me a chance to figure this out. Take a look at the post here. I loved this project and Lizzie's blog is fantastic.

Cookbooks

Did I ever tell you I have a nice collection of signed cookbooks. My friends know because they helped me move boxes of them when we got our floors redone. I don't have too many, but a few apparently very heavy ones.

My love for cooking and cookbooks happened nearly 19 years ago. My boss was a foodie. He had quite a collection of cookbooks. I was newly married, and really didn't know how to cook much. Pasta was my go to meal. I asked his advice on what cookbooks I should invest in. I'd joined a cookbook club. Then, started the book signings. He'd send me to get a cookbook signed by Julia Child or some other great chef, and would kindly purchase one for me. Thus my love for the cookbook and meeting the author started.

My friend Bekah and I have stood in line more then once to meet Ina Garten and get a few signed cookbooks from her, plus a sampling of recipes from the cookbook. We love these moments.

All of a sudden there are three cookbooks and great stories on sale. Here's what I'm looking forward to reading and cooking from.

First up is David Lebovitz, My Paris Kitchen. If you haven't check out his blog your missing something. Seriously his first book My Sweet Life, made me laugh out loud. His tweets are even hilarious. This book released today. Go get it now at Amazon, I sure will be.

Next up is Molly Wizenberg's book about her restaurant, Delancey that she opened up with her husband. She is also hilarious, have you ever heard her on the podcast Spilled Milk? I literally laugh out loud listening while sitting in the endless traffic on L.A. freeways, and let me tell laughing in that mess is super hard to do.

Zoe Nathan, Josh Loeb - Huckleberry: Stories, Secrets and Recipes from our Kitchen

Last up is one I've been anticipating. Huckleberry: Stories, Secrets and Recipes From Our Kitchen. I literally live 4 blocks from Huckleberry's in Santa Monica. I frequently walk there for a quick lunch or sweet treat. Seriously when she posts on Instagram what she baked that day I drop everything and walk up the street to try it out. I can't wait to read this book. Right now you can pre-order it and I know they'll be doing a book signing soon, I so can't wait to meet these people in person. They own at least four restaurants and an ice cream parlor here in Santa Monica. You can't be more invested in your community then that.

What are your favorite cookbooks?

Party Decorations from The Hip Soiree

Hey everyone! I’m Lizzie from The Hip Soiree and I’m visiting today to talk to you about party decorations. YAY! I’m so glad to be here!

Ahhhhh…party decorations. I think I can safely say they are one of my most favoritest things in the world. I’m pretty sure it comes from my love of making DIY projects and the lack of space I have to display them. Party decorations are a way to make something grandiose. I mean, you don’t want it to look like Party City just barfed all over your house. You just want to pick a few things to really wow them. Who doesn’t like to knock some socks off? No one, that’s who.

When someone asks me to help plan a party, the first thing I do is talk to them about a theme and color scheme. And by “theme,” I don’t necessarily mean an overt theme like “I want a PRINCESS party!” (I don’t get that request very often, although I kinda hope I do because I AM A PRINCESS!) Mostly it’s a vibe. Believe it or not, not everyone wants a baby shower to have pink or blue crepe paper streamers everywhere or baby circus animals. Some people just want a relaxing party with their friends before their life turns to chaos. With gifts, of course. They’re not crazy.

After we settle on a color scheme and vibe…I hit Pinterest and start a board. Let’s pull some ideas together and see what we come up with! For example, the party I helped Tanya with was a gold, modern cocktail party. (Side note - I honestly don’t remember what we did before Pinterest. Did people use real bulletin boards for stuff like this? Or did they print things out and put them in a folder? That sounds HORRIFIC!)

Once some things have been pinned to the board, I pick my favorite concepts and run with them. For example, I found a tutorial on how to make a 4” ornament, but figured out a way to make it a 24” hanging centerpiece I call an Atomic Star (Tanya calls it “The Disco Deathstar.” Everyone better hope that thing doesn’t explode because it was basically a glitter bomb just WAITING for an excuse to blow.)

Here are some examples of things I’ve made out of plain, old paper:

I also like to jazz up things that can be kinda boring. Like table centerpieces. Don’t get me wrong, I love flowers, but they’re expensive! I’ve made things like paper peonies, felt billy buttons and origami flowers. Or how about embroidered tablecloths or table runners (like the gold sequined one pictured above)? Simple and different.

And then there are decorations like these super spikey (read: deadly to the touch) modern sea urchin orbs.

It doesn’t have to specifically scream party, just amp it up a bit! And, to me, it’s touches like these that makes a good party into an awesome party. My two cents.

Now if I could just cook, I’d be an unstoppable force. Oh, Tanya….

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

So a while back I made these Chocolate Peanut Butter bars for a book swapping party here. Since then I've made them a few more times and am now getting to a place where I'm perfecting the recipe. Plus I had a good excuse this week as I was commissioned to create these for a photo style shoot my friend Deb was doing with VivaVantage paper towels.

Seriously Chocolate AND Peanut Butter, I think this probably goes down as my favorite flavor combo. It's like making sure you have two things that match, makes me think of this quote from the movie Friday when Chris Tucker is looking for something to eat, "No sugar? Y'all ain't never got two things that match. Either y'all got Kool-aid, no sugar. Peanut butter, no jelly. Ham, no burger." And now we can add "peanut butter no chocolate." Accept we have BOTH. Here's the recipe with a few of my notes on what I have found that works best and a note on what I 'll do the next time around. And don't be afraid that it's 3 layers, it's really not that hard to make.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Ingredients Bottom Layer

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1/4 cup sugar

5 tbsp unsweetened cocoa (I use Valhrona)

1 egg, beaten

1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs

3/4 cup coarsely crush pretzels (I find the thinner salted versions work better than the thick ones - I only had the thick ones for the shoot above, but that's my lesson learned)

Directions

If you have a double boiler use that to melt the butter, sugar and cocoa. I use a metal bowl over a lightly simmering pot of water (water should not touch the bowl).

While bowl is still over the water, add the beaten egg a little at a time until the mixtures thickens.

Remove bowl from the heat and add the graham cracker crumbs and crushed pretzels. After they are well mixed press the crumbs into a flattened layer an 8x8 cake pan. I use square non-stick baking pan and line it with two pieces of parchment paper crisscross, this makes it easier to get the bars out of the pan for cutting the squares. Set this aside while you start the middle layer.

Middle Layer Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled.

2/3 cup powdered sugar, sifting this first is good to get any clumps out.

1 cup smooth, natural peanut butter (no salt added) I like Laura Scudder's.

1/2 tsp salt (only use if you bought unsalted PB, otherwise adjust to taste.

1 tsp vanilla

Directions

Add peanut butter and melted butter together in a small bowl, mix in sugar, salt and vanilla until it forms a thick paste. Now it's time to add the peanut butter over the bottom layer of chocolate pretzel goodness. I have thought about doubling the peanut butter layer as I'd like a bit more thickness, so I might try that next time. Now put all of this in the refrigerator while you make the final Top layer. This way the peanut butter has time to get a little stiff, otherwise it's hard to spread the final chocolate layer on top.

Top Layer Ingredients

5 oz. semi sweet chocolate chips (I love bittersweet or just straight dark chocolate bars for this layer, but use any fine chocolate you like)

1 tbsp unsalted butter

Pink Himalayan salt (or any fine sea salt)

Directions

Again if you have a double boiler use that to melt the chocolate and butter. I use a metal bowl over a lightly simmering pot of water (water should not touch the bowl). Stir until smooth.

Now take the pan from the refrigerator and pour the chocolate mixture over the peanut butter layer and spread it evenly. Then return to the refrigerator about 10 minutes. (top should be a little soft still). Sprinkle light with the Himalayan salt and return the the fridge and let it completely cool until it becomes hard.

Take out the parchment papered bars and cut into squares or rectangles. I've done both and wrapped them in paper with twine for a special presentation, but it's faster to just cut in and eat it, sooooo good. I have a batch in my fridge now that I keep gnawing at, enjoy this perfect match of flavors.

Download Recipe PDF

Tech Tuesday - Snapchat

What do you know about Snapchat? I've barely paid attention to this app, but have heard that loads of teenagers love it, so I've kind of steered clear. After having my share of selfies from ALT it's hardly something I see myself using. So what is this app? You take a picture, draw whatever you want on it, send it to a friend and voila, they have 10 seconds to view "before this picture will self destruct."

So why the appeal of Snapchat? I like the Fly or Die segment on Techcrunch about this app. As they said, teenagers are separating their Virtual and Real selves. These kids have grown up on Facebook, their Virtual self. Images here are permanent, so the pressure to look cool and really care about every image is high, same goes with liking things that you really don't necessarily like, but you do it to look cool. I know you have teenagers following you on Instagram and they will like ANYTHING you post.

As for Snapchat, this is the Real self. With the less pressure to create a lasting image, Snapchat images apparently disappear in 10 seconds. You can snap your everyday life, with seemingly no consequences. Call me a skeptic, but do we remember Monica Lewinsky and her emails, nothing really EVER disappears online. Plus with all the recent problems, even today with snapchat going down for 30 minutes, and images sent out, but never received by user, then WHERE ARE THEY GOING? Also mentioned over and over again is there truly concern that sexting will be an issue on Snapchat with this 10 second "destructable" image?

I think there is a caution for these kids on social media and their selfies especially when you start hash-tagging the death out of them with things like #amIsexy #doyouwanttodateme, etc. Look at the pool of images your putting yourself in, do you really want to be associated with those people, do you really want that attention? I think it's best to look at the root of the issue with these kids and for parents to be balanced about it. Give them freedom in small doses, slowing release the spring, but be informed and aware of the dangers of social media.

Now enough of that soapbox. What's the deal with the Tina Fey and Amy Poehler joke at the Golden Globes this month?

“A lot of nominated shows this year are actually on Netflix. House of Cards. Orange Is the New Black. Enjoy it while it lasts, Netflix. Because you’re not going to be feeling so smug in a couple of years when Snapchat is up here accepting Best Drama.”

Is it that Hollywood and Silicon Valley are converging? Is it that Netflix won it's first ever Golden Globe? For Netflix they started off delivering content already made, now their in the business of creating original content and getting awarded for it on the way. This is why Netflix will last as opposed to the bygone era of Blockbuster.

Will Snapchat start creating original Emmy/Oscar winning content? Will the movie only be 10 seconds long? Let's watch carefully and see how this convergence works itself out.

So are you Snapchatting, is that even the right word? Or maybe your kids are, what do you think? Would love to hear a dialog about this.

Creative Business Cards - ALT Summit SLC

This was my second year going to ALT Summit's flagship event in Salt Lake City. This time felt so much different. For one I had a bit more confidence and a better idea of what I wanted to accomplish. Connect with the brands that made sense for me and more importantly connect with the bloggers that I could collaborate with. Last time I made friends but made no connections with other bloggers to collaborate. That is of course besides my Local L.A. friends Deborah, Felicia and Brittany, who I have partnered up with this past year on a few projects and collaborations. This year I was able to join a few Facebook groups (I finally bit that FB bullet and joined, oy vey) with some talented ladies, plus we started an LA blogger group, so we can connect up with us locals. Overall it was a good experience.

Let's Shine Together Business Card Board

Having designed my own business card with my logo [created by an incredible art director/director Jeff Compton] I was purposeful in who I gave them too. I printed less and gave out all that I took, which was about 50. Most cards I received from others it was because I had meaningful conversations with them. Of course there was the awesome idea from one of the mini-parties that had the Let's Shine Together board above where you could attach your cards on the board in the category that fits you plus take a few for yourself. I grabbed some from people I'd like to follow up with later, especially in the food category. Would love to see more food and travel at these events as opposed to the prevalence of DIY.

As usual there were a combination of handmade cards, with amazing paintings and splashes of colors. Then there were conceptual cards package in vellum, sealed with washi tape, filled with candy, printed with beautiful images or the lovely letter presses. One of them had the brilliant idea of a big ring with a mini hole punch to put all your cards on. I ran into Carly, who created this concept, on the day I was leaving to fly home, I practically hugged her, what an awesome idea to keep them all together. She goes to many more conferences than I do, so this is her amazing way of keeping them all straight.

I have to say meeting Garance Dore (below), was pretty up there on my list of cool things. I've followed this illustrator/fashion blogger for a while and loved hearing her talk. I may not be a fashion blogger, but I love fashion and illustration. I think my Style board on Pinterest has as many or more followers than my Tasty Goodies (food) board. Garance was so approachable and adorable to hear speak with her delightful French accent. I loved her simple illustrated presentation and her honesty about the negative comments and not letting them get to you, much easier said then done. She really is a pioneer in fashion blogging and so unaffected and super cool. Hugable even. Even her hair is cool, disregard my poof, it was early and I had no product to tame the shrew.

DTLA Street Art

Driving around DTLA in the Arts District the other day I had to stop and jump out of the car. I really love street art. I've painted before, but only on small size canvases. I think the idea of having a HUGE canvas and freedom to scrawl, create, imagine anything you want is pretty awesome. Here's one of the murals I saw and just loved.

2013 Retrospect

This year I feel like I've grown so much, I think the ALT Summit really kicked it off in January. What an inspiring 3 days with such supportive bloggers. I was inspired and it really pushed me this year. I'm excited to go back next month and see where it takes me in 2014. While I am certainly looking forward below are a few of my favorite projects this past year.

Meeting Kei & Molly. Their story and work was really inspiring to pursue what you love.

Hosting our Fall Tasting. This idea was spurred on by a class I took with Bing and AltSummit. It was an online class and well it gave me this idea, which Felicia and Deborah were on board with. I think we'll be doing this again soon.

Part of this was hosting a Coffee Tasting, this was super fun and great working with Stumptown Coffee, I can't wait till the next one.

I finally got to write about some of my Italian adventures from forever ago here.

I loved my weekly visits to the Santa Monica Farmers Market and was inspired to make new things just by what was in season.

Slice Chocolate Gluten-free almond cake 2.jpg

Oh and this Gluten Free Chocolate Almond Cake....wow I love this cake.

I loved this trip this year to California Lake Country. I am so in for doing this again. Was a beautiful place to visit.

These Peanut Butter Chocolate Kiss Cookies got a lot of mileage on Pinterest this year.

I had a great time learning to make Candied Orange Peels, I can't wait to try this with a few other citrus fruits.

Seriously I am almost finished with the Cuba tale. This is one of my favorite posts, Cuba a Bittersweet Tale, on this trip, because it was all about my Dad. I still cry when I read it, so does he.

Those are a few of my favorite things from 2013. I'm looking forward to new adventures next year and hope to check off a few things from my goals list. Enjoy!

Santa Monica Farmers Market

Every Wednesday and Saturday, Santa Monica hosts a farmers market on Arizona Avenue. For the past two days I've been hold up inside, buried in my computer on a project for work. So today it was a MUST that I get out of the house. I got SB to go with me for a walk down to the market. I love doing this on a weekly basis, if I can make it happen. I use to work next door to this and went every Wednesday, sometimes for breakfast and dinner. It's a feast for the eyes, spurs on the creativity for what to make or photograph. Plus you get to sample all the produce.

Usually I walk down here myself and listen to a podcast, like KCRW Good Food, which always gives a break down of whats in season and a little extra from Jonathan Gold, LA Times food writer. Recipes are usually included. Here are a few gems from my iPhone on what we saw and bought today. Enjoy!

Sweet Satsuma, one of which was sliced and dropped into my Old Fashion tonight.

Seriously the Frisee and Radichio looks like a tide pool full of sea urchins.

Persimmons for days. Can't wait to try a recipe with these.

FLowers are always part of a Farmers Market journey.

Coffee Brewing

Last month I finally got my act together and looked at a few of the monthly newsletters I get and decided to find something that I've wanted to do, but never make the time for.

So l decided to visit Tom's Flagship store in Venice for a free coffee brewing demonstration, brief video of one of the pourings. This was right on the heels of our My Life Simply Sweet event and the maiden voyage of the coffee tasting. So I was super jazzed about what to do next.

Guess what, I was the only one who showed up. Seriously, I got a private brewing session for free. I love this store by the way. A few years ago my manager gifted all of us a gift certificate to Tom's. I love that he always gave a gift that gives back. The flagship store in Venice is cool. It's got a cafe in the front with all their shoes, sunglasses spread on the side and in the back, now they also have there Marketplace merchandise. By the way they make more money on cafe sales then the merchandise, go figure. This store has been set up as a community place so coffee sales are ok with them.

At this location there is outdoor seating in the back, right next to places to try on the shoes. Plus a cool area for your dogs to chill, cause that's how we do in Venice. One afternoon when I went in and walked out back to the patio. It was like things were moving in slo-mo that day. Everyone was super quiet, and seriously looked like they were high. In the middle of that were a few suits, as in men dressed in suits, having a serious meeting, but all whispering. I was thinking what the...is going on. That didn't deter me, actually intrigued me.

So I made sure to show up for the brewing session. Tovara the manager at the store and coffee expert showed 3 ways to brew coffee using a few different pour over methods. I learned so much (rinse the filter, blooming the grounds, and there is an app to help you out so you know how long to bloom and brew). I can't wait to have a demonstration for a few friends. My favorite was the Chemex. For one, the coffee tasted great, and two, the Chemex is super cool and pretty to do the whole process. SB thinks I'm nuts and won't have the patience for it. It's all about the art people. ART!

So tonight is Coffee Tasting at Tom's Flagship store. This time I roped in a few friends to join me. Should be a fun no matter what, time to enjoy.