Wednesday at 12:00 a.m.

Where were you at midnight? Cindee, Rachel, Hayley and I were watching Eclipse!  It was SO. MUCH. FUN.  We giggled louder than any of the fourteen-year-old girls.  While waiting in line for hours, we talked about our high school crushes, the different cliques at school, and what our favorite 'first day of school' outfits were.  I really had a ball.



And the movie!  Oh, it really was wonderful.  It pretty much stayed true to the book.  Though it felt like it was moving at lightning speed!  I wished that it would have expanded on certain scenes that I loved reading.  That being said, I still adored it.  It was fun, sexy, comical and action packed.  Awwww.  I cherish this series.  Did you see it yet?  Thoughts?  {image sources, OK online}

Creativity Tuesday: A Wishing Bottle.

In February my great aunt Evvie sent me a box of goodies from her home.  Among the treasures was a tiny glass bottle with a cork stopper.  I cleaned out my closet yesterday and re-found it.  I decided to make it into my wishing bottle.  I'm going to break precedent and tell you what my wish was:  

"I wish to be luckier."  I've had a bought of bad luck recently.  I think that luck was the best possible wish that I could have asked for.  I'll let you know if my wishing jar works.  What do you wish for?  Perhaps I can place your wish in my bottle as well.

Culture Club: First and Hope Restaurant.

Combine a breath taking venue with unorthodox food pairings, fold in 1940's styled uniforms {designed by MAD MEN costumer Allison Leach} and you've got First and Hope of Los Angeles.  Saturday evening we reserved a table for four at this mid-century vibe eatery.  I'm always impressed by an establishment that offers an amuse bouche accompanied with a tangible theme.  Therefore, I was instantly smitten.  

We only dined for dessert, but were dazzled by the odd selection.  I had a marshmallow, lemon custard macaroon.  Husband had the NYPD Shakedown consisting of mini Boston creme doughnuts, a decadent chocolate dipping sauce and a mini strawberry milkshake.  My pal Rachel had the 7 Deadly Sins of Chocolate.  All in all the confectioner was new best friend.  This is definitely a stop worth your time and money.  {images via L.A. Times}

Rentable: REMEMBER ME.

The film was beautiful.  I haven't been able to stop thinking about it for two days now.  Which, in my book, usually means it was good.  The story was compelling and touched my heart.  Love, family, and friendship are the platform for this film.  Mixed together with how humans muck things up, then strive to adhere back together again.  Grab a girlfriend, some popcorn, and a enjoy this splendid film.

My Bags are Mentally Packed.

Is it bad that I want to re-pack my bag and go on vacation yet again?  I literally just went on vacation 3 weeks ago.  There's something so enticing about wandering with one bag, limited options to wear, time for journaling, and permanently being armed with a camera.  Right now I'm dreaming of a get-away to Seattle, New Orleans, and as always.....France.  If I handed you a stack of money and your passport, where would you go?

What I Wore Wednesday: Floral Contrast.

For a beach outing, an Angeleno must set herself apart from the tourists.  No fanny packs, commemorative t-shirts, visors, large accordion maps or any variation there of.  Simple chic and complete confidence are key.  Add hat for frizzy, curly locks.



Ingredients:

Purple T:  H&M $9.95

Floral Skirt:  Thrifted $4.25

Chunky Belt:  TJ Maxx $5.00

Gladiator Sandals:  Target $22.98

Grasshopper Carpet Bag:  Thrifted $22.00

Culture Club: An Engaging Day Out.

Santa Monica Pier Experience: check. I've been to Santa Monica hundreds of times. My first acting gig in Los Angeles was on Fourth Street, at the Santa Monica Playhouse for heaven's sake. However, I've never really and truly had the touristy experience.

Yesterday my mother,sister, husband and I ate at La Creperie Cafe on 2nd Street for lunch. Then we walked to the pier and rode the Dragon boat ride. (Oh,so scary when you actually are weightless.) Then we all rode the ferris wheel together. It was lovely! The view. The salty sea air. The company. Then we sipped pink lemonade and nibbled on warm, sugary churros. I strongly suggest this destination point. There's a little something for everyone. Have you ever been to the pier?

A tiny list of gladness.

Hooray for Friday! I'm extra glad today because:

1. the above photo with Walter

2. my mom and sis are in town

3. I have groceries in my cupboard

4. my house is spotless

5. 2 bottles of sparkling water are chilling in my fridge.

6. and the motivation of my new favorite quote: "Don't give up five minutes before the miracle." 



What's making your heart glad? Make a memorable weekend. Oh, and don't forget your "Love my body now" challenge {here.}

Love Your Body Now Series: Pampering.

I learned something about myself this week. I don't pamper myself. Basically I put my needs last on the list. Prior to buying make-up, personal supplies or clothes I think about all the bills I could pay down. Or the extra cash I could put in my savings account, and on, and on. Does this sound vaguely familiar? What about my needs? What about feeling like a princess occasionally, and being served instead of serving?

After my manager encouraged me to do something nice for myself, I took the challenge. I treated myself to a manicure and pedicure. Ladies, in short it was wondrous. I haven't done something like that for two years. The pampering felt splendid. Plus, I sat in the massage chair for two hours working out my stress induced knots. I felt relaxed and revitalized after the excursion. I felt beautiful. All week long everyone has commented on my manicure. "You don't do nice things for yourself much, do you?" One co-worker commented. She knew the truth before I answered. "I plan on changing my ways," I vowed in rebuttal. I want to give you permission, and the challenge of doing something nice for yourself. Even if you are on a budget; clip a coupon or go to a cosmetology school to get the treatment on the cheap. Let us vow to place ourselves higher on the totem pole, and love our bodies now.

Ideas for pampering yourself on any budget:

1. play your favorite records

2. massage therapy

3. girls night in or out

4. facials at home or professionally

5. bubble bath with candles lit of course!

6. meditation

7. exercise/yoga

8. pop popcorn, pour some Peligrino, and grab a book

9. go to a movie, renting one does NOT count!

10. buy yourself something pretty

What I Wore Wednesday: Purple Power.

I hate wearing shorts. I feel like a boy whenever I wear them. When it's summer I live in skirts and dresses. I feel ladylike and polished whenever I run my errands, or meet a friend for tea. What do you live in for the summer season?

Ingredients:

Silk Top: Forever 21 $22.00

Tulip Skirt: Anthropologie $19.98

Tie Dye Scarf: Heritage 1981 $7.80

Wedge Gladiators: Target $22.98

Cameo Locket Ring: Thrifted

What He Wore Wednesday: Husband Edition.

You are never fully dressed without a smile. And when Bryan drives his grandma's Fire bird with the T-tops down, he's all smiles-all the time. He tries to persuade her with each visit, that the car would run better in California. So far, she's not buying it. But she lets him drive it at her house {under certain adult supervision of course.}



Ingredients:

Striped V-Neck: Urban Outfitters $28.00

Black Shorts: Levi's $54.00

Black Aviators: H&M $4.99

Eat, Drink, and be Merry Dog Tag: Yazzie Designs $15.00

Ear to Ear Grin: What his mama gave him $0.00

Creativity Tuesday: Floral Dishes Photo Shoot.

Allow me to introduce you to my swoon worthy, vintage, floral china. I scored a set of dessert plates, salad plates and a three bonus display pieces. Oh, and my owl pitcher is filled with a mohawk of flowers. They matched the spirit of this post. WARNING: I am undergoing some radical template/visual changes. Thank you for your patience for the next couple of days.

The Aquarium of the Pacific.

Moon Jellies.

Orange Jellies.

little, old me.

Lova'keets.

The craziest, largest fish ever.

Bunnie and I went to the Aquarium in Long Beach the last weekend. We have this long list of "Things to do in Los Angeles" and slowly one by one we're checking them off the huge list. What happens when the list is complete? I don't know. Maybe we move to a new city. After the aquarium we walked the Pier and enjoyed fish and chips, jazz music, and ice cream cones. What a lovely day.

That's so L.A.

So, my car was broken into AGAIN. Except this time it was padlocked behind my gate garage. Which means one of my neighbors left their locks off, since we are co-joined to three other cars. And this time the crook took my c.d. interface, sunglasses (they were cheap, the jokes on them) and worst of all siphoned my full tank of gas!! (Insert gasp here) Anyway, I'm just relieved they didn't steal our new tires. Robbery. It's so L.A.

Happiness is.

Happiness is this little Chihuahua.

I seriously love this little noodle.

Side note:
I had a wonderful night last night.
I read for my favorite writer
at We Make Movies.
And I read the lead character.
I was Marisol for ten minutes,
and it was lovely.
Acting makes me feel like a person,
in a way that no other event in life can replicate.

What invigorates you?

Creativity Tuesday: Street Signage.

I laughed all the way to my car after spying this cheeky propaganda. Location: Silverlake, California (duh.)

Projects, projects, projects!!

So, my kitchen is stuck in the 1970s. If it could talk, it would ask me for new linoleum and beg me to put in shag carpeting. And upon seeing the successful remodel of my cousin, Aaron and his girlfriend, Erin's house, I was inspired to just start. I've been putting off starting or almost 6 months. It's such a large project, and I'll admit... it intimidates me. I am a perfectionist (see earlier posts), so I'm always second guessing myself, wondering if I will actually like the finished product, or if I will end up nit-picking it for the rest of my life (in this house). I want it to look professionally done, and I want to be prepared. Also... I want it finished. One of my biggest pet peeves is unfinished projects; it's not over until everything is finished and cleaned up. If it's not a permanent fix, it's not done (read: no jury-rigging). So, with about 6 weeks to go until teacher in-service begins... I am starting. I hope 6 weeks will be enough time for me!

Other projects I would like to complete this summer are as follows:
**Refinish a pair of lamps that are about to become candle holders (strange, I know, but i promise they'll be cute - I just KNOW it!)
**Paint the frame of a garage-sale, beveled-edged mirror purchased about a year ago.
**Hang pictures and buy/make matching sheet sets for the extra bedroom
**Paint fame of another Goodwill (actually, Gracie's Thrift Store) picture to go in my kitchen
**Continue my Craigslist search for 2 reading chairs and a side table to finish off my sitting room
**Re-finish the coffee table that will be in our family room after Lucy has completely finished teething

I know there is no way all of these will get done, but it gives me something to work for. I am a list person; If I have a list, I know I will get things done because I just LOVE to cross things out. I'm sick, I know. I also have a larger/more expensive list of things to do to our home that I'm slowly putting away money for. Since I'm in list-making mode, here goes...

**Re-finish/re-paint/recover my dining room table and chairs (see previous post)
**New refrigerator: stainless steel, with water dispenser in door, and freezer on the bottom
**Deep freeze for garage
**Solar water heater: b/c I love the Earth =)
**New A/C unit (desperate need, our is soooo old and inefficient)
**2" wood blinds for the remaining 2 windows (not standard size anymore, so they'll be $$$)
**Cabinets for laundry nook (for storing mops/brooms/cleaning supplies, etc.)
**Scrape Asbestos pop-corn ceilings and re-plaster/re-paint (have done this before, not difficult, just time consuming) in the remaining 3 rooms
**Paint pantry doors with magnetic chalkboard paint (fun!!)
**Screen door for front door
**Double pane windows throughout the house ($$$$$$$$!!!! Thus, this will NEVER get done)
**Paint our bedroom/bathroom
**Replace mirror and light fixture in guest bathroom
**Paint guest bathroom
**Hang pictures in hallway
**New interior doors/door hardware (old, nasty, brown slab-doors replaced with white 6-paneled doors and brushed-stainless knobs)
**Valence for front window (Can't find anything I like well enough...)
**Porch swing for front porch
**New shower head for guest bath
**Replace/repaint closet doors in both bedrooms
**Replace destroyed carpet (read: six men used to live here...)
**Add a make-shift floor to attic so we can actually USE it
**Ceiling fan/light fixture for extra bedroom
**Ceiling fan/light fixture that DIDN'T come from and industrial warehouse for our bedroom
**New dishwasher or stainless-steel cover for the existing one
**Replace cafeteria fluorescent lighting in my kitchen with either a sky-light or trendy track lighting
**Replace poorly-done wooden archway framing with actual molding (read: EXPENSIVE!!!)
**Re-cover couch in something that ISN'T plaid...
**New washing machine when the old one finally gives out (which is hopefully never!!)
**Add curbing/brick border to backyard
**Grass inside the new curbing/brick border
**Rock surrounding the new curbing/brick border (Craigslist! People just give this stuff away!!)
**Rip out old pool?? (For those of you who don't know... I have a diving pool in my backyard... that is filled in to the tile with dirt. Also, there are two 5 foot palm trees growing in the deep end. That's how long it's been sitting like that. According to the neighbors, The guy who owned the place about 15 years ago was the one who filled in the pool - IDIOT!! Seriously, check it out on Google Earth if you have my address... It'll give you a laugh.)
**Plant citrus/ficus trees in the backyard for shade
**Re-paint shed
**Replace rotting backyard gate
**New roof (this is becoming a pressing need... Either that, or we need a permanent drought)

Holy WOW! What a list. Will that ever all be done? NO WAY. I know enough about Real Estate to know that all of these improvements will make us beyond over-improved for the neighborhood. But, there are some that we will work towards, and others, I'm sure, that will fall by the wayside. It has been, and will continue to be a fun adventure fixing up this house. And while the plan is to move away from here eventually and rent out this place, I am mature enough to know that sometimes life throws you curves that change your plans. For all I know, we could grow old, retire, and die in this house. And if we do, I think I maybe, just MIGHT be able to get through most of this list =)

A home is such a fun project to work on. It's always in front of you, always giving my more and more ideas to add to your ever growing list. Not to mention, its a blast working with your honey on home projects. We just cleaned out and set up our 3rd bedroom this last Saturday and we loved spending the time together. Whoever said that re-modeling would press your marriage to the breaking point (and MANY people have told me this), should maybe have a chat with their partner bout expectations before you jump right in. These projects ought to be fun, and with good communication, they will be! All I know is that Eric and I can't wait to see what projects a Saturday (or in the case of the kitchen cabinets, SEVERAL Saturdays) might bring.

If you have any tips/thoughts/feelings on house projects or anything I've specifically mentioned, please feel free to share!! I love new ideas and thoughts on how to save myself time, energy, and money! =) And to all you other project-lovers out there, happy DIY-ing and make sure to share your stories with me! Wish me luck as I endeavor my first HUGE project! =)

UPDATE:
I'm freaking out, here! I'm taking "before" pics, and I'm wondering... Am I doing the right thing? I mean, I hate the way they look right now... but in the pics they look so pretty. Sheesh! I'm glad a friend is helping me tomorrow, she can offer me moral support and guidance during this understandably difficult transition ;) Here's hoping for the best!!

Culture Club: Aztec Ruins.

From the late 1000's to the late 1200's the ancestors of the Pueblo people (known as the Aztecs) resided in this village. Each brick used in their architecture was carried by hand from a quarry over 35 miles away.

The dwelling was once a buzzing metropolis with city buildings, apartment style homes, artisan quarters, a town square and great Kivas or ceremonial buildings. Clearly the Aztecs were astute mathematicians creating vast multi-use buildings and mammoth circular Kivas. The circles were perfect in formation.
Bryan and I visited the ruins on a sticky, hot day. We wondered how the Aztecs endured without air conditioning in the desert. Once we entered the homes we understood how they coped. Inside the buildings the air was cool and crisp. Also, they didn't have doors, rather they covered the portals with hides to welcome circulation.
This was the base of another great Kiva. This one hasn't been completely excavated yet. We still have so much to learn about these people. Unknown is why two sets of cultures lived in this dwelling at different times. Were they driven out? Or was there a drought or famine? Archeologists know two peoples resided at the site by sifting through their trash piles. Pottery designs differed, diets varied, and tools were more advanced with the second culture. What would our trash tell archeologists about us one thousand years from now?
Bryan and I had to duck down to pass through Aztec doors. (Notice Bryan towering over the doorway for scale.) "Why were the door wells so low?" I queried. "Because they were tiny. Think of how small grandma Yazzie is." It's true, the Native woman is maybe 4'10". Evolution has turned us into large monsters in comparison.

I loved exploring the ruins. I wanted to be an archeologists when I was girl. So, this help feed my girlhood dreams. I can't wait to visit additional ruins and learn even more about our ancestors. Hopefully you enjoyed this little tour, and weren't bored to tears!

Road Trip.

take a week's worth of driving,

multiply that by five varied desert landscapes,

add the perimeter of mountainous ranges,
find the percentage of $30.00 worth of magazines,
divide hand smacks for i-pod control,
then carry the infinite candy stops.
This is the quotient of a very Yazzie road trip.