you’ve gotten through a long week at work, hosted 15 family members for dinner on saturday night, then woken up sunday morning to realize your husband is golfing and has both car seats? 🙂 hi sunday. so you do this for as many hours as your body and mind can handle. 2 second interlude… unabashed […]
What’s for dinner? Venison stew!
November 16 by
My family and I just moved back to So Cal from the south. Brought this incredible recipe back with us. It’s perfect for a cold winter night…or a not terribly cold night in California. 2 lbs venison 3 onions 6 garlic cloves 6 stalks of celery add leaves 3 potatoes 3 cups of carrots […]
the real deal about tummy tucks
November 16 by
so, i live in the OC. and yes, most people have ‘work’ done. not work on their cars. not montessori work. we’re talking dermatological and plastic surgery ‘work.’ big conversation in the mommy circles of late has been about the tummy tuck. so, i’ve reached out to my plastic surgeon friend to get the scoop. […]
fall day with my new camera
November 15 by
don’t tell my husband, but i bought a new camera… isn’t this hibiscus divine? i just love the old wooden crates. why do i love the old distressed wood look so much? the colors are coming in on the fall flowers around the arch of the front door. so pretty. this child moves too fast […]
industrial tae kwon do belt rack :: galvanized steel pipes to the rescue
November 14 by
this is lil G’s room. notice it’s a bit disheveled. but it’s real. he loves maps….and lightning mcqueen….and books….and tae kwon do. for a four year old, he’s quite accomplished, having earned his 4th belt already. i’m pretty sure little kids don’t fail their tae kwon do exams…. maybe they learn a […]
brussels sprouts with chinese sausage and spicy sweet & sour sauce. nom nom.
November 13 by
does your stomach ever talk to you? tonight, mine said “meesh, i NEED those crispy brussel sprouts with chinese sausage that you and Hubby had at Broadway in Laguna Beach.” then i learned that it’s actually brussels sprouts. plural. not sure why. just is. tonight, i absolutely needed to have these. so delish. even Hubby […]
Raise your hand if you want to look younger!
November 11 by
WOW!!! I’m so excited to introduce Tricia to you guys. She’s a busy marketing consultant who’s primary focus is in the beauty and lifestyle world. She has the most amazing perfect Asian skin. I, on the other hand, have zits like a teenager, dark age spots, and have inherited rosacea. Thanks, Tricia for sharing your […]
Restoration Hardware inspired wood growth chart :: DIY
October 28 by
i’ve never met a piece of wood i didn’t like. i made a makeshift wooden deck around the kids’ playhouse last spring. there was a 6′ piece left. i knew i’d use it. someday. somehow. today was mr. woods’ lucky day. Ecowood Treatment is pretty nifty. But what I’ve found is that on smooth wood, […]
powder room reveal :: sophisticated beach vibe
October 25 by
i’m in love love love with our new powder room. our awesome designer, Erica Bryen, helped us find this perfect sea fan wallpaper. it’s blue-ish green, has some shimmer shimmer and sea fans. it’s official. i’m old. i’ve chosen wallpaper with shimmer? BUT, it’s perfect for our beachy, laid back vibe, yet sophisticated enough to […]
delish lamb chops with a balsamic viniagrette reduction
October 24 by
i’ve been watching a LOT of kitchen nightmares. gordon ramsay is harsh, but seems to know how to motivate people. he’s kind with some, in-your-face with others, yet encouraging throughout the show. anyway….all that being said, watching the show has sparked some inspiration for new recipes! i picked up some lamb chops at my favorite…costco. […]
antique pedestal table refinishing project :: step by step how-to
October 24 by
this adorable side table was handed down by my hubby’s grandparents, via his uncle. pretty beat up, but good structure. the legs were nearly perfect. then, we had a garage sale and one of the kiddos put his half-eaten donut on the table. (confession: i love my kids…almost as much as i love donuts). some […]
queen anne dresser :: grand finale
October 22 by
don’t you love when life knocks you for a few loops? i got the flu shot, and low and behold, got a 4 day mini flu. at least it wasn’t the whole shebang, but 4 days of fever es no bueno, as we like to say in so cal. so, i took a few weeks […]
fall is HERE! i found a pumpkin in my garden.
October 7 by
that’s right folks….i didn’t think it would happen. i planted pumpkin seeds in june….and we had amazingly gorgeous huge leaves. they grew all through the yard. then they started to get the white powdery fungus. so i ignored it figuring nothing would come of it. it was 100 degrees+ in our area for weeks….i certainly […]
queen anne dresser :: part 2
October 5 by
The Queen Anne dresser is coming along quite nicely. This is where I started: These are the steps I’ve taken thus far: Pulled out all drawers and sanded the body of the dresser with a 220 grit paper. Definitely wore a mask and had the garage door open as the dust was everywhere! Wiped […]
queen anne dresser refinishing :: part 1
October 3 by
my husband and i took care of our uncle george for the past 18 months. he was a kind man with a generous nature. he had nothing, but gave everything he found to those in need. he treasured this queen anne dresser, which belonged to his parents. i decided it should stay in the family. […]
