Snail Mail

Just A Little Note

In a time where we text instead of call, send email in place of letters, and facebook rather than face time I have really begun to value when I do get something fun in the mail.  It brings me back to being a kid waiting for a Birthday card, then I waited hoping for a little present (in the form of a check) inside, but as an adult I've found the card is present enough.  Sending someone a card or letter shows them that you took time out of your day to sit down and think of them, especially in todays world where digital communication is the norm. Because of this I try to send out notes to people as often as I can and I found some great stationary to do it on

A Note

Assorted Hats

The Library

 
So, if you have read my "Fun Facts" you know that books are one of the many things I like to collect.  Like most things in my collection, I keep books based both on stories I love as well as cover art that I like.  I always try to buy books with unusual covers.  One of my pet peeves is after a book is made into a movie the cover of the book is the same as the movie poster.  I hate it! When I stumbled across these at some titles at Mod Cloth I had to put them on my never ending list of things I want. They are also sold at Anthropologie. 

Disney Christmas

So this Christmas my Mom, my Stepdad Ben, and my Mom's whole family will be in LA! And we are spending Christmas Eve at DISNEYLAND!!  I think that means I need a holiday Disney Sweatshirt!!  (Any excuse for new clothes )

While at The Disney Store I came across some other VERY cute tops!!

Venice

On Venice Beach

Flasback!! San Francisco

Green the City

This was a promotional move done by PG&E to promote a "green" life. In 3 different areas of the city they set up couches made of grass and took Polaroids.  We only made it out to 2 locations before we turned back. 2007.

Green the City::Stop One::Civic Center

Green the City::Stop Two::Financial District

Green the City::Stop Two::Financial District

Franklin Street.  

This is a building my family has owned for over 25 yrs and I love it. When I was young we did a bit of moving, having moved 7 times before I was 15, because of this spending every summer with my Dad at Franklin Street became the constant and now the building just feels like home.  Partly because of my childhood memories of doing chores and spending time with my Dad, but also because when I made the BIG move from Puyallup, WA to San Francisco I was lucky enough to get an apartment in that very building that is so close to my heart.  I lived in that studio for almost 4 years before I finally left it, moving to Walnut Creek for 10 months before making the 2nd BIG move of my life to Los Angeles.  Below are a couple pictures of the view my studio had of the city.   

Transamerica Building in the far back to the left

In this photo you can see O'Farrell Street on the
 bottom left, which will take you straight
downtown to Union Sqaure in 8 blocks.
You can also see east out to the ocean and
when there are events at SBC stadium I
was able to watch the fireworks

Woodcuts by Lisa Brawn

one for sorrow.....

two for joy...

three for a girl...

four for a boy...

five for silver...

six for gold...

seven for a secret...

never to be told...

Artist : Lisa Brawn

Collector of Many Things

Red Slipper Room: Dever, CO

In my collection I have matchebooks that were passed down to me by my Great Grandmother.  Those ones tend to be my absolute favorites; some because of where they are from, but mostly because of the intricate details that came from the society of the 60s when everyone smoked and matchbooks as advertisments were useful. The others in my collection are ones I have gottn myself, since smoking is not as popular as it was matchbooks no longer have the same detail as those of the past.
My favorite of those are ones that bring back memories of my youth (LOL).  

These from the Red Slipper Room are my absolute absolute favorites, I love that the matchstick is a lady leg, I also love that the strike pad is inside the matchbook.

I love this one because colors and graphic. The inside cover reads 

"If your hair isnt becoming to you, you should be coming to us"

This is from my Great Grandmother (Grammy), I belive the salon was in Chicago

Grand Hotel

This one I like for the detail, the matchstick is in the shape of a building, I also like that the strike pad is inside the matchbook, and it is from Oslo, Norway.  This is one that was passed down to me from my Grammy.

I tend to like matchboxes more than matchbooks.  These are from El Toro, CA. From Grammy's collection.

Magnolia's Peach

From Grammy. Brea, CA.  This I like that the strike head is peach, I also love the color combination and font used.

Velvet Turtle in Los Angeles.

From Grammy.

Again this one has such a great logo. And I like that the logo is the focus without being too in your face.

Back of matchbox

Top of matchbox

This box is one I aquired myself.  This is from a fancy date Greg and I went on before we moved from SF to LA.

The back graphic is a depiction of how the prime rib is served to you. They bring the roaster and carve your piece right before your eyes.

Aventine

This is another one I got myself on a night out with friends in San Francisco.

  I love the map on the back of the box.

Astoria, NY

Brick Cafe in Astoria, NY. This is another one with a map, which I really love. I got this when I was visiting Andy.

Another great night out with a great friend.

This matchbook is abnormal for my collection as I bought it.  Greg and I bought this right before we moved from chilly SF to "hot as hell" LA.

Morning Coffee

My favorite mug

Dinner time

Homemade pasta sauce

*Side note: I do not measure.  I just add to taste so its different every time.  Also, I have a gas stove which I am still adjusting to.  I've learned it is much harder to slow cook something on a low heat with gas versus electric.  Since I am using gas I adjust the heat on my stove a lot.  If using an electric stove you should be able to use a low medium setting throughout the process.  Also add seasoning to the sauce at different points in the process to get different levels of flavor.

Ingredients:

grape tomatoes

heirloom tomatoes

hot italian sausage

sweet italian sausage

fresh chopped basil

minced garlic

onion powder

1 can of tomato sauce

Step 1: brown sausages with olive oil, garlic and basil. Then once sausage has been browned on both sides add a bit more olive oil, a cup of water, and tomatoes. 

Step 2: Once tomatoes have started popping make sure heat is low and allow to cook.

Step 3:Take a spoon or fork and pop remaining tomatoes and start, for lack of better word, smushing them and mixing them. Continue to keep on low heat.

Step 4: Add 1 can of tomato sauce and keep at a low simmer. Season to taste.

At this point it is ready to serve.  The longer it is on heat the more the flavors will come together. Add to noodles and have your favorite italian sides.

Finished Product:

Lovely afternoon in the Park:: 11.15.2010

Henry relaxing.  I love when he sits 
on his haunches like a lion.

A random man playing Jazz 
saxophone

So the other day Henry and I were feeling restless so we decided to go on a walk and look for some grass in the sun we could lay on.  We came to the West LA baseball fields on Ohio and decided to set up camp. We just laid out a blanket and enjoyed the sun for a bit.  What made the day so wonderful was the random man playing Jazz saxophone 20 feet away.  It reminded me of the joys of living in a city as diverse as LA. Pictures above.

Booooots

Boooots

That time of year

Gravel and Candy

A few more ideas

What to wear

See this                               See this

Oooooh the Holidays
All that Sparkles and Shines