Swedish style on a dime...or not

Are you an artist, musician, creator? With little money perhaps? (or maybe you have money but would rather save it for meatballs and kringla). Well then, do I have a hook up for you... Urban streetwear fashion label Elvine and Next Century Modern design agency have joined forces to bring the world Creators Inn. Located in Gothenburg, Sweden, Creators Inn hosts artisans of all shapes and arrangements at the inn (here's the kicker)...for free. here's the deal: short-term room and board shared bathrooms workspace a music studio and nibbly-bits (snacks for those who don't understand British terminology) Sounds like there are some qualifications in order to stay at Creators Inn, but what the heck? It's free (other than the plane ticket to get there).

So.Cal Crafters!!

Hey all you crafters and makers!! Handmade Brigade is coming to Costa Mesa!! This time, they're focusing on the holidays! Click here for a list of vendors attending.

I'll be there!! Say hi if you spot me :)

happy all hallows eve eve

in the spirit of halloween, here is one of Tim Burton's first short films, circa 1982:

New Aquisition

Yup! Meet Pete. The new Trine :)

Ode to all things Perfect

Since I was a child, I have always pointed out the things I thought were "perfect" or "ideal" by stating loudly, "MOM! This is the perfect [insert noun here]!" While eating a bowl of strawberries covered in powdered sugar, I'd hold up the strawberry with the most ideal shape and color - no imperfections. And I wouldn't eat that strawberry until it was the very last one in the bowl. I've done this my whole life with just about anything. Here is the beginning of my documentation of the things I see in my every day life that look as if they came out of a children's coloring book... 1. Have you ever seen a bunch of grapes hang so nicely?

New Fascination

I was gonna, and now I don't have to... thank you darling :) disclaimer: i realize one of the terrariums is slightly browning. don't worry. i'm on it.

Portraits of a Loved One

World, meet Olive. Olive, this is the world. She's such a booger... Yes, I love her very much. Yes, I'm slightly obsessed.

Pumpkin Hunt

Our plan was to wake up early, eat a yummy breakfast, grab coffee and head up to San Luis Obispo for another year of our annual Pumpkin Hunt. But after a long night of hosting my fabulous birthday cocktail party (entitled: Black Dresses & Bowties), we were barely able to roll out of bed by 10:00am. We rushed to get ready and headed out after about 45 mins. After a brief coffee stop, we were on our way. Eric and I love driving together. When we know we have a long ride ahead of us, we begin conversations about the most interesting things. I always think that I know most everything there is to know about him...until long car trips, where I am pleasantly surprised by how much I don't know and how much I get to know throughout the course of our lives together. We knew for sure our first stop was in Summerland, just south of Santa Barbara. Home to the most amazing sandwich ever created at Stacky's Seaside. The sandwich is called Loon Point. It encompasses your basic delicious turkey sandwich accoutrements PLUS fabulously melted jack cheese and juicy chile relleno and peppercinis! (not to mention my favorite condiment: mayo!) Last I had this sandwich, I literally went home and dreamt about it. (that is no lie, my friends. it's sick, i know) After lunch, instead of heading all the way up to SLO for pun'kins, we turned back down the highway and pulled in to Pete's Pumpkin Patch. Our late start disabled us from taking our original trip, but as you can tell...made no difference! Pete's was a HIT! It was actually a pretty anxious experience because every pumpkin was picture perfect...except the green one above. Legend has it that all the pumpkins with warts turn into witches on Halloween night because no one wants them (I just made that up, but I believe it..) (those green pumpkins are actually alien baby pouches) The final selection... there are a few star pumpkins hiding behind the big'uns. I got two smaller bowl-like punks because I have a great recipe for pumpkin soup with the pumpkins as the bowl. So festive! We grabbed In N Out (a non-negotiable on day trips) and headed south. Stopped by a few small towns on our way and did some antique shopping (obviously!). Eric bought me a vintage birthday sweater - it fits me PERFECT and has the most amazing closures! A star item for my wardrobe and I haven't taken it off since!! (photo to come) Once home, we dec'd the house with bows of pumpkins (fa la la la la....okkk), put on our jammies, and watched telly until our eyes closed. Hopped into our warm bed and said "nighty night" with a kiss. A very enjoyable birthday indeed. Hope you enjoyed as well. xo

The Girl with Many Talents

starring, Ruthi Auda, a young twenty-something born and raised in Southern California with the talent and passion to making things. ruthi auda - maker/creater/artist/builder/photographer/baker/graphic designer/cardmaker/inspirer from birthday objects to her boyfriend,

...to baking tasty treats, to stationery/ graphic design...

to showing the world what she gets to do all day long...

...and TONS more, she's is one artistic gal - and a sweetheart to boot! Currently, she holds the position for Display Coordinator at Anthropologie in Newport Beach. You can see all the projects she's working on on her blog (along with her impeccable documentation and eye for composition - i guess that comes with the package, eh?) Her posts are so fun and interesting and creative. She's definitely an inspiration! What she does with her creativity and artistic talent motivates and inspires me to use my time wisely to make and learn and evolve in the art of doing. Ruthi and I met through my husband - they both were in the Art department at Biola University and over the past year, has become a beloved friend. In fact, she and her boyfriend came along on a family summer trip to Bass Lake for a few days.

And now she lives in LONG BEACH with the rest of us :) All that to say, Ruthi is great at what she does and I admire her for it. A real Jane of all trades :)