B is for...

Bigfiesta

2010-04-29T21:45:00.000-07:00

I recently had the pleasure of co-hosting my psuedo father in law's [PFIL] 70th birthday party. By co-hosting I mean that I did just about all the planning, phone calls & money spending and then left all the hard work to boyfriend. I am pregnant after all so pointing at where I wanted tables moved and making to-do lists is about all I can manage. I couldn't of course had done any of this without a little help from my friends. Starr at La Starr & Company Bakery made the most wonderful birthday cake. I had gotten the idea off of Pinkcakebox.com to incorporate hobbies & likes around the cake. It turned out adorable! I think it was the talk of the night, and watching me cut the cake seemed to stir a lot of converstation too. I never knew cutting a 3-tier cake was so fascinating.

Lots of easy food and of course an amazing bartender to keep guests full of chardonnay, manhattans & margaritas. The party managed to last until after 11:00 - which, yes, is late when you start at 3:00.

PFIL has a great group of people from long time neighbors, golf buddies and yacht club friends and his family who traveled from all parts of the states to celebrate. And I am glad I had Anna Costa [half of Michael + Anna Costa photographers who ROCK] on hand to snap some photos.

I do vow though never, ever to host or co-host any party unless I can have a glass of wine in my hand. May sound silly [and a bit lucious] but seriously, try it. It ain't as easy as you might think.

OXOX

Bliss

2010-04-27T04:49:00.000-07:00

Insomnia + a computer = catching up on and discovering new blogs. It also equals catching up on Mad Men reruns & the new season of Glee, but that's a story for another day.

Guest blogger on Apartment 34 has summed up one of my happiest dreams.

In the middle of nowhere, under a tree...

http://apartment34.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-bliss-everything-fabulous.html

because i wanted to share

2010-04-22T19:45:00.000-07:00

I found this photo AGES ago on a blog or website [apologies for not the proper blog or photo credit] and I just stumbled across it again. I think it was an ad or editorial for bridesmaids dresses. I don't know why I love this picture, perhaps it is the pixie like, ethereal quality - it feels light & floaty to me. My dear friend and sometimes the other half of my brain, Claudia, hates this picture and used to shake her head when she saw it on my computer screen. Anyhow, here is the photo. And that's all I have to say today about that.

Oh, and Happy Earth Day!

[Post] Baby-Vacation

2010-03-25T21:23:00.000-07:00

With a middle roughly the size of a dwarf planet and still growing, it is a wonder that I am honestly thinking about where to go on our mini vacation in the fall, without B and future human. But I am thinking about it and starting to plan it and I think it is important for all people to think about post baby.

There are 40ish weeks of life being all about pregnancy and all the lovely things that go along with it; and then another however many months of it being all about baby and all the lovely things that go along with that, its nice to try and plan something for just the two of you - even if it is only over night.

We are fortunate enough to be blessed with both sets of parents within a stones throw of our house so we have the luxury of being able to escape for a few nights. And no, I am not one of those moms who couldn't dream being away from my baby for more than a minute, my genetic wiring I don't think allows for it. I am all about the little escape now and then and being an adult who isn't worried about bed time, bubble baths & Backyardigans. But now, where to go...

We could go here...

We'd stay in a yurt, read books, hike, drink wine, visit the sushi bar and take in the ocean breeze right on the coast of Big Sur. Sounds of crashing waves, no cell phone service and twinkly stars. Ahhh...

http://www.treebonesresort.com/

Or we could go here...

We'd spend a few days meandering about the Russian River Valley, wine tasting, driving out to Bodega Bay, unwinding at the spa, sleeping late, eating too much. Ahhh...

From top to bottom:

The AMAZING Two Michelin Star Restaurant Cyrus

http://www.cyrusrestaurant.com/

Sit at the bar before going in to dinner and try one of the delicious cocktail creations. They use the best local & seasonal ingredients and do the most magical things with gin...or vodka...or scotch....or tequila.

Truly drinkable art.

The cozy and wonderous boutique Hotel Healdsburg

http://www.hotelhealdsburg.com/

also MUST dine at Charlie Palmer's Dry Creek Kitchen at the hotel. Dinner @ the bar - yum.

Love it, love it!!!!!

My favorite breakfast in the world is at Willow Wood Cafe & Market

http://www.willowwoodgraton.com/

Seriously, no joke, my mostfavorite breakfast EVER. So simple and yet as much as I have tried I cannot replicate it. It is buttery thick toast, a perfectly poached egg, thinly sliced salty prosciutto & a bit of cheese [I think if memory serves correct it was Parmesan]. It could be the meal itself or it could be the meal enhanced with the Cafe's quirky, country charm.

Oh and their AWSOMENESS coffee.

The Bubble Room at J

http://www.jwine.com/

In the middle of the Pinot mecca that is Sonoma & the Russian River Valley are some pretty darn good domestic bubbles. I love going to J for some sparkling flights.

For those of you who know me, are you surprised?

Then there are always the closer & more practical trips like jaunts to Santa Barbara, Santa Catalina or Santa Monica. There is also the most practical idea of staying home with your family...

For those of you who know me...well, let's just leave it at that.

OXOX

Fancycakes Friday

2010-03-12T13:46:00.000-08:00

Two blogs? I don't know what on earth I was thinking. I hardly have a moment for an eyebrow wax or to keep up on my Vanity Fair subscription, let alone post on two blogs.

Therefore, I introduce Fancycakes Friday.

Fancycakes is a little project sort of started as a side job that came out of a cupcake hobby & a desire to start a business - think, adorable little cupcakery right downtown serving amazing deliciousness with superfun flavors like Apricot Viognier, Maple Bacon & Chocolate Chile. Without a building or a bucket of money a menu was born for cupcake catering. No party is too big or too small [as long as you order a dozen per flavor] and custom ideas are always welcome.

Holidays always provide for great inspiration as well - Chinese New Year for example brought on the 5-spice Red Velvet with a Ginger Buttercream and St. Patricks Day the Guiness & Irish White Cheddar - a slightly savory fancycake.

I invite you to take a gander at the full list of fancycakes by clicking the link below & feel free to email fancycakesvta@gmail.com to place an order.

www.fancycakesvta.blogspot.com

I hope to make Fancycakes Friday a regular post with new inspirations and flavors, but who knows, I may actually find time to go to Yoga.

OXOX

Birthday party!

2010-03-06T10:42:00.000-08:00

New post from Hostess with the Mostess has me ooohing and ahhhing! And already inspired for a future birthday party for the future human!

http://www.hostessblog.com/2010/03/real-parties-alice-in-wonderland-birthday

Or maybe even my own next birthday party...something fun, childish & fantastic for thirty....something-or-other.

Enjoy the photos.

OXOX

bloglove...

2010-03-04T11:34:00.001-08:00

I adore finding new blogs, especially wedding + lifestyle blogs and I just love this one I found thanks to Google Alerts [my place of employment is listed under her Unique SoCal Venues so the site pops up on my alerts almost every day]

http://www.greenweddingshoes.blogspot.com/

I am especially enjoying her posts of late with the inspiration boards of weddings from movies, being the film junkie that I am. The inspiration board from Up is so cute and whimsical!

Enjoy some Inspiration on this sunshiny Thursday.

OXOX

Birthday Greetings

2010-03-02T09:46:00.000-08:00

Today is my Aunt LaRae's birthday. I always remember her birthday more than any other Aunt of mine. Sorry Aunts!!! I think it is because she was always there when I was little, all the rest of my Aunts live in LA and Orange County & San Diego plus she shares the birthday day with my Grandma Emch, who unfortunately/fortunately isn't here to celebrate her birthday with us. I told Beckett this morning that it was "Aunty Larae's Birthday" and he said "Oh! She has the same as Dr. Seuss!"

I cannot tell you how absolutely happy that made me since I adore the works of Dr. Seuss. My favorite book when I was younger was the Sneetches and Other Stories. My YCC Tess & I used to read it and when we read the story about the too many Dave's we would attribute each of the silly names to one of our other family members. The one I always remember was Oliver-Boliver Butt and I think that was my cousin Gary. Sorry Gary.

Well, I just wanted to say Happy Birthday to my wonderful Aunty Larae who is always so happy & smiley & full of surprises! I mean, who else has an Aunt that will dress in a Fairy Princess gown for Thanksgiving, just because it made her happy? And who else give you $25.00 a week before Christmas so you can buy yourself something, wrap it, and open it in front of her on Christmas, just because it makes her happy?

Nobody? I didn't think so.

So, Happy Birthday lovely LaRae, here is a Dr. Seuss quote just for you...

Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive that is youer than you

~Happy Birthday to You

OXOX

P.S. LaRae was sick on Christmas this year so she didn't get to see us open our presents. She got us the meat grinder attachment for our kitchen aid - I should invite her and Uncle Ray over for yummy burgers this summer - and she got B a Jet Blue Airport set. She is such a wonderful gift giver!!!

And PPSS...

Here are some of my other tops from Dr. Seuss

From Horton Hears a Who...
Don't give up! I believe in you all.
A person's a person, no matter how small!
And you very small persons will not have to die
If you make yourselves heard! So come on, now, and TRY!

From Yertle the Turtle...
And today the great Yertle, that Marvelous he,
Is King of the Mud. That is all he can see.
And the turtles, of course...all the turtles are free.
As turtles and, maybe, all creatures should be.

From the Lorax...
Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
nothing is going to get better. It's not.

Beckett takes on Begas

2010-02-26T17:41:00.001-08:00

B is obsessed with taking pictures. He always asks to use our phones to take pictures and will pretend to take photos with anything rectangular - old out of service phones, deck of cards, Altoid box... So, for Christmas Santa Claus got B a Fisher Price Kid Tough Digital Camera. It may very well have been the best gift he got. We take it with us on all types of trips & special occasions. This camera really rocks!!! http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=2621&e=mainproduct&acccat=cameracc&mainid=44529&pid=51142

A few times a year B & I go visit Fairy Maggie & Aunty Tori in Begas [Las Vegas]. The city where he was born & spent the first 6 months of his life. So, of course he had to take his camera this time around. Here are a few of the pics he captured. Begas from a B's eye view...

The Bellagio Conservatory - the big man for Chinese New Year

The waterfall wall at Sensi. It's fun to touch when you walk by. We have to walk past it all the time in order to get to Aunty Tori's office.

Komodo Dragon at Shark Reef. We go there each & every time we visit.

Wonderful Sophie. Fairy Maggie's White Golden Retriever. She gets just as excited about B's visit as anyone. She is such a cuddle bug!!

Wonderful Carrie. She babysits when we come to town so Fairy Maggie, Aunty Tori & I can go out and act like adults. This time we hit the spa at Aria, followed by a few bites at Julian Serrano and a few more bites at Sirio - both new restaurants in Aria at City Center.

That's all of Begas! Next stop...San Francisco.

Bag of all bags

2010-02-20T16:13:00.001-08:00

I told my lovely friend Lolli the other day "do NOT get me a diaper bag" I already have this wonderful & simple denim Skip Hop bag that I carried around with B and it is still in great condition. Who needs another diaper bag when you already have one? There are so many other great baby things that I need or would rather have. But when, what to my wondering eyes should appear...

Can you die? I did & I couldn't resist. It is Cake by Petunia Picklebottom and it is lovely & decadent & delicious. Just like cake! I opted for the Chocolate Cake but there are other fun "flavors" including lemon, gooseberry & licorice pudding. It is super soft & velvety with a great lining, tons of pockets and a secret zipper compartment on the bottom that stows a changing mat. I must say with something so wonderfully luscious it is highly doubtful a single milk filled bottle or bag of gummies will get anywhere near it! But oh, what a bag...

Plus it makes me happy to support a local company! www.petuniapicklebottom.com

bootielicious

2010-02-10T21:16:00.000-08:00

The baby shopping has begun! It is much easier this time since we decided to find out whether or not we were having a boy or a girl. I mean, there is only so much "uni-sex" one person can take. Poor B was dressed in white and gray for the first few months of his life, and had a nursery full of green and beige. So, now that we know that the little lemon [our silly nickname for baby] is a girl...

How absolutely adorable are those? Thanks to Daily Candy I just bought them from a great shopping site, Chloe in Style. Can't wait to smoosh little feet into those!

Blog Shout Out

2010-01-26T13:51:00.000-08:00

http://http://allyouneedisweddings.blogspot.com/

Check it out.

Love it.

And the author ROCKS!

She should give a class to soon to be brides on how to behave and why. Seriously.

I hope you enjoy her few posts and many more posts to come.

OXOX

Baby on Board

2010-01-26T13:25:00.000-08:00

Again, I disappear for what seems like forever and now again, I return. But this time with a good excuse for why I have been absent. Came back from my Tennessee bisit to discover that we are having a new human. OY! So, my mind has been a little pre-occupied with nursery decor, maternity clothes, being off of work during the busiest season of the year and trying to convince Beckett that the new baby does not go in the trash.

We are very excited & due in June. Yes, June again. I am hoping for earlier June though that will not make new human any less of a Gemini. GASP. Apologies to any Geminis in my life that are indeed fabulous but you know how difficult you are. :)

So, stay tuned for more...including Chinese New Year! Year of the Tiger and a Red Velvet Fancycake experiment.

OXOX

Birthday Brunch Playlist

2009-10-18T20:22:00.000-07:00

Musicaddict is back. It's been awhile.

I was toiling and troubling over the playlist for my soon coming birthday pajama brunch. Less than a week officially and I am so excited. I got some new PJ's via the Cat's Pajamas, did all the libation shopping at BevMo and completed my menu; Paula Deen's Hash Brown Quiche, Wolfgang's Breakfast Pizza with Smoked Salmon & Giada's Berry Strata just to name a few. Helloooo...YUM!!! Oh and of course a Fancycakes appearance with Breakfast Inspired Cupcakes.

Insert shameless plug here. www.fancycakesvta.blogspot.com.

The distressing part was though as of a few days ago there were a total of 4 songs on my playlist. Some Madcon, the Cast of Glee covering Queen [Glee - seriously the BEST new show of the fall. Completely addicted.], the supersexy Mercy by Duffy and some Black Eyed Peas. Fab 4, yes. But 4 songs does not a party playlist make.

I sent out an emergency email to my friends on the guest list asking for requests and some much needed help. I have NEVER EVER EVER done this before. The perfectly themed playlist is something I can always accomplish on my own. What on earth was going on???

Insomnia saved the day! In a matter of hours I had a list that evolved so coolly from a bit of Bing Crosby, Ella and some great New Orleans & French Jazz mixed in with a few light & easy Broadway show tunes. Then, right when the party should be getting started the Girl from Ipanema mashes right into Proud Mary. Heart Tina.

A 30 minute trip through 70's R+B drifts into some Bob, some Belafonte and a great set of Latin songs with of course some Tito Puente.

Just when you are getting into the Gipsy Kings a sharp turn careens you right into Basement Jaxx, Lady Gaga, Franz Ferdinand. And others.

Clocks & Jane Says mellow us out a bit [I can't keep the beat too high, my parents and pseudo in-laws are on the guest list - though I must say Ellen has been known to shake a tail feather to Poker Face. She is so fun!!!] and we sort of stay on the mellow track through the end of the list, floating through some Tommy James, Beatles & Bee Gees and wrapping up with a nice set of M. Ward, Richard Hawley [discovered him on Ovation TV! Check him out for sure] & Jack Johnson.

Squeezed nicely in the middle of all that is about 40 minutes of great 80's - Haircut 100, Psychedelic Furs, Talking Heads..."psycho killer, qu'est que c'est..." And yes, as always. THE CURE. Is that ever a question? Really?

79 Songs in 5 Hours, 1 Minute and 39 Seconds that starts with Moon River and ends with Everyday is Like Sunday. Andy Williams to Morrissey, all that's in between and then some.

Great music can make or break any party. It has to fit just right. I tell that to so many clients all the time. There are 3 things that people remember from any event. One of them is if the music was amazing or if it sucked. I won't divulge the other 2 right now.

I don't know why I get so giddy over making playlists for parties. It's just something in me. I love it.

I am a musicaddict after all.

Good cookin' school part 1+2

2009-09-27T20:14:00.000-07:00

Yes, yes I am aware that the title of this post doesn't start with the letter b as with all previous posts but I am taking this brief break to blog about good cookin' school.

My wonderful friend always comments on how she wants to learn how to cook like I do. An amazing compliment since I have no culinary background other than being a catering manager at a hotel and being obsessed with Food TV, beautiful cookbooks and "fancy food."

I proposed one day that I teach her how to cook. In my kitchen. Just the two of us. Easy and yummy recipes that fit her style an that she can cook for her boyfriend. Who apparently doesn't cook either. I am sure they eat out a lot.

The first "class" was a few weeks ago and we made ahi & bok choy. Seared sashimi grade ahi that we crusted with chile powder & black pepper then seared in a pan fairly quickly so it was done rare. The bok choy we cooked in a wok with sesame oil, fresh grated ginger & minced garlic. We also made wasabi mayo - simply wasabi powder & good ol' Best Foods.

The second class was fun because Saturday we spent the morning shopping for the meal. We met at the Farmer's Market, got our coffee and hit the booths with Beckett - who had to get his kettle corn first thing. After the market - arms full of our produce for the week and some wonderful baby artichokes for dinner we drove to this great local fish market for our scallops. Plus I had to show her where I got the ahi for our first class so she could make it for her boyfriend. It's a funny little place in the middle of a bunch of mechanic shops and other warehouses. If you didn't know where you were going you would think you were lost.

Menu: Baby Artichoke with Lemon & Garlic, Champagne Risotto with Scallops drizzled with Truffle Oil. First we prepped the artichokes

(don't these look yummy???)

and then started on the risotto. Risotto was a fun thing to show her how to cook because you have to pay attention to it. The actual process is something that you can see happen - vs. something that you pop in the oven.

This particular recipe is probably the simplest risotto I have made to date. Just a few ingredients - one of which is champagne to that makes the preparations that much more fun.

(these are the ingredients - except the scallops which are still in the fridge)

It turned out wonderfully - all three of us cleaned our plates. But the best part of all is spending time chatting, gossiping & laughing with my friend - oh and watching Project Runway.

Next up in good cookin' school is my famous and very top secret mac and cheese. I haven't ever told anyone how I make it so she is one lucky duck!! I may make her sign a non-disclosure agreement before class commences.

Birthday Brunch

2009-09-15T17:36:00.000-07:00

I am not sure why so many people don't like their birthday. I happen to love my birthday. And this year, in honor of my very own special holiday [which United Nations Day has the audacity to try and share with me] I am throwing myself a brunch.

This year isn't sort of any major birthday milestone. Just thirty...something, again and again. It just feels like a fun thing to do.

Build your own Bloody Mary Bar, Assorted Bellinis, Quiche Buffet, Noah's Bagels and all sorts of schmears, Fresh Fruit and of course my two breakfast themed cupcakes - Maple Bacon & Mimosa.

Now to compile a guest list, and the evite will request that guests wear pajamas.

I hope my friends don't sleep naked!

bacon bacon everywhere

2009-09-14T09:38:00.000-07:00

As I am typing my bacon cupcake post I see the Ebell of Los Angeles has typed a little article about bacon. What is it with bacon these days? It is everywhere and not just in your omelet or nestled in your BLT.

Vosges Haute Chocolate has a bar called Mo's Bacon Bar and yesterday while shopping at Paradise Pantry for some cheese and wine I spied a new creation from Vosges - the Bacon Caramel Toffee. They also have chocolate chip bacon pancake mix - or with a box of Bisquick, pack of some good smokey bacon and a bag of chocolate chips you can probably make your own.

There was the chocolate covered bacon at the Fair this year - I did not try because I only wanted one piece and you had to buy an entire bowl.

And of course at any Tapas bar worth its salt - the date stuffed with Gorgonzola and wrapped with bacon.

The Ebell also referenced a cocktail recipe from the New York Times - Bacon Infused Old Fashioned! Hello!!! Yes, I am going to try this one out soon and share my results.

Mmmm...bacon...

breakfast in a cupcake

2009-09-14T09:10:00.000-07:00

I love to make cupcakes! I do. I am a self professed non baker but for some reason in my brain cupcakes do not land in that category. A few months ago I started getting creative with the flavors and perfecting a made from scratch buttercream recipe. I bought some lavender sugar at a local market and made a strawberry cupcake with lavender buttercream - and of course sprinkling a little purple sugar on the top. They were a hit! Then came the peanut butter and jelly cupcake - thanks Martha! Then, last night, again thanks to Martha, I whipped up a maple buttercream frosting with pure maple syrup and a GOB of butter.

Really - that is FOUR, yes FOUR sticks of butter, chilled and cut into little cubes. Added to the syrup and egg yolks and beat into a frothy, fluffy bowl full of syrupy goodness. If I hadn't been waiting for our yummy dinner I may have eaten the entire bowl of frosting, inevitably getting sick from all the sugar - but still, it is that good.

Next came the bacon - a few strips baked in the oven and then crumbled up, and sprinkled on the cupcake. It tasted like breakfast!

A few minor adjustments to the process for next time - and I may try the bacon powder recipe I found on the super fun blog The Bacon Show. http://baconshow.blogspot.com/search/label/bacon%20powder

Up next in the breakfast cupcake series...mimosa, complete with champagne buttercream!

brown baggin' it

2009-09-05T10:32:00.000-07:00

Two in one day! I must really be back. I finally sat down to read my pal Jen's blog about food. We are both uber obsessed with cooking, eating, eating...

Anyhow, Jen' did a little post about the "lelem pupcakes" that B and I recently made. We got pretty fancy with the buttercream - which I always make from scratch but that's a blog for another day. Beckett wanted to share with everyone! The neighbors, Danny's family and of course Jennifer & Brock. We individually wrapped them for easier transport. Beckett did the decorating. Check it out!

http://foodinlife.blogspot.com/2009/08/little-things-that-make-your-day.html

Back in action

2009-09-05T09:47:00.001-07:00

Well, after a long [but way too short] summer I am finally back to my blog with lots of fun inspiration and ideas. I can't tell you how many times I sat down to the computer to share something - like buttercream, berries, BBQ's...but my mind kept thinking about getting ready for this vacation or that vacation or cleaning the house and finally, getting Beckett ready to start pre-school. Plus the summer has been so beautiful - who wants to sit at the computer & type? Not me!

But now, things are winding down and I'm ready to blog. Blog about the buttercream, the berries & the Brandy Alexanders. The latter having to do with a 70th birthday party I am planning that will have a late 1950's/early 60's cocktail vibe. Can't wait to share and see how it all turns out.

Enjoy your Labor Day weekend! We are having a little party. "Fancy BBQ" as I am dubbing it. Grilled Baby Artichokes with Lemon Aioli, Panko Onion Rings [from the Freezer section, I don't panko bread anything myself], these yummy sounding burgers from a recipe in the Build a Better Burger Cookoff Cookbook and finally, Grilled Angel Food Cake with Balsamic Strawberries & Basil Whipped Cream. I am hungry thinking about it.

Cheers!

Berry refreshing

2009-07-20T20:42:00.000-07:00

At any party my beverage of choice is wine - sparkling, white, red...I am an equal opportunity imbiber. Unless you are serving me 2 buck chuck - then I'd prefer water. But the days of the cocktail are back in full force. When I say cocktail I mean cocktail and not martini - those have been in for so long I think they are soon on their way out. More and more often you will see some elaborate cocktail menus at restaurants and lounges and some super fun signature drinks at events.

Recently we were playing around with some yellow signature cocktails - Yellow Watermelon Agua Fresca was our first attempt - not bad but could use some work. Then, James of Ventura Limoncello and I were chatting and he suggested the "Limosa," a wonderful blend of Ventura Limoncello [any Limoncello of course would work but I always have to support my hometown] and Prosecco. Sparkling & citrusy and just a hint of sweetness plus anything in a champagne glass = CELEBRATE. And the yellow color was so fun! Here is a link to this and other recipes that James has on his site. http://www.venturalimoncello.com/vlc/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=49

Mojitos and Caprihinas are also at the height of popularity right now. Both rum based and consisting of muddled herbs or fruit. The fun in these is that you don't have to follow any recipe or exact science. What could be better at a backyard BBQ than a build your own Caprihina bar with a variety of juicy berries and other great fruit? Strawberries & Lime are my favorite but you can also use grapes, raspberries, blueberries - whatever! Get creative! The fun I have found with Mojitos is that you don't always have to use mint and you don't always have to use rum. We did a fun blueberry basil Mojito using vodka [plain] -Smirnoff makes a blueberry vodka now which would have really been great! Other distillers have some great flavored vodkas which can be fun to play around with for a mojito alternative as well.

Belvedere Black Raspberry, Three Olives Grape, Hangar One Mandarin are some of the best flavored vodkas that I have found. There are so many others too! What could be a better party pleaser than a vodka bar? 5 or 6 different flavored vodkas and a buffet of mixers, fruits and other liqueurs...

The Three Olives Grape and a bit of club soda - honestly, grape soda, which is my mostfavorite soda! I have heard the Three Olives Bubble, a newer flavor, is pretty amazing too!

Belvedere Black Raspberry makes a fun drink recently had poolside in Vegas. Vodka, St Germain Liqueur, fresh blackberries, lime, simple syrup and a splash of white grape juice. Yum, yum and yummy! If you don't have a great local liquor store [like I have in Ojai Beverage Company] you can get the Belvedere and St Germain on BevMo.

..I may have to do some more "mixologing" in my kitchen soon.

Cheers!

(The) Blower's Daughter + other hip songs for your aisle

2009-07-10T23:29:00.000-07:00

I live in the world of the ever chic bride + groom. Modern, imaginative, stylish. Those who want their signature on everything that has to do with their wedding. One of a kind people who crave originality yet want to create something completely meaningful & heartfelt. For a lot of them Mendelssohn's Wedding March, Pachelbel's Canon in D or Wagner's Bridal Chorus just wouldn't do for their more or less 60 second walk to wedded bliss. And of course being the music addict I am, none of the above would make it on my playlist either.

Here are my top faves, in no particular order, for your consideration.

Lovely processional melodies, many of which are covers of more upbeat and slightly less lilting originals:

[the top 3 here are nods to some of the afore referenced brides & grooms]

Sea of Love by Cat Power

How Deep is Your Love by The Bird & The Bee

The Blower's Daughter by Damien Rice

Such Great Heights by Iron & Wine ~ dreaming of hearing this with a solo guitar & no vocals

Yellow by Jem ~ Coldplay version would suffice, but I find Jem's cover much more romantic

Maybe I'm Amazed by Jem ~ again, the Paul McCartney original would do as well but Julie Cooper walked down the aisle to the Jem cover when she married Caleb on the O.C. so how can you deny?

She's Got A Way or She's Always a Woman by Billy Joel ~ I think Pink walked down the aisle to the latter - SO COOL!

Never Tear Us Apart by INXS

The Story by Brandi Carlisle ~ I only like if you can get down the aisle in less than 50 seconds because then the beat picks up and the whole mood of the song changes

Memories Are Made of This by Dean Martin ~ a little pep to it yes, but with the right dress in the right setting. Swoooooon.

Runner Up in this Category - Shelter From the Storm by Bob Dylan. I don't know why, but I think this is such a romantic song. It probably isn't.

Honorable Mention - Maps by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. You had to have seen it in action to really appreciate. But since you probably didn't I sum it up in one word - Awesome.

For Recessing, some of these choices are a little more out there but oh so fabulous:

No One by Alicia Keys

Happy Together by The Turtles ~ still is my all time favorite first dance song that I have heard

Lovely Day by Bill Whithers ~ just through about 1:50 then the "daaaaaaaaay" part gets a bit repetitive

Clocks by Coldplay

Whole Lotta Love or All My Love by Led Zeppelin

White Wedding by Queens of the Stone Age ~ no Billy Idol for me on this one, QOTSA version has much more sexy to it

Lovesong by The Cure ~ come on, did you think I would compile any list of songs that didn't include The Cure? Shame on you if you did.

For Once In My Life by Stevie Wonder

Cielito Lindo performed live by a Mariachi group ~ check out the translation though and you'll see why it made this list. So cute!

Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash

Runner up, my a little out there song that I couldn't resist - You Dropped a Bomb on Me by the Gap Band Fun, right?

Honorable mention - All You Need is Love by the Beatles. To make this work though, in my opinion, it really needs to be done live a la Love Actually. It could actually happen. I've seen it with my own two eyes. Honestly. Goosebumps.

I hope you enjoy my list. It isn't for everyone. Some people favor tradition and/or don't quite have my connection/obsession to music. For those I refer back to the songs at the top. They get the job done and do always sound lovely performed by a string quartet or a harpist. For the rest of you, most of these songs are on iTunes.

Or maybe if you're nice I'll let you borrow my iPod.

Brilliant!

2009-07-08T18:42:00.000-07:00

This is my very first installment of my "brilliant" posts. Ideas that I really wish I would have thought of myself. But I didn't, so instead I will give my love and affection and a shout out to those who thought of it first. :) Without further adieu...brilliant idea #1...

The ever wonderful Ryan Larson of Savoir Flair events [a wedding coordinator that I have had the privilege of working with twice now] has teamed up with a friend of hers to start Tin Parade. An online company that designs & packages vintage parties for kids. Perfect for parties from bridal showers to little boy baseball parties and all that is in between.

They have parties packaged by theme - my favorite is the baseball party ~

or you can purchase items a la carte like a vintage pin the tail on the donkey game ~

or these way too cute plantable papers ~

Such fun for the cool party-planning mom or thoughtful friend or anyone who needs a little party inspiration. I personally love it and can't wait to have my very own vintage party!

Check it out http://www.tinparade.com/index.html

Enjoy!

Beckett's green tips

2009-07-02T21:05:00.000-07:00

Finally able to sit down and get to sharing about B's 3rd birthday festivities!

Fabulous Fiona + Cameron from Lettre Sauvage made his invitations on recycled paper with recycled Kraft paper envelopes. They also only use 100% natural inks, so that was so awesome! Inside of each guests invitation I had written up a little "tip" on how to live an Eco-friendly [aka green] life. I came up with a different tip for each guest, mostly courtesy of National Geographic Kids website - but also from some of the things that we do in our own lives to take care of the planet.

A few people have asked me for the full list - so, here it is!!

1. Turn off the lights when you leave the room

2. Tell the adults to unplug their phone, camera & other chargers when they aren't using them

3. Turn off your TV and play a board game or play outside. I like to go hunt for bugs + blow bubbles.

4. Plant a little garden.

5. Go shopping for your veggies at the Farmer's Market or Country Market [A+F Country Market is our market of choice - Olivas Parkway & Telephone. Great produce, Santa Barbara Pistachios and the juiciest strawberries! Beckett loves this place because of the free samples.]

6. Don't buy new wrapping paper. Use paper grocery bags or shopping bags. [You can have fun turning it into an art project. Here is B at Christmas making wrapping paper!]

7. Ride your bike or walk to the market instead of driving.

8. Make your coffee at home, or take your own mug! It uses less coffee cups.

9. Use toys that only require human energy. Nothing that needs batteries or electricity.

10. Find ways to re-use office paper. Art projects, paper airplanes or grocery lists!

11. Shop with re-usable grocery bags. We have LOTS of them. [Don't forget to use them other places than the market too.]

12. If you MUST use battery operated toys and games, use rechargeable batteries.

13. Instead of buying new books go to your local library, used bookstore or join http://www.paperbackswap.com/ [I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this website!!! Sort of hard to get to the post office right away but once you get in the groove it is great!]

14. Don't litter. Also, participate in a local clean up day.

15. Don't kill spiders. They are mother nature's pest control.

16. Don't leave the water running while brushing your teeth

17. Use earth friendly cleaning products. [We like Method - no bleachy smell!]

That's all! Hope you enjoy!

bubbles

2009-07-01T18:19:00.000-07:00

Huell Howser really is tres cool. I love watching his show, California's Gold, on PBS and even DVR it when it is on. He has the best secrets about California even though he isn't even from here.

Being a born and bred Cali girl I find it fascinating that he has more knowledge about my fine state than I do. Recently he did an entire episode on Galco's Soda Pop Stop in Los Angeles. A store dedicated to every soda you can possibly imagine! Vintage, imported, unique - you name it, they have it!

When this episode was on I was one day away from Beckett's Green Party and would have loved to have had more green beverage options. Too bad I didn't have this information earlier. I CANNOT wait to pay this place a visit!

http://www.sodapopstop.com/home.cfm

boy oh boy how embarrassed am I?

2009-07-01T18:15:00.000-07:00

I have no words other than...

http://mindyweiss.com/blog/2009/07/01/the-secret-is-out/

Bootylicious

2009-06-30T20:05:00.000-07:00

So Mindy I told you I was going to blog about this.

When I say Mindy I mean Mindy Weiss. Many in my circle wil know who I am talking about and the rest of you will go, "who?" For the rest of you I urge you to Google.

Anyhow, this past weekend was crazybusy for me. I had a huge wedding and when I say huge I mean, messitupandyouarefired huge. So needless to say I have been in high stress mode for weeks and when the big day finally arrived I was already exhausted, emotionally and physically.

Somewhere in between getting the bride off for family photos in 100 degree heat and trying to figure out how to get 30+ wedding party to the middle of the golf course and rubber sharks to the wedding ceremony I crumbled. It has rarely happened but I admit that I cracked under the pressure and ended up sitting in the back seat of a golf cart in tears. Not so wonderful but here is where the always wonderful genius event planner Mindy Weiss comes in, ready with a solution at a moments notice.

As soon as the first [or second] tear starts to roll Mindy is in front of me performing in front of a heap of florists and musicians - wait for it - a freakin' high school cheer! Yes my friends, she was cheering in front of me, hands in the air, booty shakin and yelling at the top of her lungs!! Most of you will wonder what the big deal is but to those of us who look to her as an inspiration and a trend setting wedding + event planner, who is always cool, calm and collected; seeing her standing in a dirt golf cart parking lot in the middle of chaos performing a cheer as if she were at a high school football game or pep-rally it was a moment I will remember forever. And it did the trick. Hysterics in a different way. She had all of us around laughing and clapping and it really lifted the mood.

As with many Mindy ideas, I am ever inspired and know what to do when those around me "get to that place". Though I don't know if I would be as convincing.

Too bad no one around took a picture. That would be some serious bribery.

Birthdays, Balloons & Garage Bands

2009-06-14T06:54:00.000-07:00

So, I began this endeavor just yesterday with no clue what I was going to write about but at least I was going to write. In just 24 short hours I have come across so many things to post/share etc. They all have a common thread - parties. Or at least the planning of them.

I think it is safe to say that I have been planning parties for most of my life. I planned my own 16th birthday party. It was supposed to be a costume party but hardly anyone came dressed up. Well, my cute cousin Deborah came dressed as a cat and all my Uff-da Aunts came dressed up in matching shirts and sang for every one. I actually don't think I even dressed up, but I did have a band in the garage and all of my friends danced all night! I remember planning my dad's 50th birthday, it was a surprise party, I made the invitations at kinko's or some place like that. I was so proud of myself - fun handwriting, my dad's senior high school picture etc etc, but I forgot to put the location of the party on the invite. A fun lesson learned. My mom's 50th birthday was a luau. I went so far as to swap out the lightbulbs in the house for blue ones and hang paper fish from the ceiling so you were "underwater". Don Ho playing in the background...that was no easy feat mind you. I think it was a cassette tape that I kept having to remember to flip over. My dad did the hula on the coffee table and almost fell over on my grandma - though that's a story for another day. Sorry dad.

Back to the subject at hand, me + parties. The tradition continues to this day. I am about to go get ready for Beckett's 3rd birthday party. The theme - green. Beer and soft drinks in green bottles, green tea ice cream & mint chip ice cream, key lime pie, Mamie is making GREEN guacamole, I bought green organic squash from the farmer's market yesterday along with artichoke hummus [really the best hummus on the planet. A company called Mom's Products. No website but if you are ever in Ventura on a Saturday...], green bio-degradable balloons, green m+m's and plates & bowls that are 100% compostable - not that they would end up in my compost pile. I don't even have a compost pile, but I will make sure they are recycled.

Burn this

2009-06-13T08:44:00.000-07:00

So, those of you that know me know I am so into music - and all kinds.

Almost.

Seriously though, I make playlist for all occasions. Even just to have mexican food for dinner.

Weird yes.

While making Beckett's playlist for his party tomorrow - mostly all Putumayo stuff for kids - I came across two oh so fun CD's on itunes! All disney music but not so hannah montana/kidz bop annoying. Volume 1 of the Archive collection has Headless Horseman sung by Thurl Ravenscroft [of Mr. Grinch song fame], Davy Crockett + Golden Afternoon from my mostfavorite Disney movie, Alice in Wonderland. Volume 2 is a little more up to date - Cheiftains singing Winnie the Pooh and Peter Frampton doing the Tigger Bop. Needless to say I have been listening to them for the past 24 hours. Mixed in with a bit of Louis Prima and his famous Jungle Book Monkey Song, Wanna be Just Like You. I could never get enough of that. Beckett + I had a nice parade!

Birth of a blog. First post. Happy Saturday Madness

2009-06-13T06:28:00.000-07:00

This is all a work in progress. The blog thing. I don't even know what my main focus is going to be for this. Probably the "trials and tribulations" of working mom of a crazycute boy who is about to turn 3. Two dogs to tend to and thoughts of yoga. Yawn.

Right now I have nothing to say. Just practicing this before I head to the market [regular + farmers] to gear up for Beckett's green birthday party. His request was intending the color, I took it, ran with it and now it is a blend of his green and my green [think earth friendly]. I am letting Beckett choose the menu though. Pancakes, Sausage, French Fries, Mint Ice Cream & Cream Pie.