No magnets, snow globes, or "I Love [insert city here]" t-shirts for this girl. My preferred souvenirs are wearable flavors of the local culture. In this case, espadrille wedges from España! I can't wait to break them in while in LA - so in love.
I'm still craving a pair of traditional alpargatas, however, so I might have to continue my shopping here. Is anyone else into espadrilles this summer?
I'm loving this photo found via Pinterest. It so simply describes the excitement of being somewhere new. Madrid is beautiful and keeping us busy in the best of ways. Too busy to post one of my own photos but hey, this one fits, right?
I can't wait to report back but will try to give updates via twitter as much as possible. Have a fantastic weekend enjoying and exploring wherever you are!
Here are this week's three rad links:
• My friend Laurie was on TV! If you like Gleek fashion, you must watch. If you don't care for Glee, watch it anyway because Laurie is fab :) • Pictures of pictures, past and present. A beautiful tumblr project by Dear Photograph. • Tacos I must eat while at home in Pasadena. Eating at Norma's was on my to-do list when it opened last year and it's about time that I sink my teeth into those tacos! Thanks for the reminder, Freutcake!
It's t-minus 48 hours until Spain (and one week until a visit to LA) but instead of running much needed errands I'm sitting in bed nursing a sinus infection and fever. Whhhyyy???
To cheer myself up, and perhaps you too if you've got a gloomy day ahead, I decided to share some fun "pops of color" from around London. I love all of the photos but my favorite is of the very colorful character from the fruit stand - he put on quite the juggling act for me once he saw my camera. He was also the first (and I'm sure the last) person to call my American accent "sexy." Funny but I'll take it.
I should submit this photo to dads are the original hipsters, shouldn't I?
Happy Father's Day to all you awesome papa's out there, especially mine!
Margate was full of interesting textures and signs so I thought I'd do a little mash-up of a few select photos from last weekend. I really wish that "This 'n' That" was still open... sounds like my kind of place!
We're staying local this weekend since this time next week we'll be in Madrid, España (aahhh!!!). It'll be my first visit but really, it's my first time in Europe period so EVERYTHING is new and extra exciting. Anyone been to Madrid and have any must-see spots or tips???
Here are this week's three rad links. Have a wonderful weekend!
• Make your own brass lamp that looks like a tree branch here via sfgirlbybay • Wish-they-weren't-sold-out necklaces by Sunken Treasures via Studio Sweet Studio • Life on large paint chips by artist Shawn Huck via The Jealous Curator
Up until this week we had been buying England's best attempt at tortillas from our local grocery store. We were definitely settling since the available pickings either resemble pita breads or corn-y sheets of cardboard.
On Monday, however, our lives were forever changed. We were craving tacos (yes, again) and we didn't have any more tortillas. Joe, being the brilliant man that he is, lit up with the suggestion that we simply make our own. I. Was. Game.
We found this super easy recipe and spent no more than ten minutes between prep and cooking. At the first sampling of our homemade flour tortillas we literally high-fived and giggled like little school girls because we were so happy to have our delicious food staple back. Using seasoning mix from the care package and some toppings that were on-hand, we assembled our tacos and got ready to chow down.
We took our first bites and the words "talk to you in fifteen minutes" were the last spoken for a good while. It was THAT satisfying.
London felt much more like home that night.
It is a happy Friday indeed. A care package from my family has arrived! It's filled with some of our favorite goodies from Trader Joe's including the very important double roasted salsa (can't find anything like it here) and taco seasoning mix. What can we say, we love our Mexican food.
Of course there is also the more serious stuff like mail. I was sent my first jury duty summons and a renewed driver's license. Two things I can't use or do anything about at the moment so I'll just carry on filling my belly with dark chocolate covered edamame and roasted plantain chips. It's going to be a savory weekend.
Last Friday I shared some links from the web and from the clicks of it, you liked them too! So from here on out I'll list three web goodies for you to check out over the weekend. Here we go....
Incredible cliff diving silhouette photos from Max Wagner
30 creative ads using over-sized objects via Bored Panda (they're the best at compiling these sorts of things).
My Pinterest boards. I avoided joining for as long as I could but I finally caved. And as feared, I'm now addicted. Join me on twitter too while you're at it :)
Have a fantastic weekend...eat lots of yummy things!
xoxo
...you make me so happy. In fact, I smile and do a little dance every time I walk past you. You've given me permission to get rid of the box and give our cherished pieces a proper home. You were meant to display Joe's alarm clock radio, a framed photo of us sent via care package while we were on opposite ends of the world, and a thrifted champagne flute turned vase. Let us not forget, a warm cup of tea.
Thank you, little vintage night stand, for making our room so special.
This little but grand succulent that graces our bathroom is a perfect reminder to take it easy this weekend. Though it has grown at a fairly quick pace, it's the ease and nature of its bloom that is inspiring. So seemingly effortless and peaceful, it's simply fulfilling its purpose to create, nurture, and live. Aren't plants awesome?
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!
xoxo
Bird print was purchased from an artist at Unique LA in 2009. I couldn't resist bringing it with me.
After I got my hair styled à la 1940's at the Churchill War Rooms event, I did what any girl would do: hold an impromptu photo shoot! Now, I've got to start by saying that I get really geeky when trying to "model" - just ask Joe - and that I'm absolutely awful at being serious or cool looking. With that in mind, here's the one posed photo that I felt somewhat proud enough about to share. Really though, I think I just like the lighting...
Let's dance our way into the weekend, shall we?
This was a fun one to come across while checking out shops at the OXO building along the Thames. I love me a beautiful brick wall with the added texture of paint layers from long-ago.
Speaking of old things (how unusual, right?) Joe and I are going to attend a mid-century modern furnishings show on Sunday. Cross your fingers that we at least find a nightstand for our bedroom. Would be nice to finally get rid of the cardboard box thing we've got going on...
So for this weekend: dance, smile, sing, skip... do whatever it is that brings joy to your day. Have a good one!
xoxo