A Midcentury Modern Weekend

I am really proud of most of what I score at yard sales, but this most recent one is my favorite.

I am a huge fan of Heath ceramics -- I think they are the epitome of mid century modern table ware. Very California too in its' simplicity and practicality.

I hope I will not have to forget where these treasures come from. A huge part of their charm lies from who else treasured them. These Heath pieces are from a World War 2 veteran who lived in a wonderful home in Hollywood Hills.

Here's another find - 5 bucks but I consider it to be free with the purchase of an art print.

Midcentury and Danish (yep -- this is marked Made in Denmark!). This is from the home of a Hollywood writer. I was having good day!

A Crazy Shopping Weekend

This past weekend has been very eventful, shopping-wise! John and I started out with scoring a really nice Warren Kimble framed print and a Danish-modern bowl for $25 total. We also scored 7 sets of cups and saucers which are vintage Heath ceramics. Love! We threw in a sugar and creamer set also from Heath -- got all for $50. I know it's a LOT of money to throw for a couple of cups and saucers but these are Heath ceramic stuff! And if you know Heath, you know they will always look brand spanking new.

But what really took the most of our time is shopping for fabric!! It's so funny how I just left my massive stash where' Im from, but now I'm wasting no time building up a new one!

I will be working on a quilt this week -- my very first one. Wish me luck!

Married for a Month

It's been more than a month since John and I have gotten married in Santa Monica. I think that begs the question, "until when will we be newlyweds?"

I remember my ambivalence in first coming here to live with his family --- trepidation, ire, and desperation which ultimately led to me consenting without protest. I can say though that I am well-adjusted now. I am there but not quite yet. So far I've been spending less time cooped up in our room, and spending more time sewing and hanging out by the living room.

Our weekend have been eventful so far, going to thrift stores and estate sales, and downtown L.A. If only it weren't so expensive; our weekends have been so costly!

*Insert Silly Grin*

I know this is really shallow, but I just want to share with you my newest cookware set. The one I've been lusting after for a LONG time.

This is Giada de Laurentiis' TriPly Clad Cookware set! I LOVE Giada de Laurentiis and I think her Target line is really stylish. I am planning on getting most of them -- cutting board, sieves, bakeware sets, etc. This is the priciest of the lot -- I already have a Giada Panini maker and butter warmer. Also had a food processor but I got a dud and the store didn't have a replacement. :(

Ikea for the Divinely Inspired

I am DIGGING Ikea's new catalog. John and I visited my favorite Ikea (Costa Mesa!) to ogle the new staging and to return a bench I decided I didn't like.

I know I said Ikea, not Borders Books (which is now closed *tear*) but I was really feeling all the girly colors of the books that they used. Sadly they are not for sale (and I don't speak Swede anyway), but I took a pic anyway to remind me of the palette -- this is definitely something I will look into.

The glass mosaic tile in one of the kitchens also caught my eye.

Ditto for this pretty farmhouse sink.

I really am also in love with the shelving -- the beadboard is too pretty and shabby chic not to take a note of!

It's Getting There!

For God knows how long, I've daydreamed that I would be here in L.A., sewing home dec things for our space. This morning I spent 3 hours (!!!) making these:

I know this is the most elementary project I could have taken, but at least it's a success and it is giving me enough courage and interest to take on more challenging projects! This past Memorial day weekend, John and I drove all around Los Angeles and one of our stops was Downtown L.A. (which happens to be rehtially close by). I bought 4 yards of this fabric from Michael Levine -- my new favorite store. This was a buck a yard, on sale. That they did not charge sales tax during the holidays was the icing on the cake.

I also want to share this cute little vignette that's on our wall shelf.

Cute little owl from Marshalls, bottle and paper flowers from the Hollywood Bowl, vintage cameras from an Orange County yard sale.

Vignettes scare the whack out of me -- I am reminded of mannequin styling and visual merchandising I am expected to do sometimes in my previous job. So far I like what I came up with!

My Turning Point: A Wedding

My own, to be precise. I got married on early August; it wasn't perfect but I couldn't say it was anything less than beautiful.

Me and my beautiful niece.