love + merriment = family

don't just pass through paso

2012-02-06T21:27:00.000-08:00

coffee shop at our hotel, a little slice of the past

although separated by a 6 hour drive, my dearest friend becky and i always make an effort to get together. we now have families and the visits although once consistent, lately have gotten fewer and further between. between the 7 of us, a lot of schedules need to come together to make it work. about a month ago, becky suggested neither of us drive the full 6 hours, but we pick a halfway-point AND leave the others behind, for a 24-hour mama getaway! i jumped on it and after a couple emails back and fourth we settled on a date, a location and a hotel to rendezvous.

since i was as young as i can remember, our family drove up to the bay area at least twice a year to visit family. the 101 has never been a foreign road to any of us. we always had a routine - places we would stop along the way, good bathrooms, good food, good stretching, to break up the drive. there were some locations, we would simply just pass through. until a couple of years ago the only time we stopped in paso robles was to get gas on the way to lake nacimiento or to eat something yummy at a&w.

two years ago and four hours into our drive, while returning from my northern california baby shower, my sister, mom and i stopped in paso for a quick bite. we stumbled on the cutest grassy town square, surrounded by brick buildings built in the 1800's, quaint boutiques and a plethora of eateries. our quick bite, turned into a couple hours, as we walked, shopped and soaked up this little central coast gem. sometimes you don't need to go half way around the world to enjoy a vacation that meets all your needs. paso sounded like the perfect spot for becky and i to meet.

the town has been revitalized. not something you see much of these days, new shops, opening, old shops continuing and a young energy that's mixed with old. all working together. it's so refreshing and hopeful in an economy that has been in rut for some time. becky and i walked along the square, popped in wine shops, gazed at the art galleries and picked up a few handmade items at the etsy-ish boutiques. the food we ate morning, noon and night, exceeded all our expectations and could have been served in any city known for culinary excellence. i encourage everyone to see what paso robles has to offer and maybe stay a while.

paso robles town square, with brick library in the center of the park

powell's sweet shoppe, filled with all the scrumptious candy you remember from your childhood

so fun to be reminded of how fun they once were

gelato in unique flavors like dark chocolate with orange zest and honey lavendar

the ambiance at our delicious restaurant of choice, robert's

mama's becky and jessica on the 24 hour escape

artichoke heart stuffed with cream cheese, green onions and chipotle remoulade

macadamia nut crusted halibut, papaya-coconut butter and broccoli

dessert: warm cookie bar with vanilla ice cream

our departure breakfast at a classic paso eatery, the cowgirl cafe

the beauty of this coastal drive alone is worth the trip

take off the pressure and use the pressure cooker

2012-01-26T13:45:00.000-08:00

we gave away our microwave about 4 years ago, we don't own a toaster oven (although on the list of things to buy), but instead use the conventional stove top and oven for all of our cooking needs. i rather enjoy reheating things the old fashioned way, making popcorn and just cooking in general when things take a little longer to reach perfection.

i have to admit, sometimes you just want things done in a jiffy and at the end of a long work day, with a tired and hungry baby, cooking dinner can be a challenge. we tend to prefer making meals ourselves. it saves us money, we know what we're getting and it's almost therapeutic for me. i grew up in a household where my mom, who worked full-time, cooked every night. there was no question, so it seems only natural that i would provide the same for my family.

then i discovered the pressure cooker. this was a gift from my dad one christmas. he always comes up with good gifts to get us girls. things you wouldn't think of as needing, but always wind up coming in handy. the pressure cooker has been a good friend to me this fall and winter! a full meal complete with veggies, meat and grains is ready in 15 minutes! it has been such a blessing, to get a hot, home cooked meal on the table, before diegas even walks in the door.
it's also allowed me to experiment. barley that usually takes 1.5 hours on the stove top, takes a mere 15 minutes in the pressure cooker. the beauty of it, there is no measuring involved. throw in some stew meat, some broccoli, a little wine (maybe some teriyaki, ginger and other spices), some beef broth and whatever other veggies and barley. brown the meat first and then add your other goods, before putting the lid on and counting the minutes from when the steam starts to escape via the weight. it's a comforting sound to those that grew up with hearing it around dinner time, in the colder months. and the taste is pure comfort too! try any combo of veggies, grains (and meat if you so choose. chicken also comes out deeelish)!

rice cake treats

2012-01-19T20:41:00.000-08:00

i must be hard up for some sweets (as if i don't have carrot cake, ice cream treats and cookies in the house), because when i looked at the rice cakes that have gone uneaten for the last month on the counter...i thought i can make rice krispy treats out of those. i did a quick search online and found nothing (have only ever made rice krispy's once as a child at amanda's house and wasn't sure how to go about it). so i thought i would put my kitchen experimenting hat on and give it a whirl. i made a small batch with organic brown rice no salt rice cakes. kind of takes the health out of it, when you're mixing it with jumbo, corn syrup filled marshmallows, but somehow still felt a little better for me than the real thing. see photos below for a step by step. they we're approved by hubby who really did say "i like these better than real rice krispy treats." yes!

i used 2 rice cakes in small ziplock (4 rice cakes total) and crushed with rolling pin

about 2 tablespoons of butter and roughly 10 marshmallows

stir until melty

stir in the crushed rice cakes

press into a pan or dish of your choice, i used a bread pan for this small batch

cut into single servings and enjoy!

not your ol'easy bake

2012-01-18T09:27:00.000-08:00

stirring the ingredients at her big girl table (carrot cake prep).

most of us ladies remember easy bake ovens. there seems to be something innate the comes into play in most cases, between the interests of boys and girls and their loves of tractors versus dollies. although at evia's age, it seems being in the kitchen is loved by all babies, regardless of gender. after all mama spends so much time in there, what's she doing above that high counter? the stool has become our good friend, as evia peers up and over the sink, "helps" with dishes - finds things to grab and mama to swipe away. i find myself constantly repositioning her to keep her safe. as much as i try to include her in the kitchen, she wants more. more mama time or more kitchen time? i'm not sure - but i'm eager to work on both. (re-reading this i sound so 1950's...mama's in the kitchen boys and girls liking wheels vs. dresses...i'm generalizing here, obviously).

i woke up and instantly decided to bake a cake with evia sometime during our day together. she's only ever tasted cake once at her 1st birthday. but mama has become a little more relaxed with letting her try things with sugar. she only gets tasters and it's pretty tasty stuff! so with the carrots we had on hand and the recipe my mom's been baking since the 70's that she passed along to me as part of her personal recipe collection, i decided to give carrot cake a whirl. after my sweet woke up from her nap, i asked her "would you like to bake a cake with mama?" she, i think unsure of what she was agreeing to, answered with an enthusiastic "yes." (or maybe she does know what cakes are, as she shows me everyday she knows things i had no idea she knew).

substitutes don't always work out (and with all the substituting i did with this recipe, this one definitely didn't look pretty in the end), but boy did we have fun! we got flour on the face, i spilled some batter on her head, we stole a bite hot out of the oven - it was such a great activity together! on a side note, i brought all the ingredients, measuring cups, bowls etc down to her big-girl table and made it super user friendly - she could reach it all. she was happy stirring, for most of the ingredient prep and i was able to throw it all together. papa was pretty happy too, when he came home that evening and there was a cake with no official purpose.

sometimes there is no good reason to bake a cake other than to eat it!

finished product. looked a little crazy, but tastes soooooo good.

earlier in the day, getting our giggles out.

"who?" from auntie anna

2012-01-07T07:45:00.000-08:00

it must be coming up on the 6th month of pregnancy that allowed me to forget such an important and beautifully crafted gift this "homemade xmas." in the from scratch post i wrote about all the handmade items and forgot the ONE handmade item that was made for evia. auntie anna hand stitched and designed a little owl. it now watches us throughout the day and night and reminds of us of the love that little evia gets from her auntie.

forgetting such a gift = deserving a post all its own.

time = kitchen creations

2012-01-03T16:50:00.000-08:00

fresh cherries ready for scone baking

this year i took two weeks off from work. it was the most relaxing holiday season i've ever experienced. and to say that, with a very energetic toddler, means it really was extremely chill. with all this time to just be domestic (one of my favorite roles), i was able to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. and not always by myself. my husband is pretty talented in his own right. here are just a few of the yummies that i recorded.

used the classic scone recipe from joy of cooking and added fresh cherries


cherry scones warm out of the oven to contribute to xmas brunch (with drizzled cinnamon frosting)

d's fishing trip 12/30 with 10 rockfish inspired him to make cioppino for our friends and family for new years eve - amazingly delicious!

not many pea fans in this house, so why not use can of peas from infant-days to make soup

boiled peas with chicken broth, golden potatos, carrots, onion, celery, cumin and dill, salt, pepper, a dash of rice vinegar and used the immersion blender

the peas in this form, a little added pane rustica, were much more enjoyable

from scratch

2012-01-03T16:21:00.000-08:00

final product, homemade gift 2011 - vanilla extract and d's spice rub

for the fourth year in a row, we have handmade most of our gifts for the majority of our family, for the holiday. on my side, we've made the gift exchange a "handmade" gift giving theme. over the years, the exchange has been creative, fun and economical. i'm always eager to see what my sisters and parents have come up with and of course to see their reaction to our handmade goodies.

mom found a recipe for lip balm and used beeswax from property bees

10 years of holiday card collecting, mom cut them and hole punched to give us with string for garlands or gift tags next year

dad created fire starters (no more kindling) by using old candle wax, dryer lint in egg cartons

emily made a delicious assortment of truffles, mint, nut topped and cookie dough

anna went the handmade-purchase route and gifted a beautiful assortment of teas

another gift from anna - bottle brush animal ornaments, could they be any cuter?

vanilla in production, just 40% alcohol and vanilla beans - result vanilla extract

vanilla in the works, made two months prior so ready for use at xmas

spices from d, hand ground measured and packaged

these spices are requested throughout the year

2009's gift - sugar scrub

2008's gift, rosemary infused olive oil and d's rub

cross culture cookies

2011-12-22T16:07:00.000-08:00

new cookie, yesterday's cookie...they're goin' fast!

this year, i haven't yet tasted my favorite xmas cookie of all times, mexican wedding cookies or russian tea cakes - and i'm sure there are other cultures that partake in the making of these delicious holiday treats and have their own name. the basic principle of the cookie - walnuts, flour, sugar and more sugar! with extra dough from yesterday's sugar cookie recipe i thought i would try creating a spin on my favorite xmas cookie. i added some chopped walnuts to the dough, rolled them into one inch balls and when they were hot out of the oven, rolled them in confectioners sugar.....with a little orange zest, nutmeg twist, these cookies were super tasty! same dough - NEW COOKIE! enjoy.

chopped walnuts to add to yesterday's dough

original recipe from "twelve days of christmas a pinata for the pinon tree"

*ingredients we substituted

**ingredients we added

1 cup of butter

3 1/2 cups of flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 tablespoon aniseed (*we used nutmeg 2 teaspoons)

3 large eggs (*we used flaxmeal)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon lemon zest (*we used orange zest)
**1/4 cup chopped walnuts
**confectioners sugar (use enough to foll baked cookies in)
bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees

ho ho ho, merry....cookies

2011-12-21T21:11:00.000-08:00

mama and her little baker

this morning when we rose, diegas asked e, "do you know what you're doing today?" she looked at him with big sleepy eyes and answered "yeah"...which usually means you're about to tell me, right? "you're making cookies with cousin isei" (forget the word cookies she was concentrating on the word isei. her big boy cousin. at the age of four he's definitely her mini-hero!) the cuteness continued as diegas said "you come from a long line of cookie monsters." diegas and i pretty much eat more cookies than anyone should. we like cookies!!and after evia got to have her first cookie (a homemade coconut-cranberry, grandma t success) two nights before at tio gamz's bday dinner, we knew she liked them too!

bizcochitos recipe in "twelve days of christmas a pinanta for the pinon tree"

evia showed me a recipe in a book that her grandma lu just bought her called "the twelve days of christmas a pinata for the pinon tree," by philemon sturges. the story is the classic tale, but with a pinanta instead partridge and silver beads, kachina, mariachi and a host of other native american/southwest "gifts" for the tree. it's a absolutely gorgeous book. i hadn't noticed the recipe at the back for "bizchochitos" which reads: "this state cookie can be found in every new mexican home at christmas time." but evia had noticed the illustrations of the cookies. hmmmm sounds like mama "has" to make cookie dough. similar to a regular sugar cookie recipe the book's recipe includes anis seed and lemon zest.

two batches:anis seed/lemon zest, nutmeg/orange zest (flax meal for egg)

for our sugar cookies this year, i was tempted to do something "healthy" you know substitute sugar for honey or agave nectar or use applesauce or bananas or something of that nature and then i thought, what?! for xmas?! no, i think the real thing will be just fine. i made one batch of the recipe from the book and one batch with coconut oil instead of butter and spiced my own concoction of nutmeg and orange zest. of course in our house we always do flax seed instead of eggs for little e. so the the nutmeg recipe wound up being totally vegan, kinda-fun until i added traditional frosting.

cellophane wrapped cookie dough balls ready for fridge

ingredients were put together the evening before, while my dad visited and e entertained us both! the batches were shaped into round balls and put in the refrigerator to cool and set for cousin isei's arrival the following day for our first annual "cousin cookie extravaganza." oh the fun! aunntie becca, tio gamz, isei and i listened to christmas music and got a few batches made. see photos below of our very merry family making these delicious treats! merry christmas!

ready for little bakers

auntie becca and cousin isei rollin'

my little quick learner

worker beees

our cuties with their beautiful cookies ready to frost (added cinnamon to traditional glaze)

e's hand at sprinkling the sugar

sometimes baking requires an adult drink: chilled vodka, cherry cider, fresh cherries and lemon

red + green = xmas

2011-12-09T15:52:00.000-08:00

i haven't actually finished the crisp of the recipe i found, but here are a couple of my prep photos, season-appropriate in green and red. pomegranates and green apples are the main ingredients for this yummy holiday delectable. let the baking commence! (by the by, you're right, those are the very fruit used for the thanksgiving decor!)

update: i finished the crisp over the weekend and boy were we happy to have the smells of nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, bubbling apple and pomegranates wafting through the air. our christmas tree was delivered at 5 and the crisp was done at 6 perfect timing for it to cool while we ate dinner. the little one even got to participate in a few bites as we hung ornaments on the tree. it was a festive and delicious holiday evening.

on a side note: we learned about goleta valley beautiful from a friend on facebook (thanks elizabeth!) although during the rest of the year the organization concentrates their volunteer efforts on planting beautiful native tree species to the urban areas of santa barbara and goleta, this year they decided during the holidays to rent those same trees instead of having them sit in the nursery. rina and i went on a nursery tour during our lunch hour and got an up-close look at coastal oaks, torrey pines and a slew of others. my personal favorite (most closely suited for xmas decor) was a redwood! how cool to have a 9' redwood in our house. according to the GVB executive director ken knight, this tree will later be planted at stow house. It is my understanding that redwoods can live up to a thousand years. pretty cool to have such an intimate few weeks with this tree that will be on our earth for hundreds of years to come! this purchase felt so good this year. it's money going to a eco-friendly cause, it's not a tree that come 1/1, we'll solely use for firewood or will go to mulch, and it was more affordable than our usual xmas tree. keep it in mind for next year. i believe they have traditional trimmed trees too (just limited). enjoy your holiday of family, food, giving and lovely holiday ambiance!

a holiday to remember

2011-11-29T15:37:00.000-08:00

baby girl's first thanksgiving feast

this year we hosted our very first thanksgiving. we were so thankful to have the opportunity as it allowed us to be in one place the whole day and not split our time between the families. although we are blessed to have both our families so close, it makes for hectic holidays when we're rushing from one dinner to the next and never feeling quite settled or relaxed.

a little pressure this year, was not only hosting, but cooking the turkey. we've made countelss roasted chickens, but hadn't the experience of a 20lb turkey, let alone a "thanksgiving" turkey to feed 22 people. a little of the edge was taken off when my dad offered to cook his annual deep fried turkey on the patio. if our turkey didn't turn out, i secretly was at ease knowing that we could all enjoy my dad's tried and true bird.

our brined, 20 pounder, stuffed and rubbed with herbs from our garden

my cute hubby and my dad carving their respective turkeys (photo credit: jenny hopwood)

luckily thanksgiving is always a pot-luck style meal in our families. so the sole responsibility of the turkey's, drinks and appetizers were fine by me. i get the most pleasure of entertaining by dreaming up the decor, flow and layout of the event...it's the planner in me, i suppose. i spent the 3 weeks leading up to the holiday, going to various thrift stores and antique stores, stocking up on white china, linens, and silver to set a table for such a large group. many trips of which my co-workers joined me on the lunch hour - thank you rina and mary!

"the" table(s): collected china,handmade napkins, eclectic chairs and fruit decor

place cards: tangerines wrapped in twine with clove to hold place card

i had been in the bay area the week before. my gammi generously allowed me to chose a serving piece from her silver heirlooms to add to my table. a gorgeous spoon from the mid 1800's was my choice, once Austin Grimm's - my gammi's great grandfather. so special. i also got out my great grandmother's wedding silver my gammi passed down 8 pieces to me years ago and i suppliemented with other pieces i found. a couple of years ago, i actually found 14 matching pieces of the community plate onieda "deauville" pattern at an antique store and snatched them up. i had forgotten they were in my cupboard until i went through the entertaining pieces.

austin grimm's serving spoon and great grandmother's wedding silver

the cake plates came down, the silver tea service that diegas' grandma lu bought me 2 xmas' ago and a sugar bowl my grandma eunie bought me were also included on the dessert table. my mom cut tangerine branches from her trees, to adorn my fruit inspired decor (ps. fruit gets eaten vs. flowers that eventually are thrown away, eco friendly!) and i set cloth napkins that my sister-in-law made for me last christmas. what a blessing to share the meal with those past and present! it was truly a family table!!

cake plates and antique linens ready for pies

centerpieces: tangerine branches and pomegranites

the food was unbelievable. everyone contributed amazing dishes (perhaps a post in the future, of some of the recipes) and tons of help preparing and cleaning up. we had so much food left over. today is day 5 and we are still eating leftovers - and everyone went home with some. one special note is that it was evia's first thanksgiving feast. my mom made her an eggless pumpkin pie and the girl couldn't stop saying "more?"

i hope to host many more family gatherings as our families grow. i felt like we had truly come into adulthood hosting a thanksgiving full of warmth and the cherry on top...a perfectly tasty turkey!

quiet scene in our house the next morning

favorite finds :: bride to be

2011-11-09T12:00:00.000-08:00

recent find for a special bride (gray, silver and white beaded clutch in near perfect condition)

i think i'll have to start a "favorite finds" post on a regular basis. i adore the things i find after scouring, racks, shelves and lots for the perfect item. whether a thrift store, a vintage boutique or a swap meet, hunting and then gathering up the loot is one of my all-time favorite activities.

an item that i find to be the perfect gift for a bride to be, (whether using it on the wedding day, as i intend, or to use for a fun night out) is a vintage white clutch. you see them everywhere if you're on the lookout and the craftsmanship that went into clutches from the 20's to mid century makes so many of them unique and special. for several years, i've searched the cases and shelves of many boutiques for these clutches, to provide my dear friends with a gift that is useful and pretty.

from beaded, to glittery, to rouched texture...you'll find one that speaks to you for that bride. if you're close enough to the wedding, you can also include lip gloss, breath mints, or any other "day-of" necessity to have at the ready. perhaps a something borrowed, or blue that you know the bride specifically was interested in can be included. and remember to always state that it's only if they chose to use it. otherwise it's great for a night on the town (don't want the bride to feel like it's a necessity to put it to use - as she may have something already planned).

happy gift giving.

fun strap detail on purse-back for gloves or "clutching"

the gift ready for giving

lou lou...louie

2011-11-07T10:02:00.000-08:00

november 5 had been on the calendar for a few months. we all seemed to be counting the days until we met in la for brunch and to celebrate the joyous occasion of our dear friend, sister, daughter and her engagement to mr. moreno. lindsey lou as she's known in some circles was our guest of honor. after a picture perfect engagement in europe, it seemed only fitting to enjoy some champagne a delicious meal and desserts with a euro flare. we chose bottega louie in downtown los angeles. i had various friends who were past patrons and gave me the inside scoop on some of the dishes to order, the ideal place to sit and overall review in general. were we in for a treat!

i think we reached consensus that one of the highlights of the meal were the portabella fries! yes, fries made of mushrooms. o. m. g.! being that i am not drinking these days, i wasn't fortunate enough to participate in the veuve clicquot, however i didn't miss out by ordering a green tea mojito. it's so fun when the non-alcoholic drinks are just as fancy. another highlight was my mom's dish - a flatbread "breakfast style" pizza, with burrata, prosciutto, a baked egg and arugula - spectacular! belgian waffles with chatilly cream, lemon ricotta pancakes and salmon benedict on potato cakes were just a few other items at our table...is your mouth watering(?), because i'm not done...the macarons are their specialty item in the bakery. i ordered some to bring home to the hubby. a fine treat for spending the day as mr. mom and taking such good care of my favorite cookie! if you haven't been there and have a day planned in la, i recommend a visit.

all the girls: anna, lindsey, suzanne, tina, emily and marisa

salmon benedict

macarons: earl grey, espresso, pumpkin, cinnamon, raspberry

cakes powdered to perfection

with the bride to be: jessica and lindsey

downtown la, bottega louie

my favorite time of year

2011-10-31T11:32:00.000-07:00

i have been so bad about posting lately and really wanted to make sure i at least give an update once a month! october is over today, so i thought i would post a fall update. this time of year has always been my favorite. mainly because there is a clear distinction of the season - although it takes santa barbara a little longer than most places to get into the chilly groove. october can be one of our hotter months. but also because there is the anticipation of all the holiday's that are quickly approaching. i love being cozy, eating good food and sharing our free moments with friends and family - and that's what the next few months will bring and have already brought!

here is what we've been up to as of late:
~we've had several trips to the zoo with our new zoo membership

zoo with cousin isei

sliding down the hill at zoo with papa

hangin' at the zoo with friend d

~diegas went hunting for 10 days in wyoming and mama and baby had to keep busy to make the time go by as fast as possible. we missed papa!

the eve that papa went to wyoming

lemon festival petting zoo

looking for bunnies with grandpa

~we've made some delectable treats to fill our bellies and put tasty aromas in the air

homemade pizza with goat cheese for e

chubbie bunnies for papa's return
check out the spin on this recipe (yumm!) post from smitten kitchen

pumpkin pie (first of the season) shared with the lee's and hill's

~the hubby and i celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary and enjoyed our evening at downey's

evening at downey's, with no room for dessert - little treat!

so many blessings since this glorious day, october 2005

~we've visited the pumpkin patch and attended cousin's 4th pirate themed birthday...happy halloween!

pumpkin patch fun

pirate party costume that only stayed on for 5 minutes

halloween morning on the front porch before spending the day with nana

california dreamin'

2011-09-21T12:23:00.000-07:00

oh how i've been dreaming of a family get-away. right now the west indies, or anywhere in the caribbean is of interest. need to do a little more research to see if it's feasible. the honey and i have been to hondorus, belize, cuba and the caribbean side of mexico but to the islands just south of the us mainland, i have always wanted to explore and i think a true family beach vacation would be so fun for the three of us! feel free to give me ideas and feedback if you've been so lucky to travel that way.

last month we stayed local, but experienced a beautiful piece of california we had never seen. we met our dear friends the covers and convened in a family friend's guest cottage (thank you pearsons!) in inverness/pt. reyes station. it wound up being just the get-away i was hoping for. quiet, beautiful, organic and new to our eyes. a perfect escape (even during labor day weekend!). we ate delicious food out (e tried her first pizza ever! woodfire.), went on a beautiful coastal hike, had delicious homemade meals (complete with locally caught oysters) and just enjoyed each others company. there were definitely activities we didn't get to do and i really look forward to our next trip there. i also really look forward to our future beach vacation outside of cali!!

covers and zavalas at drakes beach

abbotts lagoon coastal hike

e loved the pack and papa did too - abbotts lagoon

e's first pizza - woodfire deliciousness

the girls

amazing cheese and sold at our very own c'est cheese in sb

oysters on the half shell, personally shucked and grilled by d and chuck

a little b-day fun to complete the weekend

making mama's chores fun!

2011-08-15T14:10:00.000-07:00

last week was d's birthday. although a super-fun time, it made a busy day for mama and baby. there were times, when little e looked activity challenged as she watched me bake and run around the house. we got out for a bit, but again it was errands and not super baby-focused. so as many mom's do, i came up with a way to make some of our tasks FUN! one item on the agenda was wrapping papa's presents. we had some brown postal-paper in the wrapping paper container and we have her clementine crayons, so why not have e make the wrapping paper with her artsy skills. mama got down on the floor too, to encourage the fun and as each piece was complete, i scooped it up and cut to size, stacking the gifts accordingly on the dining room table to await papa's arrival.

it was a fun way for e to enjoy playtime, for mama to quiet down and have one-on-one time with e and for d to enjoy e's art. check, check and check, fun had by all.

beginning her masterpiece


helping make chocolate cupcakes and a little taste too


gluten free, egg free chocolate cupcakes. not pictured: ibarra buttercream frosting, yummm

shipwreck soup

2011-08-15T13:33:00.000-07:00

shiprwreck soup

d's grandma lu, has a dish called shipwreck. basic definition: anything leftover from the fridge that can be thrown into a casserole, to create a "new" dish. i tell you, it has worked in our house a few times... lately i have found myself, trying to re-use ingredients that little e fancies, to make her a dish entirely new. saves mama time at night when coming up with a dinner that she'll enjoy and something that is full of good stuff, especially when the hubby and i are having something easy and not too nutricious - like pizza night.

last week i saved a few vegetable each night from our dinners, cooked broccoli, roasted carrots and sweet potatoes. night 4, i threw them in the food processor with a little water, a dash of milk and some salt and pepper, voila, soup for little e. i heated it up and made her a little turkey, grilled cheese. yummy soup and sandwich, tasty enough for mama to have some of. i think i may save a few veggies every night...since it's only a few to spare and makes a wonderfully healthy addition to a meal for her later in the week. and who can resist seeing her with a little utensil, full of brightly colored goodness, blowing on it and looking to me with a little nod of the head, "hot?"

it's-it

2011-08-05T13:30:00.000-07:00

i read today that national ice cream sandwich day was this week (please note: i make it a point to educate myself on all the news worthy current events). for anyone that knows me, mint it's it ice cream, is one of my absolute favorites. if you grew up in santa barbara and attended la cumbre junior high, it's-it sandwiches are more than a tasty treat, they're nostalgic. the lengths i've gone, to be reminded of their scrumptious flavor are a little ridiculous: we've made special trips to 7-11 when on limited-time visiting friends in the bay (lei and bali, you know what i'm talking about). when i was pregnant d and i scoured the city, going to 15 (yes 1-5) locations looking for just one, to satisfy my craving (it resulted in vanilla flavor, but it was worth it!). friends have stopped by to gift a box (thank you lucia and rina) or called to tell me where they were last spotted. for those of you who haven't had the pleasure, an it's-it is mint ice cream between two soft oatmeal cookies, covered in a chocolate shell. it's a good time.

it's fiesta here in santa barbara. the whole city will be partying. you won't often find me with a drink covered in salt and seasoned with lime, but make no mistake about it, i will be indulging in my own vices. did someone say churros? but for today's treat, an it's-it. happy fiesta friday!

tasty + healthy shake

2011-08-05T10:08:00.000-07:00

my dear friend sara, turned me on to using coconut milk as a base for the little one's shakes. turns out, it's not only e who loves the tasty shakes, but mama too. here are the yummy ingredients and you can vary the quantity and contents to your liking:
coconut milk
frozen blueberries
banana
goat's milk yogurt
flax meal
blend and...voila, tasty + healthy shake

papa, came in the kitchen and used the leftover coconut milk and put his spin on it:
coconut milk
trader joe's whey vanilla protein powder
peanut butter
banana

enjoy!

a little blurry, but a lot of cute!
e enjoying her shake, flax waffle took a back seat

monkeys love bananas

2011-07-25T09:31:00.000-07:00

might look a little crazy, but it's crazy good: grilled bananas, chocolate and coconut

we have a little monkey in our midst. she loves bananas. mama has been coming up with creative ways to use them. baby's new thing is "hot?" as she blows on every morsel we give her. mama's response, "no sweety fruit is not typically hot." which, up until saturday night, has been true. auntie anna was in town and in an effort to make dinner and dessert that aligned with auntie's rotating diet - we ended with grilled bananas. the "fruit isn't hot" phrase was tossed out the window as i encouraged e to blow on each bite. so here it is, so great for summer nights - perhaps those that are gluten free and can't join-in on the s'mores or if you're just in the mood for bananas, chocolate and a dash of coconut.

{grilled bananas}

run a slit down the banana (peel on)

stuff-in a piece of chocolate of your choice, inside the slit

sprinkle-in some dried coconut

throw it all on the grill

grab a fork and enjoy!

(for babies, just the banana [sans sweets] will do)

earlier that day, another banana treat was in the works. we have ancient harvest's organic quinoa flakes in the pantry. much like traditional baby hot cereal, but made of quinoa, this complete protein and gluten free choice, is a great base for muffins. we took this banana-quinoa recipe right off the box. they were super tasty and with no sugar included, were a great baked good to serve our little monkey!

strawberry pesto

2011-07-18T11:07:00.000-07:00

another tasty salad from emily malone's website: dailygarnish.com. i cannot help myself, but to try her vegan recipes after reading the descriptions. this was another successful summer salad (or in this case dressing!) that you are definitely going to want to try. i think in the future i will follow her directions to a tee and use the brown rice fusilli, we instead used our strawberry pesto atop greens and it was a little too heavy for the lightness of an herb salad mix. diegas and i sat outside under the umbrella and feasted in between our (productive) backyard landscape projects. it was the perfect way to rejuvenate before we started the next task. enjoy!

eczema + jammies

2011-07-15T10:19:00.000-07:00

tummy time in her under the nile sleepwear

what a ride the eczema was for our family. e started showing signs of the itchy-skin rash when she was 3 months old. i was a desperate first time mom trying to make my baby feel better, how ever i could. it increasingly got more severe as the weeks pressed on. when e was 4 months we saw the pediatrician and she immediately prescribed a heavy duty steroid to help get her glowing baby skin back on track. at that time it was only little rounds patches (wheels) on her cheeks. as many know, medicine and traditional western treatment are not my first go-tos when attempting to treat ailments. we tried alot of different suggestions, products, etc. to help, curbing my diet for nursing, seeing a homeopath, blood work for e (to easily rule out what she may be "allergic" to). ultimately, we discovered she did have a food intolerance (which was immediately removed from both our diets), but her eczema never cleared and nothing but topical steroid really worked. the rash continued down her neck to her shoulders. as every mama knows it is really difficult to see your child in discomfort. this was daily and constant. she was in mits until she was about 7 months! i was required to occasionally use over the counter hydro cortisone and when severe, benedryl to put my baby at ease.

luckily she is sooooo much better now. turns out, in a couple of different stages, one stopping nursing and then two, stopping formula, e's eczema improved drastically and has been on the mend since 12 months. we are constantly trying to figure out what causes the flare ups, but i hope we just continue to see her supple skin shine through.

my whole reason for this post, is because i wanted to share three brands of pj's that i love to dress her in. nighttime was the worst for the eczema. her scratching would wake her up (eczema has been coined as "the itch-that rashes") and anything scratchy disturbed her sleep. skoon organics, magnolia baby and under the nile have some of the softest cotton fabric - of any of the sleepwear she has worn since birth. the seams are not rigid and don't seem to irritate her. i can't adequately express how wonderful it is to see your baby fresh out of the bath, clean and content. a deep breath of relief for mama. a few pics above and below of e, in her soft jammies...


reaching for a "manna" in skoon organics

sleepy one, wearing magnolia baby

10th generation native

2011-07-12T09:55:00.000-07:00

fernado tico. image pulled from ojaivalleymuseum.org

i am a lover of history. mostly because i'm transported to another world, as i dream of the people who walked this world before me. imagining the homes they lived in, the resources they had and the simplicity of life. it's one of the reason's i'm so attracted to antiques, historic homes and vintage everything.

i'm so proud of my mother-in-law terri tico imwalle. this year, she's representing the native daughters, parlor 126, as our city's patron saint barbara. terri is a direct descendent of fernando tico. tico, was given a spanish land grant in ojai in 1837 and in 1855 was elected to the first santa barbara county board of supervisors. terri is an eighth generation native and d is 9th, making our precious baby e 10th! although i was born in california, i'm envious of the history the tico's are part of, here in santa barbara. i love to celebrate it.

this weekend was the reina del mar's annual fiesta tea. with terri as saint barbara, it was especially significant. this was little e's second tea (only a wee 3 months last year) and the thought of her growing up knowing the history her family has had in this community is exciting. this year my paternal side of the family celebrated it's 56th family reunion. i think knowing where you come from is important.

Gma T our very own Saint

"summer, summer, summer-time"

2011-07-06T13:59:00.000-07:00

image from bigBANG studio blog (our purhcase would be on a much smaller scale)

lucky me, i've been spending one day of the work-week at home with little e. we've done fun playdates - with girlfriends, for beach walks and playing under shady trees, at parks. but, i also want to create a fun environment at home where e will be occupied, challenged and enjoy her home-time, inside and out. we've talked about doing a sand box, next to a raised garden bed, but since the backyard is one project after another, that happens to be a little lower on the list. the weather in sb has been gorgeous and we haven't been experiencing the foggy mornings that our summer's are usually made up of, so a pool sounds divine. being that we take environmentally friendly purchases pretty seriously, i would prefer to not buy a plastic pool, that's going to wind up at the dump (we were recently doing a greenwaste drop-off at the dump and saw 4 plastic house/car/castle toys...getting compacted by the tractor). we try to always go green, when possible...

so i saw this great idea for an outdoor pool using a galvanized trough. there is a chance the metal could get hot, but i thought maybe it gets placed partly in shade and when filled with water, what's the likelihood of it getting too hot? i think it will be fun and we can reuse it as a container for planting, to house outdoor items, or e's toys...something. i'll be sure to post photos in use!

perhaps a galvanized trough like this?

summer salad perfection

2011-07-04T20:43:00.000-07:00

my cousin recently turned me onto a fun blog... full of delicious recipes vegetarian and vegan. i made one of them tonight, that i've been wanting to try for weeks. garbanzos with mint and raisins (even the wee one was a fan! "beans, beans, beans"). it was a perfect compliment to our 4th of july meal of grilled chicken and green salad. the plus it was full of protein and wonderful mix of flavors. check out emily malone's blog: dailygarnish.com and enjoy!

cinnamon chips + fruit salsa

2011-07-03T10:34:00.000-07:00

4th of july weekend is here! the beach is buzzing, the neighborhoods have festivities at every corner - its the happy days of summer! to bring-in the weekend, we (meaning the hubby) fired up the new oak grill. having dear friends over was the perfect way to break in the grill, the new patio and the holiday weekend. i thought a new dish would be fun to share (appropriately red, white and blue - but you could use any fruit of choice), if your looking for something to bring to a gathering, it was well received and different...

{cinnamon chips with fruit salsa}

flour tortillas

spread with butter (olive oil would probably work too)

cut into wedges and lay on cookie sheet (see pic)

sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar

bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until crispy

cut fruit of your choice (small for easy scooping)

dip chips and enjoy!!

tortillas with butter and cinnamon/sugar before baking in oven

my little helper climbed on the cookie sheet

my favorites enjoying the gorgeous weather and firing up the oak grill

long shadows bring...solstice

2011-06-29T13:26:00.000-07:00

long shadows remind us that summer is in full swing. this weekend was summer solstice in santa barbara. we started the weekend with a fun night in the park, among family and other solsticers listening to the sweet sounds of various bands (including the infamous randy tico on bass) and surprise guest jeff bridges. saturday we took a gander at a few floats in the parade, but mostly introduced *our* newest sb member to the park and all it's vibrancy during this special time of year in our artsy town. sunday was spent in true summer-fashion, lounging in the backyard having a late and delicious breakfast with family...happy solstice.

braids

2011-06-22T15:35:00.000-07:00

i love braids. a braided handbag strap, a scarf, material of any sort twisted and tied adding texture, weaving in and out. three separate pieces that come together to make an entirely new, more interesting visual. it might be that i'm missing my locks, but regardless of how the fleeting thought came into my mind, i was today reminded that i love them. below are a few images that capture the beauty of the braid.

braided wool :: christienmeindertsma.com

braided straps :: hollyhocksandtulips.tumblr.com

braided necklace :: milenachka.tumblr.com

braided bracelet :: myriammaguire.com

braided basket :: cmi.com

braid train :: weheartit.com


braided handbag strap :: nutsamodebadz.com


classic chunky braid, twiggy :: abeautifulmess.typepad.com

good morning muffins

2011-06-21T09:14:00.000-07:00

little e can't have eggs and i often feel like she's missing out on the wonderful world of breakfast. how much would i like sweety to enjoy a fluffy pancake, french toast or just plain scrambled eggs. morning breakfast for e usually consists of oatmeal with blueberries bananas and pear. flax is our family substitute for recipe's calling for egg which allows her to actually have many of the breakfast treats, but just not quite at their full eggy-yummy-potential. i decided to find a muffin recipe that included some healthy additives of blueberries, yogurt and flax. below is the recipe i found on epicurious. next time less sugar, but i can't say any of us were complaining. the muffins were a huge hit: perfect for the little one and for father's day!

{good morning muffins}

1/3 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup brown rice flour (recipe called for white flour)
1/2 cup organic cane sugar (recipe called for splenda)
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1 tsp. cinnamin
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
3/4 cup frozen blueberries (recipe called for fresh blueberries, but i save those for her snacks!)
1/2 cup plain yogurt

2 tbsp. oil

mix dry ingredients, then mix in wet ingredients, place in muffin tin and bake on 375 for 20 minutes

enjoy.

e hearts papa

2011-06-20T09:01:00.000-07:00

happy father's day to our favorite papa. we had such a perfect day of breakfast, swings, beach walk, naps, visiting with friends and just family of 3z's together time. we love you d. xoxo

playing their doggie-tug-o-war game with sweatshirt string

etsy in santa barbara

2011-06-17T13:43:00.000-07:00

one of toni's creations, green frog made of recycled wool and cashmere sweaters

i happen to be a HUGE etsy consumer. i have purchased everything from husband's birthday tees, to organic cotton carseat strap covers, to fabric covered journals and jewelery on etsy. in fact all of my xmas gifts this year were from etsy (including all wooden toys for the 9 month old!). many of the stores are handmade items and are so unique. it feels good to support sellers who are using their creativity as a means of livelihood, or artists who just want to share their goods with the world. i secretly would love to have something i was good at making and style-it in a way that was attractive to shoppers! lately i've noticed santa barbara etsy sellers coming together and selling their goods locally. a few weeks ago at peanuts and then my co-worker, rina told me about tomorrow's gathering "space invaders 2," here's info on one of the seller's blog mary and the machine (tomorrow 4159 State Street, 11-7pm). what was so cool to discover is that g-ma t's good friend toni, is a seller!

e's grandma t gave her the CUTEST softy several months ago, made by her dear friend toni. when grandma t told me, one, that it was made by toni and two her process in making it - i was floored by the creativity and beautiful product. toni owns an online-boutique on etsy called sb retro. she finds gorgeous vintage cashmere and wool sweaters at thrift stores and recycles them via reconstruction (on her grandmother's 1940's singer) to make the cutest softies EVER. e has a purple kitty that is to die for and it's so cuddly. just have to spread the word about talented artists out there doing what they love!!

e xmas morning after opening her new rocking horse purchased on etsy

my green baby

2011-06-14T09:52:00.000-07:00

when i was pregnant, there was so much excitement in the air for the arrival of our little being. my friends and family showered me with some great gifts. my dad was down in la, visiting my sister and picked up a great book to help me prepare (thank you dad!!). back then i had so much time on my hands. i was able to read it from cover to cover. green baby by susannah marriott. i read it with enthusiasm, ready to put so many of the green choices into play. if you're conscious about living ecofriendly, many of the suggestions, are those you may have thought about, but perhaps didn't know how exactly to execute (for instance the best way to handle, store, launder cloth diapers), or they are choices you already make in your household, like eating fresh, local organic food. there are great ideas on how to incorporate your little one in thinking green, like making recycling fun. the book breaks the green ideas down into levels of impact on the environment. allowing you to participate in choosing green, but at a level that works best for your family. many of the statistics i wound up quoting throughout my pregnancy, amazed by the footprint we are making on this earth while raising our children.

the great thing about this book still sitting on my bedside table 1.5 years later, is it's still getting use by little e. she LOVES the baby photos in it. she looks at a baby getting her diaper changed, a baby eating broccoli and a toddler recycling with his mama. the photos are beautiful and provide a fun picture-story-time when waking up in the morning.

my green baby

macaroons, 1, 2, 3

2011-06-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

i had no idea, until yesterday, how easy macaroons are to make. i had this strange craving and quickly looked to see if the ingredients were on hand. get this, all you need is coconut plus 3 additional ingredients. there is nothing like hot macaroons out of the oven on a cozy day at home.

5 1/2 cups of shredded coconut (unsweetened)
1 can of condensed milk (14 oz)
2 tsp of vanilla (and or almond extract)
my personal touch melted semi sweet chocolate for a drizzle or dollop of goodness!

stir first three ingredients together, bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes and drizzle with chocolate

i seem to be enjoying this domestic wonderland, i've found myself in. cheers.

sunday supper = family

2011-06-13T08:53:00.000-07:00

growing up, sunday nights were always a night reserved for family. we weren't allowed to plan activities in the evening or miss dinner for any reason. although dinner was big in our house every night (gathered around the table to share our days), sunday was something special. when my grandpa frank moved to town, he was over every sunday for my mom's meal. she always made something that took a little longer to prepare than the weekday dinners and never failed to leave a savory aroma in the air. the chores had been done during the day, the fun had been had with friends and sunday supper was the way to nourish and nurture the family with the new week ahead. i know now the importance of this weekly routine.

it's engrained in me to carry this tradition on. with e's naps going so smoothly, i am actually able to get things done, without a munchkin on my hip. yesterday i had the chicken baked at 10:30am (love when the house smells of delicious food cooking in the middle of the day, holiday-esq exudes feelings of family togetherness) and macaroons done at the afternoon nap. after a busy weekend, all with different activities, we all came together and shared a sunday supper. i felt nourished, well rested and ready for the busyness ahead. (side note: the beauty of a baked chicken on a sunday, is it provides two more easy meals during the week....chicken atop greens and the carcass for chicken soup).

sweet potatoes for my sweet pumpkin

2011-06-10T09:12:00.000-07:00

the wee one loves sweet potatoes. i'm often looking for new ways to prepare them, serving a dual function of being tasty for mama and papa too. i found this is the case for many parents. check out this recipe at smittenkitchen, to make it a little easier to digest i left-off the delicious thanksgiving relish and only included the goat cheese (with evoo and salt and pepper). however i can't wait to try it with *all* the fixings in the future. they came out super tasty. the next one i'm going to try is fresh sage from the garden browned in butter and stirred into cubed sweet potatoes with goat cheese. yummm. happy baking.


sweet potato rounds + goat cheese

a taste of the mediterranean in santa barbara

2011-06-09T13:42:00.000-07:00

we're surrounded by spanish elements in santa barbara. architecture, rich history...fiesta. cadiz is a province in spain and now a restaurant in town. my husband and i recently had a rare date night and were lucky enough to spend it at cadiz. a friend of ours who moonlights as a server, enticed me with some photos taken of the interior and boy are we thankful she did! no sign outside, just a menu at the entrance. two hostesses graciously accommodated our wishes for seating location. the interior felt european, not in a quaint-historic-hole-in-the-wall sort of way, but more in an ancient-stone-high-ceiling-cool-on-a-summer-day-but-warm-and-inviting-at-night, sort of environment. the bar was full of couples eating and drinking and since we were there early only a few tables were taken scattered around the interior and exterior of the restaurant....and in true santa barbara fashion we ran into dear acquaintances - a pleasant surprise.

we started with oysters on the half shell, which were fresh and delicious

enjoyed a crab salad with cilantro and a mango coulis

followed by wild boar ribs, over polenta and a fig reduction

i can't forget the drink i ordered. woohee it was tasty! bourbon, burnt orange and another deelish ingredient that i can't remember, oops (it was that good!)

here are a couple of photos i captured. this taste of the mediterranean in our backyard is definitely recommended and will be a place we return to. (one more nod to spain).

chocomel sea salt bars

2011-06-09T10:24:00.000-07:00

i have had a huge craving for smores lately. bought the graham crackers but not the marshmallows or the chocolate bars. i decided to make a sweet treat with what was on hand and did a little internet search with some ingredients. instead of following a recipe, i just got inspired and put my own twist on a couple of different ideas. below is what i made: graham crackers, caramel, chocolate, sea salt and dried coconut. they came out pretty tasty, so i thought it would be fun to share. (i don't think the dentist i saw today, would be happy with my post-visit-recipe...but the hubby was)...moral of the story = get creative!

line baking sheet with graham crackers

melt about one 3/4 cube of butter and (i think) equal parts brown sugar. (for true caramel you can add condensed milk, corn syrup and vanilla)

poor caramel-ish mixture of butter and sugar onto graham crackers and spread evenly
poor chocolate chips and let sit allowing them to melt, then smear
sprinkle sea salt and coconut (or if your prefer almonds or something crunchy)
allow to cool in the refrigerator, when hard, break and serve

full heart = glass half full

2011-06-07T16:30:00.000-07:00

not much to say. just feeling blessed. thought i'd give a update on little e and summarize her favorite, topics, words and actions that blow her mama and papa away and often cause our hearts to be full.

too many words to list, but here are some that are significant or just plain cute!
bano = banjo
up = you got it (over and over and over again)
poo poo (she now tugs at my arm to let me know)
paw-ye = potty
ah-go-sveeng-now (i go to the swings now)
hi-yo = hello (grabs any telephone, remote or object resembling a phone)

actions
turns around to crawl down stairs
pushes your hand away if you try to hold her hand while walking
walks around with her dolly on her shoulder, rocks her, gives her a bottle or water
puts animals and dollies on the rocking horse to give them a ride
makes a yum yum noise to show she's hungry or pertending to eat
shows with her hands how the rain comes down (when talking about rain or singing itsy-bitsy)
bounces or bobs to music or songs
sits in laps when being red a story (and always hugs during a hug part of the story)
flips to the page where she knows the word ("sveeng" "boom,boom,boom")
puts her hand out for her papa to kiss, she sees a picture of him doing that to her in a book
goes through the family album and picks out every picture of emily and says "emi"
wants to look at emi on the wall of family photos (even when emi is there in person).
goes around the house and says no to things she's been told about
makes our technology wacky with one fell swoop
plays baby aps on mama's phone
goes to the ("paw-ye-o")patio to look for papa out side and the front picture window
**gives us the biggest hugs around the neck and slobbery kisses on the lips out of the blue**

topics
loves to listen to the potty book and flush the potty and say "paw-ye"
loves to go the swings and see the ("patos") ducks at the park
loves to discuss the birds in the sky and search for them, she can do a crow (caaw) and a dove (whowho,who)

we love you sweet girl.
(one additional 14month-love-of-hers, is to the play the "pano" (piano) and sing along. she first started playing with her great-grandma lu and now plays at her auntie jackies. the word and task is taking a close second to her love for the "sveengs.") ;)

relating to reality?

2011-05-13T14:42:00.000-07:00

should i feel bad about my happiness for reality tv? i am in my ultimate vice of relaxation when sitting back and watching k & k take new york/or k & k take miami, ....or bethenny after rhwnyc. why have we turned into a tv nation of watching other people go about their daily tasks? i've contemplated this questions on one too many occasions, mainly because the hubby says i'm obsessed. obsessed, i would say i'm not (it's a documentary, right?). i've dropped every other regularly scheduled tv program that used to be part of my weekly schedule, after having the babe. nothing is more entertaining then just watching her! but after she closes her little eyes, i like to sit back and enjoy a little mommy-tv.

i've discovered my interest in the shows - is "relating to reality." both ladies: kourtney and bethenny had babies the same year i had little e. i found myself watching these programs, as if to check in on my mommy-friends bethenny and kourtney. as if they were the mom's in my playgroup (as a full time working mom, it's not too often i hang out with my real mommy friends). i was tuning-in to see what their babies were doing, how they were coping with lack of sleep and what their challenges were. funny thing is, you don't really get "reality" from watching. not because they're not experiencing the same things i am, but because the fun of the show (what airs) are primarily the other aspects of their lives. that has to be part of why i watch it. there aren't too many days when i lease a store front and hire designers to create a hot new york retail spot, or visit the factory of the top shelf beverage i created, or tell the live-in nanny where the formula and onesies are located. hats off to these women who have created wonderful lives for their families, serious dedication. and doing it all with lots of love, kisses and smiles for their little ones.

i think the real reason i look forward to both programs is to the contrary, they're my break from reality.

below kourtney and bethenny doing the daily things so many of us can relate to:

locks of love

2011-05-02T11:08:00.000-07:00

a friend told me several years ago, as women get older their hair gets shorter. she read, that a woman subconsciously make herself less attractive, after they find their "mate." she relayed that for some, long tresses are used to reel their partners in and then cutting it shorter to take oneself off the market. i have never forgotten this and it's always bothered me. for one, not everyone has long hair. i had short hair in 4th grade and it's been 25 years since my hair has been above my shoulders. most of my childhood, teenage years and adulthood has been spent with hair down my back. i've enjoyed it's versatility and ability to style however i choose - up, down, in a bun, braid, curly straight, down the middle, side part, product, or natural.

i felt like if i cut it, i was somehow succumbing to a domestic world that no longer enjoyed being sexy and having fun (rubbish!). was i checking off: married, child and impending birthday? would i be proving the theory instead of proving it wrong? but then i was reminded of locks of love. a great organization that makes prosthetic hair pieces for disadvantaged children, that have lost their hair primarily due to medical conditions. a fellow mom had just done it, my dad grew his buzz cut for locks of love a decade ago and my sister had done it. seemed like the perfect inspiration to just go for it. it's the first time i really felt, "it's just hair and it will grow back." thanks to mimi for taking such good care of me, in what was a bit of a leap of faith. I LOVE my makeover hair!! it's been so easy, i feel lighter and fresh. the best part, as if a goal i've always had has finally been realized. who knew so much thought and emotion was tied to those locks?

less time on hair = more time with baby

storybook romance

2011-04-27T09:51:00.000-07:00

i'm not sure if it is the "pretty-woman-esq" fairytale, of the "prince" finding his bride among the common folk, the simple love of weddings or the fascination we all had with princess diana, but the impending wedding of kate middleton to prince william has spurred anticipation and excitement among millions, including me! i don't think of myself as getting overly excited about the daily lives of the "celebrity," but what is it about royalty that is so dreamy?

for me, i think it's tradition. i adore tradition, etiquette and the poised ways of yesteryear. looking back on the photos of this royal family, reading about the english traditions and centuries of grand weddings is a peek into a fanciful world most of us will never know except in storybooks. it will be fun to sit back, this week and watch the story unfold, perhaps with a glass of bubbly in hand and cozied up to my prince.

royal proposal woodcut

queen elizabeth coronation royal family

designers guild fabric collection, inspired by bukingham palace

queen elizabeth & prince philip - coronation

ladies of yesteryear at high tea

princess grace of monaco

princess diana and prince charles, wedding day


chocolate biscuit cake, by daren mcgrady chosen by prince williams for his grooms cake cake designer fiona cairns was chosen for kate and william's wedding to create a traditional multi-layered fruit cake similar to tiers seen here

raw mother earth

2011-04-22T10:55:00.000-07:00

today is earth day. we're pretty darn conscious in our household about the effects we have on the planet and are constantly trying to make a positive difference in our daily routines. today, in an effort to recognize the beauty and resources that our planet provides, i thought i would set some goals for myself. walk more on this earth, eat more raw and non-processed foods from this earth, get my hands dirty more from the dirt of this earth.

this sunday we'll celebrate easter and of course will be contributing dishes to the wonderful feasts held with our families. i tend to eat more than i need to around any holiday and am always motivated to bring something fresh and sometimes raw to the table. my thanksgiving contribution wasn't the yummiest dish at dinner, but it was full of good stuff...bok choy, kale, collards, pomegranate seeds and roasted pepitas - with a pomegranate molasses dressing. this holiday i'm going to try and make use of the papaya we have on hand and attempt to make these mango cone papaya salad works of art below. aren't they lovely? please share with me, what you'll be making this holiday. would love ideas!

mango cones with papaya salad from gliving, green chef golubka

haute hats :: kentucky derby style

2011-04-21T09:19:00.000-07:00

this year my birthday falls on churchill down's famous kentucky derby. my grandpa frank was an avid fan of the races. in fact one year, in honor of him, my dad placed bets on any horse in the derby my sisters and i chose. i won that year! "silver charm" was the name of my blue ribbon choice. the horse races have since held a special place in my heart. i've always wanted to go to the derby, wear a big hat and feast southern style. this year, i may make my own celebration at home...sip mint juleps under a fancy brim and put down a bill or two on my favorite thoroughbred. here are a couple of beautiful images:

Kentucky Derby 1926

Beautiful Marilyn

Mint Julep by Martha Stewart

VonUnwerth Archives

Mint Julep Panna Cotta by Leites Culinaria

Arturo Rios Etsy

Silver Charm

backyard bliss

2011-04-19T09:57:00.000-07:00

with our little e on the move, private outdoor space has become even more important than it was before. thankfully we are at a point where making our backyard our oasis has become a reality and the patio is in progress! i can't help but dream of the decor aspects of the patio - as it's completion is so near...pillows, plants and pots, umbrellas (we're being frugal and sticking with the current outdoor furniture). several years ago we purchased a wrought iron vintage set from a friend's roommate - a round table and five chairs for a mere $45. i painted it an eggshell white which has since chipped and a little rust has shown through, but i'm going with it.

thought i would share some of the fun images i fancy! would love to carry the "french" garden theme we have in the front yard, of gravel, roses, rosemary and lavendar, but with less water...so perhaps succulents or drought tolerant native plants. we're using flagstone and sand as our surface and i would like to throw in some bold colors like yellow and maybe stripes and prints. yellow is my new fav this season - can you tell? before and after photos to come.

our one and only

2011-04-14T15:22:00.000-07:00

i feel like i need to start this post with a confession, "forgive me father it's been two months since my last post." how do mom's find the time to post to blogs on such a regular basis (?)...ahh they have babies that sleep... well for posts so few-and-far between, they're going to need to be good ones. i think little e's first birthday is a perfect quarterly post!

i had given her birthday party some thought. i wanted her to enjoy herself as much as possible, but also knew the party was more for the adults at this age that our sweet little one. keeping that in mind, i left the hubby to do what he does so well - barbecue (and does he do it right - slow over oak fire...mmm so good) and socialize with the guests over a frothy cold one. i wanted to take care of the decor and dessert (my favorite aspect of party planning!). i was fortunate enough to have a lot of helping hands. from mom doing the beautiful belly button florals, becca picking up balloons, em keeping a watchful eye on e, side-dish preparers, set-up morning-of and clean up crew. we invited our closest local friends and family, that have a special place in e's little heart. which consisted of so many dear friends that we've known a good percentage of our lives.

happy first birthday sweet girl. you continue to astonish us with your beautiful soul. here are some things that you do, at the tender age of one, that we get a kick out of:

*call out "papa" every morning when you wake

*wave your hand across your face and say "whooowhee" when we change your diaper

*put your hand on your chest when we say your name and ask where you are

*high fives

*say: hi, bye, mama, papa, nana, pampa, nayna, daki, emi, ana, codyyyy, e-i-e-ohhh, papaya, manana, baba, burrriyo, daaaaug, dauyyi, baybi

*the animal sounds of: cow, sheep, horse, cat, dog, bird

*facial expressions of: bunny and fishy

*stand excitedly when mama say's "no hands." as you balance on two feet (and even take a few steps)

*crawl circles around the house

*cruise the furniture, the walls, the windows, cabinets - anything you can

*laugh as mama holds you up the mirror after your bath and we sing our funny little song

*play peek-a-boo

*give kisses and hugs as often as possible

*make others kiss (our little cupid!)

*hold mama's neck tight as you fall asleep

*wave your hands so delicately as mama sings the itsy bitsy spider

*point out the picture window at the birds and say "birrrrrr"

below are a selection of photos taken by no other, than my talented sister anna. i'm lucky enough to have a built-in pro in the family. and how happy are we that we have this special day captured.

{dessert table}

{yummy cupcakes by grandma lu}

{sweet e's profile created by joe}

{beautiful pompom's handmade by rina}

{straws make all drinks more fun}

{rosemary lemonade, pinwheels and belly button florals}

{best bbq'r i know}

{wiped out. confirmation it was a fun time!}

mamalade + birdseed

2011-02-09T08:26:00.000-08:00

these delicious treats were made this holiday season. who knew that one could make mandarin marmalade while baby-wearing (although not advised - pretty tricky business) ,hence the name, "mama-made marmalade." and flaxseed gel is a new one for me. did you know adding water to ground flaxseed creates a suitable substitute for a recipe that calls for egg, when baking (1 tbls flaxseed, to 3 tbls water) and even, when kept whole and soaked with water create a natural replacement for hair gel? i love learning these kind of fun facts in the kitchen! we used the gel to bind other seeds to one another for crackers. just cover whole seeds with water, let it sit over night, wake up to bowl of flaxseed gel. combine other seeds of your liking (ours: sesame, sunflower, pepitas, spices: cumin and salt) and spread in the dehydrator...wahla, crackers!

a new chapter {my} love and merriment

2011-01-12T09:20:00.000-08:00

with the changing of the seasons and a new year ahead, it seems appropriate to fulfill a change i've been vacillating on for several months. i'm putting, for the time being, the lovely land of wedding planning behind me. 2010 was a great year for merriment and brought me so much joy; what a spectacular year of weddings. i feel so lucky to have been a part of several special days. and i look forward to the next entrepreneurial endeavor that gives me as much satisfaction and creative outlet. for now, weddings will return to being a fantastic hobby.

the greatest joy however of 2010: our healthy and precious baby girl who has become my end-all, be-all. i want nothing more than to focus one hundred percent of my energy toward her little being. i know, ultimately, i will crave more than the rewards being a mama brings. in due time i will want to share some of my day with...well...me. but for now, while i figure out what the extra curricular activity will be, i will be one very focused mama and wifey.

this blog will now be devoted to the happenings in our family. in other words, my love and merriment. here i will share topics related to our daily going-ons: our sweet girl, culinary experiments, design ideas, new homeowner projects (perhaps family and friends' weddings now and again) and everything in between regarding our lil'family of three z's. excited to begin 2011 with his new blogging-journey. stay tuned...

tom + clarissa :: saúde

2010-12-07T16:05:00.000-08:00

around this time of year, we're reminded of the things we have to be grateful for. after coordinating the wedding this weekend for my dear friends clarissa and tom, i was given a clear cue that good friends are one thing i'm so thankful to have in my life. isn't everything just better when those friends you love dearly are involved? there were so many events that occurred leading up to the nuptials that could have thrown some into a whirlwhind, but not with those participating saturday. all worked out the way it was supposed to and resulted in nothing short of a fabulous celebration.

the ceremony and reception took place at el capitan state beach. you may think it a risky location for december knot-tying, but this bride and groom are lovers of the ocean (one an avid sailor and the other a marine scientist) and the location was too perfect to pass up. on this chilly and blustery day the guests, appropriately dressed in fashionable knee high boots and long textured coats, warmed up before the ceremony with passed caipirinhas, butternut squash soup and pumpkin empanadas. the vows were taken seaside, just past the pre-ceremony reception. we all intimately huddled together to keenly listen in on the sweet words carefully prepared by the bride and groom. after the i do's, the guests headed up to a group camp site, on cliffs edge, that was transformed into a rustic-chic dinner party. animal print blankets and pillows were positioned just-so on picnic tables that surrounded fire pits...for late night cozying up by the fire. bare bulbs were strung to create a canopy over the dinner tables and bossa nova played live. pure joy put together a delicious meal, jessica foster, a guest and well known santa barbara confectioner, provided the delectable after dinner treats and dj fab provided the non-stop brazilian beats. clarissa performed a special flamenco tribute to her new husband and more than one talented dancer took center stage to showcase their samba moves...

saúde to tom and clarissa as you sail off into the sunset.
a shout out to chantal, alec, diegas, amy, mike, shawn, vanessa and dawna!

35 to 5...Parents

2010-10-26T09:54:00.000-07:00

with football season underway, i can't help but think of this year's anniversary in terms of a sports game. my parents have been married 35 years, yesterday (congratulations mom and pops!). my hubby and i mere rookies, bringing up the rear with 5 years under our belt . i feel so proud of my parents. they've put in dedication, passion and effort season after season. they do it all while remaining friends and executing their team challenges with grace. i aspire to face the future matches with my partner in life, with the same fervor. none of this chip eating, couch slouching, empty yelling approach, but instead a get-up-on-your-feet, chest pumping, hand slapping - tackle each day with gusto, kind of lineup! i look forward to the next 30 years and 30 years after that...married to the love of my life. and hats off to all the other long standing records we're surrounded by.

T: together E: everyone A: achieves M: more.

we celebrated 5 years this month at bouchon restaurant, downtown santa barbara. i have longed to try this cuisine for almost a decade. often recommending it to visitors, but never going there myself. i thought this to be the perfect occasion. (brides take note, they have a private dining room, the "cork room" that is so intimate and perfect for a small rehearsal dinner). our meal and wine were outstanding and the service exceptional. they even greeted us with rose petals on our table for our celebratory dinner. we were so satisfied from dinner that we couldn't possibly have dessert, so our waiter brought out a complimentary and delicious fruit plate complete with a candle. above and beyond! thank you bouchon.

поздравление adrea + alan

2010-10-11T10:10:00.000-07:00

what a beautiful site to see, my dear friend adrea and her debonair beau, alan tied the knot yesterday. from the perfectly chosen date of 10.10.10 to mother nature's sublime weather of 85 degrees, it was truly special. set inside the mural room at santa barbara's county courthouse and a reception following at the covarrubias adobe, the setting (and the couple!) were easy on the eye. dinner family style, with long tables partly under a grapevine covered trellis allowed guests to feast in the filtered afternoon sunlight. grapefruit margaritas to quench the insatiable. string lighting and moroccan lanterns hung from the trees and lit the intimate space as the sky turned to night. the adobe door open leading to a small cool space where the desserts and delicious cake were on display among a candle lit mantel and cocktail rounds. a sweet speech by dear ian, father of the bride, with an emphasis on just how "happy" he was for this special day, his adoring daughter and his new son-in-law (it brought joyful tears to the eyes of many). amy, the maid of honor covered all the bases in an eloquent speech recounting the history of her friendship with adrea. a great dj, brian, that spun old lp's allowing me to reminisce of yesteryear shared with those close friends i was celebrating with; neneh cherry - buffalo (!) remember that one? or the goodies of pulp fiction's soundtrack. more than anything, what stood out most was being with dear friends, my sisters and husband as we joined in celebration for adrea and alan's santa barbara nuptials! congrats my dear friend! i'm so happy the two of you found each other and love!

katie + dave = wyoming wonderland

2010-09-08T09:47:00.000-07:00

where do i begin (brides you may want to take notes!)? i have been to several weddings (even planned a few!), but never have i attended a more fabulous week of wedding events. picture the vast land of wyoming, snow capped tetons, quaint town of jackson, winding rivers and wildlife. then picture a gorgeous bride (my beautiful cousin katie), handsome groom (dave) and several handfuls of genuine and friendly guests and "wha-la," the best wedding celebration ever! below are details from this grand affair, along with a few photos captured along the way...

the welcome dinner was our first introduction to the double l ranch, a private residential community set on acres of some of the most picturesque land i've seen. the nuptials took place on this property four days after we arrived.

the second evening, a western chic rehearsal dinner, just outside jackson, q's roadhouse. it was so well done it could have been the wedding! during cocktail hour a line dance coach and prop-filled photo booth occupied guests, if they weren't busy feasting on the delicious passed apps or filling their glasses at the bar. the dinner menu, family style platters of ribs, tea brined fried chicken, steak, pulled-pork beans and cornbread filled our tummies. for dessert a sundae bar, fire pits bordered with haystack benches for marshmallow roasting and s'mores making...the entire evening was decorated to perfection. it was over-the-top. thank you merritts! (a little birdie tells me images of the rehearsal, taken by their amazing photographer jessica claire will be featured this month on style me pretty)!

the wedding day was nothing short of spectacular! a few sprinkles moistened the earth right before the processional began. moments later sun shone between white cotton ball clouds casting rays of warm light for katie's walk down the aisle. the ceremony was short and sweet before katie and dave were whisked off via horse drawn carriage across the covered bridge to the reception.

upon arriving at the reception, servers passed huckleberry martinis, champagne and old fashioned mini bottles of coca cola. a fun cocktail hour activity was a wishing tree with mad-lib esq well-wishes for the bride and groom.

oysters on the half shell and an array of the most delicious passed hors d'ouevres: bite-size lobster macaroni and cheese, ahi tartar in a flavorful veggie filled wonton, figs with a dollop of blue cheese and drizzle of honey, prosciutto wrapped figs, pulled pork sliders, and crostini topped with goat cheese, mushroom and delicately drizzled with truffle oil. my mouth is watering recounting the foodie-details. check out the menus from this fabulous caterer, maho hakoshima.

in lieu of favors donations made to the humane society and flip-flops available for those late night sore toes that come with a fun-filled wedding. guests were also offered carriage rides to see the sweeping views of star valley.

once inside the tent, dinner was another fabulous food experience. a live band with three piece horn section kept the party-goers dancing, followed by some pretty tasty butter cake and a fireworks show that was comparable to our city's own display. i overheard a few guests mentioning their enthusiasm for the "late night" sliders, french fries and mini milk shakes...(katie, you thought of every detail!)

brunch on sunday, along the river was the final event of this fabulous wedding week. i couldn't have asked for a better time...visiting with our wonderful family the ciccarelli's, seeing yellowstone and the outdoors (thanks chris for playing tour guide) and above all celebrating the happy marriage of katie and dave. congrats you two!
see the photos by jessica claire now posted on "style me pretty!"

leigh + dave

2010-08-31T09:14:00.000-07:00

i profiled shelly vinson photography earlier this year, after she did the engagement photos for a couple of my summer brides. summer is now coming to a close, the weddings were spectacular and shelly sent a few photo-tasters - WOW i had to share. shelly captures those special moments and sweet details. the images above are from leigh and dave's ceremony at the four seasons biltmore!

gloria + wes

2010-08-02T10:44:00.000-07:00

a perfectly delicious wedding it was. the wedding took place at the montecito country club. ceremony and cocktails on the lawn followed by dinner and dancing in the club. gloria collected vintage decor ideas over this last year and when her vision was realized - it was breathtaking. feathers tied to the back of each ceremony chair instructed guests to wave them as they were pronounced husband and wife, handmade cupcake towers, a nephew in charge of poloroids, displayed for all to see, an old-fashioned typewriter for guests to "sign-in" their love notes and vintage hankies to dry their eyes - these were just a few of the clever elements of the day. live music by area 51, celebratory toasts and a formal exit in a vintage rolls rounded out the soiree. it was absolutely delightful. images above captured by shelly vinson! and a shout out to my hard working assistant chanel, couldn't have done it without you!

amanda + ian

2010-08-02T10:26:00.000-07:00

beautiful and happy couple, amanda and ian

handsome little t

what a weekend for merriment! i coordinated a wedding for one of my dearest friends and watched her tie the knot! she and ian along with their families hosted an amazing weekend of events. from the rehearsal dinner, to wine tasting in the valley and a beach bbq bash on sunday - it was a perfect slice of santa barbara for the guests who had traveled so far. east coasters, ian's family from canada and amanda's brother and wife traveled from japan (with their precious taisei!). their sweet ceremony took place at the santa barbara unitarian society. they continued the celebration on santa barbara's waterfront. just viewed the images captured from this special evening by fotocielo...see tasters above.

natalie + dan

2010-06-30T09:26:00.000-07:00

a little taster of images to come, from the wedding last saturday, june 26. natalie and dan, along with their wedding party - arrived at the harbor on the lil'toot, santa barbara's water taxi. i have to say it was the cutest entrance, i've ever seen! after a beautiful and entertaining ceremony at santa barbara's historical mission, natalie and dan continued their celebration with a cocktail reception on the steps of the maritime museum and dinner and dancing inside. nothing like a gorgeous summer day in santa barbara to tie the knot! congratulations!

gloria + wes

2010-06-04T08:32:00.000-07:00

gloria and wes - what a gorgeous couple! their engagement session with santa barbara based wedding photographer, shelly vinson is spectacular and belongs on the pages of a premier wedding magazine. i will keep you waiting with anticipation for the unique details and touches gloria will incorporate into her day, sure to compliment the tone she has already set with these photos. stay tuned for those images captured at their wedding celebration later this summer at the montecito country club! to see additional photos of gloria and wes' engagement shoot go to http://shellyvinson.bigfolioblog.com/

my sweet

2010-05-06T13:59:00.000-07:00

our precious baby girl, was born april 6. she was 7lbs. 11oz and 21 inches long. she has been the most amazing blessing...we just can't get enough of her sweet gestures, loving eyes and kissable skin. one fun fact: at two weeks old, our adventurous little bundle attended her first wedding (congrats gary and cassie!).

although i took a little break, this month i return to the exciting world of wedding planning. can't wait to see all my summer brides - thank you for your enthusiasm for our little one - she looks forward to meeting you!

classic santa barbara wedding locations

2010-03-16T09:40:00.000-07:00

last friday, i was fortunate to do a few site visits with a beautiful bride-to-be and her mama, at some of santa barbara's most classic locations. for those of you that haven't seen these venues before, below are photos with a couple details to perk your interest.

the santa barbara historical museum was first on our agenda, located in the heart of downtown. within walking distance to boutique hotels and santa barbara's lively state street, the sbhm is an unparalleled architectural venue. the structure, built of adobe, allows the use of outdoor private courtyards, with native foliage and trickling fountains. one fun perk, the two courtyards can function as your whole wedding celebration location - with the ceremony in one courtyard and your reception in the other!

next stop was the canary hotel. although very different from the age old adobe, this structure has also been a downtown santa barbara favorite only a block from state street. the canary offers a wide variety of wedding packages to host your ultimate all inclusive wedding celebration. food and beverage from their well known coast restaurant, a wedding night suite for the bride and groom, along with a breakfast-in-bed option the next morning. to top off the eclectic vintage decor on the interior are the stunning views, from the rooftop ceremony location. the canary's perk: 360 degree downtown santa barbara views!

one of the last locations we visited was the infamous montecito country club. along with a rich history, this venue boasts spectacular views of santa barbara's coastline. perched on a golf course, every room and outdoor location is complete with the twinkling pacific ocean, palm lined coast and redtile rooftops of downtown as the picturesque backdrop. one of the country club's perks: the use of their entire venue the day of your wedding. everything from the grand forier, fireplaces, the bridal suite and the ballroom are yours for the celebration!

i heart ojai

2010-02-18T09:30:00.000-08:00

this weekend my husband and i celebrated valentine's quietly with good food, laughter and time together. as a high-note, we were treated by the in-laws to a generous and fabulous get-away to ojai, for some much needed r&r (thank you mike and terri!). the city of ojai is just 30 minutes south of santa barbara, tucked away in a gorgeous valley of rolling hills and shady oaks. i wanted to share this special place with you, because not only does the inn we stayed in serve as a romantic little b&b, but can be an ideal location for intimate outdoor weddings.

the lavender inn is located in the heart of ojai, with all of ojai's quaint boutiques, restaurants (try osteria monte grappa - absolutely fabulous!) and activities, literally out the front door. there are 7 guest rooms + one cottage for accommodations and a small adjacent on-site cottage, providing massage and skincare treatments. the afternoon wine and cheese hour and daily homemade breakfast are delicious. the grounds (complete with a pond) are well maintained and private. a fun little historical fact: the inn was ojai's first schoolhouse built in 1874. if you chose to rent out the inn for immediate family, there are a number of other small inns or the luxury ojai valley inn and spa to host friends and relatives nearby. one of our favorite parts of the experience was a chorus of frogs that chirped us to sleep after the sun went down. the frogs in addition to the sound of the trickling garden fountain, was a magical moment during our stay. look into ojai and the lavender inn for your next romantic retreat or wedding venue. happy love day!

pour some sugar on me

2010-01-20T13:57:00.000-08:00

with valentine's day approaching, i thought i would share a fun and usable treat i made last month. it's a perfect gift for valentine's and you can enjoy the spa experience at home. you + special someone + bath + sugar = valentine's day luxury. this is also a great home exfoliating treatment to use a few days to one week before your wedding.

homemade brown sugar body scrub

1 c brown sugar

1/2 c olive oil

drops of essential oils
(i chose cinnamon oil for a spicy-warm fragrance and tangerine for a refreshing-invigorating one)

add brown sugar to mixing bowl, pour in olive oil, use dropper to add essential oil (amount at your discretion) and mix together. chose jars that can get wet. i found great glass jars at the craft store that did the trick. the final touch, if you use labels or decorative paper, is to modge-podge over it to keep the ink from running. enjoy!

natalie + dan

2009-12-24T05:24:00.000-08:00

congratulations to natalie and dan! this week marks the 6 month countdown 'til their big day. can you tell by the photos above what a fun couple these two are? their smiles radiate the affection they have for one another...a precursor to the day they have planned for this summer. a historical santa barbara monument, an ocean front venue, tied in with some very creative touches: their wedding is sure to be a quintessential santa barbara celebration. view more of their beautiful photos above, shot in my favorite city of san francisco, at treasure photography. and stay tuned for the wedding photos in july!

"brown paper packages tied up with string"

2009-12-18T08:39:00.000-08:00

this holiday season, i was inspired to create a gift box for those merriment-friends that have inspired me in 2009 and whom i'm wishing a successful 2010. i've always been a fan of using brown paper and recycled packages, tied up with sting...which usually makes me sing the tune from sound of music for the rest of the day. this year i was inclined to actually give, a few of my "favorite things." when making this gift yourself, the contents can be your own personal favorites. i find homemade treats are a thoughtful, eco-friendly and cost effective approach. my favorites are chocolate! here are a few photos of the goodies i included in my gift box. i have to say they were happily received.

jessica foster truffles - in my holiday package were pomegranate (for the season) and ancho-chile cumin, a perfect compliment to the mexican hot chocolate (below). these bite-size bits of handmade goodness are made here in santa barbara, by jessica herself and are as gourmet as chocolate gets! see jessica's website for other delicious flavors.

hot cookie.com chocolate chip cookies - another locally made treat. i personally can't get enough of chocolate chip cookies, they're my ultimate dessert and even better when someone else makes them for you and you just enjoy!

ibarra hot chocolate - a version of mexican hot chocolate and a family favorite that is perfect on a cold winter night. with a little cayenne, you'll give it an added kick!

indulgence the home spa gift certificate - we all need to toast to ourselves, especially after a long year. indulgence provides the luxury of spa treatments in the comfort of your home! a thank you to carol of indulgence, who generously donated the gift certificates. a great way to motivate us to take the time.

i wish everyone a very happy holiday. may your 2010 be filled with health, prosperity, love and merriment.

leigh + dave

2009-12-09T13:21:00.000-08:00

i feel so lucky to have a career that allows me to meet kind people. kind people, that are in love no less! meet leigh and dave. a perfect example of the employment benefit i am so thankful for. leigh and dave met in santa barbara while both in grad school at ucsb. their friendship became a little more when fate would have it, that after graduation, they both took jobs in the same city, san francisco! the engagement photos above were taken by the talented photographer shelly vinson. the photos she so perfectly captured, highlight leigh and dave's personality and leave us waiting in anticipation for their special day at the four seasons biltmore, august 2010 - stay tuned! see the rest of leigh and dave's photos on shelly's site: http://www.shellyvinson.com/

anne + marcus (part dois)

2009-11-24T14:59:00.000-08:00

as promised, anne and marcus have shared photos of their beautiful september wedding celebration in the canadian rockies. (merriment posted a preview in july, see post).

back in july, anne and i had fun bouncing ideas off of one another about the ambiance of the day she envisioned: honoring their heritage and their love of santa barbara, making the event kid friendly and keeping the overall decor true to the surroundings, simple and rustic. many of these details were incorporated, but above all...the quality time they spent with their family and friends stands out and will forever be in their hearts.

the two wed on anne's father's christina lake property, intimately surrounded by family and friends from brazil, the us and canada. every bit of this celebration was a collaborative effort by those dear to the couple. not only the location of the ceremony, but anne's family friend grew succulents and ferns in preparation for the decor, anne's godmother played the harp, her godfather officiated and friends catered the rehearsal dinner. according to one of marcus' family members "over three days of celebrating, not a single waiter was to be found." anne and marcus found the whole experience to be relaxing (commendable for a destination planned wedding). congratulations to mr. & mrs. chevitarese! photos above by: Allison Watt

jamie + justin

2009-10-13T13:24:00.000-07:00

last saturday, october 10, 2009 i had the privilege of coordinating a lovely wedding at the santa barbara zoological gardens, for bride and groom jamie and justin! they were engaged one year prior, to the day, at paris' eiffel tower and over the last year the two planned a wedding weekend that couldn't have been lovelier. the ceremony took place in the zoo's palm garden, complete with a couple distant roars from the resident lions and a reception that followed on the hilltop overlooking santa barbara's coastline and harbor. one of the magical moments: the day that was turning out to be a little chilly and foggy...became soft evening sunshine, as the bride made her way through the rose petals to the alter. to quote the groom "the heavens parted" when his beautiful bride walked down the aisle. everyone agreed - it was a breathtaking moment. congratulations to mr. & mrs. anderson! photo above by fotocielo (see additional on merriment's website).

details from j&j's day:
caterer: rincon catering
cupcakes: robyn loves cakes
dj: santa barbara djs
florals: cana flowers
officiant: father of the groom, bob
photographer: fotocielo
venue: santa barbara zoological gardens
videographer: george guajardo
planner: merriment

i also have to give a little shout-out to my fabulous assistant, chanel. she did an amazing job helping to make sure all the details were executed to perfection. thank you for all your hard work chanel!

"so we take each other's hand, 'cause we seem to understand"

2009-10-02T09:09:00.000-07:00

above are a few of the photos taken of the beautiful rosie montoto and handsome babak semnar - now "mr. & mrs. semnar!" i had to share these to show the vibrancy these two brought to their wedding. my husband and i had the privilege of attending their nuptials september 9. i was looking forward to exploring the area where they were tying the knot, southern california wine country north east of san diego. set on a beautiful golf course, the two married under an arbor as the sun was setting behind the mountain ridge - stunning. the party that immediately followed began with what would turn out to be the absolute best "first dance" i've ever seen! rosie (who i met at ucla, as a fellow dancer would dance whenever she had the chance) choreographed a piece for her and her new husband (who was not a dancer - until now!). they started off with a slow dance swaying back and forth (typical to other first dances we've all seen), but quickly broke out into a perfectly synchronized salsa, persian and tango! complete with bob sliding rosie across the floor as their legs weaved an intricate web together. i felt like the dancers in dirty dancing when they're cheering on patrick swayze and jennifer gray in the last dance scene. we were all hootin' and hollerin' - this was one first dance, no one in that room will ever forget! what a great job by bob and obviously a great teacher. congrats to mr. & mrs. semnar. may you continue to dance through life together with such passion. photos above: http://bkiddphoto.com

dress? check. flowers? check. yoga? ...

2009-09-03T14:36:00.000-07:00

last week i reconnected, with tannis kobrinsky, the aunt of one of my dear friends (and summer bride's!), amanda. i was reminded of the great work tannis does in southern california as a pilates, gyrotonic and gyrokinesis instructor. as well as the fabulous domestic and international yoga and pilates retreats she organizes through her company health habitravels.

i had the benefit the morning of my wedding, to have a dear friend gail kennedy lead yoga for myself and bridesmaids. what a fabulous experience!! i want everyone to enjoy this perfect start to one of the most momentous days of your life. deep breathing, elongating, centering and quieting the mind can really help you to focus on the importance of the day. i thought it would be fun for tannis to give a couple of great tips for relaxing the morning-of the wedding. she is available to santa barbara brides for private sessions the morning of the wedding, bridal showers or as part of a santa barbara weekend wedding retreat. see her website for more information and check out these great tips below:

SIT ON THE MAT WITH YOUR LEGS CROSSED and shake off the “should ofs” that lodge in your should-ers and neck. elongate your spine and sit as tall as you can. with your arms straight by your side, inhale, clenched your fists and squeeze your shoulders up to your ears, exhale and drop them plus all the tension you’re holding in your neck and shoulders out through your hands. repeat three times. follow with several BIG yawns. close your eyes. rest your cupped palms over them and imagine all your stresses and strains flowing out of you into your palms. move your palms away from your eyes. blink several times, being as present in that moment as possible and loosely shake your hands to release all your cares and worries.

THEN WAKE UP your deep core energies with this hands-on series: still seated in the same position, press your palms together as if praying. rub them together for about 30 seconds, breathing deeply as your internal chi (life force) comes into your palms. slowly separate your hands and allow the sphere of energy you’re holding to move in and out as you breathe. lift the sphere over your head, then open your hands and let them float down effortlessly to your sides. clasp them together in front of you. with a heart beat rhythm, palpate lightly several across your chest, opening your heart chakra. next, lean forward slightly, and use your fists to gently palpate the muscles on other side of your back bone. DO NOT palpate directly on your spine.

STAND UP FOR “THE HALO” – put your hands above your head, with fingers clasped and palms up to the ceiling or sky opening yourself, elongating your spine and then make a circle with your “halo” shaped arms several times in one direction and then reverse, letting your shoulder blades move as you do this, breathing deeply. open your hands, and let your arms float down to your sides. inhale and lift them back up over your head as if to form a steeple. feel the warm heart centered energy flowing from palm to palm and hold this pose for several deep into your roots breaths. open your arms, stay long and balanced as they move easily down to your side. you’re ready for the love and merriment to begin!after growing up in santa barbara, studying dance and eventually limiting her training due to injury, tannis found herself moving toward teaching. tannis is available for private sessions, group classes, and is a presenter/lecturer on mind-body practices, healthy living and travel. she has written articles in such publications as pilates style magazine, yogitimes magazine, american fitness magazine, pilates pro's "the pulse" and pilates fitness journey and health and goodness.

destination wedding or bring IT. to santa barbara?

2009-08-17T15:38:00.000-07:00

i was recently approached about possibly coordinating a destination wedding in mexico. the ideas began racing through my head of how lovely the celebration could be. i immediately thought of a wedding my husband and i witnessed in rome, on a trip to italy in 2005. we were lunching in a small piazza when the church bells began to ring and the bride and groom merrily stepped out followed by all of their guests. we felt so lucky to see this small slice of italian life, especially during such a joyous occasion.

there are so many cultural resources to take advantage of during a destination wedding, the location's vibrant colors, textiles, foods and architecture. these can also be ways to inspire you when the wedding is taking place in your own backyard. think about what it is about the culture or destination you would like to experience and convey to your guests. if it's the sense of family and celebration of food, maybe you chose to do a family style dinner where the guests can pass each other the main dishes and get to know each other at the same time. if it's the way the location makes you feel when you visit, maybe you chose music that transports the guest to the destination through sound or a venue that resembles the architecture or landscape of your favorite place. maybe certain colors are often found at the destination and your wedding incorporates those color palates. below are a few photos taken during that special trip to italy...perhaps to inspire.

ooh-la-la, indulgence the home spa

2009-07-28T18:23:00.000-07:00

tonight i was privileged to meet caroline loureiro, of indulgence the home spa. not only is she a total sweetheart, but a savvy business owner who delved into the industry of beauty and relaxation five years ago. after working for some of santa barbara's most exclusive hotels, caroline noticed a need for readily available spa treatments that come to you. a native of brazil, caroline has put together a team of 25 talented spa professionals who will come to your home, office, hotel or event location and treat you and your guests to list of spa indulgences. i can't wait to host my own spa party and refer indulgence to merriment's clients! we're talking bridal packages, bachelorette parties, massages, hair treatments, waxing, make-up...the list goes on.

we met at the newly renovated hotel oceana where indulgence is the exclusive spa provider. set outside by one of oceana's pools, live music played while guests and clients sipped wine, enjoyed santa barbara's perfect weather and of course were offered massages by indulgence. oceana's general manager, melissa treue, was kind enough to give me a tour of one of their renovated rooms. brides, this is a place to stay! beachy chic decor, across the street from the beach, within walking distance to state street and a truly nice staff..it doesn't get much more "santa barbara." did i mention they rent the pool area for your private daytime parties?

anne + marcus = romantic canadian wedding

2009-07-26T19:30:00.000-07:00

i was delighted when fellow dancer and friend anne, asked me to consult with her on her upcoming wedding plans to marry her beau marcus. their wedding weekend planned for early september doesn't get more romantic. set in a small town in the canadian rockies, christina lake, anne and marcus will be tying the knot on anne's father's lakeside property, with breathtaking views. a reception to follow at a nearby country club will incorporate marcus' brazilian heritage and anne's canadian. guests will be staying in nearby cabins and partake in various activities throughout the weekend. the photo above, from their engagement shoot, is just a taste of what's to come from this easy going and fun loving couple. anne will be sharing photos of the big day - coming soon, stay tuned. photo by gabriel nordyke

custom wedding invitations, lilly louise

2009-07-21T07:03:00.001-07:00

yesterday i met with the talented leslie lewis sigler, of lilly louise. custom weddings invitations, party invites and announcements are just a few of leslie's artistic creations. i was in awe of her creativity, clean designs and quality materials. merriment highly recommends lilly louise. i can't wait to use them for my own celebrations! i was truly inspired. check out leslie's website and view some of her work. lilly louise is based in santa barbara.

multicultural weddings

2009-07-02T11:09:00.000-07:00

a dear friend is getting married in september (congrats miss montoto!). to assist her with interfaith and multicultural wedding research, i did some research of my own. it wound up being more fun, than research. many of my friends have blended their cultures and faiths during their wedding celebrations. i was able to look to those friends and wound up re-living their special days' and broadening my understanding of their culture.

{rina + joe}
their korean ceremony - known as the pae baek, took place in a private room of the church, where they had just said their i do's. although traditionally only attended by the grooms family, this modernized ceremony incorporated both families. the ceremony is meant to join two families instead of just two individuals. in the room the parents are seated in front of a table prepared with various food and tea. the couple bows to the parents and then kneels to them, before listening to their words of advice, wisdom and hopes for their future. this is followed by the bride and groom holding a cloth (traditionally the bride's skirt) while the parents throw dates and chestnuts onto it. the number of fruits and nuts caught signify the number of children the couple will one day have. dates represent girls and chestnuts, boys. the happy couple finished the celebration surrounded by friends and family for an evening of dancing in a local art gallery. photo above by michelle sterling

{rebecca + charley}
their ceremony - a touching combination of jewish and non-denominational tradition, took place on the bluffs of santa barbara's coastline above the harbor. along with an apache wedding blessing, a traditional jewish wedding prayer known as the sheva brachot or "the seven blessings," was read. the ceremony also incorporated the jewish chuppah. the chuppah symbolizes the house where the bride and groom will live. the four poles which are carried by relatives or those close to the couple, represent the pillars of trust and faith on which the marriage will stand. the chuppah is held over the bride and groom as the ceremony unfolds and is open on all sides, which shows that the home is always open to friends and family. photo above by diegas zavala

{mandy + bobby}
their wedding - a beautiful blend of persian and catholic tradition was set in the foothills of montecito overlooking the pacific ocean. the sofreh aghd traditionally an intimate gathering of close family, part of the zoroastrian faith, was combined with a modern catholic ceremony. sofreh aghd translates to "wedding spread," and is believed to represent prosperity through the couples life and marriage. items are placed on a traditional silk cloth in front of the seated bride and groom while the ceremony is performed. the items presented signify various well wishes for the couple. examples are gold coins for prosperity, sugar and honey to bring the sweet life, eggs representing fertility. much of the ceremony is interactive with relatives, the bridal party and guests close to the couple performing tasks, giving verbal response and presenting gifts. after their zoroastrian i do's, mandy and bobby also took catholic vows before being pronounced husband and wife. a festive party immediately followed. photo above by sundance photography

merriment is live

2009-06-08T11:58:00.000-07:00

the website is up and running! please see the link below for details on who we are & what we do:

www.loveandmerriment.com

marisa + max

2009-06-06T12:10:00.000-07:00

max & marisa's wedding couldn't have been more beautiful. what a weekend to get married...during santa barbara's jesusita fire. the church being under mandatory evacuation was just one example of some major wildfire obstacles. the most commendable aspect of the celebration, was the bride and groom's calm approach, with their only objective being "to get married." i felt blessed to be part of this happy and loving celebration. congratulations mr. & mrs. tyler!

details from m&m's day:
bride's makeup: Rebecca Zavala
cake: Robyn Loves Cakes
caterer: Pure Joy Catering
dj: DJ Gavin Roy
floral arrangements: Cana Flowers
lighting: Bella Vista Designs
photography: Patricia Clarke
spanish guitar: Jon Francis
wedding coordination: Merriment

photo above, by the talented anna elledge

taking the plunge

2008-08-19T13:22:00.000-07:00

it's official i've decided to start a wedding planning business....so here it goes. i'm posting a photo from the most recent wedding i consulted, precious couple peter & rosalina. this wedding was complete with guests who shared their musical talent at the reception: a flamenco dancer, a ballad sung by the bride's uncle and a song written by the groom for his bride and performed by his german relatives. the entertainment was not only fun, but extremely touching.

my first official wedding is with bride and groom to be: marisa and max, may 2009. stay tuned for the launching of my website and updates.

love + merriment = family

don't just pass through paso

take off the pressure and use the pressure cooker

rice cake treats

not your ol'easy bake

"who?" from auntie anna

time = kitchen creations

from scratch

cross culture cookies

ho ho ho, merry....cookies

red + green = xmas

a holiday to remember

favorite finds :: bride to be

lou lou...louie

my favorite time of year

california dreamin'

making mama's chores fun!

shipwreck soup

it's-it

tasty + healthy shake

monkeys love bananas

strawberry pesto

eczema + jammies

10th generation native

"summer, summer, summer-time"

summer salad perfection

cinnamon chips + fruit salsa

long shadows bring...solstice

braids

good morning muffins

e hearts papa

etsy in santa barbara

my green baby

macaroons, 1, 2, 3

sunday supper = family

sweet potatoes for my sweet pumpkin

a taste of the mediterranean in santa barbara

chocomel sea salt bars

full heart = glass half full

relating to reality?

locks of love

storybook romance

raw mother earth

haute hats :: kentucky derby style

backyard bliss

our *one* and only

mamalade + birdseed

a new chapter {my} love and merriment

tom + clarissa :: saúde

35 to 5...Parents

поздравление adrea + alan

katie + dave = wyoming wonderland

leigh + dave

gloria + wes

amanda + ian

natalie + dan

gloria + wes

my sweet

classic santa barbara wedding locations

i heart ojai

pour some sugar on me

natalie + dan

"brown paper packages tied up with string"

leigh + dave

anne + marcus (part dois)

jamie + justin

"so we take each other's hand, 'cause we seem to understand"

dress? check. flowers? check. yoga? ...

destination wedding or bring IT. to santa barbara?

ooh-la-la, indulgence the home spa

anne + marcus = romantic canadian wedding

custom wedding invitations, lilly louise

multicultural weddings

merriment is live

marisa + max

taking the plunge

our one and only