Monthly Archives: December 2011

Mix Tape Fridays Vol.13

So this shall be the last Mix Tape for 2011 *tear* In retrospect I wish I posted more of these but maybe you’ll agree with me it’s quality over quantity, right? This week is brought to you from my current playlist which you may find to be quite random.

Random photo circa 2002

This is Antz & mine’s most favorite and extra played out song. This movie was impactful to us now that we are parents but it was also amazing visually and audibly just as Dancer in the Dark was. Lars is a complete ass but he knows how to make interesting films. He gets the cast just right *Udo Kier is my man and Alexander Skarsgard is lovely to look at, me likey* and you become enveloped into the storyline even when you have no idea what’s happening. We are total classical music geeks!

Wagner “Tristan and Isolde” Melancholia Sountrack

This is an oldie but goodie. I have been going through a hippie-pop-folk phase and I loved this song ever since I heard it in The Virgin Suicides. Holy shit, I am so loving his owl feather eyebrows and Farrah Fawcett hair but not so much his gnarley teeths. The 70’s was one fucked up decade!!

“Hello, It’s Me” Todd Rundgren

Speaking of hippies, this French version of the Turtles “So Happy Together” makes me so happy. Please forgive the Get Him to the Greek video…it was the only one I could find.

“Heureux tous les deux” Frank Alamo *however my version is from Pop a Paris – Rock N’ Roll and Mini Skirts Vol.1*

While I’m on the French playlist…I recently bought this album just based on this AH-mazing cover. Wasn’t I pleasantly surprised to find so many rad songs and this hidden gem by a little lady by the name of ADELE!!! *no, not that Adele but they are similar*

I am obsessed with vinyl album covers from the 60s!!

 
“J’ai peur parfois” Adele

Alright this one is my last Frenchy, I promise, but she’s an American singing in English who happened to be discovered in Paris *at age 15!!*. I really believe she’s the reincarnated spirit of Billie Holiday. Her voice gives me the Vapors *in an awesome way* Bitch can SING! She just made it on my list of folks to see live next year *which you will hear more about on my New Years Resolutions post coming soon*

“Instead” Madeleine Peyroux

Let’s break up the French monotony with some Björk shall we? This woman is too rad for words.
Oh, did I mention I bought Biophilia on vinyl? YAY ME!!

Slowly building my vinyl collection

“Crystalline” Björk

Alright, here’s something to shake yo ass to. Go ahead, proceed to shake it!!

“I’m Mikey” The Cool Kids

This one is dedicated to my Antz, I love you, lovely. This is fucked up!

“Black Swan” Thom Yorke

I adore this guy. He is Natalie Portman’s ex and adorable. I would hook Aimee up with him if I could.

Dirty little hipster.

“Shabop Shalom” Devendra Banhart

Sometimes I’m in the mood for some good German electronica *Kraftwerk, KMFDM, & Rammstein* okay maybe they are more metal than electronica but you get the picture. This song needs to be my theme song.

“Don’t Break My Heart” Roman Flügel

Loving this band!! A LOT

“Pussy” Brazilian Girls

Pretty much an unknown fact is I went to high school with relatives of the Pharcyde. I get super nostalgic whenever I hear Passin’ me by. Fatlip has always been my favorite of the group and his solo album is pretty sch-weet. Even better, he has a duet with Chemical Brothers that is STELLAR!! I’m sure noone born after 1992 has any idea who these guys are *shit I’m an old lady*

“What’s Up Fatlip” Fatlip

Since this is the very last Mix Tape of the year, I had to add some B&S flavor to it. Oh man, I would die and go to heaven if I ever seen them live. I am hoping to see them soon *preferably in Europe* They rock so eloquently!

“Funny Little Frog” Belle & Sebastian

Let’s finish this in a seriously random, rockin’ way. There’s no need for an introduction. You know the man, you know the legend…

“Careless Whisper” George Michael

Just in case you need your Christmas song fix, you can go here for last year’s Holiday Mix Tape.

Happy Happy New Year Lovelies!! I can’t wait to post tomorrow *it’s so hard to keep this a surprise*

New Year’s Resolutions 2012

Ah, it’s that time again. I feel like I just wrote my list of last year’s resolutions. Before I delve into my new list, I would like to look back on how well I did in the ’11.

NYE in Vegas 2005

Diet & Exercise *the one everyone says they’ll do yet give up by February*

I can’t say I’m where I want to be weight-wise or nutrition but I am improving. I am surprised by how many new foods I gave a chance this year. I am still a food brat but at least I’ve changed my status from food snob. Antz and I will be spending more time outdoors and eating less junk but don’t expect to see me in a gym anytime soon.

Save like my life is depending on it

This one is tricky, we are saving in a solid way…buuuut, most of it is for Liv’s pre-school tuition so it will be dwindling once we pay in March. I did manage to save by paying off some plastic *see below* but Antz car repairs took a bite out of it. Good news is, we have a whole $80 from Etsy profits in savings for our trip to Paris! Let me quote my wise Mum “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time”

Get off the Plastic *Credit Card Debt*

We started off in a major way, paid off $10k in cold, hard cash from our tax refund but then we hit a bump in the late summer when we had an unexpected plumbing emergency. Then my Dell had a fatal heart attack and I had to get my Mac Air so I can’t say we have a $0 balance like I wanted *Boo* Although, I did pay off our Lowes card and closed the account. I also paid off another card but I’m keeping that guy open since it’s our oldest card and I don’t want our Fico score to drop *learned that from Suze Orman* so we’re definitely looking better than last year. I know I can do it with some discipline.



Stop Procrastinating *yeah, right*

I think this is the biggest improvement I made in the past year. I stepped up my get-shit-done-ness in a major way. I crossed off a few things on my Life List and believe it or not, on Christmas day Antz, Aimee and I were at Starbucks drive-thru and I paid for the car behind mine *YAY* I learned how to sew like a BOSS

I became a Martha Stewart protégé, craftin’ and bakin’! I wasn’t late to appointments that often and I gave thoughtful gifts from the heart with wrapping paper I could feel proud of.

Made from the lovely paper and Lucky cat stamp from the FABulous Yard Sale

Home Improvement Projects

Another gold star for Lizzie! We have done more to the house in the last 2 years than in the entire 5 years we’ve owned this place. Replaced our *100 year old* water heater, remodeled the bathroom and soon we’ll reveal our bedroom makeover. We are planning on installing a brand new Ikea kitchen in 2013 but we have to get our plumbing updated first. If we keep this up, we might actually acquire some equity in this joint.

Learn French

Merde, I cannot seem to learn this language. I took a Conversational French class with 2 of my friends over the summer and although I did enjoy learning how to say my name and which day it was but I didn’t pick up enough to carry a decent conversation. I mentioned in my previous post that I bought some new software and here is it.

It’s not the Rosetta Stone I wanted but this is an affordable version and I can use it on my ipad. I must practice more often and attempt to speak French on a daily basis. Wish me Bonne Chance!
So on to my New Year’s Resolutions 2012 *just in case the Mayans are wrong*

I’m pretty much keeping last year’s list for obvious reasons but I would like to add one important item that has been grossly overlooked for the past 9 years.
TRAVEL/Go to more Shows

I’m not talking about a road trip to San Diego or a few days in Vegas. I would LOVE to go to Hawaii for our 10 year anniversary *of course you know this cause I won’t stop talking about it* I want to use my passport and take a plane ride *our last trip on a plane was in 2008 for Antz nephew’s wedding in Sacramento* I also want to work on my list of bands I want need to see. I definitely missed out on some great shows last year *Robyn at the Hollywood Bowl, Jon Brion & Fiona Apple at the Largo* I need to step my shows game up next year. I have a strong case of Wanderlust yet I have so many other goals to achieve so it’s difficult to just book a trip willy, nilly. I am trying to find balance with paying off debt, saving, and wanting to improve this house all while wanting to travel. I suppose I can patiently wait until 2014 for Paris.

Bands to See in 2012

Björk *this is a given as soon as she announces her tour dates but I want to see her somewhere I haven’t been before*

Coachella Music Festival *this is killing 2 birds with 1 stone, so many incredible bands I would be able to see here*

Tom Waits *Oh it would be heaven to see him at Coachella!!!*

Belle & Sebastian

Blonde Redhead

Portishead

Daft Punk

April March *this is tricky, she hasn’t toured in awhile*

CSS

Brazilian Girls

Devendra Banhart

Cornelius

Beach House

Cat Power

Arcade Fire

Oh Land

Pomplamoose

Well, one more day until I share my surprise. I am so looking forward to it! Anyone else working on their resolutions?

Auld Lang Syne y’all!

Legoland

Schmegoland…

Legoland March 1999

Sadly we had to postpone our trip to Carlsbad due to Antz extreme migraine. My poor hubby has been in pain since Tuesday night. He hardly ever complains so I know he is hurting. I couldn’t bear to drag him on a 1 1/2 hour drive and walk around all day in the sun with his throbbing head. We tried Advil, Extra strength Motrin and a cold compress to no avail. He did manage to take a nap for 2 hours but we had to take him to see a doctor. The good news, it is a migraine and nothing more serious *Thank God* However, the bad news is there is no cure for migraines and we have no idea what the cause could be. He’s taking a prescription and trying to relax more often. Tomorrow we are going to Bed, Bath & Beyond to get him a contour memory foam pillow as the doc recommended.

Well, at least he has the next 3 days to feel better, poor guy. I’m working on a new feature that I want to post soon but I have to teach myself this new software I bought. Anyone have any suggestions on working with Photoshop Elements? Oh and guess what? I ended up exchanging my Mac Air 128GB for a 256 GB. I should have just bought the bigger one to begin with yet I was trying to stay on budget. I also bought some new software *which you’ll hear about soon*

Doesn’t it suck when you get sick during a vacay? This has been the quickest week of my life, yet I’ve been driving for hours everyday *we’re at my Mom’s in Apple Valley* long story.

Later Skaters!

My Favorite Things

This post is an extra special Christma-Hannu-kwanzah post brought to you by my first official guest blogger, Aimee. Yes, the BFF is here and taking over this joint with some of her Faves of all-time *don’t be surprised if we share most of these but we occupy the same brain*

Guest Starring, the infamous BFF!!

So Aimee, tell us your most favoritest things ever!

Hi everyone!This is the very first time that I am blogging(besides THE FACEBOOK)on my own,so here it goes…My Lizzy is correct..we do,in fact,share the same brainwaves&do enjoy most of the same things;although I am a bit more bohemian&eccentric than Lizzy is.Sometimes,it is a bit strange though!Before my Goddaughter was born,I made a trip to Baby Gap and bought a TON of clothes,only to find that my Lizzy had just purchased ALL OF THE SAME DAMN STUFF! I told her to take the crap back&get different stuff.I am really the only person the bff trusts to go off on my own&go clothes shopping for Liv,as I know my bff like the back of my hand…

Anyway,without further adieu, here’s my shit list!!!!!

#1.NARS BLUSH IN SUPER ORGASM-
  Ok, I NEVER LEAVE MY HOUSE WITHOUT A FULL FACE…&I am NOT joking.I walk out to get my coffee in the morning-FULL FACE.Walk to the little bodega on my corner-FULL FACE…I really enjoy my the whole ritual of putting it on.Nars Super Orgasm is INSANE!This crap has glitter in it!OMG!The color is universal&works on everyone! FANTASTIC! Loves it!!!!!!Super flattering.

Nars Super Orgasm
Check out the glittery goodness

#2.WOMEN WITH TATTOOS-
  I love me some bitches with tattoos…I think it is not only are they super sexy;having them is,in my opinion, SUPER BALLSY!I’ve lost count on how many I have acquired over the years,but,I am currently working on my sleeve…I also think that they are some sort of right of passage.I am going to be 37 years old next year,and sat on the idea of getting a sleeve for ages.I finally said,”FUCK IT!I’M 36!Who gives a darn?(er-my Mom)…a few of my most beautiful&close girlfriends are FOR REAL tatted down!Really just stunning to me…

My good friend Evan’s gorge sleeve
She has magnolia’s because she’s a Southern Belle
Me & Evan share the same tattoo in different places
Love her back, it’s a ship, she’s an art historian.
My friend MJ’s tats
More MJ, she’s so beautiful
MJ’s a photographer and I’m going to commission her to take photos of me when my sleeve is complete

#3.16 CANDLES-
   I LOVE THIS MOVIE!Me and Lizzy can recite this entire movie-word for word,’cuz we are dorks!Samantha Baker is my hero!She’s kind of just a regular girl(like me).Not popular or unpopular,but,she is just so funny and cool and pines over Jake Ryan.Wow!Was he just the cutest?Story of my life…&I am NOT in high school anymore…

The girl in the hat is just so….Vogue

#4.Michael K-Dlisted
   Lizzy turned me on to this guy!He is OUTRAGEOUSLY funny,and talks like me and Lizzy.I read his blog everyday.He clowns like not other!OMG!He is so damn cute,too!If this boy was straight,I would hunt him down and make him be my boyfriend!He is so cute!I love that guy!

He’s Cuuuuutttteeeee!
*Lizzie note: This boy is yummyful…he needs to be our gay boyfriend*

  #5.Sushi-
Um…What’s not to like?I love ALL sushi!The crazier,the better…yummers!I could eat it everyday for the rest of my life and never get sick of it…Breakfast,lunch&dinner!mmmmmmm!

FUCK YEAH!

   #6.Being a Parent/Godparent
    Ok…I was a very young mother.I had my son when I was 20.It was both the hardest and best thing that I have ever done in my whole life.I traded my 20’s for parenthood,and do not regret a minute of it!My son is the best person I know and has the best heart&kindest soul(I know,every parent says that about their kid)!We had the best time together when he was little(he now lives with his dad),and thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company.He is a teenager now,so,we don’t see eye-to-eye as much anymore.But,he is a really wonderful kid.Being a Godparent is THE greatest gift my bff has bestowed upon me.She asked me to be Liv’s Godparent during a really hard time in my life.This made my WHOLE world change forever!I am now partially responsible for this lovely little jewel-FOREVER!Liv is the funniest toddler I have ever met!I always tell Lizzy,”Liv is one of us!”She is beautiful and wonderful and smart.I so happy to be part of her family and life forever.I take being a Godparent EXTREMELY seriously.

#7.J.D.Salinger-
  This man was THE shit!The Catcher In The Rye was/is my favorite book-EVER!Come on!I named my son after Holden Caufield!I would have married J.D. Salinger…so smart!

This is my man for LIFE!!

#8.Nancy Grace-
This lady RULES!I am ALWAYS tuned into HLN(I know,I am a dork)!I know that I do not in any way fit the usual profile for her viewers-i.e.,I don’t live in the Bible Belt and I am not a Republican.However,I love Nancy because she is so smart and tells people off like a mofo.I love her southern accent and she fights for missing women and children and all of the fallen soldiers that have died in that endless and meaningless war.

She is the BEST EVER!!
Oh shit, she’s about to go off!

*Lizzie note: For reals, she watched every second of the Tot Mom trial*

#9.Venice, Ca-
I live in V-town(A.K.A.Dogtown)…It is a mix of artists, homeless, professionals, skateboarders, surfers, quasi/hippies, and yuppies raising families.I really love living there.I am a transplant(an ex lived in Venice and I just made my life there), even though I used to ditch school in 8th grade and hang all day!I live in the RADDEST place ever. My building is 100 years old and Jim Morrison, Mae West lived there and was owned Laurel & Hardy. I even have an original clawfoot tub and a trundle bed.

It is a Muthafucking FREAKSHOW!!!
*love!*
Of all the places I’ve lived this one is my absolute fave!

#10.Women with short hair-
I have had either almost shoulder length hair,to a very short and cropped pixie cut my whole adult life.I love the freedom of having short hair.It’s super easy and I need to be really creative to stay super feminine,which is really fun!One of my favorite blogs is: FUCK YEAH-GIRLS WITH SHORT HAIR!I love it,because all the women are really edgy and hot and the photos are GORGE!Right now,my muses are Emma Watson and Jean Seaberg!I love them!

 *Lizzie note: I think Aimee looks most lovely with her short locks, she has a face to pull off a pixie cut and still look girly*

#11.My Girlfriends-
Firstly, My Lizzy is the SHIT!She is Lucy to my Ethel,Janet Wood to my Chrissy Snow,Thelma to my Louise,Rob to my Big…I can go on for ages…no doubt,she is TOPS and she KNOWS this!But,outside of my Lizzy,I have a small group of ladies that mean the world to me…we are a tribe&support each other in every aspect of life-even if we don’t always agree on things!LOVE MY GIRLS!

#12.Europe-
I have been to Europe three times in my life!FANTASTIC!I have been to Italy,Spain(the BEST FOOD EVER!),France(MY FAVORITE PLACE ON THE PLANET),and England.I really thought that I would end up with a hot European man…so sophisticated and worldly and yummy!ME LIKEY!!!

#13. Urban Outfitters-
I love this joint!OMG!I shop there like a MOTHERFUCKER,and I am NOT playing!I have mostly been shopping online,though,because the sales online are cray-cray!Plus-anything over $50 is free shipping,and I LOOOOOOVE getting packages in the mail!WEEEEE!

#14.Coffee-
I cannot stay away from the stuff.I need it to start my day…or I cannot function!I also have my whole routine in the morning where I put on my full face,do my hair,pick out my coffee outfit for 45 minutes&walk to Starbucks,turn around and walk to work…I drink a Venti Vanilla Americano every day of my life…

I would do this if I could

ALRIGHTY!This is my shit list…I hope you guys have enjoyed all my junk!Maybe you will see me again on here?hmmmm…XO!-Aimee

*Lizzie note: Thanks babe, and yes, you will!!*

Happy Christmas 2011

Santa and his Elves left some stellar presents for us. Liv all decked out in her Christmas pjs, tore open her gifts and already she has one favorite! We ate our cinnabons and watched A Christmas Story.

Rare sighting of Lizzie *pre-flat iron* Fucking Dolly Pardon hair

Thanks Story & Chris!! Rad flash cards

Awwww shit!!! Brobee Vans

She had to immediately put them on
FRESH!!

LOVE this face!! She was sooo excited when she opened this guy, she spazzed out!

Thanks Ninos!!

LOVE!! Anthro vase

Brobee bouncy

Green badass Rody!!

Happy Christmas Bitches!!

Netflix Night

We invited Mia, Adam, Kaia & Coleridge over for a screening of Midnight in Paris *my review is below* and snacks galore. Mia made a scrumptious gingerbread rice crispy cake.

All kinds of yum!
I made grilled cheese hearts, berries, hummus & chips

These girls were ridiculously cute
Olivia made sure to feed her guest

Mommies in Jammies

The film was visually beautiful. Holy shit do I love Paris. 

The movie almost felt like a distraction. I just wanted to stare at the lovely Tuileries Gardens, Place de la Concorde, Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Notre Dame and Versailles. The puces *flea market* scenes were gorge. I was thinking to myself, how did we visit Paris and not go to Montmartre or take a cruise on the Seine at dusk? I want to go tomorrow!! Well, this was the first Woody Allen film I’ve seen without him starring in it. Owen Wilson tried his best to manifest Woody’s neurotisism but he wasn’t strong enough as the male lead for me. Marion Cotillard was stunning as always. 
 The concept was interesting, being able to travel to a period of time in history with the knowledge you have now. I would definitely head to London during the Swingin’ 60s yet Antz brought up a good point; every period of history had it’s troubles.

Tonight was fun but I am super tired. I would love to stay up late and pore over Bri Emery’s Design Love Fest 

Rue – design loft fest from Son of Shark Pig on Vimeo.

I am girl crushing on Bri, hard! It inspires me to finish our damn bedroom!!

Yet, I am ready to cuddle with my lovelies.
 Nighty Nights

T’was the Friday before Christmas

And all through the mall, folks were acting like damn fools!! I had to run errands early this morning to pick up our traditional Christmas treats and I thought I walked into the apocalypse. I swear I saw a knife fight in the packing lot and an old lady cut in front of me in line and muttered “cunt” under her breath. Why do people act like assholes at the holidays? Sheesh people, there’s this great invention called the internet. I did 95% of my holiday shopping online and even with a few glitches *yeah you, amazon* I got everything on my list last week. Oh well, some folks will never learn. Somehow I made it out alive with my yummy treats.

MMMM CINNABON!!!
New fancy schmancy tablecloth from the FABulous yard sale
I love her Parisian jammies
Watch this!!

We visited my Mommy in Vallee d’Pomme. It was COLD!! We had a great time but my lovely cut his hand trying to catch a falling wine glass. I still think he needs stitches but he claims he’s fine. Ouch!

Last night we saw Tin Tin in 3D and it was not as bad as I expected. It was definitely a kid’s flick but we liked it. I have a date with Aimee tomorrow to see Young Adult so I am catching up on my must- see movies. Hopefully we’ll squeeze some time to see Carnage, Shame and We Need to Talk About Kevin. This coming week we are booked solid, Legoland, playdate, work on our bedroom makeover. I may not post as frequently as I’d like but I’ve got a surprise post planned that I am super excited about. I wish you a Happy Hannukah, Christmas and Fucking Rad New Year!!

My Christmas wish has come true….

Portlandia will be back in January!!! Yippeee!!

Hallelujah!!

Way to sing it Leonard.

I was in a heavenly slumber this morning when Antz wakes me up to say Best Buy is texting me at 7 am. I knew this couldn’t possibly be true but I checked. It turns out to be a scum of the Earth telemarketing text informing me that I could win cash and prizes if I text them. Let’s just say I was livid. Not only the text waking us all up at an unholy hour but they text me 10 times….in a row! I replied STOP and then Fuck Off to be sure they understood. I was really upset since I have registered my cell with the National Do Not call service

Here’s the number in case you need it: 888-382-1222

So I had to take matters into my own hands and I called AT&T. I was instructed to forward the texts to them and they will serve as my Hit Men. I haven’t received another text since. So by the time I got off the phone it was time for Antz to leave for work and shortly after my doorbell buzzed. It was Timmy from Geek Squad. He listened patiently to me air my grievances and he did some magic mumbo jumbo to my laptop. He didn’t even look at my modem. His first question to me was Why do you want the Time Capsule. Uhh, Best Buy dude told me I needed it. Seems like the classic case of naive girl being upsold. Timmy informed me that the problem wasn’t my modem or the Time Capsule but my DSL speed. Timmy was all kinds of cool. He basically gave me awesome advice and after he left I called AT&T again. Turns out all I had to do was relocate my modem and Voila, my internet has been blazing fast all day. I can’t tell you what a difference it makes. I feel like I can now finally love my new Mac. *hugs Mac* Stellar!!

Check out little Miss-Sneak-into-photos

Today is Antz last day of work so I’m on cloud nine right now. We have a ton of plans and projects to work on this coming week. Hopefully no drama will interrupt my great mood since David is returning  tomorrow morning to repair the shingles we lost on the roof.

LAME! Thank Goodness our insurance is covering it

I have literally been dancing around the house in my socks a la Risky Business and sniffing my lovely peonies. Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-laaaaaaa!

Welcome Geek

OG: Original Geek

I am pretty excited that tomorrow someone from the Geek Squad is coming to our house to finally set up my dumb ole’ Time Capsule and fix my networking probs. I’m usually pretty savvy when it comes to electronics but that guy has me completely stumped. I have a list of questions and problems to be solved. I am keeping my fingers crossed I get someone knowledgeable and nice. My last 3 DirecTV guys have been Neanderthals. I asked the last one for a new remote since the marking have rubbed off the 7 year old one and he grunts to me “You have to call and ask for one, I don’t got any.” Yeah, direct quote. If my internet speed doesn’t improve I’m going to lose my shit. I am one of those impatient jerks that Louis CK hates that complains when things don’t go faster than a micro second.

Feel bad for me guys, it has been taking me on average 1-2 hours to load photos to my blog. I haven’t had any success with uploading to flickr or youtube. When I’m browsing sites, I often get timed out. Antz had trouble printing wirelessly and of course he blames my Mac. I need to redeem myself to him because he IS NOT LIKIN IT!!

On a happier note, I found peonies at Fresh & Easy today, yay! I wish they were available year-round but their scarcity makes them extra special when they are in season.

They smell amazing

FABulous Ban.do Yard Sale

We totally scored. I am sad to report there wasn’t a single Ban.do item featured in the sale but I found a gorgeous turquoise bracelet, some fabric, some yarn *for making pom poms* a stamp set, a storage box filled with pretty paper, an Oh Joy set of mailing envelopes for our Etsy shop and a couple of candle votives.

Okay guys, I’m ready to shop till I drop!
I was stoked when I saw this guy in the front yard.

Big Pimpin’

Cotton Candy Pink tulle, for sure!
We are hoping we can use this to upholster something. Too bad it’s too small for laundry curtains. *yikes my wig is embarrassingly huge*

I am on the hunt for vintage letters

you two pink ladies are coming home with me
How amazing is this menagerie?

Antz wanted to use this rope in our new curtain design but I declined, too nautical, you know?
Baubles
Stripes & Tights, my new uniform
Jenn from Ban.do was gracious enough to take a photo with me. I LOVE her jacket!! We’re both sporting our pom poms.

My Loot!

Okay, what happened next was a tragedy…

The restaurant I wanted to eat at was CLOSED!! 

The decor leaves little to the imagination
BUMMER!

I was starved after running some errands it was already past 3pm so I HAD to have some sushi. Yet the sushi I wanted was all the way near LAX on the other side of town *like a 35 minute drive* I was relentless in my sushi craving so off we went. I was giddy with anticipation since I have been to this place 6 times in the last 4 weeks! My Mom first took me there a few months ago. I immediately brushed it off since A. It’s a total dive and looks like cockroaches and rats party there and B. It’s cheap for sushi. In my years of experience cheap sushi = bad sushi so I remained skeptical. I ordered some california rolls and didn’t give the place a second thought. The next time my Mom took me I was ravenous and I knew mere California rolls wouldn’t sedate me. I checked out the menu and after I got over my initial shock of how yummy the photos looked and the variety of sushi, I order a catepillar roll. Expecting to be totally underwhelmed it was fantastic. When my Mom was in town I found myself recommending we go to this out of the way dirtball place. I took Aimee there and she went through the same reluctant process I did but once I ordered for her, she was convinced. Antz was the hardest sell. We had a pact that we wouldn’t even think of ordering our sushi outside of Little Tokyo but when I would whine about wanting to drive all the way to this place he would not give in. One Sunday afternoon, I talked him into the drive and I again had to tell him to look past the horrible formica tables and shabby decor. It was all about the food. Tenno sushi has been good to us, with it’s modern design and Beyonce DVD concerts playing on the flat screens, we’re used to a dining experience. At this joint, they have an old clunky TV that only plays People’s Court and is large enough for one family of 6 to squeeze in. The guy at the counter won’t admit it, but he definitely gives me a look like “You again?” when I step up to order. The prices are so reasonable it’s easy to go overboard when you do order. I always get my regular and Antz has made his favorite a caterpillar roll and beef/chicken teriyaki bowl *which he shares with Liv* My journey is always worth the mileage for one thing only…

Tempura shrimp made by the Gods!

They make the best shrimp tempura, EVER! I challenge anyone to find a tastier version. Gordon Ramsey himself would bloody love them. You could tell me they were made out of human brains and baby seal guts and I’d still eat them. I order them every single time and so far, so delish *smacks fingers*. I was pretty bummed this place was closed at 4 pm on a Sunday. I SWEAR we came there at the same time before but being it’s a Mom & Pop, I’m sure they keep crazy hours. Oh well, c’est la vie. We went across the street and ate but it was whammp, whammp *thumbs down*. Antz is working Monday and Tuesday of this week and then he’s on vacation until the 3rd of January so we’ll have plenty of time to give it a go again.

Anyone has a guilty pleasure hole-in-the wall disgusting place they secretly LOVE? Mine used to be a disgusting taco truck AKA roach coach in Highland Park but Miyako has usurped it. Why close on Sunday, dammit!