You know what that means? I have only 6 months to plan Liv’s 2nd birthday. Plenty of time for the average person but I have so many decisions to make and things to do. San Francisco *which is ‘spensive* or the Ace in Palm Springs?
Poolside at the Ace in June sounds dreamy
maybe stay in town and throw a party? I may be leaning towards SanFran. We would stay at the W *of course* go to the SF Zoo and take pictures at the Golden Gate Bridge *I have been there like 6 times and never done this* and Liv could take her first plan ride. I am not into throwing her a party this year since most of the attendees would be adults and that’s no fun for her. I’d rather wait until her 3rd when she is old enough to join in birthday party activities and she can invite her pre-school friends. My biggest challenge is her birthday gift. I am really wanting to make her play kitchen ourselves. Antz isn’t so excited about the project *he does most of the labor, while I am the designer* This guy looks amazing and I could sew pretty curtains and customized it for Olivia.
Pinterest
Pinterest
I saw the kitchen for Clara made by John & Sherry at Young House Love and started getting second thoughts. The price was right *they always do incredible things for no money at all* but Antz doesn’t have as many tools as they do and we would most likely end of spending as much as a pre-made one if I am involved. This dream kitchen set is from Pottery Barn kids
but even I won’t spend $700 for a toy! Plus we have no space to store this massive set. We still have to buy the play food, cooking accessories and the Melissa & Doug playsets. This makes me want a separate playroom for Liv *which makes me want our Dream House even more!* Well, Antz is so great at turning trash to treasure, I have faith he can find an entertainment shelf on craigslist for cheap and I can design a rad Parisian country kitchen for Liv. I’m sure I’ll change my mind about 20 times but it sounds like a fun project. I also want to make Liv’s playhouse
I really dislike garage sales. They usually have crappy stuff, tons of dated clothes that look like someone died wearing them and the rare pieces of furniture I do find, I am never very good at negotiating a fair price. The one time I did score at an estate sale in Sherman Oaks *this is a great spot cause the folks are rich, no longer working soap opera actors* I got a storage bench for $10. It was painted bright yellow and had hinges that looked like they were from the Victorian age *not in a chic way* and some kid had decided to unleash their inner artist by putting 43 stickers on it in a very random pattern. We took it to my Mom’s house, spent hours stripping the stickers, added new hinges and painted it a chocolate brown. It now lives in my living room and stores my wedding dress and all our wedding memorabilia *which I always ask Antz, if there was a fire, how would I save all that stuff?*
So I found out about this FABulous garage sale around the corner of my house. Well, it turns out that the lovely lady who is having the sale is the founder of BAN.DO!!! I am hoping there will be this rad gold sequin fanny pack that I’ve been wanting forever.
Super cute! If they don’t have it, I will stock up on hair accessories and some lovely things for the house.
Yesterday I had my date with Aimee. Holy Cow, we had so much fun even though a torrential rain storm almost spoiled our day. I got my Christmas present and I’m dying! We went to Tiffanys and I almost died and went to heaven.
Aimee’s future engagement ring
I need this bracelet for Olivia
We were totally pointing and oohing and ahhing over everything. So many gorgeous sparkly things.
J’adore
We went to Numero Uno for lunch and out of nowhere it started pouring rain, thunder and lightening. We hung out talking and stuffing our faces until it stopped.
Do you like Liv’s hipster ‘do created by Aimee?
PIZZA!!! Nom nom!
CRAY-CRAY!
We went to Monkeyhouse Toys so I could pick up a gift for Antz *although he knows what it is*
I could live in that place. Too much adorable-ness.
I also picked up a mystery gift for my Antzy but I can’t elaborate on that. Last week I mentioned in my gift guide that my Mom gave me $100 for the holidays so I bought my Tiffany & Co necklace to accompany Antz gift to me…my photo charm from Planet Jill.
My Lovely Daughter, Olivia Lily
Aimee and Antz got one too.
His charm is on the right.
Believe it or not the necklace from Tiffanys was under $100 so I used the remainder to buy my rad Anthology subscription. I will get issue #6 in January but I found issue #5 at Anthropologie.
Last night I wrapped some of Liv’s presents. Still waiting for Amazon to deliver the rest today.
Story & Chris bought us this awesome ornament in Hawaii 3 years ago
My Grandmom’s musical Christmas tree. I will pass it down to Olivia, it’s 64 years old and still works!!
Antz and I made cookies for his company Holiday party this afternoon. Look how cute the wrapping is for his Secret Santa gift.
Well, that pretty much sums up how my Christmas is going. We are taking a trip to Legoland during Antz week off. Last time we went was the day it opened, on my birthday in 1999. I have a huge New Year’s surprise but I’m trying to zip my lips until the 31st.
I’ll admit, this was a lazy post. Antz and I have spent ALL freaking day cleaning and organizing our tiny house. We didn’t even finish 50% on our To Do list but at least we took 2 huge bags to Goodwill and this is now the state of our storage in the kitchen.
Believe it or not these both are the After photos. Antz beat me to taking a Before shot, most likely because it would have been quite embarassing.
Yep, what you are seeing on top of the washing machine is 4 years of Real Simple issues but don’t fret! We went to The Container Store and picked up more magazine holders. We still need new curtains to hide our my Hoarder-ness.
I promise to soon reveal our bedroom when I procure a few more items *namely a rug, and the famous owl lamp* Antz surprised me Friday night while I was at the Caramel Apple party in a major way. Not diamonds but just as good *wink*
Los Angeles has decided to actually have cold weather so we’ve been spending more time nestling under the covers in our bedroom. The bad news is our Ikea Malm queen bed has gone kaput. The frame is broken and our mattress is quite uncomfortable. I’ll confess, when we moved in 5 years ago I cheaped out on our mattress.
It has a pillowtop but I love feather beds. In fact I love them so much I have 2 on our bed. We had one that was amazing for about 3 weeks, then it flattened out and never recovered. Then last Christmas Antz’s sister Debra gave us another incredible featherbed *much heavier than our old one so I threw it on the bed too. It was about 6 weeks of sheer heaven until that guy no longer felt comfy. I have beaten the feathers and tried my best to keep up with fluffing the featherbeds but at this point they are pretty flat. Then there’s our duvet cover…
Red paisley in 2007 *ick, red is my least favorite color* but Antz liked the contrast with the wall color. The bedding has been retired since the cover isn’t as soft as I like and the red sheets that have mysteriously gone missing.
Last year we scored this London of Libery for Target set *orginally purchased for my hospital bedding* yet I am bored with paisley. Hi Lola!
I bought this comforter from Urban Outfitters this year which I do like, but I’m not in love with it. I like the vintage feel *my Mom had bedding similar to this in the 70s* but I think the green is too matchy-matchy with the wall color. Also it’s a queen comforter and we *large people* need a king size.
So now I am trying to find the next perfect duvet cover and of course this beauty from Anthropologie is the frontrunner.
I think the colorful palette will give our bedroom a new life. I also adore the thickness and softness of Anthropologie’s bedding *nice quality* The best part is it’s on sale and available in stores! No brainer right? Well, it would be if I didn’t already fall in love with this zigzag rug.
I know the colorful duvet would compete with the graphic rug. Grrr! Just when I think I found the deal of the century. This rug is 5 x 7 and is only $80.99 at Overstock. Antz feels that the white may be an issue in the room but we just may have to invest in a vacuum cleaner *after not owning one for 6 years*
Then there’s our bedside table. Antz has been given the task of finding me a lovely table with a drawer *Olivia is notorious for hiding our remotes and phones* from a thrift store and then renovating it in his magical fashion. He almost found one last month but sadly it was already sold for $15!!
It would have been perfect, right size, good storage and I would have put this knob on it.
We used to have a Michael Graves table lamp in the bedroom but it was broken from my clumsiness and the mid century modern style did not live well with our dark wood decor. Ideally I want this guy soooo bad!
It’s adorable and fits the Parisian shabby chic style I like. Big problem is the price and I am notorious with knocking over things so I am positive I would break such a delicate lamp. This owl lamp is more study and masculine *I gotta remember a boy lives there too* The lamp was on sale but I’m sure it will go down in price on Black Friday.
I found this alarm clock iphone dock at Urban but the $48 price needs to go on sale before I get it.
My one splurge is this Jonathan Adler ceramic vase *it’s two-sided, not a pair*. It’s super cute and perfect for a bouquet of pink peonies.
I’m holding off until After-Thanksgiving before I make any purchases but I’m worried about items selling out. I’m trying to keep the budget under $1500 for a new mattress, DIY Fabric headboard, new queen bed frame, side table, bedding, rug, lamp, accessories and possibly curtains *we are so over those boring natural curtains*. We are hoping to finish the room by December, fingers crossed!
Remember that show? Now is the perfect time since the bedding set I’ve been lusting after is on sale at Anthropologie. Can you believe it’s under $100??!!
We are going to attempt a DIY fabric headboardsans tufting. I fell in love with this amazing wall decal from Blik. Problem is the color palette isn’t coming together so great.
This is harder than I thought. Antz drew this terrific floorplan for me.
Yep, my husband is rad. He’s going to help me find a side table for ahem, cheap!
It’s been awhile since I’ve shared my faves and since I’ve had a bad case of Pinsomnia, I have tons of lovely things for today’s show & tell.
I can’t believe I never posted this amazing Hitchcock pictorial by Annie Lebowitz. All my fave films!! Makes me want to attempt a photo shoot like this.
My All-Time Favorite Hitch film, THE BIRDS!!
Mobile Cupcakes are the BEST!!
I can’t wait to have a guest room, this wall sign is so sweet!
Liv will be a year and a half in December, we think that will be the time to upgrade her nursery into a toddler bedroom. Of course I’m dreaming big
Camping can be icky, but these tents are super adorable for our backyard
West Elm is having a sale on lighting, I think this guy would look great in our soon-to-be master bedroom makeover.
I cannot believe it’s time for a booster seat, bought this Clek Paul Frank seat from Amazon yesterday. It feels like just yesterday when we put in her car seat.
I really think this should be Olivia’s bookbag for when she starts school next year. It’s $170 at J.Crew…gulp!
I am totally exhausted at the moment. I now know exactly how the designers feel on Project Runway. I spend a great deal of today sewing *and pulling out seams* Olivia’s Halloween costume. I am feeling pretty proud of myself given the materials I was working with and the fact that my lovely model would not stand still for her fitting. She needs to have a final fitting but I am 80% done. I was worried about the tights I bought her would not fit *I found a size 7 in the closest to the color I wanted* so I’m taking Dear Timothy’s advice “Make it Work!”
Mr. Gunn was giving me the side-eye when I started but it somehow came together. Now let’s hope Liv rocks it on *the runway* at the several Halloween events we’re attending. She already is not too pleased with one of the pieces of the costume so keep your fingers crossed. Now as for Antz and mine costumes, I have no idea what we will be. I can put something together but it’s admittedly lazy route. Antz spend most of today working his trash to treasure magic on what I considered was a lost cause.
$10.00 Thrift store found in July
A hot tranny mess right? This guy sat behind our rolling microwave cart forgotten and unwanted for months until…
With the added fancy props
Darn you Antz!! He somehow manages to make the ugly, lovely for NO MONEY. I mean I totally want it for myself but he’s putting it for sale in our Etsy shop. It’s going to be marketed as an arts & crafts organizer. The holder on the bottom will store rolls of ribbon, CUTE! I discouraged him from using the chicken wire for the door but again, my advice is terrible. *fine, you were right* It looks super Fabby Chic!! He used our leftover paper from our medicine cabinet remodel and the Anthropologie knob was borrowed from our kitchen pantry door. He promised to get me a new one *and I’ve wanted a larger knob for that door anyway*. Speaking of the pantry door. I would LOVE to paint it with chalkboard paint and the interior badly needs re-organizing. So many projects.
So, there you have it, pretty awesome weekend. We have a busy week ahead of us *pediatrician appt, movie date and Universal Horror Nights if we get secure a sitter*
OH! Before I go…Mademoiselle Pauline Darley emailed me back *YAY* The good news is she is available to book a shoot *and super friendly, she writes with a French accent* The bad news is the quote she gave me. Yeah, about $150 over my budget. But, she is soo worth it!! Uhhh, I have 2 years and 5 months to save. I am changing my mind a million times. I would like to go in March for my 37th *eep* birthday but if we went in May we could be there during PEONY SEASON!! And that’s 2 additional months of saving!
It’s surprisingly busy. Well, in a non running around like a chicken with its head cut off *as my Mom would say* sort of way. We spent the night at Antz Mom’s house and his sister made us waffles for breakfeast. Liv was telling us she wanted 2 of them!
Our favorite spot is Jamba Juice!
I adore this photo by Antz
I slept in really late on Sunday and even took a second nap after breakfast. I must have needed the sleep because when we went home I was full of energy and I managed to start reading one of my Book Club novels and I did two crafting projects that have been on my To-Do list for ages.
We bought this metal B from the Rose Bowl Flea Market way back in March and it needed some pizazz so I dressed it up in some yarn and Martha Stewart floral stickers.
The wrapping was a little harder than I thought on the curves and corners but I’m happy with the end result. I just may buy some more letters and pop them into our Esty shop *what a sellout I’ve become*
I was so inspired by my craftiness that I finally made Liv’s pillowcase dress *ahh, it feels so good to cross #9 off my list* Because I was computer disabled I couldn’t look online so I just used her store bought pillowcase dress as a template and finagled my way through it.
I made mine a bit larger since she’s growing like a weed
I couldn’t get her to stand still to get a shot of the back so this is one of her running away. I’m still considering adding rickrack to the bottom but I only have blue and I want to use pink. I LOVE this fabric. I must go back to Common Thread Studio for something for me *that place is mega rad*
She’s going to wear it tomorrow at World Citizen Class so I am keeping my fingers crossed it won’t fall off of her. It took me under an hour to make it and Antz is very proud of me. I’m not saying I have a new career as a seamstress *I never measure or use a pattern plus I’m much too lazy* but for now Liv is happy to wear Mommy’s handicrafts.
I can not put into words how rad the fair was. I walked around like a zombie but instead of moaning Brains, brains I was screaming Cute, super cute! Let me say that Olivia Lily was the Craft Fair queen. I am not exaggerating when I say everyone commented on how cute Liv’s wings were. The most popular questions were: “Did you buy those here?” Where did you get them?” and once I told them I made them…”Why don’t you sell them?” Ummm, okay? Even though I swore I’d never make them again as I stayed up all night cutting out the scallops with my cramped hands, I just may be on to something. I handed out my Mommy cards to a few folks who were really interested in buying them. Next year I’ll either go halfsies on a booth or just pass out my cards. I put Liv’s wings in our etsy shop. Olivia is such an awesome spokesperson. *Bleep/Bleep* talent agency…don’t you wanna sign her now?? We took the Metro train and it was only 3 stops to the Chinatown stop and a short walk to the park. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves…I’ve got to get sewing now!
The metro rail is close to our house. It’s a pretty eclectic station *has a Parisian feel*
Love this mini!
We walked around several times before Antz said I could shop, I really wanted to buy everything. The choices were overwhelming!
Friendship bracelet making booth, cuuute!
YAY! Female DJs rule!!
We bumped into my friend Melvy and her boyfriend, Joshua.
I wish I brought this little guy home for Liv’s menagerie but Antz and I both agree, she is maxxed out on stuffed animal storage *AKA her crib!*
OMG! I have to make these mega cute pom pom banners!! I love pom poms
I really, really wanted this jersey necklace but I’d already spent double my budget
What did I blow my budget on you ask? Well, one of the items I’m keeping under wraps *always with the secrets, right?* but when I saw this booth I spazzed out!!
Crochet ear headband/headphones in every color of the rainbow
At first I was sold on the Hello Kitty style headband/headphones but then I saw this guy….
Had to have it!! The chick who makes them was super cute
I really love it and Olivia is kind enough to share it with me
This morning we actually got all dressed to go to her swimming lesson when we looked out the window and saw grey, drizzly skies. Talk about June gloom! So we have now missed two out of our six swimming lessons so far. Bummers
Since we ended up staying home I’m going to take you on a photo tour of La Maison Hall Conley since I have yet to post a house tour.
Our lovely home on the Open House February 2006
Red doors are a sign of prosperity in Chinese culture, good sign
Fast forward to March 6, 2006 Aww snap, We are HOMEOWNERS!!!
Our front porch – After
Arrrggh ye mateys! *my favorite flag*
You may not tell but we repainted the red door and changed the doorknob. Antz also re-tiled that top row on the stairs after our clumsy gardener, Jose broke most of them dragging up his lawnmower. D’oh!
It leaked, it felt like you were walking on a trampoline and it was the biggest nightmare renovation project we’ve ever encountered
After a light rain
We decided that March 2010 *whilst I was 7 months pregnant* we would have the garage roof repaired because we didn’t want the growing mold in the garage to effect our unborn baby’s health *good enough reason, right?* and we didn’t want our soon to be child to one day fall through the paper thin deck/roof. It was supposed to be a five days project *I had to snort when I wrote 5 days because turned out to be more like 5 weeks* I guess that’s what happens when you begin a project on Friday the 13th.
All this progress took place in the course of ONE day. They were moving at lightening speed and they covered the roof that night for upcoming rain…which ended up turning into FIVElongweeks of NO WORK!! Between permits, city inspections, rain and our contractor avoiding us to work on another *more expensive* project, I almost lost my marbles with stress from this well-intentioned upgrade. Many times I wished we had just let it be.
Our new pricey, city mandated, fire wall. Talk about no bang for your buck!
This was the only shot of David, our contractor, *he’s probably on the phone with Anthony for the millionth time trying to assure us it will be done in time for our shower* He helped the crew paint the 12th coat of white paint because the wood wasn’t pretreated so it soaked up paint like a sponge.
The garage roof/deck – After Well, it doesn’t leak anymore!
Living room – Before we moved in
One aspect that sold us was the lovely vintage Tiffany-style ceiling fans and the abundance of original crown molding and windows….Love at first sight!
Living Room – During our move in
The room is full of windows and bright
Out of our hundreds of friends *and many of them we have helped move in the past* only Antz older sister, Clinnie, generously helped us move into our new house. Not only that but it was cold and rainy and she had to go to work later that day. She even scrubbed our bathtub with CLR…we vowed then to NEVER move without hiring professional again!
EDITOR’S ERROR: I humbly apologize to Leslie & Stephen Saiz, our wonderful amigos and our daughter’s Godparents. I somehow blanked that they did help up carry our heavy as shit furniture up our 20 stairs….in the rain. I’ll say it again, I’ll NEVER move without hiring people again. Sorry, guys!
Anyone who helps a friend move gets like 2,000,000 kharma points!
I drove this monster truck close to 100 miles roundtrip during our move.
Seeing the previous owner’s furniture worried us about the spaciousness of the living room layout but once we added out bright-white, beachy furniture it gave the room more depth.
Living Room – The first week
This is exhausted-looking-me and my Mommy-in-law sitting on our old tiny Ikea sofa that ended up in Antz office.
We didn’t buy our current couch until my birthday, March 20th. It was our first major purchase but I did bargain free, same day shipping since it was my b-day.
It’s more than clear we had no clue about design, and we were living on a budget *how lame is that $30 brown rug from Target?* I never noticed how clunky our old TV was until we got a flat screen.
Our Living Room – After
Eeek, those mini blinds! Atrocious! Our Urban Outfitters curtains transform the room.
Fresh cut flowers make me so happy!
Our Living Room – Now
The Dining room – Before we moved in
The other side of our Living Room/Dining area – After
Love our beautiful congas my Mom gave us as New Parents gift *which Liv has gotten much practice on*
I hope to one day buy a table and chairs and actually use the space as a dining area
Antz made the find of a Century when he brought home this $12 desk and painted it cheery turquoise
I adore my new Anthropologie Orimono lamp shade/thrift store lamp *that Antz spray painted white*
Our Living room niche – Before we moved in
Our niche – Now *baby photos of Antz and me, btw*
The fireplace *it’s tragic we can’t use it or our house will burn down*
Our Fireplace – After Antz re-tiled using the original tiles *amazing job, babe*
Our Kitchen – Before we moved in
Our Kitchen – After we moved in
We had to cut the cabinets over the fridge to fit our brand new, huge Samsung fridge into the space.
Our remedy to cover the now doorless cabinets? Anthropologie dish towels!
And what lives behind those towels now? My beloved Domino magazine collection!
Our Kitchen – After
More Anthropologie Dish Towels *as curtains* So much orange!
breakfast nook
Our old stove/range
I cannot believe we lived with this disgusting old stove for 4 years!
Our new stove/microwave range
One of my favorite presents from Antz, my light blue Kitchenaid Artisan Mixer
*UPDATE* Liz from the future here. We finally remodeled our kitchen! New copper pipes, new Ikea cabinets/countertops, new lovely hardwood floors and A DISHWASHER!! It turned out gorgeous.
We painted the inside of the cabinets a happy pop of light blue
FINALLY Water pressure!!
Our Laundry Nook – Before
Note to any future home sellers: unless you own a kick ass $5,000 fancy washer and dryer, leave your old washer & dryer for the new homeowners! You will be able to afford a sweet Electrolux set in cherry red when you buy your new house. We ended spending $1000 on a set of $299 basic washer and dryer from Sears and it ticks me off they took their old set with them when we asked for ALL appliances in our sales contract.
I do love our laundry nook since our old apartment was 2 flights of stairs to the shared laundry room.
Antz painted the pantry door with chalkboard paint, we love it!
Our ancient hot water heater – Before
This water heater was 17 years old when we bought the house
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