Scenes From a SoCal Winter Weekend

It's been 80 degrees for 3 days and I can only say Mother Nature must be feeling very, very sorry for that deep freeze of a summer last year.  I swear we didn't see more than 4 or 5 truly nice days (as evidenced here, here and here).  As a result I do believe I may have lost me mind just a tad bit- getting up prior to 10am two days in a row, out of the house from sun up 'til sundown, and not even so much as washing my hair much less combing it (hipsters are actually smiling at me as we cross paths...i've crossed into the hipster acceptability zone!!).  Here are just some of the wonderfully warm things we've seen this weekend.

and last, but most definitely not least...

 Ridiculous red pony hair coat at the flea market

- and by ridiculous I mean amazing (but not my size-wah).

Tomorrow morning I might just get up and go to the beach when the Chef goes surfing.  And you might just hear shrieks of terror akin to a bat seeing the sun...those will be coming from my white legs.

Happy Monday everyone!

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Spicy Noodle Bowl

Earlier this week when I woke up with a burning sore throat all I could think of was "can't swallow" and "want my mom".  Pathetic?  Yes - but also true.  When I was a kid and started to get those dreaded achy bones my mom always kept me home from school, bundled me up in a sleeping bag blanket (blankets folded in half so you feel like it's a sleeping bag - oh childhood) on the couch, and brought all kinds of warm things to drink while I snoozed the day away.  Now that I'm an adult pretty much the only thing that's remained consistent in the under-the-weather scenario is me snoozing the day away - deliriously hoping a cup of tea appears by my bedside. 

Thankfully the Chef came to the rescue this time and showed up in my doorway with a cup of tea.  Before I knew it there was rattling in the kitchen and, shortly thereafter, a wonderful smell wafted down the hallway and into my room.  Somewhere in my delusion I had croaked the words "noodle soup" when he asked if there was anything I wanted.  Something tells me I likely whined out "my mom", too.  Normally I would have expected chicken noodle, but in this case a spicy Asian-style soup appeared.  It did the trick, too - probably the combo of the spices and the new noodle bowls my mom got me for Christmas. 

Cool, huh?  I'm totally turning into a kitchen nerd.

And so I share the recipe with you - it's a total fave because it's gluten-free, super healthy, low-cal and easy to make.  You don't have to add the peppers if you prefer a milder version. 

Spicy Noodle Bowl
*Broth Ingredients

1/2 onion sliced
1   carrot sliced
1   stalk celery sliced
1   stalk lemongrass sliced
2oz. ginger sliced
6   clove garlic crushed
1   bunch cilantro stems only
3T Soy or Tamari (I use Tamari because it is gluten-free)
2t  Siracha (or more if you want spicy)
Water - to cover

 ~sliced broth ingredients~

Place all items in pot and cover with water. Bring to boil and simmer for 30 min.  Strain and hold warm.

 

~simmering for broth~

*Garnish Ingredients
1/2C bay shrimp defrosted
1/4C ea sliced fine: carrot, celery, scallion, radish
1ea  Serrano or 3 Thai bird chili sliced
1/4  bunch cilantro leaves
1/4C broccoli florets
1/2 C rice noodles (pre-cook to package directions)

 ~Let the assembling begin~

To Finish: 

 

 Place desired amount of each item in bowl -

beginning with noodles at the very bottom.

 Bring broth back up to boil, and pour over top.

 The heat of the broth will warm everything.

 ~Finished Product~

Variations:
*Sub tofu, beef, or chicken for shrimp.
*Add basil, mint, napa cabbage, mushrooms, daikon, Bok-choy, soba noodles, or any other similar item you like.


All I have to say is yum-my!  I'm feeling much better and we ate this for lunch again today - you know, for safe measure - ha!  Let us know if you try it - it's always great to get your thoughts. And now everyone, the weekend is upon us (yahoo!!) - before I go I just want to remind you that:

• The Melinda Maria 30% off promo ends on January 15 - so just a day left....and
• If you haven't already entered, be sure to check out the CSN Giveaway for an $85 Gift Code.

Oh - and have a great weekend, too!!  Any plans? I'm hoping to take in The King's Speech - has anyone seen it?

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Looking Ahead Might Not Keep You From Falling Down

Taking down the tree is an arduous task (drama queen much?) - physically and emotionally.  If you're like me you've left it up just past it's expiration date and the pine needles are now out for blood.  Then there's the angst associated with saying farewell to nights by twinkling lights, excuses for eating chocolates by the pound and cookies in droves, not to mention realizing spring isn't really here and you're basically over black and grey.

 image via Shopbop

Enter L.A.M.B with Caitlyn (we're on a first name basis - ha!)

In an effort to keep spirits high, Chef made a fantastic melt-in-your-mouth red wine saturated brisket last night.  I did my part by spending far too much time perusing various online never, never lands and fell on these Wedges at Shopbop.  Thank God in Heaven they are sold out in my size or it would have been ON.  Dear Gwen Stefani....I love you.

p.s. - we only got as far as removing the ornaments.  

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Making Peace with January

Back in the good old days when I worked at Gap we referred to the palette of clothing that arrived post-Holiday as Transition.  Oh how I loved and looked forward to Transition.  After listening to the same music on the corporate-mandated tape (yes that's how long ago it was...cassette tapes had it on blast even though cd's were around - just so you know I'm not one foot in the dirt just yet), staring down red, green, plaid and flannel as frenzied customers far and wide debated, deliberated, purchased and returned in less than happy moods, it was time for all of us to move on and leave December behind.  What better way than with khaki, denim, navy and white, grey and accents of silver and gold?  All my favorite basic colors rolled up into arguably some of the best items of the year.

I think they call it Resort now, right?  Whatever the case, I begin to gravitate to these same items every year around the end of December/beginning of January.  You might say Gap brainwashed me; I prefer to think they instilled a great sense of style (before they let a lot of it go to hell in a handbasket, but still I hope for a comeback!!). And can someone please tell me when the Resort part of the deal starts to figure in?  I'm not getting any younger - or warmer for that matter.

{Zara-Military Blazer, J.Crew-Sequin Stripe T, Current/Elliott-Denim, Forever21-Shoes}

Done up for brunch at the local diner aka looking like a spectacle

amongst the locals. 

 Sequins after the holidays might be a sign of clinging to December.

 {PANYC Belt-seen here, Melinda Maria Bangles and Link Oxidized Ring}

Someone pass the hand lotion.  Clearly I'm in need.

Just scream.  Go ahead and let it out.  I did.

I almost called this "Confessions of  a Shoe Snob" because I am basically over the moon for the Forever 21 lace heels in this post and the booties in this one.  For under $40 each you simply cannot go wrong.  They are ridiculously cute, well-constructed for the price, and with a little insole really quite comfortable.  Who would've thought? (certainly not me!)

Thanks so much for your well wishes yesterday.  My throat's still sore, but I think I'll be able to venture out of bed today and get the poor tree taken down today.  I'm having separation anxiety...maybe tomorrow?

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CSN Giveaway...$85 Gift Certificate!

Today I woke up with a wicked sore throat (the worst kind that burns when you swallow) and achy bones.  Attempts to get out of bed were short-lived.  I've been around long enough to know you have to sleep these bad boys off, so rather than spend the day working I laid in bed zooming in and out of sleep dreaming about modern duvet covers while Prince Caspian played softly in the background. Waking up is hard to do...

image via pretty eyed, pirate smile

At the end of it all I've come to the delusion conclusion that I'd like to be Lucy Pevensie - escape through a wardrobe to a magical land where you roll in the grass, hug, ride on the back of, have the best talks with and get saved by the best Lion ever.  I love cats.

Thankfully the people at CSN live in the land of reality with the rest of us.  They have offered to brighten our January days with a RAD giveaway of an $85 Gift Certificate.  Girls CSN is the best - I got an amazing Bodum Teapot and Le Creuset Kettle (yes I'm a pre-term granny and proud of it) just before Christmas and they were delivered in record time.  And if you want that modern duvet cover they have those, too!  So here's the scoop and let's get this thing started:

THE DETAILS
*This giveaway is open to all U.S., Canadian readers (Overseas readers I'm sorry - they don't deliver to you, but I will have another giveaway to include you in soon).  The entry period will run through 11:59pm PST Tuesday, January 18, 2011 and the winner (selected via random drawing) will be announced on Wednesday, January 19, 2011.

HOW TO ENTER
*For one entry just make sure you're a follower of this free bird via Google Reader, and let me know in your comment on this post that you've done so.

*For an additional entry  you can blog or tweet about the giveaway and leave a separate comment.

Good luck everyone!! Any thoughts on what you might get if you win?

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Words and Pictures

Sun leaves a peachy lining
where it's hiding at the end of day.

Full moon comes a-creepin'
while you're sleepin'
the night away.

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Simple Saturdays: Brightening a Winter Look

As much as I can be a go with the flow person, every so often I find myself getting into a flap (no pun intended seeing as it is this free bird).  Maybe it's residue from holiday madness, but I've been wigging out if all my ducks aren't just so in a row and I am really getting on my own last nerve.  Saturday brought overcast skies and chilly temps at the beach.  When I woke up it took everything in me to sink back under the covers instead of jumping out to rush around the house completing 25 tasks (mission accomplished - the tree's still up and is officially a haven of spiky needle hot mess - not sure how I'm going to get that mother out now...).

By late afternoon we decided to simply meander about town with zero set plans in effort to thwart my newly emerged ocd-ness.  Ever notice how just when you want to throw something on and leave quickly, the weather decides to throw its own wrench into your plans and cause a little chaos?  Cool weather means a coat, and warm clothing in my closet usually consists of black and grey which I am oddly tired of at present (give me 10 minutes and I'll be back).  In an effort to shed the winter blues aka a coat - I threw a longer sleeveless knit cardigan and brightly colored scarf over the usual basics and felt my mood brighten right away.  Here's to discovering more ways to bring out my winter hippie!

 

The scarf totally saves the day.

If you were walking behind me you'd see straight basics.

The knit vest might take you to another place 

(if you're into granny chic, ahem val?)

-but the hint of scarf is really where the fun really starts.

Oh and the bell bottoms...and the mauve clogs (seen here and here).

 A touch of funky brighter jewelry adds a little more zip.

 And ta-da!  You're good to go...the bright flowers help too, of course.

 Suffice it to say the rest of the day/evening tried its best to turn into a gongshow...we decide to go to LA for dinner and a movie only to be met by everyone and their mother, father, sister, brother, aunt, uncle and grandparents attempting to do the same thing.  After several failed attempts to find a place to eat without a two hour wait (drive around and waste gas much??) one of our fave restaurants makes a place for us and the server tells us she'll get us out in time for our 10:45 movie because we left our phones in the car in effort to just enjoy dinner without distractions (imagine the thought).  Cut to scene and her watch must have stopped because we get in the car and it's 10:55.  The theatre doesn't seat after the movie starts, so we get a voucher and go home spent.

Talk about having the ocd whooped out of you - no wonder I didn't take that tree down yesterday.  Yaaaawn.  Hope your weekends were smooth sailing...or skiing :)

Outfit details:  Kersh-Sleeveless Sweater Coat, J.Crew-V-Neck, Hudson-Bell Bottoms, Tolani-Scarf, Old Stud Handmade - Belt, Dulce-Clogs, Foley+Corinna-Mid-City Tote, Melinda Maria-Moon&Star Necklace, Dean Davidson-Ring, Bracelets-Milijana and my niece!, Sunnies-Anthropologie

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