Cotton-Hearted

Hello 2012

2012-01-10T14:02:00.000-08:00

Hello friends, I am back! It seems like every time I update Cotton-Hearted, that is what I say. I really wish I could update more often. At the beginning it was because I was so sad and my life was filled with problems and worry. Now, my life has improved so much and I am truly happy. I'm always busy now spending time with my family and with Isaac. Since we've gotten our apartment we've been entertaining friends almost every night. Someone is always over and we are always doing something. Our home is now known for our dinners, get togethers and crafting parties. During the holidays, I had a holiday crafting party and all our friends came over to make garlands and ornaments. The other night my whole family came over. My parents, my brother and sister-in-law, and my two tiny nieces and my mom made her homemade chilli and the whole apartment smelled of it and it was very cozy. Last night, we had friends over for homemade pizza. We bought whole wheat dough and made pizzas with olive oil, fresh basil, roma tomatoes and mozzerella! We've only been living here for four months and I already have so many lovely memories of this place filled with my family and friends.

I think I have finally found the people I want to surround myself with! No more sulking at home being lonely without a thing to do. Mickey and Crissy are beautiful people who have six rescued pets and who are food conscious and animal activists and so sweet. They inspire me. And Maria and Chris have been with me these past few months when my life was at it's absolute worst and I'll always love them and appreciate what they've done for me just by being around. And Isaac's friends, Gabe and Jesse, are so funny and always making us laugh. It's such a pleasure having them over all the time. And all the people we've met through them who are genuine and nice! And, of course, Isaac who is my strength and makes me want to be a better person always. I never thought I would ever be able to say this but I love my life. I really do and it's such a change to how I used to feel and it's all because of him and all my friends.

Crissy is my crafting soul sister. We have so many ideas of things we'd like to do. Recently, I modeled some of her vintage clothes that will be going up on her Etsy store soon. That was a fun day! We're also working on zines and making things for a Plastic Rosary + Cotton-Hearted pop-up shop for our city's art + craft fairs they have every month. She's inspired me to start making things and set up an Etsy shop so maybe that is something you can look forward to. I have ideas, lots of ideas, of things I'd like to make. Bookmark her Etsy shop because she's going to be putting up some great pieces soon!

One day, I took my good friend Andres out to my favorite vintage shops to find a holiday gift for a girl. The first place we went to I found this amazing silk cat scarf hiding secretly in a basket underneath other silk scarves. I'm pretty sure I squealed and jumped up and down when I saw it. This is the greatest thing I've found in awhile and yes, I do wear it. In this photo, I wore it with a blouse with tiny flowers and this vintage looking jacket I got at the Goodwill in Japantown in San Francisco when I was there in October. I love the shape of that jacket so much. I'll have to take a better photo of it later. It looks so pretty with dresses.

+ I bought that vintage dresser at another one of my favorite shops here
I bought this dress in San Francisco, as well. And that particular color of mauve is one of my favorites and when I saw those boots I thought how amazing they were and so I bought them to wear with skirts and dresses.

I have a really nice entryway when you walk into the apartment that I still haven't done much with but these two things are hanging there waiting to be joined with others. The welcome sign is from the Japanese dollar store, Daiso. It was too cute to not buy. And the iron and ceramic hanger is from a vintage shop around here. I thought it was really pretty.

I found this flower printed stuffed cat at another vintage shop and had to have it. It's so weird, I thought, I need it. Everyone loves it when they first come over and see it. Someone is always holding it, posing for photos with it or placing it on their lap, like a real cat!

My bookshelves are my pride and joy. I like putting little mementos and photos there, too. I framed some of my photographs of clouds and Isaac and I and that one was taken in Sausalito. The glass kitty I bought in Mexico long ago when it was still okay and safe to go. The wooden camel my very good friend Bianca gave me back in high school. I'll always keep that! The whale print was bought in San Francisco at an art + music + vintage street fair by an artist who draws animals and their skeletons on old thin paper torn out from Chinese and Hebrew books. And the little elephants are vintage Japanese salt and pepper shakers I found at the same place I bought the cat!

I saved the best photo for last. For the holidays, Isaac adopted a kitten for me! I haven't had a cat since I was a child and had been wanting one because this place is lonely without pets! She's a feisty thing and I named her Sora (空), Japanese for the sky. She loves to play so I have scratches all over my hands, wrists, and legs but she's sweet and loving when she wants to be! Isaac finally brought his boy, Ender, to live with us too! That little dog is so loyal to Isaac, it's unbelievable! I love when he and Sora play together and run around the apartment. In a couple of days, I'm going to finally bring Yukio home. I hope all three will get along. Right now they are a secret because the pet deposit here is $300 for each pet and we cannot afford that at all! I love having them here and if they are found out we'll pay the deposits somehow. Having money < falling asleep at night with Isaac, Sora, Ender and Yukio by my side.

Softness

2011-12-06T17:20:00.001-08:00

Stay tuned. I've got lots to share. San Francisco Instagram and film photos, photos of my new apartment, nice things lately, an update on my life and a very exciting dress giveaway sponsored by a pretty lovely website!

International Fashion Art Biennale in Seoul

2011-09-26T17:45:00.000-07:00

I think this is the prettiest thing I've seen in a long time.

展示名：2010 International Fashion Art Biennale in Seoul主催：The Korea Fashion & Culture Association日時：2010年11月

Everlasting Sprout A/W 2011

2011-09-26T17:36:00.000-07:00

Well I have some really amazing news and some slightly bad news! Bad news first, yes? Today I got an email that The Radio Dept. show in Houston was canceled and I was refunded my money. It's such a bummer! I was really looking forward to seeing them live because I have no doubt it would have been wonderful. But, I wasn't so sad because today Isaac and I found an apartment. We spent the day looking at apartments around the city and stopped at an unexpected place we didn't really believe we'd like but we saw the apartment and loved it! It's very spacious and vintage looking and quirky. It pretty much felt just right for us and soon as we walked in and I think we're really going to love living there. I'm really happy and I can't wait to show it off as soon as we're moved in which is October 1st! On another note, here is another Japanese designer I love. Everlasting Sprout's A/W 2011 collection. To be honest, I don't like the styling of the hair. It's a little strange in a way I don't like but it can be overlooked because the clothes are so whimsical, just what I like. Visit their website because they have many nice things to look at: all of their collections and other works. I love spending some time browsing it.

Everlasting Sprout

Mina Perhonen AW 2011

2011-09-25T18:01:00.000-07:00

Friends! It's been a month since I last updated Cotton-Hearted. I am a terrible blogger! But, in my defense, I have been busy with school and doing fun things like going to watch Bon Iver's concert in Austin which sold out in eight minutes, eight! It was the loveliest experience of my life and I cried and cried. I'm so happy I had the chance to see him live. He performed all of his newest record and half of For Emma, Forever Ago! I have some more exciting things happening soon. I'll be in San Francisco for a week in early October, in about a week and half! I'm so happy. I can't wait to walk around my old city and buy my Japanese books and stationary. And then in early November I have tickets to go watch The Radio Dept., another one of my absolute favorite bands. Anyway, I hope everyone is well and I promise to make updating Cotton-Hearted more of a priority. Until next time here are some photos and a video of Mina Perhonen's, one of my favorite Japanese designers, newest collection. I love the patterned tights and whimsical dresses and coats. Enjoy!

New Favorite Things

2011-08-25T10:25:00.000-07:00

My grandmother gave me some rings that belonged to my great grandmother. The middle one was the ring my great grandfather gave her for their engagement. I feel very blessed that I was able to know her and grow up with her and have her in my life. She and I were very close.

This is the book I've been reading lately. Oh it is so brilliant! I've been enchanted by Japanese culture, lifestyle and literature for many years but the only authors I had read were contemporary ones such as Kawabata, Tanazaki, Mishima, Abe and much more recent, Murakami and Yoshimoto. I had never read anything from ancient Japan or from it's earliest eras. I was especially captivated by the poetry selections from the Man'yōshū and the Kokinshū. I have never in my life read anything as beautiful as the words included in this anthology. I really really recommend it if you are interested in Japanese literature. Reading this just reaffirmed my convictions that I simply must study Japanese literature. There is nothing I love more.

I always always get so excited when the new Apartamento issue finally arrives at my local bookstore.

This is a vintage dress I found during my weekend trip to San Antonio. I really fell in love with the collar. I have a thing for big white collars. I think they are so pretty. The dress is very long, down to my ankles but I'm going to hem it up to above my knees.

Also found these shoes during my weekend trip. The oxfords are from Forever 21 and hurt so much! I hope eventually they will loosen up. And then those ankle boots! I had been looking for some for a long time because I was very particular about what I wanted them to be and I finally found them at Buffalo Exchange. They're all scuffed up but I rather like that and don't think I'll give them a polish or anything.

Fall Makeup

2011-08-25T09:29:00.000-07:00

Just the other day I bought some new make-up that I really really love. I wanted a dark lip color for fall so I picked MAC's creamsheen lipstick named Hang-up. I really love MAC's lipsticks. They always have such lovely colors. There's this guy that works there who I always go to when I am looking for new lip colors because he picks the best shades for me. He helped me pick out two shades of red lipstick when I decided I was going to be brave and wear red! He wasn't there this time so I was on my own in picking a color. I hope I picked the right one!

I used to wear MAC foundation and powder too but these past few times I've been buying Chanel and I really do like it much better for me. I use Double Perfection Natural Matte Powder Makeup in Rich Beige and Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra Light Skin Perfecting Makeup in Beige. That is the most loveliest foundation I have ever used. It's so sheer and dewy and smells lovely. My skin looks perfect with it on!

My favorite eyeliner pencil is ELF. It works really well, doesn't smudge or come off and it's only one dollar! These past few months I've been doing a cat eye line and I bought ELF's cream eyeliner which was $3.99 and it works really really well, even better than MAC's cream eyeliner which I bought once. It's very creamy and doesn't smudge or come off either. I usually don't wear any eye makeup except for thick black eyeliner but when I went to buy my Chanel powder the lady showed me some new eyeshadows they got in, the Illusion D'ombre collection and put it on me. It was really beautiful. I loved the plum shade, named Illusoire, for fall and the depthness of it and it's so shimmery. Very pretty. I felt a little silly falling for her sales tricks but I decided to buy it anyway!

On My Bookshelf

2011-08-17T09:02:00.000-07:00

I meant to post these books about two months ago but never did due to the fact that I had stopped blogging but I still would like to share these books with you because I very much recommend them. Annabel by Kathleen Winters was one of the most powerful and emotional books I had read in quite some time. It's beautifully written and has lovely imagery. The whole tone and backdrop of the novel is beautiful and melancholy and really really wonderful despite the sadness of it all. Spooky Little Girl by Laurie Notaro was wonderfully funny and such an interesting and unique story. I was so excited when I learned that Banana Yoshimoto, one of my favorite contemporary Japanese authors, had released a new book, The Lake. I had no knowledge of that until after it had already been published so I hurried to the bookstore to get it. It was not a disappointment. Lovely as ever in her Japanese simplicity and very powerful and emotional, too. The final two, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and Journal of a UFO Investigator I have yet to finish reading, the former is on my iPad and the latter sitting on my night table waiting to be started. I have no doubt that these are books I'm really going to enjoy and I'll update about them later.

Anabel by Kathleen Winters // Isolated as Croyden Harbour may be from the social upheaval of 1968, the tiny village on the southeast Labrador coast plays host to its own revolution in Winter's sincere, self-serious debut. Jacinta and Treadway Blake are like any other couple in town--he's away on the trapline all winter, she's confined to domestic life. But the clarity of traditional gender roles begins to unravel when Jacinta gives birth to a hermaphrodite. Both Treadway and the local doctor decide the baby will be brought up as a boy--he's named Wayne, and his female genitalia are sewn shut. Meanwhile, Jacinta's friend Thomasina, quietly tends to the spiritual development of the child's female identity. Kept in the dark about his condition for most of his childhood, Wayne struggles to live up to the manly standards imposed by his well-meaning if curmudgeonly father, but when adolescence rolls around, Wayne's body reveals a number of surprises and becomes a battleground of physiology, identity, and sexual discovery.

Spooky Little Girl by Laurie Notaro Death is what happens while you’re busy making other plans. Coming home from a Hawaiian vacation with her best girlfriends, Lucy Fisher is stunned to find everything she owns tossed out on her front lawn, the locks changed, and her fiancé’s phone disconnected—plus she’s just lost her job. With her world spinning wildly out of her control, Lucy decides to make a new start and moves upstate to live with her sister and nephew. But then things take an even more dramatic turn: A fatal encounter with public transportation lands Lucy not in the hereafter but in the nearly hereafter. She’s back in school, learning the parameters of spooking and how to become a successful spirit in order to complete a ghostly assignment. If Lucy succeeds, she’s guaranteed a spot in the next level of the afterlife—but until then, she’s stuck as a ghost in the last place she would ever want to be. Trying to avoid being trapped on earth for all eternity, Lucy crosses the line between life and death and back again when she returns home. Navigating the perilous channels of the paranormal, she’s determined to find out why her life crumbled and why, despite her ghastly death, no one seems to have noticed she’s gone. But urgency on the spectral plane—in the departed person of her feisty grandmother, who is risking both their eternal lives—requires attention, and Lucy realizes that you get only one chance to be spectacular in death.

The Lake by Banana Yoshimoto // A major literary sensation is back with a quietly stunning tour de force about a young woman who falls for a cult escapee. While The Lake shows off many of the features that have made Banana Yoshimoto famous—a cast of vivid and quirky characters, simple yet nuanced prose, a tight plot with an upbeat pace—it’s also one of the most darkly mysterious books she’s ever written. It tells the tale of a young woman who moves to Tokyo after the death of her mother, hoping to get over her grief and start a career as a graphic artist. She finds herself spending too much time staring out her window, though ... until she realizes she’s gotten used to seeing a young man across the street staring out his window, too. They eventually embark on a hesitant romance, until she learns that he has been the victim of some form of childhood trauma. Visiting two of his friends who live a monastic life beside a beautiful lake, she begins to piece together a series of clues that lead her to suspect his experience may have had something to do with a bizarre religious cult. With its echoes of the infamous, real-life Aum Shinrikyo cult (the group that released poison gas in the Tokyo subway system), The Lake unfolds as the most powerful novel Banana Yoshimoto has written. And as the two young lovers overcome their troubled past to discover hope in the beautiful solitude of the lake in the countryside, it’s also one of her most moving.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs // As a kid, Jacob formed a special bond with his grandfather over his bizarre tales and photos of levitating girls and invisible boys. Now at 16, he is reeling from the old man's unexpected death. Then Jacob is given a mysterious letter that propels him on a journey to the remote Welsh island where his grandfather grew up. There, he finds the children from the photographs--alive and well--despite the islanders’ assertion that all were killed decades ago. As Jacob begins to unravel more about his grandfather’s childhood, he suspects he is being trailed by a monster only he can see. A haunting and out-of-the-ordinary read, debut author Ransom Rigg’s first-person narration is convincing and absorbing, and every detail he draws our eye to is deftly woven into an unforgettable whole. Interspersed with photos throughout, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children is a truly atmospheric novel with plot twists, turns, and surprises that will delight readers of any age.

Journal of a UFO Investigator by David Halperin // Halperin’s rollicking first novel set amid the turbulent 1960s recounts the story of Danny Shapiro, an imaginative teenage loner and self-proclaimed UFO investigator from a small town near Philadelphia. While his ailing Jewish mother and bitter Baptist father struggle to get along, Danny’s got his own problems. He and his best friend love the same girl, and while Danny continues to believe in the unexplained, his friends have become increasingly skeptical. But when someone breaks into the Shapiro house and steals Danny’s book about his encounter with the Three Men in Black, his fantastical world becomes very real. His investigations lead him to a small group of paranormal researchers, including fanatical Julian and lovely but dangerous Rochelle, and an exciting world where everyone, whether his good friends or the airport security guards, become dubious. A thrilling romp through the domain of aliens and spacecraft, Halperin’s highly entertaining coming-of-age tale poses questions about the real and the imagined and suggests that fusing the two might be the only way to survive adolescence.

On another note I have checked out so many books from the library. As I've said before, it's hard to work at a library and not discover new books to check out every day. I have checked out a number of anthologies on French literature and Japanese literature, new science fiction novels, a post apocalyptic anthology and old supernatural ghost stories from the 1960s and 70s, as well as a number of books on gardening! I will write about some of these books another time. But, what are you currently reading? Have you got any book recommendations for me? Lately, I have not been keeping up with the world of new books being published and so, I'm sure, there are quite a few good ones out there I don't know about. Tell me!

Weekend Getaway Photo Roll

2011-08-16T12:04:00.000-07:00

Photos taken with a Minolta SRT-201

Uprinting Stationary Giveaway

2011-08-13T09:39:00.000-07:00

I'm really excited to announce my very first giveaway and also very excited that this giveaway involves paper things/stationery which, if you know me, know just how much I love stationery and writing letters. The giveaway is provided by UPrinting. The winner will be able to design their own stationary and have it printed and mailed to them by UPrinting. You can upload your own file or use the design wizard to create it straight through the website. The design wizard is very convenient and easy to use as I learned from playing around with it. I created some header graphics for my blog and used those to create these stationary examples using their design wizard. I like my stationary to be simple but you can be as creative as you'd like with your design! It's actually really quite fun doing it.

Giveaway Information:

01: Please comment with your name and email address to be entered in the giveaway.
02: I will randomly choose a winner by 19 August 2011 and contact them.
Prize Details:
500 pcs. Letterheads for One (1) winner
5.5” x 8.5"
70lb Offset
Front Only Printing
4 Business Days Print Turnaround Time
*Free Shipping
Restriction: Limited to *US residents 18 years old and above only
Please visit these links for more information!

Letterhead Printing http://www.uprinting.com/letterhead-printing.html
Letterhead Design http://www.uprinting.com/letterhead-design.html
Envelope Printing http://www.uprinting.com/envelope-printing.html

Disclaimer: Required as per FTC Ruling
This giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, no monetary compensation was given and I will receive letterhead printing service by hosting. Letterhead design inspiration and envelope printing is also available. Please visit UPrinting.com for more details.

Lime & Blackberry Italian Meringue Pie

2011-08-08T18:31:00.000-07:00

So here it is finally! It was very trial and error with this because it was my first time doing some of the things this recipe required, mainly making the compote and the Italian meringue which was a very different way of making it than I had done before. I made the compote and overheated it the first time so had to scrape it and make it again. When it overheated it turned into a very sticky and then hard mixture. Boo! The second time it came out correctly. I tried making the Italian meringue like the recipe asked but after two tries I could not get it right. I'm not sure what I was doing wrong so I decided to just stick to a basic meringue recipe and that turned out just fine! The pie is beautiful and the lime curd tastes great!

+ I used a store bought pie crust, much too long to make one from scratch

+ Making the compote which comprised of a cup of fruity red wine and sugar

+ Blackberries coated with the compote go at the bottom of the pie

+ The lime curd spread over the berry compote

+ Making the simple meringue

I'm so happy that I've started baking again. It passes the time and helps me not think of things I shouldn't be thinking about. And then I have something sweet to eat afterwards. Here is the recipe again for those who want to try it out. Be prepared to spend a lot of time in the kitchen!

Vintage Dresses

2011-08-08T16:51:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to sleep early thinking that I had to wake up early for work until morning came and my grandmother came in and said, according to my schedule, I was off today! Such great news since there were many things I wanted to do today. Not only did I get to go to the university and finally register for classes but I also stopped by some of my favorite vintage stores. I was looking for a pie pan for the Lime & Blackberry Italian Meringue Pie I wanted to bake today. I found a brown glass one I liked. And I stopped by a vintage store I had been to once before but never again because they were too pricey. Today, though, he had all his vintage clothes half off and I found some amazing lovely things! A colorful plaid shift dress, a 70s flower printed knee-length dress an a beautiful see-through black lace night gown!

The Blackberry & Lime Meringue Pie is being baked as I type, multitasking! If I can take a photo of the finished pie before sundown then I will post it tonight. Until next time!

Green Gardens II

2011-08-07T09:56:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon! I just woke up, still sleepy in bed, but I work at the library in two hours and I wanted to share some more garden inspiration photos from my favorites on Flickr. This set is by Kajicoxx. She is one of my absolute favorites on Flickr! Click the photo and it will take you to the photo page.

Yesterday while working I picked up about ten gardening books. Last night I sat on my bedroom floor with them spread all around me. I started a gardening journal, too. I'm really excited for this project! Today, when I get out of work at 6 pm, we're taking the first steps which are mowing the grass, treating the yard and cleaning the patio. Tomorrow after work, we're going to the nursery to look at what plants and flowers we can plant right now.

I also started a garden Pinterest board! I've been adding things I'd like to buy for my garden and patio. Click here to look at it or follow it! I don't know very many websites to buy outdoor decor and furniture and garden supplies. If you know of any, please do let me know!

Green Gardens I

2011-08-05T12:50:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been dreaming of having a flower garden, all summer actually. But it's something I find very complicated because I don't know anything about gardening at all. Good thing I work at a library because I've found quite a bit of books that seem to be helpful. I have a backyard area and patio that I think would be good for a small flower garden. It needs a lot of work, though I can just picture how nice it would look if I could clean it up. There's a swinging chair and patio set I've seen at a store around here that I really love. I picture container gardens on the patio with things from Terrain. I've been favoriting many pictures on Flickr for inspiration. By the way, please click the photos and they will take you to the photographer and their Flickr page.

Mixed Berry Oat Crisps

2011-08-05T10:36:00.000-07:00

My first post back since forever! I'm really happy that it's about baking because it's something I haven't done in awhile. I'm just starting to get back into everything I used to love before after having a crazy, emotionally draining summer. This was the first time I picked up a camera in two months. I really really loved this recipe. I've tried a few streusel cobbler recipes before but I've never felt they were really exceptional. This one really was. I think it was all in the struesel! This one is the best I've ever tasted. The perfect amount of oatmeal and cinnamon and brown sugar and pecans and the perfect crunch. The recipe doesn't call for any sugar in the berries which was great because they were tart and the perfect accompaniment to the sweet topping. I made three of them in those little white bowls I had laying around which I liked better instead of one big pan. They were the exact right size to share with someone. Here is the recipe courtesy of Bon Appetit. By the way, isn't their new website so pretty? I think the next thing I'm going to bake is that Lime and Blackberry Italian Meringue Pie they have on the cover of their current issue. It's too beautiful not to!

Things are slowly getting better for me. Slowly but surely. I don't know if I had mentioned it before but this month I finally got a job at a library and while it is not what I was doing before and not what I would like to be doing I am grateful that I at least am working at a library again. I shelve books all day which isn't so bad (even though I like to complain) because I come across a lot of books I want to read and I write them all down so I won't forget. The other day I came across a very old book called Ghostly Gentlewomen: Centuries of Spectral Stories By The Gentle Sex. Isn't that such a great name? It's wonderful and you should see if you can find it at your local library. In a couple of months, we all will be moving to a new big library our city has been building for the past year or so. Apparently it's going to be one of the largest single story libraries in Texas. It looks very extravagant from the planning photos I've seen. Lots of trees and walking areas and a water fixture. I'm looking forward to that.

P.S. Please add Cotton-Hearted on Facebook. I've been posting a lot on there.

Birthday

2011-05-04T20:53:00.000-07:00

Old photos from San Francisco. A very cute flower shop in Japantown. Tomorrow is my birthday. I'm going to be twenty-four! The only plans I have is dinner with my parents at a family owned little Italian restaurant called Milano's. Isaac is in Houston with friends at an Arcade Fire show. He just texted me that he ran to the pit chased by security guards but they didn't catch him. I chose not to go because I'm not a fan of the band but I'm happy for him because that is his favorite band in the world. He's probably crying right now. He should be home by seven tomorrow and I'm not quite sure what we're going to do. I'm not one to use birthdays or holidays as an excuse to get awfully drunk but maybe we'll go out for a drink or two. I just want to have a nice simple day. I was talking to a friend of mine and he convinced me to do something really nice for myself, something I have yet to do and the first thing that came to my mind is sewing + making some pillows for my room. I have a sewing machine that I really don't know how to use. Maybe tomorrow is the day to learn. Pillows are so easy to make from what I understand. And I have some beautiful fabrics I ordered from Japan long ago I could use. If I can manage it, I'll do it!

Carlota Santamaria Photography

2011-05-01T20:20:00.000-07:00

Tonight I came across the photography website of Carlota Santamaria whose photographs have been in Apartamento magazine. I really find her photography very inspiring. It's exactly what I like. Soft and light! But I also find this home really inspiring. This is how my home would look. Worn in, big windows, books every where and lots of green plants. I adore it!

Please visit her website + blog

Syrup Summer 2011

2011-04-30T16:50:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite Japanese clothing brands.
Here is their summer catalogue. I'm sorry it's so image heavy! I couldn't pick only a few!

The Elements of In-Between

2011-04-30T16:35:00.000-07:00

Hello friends. How has your Saturday been? Today has been a slow lazy day. What is that saying? Slow like honey? Yes, exactly like that. Everyone is out of town or working so I've been by myself all day with just Yukio at my side. We've been watching episodes of Doctor Who and reading and listening to Ghost and Tape and just being very lazy. Laying around in vintage shorts and a cropped top with the heat of outside creeping in. I didn't dare go outside earlier but maybe now that it has cooled down I'll take Yukio for a walk. I wanted to share some things first, though.

I love coming across little treasures like this. I've been meaning to post this for awhile! This darling book was designed and made by Hilla Shachar and Amy Borrell. I've adored Amy Borrell's illustrations for a long time and really want to have this book on my shelf. According to their websites, "The Elements of In-Between is a project between a writer and artist, responding to the same films through writing and illustration. The book is a collection of film reviews and poetry by Hila Shachar, and illustrations by Amy Borrell. But above all, it is a small homage to the wonder of films and the ideas they inspire in those in-between moments that are neither work nor play, but creativity. Sounds like exactly my sort of thing! Take a look. And buy it here. Images are from Amy Burrell's website.

Scotch & Soda

2011-04-29T12:01:00.000-07:00

Hello friends,
I feel like I should be updating every day but sometimes life gets in the way. My grandmother was here visiting and she had stayed a month but now she has left and it's back to waking up and coming home to an empty house. This also means I have time to update so I think I will try updating every day for awhile. Today I made chocolate chip cookies that came out wonderfully. I think I finally found the perfect recipe to make chocolate chip cookies the way I like them, chewy inside and a little crispy around the edges! I've also been browsing the internet for nice things to show you and I came across this online clothing website based in Amsterdam that I instantly loved. I love coming across new clothing lines that really embody everything I love.

Scotch & Soda
On another note, I have so many photos to take. I finished my mini room makeover and have also thrifted so many nice things. I know I keep saying I'm going to take a few pictures of some of those things but all I want to do all day is lay around with Yukio and read. I do apologize!

Meow

2011-04-27T11:35:00.000-07:00

This morning I discovered a very lovely thing thanks to Anabela. This wonderful poster is available to download and print out on your own to hang up where ever you please. It was designed and created by Martin Petersen. Please visit his blog for the download link and also to check out his amazing photography. His blog is definitely going on my blog list!

The Private Life of a Cat

Interior Design Books

2011-04-15T10:51:00.000-07:00

I'm in the process of redecorating my room and came across these books when I was browsing the Anthropologie website. I have yet to look through any of them but I have some on hold at my local bookstore and I ordered some, as well. I'm particularly super interested in the wall space and decorating with books one. My room is overcome with books! I still have stacks in the other room that I'll need to put back in my room once I figure out where to put them! Sometimes I wish I lived in my own apartment so I could have more space but then I realize how I like hanging out with my mother and not having a rent bill!

1. Decorate by Holly Becker 2. Casa No Name by Deborah Turbeville 3. A Perfectly Kept House Is The Sign Of A Misspent Life by Mary Randolph Carter 4. For The Love of Old by Mary Randolph Carter 5. Etcetera: Creating Beautiful Interiors With The Things You Love by Sibella Court 6. Creative Walls: How to Display and Enjoy Your Treasured Collections by Geraldine James 7. Modern Vintage Style by Emily Chalmers 8. Handcrafted Modern by Leslie Williamson 9. Books Do Furnish A Room by Leslie Geddes-Brown

On another amazing and unrelated note, I adopted a YORKSHIRE TERRIER AND I NAMED HIM YUKIO! He's a darling and I love him so much already. I'll try and take photos soon!

Ugly Sweater

2011-04-06T15:00:00.000-07:00

/ Vintage scarf and sweater from Anthropologie /

Fantastically ugly cropped sweater I found for a $1 when I went to drop off a bag of clothes at the Salvation Army earlier today. Will probably wear this with mustard yellow cropped pants. I also found two very pretty skirts! One of them I'll post in just a minute. The other one must be hemmed first. I have about 5 or 6 vintage skirts that I've gotten these past few weeks that I need to hem up. I've found so many nice things at thrift stores lately. I've got to show you!

Beach Photo Roll

2011-04-04T13:19:00.000-07:00

This weekend was super swell. I went to work with Isaac Saturday morning and later hung out with friends. BBQ, wine and other nice things. He and I slept over and in the morning (late late mornings in actuality) we all drove to the beach. I was looking forward to it because I could finally use that Fuji instant camera I hadn't been able to use because I'm so careful about the film and what I use it for. Here are my favorites of the bunch. I didn't like the way they scanned it so I decided to just take photos of them.

The bathing suit I'm wearing is a vintage piece given to me back in San Francisco by my friend Ashley, the same lovely lady who gave me that skirt. She's obviously awesome. Anyway, it was the first time I've had occasion to wear it but I'm glad I did even though I think I got some weird stares.

Present To Myself

2011-04-04T12:31:00.000-07:00

I came into some money so I decided to buy an iPad or else I would most likely spend my money on cigarettes, food and unnecessarily expensive clothes. I'm so happy I got it because I love it so much! I really love iBooks on it. It's much much better than the Nook which I was able to sell to a friend for some money back. I have my favorite books on there and all the issues of Frankie Magazine, all so very convenient. I also really love when a large pretty image of the album cover is displayed when you listen to the iPod. I'm gushing over this thing. Her name is Ayumi.

/ A collection of Frankie magazines /

/ Self Titled by Ghost and Tape, a record I very much recommend /

Minolta SRT-201 Photo Roll

2011-03-27T20:58:00.001-07:00

Took these photos of Isaac on Valentine's Day and just got them developed. Oh, how I love my Minolta. It is so nice to start using it more.

On another lovely note, I had an interview at a library last Tuesday which I am really excited about. It's right by my house and it's full time. And it's a little place which I find really nice. I'd get to work in all the departments because of this which is a good thing. I'd like to find out which path I'd like to take when the time comes to start a masters program. I'm excited to maybe work in the children's department because I never have. It seems really nice to be a children's librarian, like a lot of fun. The interview went so well. We chatted about library things and my love for blogging, book blogs, photography, graphic design, book groups and things of that sort. They seemed to love that. I think they want someone who can do a lot of things since they are short staffed. I think it'd be great fun to start a book blog and book clubs for the library and to make their flyers and everything. We'll see how it goes. If they call me back I'll get a second interview. Crossing my fingers!

Minolta SRT-201 Photo Roll

2011-03-27T08:19:00.000-07:00

I love Sunday mornings, I really do. The sunlight seems prettier than on any other day and everything feels calm. On this day the first thing I put on to listen to are all my favorite Japanese musicians. Takagi Masakatsu, Texas Pandaa, Akira Kosemura and Gutevolk and Cokiyu and lots more. Last weekend I went to visit my grandfather in San Antonio and we went to a family wedding. I don't have any photos from that besides the ones taken with Instagram on my iPhone but I did take some film photos that Sunday morning!

My friend Ashley gave me that Tracy Feith for Target skirt when I visited her once in San Francisco before I lived there. I wear it S O much. It is one of my absolute favorites. I had yet to find the perfect shirt to wear it with them but the other day I found that silk sleeveless blouse and it was perfect, just what I always wanted for it. The bag is thrifted, as well, in case you were wondering.

My poor Kawabata book was too white and the sun was too bright so the cover appears washed out. I like this photo anyway, though! Okay, it's time to run! I wanted to write this post before dashing out the door. It's time for a big Mexican breakfast with my family. Until later!

Steven Alan Spring Inspiration

2011-03-24T16:20:00.000-07:00

I love the style and colors of the new things at Steven Alan. The colors! Denim and bright orange and that yellow! And look at that jumper!! My mother told me of a lady who could probably make me dresses in the same style as these for, of course, much much much cheaper. Also in the style of that vintage dress I bought in San Francisco and also this Tracy Feith for Target dress. So now I am very much excited to see how much it would cost to make dresses like these, and if it's something that can be done, to pick out fabrics.

Time to go to the thrift store with these images in my mind! I can just imagine wearing short pretty dresses with vintage brown and cream colored cardigans or sweaters with elbow patches sewed on a la Hetterson and my beat up brown oxfords. Seems perfect to me. I'm also looking for cropped trousers but I'm having a hard time finding some because I'm so petite. I went a couple of days ago to the thrift store and got really lucky, lots of very lovely things. Some favorites: a cream colored full skirt with a bow on the waist from J.Crew and a lilac (the prettiest spring color, I swear!) colored pleated above-the-knee skirt. I'll have to show you soon!

Hetterson + Elbow Patches

2011-03-22T15:46:00.000-07:00

These photos make me want to sew on elbow patches
on my favorite sweaters !!

Sweater by Hetterson

A Lovely, Little Shop

2011-03-16T18:43:00.000-07:00

I love coming across artists and craft ladies whose work absolutely speak to my heart. These are probably the prettiest pieces of jewelry I've seen in a long long time. The girl is named Chelsea and she has an Etsy where you can buy her pieces and she is even offering 20% of sales to the Red Cross to help Japan until Sunday. Wonderful.

Here is her Etsy shop & her blog !!!

Mono Blocks

2011-03-13T22:58:00.000-07:00

Hello friends, I know I've been absent for a little bit but I must say I've been busy with classes, spending time with Isaac + family, taking photos and reading when I can. I also started writing in my Livejournal again, tidbits of my life, way more personal thoughts and feelings and happenings that I just can't bring myself to share here. Everything is locked there and more closely knit and the girls there, well, most I've known for years. However, I've been adding anyone who wishes to be added and I'm glad for that. You can never have enough friends to share your feelings with, right?

Today I ate breakfast tacos and then went downtown. I found nice things for my hair, headbands and bows and such. Then we went elsewhere. I came into a little bit of money so I decided to buy a couple of things I needed, a new red lipstick and the new Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation. I don't think I've ever worn a foundation that has made my skin look as pretty as that one. I highly recommend it if you want some light and soft and dewy looking.

Anyhow, the point of this post was to share this shop I came across. I think by now everyone knows I'm pretty obsessed with paper things. I really loved these notebooks from Mono Blocks. I only wish I could buy them.

Tomorrow is Isaac's day off. I most look forward to Sundays and Mondays because that is when I get to spend all day with him and we can go out. First, I have an eye appointment. My father is graciously buying me some new frames. I was going to get contacts until I found a pair of 50ish looking frames I fell in love with. Well, there are actually two I am trying to decide on and I don't know yet which I'll pick but they are both lovely. After that, more errands and then hopefully a trip to two of my favorite vintage stores. Maybe I'll find some great new things to show ya'll. Until then!

Photos + Being Surprised

2011-02-22T16:06:00.000-08:00

I love this little photo box from Daiso. I wish I had bought more but I was lucky enough to get it from San Francisco to Texas in my luggage without it getting ruined. I'll have to look from some more around here though. I'm sure they're not hard to find. Lately I've been using my film cameras a lot more often; my Lomo LC-A, my instant cameras and my Minolta SRT-201 so I'm excited to get some stuff developed and shown on here. On Sunday, Isaac and I went to the Brownsville flea market as planned. I liked this one a bit more than the other one I went to the previous weekend because it's much bigger. That day was amazingly windy though and the flea market is on a big dusty field without grass so you can imagine how positively dusty and dirty I was once we left. It was kind of awful, truth be told. Dirt slapping against our faces and getting in our eyes. At least most of it was covered. It was still a good time though. I found some Instax instant film for $2 and also bought some more expired 35 mm film. Besides that, I found this vintage bag which I was instantly drawn to because of the color. I love that color! Poppy red. It's perfect! Perfect for upcoming spring, no?

Today I am a happy girl because I was just sitting on my bed reading io9, one of my absolute favorite science fiction websites, when the doorbell rang. In comes, Isaac with a movie for us to watch (Gattaca) and a grocery bag full of food to make dinner! Yay yay yay. This is nice because as I've mentioned before he works from one in the afternoon till ten at night every day except Sundays and Mondays so I never see him during the day anymore and we only spend a few hours together each day when he gets off. So here he is and he's in the kitchen making Pollo con Arroz which is basically just sliced chicken in Mexican rice. It's one of our favorite things to eat and he's always the one to make it because I am a bad Mexican and don't know how to make rice! Tonight is going to be great. I have to skip my night class but that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make. This boy loves to surprise me!

Photos of Him

2011-02-21T16:08:00.000-08:00

Finally got some photos of Isaac's Valentine's Day gift from me! I really wanted to get him a new bag, a step up from his normal canvas Army-looking messenger bag. I ordered it from Matt, creator of Wood & Faulk, who is one of the nicest gentlemen and has an awesomely wonderful blog! I was so pleased when it came in because it was exactly what I wanted for Isaac. The leather is so beautiful. I also bought him some Sperry's because he is a nerd and loves those shoes. I love the way he looks in them though! The watch I got him for Christmas and is O Clock by Fullspot. It's the only watch he's liked, simple and minimal. I really love the way he dresses. I might just start photographing his outfits more often.

That photo is one of my favorites of Isaac. He looks so silly and he wasn't pleased with taking photos out in the sun but obliged since he loves me. It was such a hot hot day today though so we weren't outside for long!

+ Spectra expired polaroid film

Saturday Photo Roll

2011-02-20T08:01:00.001-08:00

Saturday was super sunny and warm. Actually, it's been like that everyday lately. It was a simple sort of day. Whole wheat blueberry pancakes, running around to stores. At the last minute decided to go to one of my favorite vintage stores in town for cake and raspberry tea and to peruse all of their vintage things. There I found this very cute watch for a dollar! I think I am the best at finding things. Lately I've been finding super amazing finds! I loved this watch instantly because it's white and has flowers.

Today Isaac and I are going to visit our friends in a nearby city an hour away to go to the flea market there. Hopefully I'll find some great things to show ya'll later. Bye!

Hello Weekend

2011-02-18T14:48:00.000-08:00

Isaac and I took these polaroids a couple of weeks ago. I still have a few packs of (now expired) 600 and Spectra polaroid film. My bangs look dreadful. So glad I finally got around the cutting them.

Today I'm being left to my own devices. I did have plans to go out and spend time with friends while I wait for Isaac to get out of work to meet me there but I realized I should probably study for my French exam on Monday since I am completely clueless and don't want to cram everything in on Sunday. That's no way to learn a language, besides. Everyone is going to the beach tomorrow, I think, and I really wanted to go especially so that I could use my new instant camera but I won't be able to. It'll have to be next time. So far today, I went to run errands and have lunch with my dad. And I started reading "The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place" which is honestly so delightful, that's the only word I could possibly use even though I've never actually said that word in real life!

Tomorrow, while running around, I'm hoping to find a scrapbook. I'm looking for one similar to the Japanese ones I posted the other day. Hobby Lobby had none. I really don't know where else to look but if I can't find one I have a back up I saw at the bookstore I'll probably end up using.

- A new film about superheroes and falling in love
- This beautiful Singaporean dessert website
- Book about the love of eating and gathering together
- Peach and Blackberry Crumble
- Ginger Cakes with White Peaches + Blackberry Coulis
- Blueberry and Cream Tarts
- My new Tumblr about boy things

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place

2011-02-18T01:01:00.000-08:00

It is three in the morning here and I am up looking at books and new things to write about. I came about this book through Shelfari and was instantly drawn to the cover illustrations. They're so charming, right? They're done by Jon Klassen and are interspersed throughout the book, too. I have a place in my heart for whimsical little childrens' novels. Perhaps because I'm a child at heart or perhaps because they just remind me of how wonderful it is to be a little thing without a care in the world. There are always so many adventures to be had as a child, everything is an adventure and everything is wondrous. I feel like adults tend to forget that. One of my absolute favorites is Edith Nesbit and if you haven't heard of her you should really look into her books! Reading children's novels remind me of being little and going to the library to check out ten or so books and do nothing but read them all for a week and then going back the next week and checking out ten more. That's the type of little girl I was. I just bought the first book of this series today and I have no doubt that it will be as charming as I think.

Jane Eyre meets Lemony Snicket in this smart, surprising satire of a 19th-century English governess story. A witty omniscient narrator speaks directly to modern readers and follows 15-year-old Penelope, recent graduate of the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, to British country manor Ashton Place, where conniving Lord Fredrick has discovered three wild children apparently raised by wolves while hunting in his vast forest property. To Lord Fredrick, who's named them Alexander, Beowulf, and Cassiopeia Incorrigible, the children are trophies and property ("Finder's keepers, what?"); to young Lady Constance they're savage nuisances who howl, chase squirrels, and gnaw on shoes. Enter Penelope Lumley, charged with taming them in time for a Christmas party, and bolstered by her top-notch classical education and an endless supply of platitudes from Agatha Swanburne. She also comes armed with a cherished book of poetry and her favorite fiction series, "Giddy-Yap, Rainbow!" There are stock characters, and there are mysteries. Most of all, without taking itself too seriously, there is commentary on writing itself, the dangers and the benefits of relying on books for moral courage, and the perils of drawing false expectations of the world from literature. Penelope shows growth, confronting issues of social class and expectation versus reality, and eventually realizing her own capacity for insight. Humorous antics and a climactic cliff-hanger ending will keep children turning pages and clamoring for the next volume, while more sophisticated readers will take away much more. Frequent plate-sized illustrations add wit and period flair."

Weekend Photo Roll II

2011-02-15T15:48:00.000-08:00

This weekend was unusually lovely for me. Usually my days aren't very exciting or filled with plans but my grandparents came so that meant the house was filled with a lot of family, talking and laughing, my screaming little baby nieces and dinners. We made strawberry pies too.

On Saturday, we all went to the flea market. I had been wanting to go since I moved back home. There's always lots of good Mexican food to eat and the people watching here is so fun. Our flea markets here are probably different than in other states that are not close to Mexico, mostly because I live in a predominantly Mexican area of Texas. I'm really not sure how to explain it. I just really love going to places like this and realizing how much I love my culture. Next time I should take my camera and take some snapshots. My photographs would probably explain it better than my words.

While there I bought a whole bunch of fruit. Strawberries and tangerines and the best juicest oranges I've had in awhile. I just finished eating a big bowl of them sliced and now my hands are sticky! I also bought lots of expired 35 mm film. I bought two really pretty skirts that I need to photograph on soon so you can help me decide if I should hem them up or not! And I found a Longchamp bag! I'd been wanting one forever but I don't like spending very much money on clothes or things since there are always other things I'd rather have. I'm not quite certain if it's real though I did do a little research online and from what I gathered, it is. It looks like an older one, though. If it indeed is real then I got the most fantastic deal ever because I only paid $4 dollars for it! I love it, either way. It's forest green. One of my favorite colors.

Isaac and I had a really lovely day yesterday. Sandwiches and soup at my favorite local cafe, banana caramel pie, a walk in the park, playing with my cameras. And then at night dinner and drinks at our favorite local coffee shop, Ambrosia. We wanted to have a nice day because we don't get to do these things very often because of his work. He also bought me this polaroid camera I had been wanting for ages! Now I have a new baby to my camera collection.

I bought that vintage coin purse while in Chicago. It's the perfect size to fit my new polaroid photos so now I have something to keep them safe and dry while I'm out and about taking pictures!

Weekend Photo Roll I

2011-02-15T14:32:00.000-08:00

I have a lot of time to myself Friday and Saturdays on account of Isaac's work schedule. He works one in the afternoon till ten at night. This Friday and Saturday I decided to pick up a book I bought two years ago. Yes, two years ago ! That is how often I buy books and how often I can't keep up with my to read pile. I really wish I had read it sooner because it was so good. It's exactly the type of book I love. And it is a series and an anime so I think from now on this is what is going to occupy my time - reading the light novels and watching the anime. It's also a manga, as well, but I have never gotten into reading manga. I downloaded the whole light novel series. To my understanding, only the first four books have been translated into English. The others I downloaded have been translated unprofessionally but from what I read from the comments, their translations are even better than the professional ones so we shall see!

"Why was I dragged into this bizarre mess?" Kyon, a dry-witted sad sack of a high school student narrates this off-kilter but fun novel, published in Japan in 2003. The teenager's existence is thrown into turmoil when a new student, Haruhi, appears in his homeroom and makes a startling introduction: "I have no interest in ordinary humans. If there are any aliens, time travelers, sliders, or espers here, come join me." Though she initially rebuffs him (and the rest of the student body), Haruhi eventually decides that forming a club with Kyon-the SOS Brigade, dedicated to "searching for the mysteries of the world"-is the best way to break through the dullness that surrounds her. The story begins sluggishly, but takes off as the true identities of the other club members-an alien, a time traveler, an esper (psychic)-are revealed. Each is gravely concerned that Haruhi, unknowingly, has the power to destroy the world on a whim."

This little book might not be for everyone. It's a little weird, Haruhi is kind of a terrible person and does some awful things and it's very Japanese and manga-esque but if you like science fiction and Japanese humor, do look into it.

Isaac's Valentine's Day surprise came in this weekend, too, and I took this snapshot before I wrapped it up. I didn't get to take a photo of him with it yet but I will when I can.

Japanese Scrapbooking

2011-02-15T11:30:00.001-08:00

I came across this Japanese scrapbooking book that I fell in love with.
I've been wanting to do a scrapbook of sorts ever since I saw this book at Kinokuniya. It's a great little book with projects and inspiration and ideas.

You can make scrapbooks for all sorts of things. Your cooking adventures, your photo adventures, your hobbies...which is something I had never really thought about. Normally, I associate scrapbooks dedicated to just the special people in your life.

I also realized scrapbooks can be really beautiful pieces of work and not just the types of scrapbooks you think of when you think of them, like old grandmothers and housewives, which are never really beautiful or well designed and are just filled with bad patterns and Spring Break backdrops and things of those sorts. You know what I mean, right?

Now I just need to find places to buy these Japanese scrapbook making supplies. I do have a few things although I think I might have to call on my friend in San Francisco to go to Japantown for me! I'll look on Etsy and Ebay and if I find sellers who sell this sort of things I'll make sure to share with you, too.

For Our Boys

2011-01-27T14:32:00.000-08:00

I don't know if it's uncool to be excited for Valentine's Day but I definitely am and don't mind one bit! Perhaps it's because, while living in San Francisco, I was incredibly poor all the time and thus did not get to celebrate Isaac's birthday or Christmas time the way I would have wanted to. I didn't even have cash to M A K E him something! It was quite sad. Especially because I adore holidays and thinking of what to do for the people I love. Lately I've been spending a lot of time on the internet looking at ideas of what to do for Isaac. I love looking at all these boy things, everything is so masculine yet beautiful at the same time. From the past, I have saved up some of my favorite boy shops and this morning I visited a few of them and selected some gift ideas I think are fantastic to share with you. I tend not to choose clothes because I feel like that is something they can buy all the time. Unless it's a super special sweater or piece! I really love accessories as gifts - bags, underwear, socks, hats, wallets, shoes, grooming things. Those are the things Isaac loves because it's something he never buys himself.

+ Apolis // One of my favorite boy shops. They also run a neat blog on their website! I love the modern stylish aesthetic this place gives out. Here I did choose some clothes, a sweater and parka, just because they're so darn lovely. They also have some bundled sets which are super awesome. A classic button down and chambray tie for only $136 ! The ties are sold on their own too in beautiful colors. I also love the idea of fancy handkerchiefs and canvas and leather bags. And if your boy likes to go to the farmer's market that boyish eco friendly bag is the perfect thing for him to carry home vegetables and fruits in !

+ Hickoree's Hard Goods // I love this place because of it's woodsy outdoor yet stylish feel. I especially love the grooming things this place stocks. Wood body cream and tobacco shaving soap by Portland General Store. More ties and handkerchiefs and bags. Beautiful leather wallets by Maxx & Unicorn. Notebooks if your boy likes to write and if your boy is a handyman or crafter, the coolest apron ever ! I also loooooved the old timey sling shot. I can just imagine the fun Isaac would have with that and I think it's such a cute unique gift.

+ Old Faithful Shop // Another favorite. I love the simplicity and modernity. I love love the photography and their blog which you should check out. And if you happen to be in Vancouver, visit the shop and tell me all about it. I'd be quite envious! Their online shop doesn't have a plethora of things but what they do have are incredibly special and unique. I loved the wood tray block and tape dispenser. The knife is definitely an upgrade from your run of the mill red Swiss Army knife. I also think laptop covers are excellent gifts, too ! I've seen a lot of really great ones on Etsy and tons of other places. I loved this one because of the button details. Now, I'm really loving this book called "Brooklyn Diary" which showcases different Brooklyn artists and they're favorite local places. It looks like it's filled with fabulous photography too !

+ Lastly, gadget covers! I saw these and fell in love. I love how they're made to look like books. I love their simplicity and sleekness. They're just all around amazing. They're made for Nooks, Kindles, iPads and iPhones. I want some for myself !

What are you thinking of getting your loved one for Valentine's Day?

Apartamento Magazine

2011-01-14T12:52:00.001-08:00

Lately, I have been posting a few things and mentions about Apartamento but that is because it's one of my favorite magazines and every issue inspires me. Plus, I love the way the paper feels when I brush my hand over or when I turn the pages. I just think it is a beautiful production. The other day I spent two hours in bed reading an issue.

I'm sad because I cannot find the newest issue here yet.

Cinq Design

2011-01-14T12:24:00.000-08:00

Images from another Japanese store that have been inspiring me ...

Photos by Cinq Design

Vintage Things

2011-01-10T17:45:00.000-08:00

Here are some things I've found lately ...

+ Vintage lace slip I've been wearing all day, everyday, since I have not left the hous

+ Pink telephone, my new favorite thing !

A New Space

2011-01-07T11:37:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been reading Apartamento magazine and looking at photos of peoples' spaces to get inspiration for my own space that I am reimagining and redecorating. As a surprise for my home-coming my family and Isaac repainted my room which is something I had always wanted to do for years but never did. It was a wonderful and sweet thing so now I have a fresh start to make my space how I've always wanted it. My aesthetic for home is a bit all over the space. I love the Japanese simple style, I love the modern furniture style, I love the vintage pieces, I like the lived in homey style with books and knick knacks all over the place. I am trying to find a way to merge all of these into something cohesive that really represents me.

Right now, my room's furniture is all mismatched until I can start buying what I want. I need a desk terribly and shelves. Books always overrun my room so I have stacks of books on the floor all over the place. I like that though. I bought my first piece of furniture, a white vintage dresser. I love it !

Bought those cute biscuit wall hooks in Japantown. They're the only decoration
I have on my walls right now.
Going to put in new flooring but I can't decide on which !! I know most of my furniture is going to be light wood and white so I think I should go with 2nd one on the top row but I wonder if it'd look strange having the furniture and the floor the exact same. But then, I don't know about mixing wood either? Any opinions?

Also, I am looking to buy some prints for my walls. Any favorites on Etsy?

Forage Bow Ties

2011-01-06T22:02:00.000-08:00

I really fell in love with these bow ties by Forage.
I would love to get some for the boys in my life but actually I think Isaac is the only one nerdy enough to wear them.

Photos via Forage // Shop here

Mar

2011-01-06T21:07:00.000-08:00

Simple, delicate things from Japanese online shop, Mar .

Reference Library x Apartamento Magazine

2011-01-06T20:30:00.000-08:00

One of my absolute favorite magazines is Apartamento. It is deeply inspirational to me. In 2009, Andy of Reference Library (a favorite blog of mine) and the Apartamento people got together in Milan and opened up a shop for a limited time filled with super neat things like hot air balloons from Bertjan Pot, vintage books, clothes and other handpicked items. It would have been wonderful to visit this little place but unfortunately I just have the photos to fullfil me !

Niguedouille

2011-01-06T20:18:00.000-08:00

Adoring this furniture from Niguedouille !!

Nimes

2011-01-04T21:14:00.001-08:00

Love the styling of this Japanese brand.
These are my favorite outfits from their F/W 2010 collection.

Yarn:Moor

2010-12-27T23:32:00.000-08:00

This album which I am
enjoying very much lately...

It is perfect for lazy days around the house.

yarn:moor（ヤーン・ムーア）の音楽を一言で例えるなら、それは森羅万象が描き出す物語を音像化したサウンド。

サウンドプロデュースを手がけるmossとプログラミング担当のneumaが、空間を色彩豊かな「庭」に仕立て上げるように繊細かつ重厚なシンフォニーを奏で、
そこにtao（imaginion）の深みのあるヴォイストラックが重なり、物語を炙り出す。
ポピュラリティさえ感じさせるクオリティの高い楽曲とパフォーマンスは、2006年の結成以来、イベント出演などで高い評価を得てきた。

2009年5月、満を持してnobleより1stアルバム『So, I'll take your hand and..』をリリース。

mossとneumaは自身のレーベル「Tiltloose」を主宰。
mossは同レーベルにてダブユニットMANTISのプロデューサーとしても活動し、
2009年1月にはRHYTHM & SOUND のMCでもあるTikiman a.k.a Paul St. Hilaireをゲストボーカルとして招いた1stアルバム"≒dubious"をリリースしている。

Text by Akiyoshi Kitagawa

yarn:moor was formed in 2006 by Tiltloose label’s moss (male / sound producer) and neuma (female / programming).
The duo was joined by vocal tao (male) in December of the same year.

Their live performances consist of many vintage analog devices, laptop PC’s, vocal, and VJ by Akiyoshi Kitagawa.

moss, also a member of dub unit MANTIS released his first album in January 2009 along with guest vocal, Tikiman a.k.a. Paul St. Hilaire of RYHTHM & SOUND.
Meanwhile, tao is a member of imaginion and is also known for his guest appearance in naorunamonai who is the member of Origami.

Listen
Website

Goodbye San Francisco

2010-12-15T23:07:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is my last day in San Francisco, friends. Wow wow wow. It's really happening. I'm leaving and I'm going to be in sunny hot Texas by 2:30 Friday. Well Texas isn't so hot right now. We've actually had a cold front come in! Anyhow, my flight leaves at six in the morning and so I will be at the airport by four. It'll be an early day but the end will be worth it.

These past two weeks have been so stressful and these past few days even MORE SO. Packing is crazy when you've only got two suitcases. I am trying to make everything fit but I am nervous my bag will be over 100 lbs. Today, in the morning, I shipped my television and iMac. I hope they get home safely. How I managed to get those things down three flights of stairs, into a cab and into Fedex...I don't even know !

Earlier I walked around North Beach, my neighborhood, one last time. I stopped by the cafe I frequented lots and said goodbye to my favorite guys that worked there. They've always been so nice to me. Free coffee. Chats in Spanish. I think they liked me because I'm Mexican too. It was sad. But they agreed being close to your loved ones is better.

Tomorrow I have a few more errands to run and then I don't know what I'll do. I wish I had extra money to visit my favorite eateries one last time mostly Tartine and Mama's and Dottie's but oh well. I'll come back soon, that I'm promising myself.

I'll be busy over the winter break ! Getting registered at the new school I'm going to. And I also have three craft projects I want to do. 01: I saw these notebooks at Anthropologe while working one day and absolutely fell in love with them. Lifestyle notebooks they're called and they're Japanese naturally. They come in Gardening, Shops, Travels, Recipes and Books. So precious, no? I never could afford to buy them because they're $28 each so using InDesign I'm going to attempt to create the pages myself, cut them and have them bound either by myself or having them bound professionally which doesn't cost very much.

02: This cute address box is something else I saw at Anthropologie that seems super easy to replicate. Going to create the address page in InDesign, as well, and then thrift a wooden little box.

03: I saw these amazing cashmere undies over at one of my favorite blogs, Fieldguided. They are from the Toronto based website Sartoria. They make leggings, undershirts and undies using recycled materials. Imagine cashmere underthings! I've never spent $36 on underwear before but if I can't afford to buy them soon my roommate said they'd be quite easy to make. Just buy a thrifted cashmere sweater, wash it, using another set of panties as a guide, cut out the fabric and sew it together. Seems simple enough!

Anyway, this is my life right now. What are you doing over the holidays? Do you have any crafting or baking projects you want to do? Or any books to read?

Takagi Masakatsu

2010-12-08T17:55:00.000-08:00

I've been meaning to make this post about Takagi Masakatsu for quite a long while because he is such a daily inspiration for me and for the type of photos I take and even how I go about the daily aspects of my life. He's a huge huge influence and I think he's just about one of the greatest musicians and artists I have come across definitely the best Japanese musician out of the many many Japanese musicians I have on my computer. He's the one I go to again and again whenever I am feeling down or hating the world because his music lifts up my spirits. He makes absolutely stunning videos to go along with his music and I can't help my heart from swelling whenever I see them. And it's such a rainy and dreary day in San Francisco, it's been raining all day nonstop, and this is what I'm listening to and I am making this post for a friend of mine, Hector, who I think would really appreciate this and understand what I'm saying. I usually don't like to post so many videos but I do hope that you'll watch them!

Apple did a profile on him that was really lovely

Takagi Masakatsu // Girls

Takagi Masakatsu // Private Drawing

Takagi Masakatsu // Lightpool

And two of my absolute favorite songs I could not find videos for;
Golden Town With Sunglasses
House of Time

Holiday Time

2010-11-28T15:26:00.000-08:00

This Thanksgiving was the first away from my family in my whole life ! I thought I was going to spend the day alone with no one and no turkey but thankfully I have some pretty lovely friends here in San Francisco and Ashley, Josh, and his sister came over to my apartment for Thanksgiving dinner ! I made turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and they brought bread dip, pumpkin pie and green beans. We had rolls and cranberry sauce and apple cider with vodka and Jack and Cokes. Ashley also brought over her new baby, a black cat named Boo which was super swell because he was so cute and I haven't played with a kitten in so long ! I had such a blast and got pretty tipsy. It was such a great night. A warm and toasty apartment smelling of cinnamon apples and vanilla filled with friends and food and laughing and talking. I'm so grateful I have those two here. They're the best sort of people.

This weekend has been really tiring. Black Friday I worked 11 - 8 at Anthropologie. A very long shift on an extremely hectic and busy day. It wasn't so bad because something pretty awesome happened and when I say it wasn't so bad I mean it was pretty fucking awesome because I met and talked (okay, gushed) to Anna Torv, also known as O L I V I A from Fringe !!! I was just walking around the store working and making the clothes look pretty when this cute blonde catches my eye because she is cute and is wearing a floppy beanie and cool oxfords and then I was like My goodness, she looks like Olivia ! And so I kept looking at her and then she smiled and I knew for certain she was and I got so excited ! She was just there shopping with a friend, walking around like nothing. No one recognized her but me, at least no one acted like they did. It was just like she was another customer in the store. She waited in line for 15 minutes for the fitting rooms and someone held her clothes because in the fitting room her name was up on the board - Anna. I told some of my coworkers excitedly but no one even knew what Fringe was (Boo!) but tried to get me to go talk to her but I couldn't! I'm so awkward and shy as it is with just normal people let alone someone on one of my favorite sci-fi shows ! But finally after she paid I realized I really needed to because I would never get to do it again. So I went up to her and said "Hi, my name's Mari. I work here." And she nodded and leaned down a bit because she's tall and I guess she probably couldn't hear me. I'm sure my voice was barely above a whisper from fright. And then I said "I just want to tell you I love your show" and then she gets a H U G E smile on her face and I say "It's one of the best shows on television and I think you are so amazing and I think it's so great that you're playing a female character that kicks ass on a sci-fi show and I just think you're so amazing and I love you" all in one long breath and she just kept smiling and saying Thank you, Thank you repeatedly in her Australian accent and was entirely super nice and finally I was like Okay! Have a nice holiday! And she was like You, too! And I walked away my heart pounding so hard. And then on her way out she saw me, waved and smiled and said bye to me ! Best thing ever ! I just really love Fringe and her (along with Starbuck from BSG) are my top favorite female characters in a sci-fi show ever and to meet her and talk to her and her being as sweet as she was is super fantastic. I still can't believe she was in San Francisco at the store I work at !

There are so many nice things that have happened to me while living here in San Francisco. Even though I'm homesick and miserable sometimes I can't deny that San Francisco is a city I love and have created memories here. And I really love it because I've never been in the city during the holidays. There's an ice skating rink and huge lighted Christmas tree in Union Square. Downtown is always busy. It's so chilly. It feels like the holidays now and I love it. I come to the apartment and wrap myself up in blankets because I don't have a heater and neither does the apartment and I drink cocoa and eat peppermint cookies. Trader Joe's has these chocolate sandwich cookies, like Oreos, except the cream in these are sprinkled with crushed candy canes and they are so amazing.

This Sunday has been so quiet. But I rather like it, a lot. I love quiet days. I've just been listening to music and getting inspired by Japanese photographers on Flickr. I love the way the Japanese take photographs. They all have this sorts of feeling to them and softness. It's what I really strive for in my photographs. Today I discovered some really great Flickrs which I shall share with you. This is what inspires me. Sometimes people tell me my pictures look like they could be in a Japanese magazine and that really makes me happy.

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Other links for today;
New blog I am enjoying very much
This song posted on my Tumblr
Aimee Bender article
Started using Twitter again, Add me
Keep me company on this quiet Sunday

A Fall Day

2010-11-20T12:54:00.000-08:00

So it's a beautiful chilly + sunny day in San Francisco. I'm glad it's not raining at the moment even though we're expecting lots of rain this weekend. I just got paid yesterday and although I can't really afford $15 breakfasts I decided to wake up early and go have breakfast at Mama's by myself and a book to treat myself. Sadly I didn't wake up as early as I wanted to (you try getting out of bed in a freezing apartment when you're wrapped up warmly in two thick blankets!) so I had to wait in line 45 minutes. But breakfast was oh so perfect!

Their home-made berry jam which is glorious,
and their sourdough toast

This is the same place I went with Isaac and took photos of the last time but,
the food is so pretty I had to take more photos !

Now I am sitting at Caffe Grecco, my favorite cafe in North Beach, having coffee and procrastinating on my Color + Design homework I need to do. Today is going to be a stressful long day of working on the project due on Monday, a painting project, something I do not enjoy doing. I wish I enjoyed painting but I am not good at it at all so I tend to get very frustrated and confused. I'm trying to make this day a positive and happy day so I will be motivated to finish!

The book I am reading right now I'm very excited about. I discovered it while at Borderlands Books, a book store completely devoted to science fiction and fantasy in the Mission. Isaac and I went in while he was here and he, I too, totally loved it. Sci-fi geeks unite! I absolutely adore Aimee Bender, Sarah Shun-Lien Bynum, Kelly Link, Ludmilla Petrushevskaya and Kate Bernheimer so when I found this book on the shelf I squealed. I had no idea this book was published. It's new, published in 2010. Usually I keep up with new anthology books but lately I haven't. I recently finished reading Petrushevskaya's short story collection called There Once Lived a Woman Who Tried to Kill Her Neighbor's Baby: Scary Fairy Tales. Completely eerie and wonderful and you should get a hold of it. This book is called My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me: Forty New Fairy Tales and I have high expectations for it.

"Childhood memories of princesses and ogres dominate our perception of fairy tales. Yet for many modern writers, the fairy tale is a living art form as relevant today as the tales of the Brothers Grimm were hundreds of years ago. My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me, edited by Kate Bernheimer, is a celebration of this unique story form, with contributions from forty extraordinary writers. Inspired by everything from Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Match Girl” to fairy tales by Goethe and representing countries from China to Mexico, these stories will thrill you with worlds where the real and unreal exist side by side.

As the recent success of the film Alice in Wonderland illustrates, fairy tales are making a comeback, attracting attention from studios and scriptwriters who see their big screen potential. The contemporary writers whose stories fill this fabulous volume are already familiar with the power contained in fairy tales. They have mined the classic stories that thrilled us as children and lovingly transformed them into modern tales, applicable to adult lives. Those writers are Kim Addonizio, Chris Adrian, Rabih Alameddine, Naoko Awa, Aimee Bender, Francesca Lia Block, Karen Brennan, Kevin Brockmeier, Sarah Sun-Lien Bynum, Lucy Corin, Michael Cunningham, Ludmilla Petrusheyskaya, Kathryn Davis, Rikki Ducornet, Brian Evenson, Karen Joy Fowler, Neil Gaiman, Lily Hoang, Hiromi Ito, Shelley Jackson, Ilya Kaminsky, Jonathan Keats, Neil Labute, Kelly Link, Sabrina Orah Mark, Michael Martone, Joyelle McSweeney, Michael Mejia, Lydia Millet, Alissa Nutting, Joyce Carol Oates, Francine Prose, Stacey Richter, Marjorie Sander, Timothy Schaffert, Jim Shepard, John Updike, Katherine Vaz, Kellie Wells, and Joy Williams.

The writers and stories in this unique collection represent amazing diversity. Neil Gaiman and Francesca Lia Block offer an entirely new take on Greek mythology. Naoko Awa and Hiromi Ito magically resurrect Japanese folktales. Bluebeard and his infamous castle are revived by Joyce Carol Oates and John Updike. Stacey Richter and Michael Martone reimagine lasting favorites such as “Cinderella” and “Jack and the Beanstalk.” My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me challenges us to preserve fairy tales for future generations. These, after all, are the stories that find a way to speak to everyone."

Travel Photo Roll

2010-11-17T21:20:00.000-08:00

Here are some other photos from Isaac's travel to San Francisco. The time flew by so fast. The week was so dreamy and perfect. I don't know where the time went. We walked around neighborhoods, rode sketchy buses, were disappointed a few time like when we couldn't watch Stars and when we took said sketchy bus all the way to the Lumiere Theatre to watch Never Let Me Go only to find out the last showing had happened the night before. Like when he lost his wallet at a cafe the night before he was supposed to fly out and never found it and had to go to the police station to file a report! I went places with him I had never gone before. We took silly tourist photos and bought way too many clothes. We went to Japantown where he had Japanese food and marveled in Kinokuniya and bought Japanese stationary. And we went to Haight and the Wharf and ate a lot of food. I would replay this week of my life over and over again forever.
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Skirt and blouse from UO, bag by Baggu, brown oxfords by Steve Madden

One night he and I went to The Academy of Sciences Night Life. The Academy of Sciences is one of the coolest museums in San Francisco but tickets are quite pricey. I went one time with my parents when a good friend was sweet and got us all in for free. Every Thursday night, from 6 to 10, they have Nightlife. 21 and over, a DJ playing, cocktail bars spread throughout and you can drink while walking around and enjoying the museum. Tickets are $12 (half the price of regular admission!) and you get free passes to the planetarium which usually you pay for, I believe. They also usually have cool lectures, talks, guests, etc. There's a big aquarium, a rainforest in a dome, a living rooftop besides the planetarium! We were especially excited because the theme of that Thursday Night was the cosmos so there were fancy telescopes atop the roof and Frank Drake founder of SETI (Search For Extraterrestrial Intelligence) and Jill Tater director of SETI and inspiration for Jodie Foster's character in Contact were there to talk. We're big nerds so we loved all of that.
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Jacket is Sunner from Anthropologie, Blouse is UO, pants are Zara Girls

I was excited to take him to all the vintage stores in the Mission so he could find some new clothes but sadly he couldn't find anything. He liked walking Dolores though. And he liked all the bike shops. We had huge burritos and then Tartine where he fell in love with their tea which he said he was going to make at home. Oh and he really loved Paxton Gate where he fell in love with a tree and instantly bought it!
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I was super excited to go to Outerlands because their food looks amazing and I heard it was terribly good. But this day just did not start off right. We got there late and waited a very long time for a table. Our heads ached and we were in crummy moods but trying to be in good ones. The restaurant is beautiful but, and I hate saying this, very hipster. Not that that is a bad thing, just...you know. He got eggs in toast and I got the french toast. Now he and I aren't really foodies and are both kind of really particular about what we eat. We don't really like fancy weird foods or restaurants. I thought we'd be fine here! But we weren't. The food was beautiful, of course, but we didn't like it. Not that it was bad just wasn't to our preference! Isaac didn't like the way his eggs were cooked which probably could have been remedied if we would have told them how and my french toast was dipped and soaked in egg which made me queasy because I don't like eggs but am usually fine with eating french toast. These weren't fine for me. We're just fussy people, I suppose. I did absolutely love the ginger apple cider. Perfect for the day. Warm, spicy, lemony, gingery. I loved it! So we left without eating most of our food. I definitely would recommend the restaurant though, in fact, if you are ever in San Francisco, go! I'll be going again to try their dutch pancakes or their lunch!

After this, we went to the Golden Gate Bridge. He'd been looking forward to it all week. I think it was one of his favorite places here. We took tons of obligatory photos of us standing in front of the bridge and then walked it! Fun!

Sidenote: Can I just say how much I love this dress? Usually I stay away from long dresses since I am so petite but I really couldn't stop myself from buying this one. I think I love it so because it drapes in the back and I just think it's so pretty. Isaac hates it though! He says it gives me no shape and looks grandmotherly. Can I also just say how much I hate it when guys say this sort of thing?! Firstly, they are usually wrong. Secondly, who cares if it does look grandmotherly. Do we always have to look sexy and wear form fitting clothes? Thirdly, most pieces that look grandmotherly can be styled to not look as such if we want it to. So, I say whatevs to that! I don't mean to hate on my sweetheart here, I'm just sayin'. That day I wore it with that jacket and my oxfords because I knew I was going to walk a lot but I would totally wear it with some high wedges and this black beaded type cropped cardigan I have. I'll have to take photos when I will it.
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First time at In -N- Out, self explanatory.

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Tartine visit, number two! We also went back to the Mission to finish walking around since we didn't finish the first time. At Tartine, we got the Banana Tea Cake which was amazing, of course! Right now they have pumpkin and pecan pie and I must remember to go back and try a slice.

So that is that and now he is gone and I'm miserable. I dropped him off at BART on Tuesday and cried on the way to class. And I've cried more since then. I miss him so much! Having him here was the absolute best. At least I got to experience that and he got to experience San Francisco. He loved it so much and already wants to make another trip back! Okay, that is all for now. This entry is awfully long and I love you if you got through all of it.

Mama's

2010-11-16T19:17:00.000-08:00

Isaac's first morning here. Waking up next to him, snuggling, kissing, not wanting to get out of bed and thus being late for breakfast at Mama's and waiting in line for 45 minutes and thinking this is well worth the wait, what to choose, so many delicious things and pastries and muffins, pancakes piled with berries, mound of cloud-like whipped cream, cinnamon french toast, cute decor, like my grandmother's house, eating those pancakes with smears of whipped cream, their home-made jam and maple syrup, totally gluttonous but incredibly perfect.

A Saturday Day

2010-11-07T00:26:00.000-07:00

I never posted the photos I took when my parents and I went to the Santa Cruz boardwalk when I first got here and they were still here visiting. So here they are! I wish we had gone on a better day. It was sunny at first but pretty soon it turned horrid, drizzly and very very chilly. I didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped I would. I had some okay boardwalk food though. Someday I'd like to go back when it is hot and I am in the mood to go on the rides. These photos are not very great. The sun was being shy. Go to my Tumblr to see the others !

Lately, I've been rewatching The Delicious Miss Dahl television series and being inspired by her all over again. I know some people found her a bit annoying but I think she's a wonderful lady with wonderful insight to share. I wish she would do another season. Today I went to San Francisco Museum of Modern Art for an assignment for my 20th Century Art course. I had a lovely time there. Had a breakfast of coffee and foccacia bread with butter before I went in. Admission was free for being an Academy student. I still love The Art Institute in Chicago much much better but SF MOMA is a lovely museum as well. I went into the museum store and nearly died when I saw they had a few O-Check paper things. A really really beautiful notepad made of brown paper and lace looking tape. It was a to-do list pad but so pretty. This one actually. I'm going to go back and buy it soon! I love O-Check so much, so inspiring to me. I would like to make my own stationary one day soon when I am not so busy.

Today I realized I don't have much more time left in San Francisco and it really pained me. There is no doubt that I want to go home but I was just thinking of all the wonderful things that have happened to me while I've been in the city and knowing that I will miss it when I go back home. From now on I just have to look forward to the weeks when I will be able to visit and enjoy the city all over again, in my way. Also, Isaac is coming four days, only four! Four more days till I get to sleep next to my love. We might go watch Stars at The Filmore. I like Stars but I am more excited to see Geographer. And Tuesday is The Pains of Being Pure at Heart show. I am a lucky girl! I have much to look forward to.

Lately;
Geographer - Kites
Match Post-It
Pop Up Dollhouse
Buddy Holly - Everyday
Vintage Glasses

Nadinoo on Etsy

2010-11-05T13:13:00.000-07:00

I happened across Nadinoo on Etsy and fell in love. It is everything I love in one collection.
The colors, the flower patterns, the obvious 60s influence. Total inspiration.

Photos + online shop at Nadinoo

++++

2010-11-02T23:06:00.000-07:00

I am moving back to Texas. My heart is heavy here, friends. I cannot do this anymore. I try and be happy but I simply can not be. I wanted to love it here because it is what I've wanted for so long, you know that. But I think it's time for me to admit my heart and soul is back in Texas. I will always love San Francisco. This city has held so many memories I will always remember. And I will continue to visit all the time. So many aspects went into this decision which was so stressful - money, my studies, things of the sort. The main thing is my passion is books. I want to get my masters in Library Science. So there is no need to get so much into school loan debt for my Graphic Design major when I really might not use it at all. I will go to the university back home and finish my design degree there and save so much money while doing it. But I do not want this to be a sad post. I am H A P P Y. So so happy. I came. I experienced this city. And I realized what it is I want to do and where I want to be for the next few years and that is with my sweetheart and my family. So yay for me! I will be home for Christmas.

On other notes: being surrounded by beautiful clothes and lovely ladies at Anthropologie, downloading much music and loving all of it, rainy days stuck inside with wool socks and leggings and buried under two blankets, reading The Russian Dreambook of Color + Flight, Hotel Iris, The Boy Who Couldn't Sleep And Never Had To, The Bigness of the World + There Once Lived A Woman Who Tried To Kill Her Neighbor's Baby: Scary Fairy Tales, discovering more excellent books to read, walking around my neighborhood, becoming a regular at the cafe I always go to, pasta dinners, getting on the guest list for The Pains of Being Pure at Heart show thanks to a very sweet friend, watching Battlestar Galatica, being a sci-fi nerd, great conversations with random people, reading The Book of Heroes + watching the first season of Mad Men, The Walking Dead oh my goodness THE WALKING DEAD.

But most importantly, most importantly, Isaac bought a ticket to come visit me and the city I love! I cannot wait to show him around! I am making lists in my notebook on what to do. So far: Shopping in the Mission, Haight, Japantown, Chinatown. Outerlands for brunch or lunch then a walk on the beach. Photobooth at Rayko Photo Center. Tartine, Bi-Rite and Dolores Park. Golden Gate Bridge. Golden Gate Park. Mai Mai Miracle and Here Come the Waves: The Hazards of Love Visualized films during the San Francisco International Animation Festival, The Terminator (!!!) at the Castro Theatre (showing old sci-fi films on the big screen), drinks and planaterium show at the Academy of Sciences during their Night Life Thursdays, Tommy's Joynt (yummy food and beer from all over the world), fancy cocktails at Bix, more drinks at Romolo's, The Knockout + a trip to Berkeley. It will be an excellent fun filled week!

My my, so many words though. Here are some photos!

How fun are iPhone photos?! These were edited with a fun little app called Instagram. I've been using it a lot lately! If you have one or get one, add me. I am cottonhearted. Those were taken today walking around my neighborhood. I went out to buy some fresh bread for my pasta lunch but ended up getting a gelato cone (golden raspberry + chocolate malt) and eating the whole huge thing which consequentially made me not at all hungry for the pasta lunch I was supposed to make. No matter, it was worth it!

Plus;
Enhance The Everyday
Blue Gowns by Blue Hawaii
Flax by Gem Club
Caring For Your Introvert
Three Percent

A Note

2010-10-10T10:57:00.000-07:00

Breakfast at Caffe Delucchi in North Beach
So, sadly my Photobucket account's bandwidth expired so my blog right now is looking very ugly and you can't see many of my posts. It's a pain but I never did buy a pro account for Photobucket. All the photos should be back up in two days or so. On another note, this weekend I went to Berkeley and walked around. Had a donut and coffee. I came back to the city and went to look at Zara's little girl section because I am looking for a new parka or jacket and girl's sizes fit me better. I didn't find any but I did find some pretty riding style pants. I don't know if I like them yet because I don't have any sort of blouse to wear with them. I tried on what I have and nothing worked well. They are these.

By the way, today is my first official day at Anthropologie. I will be closing!
I am nervous.

Yoko Ogawa

2010-10-07T20:51:00.001-07:00

Yoko Ogawa is one of my all time favorite Japanese writers. Her novels are beautiful and cinematic and I wholeheartedly recommend either of these three. Currently I am reading Hotel Iris as I have not read that one yet but I'm already captivated. Her writings will stick with you for quite awhile.

The Diving Pool: Three Novellas // In this first book-length translation into English, Japanese author Ogawa's three polished tales demonstrate her knack for a crafty, suspenseful hook. Each is narrated in the listless, emotionally remote voice of a young woman, such as the high schooler of the title story whose infatuation with her foster brother, Jun, prompts her to obsessively observe his diving practice. As the daughter of religious parents who run an orphanage, Aya feels alienated from the workings of the so-called Light House and finds an outlet for her frustration in romantic fantasy about Jun as well as in tormenting—shockingly—an orphan baby. The underhandedly creepy Dormitory is narrated by a Tokyo wife who begins nursing the ailing, armless one-legged manager at her old college dormitory. The manager's increasingly alarming tale of love for one of the renters, now vanished, enthralls the wife. Pregnancy Diary offers a bit of levity, narrated by a young unmarried woman whose rage toward her pregnant sister take the form of cooking her grapefruit jam prepared from fruit treated with a chromosome-altering chemical. Ogawa's tales possess a gnawing, erotic edge.

Hotel Iris: A Novel // Ogawa explores the power of words to allure and destroy in this haiku-like fable of love contorted into obsession. One rainy evening, Mari, a downtrodden 17-year-old who helps her demanding mother run a seedy seaside hotel, overhears a middle-aged male guest ordering an offended prostitute to be silent. In the days that follow, every word—both spoken and conveyed in surreptitious letters—from this man, a hack translator who may have killed his wife, gradually and inexorably leads Mari to submit to his every sadistic desire. Ogawa's relentlessly spare prose captures both Mari's yearning for her lost father and the translator's bipolar oscillation between insecure tenderness and meticulously modulated rage. As this savage novel drives to its inevitable conclusion, Mari's world collapses around her in both a terrifying bang and a pitiful whimper.

The Housekeeper and The Professor // Ogawa weaves a poignant tale of beauty, heart and sorrow in her exquisite new novel. Narrated by the Housekeeper, the characters are known only as the Professor and Root, the Housekeepers 10-year-old son, nicknamed by the Professor because the shape of his hair and head remind the Professor of the square root symbol. A brilliant mathematician, the Professor was seriously injured in a car accident and his short-term memory only lasts for 80 minutes. He can remember his theorems and favorite baseball players, but the Housekeeper must reintroduce herself every morning, sometimes several times a day. The Professor, who adores Root, is able to connect with the child through baseball, and the Housekeeper learns how to work with him through the memory lapses until they can come together on common ground, at least for 80 minutes. In this gorgeous tale, Ogawa lifts the window shade to allow readers to observe the characters for a short while, then closes the shade. Snyder—who also translated Pool—brings a delicate and precise hand to the translation.

Weekend

2010-10-04T15:23:00.000-07:00

So on Saturday I went to the second day of the bluegrass festival. This time I didn't mind where I sat because there was no one I particularly wanted to see so I took some junk food and a blanket and laid it out at a random place. It was much more fun this way to people watch and I definitely saw some interesting people! I wore my new dress but it got so cold I ended up coming home earlier than expected. Either way, it was a great day. Super fun. And I'm so glad I got to go to it. Sunday was my first day at Anthropologie. It was mostly paperwork and training but I met some amazing ladies I hope I can be friends with. I have two on call shifts this week so I hope they need me. I'll be on the schedule next week. It looks like working there is going to be fantastic! After work I went to go watch Let Me In, the Hollywood remake of one of my favorite books and subsequent foreign film, Let The Right One In. When I first heard about this remake I was not happy. I hate Hollywood remakes! They're always so so awful. But when I found out Chloe Grace Moretz (Hit Girl from Kick Ass) was going to be playing the girl vampire I changed my mind and decided to watch it. I'm so glad I did because it was really great. It's exactly the same except for a few cut scenes and added scenes but also different in the way that there are more special effects and it's more suspenseful and gory but in a good way! The cinematography is lovely as well just like the original. I'm so happy they didn't butcher it. For those of you were hesitant to watch it because of the same reason I was, I totally recommend it!

Sally Scott Autumn 2010

2010-10-02T22:25:00.000-07:00

Website + Videos

Sally Scott Spring 2010

2010-10-02T22:12:00.000-07:00

Sally Scott is the label of Japanese designer Akira Minagawa who is also the creator and designer of another one of my favorite Japanese labels, Mina Perhonen. I love everything he does. He is one of the most brilliant textile designers I have ever seen. Definitely one of my design heroes. These photos are from the Spring 2010 collection. And make sure to check out the website. There are tons of cute little videos!

Website + Videos

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival I

2010-10-01T21:02:00.000-07:00

Today was Day One of the festival and I was nervous about going by myself since it was the first time I took the bus to Golden Gate Park and I know the park is so big and confusing and I was afraid the festival area was going to be hard to find. The ride over there was terrible. It's much too long of a story to type all out here but some poor tourist lady was assaulted on the bus so we all had to get off and the police and ambulance came. We waited so long for another bus but since everyone is going to the festival they were all packed. Finally I managed to squeeze my little body into one of them. I was afraid I was going to miss Jenny and Johnny. I had wanted to get there for the sets before but I was so late. Thankfully I made it just in time for Jenny and Johnny. The field was packed with people, laying and sitting on blankets, eating and drinking. I managed to get to the front so I had a great view!

Honestly, I've never been a fan of Jenny Lewis. I always tease Isaac and Denise for being in love with her but I'm just teasing! I've never been keen on her music! Although I did really like her vocals with The Postal Service. But I really wanted to go to this show to see her live and really decide once and for all. And of course I fall completely in love with her. She's amazing amazing amazing. Seeing her live was one of the greatest shows I've been to. She's so cute and fun and is fantastic when she plays. That whole album she did with Jonathan Rice is GREAT and if you haven't heard it, you should. I'm so glad I ended up going and watching her play because now I have a new girl crush even though I am a million years late. Here are some photos. Elvis Costello showed up and played a song with them.

Lots more Jenny & Johnny photos on my Flickr !

Sunny Clouds

2010-09-30T21:16:00.000-07:00

I love the clothes in this catalog. These are my favorites. I love how the Japanese put things together. Definitely inspirational. And I'm totally coveting a light color parka and a striped black and white dress like those above !

Vintage Dress

2010-09-30T12:01:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I had a swell time with the amazing Ashley and Josh. Oh, before though, I was really craving Mexican food even though all the Mexican food I've tried here in San Francisco I have not liked. A Facebook friend told me about Taqueria Vallarta in the Mission so I looked it up on Yelp and surprisingly it sounded really great so I went and yes it was perfect! Just what I had been craving, something that reminded me of home. Now I know where to go when I am depressed and homesick and crying. I'll just go stuff my face there with tacos and rice.

Afterwards, I met up with Ashely and Josh and their friend and had a nice time walking around the Mission going into thrift stores and an ice cream shop that had amazing ice cream flavors like Mango Rose and Strawberry Mango and Strawberry Rocky Road and other weird flavors. I found this 60s dress. It was the only thing I found but it's probably the best thing I've ever thrifted and it fits me perfectly! I'm super excited because now I have an outfit to wear to the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival going on here in San Francisco this weekend. I'm so excited to see Bonnie "Prince" Billie and Elvis Costello and to hear so many musicians I've never heard of before. It's taking place all weekend in Golden Gate Park and it's free! Plus I will probably wear it on my first day at Anthropologie.

After the Mission we went to a fancy bar to visit another one of their friends who give us lots of free drinks and appetizers. Sangria, some ginger mixed drink, beer, truffle fries, heirloom tomato bruschetta, oysters. I just drank because I was much too full from eating before. But this is why I love hanging out with Ashley and Josh. Not only are they the sweetest people but they are so fun and I always do something I've never done before and meet new people when I am with them.

Apartamento III

2010-09-30T11:53:00.000-07:00

One day I was thrifting in the Mission and found a cute little jar that had a Tea label on it. I came home super excited because I liked it so much and then filled it with Italian cookies instead of tea. Then a couple of days later I went to Japantown and came upon a Japanese dollar store and found the same cute little jars, the rest to the set! The best. The jar with the flower on it is also thrifted. And the little bag is from the Japanese dollar store, as well. I have so many things from there now. I can't help myself. I just load my basket with all sorts of wonderful things.

Apartamento II

2010-09-30T11:29:00.000-07:00

Cute things from the Japanese dollar store: rolling pin and wall hooks !

Apartamento I

2010-09-30T11:10:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite Japanese magazines + dishes from the Japanese dollar store

Leather Camera Strap

2010-09-28T22:04:00.000-07:00

From Acru

Camera Bag I

2010-09-28T21:59:00.000-07:00

From Acru

Red Braided Camera Strap

2010-09-28T21:58:00.002-07:00

Ohhhh how I want this.
From Acru

Camera Accessories

2010-09-28T21:53:00.000-07:00

From Acru

Natura Classica

2010-09-28T21:10:00.000-07:00

Japanese cameras I am coveting from Popeye

Simple Day

2010-09-28T19:19:00.000-07:00

Today I went to Japantown with some friends! I was really craving a crepe and Japanese magazines and dollar stores. I got Volume 10 of Liniere and also ordered the October issue of Fudge as well as their hairstyle book. And then I got a crepe with chocolate, strawberries, bananas and whipped cream! And got some cute things at the dollar store: lunch things, the cutest biscuit shaped wall hooks and a polka dotted make-up bag. I can't get enough of polka dots lately. I go crazy in these Japanese dollar stores but they're the greatest! Afterwards, I came back to my neighborhood and chopped my long hair off spur of the moment! Aye! What did I doooooo? I feel so unattractive now with short hair. I will post photos later. Oh! I got a new dress, I adore it!

Goodbye long hair. : (

Noe Valley

2010-09-24T21:09:00.001-07:00

Nice things; unexpectedly applying at Anthropologie for the hell of it and end up being offered a permanent position (!!!), very happy to finally have a job, exploring San Francisco, Noe Valley today, buying beautiful smelling soaps and shampoos, eating lemon tarts and banana cream tarts with caramel and chocolate shavings at Tartine, thrifting, lots of coffee and desserts in North Beach, being hopeful to finally make some girl friends with the girls at Anthropologie, my amazing writer boyfriend getting a job as a full time reporter at his local newspaper, watching lots of bad television !

Sad things; my ugly hair, my Flickr Pro Account expiring today, not knowing whether I'll be able to go home the whole winter break which I was so looking forward to, getting lost, sometimes still being miserable even though I am trying !

+ Was so happy to find that lovely little hat thrifting one day, it's my favorite

+ The reason why I go all the way to Noe Valley. I love this amazing perfect tiny store filled from floor to ceiling with all sorts of natural and organic and European soaps and shampoos and incense and body powders and skincare and toothpaste and lotions. It is seriously amazing. It's calledCommon Scents and if you should ever come to San Francisco you should go take a look. It's like Merz Apothecary in Chicago which I always loved a lot.

2010-09-16T23:55:00.000-07:00

I got a Pinterest account that I've become obsessed with! It's a lot of fun and totally keeping my mind off the fact that I feel completely beastly. I keep looking at photos of myself that I've posted lately and feeling like I want to delete all my posts. I'm having one of those types of weeks unfortunately. All I've been doing lately is eating junk food and watching bad television. Sigh. Anyway, if you have a Pinterest account you should add me and leave your link in the comments so I can add you as well !

Photos coming soon, I promise. I still have some I have not posted from Santa Cruz. I also need to take photos of all the cute little things I've gotten for my room recently !

2 September 2010

2010-09-02T16:22:00.001-07:00

What I wore today. Taken before awful things started to happen.
Here is a sneak peek of my room + of that awesome blouse I found thrifting in the Mission yesterday.

Flower patterned dress + Anthropologie bow headbandThe weather is beautiful today in San Francisco. Not too hot like yesterday. I woke up this morning excited to go talk to the library director at the AAU library about the part time clerk position I applied to. I'm more than qualified to work there. But when I spoke to her she informed me the position had been filled. I wanted to cry right then and there. I wanted that job so bad, not only because I miss working at a library but because I could be able to go home for winter break and summer break while the school is closed. That was awful thing No. 01 of the day. Awful thing No. 2: I walked right out of there and my phone rings. It's my mother calling to tell me my aunt Lucy who has been battling duodenal stomach cancer for the past two months passed away a few minutes ago. Then I really wanted to start to cry. She was such a strong strong woman and her story was so sad. I will never forget her. She will be in my thoughts always. :( Awful thing No. 3: I needed to go to the UPS store which was far away to pick up my textbooks that got delivered yesterday but weren't dropped off because I wasn't here. Blah! I got on the bus and never got to my destination. I rode the bus all the way to it's last stop when I realized (because the driver told me) that I took the bus in the wrong direction! Aye! So I had to go allthe way back and finally got my package.

It's been a long and stressful day but I am about to leave to go meet up with Kaila and her mother for dinner at an amazing sounding restaurant called Nopalito's. I am excited and I hope this will cheer me up. Nice people and good food.

28 August 2010

2010-08-28T21:23:00.000-07:00

Old photos from Texas
What a slow slow day. I've had the apartment to myself this weekend which has made me depressed. Of course. I had been inside all day doing this and that. Breakfast and internet and reading and a nap and washing dishes and lunch and more internet and more reading and another nap. It all gave me a headache. I cried for a bit from being completely alone in this city, without Isaac. I knew I had to leave the apartment just for a little bit so I thought I'd go get a cappuccino. I walked around a bit trying to decide on one because in North Beach there are so many. I finally picked one and went inside and had a strong strong cappuccino and a berry torte. I read Asimov for a bit then walked home. That hour long excursion did me good but it didn't take long for me to get back in a depressed state of mind. I've kind of been avoiding listening to music because everything reminds me of Isaac but I just did. An Arcade Fire song, Sprawl II, one of his favorite songs. He does this silly little dance when it comes on. Always makes me giggle a lot. So I listened to it and just burst into tears. Blah. I knew this wasn't going to be easy but why is it so hard?

On a happier note, last night I went to my first San Francisco show at Bimbo's 365. Cap'n Jazz. Reunion tour. As you can imagine, it was amazing. I'm glad they were my first San Francisco show. I love you Tim Kinsella. Thanks for making me feel a little bit happy.

Seaside

2010-08-28T20:49:00.000-07:00

Driving along Highway 1 to Santa Cruz. The coastline is exhilarating. And scary.
Excuse my messy hair. I look like a crazy lady.

I hadn't seen much of California besides Berkeley and San Francisco but seeing this really made me fall so much in love with this state. It's probably the most beautiful thing I have seen in my life thus far. If you ever get the chance to drive along Highway 1, DO IT. I had the best time. I only wish Isaac had been there to marvel along with me. I miss him with all my heart.

Hello San Francisco

2010-08-27T12:27:00.000-07:00

Here I am...living in San Francisco, in an old but cute apartment, with an awesome girl. My parents just left yesterday after being here with me a week and now it's really starting to feel like I'm actually living here and not just visiting. Something I've wanted to do for years if you've been following my LJ ages ago. I miss my boy so much. Living in a big city is so tiring. You're always bustling around. And that's because I haven't even started classes yet or working!

Last Sunday I went to a flea market and then thrifting in the Mission with Josh and Ashley, some of my old LJ friends. I adore them. And the flea market was a lot of fun! I got a few nice things for my room. I'll have to take some photos of my room. It's coming along nicely, I think. It's so wonderful to finally have a nice room. I want to make it fantastic and be proud of it. I've been browsing books at Kinokuniya. They have this really great book series of photos from rooms around the world (Paris, London, Sweden) but I've forgotten the name of them.

On Wednesday I went to Santa Cruz, drove along Highway 1. I'll post those photos soon. Until then, have nice days! P.S. I promise I'll be blogging a lot more now that I am settled in!

+ Today's breakfast // The best jam in the universe, sourdough toast, cereal and orange juice on thrifted and Anthropologie dishes

An Update

2010-08-10T22:43:00.000-07:00

Dear friends,
I apologize for the long absence from my blog. You see, I am moving to San Francisco in eight days and for the past month I have been spending my days with Isaac and my family. My grandmother has been here for the past two weeks which has been so great. It makes me happy spending this last month in Texas with her. I am freaking out a little bit. Sometimes I lay in bed sobbing with Isaac because I'm frightened about leaving him and our life here but I know this is something I have to do and it's something great. I'm barely starting to pack. This past weekend I had a garage sale and was able to sell much of my wardrobe. I'm only going to San Francisco with two suitcases of just my favorite things. Sadly, I'm unable to take my 100+ books which is completely devastating! My parents are going to have to ship them box by box over the the remainder of the year. I'm also leaving behind all my paper things, fabrics and records. I'm going to arrive in San Francisco with nothing but suitcases of clothes which is a bit depressing. I don't even have a bed or a pillow to sleep on when I get there. Thankfully, Kaila has gotten us a couch which is big enough for me to sleep on. That weekend I'll go shopping for room things which is going to be so fun, no doubt. Sigh. This is a huge huge step for me. I'm fulfilling a dream. I just hope I can be happy there without Isaac and my family. I know I'll miss them so much but I have to be strong (raising my fists!) and I know I'll be okay.

Other than this Isaac and I have been cooking and baking with each other every day. Laying in bed and loving. Spending as much time together as possible. Thursday is my last day at the library and it's so sad. I'm going to miss working at a library so much, so so much. I have half the mind to march straight to the library when I get to San Francisco and demand that they hire me because no one loves books and is as awesome a library clerk as I am! Anyway, I have no plans for my last few days here except maybe go to the beach one last time with Isaac and his friends. Hopefully that will happen.

Nice things lately: making strawberry pies with my three year old niece because they are her absolute favorite and she asks me to make them for her, listening to the new National record which is amazing especially Lemonworld, getting rid of clothes and having my wardrobe very minimal and it's refreshing, watching Torchwood and Doctor Who and other sci-fi shows with Isaac, etc...etc. I have to sleep now. It's late but I'll try and update a few more times before I leave and then definitely post photos of my new home in San Francisco once I get there.

P.S. I have also renamed my blog to just "Cotton-Hearted", which has been the address of my blog since I started it, instead of "Diminuta Diminuta" so if you have linked me on yours you may go ahead and update that if you wish. I also tweaked my layout a bit to something more simple. Hope it looks all right!

P.P.S. I've gotten a new Facebook so if you'd like to be friends just add me and let me know you read my blog and I will add you right away! facebook.com/cottonhearted

Striped Sweater

2010-08-10T21:58:00.001-07:00

I had forgotten how inspiring I find Korean fashion.

Pink Shorts

2010-08-10T21:51:00.001-07:00

Sessun

2010-08-10T21:38:00.000-07:00

Still into summer wardrobes even though fall is on it's way!
Sessun

Rachel Comey Bags

2010-08-10T21:34:00.000-07:00

Rachel Comey, I love you.

Filson Bags

2010-08-10T21:26:00.000-07:00

Perfect for university, I think.

Filson

Cabin Daydreaming

2010-07-25T16:30:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile! Lately I've been doing nothing but spending time with Isaac, always always. We don't do much going out anymore but instead spend all day and night at my home baking or cooking, watching television, just doing anything and everything together because I am leaving soon and then there will be no more us time for months. It's a bit heartbreaking but I really must follow my dreams and all that bit. The other day we made two pies, two! A lemon meringue and a banana caramel, both firsts for me. Lemon meringues are so lovely looking. Making homemade caramel is fun and so rewarding but do not dip your finger in it while it's cooking, or even for a long time after, to try it. I really wanted a taste and ended up burning the tip of my finger badly.

I've also been daydreaming about Wisconsin in winter. It's so extremely humid and hot right now that I just stay in my dark room and look up photos of winter cabins on Flickr. I really really want to take a winter break trip to Wisconsin. Just Isaac and I in a cabin wearing wool sweaters and long johns. I'd love to see Isaac in a fur lined parka and cable knit sweaters and knitted hats and boots and all that handsome woodsy man clothing. We could make food together and play cards, read and watch seasons of The X-Files. Make trips to the town and eat at a dinner or go to a coffee shop. And of course listen to Bon Iver and Deyarmond Edison. I mean how could we not? This is all started with music like that. Maybe not this winter but next, for sure. Does anyone know of any great little hip Wisconsin towns where we could rent a cabin in the woods? The town Justin Vernon is from seems nice!

- via amythyst_lake

- via mellotroniac

P.S. Ask me anything and everything! I'm going to be quite bored tonight and I'd love to answer any of your questions.

In The Sun

2010-07-05T09:58:00.000-07:00

Isaac and I hardly have Saturdays off, usually we are both working or one of us is working and the other is at home but we had so much fun this past Saturday because we both were off. Old favorite thrift stores I hadn't been to in awhile, peach cobbler, beautiful vintage apron and pillboxes, amazing little vintage picnic basket for $1.50, a used bookstore and old science fiction novels, taking Ender with us everywhere, picnic at the park on Mexican blankets, sandwiches and chips and iced tea, apples and bananas and music playing in the background. Summer camp and Deyarmond Edison and Children of the Moon and Lazaro and Alfonso el Pintor and Buffalo Moon and Taken by Trees. Cloud-gazing and sleepiness. I wish every Saturday could be like that. We want to do it again next Saturday except this time with all his friend which means even more Mexican blankets and more food and maybe one of those BBQ pits you put on the ground where we could make hotdogs!

+ Vintage picnic basket, should have taken a photo of the inside

+ My favorite new purse

+ Ender was named after the boy in Ender's Game!

Coconut Cream Pie

2010-06-29T17:58:00.000-07:00

So we were able to finish the pie + take photos before daylight ran out.
Here's the Coconut Cream Pie for Isaac's sister-in-law. It looks so cute!

I look not cute but hey, I'm wearing my favorite new dress!
Isaac and I have been in the kitchen all day. Now he's making Asian stir fry.

Stacks of Cookies

2010-06-29T16:29:00.000-07:00

I was going to write a nice long entry but I've just gotten some bad news and now, truthfully, I'm not in the mood. I'll keep this short and sweet though. On another note, everyone in the city is getting ready for Hurricane Alex which may, or may not, hit us. It was and now apparently it's veered off so we are not sure. Are Isaac and I preparing? No! We are baking! Together we made a Coconut Cream Pie for his sister-in-law. After she tried some of my baking she really wanted me to make her something and she loves Coconut Cream Pie so that is what we made. I've never made it before but it was simple and hopefully she likes it! I have the filling chilling in the fridge. After that I made Double Deluxe Chocolate Cookies from the Tartine book. They're mine and my mother's favorite! They are perfect and soft and chewy and extremely rich. I used Guittard chocolate for these which I think is my new favorite baking chocolate. I made so many so now we have stacks and stacks of them!

I shall take some to the library tomorrow for my coworkers. They'll be very happy with that. Hopefully Isaac can take a photos of the pie when he takes it to his sister-in-law tomorrow so that I may post them here for you to see. I'll be sure to tell him.

Rocky Road Brownies

2010-06-24T16:26:00.000-07:00

Last night I made some brownies and topped them with marshmallows, dark chocolate chips and walnuts. I used organic eggs, sugar and flour and lots of delicious dark chocolate and they came out wonderful. I had one and then by the time I came home a bit ago there were only three left! I suppose they were a success! So all I had were three to photograph but I hope you enjoy them! I used the Baked: New Frontiers in Baking book which is one of my favorite baking books.

Pizza in North Beach

2010-06-23T19:36:00.000-07:00

The night before we left my Dad and I went to North Beach to try one of the pizzerias. Kaila recommended Tony's Pizza Napoletana and it was super fantastic. We had their signature Margherita pizza of which they only make 73 a day. We also got the garlic bread as an appetizer and I had a drink of which I have forgotten the name of but it had ginger beer, orange and lemon juice, Sailor Jerry rum, and Navan cognac. Made me perfectly happy. :) The whole dinner was just delicious and authentic and just very very good. I'm glad it's about a four minute walk from where I'm going to be living. Enjoy the photos! They are making me crave it once again!

Saturday in San Francisco

2010-06-20T13:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday mornings my Dad and I had pastries and coffee at a small Italian cafe on Union Square. I've forgotten what it was called though but they have great coffee and orange juice and pastries! Afterwards I finally saw the apartment that is going to be my new home in San Francisco and I met Kaila who is going to be my new roommate. The apartment is small and cute and the neighborhood seems to be very quiet which I like a lot! And if you walk just around the corner you hit North Beach. So North Beach is going to be my neighborhood and I'm glad of it. It's like an Italian cafe and bakery heaven. I don't think I could be happier anywhere else! It's so charming. I'm so lucky to have met a wonderful girl who is offering me a really nice room! We had coffee and talked for a couple of hours. I'll be moving over here mid-August. We just booked our flight! I couldn't be happier.

+ View from the deck of my soon to be apartment

Afterwards, I convinced my dad to finally take me to Baby Blue BBQ out in Bernal Heights almost the Mission District, I think. I had wanted to go last summer but it's really quite out of the way so no one ever wanted to go. This time I made him though! I just really like BBQ and have never tried BBQ from San Francisco so I was excited. It's a really nice restaurant and the food was good but not as amazing as I had hoped. I was dismayed when they brought out my brisket sandwich because it wasn't sliced brisket but rather like chopped brisket mixed with BBQ sauce which I reaaaaally don't like. They also top the sandwich was coleslaw which I don't like either so I was glad I saw beforehand and was able to tell him not to put any of that on. I was surprised that I actually liked it but I think it had mostly to do with the fact that they put it on a delicious baked bread bun. My dad had the ribs (which I tried and liked, as well) and also the pulled pork. We went during lunch when they had their lunch specials. The sandwiches come with a drink and a side and my dad's platter came with a side and cornbread. All the sides seem to be really yummy but I didn't very much like the smoked chicken rice. Flavorless, really. My dad loved his baked beans and cornbread though. Afterwards, I really wanted to try the Peach Betty dessert but they didn't have it that day, so disappointed! Anyway, overall, it was good. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat there but if I were in the area and was craving BBQ, I'd go!

After breakfast

2010-06-18T22:15:00.000-07:00

Then it was time for Japantown, one of my favorite parts of San Francisco. I love walking around the area and going to the mall which has nice little Japanese shops and lots of food cafes and restaurants. The whole area is very quiet and relaxing, very much different than Chinatown which is bustling! It's more my type of place.

There are so many paper shops filled with notebooks and folders, staplers and erasers, stationary sets and stickers and paper clips and pens. Everyone knows I'm obsessed with paper things. There's this really really cute garden store filled with green things and flowers from top to bottom. And a shop with beautiful paper lanterns, flower printed beauties. And, of course, Kinokuniya. A bookstore filled with amazing amazing Japanese books and magazines and other things. I love perusing their shelves looking for some of my favorite magazines, Fudge and Come Home!. They have a really great craft and sewing section and fantastic books on home interiors. I could be in there for hours and spend hundreds of dollars. I saw so many things I wanted to buy the hour I was there in Japantown but I resisted and was strong (even though I usually am not) because I knew I'd end up having to pack all this stuff up and bring it back when I come to live here. Can't wait till I can move in so I can go back and buy the lanterns and some pretty plants for my room. I did buy an Aranzi Aronzo tote bag, a gingham bow headband and the new issue of Fudge.

I also stopped by the store, New People which is fairly new I believe. At least it wasn't open when I was here last summer. I heard about it awhile back and couldn't wait to stop by. It's a multilevel store with things imported from Japan. They have two Japanese brands featured, Baby The Stars Shine Bright and Black Peace Now. They aren't my style at all but definitely interesting to look at! They also carry items by one of my favorite Japanese brands, Fog Linen. And they have a cafe and another level where they sell books and paper things and gadgets and another is an art space. And the bottom level is a movie theatre where they play Japanese films. It's such a neat place!

On the way to the hotel I saw a cupcake bakery and couldn't resist buying a mini lemon raspberry cupcake!

Afterwards, we went to Hayes Valley which is a beautiful area, as well. There are really nice boutiques but they are pricey. Beautiful clothes and shoes though! And lots of good things to eat! I passed by a macaron shop and had to stop and pick one out. I couldn't decide on a flavor! They were all beautiful. The lemon macaron had a beautiful yellow color but I decided to go with the almond one. It was heavenly!

I passed by Miette, another bakery I like, but was too full of sweet things to stop in. We walked around Union Square for a bit more and had dinner which I didn't photograph and now I am at the hotel, in bed, and my legs ache. I am not sure what is happening tomorrow. I know I am going to go see my apartment but afterwards I'm not sure. We had wanted to go to the Ferry Plaza farmer's market in the morning but I am not sure if we are. I also want to go to the Mission District for vintage stores and Tartine and I'd like to go around Haight. We'll see but expect more photos tomorrow!

Dottie's True Blue Cafe

2010-06-18T22:03:00.000-07:00

So I am in San Francisco for the weekend to meet Kaila and see my new apartment. That is tomorrow. Of course, I had to go eat at Dottie's the first morning here in San Francisco. I started with a slice of banana honey nut bread and black coffee. Then I ordered their ginger pancakes which were the inspiration for my own! I get the same thing every time! The whole wheat pancakes spiced with ginger and cinnamon. They are my favorite pancakes in the universe! And really worth the one hour wait in line. My dad tried the french toast which he really loved, as well. And I had probably the best breakfast ham I've ever tasted. I'll go to Dottie's always.

Tuesday Edition: On My Bookshelf

2010-06-15T16:47:00.000-07:00

From now on, I'll be having little segments about books every Tuesdays which I shall call On My Bookshelf. I am exponentially creative with coming up with names! I just read and collect books so very much and am always discovering gems of them that I want to share with other people those which I have found, whether I've read them yet or not and I think you should read as well. I hope you enjoy these bits.

The Book of Heroes by Miyuki Miyabe // A young girl travels into a magical world to save her brother from real-world bullies. When her brother Hiroki disappears after a violent altercation with school bullies, the young Yukiro finds a magical book in his room. The book leads her to another world where she learns that Hiroki has been possessed b a spirit from the Book of Heroes. She visits the magical Nameless Land, where she is told how to save her brother, and is sent back to Earth with a young monk named Sora and the magical book, now a mouse named Azu. Yuri has to piece together the mystery of Horiko, and has a library of pwerful magic books at her disposal to do so! When her brother Hiroki disappears after a violent altercation with school bullies, the young Yukiro finds a magical book in his room. The book leads her to another world where she learns that Hiroki has been possessed b a spirit from the Book of Heroes. She visits the magical Nameless Land, where she is told how to save her brother, and is sent back to Earth with a young monk named Sora and the magical book, now a mouse named Azu. Yuri has to piece together the mystery of Horiko, and has a library of pwerful magic books at her disposal to do so!

If You Follow Me: A Novel by Malena Watrous // Hoping to outpace her grief in the wake of her father's suicide, Marina has come to the small, rural Japanese town of Shika to teach English for a year. But in Japan, as she soon discovers, you can never really throw away your past . . . or anything else, for that matter. If You Follow Me is at once a fish-out-of-water tale, a dark comedy of manners, and a strange kind of love story. Alive with vibrant and unforgettable characters—from an ambitious town matchmaker to a high school student-cum-rap artist wannabe with an addiction to self-tanning lotion—it guides readers over cultural bridges even as it celebrates the awkward, unlikely triumph of the human spirit.

The Russian Dreambook of Color and Flight by Gina Oschner // At the center of Flannery O'Conner Award–winning Ochsner's debut novel (after collection People I Wanted to Be) is a decaying five-story building in a Khrushchev-era slum whose residents navigate the absurdities of post-Soviet life by immersing themselves in dreams. There's Olga, a translator and sometimes censor at the Red Star; her idiot son, Yuri, who represses his memories of Chechnya with a perpetually worn Cosmonaut helmet; the bathroom-attendant Azade, who knows the dreams of others by the scent of their leavings; and Tanya, a hat-check girl at the All-Russia All-Cosmopolitan Museum of Art, who records her dreams of clouds and air travel in a notebook. When news arrives that the museum may be eligible for a grant, Tanya and Yuri are charged with forging works of art, like Peter the Great's fetus collection and a saintly halo. Meanwhile, Olga fears her son will be forced to fight again in Chechnya. Though Ochsner struggles in places to expand and sustain the energy of her short stories, the novel benefits from its relative plotlessness by granting a rare glimpse of buoyant inner worlds that flourish through the frost.

The Bigness of the World by Lori Ostlund // Ostlund's remarkable debut collection deftly navigates the treacherous shoals of decaying relationships in which the protagonists often escape to faraway lands in order to find themselves, or, at the very least, their partners. Fate, for the globe-trotting teacher-entrepreneur of And Down We Went, takes the form of an untimely bird dropping; in Bed Death, it is a Malay waitress who casually takes a sip of orange juice from the narrator's glass. Ostlund's artful prose is playfully complex and illuminating, evocative and unsentimental, as in Upon the Completion of Baldness, in which the narrator's girlfriend returns home from a trip completely bald. Remarks the narrator, the chilly desert air seemed to startle her as though, in that moment, she realized that there was a price to be paid for having no hair, and while I still said nothing, I was happy to see her suffer just a bit. A specific disenchantment inhabits these stories—the disenchantment of the uncompromising romantic confronted with the evaporative nature of love. Each piece is sublime.

Hotel Iris: A Novel by Yoko Ogawa // Ogawa (The Housekeeper and the Professor) explores the power of words to allure and destroy in this haiku-like fable of love contorted into obsession. One rainy evening, Mari, a downtrodden 17-year-old who helps her demanding mother run a seedy seaside hotel, overhears a middle-aged male guest ordering an offended prostitute to be silent. In the days that follow, every word—both spoken and conveyed in surreptitious letters—from this man, a hack translator who may have killed his wife, gradually and inexorably leads Mari to submit to his every sadistic desire. Ogawa's relentlessly spare prose captures both Mari's yearning for her lost father and the translator's bipolar oscillation between insecure tenderness and meticulously modulated rage. As this savage novel drives to its inevitable conclusion, Mari's world collapses around her in both a terrifying bang and a pitiful whimper.

Spooky Little Girl: A Novel by Laurie Notaro // Death is what happens while you’re busy making other plans. Coming home from a Hawaiian vacation with her best girlfriends, Lucy Fisher is stunned to find everything she owns tossed out on her front lawn, the locks changed, and her fiancé’s phone disconnected—plus she’s just lost her job. With her world spinning wildly out of her control, Lucy decides to make a new start and moves upstate to live with her sister and nephew. But then things take an even more dramatic turn: A fatal encounter with public transportation lands Lucy not in the hereafter but in the nearly hereafter. She’s back in school, learning the parameters of spooking and how to become a successful spirit in order to complete a ghostly assignment. If Lucy succeeds, she’s guaranteed a spot in the next level of the afterlife—but until then, she’s stuck as a ghost in the last place she would ever want to be. Trying to avoid being trapped on earth for all eternity, Lucy crosses the line between life and death and back again when she returns home. Navigating the perilous channels of the paranormal, she’s determined to find out why her life crumbled and why, despite her ghastly death, no one seems to have noticed she’s gone. But urgency on the spectral plane—in the departed person of her feisty grandmother, who is risking both their eternal lives—requires attention, and Lucy realizes that you get only one chance to be spectacular in death.

There Once Lived a Woman Who Tried to Kill Her Neighbor's Baby: Scary Fairy Tales by Ludmilla Petrushevskaya // Masterworks of economy and acuity, these brief, trenchant tales by Russian author and playwright Petrushevskaya, selected from her wide-ranging but little translated oeuvre over the past 30 years, offer an enticement to English readers to seek out more of her writing. The tales explore the inexplicable workings of fate, the supernatural, grief and madness, and range from adroit, straightforward narratives to bleak fantasy. Frequently on display are the decrepit values of the Soviet system, as in The New Family Robinson, where a family tries to outsmart everyone by relocating to a ramshackle cabin in the country. Domestic problems get powerful and tender treatment; in My Love, a long-suffering wife and mother triumphs over her husband's desire for another woman. Darker material dominates the last section of the book, with tortuous stories, heavy symbolism and outright weirdness leading to strange and unexpected places. Petrushevskaya's bold, no-nonsense portrayals find fresh, arresting expression in this excellent translation.

The Girl with Glass Feet: A Novel by Ali Shaw // Strange things are happening on the remote and snowbound archipelago of St. Hauda’s Land. Unusual winged creatures flit around the icy bogland, albino animals hide themselves in the snow-glazed woods, and Ida Maclaird is slowly turning into glass. Ida is an outsider in these parts, a mainlander who has visited the islands only once before. Yet during that one fateful visit the glass transformation began to take hold, and now she has returned in search of a cure. Midas Crook is a young loner who has lived on the islands his entire life. When he meets Ida, something about her sad, defiant spirit pierces his emotional defenses. As Midas helps Ida come to terms with her affliction, she gradually unpicks the knots of his heart. Love must be paid in precious hours and, as the glass encroaches, time is slipping away fast. Will they find a way to stave off the spread of the glass? The Girl with Glass Feet is a dazzlingly imaginative and magical first novel, a love story to treasure.

Two Year Anniversary

2010-06-14T15:57:00.000-07:00

Isaac and I had our two year anniversary this past weekend and, like last year, we went to the beach. It was super nice! The water was cold and the sun was out but the air was fresh and it was lovely. We ate junk food and he took lots of photos of me and we laid on the ground and fell asleep for a bit and then we woke up and we went to the water but he was too baby to go in since it was really cold. I just jumped in though and let the waves splash all over me. I love being in the water. I told him I want to go to the beach every weekend!

Strawberry Graham Cracker Pie

2010-06-01T16:44:00.000-07:00

This is my go to pie when I want something sweet very very quickly which I really did last night. Usually I make tiny individual strawberry pies but this time I made a normal sized one. Home-made whipped cream is so fun to make and so pretty and so good you could just scoop it out with your finger and eat it all in one sitting. I cannot tell you just how much better this stuff is than what they sell in a can or tub at your grocery store. Why do they even exist when home-made whipped cream takes ten minutes to make and is exponentially better?! Just one of the mysteries of life! After I finished making this, Isaac and I settled into bed with a big piece to share and watched The X-Files. Perfect.

Now, I don't really have a standard recipe for this but let me tell you want you need and what you need to do. Get a box or a box and a half of strawberries depending on how many strawberries you want. Cut them into quarters and set aside. For the whipped cream, pour half the carton of heavy whipping cream (or the whole thing if you want lots of whipped cream) in a mixing bowl. Add powdered sugar depending on how sweet you want it. I usually put 1/2 cup. At this point, you could add whatever flavors and spices you want to the liquid mixture. For this pie, I add a teaspoon of vanilla and sprinkle in cinnamon and ginger. Like I said, no exact measurements here. It just depends how you want it to taste! With a standing mixer on medium speed beat until the mixture gets light and fluffy and thick, like clouds. You'll know when it's ready!

Set out your graham cracker pie crust. I buy mine from the grocery store. I don't even bother making it from scratch. Fill the inside with your cut strawberries. Top with that heavenly whipped cream and voila! Make sure you keep the pie in the refrigerator! I know this isn't a usual recipe but feel free to ask me questions if you have any. Next time I'll make sure to actually write down exact measurements.

Kitchen note: I know some, or maybe most, strawberry pies have a strawberry glaze but I don't like glaze. I don't like the consistency and I don't like it in my pie so I omit it. It seems really unnecessary to me. Fresh strawberries, crumbly graham and deliciously light whipped cream is perfect as is, simple. However, if you think it needs it, I'm sure you can find a recipe for strawberry glaze somewhere online.

Also, I cannot tell you how GOOD this pie is. And so so easy to make. You'll be eating it in 15 minutes. It's the perfect summer pie and the perfect thing to take to summer BBQs and picnics. I hope you try it!