Stanford Memorial Chapel

On a lovely spring night I drove down to the Stanford Campus to hear the University of Michigan Mens Glee Club perform. The performance was in the Stanford Memorial Chapel.

It was a fabulous night spent with good friends, amazing music in a gorgeous setting. (My pictures don't do it justice).

Manmercial's

This is the ONLY commercial I have not fast forwarded thru, in fact I watched it twice and my throat hurts from the laughter. Old Spice is killing me with their new campaign... maybe just maybe, they will no longer be known as the "old man" cologne.

Project

I have a problem, I like costume jewelry A LOT, because of this I have more than enough pieces. Another problem is I have no place to put it. I have been thinking about a cheap solution and came up with what I think is a great idea.

I bought an $8 cork board and some cute tacks and hung some of my necklaces on it. It turned out well. I think I will get a cute piece of fabric to finish the look.

Before... it doesn't usually look this bad, I have been pretty lazy with it lately.

After...Hopefully I can keep the organization up.

For now I like it, I just need to figure out were to hang it.

Darling

My dear friend AH knows me all to well, she is also an amazing gift giver. Recently I opened a couple of gifts from her that I love! Isn't this headband adorable? It really is divine and I love wearing it. Thanks A!

Recently went on a shopping trip with Marielle and A-gril. It was my day because I managed to find some pretty great things at decent prices. A new pair of jeans, a couple of sweaters, a cute top, a great dress, pair of heels and a load of jewelry. Yeah it was a good day for me and the best part was spending it with amazing friends!

One of my new pieces of jewelry. It is so pretty and it was super cheap. I found a new place to get jewelry; Charlotte Russe, really you can't go wrong when it is $7.99, can you?

Oh yeah so because everything was so cheap and bought a few items.

Look at these stunners. Yep I fell in love when I saw them, it didn't hurt either that they were on super sale.

Georgetown

If I were rich, and I am not, I would live in Georgetown. Yes the parking may be a pain, but I would be rich and have a garage. I would live in a restored Colonial, possibly the light yellow one I saw for sale. I would meet my Sister in Law for Cupcakes, jog along the canal, hang out with my brother at cool hipster design shops, throw amazing dinner parties. Yep If I were rich that is where I would live.

My last few hours in D.C. were spent eating, shopping and walking the streets of Georgetown. It is a good way to end a vacation.

Now who wouldn't want to have a photo op in front of Reindeer topiaries. This is for you Mom.

Yummy lunch. This is Melissa's so I guess she should clarify if it was yummy or not. It looked good to me.

My new favorite ally. It has all of the home/furniture design shops.

The water froze with snowflake imprints. It was pretty cool. Of course it is the oil/pollution in the water causing the effect (not cool).

The Canal. It's empty now by fills up in the spring.

Don't love me in the picture but Brooke all of a sudden was determined that I take a photo next to the blue house with red door. I complied considering I made her pose in front of Reindeer topiary.

A Very New York Christmas

If you have yet to spend a Christmas in New York City you must put it on your priority list. Even though it was rainy and cold I was loving it! It could have been the fact that our hotel was in Tribeca, or that our hotel room was huge compared to the usual fare in NYC, or that I was with some of my favorite people. I need to go back not for Times Square, Rockefeller, Lady Liberty but to soak in the amazing architecture. I just want to walk around and gaze upward for days. Does that sound crazy to you? It sounds like heaven to me!

The above photo is out of sequence and is not the most flattering photo of either of us. This was the last day and after a FREEZING and rainy walk to Central Park, we walked a few yards in, posed for the photo and promptly hailed a cab.

As with most of my travel/vacation posts this will be filled with pictures.

We left D.C. super early on Christmas Eve (My watch was still on CA time and when I woke it was 2:30 am talk about painful). The east coast is so beautiful which made the drive bearable. We arrived, checked in and went to lunch at a French Bistro it was perfect.

My family grew up on White Christmas. I used to fantasize that I would grow up to be as beautiful as Rosemary Clooney (Betty), so it was pretty thoughtful when Brooke purchased tickets for us to see the Broadway show. Loved it!

After the show. Melissa cracks me up!

We walked up to Rockefeller Center just to say we did. IT WAS CROWDED!

We then walked down 5th Ave or maybe it was 7th to Central Park. The city was so gorgeous!

We then went back to Tribeca and celebrated Christmas Eve at an Indian Restaurant. It was really great food and a quite night considering by that time most people were at home instead of out wandering the streets.

Loved the lights in the restaurant. I want a set and must find them!

Christmas morning was really quite in the city. The only places open were Jewish Deli's and an Amish market. We had the best bagels for breakfast and wandered over to the site of the former World Trade Center. It is under construction now and you can't see much. Plus there are sooo many peddlers, it made it more of a circus than a memorial.

A pause to put socks on, it was so hot in the hotel room that the thought of putting on socks and a coat was not pleasant. I finally cooled down. Behind me was this guy possible girl dressed in a Panda costume. No one was going near it. It was somewhat pathetic. I guess it thought that if it hung out near the WTC site people would want a photo op with it. I couldn't bring myself to take a picture, it felt cruel to make fun of its loneliness.

We wandered down to the Staten Island ferry. If you want to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis island but don't have time or want to spend the money. Take the Ferry, it is free, fast and it sails right by both of them.

The Lady

I love this photo and the different architecture era's shown. From the 1770's to the late 20th century. This is why I can spend days walking around this city.

On our way back to the Hotel, Dave just happened to glance down one of the many streets and saw Les Halles. It was a giddy moment! We walked down to see if they were open and made reservations for Christmas dinner.

Les Halles is owned by Anthony Bourdain and my siblings and I LOVE him. The chance to dine at one of his was nothing short of a little fanatical fan worthy.

Of course it decided to rain as we walked from the Hotel so the hair didn't hold up. I didn't care I was eating some amazing food. We were all very content!

David had to take a picture of his dinner.

Saturday we had tickets to see the Tim Burton exhibit at the MOMA. We packed up, ate breakfast, the best French toast I have had and took the cab ride to end all cab rides for Melissa. My sister gets motion sick and it didn't help that the driver was insane. We made it in one piece and she managed not to throw up.

What we could see of the exhibit was pretty cool but it was body to body. It would be nice to be able to see it without anyone else.

If you know me well, you know why I like this.

On the way home. It was a parking lot and took a lot longer than planned. It was not a happy time in the car for any of us.

I loved spending Christmas in NYC! It was a really fast trip but I loved every moment.

Quilts In Trees

Alden Lane Nursery in Livermore presents a Quilt show one weekend every year. A few of the Quilting Ladies at Church have gone in the past. This year I joined, granted I am not a quilter and the youngest in the group, I am glad I went.

My Aunts quilt and though I love to see their work, I have little will power to take it on myself, maybe one day when I get a place with a bit more closet space. (my tiny closet barely fits my clothes).

Not only were the Quilts gorgeous but the setting was enchanting. The old Oaks curling and bending gave off a surreal view, the flowers and plants at the nursery were gorgeous. I was in picture heaven as you can see below.

One day I would love to walk through with my Aunts, I really think they would be in heaven.

I loved this massive oak, it's branches twisting into roots

How could you not love a Tomato and Peppers with arms and legs made out of garden hose.

If you get a chance and you are in the Bay area it is a great way to spend a fall morning. You should plan on it next year.