Living In. . .

Living In. . .

Today I am feeling dreamy.  The weather here has plateaued at 75 degrees with a slight breeze and plenty of sunshine.  The most stressful month of my job is over.  Feels a little like smooth sailing.  I'm sure after saying this I'll come in to work tomorrow and find a big dead water buffalo on my desk, but for the moment I am relaxed and loving life.

One of my favorite sites, Design Sponge has a series known as "Living In" where she picks classic movies (or just ones with awesome scenery) and sets up a design look with products in keeping with the style of the movie.  Her selections make you feel as if you are "Living In" whatever movie she chooses that week. So far I have lived in Out of Africa, Romeo & Juliet, and today's gorgeous display from Gosford Park.

With my lackadaisical mood today it was beyond easy for me to float away into these cinematic scenes.  I decided to make a "Living In" of my own based off where I wish I could be on such sleepy days. . .
If anyone is rich and wants to buy any of this, here you go.

Christmas Wrap-Up, Unwrapped.

Christmas Wrap-Up, Unwrapped.

I can't believe it's been almost a month with no posting! Time flies when you're having fun, getting sick, celebrating, driving, visiting and becoming overwhelmed by holiday festivities.   I just wanted to post a little slide show of what I've been up to. From making my first escargot to picking up some Chinese food on the eve of Christmas Eve and all the champagne and Christmas cookies in between, I've been a busy lady.

Thank goodness all the presents are unwrapped and the god-awful gifts exchanged so I can go back to my slothful ways. . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Millions of Posts, for Holiday Hosts

Millions of Posts, for Holiday Hosts

Every year, the only thing left standing between Christmas and me around November time is Thanksgiving.  Having quashed that foe with my iron-chef fist, I have been free to unleash my Christmas madness around the house. 

It's not even December 1st yet and I already destroyed the house with my herculean Christmas cheer.  What fun! I swear, if only scientists could create a nuclear bomb and fill it with Christmas confetti I would be the first to press the big red button. That's right, I went there. Solution to world war? I think so.

 

 

 

Happy Holidays.

Happy Holidays.

   I need a hot-toddy and a claymation marathon.  This can only mean one thing: it is officially the holiday season. Seriously claymation Christmas shows are the best thing ever. Frosty? Rudolph? Baby Santa? You can't get any more classic than that. When I watch them, I feel like I time traveled back to the sixties and my mom is going to come at me for shooting my eye out with the BB gun I just got from Santa. She'll then go back to making liver with onions and drinking gin martinis while wearing a flower covered apron.  I'll cry, and then ask her if when I grow up I can drink gin too.

    The reality is that my boyfriend will probably be mocking my nostalgia and I'll be guzzling red wine. . . Oh the holidays.

  You really must try drinking and watching holiday shows, and if you're not into TV but you still need help taking a stroll down holiday lane. . . check out these songs

The Thanksgiving Fairy Came a Few Days Early. . .

The Thanksgiving Fairy Came a Few Days Early. . .

So in my pursuit to become to the next Food Network, HGTV, TLC, Travel Channel, and Good Morning America star I go to many lengths.  This includes attempting a scrumptious holiday meal long before the holiday arrives! This year I will be heading home to the San Fernando Valley to spend Thanksgiving with my mom, my new nephew and my extended family (aka best friend ever).  Since my friend is hosting the occasion and has everything under wraps and under control I won't be cooking anything for this Thursday's upcoming feast.

But since my gastronomic pride won't let me go without celebrating this holiday by cooking I decided to make a pseudo-Thanksgiving feast tonight for me and my bf.  Since I am a fan of all things cute I have been dying to attempt Cornish Game Hens and tonight seemed the perfect excuse.  Using a recipe from allrecipes.com for Rosemary-Garlic Cornish Game Hens I was able to prepare a meal fit for kings, or hungry post-collegiate bourgeoisie.

Served with Garlic Mashed Potatoes (gasp-- I know that's a lot of garlic, but damn good!) and a goat cheese with dried cranberries salad topped with balsamic vinaigrette this was one of my best meals yet.

Although it sounds very garlicky, I promise it's not.  The hens come out with the subtle but delicious flavor of rosemary, lemon, garlic and white wine.  When you eat them you don't think "garlic".  The potatoes hold a strong garlic aroma which is heavy and great paired with the light flavoring of the chicken and salad.   I served it with a Syrah, but don't quote me on whether that is the right wine pairing, I just really love Syrah.   Please enjoy the food porn below (for those shocked my the term, it's just really enjoyable food images- totally clean.)

Super easy salad, just a Baby Greens mix from Trader Joes, Dried Cranberries from Trader Joes and Goat Cheese Crumbles, also from Trader Joes

Garlic Mashed Potatoes, secret ingredient is Parmesan cheese. Yum!

So after you roast the hens in the oven, you take the white wine, broth, garlic, and rosemary that were in the pan and you saute them into a gravy. One word = amazing.

Set a nice patio table (or if you are lucky an indoor table) with some wine and candles. . .

Bring out the hens, potatoes and salad and serve. So enjoyable.

Oh Won't You Be, My Neighbor.

Oh Won't You Be, My Neighbor.

So long ago I bragged about how many cool HGTV-esque things I would do if I had a place.  I planned, I coordinated, I schemed, I dreamed and I exaggerated.  I did all these things and I promised to show off the results.   Well I did get a place and it's awesome! It's still in need of those finishing touches (hey it's only been 3 weeks, which includes two birthdays and a bunch of work hours!) but I just couldn't wait to post some pictures to give everyone an idea of where I'm at now!

I apologize for the heinous amount of images, but I had a realtor moment and couldn't help myself, so check out this virtual tour I put together. . . 

Walk around the side of the house, our entrance is in the back.

Ring our doorbell! (yeah, we have one of those!) We're always home and you're always welcome.

Please ignore the monstrosity in the right corner, free parental leftovers are appreciated but have the potential to be eyesores. . .

and voila! what eyesore?

Meet John's favorite part of the house. It was my favorite until he covered the fireplace with a bunch of TV cords and stuff. lol. Apologies for the giant John Malkovich face my John was watching Con-Air (how do you spell that lol)

Because one of my many many aspirations is to be a chef, I love this modern oven.  Because I'm super lazy, I love the microwave!

Back through the doorway of the living room you walk into the bedroom. . .

Since the house was built in the 1880's it has a lot of cool features like this built in bookshelf

John's second favorite place in the house. Also where I escape to avoid hearing hours of soccer, video games, or if I want to watch a girly show like "Say Yes to the Dress" (no one laugh. seriously)

We want to put a fold out couch in this bedroom nook for when we have visitors. So come visit us! :)

So, like I said it still needs a few throw pillows, some wall art, some housewarming parties. But I love this place, and I hope you love it too. If you are in the SB neighborhood stop by.