Holy Curried Bratwurst Batman!

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Our home is coming along so nicely. It's amazing what you already have in your home that simply isn't being utilized properly. For example, the boxy white shelf we got from ikea has been sitting horizontally as a TV stand for months taking up tons of room. I simply stood it upright, put in all of my glassware and put it in our dining area. Now I have so much more room in my cupboards for pots & pans and the whold living room isn't being taken up by a shelf! More pictures soon of the apartment. More painting this weekend (little does my husband know). 

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Last night was a blast! First off, I finally got to visit Le Pink & Co. Apothecary! It was everything I imagined it would be! Essential oils, eminence skin care, red velvet cake lip balm with no petroleum or parabens. *Sigh*, If I was ever banished to Los Angeles this is where I would want to work. They were even selling vintage goodies like plastic horses, colorful dolls, ceramic lambs... seriously this is what heaven would look like to me. It's my big girl candy store!

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We were running short on time before the show so we had to find somewhere close by to eat. My husband detests vegan food (boo) so he hunted down Berlin Currywurst. Yes, bratwurst with red curry on top- it's seriously as delicious as it sounds. What a treat! Jeremy was excited to pronounce everything in German, of course. I was excited to eat! This place was great- I highly recommend it to anyone who already loves wurst. 



We rushed over to the El Rey- the show didn't actually start until 10:15p! They said the girls of Nouvelle Vague had a hard time getting through customs & were running late for the show (it was 7p). Seeing as we had another show to get to at 9p there was no way we could stay. The show wouldn't even finish until 12a! We had tickets to see Painted Palms at the Echo so we went over there instead. They put on a great show- I really liked their sound and the Echo is always fun. It's so strange to watch these 'kids' - everyone seemed so young to us. It's weird how that happens. We realized recently that we haven't been part of the college demographic for a long time now. I'm enjoying growing up- I honestly cannot wait until my 30's! So the best part of the evening was meeting up with the Dangers! Our friends Lulu & Jeremy Danger (one of our favorite married couples) met us for drinks at The Thirsty Crow! They are both talented individuals who are always tons of fun to see. It was a really fancy night in a really fancy city. Thank you Los Angeles, it was a pleasure as always. 

Happy Weekend 
XOXO

Ask An Esthetician

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Fall is here! With it comes smells of cinnamon, vanilla extract, pumpkin everything & hopefully wet pavement (my favorite smell). As the seasons change, so often your skin does as well. It just got used to sweating regularly and now it has to get used to evaporating moisture. Every season effects our skin differently. If you're a combination type- get ready to dry out a little bit & develop more breakouts around the nose and hairline. If you're already very dry- get those emollients on often- never fall for the barrier promise of Evain hydrating spray. If you're oily- lucky you- this might be your season of regularity. We're all different and are effected by weather changes differently.

Here are some products I love for the fall- my skin is many things: I use products for preventative aging, hydration & california climate control. I am normally combo/dry all year round:



Ruby Mint Lipbalm via Lulu Organics

As a child I was prone to getting a red ring around my mouth where I would use my tounge to attempt to hydrate. I could've prevented the entire fiasco had I used a lip balm without any kind of petroleum, which masks the problem but doesn't solve it. This lip balm softens the area under and on top of the skin.




Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant via Eminence Organics

I was actually taught the benefits of this exfoliant by Boldijarre Koronczay, the owner and founder of Eminence Organics. He's an absolute doll & is truly passionate about what he's doing with skin care. Why do I love this product? Well, first of all, I'm an exfoliant junkie. Studying skin care, I've really learned the crud that can build up and into your skin should you forget to clean it out. The SRD contains Salicylic acid that gently exfoliates and removes impurities to brighten skin and shrink pores. It also contains...

  • Rhubarb: astringent and disinfectant; healing and a good source of ascorbic acid and Vitamin C
  • Rice: gentle exfoliant; buffs and smoothes skin texture
  • Chickpea Flour: tightens pores; absorbs excess oil and helps to buff and smooth skin
  • Thermal Mud: mineral-rich, volcanic origin mud; has deep cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing and regenerative properties
  • Oats: moisturizing and softening; help absorb and remove surface dirt and impurities while providing very gentle exfoliation
  • Biocomplex™: an antioxidant booster of Vitamins A, Ester C, E, Coenzyme Q10, Alpha Lipoic Acid; delivers a balanced mix of essential antioxidants and effectively combats free radicals 

I know this is a lot of information, but I just get so excited when I come across products like this one!



Overnight Repair Serum via Dermalogica

Well hello tiny little bottle of hope! I went to the launch for this product in August & was honestly not knowing what to expect. I'd researched the ingredients and the idea sounded legitimate but only the ultimate test would tell me. Being so dry all of the time, I've always loved the idea of oil based moisturizers. Essential oils have been my best friend since I was a teenager and this product by dermalogica is no different. So let me see, I have to put this on before I go to sleep & I wake up with makeup ready skin? I'm sorry... but I don't see the down side. 

Why I Choose Not Pursue Art As A Career

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I know there are some things I’m good at, and some that are just not in my “skill set”. I’ve learned the hard way that it’s not my talent to take another person’s ideas/dreams/concepts and channel their energy into something that embodies who they are. 
- Katrina of Pugly Pixel

This is personal. Did I mention how personal this is? I think sometimes I make a statement like this and people believe that I'm commenting on some kind of choice that they're making. Like when I say, "I don't want children" some people hear "no one should want children".  This is truly coming from my heart based off of my life experiences, introspection and coming to terms with what is. Since I was young, adults have been telling me that I am a natural artist. "Oh, she's a natural... she'll want to do something with that when she grows up...". Hearing this for so long, I naturally assumed I'd be some kind of artist when it came time to get an education and eventually a job. I went to Orange County High School of the Arts for their visual arts program as a teenager & eventually looked into attending FIDM or Pasadena college of art & design for college. 

Being the terrible, self-destructive teenager I was, I opted to move to Los Angeles, party and pursue a career as a makeup artist. Eventually I got back to reality and thought that the practical thing to do was to finally go to art school to become who I truly was. "The money is in the internet" my Dad would say and I believed him. I'd taught myself photoshop when I was 17 and learned HTML in order to decorate my myspace page and livejournal. It just made sense. It took one semester and about three paid web design projects for me to instantly learn that I did not want to be the hand that knows the programs. Turning other people's visions into a reality was never for me & anything commissioned was going to my sponsors input. The oatmeal makes a hilarious comic about How A Web Design Goes Straight to Hell & so far I haven't had an experience very far off from this one. 

I learned a long time ago that my creativity can only be used for one thing: making myself happy. If others enjoy what makes me happy, awesome! I'm certainly not going to depend on it especially when it comes to making money. I love taking photos, painting, knitting, cooking & doing many, many creative things- but I know it has to be on my terms. If this makes me a control freak: so be it. 


I am an esthetician by day. I pay monthly rent but all of my clients are mine and it's up to me to rule my business. People come to me for my expertise and no one tells me how to do what I do. I keep my own hours, organize my own marketing and do my own taxes. I really don't have to answer to anyone which is my ultimate goal. It took me forever to get here, but I don't feel guilty about it anymore. And I certainly don't feel a lack of art in my life. On the contrary, my life is full of live shows, classes, photographs & amazing experiences. I am truly grateful to be where I am and to know myself enough to choose art as my pleasure. 

Xoxo Goodnight

Concerts In the Dark

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On Thursday we're going to the Ooh La L.a. Festival out in Los Angeles! My darling husband called in to KUCR (a local college station) and won tickets to see Nouvelle Vague in their production of 'Dawn of Innocence', a musical directed by JC De Castelbajac. I am terribly excited at this venture and hope to stop into several museums nearby. Living only 40 minutes away from the heart of Los Angeles, you'd think we'd visit there more often! Alas, the curse has slowly descended upon us. Granted we don't sit at home with our TV dinners hoping to catch Dancing with the Stars... we would prefer to make some type of cheese based main course with spices, drink our Pinot Noir & catch up on  True Blood or fall back on an old favorite: The Empire Strikes Back. We are definitely homebodies now, though. It'll be nice to get out and do something new.
Today I plan to put up some hooks in the kitchen for my aprons, get a beautiful pink dress I found years ago to the tailor so he can fix the zipper & go to a farmers market out in Rancho to get the freshest pick of some eggs & tomatoes. Also, I'm thinking I need some azaleas on our table right now. I'm not in the spa again until Friday so until then I plan to be productive, creative and dreamy. I'm so glad it's Tuesday- I love Tuesday.

UPDATE:

Well, shoot. My handsome husband has a magical phone. Seriously! He's never called in to win tickets & not been the lucky winner! Three bands we adore: Painted Palms, Pepper Rabbit & Braids are playing at the Echo & of course he called into KSPC Claremont & won us tickets. The only problem is that the show is also this Thursday evening. Can I just say that I love our conundrums...

We've decided to go to the Nouvelle Vague show that starts at 7pm & even if the show ends at 9pm we can still go over to the Echo to catch part of the show over there. We're going to have a magical los angeles evening under the stars.

Lucky Us! 

Sweet Cakes

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santa cruz, taken by me

What a lovely weekend. More great food & a lot of listening. I really had a chance to hear people this weekend which is something I've been working on in my relationships. My Dad shared a lot with me about trees, crops, his Dad & how he wants to mend relationships. I heard my old friend Jeremy talk about the past and the present & we've known each other since I was 17, when I wasn't so interested in others. I heard my brother & although I'm worried I feel like I know him better now. We played pool, ate sushi and laughed a whole lot. What a wonderful weekend. I love the charm of Santa Cruz, Ca. I love the homes and the artisan food. I love the colors everywhere. What a wonderful weekend. 

Set Fire To The Rain

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How terribly difficult is my life? This week has consisted of amazing food, new friends, a beautiful gift from a dear girl & an aromatherapy facial from one of the most talented skin care therapists in Southern California. Roller Derby with great girls and inspiration coming out of nowhere. It's so strange how quickly the tides change for me. The special gift is a pair of custom painted TOMS Shoes done by none other than the absolutely lovely Laura Palm. She was asked to do an event with Nectar, a clothing store- our neighbor to the left- where she was asked to give 15 minutes of a small custom painting on each pair of TOMS shoes sold that day. I knew I had to jump on it- but I had something very specific in mind. Everyone knows of my affinity for parisian culture- but what better way to promote my love of all things à Paris than with a custom Eiffel tower design! Laura took them home and surprised me only a few days later with my new very favorite pair of shoes! I almost died when she showed them to me! They're perfect- I'm so blessed!


Have I talked about my love for Claremont lately? Yes? Well here I go again... Colors 91711, located at 248 Harvard Ave, in the city of everything amazing. It was actually last weekend at the farmers market that I met miss Amanda Rios, the owner of Bobby Soxie & since I didn't really get a chance to shop- I found her etsy shop. I ordered a couple of things (yellow things to be exact) & she told me she'd be happy to waive the shipping if I just walked to her work in the village. She informed me that she teaches knitting at Colors, a cute little shop full of colorful yarn and delightful people. Strangely enough, the owner of the spa I work at had just introduced me to the co-owner earlier on that week. The universe is really pointing me in that direction! After some talking I knew it was time to take up knitting again. I'd taken a class in Riverside a couple of years ago but the shop had closed down before I really got to learn anything. I seriously cannot wait! My first class is tonight at 6pm- and I'm super excited to get my knit on. Long story short, Claremont is awesome- I'm totally learning to knit tonight!

This weekend I was invited to go to Santa Cruz, which thrills me because I get to see more of my brother now. Also, I plan to stop by the Penny Ice creamery, my very favourite ice cream shop in the world! The first time I went there I tried lavender ice cream and simply died and went to creamy heaven. I'm also looking forward to seeing a dear friend from the Bay Area & hitting up the thrift stores. Like I stated, my life is so difficult- I don't know how I manage sometimes!

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Focus Your Gaze on What Is Good

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The weekend was full of delights! Saturday I had a chance to meet with some clients and meet some new people. The Claremont colleges are back in session so all of the freshmen were walking around getting used to their new town. We welcomed them with strawberries, packets full of goodies and $5 eyebrow shaping. It was very fun. I got to spend Sunday with my brother, my husband and my friend David. We bottled David's current obsession, home brewed hard ciders. I seriously cannot wait to see how they turn out. I spend the morning at the Farmers market & met some of the lovely ladies of Bobby Soxie (also on etsy!). They make the loveliest jewelry, headband and cozy treats. Hopefully they'll be at the farmers market next week as well. I found almost everything on my list: fresh tomatoes (almost out of season... boo), a cactus, a baby basil plant, a rosemary plant, fresh lemons, avocados, raspberries & some wildflower honey. We also stopped into the Cheese Cave: one of my all-time favourite places in Claremont. We bought a wonderful boxing cheddar, dijon mustard, sheep yogurt, goat cheese and a slicer that my husband has wanted forever. 

It's a new week friends! la vie est bonne!

How To Fool Yourself

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I wish that today was full of rainbows. I would've needed them. I always want to make sure what I write is up-beat and honest (like myself) but I suppose things can't always come from a genuinely good place. What oh what can put me back into place? Why food of course! A recipe by the author of one of my favorite books... 'French Women Don't Get Fat', Mireille Guiliano. Her nationwide best seller not only includes fairly simple and more than reasonable delicious recipes but a how-to on how to indulge daily while maintaining a svelte, french, feminine figure! It works! And it's delicious. Two of my favorite combinations. And really, the only thing that can pull me out of my emotional day.



The recipe is very simple. You'll need: 

4 Medium Pork Chops
4 Whole Cloves
1/2 Cup Dry White Wine (Or Vermouth)
4 Celery Leaves
2 Bay Leaves
4 Celery Stalks, Washes & Finely Diced
1 Tablespoon of Butter
2 Apples, Cored and coarsely sliced
1 Tablespoon of Brow Sugar
4 Oz. of Jarlsberg Cheese, Coarsely Grated

1. Preheat the oven to to 375 degrees. Butter a baking pan and place the pork chops in it.

2. Press a clove into each chop. Add the white wine, celery leaves, and bay leaves and put the pan in the preheated oven. Bake the chops for 30 minutes.



3. While the pork chops are baking, in a frying pan sauté the diced celery in the butter for 5 minutes, and then add the sliced apples and sprinkle with the brown sugar. Continue cooking under very low heat for 10 minutes or until the apples are tender but not mushy.

4. Finish the pork chops by removing the bay and celery leaves and sprinkling the cheese over the top of each chop, baste and then broil for a few minutes to brown the top.




5. Serve the celery-apple mixture on the same plate as an accompaniment to the pork chops. Use a few spoons of pan juices to further flavor celery-apple mixture.

To round out this meal you can start with a consomm and end with a custard.

Viola! Absolutely delicious! I had a serving, my husband had two and there was one left for my lunch tomorrow. What an adventure and excellent way to take my mind off of my petty concerns. Nothing is more important when there's food in the making!


C'est la vie! 

Le Lapin De Petites- New Listing

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Robin's Tea Cup & Saucer - $9.98 - http://www.etsy.com/listing/81874718/robins-tea-cup-saucer


A perfect turquoise/robin's egg blue teacup/tea cup made in England. This teacup is in perfect condition, no crazing, chips or cracks. Perfect & elegant, not heavy gilt but just as gorgeous as a show piece. The turquoise blue of this particular cup is so soothing and so 30s. A perfect gift, addition to a collection, used for tea or a cappuccino, or used for any number of things other than tea.

♥ #0001 in the Le Lapin De Petites la collecte
♥ As always, my items come with luxurious gift tags to you or whomever is le récepteur
♥ Live Luxuriously



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