do it yourself (!)...

C O L O R   B L O C K E D   M O C C A S I N S.

hello again friends! well as i've said before... i could sit and do art's n craft's all day long and be the happiest gal in the world (!). but since i've been a busy little bee these days, my "to-do" project list is becoming longer then my "to-done" project list. however, these funky color-blocked moccasins are going straight to the top of my list! they're perfect for fall AND would be the perfect cozy shoe to go w. my new grey denim skinny's i recently picked up from Tar-jet' (Target)... see post here.

*see more fun crafty projects you can make at home... here!
** i have to credit the uber-FABULOUS ladies at Honestly... wtf for this fun colorful project. make sure to check these chicks out. they're pretty rad. actually very rad.

// martha stewart wishes she had a pair of these puppies! //

what you'll need:

1 pair of killer suede moccasins (check out Minnetonka Moccasins)

a pair of paintbrushes (1 thick & 1 thin)

1 tube of Tulip Soft Fabric Paint 

(this Tulip Soft paint is suppose to be very flexible once dry... perfect!)

to paint the tops of the moccasins, the fringe will have to be tucked under. simply untie the bow, pull the suede strings out of all the holes (note how it is assembled), and fold the flap under.

start by making a test patch near one of the holes, as this part will be covered and it’s a great way to get comfortable with your brush and paint. once you’re ready to tackle the rest, paint the inside edge of the moccasin with the small brush. then, switch to the large brush to fill in the rest. finish it with another layer or two for maximum color.

let dry for at least 2 hours and reassemble the fringe to reveal your new pair of SICK color block mocs!

are you going to try this at home???

i hope so! XO

look for less...

 { kate beckinsale  //  sienna miller }

looking for a cool and wearable trend for fall? well the trend is- colored denim (!) and the safe & easy way to wear this trend... is by toning down the uber-brights and sliding into some- light grey denim (hey- grey is a color too, right?!). buying a lighter grey jean is a great option, if you're not ready to plunge into the sea of mustard's, turquoise, & coral denims (oh my!). 
if you're thinking.... "i'm not totally afraid of color, but i can't see myself in a pair of pink jeans!" then throw on a bright blouse or sweater w. your these neutral pants... and you'll be hitting this trend just fine. you could always add funky bright accessories too. another cool way to wear grey, is by pairing this easy piece w. a white tee, your favorite old jean jacket or a denim worker's shirt... (see sienna miller's pic below). it's basically a great way to wear denim on denim without looking like your sporting a denim tuxedo... leave that to the 90's, Dylan Mckay (90210, come on!)

PS: this trend doesn't need to break your bank either (!)... see below for a fabulous fall find and get this look-for-less!
 ** see more fall fashion trends here & here!

l o v e l y   G R E Y   D E N I M ...

{ sienna miller  //  jennifer lopez, both is genetic denim }

G E T   T H I S   L O O K : go-Designer or Look-for-LESS!?

{collage-art made by yours truly}

i vote....... LOOK-for-LESS!

keep in mind friends, that these puppies are pretty grrrreat and we may not be the only one's that know about this little secret. they fit like a glove and will be perfect to tuck into ridding boots (once the weather permits)... so ACT  FAST  because these jeggings won't be at Target for long!

mediterranean orzo salad...

over the weekend a couple girlfriends and i went to the Hollywood Bowl for some great tunes & a tasty BBQ potluck! i love potlucks, becuse it's a great way to introduce & share new recipes w. your gals! i made one of my favorite (fresh) pasta salads... and it turned out pretty good!
*try this recipe at home... it's super easy & is always a big hit (!)

H O W   T O . . . mediterranean orzo salad.

{recipe & photo by Sunset Magazine}

i n g r e d i e n t s :

8 ounces orzo pasta

• 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
• 1/2 cup Greek olives such as kalamata, pitted and halved
• 4 ounces feta cheese, broken into large chunks
• 2 cups baby spinach leaves (*i subbed 1 cup kale instead of spinach)
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• freshly ground black pepper & salt

*my additions: 1/4 cup red onion, chopped & (sub spinach for) 1 cup kale, roughly chopped

i n s t r u c t i o n :

( s t e p  1. ) cook orzo according to package directions.

{this is the brand i like to use}

( s t e p  2. ) while the orzo is cooking, in a large bowl, combine tomatoes, basil, garlic, pine nuts, olives, feta, and spinach. when pasta is cooked & cooled, add orzo into the bowl too!

( * n o t e ) i added 1/4 cup chopped red onion & subbed 1 cup of roughly chopped kale (instead of spinach)...... it's what i had in the fridge!

• ( s t e p  3. ) in a small bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste; toss with salad.
• 
• {this is balsamic vinegar that i've been using lately... & i think it's deeeelish! you can find it at some italian deli's or... here.}

{ta-daa! all ready for a warm summer night at the Hollywood Bowl (!)}

• 
  

*oh (!) and keep in mind... this yummy salad tastes even better if it's prepared hours before serving... so all the flavors can marry together. enjoy!

• 
  

music sunday...

i nexflixed the movie Counrty Strong this week and downloaded a couple songs right after watching. here are two great songs from the movie...

** check out more "music sundays" here, here, & here!

{Country Strong Soundtrack "Give into me" the very cute Garrett Hedlund & Leighton Meester make a great little two-some.}

{Country Strong Soundtrack "A Little Bit Stonger" not too shabby Leighton Meester!}

i hope you guys have a nice relaxing sunday!

date night...

before the fireman goes back into work (for the next couple days), we decided to have a proper date night. we jumped on our beach cruisers and rode to one of our favorite hot-spots... North End Caffe! we've actually only been there for breakfast & lunch (great breakfast paninis & creative salads!), but have never been there for dinner. so we cruised down to check things out... and left as two very happy (full) campers!

**North End's dinner menu changes everyday... so make sure to "like" them on facebook so you can get updates on their daily bites... check it out here.

. beautiful   m a n h a t t a n   b e a c h   california .

{date night 08.26.11 // such a cool local spot called the North End Caffe. and it was SO good (!)}

{ the fashion gal }                                                    { the fireman }

y u m m m m m m m m m y! it wasn't pretty.

{cesar salad: it was really really good! this was no imitation cesar salad. it was the real deal.}

{brochette: A-MAZ-ZING! go now! go!! it was so fresh & SO full of flavor. i will order it every time it's on the menu... keep in mind their menu changes daily... plan ahead.}

{fillet mignon: the fireman gave it two thumbs up... and that's coming from a guy that eats this stuff everyday.}

{curried catfish: yummmmmmy! i really enjoyed the flavor of this curry sauce. the portion was huge... so i'll have some leftovers for tomorrow.}

{bread pudding: i usually don't order bread pudding, because it usually seems dry and lacks flavor... that was not the case tonight! it was moist, crunchy, sweet, and delish! the home-made whip cream was grand too... and the fresh berries worked as a great balance to this yummy dessert.}

{a great sunset to end a nice mellow date-night}

are there any North End LOVERS out there??

oh & PS: did you know that this little love shack was on (one of our favorite tv shows) 

Diner's, Drive-in's, & Dive's?! very cool.

fri-DAY dreaming...

as the work week progresses, my head becomes more clouded w. sticktly work, work, work... and leaves little room for my new found love of blogging & enjoying the creative process. it's all about balance people (!)... and today i am going to work hard & daydream (a little) too!

* here are a few places i would love to be creative and find my blogging chi (cheee)...
** & here are my friday daydreams.............

. . . . . i n s p i r a t i o n . . . . .

{i could definitely write my blog under this sea of pink pedals}

{w. all these amazing colors around}

{in this perfect yellow chair}

{or w. this spectacular view... i would for sure take a dip too} 

{i could blog in the tub (!)}

{in this stunningly perfect room}

{ummmm yeah, i think i could find inspiration here}

{or in this cozy white bed}

{the table may be small... but i think i could manage}

{or lounge by the ocean}

{i like this funky room}

{in this simple quiet space}

{all photo's by pinterest}

{but this perfect loft-palace... i would just have sweet (real) dreams in.}

the end!

which place would be your little personal paradise???

love at first sight...

i've died and gone to (ruffle) H E A V E N... 

{photo by pinterest}

i love everything about this. denim too.... come on!

it takes my breath away... that's all.

does anyone love this as much as i do???????

what i wore...

i'm the kind of gal that thinks sexy can definitely come across in a pair of your favorite worn-in jeans, a fresh white tank, w. your hair pulled back into a high bun or a (on purpose) messy pony. so this long sleeve jersey (mini) dress hits the nail on the head when it comes to an easy-sassy-fun-look! AND you can very easily dress this puppy UP, or even dress it DOWN.... here's what i wore.

*** see more "what i wore's" here, here, here, here, & here!

D R E S S   it   D O W N . . . (keep it simple!)

 

{shake what your mama gave ya}

 

D R E S S   it   U P... (add a boy blazer & a chunky necklace & wedges!)

 

{definitely not a model (!)}

 

{ t h e   g o o d i e s }

dress down...

dress: ABS (bran-spanking-new)

sandals: sam edelman

sunnies: urban outfitters

bag: oldie but goodie bought in cabo

scarf (on bag): my grandma's (vintage)

dress up...

dress: it's the same one silly!

blazer: an old fav... n/a

wedges: nine west (mary-jane's)

neck-bling: jcrew (love their chunky necklaces)

sunnies: LF (read LF post, here)

clutch: vintage (some funky shop on melrose)

don't forget the  W R I S T   B L I N G...

watch: michael kors

leather wrap w. stone: beth orduna

silver beaded wrap: LF (read LF post, here)

green pearl & gold pearl: made-by-me (!)

what do you think about this tight long sleeve mini trend???

too Kelly Bundy (???)... or just about perfect!

(i definitely am   l o v i n g   it.)