My Marthas & Me: 2011

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Setting the Thanksgiving Table

I will start on Wednesday:

Iron the Calvin Klein serviettes

(while the pies are in the oven)

Extend the table

Gather the extra chairs

Set out the serving ware on the buffet

Lay out the place settings with the glassware

I am going to decorate the table with persimmons my stepfather Tosh

picked some special for me with the branches attached (very Japanese).

My Dad made this footed server. It will go beautifully with the table.

The Little Kitchen

Thanksgiving for Twelve!

Turkey

Turkey Gravy

Stuffing

Cranberry Relish

Roast Beef

Beef Gravy

Yorkshire Pudding

Roasted Parsnips

Mashed Potatoes

Green Bean Casserole

Garlic Brussel Sprouts

Pumpkin Pie

Pear and Pecan Tart

The turkey will be cooked in the "set it and forget it" rotisserie.

Vastsi will bring the Orange Cranberry Relish. My Dad will bring the Green Bean Casserole.

No hors d' ouvres because it ruins the appetite!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Strike Two for Target

Strike One: Missoni Bath Towels

Strike Two: Missoni bath towels & Papyrus greeting cards & house plants

I hate, yes, hate, leaving a store empty-handed!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Bougainvellia

Bougainvellia.

It's a mouthfull.

It's a handfull (ouch).

But it is definitely beautifull!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

My Pet Peeves: Over Decor from Elle Decor March

Pink flowers

in vases

on books

on tables...

salon style art installations...

pillows on the bed...

pillows on the couch...

stacks of books...

urns on books...

horses on books...

books (stacked in piles) on the couch...

gilded shells...

shells on books...

"small luxuries"...

"decorative accessories"...

pairs close together...

pairs side by side...

plinths side by side...

throws...

pink flowers

in vases

on books

in a tray

on tables...

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Golden Rule...

William Morris' golden rule,

"Have nothing in your houses

which you do not know to be useful

or believe to be beautiful."

This can only mean one thing!

GARAGE SALE!

Saturday, June 11, 2011

International Yarn Bomb Day 2011

Oh honey, I'm just going down to get the paper...

There is something so satisfying about this!

La Jefaza, Magda Sayeg here!

And more yarn bombs here and here.

Yarn Bomb Anyone?

April 2009 Crochet Targets 024 by emmajay2008

April 2009 Crochet Targets 024, a photo by emmajay2008 on Flickr.

I'm the last to know!

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Out and About: The Last Bookstore

The Last Bookstore has relocated to the corner of 5th and Spring,

downtown Los Angeles. Next door is CB1 Gallery.

Immediately across the street is 2Bits Coffee House.

Great atmosphere!

Great assortment!

Great prices!

Where is the coffee!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Succulents at the Irvine Farmers Market

The Irvine Farmers Market across from UCI.

I did not go there but the "every where girl"

Dana did! Thanks Dana!

Friday, June 3, 2011

Tea Towel to Top Them All

I love Etsy.

I love Flickr

for making this acquisition possible from Fox & Thomas in Australia!

My family had this tea towel back in the 70's

and also the twin spied here in Casper James' cool pad!

(So much happiness from a humble tea towel and not a famous painting!)

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Candice Olsen textured the wall of a bathroom with wood. re-nest does it in white. I first saw it on the wall of a Japanese restaurant in NYC with miss-matched horizontal strips of birch. These walls can be made with wood scraps in any configuration, painted or un-painted. I bought my mirror several years ago from GROT. This look fits the modernist aesthetic and is a satisfying DYI.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Succulents

I helped my Mum put together these pots for The Daughters of the British Empire's June Faire.

They will be kept in her green house until the first week of June. The squirrels don't stand a chance.

Psycho Squirrel returns...again!

UGH!

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Lambs Ear & common blue succulent

Lambs Ear 109 a photo by emmajay2008 on Flickr.

While spending at least two hours trying to search for the correct name of this common succulent loved by the squirrels in my 'hood. I have decided to identify all the succulents and cacti at hodge podge lodge! How's that for continuing education! Wish me luck!

Psycho Squirrel returns...

The only kind of squirrel I like is a ceramic one made by Jonathan Adler!

Our neighborhood squirrels enjoy the juicy blue succulents on the deck in between the tall 50 year old cypress trees.

Thankfully, I also have them planted near the front door, where they are thriving.

I have replanted many of my sister-in-law's patio pots with succulents because her apartment patio gets sun all day long. If I don't hurry up, she will be back in San Diego to her yard, that is much cooler, but also a home to squirrels!

My husband thinks that they are just thirsty and I should put the kitty's water dish back on the deck!

Any suggestions?

Family Dinner...

Family dinner Japanese inspired minimal table setting.

Roast beef, yorkshire pudding, and garlic brussel sprouts for dinner and trifle for dessert. I float the candles on rocks instead of water. The SNAR mats were acquired from IKEA many moons ago and I am glad to see that they are still in the website if not at the Carson store. I used them for my parents 25th wedding anniversary. I used to worry about anything damaging my table, which seems so petty these days. A good wipe over with Howard Feed-N-Wax and I'm over it.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Hornsea Vase

Hornsea Vase a photo by emmajay2008 on Flickr.

I bought this at the Hitchin Flea about 12 years ago. I knew it was Hornsea but that was about it! Know I know it called Tanglewood!

Our new FLOR rugs.

I already have some FLOR tile runners in the house. I love them because they do not move when you vacuum. The choices are almost overwhelming. The design application is really helpful. And, now, when you order, it is so easy to get tiles cut.