Holiday at Home 2010

For me, Christmas was spent at home in Santa Clarita. It's always a bittersweet experience as spending time with family usually is, but this year was quite nice. Just a few of my favorite photos my relaxing Holiday weekend. 

A few of my favorite things right now...

KITSCHY & COOL

Mush Magnets // Roscata

Crayon Bunnies // CrayonFawn 

Cat Cup // MEOW CITY 

At The Diner Mitt // Collisionware (currently on Etsy vacation)

Because I've been holiday shopping for my friends and family, I have been discovering that re-invented kitsch throwbacks are totally developing trends in crafts, fashion, art and design.  

What is kitsch? Kitsch is a German word, first used in the 1920's  to classify a material item that appeals to those with no taste and considered "tacky". But here's the thing, the discourses of creativity and art have been re-invented, and mostly in part to the internet. Virtual communities, advances in mobile internet, and social networking have helped to create a counter-culture of people who have rejected this corporate mainstream culture. Websites such as Etsy.com and Ebay.com have helped to create a new medium where creativity is shared, bought and sold. Hundreds of users have been able to share their designs and work with people from all over and have made money while doing it!  Tacky? I think not. 

O Holy Night

It was a night of good company, good beer and good food. Last night, my roommate and I invited some friends over for a Holiday Get-Together at our place. After spending the morning putting up more Christmas decorations, lights and rearranging some furniture, we started cookin'. 

 Aside from having our defaults (Stone IPA, brie, chips & salsa) I made some bruchetta, but with a twist and Sarah's boyfriend brought over some German marzipan stollen, a European sweet bread with raisins and almond cream. Needless to say the stollen was gone the second we sliced it up!

Balsalmic Bruchetta

Trimming the Tree! 

 Nothing like good company to put you in the Holiday spirit! 

Balsalmic Bruchetta

When I cook, it is often because I have found an excessive amount of some thing in my fridge and feel the need to use it before it goes bad. This time, it was tomatoes. At first I thought about making pico de gallo salsa, but then opted for something a little different, but still easy to make and that guests could enjoy. Bruchetta is something bite-size and the perfect way to use the seven tomatoes I found in the fridge this time! 

Here's how:

Prep Time: 1 hour

What you'll need:
1 loaf of french bread 
5-6 tomatoes sliced/cubed (roma is best)
1/2 cup fresh basil 
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tbspn olive oil
2 tbspn balsalmic vinegar
1/2 lemon (you'll just need the juice)
1/2 cup cheese (I used Parmesan & mozzarella)
salt & pepper


To begin:
In a bowl, combine cubed tomatoes, olive oil, cheese, balsalmic vinegar, garlic and lemon juice. Mix well. Fresh basil is best to use because it's just so delicious! You will need to cut up the basil leaves and then add them in before refrigerating. Add dash of salt and pepper and let sit in the fridge for 45 minutes to let the flavors blend. 


While waiting, pre-heat the oven to broil. Slice up French bread, no thicker than 1 inch and spread out on pan. Scoop spoonfuls of bruchetta onto each slice of bread and place it in the oven for 8 minutes. 


Bruchetta can be served cold or warm, I choose to serve it warm because the cheese was melty and the bread was toasty--perfect for a rainy December night!


Enjoy! 

Number 4

Debuting this Wednesday, December 15th, 2010 is the latest issue of Proxart Magazine. 

We are especially proud of our winter issue, as it really marks how far we’ve come. This issue will feature such diverse artists as Daniel Hipólito, Burl Norville, Wylie Maercklein, Kate Pugsley, Kelli Murray and Real Estate (to name a few).

So, get ready & get set for the best Proxart Magazine yet. 

Day Trippin' to Unique LA & Renegade

What better way to spend a Sunday under the sun? When you pair it with shopping over 500 local designers, artists and crafting professionals in one city all in the same weekend! 

 

& 

FIRST STOP: RENEGADE @ THE LOS ANGELES STATE HISTORIC PARK

"I left my heart in San Diego" --true that! 

These skull pillows were made from recycled vintage sweaters!

LOVENAILTREE // Love them & their stuff. 

Good enough to eat--delicious candles for your eyes & nose! 

UP NEXT: UNIQUE LA @ CA MARKET CENTER PENTHOUSE

Happy Birthday Poprocks & Peacoats!

I honestly cannot believe it: it's official that my blog is exactly one year old. One year, wow. 

Over the past 12 months, my life has been in transition and it has definitely been interesting. I have changed a lot this year. What began as an outlet for me to gather my thoughts, ideas, and photos has rather manifested into a work of digital inspirations and influences that have been documented as they happen in my life. For me, learning and understanding is created and developed through experimenting. This blog was an experiment and through it's development, I have had the opportunity to learn more about myself and those around me by writing about them. My blog has helped me to connect with fellow fashion lovers, artists, creators, innovators, and social media gurus alike, all whom have helped to offer positive feedback and influence to the content I feature.

Cheers to another fabulous year of blogging about my two favorites: food & fashion, but also I am going to make it a point to include tid-bits of my life as a publicist and journalist. 

So, if you have been tuning in to my digital documentation, you'll be in for a treat as I continue to fill these pages with

the happenings of my everyday life. 


And remember, please enjoy responsibly.

Feelin' Festive

Behold my beloved Barbie Holiday Tree.

 I definitely am feeling much more in the holiday mood this year. My all time favorite decoration is my Barbie Tree--my favorit ornament being the Original Teenage Fashion Barbie Doll. This doll was the very first 'Barbie' to be introduced as a toy in New York City in 1959. 

The Barbie Doll has changed quite a lot since her debut in the late 50's. Her look, style, size, occupation and cliente have evolved over the past half century, take a look at a photo article here.