☮ ♥ & THREAD LA

The Holiday Season is officially here, which means plenty of presents to purchase. Without a doubt, my favorite gifts to give are ones that I know the person will really love. That seems simple, but the task of finding the perfect present for everyone on my list does not always come at the perfect price and hardly ever found all in one place. This is what I believed until I discovered THREAD. Talk about ultra unique, one-of-a-kind and creatively chic designs, clothing and crafts under one roof...um, pinch me! From a DIY Booth to hourly give-a-ways, live artists and DJ beats, this localized shopping show is anything but ordinary and is headed to Los Angeles this Sunday. Taking over the Cooper Design Space at 860 South Los Angeles Street, check out deets and RSVP for $5 here. If anyone wants to know what my Holiday Shopping secret weapon is? Tell them I said THREAD. 

Check out some of these snap shots from THREAD Show Los Angeles, taken by photog genius Raffi Keklikian. For more of his innovative amazing-ness, stop by his site or add him on Facebook. 

May Day

I can definitely say I have had my fair share of authentic Mexican experiences. I have lived in Mexico, worked at a family-owned Mexican restaurant and can comprehend a fairly decent amount of Spanish. But honestly, the last Cinco de Mayo that I can truly remember was bombarded with having to work until midnight on a school day during junior year of high school; servin' up todos los borrachos at Don Cuco's Mexican Eatery. 

This year, I am setting things up a little differently. I am going to plan on checking out a Cinco de Mayo party that is said to be the best one yet! El Dorado, the craft cocktail lounge located on 1030 Broadway in downtown San Diego, transforms itself into one of the most authentic Drinko de Mayo parties around and I definitely looking forward to getting my fiesta fix. My friend Tabby of DiscoverSD gives the inside scoop at some of the party details:

This Thursday, May 5^th, El Saul Q Contra Los Marcianos will be hosted by E.Limon of Elzonkeyshow.com and special guest CHUCUCHU the Cumbia Masher.  Azucar, a cumbia band consisting of Luis (guitar) and Jorge Medina (percussion), Omar Ramos (bass), Pablo Stanley (keyboard and vocals), Georgina Trevino (backup vocals), Brian Cortez and Luis Moreno (both on drums/percussion), will be reuniting for the event playing their own original songs and some classics from past decades adding their flavor. Describing themselves as a mix of hip-cumbia, electronic, and quebradita the band plays to their own unique beat. 

Still don’t know what to expect?...when questioned: Saul Q  replied, “Expect a real Mexican party by Mexicans and one white guy, Turbo”. Don’t contemplate any further and RSVP for the party here for no cover before 10pm, $5 thereafter. 
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Follow Tabby and her toxic tweets as DiscoverSD's event coordinator.  Also be sure to check out @DiscoverSD for the latest and greatest in America's Finest City.

Easter Brunch

Because I love breakfast and lunch equally the same, putting them together is my ultimate favorite. My Easter Sunday was spent at home with mimosas, strawberry cupcakes, a pastel pallet of eggs, Denver Potato pie, buttery croissants and a plate of strawberries & kiwis. But aside from all my favorites on the table, were my favorites sitting around the table. Being at home often always reminds me that my life is often fixated on the things that don't really matter, and that it's really important to stop and breathe every so often. Sunday was definitely a breath of fresh air. I absolutely loved being able to spend some time at home with my family and it was nice to have Bree's roommate join us as well. 

These are the ones Sarah and I made:  strawberry cups with cream cheese + real strawberry frosting & sprinkled in pastels. mmm. [Side note: I really like cupcakes, check out what's new at Cups La Jolla on a post I wrote for the DiscoverSD blog]

What's Easter without the eggs?

Our family Easter tradition is putting on an egg hunt for our  dog, Lizzie. By hiding scooby snacks in plastic eggs all over the backyard, she sniffs her way and always finds them all.  

♥

A Walk in Balboa Park

The whole family was in San Diego for president's day weekend and we took a day trip to Balboa Park to enjoy the rain-free San Diego weather. We stopped by the Spanish Village Art Center and checked out the open galleries. We picnic-ed with Dudley's famous rosemary & olive oil rolls, delicious! 

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! 

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.