Felted Ball Wreath!

Probably my proudest moment in 2010 - I did something crafty!  I have been hanging on to Pickles' instructions for a felted ball wreath for several years.  2010 was finally the year I did it!  Last week, several nights in a row, I sat down for several unsucessful attempts at threading the balls and securing them on the wreath.  Let's just say that those nights ended in my wanting to tear my hair out and throw the wreath across the room.  (There may have even been some tears!).  On my final and successful attempt I decided to screw the needle and thread and used good, ol' reliable HOT GLUE!  Yes, I hot glued (using 23 mini hot glue sticks) 525 of those little felted balls, and it worked perfectly!  I'm so pleased with it!!!  I really wanted to go ahead and hang it out on the front door, but I'm going to wait until after Thanksgiving!

I think it looks even better in person!

I'll post a picture when I have it hanging on my front door!

It's been awhile!

I know...it's been awhile.  I've been busy with life and work, and I'm having a hard time uploading my pictures...for awhile there, I thought my blog might be dead! 

But then today decorating inspiration struck (of course it is wallpaper)!  You know I have to share it with you!  And then I saw something I wanted to add to my christmas list, and remembered that I need to start my 2010 Holiday Gift Guide!  I'm back to blogging!

First things first!  A little update on what I've been doing!

Mom + Dad came to California to visit me and Brooke early October! We toured Brooke's new house, enjoyed bubbles at the Oxbow Market, visited Randy's winery, picnicked on the winery's lawn, tried to give Gypsy a mohawk, caught up with Omar in SF, shopped Union Square, relaxed on the beach and watched the Blue Angels!  It was a perfect visit!  Here are a few of the pictures from the weekend!

Remember Mom & Dad's 2009 trip!  Find it here!

Next up - Omar and my trip to Austin, Steve's awesome Pumpkin Carving Party, and Gypsy's Halloween costume!

Decorating Inspiration!

I must have wallpaper!  How awesome is this entryway!  The blue with the yellow lamp - to die for!

Thank you, Jordan, for posting this today!  It kind of reminds me of this nursery!

Dog Portraits

I've seen a lot of blog talk lately about dog portraits!  Have I ever shown you Gypsy King?

This was given to me and Omar as a wedding gift from our friend Ashley.  Ashley's mother painted this for us!  Commission your own here!

Riding Around

Everyone rides bikes in Paris (or Vespas)!  They have these cool Velib bikes that you can "rent" by the day.  And these aren't just tourist bikes - locals use them too!  Here is a picture I took of one of the bike "service points"!

Seeing all the Parisians riding their bikes makes me want to get a bike...real bad!  Riding the bus gets so old! 

So the search is on, and this what I have found!  (We'll see what Omar thinks about this idea!)

Isn't it cute?!  It's from a company based here in San Francisco, PUBLIC.  (I do like to shop local!)

And just to prove that Gypsy could ride with me, I'm posting this picture!  We would be so chic!

via here

Picture time!

I finally have pictures from Paris!  I have so many good ones, but I don't want to bombard you!  If you want to see more click here!

My favorite part of the trip!

Posing for the camera

Fromage Crepe

My chocolate macaroon and new Paris shirt!

Omar and his new Parisian outfit 

Texas Exes

Gypsy is such a good dog - he has all sort of friends!

Here a few shots of Baby N and Baby C playing with Gypsy a few weekends ago!  Their parents came over to help Omar root on the Longhorns.  Of course, more baby watching took place than football (which is fine by me)! 

This baby C's first appearance on my blog!  Baby C just moved from Texas with her parents (our friends) Jonathan and Sarah!

Isn't she a cutie?!

Welcome to California!

Do sandwiches count?

I think I may need to purchase this book!

I've been very uninspired lately in the kitchen, which leads to poor choices and an expanding waistline.

I think Chapter 3 is for me, "I Want Something Simple, Fast, and Hard to Screw Up"

What's your favorite cookbook?

Ikea!

Have you seen this chandelier from Ikea?

I just saw it on Little Green Notebook, and I'm loving it.  The shade of flowers are made from paper, so its very light and easy to hang!  Did I mention that it's only $90?!

Images from here.

Oh Christy, do chandelieres fall under your lamp fetish?!



Wanted and "Needed"

I love my Frye gray boots (best purchase ever),

but it's time for some variety!  I'm in need of a new pair of brown boots.  Specifications include little to no heel, knee height, and wide openings!

Here's my current round up (with the last one in 1st place):

These from Anthro fit the bill!  And those tights are pretty sweet as well!

The Steve Madden's that Kendi wears are pretty cute (and very affordable).

How cute are the bows?!

You can't go wrong with Frye!

Exciting!  Just spotted:  Urban Outfitters online carries the above Frye Paige Tall Riding Boot in a weathered, dark brown.  I like - a lot! 

Suggestions?  Thoughts? 

Time after time

Can you believe it?  Today is my 1 year blogging anniversary!  I posted 251 posts this year!  I'm pretty sure I only have about 7 people that actually read this blog, but that's ok!  I love it!

And just because I hate posting without pictures, here are a few of the Longhorns that took over my house this Saturday!  Although I'm not a fan of that burnt orange, they do look pretty cute!

Never Fear

Hi guys, I'm back!  Sorry I've been gone so long.  The day I got back from Paris I caught a nasty cold!  I'm feeling much better though, and now I'm getting around to my pictures!  Here's a little sneak peak!

My favorite part of the trip!

This was hours before the bomb threat...Phew!

Bonjour

I know my posting has been a bit sporadic lately, and it's just going to get worse the next week and half....why?  I'm off to Paris (on Monday)!!!!  Bonjour, my fellow readers!  I will be back next Wednesday to fill you in on all our adventures!

This weekend will be full of laundry, packing, football, dropping off Gypsy in Napa (*tear*), and babysitting Baby N!  I do hope the weekend flies by, because I can't wait to leave on a jet plane!

Happy Rosh Hashanah and Eid!

shopping fever

You know when you get that bug...that shopping bug...I have it!  Usually when I watch TV, I'm watching via the DVR.  Tonight, I was out of luck, and had to watch TV live....I know - a tragedy.  The bright side, while watching TV I saw all the commercials for H&M's new fall line with Daria Werbowy.  I'm in love!

Foodie

I have a new blog for you!  My friend Tina recently started blogging about her dining experiences!  She is always exploring new restaurants and trying unique foods!  Before she started blogging, I use to tease her for all the pictures she takes of her food - now it works out perfectly!

If you live in the Bay Area or are thinking of visiting you need to check out Food Porn Addicition for the best places to eat! 

Tina & I Texas Party in CA, May 2010

Craving

I am so craving this!  Thankfully, Martha Stewart, I don't have all those ingredients in my pantry!

Jasmine

I haven't posted a weekend recap in two weeks...that's because nothing much has been going on.  Omar has been very busy with work and college football, and I have been relaxing and getting ready for Paris!  (We leave this Monday!  Yea!)  Also, last week we took care of our friends' dog and cat.  Of course I took the opportunity to take some pictures of my new friend, Jasmine!

You can see more of Jasmine here!