Photos taken in Santa Ynez Valley, CA.
Harvest Weekend in Santa Ynez Valley
Style Souvenir: Cowboy Boots from Nashville
During a trip to Nashville several years ago, I found these Justin roper boots in teal at a thrift store full of stylish treasures. They were on back wall with shelves filled with pre-owned boots in various colors, styles, and sizes and I walked right up to this pair, drawn to the spectacular color. Talk about luck: They were my size. (They were my size!) I bring them out for special occasions and wore them out this weekend for a birthday party at a western bar. They’re good for dancing, too.
Side of the Road: Pepperdine’s 9/11 Memorial
Photo taken from Pacific Coast Highway of Pepperdine University’s annual 9/11 memorial, with one flag for each life lost.
Heart in NY
My home 10 years ago. I have also posted photos of window displays in my neighborhood on my style blog.
I Love NY Street Shots: Photos of NY Windows After September 11
I remember walking around New York in the days following September 11, 2001. Those who were there can attest to the sense of comaraderie. Storefronts in my neighborhood showed their love of NY and America with displays. A few of these are above; this was before we all had digital cameras and smartphone cameras and I took shots with my pocket camera using film, not sure what I would get.
Beach Art: Burning Sun Backdrop, Four Figures in the Sand
Sand sculpture discovered on a walk in Venice Beach, CA.
Written in the Sand with Shells: I Heart U
Discovered on the sand this morning in Venice Beach, CA.
BIg Surf, Sea Bird, Crescent Moon
Photo taken in Venice Beach, CA.
Leftovers Recipe: Grown-Up Sloppy Joe Sandwiches
Original Meal:
Mixed grill with baby back ribs, flank steak, plus pasta and salad sides
Leftovers:
Grilled flank steak
Leftovers Meal:
Grown-up sloppy joe sandwiches
Making the sloppy joe stew: Chop a whole onion and a few cloves of garlic and saute in olive oil in a large stainless pot. Dice the steak and add it to the pot with a can of whole tomatoes, 1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds, and salt and pepper. Simmer on low heat for 3-4 hours. Serve on baguette. Enjoy.
Style Crush: Florence in My Dreams
Today I’m dreaming of being Florence from Florence and the Machine, after finding myself mesmerized by “What the Water Gave Me,” the new single (and video; stills from it above). It begins with wanting to rock like she does. Then I would also like to get lost in her closet and her jewelry boxes full of fabulous trinkets….
Super Bowl for Chips
If you’re going to have a BBQ on your fantasy football draft day, you should have a football bowl for chips.
Food is Love: Holy Cannoli
Photo taken at a local pizza place in Santa Monica, CA. My grandmother always said, “Food is love.” (And she loved a good cannoli.) I like “eat love,” too.
Piece of Cake, Piece of Mind
Mmmmm, cake. Photo taken at the Fruit Gallery in Venice.
Venice Beach Morning Zen Break
I Love Lucy: Funny, Stylish, Timeless
I love so much about Lucy and have been recently obsessed with catching re-runs of “I Love Lucy” on TV. I love the show for the overall hilarity of the writing and performances; the chemistry between Lucy and Ricky; the friendship between Lucy and Ethel (and Lucy, Ricky, Ethel, and Fred); the shenanigans that usually involve Lucy’s shameless desire to be on stage and screen with Ricky; Lucy’s facial expressions and her unmatched gift for physical comedy; and the fabulous fashion. Oh, all those sweet bows, polka dots, scarves, coats, hats, purses (above, bows and polka dots together!)…. Check out Google’s homepage for a tribute to Lucille Ball today, the late star’s 100th birthday.
Denim Lover: Pet Rock
I have loved upcycling denim since I was a kid. Here is my childhood pet rock with a DIY denim hat.
Give it a Try: Mermaid with Flower
Purple flower in mermaid’s arms from the plant on our porch from the nursery guy who said, “Not sure if this plant will flower or if it will live, but plant it and give it a try.”
DIY: Key to NY
I found an old key to a NY apartment and was inspired to make it a necklace. Simple DIY decoupage job: I tore words from the yellowed pages of a thrift store paperback copy of a favorite book (“The Awakening” by Kate Chopin) and glued them on one side of the key. The key is hanging from a chord made of a strip of black jersey from an old T-shirt.
Love and Good Food
“Food is love” was something my grandmother liked to say (before, after, or during meals). I think she would have liked this message as well. Photo taken at Oscar’s Cerveteca in Venice Beach, CA.
Stef McDonald 