Vintage finds

Recently Dave helped his father clear out a shed in Torrance, California of items that used to belong to his step-mothers late mother. He found some cool stuff. Some of it we gave to Iris and Dave Fredell. This here is a cute little tea infuser. It's so darling.

I love small things, so I grabbed this cute little vase made in Japan.

I thought this was a really nice colorful vase.

Dave found me this cute sailor dress and it actually fits pretty well! It's hanging in the garage for now because of the strong (old) smell. Any tips on getting that old mildewy smell out?

Now this dress was really special. Never been worn with the tags still on it! And the kicker is the amazing shawl with real fur!! It fits like a dream too!

I managed to keep one purse that I really loved. It is a soft wool like material.

Attachted to the purse is a coin purse! So neat!

The inside lining is very elegant. I can't wait to wear these items!!

Home Sweet Retreat

It occurred to me that I have never blogged about my house before. I don't know why I haven't but I thought it would be kinda interesting to. My house is a Craftsman Bungalow in the Rose Park Historical District in Long Beach. It was built in 1910! Wow I can't believe my house is 101 years old this year! Dave and I have lived in this house since 2004 and let me tell you this house was scary looking. I wish I had some old pics of it to show you what I mean. We gave the house a "face lift", it was definitely a diamond in the rough!

Here is the living room. What I love about it is the beams on the ceiling. It also has the original hardwood floors and lots of windows.

This is the dining area. I love the original built in's that store our little nick knacks!

Our Ikea kitchen. I wasn't too keen on the idea of having an Ikea kitchen simply because I didn't think it would really withstand the demand of actual use. But I got to say that it is doing just great! I love the white old fashioned cabinets and wood counter tops! Dave's friend Kenji helped us put in the tile on the floors and the back splash. Also, the swinging door we found in the trash in Belmont Heights! With a little TLC Dave restored it!!

At the end of the hallway is a stained glass window which we put in ourselves.

The restroom originally was very small and outdated. Kenji put in all of the tile and we knocked a wall down to put in the shower. We also added a whirlpool tub!

The bedroom.

The office where I am blogging from!! Now let's step outside...

The gazebo.

The koi pond. I like how you have to walk over the bridge to get across into the backyard!

We have 16 koi fish.

The hut which Dave built himself! He's very handy!

The rock garden now has a new pond for plants only. Although, some rodents seem to be terrorizing the area! Could it be possums or racoons? Dunno?

Lily pads!!

A beautiful lotus flower!

And another!!!

As I was taking pictures I encountered this bright, blue bird!

I thought he was just gorgeous! We studied each other for a long time! Looking at each other with such curiosity. We get a lot of humming birds and insects of all kinds in our back yard but I must say I have never encountered a bird like this! I think he is a Mexican Blue Bird.

Well I hope that you enjoyed a tour of my house. I love it, it has lots of character and it is very cozy.



New Years resolutions

I usually make new years resolutions every year. I am always trying to improve myself and step back and ask myself what it is I really want out of this year?

#1. School is at my top list. I want to really decidate myself in my studies. That means good grades and showing up to school. Even on those nights when I would rather just watch TV and do nothing.

#2. Of course getting healthier. Sure I would like to lose weight but, I really want to focus on eating more veggies and working out consistantly. Dieting sucks but so does being overweight!!

#3. Set some $ aside for a nice and deserved vacation somewhere nice and warm.

#4. Learn French.

That is all. Pretty simple stuff I think!! Learning French will probably be my biggest challenge!!

Toast to the New Year!

We had planned to bring in the new year in the desert at Rasor Road but because of all the heavy rain these last few weeks we decided the conditions would not be best. So we went 2 blocks away to our old and familiar hang out, Alex's Bar! It was a 80's prom theme. I wished I would have dressed up but it was kinda last minute.

I had to take a pic of these people who went ALL OUT! They did such an awesome job of dressing up. The girl in the middle with the light blue dress looked thee best to me along with her date with the yellow tux shirt! I literally felt like I stepped back in time, with the 80's music in the background and all.

It was cool cause familiar people started showing up like crazy Joe and Vic! Good times!

The place was jam packed, it was cool they had 80's videos playing and 80's karaoke. Alex provided some hors'd'ouveres and a champagne toast.

Allen and Patricia!

Dave and I!

Almost time!!!!.....

Everyone get your drink!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...................

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! 2011 is going to be a great year!