Brown & Blue – You Only Wanted Strength.

From Brown and Blue’s Danny Nogueiras:

We have been a band since 2006 and this new video is for a 7″ single we just released on Long Beach, California’s Mountain Man Records (http://www.mountainmanrecords.com). The video is directed by Ryan Baxley…and we think it came out really great. The 7″ means a lot to us; it’s our first release since I moved from Long Beach – where we did well as a local band and had a tight knit strong community built up – to Highland Park, Los Angeles. Since the move it feels a lot like starting over. Ricky and I (Vocals/guitar, Lead Guitar/Back up vocals, respectively) started this band when were in high school together and so many years later it still feels fun, freeing, and like the most honest thing I’ve ever done. The song is about denial and my inability to be honest. I think it’s about being desperately in need of help and making sure no one who you know would help you finds out.

You can get Brown and Blue’s music for free here.

If you need a break from those winter doldrums, check out these adorable favors for a beach-themed wedding shower! The couple will be having a destination wedding later this year, but in the meantime the groom’s co-workers are toasting them right here at home.

The pails are so cute and versatile! Use them for candies, sand and seashells – even a small plant! Finish it off with ribbon and a custom tag from persnickety and you have a favor that is not only adorable, but practical as well!

Ever since we received a rain shower head from Mom and Dad for Christmas, showers have been delightful. Instead of a spazzy spritz of water, a nice, warm downpour erupts from every pore of the the shower head and easily washes away every bit of dirt from the body. Showers are preferable for me. I like a nice bath every now and then, but I get bored with nothing to do.

So tonight, like any other night, I took a shower once night fell. I got the water running while I used the toilet, then stripped down (don’t worry – this isn’t going to get X-Rated) and climbed into the shower and was welcomed by a spray of water at perfect shower temperature. I started by wetting my hair completely and then applying a dollop of my shampoo. While I was rinsing it out, I happened to glance up to my left at the ledge where I usually see a yellow and green sponge. Next to the sponge, I saw a pop can. Instantly I knew which brother was the culprit.

My first thought was: I wonder if there’s anymore pop left? (I checked and it was empty.)

My second thought was: Ugh, I HATE it when the boys come home and trash the bathroom!

My third thought was: Now I’m going to have to add that can to the recyclables as if it’s my mess!

My fourth thought was: Wow, I’m actually kind of thirsty. It would be nice to have a grape pop right now.

My fifth thought was: Oh my gosh, what a genius idea!
I went from being totally disgusted to being totally amazed. If I had been Adam (whom I am sure was the culprit), I would have set my unfinished pop on the counter in the bathroom and then commenced my shower. But Adam – being Adam – couldn’t have that. He took his unfinished pop into the shower with him and simply set it on the top ledge, away from any excess water. Imagine how refreshing it must have been to take a swig of a nice cold cola (though I do not like cola) during a hot shower. Adam constantly catches me off guard with these really simple ideas that I would never even think to do.

Maybe next time I’ll take my unfinished can of pop in with me so I can enjoy it in the shower.

The Other Morning at the Beach

Day at the Beach

Since I Was Up Anyway

Beach Walk

THE VENUE: A friend of the family’s beautiful backyard and interior of the house

‘My Little Pumpkin’ by chicgiftsbysass

Round little Pumpki… dahlhartlane $88.95	Autumnal Stroll 5×7… ohhellodear $7.00	Spiced Pumpkin pump… swanmountainso… $6.00	Lilly- Custom Littl… andreagerigdes… $15.00
Summer Harvest Infa… deusprovidebit $	Fall Harvest Ring B… astylishdesign $17.00	Italian Fashionista… BabyEtte $48.00	Harmony basket fill… dearjes $17.00
Adorable Little Ora… mmwolters $9.00	P is for Pumpkin On… cococouture $18.00	My Little Pumpkin B… BoutiqueBabyBo… $10.00	Harvest Pumpkin Tar… AtomicLuLu $20.00
8 inch Autumn Color… FerntreeFlower… $115.00	Pumpkin Patch Diape… BeautifulPhoto… $27.00	organic baby quilt … SewnNatural $120.00	ON SALE …October … MySillyBear $36.00

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Japan Country Living, Photo by Shim Kimura

So, the orange upholstery on the old-new chair didn’t stand up too well to the cleaning.  There were some stains that would not come out and some wear that I mistook for stains.  I’ve sent it off for re-upholstering.  Ah, no orange.  Sorry, William. Long story short….a clean slate.  I love, love, love  the calm tones in these Japanese interiors–a Wabi Sabi palette.   Wabi Sabi is the Japanese art finding beauty in nature and the cycle of growth and decay.  As natural things age they take on a pretty patina in ways that artificial materials can not.

Japan: Art of Living photo by Shim Kimura

My all-time favorite design book is Amy Sylvester Katoh’s Japan: The Art of Living. These images are from that volume and two other titles by the author:  Japan Country Living and Japan Blue and White.   Katoh is American and moved to Japan in the 1960′s.   I’ve been collecting Japanese and African textiles, which share similar hand and form, for years. I’m drawn to the deft  geometrics and the beautiful colors.  I love  ikat, aso oke and kasuri especially, and also kuba shoowa.  I think it’s why I am fond of these rooms.  The palette in these rooms is drawn from the materials used in furnishing them–the natural dyes of the textiles, walnut, teak, straw, bamboo, linen and rice paper.  A Wabi Sabi palette is quiet–brown, blue, black, white, gray, rust and indigo.  Look here to read more about it http://nobleharbor.com/tea/chado/WhatIsWabi-Sabi.htm.

Japan : The Art of Living photo by Shim Kimura

Japan Blue and White photo by Yataka Satoh

Japan Country Living photo by Shim Kimura

A traditional Japanese home

Color, glorious color. Look around… What would life be without the gift of color? Every color says something different to each of us. Colors evoke emotions, feelings, memories. Living in harmony means surrounding yourself with colors that make you feel good. My favorite colors is blue. I am very particular about the shade of blue, although in nature I adore anything blue; the sky, the ocean, butterflies and bluebirds. In my home, I am crazy about gray-blues and robin-egg blues. These two tones sing harmony to me. This month House Beautiful devoted an entire issue on my favorite color. I find it absoultely inspiring and fabulous.

The layers of color on this piece tell a beautiful story. It’s perfect.

Again, the layers. I can’t help myself..

The beauty of the contrast of the browns and the blues are shown in this fabulous room.

What can I say? Beauty abounds from the alabaster walls, the delicious vanilla linens and the layered blues of this fantastic panel.

This room evokes a seaside feeling from me and I love the seaside.

xxj

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<– warmer       Cold         warmer–>

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In the Bedroom:

A rich warm brown combined with a warm yellow tone of blue, aqua.

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In the Living room:

Icy cold blue with a rich brown. Looks great, no?

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In the Nursery:

A rich warm brown combined with both warm and cold blue.  Really cute.  Pic from this site.

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In the Dining room:

Brown and blue, both are warm. Room designed by Candice Olson.

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In the Teenage room:

Yes, this is Hana Montana herself, Miley Cyrus, in her lovely bedroom. Great warm tones.

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A cool wallpaper (pun intended)

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]]> http://thelennoxx.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/brown-rooms/ Wed, 08 Jul 2009 07:41:21 +0000 theLennoxx http://thelennoxx.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/brown-rooms/ A rich chocolate brown combined with a crisp cold color looks really great!

In a  Bedroom:

The dark-coffee-brown really makes the white details pop!

In a Living room:

A chocolate color brown with powder blue and cream.  Rich brown and a cold blue or turquoise tone are generally a great match! I would choose a monochrome rug though…

In a Dining room:

Beige and white. Looks great!

In a Nursery:

Beige and cream for a soft touch.

In a Hall:

Beige and crisp white.  That floor sea shell chandelier makes a nice touch.

In a Bathroom:

A rich brown with white.

Check out the category ‘brown’ under ‘Browse by Color in the side panel to the right if you want to see more pic like these.

]]> http://fwwimports.wordpress.com/2009/02/09/designer-accessories-color-is-in-so-get-ready-to-be-bold/ Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:45:30 +0000 fwwimports http://fwwimports.wordpress.com/2009/02/09/designer-accessories-color-is-in-so-get-ready-to-be-bold/ Yes ladies and gentleman, this years designer fashion accessories are all about color. If you are like me, you really enjoy a splash of color or something totally different. Let’s take a look at some of the accessories in theses categories.

If you like wallets, then Gucci has something for you. A mixture of quality and color check out this Gucci wallet in Beige,Brown and Green or this Gucci Designer Wallet in Beige,Brown and Blue . A bit playful but great for every day.  This Fendi  Zucca  Wallet in Red Leather is absolutely bold and fantastic.  All the quality of Fendi in a great new design!

You say you want handbags, check out this new style of Pink Begonia Microfiber Pochette from Prada. Sleek,sexy and a great price. Like Burgundy?  Well look at this small Prada MV633  Micrifiber handbag in Burgundy . This Roberto Cavalli Leather Heart Handbag in Metallic light Brown is different and has the “heart” symbol Cavalli is famous for. From Coach we have the Coach Shoulder Tote Beige and Blue.  Simple style with a splash of color, a real head turner. Dolce & Gabbana has this P699 Cheetah print handbag in black. It offers a splash of color in an animal print. Very Dolce and so very in!  Our Friends at Marc Jacobs have introduced this Daria Pink Leather Handbag, simply fantastic. Also new from Marc Jacobs is this Leather Sophia Red handbag. Totally different and really an eye catcher. Gianfranco Lotti, all the rage in Europe, has designed this lovely Orange Handbag with Key design, as well as  this Lotti Pink Metallic Leather Handbag . Fabulous style and totally affordable. For a bit of the unusual, look at this Gianfranco Lotti White Snake Design handbag. All designer bags and all so different.

Want some funky sunglasses. Check out these Versace Sunglasses in Brown.  Very different but you need more, look at this Michael Kors Sunglasses , so very different but killer stylish. Finally, take a look at these Ralph Lauren Sunglasses , the ultimate fashion and so Lauren!

Anyway, just a taste of the color and designs coming up for the year. Go get em and most of all, have fun and don’t forget to treat yourself once in a while. Happy Shopping!!

Animal prints are back and they are back in some of the most bold and colorful patterns ever. Our friends at Dolce & Gabbana have come up with a few fantastic items that will make you stand out in any crowd. Look at this  P6P699 Cheetah Brown handbag. Absolutely fantastic for the young at heart and you clubbin fanatics. Like something  with a stripe, check out this bold but beautiful Dolce & Gabbana Handbag P699 in Satin Zebra Black . Fantastically obvious yet exquisitely different. Get ready for questions and compliments!

Prada has long been associated with quality and old world Italian design. Check out this Prada Pink Begonia Microfiber pochette. Bold pink color that stands out. Great for clubs and standing out in the crowd. How about this Prada Hobo Pink Leather Handbag. Serious “stand Out” fashion  all this at a great price. Looking for something in red? Check out this Prada Large tote bag in red calf skin leather. Absolutely devestarting red! Wow.

Now for those of us with a bit more expensive taste, our friends at Marc Jacobs have come up with fantastic color and we have them at a great price! This Marc Jacobs  Handbag in daria emerald green leather is outstanding. Look at this Fendi Large compilation handbag in red and black. Style and color in one bold shot!

Gucci has made the scene with this Gucci 137385 handbag in Beige,Brown and Blue. Not for the fashion faint, yet beautifully different. More fun and color from our fashion guru”s at Gianfranco Lotti. This Gianfranco Lotti Orange Handbag with Key design if all class but bright orange which denotes the newest fashion color for this year.  This beautiful Gianfranco Lotti Red Shoulder Bag is a fashion statement at any time. Beautifully designed, Lotti has come up with some of the most wanted bags this year. This Gianfranco Lotti Pink Metallic Handbag is so choice and always a wanted accessory!

So many great handbags, so little time! Go out there and claim a piece of the bold and different. Don’t be shy. Enjoy and happy shopping!

A day or so before we met I had gotten the latest issue of Martha Stewart Weddings (collectors edition) which has some gorgeous contempory designs.  I happened to throw it in my bag as I was out the door to meet with Barbara.  When we sat down I asked her and Kai what their style was… what they had in mind for the look of their cake.  They showed me the colors ~ chocolate brown and a soft blue.  They described a few cakes they’d seen and said there was one in particular, but they forgot the magazine clipping.  They wanted something striking and elegant, modern and unique.  Barbara said “I’m all about the cake… the cake has to be IT!” 

I thought to myself… hmmm, wasn’t there a picture in Martha just like that? I pulled out the magazine and was flipping to the page while she spoke.  Then, turned the magazine around and her eyes zero-ed in on the cake and sparkled!  That was the one they had left behind. 

She told me later that she know then and there that I was the one to make the cake!  It was like sparks flew from there… we nailed down all the details and adjustments, choose the flavor (“Pucker Up” – a luscious lemon and almond combo) and everything just fell into place. 

Kai and Barbara were the sweetest couple!  They were almost child-like with the fun they were having making the decisions and were so careful of the other’s opinion and preference.  It was a nice insight into how their married life might play out! 

Kai’s dad, Bill, made a gorgeous stand to place the cake on.  It was custom designed to suit the color and scale of the cake and made a precious gift to the couple because it was also a treasure box to hold mementos and keepsakes.  It made the cake a real focal point of the room by making it about 6″ off the table and literally “placed on a pedestal”.  Bill has great woodworking talent and I was so pleased to share the cake table with his creation! 

Here is the final cake design – adjusted to 4 tiers, with a monogram “B” added, and placed on the custom stand….  Pale blue fondant icing with piped chocolate medallions and scrolling. 

An additional medallion was placed on the center of the top to finish it off, since there would be no flowers, no topper ~ very modern and chic! 

Other wedding details:

Bill’s custom designed cake stand/treasure box.  The dark espresso stain complimented the chocolate design on the cake and the rich brown satin linen.  The box also has beautiful antique gold metal trim at the corners (which you can’t see in the picture)

Gift table/card box – I love how this pattern and the cake are similar -but different!

Guest sign in book – nice that the colors are reversed here and the graphics nice and simple.  Makes a nice balance with the ornate details of the other elements

Welcome Table with display of invitation – I think this idea is inspired!  I love it!! What great way to add decoration and continue the theme without additional expense!  A Flickr friend of mine http://www.flickr.com/photos/abbietabbie/ noticed that the ceremony was held at “The Little Brown Church”!!  Too cute ~ even the building matched the decor!! 

Sweetheart Table – Perfectly placed between the guests, the cake and the dance floor!  A lovely table for two!

Ceiling Treatment – The ceiling at the Sunol Valley Golf Club has these gorgeous chandeliers, and there were ooodles and oodles of sheer yardage draped with twinkle lights across the whole ceiling. It looked like a fairytale room!  

It was such a pleasure to create this dream cake for Barbara and Kai!  I got such a thrill and inspiration from their enthusiam. Of course, all couples are excited about planning their wedding and choosing the cake ~ But, there is something extra special about this couple.  I wish them all the happiness in the world!

See more comments on Flickr….

In baby world, Daughter must be going through a growth spurt. She went from waking up every three to even four hours to waking up every two, two and a half hours to eat. YIKES! And I know I’ve mentioned that Eldest won’t kiss or hug her yet. As a matter of fact if I’m holding her and he wants to hug me, he’ll hug me on the side she’s not on. But I know he loves her very much and he’s been wonderful. He even got her to take a pacifier so she could nap. She just won’t take it from me- probably cause she knows I’ve got the real deal and am holding back on her!

All I have to do is figure out the wrapping part. I'll have to find some blue and brown tissue paper and ribbon and be done that way. And then it's the handmade. *I* think she'll like it. I hope she does at least.

I also picked up some yarn at Joann's for myself because it was yelling at me to buy it. So I listened. Always listen when the yarn speaks. ^_^ So here's the thing. The baby blanket? Is a no go. I started putting the squares I had finished together and oh man. I don't know if it's because I wanted it to work so bad or what, but when I started matching them up together I realized that first of all they weren't really squares at all but more like rectangles. And they were not the same size. Some, not even close. So I'm giving up that particular baby blanket. I will knit a baby blanket, but I'm pretty sure it will be one of the ones in Knitting for Baby that is done on circular needles (which will be another first for me). For now, I'm going to content myself with making the Garter Stitch Baby Hat and the Beginner Booties in Moda Dea Cartwheel in Neapolitan- the yarn I bought at Joann's. I don't have the size 7 needles the booties need so I started on the hat. And I have Eldest's seal to work on too. I can't remember if I mentioned it or not, but I'm trying to make him the seal from World of Knit Toys. Here are those two projects.

The Moda Dea I'm making the hat and booties with is the first time that I work with wool. I figure since it's something like a hat and booties I probably won't have to worry much about it getting dirty although yes I realize I probably just jinxed myself. I was really nervous at first because the Cartwheel type of yarn is kinda funky- thick and thin at varying parts. Well, I love it. And I haven't been having any problems with it sticking on the bamboo needles like I was having with the baby blanket. See? The blanket was cursed. Bad Baby Blanket!

I also took a nap today with my little boy. And ate more eggplant parmesan. And also, I've completely given up. I can't remember if I mentioned it or not but when I went to the doctor last week, they scheduled me for an induction. Size is a concern of theirs and I trust my doctor. So we agreed to give her a few days but on Monday I have to go in for the stress test and she's scheduled for an induction on Wednesday, June 14. So there. I give up. That's when she's coming. The only sucky part is that is when my sister in law leaves to Atlanta to work an event in my place. She's the godmother and the aunt. Poop. But yeah, I guess I'll just come to terms with it. Eldest was an unplanned  induction so I'm pretty sure I'll be able to handle it but still I didn't like being induced last time and I don't like the idea of it this time, but I also understand my doctor's point of view and I trust him completely as my labor with Eldest was really a good one. I was a bit worried about the NST but I did some reading up on it and feel better about it. Except lying for an hour sounds more annoying than fun. Ok time to get off the computer– my hands and feet are swollen again. YUCK.