Dear California

Dear California, 

Have I told you lately that I love you? I know I take you for granted. It's easy to take you for granted because you're the only home that I've ever known.  I love you for so many reasons. Yesterday afternoon reminded me how beautiful you are. Where else can I work all day then drive along the picturesque coast? Malibu looked like a picture perfect postcard at that magic hour. We enjoyed a delicious dinner of fresh seafood with a side of ocean view. Then, we scurried across the freeway to attempt to walk down the shear cliff, so we can dip our toes in the sand. I love the smell of the ocean, the feel of the ocean breeze flowing through my hair, the sight of the sun dipping below the horizon. I can't imagine ever abandoning you. 


xo,

Bea 

Teachers, Pizzas, & Mustaches

This weekend, we were able to make our teacher reunion happen. Woot! I must say that it isn't easy coordinating a time to meet up with eight other people, especially when no one lives in the same city. I'm just so happy that almost everyone was able to make it. It was a fun filled night. We made individual pizza masterpieces. While waiting for our pizzas, we played Find It: At the Beach and Barrel of Monkeys. After dinner, we ate delicious rainbow cupcakes and played several rounds of Apples to Apples while wearing our fabulous mustaches. Who knew that felt on a stick would be so much fun? Before bed, we found out who was a genius.Many laughs and full tummies make for good memories.

*The mustaches on a stick were inspired by the goodies at MaroDesigns.

Happy House Anniversary!

Dear Little Home,

Happy 2nd Anniversary! We are so happy that we picked you. Even though it's quite a commute to get to work, you're worth it. My hubster says that we're lucky because it's like going to our vacation house every night. He's right. We get to get away from all of the craziness of downtown. You're cozy yet spacious. Whenever we come home from a vacation, I am overwhelmed by the view of the golden rolling hills from our bedroom window. I love that we don't have a huge yard to landscape and maintain. You're perfect for us! 

Love,

Bea 

Wee Bit Red

source

I'm a wee bit embarrassed to say that my hubster and I don't have cable. Yes, we have a TV. As a matter of fact, we have two. No, we don't have an expansive DVD collection. We don't need to. Thanks to Netflix and Hulu, we have managed to evade the cable man and the dish man. We stream our favorite TV shows through Netflix on our Sony Blu-Ray player and Roku. No commercials. No reruns unless we want them to happen. For shows that aren't on DVD, enter Hulu. We keep up with all our favorite reality shows like Hell's Kitchen, Housewives, Pawn Stars, and Jamie's Food Revolution. Woot!

Why should I be embarrassed if we can keep up with our friends and co-workers' conversations? Well, when someone wants to watch something like the World Cup games or the NBA finals. We're not useful at all. This awkward conversation resumes:

Friend: So, have you been watching (enter name of sporting event)?
Me: Nope.
Friend: Do you want to?
Me: Sure. We can find a bar or something to go to.
Friend: Oh...that sounds like fun or we can just watch it at your place.
Me: Ummm...we don't have cable. (laughs nervously)
Friend: Oh...

Even though we have to have to have those conversations, I heart my friends for being very understanding. Actually, I think it's a real benefit to not have cable. We're more inclined to spend time talking to each other or doing fun things outdoors. Maybe, I'll just have to stop being embarrassed.

My Craft Space

That Darn Wall

As previously mentioned, my hubster has been sweet enough to let me convert one of our extra rooms into my craft room. The progress has been much slower than I would like it to be. I painted it over spring break. We bought and assembled my desk last weekend. Now, I'm stuck with the blank-canvas-of-a-wall that faces my desk. It's been such a toughie. Initially, I had planned on doing a gallery style photo collage. I laid it out on the floor. No bueno.

Now, I'm thinking about a clothespin line art display. The top line will display the gorgeous paper that my hubster's bff got us for our first anniversary. The middle line will be art prints that I love. The line below that one will be postcards from museums and various cities. The very bottom line will be prints from my DianaF+ experiments. Here's my inspiration board.

1. old family photos, 2. Project #3, 3. lucky in love, 4. On Display, 5. day 1: please inspire me., 6. Half! - 183/365, 7. ., 8. Clothespinned Clip Art in an alley nar 5th and Main pt. 4, 9. vanity

Busy as a Bee

When I'm all alone at home during breaks, I can turn into a total grouch. I seem to get really restless. I totally need something to keep me busy. For this spring break, my hubster and I decided my project would be putting together my craft room. Today, I spent a good part of the day painting it. I woke up as if it was Christmas morning. My excitement faded half way through, and I pooped out. I had to take a few breaks to give my little hands some much needed rest.

While I rested, I was getting inspiration for the decor. All the photos below are from Pottery Barn Design Library Collection. I had put the box set on our wedding registry. I had really wanted it, but didn't think anyone would get it for us. Luckily, Alex did get it. Yay! It's been a wonderful source of ideas while decorating our little home.

The teal color is what we used for our wall color.
I'm using the other colors of the color palette as accent colors along with some touches of yellow.

I love all of the different shades of blue. They're so calming.

I'm trying to figure out how I can include the clocks in my room.
Eventually, I would also like to start collecting different cameras.

Patio Series: Two

Patio Series: One

Fountain-tastic!

My parents thought we needed a fountain to add to our patio.
Here it is. Ta-da!

Now, all we need is a mini sailboat and a rubber ducky to place inside.

How Asian Are We?

Most of the time, my hubster calls himself a banana and a call myself a coconut. You may be wondering why. Well, those are the analogies that people use who identify more with American culture but look like some kind of other ethnicity. Sometimes, the Asian sides of us do show through nice and clearly. For example, we went to see our new place yesterday. The best part was finally seeing our new flooring. What's the first thing we do when the sales agent leaves? We both take off our shoes and walk all around the house barefoot. :) I told my mom and she just laughed.