Oktoberfest in Alpine Village

If you haven't been before you must make time for it now - Oktoberfest
in alpine village. This Saturday night Potsch, me, teenie and musso
headed down to Torrance for a night of good ol' German fun!
To be honest when we arrived we were a bit underwhelmed. There was one
bier tent and basically only one bier ( I don't count the bud light
and coors that were also there). There was some entertainment up at
the front and they were all decked out in traditional Bavarian garb -
lederhosen and dirndls. We were surrounded by frat boys and gang
bangers. Odd. They were all wearing either bright green hats with a
red feather or a big fuzzy chicken hat. Odd. In my judgmental elitist
way I scoffed at the crowd and marked them as foolish but one german
brat covered in sauerkraut and mustard and one tall liter of
Oktoberfest brew and my scoffing was no more. Teenie and I ran up on
stage to do the chicken dance three times and were giddy when the MC
wanted to spin us around. My hestitation stopped us two ladies short
of being in the drinking contest. But we had our own down on the dance
floor.
My favorite part was seeming Potsch happier than a kid in a candy
store running and skipping around the tent for twenty minutes solid
smiling and high five-ing every stranger he could during the polenaise.
It was a glorious event. So much fun that our minds were made - THIS
is what we want our wedding to be like!
(minus the very awkward sausage eating contest)

EMMY is so nice and pretty

The Emmy's were last night and earlier this week and they were lovely. The thing I liked the best about them was the fact that United States of Tara on Showtime won won two gorgeously gold ladies. One to Toni Collette for best Leading Lady in a comedy series - much much deserved. And the second to My Dad Brett Baer and his writing partner Dave Finkle for creating the Opening Sequence - also incredibly well derserved. I am over the moon for this show. So brilliant and not just cause my dad makes it that way. If you have not seen it then check it out on iTunes. You wont be disappointed!

Congrats US of Tara!!!

Pretend Kids from Olive Juice

Too Cute! These clothes from Olive Juice are adorable on my adorable pretend kids. I especially love my little German blond boy.

Pretend Kid at play

Oh of my most favorite things ever as a kid was playing dress up (ok yes i still play dress up all the time). Playing dress up for me was unbelievable because my mom was an actress and did sketch comedy at the Groundlings, so my dress up clothes were actual full on costumes and colorful vintage pieces. I had gorgeous feather boas and long purple silk robes. Hooker shoes, stripper shoes and lumber jack boots. And WIGS!!! I still to this day have about 30 wigs and we are not talking about crappy Halloween wigs we are talking expensive styled locks, short and long, straight and curly. My mom was great because she made a box of dress up clothes that were just for me and that I could pull out and put on when ever I was feeling fancy or a new character was coming on. I don't doubt that that experience defined my fashion sense today.
Sometimes I want to start my kids dress up box now. There are so many pieces that I have no need for but know that any kid would love to play with. I don't have the space to store that box yet but when I do - you better believe it is on!
here is my pretend Kid at play with her dress up clothes.

Nostalgic obsession

I realized that I have started using the word obsession a lot lately.
I think that is a good thing. Sometimes the world is filled with many
thing you can like and sometimes it has thing you can not live with
out. I just happen to be in that world right now.

I was born in North Carolina, home of hush puppies and sweet tea. As
far as I am concerned You can't get em better anywhere. Unfortunately
you can't even get em as good anywhere in California at all. But
recently I was quite throaty and perusing the aisles of my local
fresh&easy and I found this- Sweet Iced Tea. I have fallen for this
false advertising before. Companys promising you the most amazing
southern sweet tea only to pop that top and fooled by what tastes more
like a cleaning product. Damn that lying cartoon old lady. But I
decided to give it a try. AMAZING!!!! It taste just like the sweet tea
at my favorite restaurant in NC -Bullocks.
I am now a junky for this stuff. Do yourself a favor and the next time
you are parched stop by a fresh&easy and reward yourself for being
brilliant.

She Wolf

I am obsessed with this song. I am very surprised at that. The video is insane and i think Shakira is as well. But either way she is stunning to look at and watch move around...especially in a cage.
My favorite part is the awkwardly weird howl noise she makes. I find it a little creepy but I love making the sound myself. Sometimes I just make that sound at random.

The official video would not let me post it. lame. but I have this one so you can at least see it right away.

Worth watching just for the in your face sexual middle finger with huge fake nail in her mouth. hahaha

The Introduction to the Eames Lounger

I love this. Worth the double feature. When was the last time you tuned in for the much anticipated debut of a new chair? I guess now a days it more like getting excited when you see the new ikea catalog in your mail box.
The Eames Lounger continues to be an iconic chair. My Step Dad has had three versions of it as he has climbed the ladder of success. 1st was a pretty good and very cheap knock off somewhat busted but when you saw it in the corner of the room you knew what it was really supposed to be. (That is the one I have now.) 2nd a much nicer but still not real lounger while we lived in New York and he started writing for 30 Rock. 3rd The real thing! and above it a gorgeous Nelson Bubble lamp. Now when I see that 1st knock off in my living room I am reminded that you can always get what you want and have the life you want. It may take time but if you trust and go for it - you'll get there. Maybe some day I will have my own real Eames Lounger but I think I'd rather have a dining set of Eifel chairs (metal please). hehehe But of course I will take both.

This video definitely has a heavy dose of sexism but I just love watching Charles and Ray look at each other. I love the secrets of relationships.

DIY Door Hanging Garden

Fun! Eco and Yummy!
How easy is this door hanging shoe rack turn herb garden? I think this is great for any space as long as you can have something to catch the draining. You could also do cacti or pretty flowers.
To find out just how easy with a step by step how to go to Instructables.

Craigslist finds

I started tooling around craigslist looking at furniture for this project I am working on and I will tell you there are some pretty sweet things out there for not too much dough.

$522 for the pair doesn't seem horrible when you see how clean and nice the condition is. I love the color and the flower pattern. These would be a nice upgrade from the chair that i have already or should I say the scratch post my kitties have already.

How cool is this chain lamp for indoor or a covered outdoors? Very swanky right? Not bad at $125.
I found these very cool chairs for $250 total. I would probably have them reupholstered but they look really clean and in great shape.

How about these gorgeous side tables. They are little on the pricey side but that is why they say OBO.

Cool or not so cool?

I have never been the kind of lady who goes all out for holidays but I
have noticed as I get older and think about having a family of my own
someday I do notice the desire to collect for nostalgic purposes. But
does that desire warrent a nutcracker for every year?
I found this display at Target today and was thrust into confusion.
Not only is the the army general and skeleton and policeman nutcracker
there is also the turkey, the rockstar, the pirate and the skater.
What do they have to do with Christmas? I am alittle ok with extending
the cracker to thanksgiving time but halloween? And just plain everyday?
These soldiers of breaking are also embossed with the year 2009. So, I
guess you are supposed to collect them? Otherwise in 2014 people will
know that you have old stuff which is not vintage enough to be cool.
While I stood there with Potsch playing with the nut puppets and
chatting about how obsurd I found this another couple came up. The
female was giddy while grabbing the army cracker "Oh! We have to get
this for Pam and Bob!" I left after that even more confused.
Any thought?

RePEaT

I love this so much!!! What an awesome xmas gift too!
"We’ve got our travel mugs and our reusable shopping bags. How about a bamboo utensil set to round out the perfect toolkit for life on the go? A handy carabiner on the back lets you clip and carry a fork, knife, spoon and chopsticks wherever they may roam. Perfect for a busy lifestyle and our precious planet.

RePEaT utensil holders give plastic bottles a second shot at a useful life – and an opportunity to stay out of our landfills. Made out of RPET (recycled PET plastic), we like to call it “RePEaT” because it lets plastic reincarnate into something kinder and gentler."

I looked at a few utensil sets but i liked this one the best because the packaging was so small and handy and i loved that it had chopsticks too. You can get a single set for about $12 or the family pack (shown) for about $55. I definitely want to get these for my family's stocking stuffers.

RC-1 rain collector with style

RC-1 seems like a good idea. "Rain Collector holds up to 45 gallons of water — enough to water the garden, wash the car and maybe even a dog or two — all without relying on your local water supply." This one is very pretty and vintage styled but the price seems a bit steep at $550. I bet there are some cool DIY versions out there. Do you know any?

If only i could believe a little harder

I found this adorable Marc by Marc Jacobs ruffle bikini for $70 total on sale from $200. The only size left is 12. That is the size I am gunning for for my wedding day. How amazing would be to have this bikini on my honeymoon?! But I am just scared that I won't make it all the way down to that size. My work outs have been great. My food most of the time is good but sometimes, like when you go to North Carolina where there are hush puppies and sweet tea, I can stumble. Is this Bikini one of those things you buy so you can charge your self up to make it strong and fast to the finish line? What would you do?
PS- If you sign up on that website you too can emails of these big sales. I think I am slowly turning into one of those women who buy designer stuff on sale just cause it is designer. Is that bad?

I would register for these

If I could I would decorate my my house (or at least one room) in all cat and kitty stuff. I dream of having my own home office space someday and having it all kitties. I am slowly gathering my collection now. I have fine art kitties and kitty statues. I have kitty postcard and kitty cards all featuring kitties in clothes (my obsession). I am picky about my kitty paraphernalia. I don't accept just any kitty stuff. It has to make me laugh or smile or go "(big inhalation) Oh my God" followed with hands clasped together at chest. It would seem that FieldGuided falls into my kitty category just perfectly. What I wouldn't give to start my day with a cup of coffee in my kitty cup and enjoy a tuna sandwich for lunch on my kitty plate while gazing at my kitty art.
Oh, I hope when I die my heaven is filled with kitties.

Firemen work too hard to have their budget cut.

While in North Carolina the other day I got a phone call from my dad asking in a hurried tone if my mom was with me he needed to talk to her it was an emergency. I knew imidiately it was my 24 yr old brother. 

He is a Los Angeles firefighter. And he is really good at what he does. He really good at everything he does honestly but of course he chose a career where my mom and dad and I would have to pretend that we don't know he puts his life on the line multiple times on a daily rate.  I take comfort in knowing how smart strong and safety concious he is but I still get scared which is probably why he and many people in jobs like his can't talk to too many people about their daily activities.   
I ran into the restaurant and got my phone to my mom. I watched her looking for confirmation that it was about my brother. She got quiet and just nodded and listened. I was right. But I was wrong in underestimating how strong my mother is. She straightened up stopped her tears and took her place as family captain with out missing a beat. "T is fine." she said to put us at ease first. " He was taken to the emergency room after falling through the roof and they also found some CO2 possioning in his blood. But he is ok. Dad is on his way now to pick him up."

I don't know how she did it but she kept it together. I on the other hand pretended to look at my phone while I shook and sobbed so incredibly thankful he was ok and so devistated at the alternative. 

The problem is the mayor has cut the budget of the fire dept. Which means there are not enough firemen to fight ALL these fires right now and the ones that are on duty are having to do it alone. Which means my brother and his friends and all firemen are having to worker harder than they already do. That makes no sense. 

I have never writen to a government official but I think it is about time. Anyone has some advice?

Here is an article about my brother. It is the first time that I have read " firemen down" and actually knew the person. 

Crews Knock Down House Fire Near Runyon Canyon

Updated 9:30 AM PDT, Mon, Aug 31, 2009

BUZZ UP!TWITTERFACEBOOK

Two firefighters were injured in a blaze that broke out in a Hollywood estate just south ofRunyon Canyon Park.

The fire was held to the house and did not spread to nearby brush, a fire official said.

The fire in the main house at 1800 N. Camino Palmero was reported at 8:29 a.m., said Los Angeles fire spokesman Devin Gales. The residence had a guesthouse in back, which was not burned.

Radio reports from the scene indicated that the fire started in the kitchen. Gales said it spread through the walls and into the attic of the large, two-story home.

One hundred and three firefighters responded to the greater-alarm fire and fought through thick smoke to mount an aggressive attack on the flames, using chainsaws to cut through areas of the Spanish-style roof.

It took just over two hours to get the fire knocked down, Gales said.

Two firefighters suffered injuries other than burns and were taken to hospitals, Gales said.

Gales did not know the extent of the damage caused by the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Sent from my iPhone

Parker & Otis

In north Carolina till Tuesday. Went to church today where the sermon
was all about the four principals for getting married to someone. 1.
Magic factor - basically you must be physically and mentally attracted
to the person- check. 2.character- don't have any addictions or you
are worthless-check 3. Emotional stability - um...almost a check? 4.
same belief in god / spirituality- check. Three out of four ain't too
bad. Right?
Anyway after we went for brunch at Parker & Otis in Durham. P&O is a
great shop full of cool recipe books and food products and old time
candy. Also has an amazing selection of wine and some beer. We ordered
at the counter and took a seat and pretty quickly they came out
calling us by name with food. P&O uses local as much as they can. Eggs
and dairy are all from near by farms and taste great.
Next time your in Durham NC definitely stop here. 112 Duke Street.

I hope this post comes through. It's a recipe for a rosé slushy. Sounds delicious and easy. I just started following silver lake wine on Twitter and already I have learned so much. Their blog looks great too. Tips and tricks and recipies. All handy stuff. 

Leave me a comment so I know if it did or didn't work.

Lvkm

8.23.09________________________________________________

THE ROSÉ SLUSHY

Hot summer nights call for drastic action. Here's a fun way to stay cool. Put your bottle of rose in the freezer for 1 to 2 hours. Check on it from time to time as freezers vary in temperature. When the wine has become semi-solid (you can see some ice and some liquid inside) take it out and open it up. You may need to put a chopstick or spoon handle in the bottle so you can pour. That's it! Be careful, this goes down easy.

Sent from my iPhone

Jessica Dalva maybe the top

Jessica Dalva has a great showing of work at Soap Plant in Hollywood.
I wish I had grabbed more photos at the time. I may go back just for
that. Anyway, i did get this dome piece. It made me laugh and I am
thinking it would make an awesome cake topper. Maybe a little less
creepy for a wedding? Maybe not. Haha. But I think it would be really
cool on our cake and then as a little art piece memory on the shelf. I
can't wait to start playing around with this idea.
I gave Potsch for our first Christmas this spice bottle filled with
two small photos of us and then a small piece of things we had done or
places we'd gone. We had just started dating so it was small.
This cake topper could have the same kinda feeling.
What kind of cake topper would have? Traditional or hand made or
funny? Tell me!

Exciting Espresso

Potsch and I enjoyed a lovely lunch at the Nickle Diner in Downtown LA
not long ago. I was in the need of a pick me up and a hot cup of
coffee in this crazy hot streak was not in the cards. And then I found
this -Manhattan Special Espresso coffee Soda. Amazing. I loved the
bubbly. It takes a minute to get aquainted but once your in you're
hooked. I thought it was a bit like a chocolate coke but with a sneaky
bite.
The nickle diner is the only place I have seen this. Please let me
know you can find it anywhere else. And let me know what you think.
Bet it could make a great cocktail mixer too. Mmmmm

Pretend Kids!!!! and play clothes

Wovenplay has an amazing collection of kid clothes that blur the line between normal clothes and play/costume clothes. They are totally my kind of clothes. hand made, organic and full of fun textures not to mention their adorable models.
These will be my kids for sure!

Marc Madness

Oooooo so lovely and cheap. What a great bridesmaids gift right?! Only $7 and they are by Marc Jacobs!!! I die. (I have to say that now that Rachel Zoe is back on)
I was going to leave it at that but then I found this tote and though I am a more in love with the Honey B Market Tote if i needed a small designer tote this one is pretty amazing and at $18 what the heck? Why don't I have it now on my arm?

Magic Rugs

Holy crap! These rugs are hand made!!! The designs are cut out with special scissors. I had no idea that is how rugs are made. New thing of the day for me! haha.
I want these rugs in every room of my gorgeous well lit compound home. I also want the furniture in the photos. The one thing I am confused by is how those lovely cats are not scratching the crap out of the magic rugs? That is the only (wink) reason I do not own the rugs already.