Shameless Birthday Post

It’s that time of year again, my birthday, and I am about to do something shameless. As many of you know, and for those do not, I am traveling around Thailand and Laos for three weeks. I’m sure many most of you were pulling your hair out trying to come up with a clever 27th birthday gift. Spare your scalp and gift me with the ability to experience all the wonders of Southeast Asia. Here is the shameless part; basically what I am doing is asking for money. Just a few dollars, you know since you can’t be with me to buy me a birthday beer. Click the Paypal donate button. I promise to post pictures of what your gifts have allowed me to do.

Oh my my

Oh my my, oh dear, it has been a bit to long. A year and some change of neglect is a little sad for a blog.
Since photos are more entertaining to look at than some novice blogger rambling on....I will post some photos of recent creations. Let's catch up, shall we?

Some driftwood I pickup on a camping trip to the Kern River.



Buttons! A jar of buttons are now one of my favorite pieces. It can be yours. Check it out HERE


Yep, hex nuts. I spray-painted them bronze.

Street Potential

Around mid-summer as I was walking home from work, I spotted a camel colored leather ottoman abandoned on the sidewalk. Instantly, I decide to run home, grab my fabric scissors and strip every ounce of leather from that poor piece of furniture. And so began the hunt; the hunt for curbside leather furniture and Los Angeles is brimming with amazing quality couches. From these couches I make mainly fringe necklaces and some other random creations. Take a look and let me know if you want to buy one, if the one you like is sold i can whip up another!

and here are some other creations.

For the Timber of it

For those outdoorsy-tree-loving souls living in the city add a little grain to your urban life.
Karvt
Grove Made Bamboo iphone cover
Zeke Leonard wall sconces, genius
BP Custom Woodworks Wooden encase external hard-drive
Wood Tec I'm obsessed with this stuff...not so much with the price though.
Gray Pants lamps made from reclaimed cardboard

Horne

FIY on the DIY

If you are anything like me, you take immense pride in the successful DIY project. I am constantly scouring the blog world for awesome unique projects and tutorials to satiate my love for creating. One of the best parts of finding DIY is tweaking it to make it your own, basically using a project to spark an idea. I have recently found some awesome blogs that have fueled some stupendous inspirations.

Cucumbersome
Vintage Bunt light Leather link necklace
Design*Sponge is by one of my favorite and most visited blogs. I’m addicted to their DIY page and their before and after.
Recycled wine bottle lantern
Manson jar lights
Paper lanterns
Hermes leather key-chain. I made this one but made the loops longer and cut them. I call it a tassel other people call it something else (I wish you could see my rolling eyes :)
Free People
Re-purposed drawers as shelves
oh joy not so much a DIY blog as an inspiration source.
Outdoor summer inspiration
Oncewed what would this DIY post be without a little wedding DIY, right? Stellar website.
Fabric flowers
Rock candy chandelier
Just these five should keep you restless imagination and hands busy for a good long while. Enjoy!

Fun and Tasty Los Angeles

LA is a city full of risk and life… and that makes for some hungry people constantly searching for edgy, hip, and delicious establishments. These are a few places I have come across and love sharing with friends.

The York
Awesome atmosphere, pretty good beer selection, and from what I hear fantastic eats.

Big Foot Lodge
Yes, yes; if you have seen Yes, Man with Zooey Deschanel and Jim Carey then you will recognize this place. Love the novelty of it and Sunday night bingo.

The Alcove
One of the best outdoor cafes. Their counter display in stuffed with beautifully decadent desserts, their breakfast/lunch menu never fails to satisfy and their wine list isn’t too bad either. Great place to meet friends and bring out-of-towners.

The Trails Cafe
I have a mild obsession with succulents and any place that decorates with them instantly scores a ten. In the last few months this place has become a favorite after a hike in Griffith or just whenever. Great coffee, fun tattooed baristas, and good food all in an atmosphere very un-LA, more Portland/Seattlesque.

The Coffee Table
Another delicious eatery in Silverlake. Their breakfast menu is spot on and makes the tummy happy.

The Best Fish Tacos in Ensenada
Yes, quite possibly one of the strangest names, but, oh, they are the best. Two items on the menu; Fish Tacos ($1.25) and Shrimp Tacos ($2.00) and if you are lucky you might even get a hand-knit scarf from the old lady behind the register.


Paru’s Vegetarian Indian
I used to walk by this place all the time and wonder. You have to get buzzed in (one of my favorite aspects besides the great food, of course) and once in, it’s like you have stepped into India. I always split a main dish and an appetizer and if you go earlier or on a weekday you just may get an almond, carrot, cardamom shake on the house.



Figaro Bistrot
For anyone who has been to Paris and eaten in one of the many street-side cafes, Figaro provides a much-needed nostalgic throwback. They are the pricey side but their café au leche is a steal of a deal. Great spot to people watch to Los Feliz.

Wurstkurche
Anyone who knows me has heard me rave about this place. A college friend (who literally lives next door to this gastropub) introduced me to the rattlesnake and rabbit bratwurst. Don’t turn your nose up at it, just get it and your mind will be blown away. Oh, and they Belgian beer selection is fantastic.

Cole’s
They call themselves the “Orginators of the French Dip.” I, honestly, haven’t been here yet, but I have a friend who doesn’t think twice about riding his bike 16 miles round-trip to indulge in their sandwiches. I think that says a lot.


1739 Public House
This place is a wonderful bar to meet up with friends, people-watch and drink beer. I have been telling people they have 40 beers on tap, thinking that was pretty impressive, but I am wrong…they have a whopping 64 beers on tap! Plenty to satisfy you beer connoisseurs. Needless to say, this place is a must and Wednesday nights are Trivia Night, pretty awesome.

Edendale Grill
I love this place for so many reasons; good drinks, friendly bar tenders, occasional celebrity sighting, and romantic atmosphere. Oh! And one of the only places where we have found Pisco Sours.

Speranza
Awesome little Italian restaurant with lovely outdoor-seating and they don’t have a corkage fee, so bring your bottle of wine and enjoy.

Dillons
Soon to be my new after-work hangout. This fairly new Irish pub graces Hollywood Blvd. with its surprising $3 pints. Waitresses dress in schoolgirl outfits (and are quite often ditsy-dodos, but whatever). I prefer to go straight to the bar and get my drink myself, seeing as I have never had to wait more than a few seconds to be served. Gets crowded, but if you get there earlier you can stake out a good section out for your group.

Get out there and eat.