Roberta Grove

I was thinking the other day that I haven't posted many lovely Etsy finds lately. Lest you think I have not been browsing Etsy with my usual intensity, which is so not the case, I thought I'd share with you this perfectly edited vintage shop I stumbled upon the other day.

Meet Roberta Grove, a "wonderland of vintage goodies" curated by Los Angeles Etsian, Jannay. (She has a blog, too.) I love all of the vintage finds she has listed in her shop, from gorgeous antique books whose pages have wonderfully browned with age to vintage home wares that would add a touch of whimsy to any room.

I rounded up a few faves to share:

Pair of vintage cobalt glass candlesticks and set of 5 vintage Bauer nesting bowls

Vintage Polaroid 320 Land Camera and wooden storage drawer

Antique book bundle, poems and fiction

Vintage Fire-King cream and sugar set and handsewn feedsack quilt

Have you found any lovely Etsy items or shops lately? Do share!

Love Walked In

Last night I did something that I haven't done in a long while: I read a book! As the boys were playing their MLB video game, I glanced over to my poor, dusty, forgotten bookshelf and thought, hey, I could be reading a book right now. So I waltzed over, perused the titles and picked one. I almost went for Barbara Kingsolver's "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle," but then I spied "Love Walked In" hiding behind a picture frame.

Written by Marisa de los Santos, it is the award-winning poet's first novel (She has a second now, called "Belong To Me") and I have only heard great things about it. Even Sarah Jessica Parker* gives it a thumbs up; a quote from her on the back of the book calls "Love Walked In" "exquisite and stylish," saying it "proves that love in all forms-- romantic, friendship, familial-- is all around us." Now you can see why I picked this book, huh?

I myself don't have many opinions on the book just yet-- I have only just begun to crack its spine as I passed out about 40 minutes into reading (In my defense, I started reading around midnight!). But if you've read "Love Walked In," I'd love to hear what you thought-- without giving anything away, of course!

Also, what books are you reading currently, or just finished up? I'm always adding new titles to my "must read" list-- even if it is difficult to find the time to read them! Here's hoping I actually finish this one... (you longtime readers know I have trouble with that!)

Hope you are having a happy Monday!




*As I browsed the "Love Walked In" site I discovered that Paramount Pictures is turning the book into a movie and that SJP is set to star! Love it!

things that made me smile this week...

We had a pretty good Sunday. It started with sleeping in. Then, I made the boy and I a late breakfast of eggs (scrambled for him, over easy for me), bacon, sourdough toast and banana slices. Which was followed by watching football for a few hours. I really didn't have much of a say in the matter! But did you see the amazing catch and 87-yard touchdown run by Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Stokley? Being in the proverbial "right place, right time" to catch that deflected ball led the Broncos to beat the Cincinnati Bengals 12-7. I'm not exactly a huge football fan, but it was a pretty exciting moment to watch. If you missed it, watch it here.

Anyway, we eventually got off the couch and went to check out Simi Valley Days, our annual hometown fair. I hadn't been in years but I wrote a story about it for the paper last week and felt like I should go make an appearance and see how the new location in the park was working out. But we ended up not staying long. Unfortunately, it wasn't as fun as I remember it being. Granted, it's really aimed more toward young kids. And the boy's stomach can't handle the rides' spins and loop-de-loops, so that was a no-go.

But we did have fun trying to win a goldfish by tossing ping pong balls into tiny fishbowls, which, of course, was impossible. And I had tons of fun beating the boy at the game where you try to pop half-blown-up balloons with darts. Even though I am no good at darts and he is actually pretty good at darts, I kicked his butt! I hit 3 out of 4 and he just got 2. He was shocked and so was I! For my efforts, I took home a "Care Bear" stuffed animal. I use the quotes because it's a knock off-- kind of like a Prado-- but it's cute nonetheless and my symbol of victory.

I then convinced the boy to grab a cup of Tutu's shave ice, which is the real deal, none of this snow cone crunchy ice. This melts in your mouth like shave ice should. We got Tiger's Blood, a mix of fruit punch and coconut. It really hit the spot considering how hot it was outside.

On our way out we went back through merchant alley, where we heard Mishavonna perform an acoustic set. While the band did sound check the boy and I stood off to the side and tried to figure out why she looked so familiar. We soon found out: she was on the last season of American Idol! I actually really liked her voice and music (you can hear her latest single, "My Cowboy," on her myspace), but what I liked even more was her blue acoustic guitar, the sight of which made me green with envy. I have always wanted to learn how to play guitar and I have always wanted a blue guitar! Bestill, my heart.

See what I mean? How can you not love that guitar?

While listening to her play, I browsed a nearby merchant booth selling books for $5 and came across a table filled with old, beautiful hardcover books. I fell in love instantly and scooped up four within the course of probably two songs (I think I am realizing why I am broke!). I couldn't resist though, and this was a case where I definitely judged the book by its cover. To be honest, I don't even really know what some of these books are about, but their covers were just so gorgeous and special and they just don't make them like this anymore, you know? The spines are fragile, the paper is browned with age and they smell dusty, like a library. I kind of feel like I bought art... for $5 each no less. I am sure once you look at the photos below you will understand.

The Poems of Edmund Spenser [Selected]. This one is my favorite. I adore the birds in the illustration and the gold behind the poet's name. It was published in 1886 by Walter Scott. It's funny, there is a "List of New Books" in the back and one ad reads "The Canterbury Poets, NOW READY, PRICE ONE SHILLING, SONNETS OF THIS CENTURY," which includes sonnets by Lord Tennyson, Robert Browning and "all the Best Writers of the Century."

Here's the other three. I haven't explored them much yet. The titles (top to bottom) are: Little Classics, Volume 5, Laughter (published in 1875, this includes A Christmas Carol); The Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow: A Book for an Idle Holiday by Jerome K. Jerome (there's a really funny dedication to the author's "very dear and well-beloved friend," his "oldest and strongest Pipe"); and Camille by Alexandre Dumas, Jr. (the book features a few illustrations as well as a a black-and-white photo of the mustached author himself).

After swiping my card, the boy dragged me out of the fair so I couldn't do anymore damage to my bank account and, most importantly, he was hungry. We had a yummy lunch at BJ's in Westlake Village and then stopped by the Cost Plus World Market across the street where I became enamored with the Italian food aisle. After filling a shopping basket with squash ravioli, sun-dried tomato and oregano tortellonis, pesto-filled mezzalunas and two kinds of gnocchi (among other things, like red raspberry scone mix--luckily the boy paid for all this), we finally made the drive back home, where little Hazel was waiting for a walk.

So, like I said, it was a good Sunday.

Here's a few other things that made me smile this week:

• Compliments on my necklace from a stranger and a co-worker.
  
• Spending a little time with my mom, pop and brother.
  
• Talking on the phone to my Uncle Lars, Aunt Jan and cousin Kai-- family that I haven't spoken to in far too long but still love dearly. Side note: I may be visiting them in Loomis (near Sacramento) for Thanksgiving. We'll see!
  
• Lindt hazelnut chocolate.
  
• Your super sweet feedback on my blog's new look. Thank you, thank you!
  

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend too! Tell me, what little thing made you smile this week?

Mishavonna and her guitar image via myspace

Moments in reading

Note: I wrote this post about two weeks or so ago, but didn’t get to posting it until today. I’ll blame it on the vacation… but really, I was debating back and forth if I really wanted to be this honest. Oh, well, here goes...

Have you ever read a passage in a book that seemed to completely define where you are in your life at. this. very. moment?

That is what happened to me the other night. Bored with baseball, I decided to make good on my promise to myself to read more books. I picked up a memoir that I have been “reading” for quite some time. More accurately, I brushed the dust off a memoir that I was reading months ago but had neglected for quite some time.

(I am slightly ashamed to admit that the memoir I am referring to is Eat, Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I am ashamed because I wrote about my needing to get back to the book in April! My seeming inability to finish the 331-page book is in no way a reflection of its merit. I really do love the book, so far. Full disclosure: I have read to page 119.)

Anyway, I flipped through the pages and opened up to where I bookmarked: Chapter 28. As I began to read, my heart swelled and at the same time, a lump developed in my throat. She is talking about me, I thought. Wait. No. She is talking about herself, but it might as well be me. Maybe its not the exact same situation but it is the exact same feelings. Which, in my book—pun kind of intended—matters more.

From pages 83-84:

“There’s a constant level of closeness that I really need from the person I love . . . But it just destroys me to not be able to count on that affection when I need it.”

". . . but who amongst us lives without sacrifice?

And the question now for me is, What are my choices to be? What do I believe that I deserve in this life? Where can I accept sacrifice, and where can I not? It has been so hard for me to imagine living a life without David in it . . . But how can I accept that bliss when it comes with this dark underside—bone-crushing isolation, corrosive insecurity, insidious resentment and, of course, the complete dismantling of self that inevitably occurs when David ceases to giveth, and commences to taketh away. I can’t do it anymore. Something about my recent joy in Naples has made me certain that I not only can find happiness without David, but must. No matter how much I love him (and I do love him, in stupid excess), I have to say good-bye to this person now. And I have to make it stick.” 

This experience of self-identification in the words of another has just reinforced what I have known all along. Read more. Books, that is.  Somehow, it makes me feel less alone. More understood. Happier even, to see my life mirrored in someone else’s, to know someone else has walked where I now stand and somehow made it through. And that today, they are better for it.

For me, reading those few pages was like talking to a best friend who knows exactly how I feel and what to say. Kind of like Liz and her Italian-language tutor, Giovanni, who upon seeing Liz break down in tears after breaking up with David says in perfect English: “I understand, Liz. I have been there.”

Quote via Design Crush

the More the Merrier

Last weekend, and most likely this weekend too, I spent my time trying to clean and organize the apartment. There was also a considerable amount of money spent on buying things to help me clean and organize the apartment. Why, you ask? Well, it is certainly not because I enjoy such tasks. I wish I could list "neat freak" as one of my personality traits but, alas, I live more in a state of "organized chaos," as I like to call it. Though, others—ahem, my boyfriend—just call it a bona fide mess.

Anyhow, the reason for the cleaning and organizing is... we got a new roommate! Yes, the boy's friend and co-worker (well, technically, the boy is our new roommate's boss... details, details) named Brook moved in with us last weekend. He needed a place to live and the extra rent money would really help us out, so it was a win-win for everyone. 

The only thing is, the boy is not used to living with other people and sharing his space. He is 35 and having roommates is kind of a thing of the past for him. I, on the other hand, am very used to living with roommates. Did it all throughout college and after college, until I moved in with the boy. I have lived with all types and I can pretty much get along with anyone. But the funny thing is, even though the boy and Brook are good friends, I think the boy is feeling like he is on Brook-overload. I'm not worried though; I'm sure we'll all settle into the new living situation soon. 

Still, there is one thing I am quickly realizing: With another boy in the house, I have lost my "veto" power when it comes to watching hours and hours of sports (at the moment, baseball). Before, I could just nag the boy to change the channel when I simply couldn't stand to watch another pitch. But now, I feel outnumbered! 

Oh, and I can't just walk around in my bra anymore. Haha, the joys of living with a male roommate. But trust, I would NEVER let another girl move in here with me and my guy. Even a friend. Funny double standard, huh?

So, what's your take on roommates? Love 'em or leave 'em?

And, what on your weekend agenda? Like I said, I have much more cleaning and organizing to do. It never ends! But maybe I will squeeze in some time to read one of the many unread books lining the shelves of our new bookcase (one of those organizing things we finally bought even though we've lived here for 6 months). I have so many options, too: "Julie & Julia" by Julie Powell, "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver, "The Lucky One" by Nicholas Sparks, "The Almost Moon" by Alice Sebold, "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd... oh, the list goes on and on. If you have an opinion, which do you think I should read first?

P.S. We went to the county fair last night. Stay tuned for pics!

Image via i can read

Breathe and reboot

TGIF! So glad it is Friday. Yesterday, I was thankful for it just being Thursday since that is the day when my work week starts to wind down. I finish last minute stories, do the police blotter, that week's paper gets "put to bed" as we say and then I ... relax.

Well, I did a little more than relax yesterday. I have a secret actually. But I can't spill just yet. Let's just say I have some big, exciting news to share (well, big and exciting to me, anyway) but I can't divulge until I have talked to my parents. See, my mom reads this blog and if she found out on here first, I don't think she would be too happy. So, I'll leave you in suspense for a day or two. Till then, feel free to guess in the comments. I'll rule two things out though first: NO, I am not engaged. (Ha!) And NO, I am not pregnant (double ha!).

As you probably can tell, since I haven't posted since Tuesday (sorry!) I was pretty busy this week. So I am very glad that tomorrow is the weekend! I still have lots of to-dos to scratch off the list today but it is a little easier to breathe on Fridays. Does anyone else get that feeling? See, on Mondays and Tuesdays and even sometimes on Wednesdays, I wake up with this stress-ball-in-the-pit-of-my-stomach feeling because of all the stuff I need to get done, especially now that my editor has two papers to put out instead of one. I really need to be on my game simply to make things less stressful for him. (As I kind of talked about in this post about two weeks ago). My days go something like this: Call this official. Interview this person. Go to this meeting. Set up this photo. Write this story. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

So while this schedule still applies to Fridays because I do have to get a jump on next week's paper, my deadlines are a few days away and I feel better. Like, deep-breath-and-release better. TGIF, indeed.

I have resolved to take advantage of my weekends more instead of falling into my routine of just sleeping in and laying around the house-- which is nice sometimes but definitely boring. Inactive. Un-fun. So this weekend I am already planning to go to Simi's 20th annual Cajun Creole Music Festival. It is pretty much the biggest thing that happens in my town all year and it's benefits local organizations so, why not? I used to go with my family as a kid but I haven't been now in ages. Should be a good time and I'll post some pictures Monday.

I am also hoping to find time to read a book this weekend and maybe see a movie (I am dying to see The Soloist. Very appropriate, me being a journalist and all. You never can get too far away from work, can you?)

Do you have any fun plans this weekend? Love to hear them!

Image via Leave Happier via lostinthisworld666's Photobucket

I heart Anthro

I was strolling through the mall Saturday afternoon, looking for a Mother's Day gift (which I won't print here since my mom reads this blog. Hi mom!), when I came upon Anthropologie. Usually I just pass by this store because even though I love its adorable clothes and home wares, I simply can't afford them. After a short pause at the store window I took a step forward. And then back. I'll just take a quick look around, right? Wrong. I became enamored by what I saw and made about 3 leisurely laps around the store. To be honest, I'm not sure how long I was in there, but soon I was contemplating buying a too-cute-for-words, hibiscus flower salt-and-pepper shaker set. I loved so many things but I knew I couldn't get it all, so just to appease my shopping appetite I told myself I would buy one little thing. A birdwatcher dessert plate, maybe? A pair of sea glass goblets? Perhaps a fruit stand apron for those rare times I bake?A book on decorating by Domino magazine, perfect for the coffee table? Or maybe the cute floral notebook at the front of the store.

I was about to settle on something when I discovered a rack of $30 dresses. I couldn't believe my eyes. Anthropologie summer dresses for a mere $30?! I quickly took stock of the rack and picked out every cute, airy dress in my size that I could find. I hustled to the dressing rooms to try on my discoveries. I came out with three winners.

Even though I hadn't meant to spend any money upon entering the store, I simply couldn't pass up such a great deal. I had been wanting some new warm weather dresses that I could just slip on in the morning with little thought or effort and these fit the bill. I was very happy with my purchase and immediately texted the boy to let him know about my little shopping escapade. Luckily, he thought I did good, too.

I also picked up a big coffee (or hot chocolate!) mug and a book that I heard about (and sounded good on the back cover) from Erin over at Reading my tea leaves. I know, I know. Once you get me started, I just can't stop. But the mug was only $10 and the book was $14. Not too bad, I think.

I wore the butterfly dress last night out to dinner and a movie with the boy and I love it. It has the 3 Cs: cute, comfy and cheap! How can you not be happy about a dress like that? 

This is what happens when you try to take a picture inside but your camera is set on night vision.

Dreamy.

So again I say it, I heart Anthro. And I will now forever keep my eyes peeled for more $30 dress racks!

Have you come across any too-good-to-pass-up fashion deals lately? Spill here!

Getting back to books

I miss books. I can't say I miss reading because, well, I do that every day. In some form. I mean, I read press releases, staff reports and sometimes research for work. I read emails. I read magazines. Online news. Blogs. Text messages. I read everything but books.

In school, you have to read books because they are assigned. Some good, some bad. But I remember thinking that once I was out of school, I would read all the books I wanted to read. Suffice to say, that hasn't happened. 

And I love reading books, I really do. But it seems I never have the time anymore. Or, at least, I don't make the time. At night, after work, instead of grabbing a novel I grab the remote. Because of this, "Eat, Pray, Love" has been sitting half-read on my nightstand for two months (probably longer, actually). Now, whenever I look at it and contemplate picking it up again, I feel like I have to start over from the beginning...

Another thing I miss is my bookshelf. At our last apartment, we had a nice built-in bookshelf. It was small, but it worked. I had some of my favorite books on display and those I had yet to read. In a way, it served as a reminder to not mindlessly watch TV all night. To take a book off the shelf and get wrapped up in those fictional characters instead. But in our new apartment, there's no bookshelf. I am ashamed to admit that my books are still packed away in a cardboard box! (I moved in February, if you remember.)

I have so many more books needing to be read at my parents' house, too. In my old childhood room I have a big, white Ikea bookshelf that takes up two walls. Stacked on the shelves are dozens and dozens of books. I think bookcases are so beautiful in a home and wish I could have a reading room like the one pictured above. Isn't it amazing? I have made the promise many times not to buy any more books until I read what I have, which works for the most part but not always! Sometimes, while browsing Borders, I just can't help myself.

Anyway, I really want to get back into reading books. I think one of my New Years resolutions was to read one book a month. Eek. It's April and I have read none! Reading magazines is fine but I feel so much more accomplished when I finish a book. It is like I'm a better person for having turned its pages. I read this quote the other day by Paul Sweeney and it is so true:

You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend.

My plan? Finally finish "Eat, Pray, Love." I have heard it is amazing, which is why I started reading it in the first place, so I just need to devote myself to reading it. No more wasting away on the couch. Starting this weekend.

In the meantime, tell me, do any of you have this problem? A ton of books to read and no time (or too tired, unmotivated) to read them?

Also, how often do you curl up with a good book? Are you a fast reader? (I'm not. I like to read only a few chapters at a time.) What's the last book you read? (Mine was "True Believer" by Nicholas Sparks.) And, what's your favorite book of all time? (I'd have to say, "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom.)

Thanks for sharing (and reading)!

Rainbow bookshelf image via Freshome.

Eat, Pray, Love cover found here.