slateblu

happy valentines day...

Pictures of Valentine's Day cards and treats in the making:

Learn how to do the origami box here.

ava's first haircut

We haven't cut Ava's hair since she was born...and it's about time we did.  She loves her new haircut even though she's not smiling in the pictures.  With people she's never met before (like the hairdresser) she turns into a very quiet little girl.  This is five years growth of hair.

Now there are hardly any tangles...and never having to tuck her hair in her shirt when she uses the restroom.  

handmade gifts

from Caitlyn of "Knitter in the Kitchen".

The kids and I received a lovely package from Caitlyn just yesterday.  

I love the door knob organizer she made me.  It really comes in handy when you know where everything is and just need to grab and go.

Phone and keys...easy to find...

Coloring sets for the kids... paper and crayons...neatly organized and easy to grab and go when you're out somewhere and they need an activity to keep them occupied.

Thanks so much Caitlyn!

origami you can use...

I love doing origami...I like the challenge when trying to figure out those intricate models.  It's instant gratification once you're done and then you fold a couple more, just to perfect the folds.  It's kind of like when you finish knitting or sewing a project.

I found a triangular box to fold online.  You can use it for a variety of things...favors, gift giving, holding random things, etc, etc.  It also depends on the size of your paper. I folded a few to show you the variety of the shape depending on how you fold the bottom.

You can find how to on the video here.

My pictures:

Here is the triangular box on my desk.  Here I've used it for stamps.  This is using an 8 1/2 inch square.

In the video, she mentions that folding different lenghts on the bottom yields different sizes. You can see that the green one is exactly like the video's but when I make a narrow fold, you get the skinnier sizes like the left and right side of the picture.  This leaves a little extra on top but it still functions.

You squeeze it open like this.

The inside of the box.

Use it for your tickets, stamps, or receipts. 

Use it to hold your BART tickets or business cards.  I bet you can use it for a lot of things.

Enjoy the video!

Off today...from the stresses of work.  Seeing a kindergarten play today.  They're going to do Shakespeare.  It will be a nice break.

 

happy new year and other random things...

Happy New Year!  How quickly the holidays came and went.

This picture was taken on New Year's Day before going to a family party.  They can be sweet to each other but as my mom would say, they can fight like a cat and dog.

If you're in San Francisco and looking for a yummy dessert, head on to Japantown to eat honey toast at Juban.  It's very very good...

Here's my photo before we devoured it:

It's a sweet toast -topped with honey and ice cream... It's a must try!

Here's a San Francisco view...driving on California Street on my way to work from an appointment.  I usually take public transportation but it was easier to drive the car that day.  I wanted to take a picture on Nob Hill but this was the best I could do at the moment and with my phone camera.

happy holidays

kiki and coco in paris

Last Friday I took off early from work to take Ava to this event. My sister and cousin came as well.

It was a book signing and tea party for the Kiki and Coco in Paris book.  You can see images of the book here.

The author, photographer, and doll maker were present as well as Kiki, the young girl in the book to take pictures and sign books.

From left to right: Nina Gruener, Stephanie Rausser, and Jess Brown

Here is Kiki signing her autograph...

There was crafting and face painting for the little girls...

Champagne, tea, sandwiches and desserts for everyone...

Author Nina Gruener reading the story to all the little girls...

Decor at the tea salon...

The dolls...

Little Miss Ava smiling and ready to go home...

chanel

So in 2006, I wrote this post about the Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner.  I've been wearing it since 2003 but now I've switched (for the time being).  I'm not sure if it's my aging eyes or maybe my eyeliner dried out but my sister and sister-in-law have both experienced the same thing of this gel liner drying out and coming off.  It could have been the batch of eyeliners sold, I don't know. Anyway, I've decided to try a couple of new ones.  My first to try was the Nars larger than life long-wear eyeliner. I've read good things about it but it did smear even past the setting time.  It does go on smooth with not so much effort but it's not for me.  Then I tried the Chanel automatic liquid liner.  I wore liquid eyeliner in high school and college and loved the staying power but this one didn't do it for me either.  It was a bit watery.  My sister also didn't like it when she bought it to try it out. After these trials I found the one I loved: Chanel's:waterproof long-lasting eyeliner...doesn't smear and stays on through my work day.  If I were to go out the same night, I would re-apply to retouch.  I use brown (espresso) since it's a little less harsh than black.  I'll reserve black for going out at night or special events.

 If you're looking for an eyeliner...try this.

I'm using Chanel's Rouge Coco Shine line of lipsticks in #65 Cavaliere right now.  I've been wearing light and sheer for work everyday.  I think my favorite color in Bobbi Brown has been discontinued but this new color may be worth a try next time.

I took a close-up picture so you could see the color and the shine of the lipstick.

Something limited edition... My sister is a fan of limited edition items and so I picked this up. She coerced me into getting it.  It has two replacement pads along with the one included on the curler itself.

Of course, when you leave, the sales associate gives you samples...which is a plus.

I'm home nursing a cold and cough.  It's nice and quiet since the kids are at school and I don't have so sit at work fighting with numbers and staring at spreadsheets. I'll probably browse this pile of catalogs that came in the mail this past week and watch a couple of movies.

wayfare tavern

I ate at Tyler Florence's Wayfare Tavern with my sister and friends. I brought my book just in case he was at the restaurant so he could sign it.  It was a Friday night and not quite filled yet except the bar area a bit.  I thought it a silly question to ask the host if he was there so I didn't. I'll let the pictures tell you what we ate...

For starters:

salt roasted bone marrow:rutabaga jam, grilled sourdough and parsley

deviled petaluma eggs:mustard yolks,capers, celery,crisp shallots - these were the best eggs I've ever tasted...they were really good...

cauliflower soup

baked macaroni and cheese:jack cheese, garlic bread crumbs,chive and smoked olive oil

lobster cobb:crisp romaine,soft boiled jidori eggs,tomato, smoked bacon,avocado, fresh corn,beets and radishes  -this was my entree...it was an excellent salad...

caramel pear tart

gooey brown butter cake

We did miss Tyler Florence when we were there.  Our waiter said he was there the whole afternoon.  He probably left right before or soon after we arrived.  It's okay though, I did get to take a picture with him at the T2:SFO opening.

a little shopping...

After work yesterday, my kids requested that I bring home some Beard Papa's so I went to fulfill their request.  I was trying to time going home so that I could catch a ride at the BART station from my husband.  I had time to go to Madewell and MaiDo.  I picked up some favorite pens, the Japanese masking tape and a tape disepenser for the tape from the stationery store...and a top I probably didn't need from Madewell =)

A few months ago in the Sunday paper, there was an article about Rae Dunn.  I bought a couple things from her store and absolutely love her stuff.  

I bought this "create" wood-like ceramic dish.  It's a lovely piece.

I also just picked up this salt bowl, including wooden spoon.  It's just the right size.

...and I was able to snag this Missoni (for Target) sweater for Ava.  She loves it.  She doesn't like dressing up and wearing dresses but she does like her sweater a lot.  Since my sister was able to log on to the site and also stop by Target, she was able to pick up some things for us both.  I love having a sister =)