Friday 29 August 2014

Urban Outfitter's Dressing Room

A recent article stated, "With their small size and stylish appearance, tiny houses have become a mainstay of the movement to downsize and live sustainably."

Which got me to thinking about housing in general.

When we lived in London for 2 months, which is incidentally the reason I started this blog in the first place and why the url address is tblondonlori (tb stands for Tower Bridge) - we rented a one bedroom furnished apartment.

One bed, one love seat, one table, one skillet.

Quite minimalist. White. With a bright red kitchen. See here.

It was perfect. Because all the excitement was right outside our door. We didn't need anything else.

If I were shopping for a tiny space today to match my design aesthetic, I might pick the dressing room at the Urban Outfitters at The Forum in Carlsbad.

Warm woods, metal, weathered….









With one caveat (besides needing a kitchen and bathroom).

It would need to be located in New York City.

Then I would be quite happy to downsize.

Could you live in a tiny space? If so, where would it be? And what would it look like?





Monday 25 August 2014

Splish Splash at Waterfront Park


This is the front of the County Administration Center on 1600 Pacific Highway.

Head right and out back to get to the Waterfront Park.



Where you will see lots and lots of fountains.



And shallow water.



Perfect for splashing around on a hot day.





Ahhhhhh!



Saturday 23 August 2014

Dr. Seuss Flowers


Behind the explosion of color in the forefront is a bouquet of purple balls that look like something from a Dr. Seuss poem.



If anything rhymed with purple.

The floral lady that wrapped them up said they were called gambina or gamboni or something that started with a 'g' but I was too jacked up on sugar to listen closely. 



Since I had tasted and then purchased many plums.

Green plums are very tasty and also kinda Dr. Suess-like, oh wait, that's green ham not green plums.



Musicians lined the street. 



Succulent arrangements gave me ideas for the backyard.



Tasted a couch potato cookie before settling on...



1 Almond Joyous and 1 Lemon Bar (because that was the baker's favorite).



Love the Farmer's Market in Little Italy.

It fills the senses.






Monday 18 August 2014

Getting Ready to Camp

Six months ago we reserved a campsite on Palomar Mountain.

We booked it for six people - four Finnish friends + the two of us.

But now that we are just days away it has become a boys-only camping trip.

Not because the girls can't handle it. But our goddaughter, a real trooper, might keep the whole campground up at night if she were to decide that sleeping in a tent is not her thing.

Yesterday we had a trial run.

To get the 3-year old excited.

To make sure we had all the tent poles.

So midday, in the blazing heat (to replicate the 97-degree weather expected this weekend), we laid a ground cover, shoved in poles, hammered spikes, erected the big tent and ate some dirt.

Good time was had by all.

Hope the actual camping goes just as well!

Little guy handled the man-sized hammer without once hitting his thumb.

Our goddaughter assisted by bringing over poles.

Sleeping bags, check. Flashlights, check. Just need his teddy bear.

One is a little young for camping,
perhaps next year when she is two!



Thursday 14 August 2014

Everything is Awesome


When you are three years old and invited to your first MOVIE NIGHT!

We made it a big deal.

From the moment the little guy rang the doorbell.



Till he filled his bowl from the concession stand.



And popped in THE LEGO MOVIE from Netflix.



When concentration waned, we simply danced around the family room singing:

Everything is awesome
Everything is cool when you're part of a team
Everything is awesome, when we're living our dream


Best combos of the night:
Barefoot Contessa Killer Margaritas & Popcorn (for the adults)
Miniature Marshmallows and Pretzel Goldfish (for the kids)










Monday 4 August 2014

Lawn Seats at the Pops Concert

"Ain't no mountain high enough, 
Ain't no valley low enough, 
Ain't no river wiiiiiiiide enough 
to keep me from getting to you babe!!!!!"

Oh yeah, I was belting that out like I was a back up singer.

Love that song.

During the chorus I was tempted to drown out the beautiful voice of Ellis Hall, pianist and singer, former protege of Ray Charles.

At least to those in my immediate circle….the lawn people.

Those of us that brought beach chairs or blankets to the Summer Pops Concert at the Embarcadero.

Saturday night featured Motown hits, a fireworks display, beautiful view of our city skyline and pink sunset over the bay.

……who cares if we were sitting behind a tree and this was the view of the stage!




Got up and danced in the aisle with my nephew while the usher was busy cordoning us off with yellow caution tape so we didn't end up in the laps of the champagne crowd.




Fun night.



I was still singing when the last firecracker went off.


…..….cuz there just ain't no mountain high enough!