*Fabulous Find*

These headbands at Target!

Manic Monday

If I had the closet of my dreams, this is what I would be wearing today...

I Super Love Cher

Just watched the biography of Cher on A&E (this wasn't the first time I had seen this). After watching I immediately went on to the Internet to see how much tickets are to her farewell tour. I would literally fly to Vegas after work, see the show, stay near the airport overnight and fly back the next day and go back to work if I could swing it. The last show is at the end of April and I want to see it so bad!

Funny story is that I have the Best of Cher CD in my car and last time Tim's parents were here his Dad wanted to listen to it!

While online, I found this and had to "Cher" it with you...

You know, EVERYONE has a theme song, you know, a tune that plays when you enter a room and want to make a statement? Mine is "Half Breed" by Cher. I will never tire of that song.

Date Night

Tuesday night Tim and I went on a date and it was incredible. We met in Berkeley and started our night out with dinner at the Sunrise Deli in Berkeley - falafel, schwarma, fattosh, hummus, tabouli and well, you get the point. From there we took a little walk down to Urban Outfitters to check out what they had, I got a new coffee cup for my office.

After stashing my new mug safely in the car, we went to have some ice cream and walked around the campus before the concert started.

The concert was AMAZING to say the least. We were both completely blown away. I wasn't sure if Tim was going to be into it since my love affair with Arabic music started about 15 years ago and is still going strong. The music generally starts with the eerie sound of violins and then tapers off a bit and percussion enters and the rest is like a tennis match of constant volleying between strings and flutes and percussion - a playful banter back and forth and then finally coming together and just blowing your mind. My favorite Arabic singer is Fairouz, she is known the world over and has the voice of an angel. There was a singer there from Lebanon that sounded just like her, it sort of freaked me out and made me tear up a bit as well. It was a great night. We both loved it and would see it again in a heartbeat.

Here is more information on the concert:

Celebrating the Golden Age of Arab Music Aswat (Voices)

Simon Shaheen, artistic director, oud, & violin Featuring Ibrahim Azzam, Sonia M'barek,Khalil Abonula, Rima Khcheich, and The Aswat Orchestra

The period from the 1920s to the 1950s was a golden age of song throughout the Arab world, when many of the region's greatest vocalists and composers reached unprecedented heights of artistry and stardom. Now Simon Shaheen, one of today's leading Arab composers and multi-instrumentalists, recreates this magical era with a multimedia experience of historical depth and lasting emotional impact, working with a traditional orchestra and some of the leading singers in the Arab world today, including Ibrahim Azzam of Palestine, Sonia M'barek of Tunisia, Khalil Abonula of Palestine, and Rima Khcheich of Lebanon.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's day all the Irish give
Three cheers for the banner of Erin's isle
For her golden harp and shamrock green
And the maid that's a coming through the style

Manic Monday

In the spirit of St. Patricks Day...
If I had the closet of my dreams, this is what I would be wearing today...

This Week's Menu

OK, this post is for Angela - I am ALWAYS trying to plan meals like her, so here it is.
Thanks for the inspiration.

Monday - Yellow Veggie and Shrimp Curry with Jasmin Rice
Tuesday - date night, Concert at UC Berkeley - dinner TBD
Wednesday - Mixed Vegetable Soup with Biscuits
Thursday - Baked Chicken with Mixed Veggies (produce box night)
Friday - Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce and Sauteed Greens
Saturday - Salmon baked in parchment (with garlic and olive oil) with leek and carrot couscous

Let's see if I can stay on track this week.
I am hoping that by putting this out there, I will stick to it.

*Fabulous Find*

I have been looking at Fashion Magazines and all of the sandals for this summer are so cute! Many of them have been knocked off and are being sold at Target for under $25! No, they are not all leather and they may only last you one summer season, but if you want a few different styles for the price you would pay for one of the original styles, check em out.

PS - The yellow sandals above were in the March Vogue magazine, they were listed by the manufacturer, but after some research I found them with the Mossimo label on them. They come in many colors.

*Fabulous Find*

I super love Sharpie pens and this one is top notch and fancy!

They are refillable and not too expensive at about $9.00.
Maybe one day I will have one in my pencil case.

You can find them at amazon.com for those of you who who can't live without one.

Random Acts of Art

Sometimes my work makes me a little crazy and I need to take time away from my desk to indulge myself with a random act of art. What can you make in a office you may ask...well, give me a stapler and a catalog or magazine and I can make you one of these in about 7 minutes. Just making this calmed me down pretty fast, just needed a creative break from my non-creative job.

I think these would look really cool hanging at different lengths over a craft party table.

My new favorite snack

I had to show you a photo of my new favorite snack!

So easy to make and cheaper than purchasing individual containers of yogurt PLUS less waste!

I enjoy the tartness of plain yogurt and like to sweeten it myself with honey so I can somewhat control the sugar content.

Let me break it down:

In a clean jelly jar add in the following order:

• 1/2 Cup of Plain Yogurt (low fat, non-fat or whatever you want)
• Drizzle of honey - as much or as little as you like, you do like honey don't you?
• Small handful of frozen blueberries or fresh if they are in season and affordable
• Enough yogurt to cover the berries - 1/4 cup or so
• Few more berries on top, so you have a pleasant view when you open it at snack time.

The frozen berries will thaw by the time you eat this and will also help to keep it cold if you are out and about. The honey gets a little thick and sticks to the spoon but I super love it!

Enjoy!

Manic Monday

If I had the closet of my dreams, this is what I would be wearing today...

Great Creative Space

I just saw these photos on the blog All Sorts and I love this space!

I love taking a sneak peak into other people's creative spaces.

This one is just fantastic. Check out the All Sorts blog, Jenny (the author) is a wonderfully talented creator of all things fun, she is an illustrator and red and blue lover!

Great Idea

While reading the blog "Lostfoot" today, I came across this post.
Ali is offering people who comment something she made for free. This secret item will be based on what she has learned about you from your blog.
I am super excited and being part Native American, I had to offer her a trade so I am going to make her something too!
Oh how fun it will be to get something in the mail from Scotland!
Thanks Ali, for your comments and this idea, I love it!

When Life Gives You Lemons

Yesterday, Tim and I went down to San Jose to hang out at Robin and Kenny's house. When we were there a couple weeks ago, I picked some lemons but left them behind. Yesterday it was our mission (mine and Robin's) to pick as many as we could and juice them and freeze the juice so it wouldn't go to waste. We picked 4 bags full...

and made 46 Cups of Lemon Juice! We did about 6 batches like the one below.

After our work was done, we measured and bagged the lemon juice and put it in the freezer to use throughout the year. I took home 12 cups to make lemonade, lemon cake, lemon muffins, lemon sorbet and whatever else lemon you can think of.

While us girls were working on juicing the guys went to the store and came back and started barbecuing for dinner. They made ribs, brisket and tri-tip all slow roasted throughout the afternoon. Kenny made homemade BBQ sauce which was killer. I baked a lemon yogurt cake for dessert. Friends (Kim and Gary) and neighbors (Andy and Laura) came over and we had a feast for dinner (by the way, there were veggies too!).
Check out the spread:

It was an awesome day! Thanks Robin and Kenny for your hospitality and to everyone else for your contributions to the wonderful dinner - Laura, great salad and Kim, the onion rings were fabulous!

Spring Forward!

Don't forget to move your clocks forward one hour before you go to bed tonight as Daylight Savings Time starts at 2 AM tomorrow morning.

This is also a great time to change the batteries in your smoke/carbon monoxide detectors around the house. Make this a habit every time the time changes and you will always be protected.

*Fabulous Find*

Just saw these in the At West End catalog and think they are super cute! I might have to get one for my coffee table!

Photo: At West End

Manic Monday

If I had the closet of my dreams, this is what I would be wearing today...

Keeping House

I am not a neat freak at all, I don't obsess over the details around the house, as a matter of fact, I am a mess. I have piles of magazines everywhere, craft supplies usually on the kitchen table and enough stuff on my coffee table to entertain us for an entire weekend without getting up from the couch (remotes, books, magazines, bag of nuts, pen, paper, headphones, phone, cell phones, laptop and a candle and matches). I do like things clean, but they don't have to be organized or picked up, does that make sense? I would rather have a pair of clean shoes on the floor than a pair caked with mud on them on the floor. We don't wear shoes in the house, but that is a good example of what I am getting at.

There is one thing that I have to have nice and organized at all times and that is the cabinet where I keep my dishes and glassware. It has to be neat and clean and at the ready for impromptu entertaining - or just for me and Tim. Unlike some people, I don't have things I only use for guests and on holidays (except for my Christmas dishes which are in stoage during the off-season) I use all my stuff all the time. I have a silver plated serving dish I use at home for snacks in front of the television and antique painted metal trays I serve dinner on when we eat in the living room (more often that at the dinner table these days). I have a small collection of vintage Pyrex glass bowls that I use for everything from rising dough to washing produce in. In my eyes these are just material things that come into our lives and we can't leave with them when we go, so why not use them? Funny, I was just saying this same thing to a friend the other day when she mentioned losing things throughout life that she would like to have now. It has happened to all of us so my recommendation is, take photos of your favorite pieces (no matter their worth) and enjoy using them while you have them. The photos will help you not to forget them and may even bring back memories of what was served on or in them. I had to take a photo of my colorful latte bowls because one broke recently, one is chipped up pretty bad and one has a crack. Some day they won't be here anymore, but I love them, use them for everything and am enjoying them while I can in case they can't be replaced.

PS - Had to add a photo of the inside of my cabinet door, because it makes me happy!

Saturday's

It is not even 10 AM and so far it has been a perfect Saturday.

Here is what I generally like to do on Saturday mornings to wind down from the week and start relaxing for the weekend.

Wake up, have coffee in my favorite coffee cup - come on, you know you have one too. Everything tastes good it in it: coffee, tea, water, when desperate for a clean vessel after a crazy day...even wine works in this mug. Mine sort of looks like a men's shaving mug, footed with a K on it. Oh my, was this mug meant for Kevin, Kyle or Keith to contain a frothy head of shave cream to remove stubble and not for holding Katie's coffee to give a boost in the morning?

So, sip a cup of coffee while sitting on couch curled up like a cinnamon roll (yum, I wish I had a cinnamon roll), kiss Tim goodbye before he goes to play tennis.

Ahhh, alone time, get back into bed with a couple magazines and BayLee. After having my heart broken upon getting word of March being the last printing of both Domino and Country Home magazines I had to find a new love. Like dating, I checked out a couple other home decor magazines at the book store over the past couple weeks. I carefully scrutinized, I asked the questions: is this right for me, do we have a future together, do I want to invest my time to learn more and start a relationship? I know that I wear my heart on my sleeve and wanted to be careful when making a decision about who would replace the last two decor magazines that I loved so much. Then I saw it, could this be the one? We had a rocky love affair in the past when the magazine also had a television show that went along with it but our romance was one of ups and downs and got off balance with the downs becoming more frequent than the ups. Should I go back, did it get better? It has been a couple years, maybe a brief flirtation will turn into something more solid. I took a leap, I bought the February and March issue and read them this morning and I had to say that me and House Beautiful are back together for now. Elle Decor was the runner up so we will see what transpires over the next couple months, maybe I will be ready to take on two lovers again by then. I got burned last time when they both went down, so I will be more cautious this time.

Get up, need more coffee, tuck BayLee into bed and leave him alone for his nap time. Seriously, he likes to get in the bed like a human with covers over him (see above photo), head on the pillow, the whole deal. I just went in to check on him and he is all curled up with his head under the blankets. I wish I was a cat sometimes.

After this post, I will watch a movie (Sybil, I taped the updated version from Lifetime) and then maybe take myself for a walk or bake something... we'll see. I really have no plans, which I love. That may change when Tim gets home though.

Hope you have a great Saturday!

Spring Fever

There are way too many cute sandals out there for this spring/summer and these give me a bit of the fever, Spring Fever!

Check out these by Poetic License at Endless Shoes and Handbags.

Quick Dinner

I had left over ricotta from the pizza I made Saturday night and wanted to get to it before it went bad so I just made Broken Noodles with Tomato Sauce and Ricotta from Everyday Food for dinner and it was fabulous!

It literally takes 15 minutes to prepare.

When we were eating it, we thought that it was sort of like Italian Chilaquiles since the broken pasta is cooked in the sauce, try it, you will like it! It calls for 4 cups of sauce, I just used a jar which is 24 oz and I cut the water by about 1/2 cup. I used a small cookie dough scoop to put the ricotta on top which worked great.

With this dish we had Lillet Blanc with soda to drink and oranges for dessert- so good.

March Madness

When some people think about the phrase "March Madness" they think college basketball. Well, when I think of March Madness, I think Magazines...BIG, PLUMP, HUNDREDS OF PAGES, FASHION, DROOL STIMULATING, Magazines! The March issues are the best, they are full of the newest spring and summer looks. Think bright colors, bold prints and lots of fun sandals.

Outwardly, I am not fashionable at all. I am usually clad in my signature black cardigan (I own three - all different styles), hey...maybe that is my fashion trademark, like Coco Chanel and her pearls, Carrie Donovan and those larger than life glasses or Carrie Bradshaw and her shoes. However, on the inside I am a Rachel Zoe type stylist wannabe. I am a self proclaimed "poly whore" because I am so addicted to polyvore.com. I love putting things together, dreaming of one day being able to have that as part of my job.

This season's magazines are little more svelte than they have been in the past, but loaded with fabulous to-die-for fashion. Like an anorexic with high cholesterol, thin on the outside but filled with stuff on the inside. Don't let them fool you! The cool thing this year is, there are a lot of things that we working girls can afford, which I love...now if I could only fit into those great clothes.

So, dig in! Get yourself a diet coke, a snickers bar and a stack of magazines and be ready to be swept away (this is my favorite dinner on a night alone by the way, I know, it's horrible).

PS - yes, those are tape flags in my magazines, I had to mark the things I love just for fun! I am a total dork, but fly my freak flag freely at all times.

How Rude!

Just have to vent...
Is San Francisco becoming the new New York City?
Have New York City and San Francisco changed places in the rude attitude department?
I swear people are getting more and more rude as the years go by for me as a city dweller. I would rather park far away from my home and walk in the rain (like last night) rather than fight with the guy down the street (with the Michigan plates) for a parking spot (he is not nice and uses language that would make a truck driver blush).
This morning on my 5 block walk to my car, I decide that each person I come to, I am going to look at them and say, "Good Morning" and see what the response rate is. Well, 3 our of 4 just looked down and didn't say anything, the one that did respond was an old man who tipped his hat and nodded (phew, a brief breeze of old time charm, which I am total sucker for).

Manic Monday

If I had the closet of my dreams, this is what I would be wearing today...

Coraline

Amazing movie and believe it or not, my first 3-D movie ever! Love the glasses they hand out!
Go and see it while it is in the theater because watching it at home will not be as fun or 3-D.

Pizza! Pizza!

I super love pizza and tonight we had one of the best ones I have ever made. I have to give Miss Wendy props for the topping suggestion (I had spring garlic and needed an idea of how to use it), I cannot take full credit it for it myself. It was a cheese fest and I know I will feel it tomorrow, but it was worth it!

Here goes:

• Heat oven to 500 degrees (screaming hot, I know, but trust me)
• Roll out your crust to fit your pan or pizza stone - if using a pan, lightly coat with olive oil
• Spread pesto over crust - lightly, not too much
• Spoon tablespoons of ricotta over top (leaving blank spots) - flatten the blobs a little with the back of a spoon or your fingers
• Fill in the blanks with mozzarella (I used thin slices)
• Sprinkle sliced spring garlic over the top
• Add crushed black pepper (if you like)
• Bake for about 10 minutes, until crust is golden and cheese is browned lightly (see photo).
• Once pizza comes out, spread a couple handfuls of arugula over top so it wilts.
• Enjoy!

Seriously, Tim and I ate the ENTIRE pizza! We usually have leftovers, but not this time.

We are taking a break now before our Haagen Daz coffee ice cream for dessert.

Tweezerman

Dear Tweezerman,

First and foremost, thank you for helping me keep my brows in order. You are always there for me when I need to get a grip.

It is comforting to know that when my pink tweezers decided to make a suicide attempt off the back of the toilet damaging their sharp edge, I was able to send them to you and you gave them a new lease on life for just $5! A fraction of what they cost me in the first place. I am sure they were glad for the little vacation in Texas as I keep them working every day when they are at home.

I love that when my pink tweezers came back to me they were nestled in plastic tube made just for them with their tips protected and wrapped in a cushie bubble envelope. I have no idea how you keep things in order at your facility, with all of us sending your our downed soldiers.

Thanks again for being there and for providing such a wonderful service. Free sharpening and $5 repairs is just unheard of these days.

My hats off to you for great customer service and prompt attention to my repair.

Yours Truly,

Maltese Kat

PS - If there really is a Tweezer Man, could you give him my email address? He sounds fabulous!

Manic Monday

If I had the closet of my dreams, this is what I would be wearing today...

Things I Know...

Maybe if I put this stuff out there, I will do it!

• I need to write a couple letters
• I need to buy some film, I am craving using my old cameras lately
• I need to be more organized - although my brain does NOT work that way
• I need to get my taxes done
• I need a time out more often than I thought
• I need to commit to one night a week of being creative
• I need to get rid of more clothing that I don't wear - I would like everything to fit in my dresser only
• I need to organize my desk at home
• I need new mascara
• I need to exercise every day
• I need to decide, to paint or not to paint, Tim doesn't like the idea of orange - that sort of puts a wrench in things.

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine Kit

I just saw this on Design*Sponge and LOVE IT!

For those of you who have just heard of Design*Sponge but haven't taken the time to check it out, make sure you have hours on end to spend there because you will get sucked in (pun intended).

Things that Bug

I am a pretty patient, tolerant person, but there are a few things that annoy me and they have all happened over the course of the last few days or so, so I have to air them out. By coming to terms with these things I am secretly hoping I will get over them some day although some of them are going to be harder than others.

Things that bug the crap out of me!

• Crinkling of plastic bags and packages
• Dragging feet
• Switching lanes without a signal (lane drifters)
• People that assume things and then act based on their own assumption (mostly at a 99% failure rate)
• Know-it-alls and take-overs
• People having their own conversations during meetings
• Wastefulness
• Disrespect for personal space
• Shoes on the wood floor in the flat above us at all hours
• Competitiveness
• People who do not clean up after themselves
• Ice chewers
• Unattended cell phones ringing in the office (80's one hit wonder ringtone)

PS - cool photo huh? My babe took it!

Do you See's what I See's?

I got to the Maltese Social Club early last night so I decided to drive down El Camino a little bit to see what I could see and a couple miles down from the club and like a beacon in the night was the See's Candies Headquarters and Store! With Valentine's Day right around the corner I decided to go in and get something for my Valentine. I love See's Candies shops, they are all black and white (timeless), I am sure they stick with that pallet as not to take away from the stars of the store...the chocolates themselves. The uniforms that the sales staff wear are incredible! I would work there just to wear the cute uniform. Hummm, part time?

Anyway, I picked out an assortment for my sweetie - he loves coconut, cherry and coffee so I had to make him his own box. I love the menu's at the store as well, that way while you are waiting in line you can decide what you want. You know how I have to plan things out, how embarrassing it would be to get to the counter and draw a blank!

I am not a huge chocolate fan, but I have to say there is something very special about getting a box of chocolates. You open the box and there they are, all dressed up and fancy each one wearing a pleated brown shrug. They are all individual little works of art and should be savored and accompanied with a nice cup of coffee, wine, or tea and perhaps a special friend (if you like to share). These aren't just much-em-down, PMS chocolates. These are chocolates that you take your time with. They weren't made in a flash so enjoy them for the time it took to make them.

PS - Angela, I already checked and the factory is not open to tour so we won't be able to hit it next time you are here. I know you love the factories as much as I do

Fabulous Find

Photo: At West End

I super love this horse and know exactly where I would put it, if ever I was graced with his presence. I have already named him too!

Weekend Update

What a great weekend "away" Tim and I just had. Not too far away, just stayed at a friends house in San Jose, but we had a blast. It was BayLee's first time at home alone for one night and he did really well (I am sure he slept the entire time).
My friend Robin's parents always have a fabulous party sometime between Christmas and Valentines Day and that was this past Saturday night. There were so many people there and TONS of great food and drink. You know you are in trouble when you are doing shots in your friend's parents laundry room! I felt like a youngster again, it was hilarious!
We were totally wiped out yesterday and just hung out at Robin and Kenny's house. We ate a great, post-night-of-drinking breakfast that Robin made and lounged around watching TV and a movie while I did my laundry. Yes, I still travel with my laundry since we don't have a washer/dryer at home.
I love the generosity of friends, thanks Robin and Kenny for the bed and breakfast and use of your laundry room!
Thanks for letting me pick your lemon tree even though I was so tired when we left, that I forgot the lemons at your house on your counter. Boooooo. Once we got home I realized I had left them!

Manic Monday

If I had the closet of my dreams, this is what I would be wearing today...

I think this is a Monday tradition, since I have a serious polyvore addiction.

I'm Still Katie from the Block

Check out this photo my friend from High School just sent me!

HILARIOUS!

I love it - reminds me of when I was carefree (smoking without a thought about its effects) and more of a risk taker. I loved my friends in High School more than anything.
Still, I had my killer eyebrows, that is the one thing that is the same, ha ha!

Summertime Fun

I am so excited that No Doubt is touring this summer for the first time in 5 years!

I know, I am a total dork, but I had so much fun at their last concert, I want to go again!

Manic Monday

If I had the closet of my dreams, this is what I would be wearing today...

Blood Orange Bitters

Robin introduced me to this product last summer and I am addicted!

I love to drink this with soda (like Robin made it). Unfortunately, it was out of stock at BevMo for so long and from what I can see online, it has been out of stock at a number or places. I finally got a bottle a couple weeks ago and I am about to finish it. I knew I should have purchased two of them.

If you like bitters, try it, even if you don't, you might like it. This is not your Mother's bitters.