GIFT GIVING. DONE RIGHT.

I got a present today!! And it ruled! Why? Isn't it obvious? It was made with love! The best gifts involve some thought and a little bit of crafty. In the day and age of 1800 flowers and internet shopping it is a rare treat to get a gift that someone has procured, wrapped, and decorated specifically for you. It was thrilling to open this and I was pleasantly surprised by every detail. First a bag. Inside I saw flowers! A box! A bottle! A hand made card painted and collaged, mixed with an experience to share. This really makes the gift receiving so much more personal and interesting!

Love you Steph!!

BRUNCH, JUNK SHOPPING, LEMON CAKE, AND A LITTLE MAKEOVER WITH THE DECORATING MUSTACHE!!

it was a beautiful day. Arthur MacDonald my contributing editor (aka the decorating mustache) came over for a nice walk about. He rode his bicycle over the williamsburg bridge with a lemon cake and a box of powdered sugar in the front basket. We had recently done some electrical at my house hanging a light fixture and planned to brunch with our girl Bloody Mary at his favorite 50's diner Relish. We had a nice stroll up bedford avenue perusing the street vendors wondering if Haight St and Telegraph Ave had followed us east.. Arthur bought me a sweet murano glass paperweight for 2$!! We then took it to brunch with us at Relish...

A few Bloody Marys and a burger later we strolled past Sanford and Svens for some rumaging.

Arthur is a 50's fanatic and found some old Look Magazines...

I found a Gravel Art Tiger Zebra Cat for $35!! Must Have!! It needed a little make over so putty tape and paint was the afternoon activity!

While the paint was drying.. Arthur taught me how to make lemon frosting for his lemon cake!

Lemon zest, Lemon juice, powdered sugar. Mix until consistency holds together like a ribbon when drizzled from a spoon.. Who knew a box of powdered sugar and one lemon could make such amazing lemon frosting!!

And with my gravel art frame done..... We were ready to call it a day! Turned out real nice.

And yes I hung it above eye level which is "against the rules" but i had to put something else near that TV to distract my eyes!!!

HOW TO SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY WHEN YOU CANT SEND FLOWERS

Today is my sister Lauren's birthday. And while I'm dying to send flowers... lets face its SUNDAY!!! and no florist is opened on Sunday in Oakland!! So in an attempt to make it known that I do love her and did not forget it was her special day... I put together this little photoshop collage. Nothing says I love you like an hour in front of the computer creating a nice little card. LOL> Happy Birthday Lauren!!

p.s. you can also do this the old fashioned way with real photos magazines newspapers scissors and then scan or fax...

Hallows Eve Highlights: The Woods Taco Truck

Well it was a great night out until I lost my phone at 3am while eating delicious carne asada tacos from The Woods Taco Truck... the good news is the tacos were so good that while I was experiencing mexican heaven I momentarily forgot I that lost my phone! This may be one of the best taco trucks in the hood!! You may remember them from Metropolitan and Bedford. A must for anyone searching for inexpensive yummy mexican food.

Now this year people seemed to get very crafty with the costumes... The eyeballs made from giant chinese lanterns and craft paper really took the cake. And lets just say i wasnt the only one to hand paint their day of the dead costume!! my dia de los muertos homie Bridgette.

Masquerader and my Skeletor

Oh Banana Man

I think Tracey Ulman? or? someone who lives in a florida retirement home? The fanny pack is really the best...

bride of weddings past.

doin it right. flower child.

the best!! these two ladies were major. home made costumes from chinese paper lanterns craft paper.. and even little red veins on the whites...

Joesphine Baker. Ballsy as hell.

Le Mondrian. Hand painted and genius. she was art.

People told me he was an action hero from a video game.. but what you dont see.. is his small yellow umbrella - because that will protect him from the rain right?

Pizza Guy. Held that box all night long.

Lookin good! Morticia and Gomez Adams.

And me! again! showin off my bones.

All in all the best costumes are the ones that people make. A little imagination can go a long way. Until next year!!!

EL DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

OK so maybe its really Halloween but I am channeling the day of the dead over here!! I was in the mood... bought a dickies work wear onsie and painted it by hand. I started out with an image of a skeleton from google image search... laid out my work wear suit flat on the floor with some plastic underneath.. mixed a little white primer with water in a plastic cup.... and freehanded it!!! see progress pics below....

Tape it up Tape it down:

Ever wish your phones flash would tone down?? That flash can do some ugly things to your photos. Really. So here is a little tip: Get out the scotch tape and cover that flash with a few layers... test it.. see if its to your liking.. remove add... experiment. And be relieved that you will now have nicely exposed photos with no flash overload!!

Talk About A Birth Announcement!

I mean really lets put the pressure on early. I still have yet to live up to the hype. But thank you for getting my foot in the door. I was born with crafty credits!!!