Getting Rad in Carlsbad

2009-12-15T09:10:00.000-08:00

Yummmmm

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Breaky

2009-12-14T09:00:00.001-08:00

I really wanted eggs this morning. So I have this eggless egg salad. Put on toast tada!

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2009-12-12T18:37:00.000-08:00

Do excited I forgot to take a photo. Edamane, miso soup, seaweed salad, Shauna roll with no cream cheese

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2009-12-12T10:40:00.000-08:00

Homemade vegan bisquits, vegan butter and apple butter (which have no butter ps)

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2009-12-11T19:15:00.000-08:00

Me and Erica shared the black bean and house burger vegan style with sweet potato fries

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2009-12-10T20:40:00.001-08:00

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2009-12-10T20:20:00.001-08:00

Potatoe and steamed veggies

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2009-12-10T19:17:00.001-08:00

Organic baby greens roasted tomatoes walnuts and balsamic vinagrette

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2009-12-10T11:17:00.001-08:00

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2009-12-09T19:12:00.001-08:00

Artichoke and vegan butter

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Lunch

2009-12-08T11:57:00.000-08:00

Indonesian peanut rice noodle stir fry with broccli cabbage carrots and tofu. With Thai curry soup with coccunut curry broth and veggies.

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Dinner out

2009-12-07T19:21:00.000-08:00

Vegan chilli and a glass of red wine from hensleys. Forgot about the garlic bread that comes with. Should have asked for no butter but just gave it to Erica instead.

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Oops

2009-12-07T14:07:00.000-08:00

Day 1.
Had to jump my car this morning. Didnt have anytime to make breakfast. Grabbed a coffee at work, had oat milk in it.Normally i go to starbucks :)

Went to a womans studies fair at San Marcos State. One of the presentations had candy, not even thinking a are a piece of chocolate. Bad move. This move will take time can't beat myself up.

Lunch - Had a salad with edamame, tomatoes, garbonzo beans, and red bell peppers with a low-fat miso-based vegan salad dressing with a gingery Asian flavor and a large fruit salad with pineapple melon, grapes and strawberries.

diy: el concho cortos from Bleach Black

2009-07-22T13:55:00.000-07:00

I really love this DIY from Bleach Black.

I'm going to have to do this before i go to Sturgis with Keep A Breast next week!

diy: el concho cortos

with the below post as my impetus, i hacked my way to some new fringe-y concho summer shorts!

start with:

(x1) pair of denim jeans or shorts, (x10) conchos, (x1) can of krylon matte/ flat-black spray paint, (x4) packages of tandy leather lace , (x1) scissors, newspaper for spray paint, needle & thread.

begin by chopping jeans to desired length. pull raw edge theads, to start fraying at bottom- (wash/dry- if you want additional fraying to occur). set aside. second, begin by laying out conchos onto newspaper and paper plates. lightly spray conchos, to reduce nickel-finish shine, for antique effect. don’t spray completely black- just a subtle dusting of paint. let dry. cut lengths of suede lace into (x3) varying lengths; 10″, 12″, 17″. use longer laces at top concho- by waistband (ie: 12″ and 17″), and smaller laces towards hem (ie: 10″ and 12″). loop (x2) laces on bar, for each concho. after all conchos have been laced, place on shorts. i used needle & thread to secure conchos, beginning below waistband, with (x5) assorted shapes on each side.

bueno suerte!

x valerie

2009-06-03T10:45:00.000-07:00

Alternative Apparel Orange Label Dance Top $38

Alice + Olivia for Payless. So Amazing and surprisingly easy to wear all night! $34.99 only in stores.

Tom's shoes. I love Tom's... in fact I'm wearing them right now. Who doesn't love cute shoes that go to a good cause! I love the tie dye!! $50

Butterfly Vial brass necklace/ Sourced ethically. Handmade by Lady Lavona. $45

Tracey Feith a super fun beach wear designer is the newest GO International designer to hit Target. I love this loose weave Stripe Sleeve Cardigan. $29

2009-05-14T15:36:00.000-07:00

Ksubi Backless T-shirt I saw in Foam

Pamela Love Talon Cuff Too bad I cannot afford you.

I really wish I could do my hair like this. Can someone teach me?

Maje Fringe Dress - simple yet amazing.

Where the Wild Things Are Wallpaper

2009-04-06T15:20:00.000-07:00

Not sure if you have seen the where the wild where things are trailer but it's amazing. So amazing in fact that I used a screen shot for a wallpaper for the last week. Well now this site has 33 ones you can download. So good. This one is mine:

2009-04-06T10:46:00.000-07:00

Here is my SXSW fashion wrap-up. Some great and inspiring outfits. Some what were you thinking outfits.. and some... just entertaining.

This is Tess. She works for Pony Shoes and is always super cute. One of those girls that everytime you see her you see a item worn in a way that inspires you. Plus I think the smile is half the outfit. It's always on.

But the coolest part of her outfit today was that she had a evil feather smily face in her hair and she didn't even realize.

This guy is killing it. leather pants, grey 80's hair.. bad tattoos... rocking out. I could not get enough of him. Pretty sure I was laughing at him and not with him....

Half Borat half John Waters.

This kids outfit was almost amazing.

Little Boots. Wow. She was so cute in person, that dress, the necklace, the everything.

her shoes are even amazing.

Wow. These ladies borrowed their 13 year old daughters clothing before going to SXSW.

And this guy borrowed all his sisters clothes. I know androdgony is in... but that cardigan is to make your girls look perky.. not show off your few chest hairs.

I hope this guy was joking.

2009-03-27T16:55:00.001-07:00

I’m still trying to put together the pieces of this years Keep A Breast mission at SXSW, So many wonderful people, so many late late nights, great art, and well I’m so glad to be back home even if I’m voiceless and weighed down by business cards.

Some observations and other things I learned on my first trip to SXSW – Keep A Breast style.

-- Twittering is the future.

-- People in Austin love boobies. I heart boobies buttons, lanyards, tees were everywhere. They must have known we were coming.

-- If you ever have the opportunity to hang out with anyone that works at PureVolume.com take it. Josh Rowe and Brett Woitunski are beyond generous, Mitchell Pavao was the sweetest dude ever and can be bought by a good sandwich, Alex Ploegsma who was working the event was so helpful and a “dreamboat” even on his birthday. And well Brittany Oldham– she worked till 4am then came in early to let our muralists start painting. We can’t thank them enough.

-- It's easier to cut the long lines if you are with Keep A Breast Erica. Or maybe it’s harder to get anywhere with her. She knows everyone, and more importantly everyone loves her. Walk 10 steps in any direction and someone is grabbing her in a fury of hugs and big smiles.

-- We did a giant mural at the PureVolume.com house. We had artists from San Francisco Jay Howell and Ferris Plock and Vancouver Canada based Cody Cochrane painting. It was a huge project and the artists worked hours every day and still had the coolest attitudes and generous hearts. Friday night they came in and painted from 4am till noon while Erica slept on the little couch next to them. Yes, she slept there. I suppose they did call it a “house” so it’s not weird? Also a huge thank you to Sabotaz and Adio for helping make it happen.

-- AP Showcase was insane. I have never seen a crowd so hyped to get inside a venue. Kids were lined up for hours and hours and hours. 3rd year in a row Keep A Breast has worked with them and it gets better and better. Cast art as a backdrop on all 3 stages, amazing bands, sweaty kids, and loads of fun. Will Bryant came out and painted a cast for us. Reminding us all that smiling and good attitudes are really awesome. Big huge thanks to the whole Alt Press team, especially Mike Shea, Dawn Marshman and Susanne Dawursk.

-- Got to meet some great people at the AP Cocktail Party. So fun. Wish I would have won that last guitar they auctioned off. Thanks to AP for inviting us, and FOX for throwing in KAB necklaces into the giftbags.

-- SXSW was full of non-profits, and we love them all. Got to meet Dan and Michelle from Peta, they accepted me although I had a feather in my hair. Chris Youngblood from TWLOHA came and hung out with us one night, so nice to meet him. And Music Saves Lives came out to AP showcase and filmed us for a bit – go donate blood!

-- Other notables. Tex Mex is good – but not as good as San Diego Mexican Food. Breaking your toe is stupid, especially when your apartment is a mile away from the venue. Outcast was at Whataburger 10 minutes before we were there… at 430 am. It was someone’s job to break apart the massive Lego collection they let kids play with at the corner of the convention every night. I got to see Little Boots despite not getting into the Perez party… she was amazing.

A Cheap Makeover

2009-03-09T21:53:00.000-07:00

I am hairy. Like a monkey. It has its ups. My hair is long, it grows fast. So do my nails. But lets talk about the eyebrows. Yea, not the cutest. My whole adult life I have been plucking and waxing, then going back to plucking.. then I went and saw my current esthetician, Mari. Or whom I like to call her my hair removing fairy godmother. Literally I never thought a brow wax could save your life. I went to her twice. The first time people said things like Oh did you lose weight, and oh you look great. I thought it was in my head. Then it happened again, and then again the next time. So basically what I am hear to say is a good eyebrow wax is like a facelift for under $20. Live in San Diego - go find Mari. She works at model call salon - and if you mention me you get 1/2 off these magical eyebrow waxes. If you don't - well go find your own hair removing fairy godmother. They are out there.

2008-11-13T10:27:00.000-08:00

I can't live without coffee.
Just strait coffee with a little bit

of soymilk brightens my day.

BonaDrag.com
My favorite place to shop.
Both actual and imaginary.
Feathers, dreamcatchers and the
perfect mix of girly and hip.

My fave tee from my clothing line.
Bad Dreams can't compete with
a badminton dreamcatcher.

My favorite piece I don't own from
With Hearts In My Eyes
The Eden dress is perfection in a dress.

Judi Ronsen jeans.
Most flattering jeans ever.
Never gotten more compliments
Guys and girls...

Keep A Breast is for Lovers
Cute, perfect cut tank
and my fave non-profit.
OK I know I work there but it is!

The Kills
Best Live shows
Best getting ready music
Love Alison Mosshart style

Cat Power
No matter what mood I'm in its perfect.

Vegetarian Sushi!!
Favorite places - Sushi Deli in San Diego

Upcoming Valentino documentary, Valentino: The Last Emperor

2008-09-23T15:10:00.000-07:00

Horse Cock

2008-09-22T17:26:00.000-07:00

when I first started working in sales at Black Box.. maybe my first or second day something happened where John needed to google the photo Horse Cock. And for some even better reason this is the photo that came up. With the title Fucking Awesome in the photo and everything. This Halloween I think I might be Fucking Awesome.

Erica!

2008-08-26T15:00:00.000-07:00

Erica is back in town and she came and visted me for lunch. We sat and ate packed lunches at the fountain and then went and got coffee. She even brought me flowers. It was quite romantic if I do say so myself. It was so sweet of her. I found out some dumb medical arm stuff later in the day and it was nice to have cute little flwoers on my desk to remind me its going to be fine.

90s are so hot right now.

2008-08-26T10:16:00.001-07:00

90s are so hot right now.

2008-08-26T10:16:00.000-07:00

Josh's email

2008-08-21T10:03:00.000-07:00

My friend Josh sent me this email. I have no money to donate but I do have a blog.

Okay.

I know what you're thinking. What the hell is Josh doing now? I've never really participated in a campaign, so it's a good question. It's a justifiable question for all of us to ask ourselves, really.

Take this classic example. You know that feeling when you're alone in your house or apartment walking around, pulling up blankets on your couch, searching every corner for that one pen that you need so you can finally get something done? You know what I'm talking about. You've searched nearly an hour, but you don't know where it is. Then, when you find it, you realize, the pen's been behind your ear. Then, you just stand there in your house and feel stupid.

Now, imagine that the near hour you've been looking for that pen, is actually eight years. And the pen? It's that part of your brain that's just been sitting tucked behind your ear, the part that you know has been there all along, but you just couldn't find. You know, the one that made you feel like you could change anything in this country?

Well, here's the deal. You, me and the historical figure of your liking are out to lunch at Chili's or Applebees or whatever and I need to borrow some money. Ten, twenty bucks tops. I'm good for it. But, instead of paying you back in cash, I tell you I know this guy named Obama who's going to pay you back for me, with a comprehensive and realistic energy plan for the future, a systematic and tempered withdrawl from Iraq, a strategy to promote jobs in America through technological advances, and a program to put resources back into the educational system. Then, I'll tell you, "If you want to read more, just go to his website."

And, as you're thinking, "Ah, I don't know about all this," and you scratch your head, that part of your brain behind your ear you've been looking for the last eight years falls out onto the table. We all just stare at it for a second. Then, you give me those ten or twenty bucks.

So, do your part an donate. It's either that or I keep writing you in complex analogies. They're only going to get worse.

Go to my fundraising site:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/mwanawasa

Thank you.

Hipster Olympics

2008-08-20T12:41:00.001-07:00

A Miracle On Seventh Ave.

2008-08-20T12:24:00.000-07:00

I read this on Fashionita but the story is here and here. I got really teary eyed.

Meet Nikki. She's 14 and her mother teaches at Savannah College of Art and Design. She made friends with some of her mother's students who eventually moved to NYC. And when Nikki was diagnosed with cancer, her New York pen pals flew her up to New York to take fashion obsessed Nikki to the Superhero exhibit at the Met.
The story spread and soon Nikki was touring Marc's studio, lunching with Andre in Oscar's showroom, getting her own WWD cover and chilling on the Ugly Betty set.
If you need your faith in humanity restored please read.

http://www.laurendukoff.com/

2008-08-09T13:28:00.001-07:00

Nathan sent me over this photographer Lauren Dukoffs portfolio site. Its absolutely stunning and beautiful. Looks like Devandra Banhart uses her exclusivly. Some of the fashion photos were amazing but I was more intrigued with her documentary section.

Date Night

2008-08-05T12:26:00.000-07:00

Giant bottle of Teqilla - Gone.

Bottle of Vodka - Gone.

Bag of super yummy popcorn - gone.

Box of Triscuits - Gone.

We're such fat kids.

Magic

2008-08-02T18:04:00.001-07:00

Fiesta photos!

2008-07-14T19:58:00.001-07:00

Tiny Baby mention of me in Union Tribune

2008-07-10T15:09:00.000-07:00

I'm almost famous!!

My editor for Sandiegoish.com was interviewed for the Union Tribune and he mentioned me. I thought that was awesome as I have been slacking on doing writeups and such. Check it out here.

Things that I want if I were rich or just not broke

2008-07-10T12:34:00.000-07:00

I have these in black and sometimes I think they overpower my outfit.

How amazing in tan!

I love love love this belt. But its $210!

I will have to stick to just wanting this bike Lock.

I also love this bralette.

My brother is getting married in 3 weeks and if I had the $$ I would by it for his wife to be.

So sexy without being raunchy. Its perfect.

This painting by Jeana Sohn

I want this look from Lyell I love the shorts ni both these photos as well as the hair and tops.

Phillip Lim collection- I love the long cardigans and the simplicity
All the tops from the the Alexander Wang collection.

And all the legs on the models.

House Warming Photos Round 1

2008-07-09T12:55:00.001-07:00

Julia taking full advatage of the Taco Buffet

Sweenska and Mia enjoing some Coronas in the shade

Chris and Mia
Ryan Julia myself and Gabe
Mari and Jeff came up!! Julia is making a model face pose...

It took me so long to find those decorations in the back.

I waited till Mia came over to hang decorations becuase I was afraid I was too white.

She fits in quite nicely in my neighborhood.

Blogging Again

2008-07-09T12:19:00.000-07:00

Not sure if I'm Inspired or Depressed.

Moving to Carlsbad has led me to have a lot of time by myself.

I've completely decorated a house and made a showroom for Pony Attack

Now that its done I'm just thinking where do I put my creative energy now

I think I need to stop talking about things and start doing more.

If anyone knows me well - then you know what I am talking about.

Mid Year Resolutions. AKA: Stop Talking and Start Doing

1. Do it.

Even if you have to start at the bottom again thats ok.

The bottom might be better than the top.

excuses excuses excuses

2. Start on my table book I have said I wanted to make forever.

One day you will see it at Borders and say you thought of that first.

Thinking and doing are diffrent.

3. Start blogging again.

The more inspiring things I can put down the more I might actually use them one day.

4. Stop caring.

"Are you worried that he hates you - he does - get over it." Best advice ever.

5.Do what makes me happy.

On a search - PATIO FURNITURE

2008-07-02T13:02:00.000-07:00

I really want to find rad vintage patio chairs.

I'm in love with these Bertoia Wire Chairs, but they are $$$.

Also I doubt I would set them in my front yard if I got ones.

I really like the thought of BRIGHT aqua chairs and a black bistro table.

And I've seen these vintage ice cream chairs that connect and are super cute

And I love old Motel Chairs. Like the weird green ones that connect and have shell backs.

BUT I CANT FIND THEM ANYWHERE!!!!

ANY HELP?

Making things

2008-07-01T12:21:00.000-07:00

We bought two mismatched chairs for the dining room

that were the same shape/size but had diffrent woven seats.

Solution!

Take 2 vintage placemats+some batting and sew them into seatcovers.

Obviously this photos is a few weeks old as my hair is not red any longer.

After Sunday I will post actual house photos. But its not done yet!

Chloe's new Bed

2008-07-01T10:06:00.000-07:00

I made Chloe a bed for my office/Pony Attack office.

Idea from DesignSpongeOnline.com DIY contest

Server Down no photos.

2008-06-30T12:52:00.000-07:00

I planned on posting some photos of new things I bought this weekend but my server is down here at work and I'm posting via my phone. So I can just tell you that I had a semi sucessful shopping bout with Julia on Sunday.

A wonderful glass punch bowl to serve Sangria in at the housewarming fiesta
A small stool that matches my desk almost perfectly.
A dreamcatcher
A off white vintage suitcase 50% off
A 3 chain gold necklace that has nothing to do with the house but its pretty.

EDIT: Here's a closeup of the Sangria bowl I bought at Estate Sale Warehouse in O'side

Too Big - what to do?! HELP!!!

2008-06-27T10:17:00.000-07:00

The coffee table I bought yesterday is too long for my house. Its the size of my couch and kinda takes up too much room. I could

A.Restore it and sell it on Craigslist for a pretty profit.

B. Try and move the legs over and saw one side shorter

C. Use it as a bench like pictured here in artist Jeana Sohn house.

What are your thoughts?!?!?!?!?!

Project

2008-06-27T10:08:00.000-07:00

Called the ladies over and had them help me with a

monster project for the Pony Attack Showroom.

Here's a sneak peak.

Sneak Peak

2008-06-26T13:12:00.001-07:00

Hidden Beauty

2008-06-26T13:09:00.000-07:00

Nathan thought I was crazy for wanting these.

So beachy and ugly.

It's all Yellow

2008-06-26T13:07:00.000-07:00

First thing we did in the new house was paint the kitchen Marigold.

This doesn't do it justice.

Before - Pony Attack storage.

2008-06-26T13:05:00.001-07:00

I remeber being excited that we had the tees organized in boxes like this.

WOW

Wait till you see the transofrmation.

Sneak Peaks

2008-06-26T13:00:00.000-07:00

I saw this at Family Bookstore and knew it needed to be in the new house.

Slat bench coffee table - delivered to me for $30