November 22, 2010

Homemade Love, From Scratch

I launched a new blog: www.homemadelove.com

Please stop by and leave a comment!

Posted by: Esther
(229) comments.
November 22, 2010

Yosemite

Too bad Yosemite isn't in our backyard for more hikes.  And due to lack of hikes in our lives, Brendan and I have committed to three months of training, starting tomorrow.  We'll keep you updated on our (hopeful) progress.

Posted by: Esther
(167) comments.
November 21, 2010

North Shore Oahu

I took this shot of pipeline, on the north shore of Oahu, last January 2010.  I'll be heading back to the north shore this December through January with Brendan for some surf, sun and adventures.

I'm looking forward to seeing old surf buddies, but I'm also excited to show Brendan my hidden gems.  I'll post the adventures come January.

Posted by: Esther
(178) comments.
November 21, 2010

Back to Travel

I know that was a quick change of direction, but I've decided to launch a new website for home goodies and interior decorating.  That way, this blog can stay focused on the travel and the surfing (whatever remains of it).

I'm looking forward to sharing the new project, which will include an option to buy or to commission works!

Posted by: Esther
(158) comments.
November 20, 2010

Laundry Room Project

Brendan's new place has a small laundry room, and I'm going to try to replicate this set up.  Probably not this large scale (since there isn't enough room), but hopefully something just as cute and cozy.  I'm definitely getting rid of Brendan's current laundry bins (the mesh kinds that run amuck on college campuses).

Posted by: Esther
(290) comments.
November 20, 2010

Headboard

I love this use of a headboard to really tie in the elements of this room.  Brendan has been a big skeptic of headboards, but I think I'm starting to wear him down.  Does anyone out there have a favorite type of tufted headboard?

Posted by: Esther
(120) comments.
November 20, 2010

Retirement

When Brendan and I retire, you will find us living in something like this, up and down the west coast.  Just 50 more years to go!

Posted by: Esther
(119) comments.
November 20, 2010

Thanksgiving 2010 No. 1

EVO, Downtown LA

Xin's Turducken

The View from EVO

Delicious Fashions Accompanied the Delicious Food

 

Brendan and I kicked off the 2010 holiday season with a lovely Thanksgiving potluck, hosted by X & A at their downtown high-rise, EVO.

I made the foccaccia from Jim Lahey's "My Bread" which turned out less than stellar since my pizza peel was wrong for the job.  Not to worry!  My new one is in the mail.

X's turducken was delicious, and so were the guests' fashion choices.

Now we're off to Thanksgiving potluck #2 at E & J's.  I need to go buy some fat pants.

Posted by: Esther
(140) comments.
November 18, 2010

Plants

This hanging plant DIY project seems totally do-able.  I think I'll tackle this project pretty soon.  I'll make sure to let you know how easy/hard it is.

Posted by: Esther
(112) comments.
November 18, 2010

Dining Booth

I've always, always, always lusted for a booth-like dining area or breakfast nook.  There isn't enough space in B's new place for one, but a girl can still dream and be inspired.

Posted by: Esther
(103) comments.
November 18, 2010

A New Direction

Yeah, kinda like Glee!  Except in the sense that this blog is going in a new direction... At least for the next month or so.

The boyfriend just got a new place (with more space!) and I am the pro bono interior decorator.  So I'm going to use the blog to brainstorm some inspiration/ideas (through photos of room concepts that I love) along with what "we" actually end up doing.

Wish us luck!

Posted by: Esther
(152) comments.
November 18, 2010

Birthday // Christmas Wish List Part III

Can you believe I still use a hand mixer for my baked goods?  I know.  I can't either.  I'd adore a KitchenAid stand mixer in foam green.  Santa Baby, don't I deserve one?

Posted by: Esther
(123) comments.
November 17, 2010

B-Day Flowers Part Deux

For my momma's birthday, Brendan not only bought and delivered her flowers, but he also bought a bouquet for me as well.  He really knows how to love me well.

Posted by: Esther
(129) comments.
November 16, 2010

Happy Birthday, Momma Hahn!

To another year of golf, good food and travels!

Posted by: Esther
(140) comments.
November 16, 2010

Junius + Sheila Wedding

My cousin married his lovely lady this past Saturday (November 13th, our grandfather's birthday) and it was a fun affair. Brendan got to meet my zany family (and I met his at his cousin's wedding a few weeks ago).

Best part of the night (for me)? Catching the bouquet, of course!

Posted by: Esther
(148) comments.
November 16, 2010

Recession Facials

The Peter Thomas Roth skincare line is quickly becoming my favorite.  Although Aveeno is probably the most recession friendly (with still being of high quality), giving yourself an at-home pumpkin enzyme peel facial really leads to immediate results.

If you remember, this was on my Christmas wishlist, but I couldn't wait until December 25th for this gem.

Posted by: Esther
(196) comments.
November 16, 2010

B-Day Flowers

Don't you love it when it's your boyfriend's birthday and yet he remembers to give you flowers?

Perfection from Rita Flora on La Brea (one of my favorite florists).

Posted by: Esther
(159) comments.
November 9, 2010

Chocolate Guinness Cake

From http://www.grouprecipes.com/3405/chocolate-guinness-cake.html

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Guinness shopping list
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter shopping list
  • 1/2 cup cocoa shopping list
  • 2 cups superfine sugar shopping list
  • 3/4 cup sour cream shopping list
  • 2 eggs shopping list
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract shopping list
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour shopping list
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda shopping list
  • Frosting:
  • 8 ounces cream cheese shopping list
  • 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar shopping list
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
    • Preheat oven to 350° and grease and line with parchment paper a 9-inch springform pan.
    • Pour the Guinness into a large saucepan and add the sliced butter. Heat until the butter is melted and remove from the heat. Whisk in the cocoa and sugar. In a separate bowl, beat the sour cream with the eggs and vanilla. Add the sour cream mixture to the Guinness mixture in the saucepan. Finally, beat in the flour and baking soda.
    • Pour the batter into the greased and lined springform pan and bake for 45 minutes to an hour. (I baked mine for 53-55 minutes, checking with a toothpick for doneness and it came out well. Your oven may vary.) Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
    • For the frosting, beat the powdered sugar and cream cheese together until well combined and creamy. Add the cream and beat again until it's a spreadable consistency. I found slowly adding the cream and beating the icing very well gave excellent results. At first there seems like a lot of frosting for just the top of a 9-inch cake but don't skimp! The idea is to frost the top of the cake until it resembles the frothy head of a pint of Guinness. It's quite dramatic and lovely.
    Posted by: Esther
    (116) comments.
    November 4, 2010

    LACMA Shop

    Did you know there is a legit jewelry selection at LACMA's gift store?

    Brendan and I visited LACMA last weekend (with my auntie from Canada) and quite a few pieces caught my eye -- one of which is available on LACMA's online shop.  Although it's a bit of a steep price tag ($125), the proceeds go toward the Watts House Project.

    Christmas gift, anyone?

    Posted by: Esther
    (133) comments.
    November 4, 2010

    Halloween Nerds

    I like making costumes out of my own wardrobe.  Everything I wore that night was from my closet.  But what qualifies the outfit as a costume is that I don't wear all of these elements together on a normal day.

    Posted by: Esther
    (152) comments.

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    Blog Archive - (213 posts)

    Oi! Moshimoshi! Ciao! Bonjour!

    Here you will find vivid accounts and delightful eyecandy of my fabulous adventures in and out of LaLa Land as I live life as a surfer, a writer, and a lover of many things (especially food). So please, grab a pot of ginger tea, snuggle into that Frette merino wool throw, and start clicking away -- And fall in love with my wanderlust.