orange dreamsicle shake

We've been just a tad obsessed around here with what we are calling a dreamsicle shake.  I may be dating myself, but does anyone else remember Orange Julius?  Oh my gosh, they were so good.  There was one at our local mall growing up and I can still hear the whirring noises of all the blenders going in unison.   I looked up the recipe...well no wonder they were so darn tasty...sugar...and lots of it.  We make ours with frozen yogurt or vanilla ice cream and fresh squeezed orange juice.  YUM!

There are so many different kinds of oranges.  I'm definitely going to make this salad.

Orange is everywhere right now...the California weather has been really warm and the sunsets have been amazing!

J a n u a r y

January has always been my favorite month...strange, maybe...but it's when things slow down a little, it's quiet in the winter.  The holidays come in like a storm and then are gone before you know it.  I love everything about the holidays, but when January comes around, I'm ready for things to return to normal and routines go back into place for everyone.  The house after Christmas seems very orderly once everything has been put away and I always try to find daisies...not easy...but they are the furthest thing from Christmas...and that's what I love about them. 

"I love daisies.  They're so friendly.  Don't you think that daisies are the friendliest flowers?"  Kathleen Kelly

 

This was taken at about 10am this morning.  The current temperature is 84º at the beach...probably a lot hotter inland.  

 

My resolutions are simple this year.  Be kinder to everyone.  Of course eating healthier is always top on the list.  I made cinnamon water and it makes the house smell divine.  I'm not certain of the health benefits.  I did a little research, but I know one thing for sure...the house smelling like cinnamon is a lot healthier than butter and onions on a regular basis.  One thing I generally do in January is read more.  So I'm going to enjoy the next hour on my patio in the shade with a wonderful book my sister recommended.  Her book group read Halfway to Each Other by Susan Pohlman and she hosted the group in her home last month with the author who now resides in Phoenix, AZ.   Cheers to January, New Year's resolutions and good books.

Warm wishes from Southern California. . .

Sunset at Montage Laguna Beach, California -  Christmas Day 2011.

Oh Joy. . . Christmas comes to Juxtaposition in Newport Beach, California

One of my favorite places to shop or just for a little inspiration is Juxtaposition.  It is located along the Pacific Coast Highway in the Crystal Cove Promenade in Newport Beach, CA. 

Even as often as I visit Juxtaposition, there's always something new.  I loved these wonderful candles made from old jar and bottle molds and the reclaimed apothecary bottles to hold matchsticks.  It's a great place to buy gifts, but I have a hard time parting with anything I buy at Juxtaposition.  They wrap everything beautifully and every ticket is hand written on a three-copy sales slip...just like it used to be done everywhere...I love that!

At 3,000 square feet there's plenty of space to move about and it usually takes me at least twice through to make sure I haven't missed something new.  The staff is very knowledgeable and helpful, but will let you look around at your own pace.

I wish this were my closet...I love everything they have...from bags and shoes to boots and clothing pieces...a very well edited collection that fits my style perfectly.

I love this sign that sits out front.  There are several wonderful restaurants right in the same shopping center, like Pacific Whey  next door,  but for the best view...head across the street to the Shake Shack.

Just across PCH (north) is the Crystal Cove Shake Shack, now owned by Ruby's, but still one of the best views.  Right after leaving Juxtaposition I drove over to the Shake Shack and it was just after the rain had cleared. . . It's not everyday you get to see a school of dolphins swimming this close to shore. 

               Thank you Michele and Ellen at Juxtaposition for allowing me to photograph! 

t h r i f t i n g

Before I started reading blogs (I don't even know what I did all day) I thought thrifting was my huge discount at William Sonoma.  But recently I have discovered the real meaning of "thrifting."  Yes, I do know that thrifting is not a word.  I've learned from the best out there in blog land.  First, there's Janet at The Gardener's Cottage.  She has been posting beautiful outfits that she has put together for under $10.  She looks amazing!  Then there are those talented girls in San Diego and the stuff they find...ah-mazing!  Amber (The Girl is Craftee), Bianca, (Bink & Boo),  Grace, (Grace Happens), and Melissa, (Seagrass Interiors) and (Bixby & Ball.)

Bakelite...I have several belts made by Boston based designer Hadley Pollet.  Her original designs incorporated Bakelite pieces as belt buckles.  Are you familiar with Hadley Pollet? 

So many beads . . .

So many gorgeous Christmas decorations that reminded me of things my grandmother had.  Many of the vendors have things arranged beautifully and yet you can walk away with a vintage ornament for a few dollars.

There was so much silver that my friend Elizabeth has the idea that we should put together a set for my daughter.  There were boxes of silver, unpolished for $1.  For $3 you could buy a single piece of silver plate flatware.  My daughter is 17, so she was not nearly as excited as we were...the thrill really is in the hunt.  And in 10 or 15 years, even Madeline may agree.  In the mean time Elizabeth and I will spend the first Sunday of the month at The Groves Antique Market at the Orange County Great Park.  Unfortunately it rained last Sunday so everyone packed up early...being from the East Coast...rain, sleet, snow never deters me...I only found a couple of things, but will be back next month and hopefully the sun will be shining.

I found this champagne bucket at the Assistance League Thrift Shop in Laguna beach and the amber bottles at the flea market.  I love the color, especially with the orange....something I picked up on the way back from my son's school.   Found any treasures lately?

It's fall in Southern California...

The calendar says fall, but the temperatures say summer!  It's really, really hot here today, but I couldn't help notice how even here at the beach in Southern, California there really is the look of the seasons changing.  It's not what I'm used to...I think of crisp air, bright blue skies and of course beautiful changing leaves...but this is what I saw a few hours ago...

                                         So what does it look like outside your door today? 

old mixed with new + RJ Imports in San Juan Capistrano

RJ Imports has just stocked up and they have so much great stuff I just had to share.  I have my eye on a few things and if this is your style and you live with a hundred miles you may want to check it out.  It's just off the 5 freeway in San Juan Capistrano.

I'm thinking one of these industrial metal cabinets would look great in an all white bathroom or in a guest room for extra linens and towels.

These tables are almost 12 feet long.  In the right house...

I love these huge turquoise display cabinets and can imagine using them in a small store.

Donna at RJ Imports helped me choose this piece.  I purchased it before our house was finished and they kept it for months until we were ready.  I absolutely love it....it is essentially my desk or office.  All of my supplies fit inside and when I'm home working (at the kitchen table) I leave the doors open and it looks great.  The size accommodates everything and I have it organized in a way that basically everything is right where I need it.   office, school, mailing, gift wrap supplies...

This piece is also great for storage.  I have all my table linens and silver in here.

I had been looking for a a square table to fit inside the sectional sofa.  It's difficult to find something that's not modern in a square.  Since the sofa is modern, I really wanted to find something that would soften that modern feel.  This was perfect. 

as summer begins to fade...the colors turn to yellow, gold and rust

I pass by this shop on Pacific Coast Highway everyday and love to see what they have out front.  You can tell the summer is coming to a close when the flowers are going from vibrant hues of red and hot pinks to shades of yellow and gold.

The colors around my house are getting more muted too...not as much red.

Nothing makes me happier than the mailbox full of new magazines...just in time for the weekend.

Everything is getting softer inside and out...as we get ready for cooler weather.  I love the fall and I can't help but miss the crisp feel in the air once summer begins to slip away.  There's something about the seasons and seeing one go to the next that just feels right.  There are seasons in Southern California, but not like the East Coast.

I must be ready for fall before it's time...I was at Roger's Gardens and there were no mums to be found.  I was able to change my pots from red geraniums to a bit of yellow for only a few dollars...these plants won't last long, but just til I can find a yellow mum plant.

Just another beautiful day in Southern California

Strands Beach, Dana Point, CA.  Photos by Ryan Donahue.