Travel Diaries: Rome-the Historical

I recently had a business trip to Rome.  I spent most of my time there in meetings, but I had a little bit of time to do some sightseeing.  I visited some of the places that were most memorable to me from a previous visit: Villa Borghese with it's stunning Bernini's (unfortunately, no cameras allowed, so no pictures), the ancient Coliseum, majestic Piazza Venezia, Piazza Navona, Fontana di Trevi--not to mention just walking through the picturesque streets of Rome, observing the rhythms and flavors of Roman life.

I bought a new camera before the trip, so needless to say, I took almost a thousand pictures--edited way down here.  These pictures are the Historical sights I experienced while in Rome.

The Coliseum

 This was walking down the street (pictured above) from the Coliseum.  Not sure specifically what it is, but he looks like Caesar.

Piazza Venezia

Piazza Navona

Fontana di Trevi

The Vatican

In addition to my new Canon 60D, I purchased the Camera+ app for iPhone.  You can see the fun I had adjusting the photos and adding different frames--you can tell which ones are my favorites.

My husband met me in Rome and we continued on to Venice.  So expect to see lots more pics of the trip!

Meet Me at the Oasis

Almost 2 years after we bought our house, we finally landscaped our backyard.  It's so nice to have a little (emphasis on "Little") oasis in the middle of our busy lives to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning, or a glass of wine in the evening.

Before

 

You've always got to have a Before shot.  It makes the reveal that much more dramatic...

 Did I mention it was a small backyard?  Hey, I live in the middle of Los Angeles, so it's more like a really big balcony.

After

 Pretty....

 Mmmm...lemons...can't wait till they're ripe.  Can you say Marga-rita?

The view sitting on the love seat.  We still have to buy a table for outside the sliding doors.

Creating a little mystery with the edge blur function...  We still have to paint the back wall--Kato is planning to create a bas relief.

It will take a while for everything to grow in.  We will be planting a little herb garden here.

 

 

We have bougainvillea planted on the 4 corners of the pergola that we will train up the sides to cover the top.

The purple flowers attract hummingbirds--so our kitties will have some amusement. (Poe is on the left and Mandu on the right--their little brother is sleeping somewhere).

 

Ahhh, something nice to come home to...

My husband is an architect and he designed the layout.  If you're interested in hiring a seriously talented architect send me an email!!  The landscape designer is Robert Fisher owner of Root 2 Bloom here in LA.  He was wonderful to work with and I love that he's into xeriscape landscaping.  He's doing our front yard as well, so I'll be posting more before and after pics!

A note on my "After" shots:  I took a great Digital SLR class on Saturday from Julia Dean Photo Workshop.  The instructor (Amanda Keller Konya) taught us in such a clear, simple yet incredibly informative manner.  I had many "aha" moments.   I normally use the AV setting (aperture priority), but this time it was all Manual--which seemed so intimidating prior to class.  I still need some practice, but I barely had to touch up these shots.  I look forward to my future posts looking just a little better....

Re-cut Vintage Tee: The Rolling Stones

I took a little break from blogging due to a busy travel schedule...I'm sure you all have waited with bated breath for this latest post!  :)

Here's another DIY Re-cut tee shirt how-to!  This style re-cut is my basic go-to style.  It's really easy and doesn't take much time.  You can embellish a little, a lot, or just leave it basic.  I added a little detail to the top.

To start:  you need a cool tee shirt that is boxy and probably too big for you.  Here are 3 tees I bought at the Rose Bowl Flea Market.  You can check out how I re-cut and styled the other 2 here.

 Here's the Rolling Stones World tour tee.

View from the back.

With the added extras: bias tape for the straps and 3/4" strips of silk organza.

Cut off bottom section for waist band--I cut about 5", but you can make it larger or shorter depending on how big you want it and how billowy you want the shirt.

Measure your waist--pull it taut and cut off the extra.

Sew together the seam 1/2 inch in using a zig zag stitch.

Cut off arms....

...And neck ringer.

Fold in half and cut neck at gentle slope, as pictured.  I used fabric chalk to draw the line of the slope.

Fold down and press the arm seam 1/4" and sew with zig zag stitch.

Fold down and press the top and back seams 1/4"....

...Then fold down again another 1" (approximately--this depends on how thick your tie will be).  Fasten with pins (which I rarely use, so it definitely needs it here).  Sew along bottom edge of fold approx. 1/4" from seam.

Press seams.

This is the only slightly tricky part:  mark or place pins in both the waist band and the top at 4 evenly spaced places--sides and front and back are the easiest.  Place the waist band on outside of shirt, right sides together and match up pins or marks.  Note: the waistband is smaller than the top.  When you sew them together you will have to pull on the waist band to stretch to fit in the top.  Tee shirt fabric does a wonderful job of this and it gives it a nice, slightly gathered look.  It does not have to be perfect!

I sewed the silk organza strips along the top with a zig zag stitch for a little detail.  Be creative and do your own thing!

Fasten safety pin to end of your tie (I used bias tape but you can use anything).  Push through opening in seams along the front...

...Then loop it around to the back seam.

And tie it off at shoulder!

A little outfit I styled with it:  J Brand Veruka bootcut jeans, leather and metal Foley + Corinna bag, Jean-Michel Cazabat pumps, Tom Ford "Alexei" sunglasses, guitar string bracelet cuff.
 

Let me know if you decide to re-cut a shirt or have any questions!

Found Treasures: Hawaiian Garden

While it is bittersweet going through my parent's house and all of the things they accumulated throughout almost 50 years there, I have come across many "found treasures".

 I was going through an old file cabinet packed with various papers (including lyrics from long-forgotten Girl Scout songs--but that's another post!), and found this beauty.

"In an Old Hawaiian Garden"

The pages are a little weathered but overall in good shape.  They are heavyweight with a subtle texture.

I thought it looked pretty old so while looking for a copyright date, I found this inscription for my mother for her birthday in 1950.  It was given to her by her Pen Pal from Hawaii.  Sweet!

That was beautiful enough, but then I flipped through the pages...

Each page has a print of a flower and a description of the flower along with a poem about it.  For the Night Blooming Cereus the last sentence says:

"I've thrilled to your tropic loveliness

And have gone away remembering that

You cannot face

A dawn."

I love how the artist included the moon and stars to accentuate the fact that it's a night bloomer.

Wood Rose. 

"...Hand-carved, full-blown Rose

That lives...Forever."

 

  Ape:

"...The other flowers lean against

Your strength and quiet beauty."

Cup of Gold:

"So many walk by you,

Dreaming of treasures

They will never possess..."

Anthurium:

"...You've sacrificed your fragrance

To other flowers..."

Bird of Paradise:

"...You remind me of

A tropic bird

Who boasts so proudly of his plumage..."

I love the shading.

White Ginger:

"...Your fragrance thrilled me then,

But sweeter yet

Was the Lei you made

The day I went away..."

Red Hibiscus:

"...You've charmed your way

To live forever

A lasting part

Of Paradise."

The colors in the book are still so vibrant.

It's in beautiful shape for a book this old!

More importantly, it left yet another story of my mother for me.