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Virtual Home Makeover - Living Room

I have not redecorated the pied a terre recently. I have no home projects to post as yet. Between the heat and general malaise, it's been hard for me to find the motivation. Instead, I have been daydreaming about moving to a slightly bigger abode. In honor of my future, more spacious living room here is my inspiration board.

I envisioned the above items for an open floor plan or loft type space. I selected items that were at realistic price points. I wanted a "fantasy" living room, but not necessarily an unattainable fantasy. As evidenced by my inspiration board, I have a fondness for a mid-century modern style. My color palette is comprised of neutrals accented by pops of color. The walls would be painted a blue gray that is similar to the color of the walls in our current pied a terre. I would probably incorporate vases with fresh flowers and live plants for additional color. Originally, I had included a bookshelf for books and tchotchkes, but decided against it for a cleaner "less is more" approach. I felt as though a simpler look would be better for entertaining. I went with the idea that a blank canvas would allow us to dress the place up or down accordingly. Although the furniture looks uncomfortable, it is not. I have taken some of these pieces for a test drive. They are surprisingly very comfortable and very easy to maintain. Scotchguard and washable throw covers are your friends. Another thing to note is that if we were to buy the wood items shown (the bar and TV stand), we would buy them in matching wood colors. Sadly, I couldn't find photos where the wood was of the same shade.

Next up on the Virtual Home Makeover - Bedroom
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More visions from Rob's Bistro

This post is for LeeAnn who asked me to post more of Rob's cooking. Her request reminded me that I have been remiss in crediting my hubby for his culinary skills. Here are some photos of some meals he has prepared over the last month. Our meals DO NOT always look like this. I do not always eat everything on my plate. Sadly, I think Rob forgets that I am a small Filipino woman that doesn't need to eat THAT MUCH food. I have been working out, but I do not have the caloric needs of Michael Phelps.

Anyways... on with the show!

French Toast topped with Yogurt, Berries, and Granola served with Canadian Maple Syrup and Abuelita Mexican Chocolate Dip
(Thankfully, I was at the gym when the breakfast was served. I can't have this big of a breakfast)

Seared Albacore Tuna with Brown Rice and Mixed Green Salad

Cheese Tortellini with Artichokes, Peppers and Prosciutto

Tapas - Manchego Cheese with Spanish Chorizo, Marinated Mushrooms, Olives, Sundried Tomato and Artichocke Dip, and Crostini

Mushroom and Spinach Ravioli topped with fresh Sage from my herb garden

Broiled Chicken with Sun dried Tomato and Artichoke Topping, Grilled Artichoke, and Rice Pilaf

Shrimp Scampi with Bow-tie Pasta and Sun dried Tomatoes

Sad Dottie watches us from the living room.
She gets exiled from the kitchen whenever Rob cooks.
Don't feel too bad for her. She usually gets her own treats cooked for her.


Looking at all this pictures has made me full. I think I'm going to have crackers and fruit for dinner;)
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It's all about Janice;)

Saturday, April 23, 2008

After all the preparation, the day of Janice's Shower finally arrived. Wendy, Debra, Debra's husband Nate, Jordana, and I began setting up for the party. As I am not gifted in the kitchen, I left food prep to Wendy, Debra, and Jordana. My contribution to the food was a mixed berry salad that Rob made. I arranged the menagerie of flowers that I had purchased the day before at the Flower Mart.

Here is the day as told in pictures.

Janice - the guest of honor with the first of many cocktails.

Martha Stewart Favor Box with the tag I designed
Flower Arrangement with the Favor Boxes

The delicious spread

Cheese platter, Bruschetta, and Rob's Mixed Berry Salad

More Flower Madness

The Pink Lemonade Cocktail that was so strong that I only had 1 glass

Pomanders

What's a shower without gifts?

More Flower Love

Me, Wendy, & Joe

Janice & Jordana

Our shower hostesses Wendy and Debra decided to spare us the agony of too many boring shower games. No toilet paper dresses here! Thank God! Instead, we were split up into two teams and played "Janice Jeopardy". The questions were divided up into categories based on different periods of Janice's life. This allowed everyone to participate.

Wendy says, "Let the Games Begin!"

To keep things interesting, Janice had to play "Do you Really Know J.D.?". Among all the categories, there were 4 blank categories. If she selected a blank one, she had to wear a gag article of clothing. This game was also fun because it gave us all some additional insight into J.D. and his life.

Debra was in charge of Janice's trivia questions about J.D.

Jordana wants to know how anyone is supposed to know the answers to some of these questions.

When the games were done, Janice looked like this
Janice models her Disney Princess tiara, Big Mama Bra, Granny Panties, and Trailer Trash Bandanna

At the end of our game, we looked like this
Ernessa with her Victoria's Secret Lip Gloss

Carrie, Carrie, and Jennifer check out their winnings

Apparently, Joe like the lip gloss AND the bow that came with the box

After the game, there was dessert.
Leda's Cupcakes, Chocolate Covered Cheesecake Bites, and Jordana's Homemade Cannoli and Scones

Jordana is popping in to say "hi"

I'm trying to run away with the Leda's cupcakes

The Granny Panties made the rounds.
Joe decided to try them on.

... as did Michelle

Then Janice opened her gifts.
Janice got some sexy pieces in addition to her game prizes

Janice opens her gift. My co-paparazzi/ partner-in-crime snaps a pic

A Hula Hello Kitty in honor of her Hawaiian Honeymoon

She also received gifts from her registry

and some other things that no one else could appreciate;)

At the end of the night, we were all pooped. Janice was tipsy and happy. And, I'll take that as a sign that it was a good party.
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Preparing for a shower

Sunday August 17, 2008

I rolled out of bed at noon and headed over to Debra's apartment. I had volunteered to help Wendy make decorations and favors for Janice's Bridal Shower. I thought it was only fair since I had helped Janice with Wendy's shower. Besides, I love a good craft project day.

I arrived at Debra's with a bag filled with tissue paper, floral wire, and scissors. Debra, Wendy, Jordana, and I were ready to go.

We started making Martha Stewart tissue pomanders to hang from the ceiling. I was assigned the task of fluffing the tissue paper. Who knew I'd end up as a fluffer in the valley?

Wendy and Debra hard at work.
Don't you just love their looks of concentration?


The finished product

Next up were the favor boxes that Wendy was going to fill with chocolates. Wendy had bought the favor box kits from Michael's. I thankfully, did not have to make any of these. Believe it or not, fluffing big pomander took me all afternoon.

Favor box kits

Initial assembly of the boxes

Mini Pomanders and Paper to be used for a shower game

Jordana hard at work.
Again, notice the look of concentration. These gals are intense.

Finished Favor Boxes

What was Wendy's secret to getting us to work so hard? Bribery.

She ordered us delicious, but oh-so-bad-for-you Papa John's Pizza and diet Coke. Wendy knows that people work much better when they're full.


With the division of labor and the extra encouragement, we were done in just a few hours.

Friday August 22, 2008

One of my other contributions to the party was floral arrangements. I love to do it. So, I got up early and headed out to the Flower Mart. The mission was to find flowers to match the shower's Pink and Green color scheme. Because I had been to the Flower Mart the previous week, I was able to buy everything I needed within 45 minutes.


The results of my Flower Mart Spree

My Floral Assistant checks the flowers' freshness



The scent overload puts Dottie to sleep.

This is the most fragrant flower purchase I have made thus far. Our pied a terre smells heavenly. I can't wait to arrange these for the party.