tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147288092024-03-13T16:45:54.631-07:00see how i runNaomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497353056245209838noreply@blogger.comBlogger456125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14728809.post-26439992787368624542013-04-20T11:30:00.001-07:002013-04-20T11:31:06.356-07:00Moving Notice!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Find me over at my new home: <a href="http://nearlynaomi.wordpress.com/">nearlynaomi.wordpress.com</a> -- see you there!</div>
<br />Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497353056245209838noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14728809.post-89311851836595181722013-04-09T08:32:00.001-07:002013-04-09T08:33:16.264-07:00On Repeat: Rhye<img src="http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2013/03/02/rhye1danmonick-copy_wide-65a9276e5d6ee75e8573ea42c0a7a4c30b607ac6-s5.jpg" width="650" /><br />
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Oh my, I can't seem to stop listening to <i>R<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: '.HelveticaNeueUI'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;">hye - Woman</span></i><br />
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This band seems so secretive. Although the lead's voice sounds a lot like Sade - spoiler alert! - it's actually a man. I did a quick search for a photo since I wanted to have some sort of visual of the man behind the voice...but there doesn't seem to be any! In an age of over-the-top celebrity appearances, I can respect that they don't want their "look" to interfere with their music. Their recent feature on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_UYh0lnN3Y" target="_blank">continues to peak my curiosity</a> but I guess I will continue to wonder because I will be out of town when they return to LA's El Rey Theatre on May 10th. Somebody do me (and yourself!) a favor...buy a ticket and snap a photo, ok?!<br />
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<a href="http://www.kcrw.com/music/programs/mb/mb130405rhye/#" target="_blank">Hear the entire MBE/KCRW session here!</a> // <a href="http://www.npr.org/2013/03/02/173276751/rhye-men-of-mystery-find-a-feminine-sound" target="_blank">Another cool article on NPR if you care for more.</a>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497353056245209838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14728809.post-54303398117119257182013-03-26T18:30:00.000-07:002013-03-26T18:30:01.565-07:00Hanami<img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8388/8582947830_61d33f40cc_z.jpg" width="650" />
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Spring is finally here!<br />
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Around this time of year, I always notice how much the sun affects me. I don't really understand Daylight Savings Time (why do we think we can literally change time when the rest of the world carries on like normal?) but when we have to "spring forward", I will absolutely take every hour of daylight I can get! This last weekend was warm in LA and all I wanted to do was be outside. After Jackie and I got some practical things out of the way, we finally revamped the garden with baby kale, thai basil, and beets. Nothing beats fresh veggies but in addition to that, I really do love spending time digging in the dirt - is that weird?<br />
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During her visit last weekend, Erin and I talked a lot about ignoring what we think we're "supposed" to do. Sometimes when the weather is so nice and I have a weekend totally free, I stress out because I want to make the best use of my time. I want to see everyone, spend time by myself, go to the far corners of LA, try new restaurants, go to every flea market, do a yoga class, hike, make smoothies...(the list goes on!) and then I get so bogged down with choices, that I ended up disappointed when I couldn't do it all. This weekend, I tried to leave that mentality behind, and go with whatever my heart desired at the moment, which resulted in tan lines from reading the first <i>Girl With the Dragon Tattoo</i> book outside and going for a long run as the sun set over Santa Monica. Bliss!<br />
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Sidenote: It's Hanami season and I want to teleport myself to Japan to walk through the beautiful sakura and ume (cherry & plum blossoms) in person! For now, I will resort to <a href="http://blog.flickr.net/en/2013/03/25/hanami-2013-enjoying-the-beauty-of-flowers/" target="_blank">Flickr</a>. <br />
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Photo Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/adrien85/8582947830/" target="_blank">AdrianG</a><br />
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<br />Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497353056245209838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14728809.post-80098593984087197552013-03-24T10:03:00.000-07:002013-03-24T10:14:24.629-07:00BFFS-4EVA<img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8391/8580854291_5169a6eeaa_z.jpg" width="650" /><br />
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I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the most organized host. Sure, I'll save you a cat-free pillow case, fluff you a comforter, vacuum the couch, and have Jackie make pumpkin pancakes in the morning...but when it comes to figuring out what to do throughout your stay, I won't have an entire agenda planned. LA is a wonderful city with a lot of things to do but it's so widespread that you almost have to choose only 1 or 2 things a day. Typically those activities include food, shopping, or something active like a hike or a yoga class.<br />
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When Erin came to town, we didn't do much of any of those things! I've known Erin since first grade, so whenever we're together, it doesn't take much to keep us happy and I love that about her. Instead of stressing over where to take her or what to do, we just decided to do whatever would make us happy at the moment, which ended up being the <b>Stanley Kubrik exhibit at the LACMA</b> (probably the closest either of us will get to seeing The Shining since we're both babies!), climbing walls at <b>Rockcreation</b>, skipping the gym to play card games and eat pastries at <b>Sweet Lady Jane</b>, taking our time shopping/gawking at LA Marathoners at the <b>Promenade</b>, split-and-swapping at the new <b>Burger Lounge</b>, and a few more<i>...[life-changing, totally awesome, wish-i-could-post-photos] <b>unmentionables</b></i>.<br />
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Come back soon, Erin! I promise not to plan anything!Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497353056245209838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14728809.post-21849440949701347432013-02-15T08:00:00.000-08:002013-02-21T07:41:43.575-08:00Guilty Pleasures<br />
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Don't call me on Monday night because I'm busy. Busy watching my new favorite TV show, The Biggest Loser!<br />
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Ok sure, it's quality entertainment to see overweight people get yelled at for an hour...but it's so much more than that! Trainers Bob, Jillian and Dolvette drill awesome little nuggets of truth into every work out and I have to admit, they stick with me and help me through my own. I'm lucky enough to have my own built-in Jillian (Jackie can be scarier in her own way!) but here are some mantras from the show that I have floating around in my head when I feel like giving up...<br />
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"Give yourself a goal everyday, and just get better" (mine is 1500 burpees this month, what's yours?)</div>
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"This is when it matters the most...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, verdana, sans-serif;"> in these moments when you can choose whether or not to say "I can't" or "I can.</span>" </div>
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"At the end of the day, your health is your responsibility." </div>
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"You have no idea of what you are capable of until you try."</div>
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AND if that's not enough...</div>
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Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497353056245209838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14728809.post-76556790681198687532013-02-14T08:31:00.000-08:002013-02-14T08:31:21.854-08:00Hearty Chicken Soup is Love.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Everyone shows and receives love in different ways. Some people show love through quality time, letters, chocolate and flowers, rides to the airport....and how about<b> <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2013/02/13/171902975/guy-pumps-out-a-valentine-literally" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">biking around the city in a heart-shaped route</a></b>? I prefer food.<br />
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For me, this recipe from <a href="http://chickenrecipebox.com/recipes/healthy-chicken-soup-kale/" target="_blank"><b>Chicken Recipe Box</b></a> is love. It's a two-parter, so it definitely requires planning. But you (and whoever you decide to share it with...or not!) will be so happy you did. To get the base to taste just like your favorite "tong" (broth) made by your grandma, you must make the chicken stock from scratch. Sorry Swanson's! Roast a chicken and use that as meal #1. Save the chicken bones and stick them in a large pot with onions, carrots, garlic and water and let all the flavors develop by simmering the yumminess for four hours. Strain all the veggies and bones out and you have your chicken stock!<br />
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Click the link above to find the rest of the recipe! It's super easy, guilt-free, the ultimate comfort food, and doesn't require too many ingredients. Happy Valentines Day!<br />
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**Photo Credit: <a href="http://chickenrecipebox.com/recipes/healthy-chicken-soup-kale/" target="_blank"><b>Chicken Recipe Box</b></a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/happymundane/nom-nom-nom/" target="_blank"><b>Pinterest</b></a>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497353056245209838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14728809.post-16055457978846592112013-02-04T18:03:00.000-08:002013-02-04T18:03:29.448-08:00Broccoli Blooms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ah ha! I've never been so excited about broccoli before!
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To be honest, I was a little skeptical about the broccoli plants. Our garden plot neighbor had a few extra so we figured, why not try it? It was really happy for a few months with lots of steady growth and humongous leaves. I didn't even know how or where the crowns were going to form until this weekend, <i>voila!, </i>they were there! We're going to let them form a little more before we bust out some stir fry with these. But how cool?! This whole process of "urban farming" (can we even call it that??) has been so rewarding. Just yesterday we had some chard from the garden with steak and roasted peppers. While I was kind of nervous about finding a slug in my food, it tasted delicious! To top it off, this whole experiment as totally paid itself off. We've had lettuce for weeks and it doesn't show any signs of stopping.
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Local readers out there -- does anyone know of a veggie swap? It would be so fun to trade some of our butter lettuce, arugula and radishes for peas, tomatoes, peppers...
Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497353056245209838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14728809.post-47722892477736583952013-01-31T08:35:00.000-08:002013-01-31T08:35:34.245-08:00Where I've Been<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As mentioned in the previous post, January has been completely taken over by the NAMM show. Now that it has come and gone and February 1 is right around the corner, I can finally sit down and catch up!<br />
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I might write about this every year, but my level of exhaustion post-show gets worse and worse as the event becomes more my responsibility. This year was no exception as I shuttled around Los Angeles and Anaheim to gather materials, renovate our booth, contract union workers and make sure every little detail was taken care of. I was given a little more creative freedom in regards to the overall "look" of our display, so I took the liberty to spruce up some walls with paint, upgraded light fixtures, a few rugs and plants and storage/platforms. It felt like I was working on an HGTV show and it was so fun! The end result was a space that seemed larger, warmer and cozier than before. I promised my family some photos, so here they are!<br />
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Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497353056245209838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14728809.post-46058500844263321022013-01-31T08:15:00.000-08:002013-01-31T08:15:15.663-08:00Nesting Phase 2Oh no! I found a post that I started a few weeks ago and never finished. Over the course of the last two weeks, my parents came to visit and one of the largest work events of the year happened so I will use those two things as my excuse. More on that later...!<br />
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The first few weekends of 2013 were a whirlwind of cleaning, re-arranging, decorating and overall nesting. My sister moved to her own apartment on January 1 and she has almost finished decorating in record time! I couldn't believe that she had hung curtains, purchased a new couch and tv, unpacked her records and books, painted walls, and assembled an entire media center/ "man cave" in days. It took us <i>months</i>! We've had the essentials figured out for a while but we recently purchased a few more things that make it feel more complete.<br />
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Cage pendants provide a nice warm light...the Etsy owner created a new version of the item for us so that we could hang them on a bracket (from Ikea!) and plug the lights directly into an outlet instead of from the ceiling. I opted for the red cord (obviously!) and they come with fancy edison lightbulbs. Woo!<br />
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The CB2 craigslist hunt lead me to finding this Alpine bed frame on sale from a fancy concrete home in Venice. It was a great deal that became even better when I noticed some unexpected paint marks and weaseled an even larger discount! Since it's metal, the marks came off with magic eraser and it's as good as new! Win.</div>
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Last find? This graphic Les Mis print is made out of words from the novel. If you know me well, you'll know my love for this musical goes back to the 90's. I realize this doesn't sound too long ago, but how many 8 year olds know every lyric and dress their brother up as Gavrosh?! Don't make me post a photo as proof! We still need to frame and hang this gem...don't worry, this horribly staged photo isn't our apartment!</div>
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- Cage Pendant Lights, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/119894482/the-industry-vintage-caged-pendant-light" target="_blank">Etsy shop EDLShop</a> // Pendant using an Ikea Bracket idea from <a href="http://remodelista.com/posts/5-quick-fixes-instant-light-fixtures" target="_blank">Remodelista</a></div>
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- Alpine Bed Frame from <a href="http://www.cb2.com/alpine-gunmetal-bed/f4700" target="_blank">CB2</a></div>
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- Les Mis print by <a href="http://www.litographs.com/products/lesmis" target="_blank">Litograph</a></div>
Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497353056245209838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14728809.post-42577722527552918662012-12-30T15:36:00.000-08:002012-12-30T15:37:02.452-08:00From the Garden to the Table<img alt="Harvesting the salad greens!" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8222/8327820782_0b4ee9f762_z.jpg" width="650" />
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It's embarrassing the number of times that we go to Greens Up! in one week. Greens Up! takes the Subway sandwich concept (you choose the ingredients) and applies it to the <i>largest</i> salads you will ever see. They're so generous with their toppings, you won't regret opting for a salad. Jackie always gets the "Sonoma" and since we go so often, we have the menu pretty much memorized. I was craving fresh veggies after a delicious (and heavy) Con/Lum Christmas and luckily our garden was ready for its first harvest! We ended up only taking lettuce and arugula from two heads but we'll have enough to last the week. Free, fresh, organic food! It doesn't get better than that.<br />
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If you're stumped for a tasty, hearty salad, this one is a winner:<br />
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<b>The Sonoma Salad, adapted from Greens Up!: </b><br />
- Fresh Butter Lettuce<br />
- Fresh arugula<br />
- Sliced oranges<br />
- Candied Walnuts<br />
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- Tangy Apple Dressing (*order the dressing on the side so that you can hoard the extras...if this isn't available, I'm not 100% sure but I <i>think</i> this dressing has apple cider vinegar, honey and lemon in it. Still experimenting!)Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497353056245209838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14728809.post-22651834359392484392012-12-04T08:37:00.000-08:002012-12-04T08:37:14.137-08:00Gobble Gobble<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="365" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/54534454?portrait=0&badge=0" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="650"></iframe><br />
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How did my favorite holiday already pass us by? Our Thanksgiving gathering was small this year, but Jackie bought a proper roasting pan so we just <i>had</i> to cook another 17-pound turkey. It wasn't as fun without mom, dad and Jord, but we managed to eat to our hearts' delight and then pass out on the couch while watching Pocahontas.<br />
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Jocelyn put together this short video of the evening to help us remember the night because that's what she does best!Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497353056245209838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14728809.post-30758716598008322022012-12-02T14:27:00.002-08:002012-12-03T09:54:42.680-08:00Rainy Sunday<img alt="dresser" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8070/8239564578_da489cd0a2_o.jpg" width="650" />
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I love being home, especially when my neighborhood is covered by a cozy grey cloud. Laundry is done, floors are swept, furniture has been de-catified, counters wiped, and all the dishes are clean - WIN - I can take slow sips my coffee, finally hang some more art up on the walls, scour the world wide web for Christmas presents, and watch as many episodes of Breaking Bad as I want! Great weekend.Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497353056245209838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14728809.post-28736332121522269142012-11-08T09:49:00.003-08:002012-11-08T09:49:42.224-08:00Quote from E.M. Forster<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Illustration by the ever so talented Lisa Congdon as part of her inspirational <a href="http://lisacongdon.com/blog/2012/11/365-days-of-hand-lettering-day-312/" target="_blank">365 days of Hand Lettering Project</a>.Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497353056245209838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14728809.post-70236285836624323082012-11-06T08:20:00.002-08:002012-11-06T08:20:46.682-08:00Starting a GardenHere I go adding to my list of old-people leisure activities....<br />
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Before beginning our veggie garden, we went to the farmer's market to talk to a seasoned farmer about the best ways to begin. As we suspected, he told us that we need to prep our soil before even thinking about what we want to grow. He suggested getting a few bags of EB Stone Planting Compost (no chemicals, no sir!) and mixing it into the soil so that's exactly what we did. Thankfully, the people who had this raised bed before us cleared everything out...just leaving behind a few grape tomatoes. <br />
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We got on our hands and knees and cleared out as many roots and leaves that we could! <img alt="veggie-garden-2" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7278/8156266309_c46a65df40_o.jpg" width="650" /><br />
We were told to water the soil and give it a few days to let all the nutrients seep in...hopefully this will set a good home for our veggies. <img alt="veggie-garden-3" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7267/8156297672_600d9a429d_o.jpg" width="650" /> Now we wait...I can already tell that this whole process will be a long lesson in patience!<br />
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In a few days, we'll probably head back to the market to get some veggie starters. Instead of starting with seeds, this will give us a few months head start. Maybe one day we'll start from seeds, but I don't mind a little cheating here and there to keep my confidence levels high.<br />
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I got a little crazy in Photoshop and I doubt that this will all fit, but here's what we'd like to do:<br />
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<img alt="dream-garden" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8068/8156299332_134735bcee_o.jpg" width="650" /><br />
If anyone has any tips, I'd love to hear them! More later! Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497353056245209838noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14728809.post-32768059852892386782012-11-04T17:21:00.000-08:002012-11-04T17:21:04.120-08:00Look Around<img alt="home-4" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8342/8156055983_089433ab65_o.jpg" width="650" />
<img alt="home-2" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7121/8156078088_579b18db56_o.jpg" width="650" />
<img alt="home_1" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7109/8155965373_49ac76f9db_o.jpg" width="650" />
<img alt="mukmuk" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8481/8155996836_cf49ab17ee_o.jpg" width="650" />
<img alt="home-3" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7116/8156082092_aa659e4ba2_o.jpg" width="650" />
Since our little nest will never be "done", I decided to suck it up and take some photos of a few little things that make me smile around the home: smart bike storage, extended golden hours in the kitchen (and a plant that I successfully started from a sprig of another indoor plant, wahoo!), cat toys found in my shoes, our record player, a patriotic memento, and two metal birds that we picked up in the parking lot of our old apartment in Malibu and have carted around ever since!Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497353056245209838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14728809.post-49261939033930489432012-11-03T11:34:00.000-07:002012-11-03T11:34:28.647-07:00#Vote for Equality<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you have a moment, please read this beautiful post on why YOUR vote to take a stand against inequality really <i>really </i>matters: <a href="http://manhattan-nest.com/2012/11/02/no-freedom-til-were-equal/" target="_blank">No Freedom 'Til We're Equal </a><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo Credits: <a href="http://lisacongdon.com/blog/2012/11/365-days-of-hand-lettering-day-306/" target="_blank">Lisa Congdon</a></span>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497353056245209838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14728809.post-73058961860276095242012-11-01T23:20:00.001-07:002012-11-03T11:44:21.171-07:00Five Things I'm Grateful For<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been a while since I've done a post like this...here we go....in no particular order:<br />
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1. <b>Friends for Life</b> - You know those people in your life who you've known for ages and no matter how much time has passed, you can pick up from where you left off? <a href="http://nearlynaomi.blogspot.com/2012/02/espresso-cookies.html" target="_blank">Tatsuro</a>'s one of those friends and was in town for a quick trip last weekend. It was so fun to chow down on Thai food at Jitlada with him! <br />
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2.<b> Podcasts - </b>I tweaked a muscle in my back this week so I've been trying Epsom salt baths. Since it's really difficult for me to just sit still, I distracted myself with a few episodes of <a href="http://www.kcrw.com/etc/programs/sg" target="_blank"><i>Strangers</i></a>. These two episodes made me laugh: <a href="http://www.kcrw.com/etc/programs/sg/sg120628debbie_jhoon_the_wax" target="_blank">The Waxing Virgin</a> & <a href="http://www.kcrw.com/etc/programs/sg/sg120726mike_gerle_american_" target="_blank">The American Mormon-International Mr. Leather</a><br />
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3. <b>Electricity</b> - I can't ignore Hurricane Sandy and the massive destruction that swept over the East Coast this week. It's heartwarming to hear stories of communities and neighbors helping each other out and it makes me thank my lucky stars for electricity (!) and a refrigerator that keeps my groceries from spoiling. <br />
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4.<b> Red Cups, the paper kind </b>- I walked into work this morning and my co-worker was sipping from a red Starbucks holiday cup...tis the season! I'm already scouting out new Thanksgiving recipes. <br />
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5. <b>Athlete's Shepard's Pie (with buffalo) - </b>a delicious "Paleo" twist on one of my favorite comfort foods. Instead of potatoes, use sweet potatoes...and use coconut oil instead of butter! Check out the recipe <a href="http://paleoista.com/recipes/paleo-shepards-pie/" target="_blank">here</a>!<br />
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What are you grateful for today?<br />
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(Related posts: <a href="http://nearlynaomi.blogspot.com/2012/05/happy.html" target="_blank">Happy </a>// <a href="http://nearlynaomi.blogspot.com/2012/06/5-things-that-currently-make-me-smile.html" target="_blank">5 Things</a><a href="http://nearlynaomi.blogspot.com/2012/06/5-things-that-currently-make-me-smile.html" target="_blank"> That Make Me Smile</a> // <a href="http://nearlynaomi.blogspot.com/2012/05/5-things-im-grateful-for-with-special.html" target="_blank">5 Things I'm Grateful For</a>)<br />
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Photo Credit: <a href="http://500px.com/photo/6127272?from=upcoming" target="_blank">500px</a> via PinterestNaomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497353056245209838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14728809.post-81437188830596419902012-10-28T18:12:00.000-07:002012-10-28T18:13:48.717-07:00Jackie Wins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In addition to winning 2 tickets to the Divine Fits this upcoming Sunday, Jackie also recently won a 1-year lease on a highly-competitive community garden plot! We can begin planting in November and we can't wait to start growing some winter leafy greens, beans, beets, carrots, zucchini and herbs. I hope that I inherited my mom's green thumb because we're going to need it! If we lived anywhere else in the world, this may not be the right season to begin a garden, but everyone keeps telling us that we shouldn't have too many issues since the climate is so mild here (80 degrees at the end of October - what?!)<br />
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Before we moved, one of our neighbors down the street had planted a few rows of vegetables in her side-yard and I've been inspired to do the same ever since. She had the most perfect looking little herb and veggie garden...it seemed like she could have had kale salads for days! If we can come close to her success, I'd be happy. All I want is to be able to harvest one home-grown meal...is that too much to ask?<br />
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Brooklyn's Annie Novak is another huge inspiration. She's an "urban farmer" and grows everything on the rooftop of building in the middle of the city. You can check out more photos of her amazing set-up right here on<b> <a href="http://theselby.com/galleries/annie-novak/" target="_blank">the Selby</a></b>.<br />
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*Nope, not about to get a chicken...let's leave that to the professionals. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photos are all from <a href="http://theselby.com/galleries/annie-novak/" target="_blank">the Selby.</a></span></div>
<br />Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497353056245209838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14728809.post-13968179654794108102012-10-25T11:12:00.000-07:002012-10-26T16:59:34.518-07:00Freshly American<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yeeeesssss.....<br />
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Nats and I became Americans with just under 4000 other people yesterday in the LA Convention Center. We took the oath, handed over our green cards, watched a video from President Obama, and endured listening to people sing along to <b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWC8liHX_G8&feature=related" target="_blank">this song</a></b>. When my parents became citizens, it looked like their ceremony was in a classroom. I was expecting a courthouse, not a warehouse! It was overwhelming to think that all 4000 of us were just a small portion of people accepting citizenship that day. Goodbye resident alien status!<br />
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Many people often gripe & complain about America, especially around this crucial and politically polarizing time. But politics aside and at the risk of getting cheesy, I am so thankful that I live in a country where I don't have to worry about safety and comfort. We were also reminded yesterday that as an American citizen, we can choose our own paths and futures if we have the drive and motivation to make it happen. I'll admit that I take these concepts for granted...we think about these things on days like July 4th and September 11th, but they are freedoms and luxuries that should be acknowledged every day, or at least often!<br />
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On a less serious note, in the oath, I said that I would bear arms to protect my country if needed but let's just get it on the record that I don't think it's in anyone's best interest to give me a firearm.Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497353056245209838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14728809.post-2187416760822042622012-10-23T23:16:00.002-07:002012-10-23T23:16:46.750-07:00Focusing on the Horizon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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New expensive hobby alert (will it ever end?): stand up paddle boarding. <br />
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I've lived in the Santa Monica & Malibu area for almost six years and even though I love the ocean, it's taken me this long to try a water sport. SUP ended up being easier than I thought...much more exciting than kayaking but not as challenging or scary as surfing. Once I got past the fact that I wasn't going to go anywhere fast, I started to appreciate how slow the whole process is. Before paddling out, I was advised to focus on the horizon to help keep my balance and now that I think of it, that sounds like a line I would hear in a yoga class. Balance is key to all aspects of my life and it's true - focusing on the horizon, being aware of the bigger picture, does help me keep my head from spinning. I found myself zoning in on the sound of my paddle hitting the glassy water and all the sudden I understood how some people start every day paddling out into the sea. <br />
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The visibility into the ocean was so clear. At one point, we were even able to see some fish swimming underneath us through the kelp beds. When we had reached our turn-around point, our guide gave us some time to jump in and cool off, or in my case, lie down. It was dangerously comforting to get rocked by the waves while being warmed by the sun. To seal the deal, a family of young dolphins swam past us only about 15 feet away...I'm hooked!<br />
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This post deserves a "#lovemylife".<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Photo credit: <a href="http://designspiration.net/image/90227414648/" target="_blank">here</a></span>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497353056245209838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14728809.post-81889809338284179212012-10-11T08:00:00.000-07:002012-10-23T23:17:37.550-07:00In Our Eyes<center>
<img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8190/8076294039_ee868a0d59_o.jpg" width="550" /></center>
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<b>Summer into fall soundtrack</b>: Niki & the Dove,<i> Instinct </i>(<b><a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/40SvZ0xWNFGAxVXF1xwGBt" target="_blank">listen on Spotify</a></b>)<br />
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Instinct is one of those albums that I have had on repeat for months.<i> </i>I'm not much of a music editor / critic so I'm not going to even attempt to write up something to convince you to listen to it. Just do it! Start with <i>Tomorrow,</i> <i>The Fox</i>, <i>In our Eyes</i> and prepare for a mini dance party (or in my case, a craving for some good 80's style Jane Fonda aerobics). <br />
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Photo: taken by me on an iPhone and then edited in Photoshop. Filter Culture Collide Fest October 7, 2012. Please note awesome floral headdress. Lead singer, <span class="st">Malin Dahlström</span>, would be the best bargain-bin elementary school art teacher if this music career doesn't pan out! She was well-equipped with pony beads, floral earrings and anklets, and feather/popsicle-stick fans. Impressive.Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497353056245209838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14728809.post-39444461954996839572012-10-10T23:01:00.001-07:002012-10-10T23:01:20.611-07:00U-S-A!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Some blog-worthy news: Nats and I both passed our Naturalization interviews yesterday! We began the application process together earlier this year and we are now only one step away from turning in our Green Cards and becoming official American citizens. Nats has been living in the US since she was 2 and I've been here since I was 4, so it only seemed natural to finally suck it up and take the test. Luckily, we both passed with flying <strike>colours </strike>colors...100%! <br />
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I'm eagerly waiting for our Oath Ceremony date...hopefully it'll happen this month so that I can exercise my right to vote!<br />
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**image credit: <a href="http://blog.flickr.net/en/2012/10/10/us-presidential-election-campaigns-in-pictures/" target="_blank">flickr </a>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497353056245209838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14728809.post-75098189609321241352012-09-28T21:36:00.002-07:002012-09-28T21:36:36.939-07:00Simple Truths About Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>"The cure for anything is salt water. Sweat, tears, or the sea." </i></div>
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<i>-</i> Isak Dinesen</div>
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Isak Dinesen must have lived by the sea because she sure knew what she was talking about. </div>
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Another beautiful summer has come and gone. I'm thankful for all the days spent on the hot sand and in the waves. We only live a few blocks from the beach so almost every weekend, we'd walk west for a few minutes, down through the bluffs and end up in paradise! Coconut waters, veggies and hummas, an entertaining <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/savage-lovecast/id201376301" target="_blank">podcast</a>, soduku and soft waves. That's what I've been doing instead of blogging! Oh, and plenty of sweating too. Now that it's almost October, I'm close to reaching my 1 year anniversary of actively and intentionally exercising and eating relatively clean! As for tears? There hasn't been too much of that - maybe a few during this summer's SYTYCD (ah hem, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LdW1FBJRzU&feature=related" target="_blank">this gooorgeous routine</a>).</div>
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Side-note: Investing in art is my new favorite indulgence. Luckily, there are so many websites dedicated to bringing inspirational pieces to homes without breaking the bank. Jen Bekman's <a href="http://www.20x200.com/" target="_blank">20x200</a> is a great place to start but I found this calming print on <a href="http://society6.com/product/Salt-Water-Cure_Print?tag=design-milk#" target="_blank">Society 6</a> and I'm so tempted to make it mine. It <i>is</i> pay day after all! </div>
Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497353056245209838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14728809.post-69250362588064603802012-08-30T09:29:00.003-07:002012-08-30T09:29:27.763-07:00The Taj Mahal<img src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/191727_10151380580897586_1124813127_o.jpg" width="660" /><br />
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My lucky little brother posted this photo on Facebook this morning and it made my heart hurt just a little bit. He's living the college dream, backpacking through Europe last year and now he's in India. <i>Ahh</i> wanderlust and jealousy, be gone!<br />
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I've seen many photos of the Taj Mahal, but for some reason the grey, cloudy fog in this backdrop really makes the little details pop. Not to mention that little child in the pink shirt (far left) - I love all the vibrant clothing sprinkled throughout! Nice work, bro (err Instagram).<br />
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I guess I will be turning up the Bollywood music today, pretending to be somewhere else...<br />
<br />Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497353056245209838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14728809.post-37769028627076664272012-08-28T08:23:00.000-07:002012-08-28T08:23:53.903-07:00Sneak Peek: Reupholstered Dining SetTotally slacking on posting photos of the new space. I have this unrealistic hope that it'll all come together at once (and quickly). So far it isn't happening that way!<br />
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Here's a little sneak peek of a close-to-finished nook. I love
Jackie's growing collection of botanical illustrations mounted on newsprint. Also, take note of the crown molding! We're growing up!<br />
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<img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8426/7876241240_c05b81a339_b.jpg" width="660" /><br />
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The dining set was a labor of love. We polished the wood, saved the original labels, and recovered the retro orange seats. I'm not sure if the original seats got itchier with time or if these things were always itchy, but lets just say that they weren't the most comfortable. Not to mention the vintage smell and mysterious stains. It was a huge pain to remove all of the staples (apparently the Swedes love their staples!) and we had to work with a weird latex foam seat that was glued to the wood base. Once we got that out of the way, we covered the seats in a new fabric that was found in the Fashion District in downtown LA. I've been hoarding this
amazing cut of Indonesian textile for almost a year and a half and
I'm so pleased to see it go somewhere in plain view all the time!
I love the vibrant colors and the tribal pattern. Best of all,
it's super soft and durable.<br />
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<img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8294/7876273114_0fdffe2947_b.jpg" width="660" /><br />
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On to the next project!<br />
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<b>MORE DETAILS:</b><br />
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<b>Table</b>: Craigslisted off of a really sweet couple in Westchester. The husband found this beauty in a Goodwill and he restored it with Howard's Feed & Wax. We lucked out when it ended up being too large for their new apartment!<br />
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<b>Chairs:</b> Found at the legendary Pasadena Rosebowl Flea Market after scouring through dozens of over-priced mid-century dining sets! We got a deal when I noticed that some of the caning was damaged...doesn't bother us, but got us a nice fat discount. We can always restore the caning when we are feeling rich. Or not!Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02497353056245209838noreply@blogger.com1