Sea glass and the eye of the tiger
Afternoon sea glass delights. I got my pops addicted to hunting beach treasure. He hit the sand twice a day while he was in town last week. Look at these beauties! I can’t get enough of those greens. He gave me the marble to add to my collection. An old tiger eye. There was a sick pelican down there too but he had to stay. Poor guy. Beautiful bird. Life’s been extra busy lately so I’m super thankful for slow times like these! Time spent with my Dad was the real mother lode! Precious! Enjoy the pix!
See the jellybean shaped blues in the upper right pic? The brightest blue one is unique for So Cal beaches. I threw it in my rare gems jar! We get lots of coke glass, brown, clear and loads of great greens…even an occasional olive. A deluxe rarity is red or yellow. I’ve found both here but only once or twice. There’s a little tidbit for any of you sea glassers.
Year of the Snake
Year of the Snake. A look at LA in huge color Chi Town style. Happy New Year!!
Does anyone know what that Chinese heart symbol means? Such a cool symmetrical design. And rubbed gold on red? Yep!
We missed the parade cuz we were stuffing ourselves silly at Hop Li and we missed the crazy fireworks at the end due to some super fantastic eclairs (my FAVE dessert) at Queen’s Bakery. It was a VERY good day!!!!
Get more Chinatown goodness on California Pixie!
Mid century for sale
Many of you know I’ve been going through this de-cluttering feng shui thing. It was a weekend task but has gone on and on (too long) and has effected every aspect of my life in a fantastic way. And…I don’t use the word fantastic lightly. I’ve unloaded 3 truckloads of goodies but I saved this stuff for Ebay. When I see em up on this post, I’m tempted to keep it all, but….not gonna do it! Enjoy this brief but colorful tour of American mid century history and one girl’s obsession! Don’t feel sad for me, I had loads of odds and ends. Partial collections of this and that. I kept plenty and I’m replacing some of this with super cool atomic stuff. I will def give you a peek. Probably more than a peek!
Check out these related posts: (click on pic)
Potty pizazz
This bathroom was ready for a little refresher! It had red walls and was kinda dark. That was super fine for about 14 years but times they are a changin! The mushroom chalk drawing takes all the credit for the inspiration!
I got the walls painted but the floor seemed sorta blah to me. All I did was add some speckling with white paint. That’s why the paper is up on the walls, so I wouldn’t flip paint all over everything. The dots make all the difference…perky!
When we moved into this house, it had the original linoleum floors displayed fondly in their faded yellow glory. I chose to paint rather than replace. Every few years I change the floor design. I use regular acrylic house paint for the base, usually acrylic craft paint for the design then top it off with 2-3 coats of clear. I used to use polyurethane but they don’t sell that in California anymore, so water base it is. Not near as durable and shiny but it does the job.
Give em the elbow
This cool heathered Hurley blazer needed something. After digging through fabric scraps I decided all it really needed was a little color. I’m a big fan of elbow patches. Mostly cuz my bony elbows bust through everything I own! 2 squares of 60s floral barkcloth and a bit of sewing later, this jacket is all mine!! Even tho they prob made thousands of these, nobody else is rockin the flowery patch now, are they??
Vintage junkie
Ashes to ashes , funk to funky , does a love of old junk make you a junkie?
(Go on , sing it in your best Bowie!)
The friend who got me on the de-cluttering kick brought all this over. It belonged to her fancy grandma and she’d held onto it for years just because she felt she had to. At first I laughed that her of all people would bring me more junk…but I love the stuff. I won’t keep it all, I’ll admire the shapes and colors for a while, hold onto a few pieces (the gems in these last 2 pix) then pass the rest of it on. If there’s anything in there you absolutely dig, let me know, I might just send it your way and spread that Grandma love! For serious! k.
Life accordion to squirrel man
Didn’t everybody see a big squirrel man playing the accordion on your morning walk? I took a little video. The reflection of the window is kinda tricky, but you’ll totally get it! Weird and happy at the same time!
For months in this little shop front he’s been reading a book. Well, things just got better and I didn’t think they could! Accordion music through some mystery speakers?? I wanna track down the nutty genius that’s behind this, but then I kinda don’t…might kill the magic!
The sweater that won’t stop
Remember THIS ? I chopped a big peruvian sweater in half and made it into a Free People style cardigan a few weeks ago. I know I recycle clothes all the time but I usually don’t recycle something I just recycled! But that’s what I just did! It’s definitely got more goin on. New pom poms, fringe on the bottom and a pocket. It’s time to be done…just walk away!
How about this for a dreary winter day? I think it’s all the way down to 68….Southern California wool weather!
Ski Queen and a deelish vinaigrette
This is one of my favorite salad dressings straight from the Native Foods Restaurant Cookbook. (I highly recommend if you want more healthy food ideas or vegan.)
Sesame Orange Vinaigrette
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup (the real stuff, not Aunt Buttersworth)
- 2 Tablespoons grated ginger
- 3/4 cup safflower or sunflower oil (I use grapeseed oil)
- 1/4 cup toasted sesame oil
- 1 Tablespoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
Puree orange juice, vinegar maple and ginger in blender. With blender on low, gradually add oils, salt and pepper.
A simple shooters guide to cool photos
I get a lot of comments about my photos. Some say they love the warmth of them, others are digging the loud colors. The best part is that I do have a really good camera. I do! It’s a Nikon D80. But the thing I think is so best is that I use it like a point and shoot. I know nothing about photography. I have a couple tricks. The ‘landscape’ setting that I use all the time cuz it shuts off the flash and the flip switch from auto to manual focus (a huge plus for closeups). I’ve learned a lot about light….that’s key and I have a cool tripod. That’s the camera part, now for the real goods. I’m mega low tech, no photoshop for this girl. I wish, but I just haven’t put the time into learning and this is why. I have 3 super easy secrets…and they’re all free!
Pixlr-o-matic
The top pic is the Tony filter. The original shot is below. I really like it as is, but sometimes it’s fun to add in a little drama. Pixlr was my first venture into digital online filters. I used it to create the photo I use for my logo on this blog. The one way up at the top with the luchador and the pixie.
Picasa’s ‘I’m feeling lucky’
Ha…this is almost silly to admit but it’s my most used technique. If ever there was a secret I wanted to hold onto, this is it!!! It’s a button. That’s it. No adjustments, nothing, just hit the button on the Picasa photo viewer. Meet the before and after! See how it makes the pic more vibrant? Easy!
Pic Monkey
This site is GREAT!! So many things you can do to a photo. I use this when my photos are just OK and I need them to work, fast! The Pic Monkey filters can transform the look of an entire post with uniformity. I think it gives photos a little case of the warm fuzzies. If a photo’s a bit stark, you can easily tone it down and tweak the colors. See how soft these chairs became? Click HERE to see the entire post. It was just an ordinary trip to the laundromat and I happened to have my camera with me. The pix were flooded in fluorescent light and really hard looking before I shot em with a tranquilizer.
And who doesn’t love a milky glow?
Before California Pixie I had no idea about this stuff. Anyone can do it. A tiny adjustment can make a photo really sing, don’t ya think?
I have run to the end of my photo know how. I’m ready to learn how to really use this camera. shutter, F stop, the works. People give me little quickie lessons but it’s confusing. I hear the dummie books are great. Maybe I’ll start there…any recommendations?
Fresh start #3 – Purple hippie happiness
It’s been cleaning frenzy deluxe around here these past 2 weeks. (Read about it HERE.) Almost done. One room left. The back of the truck is full and I feel so empty! A good empty. It feels sooo good! The proof is that angelic look in the top pic! The choices haven’t been that hard at all. I was ready for this transformation, I guess. Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui is the book that inspired the friend that inspired me. I started reading it last night. One of the thoughts in the book is that by getting rid of things, you free up space for other possibilities. I’m thinking for the most part I’m freeing up my space for time. I now know where everything is and what’s there. My gosh, most of the time I don’t even know where my wallet is cuz I don’t just have that one special place for it. Now, even the bins in the attic are all clearly marked with duck tape and a fat marker. They say things like, xmas, costumes, camping gear. Not one of them is labeled “kimi’s crap”…..finally! We’ve parted ways with 7 of those big ol bins. Gone! It’s been fun. Discoveries galore. Like this purple dress! Found it in a box. Now this vintage piece of purple haze is in my closet where it belongs!
Soon I can entertain you with other things besides my current call to end the chaos! I don’t calendar post ideas for California Pixie. What I’m up to is what you get. Your fun comments and emails are the best incentive to stay adventurous and tackle all the things on my list! I love hearing how you do things, it’s super inspiring. I hope you’re stirring up dust with your new year goal!! Take care and THANKS!!
Check this out:
Fresh Start #2 – What the fork
Ok, like these forks! I found these in an aqua blue vintage coffee canister I rescued from my great grandpa’s kitchen. I like em! They’re staying! I’m going through my house sorting through cupboards, boxes, anything I can find. I’ve piled up loads to give away already but it’s been fun. I dug deep. I found stuff I hadn’t thought about in years! Here’s a few of today’s favorite discoveries. My fresh start January de-clutter goal isn’t so bad!
And this atomic glass whatever it is. I love it! It’s staying , too. Never ever used it but there is something about it I like. I’m not quite an organizers nightmare. I’ve watched Hoarders. I’ve seen people just sit there completely unable to even start! That’s not me, but I do have some issues. Like, if it’s old and either red or green, it’s much harder to chuck! OK, back to work! k.
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The fresh start
Everyone deserves a fresh start! It’s one of THE best gifts! Is that why resolutions are such a big deal for the New Year? I make my list in September but I do have a goal for right now. Infact, next Saturday! My friend was talking about clutter. How we have emotional attachments to stuff! We don’t get rid of things because…..for whatever reason. She mentioned that in a way we are stealing. We are keeping things from other people. Things that could be loved and used even more by someone else. Bingo!! THAT made it home. Put a whole new spin on it all for me. So, Saturday is the day. Starting in the garage and hoping to end in the attic! If I don’t absolutely love it or use it??? It’s out of here! Ha…I sound so strong. Don’t be fooled! I’m sure it won’t be that easy since I just want it all, but when I think about it this way. ..Less to clean, less to organize, less to remember. Ahhhh…I love it already!
Whatever you have goin on, I’m rooting for ya! EVERYONE deserves a fresh start. Go!! Happy New Year!! kimi.
Last of the holiday hoorah
Yay!! Christmas is here! Who’s with me? I know I’m not the only one who’s partying it up like a 5 year old! Christmas junkies! Spoiling the ones we love and getting all excited about the decor! If you don’t celebrate Christmas, thanks for putting up with all my fanfare this month.
Have a great holiday. Be fun and eat lots! Pretty sure I will, in fact , this might be it for me til New Years so see ya then! Happy Christmas everyone!!! kimi.
A thousand ways to remember
(1000 origami cranes at Manzanar National Historic Site)
It’s one of the things that makes us human beings. Our ability to mend. To attach a little bit of beauty to the unpleasant. In 1942, an abandoned little mining town in Manzanar, California became home to over 100,000 Japanese Americans that were uprooted from their homes and businesses and placed there for the remainder of World War II. You can read about it, it was cruel. Manzanar is a barren place on the road to Mammoth Mountain before the town of Bishop. In the 3 years they were there, it was transformed into a community with Japanese gardens, rows of veggies and a dance hall. The people celebrated, sang, educated themselves, painted and lived. What impressed me most was that they never stopped living and at the same time, they never forgot. They all wanted to get back to the lives they had created for themselves before things were torn apart. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about tragedy and sorrow and how we deal with it. There are examples all over the place. It’s fascinating, really. It’s the human spirit at it’s best. We were born to be alive!
(Pleasure park 1943)
(Black and white photos of Manzanar imprisonment camp taken in 1943 by Ansel Adams)
The unearthed Japanese garden at Pleasure Park in Manzanar encampment.
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