Celebrating 4th of July when your Husband is of the British Variety

The Fourth of July almost always includes a parade, maybe some sand sculptures, a barbeque and sometimes if you're in the right spot, fireworks. It's been spent with relatives, friends, neighbors and starting many years ago: a subject of Her Royal Majesty the Queen- awkward!

It never dawned on me when I was little what was really being celebrated on the 4th of July- I just thought it was about fireworks and hotdogs. War of Independence? Huh- shrug- pass me the relish. Even when I was old enough to know what those fireworks represented I didn't think much of it, again, pass me the mustard.

Then I brought an Englishman to the party. "So yeah... would you like to go to a party where we celebrate our independence from, um, you?" Haha, thank goodness my husband has a great sense of humor and it also helps that's he not too nationalistic, so he honestly doesn't care.

I also experienced this when we went to Boston for our first wedding anniversary. I was so excited to go to all of the historical sites and I couldn't understand how he could not know who Paul Revere was. Paul Revere!! Helllllooo- "The red coats are coming, the red coats are coming!"?  OH yeah, you were the red coats! Haha! Our Revolutionary War is their "American War of Independence", it's not taught in school, they don't even mourn the loss of the tea in the Boston harbor, and they certainly don't observe a day in it's honor.

What have I learned from this? I've learned to put down that hotdog, hold the relish and take some time to learn our history and do my best to honor those revolutionaries in my own way. So this 4th of July, spare a little thought to Paul Revere's midnight ride and the brave militia men, those very Minute Men who stood in two rows, in plain sight, and listened as their Captain, John Parker declared, "Stand your ground; don't fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here."

Statue honoring Paul Revere in the North End of Boston, Mass. Sculpted by Cyrus Edwin Dallin, taking his "midnight ride". 

Headstone for Paul Revere, Granary Burial Ground, Boston, Mass. 

Minuteman statue (representing Captain John Parker) sculpted by Henry Hudson Kitson,  Lexington Battle Green, Lexington,  Mass. Site of the very first battle of the Revolutionary War- The Battle of Lexington and Concord. 

Buckman Tavern, across from the Battle Green, Lexington, Mass. 

North Bridge (aka Old North Bridge)  Concord, Mass.

By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood
And fired the shot heard round the world
-Ralph Waldo Emerson 

inscription on the obelisk monument across from the bridge. 

Um, Sir? Did anyone tell you that you have the wrong uniform on? 

Happy Independence Day everyone!

*And a cool little fact: I'm a proud descendent of Ebenezer Chase, one of the very Minute Men who stood their ground on April 19, 1775

Adding a Signature Piece- Room Upgrade

You know sometimes your room is just lacking something? A big something to tie a room together or a little something to complete a look? Well, I was looking for a big something- or rather I needed a big something and I didn't even know it! I'm a big believer in eclectic decorating- finding pieces you love and making them work even though they may not actually "go" as they say.  Enter Ruby Rose. While trolling through the blog of local "junker" and Ruby Rose store owner Stephanie Hendry, I fell in L.O.V.E., with a rug in the background of a photo. I didn't know how I would use it, where exactly it would go or how I was going to make raspberry sorbet go with my tomato reds, pumpkin oranges, mustard and lemon yellows and the aqua/seafoam galore I have going on. And then I realized I didn't care and I was going to make it work, cuz I wanted it to work!

So Stephanie and I were having a casual chat when I brought it up- tiptoed up to it really.  She didn't even hesitate (she must have had more faith in my ability to find a place for it in my home than I), we struck a deal and just like that, I was the owner of an ornate raspberry sorbet rug of the best quality and perfect size!! *Cue excited jumping!

I couldn't wait to make it work!! I just knew it was would come together!!

detail of the rug. Thank you Ruby Rose

Here's the rooms evolution from "Meh" to "Yeah!" and the little details that pull it all together!

Bed frame: Habitat Home and Garden in SLO,  Yellow chevron bedspread Urban Outfitters. Dresser: Target, bookcase leading a double life as bookcase/jeans shelf: Target

rug courtesy of RUBY ROSE

yeah, I know, I have an old school stereo- it still works so why get rid of it?! 

(got to have a practical corner. :) when you're pressed for space you find your "exercise station" wherever you can)

 The Little Touches Pulling It All Together:

Dried chives from my garden, gorgeous glass bud vases from the now defunct Sycamore Herb Farm in Paso.

necklace holder: Urban Outfitters

Scandalous nighttime reading and music. Lamp: Target. Lampshade, Urban Outfitters. Nightstand: free from my friends at Finder's Keepers, one man's junk is another man's treasure, I say!

whimsical touches. Owl nightlight, Urban Outfitters, Olivia Circus Tent jewelry box purchased at a toy store  many years ago

orange table, Cost Plus World Market. Large terrarium glass lidded jar: West Elm.  Blown glass ball: Earth Tones,  succulents courtesy of my friends Joy and Barbara owners of California Blonde, glass cups holding succulents: Anthropologie, metal "G" Urban Outfitters.

Rooms are ever- evolving so I'm sure this room's evolution isn't done, but I do believe I'll be happy to keep it this way for a little while longer. Stay tuned- that terrarium of my dreams is going to become a reality- photos to come!!! If you want a sneak peek of what it's going to look like click HERE

What's waiting around the corner to inspire you?!

info on Ruby Rose:

1335 Walker Street, San Luis Obispo, Ca . 

805. 545.7964

Hours:
Thursday, 11-5
Friday, 11-5

Saturday, 11-4

Ruby Rose Facebook

Ruby Rose Blog

Ruby Rose on Pinterest

Stop on by, visit with Stephanie and find something to fall in love with!!!

QUICK Summer Meal

I love to cook, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate a quick meal that doesn't take all evening to prepare! This is a staple in our home right now- so simple and tasty and soooo quick!!

Here's what you need:

1. Fish (I use Trader Joe's Mahi Mahi burgers- if you don't have access to a Trader Joes, I suggest either mahi mahi filets or salmon for this recipe) **for my vegetarian friends: I love to use Amy's Bistro Veggie Burger as a substitute for the fish- just as yummy!!

2. Haricot Verts. (or regular green beans if you can't find haricot verts). These are finer and more delicate than a regular green bean and cook a little faster. 

3. Russet Potatoes

4. Butter (for both potatoes and for beans)

5. Milk

6. Spices and seasoning. For mashed potato: garlic powder, sea salt and pepper. For haricot verts: Mrs. Dash salt free Lemon Pepper

7. Greek Yogurt (your choice on the percent. I used non-fat)

Rustic Mashed Potato:

(I call these rustic, cuz I leave the skins on)

ingredients: Milk, greek yogurt, spices and butter

 ,

after microwaving potatoes and cooking all the way through (approx. 8 mins) transfer to your mixer. Cut potatoes into smaller chunks with knife so it's easier to mix and it releases the heat of the potatoes. ** You don't need a mixer for this. If you do not have one then use a hand masher- I have done that many times before I got my mixer as a gift)

add butter (approx. 1 tablespoon)

add, salt, garlic powder and pepper. I'm a very intuitive cook, so I hardly ever measure- I just go by taste. I would guess that it's 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder and probably 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.

add heaping teaspoon of greek yogurt. This is for creaminess, you don't actually taste it. It gives the potatoes a great texture.

 add milk. Start with maybe a half a cup and add as you go along. This part is all about texture and thickness. If you want thicker mashed potatoes use less milk. 

mash away!!

Buttery Lemon Pepper Haricot Vert:

ingredients: water, butter and lemon pepper seasoning. I use Mrs. Dash

wash the beans. 

in a large saucepan, fill halfway with water and boil. Once water has boiled, add beans.  Boil beans until blanched and partially cooked- about 7-10 minutes.

in large skillet melt butter (about 1/2 tablespoon)

add beans and about 1/4 cup of water

add seasoning.

stir and coat beans with seasoning and butter mixture. cook on high, letting the water/butter mixture bubble and thicken to a "sauce" coating the beans. Once it is no longer watery you are done. :) Easy!

Fish:

this is where I take a break. :) cook your fish however you like. If you get the Trader Joe's Mahi Mahi burgers then just follow the directions on the box. :)

AND you're done!!! Finished product is restaurant ready! :)

husband sized portions! :)

Fragrance- A Walk Down Memory Lane

I have a habit for falling in love with perfumes that become discontinued. This could mean I have horrible taste in scents and no one buys what I like- or I  like to think this just means I have rare tastes!

Out of my current selection one is discontinued, one suddenly became too strong for me after I'd already used and finished one bottle and purchased another and the other is just right and the current favorite of my olfactory nerve.

My current selection. The only one I actually wear is the Tocca Giulietta. I love it and use it daily. It was a Christmas gift from my husband last year.
Left to right: L'Occitane Miel et Citron (Honey and Lemon)- this is discontinued. I use it rarely as it is a sweet perfume but once it's disipates it's lovely.  Tocca Giulietta my daily, and  Dolce and Gabbana The One. This just suddenly one day became overpowering for me and I had to leave it for greener pastures. 

 My walk down memory lane begins with the first perfume I wore as an "adult". Isabella Rossellini Manifesto. Okay, so I bought it the first time cuz I was obsessed with Isabella Rossellini and I thought that everything that she touched was gold! (when she married Gary Oldman, it was like heaven... but that's another story..)  I used bottle after bottle because I actually liked the scent. It was peppery and very herby, containing basil but also jasmine. Eventually I got bored of it and moved on thinking I could come back to it if I wanted. (and now of course it's discontinued!!)

And then came my all time favorite, hands down,  LOVE perfume: Marc Jacobs Essence. This was discontinued and a piece of my heart died, just died my friends. I still want to shed a tear when I think about it. 

my dearest perfume. sigh, I miss you.

So when I learned that Essence had been discontinued (cue tears) after a few years of use I had to find an alternative, so I turned to Marc Jacobs Blush.

And then HORROR- that was discontinued!!  So I tried Fresh Sugar Lemon, as people were raving about it, I liked it but didn't love it. I used maybe half a bottle before aimlessly looking for another scent to make my own.

(It was at this time that I purchased the L'Occitane as well. I was going through a lemon phase)

So then I tried Tokyo Milk, cuz gosh darn it, they have the cutest packaging around!

I bought French Kiss #15, cuz I loved the bottle. To be honest the scent was overpowering and after a while I had to admit defeat. I still love Cotton #17. I think perhaps I should buy another bottle?!

And then came a new love!! Chanel Coco Mademoiselle. I thought I'd finally hit the jackpot! After all these years the heavens opened, the clouds parted and angels sang! I had finally found MY perfume- that signature scent!! My husband bought it for me as a gift- I wore it daily, I sniffed my shirt mid day just to catch a whiff. After loving it and going through a whole bottle I was all set to buy bottle no. 2 with glee when my husband announced that the perfume he once loved now reminded him of his mother and I was by no means to buy another bottle!!! Cue shocked face and dropped jaw!!

goodbye dear friend, perhaps we'll meet again.

So that is the story of how Coco Mademoiselle turned into Dolce and Gabbana The One, to now Tocca Giulietta. To be honest I'm pretty darn happy with the Tocca perfume (actually it's truly become my favorite), but it won't stop me from getting a sample of the Coco Mademoiselle from time to time and spraying it nostalgically in my car.

sigh.

What is your favorite? Do you have a signature scent?

D.I.Y. Your Heart's Desire

Need an easy weekend project? Simple wall art? Temporary garland for a special event?
Look no further!

I found a tutorial for this through Pinterest back in February and I just fell in love! After some trial and error, mumbled curses and bloodied fingertips I got mine just right!!

First you need to start with the free paint chips/cards that you can get at any home improvement store. What I love about this is that you can't go wrong- every color in the world exists in these chips AND they are all color coordinated like a rainbow of fabulousness- so it's basically mistake proof!

1.Your first purchase will be a craft punch. I chose hearts (which let me tell you, was insanely difficult to find one week before Valentine's Day!) but of course you can do any shape you want!
2. You will also need thread (I chose red) and a thick needle (but not as thick as an embroidery needle), double up the thread, so you have two strands and not one going through your paint chip shape.
3. Clear push pins for mounting on the wall.
4. Tape (double sided is best).

paint chips punched into hearts, ready to be strung

I was a stringing queen! Can't tell you how many times I stabbed myself, but it as worth it. A word to the wise when doing this: I put the needle through the heart twice, so the hearts would lay flat. A little note here- these suckers will spin!!

To mount on wall, use a clear push pin on each end as well as in the middle- to create your swag.  Then I used double sided tape every 5th heart or so to keep them flush against my wall. 

The finished product!!

Simple High Bun with Braid

Want to look like you spent a lot of time on your hair? Want something simple but sophisticated that looks just as cute with a t-shirt and jeans as it does with a dress? Your hair only has to be long enough to pull a pony on the top of your head and make a bun- simple as that!

brush hair into a high pony tail and secure with elastic band. I prefer the clear elastic ones myself.

leave out one piece the side that is to be left out of the bun. You will create your wrap around braid with this section.

make a bun and secure with bobby pins

braid the section that was left out and loosely wrap it around the base of the bun. secure with bobby pins and voila!- you're done!

Boom Boom Mama! Zumba time!!

I truly believe that there is a physical activity out there for everyone. Some form of exercise or movement that excites you and gets your blood pumping. For my husband this is cycling, for some this is spin class, CrossFit, swimming or yoga. For me this physical activity is Zumba! I have three ladies to thank for introducing me to Zumba (Carey, Stacy and Tammy) and one outstanding lady to thank for getting me hooked and coming back each week to get down! (Sally Unks, this is you!!)

So this is my own personal ode to the greatness that is Zumba!! (or at least Zumba- Sally style!!)

Now that the dance/movement spirit has been freed in me I can't stop it! I'll Zumba in the kitchen making dinner, while I get ready for work, while my husband is trying to watch Netfix and even at work- it's infectious!! I just love it! It's such a mix of ages, levels and sizes and we're all united by the love of movement and as Sally herself put it,  the "love to get down"! And get down, we do!! I was jogging the other day, huffing and puffing away and all I could think of with each pounding foot to the pavement was how I would rather being doing Zumba!!

Now it's your turn, do you have an exercise that you love?

*if you are interested in taking classes with Sally, all class info can be found here.