A Very Road Less Traveled Christmas

If you know me in real life you have probably heard me endlessly talking about my job at the Road Less Traveled. Its less of a job and more of a unique learning experience for me since owner Delilah Snell let me under her wing last February. Lots of people ask me "What is Road Less Traveled exactly?". 

Well to sum it up in a few words The Road Less Traveled is a small shop located in Santa Ana, CA featuring eco-friendly-locally made-DIY- homesteading products for you and your household as well as canning, sewing, blogging workshops. 

We have handpicked  everything we sell at our shop from local crafters, american small businesses, fair traded goods, antiques, eco-friendly & recycled products. 

Please take a moment to look at what our shop has to offer you this Holiday season as well as all year round! 

My Grandmothers vintage Christmas tree holding handmade ornaments. I especially love the Mr Bojangles cat Ornament. Proceeds go toward his medical expenses. On the table you see we have the cutest recipe dice, DIY Pickle Kits form Backyard in a Jar as well as handmade cheese plates. 

Cute Christmas decor made from Xmas lights and Mason Jars. 

 Robes perfect for a cool morning or evening by the fireplace. And did I mention these robes were featured in Sunset Magazine? 

 100% organic cotton towels would be just right for your guest bathroom during Christmas time. The colors are inspired nature, can you tell? 

This is just one of many pots and plates we have on display at the shop. Perfect for your holiday dinners. 

We offer gift baskets too this holiday season! We have 3 different kinds to choose from. 

One of a kind jewelry designs by Charnae. Im so glad she has her work on display at the shop, her designs are simply beautiful. Dont you think. 

I love love this line. I own 2 of the lip balms and we sold out of half of them already...they're just that good. 

Backyard In a Jar jams and Jellys are in full force this season! Try Cran-Cava! 

All sorts of kits galore: All 3 have been featured in Sunset Magazine! Come get em while we got em. 

Just a few of Random Nicoles fun pins hanging out on the branch display I made. We also have DIY headbands and necklaces too from her line! 

Make sure to stop by the shop this week. We will be open on Christmas Eve! 

For more info go to our Facebook Page and like us! 

Patchwork Festival Culver City

Back in November my mother and I volunteered at the Patchwork Festival in Culver City, California. This was the first time the festival was held in location and it was a very successful show. I was able to take lots of photos of my favorite vendors that I wanted to share with you all. So if you're still looking for holiday gifts you're sure to find great ideas in this post! 

Join me on a trip to Patchwork Culver City Ya'll!

Playing Catch Up

After a few weeks of being busy with cool events, RLT, school, work  :) I finally bought myself a new memory card reader for my camera. I have no clue where the old one went. Is it under my pile of homework?

Later this week I will be blogging up a storm with all of the cool places I went to and had a shoot out with my camera!

In the meantime check out...

My Beautiful friend Izumi has recently started a blog Hybrid Hunter, and I'm addicted!

 If you're a fan of the following fashion trends: Utilitarian-Minimalista-Nor-Cal-Grunge-Sweaters you need to check out her blog stat. 

LAST CHANCE

Delilah Snell, owner of Road Less Traveled Store will be teaching one more Holiday Gifts In A Jar workshop on December 4th. This class has a limited amount of students so sign up soon!

I might be the only person I know that absolutely loves Christmas music! I have been listening to it for a week now. Crazy- I know! 

I have discovered the Electronic Holidays Radio station on Pandora and cant get enough. Check it.

My middle name is Elaine but it should be changed to Espresso because I hearts it so much :) I'm constantly on the look out for independent coffee shops that offer a great ambiance as well as my addiction "espresso drinks"!

 I had heard of this cafe "Milk+Honey" before and I ventured in the other day. Loved loved loved the look of their shop and the taste of their earthy Pumpkin Spiced Latte. I will drive out of my way for a "coffee experience" and I reccomend you do the same. 

Dont forget to go to Patchwork Holiday Show Santa Ana! ITS FREE

This Sunday November 27th from 11-5pm 

@ Main street&Buffalo in Santa ana near Bowers Museum!!!!

I will be working at the show so say hi if you see me :)

"Gettin myself cultured"

Seems lately that the only culture I have had around me was in the yogurt parfait I ate on my lunch break. I can't remember the last time I went to an art show...well that's not true. I went like 2 years ago. But you see, that is my point. I want to get back into that scene. So when my boss lady Delilah said she was going to be working her Jam Van at an opening for a show at CSUF I figured it must be something cool. I saw the flier and was intrigued... AQUIRED TASTE: Food and the art of consumption. Perfect. I'm already becoming a so-called foodie. So meshing foodie with arty you got my attention. 

So off I went. I brought along my mother and my food enthusiast boyfriend who begs me to branch out a bit more food wise. Hey look look I have had Tripe before, does that count as eating outside the box? Anyway let's look at what fun stuff was going on at the show. 

Delilah Snell was in full force with her "Backyard in a Jar Line" along side her moving pop up shop aka the Jam Van. She had two hot sellers that night "ginger peach" and "passion fruit". My mom will be serving the passion fruit @ thanksgiving with our cheese plate btw. 

Throughout the outside of the art buildings there were projections of faces on the walls, tree's and floating boxes to promote unity. 

Here we go with Acquired Taste! My absolute favorite part of the show was the Curry Powder Wallpaper! Walking in you immediately could smell it and wondered where it came from. And then you see it on the walls. Very cool and something I appreciate as an aspiring interior designer. I wont say much more about the exhibit because I think you should experience it for yourself!

 The next building over was also having an opening exhibit HAZE. The man seen in the photo below documented the Los Angeles Air quality through photos taken every day on top of Signal Hill in Long Beach, CA. He then matched the skys color to different paint swatches and the outcome was pretty spot on. Go check it out!

EXHIBIT LOCATION :

Begovich Gallery, California State University, Fullerton

800 North State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA (just north of Nutwood Avenue)

Good Food & OC Weekly Host Happy Hour In Santa Ana

image via (blogs.ocweekly.com)

Attention all OC and LA foodies this Thursday March 10th The Crosby will be hosting a special Happy Hour with KCRW's Evan Klieman of Good food & OC Weekly's Gustavo Arellano of Ask A Mexican & Stick a Fork In It. This is the first time that Good food with Evan Kleiman has featured an Orange County restaurant/bar so this is going to be a big deal for us OC people.There is a Facebook rsvp page for this event check it out, however it is not mandatory to RSVP nor is there a cover fee (awesome). 

Ohh yeah and there will be giveaways too.

Beer from Tap's Fish house & Bruery

Gourmet Choclate from C. Salt Gourmet

Hot Sauce from Taco Asylum, And Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen

Baked goods from Blackmarket Bakery 

Habanero Jelly by Backyard in A Jar

and many more.

The Special menu includes

FOOD:

Pork belly tostadas – 2 for $6

Cheese flat bread – $5

Pepperoni flat bread – $7

Sweets – $3

DRINK:

The Wildflower Press – $5

Absolut Wild Tea & Elderflower vodka

Blood oranges

Sweet vermouth

Soda & sprite

(Garnished with fresh edible flowers)

Sangrias (red & white) – $3

White – cinnamon, cloves & spiced rum

Red – blackberry, apple & orange

$1 OFF draught beers

$4 – well drinks

$1 Pabst