California, home of strange Spring weather. One minute it's pouring and lighting strikes. Then its clear and sunny. If California weather was diagnosed with a mental health issue it would be Bi-polar disorder. 

image via (decoaurora.blogspot.com)

Make your mind up weather! 

Luckily I got one of these...

image via (mamathreads.com)

And a pair of these...

image via (myweightlossexperiment.com)

I'm slowly become less scared of the rain since my car accident a few months ago. Anyone else having fun in the rain today?  

8 Hours Of Flowers

Life has been rolling along like the wind and one week goes as fast as the next one begins. I started my Spring Semester a few weeks ago as well as my Internship @ The Road Less Traveled Store in Santa Ana, Ca. Keeping myself creatively busy and feeling like my life is on the right track. Isn't life funny in that way? Its a constant battle of the good the bad and the ugly. What I mean by this is that our lives have cycles. Very fitting that it is Spring and I feel like so many new and exciting things have blossomed for me personally and professionally. And in the theme of Spring I have become obsessed with my 1st big project as intern, the Spring window display. If you know me than you have heard me blabbing on and on about making paper flowers and how proud I'am of them. Take a look. 

It took me over eight hours to complete these babies. The picture in Martha Stewart Magazine made it look easy, guess again. There is more to it than cutting. I had to go through magazines and collect different colors and then use templates to make sure they were the right size. Then it was fold, fold and fold again and again. The most tedious part of it all was the placement of the flowers and gluing to the branches. That glue would not stick! But eight hours later I was so happy to be at least 1/4 done with the project. 

Here is a preview of the flowers I made in roygbv order. Next up on the to-do list is painting the fence. Cant wait to get started on it this week. 

I'm so lucky and grateful to be interning for Delilah and The Road Less Traveled. 

Dont forget to cast your vote, The Road Less Traveled has been nominated for best home goods via OC Hotlist.  

The Color of Sunny via OC REGISTER

Fullerton home has flower power

By Michael Mello

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

FULLERTON – It's that time of the year again.

Wayne Daniels' front yard has again become a carpet of tulips, daffodils, and freesias, a montage that years ago earned him the title of Fullerton's Tulip Man.

Retired high school biology teacher Wayne Daniels, 74, planted over 3,300 tulip bulbs in the front yard of his Fullerton home. He has been planting the tulips for more than 20 years and now many of his neighbors are following his lead and planting tulips in their yards.

He has about 3,300 tulip bulbs in the ground, with more than 200 daffodils and freesias for variety.

This year the Woods Avenue landmark display also runs around the corner down Lois Lane. Some of Daniels' neighbors there took some of his extra tulip bulbs and have planted them in their own yards.

The blooms started earlier this year – in mid-January – because of the heavy fall rains, and are at their peak now.

"Hopefully, they'll last a week or 10 days more," Daniels' said, but that depends on Orange County's capricious weather, namely the heat.

North Orange County's mild winters keep tulips from "resting" over the winter, so bulbs have to be planted each year to ensure blooms.

Daniels, 74, a retired high school biology teacher, makes a Costco run in late summer, then refrigerates the bulbs for a few months to ensure they go dormant. After Thanksgiving, the planting begins. He has been growing tulips in his yard for three decades.

This year a few neighbors stopped by to help, as did more than 30 students from nearby Golden Hill Elementary School.

Daniels' home is at 668 N. Woods Ave.

Contact the writer: 714-704-3796 ormmello@ocregister.com

images via (ocregister.com)

Thai Love You

For some reason I have become obsessed with Spicy Thai and I see no end to it. I have managed to get my hands on as many Thai infused products lately and I want more more more. Have you ever had a taste of something that all of a sudden you couldn't get enough of? 

image via (facebook.com)

I bought these spicy thai chips on a whim hoping they would be just as good as they sounded. And yes they were great and I went to buy another bag and they are all sold out. Spicy, gingery perfect. 

image via (randommealoftheday.blogspot.com)

Picked up this spicy Thai chicken salad the other day for a dinner between classes. This was such an indulgent salad with not too many calories compared to others. I bought another one this week.Yummy peanuty, spicy and just the right serving size. 

image via (closetcooking.com)

Mmmm Thai Chicken Pizza is so wonderful. I usually get it from Schlotzky's Deli. Unexpected toppings for a pizza but together they make an aromatic mouth watering combo.

image via (recipes.howstuffworks.com)

Thai Tea looks so rich and creamy but where can I get it besides in a can from the grocery store? 

image via (bonappetit.com)

This is a dream come true: Thai Coconut Tapioca Pudding. Enough said.

Can someone tell me where the best Thai Restruant is in the Orange County area? 

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

Green Design Junkie

If you're an eco-friendly green-design junkie than you have heard of The Road Less Traveled Store in Santa Ana. This one of a kind shop offers an array of products and DIY classes and workshops. This Spring I will be their intern and will be working alongside creatively minded Delilah Snell and August Olofson. My first project is to create the Spring window display inspired by DIY paper flowers from Martha Stewart magazine. Lot's of magazine cutouts, folding, gluing and looking for branches at the park. Once the display is complete I will post photos for you to see the final product. 

Every product in our store specializes in 1 of 4 major categories:

 recycled content, sustainable resource, non-toxic and fair trade.

recycled content: post-consumer, surplus, discarded & re-purposed materials.

sustainable resource: made of materials that require little of the planet or are easily renewable.

non-toxic: chemical, pesticide, herbicide-free. Certified organic origins.

 

sustainable resource: made of materials that require little of the planet or are easily renewable.

www.roadlesstraveledstore.com

The Road Less Traveled Store2202 1/2 N. Main St.Santa Ana, CA 92706

Battle of The Blondes

images via (wotyougot.com,sassisamblog.com)

It's a battle of the blondes for the April 2011 issues of Elle & UK Vogue. At first glance I thought both covers were of Gwen Stefani, but taking a closer look it is in fact Kate Winslet on the right. 

images via (portfo.li,sassisamblog.com)

Cant wait for these issues to come to news stands. We get to go inside Gwen's world via her best friend and see Kate's new body, look and life. Sounds interesting. I really like Kate's new short do. And I wonder who Gwen's best friend is? 

Sundown

What a great song, and a cool video to go along with it. 

SUNDOWN-Daedelus

Whimsical Window Displays

It's the first thing people see right before they walk into a store. What is it I'm referring to? The window display of course. A display can make a world of difference and attract lots of customers whom may have otherwise walked on by. Its important to have a window that reflects what a store has to offer inside as well as outward. This semester I'm doing an internship and one of my first projects is to construct the Spring window display. I have been gathering inspiration and getting super excited to let my creativity flow. 

Here are a few of my favorite whimsical window displays for Spring/Summer. 

image via (facebook.com)

image via (yuraosborn.blogspot.com)

image via (fairytalewishesanddreams.blogspot.com)

image via (flickr.comg)

image via (decodivadebi.blogspot.com)

image via (pocketables.net)

image via (flickr.com)

image via (astrovintage.com)

image via (somervillain.blogspot.com)

image via (flickr.com)

Charnae Collections: Charmingly Unique Jewelry

Though she may have blonde hair and love paddle boarding, Charnae Wright is not your typical Laguna Beach girl. She is a globe trotting artisan with a true talent. When it comes to her one of a kind handmade Jewelry she is a natural. Charnae Collection pieces are eye catching and sure to have you anxiously awaiting your own custom design. To see what makes Charnae so charmingly unique I asked her a few questions about her inspirations and what makes her designs truly her own. 

Tell us about yourself.

I love color! Most of my pieces are made to make a statement and be a big part of your outfit, rather than just an addition, or added touch at the end of dressing. I usually center my clothing around my jewelry ;)

I graduated from UCSB and loved college. If I could, I would have a ton of degrees! I love learning and am a firm believer in jumping out of your comfort zone once in awhile and embracing that which is different or foreign. I am fascinated by people, different cultures and what moves people to live the lives they lead. Everyone has a unique story and I think the jewelry you wear should too. It should reflect you as a unique person, your style and the life you choose to lead.

My inspiration for my collections are usually derived from my love of nature and my love of exploring the globe! The colors and vibrancy of Barcelona, the spiciness of a Thai cooking class, or my adventures paddle boarding on the big blue. These things, and much much more, inspire me and motivate me to create. 

 My hope is that each piece is different from the others and that everyone can find something they love for any part of their life. Life is full of wonderful different experiences and adventure...and the jewelry you wear should reflect that. 

For me, creativity is everything. I guess you could say I live and breath art and creating. I even wake up in the middle of the night with design ideas. I'm creating in my dreams ;) ha! Keeping a pen and paper by my bed has been proven very useful.

image via (charnae.com)

What colors make you happy? 

My eyes are usually attracted to yellow, coral and turquoise because I find them radiant and full of life. 

I have always designed ever since I was little- from creating barbie clothes or furniture out of whatever recycled things I could get my hands on, to creating my own custom prom dress, or using offbeat things at garage sales for home decor- I loved the art of it all! 

image via (charnae.com)

What is your muse behind making your own jewelry?

The muse in creating my own jewelry is that I wanted to create things that didn't look mass produced or worn by a million other people. I wanted something that fit me more than any other person, something that was unique to Charnae.

 For me, style is not about what others are wearing, or what brands/trends are popular, it's about loving what you put on because it so fits you as a person, fits your story and fits your inspiration. The one- of- a kind- you. That is my passion for creating jewelry and

designing. If you love it, then that's all that should matter..

image via (charnae.com)

What is your best selling design?  

I have always loved quotes. In my bedroom as a teenager, I had everyone marker their favorite quote on my door and it became the art piece of my room. I loved seeing what quote tickled everyone's fancy ;) and what moved them. So needless to say, when I made my quote/lyric necklaces they became my most popular selling item. They are great gifts because they are personal, inspiring, funny, eclectic- whatever you wish. And I love the look of the copper and brass. 

image via (charnae.com)

Describe your jewelry.

Someone once asked to describe my style and I was slightly stuck ;). I couldn't seem to think of a few words to describe my style. It is always evolving and encompassing the different life experiences and adventures that inspire me. Needless to say, I came to terms that I don't have one set style. My style depends on the collection, the piece, the outfit and also the person I am creating the jewelry for. My creations range from bold vibrant and earthy, to delicate and sophisticated. 

What are your favorite materials to work with?

My favorite items to work with are anything that mother nature created! Geodes, quartz and gemstones always fascinate me. I have gone mining a couple times and loved it! Ever since I can remember I've loved the beauty of rocks, stones and crystals. I find it so amazing that mother nature creates these breath taking items. 

 I also love turquoise, pearls, copper and anything colorful! I mostly use sterling silver and gold filled so the pieces are of lasting quality and something people can wear throughout their life.

image via (charnae.com)

For more info and to Contact Charnae Wright:

www.charnae.com

www.etsy.com/shop/charnae

http://www.facebook.com/pages/ Charnae-Collections-Handmade- Unique-Jewelry/111051871784

"The best accessory is a passion for life"- Charnae Wright

Colorful Inside & Out

Trina Turk was recently in Miami to promote her Trina Turk/Schumaker line as well as participate in DCOTA (design center of the Americas) panel discussion. Alongside her were other talented designers such as Celerie Kemble,India Hicks,Gene Meyer and Eugenia Santiesteban . Their chosen topic, a fitting one one might I add " Color and Pattern In Decoration. Trina Turk does a wonderful job promoting her business/brand and has lots of meet and greets (I had the chance to meet her) as well as speaking panels she participates in around the country. Trina has just been nominated for a Leadership Award by the National Association of Womens Business Owners Los Angeles. 

image via (trinaturk.com)

Trina Turk for Schumaker recently unveiled 8 all new one of a kind prints and two updated versions of the Matelasse pattern. All of which feature a soft cotton fabric and are stain, sun and water resistant. You may be wanting to use these fabrics on your interior upholstering projects. No need to decide on indoors or out. The designs are in true Trina Turk fashion. No word yet on the names of these fabrics or prices. I will keep an eye out and let you know. My favorites are all on the bottom row. Lots of color and pattern. 

image via (trinaturk.com)