We took these photos on Christmas day after Bob commented that I have a lot of things with hearts on them. I said, "Oh yeah...I'll show you! C'mon Ruby! Let's count 'em!"
...that last photo says it all...
"Mama, are we done yet??"
{Photos by Bob Cho. Ruby's sweater from Pink Chicken.}
Patterns on fabric are one of my weaknesses. So I love seeing how artists, illustrators, and designers translate their work into fabric form. Here are a few new textiles I'm loving right now from Leah Goren {top and bottom photos} and Lulie Wallace {middle photos}...
With a new family member in tow, 2012 included a lot more casual dining as we attempted to keep meals on the quicker side whenever possible. But I certainly continued to snack {a lot!} and explore the range of foods that L.A. has to offer. Here are my Top 20 Bites of 2012 in Los Angeles {in no particular order}...
1. The Brown Bread and Brown Rice Green Tea ice cream from Scoops {more here}.
Photo by Bonnie Tsang.
2. Crispy Pork &and Shrimp Potstickers with Curry Aioli &and Sweet Soy Reduction from the Asian Cravings truck.
3. Twenty-course omakase from Sushi Nishi-ya.
4. An ice cream sandwich {made with cupcake tops!} from Sprinkles Ice Cream {more here}.
Photo by Bonnie Tsang.
Continue reading " {los angeles} top 20 bites of 2012... " »
Remember when we used to have photo albums with actual printed photographs in them? With the amount of images from our iPhones, our "good" cameras, and those taken by friends and family, it can be so hard to keep up with all the digital photos you take of your kids, especially in that first year when you're super snap-happy. So, after Ruby was born, whenever we snapped a photo that was a keeper, I filed it into a folder on my computer marked by month. I'd also email photos to our parents and post them on Facebook, too, but the plan was that I'd make a book at the end of year with all our favorites in chronological order.
There are a few great sites where you can make books, but I decided to try out a new one called Artifact Uprising because I loved the cloth covers and how high-quality the paper looked. And, when the end of year came, it was that much easier to start laying out a book because I already had all of my favorite photos saved by month. All I had to do was narrow down the picks even more (because who wants a 1,000 page book?!?). It was so fun looking back through our photos and looking back at how tiny Ruby once was, too...
Just a few spring-like colors for this January day...
{01. Rivet & Sway glasses, 02. Moxi roller skates, 03. Oeuf kids bunny mittens, 04. Kate Spade tote, 05. Hello sweater, 06. Anthropologie pillow, 07. flats by The White Ribbon.}
Over the holiday break, we had a total staycation. We decided to stay put this year and recover from all the traveling from my book tour this past fall. I was worried I'd be so bored at home for a week, but it was actually amazing. Bob was off from work, too, so we just hung out with Ruby, took turns sleeping in, played at the park everyday, and ate at our favorite spots...no schedule, no set plans...we just lived each day as it came. And we ate a lot! We went to our favorite Thai restaurant, Korean fried chicken spot, go-to soup dumpling place, burger joint, and French bakery. Since food is so important (and fun!) for me, it's always so fun taking Ruby around to enjoy my favorite foods. It was definitely one of the best weeks I've had all year...
Have a great weekend guys!
{Photos by Bob Cho at Proof Bakery.}
My friend Mari is a baking genius. For the holidays, she made a custom cookie and treats sampler boxes for her closest friends and family. We were lucky enough to be some of the recipients, and I had to share a few of her amazing creations. Two of my favorites were the coconut macaroons and the stained-glass ornament cookies. I think the idea of monogrammed cookies is so fun and would be great for a gift at any time of the year. You could turn the ornaments into simple circle shapes and make them for a birthday party (or as a birthday gift!) in a variety of candy colors. Thanks, Mari!
{Photos by Oh Joy}
The other night, Bob and I were talking about our goal to buy a house in the next several years. Homes in LA are so expensive that I almost want to rent forever. But then I remember how nice it would be to really create the home you want and do cool things like paint the floors. Clink, clink...do you hear that sound? It's the sound of my pretty pennies falling into my piggy bank!
P.S. More amazing floors right here...
{Image credits: triangle ground in Stockholm via Tiziana Tosoni, wood/white striped floor via Apartment Therapy, rainbow floor via Better Homes & Gardens in 1975, pink floor photographed by Lina Östling via From Scandinavia with Love.}
I've been a fan of Sqirl, the L.A.-based, jam company, since I first tried its delicious canned delights a couple years ago. So I was excited to visit Sqirl's new brick-and-mortar space—a tiny little cafe with an adjacent outdoor area—that serves a twist on cozy morning comforts.
Instead of PB&J, there's brioche topped with chocolate ganache, almond hazelnut butter, and fleur de sel. Instead of oatmeal, Sqirl serves the best sweet rice porridge I've ever had (and what I wish oatmeal tasted like!), topped with jam and roasted hazelnuts. Really, I dream about this porridge! And then (if you're looking for something more savory) there are some dishes inspired by Australian and Filipino flavors like the crispy rice salad topped with cilantro, lime, and a fried egg. Supposedly they have amazing freshly pressed almond milk tea, too. This is my new go-to spot when I need something quick to warm my belly...
Sqirl | 720 N. Virgil Ave. | Los Angeles, CA 90029 | 213.394.6526
{Photos by Bonnie Tsang for Oh Joy. My outfit: StyleMint tee, Lauren Moffatt skirt, vintage belt, Ban.do smooch brooch.}
purchase the book | blog, inc. virtual chat
wallpaper for hygge & west
baby clothing for winter water factory
The latest in my Make Someone Happy series
~ 20% off at Maya Brenner through May 31, 2013. Enter JOY20 at checkout.
Any comments which are deemed inappropriate ~ including general spam, offensive comments or rude language, self-promotional spam, or other items unrelated to the post ~ will be deleted.
Oh Joy!® is a registered trademark of Nantaka Joy®, Inc. All rights reserved.
Oh Joy contains paid advertising banners and some contextual affiliate links. An affiliate link means that we receive commission on sales of the products that are linked to in my posts. So if you click on a link and make a purchase from an affiliate site, then I may make a commission from that purchase. I also work with affiliate links, on occasion, on my Pinterest page. The content of my posts or pins are all items, things, and experiences I genuinely like and will only work with affiliates that fit my aesthetic and brand.
Any products which have been gifted or provided gratis to Oh Joy for review is noted with an asterisk (*) or c/o (courtesy of) at the bottom of the post and are only posted if a good fit for the Oh Joy aesthetic and content. Any sponsored giveaways or posts will be noted as such.
