happy friday + ruby's 1st birthday party!

Last month, we celebrated Ruby's 1st birthday! Even though no one really remembers her first birthday, we still wanted to celebrate with a big party, as it gave us an excuse to see our friends and celebrate our first year as parents, too (we're still in one piece)!

We held Ruby's party at Grand Park,—a new park that opened up in downtown LA this summer. It's so pretty and clean and new and we knew it was the perfect place to have the party. And the icing on the cake? The amazing hot pink tables and chairs that are set up all over the park. You can move them to wherever you want, so we had instant seating and tables! We showed up bright and early to set up and claim an area for Ruby's day.

(Pssst...this is a long post with lots of photos, so click below if you want to see more...)

cozy and cute...

Every so often, I come across a shop from which I want to buy every. single. piece. My brain swells up and I get all indecisive because there's too much goodness to choose from. And as the raindrops pour down from the sky and my Christmas tree goes up today, thoughts of cozy things are filling my head. So, I was thrilled when True&Co. wanted to offer my awesome readers a special discount on their super-cute PJ's and underthings. Let's all get cozy now...

Truth be told, I live in PJ's. OK, maybe not actually traditional pajamas, but comfy clothes that I can just lounge around in at home. I love getting dressed up when I leave the house, but as soon as I get home, I change into a comfy pair of pants and a tee or henley of some sort. You'll rarely find me in skinny jeans or a dress while at home. 

I also love being able to mix and match, and the great thing about these pieces is that you could wear some of them with a pair of jeans or with another top and leave the house in a pinch. Here are my favorites from True&Co., which I'd gladly wear any day I just want to feel cozy.

For the next few days, True&Co. is offering 30% off anything on their site exclusively to Oh Joy readers only. Simply enter OHJOY30 at checkout. Offer ends at 11:59 p.m. PST on Monday, December 3rd. Enjoy!

*This post is in partnership with True&Co. All content, ideas, and words are my own. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that allow me to offer special discounts like this for Oh Joy readers. Slippers by Target, rug by Nuloom.

{oh joy eats} diablo urban taco fabricator...

One day a week—on Wednesdays—I have Ruby all to myself. It's our one day...just us. So, I love getting out and having a little ladies' lunch with her. There are so many great spots in Silver Lake that are great to go for a bite at times when they're less crowded and more manageable for parents with a little one.

Case in point: Diablo Urban Taco Fabricator in Silver Lake, which we recently visited. It's a new-ish spot that serves up fun combos of, yep, tacos!

We tried a bunch, including the Maple Fried Chicken, Pork Belly, Hen of the Woods (made with wild mushrooms). My favorite was the fried chicken taco...I mean, how does that not sound delicious? We made sure to get some veggies in, too, with a light jicama and cucumber salad. I look forward to seeing what other fun new taco combos the restaurant comes up with!

Diablo Urban Taco Fabricator | 3129 W. Sunset Blvd. | Los Angeles, CA 90026 | 323.666.4666

{Photos by Bonnie Tsang. My outfit: tee by J.Crew (past season), pants by J.Crew, flats by Loeffler Randall.}

for a good cause...

Remember the online yard sale I had a few months ago? Well, I've recently updated my Copious shop with more clothing, accessories, and more...and 100% of proceeds from sales this week will go to the Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy relief. All items for sale are in great condition and very gently worn.

pop-up place cards...

Ever since I was a kid, I've loved pop-up books. Maybe it's because I was always meant to be a graphic designer, or maybe it's because I just love seeing something flat go from two dimensions to three dimensions with a couple cuts and folds. As we head into the holiday season, I've got some fun posts coming up with ideas for bringing cheer to your dinner table this holiday and year-round, and for the first one, I wanted to apply my love of pop-ups to some fun placecards for your holiday table.

Here's how to make them...

a mix & match dinnerware giveaway...

In my latest Make Someone Happy video, I prepared a dinner for friends and set the table with some of my favorite pieces in various patterns and colors. Well, today, we have a very special giveaway...a full set of the entire scene! That's right, all of the pieces above to make a lovely place setting for four.

That includes 4 mini butter domes by Crate & Barrel, 4 sets of gold flatware from Design Within Reach, 2 pairs of tea towels from Design Within Reach, 4 cups by Ferm Living, 4 dinner plates by Heath Ceramics, salt & pepper shaker set by Jonathan Adler, 4 small fruit bowls by Kate Spade, 4 pastel spoons from Leif, a brass trivet from Muhs Home, 4 glasses from Terrain, 4 place mats from Unison, 4 napkins from Unison, 4 salad plates from West Elm, and 4 confetti system ornaments from West Elm. A total worth $943!

To enter....

feeling like a shopping spree...

I hope you all had a happy and relaxing holiday weekend! I don't know about you, but I can never get myself to shop Black Friday as I hate big crowds and standing in long lines. I'd much rather shop at small local businesses or shop all the amazing sales online. So as a little ode to pre-holiday sale season, think of this as your last chance to treat yourself to a little holiday something before you prepare to bestow gifts onto others. A few of my online favorites that are currently on sale for today only...

[01. BHLDN heels (exclusive 20% off + free shipping for Oh Joy readers with code dressitup), 02. Madewell camera clutch (25% off with code TREAT), 03. Chewing the Cud give wrap (30% off with code GOBBLE30), 04. Ariel Gordon gumball necklace (40% off with code MANICMONDAY), 05. Homemint striped tea towels (50% off with code HMSAVE50 + Cybermint Monday), 06. Freshly Picked gold & leather mouse pad (25% off with code THANKS2012), 07. tassel key chain by Shana Luther (20% off with code CYBER20), 08. Kate Spade's surprise cyber sale (up to 75% off), and Unison pillow (20% off with code CYBER20)].

*All codes are for ALL items on each shop's site and valid through end of day today.

happy thanksgiving!

...from my family to yours! Have a great holiday weekend everyone. Hope it's filled with lots of love, laughter, food, and some serious relaxing. See you back here on Monday!

P.S. A little peek from Ruby's 1st Birthday party last month...will post the full set of photos next week!

{photo by Bonnie Tsang}

currently snacking on...

A couple weeks ago while at a work dinner, I had the delight of trying eton mess for the first time. I had heard of it, but never really knew what it was. Ever since then, it's become my newest dessert obsession. It's so light, delicious, and easy to make with a mixture of creamy, fruity, crunchy, sweet, and tart textures and flavors. So, if you need a last-minute Thanksgiving dessert, eton mess to the rescue!

Eton mess is simply a mix of whipped cream, crushed meringues, and berries. There are various alternatives recipes to the standard, but here's what I did...

feeling full of heart...

 ...because sticking a heart on anything really does make it better...

{01. Anthropologie jeans, 02. girl's heart sweater from J.Crew (if you're petite, try a kids' size 14!), 03. Bailey Doesn't Bark cards, 04. ASOS gloves, 05. Duffle from Urban Outfitters.}