possibilities for 2011

I haven't taken as much opportunity to do some critical thinking about my 2011.  Oh, I've done a bit, but it's not quite done yet...hopefully I'll be able to fully envision it after the weekend.  Right now, the short strokes, without getting too much into it, are: be as bold as I was at 19, be as tenacious as I was at 22 and see possibility as clearly as I could at 23.

But wouldn't it be lovely to write down everything you want in the year on tags and turn your Christmas tree into a Possibility Tree?  It's my own take on Yoko Ono's Wish Tree.  Read more about it here.

our holiday ecard

pretty, delicate & expressive necklaces - just like you

I walked away from buying this gold plated pen nib necklace at a local boutique in Newport Beach.  Boy, was I sad.  I've been on the hunt for a little gold necklace, and this one was so expressive, so me.  So, I did what any other 21st-century-savvy gal would do and found it online on the designer's website, Erica Weiner.  Right in New York, she creates pieces from found objects; very rustic, vintage.  Her pieces capture Americana - they're whimsical with spirit.  I've got my eye on a few more...

home for the holidays

(Christmas Tree in Orange County, CA)

 (Bellagio Garden in Las Vegas, NV)

Please excuse the probable lack of posts until 2011.  I'm currently heading to Laguna Beach, CA and then flying on Christmas to Las Vegas, NV for my yearly sojourn to both my homes to spend some much needed time with family.

Merry Christmas!

May you find joy this season, warmth in love and merriment in friends and family.  Love, Rie

*Images courtesy of Pic Vicious & Rose Brand

coastal christmas

While the Berkeley Penthouse has more traditional deocrations, it wasn't that long ago that my Los Angeles home had a tree and mantle greenery with starfish and shell garland and a stuffed lobster topped my tree.  With my trip home to Laguna Beach this very evening, it made me think about decorating for a christmas at the beach.  Coastal Living has a lovey article this month about decorating for the holidays with some great pictures for inspiration.

winter fun: ice skating

Oh, you know.  A little ice skating on frog pond with some gal pals to get us in the Christmas mood.

It snowed yesterday!  Normally I'm a complete curmudgeon when it comes to snow, but I was actually into it for a brief moment during a walk in the flakes.  It's easy to say that knowing I'm heading to Southern California tomorrow...

starting to feel like christmas

 With impending snow in Boston, celebrating a very special Christmas Eve baby's birthday, baking cookies, caroling with my church and the annual Jingle Bell run, it's starting to really feel like the holidays.  Have a great weekend!

*Images courtesy of Bippity Boppity Boo, Cork Grips, Salement & Shelter

design decor: zig zags

Stripes with some sass are on my mind.

*Images courtesy of Canadian House & Home, Elements of Style & Pink Wallpaper

local find: pillows

Check out etsy seller kyoozi and her fabulous pillows I am drooling over for about $35 a pop.  Move over Pottery Barn.  Bonus?  Local Bostonian.

10 million friends

This is what 10 million facebook users friend connections look like.  Our world looks more and more like this.  Scary or fascinating?  Read more here.

body boarding

My step mom sent me videos of my brother body boarding.



Isn't technology great?  I'm 3,000 miles from my family and the Pacific Ocean and yet I can see this.

easy winter recipe

My favorite thing to make this time of year is roasted winter vegetables and it's so easy!  Any variety will do:
-potatoes
-sweet potatoes
-carrots
-fennel
-onions
-parsnips
-butternut squash

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees, pick your favorites from the list above, chop them up and throw them in a bowl, cover with olive oil, add salt, pepper and parsley to taste, mix them up and spread them out on however many cookie sheets it takes and bake each one for 40 minutes (turning them over after 20).

Voila!  An instant crowd pleaser and they reheat great, too!

on the road: riviera maya, mexico

This past weekend, I was quite the jet setter as I headed to Riviera Maya, Mexico for my dear friends Alexis & Dave's wedding.  We stayed at Ceiba Del Mar resort, just 20 minutes from the Cancun airport and I felt like I was in a Corona commercial all weekend.  And there is something so special about destination weddings where you can bond with people all weekend.  Check out some of my favorite shots (including the gorgeous bride!) from the weekend.

 (wedding guests hot tubbing and getting to know one another)

 (oh, hello.  view from the pool right outside my room)

 (walking out on the pier)

 (some dudes & my fearless friend Sara playing football)

 (wedding party and groom ready)

 (Alexis!)

 (the happy couple)

 (my former roommate is all grown up)

 (my roommates from the weekend, including bridesmaid Lacey in fabulous magenta)

 (cocktails on the pier post reception with a mariachi band)

Congratulations, Alexis & Dave!