Adding Venice, Italy to our vacation!!!

Much to my husband's surprise :) we've added Venice, Italy to our vacation itinerary! We are taking two days from the beach portion of our Spain vacation and flying to Venice.  It's just a short hour flight away.  How could he say no?  He always accuses me of trying to pack too much into our vacations, but is always happy afterward.  I mean, if we're going to fly 15 hours to Spain, I want to pack in as much as possible.  Plus Venice is sinking, I have to see it while it is still there to see!

We will be visiting St. Marks square

Taking a Gondola ride down the canals.

And eating yummy, delicious, scrumptious, delectable, amazingly excellent GELATO!!!

We will be staying at this hotel on the Canal.

I'm Shocked!

I'm Shocked!!!  I would have placed her in 3rd (really in 4th after Lil' Kim).  I really thought Gille would win.  He was clearly the best!  Shawn was precise, but she just didn't connect.  I guess she has a huge following though because of her Gold Medal status!  Very disappointed.  I thought the judges were extra hard on Melissa, but I thought she would be in front of Shawn.  I think the freestyle dances did the other two in.  I can't say I really liked what they did, but if  you look at the whole season, to me, Gille should have won (or at least Melissa!).  As far as the freestyle dances go, they danced them well, just the choreography was poor.

At least I can take comfort in the fact that J.T. won on Survivor!

Laguna Charm House Tour

On Sunday, my friend Cynthia and I, went on the Laguna Charm House Tour.  It is a tour of 5 private homes of different styles and size.  To see pictures of the event please click here:  Laguna Charm House Tour (this is my friend Cynthia's blog, since she already posted, I thought I would be lazy and send you her direction!).  We saw a Mediterranean revival home that has now been turned into a school-Interesting.  We then saw a home that was a small, old theatre that was to die for!!!  This was the home of Cindy Holloway (interior designer) and it was my hands down favorite.  The thing that I saw in this home that I have never seen before was her use of white wash on walls of brilliant color.  She would have a wood wall painted turquoise and then white washed - Beautiful!  (Unfortunately, we couldn't take pictures of the inside of the houses.)  The next house was a very modern constructed home with cement, corrugated tin roof and slate siding.  The built-in interior was very modern but the furnishings were spanish rustic.  Very interesting.  It gave the modern home a more homey feel.  We then saw a eco friendly home and a little bungalow that felt like a tree house.  Cynthia has pictures of all these houses.  Please visit her blog for pictures and narration.  http://cyntillatingandjoyful.blogspot.com/2009/05/charm-house-tour-2009.html

Oh, and by the way, when I was shopping in little downtown Laguna, I came across many items that were also available at Home Goods.  I saw about 4 things that I recently purchased at Home Goods that were double and triple the HG price!!!  My friend, Cynthia, suggested that maybe they purchased the items from HG and now had them for sale in their boutiques!

Earthquake!

Last night we had a small earthquake here in the Southland!!!  It wasn't that big here, a little rumbling and a jolt!  I guess it was bigger in L.A. and lasted longer than here.  We haven't had one this big in a while.   I was sitting at the computer when it started.  The girls yelled, "is this an earthquake?" as the rumbling started and then bang! the final jolt.  I then heard glass breaking and went into Katie's room where some pictures and other goodies had fallen off one of her shelves. The glass of the big picture shattered into a million little pieces and I was trying to pick up the glass and keep the dogs from walking on it all at the same time.  Katie brought the vacuum and viola the glass was all gone.  Earthquakes always get your heart racing!

Festive Chinese Lanterns

Two years ago, I discovered Chinese Lanterns.  Sure, I'd seen them before in magazines and restaurants, but I'd never really gave them a second thought.

I've been really busy over the last couple of years having big parties to mark major milestones in the lives of my family members.  My back patio needed some punch to make the party more festive.  Balloons where out of the question since my backyard gets FULL SUN and the heat pops the balloons as they heat up and expand!!!  So...Chinese Lanterns caught my eye.  At first, I just bought little ones from Target.  I mixed the lanterns with fabric to add color, texture and interest to my back patio.  I was amazed after the first time I did it.  It looked so festive, I loved it!  
I hung the lanterns from my patio top, but you can hang them from trees, umbrella's, put them on sticks and "plant" them all around the garden and they are handy inside as well.  You can hang them from the ceiling or use them to decorate a table.  At first, I thought they were only used if you were having an Asian theme, but quickly found that they  go with any style.  They are super simple to use.  They unfold accordian style and you just stick a metal straightener in the center and viola!!!  The first couple of times I hung them, I just used twine.  I've learned if you use fishing wire, the wire is invisible and they look more like they are just floating in space.  You can use them over and over again.  You just take out the metal bracket and the lantern collapses and you tuck them away until you need them again.  

They come in all colors, shapes and sizes.  I often buy from a company called Luna Bazaar.  But, last year I found great fun colors in the dollar bin at Target, or at Joannes, etc.  That's why when I saw these...I had to have them!!!  These 6 lanterns are actually two sets of three that I purchased at Rogers Gardens and won't they go perfect with these...
I bought these napkins and tablecloth at Rogers with the second half of my Mother's Day present.  My kids know me so well!!!  One thing I've learned is you have to be open to buying for a holiday way, way, way before that holiday is even a thought in your head!

Greg the Philosopher!!!

Greg is now officially graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a BA in Philosophy!  He was done with all his classes in December but he made his family proud when he walked with his class on May 9, 2009.  His passion is soccer and he got to live his dream of playing in college at Loyola.  He got good grades and made all of us proud!  He now has a great job and is ready to begin married life!

Alyssa and her fiance Greg, Graduation 2009

Tablescape Thursday - Outdoor luncheon

Please join our Hostess, Susan, at Between Naps on the Porch, for more beautiful tablescapes.
Because of the shadows created by the patio cover, it is hard to see the table, but you get the idea.  I'm using some of the dishes I have collected from Home Goods over the past couple of months.  I turned over the striped placemats from last weeks beach tablescape to use today.  I added my pillows from Home Depot to soften the chairs. 
I love these salad plates with the orange roses.  I bought a set of 12 napkins in a package for $14.99 from Home Goods.  I then took them to monogram magic and had our last name initial put on each one. For these napkins I chose tone on tone.  I also had some light blue napkins done. I had white thread for the monogram on the blue napkin. 
I love how they turned out.  You get to pick your own font and you would be surprised at how many there is to chose from!  I had something totally different in mind, but they didn't have what I had in mind, so I chose this.  Sometimes you just have to go with the flow!
I found this adorable little bunny at Home Goods.  My family gave me $100 gift cert for Mother's day.  Already spent it!!!  I knew exactly what I would get and this little garden bunny was on the list.
I picked these gorgeous flowers from my garden.  I had two orange roses in bloom and filled the bouquet in with various purple flowers.  Flowers are my weakness, I love them, but I'm not very good and putting them into bouquets.