2 Beautiful/Awesome movies

The Painted Veil: Beautiful

The Five Year Engagement: Awesome

Driftwood Wind Chimes

We picked up some driftwood and rocks at the beach a couple weeks ago and all I could think about is making a driftwood wind chime. I have been trying to add several things to the outside of our home to give it a little character. Here are some ideas I found.

woven together with jute and hex nut jewelry

stacked together with cotton twine (can find the tutorial here)

with muscle shells (love this!)

not a wind chime, but this would be a great idea for the holidays that are coming up.

Here are the materials I am going to use for this project:

via images: 1,2,3,4

Inspirational

As I was watching this amazing video, a thought came to mind. What would the world be like if everyone channeled their anger through art. Obviously there are various forms of art, but I can only imagine that the world would be a more colorful place.

Thursday in the Rain

It has finally started to rain here in Watsonville. The weather started out gloomy a couple days ago but the rain finally did come the night before and now it's drizzling! I am now looking forward to a lot of baking, cooking, watching holiday movies, and time spent with family and friends when on our trips back LA. Here are some things I am enjoying right now.

The Family Stone

Remember this movie? If you have not watched it already, it's a great movie that touches all the human emotions. 

Driftwood and Rocks

Succulents being fed

 Unique wrist clutches

Lovin' the shoes

via images: last two photos from the sartorialist

All Things Natural: Seashells by the Seashore

We made a visit to Manresa beach that's about 30 minutes away from our house. The first time I visited this beach, I just loved everything about it. Not to crowded, clean water, clean air, clean sand, beautiful sea shells, what more could you ask for at a beach? I was able to pick up some sea shells and sand dollars, which were very abundant. I am in the process of thinking of what I'll do with these shells but in the meantime, here are photos of what I picked up. The dried sea fan (in its natural color) was purchased at the pier in SF, isn't it just lovely?

 furry and smooth sand dollars

 seashells from the seashore

 more seashells and sea snail shells

sea rock with a brown/maroon shade

sea fan dried naturally

Recovering

I caught a bad cold from my husband this past weekend and have been recovering since. It's definitely times like these I am reminded to be thankful for mine and my family's health. The weather clearly did not help as it was between 90-100 degrees the past couple days. Thankfully, it has cooled down today. 

I have not been updating as often as I normally do but my MIL is visiting us and I have been trying to show her around Santa Cruz county as much as I can before she heads back to Japan next week. We have been visiting all the tour sites and to both our favorites vintage/second hand/flea markets. Here are some things I scored during our visit to the Santa Cruz flea market this past weekend. 

 vintage pant hangers 3 for $2

vintage eskimo mini fan bargained down to $8

 multi use handmade basket $.50

vintage talon zipper for $.25

Discoveries: Part 2

On my way home from Capitola yesterday, I decided to take the local way home with my mother in law (who is visiting with us for a month) to show her what's around town. I love taking the local way because of all the vintage antique stores that are along the way and even though we are in the car, it's so awesome to be able to see the village's/town's old buildings and what stores that populate them. We made a quick starbucks stop in a small plaza in Aptos that also has a store called Warmth Company. My husband and I have driven passed this store several times and always wondered what kind of store it was but never really got the chance to go inside. Like me, my mother in law also enjoys spontaneous things so I suggested we visit the store. To my surprise it was the perfect type of store that I love. They have home furnishings, all sorts of accessories, books, antiques, bath and body, and all kinds of good stuff. The owners are just lovely as well and they have a blog on their website that have such fun post to read up on. Stores like this make me feel so happy and inspired:) I was particularly inspired by the crochet and knitted blankets that they are carrying and was inspired to make my own for this winter. I will definitely be visiting the store more often. 

Warmth Company

Here are some crochet/knitted blanket inspirations

via images: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7