2 of my favorite things:

1. My Cat.

2. My fondness for making quilts on my new Hello Kitty sewing machine!

The other morning THIS happened:

When two things you love come together it is magic (like a Reeses cup or a chocolate pretzel or a soft furry angel on a first-work-of-art). Meow.

Retro Shower, Hosted by yours Truly...

I have this wonderful friend, named Andy, who is getting married in July. She and I have a lot of things in common: we both love artichokes, we both love movie musicals, and most of all we both have an unquenchable thirst for early 60's kitsch. So, when she asked me to throw her a bridal shower, it was a no-brainer when it came time to choose a theme. We were instantly inspired to create an over-the-top retro party. Here are some of the details that made it a special and beautiful day for one special and beautiful lady.

All of the attendees were asked to come dressed in Fabulous 50's attire.

Deviled eggs anyone?

A jar of wishes and wisdom for the Bride and Groom.

I made some amazing almond cupcakes with chocolate frosting. The cherry on top makes it look super-nifty.

Nothing says "You are one special lady" like a macaron bride tower! Each macaron was "glued" to the cone with tempered chocolate. The bride's veiled photo was fastened to the top.

Late 50's and early 60's music put each gal in the festive and timely spirit. Every hand held a delicate glass of bubbly or a Kir Royale. Each guest left with a thank you cherry-motiff apron.

The Orange Sunrise Jello Mold - with VODKA! A scientific wonder!

Best recipe ever: http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/orange-sunrise-110752.aspx?

There's nothing that screams kitschy party food like a Tower of Appetizers, aka the Appe-tower, full of fresh vegetables and pickles ready to dip.

All in all, it was a terrific day!

What Time is it?

It's time to get a ring watch. I realize this is one step away from wearing holiday themed jewelry, like Christmas Bulb earrings and American Flag necklaces. I am not quite there yet. But... I had one of these a while back and dumbly left it on an airport bathroom sink when washing my hands. I miss it! I love it! And it is much easier than the wrist-shackling feeling of wearing a watch... so I plan on getting another one.

They are impossibly hard to find, and when you do, they are usually crappy. This kind is tried and true:

http://www.amazon.com/Carolyn-Forsman-Ring-Watch-white/dp/B000N89VP4/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1XB8TCL08TRGG&colid=2ZPDV2TK7K7KD

Sew Cyuuuuuute!

I just joined a quilting club. We meet once a month on Mondays to create some fabric magic. The cool thing about this group is that in exchange for learning this amazing art form from these talented and patient ladies, we donate every blanket we make to hospitals and charitable organizations! Everybody wins!

Since the average age of the group members is 68, I am like a darling granddaughter to all of them! I love it! It reminds me of when I used to go with my grandmother to her weekly hair appointment. All of the ladies giving me candy, hugs, and endless attention, it fills that place in me that so misses my grandmas. I am so happy I took the risk and went.

Another risk I took. I bought this little mechanical joy! It's a Hello Kitty Sewing Machine by Janome. Yes, I am really getting into this 8-year-old little girl feeling! Seriously, I did endless hours of internet research and this is a great beginner's machine. It's strong enough for quilting and will make me smile when I sew. I am vey intimidated by sewing machines, as I nearly failed Costuming 101 in College after breaking two machines. (I had to do hours of wardrobe crew on the plays to make up for my complete lack of sewing skills). This machine will allow me to be a beginner. I am ecstatic and inspired to make blankets and bring warmth to the world!

Once I assemble my first quilt, I will most certainly put it up on this blog. Until then, wish me luck.

In Honor of Mother's Day... Baby animals!!!

Mother's Day approaches. This is a day of breakfasts, flowers, and sentimental cards. In my geographical predicament, it's a day of bi-coastal phone calls where I try to express my deepest gratitude and love for the 3 ladies who raised me: my mom, my Gram, and my Sito (grandma is Arabic). These are women who woke me up in time for school, laughed at my corny jokes, encouraged my talents and skills, yelled at me for smoking and kissing boys, fed me great ethnic family foods, told me I was beautiful and then begged me to wear colors instead of all black, held exhausting 8-hour a day jobs that they rushed home from to turn around and drive me back up 95 to take me to dance classes 4 times a week, and were my shoulder to cry on when I learned life's hard lessons. These are the role models that molded me into the (nearly) perfect adult woman that I am today. How do you thank someone for that?

Recently I have had a change of heart about my priorities and have decided to focus less on career climbing and more on building a family (I had written some horrible analogy about being lucky with your eggs and gambling on the fertility-slot-machine and seeing what pops out... but it got too graphic). But, I believe this is one way to let my mom know what an amazing job I think she did... by trying motherhood myself. It has such purpose.

I am currently the proud mother of a 4-pawed gray tabby. She is a beauty. I give her all of the love she deserves and then some. As you well know by now, I am a sucker for soft furry friends. So, in honor of motherhood - past, present, and future, I share this with you.

First a special thanks to Miss Andy Goldblatt and Jeff Crocker, who so kindly called my attention to this website called Zooborns! A site devoted to baby animals born in zoos. Ahhh! I love it! Too cute!

And now meet Baby Quembo at the zoo in Frankfurt, West Germany:

You can learn more about this little sweet one here: http://www.vancouversun.com/travel/Photos+Meet+Quembo+Frankfurt+baby+gorilla/4070215/story.html

Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers of the earth... especially mine!

Best. Cupcakes. Ever.

Hey Everybody,

I celebrated Easter to the fullest this year. My husband and I dyed eggs. We exchanged baskets full of yummy treats. And I made the greatest cupcakes known to my mouth... Cabury Creme Egg chocolate cupcakes, topped with home-made vanilla frosting, and finished off with a Robyn's Egg Whopper. The beauty of these babies is that the chocolate cake recipe is really dark and unsweet and then you get to the middle which is milky, creamy, dizzyingly sweet heaven! The key, freeze the creme eggs for at least two hours before you bake. Here is a link to one of the best recipes for the cake and frosting, (remember to freeze the cream eggs first) and also some pics. Now, my diet begins. Harumph.

Enjoy!

http://mummysmiles.com/2011/04/19/easter-cadbury-creme-egg-cupcakes-guest-post-by-kobi/

The early stages of greatness.

One of these "egg" foods is good for you. Wanna guess which one?

Yum Yum Yummmmmm!

almost easter time!

Cadbury eggs, jellybeans, and Peeps. Tulips and lillies. Allergy pill commercials. It's EASTER TIME! I have already begun to fill up baskets for my loved ones with Reese's eggs and candy classics covered in seasonal pastel wrapping. So, in honor of this Springtime holiday, I found these Easter images.

The parade of evil dancing bunnies is a bit haunting. And if you ask me, that gnome looks like he is up to no good... poor chicks.

These two beauties are showing you their Easter (and their West-er, North-er, and a little of their South-er). ehhh hhmmmm....

And from my favorite Christmas movie, comes my favorite Easter image... Ralphie!