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!

Spring is busting out all ovahhhhh!

I love April in Los Angeles. The skies are soft and gray in the morning, keeping the air cool. By mid-afternoon, the sun shines brightly. The nights cool down again and bring moisture to the air. It's fantastic. It is the kind of weather that encourages growth!

I was recently invited to speak at an event in Santa Monica for a group of female rabbi's. I was there as an improv coach who encouraged them to say "yes" more and to laugh, all in the name of office dynamics. They were intrigued with this theory. As an improviser, this is what we live by. It was nothing new for me.

But what was new for me was being around people of such open and unappologetic faith. Often, being in the world of comedy, I don't meet many non-cynics, especially when it comes to religion and after-life. One of the rabbi's, a woman named Sarah, asked the group, "When your life ends, what kind of questions do you want to be asked, and what do you wish your answers to be?" It really got me thinking.

I want to live with purpose.

I want to recognize my gifts and talents and leave a mark on the world.

And I want to recognize and appreciate the beauty around me.

So in honor of Spring, gratitude, and growth, I give you this:

I saw this purple patch of magic, beating the odds, busting through the concrete floors of Hollywood's hard streets, and growing up out of the earth. It reminds me that beauty and growth and purpose can not be squelched... not even in the most cynical city in the world.

Happy Spring.

Pupcakes & Catcakes!

My wonderful friend is doing a fundraiser tonight to help animals in need. It's a charity called Blankets of Love. There will be a comedy show followed by a reception. All proceeds go to help provide supplies and blankets to animal shelters in Los Angeles. She asked me if I would be willing to donate some cupcakes. Would I???? Heck yeah! So I made some themed cupcakes to help out our furry little friends.

Chocolate and Coconut kitties and hounds.

Who let the dogs out? (yup I made that reference).

These adorable snacks make you wanna paws.

did i ever show you this?

Greetings. I know this hasn't been so "weekly", but I am BACK! And i wanted to show you a video I wrote/ shot/ voiced and used in a live holiday show I did back in December. Enjoy!

Hello Love.

Two things have recently come to my attention. They are both awesome for very different reasons. First, I was sitting at a red light this morning and I looked over into the window of a car dealership and saw this. A Hello Kitty Smart car!

Second... Copy and paste this address below, sit down, andlisten. It's really wonderful. Have a great week!

http://love.lettinggo.tv/marci/

A little help from my friend.

My talented and amazing friend, Layla, designed these for me. I am so honored. She is a graphic artist who creates and sells beautiful cards, prints, jewelry, and more on Etsy. Go to her Etsy shop to completely fall in love with her art! Her brand is called Dollface Design. Click here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/dollfacedesign

She made these tags to encourage me to start selling my work. I am making aprons, softies, and quilts. And now I have no excuse!!! I will premiere them on here soon.

And these two prints I will frame and hang in my sewing room/ office. They are my adorable inspiration! I am so lucky to have such a great friend.

Anthropologie premiered a new website featuring wedding attire today. It is called Beholden or Bhldn. Take a look and prepare to dream.

These are amazing bridal party dresses. The details and feel of them are so romantic.

Here are some boleroes that make my heart beat race. They are both so delicate and feminine. I am in love!

And here comes the Bride...

This first one looks like an angel's kiss. Any bride could float through the her magical night looking soft, simple, and dream-like.

This one above is my fave. It is retro and modern at the same time. I love the bold and colorful shoes, the flowery details on the skirt, and a peeking-out petticoat. It is a creamy desert.

And finally this amazingly vintage sass-afrass above! When you see this bride, you know you are in for an evening of excitement and fun. I can hear the band playing a charleston right now.

Want to fall in love even more? I dare you to click below:

http://www.bhldn.com/index.cfm

Hey, Sugar. It's Valentines.

Sometimes when you go through the cupboards, you can find all the ingredients you need to make a special treat. If your cupboards are like mine, they are full of colored sugars and star-shaped cookie cutters. Yum!

Cats.

All cats are cute. I love their fuzzy little ears, their pink wet noses, and their smooth little foot pads. I was 25 years old when I got my first and current pet, my sweet cat, Niti. She is a little angel. And she is my favorite kind of cat. There are two types of cats: the independent and proud beauties who occasionally give you the time of day, and then there are the affectionate, social, and often demanding kind. Mine is the latter. And, mostly, I love it!

I can not lay on my bed or couch without her wanting to be on my lap. At night, she sleeps on my hips. She begs for my food. She rarely actually eats it, she just wants to smell it and check it out, as if she is protecting me before I injest it. When I am on the phone, she must be in the room so she can listen in. And, I don't think I have ever peed without her pawing and moo-ing at the door or already at my feet during my private act. She just needs to be by my side all the time. We are only mildly co-dependent.

She is the ever-present sweetness in my life. Right now she is sitting under my leg while I type. I think everyone should have a pet. I am so grateful for mine. She makes each day precious. Every morning while I am drinking my coffee, that she has first sniffed to make sure it's okay, she finds a spot of sunshine in our apartment and settles in for her morning nap. In the afternoon, she snuggles up to me for her petting and adoring while she gts ready for her afternoon nap. At night, she demands that we play fetch and catch with her favorite toy, a crumpled up piece of paper. And before we settle in for our night's sleep, she licks and chews on my hair. And she sings her joyful purring in my ear, the greatest sound in the world. I am so lucky for this little cat.

So, in honor of Niti, here are some cat Valentines:

Here is a tiny Valentine. And this is an Adopt a Kitty bag that my husband bought me last year. It's a really sweet gift for that special someone in your life.

I loved this teacher Valentine. And this mischievous little feline above. Is he lifting weights? Hmmm...

And here she is, my sweet Niti.

Meow,

Jen

Sweet lil' cards.

As I have mentioned, I am a BIG fan of products disguised as food. Know what else I love? Food with faces!!! I will forever remember my utter joy as a child of nine when my parents took me to EPCOT and we walked into "Food Rocks" (a rock concert with giant food puppets singing parodied rock songs in an effort to promote healthy eating. Awe-some.) I love when my food sings to me. Know what else I love... food puns! Below are some of the most perfect Valentine cards in town. They meet all of my requirements for awesomeness: retro-looking food, with faces, and a punny message. Enjoy.

Turnip. Hilarious.

A good egg. A good CARD!

Okay, this next one doesn't have food... but it is just so darn cyyuuuuute!

Say this next one out loud. It'll make ya giggle.

How much do you love her little bow?

Am I right, people? A-dor-able.

This popcorn one is my favorite. It's a double pun with a politeness. It's not demanding that you be the Valentine... it's unassumingly asking.

And this one is just so sweet.

Happy Valentines Day gang!