hittin' the road

My dad and I leave today for our springtime road trip. We'll be gone for about a week which is the longest I have been away from Mr. C since... forever.

Hopefully, I'll get some perfect pictures of the places we go to share with y'all.

Hats by Arturo

Would that I had an occasion to wear one of these hats by L.A. designer Arturo Rios. Maybe if I were going to a tea party in the movie Brazil. If you have such an occasion, you can shop for one of Arturo's hats in his Etsy shop.

{images from Arturo Rios on Etsy}

comfort food

I love italian food when the weathers cold. So I was totally stoked when the March issue of Bon Appétite had all these baked pasta recipes. This rigatoni dish with eggplant and pine nuts is my latest fave.

It is chock full of yummy veggies and fresh basil, not to mention mozzarella and parmesan. Delish.

Back to Black

Have totally been listening to and loving Amy Winehouse's Back to Black. It totally fits into the motown soundtrack of my life right now. I know, I'm a little late coming to this amazing stuff. But better late than never, right?

{photo of Winehouse as a kid found on the web without a credit}

Adjusting

We caught a matinee of The Adjustment Bureau on that pouring rain Sunday last week. It was entertaining and touched that soft, gooey, love-conquers-all spot in my mind (or heart).

I must say, that Anthony Mackie (pictured in the foreground above) really got my attention. What a cutie.

Have you seen or heard of any good flicks lately? Please do tell.

{first photo found here, second found here}

antique weekend

This weekend was perfectly full of antiquities. Saturday, my mom and I stopped into a hole in the wall in Santa Barbara's Victoria Alley. I can't remember the name of the shop, but I can find it again. And when I do, I'll buy my mom those yellow bakelite clips and that tiffany blue make up mirror that she wouldn't get for herself.

Yesterday, Mr. C and I strolled through downtown Ventura's Times Remembered. Checking out our local vintage used to be a common pastime, but it has been a while. Maybe because I always find something that I'm sure I can't live without. Like that amazing Spring dress I spotted and that ideal lace and ribbon slip.

Look out!

Look out Spring Break! Here I come.

Today is the first official day of my two week vacay from the high school where I teach. Oooh I just love the holidays. Think I'll take a drive up the coast and listen to some rock and roll to set the mood.

{photo of the kinks found here}

Ups and Downs

I absolutely love this Wella "Hair With Personality" campaign and I'm suddenly enamored with the design group that made it.

I hope this weekend gives you call to wear your hair up. Or maybe to let it all down. Whichever direction you go, have a good one.

Evening Rose by Glass Elevator

That's my brother singing. He's awesome. This is one of my favorite songs by his band, Glass Elevator.

art of compasion

I am touched by all the Etsy artists and creators who are using their shops to aide relief efforts in Japan. My heart swells.

I made a little treasury to showcase just a few of the vendors who are doing what they can. Check them out here.

{Blue Blossoms art print by Misha Ashton-Moore}

Do it more.

My husband just sent me an interesting article about how having more sex could save a persons life. Read the scientific facts here.

wrapped in organic cotton

Little City's organic cotton 2 sided scarf just popped up in an Etsy treasury. I'm always so flattered when that happens.

I just received fresh organic cotton swatches and am planning a new series of scarves in different colors. So I'm especially happy to receive praise for this design.

{photo by Ian Crawford}

Lilacs & Mums

Lilacs are in season and are decorating our local farmers' market. When these lovelies are in bloom I always buy a bunch for my mom. They're her favorite.

Not only are lilacs easy on the eyes, but they smell wonderful—like the freshest springtime perfume. We filled out our lilac bouquet with some pale pink mums.

Do you have a favorite spring blossom?

Out to Breakfast

I do so love going out to breakfast when Mr. C and I can find the time. We have a favorite spot, Cafe Nouveau. It's just down the street from our lil' Ventura bungalow and we can sit on the patio and eat waffles and mimosas.

Do you have a favorite breakfast spot? Is it near to your home or far and what do you always eat when you go?

our hearts go out

What's happening in Japan is unbelievable and terrifying. I mostly feel helpless when I think of all the destruction. But there are little things we can do... like giving 20% of sales from our Little City Designs Etsy shop to relief efforts.

Couple that with the blog reader coupon for 15% off your entire purchase, and there's never been a better time to buy that organic shirt you've had your eye on.

{Click here to shop. Use coupon code THEBOARD at checkout to receive 15% off.}

green without envy

I was pinched twice yesterday for forgetting to wear green. I'm certain I could've avoided it had I been wearing one of these fantastic numbers from Etsy.

And had I outfitted Mr. C with these magnificent cufflinks, he could've shown off his Irish side...

{photos and products... jade mini; vintage mint dress; pleat & stripe skirt; emerald gown; vintage cufflink perfection}

Girl From Ipanema

It's not yet Spring and I'm already excited for Summer. The warmer weather and the slightly longer days have me thinking of bare feet and beach bon fires... of late afternoons spent listening to jazz records and holding hands with my sweetheart.

The Girl From Ipanema is one of my all time favorite summertime songs. Maybe in part because Astrud Gilberto (pictured above) had such lovely summer style. And maybe because I can remember many perfectly sunny days with that song as the soundtrack.

What do you listen to when you want to dream of long days and warm weather?

{images found here}

Mandarins

Mandarin oranges (otherwise known as tenagerines) are some of the most wonderful fruits invented. They come in perfect little easy to peel packages and they taste like the best ever candy.

Satsumas have been at our local farmer's markets lately and they are my favorite FAVORITE of all the mandarins. We buy at least 3 pounds a week and it's never enough.

Pink Jasmine

My favorite thing about this time of year is the pink jasmine that blooms all over Ventura. I like to bury my face in the bunches of blossoms and breathe in. It smells like being in love.

For as delicate as it looks, it's remarkably easy to cultivate here in Southern Cali. I might even call it a drought tolerant plant. At least, I hardly water our many bushes and it still grows and creeps and climbs like crazy.

Awesome Art update

The Awesome Art opening reception was tonight. After all the anticipation and preparations, I was too sick to attend. I did get some good feedback about the event though and about the work of our Oak Grove Students. I heard it was, in fact, awesome.

Above are some photos from our student curated print show. It's up right now in the Staircase Gallery (on the way to the second floor of our art building).

object of desire

Spring is here and my feet are dying to be in these shoes. Over-the-top and they go with nothing... they're perfect.

{available at DSW.com}

Half Baked

I'm finally back in the kitchen and starting to bake again. Sunday, I made a pimiento mac & cheese and lemon grass lemon bars, both from recipes I found in this month's Bon Appétite.

And last night I baked a couple of herb quiches with all butter crusts. Yum.

{Lovely lemon bar photo by Adrian Gaut}

Awesome Art

Mr. C and I spent the better part of yesterday prepping and delivering student art for the annual Awesome Art Show. The block printed piece above, created by one of my fabulous Oak Grove students, will be making an appearance in the exhibit.

The show is up from March 10 - April 17 at the Ojai Valley Museum. Click here for more info.

{Art by Jemma. Photo by me.}