Winner

I was the lucky winner of Inger Marie's giveaway (I never win these things)!  I love my new teaspoons and the lovely floral paper she wrapped the package in.  The package was quite beautiful and thoughtfully wrapped.  Thank you, Inger Marie!  Her blog is such an amazing source of inspiration for me.

Side note: Blogging can be such a great way to connect with people who share your interests, and a great way to meet new people from all over the world.  Blog connections are kind of like modern pen pals.  And winning these teaspoons was so cool since I got to connect to someone in Denmark who bought the vintage teaspoons at a farm in Sweden.  Now they have a new home in LA where they'll accompany many bowls of ice cream and cups of warm tea.

During the day

I've really been trying to walk and exercise more during the work day.  

I took a really nice 15 minute walk today in the South LA neighborhood, and found this flower and twig along the walk.  Such nice gifts are helpful motivation to get out and about during the week!

Found on the street

Hi, my name is Linda and I'm a dumpster diver/garbage picker/branch hoarder.  Hi, Linda.

I just can't help it.

I found this guy at the park after the crazy Santa Ana winds last month.

I'm going to repaint this guy and use it as storage.

Hi.

Not pictured are some milk crates I found on the curb that I promptly washed with hot water and disinfectant.  Yes!

Finding Beauty in the everyday

As you can probably tell, I like taking pictures of everyday objects :)

Antiques and Old Towne Orange

Did any of you grow up watching PBS' Antiques Roadshow?  I remember catching it here and there on PBS with my brothers when we were little.  We enjoyed watching the reactions of people finding out what their treasures were worth . . . or not worth, at which point we would laugh at the TV like we would laugh at one another if we had accidentally tripped over a rock while walking to school.  We weren't very nice.

Fortunately, when I watch the show now I'm a bit more sympathetic to people's reactions.  There was one episode where a man started choking up when he found out how much his antique mug was worth.  It was almost as if he was in a tough situation and needed the money.  This made me tear up. 
And speaking of emotional reactions on this show, there's a stark difference between the American version and the British one.  The people on the British version of the Roadshow are far more restrained and controlled in their reactions whereas you've got Americans hugging the appraisers once they find out that great-grandma's old painting is worth thousands.  It's very entertaining.

I enjoy the history and uniqueness of antiques but find that thrifting and flea markets fit my budget a bit better than hardcore antique shopping.  It's just exciting for me to look through piles of junk to find unique treasures and objects that I can give a second life to.  I seriously get an adrenaline rush hunting for those hidden gems.  There are all these junk shops and thrift stores in my new neighborhood so I can't wait to explore soon.

I found these pictures that I took over the summer during my visit to the Orange Circle Antique Mall in Old Towne Orange.  I took a trip with some of the college students I used to work with.  I love this area of Orange County because it feels like a quaint, small town.  They hold an International Street fair each summer so I took pictures of some of the banners lining the different blocks.

Are you an antiquing/thrift store fan?  What treasures have you found recently?

Collaboration: Monsters and MISfitted

I had the pleasure of meeting the Monsters and MISfitted through the art show I participated in recently.  The Monsters collaborated with MISfitted to create some sweet bows.  I like that the Monsters are versatile . . . one day you may see them on bows, the next day you may see them on buildings in your city.  They're a bit elusive so they don't keep a website but check out MISfitted's Etsy store for fun and quirky handmade gifts this holiday season.  You can also catch her at Unique LA this weekend.   
      

The Monsters wait . . .

Monster mail!

Mini Monster canvas added to my mini gallery.

Monster bows . . . perhaps they will go to some cool little girls named A and C when the girls get older.  They'll be the coolest kids around.

Bottle cap bows: unique, quirky, with that handmade touch!

Cultural Milieu

New work I started on found wood (am I coming out of my floral fixation?) / Jeremyville at Tender Greens in Santa Monica / Yogurtland + Hello Kitty

Night scene

I drove past here last night and it made me smile.

Randoms

I generally love Southern CA weather but one thing I do not look forward to are the Santa Ana winds.  The hot, dry wind drives me crazy!  I hate the feeling of hot dry wind on my skin and my allergies start to act up.  Yet on Saturday, in the midst of Santa Ana wind craziness, I found my apartment complex littered with branches--branches of every shape and length.  I went to town while walking the dog and picked up almost every branch I could find because they were just so darn sculptural and pretty (I'd actually like to learn the names of the plants and trees I see every day at some point but for now I will call them trees and plants).

I'm loving the curve of these branches.  It's a little hard to tell but the vase the flowers are in used to be the base of a hookah pipe.

There's always an occasion for fresh flowers!

In other news-- although most people know by now--I'm moving to Los Angeles in the summer.  I have lived in Orange County for the past 12 years so it's exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time to think about the big move.  I'll also be transitioning careers . . . there's lots of change going on in my life but I'm excited.  Change is good.

Back to the branches . . . this find was EPICally awesome.  I don't know what to do with it yet so it's on our porch for now.

I got this broken garden pagoda top for free on Craigslist and I want to make a table top out of it.  

This blog could be called "Things on Tables, and Things I've Found in the Street".  Here are some more lovely pics from the past few weeks . . .

My mom used to display onions in the kitchen when they'd start to sprout so that inspired me.

Tired of regular Greek salad?  Why not bake the ingredients?  I'd cut the feta into smaller pieces.