78. Hike up a new trail at Mt. Charleston.

This weekend was BEAUTIFUL!!!

If the weather in Las Vegas could have been like this through the summer, I would have had no complaints.

On Saturday morning we, picked a dog and headed up to Mt. Clarleston with our friend Cassie & Jason to hike the Bristle cone Trail.

























Cassie & Jason with their dog Mijo and J. and our dog Max.





These are some of the bristle cone pine trees for which the trail was named. They are the longest living trees on earth, reaching upwards of 5,000 years old!!!

Some of the amazing view (and the mountains ain't bad either harharhar!!!).

Round Up: Keepin' it Easy

As I'm sure most of you know, this (not today, but this past week or so) is the 5 year anniversary of the catastrophe that was Katrina and the devastating aftermath that followed.

Unlike the news shows and TV specials which are just focusing on the actual city of New Orleans and it's rebuilding in the aftermath, I wanted to pay tribute in a different way.

Here are a few things that I found in my internet travels that could be used to bring the spirit of the Big Easy in to your home.




Ceramic Mardi Gras Masks
A cluster of these hanging on the wall would look awesome for the Mardi Gras season.

Fleur de Lis Linen Arm Chair

This lovely chair is unfortunately sold out!!! But it would make a bold statement for a sophisticated office set up.

All that Jazz Wall Decor, circa 1955

I love these!!! I'm really digging the muted palate used, I think by holding back on the colors the artist really lets the movements of the musicians and instruments show.

Regal French Chandelier

This hanging light is reminiscent of the lanterns you'll find around the French Quarter. If you look closely you'll see that the details around the top of the glass is a pattern of Fleur De Lis!!!

New Orleans Water Meter Doormat

This was by far my favorite find!!! I would REALLY like to add this to my front porch!

#2. Watch a movie for every letter of the alphabet.

#2. Get NexFlix and watch a movie for every letter of the alphabet. (2/26)

C. The Contract
H. Hot Tub Time Machine

Last night the BF and I did some running around for a "new" VW (I'll get into more detail on that later)and then set up for a movie night. We picked The Contract because it's got my man John C. and then a favorite for both of us, Morgan Freeman. So I thought this was going to be an obvious hit, boy was I wrong.

Didn't like it at all. I thought the characters were boring and shallow and the story line was just dull. But hey, at least I'm chipping away at my list.

I thought it was hilarious!!! I love John Cusack (Uhhh....hello...Say Anything...) almost as much as I love cheezy comedies with completely imposable, and unrealistic story lines, so this one was in the bag for an obvious win.

To know Lloyd Dobler is to love him. And I love me some Lloyd Dobler.

#2

Movie List

A.

B.

C. The Contract

D. Date Night

E.

F.

G.

H. Hot Tub Time Machine

I.

J.

K.

L. Love Happens

M.

N.

O.

P.

Q.

R.

S.

T.

U.

V. Valentines Day

W.

X.

Y. Youth in Revolt

Z.

Tutorial Tuesday: Pink Lemonade Pie

Last summer a visiting friend of mine made this most delicious and refreshing, ultra-easy, summer treat, and this weekend I decided I wanted to make myself a pink lemonade pie!!!

Ingredients:

1 pie crust

1 container pink lemonade drink mix

1 container of vanilla ice cream

hot pink food coloring

In a large mixing bowl, combine ice cream (softened), 1 packet/container pink lemonade powder, and 4-6 drops of food coloring.




Give it a good mixing, at this point you'll be able to tell if you need a few more drops of food coloring (I like mine REALLY pink).


Fill the pie crust and pop it back in the freezer. Depending on the quality of the ice cream you used, it takes 20 min to a full hour for the pie to refreeze (i buy the cheep stuff, so it only too about a half our before we got dig in).


Really. It's that easy.

Black and White

The Black & White party was the bizzness!!!

And I expected nothing less, AFAN put on another stellar event. This year there was a pretty big group of our friends that made it out for the party and we managed to score a pretty key booth on the second floor that over looked the dance floor and the stage.

The Gentlemen.

The Ladies.

The masses lining up for the delicious grub!!

And thank you to the beautiful Miss Alyssa (center) for letting me "borrow" your pictures.

A few amendments.

2. Watch AMC top 100 movies.
Get NetFlix & watch a different movie for every letter of the alphabet.

29. Complete the 365 day photo challange.
Complete a 30 day photo challange.

78. Hike up Mary Jane Falls again.
Hike up a new trail at Mt. Charleston.



* If there is a need for any more changes in the future this will be the post they will be made on.

21. Re-hab 10 pieces of furnature (1/10)

Last year, the BF's step mom, Megan (who is also taking part in the Day Zero project) handed over these cute, retro/tiki-ish side tables.

BEFORE

She used them outside on her porch for a few years, so when I got them they had already had a good ol' fashioned desert sand blasting.

AFTER

I covered it (I have 2 but have only finished 1) with a few coats of a dark chocolate stain, and then painted the trim pieces a bright teal.

When I get the other one finished I'll try and post better pictures of the both of them.

So icy.

I've never thought this was an overly brilliant idea, but this past week, after a third person commend on this little method, I thought I would share.

The ice machine in our freezer hasn't worked since we moved into the house 2 years ago. So I keep these handy dandy ice trays full, and when ever I get a chance I dump them into the bucket and refill them.
And there you go. A full ice bucket all the time!!!

decisions, decisions

This weekend is AFAN Las Vegas's annual Black & White Party!!!!!!

Last year was AMAZING!!! We went with a few friends and all vowed then, that as long as we lived in Las Vegas, we would go to the B & W. Beautiful people, fantastic entertainment, great food, better company and FREE DRINKS!!! What more could you ask for?!?!

Last year I wore a black (a silk cocktail dress, and black shoes with silver headbands, purse and jewelry).....but so did most of the people there............so this year I want to be a bit different.

It's going to be a tough decision, and it's getting down to the wire.

White cotton dress with black polka dots, black clutch and sling backs.

or

White silky dress with silver pinstripes, silver clutch and silver strappy heels.

Hmmmmmmm............................................. Keep posted for the finial decision.

Tutorial Tuesday: Cork boards.

I know I'm a day off, but (provided I have technological cooperation) I'm going to try and do a Tutorial Tuesday.

A few week ago I finished up this project. Recovering the disgusting fake wood cabinets in the kitchen (if you look in the top left corner you can see some of it on the doors above the fridge) with a few coats of chalk board paint and a cork board.


I had a few dozen corks left over so I decided to make a smaller one.



Pick out a board. Something flat and smooth.

This is the back of a flooring sample I snatched from a pile, in my old office building.

Get your little fingers to work slicing those babies in half.

Here I've got a cheapo kitchen cutting board, and one of the gracious boyfriends box cutters from the garage.

WARNING!!!
You will get blisters. Be prepared.

Then, work some hot glue and finagling magic and waaaalaaaa!!!!!!!

A gift for my friends Andy and Briar, who provided the initial donation of wine corks that started the mania.

I know this tutorial leaves much to be desired in the progress and instruction department, so next time, I promise, it'll be much better...............and on a Tuesday.

It's the pits over here.

The Pack.

(L to R) Major, Dara and Max, doing what they do best.

Tuesday afternoon, J. picked up our newest (temporary) addition to the Pack.

This is the new foster, Pro, our new "Skinny Man".

He's about 4-6 months old and is a super sweetie, and I'll-tell-you-what, this boy can eat!!!! We aren't really sure on what his background story is, but I think he was taken to a groomer or kennel and then never picked up.

While he's with us I'm hoping he can put on a little weight (no one wants a skinny lookin' pup)and learn some manners. He needs some help with the potty training, as was expected with a puppy, but he also needs some work with how he deals with other dogs. At the moment he is under the impression that every ones food (except his......he doesn't want to share any of it) is community property and that EVERY ONE wants the play ALL THE TIME. Nothing too serious, and nothing Dara, Max and Major can't help with.

Daisy, the last foster sunbathing on the pool deck. After 3 months with us, she was adopted by an awesome family who was so stoked to have a new jogging buddy and foot warmer (she likes laying on your feet if you're sitting on the couch).

Since J. got Dara in 2005, pit bulls have had a permanent strong hold on both of our hearts, and will always get a warm welcome into our home.

This is Miss Dara modeling a scarf I made for a friends birthday last year.

Max (L) and Major (R) chasing deer through the snow on our trip to OK for Christmas this past year.

And this is Ethy the corn snake. She was given to us by one of my former coworkers. I'm not a huge fan of snakes, but I do like this one.

#1. Read 50 books (3/50)

Among Other Things, I've Taken Up Smoking.

It was alright. Sweeney is a great writer, but I just think the actual story was a bit of a bore. She did a fantastic job describing NYC, not as the glittery glamorous set of Sex & the City, Gossip Girls (some of my favorites) and the likes, but as a tough-as-nail, hard to get by, and easy to get lost metropolis.
Through the whole book I went back and forth with my feelings for the main character Miranda, but mainly thought she was a bit of a self pitying, whingy baby. I found my self saying to her about 50 times "...Get over it..."

I would like to read more of Aoibheann Sweeny's work though.

Round Up: Lovely Liquid Lights!!!

Over the last few months I have seen these sparkly light fixtures popping up all over the place. These liquid like lamps would really work well on a desk, bed side table or reading nook.

I love how curvy and round most of them are and I'm also really digging how versatile they can be. They're shinny and sparkly (which I totally love) and with a white or bright colored shade would go nicely with a more feminine look, but with the black shades they are also kind of industrial and metal like would make a great addition to a dark, cave of a bedroom (as to not alienate our man friends too much).


Grammercy Mercury Glass Table Lamp

Silver Gourds by Barbara Cosgrove

Satin Silver Touch

Haley Table Lamp

Calypso Mercury Glass Lamp

Unfortunately this lovely slender thing of beauty, was the only one in my price range, for $19.90 ad JC Penny's , and is also the ONLY one that's discontinued!

#6 Spend the night in 5 different states (1/5).

This past weekend was out of this world fantastic!!! It had all of the components of an over all, stellar occasion, food, friends, and Florida State!

On Friday evening we had a Mexican feast at our friends Matt and Ashleys house in Hollywood.

Matt found this beauty in their back yard while we we're looking for some veggies to cool with dinner.



There was some serious Florida love in the house, of the 10 people taking part in the taco fiesta, 8 of us were from the Mother Land.

I was planning on crossing off part 1 of #6. Spend the night in 5 different states, but due to the massive amout of partying we had to cram in that evening, sleeping got pushed to the next night.




Saturday morning Mr. J made a perfect breakfast!! Home style potato's, scrambled eggs and copious amounts of bacon and mimosas were EXACTLY was was needed after a rager with the LA family.





After a bit of recovery time, we decided to all head up the coast to make our way toward the car show.

But first, there was some serious beaching that needed to be done, so we managed to squeeze in an impromptu stop at a BEAUTIFUL cove, just past Malibu.





This is was we spent Saturday afternoon gazing at. It was glorious!!! As you can see, not a cloud in the sky, it was breezy and about 75-80 all day long, a really nice treat compared to the inferno that we are used to living in.






J. was in and out of the water all day but I was to much of a baby to get into those icy waves!!





We headed up to Buelton after a few hours of beaching it. It was a lot of fun up there as well.
I didn't get any pictures, but the weather was just as gorgeous and the company was great too.

All and all the weekend was a great success!!!!!



J. and I at the top of the trail down to the beach.