fun tip tuesday

COCONUT OIL




Coconut oil makes an amazing all natural body moisturiser.  I use this on Herc and myself daily,  John who usually doesn't moisturise has used it after long day in the sun and is a big fan.  It is 5.99 for 16. oz at TJ's and goes a long way! You can pretty much get it at any grocery store now a days.  Whole foods or any health store will carry it as well.  I like to get the edible grade. It has a very light smell, but you can add essential oils to change the fragrance if you'd like.  I like to add a few drops of eucalyptus oil when Herc is congested or fussy.  Lavender oil is nice too before bed.



Another fun little use of Coconut oil is Home Made Chocolate MAGIC SHELL for ice cream.

Melt 1 cup chocolate chips in double boiler or microwave, then add 2 TBL. of coconut oil and mix until smooth and shiny.  Drizzle over ice cream and let harden for about 30 seconds!  Easy!



You can store extra in an air tight container at room temp for up to two days.

Have a fun week!

xo helen

Renegade L.A.

Today I took a little break from packing, and went to the Renegade L.A. craft fair with a friend.

It was nice to enjoy the fresh air and peruse the aisles of pop up tents.  I got some good ideas and

also found some Washi tape I had been looking for.  Picked me up a bow hair clip while there cause I've

been wanting to try out this style, and finished off our visit with some naughty french fries and garlic aioli

sauce.  Afternoon well spent.  Another check off my leaving L.A. bucket list.



.

what's really good?

Japan L.A.

this is where I want to be

I am speechless by the beauty of this vacation home in Tinos! The architecture and interior design are such a calm, fresh and playful twist of the traditional island white wash style.  The interior was designed by Marilyn Katsaris and the architecture by Zege. All photos (c) by Yiorgos Kordakis

This is where it gets good...


...really good!



Is this not the most beautiful space you've seen?



Look at this bath built into the mountain!! Seriously!



Absolutely breath taking!

15 Minute POWER Greens Mac and Cheese

Most of my kitchen is now packed up, I have left out a few pots and pans and utensils.

Most days I am too tired to cook, or don't want to because I want to enjoy what time I have left

here in L.A. with friends and the weather! Tonight I threw this together and I wanted to share because  


everyone ate it up. It was pretty healthy, easy and quick!  I am crushing on the Power Organic Baby Green 


mix at Trader Joe's, it's spinach, kale and chard.  I add it into everything, eggs ,smoothies, lasagna, it's great! 




I used...

 2 boxes Trader Joe's Organic White Cheddar Shells

 1 bag TJ's Organic Power Baby Greens

5 slices Jones Nitrate free Canadian Bacon diced

1 handful TJ's  Italian blend Shredded Cheese (opt.)

Follow regular directions for White Cheddar Shells.

In seprate pan saute bacon for a few minutes

During the last minute of boiling the pasta throw in your Greens.

Cook for one more minute than strain.

Melt butter than add milk and cheese pack, mix and simmer.  Throw in a handful of cheese blend.

Combine pasta, cheese and bacon and season with a little pepper.

All done!

Brown Box Galore

It is slowly happening, brown boxes are piling up in corners, I'm triping on tape rolls and yes, getting a little stressed.  Herc is having fun with the boxes playing peek-a-boo!

Something about brown craft paper makes me happy!

A few years back for my God son's birthday I bought him this Book


and I gave it to him with a pack of markers and a big brown box.

He loved it and so did his sister and brother!  After his party we made it into a castle.

Here are some other great uses for a brown box.

more ideas here







and what about this super cute coffee shop

Happy Friday!

go to the beach...

or go to the pool...

or just run through a sprinkler...

heck jump in the bathtub!

Just Stay Cool



photo via Apartment therapy

Sock Bun Craze

                            
                               photo via:  http://thestylespy.com



             If you haven't heard about it or seen this yet, it's probably just cause your not on pinterest...and believe me that's fine!  Today was my last day of teaching Mommy and Me music at the YMCA, bittersweet.  I knew I was going to take some photos and seriously my last two years in photos have been me with a crazy messy bun. Everyone claims that the sock bun is quick and easy, so I tested it out! It took all of two minutes and it still had a messy feel to it but turned out cute.  If I had maybe five minutes I could have done a better job, but I had to hurry, cause Herc climbed into the bathtub with a pencil and went to town.  (He draws on everything with any writing utensil he can get his hands on, and secretly I don't care...I love it!).

This is how my bun turned out.

for a step by step Sock Bun tutorial that is easy to follow click HERE

Casually fun!

What a fun, casual look for this fall.  H & M +

Tailored jackets that skim curves give fuller body types beautiful silhouettes!

This really is a easy look to accomplish.

1. Fitted button up, have fun with it.

2.  Fitted blazer, just got one from Nordstrom Rack.

3.  Your favorite jeans!

Jeans in Bloom

 Fall really is a fun time of year.  I've been seeing a lot of floral patterns this year.

If you feel like florals are too girly or busy, pair them with jeans for a relaxed rooted look.

anthropologie

Summer Baby!

As we were running out the door this morning, I looked back at this mess and I smiled.  As we get closer to leaving L.A.  my heart aches a little more each day.  This is where we have stayed up and laughed with friends, this is where we brought Herc home to,  this is where we watched him grow.  Any way, I wanted to share cause there are a lot of friends and family that never got to feel its warmth, or see it's beautiful city views.

We have been in full summer mode,

...playing in buckets!

horse back riding...

 practicing our fine motor skills and putting coins in a home made piggy bank.

                                   and swinging from trees!

it's gonna be a bright...bright...bright sun shiny day

I finally made it to Target to get some Dr.Scholl's Ball of Foot cushions, cause I was sliding through these.

Problem fixed!

I also picked up some new PLAY-Doh and food coloring for summer activities with Herc!

I roll out coils and little balls for him and than we say"SQUEEZE!" It's a fun and easy activity to do together.

a few of my favorites for the weekend

Fun beachy bunks

VogueLiving

here's a few more summer home bunks

via apartmenttherapy

and how perfectly crazy is this?      image from French By Design


and what about this couch of sweetness!


photo via pinterest


Go have a fun filled Sunday!  Soak up some sun, July is half way done!

Of course he's mine!

This is how we left the house for a picnic with friends...
(i know it's a little messy just ignore it)

THIS is how we left the picnic!

Have you seen this? 25 ways to wear a scarf in 4.5 minutes.

      A friend showed this to me the other day.  I will definitely be referencing it!  It shows you step by step how to tie your scarf and which styles work better with what scarves. It's by Wendyslookbook.

Marblellous

What a beautiful serving platter, hand made by Greek artist Filio Pnevmatikou.  Her family has run a marble company in Greece for 40 years.  This is such a wonderful blend of fun, function, old textures and modern aesthetics! I want one for my self! Had to share made me smile!

more BETH + JONATHAN

really what more can I say?  ENJOY











.... I did the place cards with the faux calligraphy technique!





...and like that they drove off into the sunset!

ALL PHOTOS via JACOB MARIANO

three years

Three years filled with smiles, kisses and hugs...

sprinkled with arguments and comprimises...

blessed with a baby...

Happy Anniversary John, Thank you for being so wonderful!


   

BETH + JONATHAN

                      Family DIY wedding 
           weekend at Highland Spring Resort

      




 Saturday morning began with a buzz. Beth and Jonathan's family and friends where moving about the Resort like worker bees decorating, arranging and preparing for the festivities to come!  
Duties where dispatched, and everyone carried out their missions with care, speed and effeciancy!







Beth and Jonathan hand picked every thoughtful detail with purpose and meaning!
From the day they began the planning they knew they wanted this to be a weekend for family and friends, to come together to share and witness their love for each other. 


Beth's a costume designer, so she wanted her dress and Jonathan's suit to special and fabulous, and that they where!   Her wedding dress and cocktail dress were custom made using pieces of her mother's and grandmother's wedding dresses and veils.  Jonathan's suit was custom tailored.


 



Guests met at Evergreen Lane for champagne and hors d'oeurves, and were serenaded by the Mariachi band .  The guests were then led by the band to the Olive Orchard, where the couple exchanged their vows.
















The vows where sweet and quick. John, my husband,  officiated the wedding and a reading was done by Beth's Grandma Jenny.




Let the Party begin!!






Did I mention Beth LOVES PINK?!


This is just the tip of the iceberg!  Tomorrow I will post more of the amazing details and super fun photo shoots they did together.


All photos are by JACOB MARIANO