Lori & Todd » Life in General

CHEERS.

Lori — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 16:03:45 +0000

Cheers, Salud, a Toast… Farewell 2010, Hello new year.
Wishing all of you a wonderful, healthy, blessed and abundant new year.

Many blessings,
xo
Lori & Todd

Wine Weekend

Lori — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 14:41:52 +0000

Last weekend, I went on a girls trip with a few fun friends. We drove up north to Solvang / Santa Barbara, CA area. We stayed in Solvang at Hotel Corque. This town looks like it was straight out of a Disney movie for Hansel & Gretel. It’s a short drive to Santa Maria Valley and many of the wineries in this region. We were fortunate and have a connection through the Corona del Mar Wine Gallery. We had a few private tastings set up for us as well as an amazing dinner on Friday night. We met the various staff and interns from Tantara Winery and Presqu’ile Winery. Not only did we get to sample the wine but we mingled with the on site crew to see how the sorting process of grapes was actually done. We learned about the fermentation, and the various steps towards bottling the wine. Did you know that the wood for one barrel from France can cost up to $1,100 – this doesn’t even include it assembled!

Of course if wasn’t all fun and drinks- we did contribute some hard work… by stomping the grapes at Presqu’ile Winery. Each of us; myself, Andrea, Lisa and Michelle slid into these rubber waiters and stomped around the container of grapes. It was definitely an experience to cross off the bucket list. To see more photos, view the album here.

Rachael and Brian THE WEDDING

Lori — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 04:20:18 +0000

This past weekend Todd and I drove up to Mammoth with some great friends from Florida. The special occasion was for one of my closest friends weddings! Rachael and Brian Hansen… The decided to get married near Mammoth because of the obvious beauty but they first met in the area and Brian once lived in Mammoth. The guests and wedding party rented cabins at Convict Lake Resort—you can bring your dog! The location, scenery, weather, friends, food and atmosphere were perfect. Below are some of my favorite photos and moments throughout the weekend event. There are wild deers that live in the area- sadly people do feed them and they have become tame and are not afraid to approach humans. Throughout the weekend there were many deer stories, photos and jokes… “Deer Lori is that you hugging a deer?”… Todd has a photo of a deer giving him a hi-five— and I’m not even joking. I will have to post this shortly.

I have created a few photo albums. Click on the highlighted names below to view the albums.
To see more photos of the Rehearsal and Party, To see the Pre Wedding Prep with Bridesmaids, To see the Wedding & Reception

a very happy groom

"Oh, Deer"

To Give and To Get

Lori — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 23:10:15 +0000

I recently stumbled upon this cute website called my-sparrow.com. They sell all kinds of home items, accessories, and gifts. The designer and owner of my-sparrow is based locally in Orange County, Ca. Check the website because she regularly sets up a booth at the irvine flea market or give her a call, she may even deliver it. I turned to this site upon needing a gift for a fabulous friend’s birthday. I purchased the dainty champagne flutes— paired with a bottle of champagne, who wouldn’t love?

Below is the collection of dainty flutes and glasses, prices range $45-62 sets of 6.

dainty champagne flutes

great for red wine or juice

dainty drinking glasses

House Swap?! CA to FL

Lori — Fri, 07 May 2010 00:19:24 +0000

A very dear friend of mine moved back to Florida over a year ago. She is looking to come back with her husband and son to visit some friends in CA… She sent me the email below and is looking for someone interested in doing a house swap in OC or SD areas of California.

“Our house is walking distance to one of the nicest and most private white sandy beaches in FL
(Indian Rocks Beach)! It’s kid friendly, smoke free, and approx 2,000 sq ft. with a huge back yard. The house is 3 bedroom 2 bath.
The children room has a toddler bed, and the guest room has a full sized bed, master bedroom has a brand spankin (no pun intended) new cal king bed! There is a huge playground right down the street. The house would be cleaned by maid service before guests arrive, and there are offices with wireless internet downstairs in the man/cave and upstairs as well. The house is straight out of the 70′s with a modern interior design flair! ”

It is available for rent @ 1,650 for a month during the summer, or $500 for the week.
Or we are also open to a house swap in OC or SD area for a week to two weeks…

Harbor Dr. S
Indian Rocks Beach, Fl 33785
Call Dianne @ 727.510.6013

You can also check out her amazing blog at Vanerwin.com

Indian Rocks Beach is located on a barrier island on the West Coast of Florida, only a 30 minute drive from Tampa International Airport.
Convenient proximity to many Florida Attractions including Busch Gardens, Walt Disney World, Universal Studio, and Sea World.
The area provides an abundance of outstanding restaurants, and a variety of gift and convenience stores.

Chalkboard Wall

Lori — Tue, 04 May 2010 21:24:42 +0000

A few weekends ago, Todd and I decided to spruce up our kitchen. I’ve been wanting to make a chalkboard wall since I saw one at my friend Erica’s amazing Brooklyn brownstone in NY. For a few bucks you can really go-green and eliminate all those annoying notes and post-its from your roommates or significant other… “Dogs are fed,” “buy toilet paper,” ” we need milk,” ” wash your f-n dishes”!!

Here’s what you need:
• a clean wall or surface (you can paint this stuff on anything)
• brush or paint roller
• paint tape (for clean lines)
• chalkboard pant
• chalk
• and a creative idea for your first writing…

The paint looks so good even on it’s own w/out chalk, but who can resist drawing on the walls like a kid again?!

While browsing the web, I found a few other cute uses for the chalkboard paint. (these photos were pulled from various blogs)

Rose Bowl

Lori — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 20:03:03 +0000

This past Sunday a few friends and I visited the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena.
I was looking for some new rhinestone pieces for Cleeo (my jewelry line) but what we all ended up with was some great household items. Tables, lamps, stools, and a metal jewelry cabinet. We definitely scored… but not with the weather it was freezing!

The Rose Bowl has some amazing furniture, knick-knacks, any and everything you could imagine.
I ran into so many people I haven’t seen and it was fun getting caught up with Valerie from Bleach Black, Josh and Tanya from Dainty Hooligan, Steve from Better Shelter and a few other friends.

80′s Prom relived in 2010!

Lori — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:03:55 +0000

This weekend we were invited to an 80′s Prom themed- 40th birthday party. What a fun night! Getting dressed in outfits that we pillaged from our closets was just half the fun. Todd and I were rolling in laughter at each other as we each pulled out bad outfit after accessory! His being his white “creeper” style shoes (that he wore- giving him an extra 2″) and mine were the 2 dresses I have saved for almost 20 years ( I wore for cotillion and homecoming dances). I can hardly believe they still fit… thanks to pure barre. After eating in the dress was another story…( we had a reenactment of Something about Mary, the zipper/ skin scene… only it was my back- ouch) the dress didn’t fit after I ate!

As a typical prom night would go we went to our friends house, had corsages and boutineer’s for the couples (carnations, of course). Slammed a few beers/ drinks, took some group shots and loaded into the big SUV to a prom style dinner at A restaurant. It was a full house and we received many stares, which of course is all part of the fun… a few burgers, martini’s and laughs later we were on our way to “prom.” Arriving fashionably late, we mingled, had our couples photo taken against the backdrop and drank a few, unchaperoned beverages…

AND Prom night ended, how every prom ends… we passed out!

Cheers to Ronée and a Happy 40th Bday!

to view more festive shots from the night

Stocking Stuffer or Gift Idea

Lori — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:43:14 +0000

About a year ago as I pulled out my winter wardrobe, I realized most of my nice sweaters had pilled. You know when they start to get a ton of fuzzy’s and you can’t get rid of them. This seems to happen on other articles of clothing as well with rayon in the fabric. I’ve found a solution and it’s so easy! I came across this very chic specialty detergent and fabric care brand called THE LAUNDRESS.

The Laundress makes a ton of detergents, fabric care and specialty products that solve your most annoying clothing issues- hence the SWEATER STONE.

It’s so easy to use, the pumice like stone is very light and you use downward motions to “shave” the pilling away. Its so easy and stores away in the sleeve for no snagging. This little miracle has saved me some $$ and resurrected my previous season’s sweaters and clothing. I am so pleased with the sweater stone and the laundress brand, that I just wanted to share.

If you order online enter “2009Catalog” and get 15% off your first order.

The Laundress was started by two women in NYC, who started the eco-chic line. Frustrated that the majority of their own personal clothing called for DRY CLEAN only they researched and sourced for more options. Upon their discovery they used ingredients that were free of toxic chemicals. They value the importance of properly cared for clothing and home linens. Both have backgrounds in fiber science, textile and apparel management.

Birthday Fun

Lori — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:03:07 +0000

Last week we celebrated my 30- ish bday at our house, the theme was Pizza+Beer+Cupcakes. It was so fun seeing old friends and getting caught up. I spent almost 2 entire days cooking cupcakes from Martha Stewart’s cupcake book. Everyone showed up bearing wine, champagne, or a gift even though the invite specifically stated NO GIFTS. So to all of you who who didn’t listen and even those who did- THANK YOU for making it such a festive evening.