Irvina's Pearls......Happy digging!

Why Irvina's Pearls?

2007-06-15T08:50:00.000-07:00

It all started with my niece. My sisters and I ( I have 4 sisters) were all talking about my niece starting Jr.High. One of my sisters said, "It sucks she's going to have to go through all of that girl drama, beauty drama, body changing junk. Don't you wish you could just save her from it?" I thought wait a lip-lickin second why can't we save her from it? We have all been through the same stuff, every woman has. She shouldn't have a hard time going through any of it; if we are here to help her through it. To give her our "pearls" of wisdom if you will. I mean that's what got me through those times. My experienced older sisters who said, "This is how I did it. This is what worked and this is what sucked." So there you go. This is "Irvina's Pearls." This is how I see it:I don’t claim to know it all, but I do know that when I fall over board into bone chilling water (that is screw up) I usually get hit in the head with a clam that has a beautiful pearl inside. Thus I am given a new pearl of wisdom! I don’t even own expensive pearls, but I am rich in experience. I’d like to share the wealth. Take what you like from what I know. I have plenty of pearls to share. I wouldn't be here today had the people in my life not shared their pearls with me. Happy digging. xoxo Irvina

Moisturizer & Sunscreen? Aren't they the same?

2007-06-11T00:46:00.000-07:00

No! as in "Heck NO!" I didn't know you had to moisturize your face AND put sunscreen on it. Well newsflash ladies....YOU DO! Ilearned from the sweetheart named Debbie Sue at the Clinique counter at Nordstroms in South Coast Plaza. She is the sweetest gal ever! Go see her and tell her I said, "Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeee!" Debbie Sue say that you want to 1.) Keep your face hydrated. Your skin will look fresher and fuller and hydration prevents wrinkles. You keep hydrated with a moisturizer like this one...

2.) You want to put your sunscreen on afterwards to block out the sun.Which is very important to prevent skin cancer and wrinkles also.

So one keeps you moist the other keeps you lets say, "shaded." I'm a visual person. I'm going to guess you are too...You want to always think of your skin as a plant. The plant will stay beautiful as long as you keep it "moist" and in the "shade" for most of the time :) Did you girls find this helpful? Would you like me to talk about other beauty stuff. Let me know :) xoxoxo Irvina

Summer Party Idea!

2007-06-06T05:40:00.000-07:00

My friend Lana is amazing! She is always throwing amazing parties with the best themes, details and of course food. This weekend she threw a party called, "Child hood favorites." Everyone was to bring a dish that was their child hood favorite food. It was so cute to see what people brought there was an assortment of Tater Tots, chili, puddings a grasshopper pie for dessert...which was phenomenal and of course there was Vodka Kool-Aid. As you can see I put a lot of effort into the "happy" fruit salad above. "NO one likes a sad salad :)" There were very cute tins full of candy through out the house and of course conversation about childhoood memories came up. A very cute idea that you might want to try this summer! xoxoxo Irvina

Quote of the day "On Soaring"

2007-06-05T22:39:00.000-07:00

My roommate April (the cutie on the left of the other cutie) put this quote on our white board today:"No bird soars too high is she soars with her own wings."
I thought about this quote as it is written literally. I thought if I was to take a bird with me up to Mount Baldy she might die. I don't know the first thing about birds. I'm thinking altitude probably affects them all differently and what they eat depends on the species. That bird has a better chance of living if it's on it's own. It is born with the nature to take care of itself. We are all kind of like birds. Deep down we all know our strengths and our limits. It's when we are in touch with them that we are free like the birds. What do you think?

Fake smiles suck!

2007-06-05T21:05:00.000-07:00

Fake smiles suck! I know you agree with me. Tell me the last time you framed a picture of a person who is smiling as if to say, "Yes, liver and fried onions is my favorite meal." Everyone has thier issues with cameras, most of it starts with a mommy that has said "say cheese" one too many times while the kid is trying to recreate Noah's ark in the privacy of their bath tub. Well, here are a couple of tips to get that genuine smile in no time!

If someone doesn't want to smile...no worries. Just "Get em' when their not lookin'. My favorite photos have come from the times I stayed super quiet and payed attention to when people laughed. The blurryness of some pictures adds character.

And other times you need to talk A LOT in order to help people forget there is a camera here. Here with my nephew Chris I told him, "Did you know that I am a real live princess?" He said, "No you're not. You're Aunt Nini" I said, "Seriously Chris, I'm a princess. I own this beach too. So if you want to take any shells home you better ask me first cause I'm having a party with all of the mermaids in the ocean tonight and they need some shells to make "shell bikinis. for the party" As you can see my story got a way more genuine smile than "cheese" ever would of.

This one is my favorite! Scream at them! Here I totally caught my friends off guard. I started screaming and jumping up and down and rallyed them up. They played along...and look at that. A very cute picture. Do you have any cute picture taking tips? Comment below. I'd love for you to share! Happy shooting and framing :) xoxox Irvina

Quote of the day: On "Love"

2007-06-02T07:53:00.000-07:00

I believe we all shape eachother to be the people you are. Well I am proud to say I know my friend Jess.(This is her. Isn’t she cute?) We were just chillin’ in LA the other day and she was telling me about a movie she saw and she said there was thisone line that just summed up her whole life for her it’s: “Love is not a emotion it’s an action. Love is not something you feel it’s something you do. It’s not what you say it’s actions which tell someone you love them.” I couldn’t agree more. You know it makes me question the people I have said those words to and the people who have said them to me. I mean why is it that the people we love are sometimes the people we put last?

There ain't nothin' Chocolate can't fix!

2007-06-02T07:50:00.000-07:00

My dad just celebrated his 21st birthday for the 66th time (I know )So I took him to his favorite restaurant in the whole wide world, “Cafe Irvina.” Where the service looks just as good as the food Well that’s what he says. Anyway, so the order from the birthday boy was a “healthy yet delicious”meal. My dad is recovering from colon cancer so healthy is important. For the main course we served Sea Bass Puttanesca from Rachel Ray’s Magazine….soooooo good! On the side we had asparagus with a homemade digon dressing and for dessert we had (what was supposed to be) chocolate pecan cake. However in Aunt Irvina style I was doing a little too much chatting on the phone while I baked and a little less paying attention to the directions. Short story- I used DOUBLE the amount of cream I needed for the cake. Which means I had less than half the amount of cream for the frosting…Bummer….SLIGHTLY! But, I licked my fingers and didn’t give up. As you can see I didn’t have much frosting so I smothered the sucker with a ton of chocolate syrup. Like I always say, “There ain’t nothing chocolate can’t fix!” The result? My dad said I needed to have some children to cook for and I said, “You show me tall, dark, smart and hansome and I’ll show you filet mignon” Ciao kids!

Chocolate Praline Cake:

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

3/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans

1 package of chocolate cake mix

TOPPING:

1-3/4 cups heavy whipping cream

1/4 cup confectioners sugar

1/4 teapoon vanilla extract

2 very “focused” eyeballs on this recipe!

In a large saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter and cream. Stir over low heat until butter is melted. Pour into tow grease 9-inch round baking pans. Sprinkle with pecans; set aside.

Prepare cake mix batter according to package direction. Carefully pour batter over pecans. Bake at 325 degrees for 35-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes; invert onto wire racks to cool completely.

For topping, beat cream in a mixing bowl until soft peaks form. Add sugar and vanilla; beat until stiff.

Place one cake layer, pecan side up, on a serving plate. Spread with half of the topping. Top with second cake layer and remaining topping. Sprinkle with a whole lot of chocolate syrup! Store in the refrigerator until it’s devoured. Serves 8-10 chocolate lovers

Sizzling Bachelorette Invitations!

2007-05-30T15:37:00.000-07:00

So there's no denying it...I'm a Party Girl! I love it all from the planning, the inviting to the partying and the drinking! The invitation totally sets the mood for the party. Take Jackie's Bachelorette invitation. I gave it a "Mission Impossible" vibe. I wanted the girls to feel like this wasn't just "another bachelorette party." This is a Mission and they better be ready to go big! (Click on the image to read the wording. I don't lie, It's pretty cute)
*Tip- The envelope is just as much apart of the invition as the RSVP. I printed each invitation on my computer and added "Top Secret" and "Confidential" as embellishments to get the reciever curious about the envelopes contents. Oh! I also titled each girls invite as "Agent..." Bottom line...their cute!

Cute Bridal Shower Invitations

2007-05-30T15:24:00.001-07:00

I'm going to be a bridesmaid! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! (SCREAM!) I've known Jackie since 7th grade when both of our mom's were an hour late picking us up from school. Everything happens for a reason eh? "Thanks Mom!" Now, I'm going to be a bridesmaid in her wedding! Well, this is the girlfriend drooling, grandma approving invitation to her Bridal Shower. I found the invitations at a cute little party store in Costa Mesa, CA called Where's the Party? I made up the rhyme at the top and had them print them for me. I really wanted to hand make the invitations, but being a "creative wanna do it all that I am" I've learned to pull back before I burn out. The price to have these printed saved me a lot of valuable time that I needed to help plan the shower...
*Tip: Some of the gal's on the guest list were out of the country. If you are sending any invites over the blue Atlantic then you need to put $1.20 postage on it. I know! It's a lot! I Just try to imagine my pretty invitation getting a double take from her First class seat while all the other post cards in coach drool over her pen-manship :) Ciao! - Irvina

Quote of the day: "Your best"

2007-05-26T00:54:00.001-07:00

Today's amazing quote of the day comes from the amazing Rachel!On the left is her groovin' to the be bop at Sutra. Besides being a hot go-go girl J/K she is also very wise. I don't remember exactly what we were talking about today, but I remember her saying these wise words: "Some people do their best and their best is phenomenal. Other people do their best and their best just sucks, but that's okay because God sees us for who we are." I think that's so stinkin' true. Everyone is so uniquely made. I think if we started looking at people as people instead of "performance vehicles" We would all be more accepting of eachother. What do you think?

2007-04-27T14:21:00.000-07:00

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No Sweat Workouts!

2007-04-27T13:51:00.000-07:00

I would much rather sit on a leather sofa set with my legs cast over the side as I savor a chocolate soufflé than lift the cold, 15 pound , germ infested weights at the gym. I would much rather spend the day at my sisters dining room set creating scrapbooks as I leisurely listen to life advise from wise older women wearing cute antiqued broaches than run on a treadmill as I twist my neck trying to watch the Today show on the opposite TV in the gym. I would much rather lay on the beach and read the latest issue of In Style Weddings show casing the greatest and latest LA Wedding Photographers than surf. Physical activity is not my forte. However just like you I know the whole kitten caboodle about how women who don’t exercise are more likely to develop cancer and the inability to jump higher than their nephews on the backyard trampoline. My immature need to show up a five year old has put me in search of workouts that I like. I’ve broken down all of my fav’s by F.I.T.- Fun, Interesting and a Tip for you. Stretch your mind with this thought, “If Aunt Nini can do it. I can try it.”

Yoga

Fun- Not only do you tone your body and develop a slender physique but you also develop your spiritual side. I remember my very first yoga class we did a posture called “Mountain Pose.” My instructor said, “Stand like a mountain. Standing completely still, unmoved by whatever may cross in front of you; always strong, always observing.” I thought this was such a cool way to calm myself, as well as see nature and myself as one in the same. Whenever things bother me now I think, “Be like the mountain.”

Interesting- As a novice yogi I thought, “it’s just a bunch a stretching.” Wrong! The trick to Yoga is the ability to calm your body. When you are calm your metabolism speeds up and your breath is deep. Keeping you slim and trim. The stretching and pulling allow blood to circulate to the organs in your body which are ignored.

Tip- My favorite Yoga teacher is Patrick of Freeman Yoga in Fullerton.

Pilates-

Fun-This is ab-mazing! Not only do my abs burn for three days after my workout I don’t break a sweat the entire time! There is also one instructor leading you at all times so it’s like having a personal trainer the entire time.

Interesting- The thing about Pilates is the slow and controlled situps, curls, leg work and arm work done on the machines. The slow pace of 10 sit-ups is equal equals the work of 100 situps. The pilates machine not only uses weights but uses your whole body as resistance training. Which is so good that Lance Armstrong does it!

Tip-My favorite Pilates instructor is Bristin from Escape Pilates in Newport Beach.

Jogging-

Fun-I have self diagnosed myself ADHD. I don’t take drugs to calm my hyper activity that starts at 6am and ends with crashing into my bedroom set at 1 a.m. Instead I go jogging. However I’m way to hyper to be confined to a treadmill in the gym. Born and raised a California Girl I am a “Sunshine Junkie.” I love being outside and petting all the dogs that are being walked before their owners go to work and checking out the hot business men buying their $4 lattes.

Interesting- The sun outside gives you Vitamin D which supports the healthy functioning of neurotransmitters in your body which keep your good morning smile very bright.

Tip- My favorite place to jog is at the beach and my favorite running shoes are New Balances.

Hiking

Fun- You don’t have to bribe me with gourmet cooking to make me be in the sunshine, look at beautiful flowers, furry animals and talk to my friends. I consider hiking to be a “vaca-day” disguised as exercise. It works for me!

Interesting- “They say” (My dad always asks me, “who the heck is “They”? Does he have a last name?) that walking has the same health benefits for your body as jogging.

Tip- My favorite place to hike- Take PCH to Corona del Mar. Park on Poppy street. Walk down PCH (stay to the right and be cautious of the cars ) on the right hand side you will see some hiking trails along the side of the beach! They are so beautiful. They lead down to the beach. On the way back up you can grab a date shake from the “Shake Shack.” A long hike like that you will sleep well that night in your bedroom furniture guranteed!

Bicycling

Fun-Did somebody say, “Sunday Fun day?” The opportunity to ride my fire cracker red beach cruiser with my friends will have me jumping off of my living room furniture faster than you can say, “ A round of Pina Coladas, please.”

Interesting- Laughing and relaxing are as good for your health. Research (and this is “They” talking again) proves that laughter plays a key role in a healthy human life. A good laugh loosens muscles, lowers blood pressure, and may lower levels of hormones that create stress and weaken immunity. When laughing your body moves blood to your heart and lungs, boosting your energy level and making you feel better instantly. It also aids communication and creates a sense of closeness between you and the people you are with. en

Tip- Don’t hold up the party! Check out your bike tires before you take it out for the day.

What do you think? How do you exercise and keep it fun and entertaining? Do you think I would like it? I’d love to know your thoughts. Please let me know at

Irvina@furniturefromhome.com

I would like to thank FurnitureFromHome.com for kindly sponsoring today’s blog.

Please visit them for all of your Leather furniture and Sectionals needs

HOW TO: Make a twist to a hors d'oeuvres recipe

2007-04-18T15:22:00.000-07:00

My mom makes this amazing Baked Brie hors d'oeuvres. It’s so good that I couldn’t even tell you how many times I have been cornered against living room furniture being asked how exactly it’s made. Having said that, you should know it’s darn good! However even masterpieces have room for improvements. The problem I have found with it is that you have to cut away the surrounding rind of the brie and cover it with brown sugar and chopped pecans around it. Then you bake it. During the baking process the brie melts quite a bit causing the entire piece to flatten. It’s still delicious, but it’s not very aesthetically pleasing (to me anyway.) Plus since the sugar surrounds the brie you always get a little more cheese than sugar when you slice. Being the busy auntie I am when I am at a family gathering I need to get the right amount of everything on my cracker and get back to my game of monopoly on the leather sofa. So check out my changes to this simple recipe:

Recipe:

1 Triangle of Brie

1 bag of candied pecans

1 cup of brown sugar

1 package of whole wheat crackers

1.) What were going to do is make individual hors d’oeuvres instead of the big triangle. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Take the crackers and spread them out on a cookie sheet.

2.) Remove the rind from the brie. Cutting the brie into long strips and then into 2x1 inch squares. Place the squares on top of the crackers

3.) Take a measuring spoon out and place ¼ teaspoon of brown sugar on top of the brie. *I found that packing the sugar into the teaspoon keeps the sugar from making a mess

4.) Place a whole candied pecan on top

5.) Bake these for about 15 minutes and serve them hot. Placing these babies out on your dining room furniture and watch them disappear into your guests raving mouths!

Notes:

*These still taste as yummy as the original

*They are less messy

*They are aesthetically more pleasing

*Next time, I would probably up the brown sugar amount to 1 teaspoon each

It’s when I enjoy doing stuff like restyling a hors d'oeuvres that I realize that being a photojournalist wasn’t my calling.

What do you think? Have you ever reinvented a recipe? I’d love to know!

Please let me know at

Irvina@furniturefromhome.com

I would like to thank FurnitureFromHome.com for kindly sponsoring today’s blog.

How to: Cure Boredom

2007-04-05T12:57:00.000-07:00

Now that I think about it, it was probably my creative mind (and an affection for scissors) that probably kept me off drugs as a teenager. My hands were always covered in acrylic paint, fabric fuzz and glue was always stuck in between my fingers, a spatula full of cake batter always found its way to my fist long before it hit the kitchen sink and I was always reaching to save a broken dish from the garbage (my family still doesn’t understand that broken glass is art in the egg stage.) So, basically there just wasn’t a finger available to hold a cigarette. It was simply a matter of unavailable space. Well, if like me you don’t like being bored then you might like these ideas to keep it away. On the other hand if being bored is your thing and you would rather sit on your bedroom furniture and make your teeth yellow then you might want to check out www.FurnitureFromHome.com. You might as well rot your body in style. For the rest of you, check out these simple recipes for curing the boredom blues (their cheap too!)

Cookie Contest:

*Baking *Boy friendly

Who makes the best cookies in the cookie jar?

Irvina make the best cookies in the cookie jar!

Who you?

Yes me!

Couldn’t be!

Then who?

Have a cookie baking contest! Winners in four different categories: Craziest Cookie Creation, Sweetest Cookie Creation, Healthiest Cookie Creation and Prettiest Cookie Creation. What you gotta do is gather your friends, sisters, brothers, cousins, neighbors; my motto is “more is always merrier.” Get a recipe for cookie dough (I like chocolate chip cookie dough, minus the chocolate chips.) Provide an assortment of ingredients to add like: White chocolate chips, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, m&m’s, Butterfinger bars, snicker bars, rainbow sprinkles, chocolate sprinkles, marshmallows, peanuts, walnuts, pecans, almonds, macadamia nuts, dried fruit, brown sugar, fresh apples, fresh bananas, powdered sugar, brown sugar… (You get the gist) Give everyone a big glob of dough and they can add their own ingredients. Have a large assortment of things to add and be ready to taste some of the yummiest creations!

Tips:

*Have everyone make ½ teaspoon size cookies so you can taste lots of cookies without getting full too fast

*Have plenty of milk in the fridge so you can clean your cookie tasting palette

*Have everyone name their cookies something fun like: “Princess Food” or “Choco-lotta-nuts”

Need:

Cookie Dough

Add in ingredients

Cookie sheets

Ballart:

*Art *Boy friendly

Strike one…

Strike two…

A piece of art made by you!

You are going to be making a piece of art for your room. What you do is gather any old sports balls lying around the house. A thick canvas about 11x14. Get about three different colors of paint ready. Dip the ball into the paint and either pitch, volley or serve the ball onto the canvas. Makes an original design (parents have been knows to display it with their living room furniture too.)

Tips:

*Use baseballs, golf balls, volleyballs, tennis balls. Hold off on the bowling balls Picasso

*Pick up to three colors of paint. It will add a variety to the piece

*Stabilize the canvas by placing it up against a wall in your backyard

Cost:

11x14 Canvases: $7

1 pint of paint: $ 6

Balls: FREE you’re a kid you should have plenty of these laying around

BUT if you don’t go to the Salvation Army and pick some up for 50 cent

Café Me!

*Cooking *Boy friendly

Everyone has to eat right? Spare the Rice a Roni and spoil your family with an original dinner made by you. First pick a type of food. Let’s say, Chinese. Your menu will be green tea to drink, soy beans for an appetizer, chicken and beef teriyaki for the main course, white rice on the side and Apple wontons for dessert. Your family may have beautiful dining room furniture but, ambiance is everything! Have fun with it, pretend to be the waiter/waitress. Wear all red if you can (red is a lucky color in Chinese culture), ask that everyone remove their shoes before they enter the restaurant (Chinese culture says to remove your shoes at the door of someone home in order to leave any bad spirits outside the home.) Take sheets and hang them around the room to change the feel of the room. Place silverware and plates on the table with flowers and candles. Dim the lights to make it feel like a real restaurant. My little sister and I used to do this all the time as kids. Our family still asks us when our “café” will be taking reservations again.

Grocery List:

Green Tea

Soy Beans

Chicken and Beef Teriyaki- Chicken, beef, red and green bell peppers, white onions, teriyaki sauce

Soy sauce

Wonton wraps

Apples

White rice

Tips:

Name your café and make a sign with markers for the door

Make menus (be sure to only put the things you are making for dinner)

Have waters already on the table

Speak in an accent of the country of food you are making.

No Lookie Portraits

*Art *Boy Friendly

Peek a boo!

Hey?

Where the heck are you?

This is so fun! What you do is try to draw your sister, brother, friend or parent without looking at them. Not even once. From start to finish you just stare at the person and let your hand do the drawing without peeking at the paper. You start with the head, then the eyes, hair. Try everything you see. What comes out is something totally hilarious. When your done try and water color over it. An even more impressive piece of art. I like this one because you can do it in the car, at your grandma’s house, in your backyard or on the leather sofas in your living room and with anyone. All you need is a pen and paper.

Jas and Bots

Jelly and Wine got me painting all the time!

*Art *Gifts

Who the heck knew that the jar of peach raspberry jam was just as useful as the actual preserves inside? I did! Yes, I take credit for rescuing jelly jars and bottles of wine from the trash. I take them and paint flowers, vines, trees, sunsets and whatever else I am in the mood to paint on them. I always make sure the jar or bottle is really clean. That all the old stickers are all peeled off completely. I first use pencil to draw what I am going to paint. Then I use acrylic paint for my painting. Then I use a glossy sealer to seal it all up. This is so fun and it totally beats just sitting on the sofas and watching reruns.

Tips:

Paint the wine bottles with Easter eggs and you have a flower vase for Easter dinner!

Paint names of jelly on the jars and actually make homemade jelly and give it as a gift.

That’s all folks!

What did you think? Do you think that these ideas could cure boredom? Do you have something better to suggest? Would you do these? Let me know at Irvina@furniturefromhome.com

Ciao Cuties!

Irvina

Xoxox

I would like to thank

www.FurnitureFromHome.com

For sponsoring today’s blog and paying for my craft supplies with my paycheck!

How to: Have the Best Birthday Party Etiquette

2007-03-27T10:20:00.000-07:00

Live for today, Plan for tomorrow, Party tonight! – Author Unknown

I love birthday parties! I love having them and I love attending them. As a girl who has had 24 bangin’ birthdays I’ve got some tips for you on being the perfect party guest. Just follow the conga line to the word P-A-R-T-Y!

P- Present
A- Acknowledge

R- Relieve

T- Thank you

Y- Yackety yack

Present: Congratulations you made the “close friends who get invited to my birthday” list! Now you get to find a nice birthday gift. If you have the cash to spend you should shoot for the $25 range. Try and remember what the birthday girl/boy likes. Do you remember them saying they really liked the color indigo blue? Did she say she liked beads for making funky bracelets? If your budget is in the $10 range then you might want to pick up some flowers (every girl loves em’) or chocolates (every boy loves to eat em’)

Acknowledge: Okay Miss. Popular I’m talking to you! You walk in the door and everyone attacks you like Pooh Bear to honey. As hard as it is to escape the mob you need to acknowledge why you’re there and go find the birthday girl/boy pronto! Greet them with “Happy Birthday!” Hand them their gift and give them an honest compliment on the house, their outfit or the yummy food.

Relieve: So there is 30 guests and only one person cutting birthday cake, scooping ice cream and handing out slices. Be a great guest and relieve some of the stress of the birthday girl. Offer to hand out slices of the yummy apple cake. Did you see someone accidentally spill punch on the leather sectional sofa? Haven’t you been coming to this house since you were 5 years old and know where the rags are? Hop to the helping with the mess and be called a great guest!

Thank you: Whenever you leave a birthday party, be sure to thank the Birthday Girl/Boy and the Birthday Mom. After they went through all the work of cleaning their home, preparing food, finding a cake and organizing games it’s nice for them to hear that you enjoyed the party.

*Why do you say thank you to the Birthday Mom, you ask? Here’s the dealy yo: Your friend’s mom has probably worked her tail off all day to make this party happen. Nobody else will think to thank them and it will mean the world to them when you do. You are such a nice kid!

Yackety Yack: Unfortunately some people don’t read Chica Irvina’s blog and don’t know how to be good guests. They don’t help relieve party stress, they don’t say hello and thank you and they need your help! Maybe they are in a funk tonight and just not themselves…who knows. If you see someone at the party who looks a little sad and lonesome on the leather sofa then pour yourself a tall cup of spiced apple cider and go yackety yack with the lonesome one. Chances are that there will be a time when you won’t have anyone to talk to at a party. A good guests helps all the other guests to have a good time.

What do you think?

Am I right on about birthday party etiquette or did I fall down in my stilettos one too many times this weekend? Let me know by emailing me at Irvina@FurnitureFromHome.com

I would like to graciously thank

http://www.furniturefromhome.com/

for sponsoring today’s blog

You don't know what it's like to have a bestfriend, until you have a sister....

2007-03-14T10:49:00.000-07:00

I saw my nieces who are 8 and 11 yesterday. They are my two favorite girls. One is super smart and engages easily in conversation. The other gives really tight hugs and is always asking you to play. Oddly these two girls with great personalities annoy each other. Some would say, “Their sisters. They’ll grow out of it.” I wish I could give them a simple recipe to accept each other the way they are. I think life is too short to make the mistake of hurting the person who will one day be the best friend you’ll ever have.

It’s not like I’m some far off idealist. I know what I’m talking about. I have four sisters. Three older and one younger. My older sisters love to tell me the stories about when my baby sister Walesa was born and how I took on the role of her big sister. I would translate her baby gibberish to, “She says she wants a peanut butter sandwich. No jelly.” I would pour a whole box of cheerios on her high chair and say, “She told me she wanted some….a whole lot of them…she’s really hungry.” When she would try and stand up on the swing in our backyard she would cautiously watch for my discriminating eye as she did it. The moment I would see her I’d yell, “Sit down!” and she would immediately comply. We had the perfect relationship. We all knew who was boss…ME!

That was all until the dark and gloomy morning at our dining room table when my sister learned to talk. Not that she didn’t have the cutest baby voice in the world, it was what she said that morning that shattered our relationship of two years. My mom had just given us both bowls of rice crispies. We were told to add a spoon full of sugar and stir and my mom walked back into the kitchen. I told my little sister, “I’m not stirring my sugar. I’m leaving it on top. You can taste more sugar that way.” My little sister then did the unfathomable, she yelled, “Mommy! Irvina isn’t stirring the sugar into her rice crispies she just letting it sit on top!” All I could think was, “Backstabber!” How could she? After all I’ve done for her! Did she forget that I was always the one who did the James Bond operation to sneak her out of her crib to go peek on our parents dinner parties downstairs? Did she forget that whenever our mother lost her in the mall that I was the only one who could ever find her? (No one had the sharp eye that I had to find her little white Keds.) Did she forget hat I was the one who told her “back up and cover your eyes” when our dad showed us how to crack open a coconut with a hammer and a nail? And what about the time that there was only one more glass of milk for chocolate milk and I had “chocolate water” so she could have chocolate milk. Yes, that bowl of rice crispies marked a turning point in our relationship.

Over twenty years have passed since the morning in the dining room, and if I put emotions aside I would realize that I am blessed. I am blessed that I have four women in my life that aren’t afraid to tell me when I am in the wrong and eating too much sugar. No one quite like my sisters. Of course while growing up my little sister and I fought and at times couldn’t stand to be in the same with each other. The age difference with the older ones left me feeling distant at times. I remember being annoyed that my mom let my older sisters correct my etiquette at the dinner table. But, now more than ever I appreciate having all four of my sisters. Each one of us with different personalities, tastes, values and beliefs.

I have friends who tell me, “You’re like a sister to me.” As nice a gesture as that is to hear I don’t know if a lot of people would put the time into a friendship as the amount of time it takes to have a sister. I mean how many friends do you have who have completely forgiven you after you have hurt them for years? How many of your friends still call to hang out with you when the two of you have nothing in common? How many of your friends totally accept you for the way you are and your differences and don’t try to change you? How many of your friends really understand your mother? Maybe I’m the odd one out, but I don’t know many of my friends that would or have done that for me. Except for my sisters.

It makes me sad to know that at one time we were able to all sit on the same leather sectional sofa and watch a movie without making an appointment to do so. Now, flights have to be arranged, vacation days need to be requested and husbands need to watch children in order for quality sister time to take place. I feel foolish for having taken my sisters for granted. Yet, I’m glad that at least now I know what it really means to be a friend, it’s being a sister.

I would like to thank

FurnitureFromHome.com for sponsoring today’s blogs.

Please check out their beautiful new site

with beautiful leather sectional sofas, bedroom sets and office furniture.

Happy Shopping!

Love,

Irvina

xoxoxo

Breakfast Monday- Sunday the easy and healthy way!

2007-03-05T19:48:00.000-08:00

A blog brought to you by Irvina at FurnitureFromHome.com

Not having a healthy breakfast in the morning can bring down your day the way a bad date can bring down your Friday night. You NEED to eat breakfast! I hear your whining, “I don’t have time.” “I’m not hungry in the morning.” Well Chica Irvina to the rescue. I ‘m giving you my favorite, lite, sacred, delicious, 20 minutes or less ( except for Saturday) recipes. Go forth and feed yourself dang it!

If you still feel like a kitty that won’t jump boat then remember these things:

1. People who eat breakfast are healthier and weigh less than people who don’t

2. People who eat breakfast are more alert at work and get better grades at school

3. People who eat breakfast get to try Irvina’s yummy breakfast recipes!

Monday-

Groovy banalime-applinach-oothie!

The 70’s were trippy, the Beattles rocked it out,

but Groovy Banalime-applinach-oothies are the best drink from this century…no doubt!

The grooviest smoothie around. Not only does it taste “Grade A” A-MAZING it is also good for your brain, your eyes and your bones. Studies have shown that spinach improves learning capacity and motor skills, provides iron for energy, prevents cancer cells from forming. Trust me after you try this smoothie you’ll consider Jamba Juice tap water.

You need:

1 banana

½ of a lime (with the rind)

4 apples

1 bunch of spinach

2 cups of water

Blender

How to:

Chop everything before hand (the lime should be chopped really small) and then dump the apples first, then the spinach, then the rest into the blender.

Serves you, sister, mom, dad and left overs for a after school snack!

Tuesday-

Amigas!

Amigas is Spanish for friends! This recipe has one rule:

When you make these for breakfast you have to call an old friend within 24 hours and say, “Hola Amiga, que pasa?” Nothing like breakfast to bring friends together!

You’ll Need:

1 large skillet

1 wooden spoon

4 corn tortilla’s

7 eggs

2 tablespoons of chopped onions

2 tablespoons olive oil

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

Salsa to serve on the side

Serves: Family of 4 Cook Time: 15 minutes

How to:

1. Tear the corn tortilla’s into pieces that are a little bigger than a postage stamp

2. Heat the olive oil in large skillet

3. Add the cut tortillas to the skillet and brown them until they are crunchy like tortilla chips. Remove from skillet.

4. Add the chopped onions to the skillet and cook until they turn a caramel color

5. Add salt, pepper, tortillas and beaten eggs to the skillet

6. Toss until eggs are fully cooked. Serve with salsa to taste.

7. Don’t forget to grab your cell phone on the way out the door!

Wednesday-

Have Apple Halves!

Have an apple,

Have a seat,

Have some peanut butter,

And stay up beat!

Don’t forget breakfast,

Not hungry today?

Have an apple anyway!

Eating breakfast when you’re not hungry or in a hurry is like hanging out with your friends when you’re bummed out. You don’t really want to, but in the end you feel better and are glad you did. If you’re not hungry then grab something small and healthy like an apple with some peanut butter.

You need:

4 apples

½ cup of natural peanut butter

1 knife

1 chopping board

How to:

1. )Take one apple cut it in half

2.) Take those halves and cut them in half,

3.) Take the half, halves and halve them again

4.) And then you “have” your apple halves J

5.) Serve with all natural peanut butter, like Laura Schudder’s

*DON’T* Eat peanut butter brands like Jiffy, Skippy or Bonny…if it ends in a “Y” you should ask, “Why” does this cost so little? Because it’s made with partially hydrogenated oils that will hurt your precious little bodies. Trust me on this one!

*DIDJA KNOW?* That the skin of an apple prevents cancer? Yeah, the apple skin contains 4 milligrams of quercetin, an anti-oxident that prevents oxygen molecules from damaging cells. This can prevent cell changes that can lead to cancer. They found out that men who had the highest intake of quercetin lowered their risk of heart disease by 20%. Now go tell your daddy that!

Thursday-

1 “Eggcelelent” girl!

This one person omelette made with basil and tomatoes is named after me. Yes, I am calling myself “eggcellent!” Mostly because the omelette looks like me. The tomatoes are my red lips, the basil is my green eyes. Wrap it up and you’ve got “1 Eggcelent girl!”

You need:

1 egg

1 fresh basil leaf

1 tomato wedge

1 dash of salt

1 dash of pepper

2 table spoons of olive oil

2 table spoons of grated parmasean cheese

1 skillet

1 spatula

1 fork

How to:

1. Beat eggs, paramsean cheese, salt and pepper with a fork

2. Heat olive oil in skillet on medium heat

3. Pour in egg mixture

4. Just as the eggs start cooking add the tomato, smile side up, tear the basil leaves in half to make two eyes.

5. Say, “Have a nice day in my tummy “Eggcellent girl”

Friday-

Pro-Teen shake!

This shake got me through my teen years. Between school starting at 7:45 a.m (thanks Newport Mesa school board) after school cheer practice, pep rallies, charity work, family and dreaded geometry, I needed something to keep me balanced. Blessed as I am I had a sweet, little Mexican lady who I like to call “mom” who would hand me one of these while I straightened my hair. It’s delish!

You need:

1 banana

1/3 cup of peanut butter

1 raw egg

2 cups milk

1/3 cup wheat germ

Blender

How to:

Blend it up girly!

Serves: 2 teenage girls and 1 mom

Saturday-

Lickity Liscious Lemon and poppy seed scones!

After a long week of school or work , it’s time to have some fun in the kitchen! Make these scones with girlfriends, mom or take some over to your dad’s house.

You need:

3 cups all purpose flour (organic)
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar (organi)
3 tablespoons poppy seeds
1 tablespoon baking powder
4 teaspoons grated lemon peel (organic)
1 teaspoon salt
10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 large egg
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup (or more) whole milk

How to:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. Mix flour, 1 cup sugar, poppy seeds, baking powder, lemon peel, and salt

3. Add butter and using clean hands mix it all (okay so you’re freaked out by using your hands, but I’m 24 and cannot afford a food processor, God gave me hands for my 20’s I’m sure)

4. Whisk egg and lemon juice in medium bowl to blend.

5. Add to flour mixture. Keep mixin with those hands until moist clumps form. Add 1/3 cup milk. Mix just until dough comes together, adding more milk if dough seems dry.

6. Gather dough into ball. Flatten into 8-inch round. Cut round into 8 wedges.

7. Transfer scones to large baking sheet; brush with milk. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar.

8. Bake until scones are golden brown and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 25 minutes.

9. They’ll keep baking if you don’t take them off of the sheet. So move it sistah!

Sunday-

Make some Rest!

Nothing like Sunday to make some rest,

To wake up leisurely,

To wear a green dress,

To go into church,

To be calm and pray,

To eat brunch with friends

While you laugh by the bay.

Words out, I’m a Jew! Actually “half-a-jew” which means I try to practice the Sabbath day. I’m so hyper during the week that I need a day to “chill-lax.” A day when I don’t cook if I don’t want to, a day where I visit with friends at leisure, write down a rhyme or two, read a chapter or so, bike ride by the beach, pay a visit to my sister and help her rearrange her leather sectional sofa for a more inviting atmosphere or just go home and sit on my own leather sofa set and get paint on everything else in my living room, but the canvas. We all need to learn how to “make some rest.”

I hope you all liked my idea’s for

“Breakfast! Monday through Sunday the easy way!”

Don’t forget to get on the internet and search for all of your bedroom sets from my company

FurnitureFromHome.com

it’ll be good for you ;)

Big Smiles!

Irvina

J x o J xo J

Leather and Canvas Creations for Big Boys

2007-03-05T14:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday!

I would like to take a moment in time to thank

FurnitureFromHome.com

for sponsoring this pretty, witty and crafty blog.

Thank you,FurnitureFromHome.com for making a job for me that is fun, relaxing and beautiful….just like the sofa sets you carry….and now for our

Leather and Canvas Creations for Big Boys!

So I know my nieces like getting creative pictures of our family that I have taken. (Remember Cutie Patootie Photo Purses? –Big Hit!) Well I have come to feel that my nephews might like something creative from Aunt Nini also. Even if they don’t appreciate it now, they will probably like it later in life. The challenge was keeping it “masculine” “big boy tough” looking. What I ended up with is putting photos on canvas. Leaving space for a frame and making the frame using a “Crackle” finish. Adding a leather trim (of course to coordinate with the leather sofas they will have in their study when their 50 years old. Aunt Nini’s always thinkin’) To top it off I added their name at the bottom with wooden star accents. What do you know? It looks like quite a cute token of memorablila. You too can make one yourself! My recipe concoction is below!

You need:

Photo images stretched on Canvas

Delta Ceramcoat – Crackle

Delta Ceramcoat- Navy Blue

Delta Ceramcoat- Barn Red

Delta Ceramcoat- Magnolia White

Delta Ceramcoat- Gloss sealant

Delta Ceramcoat- Satin Interior Finish

½ inch paint brush

20-0 size, tiny brush for writing

1 ½ yards of leather fabric (can be found in the ribbon section)

Cowboy font

¼ inch of crafting tape

1 jar of Rubber Cement

Needle and thread

1.) Take some very cute photos, (the ones I shot are pretty super duper cute, if I do say so myself ) and have them put on canvas and stretched. The picture should be 5x7 in size, the canvas should be 8x10 in size (the differences in size is going to give you a 3 inch border all the way around )….This costs a pretty penny of $50 each. For my bargain hunting babes out there, you can use a piece of 8x10 wood and rubber cement the 5x7 picture to it, that process is $10 each. (*Remember, what you pay for is what you get. The canvas route is going to look more professional and the picture will be protected from nicks and scrapes. Just a warning*)

2.) Take ¼ inch tape and border it all along the image of the picture. This is so you have a clean line of paint that does not get on your image.

3.) Using the ½ inch paint brush paint on the color that you want to show up in the “cracks.” Let this color dry completely.

*The first coat of color you put on will not be the main color.

4.) Using the same washed out brush. Apply Crackle all over 1^st layer of paint. Let dry until tacky.

5.) Using the same washed out brush. Apply second coat of contrasting color. The cracks will form in the direction of your brush strokes. Apply your second coat of contrasting color (this will be your main color) Watch the cracks form in just minutes. It’s so cool! Allow the canvas to dry completely.

5.) Using the ½ inch brush apply the Satin Interior Varnish. Apply 2 coats.

6.) Remove tape from picture borders.

7.) Using the cowboy font as a reference, write the boys name on the picture below.

Sketching in pencil is a good idea. Using the tiny brush 20/0 paint in the letters with the Magnolia white paint.

8.) Using the ribbon fabric, cut two, 7 inch pieces and two– 5 inch pieces. Border the picture. Attaching the leather with Rubber Cement. Allow to dry over night

9.) Using needle and thread, attach stars on each side of the painted name.

10.) Sit back on your leather sectional sofa, call your girlfriends and tell them how you now know how to use crackle paint, leather and pictures to make one very cute

Leather and Canvas Creations for Big Boys! Of course you’ll tell them to check out Aunt Nini’s crafts at http://furniturefromhome.blogspot.com/

It’s been fun ladies! I’m off to create a life worth of memories! If you have any ideas or comments to share please contact me at Irvina@furniturefromhome.com

Happy crafting chicas!

Love,

Irvina

AKA “Aunt Nini”

Boys! As easy as A, B, C, D, E, F, G!

2007-02-23T11:44:00.000-08:00

Boys! As easy as A, B, C, D, E, F, G!

Alright boys and girls, it’s Monday morning and it’s time to blog. The funny thing is I’m at a loss for words. I know, hard to believe, but true. I was tapping my foot channeling my creative energy when my boss suggested, “Write about something interesting.” Interesting? As profound a suggestion that is, I am still sitting on this leather chairs waiting for something to come to me. Aha! Gifts for boys! Such a struggle for some ya know? Not for me! Read on for pearls of wisdom!

A- Car:
(Not in the budget for all the bargain hunters who read my blog? We’ll get to ya’all in just a momento)! Men love cars…..some guy told me once that cars to men are like scrapbooks to women….so they love them. And, if you’re a sugar momma, black AmEx card carrying success then by all means….Vroom Vroom!

B-eer:
As in Pacifico beers! By the way did you know that beers go exceptionally well with chocolate chip cookies? Yeah their like cheese to wine. Just ask my friend Will. Will got his appendix taken out this past week. Ouch! I know, so what better to console him than a prescription from Dr. Irvina for chocolate chip cookies and Pacifico beer? Now some girls I know refrain from this kind of stuff because they think it looks too girly. Of course, if you’re going to wrap it with hot pink flowers and violet organza ribbon he’s gonna be less than excited to show his roommates. BUT! If you put it in a natural basket, use earthy raffia for the ribbon then he’s going to be totally stoked. Check out the pictures below and thank me with a Watermelon Daiquiri later. .…

C-upcakes:
These come with some precautions....remember the “Ahhhhhhh! So cute” factor? When you’re making crafts? The same goes for anything you bake or cook. If you’re going to make a baked good a gift it ought to look like a perfect 10 and be lip lickin’ scrumptious! Now, it doesn’t have to be difficult to do that though. Honestly, I’m not a big cupcake baker myself, but I know a pretty cute girl that is, Patty! She is this totally cute New York gal who is at the height of easy entertaining and simple recipes check out her website at http://www.pattyspantrynyc.com/ . Try her recipe for apple cake. Yummy! Also if you’re looking for some more great cupcakes you can never go wrong with Sprinkle’s Cupcakes (or as my girlfriends call them, “crack”)

D-eep tissue massage:
My boss…okay…the guy may be the connoisseur of women, the cream of the crop at great conversation and have impeccable taste in leather sofa sets, but when it comes to taking a chill pill the guy is in need of some serious 911 help from Chica Irvina. So, a gift certificate for a massage at the local spa made quite the splash for his birthday. He said he was going to use it the same day!

E-ndless kisses:
Write out a cute little gift certificate on your computer for “Endless kisses.” A very big smile….100% Guaranteed!
NOTE: Not to be used on friends, co-workers or family members (unless of course you are under the age of two.)

F-lourless Chocolate Cake:
WARNING: If you’re going to serve this to anyone (guy or girl) be prepared for a marriage proposal on the spot! No joke, my girlfriends give me the eyes after I make this recipe at girls nights. Guys just tend to blurt out “I love you” over and over again as he devours it in one sitting at the dining room sets. So again…Bake with caution: Here is the recipe: Bake’r up girls!

INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup water
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup and 2 tablespoons white sugar
4 ½ oz bittersweet chocolate
4 ½ oz cacao chocolate
1/2 cup unsalted butter
3 eggs
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Grease one 10 inch round cake pan and set aside.
In a small saucepan over medium heat combine the water, salt and sugar. Stir until completely dissolved and set aside.
Either in the top half of a double boiler or in a microwave oven melt the bittersweet chocolate and cacoa. Pour the chocolate into the bowl of an electric mixer.
Cut the butter into pieces and beat the butter into the chocolate, 1 piece at a time. Beat in the hot sugar-water. Slowly beat in the eggs, one at a time.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Have a pan larger than the cake pan ready, put the cake pan in the larger pan and fill the pan with boiling water halfway up the sides of the cake pan.
Bake cake in the water bath at 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) for 45 minutes. The center will still look wet. Chill cake overnight in the pan or serve warm. To reheat put each slice in the microwave for 25 seconds. Add some vanilla ice cream for yummyness!
G-adgets: As in watches….pretty, pricey and perfect! You know where to go, the mall, the boutique. Wind it and wrap it!

Alright my lady friends I hope you enjoyed this week’s blog!
Until we meet again, keep sweet, smiley and shoppin’ at
www.FurnitureFromHome.com

Ciao!
Irvina
xoxoxo

Do what you love!

2007-02-16T11:38:00.000-08:00

Valentine’s Day was this past Wednesday. Being a 24 year old chica I have a diverse amount of friends who are newly married, going strong for 50 years, single and even (cue lighting) divorced. The funny thing to me is how much single gals talk about being single. I think I have heard every strategy about how to find love the quickest, dump it the nicest, test it’s authenticity, the mushy perfect endings and how to shape your prized perfect love into happily ever after. Dreadfully, after listening I get the gruesome question of, “Why aren’t you seeing anyone?” Being a pretty content single senorita for quite sometime, I pondered the question, “Why am I so content being single?” A thought came to me last night while I sat on our leather sofa in our living room, “Do what you love.” It’s a motto I try to live my life by. However, if that statement rang true I would have to say that,

1.) I love to drive through bumpy dirt roads

2.) I love to bathe in a shower that changes from scalding hot to ice cold ever 10 seconds

3.) I love doing work and not getting paid for it

4.) I love getting a whiff of dog feces every 3 miles

That’s pretty much what this past weekend was like in El Nino Mexico. I went with my church to build a home in this little community of people who lost their homes right after the storms of El Nino. They have tried to build their own shelter for themselves with scraps of plywood and old garage doors. I would guess the question of whether to go with the cherry wood or mahogany bedroom set for their master bedroom hasn’t recently crossed their minds. The question of whether they are loved or not probably sits with the latter of the two.

It was my fourth trip down there. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but something has kept pushing me to sign up and go. For a long time I didn’t know why, but I found it on this trip. On top of an 8 foot ladder while I was painting the white trim on the pink house we built. I saw a God’s eye view of the dirt hills of El Nino. All of the homes that have been built over the past few years in the community were in front of me. A palette of homes in light blue, lime green, fuschia pink, royal blue, purple and mint green were spread out among the dusty hill. I thought to myself, “What if not even one of these little homes was ever built?” What if the voices that so loudly say, “going down there allows the Mexican government not to take care of their own people” and that “the Mexicans take advantage of charity and will learn to live off of it.” What if all of the volunteers that traveled down here had listened to those voices and not come? How much worse would the conditions in this community be? The only thing I could think of that would turn off those voices in someones head is the sake of “doing what you love.” No matter how stupid, ridiculous or out right wrong it looks to another person. “Do what you love.”

Yeah, so according to my girlfriends if you’re a women and not married by the time you’re 30, you’ve done something wrong. But, I beg to disagree. My challenge for all of the single, unique and beautiful women I know out there is “Do what you love and you will always have love.” Don’t bother with worrying about where your hottie husband is in the world and what precise time he is going to find you. “Do what you love”, is the name of the game. Love all the people you can a long the way. Whether it takes you to Mexico to build a home for some strangers or down the street to buy a turkey, avocado, extra Dijon mustard (hold the mayo) on a wheat baguette sandwich for yourself. If you don’t have a significant other in your life, that probably means the love you have to give is so great that it needs to be spread out before you give it all to a husband and your 2.5 kids . As it is said, “For where your treasure is there your heart will be.” Hugs, kisses and a big smile!

Want to find some bedroom sets you will absolutely love?

Visit the new site!

www.FurnitureFromHome.com

Happy Valentines Day 2007!

2007-02-16T09:42:00.000-08:00

It seems like lately every one tells me, "You're too hard on yourself Irvina." Well ya know what, I dont' think that's too bad because I get some pretty cute, creative stuff as the result. Check out this cute Valentine's card I made this year. When I make something I know it's not done until it has hit the "Ahhhhhh!" factor. You know you look at it and say, "Ahhhhhhhhhhh! So cute." Well this one shot right off the charts!

Hillary for President!

2007-02-05T14:25:00.000-08:00

On January 20th 1993, my little sister and I ditched school. Our age: 9 and 10 years old. Our accomplice: Our joy riding, cookie baking, mother. The crime: Watching President Clinton’s inauguration into the white house. It definitely wasn’t the hookie day to Disneyland that kids dream about, but I was still stoked to wear my pink pajamas all day and sit on our navy blue sofa with the cute little birds on it. At that time anything was better than long division. Even if it meant watching the man who had monopolized our television for the past 4 months at the effect of us missing our favorite TV show, Full House. I realize now that sitting on that couch I learned something more valuable than the oath a president says when he takes office. I learned that my mother, the woman I look up to cares about who runs her country and thus so should I. As I grew up I found that politics and world hunger was not the topic of discussion at the dining room table for many of my girl friends families. Breast implant, make-up, boyfriends and celebrities took the place. The result in recent years has been a society of women who only feel as powerful as their looks. Women who don’t have strong role models don’t become strong leaders who care about their country and making a difference in it. Now, more than ever, America needs a women president. A woman who would send the message that a woman can lead with strength, leadership and compassion. The unique leadership abilities of all women are needed and would make a more optimized society if they were tapped into. If America does not elect a women president, women will continue to look towards the women that are in the spot light (predominantly celebrities) who are only as valuable as their physical appearance.

Take the increase of breast implants into consideration. The American Society for Aesthetics Plastic Surgery reports that nearly 330, 000 women underwent breast surgeries in 2004, more than triple the total since 1997. That is more than an 800 percent increase since 1992. Half of the women I know from school, work and even church have breast implants. I remember being 15 and sitting with my friends who would discuss the idea of breast implants with their mom’s. One of my friends mom’s told her, “I wish you could be happy the way you are. But, if you’re not then why don’t you get on the internet and do some research into finding a good plastic surgeon.” Another friend’s mom said, “You can get the procedure done when you are able to take the money out of your trust fund when you’re eighteen.” Women are born with an innate ability to discernment and sensitivity. The focus is no longer on the strengths women are born with. Instead its on making the women the most beautiful she can be.

Young women develop who they are by the messages society sends them of what is acceptable. American society is very distinct on what is and isn’t approved of. The only women who are predominantly in the spot light are celebrities. Britney Spears is given attention for her shocking (nearly there) wardrobe, Cameron Diaz makes headlines for losing a boyfriend, Tyra Banks makes the news when she gains a couple of pounds. The underlying message is you must always look your best, keep your man and be skinny otherwise we’ll just make fun of you and lump you into the “Loser” category. A study done at the University of Calgary on teenagers with celebrity idols found that a ghastly 60 percent of participants admitted that a celebrity idol had a profound influence on their attitudes and personal values, including their work ethic and views on morality. And nearly half said that their idol inspired them to pursue activities including acting, sports, becoming a vegetarian or using drugs. For thousands of years women have had the talent of creativity and nurturing. When strong messages are relayed that a women can only be as creative as the fashion trends allow it depletes the God given uniqueness she has been given. A women who stands apart from the trends and states that being different is okay is needed.
My little niece is 10 years old. She just visited state capital of California on a field trip. They were looking at a long hall of portraits of all of the passed Governors of California. When my sister told her, “Maybe one day you’ll be Governor sweetie.” My niece replied, “I can’t I’m not a boy.” All of our passed Governors have been men. “What you see really is what you get.” Young girls can’t be expected to think big if the example is not set for them. I’m not saying that it’s Britney Spears job to be a role model, but somebody needs to step up and do it.
Right now I work as a blogger. I can type this blog up from an office, school, Starbucks, my sisters den or sitting on my mom’s Queen bedroom set. I like to think I live a pretty charmed life. At a time where technology and health are at it’s peak. I feel well equipped to accomplish whatever my heart desires. It pains me to think about the women who were never taught that skin is just the wrapping paper to the real present inside.

Cutie Patoote Photo Purses!

2006-12-18T15:32:00.000-08:00

Thank you for reading the funniest, cutest, wittiest and prettiest blog in the whole wide world! I would like to thank my sponsor www.FurnitureFromHome.com for making all of these blogs possible. Without them my mouth would be parched from the lack of latte’s and thus I could not type. Please visit their site www.FurnitureFromHome.com for more of my decorating, crafty, baking and how to live life tips. And now our feature blog-entation!!!!

Call me crazy…most people do….I decided with little thought and big ambition that I was going to make all of my Christmas gifts this year. Well after consultations with the sewing guru’s I call, “My mom,” “Nick’s Mom” and “Milan’s mom,” changing my design twice and going $200 over budget, I finally got the ball rolling in creating the first of many project, “Cutie-Patootie photo purses” for my nieces.

Now don’t read me the wrong way. (Illiteracy is such a tragedy!) I enjoyed every stitch of time in creating these purses. I believe that to artfully create a unique piece of work that you must truly love the journey in creating it. I like to make everything fun. Out of the ordinary is always good too. I mean I got to do my yoga stretches while working on the easel I call my bedroom carpet. And, while not only gaining valuable sewing advice from the several women who helped me out, I got to sit and absorb their wise life advice at many a dining room table.

Now for what you all have been waiting for…. The recipe for the, “Cutie-Patootie Photo purses.” Make them with care, time and they will look like little pieces of sunshine!

HOW TO:

You need:

1 denim purse
3 cute fabrics of your choice for the flowers
1 yellow fabric for the center of your flowers
Needle
Thread
Sewing Machine
Flower template
Transfer paper
Green Ribbon
Leaf buttons
Magic Stitch (fabric glue)

First step: Create a flower template that is about 3 inches in diameter with a 1 inch circle in the middle.

Second step: Trace the flower pattern to the fabric leaving ¼ of an inch for slits. Cut out the middle circle leaving ¼ inch for slits. Magic Stitch the ends back so they don’t fray.

Third step: Select cute pictures that you want to place in the flowers. Cute poses will add some flavorful spice! Size the pictures to fit inside the flowers. Make sure you reverse the image on the computer. When you iron it on the fabric it will reverse sides.

Fourth step: Take the transfer paper and put it in your printer. Press print and voila, you have images on transfer paper! You are so cool!

Fifth step: Iron the yellow fabric to remove moisture. Cut out the pictures on the transfer paper separately (to save fabric.) Place the transfer image face down on the fabric. Iron for about 30 seconds. Remove backing.

Sixth step: Cut out images to be placed in the center and sew them to the flower.

Seventh step: Sew the entire piece to the purse. Carefully maneuvering around the petals

Eighth step: Magic Stitch the green ribbon to the flower. Curving it to give it a “stem like” figure. Sew petal beads to the edge of the ribbon.

Ninth step: Look back and applaud what a fine and creative chic you are!

Throwing your own Birthday Party Ettiquette !

2006-12-07T10:14:00.000-08:00

My Birthday Bash….

So I almost didn’t celebrate my birthday this year. I know, seriously that’s like a leprechaun saying, “Bah Humbug” to St. Patrick’s day. I was going to play it cool like a stiletto wearing, prada bag carrying, skinny chic that is too cool to celebrate her birthday past 21 years old. Then I realized I am a sandal wearing, canvas bag covered in eclectic pins carrying, senorita who IS the epitome of “cool!” I am so glad I came to my senses because my 24 th birthday was like a Disney movie, colorful, creative and I didn’t want it to end! Here’s how it went down…

Hostess with the mostess ….

Unfortunately, my apartment, quaint and cozy as it is is not exactly entertaining material. I mean there are mini vans bigger than my living room. However, I found a classy Mexican food restaurant in Laguna Beach with amazing Pineapple martinis called Las Brisas. I thought it would be nice to add a personal touch to the dining table with cutesy little parting gifts. And I came up with “Madam Irvina’s Fortune Baggie’s” They are so cute! Am I clever or what??? This is how they are done:

You need:

*Hole puncher

*Ribbon

*Miniature paper bags

*Paper

*Scalloped scissors

*Colored pencils

*Strawberries

*Chocolate

*Your wit

To make:

1.) Pre cut pretty ribbons 5 inches in length

2.) Pre cut 1x1 squares with scalloped scissors

3.) Write “You…” on one side of the squares

4.) On the opposite side and the opposite end (so it flips over) write a cute saying like, “You....will be a hot mom!” “You….will marry a man who knows how to make homemade ice cream.”

5.) Crease the flap of the bags and hole punch over the crease

6.) Place two chocolate covered strawberries inside

7.) Slip the ribbon through the hole and the “You” card.

8.) Tie in a knot and voila! You have “Madam Irvina’s Fortune Baggie’s.”

They were a big hit! The girls savored these while they told funny “Irvina’s crazy and this is why” stories J

Words of Wisdom…

You know how they say, “No one likes a tipsy bride.” I say likewise with the birthday hostess. Not that I was under the table drunk (What do you think I am 23?) It’s just hard to hostess everyone when you are half a beat slow from sipping. You catch me? Oh well, wisdom for the next 60 birthday parties to come. Next time I’ll save the martinis for post party unwinding with a few of the girls.

It seriously has been the best birthday! I’ll never forget playing G.I. Joes with my nieces and nephews on my actual birthday night. I got to debut G.I. birthday girl; she was quite literally “the bomb.” Listening to my sister Kim reminisce that I looked like a hairy little monkey when I was born. Sweet, sweet sister she is. Opening the gift from my boss, The Cricut. (For those unrefined, non-scrap bookers out there who actually have a life, The Cricut just happens to be the biggest, baddest scrap booking toy ever!) Getting a message from my friend Will the following weekend saying, “We’re throwing you a party tonight for your birthday and uh it would be nice if you were here.” To getting a half fallen on the floor birthday cake from my friend Jackie. The three second rule applies to birthday cakes right?

Now here is a deep thought…(Oprah, you’ll like this J)Birthdays are simply a reflection of life. It’s better with close friends, delicious food, laughing hysterically and being delightfully surprised by all the gifts that come your way!

Ciao!

My Big, Fat, American, Thanksgiving!

2006-12-05T15:08:00.000-08:00

My Big, Fat, American Thanksgiving!

After one cute call from my niece, asking me if I would help her talk her parents into buying her a camera for Christmas. One reminder call from my brother-in-law, telling me my drink is getting warm and to get on the road because there is traffic. Three prayers for no fatalities on the 15 South and driving an hour and a half while making up stories in my head where all the cars around me were going, I arrived at Thanksgiving dinner at my sisters house.

My cute little family, all 30 of them! Nieces, nephews, sisters, half-sisters, brothers-in-law, my mom, my half sisters dad (my mom’s ex-husband,) his wife, her kids, her kids kids…just one big American family eh? Well it’s what I call “My Big, Fat American Thanksgiving.” It’s pretty crazy that we can all have a good Thanksgiving dinner together considering the scenario. My mom call’s our family, “Happily Divorced.” To say the least.

How did we do it? My hostess with the mostess sister Amy, the “Rachel Ray” worshiping, wine connoisseur, makes throwing a party for 30 look as easy as eating two servings of pumpkin pie. Here’s how she did it:

Reservation for a Party of 30….

We’re loud people who like to laugh and be with each other. In our family, every joke is so good you don’t want to miss it. Knowing this my sister wanted to keep us together. She took her dining room table and lined up 3 other long tables side by side. She alternated the table cloths two gold and two ivory. There were 6 settings on the long sides and 4 on the short sides. Everyone could see each other and yet still be intimate with the people next to them.

Comfortable conversation couches…

Have you heard of the color personalities? Well if you ever have or you ever do my sister Amy is a blue. She is all about having conversation with people and connecting. You can totally tell by her affection for couches. She has four sets in her home. Every where you go is an opportunity to sit down and chat.

Sleepy sisters….

Okay so one minute I’m playing poker and partying with the family, the next minute I am passed out. Maybe too much tryptophan in the turkey or one too many shots of Patron with my brother in law, maybe it’s being over worked at www.FurnitureFromHome.com (no it couldn’t be that.) Whatever it was I was bloody tired. Good thing my sis has more than a couple sleeper sofas in her house. I woke up bright eyed and cheery ready, to get dogged by my family in the morning for not being able to “hang.” Hey there’s always next weekend.

When it comes to holiday entertaining, I’ve found that people beat themselves up until their running around like a head less turkey over the way things are “supposed to look” or the way their family is “supposed to be.” My family is incredibly unique, so who’s to say our entertaining shouldn’t be unique also. Think of what you want from your holidays and just do it. Is it seeing everyone at once at the dinner table? Having a comfortable place to chat in every room of your house? Having your entire family over for a sleep over? Whatever it may be, the thing to remember is each and every one of the people at your dinner table is there for a reason. It might not always look normal, but really how fun is normal? It’s your family which is far better than any fake bunch of models posing in Martha Stewart’s magazine next to plastic pumpkin pies. Besides those people don’t look very funny at all. By the way, whoever said once you become a mom you have to wear a sweater vest for every special occasion? Bad call!

How to keep the good vibes coming in your home....

2006-11-16T17:33:00.000-08:00

Earlier this summer I was diagnosed, “H.S.P.” Of course I assumed it meant Happy Sophisticated Princess, but besides the obvious it means something else. H.S.P. is a Highly, Sensitive Person. I feel, hear and sense more than the average person. Absorbing the emotions of people around me I am more sensitive to my environment. It’s funny because I have been noticing how I feel when I enter different people’s homes. Some homes put me completely at ease as if their sofas was a log in the middle of Fern Gully. In other homes I instantly feel sadness as if I just heard about another 3 fallen soldiers I Iraq. The sadness lingers until I leave. It’s not as if one home has more lavish furnishings than the other. It’s the sense of peace or lack there of that I noticed.

I did some pondering while sitting on the chenille fabric couch I like to call my office. I thought about the homes that I love to visit and never want to leave. Besides the ambiance of a beautiful Cherry wood dining room set what makes these homes send me such a warm and inviting aroma?

Think about Starbucks for a second. What makes people stay in there for hours and hours at a time instead of hanging out inside of a McDonald’s? I think a lot of it has to do with the positivity that is coming in and out of Starbuck’s. They are brewing fresh coffee all day, they spend more relaxed time connecting with their customer and there is usually a slow paced lyrical tune playing. All of these components require the visitor and the host to give emit positive energy. I believe that each one of these quality elements has overlapped on the last and has created a soothing environment. A person who visits Starbuck’s is usually in a good state of mind to be treating themselves to an almost $4 cup of coffee. While the people who go into McDonald’s are scrimping to save and are in a hurry. Anxiety stays in McDonald’s all day long.

So you’re following my drift wood right? It’s all the little actions all day, all week all year that create the energy of a home. Take a look at my friend Judie’s house. Every time I enter it, I feel endorphins going off all over my body. I asked myself, “What goes on in that home all week?” What I know for sure is no matter what day of the week it is Judie always greets people with a hug. She often cooks homemade recipes for her husband, grandchildren and friends. The grandchildren she loves come over to play a couple times a week. There are always fresh flowers in sight and she is constantly praying to God. I believe what makes Judies home an intoxicatingly happy place to be is the combustion of the mass amount of positive energy set off by her daily acts of kindness.

Then there’s my other girlfriend (whose name we won’t mention because after everyone reads my blog I’m going to have my own show and this article is going to be considered one of the best home therapy articles of the 21^st century.) Her house is down right drab. I’m sorry but it’s true, besides the comfortable sectional sofa and the other lavish wood furnishings her home has a chill that would make an igloo look like a cabana in Hawaii. I watched her family interact within the home. I found them watching a lot of television and when they converse it’s usually something sarcastic. She makes home made meals solely because her children need to eat. Not for the sake of doing something for someone she loves. Sadly, as much as I care for my girlfriend I usually get so overwhelmed by the frigidness that I have to leave pretty quickly. (I can’t write blogs if I’m bummed out now can I?)

Now you might think this whole, “energy thing” is a little too spooky and has nothing to do with a rooms “looky.” Come on! Give a blogging girl chance! Think about it, what happens when a happy person smiles at you? Be honest! You feel happy and in turn you give away the happiness. Every action we do require energy. If you are constantly taking your time to “smile” at your home by praying over it, making home made dinners with fine ingredients for the ones you love or even polishing the wood furniture with love then that positive energy will accumulate and make your home an inviting house. Think of your home as a relationship with a person. Every kin action you do with “the person” builds a stronger, happier relationship. I hope you take my theory to heart and make your home ooze with positive energy from your front door to your bedroom set.

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Deorating the bachelorette pad!

2006-11-07T13:31:00.000-08:00

I am an official woman. Meaning, coffee no longer tastes like tar. I haven’t been asked to leave a movie theatre for “disturbing the peace” in over 5 years. I can end a relationship without toilette papering the guys house. And, having a couple drinks with my girlfriends does not result in waking up on the pier with a missing shoe and a new puppy in my purse. Yes, the road to sophistication has been intense and emotional. Now, that I’m here I am ready to graciously take the reins of my life with full force. But, before I go anywhere the palace I reside in has to be in savvy shape!

Bedroom Beauty-

Personally, I’m a roommate kind of gal. I need other gals in my house to remind me that the creak in the middle of the night isn’t the armed murderer their looking for on CNN. Yet, having a lot of commotion does call some of us retreat to our rooms. Making your room a V.I.P.T.C. (Very, important, place, to, chill.) The most important thing we purchase for our rooms is going to be our bedroom set. Might as well purchase the bed, night stands and dresser all at once and get it over with and back to that new flourless brownie recipe. Whether or not you get a Queen bedroom set, a King Bedroom set or a double is completely up to you. Try not to worry too much on what you purchase. If you invest in a nice set you can keep it as a bedroom set when you decide to get married. Splurge on yourself! Who knows when you’re going to meet that lucky guy and “if” you choose to marry him. My favorite styles are dark wood bedroom sets, contemporary bedroom sets and natural wood bedroom sets. I “Irvinafy” them with bright linens and happy pillows.

Living room Lassie-

Clear your schedule because it’s “Girls Night!” Girl’s night meaning your living room furniture is the happenin’ spot for hors douvres, red wine and maybe some sophisticated Jell-O shots Jso your living room should be chic and ready to entertain. We’re friends so let me be honest with you, a torn up sofa with masking tape holding it together is grunge. FYI, grunge went out of style in 1998, girl, it’s 2006. If you’re going for affordable try the Westwood Sectional. It’s totally customizable with over a thousand different fabric swatches to choose from. If you are doing really well in your college educated profession you might try a leather living room set. Perfect for dusting off any crumbs that might be dropped during uncontrollable laughter.

Dining room Diva-

Did someone say, “Dinner Party?” Hooray! I have been wanting to taste test my new recipe for Pumpkin Soup on 10 people! Since the Living Room has been blessed as holy grounds for Girls Night we should probably move things into the dining room for the dinner party. First thing you need is a table and tables aren’t clicky they like to be accompanies by chairs. You’ll need a dining room set with a long table and beautiful chairs. Most sets seat up to 8, but you can add in the leaf that comes with it and make the table for 10. A sophisticated dining room set totally sets the tone for an occasion and your home.

Be the beacon of good taste and show your friends how real women combine class with decorating sass! I hope you enjoyed my tips. It was great talking to you. Call me when you want to talk again. Till then Ciao bellas! If you are interested in anymore tips please visit: www.FurnitureFromHome.com

Decorating tips for a bachelor:

2006-11-02T11:06:00.000-08:00

Decorating tips for a bachelor:

I love going to a bachelor pads! It cracks me up how different guys are about “their space.” From the gentleman who wants my opinion, “If I had a white sofa with Tahoma blue pillows that would look pimp right? Or would it look too nautical?” To the momma’s boy who proudly exclaims, “My mom decorated! Have you seen her picture? She’s beautiful!”

Metro-sexual, straight, gay, surfer dude to the collector of 18^th century nudes…generation Y2K’ ers are bound to be bachelors for quite some time. Statistics show that generation Y2K prolongs pursuing a focused career, post pone marriage until after 30 and will invest in property before their 26^th birthday. Meaning many bachelors are going to be all alone scratching and sniffing wood, trying to figure out the difference between a Mahogany wood bedroom set and a Cherry wood bedroom set. Lucky for you, Mr. Bachelor, the nice chaps at www.FurnitureFromHome.com are bribing me with lattes and compliments to share my memoirs of bachelor pad traveling. I’ve seen the tastefully good ½ living room ½ basketball court, the sadly bad cigar smelling recliner and the always appropriate sandalwood potpourri. Some of you find decorating as easy as opening a door for a pretty lady, the rest are dumbfounded the same way you don’t understand why women consider ice cream a food group (it’s calcium I tell you!) Don’t be afraid, I’ll pimp your pad and you’ll have chicks offering to be your maid!

The Living Room is like a car….

It should suit your style, be a quality product and most importantly it should go vroom vroom! Meaning it should look so good that other people will want it the moment they lay eyes on it (the way the dudes in the next building look at your 7 series eh?) Most bachelor entertaining will take place in the living room. Making your selection of sofas, loveseats, sectionals and entertainment sets a stock market important one. Depending on your hobbies you can make your selections easier. If you’re a big sports fan, then a leather sectional would be appropriate. Keeping your guests entertained around the T.V. and having leather in case of touchdown excitement party fouls. If leather isn’t your game plan, then the Westwood Sectional with over 1000 fabric swatches will cater to you. If you’re a Great Gatsby type who throws dinner parties then perhaps a sofa set with a love seat and ottoman would better suit your sophisticated taste. Do you smell that? I think your medallion cut filet mignon’s are ready.

The Bedroom is like a watch….

It should look good, be comfortable and classy! Seriously now, your looking for a watch. What kind of band do you prefer? Leather band guys like it all natural, you might like a Birch wood bedroom set with a refined finish that leaves the grain of the wood visible. Steel wrist band? It’s all about the way it functions to you. You’ll be happy with a Queen Bedroom set from www.FurnitureFromHome.com. You’ll be able to view over 500 bedroom sets from classical to contemporary and have it delivered to your home in 2 to 4 weeks! If that isn’t as precise as the clock striking 5 o’clock on a Friday, I don’t know what is. Now, for you silver banded chaps. Beacons of good taste you are. You’ll want to show your class with a dark wood bedroom set. Maybe even a contemporary bedroom set. Just remember bachelors, how a watch can make a “slob” look like “a hands on man.” A bedroom set can make a “pig sty” look like an “elegant mess.”

The Dining Room is like a girl….

It should be beautiful, smart and have some personality! Dinner parties, movie watching or football cheering if you have the wrong girl by your side it can make the party go to hangover all too fast. The same way not having the right furniture to entertain guests comfortably at your pad. Let’s face it were not in college anymore, it’s time to invest in a beautiful dining room set that won’t topple over when you put a six pack on it. There are thousands of styles at www.FurnitureFromHome.com that will suit the most discriminating eyes. From leather back chairs dining room set to classic dining room sets. Like a girl their all beautiful and www.FurnitureFromHome.com has the hottest selection.

Alright guys my pearls of wisdom have been given away for free. I think you guys should consider them like Taco Tuesdays. Good for you, fun and a great way to entertain the ladies. It’s time for my second latte. Ciao!

How to have Christmas without leaving your home and saving time....

2006-10-24T17:00:00.000-07:00

The 12 days of Christmas (revised):

12 Christmas cards for giving, 11 twinkling lights for replacing, 10 relatives for shopping, 9 dozen cookies for baking, 8 Sweaters for dry cleaning, 7 nativity characters, 6 Trips to the mall, 5 letters to Santa, 4 parties for attending, 3 wreaths for hanging, 2 Christmas recitals and 1 tinseled Tree! Ahhh.... so joyful are the days prior to Christmas.

Are you joyfully joking!?! Pardon me, but not everyone is capable of knitting matching sweaters for the family and pet Chihuahua while you sit in traffic on the 405 freeway. If only we were all Martha's with the time to churn our own butter from the cow outside our house for Christmas cookies. Thank goodness I'm no pessimist!

Lucky for you, Santa and I are gym buddies. (Yeah, he works out at the 24 hour in Irvine. No, I don’t know why. But, it might be because I’m so amusing and tell him “good girls” don’t like skinny guys.) Anyway, Santa gave me the magic fairy dust of Christmas 2 years ago. You ready here it is.....online! No joke, it’s how Santa himself does a lot of his business. After you read the below you too will consider on line shopping/ordering/reserving/developing/arranging to be the most enchanted way to have Christmas. Just sprinkle and repeat.

To use: Say the magic words below and type!

Rudolf the red nose reindeer didn’t have to pay for gas mileage!

When you add up the cost of gas, your lunch at the mall, the cost of the fender bender in the parking lot and the cost of the gift you bought at the mall... We're talking $500 for a John Mayer CD. Save yourself the woes and instead perfect your red wrapping bows! Shop on line for all of your gifts. Detailed pictures and on line sales are the best things since eggnog lattes.

Deck the halls with Free Delivery fa la la la la la la la!

Years of fabulous entertaining have done a number on your sofa. So you're going to replace the sofa and get a new bedroom set for the guest house. Of course you have plenty of time to shop and arrange for delivery. Using www.FurnitureFromHome.com you do! No other furniture retailer provides a variety of sofas and bedroom sets ranging from classical bedroom sets to contemporary dining room sets. Friendly assistance, 24 hour customer service, high resolution images and a fabulous site to navigate through. Redecorating never looked so rewarding. Not only will your house be updated, but it will be done in less than 30 minutes. Free delivery on most of the merchandise allows you to kick back and finish knitting that scarf for Aunt Bebe.

Jingle all the way, preparing Christmas dinner shouldn’t take all day!

No, this does not require a microwave! Get on line and place a catering order through The Honey baked Ham store, Bristol Farms, Gelson's, your local restaurant or super market. Most caterers offer fully roasted and stuffed turkeys with all the side dishes. You will have so much free time that you will be able to help make your daughter make that ginger bread house sparkle! Will make you almost all will deliver to your home the day of your party!

Silent Night, A very cold night, hanging Christmas Lights, oh what a fright!

Just Google “Christmas light hangers” and you will find a list of companies that will send out their elves to jump on your roof and hang your Christmas lights. A majority of these companies have installers who are18 to 20 year old boys who are home from college trying to make a couple of bucks. So while you’re making some extra time for yourself you are also feeding starving students.

Not a creature was stirring, not even a computer mouse!

By December 26 you need a massage and a batch of peppermint Vikatin cookies. Don’t let your time saving stop post Christmas. Get your memories from Christmas morning back faster than your five year old can rip through wrapping paper. Using ShutterFly.com you can upload your memories and have them mailed to you in 3 days. You don’t risk losing the digital files at the developer and you never waste the gas getting there.

It all comes down to quality, not quantity. Sometimes it’s best to pick and choose the traditions we most cherish and take some help with the others. I love the smell of the fresh pine in our living room, reading through Christmas cards and my mom’s Crepe’s Christmas morning. I do know from past experience that when I am exhausted I don’t fully enjoy all that the season has to offer. I hope you use these tips to make time for yourself to enjoy your family and spend the time cheerfully humming through what you cherish most.

Tips on moving for my Nomad's.....

2006-10-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

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Moving….ugh!!! And I’m not talking boots! Why can’t it be like the Oregon Trail ya know? Hitch up the ponies throw in your two dresses, a canteen of water, grandma’s bible and pray you don’t die of yellow fever on the way? Okay, so maybe not so much like the Oregon Trail. Today’s ponies look like gas bingeing Uhauls and Grandma’s Bible is now huge sofas and bedroom sets. How do you get it all to the new house without a prescription for Xanax? With tips from La Irvina that’s how! Read on nomads!

1. Less = No stress!

So you are planning on buying a new bedroom set and replacing the sofa nicknamed “party foul central.” Why would you move stuff you are planning to replace anyway? Cancel the truck and hop on the internet to purchase an entire bedroom set and sofa that can be delivered to your new home. The best part is you won’t have to pay for the shipping or labor to move it. You’ll save the time of replacing the set later and you’ll have a fresh start in your new home. Most online furniture retailers like www.FurnitureFromHome.com are very accommodating to your schedule. They can arrange to have the items delivered on your move in date.

Trash is a great stash!

Use white trash bags instead of boxes for clothing, linens and towels. Use a black permanent marker to label them. Their cheaper than boxes and you can lean against them while you tell that one story about how when you were a kid, you hid in box and got sent to New Hampshire on a UHaul.

Who is your 2 a.m. crew?

If you were in jail or stranded at 2 a.m. who would you call? Who would come and bail you out? Chances are those same people are the people who will help you move your dining room set with a smile. Be sure to thank your loyal friends with rounds of coffee, beer and sandwiches. But, if you’re better at giving than receiving then purchase new furniture than can be delivered to the new house from www.FurnitureFromHome.com

Front seat Fragile!

Since when did the word “fragile” translate to “play soccer with this box. It’s fun!” Not so much! If you have heirloom pieces like china, crystal or priceless Disney movies on VHS than you better put them in the front seat of your car. Be sure to keep a towel over them so vandals aren’t tempted to make “The Lion King” a shrine in their living room.

Online Oasis

The opposite of moving would be relaxing? And you know what you can! This is the 21^st century after all. What used to take a day of arranging, movers, trucks, boxes and furniture can now take 30 minutes tops online. Arrange for all the necessities of moving online with Uhaul.com Arrange for new furniture to be delivered to your home with www.FurnitureFromHome.com Since your such a genius for getting it done so fast you deserve a “Movish” backrub. Tell your missus a “Movish” back rub is a rub that leaves you free of kinks and is smooth all the way through.

Designing sound dumbfounding? La Irvina is here for the unwinding!

Are you moving into a custom home with so many rooms you don’t where to start? Or are you moving to your first starter home with bizarre cabinets that are 2 ft by 2 inches? No matter what the scenario ask La Irvina of www.FurnitureFromHome.com for tips on everything for decorating kid’s rooms to how pick a fabric for your sectional sofa.

Bedroom sets by the Signs...

2006-10-10T16:48:00.000-07:00

Aries-

Christopher Columbus’s blood runs through the veins of an Aries. Act NOW or forever be bored to your knees! An Aries is always on the edge of greatness. Their exploration is carried through to their shopping for bedroom sets. An Aries wants to try it all. A Contemporary Bedroom Set with new fangled style is exciting for an Aries. Life is much too exciting for sleep making a Queen Bedroom Set sufficient for just enough shut eye to refuel. An Aries enjoys being on the brink of new ideas. Making a chic and Modern Bedroom Set the ideal for their bedroom. The perfect scenario would be finding a bedroom set online at a store like www.FurnitureFromHome.com That way they can shop and purchase within an hour and get back to planning that safari in Africa.

Leo-

The Lion, the fearless leader in the jungle of life. Well suiting a Leo requires a King Bedroom Set for peaceful slumber away from the antics of leading. Leo’s have great expectations for themselves in all areas. A Solid wood bedroom set and a Quality bedroom set is well suiting for the Leo. New styles are scrutinized by a discerning leader. Likely a Leo will try out a Modern bedroom set for size. However if it doesn’t possess the attributes of quality wood and design than it will be exiled from the kingdom. .

Sagittarius-

Notorious for being the most perfect sign of them all. No seriously, Sagittarians are confident in their own definition of style. Open minded and intellectually curious a Sagittarian will want to know the history of a bedroom set. What kind of wood is this? Really? Where is that tree grown? What kind of air can you get jumping on the bed? It is a certified, jumping-safe bed right? Silly to you. Serious to a Sagittarian. A Sagittarian will prefer a dark wood bedroom set. Stylish by their own classic taste a Sagittarian has no need to keep up, making a classic bedroom set a grand possibility. Something that tells a story might speak to them. A distressed wood bedroom set might allow a Sagittarian to relish in the idea of a bed with a tale to tell.

Taurus-

Some of the most fascinating people in the world are Taurus’s. Warm and sensual beings that have a great appreciation for the fine things in life. When it comes to selecting a beautiful bedroom set beauty is the main factor. Elaborate designs and fine woods will stand out amongst the most scrutinizing eyes of the Taurus. The Taurus is the most likely to purchase a California King Bed, since life is too short to have anything less than the best. Mahogany bedroom sets, Canopy beds and solid wood bedroom sets with detailed design will be the most favored for a Taurus. The passionately strong willed and affectionate Taurus needs the same characteristics in a bedroom set that they possess in themselves.

Virgo-

Mother Earth is preserved by her Virgo children. A Virgo is practical and intelligent. Methodical and truly one with nature. Born out of realism with a tight grip on the importance of their environment. When it comes to bedroom sets they are prone to gravitate toward a clean and pure wood. A pine wood bedroom set or airy light wood bedroom set will look like a serene haven to a Virgo. A Virgo is a pure in all facets of life. Their modesty is seen in the transitional bedroom sets that they choose. It’s not about the flash or the prestige of what they have. It is the practicality and purity that it offers. Natural fibers are key to a Virgo. Wood bedroom sets are the optimal choice.

Capricorn-

A stand out amongst the mass of flesh. A Capricorn does not go along with the crowd. They enjoy being an outsider and relish in their style. A Capricorn can be found purchasing the bedroom set with flare. A Cast Iron Bed exudes the strength of a Capricorn. Its reliability is seen in the beds stature. A disciplined and hard working Capricorn will feel the need to splurge on a Queen bed, for optimal rest from their exhausting work schedule. A-typically not following the crowd a Capricorn might even purchase California King Bedroom set just for their own shock value.

Gemini-

Everybody loves a Gemini. The witty and adaptable people we all cherish. Their cheery disposition is well accompanied by a “Cherry” bedroom set. Capricorns are upbeat and proud to be the main stream for communication. Their homes are inviting and soothing. One might find a Shabby chic Bedroom set, in a Gemini’s room. Bright and energizing bedroom sets are the keys to their hearts.

Libra-

The chameleons. Young, old, outgoing or shy, a Libra makes everyone feel at home with them. The same with bedroom sets. Any bedroom set goes with a Libra. Let it be a Cherry Bedroom set or a light wood bedroom set. For a Libra a trundle bed is just as suiting as a grandiose King Bedroom set. The most important feature to a Libra is the comfort that the bedroom provides.

Aquarius-

Always ahead of their time. An Aquarius is always sailing in the opposite direction of the crowd. Yet, it never bothers the Aquarius. They are comfortable being the eccentric. An Aquarius is likely to mix a contemporary bedroom set with classic bedroom accents. Original in their selection you never know what side of the bed their on. One day they could want a Cherry Bedroom set while the next day their thinking a natural wood bedroom set with a gloss finish. Watch the Aquarius to set the trends.

Scorpio-

Fire works in a bottle. Scorpios have distinct and intense personalities. They shock people by their black and white mentality. Like wise their bedroom set selections differ distinctly from others. If a Scorpio likes a Modern Bedroom set then you are most likely to see their entire home in the lime greens and blacks. If they prefer a dark bedroom set you’ll see dark woods through out the home. Scorpios are likely to keep their tastes in bedroom sets for a life time. They know what they like and changing them is like changing black to white.

Cancer-

The fearless protectors. Cancerians are sensitive with an urge to protect the people around them. If sharing a bed a Cancerian will care about it’s durability in an earthquake. A solid wood bedroom set with its durability and stature will have great appeal to a Cancer. They want to feel the people around them have the best possible care. A Cancer prefers a King Bedroom Set over a Queen Bedroom Set. They will always choose the route that offers most comfort.

Pisces-

AKA Shakespeare in the flesh. The Pisces are the sensitive romantics amongst us. A Pisces is empathetic and compassionate. Like the Virgo the status of their environment weighs heavily on their heart. All facets of their life have importance and meaning. Purchasing a bedroom set requires a thoughtful and artistic eye that comes easily to the Pisces. A discriminating Pisces will find Solid wood beds and Classic bedroom sets pleasing to their pallets. Beds with exotic woods and artistic details are treasures worth the cost to a Pisces. As a leader of many movements the Pisces finds shopping online to be the most desirable way to shop. Their favorite place to shop for aesthetically pleasing furniture is www.FurnitureFromHome.com the most comfortable place to shop for romantic bedroom sets.

Blog

2006-10-06T16:12:00.000-07:00

Industry Blogs

A guide to finding a bedroom set in the jungle of options....

2006-10-05T11:15:00.000-07:00

Are you like me? Have you ever been searching for that one CD and just can’t remember who it’s by? You end up going up to a clerk and start singing the lyrics. Unfortunately this strategy only works at Best Buy. The most effective way to shop would be to know what you're looking for before you go. When shopping for bedroom sets make sure you know your woods, veneers and designs before you go swiping your card around. A bedroom set is a pricey purchase. The more you know about the products the more prone a salesperson will be to give you the best assistance in finding exactly what you want.

A Cherry Bedroom Set vs. A Mahogany Bedroom set-

As different as cherry pie is from strawberry, a cherry bedroom set is a few sweet degrees to the left of mahogany. A cherry bedroom set is a regal choice. Sophisticated with a rich vibrant flare. If you're looking for character in a room a cherry bedroom set will supply you with years of good company. Not to be confused with Mahogany wood sets (which also have red under tones.) Mahogany woods stand on the burgundy side of the reds. A deep rich color that is sophisticated. As well, Cherry woods are carefully stained woods. Unlike Mahogany which has a natural red tone.

A King vs. California King-

Personally I think this was an underground deal made between the sheet factory and the mattress factory. The sheet factory is making a killing while they sell double the sheets to people buying for the wrong size mattress. For now lets ignore my conspiracy theory, here’s the real scoop. The California King mattress is 4 inches longer than a Standard King Mattress. A Standard King Mattress is 4 inches wider. Depending on your preference of foot room vs. elbow room you can make your decision. Also, make sure your sales representative is aware of the size of your mattress when you go to purchase a bedroom set.

Canopy beds vs. Bed Posts-

One of the easiest ways to be confused. Both of these beds have 4 large posts rising up out of the four corners of the bed. However, a canopy bed has railings with the capability to hang fabrics and curtains to the bed. A Canopy bed is great for a room with vaulted ceilings or plenty of space. A bed with bed posts is decorative in the wood that stands alone. No railings connect the posts.

Head boards-

The piece of wood that stands above where you rest your head. Depending on the style of the bed you're going for a head board might be inter-changeable. Again, a bigger head board is great for a bigger room. There is the ability to keep the head board sophisticated and simple or grand with etched wood and appliqués.

Dark Wood Bedroom set-

Consider a dark wood bedroom set to be like the color black. Versatile, classy, timeless. Stained to a rich, dark perfection. Dark wood bedroom sets are not the stuffy, old-English wood it has been associated with. Dark woods are making a comeback. Remember, brunette is the new blond? Try a dark wood bedroom set in a brightly painted room for great contrast.

Contemporary Bedroom set-

If Contemporary Bedroom Sets were a city, they would be Miami Beach. Sophisticated, sexy, and cutting edge. Strong lines, steel embellishments and vibrant colors encompass these bedroom structures. Made for the sophisticated and chicest of consumers

Classic Bedroom sets-

Bare wood never looked so good. Subtle curves and natural woods in classic shapes. A classic bedroom set is always in style. Gorgeous woods that shine in the afternoon sun and last from generation to generation. A classic bedroom set is suited for a home that is unpretentious and naturally confident.

Pine/blond wood bedroom sets-

They don't call them “blond bombshells” for nothing. There is something about a light wood bedroom set that is inviting. Bright, radiant and fresh. Lighter woods give off a refreshing and relaxed feel. Great if you live near the beach or love the beach look. Most light wood bedroom sets are natural and unstained. Look for a solid wood bedroom set or birch wood bedroom set.

Decorating with Man's Best Friend

2006-09-29T10:48:00.000-07:00

Dog-gone great tips by

Irvina Ali Kanarek

Produced by

www.FurnitureFromHome.com

Man’s best friend. Sofas best foe. Can the beasts of the land really cohabitate with the fine living spaces of a home? Sit with assurance and roll down the page to find the tricks of the trade when it comes to owning a pet in a designer home. After reading these tips you will howl with delight!

Purrrrrrrrrrfect Leather-

Nothing like coming home to sit on your favorite sofa full of cat hair! Your Armani suit has enough pin stripes, there is no need for anymore white lines of cat fur. Trade in your fabric sofa for a leather sofa . Keep your living room furniture in lavish good taste without the animal hair.

Mutt-iculously clean floors-

Rocket science will never look so easy after you try to potty train your pooch. This task will cause you enough gray hairs. Don’t let carpet cleaning be an added frustration. Wood floors are an essential to a home with an indoor pooch. Besides, now that you have invested in beautiful leather sofas wood floors are going to compliment them even more.

Fur Fur Away-

Animals have it rough. Just when they get comfortable on the clean laundry, the mail and your photos you swat them away. Where’s a tired Calico to go? Send her on a voyage to the Basket Bahamas. The Basket Bahamas, where it’s dark and warm away from the storm. How to: Take a deep basket, turn it on its side and throw in a blanket. Most likely you will have just created a feline hot spot. “Fur-fur away” from your projects in “To do town”

Puppy love-

Chances are when you first brought your pooch home you gave him baths constantly, pedigree food and all the TLC a puppy could get. Somewhere from there your pooch gets a bath once a month and your home has a pungent odor. Bathing and brushing your pooch weekly will improve the fragrance of your home and the quality of your couches.

If you have chenille couches or sectionals this is even more vital. Due to the fabrics absorption.

Dog-gone good taste-

It’s common knowledge that your cooking is so good that all walks of life beg on all fours in request. However, your dining room table might encounter a beating with all the paw traffic nearby. Be sure to polish up the feet of your dining room table. While you preheat the oven make sure you keep the legs of your dining set in shape. The constant run in with paws and hair can leave the feet prints and Panting for a morsel of creation. of Dining room sets

Treat your feet-

Now that you have arranged your new leather sofa, installed wood floors, bathed your pooch, created a getaway for your feline and polished your dining room table you deserve a rest. Sleep well in a new bedroom set. Cherry Wood bedroom sets, classic bedroom sets, King to Twin….. As many breeds of dogs under the sun there is the variety of sofas at www.FurnitureFromHome.com .

Footballl Fan Friendly Furniture

2006-09-19T12:14:00.001-07:00

Lets get ready to rumble!!!! Chug some beer, break out the famous chili and host Sunday Night football! Of course your place is “the place” to be because you have the most comfortable sofa set ever. Time out! Do you have “the most comfortable sofa set ever?” Is it even presentable to have a party? Did you say it is covered in baby spit up and remains of last years party fouls? Don't worry coach, this is no time to throw in the towel. In no time you will have a stellar sofa ready to entertain guests and cheer on your team. Besides your situation is special. YOU really need sofa cushions that are durable enough to handle the parade that is going to tromp through the house when your team steals the Super Bowl. Here is the secret to finding great “Football Fan Friendly Furniture”

Hot tickets!
Every seat is the best seat in the house with the Westwood Sectional. A sofa, love seat and chaise lounge all attach for optimum team strategy huddles. Custom made. You choose the upholstery colors! USC colors sound good? Just tell your wife, “You wear red lipstick. You insist I buy you gold jewelry. I thought you would love it.”
Defense, hold tight!
So you get “a little” into the game. If a touchdown has you jumping on your seat cushions like a 5 year old and agreeing to buy your wife a new car then you better visit www.FurnitureFromHome.com Nothing stands the rumbles of a living room like a leather sofa. www.FurnitureFromHome.com offers a variety of classic and strong leather sofas that will take you from football season to basketball season. Without any major fumbles to remember on the cushions.

Refuel!-
Football isn't just a sport to you, it's about community. Two forces challenging each others optimum mental and physical performance. Well, you might get hungry while you develop your community into a“new nation.” Refuel! Snacks won't feed a community. Do it right, buffet style! Purchase a new pine dining room set that will make an outstanding buffet table. Feast on a meal while you explain to your neighbor how football is contributing to world peace.

Touch-a-down Sofa!
A comfortable seat is what scores with you right? Take a look at this play... a good looking sofa intercepted with the down comforter in your bedroom. You will be running with a plush sofa set that you just might never leave. Visit www.FurntiureFromHome.com and ask for the Westwood Sectional with down covering.

Home Team advantage-
Behind every winning party is a winning hostess. Your wifes cooking and humor have to be the best thing that has happened to Sunday Football since the recliner. Thank her for all of the cherry pies with a Cherry wood bedroom set. A rested hostess, is a happy hostess.

Visit www.FurnitureFromHome.com
Football season only happens once a year. Don't be afraid to go big with dining sets for 12 and sectional sofas. Visit www.FurnitureFromHome.com for all your home entertaining needs. Let the betting and winning begin. Fight on!

Footballl Fan Friendly Furniture

2006-09-19T12:14:00.000-07:00

Decorating to Sell: Tips for selling a home quickly

2006-09-12T17:36:00.000-07:00

Decorating for Selling: Tips for selling a home quickly!

By: Irvina Kanarek, produced by www.FurnitureFromHome.com

“Sold” also known as “joy.”. “It’s not what we’re looking for” also known as “a punch in the gut.” What is it that makes a browser cross over into a purchaser? It’s the place where the buyer identifies with the home. One of the most missed marks of selling a home is in the interior. The interior design allows the browser to see themselves enjoying their purchase. As well as solidifying the price tag that goes with the home. Many sellers forget that they are not only selling a home, but an idea. The idea being that the home will bring joy to a family for over 30 years. It’s hard to imagine joy while staring at four bare walls. Americans are bombarded with over 3000 images a day that beg for their attention. What will make them remember the home you're selling as the most impressive image of the day?

Take the leap and decorate the jewel you’re selling to really shine. The cost of interior decorating may run a $6000 to $8000 price tag. However it's proven that a home that is generously decorated can carry as much as a $100,000 difference in profit. Some sellers are savvy enough to list a “As is” prices. Including the furniture in the sale.

The most affordable way to decorate is on line. On line furniture retailers like www.FurnitureFromHome.com sell their furniture in sets. A fast and affordable way to shop and decorate. Beautiful furniture and your honest selling appeal will have your house fly off the market. Here are some of my most successful and affordable home selling techniques.

The customer is always in sight-

What kind of customer are you expecting? Young and contemporary or classy and refined? You will want to decorate the home with furniture that is fitting to the customer. If you’re thinking of a traditional cape cod then work with simple woods and colors. Select a pine dining room set and a plush sofa set.

The light way-

Light initiates the release of serotonin and neurotransmitters. Put your visitors in the feel good mood by having plenty of light in the home. Turn on every light and raise every blind. It may sound odd to turn lights on during the day, but it will be a noticeable difference from other homes. Be sure to purchase plenty of lamps with differences in mood lighting. Living rooms and dinging rooms should have soft lighting. Tall free standing lamps are best in bedrooms and offices. Visit www.FurntiureFromHome.com for a variety of selections.

Bigger is a seller-

A grand home deserves equally grand furnishings. Cherry wood dining room sets, classic bedroom sets and leather chairs remind the buyer that this is a privileged purchase. Furniture should hold it's own weight in the mass of a 3000 to 4000 square foot home. Don't be afraid to go big with dining sets for 12 and sectional sofas. A buyer investing in a 4000 square foot home is going to need an added initiative to write that check.

Breezy dreams- This is after all the house of their dreams. Remind the buyer of the climate. Open up all the windows in the home to invite in the ocean air and the inviting aroma of the rose bushes outside. Long drapes that flow in the wind add to the enchantment of any home.

Hot price- There is nothing that reminds you your home like sitting near the fireplace. Whether it's summer or winter have those fires going. Remind the buyer that every little part of the home is unique. If it's summer place smore fixings around the fire place. If it's winter place some hot tea nearby.

Appetizing appetizers- Keep coffee, tea and snacks available for shoppers to snack on. Most shoppers will feel more prone to stay longer if you give to them. In return they will give you their listening ear.

Secrets in the garden- A private piece of Mother Nature all to themselves? They can't pass up this home! Remind your buyer that this isn't a backyard it's sanctuary. Place a hammock, swing or fountain on the green. You're sure to see the newlywed couple yell “We'll take it” from the swing.

Music to my sale- There is a reason why you hear music blasting out of every store in the mall. It sets the mood. Do the same, but make sure you play very slow and rhythmic melodies. The slower the music the slower and longer the browsing.

Kid around- The shorter the customer, the harder the sale. A buyer who brings their child along to view a home is saying they like their child's company. As well, so should you. Lets keep them happy and the sales happening. Provide time invested games for children to do. Checker boards and jewelry making with beads are time consuming and quiet. Steer away from coloring books and crayons that may end up on the walls of the house.

Browse around- When decorating a home browse the Internet for images of picture perfect homes. One of my favorites is www.FurnitureFromHome.com

Great ideas for designing entire rooms and they sell entire furniture sets exclusively.

Decorating with Little Rascals

2006-09-08T16:52:00.000-07:00

Decorating with little rascals:

Brought to you by: Irvina-lalina & Furniture From Home

We were not impressed when we heard an interior decorators opinion on decorating a home with children. My sister and I looked at each other coyly as she explained, “You will want to go with cheap upholstery and washable drapes. Just replace it all when they get older.” Basically kids are heathens and you have to suffer the consequences. Heck no! Raised in a family of five kids my mom did more than her share of keeping things beautiful and safe. These are my favorite kid friendly decorating tips:

Kin-spiration! Add a rocking horse or miniature rocking chair to the living room. The cute part is when it’s made of the same type of wood used in your living room. Guests will admire your hospitality to even the smallest visitors. Check e-bay for great deals.
Bear hugs and rugs: Our mom had this amazing animal skin rug as an accent piece in our living room. It was my favorite place to nap. Intelligently it was a dark animal skin. Try using dark area rugs to camouflage any cookie crumbs that might tag along from the kitchen.
Mommy, does this match? Some things just aren’t right together. One is swim trunks and a wool sweater. The other is a glass table and a toddler. Save yourself a trip to the ER. Try going for round wood coffee tables. If you really want glass, go for a table with an embedded glass top. Look for an assortment of beautiful coffee tables at FurnitureFromHome.com
Book buddies: Little ones learn by example. If you have a bookshelf full of your favorites so should the kids. Combine the family library into one entire den room bookshelf. Except reserve the bottom three shelves strictly for the kids. This way the kids will feel their super smart readers just like you. It will also distract little hands from your collector’s edition of Moby Dick.
Precious, Precious: Playful hearts were made to play. Spare the Waterford and Lladro pieces and you spare the distraught tears of folly. Move the fine collectables to the study or the master bedroom until the kids are about eleven. Display them in Beautiful bedroom sets pieces. Available online.
Face-tastic! Your child is your most priceless commodity. So decorate immensely with their pictures. If a frame gets bumped by a flying airplane, oh well. Replace the glass. It’s inexpensive and always buys you some hostess time while visitors admire your growing family.
Out dated and over rated: I’m talking about T.V. Now hear me out here. Kids can still be entertained without giant foam characters and sarcastic humor. Add some wooden chess boards, a backgammon board, Chinese checkers or scrabble to the family room. The kids will play with each other more and speak less sarcasm at the dinner table.

Well those are my tips for today. If you would like more furniture tips check out my blog at www.bloglines.com/blog/Irvina Happy decorating and child raising.

Fabulously Green: Eco Event Alert: West Coast Green Expo

2006-09-08T16:23:00.000-07:00

Fabulously Green: Eco Event Alert: West Coast Green Expo

Teenage Bedroom Sets: Invest now and Save later

2006-09-08T16:21:00.000-07:00

Teenagers: Invest now and save later

Your teenager has grown out of their affection for neon flowers and the surfer motif. Now you have to invest in yet another bedroom set. Why not spend the money and splurge for a classic bedroom set? It will surely stick around for more than 4 years. If you think . about it, it's only a couple more years until your teen moves out to college anyway. Then that room will most likely become a guest room. By then you will want the room to have a classy look anyway. Better yet, your child might be able to take it with them when they get married. My girlfriend just got married at 21. She had one of those crazy 400 person weddings. Between planning the wedding and decorating the new home she was very busy. She told me how thankful she was that she was able to take her bedroom set from her parent’s house. She already loved it and it was one more task to check off her list.

When it comes to decorating your teenager’s room the possibilities are endless.
*Girly Girls*
1.) You made me blush!
Match a dark wood bedroom set with brightly painted walls. Fuchsia or a lime green walls are a great contrast to darker woods. It will also allow your teen to have some ownership in painting the room they get to enjoy

2.) I love your accent!
Now your daughter is so confident with painting that she thinks she is the next Frida Kahlo. Test out her accent. Grab some square white pillows and small paint brushes. Using the same paint used to paint her room paint designs on the pillows. She can also personalize it with her initial or her favorite quotes. The sky is the limit for your affluent artist.

*Trippy Hippy*
1.) Go with the flow
A canopy bed for my PETA princess? Never say never! A canopy bed can change from prissy to Bob Marley in seconds. Go to a flea market and grab some affordable fabrics to drape from the banisters. Funkier would be heading to the thrift store and buying an assortment of fabrics. Sew them all together to get a pattern as original as your little bohemian.

2.) Bare beauty
Your daughter doesn't wear makeup. In fact she starts debates in the makeup aisle about animal cruelty. If you don't see your daughter using the vanity in the bedroom set you purchased then you underestimated your creativity. Take some of the extra fabric you purchased from the flea market and make it into a "dresser runner." Heck add some trippy beads to the ends while you're at it. Take some more beads and drape them across the mirror. Go down to your local natural healing store and load up on lavender, mint leaves and juniper. Spread out some cute little wooden dishes on the dresser throw in your natural fragrances and peace to the Middle East...you have an aromatherapy sanctuary ready to go.

*Chap with class*

Hooked on phonics and electronics:

Your son is the envy of all the neighbors. Polite, attractive, smart and he knows all of your friends by Mr. and Mrs. Bravo, you did well. He’ll be going off to college soon so you’ll need to invest in great lighting for the young steed’s room. A tall lamp near his desk is ideal. The close proximity of a desk lamp will surely weaken his sight.

Every boy needs his brainy rest:

When purchasing a new mattress be sure you ask your son his preference of firmness from hard to soft. It’s an expensive mistake you won’t want to make. While you’re changing things around surprise your young scholar with some Jersey-Sheets. They’re so comfy he just might catch up on some sleep!

*Rebel with out a nod*

1.) Rock Star

Good looks, personality and plenty of testosterone. There is no room on this boy’s agenda to go changing his room. Especially to something “uptight” and god forbid “classy.” The idea here is to give and take. You’ll put in a new bedroom set and throw in a set of guitar hooks that match the set. When he is finished hanging his beauties mention how the room resembles a photo shoot of Aerosmith’s house in Architectural Digest.

2.) Well endowed

What do you feed that boy? He is almost 6’3 and his dad is 5’11. When purchasing a bed for your son make sure to invest in something that will last. If he is only 14 right now he is sure to grow. Look for a queen or king bedroom set to be on the safe side.

Purchasing Furniture Online

2006-08-31T14:06:00.000-07:00

Affordable, online furniture store offers sophisticated quality, inexpensive prices and superb customer service. Rest assured the boring weekends shopping for a tacky, overpriced couch from Sears are over.

Everyone dreams of decorating their home with fine goods from around the world. Stop in Paris for chaise lounge. Pick up a leather bed in Spain and wander Italy for lighting fixtures. Well if you can dream it you can achieve it. Thanks to Furniture From Home a decorators dream has come true! Take away the hassle of sales men, make the furniture affordable, put on your pajamas and pour yourself some red wine. In a couple of clicks you will be decorating your home with some of the worlds most quality and unique furniture.

Removing the overhead cost of showroom space allows Furniture From Home to offer quality furniture at 40% below retail cost. At such inexpensive prices everyone can afford an upgrade. Whether it’s a young newlywed couple purchasing their first dining room set or the retiree’s decorating their vacation home, there is something unique and inexpensive for everyone. Style and quality are never compensated for price.

Visit www.furniturefromhome.com and view items like the Coban Sofa, from Indonesia, handcrafted and made of teak wood, sure to gather compliments in any home. The Georgian Estate, a bedroom set with a cherry wood finish and detailed carved trim is so exquisite you will gasp at the price.

Customer service and convenience are what set Furniture From Home a part. Deliveries are always accurate and prompt. Customer service representatives are so warm that it feels more like chatting with an old friend than working with an operator. Furniture From Home is happy to deliver to all fifty states and offers a convenient toll-free customer service number. Furniture From Home has surely raised the bar for all online retail stores.