Let's get squeaky clean!

I've been purchasing green, earth-friendly, and animal friendly products for a while now.  After finding some online "recipes" for cleaners made from items you probably already have at home, I've been mixing my own concoctions as of late.  In fact, I've highlighted some recipes here and here.

My floors are getting clean with good ol' vinegar and water.  Same with my countertops.  Mirrors are being cleaned with vinegar too.  I clean my tub and sinks with a concoction of baking soda and Dr. Bronner's Magic Pure Castile Classic Soap - peppermint is my go to scent (although there are many others on their website that I'm considering trying down the road). 

I love this company as they are fair trade, vegetable-based, made with organic oils, and are completely biodegradable!  Plus, your house will smell super fresh!  With 150 years behind the product this company is on to something!  And, if you haven't seen their labels, you are missing out on the HUNDREDS of uses for these products. 

For those of you with little ones, this article on natural cleaners and kids lending a hand is great!

And, if you have any four-legged family members, Dr. Bronner's castile soap in peppermint works as a great shampoo and deskunker!  In fact, I gave Gibson a bath the other night and used Dr. Bronner's and he smells fantastic!  Now, I just need to figure out how to get the wild dog smell out of LaNa!

Music Monday: Mr. Jones

This is for my friend Jenny!  You know, Gray is my favorite color!?!



P.S. I have been posting a lot of videos at LaNa which don't show in the html email updates.  If you're receiving updates via email you will need to go to the blog to view.  Thanks in advance for visiting. 

The Happiness Project

So, I stumbled upon this blog today by Gretchen Rubin called the Happiness Project.  Gretchen has a blog, a great website, regular video updates, a Facebook page, and a subscription for a daily happiness quotation to your in-box.  I'm sold!  And, I think her best selling book will be the next one I purchase!!  Here's a little intro:




And, here's a little taste of one of Gretchen's weekly videos:

Color galore!

Loving the bright colors in this issue of Adore Home!

Open publication - Free publishing

New love = Kinfolk!

I stumbled upon the publication Kinfolk and fell in love. 

The idea of sitting down to eat a meal with friends and family is so inviting to me.  Actually, it's my idea of the perfect evening. 

Since I LOVE to host friends and family, "Dinner in the Drive" has become an annual event thoughout the summers at our home. Dinner in the Drive started a few years ago when I was involved in a Slow Food event in the Ann Arbor area.  I imagined a smaller affair at my house and alas Dinner in the Drive was born.  Dining al fresco with close friends, eating homemade meals with local ingredients, and using the good china and silver = a memorable time.  Even more important, the little ones love and look forward to this event for great food and lots of running around FUN (they eat on china too!).  Pictures to come soon of Dinner in the Drive at LaNa.  Until then, I guarantee you too will swoon over Kinfolk!


Kinfolk from VsTheBrain on Vimeo.

Top Ten Project: Girlfriends

This top ten list comes from my good friend Carol (aka CB).  Carol is one fun friend!  She loves throwing parties and social gatherings as much as me and you're bound to have a great time with her in your presence.  Plus, besides being a fun partner in crime, she's got a heart of gold.  We used to both live in SF and had some great times and stories together.  Now, we're off the west coast and not able to hang like the old days.  Love and miss you CB!

10. You get me!

9. Somehow you can talk me into doing something, even when I am down and don't want to do anything.

8. Exploring new places.

7. Hiking and chatting.

6. Hiking and chatting.

6. Truth in shopping, you'll tell me if something looks like crap

5. Brunch on Sunday.

4. Going out dancing!

3. Milestones - moves, weddings/marriages, kids, careers, etc.

2. Roadtrips & vacations.

1. I can call you anytime night or day to celebrate or cry my eyes out.

Carol sporting a cool hat at her annual Croquet Party in Golden Gate Park!

Academy Awards Party in the Castro benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

A day at the horse races!

Wine tasting in Sonoma - yum!

Super easy crockpot chicken!

I made this recipe on the weekend and was amazed that it was so easy and tasty.  Honestly, you don't add any liquids and it turns out super moist (sorry cb - I know you hate that word!).

Happy cooking!

Sunday supper...

Chicken in a crock pot - Yum!  Link and recipe to come soon.

Japanese Cucumbers from my cousin, Connie's, garden.

BBQ chicken pizza

Delish!

Music Monday: so very creative!

I'm a sucker for paint!

And, it seems my friend Miss Lis is too!

Check out her before and after project of painted bedroom furniture.  LOVE it! 

Great work!  Can't wait to see the rest of the furniture and a big room shot! 

Love these guys!

Here's a cute video from Selective Potential.  Tieka is the brains behind this blog and hails from the shores of Lake Michigan.  I love checking out her beautiful photos and fantastic outifts (which she details in each post!).  This video was made at an old drive-in in Michigan...love it!


"At The Drive-In" with Selective Potential from Little Cabin Films on Vimeo.

Who who?

This beauty almost came home with me from Home Goods. I resisted as I could hear James in the back of my mind not in agreement of the awesomeness. This owl vase will make another home happy.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Top Ten Project: Girlfriends

Another top ten list for the girlfriends project.  This one comes from my dear friend, Jenny.  She's like a sister to me.  Words just can't express how much I love her and appreciate her support over the years.  Especially these past few years since losing my sister.  Love ya Jenn!

10. Great person, someone you just want to be around
9. Is a person you can trust with your most inner thoughts and she will not judge
8. Really fun
7. Likes to dance and have a good time
6. Family that you choose for yourself
5. Really listens to you
4. I LOVE
3. Every moment you share in together you both realize is special
2. Never competes with one another, just encourages and supports one another
1. Drinks ALOT!

Yeah for champagne!

Just saw this print and it reminds me of one of my besties, Linnea!


buy it here!

Relaxing dinner

A couple weeks ago I took my CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) exam and now have free time on my hands for relaxing dinners with my hubby!






This was a delish crockpot meal of chicken, black beans, salsa, and pineapple. Easy and very tasty over brown rice.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

ahhh....summer!

Spent the weekend enjoying Sangria, friends, family, boating, swimming,
and relaxation.  Hope you're enjoying your summer too!