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!

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! 

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!

ahhh....summer!

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

Top Ten Project: Girlfriends

So excited to share my friend Miranda's top ten list for the girlfriend project!  Miranda is one of my dear friends from days living in San Francisco.  She's now moved back to her homestate and has a rockin' (and SUPER cute) family with hubby, son, and daughter.  Yeah MIRH!

10. Hijinks and shenanigans!

9. Being able to discuss the important topics covered in UsWeekly and People Magazine.

8. Inside jokes.

7. Spending hours at a bar drinking and laughing.

6. Monthly girls' dinner.

5. Memories of all the crazy trips we took before becoming old and boring.

4. Having someone who will always tell you the truth, including which guy isn't worth it and which outfit isn't all that flattering.

3. Sharing the gory details of pregnancy, childbirth and the stress of parenting with someone who truly understands what you're going through.

2. Being able to pick up the phone or meet for dinner after many months of not seeing each other and picking up right where you left off.

1. Knowing girlfriends for so long you can't remember your life without them and having a thousand funny stories and memories to last a lifetime.

 

Here are some of my fave times captured in photos with Miranda!  Love and miss you tons!



Go Giants, Lou Seal, and Vida Blue!



Bay to Breakers




Purses!



North Beach



My 33rd bday at Northstar



Hikers with Hangovers!

 

Top Ten Project: Girlfriends

I adore my girlfriends.  They have gotten me through exciting times like my wedding last fall and dark times such as those when my beloved sister passed away.  I don't know where I would be without them.  I love to think of us as each others cheerleaders.  I love them SO much!! 

Here is my top ten about the ladies I love so much:

10. Wine nights! 

9.  Partners in crime

8.  Roadtrips and vacations

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

6.  A person that knows when you need support - even if you don't realize it yourself.

5.  True friends that aren't blood related, but seem to be.

4.  Someone that is there to pick you up when you most need it. 

3.  Not having to be in the same place to feel our close bond.

2.  Someone you can count on for a good laugh or cry.

1.  A best friend which is also a sister = priceless!  A Mom that is one of your trusted girlfriends and so much more!  A niece that you love as your own who you look forward to spending "girlfriend" times with for MANY years to come. 

The Top Ten Project: Girlfriends will be followed-up shortly with lists from some of my very own besties.  Stay tuned!

xo

Photo hall?

I'm in love, love, love with photography!  Whether I'm taking photographs, admiring those taken by friends, or reminiscing over old family pics, I just can't get enough!

At LaNa, we have a "family" photo wall with some of our favorite family members and friends.  I often pause to admire the smiles and good times...especially those pictures that include my sister, Robyn, who passed away in 2008. 

With SO MANY great wedding photos, I'm having a hard time picking and choosing which ones to add to the wall that is getting pretty full.  I stumbled upon this photograph today and was really excited!  Why?  Because I wondered as the years go by how I could keep adding photos to our space and still look organized.  This photograph is my inspiration!



Elle Decor



Peep-tini's!

photo credit: LaNa

We had dinner with friends last night and were treated to some yummy peep-tini's! 

Thanks Michele and Steve!

It got me wondering if there were a lot of people out there that also enjoyed peep-tini's and there are!!

http://kate-ktd.blogspot.com/2009/04/peeptini-recipesin-honor-of-easter.html

http://greatgrub.com/recipes/peep_a_tini

http://jimmyrabbitte.tumblr.com/post/95575037

http://www.urlesque.com/2010/04/02/cooking-with-peeps/