In the backyard...

Besides my noted lust for a wind chime and hummingbird feeder in the yard, I've been dying for a comfy spot in view of the pool to sit and read books for hours (as I am wont to do).


Originally I'd been looking into loungers, but they all seem to be quite expensive. Even craigslist left me empty, but then one day my Mum brought me a catalog from a place called Plow and Hearth and from their website I found Wind and Weather.


They both offer moderately priced yard and garden stuff, some of it kitschy, but for the most part some interesting and nice stuff.


While browsing through W&W I found their interesting little swing chairs and fell in love with this one...

It is the most aesthetically pleasing of the fabrics offered and the red Hibiscus will mirror the plant I already have in the yard. Plus I love navy blue, so it's perfect. I hope it's as comfy as the reviews claim. I would love to have two of them hanging side by side, and would plan to put a tall, thin table in between to set drinks on, or my book when taking a break. We have a tall wine rack, with a stone top and unless I find anything better and well priced, that will probably serve as the table.


The other thing the patio/deck needs is lighting. We had a set of string lights from Restoration Hardware that we brought with us when we moved, but they're so old and well, I attempted to hang them, but managed to catch the cord with the end of a staple and bam! Lights don't work anymore. It wasn't the smartest way to do it and well... I've learned my lesson. I won't let myself be in such a rush to get it done next time. I'll have Dad help me. lol


He recommended rope lighting to me last week and I think that sounds like a perfect idea.


I'm hoping to find a wind chime and bird feeder tomorrow, but the chair will have to wait a bit as we are in a tight spot right now and I need to get a job. We shall see how successful I am on that. Fingers crossed!


Anyhoo, I have class tomorrow and it is long past the time I should have called it a night. So off I go and G'night! 


xoxo

Music Video LOVE

On one of the celebrity blogs I follow there is always much talk about a Mrs. Cheryl Cole. Tonight I decided to check her out and came upon this video for a song from her solo album 3 Words. It is called "Parachute" and it is ahhhhhmazing! The song itself didn't grab me at first, instead I was sucked in by the setting and the gorgeous dancing/choreography. Her dress is absolutely lovely and the overall styling is perfection. Also, the men in tuxedo's with capes as well as the cape shadow play just all combined to blow my mind and I've watched the video numerous times in the last half hour.

 I will definitely be looking out for more from Mrs. Cole!

Awesome moments in Nature

Photo via allthecreatures.org

I'm feeling pretty ho-hum today, but going outside always seems to perk me up for a bit. 
I grabbed my keys and went downstairs and retrieved the mail and after setting it aside, grabbed my watering can to water my flowers. 


I was standing in front of the planter, starting to shake out the last dregs of water in the can when I hear this buzzing sound to my left. Suddenly a hummingbird flits in front of me and goes straight to the mouth of the watering can, there's a little stream of water still coming out and he sticks his little beak in and takes a sip, then he turns and seems almost to be looking at me for a moment, then flits away. 


It has absolutely made my day! I mean, I could have easily reached out and touched him. He was right there.


Along with that wind chime I want, I think I should get a hummingbird feeder too. The more little birdies flitting around, the better.

My songs of the moment

Christina Perri "Jar of Hearts"

I found this song featured on iTunes a few weeks back and since then I've been absolutely obsessed with it. I've been listening to this song at least once (if not multiple times) a day since I downloaded it and I am so happy for Christina and her sudden rise to recognition. I am so looking forward to the EP I heard she plans to put out soon and the eventual full album.

http://www.christinaperri.com/

http://christinaperriblogs.tumblr.com/

Ben Montague "Haunted"

This is another artist I stumbled across on iTunes (lately iTunes has been bomb at it's suggestions! YES!) and I listen to this usually in conjunction with "Jar of Hearts". His voice is gorgeous and I am a sucker for beautiful, melancholy lyrics and piano. I listened through the rest of his latest album, but nothing really clicked with me like this song did. But I hope whatever he comes out with in the future might stick because I need more of this man on my iPod.

http://www.benmontague.co.uk/

"Till I Hear You Sing" from The Phantom: Love Never Dies

I can't tell you how much it pains me to write where this song is from. I have been an obsessed Phantom of the Opera fan since I was 16. The novel by Gaston Leroux, the musical by Andew Lloyd Webber, and yes, the version with Robert Englund compose all of what my favorite Phantom is. I most prefer to listen to Michael Crawford sing as the Phantom. He was the original musical Phantom and he is just... he takes me away when I listen to "Music of the Night". When the news of the "sequel, non-sequel" came out I threw a fit. There is no messing with perfection and ALW I am incredibly disappointed with you for bringing this to fruition. But... but, after listening to the cast recording of *gag* Love Never Dies, which I must say was incredibly difficult, I found one song that I liked. And this is it. The rest of the album is utter trash (I do have a little soft spot for the title track...). 

So, to get to the point, Ramin Karimloo is amazing and there are points where his voice definitely strike me as Phantom. The lyrics took a while to grow on me, but now I love this song and I think I always will. 

Still doesn't mean I'm going to pay a red cent to see that damn joke of a sequel.

I've read better fanfic.

LOL, Ok... enough of my bitching.

So there you have it, I plan to do posts like these as often as possible as I LOVE to share my music and if I happen to have any readers (heh), I would love to have your input and suggestions as well.

xoxo

Rachel Roy

While perusing my some of my favorite blogs today I found a post (thanks Jack and Salma!) about designer Rachel Roy and decided to check out her website. Boy am I glad I did! Here some of my favorite finds. I will definitely be bookmarking her shop and checking it often. I'd heard of her before, but assumed everything would be uber expensive. Instead everything is pretty reasonable.

Antique Gold, Wire wrapped Blue Heart Earrings $28

Bird Hoop Earrings $34

Mixed Fabric Chain Necklace $185

I have loved fabric necklaces since I ordered my Necklush two years ago, I've seen tutorials on making your own fabric necklaces and if I ever attempt it, I think I may try to do a DIY version of this.

Black Quilting Bee Satchel $129

Before I bought my Coach purse a few months back, I had my cheap little faux leather black satchel w/ tassel pocket in the front. I do love my Coach purse tons, but there are times when I miss my bigger satchel. I'm hoping at some point to get a nicer one and this one definitely fits the bill.

Black Kimi Glitter Pump $99
I have SO many pairs of pumps and I rarely wear them, but I'm still lovin on these. The heel is what pulls me in and I love the Gaga-ness of them.  

Plaid Wava Boot $159

I love boots and have always wanted a sneaker like, lace up pair. These have to be the nicest, most reasonably priced I've seen in a while. I think I will take the chance though to see if they end up on sale.

To borrow from Rachel Zoe...

I DIE

My brain about fizzled out of my head when I saw the ad for these in the September issue of Allure.

They are so... PERFECT. I would baby these to death. I'd never let anyone touch them! 

My God... I hope at some point they can be MINE!

Prada Eyewear SPR59M in Steel/Black Temple

Photos from Prada

And while visiting with Family in AZ, I found myself watching HSN with my Aunt. 

Usually I roll my eyes and leave the room when it comes to buying stuff off tv (if you grew up in my house, you'd understand. lol), but there was so much sparkle and shine coming off the screen and well, I'm a magpie... I just couldn't turn away.

One of the pieces in particular that caught my eye was the "Irina" ring by Lola Rose.

Blue Goldstone

It doesn't look that awesome in the photo, but watching it on TV... ooh it is so sparkly and beautiful! The perfect cocktail ring. I was mesmerized. 

How-to • French Braid Your Bangs

I'm always looking for easy, quick ways to get my hair done and out of the way (I don't have much patience to sit myself in front of a mirror and work too long on my hair, I start gettin antsy!) and someone posted this on LJ earlier and I thought I'd post it here as a reminder for myself and for anyone else who might be looking for a fun, easy way to style their hair. It's very LC from The Hills, but it's still cute. lol

Picspam Saturday

Every week or so I'll offload some of the random pics I've taken as I go through my day(s). Most photos will probably have been taken with my iPhone, so they won't be of the most spectacular quality. Still I hope these posts will be a least somewhat interesting and fun. And if anything they'll be fun for me to look back on later. Enjoy!

Hibiscus in the yard

Planter by the pool

My Lily girl enjoying the flowers

Sitting on the deck, watching the clouds come in as the sun sets

Chilling in the Colorado River in Bullhead City, AZ
"I can see your halo..." :P

The pool steps. I love how the colors turned out on this and how it looks like shards of glass.

Angry looking Thunderheads

Minimalist Music Video Poster

Halloween is a little over two months away and I've already got the fever. 

So when I saw this poster by Federico Mancosu of Michael Jackson's Thriller, I just had to post it here. 

Isn't it totally awesome?! 

♥

Break in the heat

We've had quite the heat wave the last few days, but there has finally been a little break in the weather. We turned off the Coolerado, and are loving the nice cool breeze. I've been dying to get a wind chime or two to take advantage of the natural, beautiful music that the wind can help provide and once I start working on the backyard I'll be out and about looking for the perfect one.

And with the cool brings the excitement for fall. I am so ready to bring out my sweaters and get ready for Halloween. While visiting family last weekend my cousin and I made a little trip to Walmart and I found boxes of Febreze's new limited edition holiday candles. I love anything pumpkin and spice so I grabbed one box each of the Pumpkin Harvest and Cinnamon Sugar. I have quite a candle collection, partially because I'm always saving my candles for a "special occasion", but I talked myself out of that and lit up the Pumpkin Spice tonight. The living room smells delicious and I really must stop hoarding my candles and burn them as often as possible.

I got a mailing last week that Bath and Body Works will be rolling out new Halloween themed soaps and am already counting down the days before I can go pick up a set. Soaps are my new obsession and I'm a big bargain hunter so I absolutely love B&BW because they're so reasonably priced and they always have the yummiest scents.

It's been quite a day and I am so ready for bed. Gonna finish my peppermint tea and get to sleep.

Goodnight!

New Beginnings

Hello there and welcome to my blog! My name is Gina and this blog will feature fashion, music, films and the journey of decorating my apartment and later my home. It will be my little scrapbook and sounding board for decor/design ideas and just general talk of all the things I love.

As I go through the process of decorating my apartment I hope to feature DIY projects I embark on and tell the story of making my place my home. My partner and I previously lived in Los Angeles, but have relocated closer to my hometown. We live in the guest apartment on our property and will eventually live in the main house. Between the two sits our lovely pool.

I hope you enjoy what I have to say and will follow along. And hopefully I myself won't get too busy and distracted to not keep up with it. Fingers crossed.

xoxo