everything is illuminated

home update

After nine whirlwind months of living in Oakland, our apartment finally is starting to feel like a home. 

(Oh snap! This photo was featured on Coast to Coast!)

My favorite furniture piece in our apartment by far is our mid-century credenza that I scored in Long Beach a couple of years ago. I had been on the search for quite some time and doing a ton of CraigsListing...so when I saw this at Make Collectives for a great price, I snagged it!

I love that the credenza serves as a platform to showcase our antique globe, a wedding present from our friend Claire. On it, India still includes Bangladesh and Pakistan and Zambia doesn't even exist yet (its Rhodesia on the globe). Needless to say, it has become one of my prized possessions.

The electronic item we use the most in our house is our record player from Urban Outfitters. I got it for Ric in his 30th birthday and he has certainly put it to good use! (A pretty huge feat since that fellow is hard to shop for).

My new favorite item in this pic is the mother-of-tongue plant...I've gone a bit crazy, and we now have three in the house! I think it plays really well on this wall of the house with all of our lovely Etsy and personal art. 

What are some of the new (or old!) favorites in your house?

fierce ladies | pinterest roundup

I really enjoyed pulling together the last roundup of fierce ladies on my Pinterest boards...so here is another installment!

1. like a boss
2. girls will be girls
3. frida 
4. tranny magic
5. 1930s fitness

if you could re-read any book ...

Last week I wanted to a post about books from my childhood or past that I would love to re-read. It got me thinking...what do all the awesome ladies in my life wish they could re-read? I emailed them all and they very thoughtfully responded. I decided to do a series based on their answers!

The first up is my lovely cousin Suleena. Saying she loves to read would be a gross understatement. She literally has 4-6 new books on her bookstand at any given time, and has stacks and stacks of books all around her childhood bedroom (much to her mom's dismay, I'm sure). She and I shared the love of books when we were little, though she out sprinted me in the reading Olympics years ago. Here are some of her favorites:

Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie

Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Doughlas Adams

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

egg hunt

days like today, i remember how fucking lucky i am to live in such a beautiful pocket of the universe.

venika visits

My little sister was here for four days! We ate a lot, watched lots of Bob's Burgers, talked about food, food, food, did I mention we ate a lot?

Longer post to follow!

ikea ps 2014 roundup

Ikea is seriously stepping up its game with the introduction of its new line: Ikea PS 2014. The line was made with urban and small spaces in mind. Here is what I'm loving so far: