Post-Party Depression

Do you ever dread taking down your party decorations? I'm not talking about dreading it as an actual labor-intensive task, but you spend a lot of time and sometimes even money on these projects and it feels like such a waste to display them for only one day. 

Ava's birthday party was almost three weeks ago, but I still can't bring myself to throw away all the fun and festive tissue paper pom-poms we slaved over for the party. So I started thinking about what else I could do with them...

I hate the outdated ceiling fan in Ava's bedroom. It was in the house when we bought it, and while we remodeled almost everything else, the ceiling fans stayed.

Enter tissue paper pom-poms. I tied a few to the pull-chains and gave the room an immediate boost of party-time fun.

Ava adores them!

I also strung the fabric pennant banner across the valance over the sliding glass door. Many baby rooms are designed to include both of these elements, so why not re-purpose the party decor?

Love this nursery.

Another idea: Fill all those apothecary jars used for candy with hair bands and bows (I was looking for a storage solution for those things!), decoupaged clothespins my mom made for my baby shower (they really should be out on display), unspooled ribbon scraps, and various other knick-knacks I didn't have a place for. These items can be easily transferred to large plastic zip-lock bags when you need the jars for your next fête.

Packing Tip No. 1

I'm sure I'll be posting a number of helpful packing and travel tips as I'm starting to get things organized for our Europe trip coming up in just a few weeks! So here's the first installment:

I like to gather up all the sample size products I've accumulated (like the ones you get from Sephora when you accumulate so many points) so that I don't have to purchase travel sized products (or to supplement those I've purchased) or pour my full-size products into travel bottles. This also gives me a great excuse to try the new products if I haven't gotten around to it yet.

Just be sure to pack them in a clear container if you'll be taking them on the plane with you.

Clear Zippered Cubes from The Container Store

Of course, there are those daily products we just can't spend a day without, so The Container Store has you covered for those with travel bottles in all shapes and sizes.

I love these aluminum misters that would be great filled with a refreshing water and lemon combination to help you freshen up in the throes of transport.

Aluminum Mister Bottles from The Container Store

Some hotels also provide mouthwash, mending kits, even a shoe mitten that I've stashed away to keep in my travel bag for future trips. You never know when you may need such items while away from home and they hardly take up any space.

Stay tuned for a later post on some of the items I never travel without.

Happy Friday!

Hers and Mine: Shoes

Nordstrom is having a shoe sale, and since my will-power to resist a good Nordy's sale is low, we're getting ready to stock up on a couple pairs for Ava (since she's starting to walk more and more, she'll surely need walking shoes for Europe!), and maybe a couple pairs for Mom while we're at it.

Let's start with this super gray duo, shall we?

Get your own (or hers, rather) right here.

And find some of these for yourself here.

It's been pretty cold and rainy here the last couple days so these seem to fit well with the weather, but if you're looking for some with a little more spring in their step, try these on for size...

Get hers here.

Get yours here.

You can probably tell I'm in love with the mini Toms for baby girls. They seem to be the perfect, easy shoe for a toddler. I can't say I've ever joined the Toms club in my own size, but if you really wanted to be matchy-matchy with your baby girl, there's no shortage in your own size here.

Happy Leap Day

I'm not sure anyone considers Leap Day a real holiday, or even really any reason to celebrate, but it only happens once every four years, and we're always looking for reasons to celebrate around here, so I thought I should at least acknowledge it.

Having an "extra day" inspires me to take the time to reflect on how I am spending my time and the people who I am sharing it with. Am I spending enough time showing my affection to loved ones? Or am I focusing too much on all of my to-dos and not taking time out to enjoy life and really appreciate the people who matter most?

I noticed this incredible sunset peering into our back yard through our big oak tree as I finished up work for the day so I quickly bundled Ava up and grabbed the camera to take in the last few minutes of its amazing glory from the upstairs deck.

What's For Dinner?

You may remember when I mentioned (here) the cooking schedule my husband and I came up with that has made planning meals so much more predictable. I have found that when I put thought and effort into planning a nice meal I really love to cook!

Well, here's just one more example of how this system has been working so amazingly for us:

Seared ahi tuna over a bed of green tea jasmine rice and chopped asparagus.

Green Tea Jasmine Rice with Asparagus

We have this amazing rice cooker, which makes rice recipes really easy, so basically you just cook the rice as usual, but replace the water with green tea that has brewed for a couple minutes. This gives the rice a nice, subtle tea flavor. (You may want to start your tuna marinade at this point.) You can garnish with toasted almond slivers and green onion, as the recipe I set out to follow called for, but I just added some asparagus spears chopped into one-inch pieces to the rice after it finished cooking and left it in the rice cooker for another 15 minutes or so to let them steam.

Seared Ahi Tuna Steaks

I looked up a recipe online for some tuna steaks I just picked up but ended up combining some ideas from a few different ones so I thought I'd share the recipe I ended up with.

Mix a couple tablespoons soy sauce with a couple tablespoons sesame oil, a teaspoon of lime juice, a few cloves minced garlic, and a teaspoon of paprika. Marinade tuna steaks for about 30 minutes. (Take this time to dance around the kitchen with your little one, who has probably emptied the contents of any and every drawer he or she may have access to in your kitchen by now.) Then melt a couple tablespoons of butter in a pan. Add a teaspoon crushed peppercorns (I used a couple tablespoons of hole peppercorns but Alex agreed it was overwhelming and they should have been crushed) and saute on medium heat for about five minutes. Then add the marinated tuna steaks. Sear for just a minute or two on each side, until just the outside is nice and browned. Serve over a bed of the green tea rice and asparagus (or coconut rice would also be delicious). Top with the peppercorns from the pan (I used way too many!) and flash a winning smile as your family compliments your culinary genius.

Spring Fever

All the sunshine this week has me excited to be getting ready for spring. Brunch anyone?

My spring tablescape with Lenox Chirp Collection table linens, basketweave placemats in Caramel, our Polish Southington by Baum Golden Pirouette china from a yard sale years ago, and my mother's old crystal champagne glasses that she passed down to me.

Ava's had a cold and a temperature this past week so I've been taking her out on long walks all weekend to get some much needed fresh air and exercise.

An Apartment in Paris

The amount of scamming we've run into on Craigslist while looking for an apartment to rent in Paris is incredible!

This email thread between my husband and one scam artist was too funny not to share (read from the first inquiry at the bottom up to the most recent at top below):

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Alex
Date: Fri, Feb 24, 2012 at 2:40 PM
Subject: Re: EUR60 / 1br - UNIQUE CHARMING 1 BEDROOM APARTMENT AFFORDABLE (LE MARIAS)
To: Pascal Bernard <bernrentals@hotmail.com>

Hello Pascal,

You won't believe this...the nearest Western Union is 90 miles away. When I went to my car to head out I snapped this picture of Mr. Tibbles driving away. 

There is a bus that leaves tonight at Midnight, I will have to take that bus unless Tibbles gets back sooner.

Please hold the dates for me.

I can't believe this happened again. 

On Fri, Feb 24, 2012 at 2:22 PM, Pascal Bernard <bernrentals@hotmail.com> wrote:

Thanks for your Interest..  I have attached the Booking Agreement form/payment process with this message, fill it and send it back to me with a scanned copy of the funds transfer confirmation and also send me your contact address, all these details will be with the doorman for proper recognition when you get to the apartment, i will personally hand over to you the keys of the apartment upon arrival.

MODE OF PAYMENT WESTERN UNION® MONEY TRANSFER TO:

Here are the information needed to make the payment:

RECEIVER`S NAME: KATE  PETER ( ACCOUNTANT )

RECEIVER`S ADDRESS: 3 RUE ELZEVIR, 75003 PARIS, FRANCE.

You can visit www.westernunion.com to locate any outlet close to your location.. You should send the funds via WesternUnion® Money Transfer.. It`s Easier, Faster and Reliable and you`ll have to Locate the Western Union Agent outlet to do it in person (cash)...

Note: Is only when payment has been made before i can secure your dates.

After payment has been made please do send me details of the payment and the signed booking agreement form to my Email for my records.

Welcome to Paris and Happy Stay in My Apartment.  I do offer airport pick-up service to all my customers, please let me know if you are interested in it.

Waiting to receive the above from you in order for me to confirm your reservation.

Regards,

Pascal

---

Date: Fri, 24 Feb 2012 10:02:17 -0800

Subject: Re: EUR60 / 1br - UNIQUE CHARMING 1 BEDROOM APARTMENT AFFORDABLE (LE MARIAS)
From: Alex
To: bernrentals@hotmail.com

Pascal,

This is wonderful news! Mr. Tibbles and I celebrated by eating apples and hay all night long. You should have seen how excited he was. Here is a picture I took of him in bed this morning.

How do I make payment?

Thanks,

Alex and Tibbles

On Thu, Feb 23, 2012 at 5:59 PM, Pascal Bernard <bernrentals@hotmail.com> wrote:

Hello Alex,

Thanks for your email.

I have seen the pet and i am willingly to allow it but you will have to pay a security deposit of 400 Euros for any damages caused.

Your dates of reservation from 04/01/12 to 04/06/12 is 5-nights and the rental fee is EURO 300 (@ 60 euros a night)..  

50% of the Rental fee ( EURO 150) + EURO 400 Refundable Security deposit = EURO 550 including cleaning fee and taxes..

Please let me know if it is ok by you so that i can forward you the booking agreement form and the payment instructions before someone else does..

Waiting to hear from you.

Regards

Pascal

---

Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:26:49 -0800

Subject: Re: EUR60 / 1br - UNIQUE CHARMING 1 BEDROOM APARTMENT AFFORDABLE (LE MARIAS)
From: Alex
To: bernrentals@hotmail.com

He is a miniature horse named Mr. Tibbles. We take him everywhere (he is like family) and he is very gentle.

Attached is a photo of him traveling with us on our last trip.

I could maybe wire a higher security deposit to make you more comfortable?

Regards

On Thu, Feb 23, 2012 at 5:09 PM, Pascal Bernard <bernrentals@hotmail.com> wrote:

Hello Alex,

Thanks for your quick response to my mail.

Please what kind of pet do you have, i may consider it.

Waiting to hear from you.

Regards

Pascal

---

Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2012 16:20:29 -0800
Subject: Re: EUR60 / 1br - UNIQUE CHARMING 1 BEDROOM APARTMENT AFFORDABLE (LE MARIAS)
From: Alex
To: bernrentals@hotmail.com

Hello,

The place looks great. Unfortunately we may have a pet so I don't think this will work.

Thanks.

On Thu, Feb 23, 2012 at 2:34 PM, Pascal Bernard <bernrentals@hotmail.com> wrote:

Thanks for your Interest, luckily for you the Apartment is still Available for your dates, the rental fee for the 5-nights is = EURO 300 (@ 60 euros a night)..  To Book down the Apartment for your dates, 50% of the Rental fee ( EURO 150) + EURO 300 Refundable Security deposit. All you need to pay to have the Apartment reserve for your dates = EURO 450 including cleaning fee and taxes..

Not Shared, Private Full Apartment.
 
Property Type:
    * apartment
 Exact Address:
    *  3 Rue Elzevir, 75003 Paris, France.
 Nearest Metro Station: 
    *   Saint Paul
 
Building Level: 
    *  3rd floor with elevator
 
 Accommodation Type:
    * self-catering
 
Floor Area:
    * 592 sq. ft.
 
General:
    * towels provided
    * air-conditioning
    * central heating
    * telephone       * linens provided
    * Washing Machine and Dryer
Kitchen:
    * oven
    * stove top burners
    * dish washer
    * freezer
    * microwave
    * refrigerator
    * washing machine
    * Utensils and all whats needed in a modern Kitchen.
 
Outside:
    * Balcony
 
Bathrooms:
          * 1 Bathroom
          * Bathroom 1 - Combination Tub/Shower, Toilet
     
Bedrooms:
          *  1 Bedroom, Sleeps 4 
          *  Bedroom 1 - 1 Queen 
             Convertible Bed - 1 Sleep Sofa /Futon 
             The elegant bedroom has a very comfortable queen size double bed and plenty of closet space. It is very quiet as it also overlooks the private gardens. 
 
Entertainment:
    * stereo system
    * radio
    * satellite or cable
    * Flat screen TV (Both in Living room and Bedroom)
    * CD
    * single home theater system
 
Internet Access:
    * wireless broadband
    * broadband access
 
Suitability:
    * children welcome
    * pets not allowed
    * non smoking only
 
Local Activities:
    * Walking
 
Nearby Attraction / Facility:
    * restaurants
    * bars
   
Other Activities:
    * Shopping/Sightseeing
 
The remaining 50% of the rent will be paid when you arrive to the Apartment and also the security deposit will be refunded in cash when leaving the apartment..
 My method of payment is via Western Union, Money Gram or Liberty Reserve...
 
Get back to me asap if you`d love to Book.... So I can send you the Booking Agreement form, and how to make the Payment to secure this Wonderful Apartment for your dates before someone else does....
 
More Photos attached and I`m providing you a Contact info of my past Tenants from U.S.. 
Mr Damian Stewart from U.S, stayed 5nights...damian.stewart@aol.com

 
DECIDE AND GET BACK TO ME ASAP..
 
Regards
Pascal Bernard

---

Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:54:00 -0800
Subject: EUR60 / 1br - UNIQUE CHARMING 1 BEDROOM APARTMENT AFFORDABLE (LE MARIAS)
From: Alex
To: mwtkw-2825807834@hous.craigslist.org

Hello,

I may be interested in the apartment.

How does the rental process work?

Thanks,

Alex

http://paris.en.craigslist.fr/vac/2825807834.html