Goins On

Sourgrass, March 2008. From my Holga.

-Got my laptop back in my hot little lap! And for the lower cost than estimated, whoo hoo.
- My nephew in a bath robe is the cutest thing I've laid eyes on all day.
-I'm still super pleased with last night's little dinner party with Jon and my parents. We made 3 new dishes and they all turned out amazing, despite my pre-dinner stressing. (I highly recommend making Corn on the Cob Coins, Chimichurri Sauce and Mediterranean Summer Salad).
-Bridesmaid paper dolls made me squeal...and save the link.
-I want this zigzag pillow. I should learn how to sew.
-Collecting rain water! I need this barrel.
Aphrodite Dress, simple and perfect.
-Vintage owl rings, adorbs.
-I need to exercise regularly again. Anyone recommend a good exercise bike? All the ones I see online have nasty reviews or are $1,000.

DIY: Classy Chalkboard

I've had the vision of an ornate framed chalkboard for the kitchen area awhile now and am thrilled it turned out just as I imagined. It finally materialized because I found this awesome mirror for only $19! Normally I find these things costing in the $30 range, which is too much to "ruin" it. I can't wait to write glamorous grocery lists up here.

Here we go:

Before:


Plus priming the frame and glass and a coat of chalkboard spray paint (handiest thing ever!) and some yellow spray paint.

After:

Yep

via Le Love.

Computer still in the shop. Think good thoughts it will be the estimated $165 and not the "maybe-if-I-have-to-reformat-everything-so-you-don't-lose-all-your-stuff" price of $365. I love how they kind of have you by the balls since they are dangling all your hundreds of memories in photo form right in front of you.

Ughs.

Happy Weekend!

via

Well I made it one full week post-vacation!
What's on tap this weekend:

-Reading The Time Traveler's Wife, I can't wait to wrap it up so I can see the movie

-Stocking up at the Farmer's Market

-Giving the house a good scrub

-Sun time with Ashley by the pool

-Getting around to some hair tutorials on YouTube

-Peep the new colors of latte bowls at Anthro
-Enjoying the weekend with my babe

See ya Monday!

Oh Etsy, how I missed you so...

Precious mugs.


Precious sampler.


Precious postcard.


Precious napkin rings. (you can customize)


Precious necklace. (It's only $15!!)

Part II: The Do's and a few Don'ts to traveling in Costa Rica

Hate to start this off with a DON'T, but I'm going in order here.

DON'T: waste your money on Baldi hot springs. Very cool to feel several different pools naturally heated by the Volcano itself, but the vibe here is all wrong. There isn't anything fun about swim up bars without bartenders, towels that cost money to rent and the general ickyness of the place. Save up your money and go to Tabacon instead.



DO: feed cute stray cats at restaurants. They will likely crawl into your lap and on your purse!! (This is Sofia and she lives at the Lava Lounge in La Fortuna)

DO: Order Coca Cola from the bottle.


DON'T: stay at Clarita's Beach Hotel in Jaco. Sorry Clarita's, but you are a glorified hostel and I don't enjoy hearing the people in the rooms next to me cough let alone, um, other things.


DO, DO, DO!: Go to Quepos and Manual Antonio National Park and beach. This town hands down was one of the best places we visited and home to the yummy Cafe Milagro coffee. We went to a few beaches around Costa Rica and this was the cleanest.



P.S. Happy 60th birthday to my Dad! I love you.
I would post a cool old photo of you but my laptop has a virus and Jon took it in to the shop today.

Part I: The Do's and a few Don't's to traveling in Costa Rica

If you were thinking of visiting Costa Rica you might find this list pretty handy. (Cliffs Notes version: Don't waste any time, go!)

DO: Pencil in time to be spent in San Jose. Most people fly into San Jose and quickly get out and on with their trip (like us) but I wish we had at least one full day here.


DON'T: Order the "Chicken Fajitas" in Los Lagos at a roadside restaurant cuz apparently it's fried chicken and french fries.


DO: Rent a car and drive throughout the country yourself. No need for shuttles and expensive taxis, it really is quite easy and provides lots of fun places to stop and take pictures.

DO: Stay at the Arenal Nayara Hotel in La Fortuna near Volcan Arenal.

DO: Exchange your dollars for colones. Some places accept USD but I think you get a better rate if you pay in colones (plus they are pretty!).


DO: Go zip lining through the rain forest canopy!


DON'T: get mad when you get wet and muddy!


DO: Eat at La Choza de Laurel in La Fortuna. Really the best food we had was here. So good we came back twice.


Stay tuned for Part II.