Happy Halloween!

The last time the hubs and I dressed up was about 3 years ago. One of our good friends threw his annual Halloween party. Unfortunately, we waited until the last minute to purchase our costumes and we ended up with the most unpolitically correct costume one can purchase. Its pretty funny and ironic that the hubs wore it especially because he's such a die hard Asian version of Malcom X.

It's a good thing that at the time of our costume wearing, a proposition regarding Indian casino gaming was on the ballot. So, we took advantage of that and basically wrote, " Vote YES on on that proposition. "

This year, I didn't dress up. But, the hubs was so cool enough to dress up for Halloween at his work. I nearly jumped out of my pants when I saw him coming down the stairs for the first time in his costume. Who the hell is that?

A Bright Sunburst

It's been a whirlwind of a week, hence the lack in blogging. Still trying to unpack all of our stuff. The hardest and most frustrating part of the unpacking are my clothes. I just have too many clothes. I tried to go through them a gazillion times to see what I can donate, but I only got a bagful. F. This is a big wake up call to STOP shopping. More like an emergency call.

We finally purchased a rug for our family room. Was quite surprised that we were able to purchase it so soon. Thank goodness for connections at Pottery Barn. The store in Roseville is moving locations to a bigger location and so they are having a 50-75% off sale on alot of their items. One of them being their area rugs. All of them are 75%. Drool. I wanted to adopt all of them when I arrived at the store.

We decided on the sunburst rug in orange. The hubs was a hesitant about it and I still think he still is. But, I really think it adds a punch of color and warmth to our house as it was getting a bit too brown. What do you guys think?

We also purchased a neutral synthetic tan colored rug. I couldn't help but buy two as this one was only $74!!!!! Who sells a rug for $74? Exactly. So, I just had to get it. Don't know where I'll be putting it yet, but shiz, it's freakin' $74!

Lovin' the before + after on Design Sponge on the Ikea step stool. Hatin' how I can never think of creative things like this and have to wait until someone does it first. Makes me want to go and buy an Ikea step stool and have my hand at it even though I don't need a step stool.

Picketed at work. It was truly an experience for me. Never done such a thing. Got kind of emotional and a bit nauseated while in going in a circle like a pony tied to a post. Bargaining meeting in a couple of weeks. We shall see if we are going to go on strike. Ugh. As much as I don't want to, I know that we need to. Wish us luck!

Attention, Everyone. The Dubyah's are in town!

This past weekend kicked start me and the hubs " new chapter" in our married lives. We moved into our new home in booty freakin' Egypt. Hello there Bucca di Peppo, Carino's, Chevy's, Il Fornaios. It's quite lovely to see you and hopefully {not} we won't see you as often. Thank goodness for living quite close to midtown where there isn't as much chain restaurants.

We don't have cable yet and I'm starting to die here watching Seinfeld episodes on dvd's, but at least we have the internet. Phew. That was one of the first things we knew we had to hook up. Addicts, I swear.

Most of our house, the first floor that is, is put together. Lovin' my knock off of a floor lamp that I purchased at Walmart.com. Geeyah, baby! I saved $100! Been poppin' my collar because I'm pretty proud of myself.

We purchased some barstools that I'm pretty sure are made for people with Marfans syndrome. They are so ridiculously high. And to think, we thought we were getting a pretty good deal and thought it was THEE perfect height for our countertops. Oh well, they look cute though.

We also made our first dinner in our new home. Cloth napkins, fancy water goblets and everything sans the serving dish for our meat sauce. Been trying to save on trash and use cloth napkins. But the hubs brought up a good point. So, you'd rather waste and use water then? oooooooooooooooh yeah. forgot about that.

Taking "green" to another level.

I'm all about trying to be green in order to better our Mother Earth, but man, this light fixture featured on Design Sponge takes the cake. Recycling the peanuts you use in the mail and turning it into a light fixture? Yay or Nay? Doesn't it sorta look unfinished and messy?



If you just can't tell how the heck it will blend in a room, here's a picture of it in a room. Are you sold yet? It definitely is a conversation piece. If you really like this, you can learn how to make it here.

Another green project that I think is more up my alley are these lovely cloth napkins. I've been thinking alot lately about using more of the cloth napkins, than the paper napkins as it creates trash and just seems like such a waste. Although, it is much easier to just use a paper napkin in all honesty.

Anyhoo, do you ever see "scraps of fabric" for sale at stores and think to yourself, " what could I possibly do with scraps of fabric?" Well, if you manage to get 1 yard of scraps, you can easily turn them into 4 pretty + adorable napkins. Instructions on how to make these are here.

I Puffy Heart...

Ever since I gorged myself into wedding planning, I seriously started to develop a hard crush on stationary. I mean, I would admire it from afar, but I wouldn't have the spontanous of, "omg, I have to have it!." Dam, freakin' wedding. haha.

Parcel Post is one of my new favorite blogs that is constantly making me drool and scream with delight. Makes me wish that I was her best friend and can somehow get some freebies because that's what best friends do right?

A few weeks ago, I saw these on her blog. Thoughts of what I can do with these were swirling through my head. They are labels from ilee papergoods.

Now, she posted these lovely wrapping delectables. Oh my sweet Jesus. These are so yummy. I need to give a gift to someone, asap!

The Turnover.

It's official. As of 5:00 pm, 10.20.08, the hubs and I became proud owners of a beautiful home. We are homeowners, baby! We. own. a. home. We still can't believe that the house that we entered with our own key is ours. Ours. Wow.

It was quite fantastic. The turning over of the keys to us. We signed a paper and then came out a pretty colored Tiffany blue box with a white satin ribbon tied around it. My eyes nearly fell out. We were totally not expecting that.

What we received were a pair of crystal candle holders. So pretty! They even have Tiffany colored "warning" stickers on top. How cute is that? I can't wait to use them over the holidays. These pair of candle holders are going to be a constant reminder of our first home.

My mom was insistent of us bringing in a small amount of uncooked rice and salt. It's a Filipino tradition and it's suppose to bring you good luck. So, in we went with it. So, in we went with it. Hah.

We'll be moving in this coming weekend and we can't wait. Moreso, me. I'm so ecstatic to finally be able to call a place, " our home."

I heart festivals.

I don't know what it is about them, but I just love going to festivals, even when it's scorching hot. I love the people watching, the various food booths, the various art and jewelry selling.... just everything.

This Sunday, the hubby and I will be going to North Berkeley's Spice of Life Festival. I've never heard about this festival before and it's been around for 6 years. How did I miss this?

Here's the jist.
In it's 6th year, the Festival will savor the "Spice of Life" with an exciting new Culinary Stage at the Elephant Pharmacy parking lot hosted by Kitchen on Fire's Chef MikeC showcasing the East Bay's finest chefs. At the stage a range of cooking demos and cookbook signings by popular neighborhood chefs and restaurants will be featured, along with sales and sampling of gourmet food products. Throughout the Festival, gourmet food offerings from a range of North Berkeley restaurants and selected vendors will be available near bistro style outdoor seating areas and wine and beer gardens. This year we welcome Calistoga Water as a new major sponsor, and the event will be "green" with the use of compostable food plates, cups and utensils with the assistance of the City of Berkeley's Recycling Program.

Local musicians will provide live entertainment on two stages and in more intimate settings such as the Vine Street wine tasting area. North Shattuck area businesses will host author appearances and book signings, interactive art projects, and yoga and bodywork demonstrations. The event also includes 125 exhibitors displaying high quality arts & crafts along with fair trade imports, local non-profits and schools, and a variety of children's activities. The North Berkeley All-Organic Farmers Market will be held as part of the event in its usual Thursday location on Shattuck near Rose St. with additional vendors.

Hope to see you there!