Monthly Obsession | BHLDN

So, if I were getting married or even thinking of getting married in the near future, my head would just about explode from today's launch of the bridal/wedding inspiration shop, BHLDN. I think there are a lot of soon-to-be-brides' fainting all over the country right about now. BHLDN is the newest creation from Anthropologie. Given my obsession with Anthropologie, I'm sure I'll be checking in on the site regularly for inspiration, not just bridal junk.

Of course the geniuses at Anthro have thought of everything - gowns, bridesmaid dresses, jewelry, shoes, lingerie, hair accessories and cover-ups. It has a breadth of style options from traditional & sweet to all out funky - but all very elegant. They even have a "flow player" video of the model moving around in the gown to see how it moves. Such a great idea! 

They have also added a section similar to Pinterest where you can "pin" your ideas onto a virtual collage moodboard to keep inspiration flowing with items from the site. 

Of course, there is also the "What Kind Of Bride" section to help you pick out styles. 

(I might have filled in the blanks and may or may not have come out with "Lady With A Twist" category, but of course I'm not getting married any time soon, so why would I bother?) 

I'm also loving their "Nuptials of Yesteryear" section with old wedding photos. Many traditional a few, hilariously, not so traditional.

Go check it out, yes even if you're not getting married, it's fun {and pretty}!

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Cute Overload

My turn at Cute Overload-ing. Hunter decides to try his hand at camouflage.

What a cuteh kitteh!

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Project Adventure | Huntington Dog Beach

This edition of Project Adventure is dedicated to a great little place down here in Orange County. 

Dog Beach, a couple miles above Main St Huntington Beach. Mom, Dad and I took a trip out there with Zoe, their yellow lab. She loves it, when we get close, Zoe sticks her nose out the window and wags her tail in anticipation.

If you have a pooch {or two, or three} you can guarantee that they are going to LOVE Dog Beach. Heck, even if you don't have a dog, you'll love it.

A mile-long stretch of beach located between 21st and Seapoint Streets. Where dogs can run around off-leash and jump around in the waves. It can get pretty crowded on the weekends {especially in the summer}, so it's a bit nicer early in the morning if you like it mellow. Like, 7:00am early. If you do get caught in the crowd, be sure your dog is mild-tempered because puppies can get pretty carried away with all the euphoria. But, guaranteed, your canine will be tuckered out when you get home!

Be sure to put a couple towels in the car to wipe paws off afterward... unless you enjoy having sand all over the back seat.

Bring your surfer friend too, because the waves here are pretty decent {from what I've heard}. There are always guys and gals out there having a good time.

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Mom's Garden | Tangerines!

While those of you on the east coast are enjoying the snowflakes and frigid temps, I'm sending this to you to brighten your day. Tangerines! They are such a happy fruit, don't you agree? {sigh}

Mom has a tangerine tree in her garden, in an area she calls The Orchard or, as her Dad used to call his back-backyard area, The South 40.

Fruit typically appear on this little tree from October to April. They all ripen at just about the same time, so when it's fruiting, man is it fruiting! I picked 66 tangerines and barely made a dent! Super sweet, only a tiny bit tart, bite-sized with skin that falls away super easily {and doesn't get under your fingernails}. So yummy!

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New Section: Looking Up

One thing I noticed while living in New York was that people never looked up. I'm not talking about being pessimistic, I'm talking about literally looking upward. Toward the sky, aloft, to the heavens... you get the idea. With that thought, I wanted to start another category on MyLifeEclectic. Looking Up.

Next time you're out and about, try it. Look up. You might spot something cool.

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New Year

Happy New Year!

I know this picture may be a strange one to start off the New Year, but I thought it was funny. 

I guess this  is the way people in my neighborhood get rid of their Christmas trees.

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Project Bake: Boeuf Bourguignon (a la Julia Child)

"[Boeuf Bourguignon] is certainly one of the most delicious beef dishes concocted by man".

~ Julia Child

Starting right off, since this involved some oven time, I'm sort of claiming this Project Bake as redemption from the Cherpumple Disaster. Where that was an utter calamity, the Boeuf was total success.

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I decided to cook Julia Child's Boeuf Bourguignon for Christmas Dinner. I have never cooked Boeuf Bourguignon before. Attempting to cook something for the first time for other people is a serious no-no in some cooking circles. Since it was for my immediate family, I figured they would give me a reprieve if it went horribly. But again, I was risking Christmas Dinner. Eek! 

Holy ambitious recipe, Julia! She seriously knows how to complicate a recipe. Where the same dish was a single column on the back of the beef stock carton, she took up three whole pages in her cookbook. 

There are so many little steps involved {I have to admit I skipped a couple things} in what is basically just a peasant dish of red wine-based Beef Stew! Composed of what was the cheapest/easiest to find ingredients, it had to be slow-cooked for several hours in order to make the beef tender enough to eat.

The meat and veggies we get today are, of course, much better quality, and makes a darn good dinner. Heavenly, in fact. Just make sure you set aside at least 5 hours to make it. I'm not kidding.

Some thanks to my Mom for helping out a bit {especially peeling those 20 tiny onions for me}. When all you hear is munching and sighs of happiness around the dinner table, you know you've done a good job.

Find her recipe here

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Happy Holidays!

Seriously, Christmas has snuck up on me. Poof! Here it is!

I'm off to spend the weekend with the family and I wanted to send everyone warm wishes.

Hope all your Holidays are merry and bright!

Mom's Garden | Flower Mart: Narcissus Papyraceus

Another reason why I love the end of the year is because it signals the appearance of one of my favorite flowers. Narcissus (or, Paperwhites). Yes, I know you can force them in a jar all year, but there's something so much fun about having paperwhites when it's cold and gloomy outside.

Of course, they smell ah-mazing. 

And, did you know? Put them in the sun. They sparkle... how awesome is that?

I snagged some paperwhites from the Flower Mart as well and thought I'd share. 

And being a kind of Greek Mythology geek, there is of course a version of the tale of Narcissus. A vain boy who was very beautiful, spurned many women. One woman prayed to the goddess Nemesis so that he may always know unrequited love. The goddess cursed Narcissus so that when he was out hunting one day, he saw his reflection in a pool and fell in love with himself. He stayed staring along the waters edge and wasted away. Narcissus flowers are said to have grown where he died.

There's your Greek Mythology lesson for the day. 

Moral? Keep your ego in check, otherwise, keep away from mirrored objects. 

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Project Adventure: LA Flower Mart

Round about this time of year, Mom & Dad venture out to Downtown LA to get tons & tons of poinsettias to decorate for the holidays. Every year Mom invites me to go, but inevitably I don't because getting up at 5am never, ever, sounds like a good idea. This year I agreed to go one day because, hey, it may be early but how can I resist warehouses full of flowers?

 I didn't know this, but apparently the LA Flower District has been around for almost 100 years! It is also the largest flower district in the country! Wow! Back in the 1900's, local flower growers used to drive their horse-drawn carts downtown to sell at the product market. Can you imagine heaps of flowers on a horse-drawn carriage? So cool. Can you imagine what time they had to get up in the morning?

Find out more here

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