Having Christmas every week: The CSA box

South Central Farmer box I received in April

For a very long time, I searched for an affordable CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) group in Los Angeles.  For a semi-accurate list but see the LocalHarvest site.  But, I had some issues with traditional CSA programs:
1. I can not afford to spend $40 a week on fruit and veggies (no matter how organic and delicious)
2. I do not have the excess cash to spend $$$ six months ahead of time for these fruits and veggies

Product Review: Plumb Away

Of course the day that I have a grad school interview (more on that later) is the day our shower completely stops draining.  In a panic, I turned to my hubby and said, "Go to the store.  Get some Drano.  I don't care how many horrible chemicals it has and the pollution it will cause.  We are desperate!"

Lesson Learned: Sewing Curtains

Lesson Learned: Do not watch Harry Potter movies while sewing curtains!  It does matter how many times you've already seen them. . .

How to Justify a New Car

Here's a short list of how to justify switching from a completely paid-off, very practical Volvo to a new Mini-Coop!

1. I live in LA, I spend a lot of time in my car.

2. I have a two hour commute each day. My car should be fun & freakin' awesome.

3. A new car won't break down; hence, saving money.

4. Obama taught us that Change is supposed to be good.

5. Better gas mileage saves the whales.

6. Car payments help your credit!

7. Old people drive Volvos. I can't be old yet, right?

8. A lot of get-up-and-go is necessary for the inevitable police chase. This is LA after all.

8. It's really for the valet guy.

9. As the designated driver, the most amount of singing drunks I can fit in the car is three.

10. I deserve it!

Gifts for a new baby

A good friend from high school and college had a new baby last week, the wonderful Aurora Brae.  So, this means I have to buy a "new baby" gift--because that's what friends do and shopping for a new baby is always fun.

When shopping for a baby gift, I try to do something that can be considered a keepsake, is useful, or is just fun for baby or parent.   My friend told me they have all they need for the baby, so I went for the fun gift this time.

I headed over to etsy with a strict budget of $20, though I hoped I could find something for about $15.  Here are my top finds for a new baby gift (these are in the $10-30 range).

•  Bumble Bee Baby Booties, $25
• Baby leggings, 3 for $22.50 plus free shipping
• Personalized Wooden Baby Spoon, $9.99
• Rosette Headband, $13.75
• Burp cloth and diaper, $12.00

But, since Aurora's parents were both Chem majors, I decided the best thing for them was a "science" onsie.  Always good to get kids interested in science early!

• Old School Microscope Onsie, $14.00

Welcome to the world, little Aurora Brae and congrats to your parents Liz and Neal.

A Flower for a Baby Shower

Personalization is key. Use to be just for thank you cards, now Nike is doing it and even bobbleheads are doing it! So when it comes to planning every detail for a mom-to-be’s special day, I like guests to take home something that will remind them of her.

Last year, I planned a shower for a friend, who has a penchant for making much talked about chocolate chip cookies. I knew everyone would really appreciate the recipe, but not so fast – the recipe is a secret!

I got around this by gifting the dry ingredients in cellophane bags, and tying a ribbon around them. Even though this was a very personal gift, I didn’t stop there.

I made these flower tags (cut from my own pattern on scrapbooking paper) with a picture of a pregnant silhouette (googled pregnant lady) ready to do battle with her hand mixer. When you pull the leaf out, there’s a simple explanation of why this gift and also, the list of wet ingredients to be added with baking instructions.

I loved it, the mom-to-be loved it, and the guests raved at how ingenious the tag was!

So, tag, you’re it. Make it personal.

Ciao Bella!

DIY: Honey Vodka

Great Recession or whatever the media calls it today means that my husband and I are living on a very tight budget.  We've been talking lately about how hard it has been to be able to provide some of our friends and family gifts as a token of thanks or for a birthday.  So, when we were at a dinner party a few months ago and our friend broke out some homemade honey vodka, we thought, we can do this and this is a perfect gift!  This stuff really does taste like the nectar of the gods.  We made some to bring to an Easter potluck and it was gone in 10 minutes. 

So, we just made our first "gift" batch.  If you want to do this at home, here's how.

KT Owl

Okay, so I'm not really an owl. But I do like to dance in the moonlight. And hang out in trees. And drink whiskey.

My picture was taken behind the Sacré Cœur in Paris, which is where I'd like to be right now. That statement will always be true.

I also like robots, sea creatures, roller skating, documentaries, road trips, medical mysteries, New York City, ghosts and 90s hip-hop, among other things.

I'd like to do more photography, sewing and collecting of ladybugs for my garden.

I was raised in a barn (true story).

Exercise in Introduction

I guess there was a short time in my teens when I put lemon juice in my hair to make it blonder. Other than that, I've never done anything color-related to my hair.

There's a cement truck outside my window churning cement. Fix the sidewalk please.

I want to hike Switzerland right away. Not sure what kind of shoes I need.

I talk about biscuits a lot, but haven't had a biscuit in quite some time.

Pretty sure my career is going to burn me out if I don't burn it out first.

Last week, my car wouldn't start. My first reaction was "sweet! now I have an excuse to buy a new car!" Sadly it was just the battery and the fix was quick and cheap.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so grateful for my friendships until I met these ladies.

I love my car.

Biscuits.

Review: Alba Botanica Very Emollient Sunblock (for kids)

Product: Alba Botanica Very Emollient Sunblock for Kids, SPF 45
Cost: $9.99 at local food co-op

Love it!

Je m'appelle Alejandra!

I'm not French but I wish I lived in Paris! I was born in Argentina but have been living in the US since the age of 4.

Loves: creativity, intelligence, sense of humor, oh man, SENSE OF HUMOR!

Hates: hate.

I know what I like and when I can't find it, I try to just make it myself! ...Let's see what happens.

These ladies consistently inspire me to be a better person. I can't wait to see what our virtual world holds!

Ciao bella.

Travel List for a Long Bus Ride

Tonight, l (along with 100s of other Angelenos) will get on a bus and head to Phoenix for a protest of their racist law SB 1070.  The bus leaves at 11pm and arrives at 6am.  The protest starts at 8 and is a 5.5 mile march.  It is expected to be about 100 degrees in Phoenix.  After the protest, we will board the bus and head back to Los Angeles.  It is going to be a long but exciting day.

Introducing Bethany!

Okay, I'll go first!  My name is Bethany Malmgren and I am a contributor on the Ladies Brunch blog.  I will leave the explanation of the what and how of "Ladies Brunch" to another and just go into the gory details of my life.  I live in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles (that's NE of Downtown).  I live with my husband and little mutt dog.  For the past three years, I've been working at a Button Factory where I design lapel pins.  The picture above was taken of me at work.  Before that, I worked in the film industry.