'Life Would Be Perfect if I Lived in That House' by Meghan Daum | Book Review

From the acclaimed author and columnist: a laugh-out-loud journey into the world of real estate—the true story of one woman’s “imperfect life lived among imperfect houses” and her quest for the four perfect walls to call home.

After an itinerant suburban childhood and countless moves as a grown-up—from New York City to Lincoln, Nebraska; from the Midwest to the West Coast and back—Meghan Daum was living in Los Angeles, single and in her mid-thirties, and devoting obscene amounts of her time not to her writing career or her dating life but to the pursuit of property: scouring Craigslist, visiting open houses, fantasizing about finding the right place for the right price. Finally, near the height of the real estate bubble, she succumbed, depleting her life savings to buy a 900-square-foot bungalow, with a garage that “bore a close resemblance to the ruins of Pompeii” and plumbing that “dated back to the Coolidge administration.”

From her mother’s decorating manias to her own “hidden room” dreams, Daum explores the perils and pleasures of believing that only a house can make you whole. With delicious wit and a keen eye for the absurd, she has given us a pitch-perfect, irresistible tale of playing a lifelong game of house. via LA Times

This looks like a "must read" book for me and anyone who loves houses and real estate. 

Vintage Cast Iron Pan/Wok by Michael Lax

This is Mother Nature's April Fool joke---it's snowing.

Vintage Copco Cast Iron Wok w/ Side Handles. Use on top of the stove or in the oven. I can't put my old wok in the oven because it has a wooden handle.  I'm thrilled that the lid fits perfectly on this estate sale $7.00 pan.

I've used this pan every single day since I got it over 2 weeks ago. Fried eggs are the best and so is any kind of stir fry. I've baked in it too. You can really cook anything you'd cook in a cast iron frying pan only this is easier because of the sloped sides.

COPCO - Michael Lax Design - Denmark He was an Industrial Designer and his work is very sought after by collectors of mid-century modern. I simply can't understand why anyone would get rid of this wonderful piece of cookware. Now that it's mine I can see myself getting rid of the pans it is replacing.

Handmade iPad - A Wonderful Claymation Video

I loved this wonderful stop-motion video by a student from the British Higher School of Art and Design.

Goodnight ~ Day is Done

The sun will be setting soon and I'll be trading my computer for the television. I do love a good reflection and this is a great one. I put some new batteries in my remote in the bedroom and what a difference. I actually called for a technician to come out to the house because of the poor performance lately of the DVR but it's all fixed now. So happy.

Best Sliding Board Ever

Can't you almost hear the squeals of delight from the little children shooting down this very high wooden sliding board? I love the juxtaposition of the tiny little girl and the elderly gentleman. Both of their expressions are priceless. This photograph is simply wonderful and brings back such great memories of the dangers of childhood. They are all but taken away these days. The wooden things at playgrounds are being replaced by plastic so kids don't get splinters. I'm all for safety but I think children are somewhat overprotected now. Click on the image to enlarge and get the full effect. What fun! 

Eye-Dazzling Red and White Quilt

This is one of the quilts that was exhibited in New York City at the Park Avenue Armory. I don't have any information on this particular quilt but I really admire this monumental graphic design that makes me dizzy and a little woozy when I look at the photo. The display lasted only 5 days and there were 650 quilts -- all red and white. I saw a short segment on Martha Stewart and learned that this color combination was the most popular because the dye formula that was used made the red fabric the most stable color of all. This must be true because I don't see any fading or running in all of the quilts that were on view. I didn't go in person but I've seen many photos...including those sent to me via iPhone by a friend.

Portrait of a King Vulture

This King Vulture is so ugly he's beautiful. What a great portrait taken at Riverbanks Zoo Botanical Garden in Columbia, South Carolina. Be afraid people, he's got his 'eye' on you. Click photo to enlarge for maximum fright.

The Little Prince Pillowcase + Rubber Stamp Set

Just look at this adorable hand-embroidered pillowcase by Claudia Marchán. She made it for her nephew who lives in France. Translation: "Sweet dreams little prince WiWi"

Hand-made presents really are the best, aren't they?

I found someone who made this hand-carved set of rubber stamps from line drawings in the book 'Le Petit Prince" -- I don't know if they are for sale or not. Finding out is up to you. Please let me know if the answer is yes.