Bell Jar » random things

mini me

Celia — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:01:17 +0000

I’ve been keeping track of my runs/workouts using my Nike+ iPod sensor and it automatically downloads all of my workout stats to my Nike+ account…which is great because I can see my progress over time. The other great thing about my Nike+ account is the Nike+ Mini feature that allows me to create my very own Mini Me! When I skip workouts, my Mini Me gets sluggish and slow-moving…but she gets super hyperactive when I’m running consistently. I also love that the hairstyle is almost exactly like my real hair. Anyway, I thought that I would be even better motivated if I shared her on my site. (I know I know…I don’t run very fast but who cares?)

hanging on for dear life

Celia — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 03:34:43 +0000

Poor little tree outside of Home Depot caught my attention today while I was waiting for the rain to ease up..the silhouette of the little prickly fruits dangling from the bare branches made me think of holiday ornaments…and I smiled because cold, dreadful weather like this makes our home feel so much warmer and cozier. (Photo taken with my iPhone)

home phone makeover

Celia — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 23:35:32 +0000

Why are modern phones always so boring?…typically either black or silver…and they look just about as exciting as a tv remote control. In comparison, these vintage telephones from the 1960s at Russell Johnson Imports are so colorful, bright and cheerful. Yes…all modern conveniences are non-existent with these vintage phones, but they sure do make up for it in overall design and cuteness. I love all these colors, but my favorite is the red one and the baby blue one. (Photos from Russell Johnson Imports)

vintage royal typewriter

Celia — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 22:48:37 +0000

I stumbled across these vintage Royal typewriters from Three Potato Four and I think they are so cool…but I can’t think of a good reason to buy one. I love the quirky colors and I can try and convince myself to write a novel or something…but let’s be real…that would just be wishful thinking.

I’m sure somebody out there has an excellent reason to own one of these fantastic vintage typewriters, which have been completely refurbished to be fully functional and are available in a variety of groovy retro colors. Check out Three Potato Four for availability and pricing. (Photos are from Three Potato Four)

will i ever grow up?

Celia — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:03:55 +0000

My good friend CS loves Hello Kitty and sometimes I can’t help but get sucked into her world of fruity-smelling cuteness. The latest example was when she showed me her Hello Kitty credit card…I thought it was the greatest thing ever. But I didn’t want to apply for a new credit card, so I did a little research and found that my bank also has Hello Kitty debit cards and checks! Of course, I immediately swapped my generic looking debit card for the ultra cute Hello Kitty version…and I would have gotten the checks too except AK vehemently disapproved stating that he refuses to write out any Hello Kitty checks. *sigh*…oh well… (Images are from Bank of America’s website)

rolling with the homies

Celia — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:44:40 +0000

I managed to convince AK to attend “Charles Phoenix’s Moonlight Rollerway Holiday Jubilee” with me on Sunday…and we had a total blast! The first part of the jubilee was a holiday-themed comedy slideshow featuring vintage slides found at various flea markets and yard sales. The second part was a roller skating extravaganza featuring costumed skaters performing a variety of musical routines about all the major holidays of the year. And then the final part was a free “All Skate” after-show party (including free skate rentals). AK got the free skate rentals and I got to test-drive my self-birthday-present for the first time (purchased back in September)! To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure what I had dragged AK into at first, but the whole experience proved to be unlike any other and I can’t wait for the next one! It was like being a goofy happy kid again…and I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun! (Photos taken by AK with his iPhone….clockwise: Charles Phoenix the wacky host, The Skaters Jubilee and my own skates with the “Farrah Fawcett” upgrade)

sweeten your day

Celia — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:44:12 +0000

My good friend from high school and her husband are the owners/creators of an award-winning boutique bakery based in the Oakland/San Francisco area called Teacake Bakeshop. I have been so incredibly proud of them from the beginning of their business, and over the years my complete awe of their dedication, perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit continues to grow exponentially. They offer cookies galore, beautifully decorated cupcakes, the most sinful brownies and a plethora of other delectables to “sweeten your day” as needed. Everything is available online, but their actual stores are a must-visit if you are in the neighborhood. They’ve got regularly scheduled baking classes and several different philanthropic programs that benefit a variety of causes. Needless to say, everything is truly to-die-for and I always have to wipe the drool off my keyboard after looking through the Teacake Bakeshop website – here are some photos to get you going…

pet parade

Celia — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:21:43 +0000

This is Shadow (left) and Buddy (right) who decided to dress up for Halloween a few years ago (probably 2005 or 2006). I used to work with them at KBDA, an award-winning graphic design studio in Los Angeles. They were excellent staff members who served as the official greeters…and of course they were appropriately compensated with loads of treats and affection. I miss them and this photo always makes me smile and think of all the fun workplace memories I had with them (and their owners too!) Photo sent by Shadow’s Mama.

bastard out of carolina

Celia — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:43:02 +0000

I first read this book by Dorothy Allison when I was in high school. I’m not sure if the content was very age-appropriate, but I’d like to think that I was ahead of my time anyway. Besides that, my English teacher had figured out my affinity for the darker, grittier side of human nature and personally handed this book to me to read on my own. I devoured it in one night and re-read the book multiple times in the months following. It was not a happy story and it always made me cry. To me it was about searching for beauty in the horrible and the ugly. I carried the book like a security blanket with me everywhere I went for a long time. Funny thing is…I don’t remember when I last read this book…or any book for that matter…and the story seems foggy and faded to me now. Maybe I’ll read it again after I unpack all of our boxes. More information on the novel and the author Dorothy Allison can be found here at Penguin Reading Guides.

pippi longstocking

Celia — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:26:18 +0000

Ask my Mom or my Grandma, and they will tell you that I LOVED Pippi Longstocking when I was a kid growing up in the 70s. She was the toughest girl badass with a heart of gold and I wanted to be just like her. Not much has changed really. I have the full Pippi DVD box set, I unashamedly copy her sense of fashion with kooky Pippi-inspired smocks, and I’m always inspired by her wacky home that she shares with her horse and monkey. Next thing on my list is getting in a hot air balloon for some unexpected adventures! Pippi is my hero… (Photos from this site about Sweden)