10 Things I Can’t Live Without: Kelly Oshiro of Santa Barbara Chic

<p style="text-align: center" align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0QHs0-NUpyLaJMG_slrpRsMFGzKZmYH2XWs_1YYWzcEPhHycAU3lzLP5lvJeEQHsoxWS9BEycVy-b77wlPppL8rSbTduyv0GMUH3ilYfYgebssFQQtnySjJlVKc5pKQmFnsvQ4CPIDdY/s1600-h/kelly%20o%201%5B2%5D.png"><img alt="kelly o 1" border="0" height="82" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4Nme6tm-IwajKOVC5d582Sm7LSa-wUKKRHhScWQBGoQk-RlPsIpzVR8XFpD8fWiRHAB1UIBvoMYDHU0gJ1IqXz2k7ClxJTtEu2YdnyphogL-JPmLbHxyHmMhQQ6xz43TG4w1pviVg7U/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="kelly o 1" width="582" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center" align="left">Even though it has been over five years since my wedding, I still love looking at wedding blogs. Maybe because they really didn’t exist back when I was planning my wedding! The brides today are so lucky to have amazing resources like Santa Barbara floral and event designer, Kelly Oshiro’s wonderful blog, <a href="http://www.kellyoshiroevents.com/blog/">Santa Barbara Chic</a>. Kelly is super talented and often shares images from the events she plans, along with inspiration for everything from place settings to interior design. Did I mention she does a feature called “Shoesday” in which she posts a fabulous pair of shoes every Tuesday? Enough said! In all seriousness, Kelly produces some incredibly beautiful events and is a frequent source of inspiration.</p> <p style="text-align: left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzx4Fj3aSb04yfacoIYSkz7vEiAFMDhNv-DwqHyomRwq5jYfCB-lhwH1iIXhSZIMFkQ4Gsza-Ljj2i9fAGMChoAShNSjlQ4lfjWjXESpXnam9xaq9RR6jONIoimM4-K3rZzXWdfnL2sD9s/s1600-h/kelly%20o%202%5B2%5D.png"><img alt="kelly o 2" border="0" height="697" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQVHgD0957noOrXLOia7hGV7DprIFaY2UzP12ao5z2-JzNR2rWPXhzbvB-ezcK68TbCjzoDeTkT-H9xwNnnKC1AwBzBYIchEEUXyidYlTnAEAY1PbiNZbJ3guBLujbxemGuRf-q9q8Gjf/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="kelly o 2" width="522" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: left">1. Shoes</p> <p style="text-align: left">I like shoes a lot. In fact, I blog them every Tuesday (Shoesday) because I think everyone needs a pretty shoe fix on a weekly basis.</p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3l5mR0AmjoGdCTbp9RAmf8Xmi1vxoiG_sINW8fvffrBcqWNvfSk3fWBiDLki4f03Z3LcyHNGqm3Tayiwx98p_Qtkk2GmITLvUkno6CdDBLKafXTo72obPEf1HRvirpo_iCp77GUZxOQ/s1600-h/kelly%20o%203%5B2%5D.png"><img alt="kelly o 3" border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZeywZDxwgpcqbk9sFOCOaht36L7AkOlIRKJXtoWapeIe2vIAZomfPugH0RNTWTTzKQsEZUkhgqvjvYGqS1WWAw7EOdxc9TYk5fyRnxuIAYEp9OPfCWZrf9xHAr2kG4AaMl_UdqEoK8w/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="kelly o 3" width="451" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: left">2. Entertaining</p> <p style="text-align: left">I love throwing parties (it's no wonder I do it for a living) and inviting friends and family over to enjoy good food, wine, and conversation.</p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CGEI1dagIxdNkJlkIDLRSvoO7j9MBqqBNvOhpgfkYGvRc-_Ip7ogqCCKFVvYv0Qg7YZkDGuW6-GlVOsunGbklvJjIgVYV8JXJXSoFm0AxzL0ch2vRUSkB7AShwYl_QOLph8B49UOL8hw/s1600-h/kelly%20o%204%5B2%5D.png"><img alt="kelly o 4" border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUVcpCLdak9rD-58I_6m28TQD1J04Rf1Vjc3Mi9l3q59u8_qQZHIMmdW0j_W8-JFyyaOTlkPnpf5joO43wqmeSphKJdsZ7mrqtldQoVdkymbMqDyAB3C-sfNIzjLI1gsRDBgLDtjrD2I/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="kelly o 4" width="399" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: left">3. Puppy heads</p> <p style="text-align: left">Their sweet innocence and desire to simply bring joy into the world is so comforting in this crazy busy world. My dog Mira keeps me from working too much and makes sure I get outside and spend time away from the computer. Plus, she’s a big cuddle bug and is ever-vigilant to the threat of the evil postman.</p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrV_JyrHjVkn3QqjtJFxeShXPDmulkosszqUpFHZ4aAM_401rvpotcNXtOdgqEYvYm4MuHUS4q8pSFpABOaqF0D4j7VyOIcJX6iMw-ZaG1vV1gP4qik530mBpvBte6Wk_lz2Uj89KGme7P/s1600-h/kelly%200%205%5B2%5D.png"><img alt="kelly 0 5" border="0" height="551" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENdF46m73kFnkJwuC-Qbps2M0pAB_hzgO-oSiEtLWIi1Qp6uGAR83S57rSZnRYqQIf0BG67s_GiH51z7et50xo86mQlDBHSQE0ev2ykfZS4doHVB5PcNNbEezPhj24QT2aSCzpA8uN4w/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="kelly 0 5" width="633" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: left">4. Design blogs & the community of bloggers</p> <p style="text-align: left">Design blogs are always a wealth of inspiration and escape from the daily grind of life. Not to mention I count so many bloggers as friends, the community of bloggers makes me feel like I am a part of a small, close-knit, and über-stylish community.</p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWE0YNVSUxTrMLIOgGs9LEzydH0T23KC6ORK8HgIT62ULRWdYZilljCHWj4VxvZlvcPTJ5uoVbRjeve2HRdbls_o90iQTikeCV98gZ2AksK0BwM11MuFtUxOqLsspzuBcWhkVyv0alhnQ/s1600-h/kelly%20o%206%5B2%5D.png"><img alt="kelly o 6" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9jRCN91GikkqTuECq53LCAkbeNAuH8hP2jYqtoGsgdlvaeuxRUOT5Zv6rT9qaTyXW5s_mnWY9IDGp_NW9Q6nqc_jRyBWjSmY71Bscc1082pok3KT8BvVYtQucygaMbo29NmakWYJ7IgM/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="kelly o 6" width="617" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: left">5. Martha Stewart</p> <p style="text-align: left">Martha is a genius and so many sectors of the lifestyle and event community are forever in her debt.</p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HT5MCmN_wvbLk0FiYziSXak-C7ESrbI8cXBZeQ593L4IqGa4UzOByTkC27iBnSgYg67LaWkkj5BAjMkph7zwef1bLejI5OVvcaQnp8zGR0wa-hA-PvTFocfbWn8hqNNjIVtjxd1n2nIq/s1600-h/kelly%20o%207%5B2%5D.png"><img alt="kelly o 7" border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijogFOwGbaf0l660XW_oeqighV63fBzbiHwUuDarNvaXfcqzehlzlinAXOlYUWUwNj2vu5zfS57BGiYGfRkF8KOoqQS7X4aA8DVMX4JS9N7yQa0D7p_s3VO7xlyFSNEW29Nwty-81IDQ/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="kelly o 7" width="490" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: left">6. Art & Architecture</p> <p style="text-align: left">I was an art history major in college and I love studying Moorish architecture, illuminated manuscripts, and appreciating the monumental lines of Romanesque architecture. The craftsmanship and intricacy of each art form is mesmerizing.</p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtH1mgjk51tsvD14YSYIuihbWAMlqmCwIMCzbH6OItqQc2DYTwjvwLjiN9ko2jSrT-0LwpGlMaduymCav6GnDvCX4vhEZ4lLwkVCUwq8zKq3pcDtUdK0JExEL4WJSY6wtlcnSCWLnfQw/s1600-h/kelly%20o%208%5B2%5D.png"><img alt="kelly o 8" border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrpBOh_HkKse3AXZQ1EJ1fzFQh-S2wn0i5I-ziSzWhrEmTY1mw3G8M-DviVlFqCPsPJf696-i4dlw4HPi9g2lpMGrwuESjXSFqStVGKxH8EKz8Q82j1EC03FODBdRD1iaacs_OyG-2Zc/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="kelly o 8" width="602" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: left">7. England</p> <p style="text-align: left">I love England, the saturated green grass, the free roaming cattle, the weeping willows, medieval churches with faded tombstones, timber truss pubs decorated with baskets of colorful flowers, meandering rivers, and country estates. I love getting a cup of tea and with a scone in the apple orchard in Granchester that Rupert Brooke called “Forever England.”</p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CXj6tX8yU_UmYDCV_ZKPshnNTQMlEIa_wM3CK6kTgA4hlBh4Ryn8lxgkbjVUqsH2DcMVH6Vvdg4bhh2GPRyPXbTM-2TraihHoEEmE4i7Ye0UqoyRSBy3TCMRlvnbGKZ3vQyUIUgz8KM/s1600-h/kelly%20o%209%5B2%5D.png"><img alt="kelly o 9" border="0" height="601" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98rNlakVX8P8Q34nEKsuTBisl6XVcLgxU-Yn05I2VhJWg2IW6io4xAO6qiHh6-sFaOEa86M7IY2isOVfMnh_h-e9E2UcI6tv9UrXsEB7RulniGHhCcXy3M38Hy1rwdjA5RJz9D6cgSsDA/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="kelly o 9" width="439" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: left">8. Pretty pictures</p> <p style="text-align: left">I love lifestyle, still life, food photography, and fine art photography. Photographers like <a href="http://elizabethmessina.com/">Elizabeth Messina</a>, Kirsten Ellis of <a href="http://www.beauxartsphotographie.com">Beaux Arts Photographie</a>, and <a href="http://www.sarahkaye.com/photographers/polly-wreford/still-life/page-2">Polly Wreford</a>, to name just a few, are so good at capturing a moment in time and the beauty of that single instance.</p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGuItlhukEl4zMVBQYLIuUO1eveFXEABPrv1CyTXAzfaSZ92TpfiF-LFH-7vfe727QPAqbpi4ZDSVtSJfmSDR0PLeHPIFGhLGSJg0WWrEhSWHEzrryrbds8og8isGg30CxALi4Pd1z88/s1600-h/kelly%20o%2010%5B2%5D.png"><img alt="kelly o 10" border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjssRhz6p6EQCn70WJSSKDvEk-ObMXliVvOL7EMHyaIKz__b0Jk_em_zKYi8C8j1iHJmv1FupaV7y-TVG1NCgFZfflOgj1hMhM9fuXDTGFjgu8h6it1JmTv1syQDFcX71wDulTdVfavBiG2/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="kelly o 10" width="451" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: left">9. Fresh Flowers</p> <p style="text-align: left">I love to have fresh flowers in my office; the life they breathe into a room is so special, I could stare at them for hours. I particularly love café au lait dahlias (the bigger the better), hydrangea, ranunculus, and peonies.</p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeaasrbj1jG6r0MZQSOccNVNnBpGgObzlROxBPnbo3Qt5WcSno9QjbbO70yTc9hz_o3k82y4k4_tJOsvo2ScCdL2EWDlqbbkWJ3LTpnPVLn-BzIxpTTOo9edMMFr0Dm1NBMXCW_6rnyEM/s1600-h/kelly%20o%2011%5B2%5D.png"><img alt="kelly o 11" border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOGq2SNz0WHZsrdQQiF-LuiHxtY6F6yqwFflTf6faxOTbEl01zJnKOdmb5lkpv12z4y7-RK186ZiLwzpoVJK9Zt0mDokaLROPKMUPojgus9g2oOXXn0ZtpJpVXXsMu0DCvQ8DIINgz0Ax/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="kelly o 11" width="393" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: left">10. Peanut Brittle</p> <p style="text-align: left">I admit it, I’m a peanut brittle addict. If you give me a box of peanut brittle I will eat it all and I won’t share. Seriously, I have a peanut brittle problem, is there a support group for that?</p> <p style="text-align: left">Photos: 1. <a href="http://www.kissthegroom.com/2010/06/head-over-heels-2/">Elizabeth Messina</a> 2. Styled by <a href="http://www.sarahkaye.com/stylists/portland-mitchell">Portland Mitchell</a> 3. H<a href="http://www.halbergphotographers.com/">alberg Photographers</a> 4. Blog Montage by <a href="http://www.kellyoshiroevents.com/blog/">Kelly Oshiro</a> 5. Photos via <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/">Martha Stewart</a> 6. <a href="http://www.kellyoshirodesign.com/">Kelly Oshiro</a> 7. <a href="http://www.mikkelvang.com/">Mikkel Vang</a> 8. Kirsten Ellis of <a href="http://www.beauxartsphotographie.com/">Beaux Arts Photographie</a> 9. <a href="http://www.sarahkaye.com/photographers/polly-wreford/still-life/page-2">Polly Wreford</a> 10. <a href="http://lisahubbard.com/">Lisa Hubbard</a></p>

10 Things I Can’t Live Without: Kelly Oshiro of Santa Barbara Chic

Even though it has been over five years since my wedding, I still love looking at wedding blogs. Maybe because they really didn’t exist ba...

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A Colorful Celebration: Dia de los Muertos

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYmzuWQgurm-FNw4dTcWff6Hrimr9cgA6ySmHCz6bwIwDBpAgA0KRgyRrd4U5N6IouH1uhleUMxza0dtlQRhG8re29guesax-xDrfu0JVN9Nhgiv1PlWIkB_WCX_6SJY4J5PQoqKjFxo/s1600-h/dia-de-los-muertos3.png"><img alt="dia de los muertos3" border="0" height="465" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHYVeecB3Iw8NCn3k5yxRk86O8sGZvQrUl8bWYOijbER0ly8-d6O0SpdE4QZRSKqG8uTdOr_Etpl0XHuz9PiTTeBCSE8OMtd1krb_Xo7Mp8TM8ZEUQ2sf2vPMS9LoZgZsnVhNMjwp3jgr/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="dia de los muertos3" width="613" /></a> <p>Today is the first of two days in which those who have passed are honored and remembered in Mexican culture. <a href="http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/">Día de los Muertos</a>, or Day of the Dead is not a morbid or scary holiday like Halloween is meant to be. It is a time in which we remember our loved ones who have passed away and celebrate their lives. On November 1st, children who have passed away are honored and on November 2nd deceased adults are remembered. This celebration dates back for thousands of years in the indigenous cultures of Mexico and was later blended with Catholic traditions after the Spanish conquered Mexico.</p> <p>Both sides of my family are Mexican of Spanish ancestry, but to be completely honest, we never celebrated the Day of the Dead in the way that I used to teach my students about. My family is from the city of Monterrey, the country’s industrial capital which is in northern Mexico. For my family, the Day of the Dead simply meant taking flowers to our relatives at the cemetery. However, this rich cultural tradition of celebrating the dead is more prevalent in central and southern Mexico where elaborate “ofrendas”, or offerings are set up with marigolds (the flowers of the dead), the deceased’s favorite food and drink, pictures of loved ones, favorite objects and so on, in order to make them feel welcome. This video gives a great, albeit brief explanation of Día de los Muertos:</p> <p align="center"></p> <object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sUUAgEWeYeI?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sUUAgEWeYeI?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoy7lOlM0-HQdsQXfG9Rm4W7PeBcR71XqautS7ezBoh_ZeoAJy_4C6q6-aEac-pk5AyLVLDCH7JcA0yNOyqLe9Cg7-qQtjAmQXpf8T5I8WLXGv25bSdXjW_Q_DHGZvFGYS9ycUaV38MSw/s1600-h/get-the-look4.png"><img alt="get the look" border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbO-68mOr7ORRh-Mx0Mw690UFtmWhlWWE4QWdjehyphenhyphen21ZEf7Y-Qm8UoLuYuJnmga0JMtlVK-IkvHfcq2trlz29v0IKhpMbwf7A7Djw4XaSk6BoijjtGBvBUiXuIXEedgtx6P0inQP4BuKl/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="get the look" width="398" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbxfqrILY9t2YJhMUvaDple8FiMjmrdM0AHwfzvk21-OpEa9yFXD9EvItbkTSHHNr9_9TitXMfBTIp8xxkHCyW1AWVEOpxMvaM_5s3Neb6VlWKgIx3K8FB0YYga1V_MdArcHTaOafr1k/s1600-h/dia-de-los-muertos21.png"><img alt="dia de los muertos2" border="0" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Yug_As1CSjudEiFRz4kzRBQAliM6jAKXZ2FpljzJ9GDS3pwHHeMFIwjCo7ls9cyps1z274Pt8UF0v6rL16W58qFsGc8Sg1I2Y96r8ogK_5_d15nMiLDrwQyvp5gNM3QhMO71U-q_2uCt/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="dia de los muertos2" width="628" /></a></p> <p align="center">{Colorful Accessories from <a href="http://shopcerulean.com/">Cerulean</a> and a little <a href="http://www.oscardelarenta.com/">Oscar de la Renta</a>}</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlU8wU_ewb-O0bd4IePtCv17JaUZbV0g0xPbH0PW7gtGM-p2rLxvpD_TlO1W339iY5Sy_p-bbaWvaqqalOZ9mRZCLnk9y23UbCqiJbdTEITRTKXH4wS_NcNVuX75rcEixlsKWQMXbT1zo/s1600-h/fresh%20catrina.png"><img alt="fresh catrina" border="0" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuKmGuZng9arIMoI0kgV07pJnLRMG7NLlnJKVio5JtgqunqSYA1WdKGX2OyAJxvBFcUGZGUKrsQzL2mUQURt2-xofnNzfGthveDeoGbDFDxTT5l-d2o52h0xCaw9F8UKp4ioOYZkMI6k/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="fresh catrina" width="557" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiueE18dE8YfUTjlLNRSx5-GikFmuvocdT7jJl5jBZH0NWYwmBbQJ8VXUezzcAzfrB1XY1Zlbk5k8FKMxxIFlA1xKBy8m_yBWHa0gXsaRugDMZFozD_89EJQynr-oE_hhWzh1tn9Oem6sbd/s1600-h/dia-de-los-muertos.png"><img alt="dia de los muertos" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzRdE0pgHx31K0HSIFJbrtNJuO_-O1uB8yvPKdYQUsoz43hRjk2J7zJY5h1FIIUGN4TcaP9n5Fa_WPq5o964BWIGr9P4tH31xCTveh3UB_jObkUIQoi4Fw0EpbxYZkQmrePcT8-4OZiA/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="dia de los muertos" width="634" /></a></p> <p align="center">{Are you inspired to host a Día de los Muertos party next year? Keep these papel picado invitations from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/57565849/bandera-pocketfold-wedding-invitation?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_search_query=papel+picado+invitation&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=&includes%5B0%5D=tags&includes%5B1%5D=title">Etsy</a> in mind. This recipe for the “Fresh Catrina” from <a href="http://www.tequilaespolon.com/">Espolón Tequila</a> would make a great signature cocktail!}</p> <p align="center"><strong>Fresh Catrina Cocktail</strong></p> <p align="center"><em>Directions: <br /></em>Muddle strawberry with black peppercorns. Rinse a cocktail glass with absinthe. Shake all ingredients with ice in a shaker and fine strain into the rinsed cocktail glass. <br /><em>Background: <br /></em>Who better to create this Dia de los Muertos cocktail than the talented Waugh at New York’s famed Death & Company? The cocktail is named for Catrina, a skeletal figure who has become closely associated with Day of the Dead. In this recipe, the light and fruity taste of strawberry combined with the dark pop of anise and black pepper pays tribute to both the elegance of the Catrina and the darkness of death.</p> <p> </p> <p>Día de los Muertos is a very rich tradition that I hope to experience in Mexico some day. However, given the current state of affairs there, I am making that statement with a heavy heart. I have not been to Mexico in five years and I can’t imagine going back in the foreseeable future. At least not until the drug cartels loosen their grip on the country. It is a terrible situation. One that worries me every day considering the fact that my entire extended family lives in Monterrey.  </p>

A Colorful Celebration: Dia de los Muertos

Today is the first of two days in which those who have passed are honored and remembered in Mexican culture. Día de los Muertos , or Day ...

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This Week’s Quote

<p><img alt="(via pradaanswer)" src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kzv6ywGsRB1qzw7mvo1_500.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" /></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3qmUwN6DqGnNc8aRk-Q2CdgJpO_mX0JEspFYD3dAJyxr_F8PTDrmcqkJWc9vwKi8rShmFu75zTIPl-DJmTWflWhs6E2oaGLsBphO4WaxC9Y9IT-q3k5hctnqskWU5TYcQNVLtp8WWHw/s1600-h/quote%20mark%20twain3%5B2%5D.png"><img alt="quote mark twain3" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwA0vW4fA7Xx2dYK0uw4kZjA9H8E_XufLt9fcVHIcvX8nuLo3uO0jPLG0uXjQwvW_cTWWlMiclp_uCB-FvBeWTTu6qSJAr8yoeOk2Oy8STPpCZ7pdk7My8t8Ta4VVElwIfxuYrTh899k/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="quote mark twain3" width="526" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p align="center">{<a href="http://maryruffle.tumblr.com/page/2">Image Via Mary Ruffle</a>}</p>

This Week’s Quote

  { Image Via Mary Ruffle }

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