Sometimes I cave in, completely forget all reasons and follow my heart and my gut. One of those moments was when I tactfully talked my husband into buying a dilapidated little house in one of the oldest neighborhood in Galveston. Yes.. we went there a couple of times, yes.. we loved the ocean, and yes.. the house was a good deal; but what did we actually know about renovating a house that needed everything in a locale that we barely knew... The answer is almost nothing.
But my sweet husband, went with my idea (again...), and threw away his cautions and bought the house. It smelled very bad, with carpet in the bathroom and stained office tile ceiling. He spend a full 2 months away from his work and renovated the house. While I helped him with ideas and moral support from Dallas. The house has a good bone, great layout and close proximity to the ocean.
Armed with determination, big dream, small budget and tons of imaginations, we created our beach getaway. It is cozy, rustic and luxurious all roll into its 800 SF package. We carved in an extra sleeping area in the attic, added marble to aged the appearance of the house, and painted everything white inside and happy colors outside.
Now, 4 years later. Many of my friends as well as strangers have carved great memories in that house. I got calls from people who celebrated anniversary there and come back every year to repeat it. I love it.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Caco is in the house!
I just survived a weekend marathon.. well, suffering with a deep hacking cough at the moment but still I survived.
It started with a huge event planned by moi.. for work.. big fancy hotel gala type thing.. and my dearest friend Caco was coming to town. The last I saw her was at my wedding in Bali in 2008! So we started with a girls' slumber party at the hotel room at the Omni. Great view, great company. My best girl, Lorein came and cuddled with us as well. Oh.. how I love my girls..
The next day we hit King Spa, coz, it would be a SIN for Caco not to experience this phenomenon while she is here. Love every short moment of it.. Only having 2 1/2 hours to spend at the Spa.. is a little torturous for me. Quick hair blow and lipstick action .. and off we go to Lorein's birthday dinner at Villa Grill in Irving..
20 people, 1 huge bottle of rum latter, we are completed sated after the third round of picanha steak. At spur of the moment we decided to crash a friend's party that supposedly quite legendary... So we did..
We pulled into the white house across from the lake.. The music was blaring with some salsa tune.. great, it's a dejayed party.. scored! We hung by the fire place outside with some live conga musicians.. dance a little samba.. amazed people with some of my african dance moved.. making friends..
Now off to the dance floor. I spotted a couple of professional samba dancer in the room. Don't you just love it, when that happened. I requested Magalenha.. and got some french dance music and bhangra instead. Caco was happy to hear something french.. When we were walking out of the party, we heard magalenha started playing.. Well, of course we dashed back into the house, took off our winter outerwear and started joining the samba crowd with their specific choreography.. Caco said "That was worth coming back!"
Sunday night, last night for Caco's visit. We gathered at my house with Lorein,Felipe, Christopher, over fresh mussels, fish banana leaves, and greens.. After two days of debaucheries we came into the end of Caco's visit. Until next time my friend.. The plan is to meet with her in Ibiza in September to celebrate her 40th b'day.. A bientot!
It started with a huge event planned by moi.. for work.. big fancy hotel gala type thing.. and my dearest friend Caco was coming to town. The last I saw her was at my wedding in Bali in 2008! So we started with a girls' slumber party at the hotel room at the Omni. Great view, great company. My best girl, Lorein came and cuddled with us as well. Oh.. how I love my girls..
The next day we hit King Spa, coz, it would be a SIN for Caco not to experience this phenomenon while she is here. Love every short moment of it.. Only having 2 1/2 hours to spend at the Spa.. is a little torturous for me. Quick hair blow and lipstick action .. and off we go to Lorein's birthday dinner at Villa Grill in Irving..
20 people, 1 huge bottle of rum latter, we are completed sated after the third round of picanha steak. At spur of the moment we decided to crash a friend's party that supposedly quite legendary... So we did..
We pulled into the white house across from the lake.. The music was blaring with some salsa tune.. great, it's a dejayed party.. scored! We hung by the fire place outside with some live conga musicians.. dance a little samba.. amazed people with some of my african dance moved.. making friends..
Now off to the dance floor. I spotted a couple of professional samba dancer in the room. Don't you just love it, when that happened. I requested Magalenha.. and got some french dance music and bhangra instead. Caco was happy to hear something french.. When we were walking out of the party, we heard magalenha started playing.. Well, of course we dashed back into the house, took off our winter outerwear and started joining the samba crowd with their specific choreography.. Caco said "That was worth coming back!"
Sunday night, last night for Caco's visit. We gathered at my house with Lorein,Felipe, Christopher, over fresh mussels, fish banana leaves, and greens.. After two days of debaucheries we came into the end of Caco's visit. Until next time my friend.. The plan is to meet with her in Ibiza in September to celebrate her 40th b'day.. A bientot!
Thanksgiving 2011
OK, I really don't know why people here are so obsessed with turkeys for holidays. Way back when.. I thought of them as novelties and joined the wagon of turkey and stuffing lovers, but the excitement slowly worn off. Now I tried my best not to eat too many or any turkey for holidays.. Well, I would make a exception for unusually prepared turkey.. like 5 spiced turkey (chinese style) or kalasan turkey (indonesian style).
So.. around 2pm I decided to go with my buds.. Marco and Maria to their friends house. Called the host and it turned out to be Indian style vegetarian food.. Well macarooollooo, I need to add some meat to the mix. so I prepared juicy chicken tandoori to go with all the shenanigans.
People came bearing offerings like chutney and dhal.. Love it .. love it.. love it.. after dinner we lit a bonfire in their huge backyard.. And Mervin the french bulldog pup stole the show by running around the bonfire with his smoking stick..
Don't you just love impromptu thanksgiving party crashing..
So.. around 2pm I decided to go with my buds.. Marco and Maria to their friends house. Called the host and it turned out to be Indian style vegetarian food.. Well macarooollooo, I need to add some meat to the mix. so I prepared juicy chicken tandoori to go with all the shenanigans.
People came bearing offerings like chutney and dhal.. Love it .. love it.. love it.. after dinner we lit a bonfire in their huge backyard.. And Mervin the french bulldog pup stole the show by running around the bonfire with his smoking stick..
Don't you just love impromptu thanksgiving party crashing..
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