Get out there and enjoy the sun

By urbandreamphotos

3 things I didn't know about Marissa Ribisi

1) She is twin sister of actor Giovanni Ribisi
2) She is married to musician Beck (I thought he was married to one of Joaquin Phoenix's sisters)
3) She starred as the red headed apple of Matthew McConaughey's  eye in Dazed and Confused (1993)

 With her brother, Giovanni

Marissa with Beck Hansen, whom she married in 2004. These days the Dazed and Confused actress is the co-creator of the Whitley Kros fashion line and is a mother to two.


Photos via Buzzfeed, Zap2it

Newport Beach cottage gets a makeover

In the spring of 2010, I predicted that a 594 square foot cottage for sale on the Balboa Peninsula would be bulldozed to make way for a Mediterranean McMansion.  The asking price for the 1957 property was $820K.  I am thrilled to say I was wrong!  The home at 306 Lindo Ave. has been refurbished and is now for sale for $849K. 

Before: I liked the grey exterior with the red front door.  But I appreciate how the new look with the cedar shingles and navy door has a nautical vibe. I'm glad the buyers kept the X details in the house's windows.

I admit I probably would have stripped the house of the wood siding on the walls. Does that make me bad?  The new owners went with it and it's not a huge deal since the floor tiles are light. Limestone tile runs throughout the 2 bedroom, 1 bath home.

Before: As you can see, the fireplace used to be brick. The wood mantel is still the same.  The new listing states the fireplace is now both gas and wood burning.  The gas feature is very handy since the floors are tile, and it gets cool by the ocean.  The last thing you want to worry about it schlepping firewood around.

The kitchen features new Caesarstone countertops, new tile blacksplash, a new gas stovetop, a new stainless steel sink and appliances, new lighting and what appears to be a new stain on the existing cabinets.  The footprint is the same.  Privacy is increased with the addition of plantation shutters in the kitchen and throughout the house.

Before: The kitchen 

The house's only bathroom hasn't changed.  I wish the new owners had replaced the countertop and backsplash with the same tile they used in the kitchen.  I have a hunch if they did that, however, they'd have to retile the entire shower.

 Before: The bathroom wasn't horrid, but wasn't great.

The new listing features many perspectives we didn't get to see when the house was on the market in 2010.  Now we can view the den (staged as a dining room) more of the kitchen, and even the bedrooms.  In addition to decorative renovations, the cottage also includes new recessed lighting, electrical upgrades, new rain gutters, a new furnace and thermostat, and customized ADT alarm.  Still no word on that washer and dryer.

I am so pleased this house is on the market for new generations to enjoy. Little cottages like these are loaded with character and history.  I applaud the buyers for being so restrained with their changes.  Check out the listing for 306 Linda Ave. in Newport Beach, CA on Redfin.

* Muppet cake pops *

Beaker is my homeboy (though my husband would say I'm more like Miss Piggy) so I adore these cake pops.  You can learn how to make them at DisneyFamily.

Meeeeep?

Nathan goes BIG

When you ride the biggest waves on planet Earth, you drink whatever the hell you want.  And I guesss Nathan Fletcher drinks Jagermeister.  The 37 year-old California native appears in the liquor company's first-ever television campaign.

Ajumma-style buckwheat noodles

When temps reach 90 degrees, I reach for naeng myun. Here's what I whipped up for lunch.

Breaking Bad stars out and about

Breaking Bad star Aaron Paul recently chatted up New York Magazine.  Ajumma doesn't usually read BB articles because it ruins the authenticity of the series for me, but this one gives just enough away. Fascinating how Breaking Bad's creator Vince Gilligan says Paul's character Jesse was supposed to die during the show's first season.
   
Previously: Breaking Bad at the Pad

Breaking Bad badass alum Giancarlo Esposito appeared on a genius episode of Community last week, where he terrorized the gang via video game.  It is really remarkable how one goes from loathing, to fearing, to empathizing with Esposito's character within one hour.

Photos from Xfinity, Screen Crush

Get schooled on how to dress like Annie & Britta

College Fashion shows readers how to dress like Annie and Britta from NBC's Community. See the photos here.

Photos via Sharetv, EW

Evolution of a Thai heartthrob

Charlie Trairat ชาลี ไตรรัตน์ is known to horror fans as the young loner in a haunted boarding school in the Thai flick Dorm (2006). Foreign film buffs may also recognize him from his breakout role in the 2003 Thai comedy Fan Chan. Much like Korean actor Yoo Seung-ho, Trairat (age 19) successfully made the big leap from wide-eyed youngster to teen heartthrob in his country.

Charlie skillfully and convincingly carried an entire film on his thirteen year-old shoulders in 2006.

Following Fan Chan and Dorm, Charlie morphed into a regular teen with shaggy hair (who looked like pro skater Sean Malto).

In 2009, Trairat starred in Five Junctions (aka Phobia 2) and channeled a bit of Edison Chen's style. But let's face it; Charlie looked cuter and less sleazy.  Around this time Ajumma noticed he sported a more defined nose.

In the words of RuPaul, you better work! Trairat occasionally models high end fashions.

Charlie, you've come a long way, baby.  Kudos to your ever changing look and style.  Love your ladybug shirt, your new nose, and your full eyebrows.  Here's to your new role as a heartthrob.  May it be well-deserved and long lasting.

Photos via iheartlakorns, listal, Soompi, Tumblr, AsianFuse, Pinoy Exchange, MyDramaList

Jamie Chung looks classy

Promoting her film Knife Fight, co-starring Rob Lowe, at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival. 

Pics via Style Bistro.

Pho recipe in watercolor

My husband starting making pho from scratch last fall.  He purchased meat from local farmers who raised their animals on grass and free-range.  The smell of the meat and spices on the stovetop lingered in our house for days.  I can practically smell his pho in this watercolor by French illustrator Lucile Prache. You can see more of her whimsical watercolor recipes on Etsy.

The Rock talks to Forbes

Dwayne talks to Forbes about what drives him as a wrestler and an entertainer, and all that jazz.

Me gusta: Troy Barnes on "Community"

Troy being proud of his crab dip joke

Troy urging the group to let the Escape Goat go

Troy watching Blade

Gonna Get Over You

"Gonna Get Over You" has the potential to be as depressing as any of Adele's songs if it weren't for Sara Bareilles' sunny, catchy beat.  Lord, this video makes me miss L.A.  My friends actually debated whether this video is racist.  One of them, who is from the Eastside of Los Angeles, feels the people in the supermarket, like the cholas, are based on stereotypes.  My other friend argued there are lots of markets in L.A. with everyday shopppers who look like the people in Sara's video. One thing we all agreed on is that "Gonna Get Over You" regardless of the video (which I personally enjoy) is a great song.

Asian women in short hair

Rie Miyazawa via Plain Face Angel

Via haircutshairstyles.com

Park Shin Hye via Park Shin Hye

Moon Geun Young via Shen Yue Pop

Ha Ji Won via Passion for Korean Wave

Wong Faye via Perfect People

Kang Hye-Jeong (with her original nose, hooray) via Korea Portal

Short hair!  Love it.  Done it.  Unfortunately I don't have feminine eyes or a lovely face shape to pull it off.  I look like a boy with short hair--a homely boy.  But I still admire the freedom and freshness that comes with a short cut.

Awesome couple #2

Alan Ruck and Daniel Henney in Shanghai Calling (2012)

Previously: Awesome couple #1

Awesome couple #1

Andre the Giant and The Rock

via Enigmatic Wrestling

Counting to 4

I don't know how they do it, but Sesame Street continues to charm kids today like they did 30 years ago when I watched the show.  I was viewing online clips with my girlfriend and enraptured young goddaughter the other night.  At one point I shouted, "Is that Gordon?"  Remember Gordon who is married to Susan?  He's still on the show.

My goddaughter especially likes Sesame Street videos that involve letters and numbers.  That's how I discovered this delightful video of Leslie Feist counting with the muppet residents of Sesame Street.

You are being watched!

I walked past this sign at Zeus Jones in Uptown Minneapolis.