Ajumma's Pad

I'd totally live here: Traditional in Whittier

There was a two-year period in my life where I loved my job so much that on Monday mornings I'd bound out of bed thinking, 'I get to go to work today!' That job was at Whittier College where I supported brilliant and able faculty in the Department of Education. I consider Whittier (a city tucked into the Puente Hills about 15 miles east of downtown LA where the 60 meets the 605) my hometown in California. I love its Quaker-founded college, its diversity, how it feels like a small town, and its proximity to San Gabriel Valley and DTLA.

I'd gladly move back to Whittier into this 1938 gem which boasts 2952 sq ft. The classic home has been on the market for about year. It's a traditional 3 bedroom, 3 bath home with a living room, den, formal dining, eat-in kitchen, attic, and (gasp) a basement. It features wainscoting, crown molding, 2 fireplaces, ample storage, and copper plumbing. Plus this house includes my must-haves of central AC (it gets HOT in Whittier), washer-dryer hookups, and off-street parking. (There's a two car garage and a long driveway). You'll also find gardens along the back and side of the home.

If I bought this house I'd paint the front door either dark green, black, or red. I'd also add a U.S. flag at the front entry.

I love this little porch on the font of the home.

Pretty, wide plank wood flooring

The sellers are asking $839K for the home. I could see it selling for $800K. I suspect it's a little slow in selling because buyers may not be able to look past its older decor, the fact it doesn't have a pool, and that the house sits right on Mar Vista St. which is a thorough fare for commuters. Traffic zooming past the house will be thick every morning and evening. I personally like the unspoiled interiors, even the blue tile in the original kitchen.

Update: This house has a sale pending! I hope it's to someone who appreciates the home's architectural details.

Previously at The Pad:

I'd totally live here: Naples

I'd totally live here: Bluff Park

I'd totally live here: Hong Kong
I'd totally live here: Ortega-Vigare adobe
Heck yeah, I'd live here: Echo Park

Other home features:
Newport Beach cottage makeover
Neutra home my idea of heaven
San Diego Cinderella home for sale
One house, three exteriors
Venice home restaged, back on market
Dream midcentury house: 1966 post and beam
Report: Lee Snijders at Home & Garden show

Steven Yeun's got artsy fans

You know you've become famous when people create artwork of you. A striking drawing-Photoshop edit of The Walking Dead actor Steven Yeun by Maichan-art.

Impressive pastels by kss24

Steven Yeun as a school girl by gagambo

Digital art by andreaaustoni

Pencil portrait by SoulofSenepha

Previously:

So that's how they say it! (Steven Yeun and Sung Kang)

Jessica Gomes and her single-fold eyelids

Steven Yeun without eyebrows

Z is for Zombie

This horse surfs better than I do

Yesterday morning I was a super hot mess of epic proportions falling off my board with weak unbalanced arms and hair in my face. Part of it was because I was on a board two feet smaller than I was used to, but the main part was because I am so uncoordinated. But at least I got out there by myself and kept at it. Plus the sting ray I'm fairly certain I stepped on didn't sting me. I'm going to start chalking up any time spent in the glorious ocean where a sting ray doesn't sting me as a successful session.

Image courtesy of Dave McGovern

Chilaquiles: The C is for comfort

In the two years I've been back in Southern California I've taken in a surprisingly little amount of Korean food. These days all I want to eat is Mexican. It's still tough as a lazy vegetarian (aka a pescetarian) to enjoy all the good stuff, but there are some dishes here and there that I can indulge in. Case in point: CHILAQUILES!

The first time I dined on this Mexican breakfast dish was at Old Town Cafe in Seal Beach. The cafe had chilaquiles (tortilla chips covered with tomatillo sauce, crema, queso, and scrambled eggs) on their Specials menu along with waffles and such. Old Town Cafe's chilaquiles (served with red sauce) blasted my brain with so much dopamine it is my favorite food.

I've ordered chilaquiles at many restaurants and they vary radically in taste and quality. Don't bother ordering them at a non-Mexican restaurant or at a place without Mexicans chefs. The result will be food so bad that you will want to punt the plate like a football out the restaurant's front window. Both the red and green sauces are lovely, but I prefer green.

How to say chilaquiles: Chee-la-KEY-les
How not to say chilaquiles: Chee-la-KWEE-les (I ordered them this way once, in LA, and my friend said, "You live in California now. You've got to get it together.")

Previously:
¡ Viva eloté !

Photos via Phoenix New Times, Sabor Gourmet, The Mexico Report

I'd totally live here: Naples

Let's hear it for Naples, the little island neighborhood in Long Beach, California! The lots are tiny but the homes full of character. Walk down the winding streets and you'll see Spanish, Cape Cod, Craftsman, and mid-century homes side by side--and it works!

140 Cordova Walk on Naples was for sale in January 2015. Sellers were asking $819K. It sold in March for $755. The 1946 home has 1 bedroom and a 3/4 bathroom--perfect for a bachelor or bachelorette or a couple who doesn't believe in clutter. I like its beachy, nautical vibe and outdoor entertainment space. Because of its small size (714 sq ft) I wonder if it was originally a garage for one of its next door neighbors.

My only concern about this fun abode is that for the asking price of $819, there is no off-street parking. Naples is a high-density island with tight, narrow streets. Parking is at a premium. It appears before the bedroom jut-out was added you could pull a car onto the lot from off the alley. I suppose one solution would be buy a Honda Fit and just deal with it. It might be an equal payoff for feeling like you're on vacation year-round.