Reunited + It Feels So Good!

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I can't even believe I'm about to type the followings words...Nelli is back in Cali Cali! (You may have already heard if you caught this post of Nelli's) I'm so freaking happy she's back to the Golden state! + not only is she back, but she's also only 2 hours away! :) It's been 5 years since we've lived in the same state, so our ability to have adventures wasn't a reality, that is until now. I have yet to get a chance to visit her just yet, but I'm so looking forward to adventures with my co blogger + partner in crime! I have a feeling BSOM is about to have the heat turned up on it since we'll be able to collab more in person! 

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After hearing the news of Nelli's homecoming to Cali, you might be wondering are we going to be changing the name of our blog since we are no longer Bicoastal?! + the simple answer is NO WAY! We love the name of our blog so no, it's not going to be changing! :) Can't wait to see what new ventures await BSOM! 

Thank you for taking this ride with Nelli + I!! 

Until next time friends...Cheers!!

<3 Noonie 

AFOMFT | 6

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"...these are a few of my favorite things". If you're new around these parts AFOMFT is a weekly series that entails my favorite things of the week. I'm constantly finding new quotes I like + new favorite paintings/artists etc. + I thought it'd be fun to share my favorites of the week via this series, which was inspired by the blog A Beautiful Mess.

Enjoy!

THIS QUOTE:

"Hippy Shit" | Acrylic Paint | Created by yours truly

I'm a firm believer that a good attitude +positive outlook will get you far in life + I definitely live by this motto. But I do need to work on the patience part of it, which is why I liked this quote so much. 

Because if you're not trying to better yourself on a daily basis what's the point?

THIS STREET ART:

Osgemeos.

"To understand the work of OSGEMEOS, it is necessary to allow reason to be replaced by the imaginary – walk through the doors, allowing ourselves to realize the subtleties in the world around us and to embark on an experience that exceeds the visual: to feel first and to understand later." 

- Osgemeos Website

According to Osgemeos' website Osgemeos literally translates to "the twins". That's right. Twin Brazilian brothers whom are both artists + work together on their craft. I discovered these twins via their Instagram account, + was immediately in love. I just love the bright colors + the flow + energy their works invoke + they're street artists (and you I love street art)!

In any case I was very impressed by their work + I highly suggest you go check out their Instagram + website for even more photos of their work! :)

THIS PENCIL: 

Arrgh mateys. Mama got me this pencil a while back because she knows how much I love pirates! It had been MIA for a minute until I found it this week, among the jungle of my art supplies (I'm working on it). I not only love this pencil because it is in fact a pirate pencil but also because my mama did get it for me. 

All together now "Aawwwww!!".

THIS SWEATSHIRT: 

I've seriously loved skulls since I was about 8 years old. In fact I remember the exact day that I discovered my love for skulls. Mama had taken us to a flea market for the first time ever + pogs (remember those coin shaped toys?) were in their hay day. 

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I wanted to start collecting them + that's when I stumbled upon pogs with skulls on them. I'm not sure what caught my attention about skulls that day as I'm sure I'd seen them before, but that particular day I fell in love with them + this love has continued on into adulthood, hence the sweatshirt + skull tattoo I have :) My new sweatshirt is not only badass because of the skull design on it but the skull + OBEY logo also glows in the dark!

I mean it really just doesn't get much better than that. 

THIS MEAL COFFEE: 

Greek coffee, AKA legal crack. This shit is strong especially the way I drink it. Typically this type of coffee is served in a smaller coffee cup, but I always opt for a larger one when I drink it because I loove the flavor of the coffee + a smaller cup just doesn't do it for me. I always drink mine with lots of sugar + cream (either regular or dry cream works just fine). My mom is the one who introduced me to this coffee + she said she got it from the local Mediterranean store, but you might be able to find it at a grocery store. 

It'll definitely give ya that extra kick that regular coffee just doesn't have.

These were just a few of my favorite things from this week, but I'd like to know... 
what was your favorite thing from this week? 
Comment below <3

Until next time friends...Cheers!!!

<3 Noonie

Changing of the Seasons | End of Summer 2014

Gone Fishin'!

This Summer has definitely been one for the books. Of course there were ups + downs, but I'd have to say there were more ups than downs for sure. With each coming + passing Season there are changes, as rarely do things in life ever stay the same. This Summer I was very grateful for the changes that were bestowed on me + feel very blessed to be where I am now. For better or for worst everything happens for a reason + it shapes + forms who we become + the choices we make. But I've gone off on a tangent now. Just wanted to reflect a bit on this passing Summer + share a few of my favorite memories + photos, as well as share a few things I'm looking forward to for this coming Fall.

This Summer offered those warm nights filled with bsing + drinking the night away. It offered me new love + a new perspective of what I thought love was + can be. It offered me a new perspective of myself, which led to more self confidence + new knowledge of life lessons. It offered me fun trips to the river with those I love + new adventures of fishing for the first time (which consequently led to learning how to prep + cook fish, specifically BBQing it for the first time). This Summer also offered me the exhilarating feeling of really feeling alive + being able to completely let go  of everything like I've never been able to or thought was possible before. It brought me rejuvenation not just emotionally but artistically as well, which led to an even deeper desire to take my artistic endeavors more seriously. This new desire leading to new + bigger artistic ventures, such as my SN&R Newsstand, which was my favorite art project that I've ever had an opportunity to do.

"We cannot stop the winter or the summer from coming. 

We cannot stop the spring or the fall or make them other than they are. 

They are gifts from the universe that we cannot refuse. 

But we can choose what we will contribute to life when each arrives."

- Gary Zukav

Summer + Fall are my two favorite Seasons. So although I am sad to see warm Summer nights fade away I am looking forward to those cool Fall evenings, getting all snuggled up on the couch. The weather is just perfect in the Fall, at least in my opinion, it's not too cold + not too hot, but juust right. I'm not only looking forward to sweatshirt weather, but I'm also looking forward to the flavors + foods of the season. Pumpkin, pumpkin, pumpkin. I've said it before + I'll say it again, love me some pumpkin anything! I'll definitely be making these pumpkin muffins + this little pumpkin number again this coming Fall. As you know we haven't had a holiday since July (+ you know how I loovve my holidays) so I'm really excited for the upcoming holidays of Halloween + Thanksgiving. I just love getting to dress up + decorate + carve pumpkins + make Halloween treats + cards + watch all my favorite Halloween movies like The Nightmare Before X-mas. Thanksgiving brings all kinds of joys as well + not just the food but the time we get to spend with family. Really setting our time away for them + to reflect on all the things we have to be thankful for. I'm also really looking forward to taking a trip up to Apple Hill! It's one of my all time favorite places to visit during the Fall as the scenery is beautiful! 

Here are a few of my favorite shots from this Summer...

Hot days staying cool by the river...

Those warm Summer nights...

Favorite pictures of my pups from this Summer...

Evening walks with mom...

I hate to see ya go Summer, but it's time to see what the Fall has to bring.

I would love to hear what your favorite Summer memory was or what you're looking forward to most for the Fall! So go ahead...comment below :)

Until next time friends...Cheers!!!

<3 Noonie

Cauliflower Falafel

My love of falafel, cumin, tahini, and middle eastern food continues with this experiment. Falafels are one of my favorite things to pack for snacks (or lunch) because they are so easy to carry around. I use one of my glass jars and stack the little guys inside. They are so flavorful that I often eat them plain, but they would also be great if you wanted to create a sandwich or wrap and use them as the "meat" substitute. Either way, you can't go wrong.

Directions:

1. Use the cheese grater blade for the food processor and chop carrots and onion.

2. Change blades to the normal blade and chop the cauliflower.

3. Add wet ingredients into food processor with cauliflower and carrot mixture. Blend until combined.

- note: if you have a smaller food processor like I do you might need to just use half the cauliflower mixture and add the remaining by hand)

4. Transfer to a bowl and add flour, flax, and any other dry ingredients. (If you have a large good processor you can do everything in the there)

- if the mixture is too wet add more flour or starch, if it's too dry more olive oil or water

5. Add heaping spoonfuls to a well greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 15 minutes (or until golden brown)

6. Flip falafels and bake for another 15 minutes. I also push them down a little at this point to make them flat on each side.

7. Remove and enjoy

Yield: a lot! +/- 40

Tips: if I were to do it again I would half the recipe as I made too many. But they also freeze well so that is where my extras are currently residing.

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