There were two of us, with a few hours to spare, looking for good times in the OC.  A beautiful day, we itched for something different, unique and one-of-a-kind that would preferably be punctuated with yummy treats and drinks.

Our destination?

The OC Mart Mix in Costa Mesa

Have you been there yet?  Ok, yes…it is a little tough to find… but what a gem!  It’s nestled behind the South Coast Collection of furniture stores (SOCO) which I’m sure you’ve seen from the 405, just north of Harbor. The OC Mart Mix is very similar to the LAB Anti-Mall and The Camp in that it is filled with wonderfully creative places to shop, eat and just hang, indoors and out.  You’ll find unique, one of a kind items… from clothing, old and new, to furniture, home accessories, organic body products, art made from salvaged items, jewelry, sports, cycle and surf shops, a spice store, even a sewing workshop.

The Mix houses a fantastic coffee shop, wine and olive bar, bakery, a new cheese shop and by now… probably more.  Each time I go, there are new places to explore… it’s growing quickly. Definitely worth the drive!

You’ll want to stay for a while….  The open air courtyard is gorgeously landscaped… a perfect spot to soak up that all important Vit. D and enjoy a treat.  Visit in the evening to bask under twinkly lights and in front of the firepit.

Go to the Mix on a Saturday and you’ll get to shop the farmer’s market and sample yummies from gourmet food trucks.  Line up!

The OC Mart Mix is a fun place to explore, meet up with friends and be inspired by creative people and things.  I’m ready for another fix….!  See you there next week?!

I’m not a big fan of carpeted stairs:  they get dirty and worn looking so very quickly. I prefer wood, or the cork I put in our house many years ago.  The cork covers our entire 2nd level, and the stairs.  I love the way the cork looks, and the way it absorbs sound is wonderful.  But wood and cork can be very slippery on stairs. Once we switched over from carpet, our dog, Scooter, would no longer attempt the stairs to lie in his favorite sunny spot on the landing… he’d slipped and fallen down too many times. Scooter is now long gone, but I am still bothered by how slippery the bare stairs are.

SO, I’m thinking about putting a runner on top of the cork… something patterned that won’t show dirt, wear and tear.  I considered a fun animal print… a perfect fit for our “Out of Africa” home.

I even thought about striped runner.  There are so many beautiful options:

Or a pattern of some kind.  I especially like geometrics:

Even a floral would be beautiful, but can you imagine what my Motorcycle Man would say about this?

or this?

So many fun choices… I love them all.  But my final decision:  I want very very different.  I want something noone else will have.  Kind of like this:

Or this:

I am now on a mission, looking for old dhurrie rugs.  Small, large, long, thin, even bits and pieces.  Once I have enough parts that all look good together I’ll have my carpet installer patch them together to form a one-of-a-kind runner for the stairs.

I know, I know… this is definitely weird… maybe a little too bohemian for some.  But to me… well, I am drooling already!  Sooo beautiful, and much safer too!

Ohh…  I couldn’t resist this little beauty for my own home… $20 at the Orange County Flea Market!

This vintage train case, covered in elk skin and trimmed in leather, now sits on the hearth of our kitchen fireplace.  I added the beaded Tanzanian cuff… borrowed from a collection in another room.  Such a fun piece, and useful too.  It now holds our matchbook collection.

Did you find something fun at the flea market last weekend?