Sunday, May 30, 2010

Dancing Shoes

I need me a pair of those reverse saddlebag oxfords like I need a hole in my head. But, you think they would make me move like Ms. Janelle MonĂ¡e? YOU try and sit still through this song. Methings I am sooooo giving iTunes some money for a little JM today.



Thanks Door Sixteen.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Art+Kogi=Heaven

Last weekend we got to hang with Diana and Lior in Culver City. Talk about hordes of hip, fashionable, people! At one point one of us said, "I feel like I'm in a cartoon." "That's because we are," was the reply.

I had tons of fun. People gawking was nearly as exciting as the art! Sergio and I drove over early to stop in the Helms Bakery district for pre-art strolling. We shared a burger and a beer at Father's Office. Wow. Wow. Wow. One of the best burgers ever. On Earth. Or any other planet quite possibly. Because I highly doubt burgers are served anywhere else. At least, not cow ones.

From culvercity gallery night



From culvercity gallery night

We all ended up at the Alibi Room for cocktails and Kogi. yuuumm...










Thursday, May 27, 2010

Seawolf!

I found this post in draft form from last week that I never posted. whoops!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last weekend, B came over for a pre-concert backyard salad&vino party. And then we met up with some old buddies at the Autry Museum. Patrick Park opened and then Seawolf. Great music all around. Like evenings of childhood past, we wound up at House of Pies at the end of the night.

Testing out a new slideshow thingamajig.




The venue was really cool. Lighting cast some great shadows in the courtyard.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Peony Project


We're just a couple weeks off from a year ago when I last wrote about peonies. They recently came back to our local Trader Joe's and of course, I grabbed a bunch.

There really is something about this flower that is just magical to me. The blooms are luscious and gorgeous all the way until the very day the petals drop.

Below, I recorded my little bunch of peonies for 9 days, starting from the day I brought them home.





Day 1 - 9





...and then, it's all over.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Confessions of a Shoeaholic

For less than the price of those delicious ostrich feather creations (which I still covet), I was able to procure three (way more) affordable pairs to complete my warm weather foot gear wardrobe. It's been a few years since my toes stretched out in new summer shoes so when I found pairs that were super comfy, I bought.

The classic flip-flop, souped up with a seriously squishy footbed and rubber soles.



Versatile and sweet sandal flats, with a perforated insole and bendy rubber soles.



Very tall heels, also rubber soles. The platform make them surprisingly easy to walk in.



Ok. One of the key tips to preventing closet clutter is to get rid of one old item for every one new item that's brought in. To be honest, I have never implemented this tip for myself. So, earlier tonight, I set about making some decisions.

The first pair was easy. They're so cute that I wore them to death this past fall/winter. The inside arch is cracked and because I've worn down what little cushioning the thin soles possessed, my heels actually hurt when I wear them. And, I think they shrunk. Or my feet grew, which is possible I guess.

I dug further and have come to realize that I have a severe problem. The first step in defeating addiction is to recognize and acknowledge that there is problem, right?



Oh lord. They are nearly identical. Someone needs to stage an intervention. The pair I actually wear are the cheap vinyl ones -- on the right. They are the most comfortable. And, if you believe, they are my go-to shoes for rain because I don't have to worry about ruining them. I guess I should say ciao to the first two.

And then, there are these that I've kept for sentimental reasons. I've made wonderful memories (and traveled many miles) in this boots. I think I'll keep these for now. Maybe they'll come back into style.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Nearly Meat Free Monday

I read about the Meat Free Monday campaign on my friend Alyssa's FB post. And then I read that Mario Batali was embracing MFM in all of his restaurants across the country. It's a cool concept. From MFM website:
Meat Free Monday is an environmental campaign to raise awareness of the climate-changing impact of meat production and consumption. Many people are unaware that livestock production is responsible for 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions – that’s more than the entire transport sector.
We've been eating less meat in general anyway. I didn't fully live up to MFM today - I did have a chicken sandwich at lunch. But I attempted to make an interesting meatless dinner using tempeh with a side of artichoke.



I used a little diluted Korean BBQ sauce in the grill pan to cook up the shitake mushrooms and tempeh -- which is already cooked but the packaging recommended grilling or frying it. I simply boiled the artichokes.



The shitake mushrooms turned out soft and flavorful. Delicious! The tempeh was sadly not. Yuck. We ended up throwing the tempeh out.



Maybe I'll try again. But probably not. The mushrooms, I'll cook again for sure though!

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Woolly Pockets!!

We are so excited to be the proud owners of our very own set of Woolly Pockets! I discovered the pockets last year via various home design blogs and of course, instantly wanted.



We purchased our pockets from Pot-ted on Los Feliz today and picked out an arrangement of hopefully hardy low water plants from Armstrong Nursery. It was so easy to install too. Well, actually, it's supposed to be easy. Sergio broke a bit drilling into the wall (we think we hit rebar). And he had to drive out to Home Depot to get a new one. But once he got all the right tools, it went up in a snap! We were trying to beat nightfall (and make it in time for the Lost show finale) so the photo is a bit dark. But, you can see our little solar lights switched on here.



For a brief time, we considered DIY-ing a version of Flora Grubb's Vertical Garden. It's much more architectural and "designed". Pretty huh? It's a living painting.

But, we are so glad we went with the Woollys. The breathable planters are made from recycled plastic bottles! And hopefully, the trailing plants we chose will create maybe just a smidgen of the same lusciousness at Culver City's Smog Shoppe.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

CViv Bomber Clutch

The obsession continues....




I just got back and as predicted, felt awkwardly out of place. But I'm glad we went. We got a kick-ass parking spot right out front. Ohh, ye-ah.

P.S.

So, I also fell hard for these these LD Tuttle's. I pranced around Space 15/Twenty, ostrich feathers fluttering. Sergio saw the want in my eyes and green lighted the purchase. (Despite hating the feathers, and I know he thought they were a bit heavy on ridiculous.) So, I put down the white canvas trop I was also considering and chose these and the bomber clutch instead. The seemingly 13 year old boy at the register rang them up at the full tag price. "Oh," I corrected him, "No, they're supposed to be half price." "Um, no, sorry, they're not." "Really, they're not? What about all those shoes with the red tags..." Oh. These did not have the red tag. Damn it. "Ok, then I don't want them. Just the bag then." Now, after researching online, that price he rang up WAS half of regular. Oh. Hmm. Well, aren't I the pollyanna? But, now that I see the photo, is it just me or does the shoe make me look like I have out of control, blond leg hair? Yes, I think it looks like that. (snicker)

I still want them.


UPDATE: I just figured out who that pretty girl was, giving me advice on which bag to buy. China Chow (another article). The name did flit through my confused brain, but I didn't pay it any mind. There was too much fashion fabulousness to paw through...

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Summer Camp Vivier Time!



Ms. CViv is debuting her new Camp Vivier line at Refinery 29 East West Tag Sale THIS WEEKEND! Helmut Lang, Steven Alan, Vena Cava, Band of Outsiders, Jenni Kayne, Rogan, Sophomore, Wren and more! The best part? Everything is half off and partial proceeds go to charity!

Space15Twenty (UO)
1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028

I'm extremely crowd adverse. And hordes of extremely hip, cool people make me feel awkward and out of place. But I'm gonna suck it up and be there. Because mamma wants a new summer bag...