Reprise

Monday

2009-10-05T22:21:00.001-07:00

Monday is my most favorite internet day because it's "Sneek Peak" day at design*sponge. It is my favorite after-work treat on a Monday.

covet, love, get inspired.

photo reposted from design*sponge

Home is wherever I'm with you

2009-09-28T17:52:00.000-07:00

This weekend was:

-Bon Iver concert at the Wiltern. Great, great, great. I was moved. It's so lovely so witness something so hauntingly beautiful, played by people who want nothing more than to be there performing it. A special night. You should buy Bon Iver's For Emma, Forever Ago (remember, I told you to buy it back in December? Go get it!)

-major house decorating/organizing/cleaning/work. I bought some furniture at the amazing Hotel Surplus Outlet in Van Nuys, did some furninture painting, house cleaning, and major organization. The place is still a major wreck, but one step closer to being home. I now have some great sitting chairs (before and after to come when they're done), a marble topped oval coffee table, 3 new lamps, and a gorgeous full length floor mirror with silver molding. And every piece of clothing is unpacked and in my closet. And all my jewelry is organized in my new cabinet (pictures, again, to come later).

-Sunday night- riding my bike down to catch the end of the Abbot Kinney Street festival (and possibly a cold) and the tail end of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros' set on the mainstage. The new wave of "hippie-sters" at their best- LA's folk rock scene in full force- adorable and gorgeous and tragically hip all at once. Fabulous. Then, a lovely dinner at Axe with Nell and Chandler (wine, heirloom tomatoes, goat cheese, olives, candle light, and venice). It was a good night. I bought the Edward Sharpe album- it's fantastic. My favorite song is "Home." Damn, I love Venice.

Ahh Home. Let me go home.
Home is wherever I'm with you.
Ahh Home. Let me go ho-oh-ome.
Home is where I'm alone with you

(they are embarking a tour, by the way, so you should go if they come through your town...I wish I'd seen more than just the end of their set)

Now I am home sick with an evil cold, that I either got as an allergic flare-up from all the cleaning and dusting, from the foggy chill in the air last night riding my bike home from Abbot Kinney Blvd, or from Nell (and her children she teaches). I hope it's not the swine flu. I don't think it is. Seriously.

Aces

2009-09-23T22:06:00.000-07:00

This weekend for my birthday Nell & Whitney took me on a weekend trip the the Ace Hotel & Swim Club in Palm Springs. It was fan-fucking-tastic in every possible way. We brought Stan Lee (creator of Spiderman, Beagle Extraordinaire) and we were a hit with guests and staff alike. The Ace was like Urban Outfitters, but a hotel. With amazingly nice staff, and a pool. Amazing people-watching (hipsters! crazy people! normal people!), fab decor (um, there was a hiking stick in our room, no joke), and spectacular food and drinks. All the drinks were made from scratch (no chemically mixes) and I was in a constant state of fresh blackberry mojito buzz for 24 hours. It was a true celebration and made me feel so loved, and so excited to finish my 20's with style. Hello 29.

Garden Update

2009-09-14T22:32:00.000-07:00

I am making a lot of progress on the garden. I am a bit too tired to write a true chronicle right now, but the long and short of it is my Mother came to visit for Labor Day and we made quite a bit of headway. All the beds are marked out, I flattened and semi-leveled the open area in the middle which will eventually become the dining/lounging area. When I was digging up the center area, we found all kinds of ancient bits of glass and porcelain that had been in the dirt for God knows how long. I started a collection on the windowsill- it's tripled in size since this photo was taken. The Station fire was raging that weekend- all the sills (and some of the plants) collected ash.

We visited a few of LA's gardening treasures over the long weekend, including Rolling Greens of Culver City,Roger's Gardens of Corona Del Mar, and Country Roads in Orange. All fantastic places- my favorite was by far Rolling Greens. Hidden in the hills of Culver City, it stretches upward on three terraced levels of outdoor plants, indoor plants, garden accessories, and generally beautiful treasures. They had one room that was all amazing silk plants and home decor (not cheesy at all, who knew?). The outdoor nursery area has amazing plants, and a spectacular view of the city since it's perched on the side of the hill (which I failed to capture on my iphone camera). You'll have to see it for yourself!

We made a major score and got two giant glazed ceramic pots at half price (Rolling Greens has a little hidden sale section!) and they're going to be focal points in the garden when it's done. The color is somewhere between moss and grey, gorgeous and textured. I want all the containers in the yard to be shades of grey, green, blue or white. But of course I'm picking crazy pink plants so there goes coordination out the window. It'll still be cool.

The one MAJOR change in my life since the onset of this garden is I now wear foam gardening clogs (some might say they look like crocs) when i'm mucking around back there. You may or may not know, I despise crocs as a fashion statement. I understand and allow their use for children, the medical profession, and gardening. When they arrived in the mail at the office, Lindseybee declared I was not allowed to wear them outside the backyard. And I concur. If that happens, I'll know I've really let myself go. Eck. (But I kind of love them, the red atrocity they are)

WANT

2009-09-10T22:06:00.000-07:00

WANT. I've wanted one of these for AGES. They are so beautiful. Who would believe these porcelain stool/side tables run like $400? I saw one exactly like this (photo from design*sponge post today) at Tuesday Morning (yes, really, that dungeon of a store is fantastic) for $150 but it still seems like too much money. WANT. want. want.

A Slow Transformation

2009-08-30T19:40:00.000-07:00

I am making some serious, albeit slow, headway in my apartment design. It was a dumpy little place, a good location, an okay price. I am putting a lot of work into it, in the hopes that I will be here for awhile and reap the benefits of investing a little elbow grease into my living space.

When I looked at the place back in June, it had no enclosed yard. As part of my lease agreement, I asked the landlord to put in a 6 ft high fence around the side yard, in order to make it a private garden.

While I was in France, the fence was installed. It was a glorious day when I returned to find them just finishing putting it up (although, still leaving the old gate with white paint on it). Then, a few days later, I realized I had beautiful, dead, dry, dusty piece of dirt. The grass was dead. The dirt was compacted and dusty. A nice space, but a dustbowl of death. It was going to take so much work to make it beautiful.

During this "thoughtful time" (also known as "what the hell have I gotten myself into" time) I also entertained the idea in my little head of renting a roto-tiller and tilling the yard myself in order to make it suitable for planting.

A few days later, I attempted to plant four (yes, only four) plants in the front on the house, and realized, "holy shit this ground is hard." It took me 3 hours to plant four small lantana plants in the forlorn-looking front yard. How the hell am I supposed to roto-till a 350 sq foot side yard? Panic. Panic.

Thankfully, there is Craiglist. I found a really great guy, Mike, of Rototillerguy.com, to till my yard. For a good price, he and his team pick-axed my yard, removed some really nasty ancient juniper, tilled, mixed in compost, and tilled again. I had previously tried to remove the juniper myself, to no avail. Mike's team had it gone in 5 minutes. The juniper was ancient, harboring roaches and crickets, and full of disgusting trash bits from the last 20 years of being exposed to the passerbys on the street. It had to go. Nell described it, rather nicely, as "garden pubic hair."

All the tilling happened last weekend.

I have been reading up on gardening and trying to make sense of it all. Garden books make it sound really complicated. But, how hard can it be? I guess the worst that could happen is I kill everything. Armed with copies "The Pruner's Bible" and "Grow Vegetables" from the LA Public Library, I am forging ahead in total ignorance. Well, not total, since I've learned some things from the afore-mentioned fine books.

This weekend, I built two raised vegetable beds with the help of Nell & Dan.

I pruned and attempted to attach my jasmine (which was practically dead, by the way, a survivor from my old apartment that I revived when I moved to a place with SUN) to an "espalier." "Espalier" is french for wood-thingy from home depot for $5.99.

Things are coming along nicely. My mom (orchid-growing prodigy, gardener extraordinaire) is visiting for Labor Day weekend and I hope to get some late-season veggie seeds planted and some flowers in the ground, with her expertise. Fortunately, California has the longest growing season so I can get a few things going before winter sets in(you know, winter... 50 degree days! HA! east coast suckahs!)
I have purchased organic seeds from Peaceful Valley Farm and Garden Supply and a low-flow irrigation system for my veggie beds from Lee Valley Tools & Garden. Hopefully they'll arrive in the mail this week!

Only time will tell how the garden grows! I am excited for what is to come!

Craigslist Furniture Stalker

2009-07-27T18:49:00.000-07:00

I moved into my new place in June and I am starting the task of decorating and furnishing my apartment. I am hoping to have some great before and afters for you on here eventually. I have painted both the kitchen and the bathroom, and those two rooms are coming along nicely. My main problem these days is, "Why the fuck do I have so much stuff??" Yeah, stuff stuff stuff. Stuff can be so overwhelming. Yet, I am in the market for more. Things I could use less of: random bits of paper, old artwork (I know, I have to save it). Coats and sweaters, slide projectors & various ancient appliances that can't be parted with. Things I need: actual furniture. I am getting a new-to-me couch soon, which is very exciting. I am painting some old pieces I have so they are not so yucky. My aim- to furnish my house with things I actually like, not just things I get because I need something to fill the space.
I have gotten rid of a few things. For example, last night in an amazing "LA Moment" I sold my portable drafting table to a man who wanted to use it for a push-up contest. Like, a contest where he would use the table to prop himself up on it and set a world record for push-ups. I kid you not. He wanted the table because it was adjustable. Well then. These are the kind of strange people you find on craigslist. I have become one of them, scouring the "free", "furniture" and "farm & garden" sections for those desparate souls who are moving in 48 hours and need to get rid of their mid-century lamp for $10 or that great bedside table they bought at westelm for $20. Or free plants! or any other various treasures. Like, Lindsay Lohan's armoire. I. Kid. You. Not.

You might have been wondering....

2009-05-15T19:50:00.000-07:00

hey dudes,
you might have been wondering where I've been the last two months. To be honest, I haven't really gone anywhere but time has been flying. It's just been a lot to take in. I am moving in two weeks, so that whole "hunting for an apartment" thing happened, which was pretty horrible but in the end I wound up with a great little one bedroom in Venice with a WASHER & DRYER (I am so classy now) and a garden and all the things I have wanted in an apartment for a very long time. It's a bit wee and needs some work, but I am going to love it. I am already halfway there since I've practically interior-designed the whole thing already and I haven't even moved in yet. Now I am packing like a madwoman, and going through all of my belongs with a cut-throat attitude. DO I NEED THIS? Most of the time, the answer is no. So that's it. Moving. I will have lots and lots of before and after pics as I fix-up the place and build my garden. I'm moving at the end of May, in the place for two weeks, then going to France for two & half weeks, and having various peoples come and visit here and there (Dad! Rachel!) and going to a wedding, and then maybe by the end of July things will be settled again. Look for me then. In the meantime, you can always email me or call me for the update (I know, gawd forbid, actual contact).
love&bones,
L

She's Gone Country

2009-03-15T13:29:00.000-07:00

Last night Nell, Frank, and I went all the way out to Chatsworth to go to the Cowboy Palace Saloon, which was the. greatest. thing. ever.

This place is a-maz-ing. In the middle of nowhere, boots strung up along the bar, neon everywhere, wood dance floor, live country band 7 nights a week. Line dancing, two step, the whole nine yards. It was the first time I've been in a bar where there were truly people of all ages- older grey-haired couples in dance skirts and boots, middle aged folks, and youngins like us. Everyone was so polite and courteous! Despite not knowing any of the dances, we gave it a go (if you're a girl all you need it a good leading gentleman). I danced with an older gent who reminded me of my grandpa, in a ten-gallon hat and lariat, and spun me all over the dance floor. They played a few songs I recogized, particularly my favorite country song of all time, Chatahoochee! You couldn't help but smile.

Now I need to learn some of those line dances!

Boo.

2009-02-12T21:57:00.000-08:00

My favorite magazine, Domino, has folded (see NYTimes article here)

It was my most favorite magazine, one of the few I subscribe to! Full of the future house & decoration I will have when I am grown up! argh. I have all my old copies, but now this means I can't tear them up to make inspiration boards for my new apartment I'm moving to in July, right? or can i? are they precious now? I just tore up the last issue (unknowingly, literally an hour ago) before I knew they had folded.
And Rachel tells me Craft magazine is also folding.

Boo recession, boo!

Look At This Cuteness

2009-02-10T21:44:00.000-08:00

The little one is August, the tallest baby in the world, son of my friends Bill & Andrea from Brooklyn. Isn't he a sweetie?

And this is Carter, Dana & Jason's son (also NYC friends), sporting a sweetass bear hat that some awesome auntie gave him (that would be me).

Just like old times! Dana, Bill, and I!

Most delicious

2009-02-09T21:38:00.000-08:00

Hello there! Back from my jaunt across the country, and hopefully will be checking in more via the interwebs these days.

Today's post is about the most wonderful tea merchant I found via Etsy, TeaForAllReasons.

image from TeaForAllReason's Shop

I bought a batch of some of her different teas for a birthday prezzie for a friend, and (such a kind etsyian) TeaForAllReasons sent some extra little baggies of tea for me to keep! (She knew it was a prezzie to give away). So...I am currently drinking Cream Earl Grey, which is exquisite. I didn't even put sugar or honey in it, just a bit of soymilk and it is so tasty! I've recently begun to drink quite a lot of tea and have become more picky about my choices (sorry Lipton). I like the loose leaf teas that you use a strainer-thingy for, and I really love black teas (although I do like a good rooibos or jasmine green now and again). The shop profile says the tea is hand-blended. I'm not sure exactly what that means but if the flavor is any indication that it must be something good.

The long and short of this whole post is that if you like tea, you should mosey over to TeaForAllReasons' etsy shop and pick a few to try. She has some samplers up that I have my eye on, and even some valentine's flavors too!

Not jumping

2009-01-14T21:05:00.000-08:00

Man, everyone's been talking about all their New Year's Resolutions. Tra-la-la. I'm not getting on that band wagon this year. Resolving to do something is too daunting, and surely it will mean I won't be able to do it, if it takes on the status of New Year's Resolution. I'm so confused about my life right now, I'm lucky if I can choose what to order at Starbucks or whether I want Special K or Special K with red berries at the grocery store. These are the decisions I'm making, folks! Fuck it. I'm gettin' the red berries.

Important: Please save handmade!

2008-12-17T19:09:00.000-08:00

Hello my lovelies! Well, it's that time of year, everyone's buying Christmas prezzies, and I hope some of the ones you have bought are from independent crafters and etsy sellers. If you love & support the handmade craft movement like I do, please read this important message below, reposted from Red Prairie Press (my good friend Rachel). I would not repost something like this if it weren't important, so I do ask if you have a moment to read it and think about it.
There is a well intended law called the Consumer Products Safety Improvements Act, which will have drastic consequences for handmade crafters, toy makers, and artists in the US and Canada who make toys & clothing for children.

From Rachel at Red Prairie Press:

I've been trying to write this post for 3 days now, and I guess I ought to just do it.
I know it's a busy time for all of us, and you may not have a lot of time to read this right now, but please know I would not put anything like this on the blog if it weren't frightening to me and in need of addressing right at this moment.

I left my job in an art print sales (you know the "art" at motels, conference centers, banks...) three years ago to make tshirts and haven't looked back. Since my first craft fair in Washington DC (crafty bastards) the craft community has been nothing but overwhelmingly supportive and nourturing to me. Most crafters I know work more than one job, and do what they do as a hobby. 99% of the people I've met in the community use recycled materials, organic cottons, natural and soy based this and thats. They hand make everything, and try to keep costs low to their customers, and because of this, do not make that much money off of their sales.

Phil and I have made it our goal to buy more local and handmade products in the past few years, not just because we like supporting our peers in the craft & handmade worlds, but we also think it's better for the environment and our community, to buy locally, rather than things shipped from faraway countries. Going with this goal in purchasing for ourselves, we have also begun purchasing more gifts for others, especially our niece, Annie and other children in the family. Every new kid in our lives gets a cotton monster; a handmade recycled shirt from Sweet pepita; and of course, screenprinted onesies from Red Prairie Press. We feel better buying from the maker themselves, and as sellers of children's clothing, we also rely on others feeling the same way!

Assuming you're reading this blog because you DO feel that way...you can imagine the horror that we in the craft world felt, then, when the US government announced the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act. This act, written in response to the rash of lead tainted toys from China will basically put small businesses out of business with the costs of mandatory testing. From the Handmade Toy Alliance Website:

" * A toymaker, for example, who makes wooden cars in his garage in Maine to supplement his income cannot afford the $4,000 fee per toy that testing labs are charging to assure compliance with the CPSIA.
* A work at home mom in Minnesota who makes dolls to sell at craft fairs must choose either to violate the law or cease operations.
* A small toy retailer in Vermont who imports wooden toys from Europe, which has long had stringent toy safety standards, must now pay for testing on every toy they import.
* And even the handful of larger toy makers who still employ workers in the United States face increased costs to comply with the CPSIA, even though American-made toys had nothing to do with the toy safety problems of 2007."

This bill would also affect makers of children's clothing. Including red prairie press, and many of our friends.

This change would go into affect in just over 50 days. This is very frightening, and has already been addressed by The Handmade Toy Alliance, Craft Mafia's around the country, Etsy.com, and more in the craft community.

PLEASE- Sign this petition and/or write your US congressperson and encourage them to rework the law, to better include makers of small edition or one-of-a-kind toys and children's products. Help us stay afloat while complying with safety regulations so that kids of the future can also safely enjoy handmade things, and indie businesses can stay "safely" in business. Otherwise, it's one more step toward big business overtaking.
Once you've done this - you may want to go rub the back of your local craftsperson.

We recommend...

2008-12-09T19:59:00.000-08:00

...and by we, I mean, me....

going out (or clicking) to buy Bon Iver's For Emma, Forever Ago.

It is absolutely gorgeous. I lurves it and I just got it tonight! Merry Christmas to me!

WTF? It's that time of the year!

2008-12-01T22:43:00.001-08:00

Yeah, holy hell, it's three weeks till christmas! WTF?
I normally really like Christmas and get really overly-excited for the holidays. Often so much so that it looks like Santa barfed in my living room, the extent of decor & tree filling the house completely overwhelming. This time last year Lisa & I already had our tree. I am so not ready this year. Have not made present plans. Have not crafted anything (still working on projects from the summer!) Have not busted out the Christmas CDs. I'm thinking I'll treat it like a little rash and hope if I ignore it, it'll go away. French is over in a week, so maybe then I can start thinking about Christmas. Joyeux Noël!

Rested

2008-11-30T21:02:00.000-08:00

Feeling so much better after four days of pugs, Schnausers, and the Smith family. And food. And two sookie stackhouse books. And the Godfather Part 2, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Fear, Shooter, Bridget Jone's Diary, Napoleon Dynamite, 2 football games. And a shit-ton of food.

Dis- and Un-

2008-11-25T23:47:00.000-08:00

Just one of them days. Feeling very dis- and very un-
Unsettled
Disconnected
Unhappy
Uninspired
Unattractive

a passing mood I'm sure, but when it hits, it hits, you know? thank goodness (literally) that I am heading out to frank's for Thanksgiving for some R&R.
Feeling just a bit down, maybe it's the rain (rain in LA, who knew?), maybe it's the work stress. I have let my apartment turn to chaos lately, and I haven't really been doing anything creative or gotten much exercise, a formula for disaster. I haven't been on a date with anyone in awhile, I haven't been much of anything (or so it seems) but a big angry bear. Silly angry bear! At least I can speak kindergarden-level french!

I saw Milk tonight and I really liked it, although it made me incredibly sad. I just don't understand the world sometimes, and it makes me feel very helpless. We should all be able to love who we want, and not be thought of any less for it, and not be persecuted for it. We should all have the same rights. It just seems common sense to me. In the wake of Prop 8, it feels like now more than ever that we are still right in the thick of a civil rights movement, but why should we have to wait 50 more years for everyone to be equal? We're all equal NOW, and the law should reflect as much. Gays and lesbians are the same as anybody else, and should have the same rights and protections.
I would recommend seeing Milk if it is playing near you. It is a fine performance by Sean Penn, James Franco, Emile Hirsh, and is an inspiring story.

Technologies

2008-11-24T17:46:00.000-08:00

Gmail got all fancy recently and they have all these backgrounds to choose from that go behind your inbox. I picked "Tea House" and it really is the most adorable thing. It is a little scene of a wee bitty fox who has a little asian tea house & garden. The surroundings follow the clock, so the sun sets with real time, and the little fox does all sorts of things. I find myself scrolling down throughout the day to see what he is doing. Sometimes he has tea with his monkey friend, sometimes he trims his Bonsai tree. Tonight I scrolled down to find the sun setting, and tea fox was playing the flute for three duck friends in the garden. Really, this should not bring me so much joy. But it does. How I love thee, little tea fox!

The Projects

2008-11-22T13:18:00.000-08:00

Crafty projects! I am trying to get out from under this massive embroidery project that is way overdue, my goal is to finish this weekend. Why am I on the computer then, you ask? I don't know either.

Dear Old Love

2008-11-19T18:06:00.000-08:00

I have been enjoying Dear Old Love lately. When I read it, I think about things I might say. Sometimes I come up blank, other times I can think of plenty for all the old boyfriends. Right now I could think of a bunch. But I guess it's not so nice to post them here, huh? Now you can read it and wonder if any of them are mine.

Les Spintos

2008-11-17T22:36:00.000-08:00

Hey! Look what Albert & Vanessa made for the Spinto Band!

How pretty! I love the buttons and the sewing. And all the funny faces the spintos make. Those silly boys.
Albert & Vanessa make such lovely things together. wistful siiiigh.

Elle est meilleur qu' Amélie! (She is better than Amélie!)

2008-11-12T22:31:00.000-08:00

Je suis FAIL.

2008-11-10T22:38:00.000-08:00

So, I am failing my french class. Not because I'm actually bad at french, but because I don't think I can complete the language lab requirement that the course needs. I actually did pretty decently on the tests and things. It kind of sucks. I would have to go at least 3 times a week until class is over (not counting the 2 class sessions per week) in order to meet the requirement, which is insane. I guess I could have spread it out (it works out roughly to 1-2 times per week if you evened it out), but I was so busy with the election in the beginning, and also I am lazy (that's my excuse for September). Our teacher gave us a grade tracker thingy to calculate our grade, and if I can complete the lab, I am getting a B. If not, I am getting an F. Ugh. I overachiever in me can't stand the fact that I might fail something. But I just don't see how it's feasible that I can be at Santa Monica Community College, 5 nights a week for the next 5 weeks. I have a job, and a life. Yargh. I guess I won't be taking French 2 there!

Now what?

2008-11-09T21:37:00.001-08:00

Wow, the election is over. What on earth am I going to talk about here? I guess I have to go on with the humdrum of everyday life. The exciting development of this weekend is I finally gave ol' verizon the boot (they honk a bo-bo, as Whit would say, and I hate them deeply) and got a shiny new iPhone and switched to AT&T. Thanks to wonderful technology & robots, I got to keep my Syracuse phone number. I am quite attached to it! The new phone is great and I am just discovering all its doodads. I think it will be great for me, 'cause I can streamline all my stuffs with iCal and all that jazz. No more Treo. Sorry Treo, you went crazy and fell apart and no one could save you (p.s. don't ever get a Treo).

What else? I am slamming my way through Charlaine Harris' series of Sookie Stackhouse novels (what the HBO show Trueblood is based on). They are like sweet, naughty vampire candy. I read books 1 & 2 on the plane to & from Charlotte, and then I bought another and read it in bed yesterday morning with my coffee. It was glorious. You can read them in a few hours, and they don't really challenge your brain all too much. I ordered the rest of the series, used, from a seller on Amazon and I am anxiously awaiting their delivery. I also read Sloane Crosley's I Was Told There Would Be Cake on the plane back from Charlotte, which is pretty wry and funny, I would recommend it. She is akin to David Sedaris and her short story format leads to easy reading. Bonus points: one of her stories is about how someone (who?) left a turd on her bathmat at a dinner party. Comedy gold.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

2008-11-06T18:57:00.000-08:00

JUMP FOR CHANGE!

So, guys, we have a new President. President Obama. Sounds pretty nice, eh?

Our weekend in Chatham County, NC was pretty awesome. I flew out Friday night on a red-eye (had to miss Halloween this year) and arrived Saturday morning. Spent the weekend at Will's place and went everyday to Pittsboro, NC to campaign. We were so nervous about the election. The general feeling amongst all of us volunteers was that we could not stop! We could not let up. So we canvassed, phonebanked, did data entry, pretty much anything the staffers needed us to do. I even took out the garbage and went on coffee runs and barbeque runs.

North Carolina at this time of year is absolutely gorgeous. Canvassing there is a bit different than in Vegas, namely because the neighborhoods we were canvassing are mostly large spreadout areas connected by gravel roads. It was extremely rural. Every house I went to, I was sure some giant hound dog was going to come barreling around the corner and eat me. We spent most of the time in the car, traveling from house to house. It's easy to get lost. Thank goodness Whit had a GPS or we'd still be out there in the woods.

The amazing thing about Chatham County is that it's mostly populated by people over 65. I never realized just how ageist I was- I just automatically assumed all older people must be McCain supporters. Not so! We worked with some wonderful older folks who were as dedicated as anyone I'd seen. I also had the pleasure of phonebanking to a retirement community, where every single caller I got was gracious and friendly and supporting Obama! I called one guy who was 98!

Today they finally declared that North Carolina's electoral votes would go to Obama, and that NC is officially blue. That is an amazing feat, considering Carolina has not gone Democratic in many, many years. I like to think it was Chatham County's amazing volunteers & staffers that pushed NC over the edge to blue (the margin was only a few thousand votes!).

Monday night I flew back to LA, and at 6:45am got in line to vote (I was about 10th in line). I went to a friend's house to watch the returns after work. It was a joyous, weepy, incredible, thrilling affair. I have not been that happy in a long, long time. I can't help but get misty just thinking about that night, and the incredible speeches given by both McCain and Obama.

Tuesday morning I got up early and went to by my New York Times, to save for my kids some day. It seems so surreal. I needed to see it in print that morning to believe it was true. We did it. We all did it, we put Obama in the White House. The change we need.

The only sad note of the whole affair is the heartbreaking passage of Prop 8 in california, banning gay marriage. I know this will not be the end of the debate on gay marriage, but the people of california really disappointed me on this one. It's on its way to the CA supreme court now, and we'll see how it goes.

You can see all of my North Carolina pictures here, and my election night photos here!

yes we did

2008-11-05T00:23:00.000-08:00

yes we did! Each and every one of us.

Peace Train

2008-11-03T22:51:00.000-08:00

I just got back from North Carolina, which was AWESOME. But I am so nervous I could puke. I don't even know how I'm going to sleep tonight. While I was waiting in Charlotte for my flight, Obama's jet landed and it cruised by our terminal, and I nearly started bawling at the gate. Whitney just emailed me to say after she dropped me off she went down to the Charlotte offices, and lo and behold got to meet him. Can't wait to hear the rest of that story. Nell is still in North Carolina, getting out the vote tomorrow with the good volunteers of Pittsboro, NC. I will be getting up early to go vote.

On the way back from Nevada awhile back, Nell & I were listening to some music and Peace Train came on. I think it's appropriate for the moment. Let's Barack the Vote tomorrow! Yes We Can!

Now I've been happy lately, thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be, something good has begun

Oh I've been smiling lately, dreaming about the world as one
And I believe it could be, some day it's going to come

'Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country, come take me home again

Oh peace train sounding louder
Glide on the peace train
Come on now peace train
Yes, peace train holy roller

Everyone jump upon the peace train
Come on now peace train

Get your bags together, go bring your good friends too
Cause it's getting nearer, it soon will be with you

Now come and join the living, its not so far from you
And its getting nearer, soon it will all be true

Now I've been crying lately, thinking about the world as it is
Why must we go on hating, why can't we live in bliss

Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country, come take me home again

Here we go!

2008-10-31T18:25:00.000-07:00

Tim got the cover of Time with his painting of Obama and McCain. Isn't it beautiful?

Good Lord, I am so nervous. Leaving tonight on a jetplane for North Carolina. So nervous I'm about to pee my pants. I want this so bad for our country I can taste it.

Hopefully by Wednesday we will have a new president, our first Afrian American president, and Hope for Change in this country. I hope, I hope, I hope. Fingers crossed. Heart crossed. Everything is crossed that can be crossed.

See you on the flipside.

Vegas Part Deux

2008-10-28T21:49:00.000-07:00

Nell & I did indeed head out to Vegas in the wee hours of the morning on saturday.
We drove all morning and arrived around noon, just in time to get in line to attend a rally at the Bonanza High School football stadium (yes, it's really called Bonanza, although we lovingly started referring to it as Be-dang-a-dang High School).
On the road to vegas we passed the Obama bus, which was about the most exciting thing ever, we pulled up next to them and honked and honked. I guess they are probably pretty used to that but it made us SO excited to go to the rally.

There were a gazillion people at the rally- it was so inspiring and amazing. Tons of diversity: young and old, men and women, just about every ethnicity you could think of. Obama's speech was right on, and we felt really energized and excited. I only cried like once or twice. I was glad to finally be able to see a real person instead of a talking head.

There were many supermegacool t-shirts and buttons being worn by various supporters at the rally, this was one of my favorites:

After the rally Nell & I headed over to headquarters to make some calls & grab out canvassing packets for the next day. Then, on to our hotel Excalibur (ridiculous castle shaped hotel). We managed to get a little dressed up and headed over to Mandalay Bay's restaurant Red Square (how appropriate for us "socialists") and enjoyed some exquisite vodka martinis with bleu-cheese-stuffed olives. We also tried a delicious appetizer called "Siberian Nachos" that consisted of wonton chips, perfectly fried, topped with smoked salmon, wasabi, creme freche, and caviar. They were INSANE. We met one of the waiters & who chatted us up and told us what it was like to actually LIVE in Vegas. THe idea of actually LIVING in Vegas still blows my mind, even though I have been to a tons of neighborhoods now and seen it with my own eyes. It's still weird to me. But our friend was lovely and we had a great time and now we have a friend in Vegas!

Sunday we canvassed and managed to finish 3 turf packets, which was AWESOME! We were very proud of ourselves, especially since it was scorching hot and both nell & I had horrible dehydration headaches most of the day. By 4 we headed back to LA and stopped at the Mad Greek in Baker for some delicious food & a milkshake.

It was a good weekend and I am really looking forward to North Carolina next weekend!

Look at what good jumpers we are! We finally synchronized!

Jump for Change!

Keep on Drivin'

2008-10-27T22:47:00.000-07:00

I am totally going to North Carolina this weekend with the Drive for Change (& nell & whitney)! I am SO excited!

I have more stories to tell from Vegas this weekend (got to see Obama!) and some pictures to share, but I am so tired.

nighty night.

That nagging feeling...

2008-10-23T20:18:00.000-07:00

so I just have this horrible feeling of leaden dread in my belly about the election. What if we haven't done enough? What if Obama isn't elected? What if what if what if?? I can't even fathom it, but lately it's all I am able to think about when I'm not working or in french class (the only two other things that seem to occupy my mind these days). I think Nell & I are going to try and go to Vegas again tomorrow night to do more canvassing this weekend. We have our French midterm on Monday, which I really need to study for, but I think this is more important. Obama is also having a rally in Vegas on saturday, which would be amazing to go to if we could get in.

I promise in two weeks I will have something else to blog about. Until then, ponder this sight, I took this photo in florida while I was home:

Please Vote!

2008-10-16T19:13:00.000-07:00

Look at this great shirt I bought! Get yours here from KWVH on Etsy!

There's some slightly naughtier ones that say "Please F*cking Vote" but I can't really get away with wearing that at the office. Or anywhere with children. Or old people.

GOBAMA!

2008-10-15T22:24:00.000-07:00

Hey Kids! Canvassing in Nevada was GREAT! We had a blast, knocked on 262 doors in southwest vegas, and talked to lots of people. It was SO much easier than I expected it to be. I don't know what I was so afraid of. Won't you volunteer too? Just show up at your local obama headquarters, or go online and you can volunteer right from your home calling supporters in swings states to remind them to vote or ask them to volunteer. It's not so bad, and people are a lot friendlier than you would think. I feel like we are so close to this victory, especially after the debate tonight, but I just think it's way too close to relax. I'd rather it be a landslide. And I'd rather be sure voters in swing states like North Carolina and Nevada knew they could vote early by someone calling them or knocking on their door to let them know! Let's BARACK THE VOTE!

YES WE CAN!

more photos here!

Serious Business: Please help.

2008-10-13T18:13:00.000-07:00

Something very disturbing is happening in California: Proposition 8, which eliminates the rights of gay & lesbian couples to legally marry in the state of California, is set to pass on the November ballot, according to the polls. That is very very bad, in my opinion, so I'm posting some info here for all of you. Anything that focuses on eliminating rights for anybody is very scary to me. If you feel strongly on this issue, EVEN IF YOU DON'T LIVE IN CALIFORNIA, please please take a minute to donate a few bucks to this worthy campaign to vote NO on Prop 8. California could lead the nation and set an example for other states. Everyone should have equal rights, guys, EVERYBODY. Regardless of race, religion, OR sexual orientation.

Please visit NoOnProp8.com and consider donating to their campaign so they can fund crucial advertising in these last few weeks in the run-up to November 4. I donated! I hope you will too.

Operation Vegas: Drive for Change

2008-10-09T19:37:00.000-07:00

Yep! We're doing it! Going to Vegas to campaign for Mr. Obama! Nevada is a swing state. It only has 5 electoral votes, but those votes are really important.
I am really, really excited. Nell is a saint and coordinated the whole thing, including quite hilariously, booking us a room at Treasure Island on the strip. Hey, it's cheap when you have 5 people, and I hear there's a free Pirate show! Nell, Dan, Paul, Frank, and I head out tomorrow night. Road trip! This will only be my second time in Vegas. I hope people are nice to us. I'm sort of nervous about canvassing, I've never really done more than just make some phone calls or give some money. This weekend will probably involve actually talking to people, which is kind of scary. Fortunately maybe I can just stand beside Frank or Nell while they work their charm and I can just smile encouragingly. Maybe Paul and I can intimidate the swing voters with our incredible bear power, and Dan can stun them with his incredible knowledge of robots and hydrophonics.

Hopefully I will have good things to report and lots of fun pictures to show by Monday.
Obamarama!

p.s. wonderful Tim painted that cover!

Straight Talk Express

2008-10-07T23:32:00.000-07:00

Guys!!! GUYS!!! Who knew Barack Obama was FUNNY AS HELL?

I nearly lost my shit when, cool as a cucumber, without flinch, self congratulatory chuckle, or even smirk, Barack Obama said of John McCain IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DEBATE...
"the Straight Talk Express just lost a wheel."

Greatest. Thing. Ever.

Also, despite nither candidate really having any sort of revelation on policy, I thought Mr. Obama really came off as the eloquent, prepared, educated, and experienced man than he really is. Health Care, Economy, Education, Foreign Policy...Obama I am right there with you.

I heart Barack Obama. Please, please, for the love of all things, please let him be our next President.

Bon voyage!

2008-10-01T19:48:00.000-07:00

Off to florida for a few days. See you Monday, beeetches!

Here is a Wednesday treat: a picture of Elwood (my second favorite kitteh) getting a treat. Wheeeee!

J'étudie le français!

2008-09-27T16:26:00.000-07:00

I have been studying french for ONE MILLION HOURS (okay, like 4) and my brain is très fried.

As you have heard me whine, I was sick last week so I missed two classes and got behind. And surprise! Le quiz is on Monday. Got to catch up.

I also went to the language lab for the first time and was dismayed to find out you can only do one hour per day, but 15 hours are required for the semester. I had planned on just going saturdays a few hours at a time to meet the requirements, but alas, it is not to be. Stupid rules. Don't they know we have jobs and two weeknights is already a lot?? The lab is also not like the Rushmore french club, as I imagined it to be. It was still helpful though, especially with pronounciation, since my teacher has a crazy togolaise accent.

J'aime le français.

I should get a beret to wear when I am studying, I think it would help.

He can eat fifty eggs!

2008-09-27T10:33:00.001-07:00

I sure did love Paul Newman, and I was sad to find he out he passed away yesterday at 83. The New York Times described him as "a magnetic titan of Hollywood" and "the likeable renegade," which I think is pretty accurate. He was a really great guy, donating profits from his Newman's Own brand to charity (something like 200 million dollars).

And oh, those baby blues. I have not seen all, or probably even half, of Newman's movies but I sure do love me some Cool Hand Luke. I think it is one of my most favorite movies of all time. Go out and rent it if you have not seen it.

Adieu, Paul Newman. With love.

New and old

2008-09-22T11:09:00.001-07:00

Well, yesterday despite my ill health I managed to sit at my studio desk for awhile and play (whilst pumped full of sudafed). I made a whole bunch of little taggies. It started just with using some of my new wallpaper, but then I wanted to use my stamps, and so on and so forth. If you are like me, wrapping a present is just as important as the actual present itself, so I like to always put a really pretty bow and tag. I made a bunch bunch bunch, so I put some in my poor neglected etsy shop and maybe someone will buy some. I find that because I neglect it, it doesn't get much exposure, so perhaps the tags will sit there for weeks and then I will get to keep them all. Ha! Oh well, maybe someone will want them. The wallpaper ones really are gorgeous.
Today I am home sick, perhaps I will do some drawing or sewing if I can coax myself out of bed.

Also, be a darling and check out my good friend Vanessa's new etsy shop, pidgepidge. She does beautiful embroidered portraits (of animals, usually) and makes handwoven scarves (on a loom!). She is super. I love her!

Pasadena (actually Glendale) Paper Show

2008-09-21T21:31:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning I got up bright and early to meet my boss (we'll refer to him as TK) at the Pasadena (nee Glendale) Paper Show in, well, Glendale. It's held every now and again at the Glendale Civic Auditorium. As some of you may (or may not know), the company where I work relies heavily on its amazing collection of victorian ephemera, vintage textiles, and vintage doodads & prints (all singlehandedly collected by my boss). We scan everything in really hi-resolution and create beautiful digital collages, etc which we then put on paper products. We are constantly adding to the collection of art, and I wanted to help my boss because it's hard to remember what we have & don't have, and what our current needs are. So we went down to check out this paper show, which TK has been to countless times, but I have never been. It was really, really overwhelming and smelled like old closet and mildew. There was some really cool stuff. It's just boxes upon boxes upon boxes of vintage postcards, old photos, old books. We did find some new (to us) florals and christmas stuff. I scored an AWESOME catalog from Montgomery Ward (circa 1950-1960) of vintage wallpaper swatches for myself. I have already scanned a bunch in and I plan on cutting them up and using them for projects.

It was a really interesting day, but after four hours, I had only looked a handful of vendors there and I was worn out. Also, my sinuses had begun to ache (maybe the AC being cranked up full blast and all the dust and old things). I am now full-blown sick. Whether it was from that or something else, I don't know. But at least I have my wallpaper to keep me company. Wheeee!

The book still had the order form & mailing envelope in it. Remember the old days when you could just write a name and a city and things would get delivered (I don't!)...??
The order form has a credit application on it, which is pretty hilarious. There is also a space to write in your railway station info if your paper is being delivered by rail. RAIL.

The Birthday...

2008-09-21T21:21:00.000-07:00

...was much fun, went (surprise!!) glorious wine tasting. Lots of good food, friends, wine, and birthday fun. And a tarantula. 28 is going to be a great year.

My pictures are here, and Lisa's are here.

The Omnivore's Hundred

2008-09-19T00:14:00.000-07:00

Here's a fun activity I found!

directions from the author:
Here’s what I want you to do:

1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment here at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results.

The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
~~26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper~~ too hot for me
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
~~42. Whole insects~~ no thanks
~~43. Phaal~~ again, too hot
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
~~46. Fugu~~ I love sushi, but not lethal sushi
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
~~57. Dirty gin martini~~ don't like gin, but i've had many dirty vodka martinis!
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
~~66. Frogs’ legs~~ didn't you see the Muppet Movie?
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
~~68. Haggis~~ too many organs in that dish
69. Fried plantain
~~70. Chitterlings, or andouillette~~ it's offal.
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
~~97. Lobster Thermidor~~ I'm allergic
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

Look at these pretties.

2008-09-17T22:48:00.001-07:00

I love white gouache on tinted paper. I love butterflies. I love these pretties from Gretchen Wagoner, via design*sponge.

Maybe I can do some painting this weekend. Also making a trip to the Pasadena Paper Show (antique papers & ephemera, it is actually held in glendale). Maybe inspiration will strike!

McPain

2008-09-17T17:53:00.001-07:00

hey, did everybody read Maureen Dowd's Op-Ed in the NYTimes yesterday about Sarah Palin?

Dowd's snapshot captures, I think, the crazy contrast that's going on in our country right now.

The best assessment of Palin I've heard so far:

R. D. Levno, a retired school principal, flew in from Fairbanks. “She’s a child, inexperienced and simplistic,” she said of Sarah. “It’s taking us back to junior high school. She’s one of the popular girls, but one of the mean girls. She is seductive, but she is invented.”

Bon soir, tout le monde

2008-09-15T22:32:00.000-07:00

This weekend was insane awesome with Saturday being my Magical Mystery Birthday Tour (more info to come later when I have actual time and am not exhausted) and Sunday was LA County Fair (bunnies! sheep! capybara!). Tonight was Le Quiz français, where I failed to remember the word for 13 (treize, not troise) and the formal answer instead of ça va bien (je vais bien). Oh well! Grades are for suckers. Tomorrow is actual birthday day (28!), Wednesday more français, then Thursday is Vampire Weekend concert. Might have time to breathe on Friday. For now, enjoy this incredible fo-toe of Mére Capybara et ses bébés.

Sweet Lawrd, A Heavyweight Championship Indeed!

2008-09-10T23:21:00.000-07:00

If this wasn't $250 dollars, or if I was rich, i would totally buy it!

from YeeHaw's Etsy shop. Typeset, inked, and printed by hand!

What's this, what's this?

2008-09-10T23:12:00.000-07:00

I totally found out about these sweet ass sneakers from Emily Magazine, and I just bought ma-self a pair in "neon red/dazzling blue" as a little early birthday prezzie. They are All Star Lights, slimmed down for the ladies and with more arch support! How lovely! I can justify the purchase because I need more closed-toes shoes for bicycling. I am afraid I'm going to scrape my toenail off one of these days in my flip-flops.

525,600 Minutes

2008-09-07T22:37:00.000-07:00

Tonight in New York, Rent closed after running for 12 years. There is a lovely slide show at The New York Times of images of tonight's closing performance. My friend Tim also posted a great story about his friend, who was the inspiration for the main character Mark, over at his blog.

When I was 15 I heard Rent for the very first time. My friend Chris, whose older sister had been living in New York and heard about the show and sent a recording to her little sister. Chris loved it, and shared it with the rest of us. I had not really heard anything like it before, being from Gainesville, where musical options for a 15 year old were somewhat limited. At that point I never been to New York, but I knew I wanted to go. Somewhere around a year later, I went with Nell to visit her sisters in New York, and I saw Rent, already having all the words to all the songs memorized. Then, it was new and creative and exciting, and honestly, helped shape part of who I am today, made me think about who I wanted to become. Now, I think we take Rent for granted as it been around so long, and many of its original cast have gone onto successful careers and the movie got made and life goes on and it seems so 90's for those of us growing up then. But the themes endure, it changed Broadway, and even changed design a little (I had never seen anything as cool as the posters and the program). For teenage me, I couldn't believe I was there, seeing this amazing piece of theater with ideas and music so touching and real, I fell in love with it, and in my mind it remains for me exactly what it was when I was 16. In the last row of the balcony of Nederlander Theater, with the original cast, singing along to Seasons of Love. It's what Broadway should be, what Broadway can be on its best days: magic.

525,600 minutes
525,600 moments so dear
525,600 minutes
How do you measure - measure a year?
In daylights? - In sunsets?
In midnights? - In cups of coffee?
In inches - In miles?
In laughter - In strife?

In - 525,600 minutes
How do you measure
A year in the life?

How About Love?
Measure In Love

Seasons of Love.

Le bicyclette gris

2008-09-03T22:34:00.000-07:00

So, a few weeks ago I got a bike. A nice, decent one, grey. Also, a few weeks ago I started taking french. Since then I have learned a few things about my bike thanks to the fact that I had a few problems right off the bat, and thanks to Dan because he helped/showed me how to fix the problems. So now I'm up and riding, and I rode to my class tonight. And, I have learned a wee bitty of french. I've also learned my teacher is a nutjob. Thank goodness Nell is also taking it so we can laugh together and recap all the ridiculous stories. A side effect of the french class has also been that I am incredibly busy, since now my Monday & Wednesday nights are booked solid through Christmas. That's ok though, if something were to come up, I could miss, because I do not care about my grade. An invigorating idea: to be learning for learning's sake. I rode home tonight with my little lights and reflectors practicing my french aloud (J'ai un cours de francais!), which then morphed into trying to sing Rue St. Vincent by Yves Montand all the way home. The only problem with that is I don't know any of the french lyrics to Rue St. Vincent, so it was just a bunch of "aahhn ahhn shaaaaaaahns"

So yeah, that's what I've been up to. Hence less posting recently. Fall is turning out to be just as busy as summer, in a good way.

Bonsoir, mon amis!
A bientot!*

*note to self: figure out how to type the little housetop accent thingie.

Etsy.com

2008-08-23T16:07:00.000-07:00

I can't stop. Maybe because I know the money is going to independent, self-employed crafters like Rachel or crafty hobbyists like myself, but I just can't stay away. Look at this awesome tank dress/long shirt that I snagged on sale from Hende. I love it!

Children

2008-08-23T13:07:00.000-07:00

I think this is from 1999. I found it in my photo box, as I am trying to put all my photos in albums.

Don't Stop Believing!

2008-08-18T09:18:00.000-07:00

This weekend was completely lovely. Lindseybee & David got married on Saturday afternoon and it was absolutely gorgeous. A bunch of us (aka The Party Wagon) drove up on Saturday morning. We stayed at the Embassy Suites in Lompoc, which was pretty nice. It had a pool! I went swimming before the wedding, we all laid out and relaxed. After a bit of chilling, we prettied ourselves up and headed over to La Purisima Mission where the ceremony was. It was the most beautiful day, and the ceremony was in front of a lovely fountain, covered in flowers.

Lindsey & David had their own vows, and her Mom & Dad did the most beautiful readings. The officiant was great too, everything she said was just perfect. Lindsey looked stunning in her dress, when she walked down the aisle I started to cry! I also cried during just about every other part too. It was just so, so lovely.

The Ladies (from left to right): Amanda, Misti, Agata, Me, and Jessie

Bill (Agata's boyfriend) was the lone male member of Party Wagon

After the ceremony we poked around the mission a bit, which was really neat. Once we'd seen the animals and the old mission house and had enough sand & rocks in our shoes, we drove over to where the ceremony was, at this really neat church hall (I think also called la Purisima?).

It was all painted up and had really sweet stained glass. The Bridal Party sat up on a stage with this crazy mural of a sky behind them, and it kind of looked like the Last Supper! Lindsey did a great job with the decorations, the tables were covered in yellow & white confetti shaped like bees, and she hand stamped all the placemats and made the little gifts: honey jars with her Dad's honey (his hobby is beekeeping) and some honeycomb shaped candies in cute packages. The flower arrangements on the tables were so pretty, in glass bowls filled with water & flowers submerged inside. Lindsey's Dad apparently made them! The cake was yellow and topped with Birdies that Christine made, so adorable. David's groom cake was too funny- a giant brownie shaped like a heart that in truth, kind of looked like a cow patty (David says he doesn't like cake, hence the brownie instead). That yellow cake had strawberry inside, and boy was it good. Half of the time at weddings I forget to even eat the cake, but I made sure to snag a piece of this one. Yummer!

After dinner, the dancing started up and it was so fun! Dance Party USA! We danced all the way until the end, when they had to close up. Lindsey & David did this awesome dance (totally off-the-cuff, but you would've thought it was choreographed) to Michael Jackson's Billie Jean, and then Joel (one of Lindsey's good college friends) and Lindsey sang (yes, sang, along with the song into the DJ mike) Total Eclipse of the Heart, and it was, I swear, the greatest thing I have ever seen. David jumped in and at the last minute lifted her up as she was singing and I just about died. It was like out of Dirty Dancing or something. Such a good party. Even all the parents danced, and Lindsey's Grandma! The last song was Don't Stop Believing, which everyone was singing at the top of our lungs, and turned into all of us dancing around David & Lindsey in a big circle like some kind of voodoo ceremony or something, completely hilarious.

The reception was over and we got shooed out the door, and we go outside and Lindsey's Yellow Scion Beemobile was COVERED in whipped cream and some dark goo, and pantiliners! We saw them off and then everyone headed over to a local bar called the Shamrock, where we continued to drink and dance. We also had a little run-in with the law, which fortunately ended well with no tickets (I guess you're not supposed to pack 11 people in a minivan). That policeman did not like our friend Bill though, and for a moment we all thought we were on the way to the jailhouse (Yes sir, sir!). The bar had a mediocre, if not funny, band and we all danced and took in the Lompoc night scene (hmmmm). David & Lindsey actually showed up for a bit, which was fun!

Eventually we headed back to the ol' Embassy Suites, and got some Carl's Jr. to take the edge off the unbelievable amount of whiskey (and wine) I had imbibed. We hung around the hotel for a bit, Joel, Warren, & Megan came over. I feel asleep.

The next morning we got up, I went swimming and hung out in the hot tub. I felt pretty good, unbelievably. We had breakfast and then met up with Amanda to go wine tasting out at Melville Vineyards, where Amanda's mom works. It was a glorious afternoon (Thank you, California) and we sat outside under some trees and had a relaxing afternoon. Amanda's Mom was so incredibly nice and told us all about the wine & how it's made. She was very sweet, and it was so gracious of her to host us. I had some tasty Chardonnay which, despite feeling good all morning, triggered my hangover to kick in, so unfortunately I only sampled one wine before needed to spend the rest of the afternoon laying in the grass and cursing Whiskey. I did buy a nice bottle of their Pinot Noir to take home and enjoy at a time when I was feeling more like drinking wine.

All in all it was a fabulous weekend. Good people, lots of love & friendship. I am so happy for David & Lindsey, they are such a wonderful couple and their wedding was such a true reflection of that. Now they are off to Honduras!

You can see all of the photos here!

What If?

2008-08-16T08:24:00.000-07:00

Have you seen this? They have been playing it during the Olympics here in California, but many of you lovelies who live elsewhere may not have gotten the chance to see it:

I saw it for the first time this morning, as I was eating my breakfast and preparing to travel up to Lompoc for a wedding this very afternoon, and it made me cry. I cannot imagine not being able to marry the person I loved. It's time to make some changes in this country.

You can find more information on this issue at www.letcaliforniaring.org and at California Equality at www.eqca.org.

Red Shock

2008-08-14T22:27:00.000-07:00

Today I got red shoes, had Apple Pan (burger, fries, pie!) and went to see Bottle Shock with Mr Neil, which was a decent movie. There's Rickman! Oh Alan Rickman, I love you so! It was a good day! Would have been better if I could've skipped work. I can't wait to wear my fly red shoes at Lindseybee's wedding on Saturday!

Made it, whew.

2008-08-08T17:40:00.000-07:00

Yay, it's friday afternoon! I've just gotten home from work, hurrah. I love the sweet sweet intoxication of early friday evening, when despite being tired all day, I get completely revved up and excited for the weekend to come!

Things to do this weekend:
Write some more letters
Wrap a big present
Send W.'s etsy package
Finish the bags & tea cozy in the works
Draw something
Order prints of my old collections on flickr so they get put in an album
Buy a bike!
Go to some parties!
Meet some new people!
Eat some delicious food
Relax
Read
Enjoy

Hurrah! for weekends. Three cheers all around.

Happy Hour Fridays: The Joker

2008-08-02T13:04:00.000-07:00

Last night we had our first of hopefully several gatherings on Friday evenings to check out some Westside dive bars, because who doesn't need more awesome dive bars in their life? It was inspired by this list, which Dan found online. I think we might need to expand from it, but it's a good place to start.

We had a really good crowd come out to enjoy a chill friday night. It was delightful, as I got to see some friends I haven't seen for awhile, and some new faces met old faces, and generally everybody seemed to have a good time.

I think I need to establish a rating system for these bars to help determine which is truly the Westside's Best Dive Bar.

I will rate them on a scale of 1-5, in the following categories, which will be totaled for the score. Let the Dive with the highest score win!

Categories:
Dive-yness
Ambience & Decor
Service
Amenities
Price
Bathrooms

Now here's a question, should a good bathroom get a higher score OR lower score? I generally consider a dive with a nice bathroom to be sort of a strange thing. The nice bathroom kind of takes away from it's "dive status" because it's above the standard held by the rest of the bar. So I'm thinking, the nicer the bathroom, the lower the score. So the true "Best Dive" will truly be a dive, with a gross bathroom with no seat covers, pee everywhere, graffiti, maybe puke and no soap or paper towels.

so here we go:

The Joker
2827 Pico Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405

Dive-yness: 4
As you can tell from this lovely picture, the Joker looks great. There are no windows, just a big front door. The floor is linoleum, there are several formica tall-top tables with mismatched faux leather covered stools. The actual bar is just wooden, with an old timey register. It's dark and there is a poster on the wall of Jack Nicholson as The Joker, holding a Miller Light. It should also be noted the diveyness factor is racheted up by the fact that it's on the same block as she-she hip bar Air Conditioning, which looks super douchey (and aparently, does not have air conditioning).

Ambience & Decor: 4
The afore mentioned Joker poster is great. It's dim and the old tables & stools along with the dark wood bar make it seem very dark. I believe the walls had wood paneling on them, although I can't recall for sure. The old register at the bar is neat, and there's various pictures, cards and things stuck up here and there, along with a small fake IV drip of Viagra that is a hideous color of blue. Strange. The pool tables have Budweiser-themed stained glass lamps hanging over them, which are pretty cool.

Service: 5
There appeared to be two members of The Joker staff present, the Lady Bartender, and a barback, who might have just been a regular patron who volunteered to pick up the glasses for a free drink. Lady Bartender, probably in her early 60's with dyed black hair and a cheery turquoise blouse & jeans, was really friendly every time I went to the bar, asked me about our pool playing (Was I winning?), and later when the group migrated she spotted my purse in a lonely spot and asked someone whose it was and to make sure I kept it close. The latter really impressed me, there was no reason she should care but she did. Really nice. When she wasn't serving drinks, she was chatting with the people sitting at the bar.

Amenities: 3
The Joker has three pool tables, and it's 50 cents a game. That was pretty fun. They did have darts, however it was electronic darts, which I don't prefer over old timey darts. The Jukebox had some good tunes, but was also big & fancy & electronic. Also, 50 cents a play (a bit expensive, I would've preferred 25 cents a song). If no one put any songs on, it would just be silent until someone did. Two big screen TVs, one in the back room and one near the bar, which while great for game day, are sort of distracting.

Price: 5
So far, the cheapest drinks I've had in LA. I had some beers (Sam Adams Summer Ale) on tap at 4.25 apiece, and a Maker's Mark (considered top shelf, I had to look around to make sure they even had it, and found it up on the high shelf above the bar with a plastic hawaiian lei wrapped around the neck). Maker's on the rocks (a generous portion) was $6. Other friends ordered drinks at various prices. Paul got a few gin & tonics, and the second he ordered was larger than the first, almost completely gin with a splash of tonic, and somehow cheaper than the first he ordered. So, on the price front, excellent. Oh, and cash only.

Bathrooms: 2
Bathroom was really nice. Soap, paper towels, seat covers, the door locked, wasn't too dirty. It looked recently renovated. I would've given it a 1 but the mirror was wonky and someone had been smoking in there and ashing in the sink and on the floor.

Total: 23

Funny Bunny

2008-07-31T18:31:00.001-07:00

Tonight I am going to a birthday party for my new friend Jessie, who I met through Lindseybee. I am feeling a bit creative so I decided to make her a card for her special day. Well, PaperSource kind of helped make it, 'cause the papery bits came from one of their kits that I salvaged from work (we didn't need it anymore, I swear!) and then I drew the little bunny and cut him out. I hope you can tell that's a bunny. Ha. L & J have the most adorable pet name for each other (I shall not reveal) but it has to do with bunnies. Even though I have nothing to do with it whatsoever, I thought it'd be nice to have a bunny card for one's birthday. Hooray! Now I must go an exercise a little bit before going to stuff myself with chips and margaritas at the party.

New At the Shop

2008-07-30T18:46:00.000-07:00

I bet you forgot about Lindsinger!
Well, now that summer is winding down, I hope to get some more projects up that have been sitting half finished in my living room for 4 months.

Here's my tote I made from an old dress that I loved.

New Shirt

2008-07-29T19:15:00.001-07:00

looks awesome. Thanks Rachel. Go buy one from her, the rest of yous, and support handmade!

Earthquake!

2008-07-29T18:24:00.000-07:00

For you West Coasters, you are probably so over this by now, but for my East Coast readers:

OMG THERE WAS A HUGE EARTHQUAKE AND I FELT IT OMG!!!

I was at work, and it just started a rumblin' and just...kept...going. Seriously. It felt so long. Long enough for all of us to stand up and look at each other and go "What do we do??" and start heading for the front door. The building swayed and the Art Department has an entire wall of windows (in fact, we are surrounded on all sides by glass) and we could see in the parking lot, where the asphalt was moving and the cars were shaking and the apartment buildings next door were shaking! It was nuts! I definitely had time to think to myself, "This could be nothing, or this could be The Big One," and for at least a moment or two, I thought it might be the latter, the way it just kept going. Quite a bit of excitement for a Tuesday morning. I'm home from work now, and everything is normal except for a few things knocked over and whatnot. My door had slammed shut and poor Hew was locked in my room. I imagine he probably weathered the bumblies under my bed. I wonder if he knew it was coming before it hit? We'll never know!

A Letter Writing Campaign

2008-07-28T18:22:00.000-07:00

I am trying to get back to the old days, the letter writing days. I started this weekend, I wrote one letter each morning both Saturday and Sunday while I had my morning coffee. Letters are so special and tactile and last (almost) forever. I save all my letters. Also Lindsey inspired me by showing me her awesome books where she saves all her letters. Mine are just in ol' bags and stuff in my big box with my stationery. So, yeah, you might get a letter in the mail if you're my friend and you live in a different city than Los Angeles. If anyone wants a lovely letter or you think I might not have your address, you may email me your address and I will write you a probably somewhat mundane but heartfelt letter. It will be pretty.

Somebody had a bath!

2008-07-26T13:17:00.000-07:00

Somebody has decided to sleep in my bed every night, which is fine, but somebody's gonna be clean and smell like petunias and not have any dingleberries if they're gonna do that. (It's hewkitteh I'm talking about, not a boy, but come to think of it, that rule goes for boys too).

Kittehs are supposed to get all skinny when you get them wet, cause their fluff gets matted down, but Hew looked exactly the same, except maybe his legs were a little skinnier. And he cried like a dying baby, I can't imagine what the neighbors must've thought ("She's over there killing a baby!") but, contrary to what I would have thought, he did not get violent at all. Just cowered in the corner of the bathtub, lamenting his fate. Now he's all proud of himself, walking around and showing off and licking himself. He's so vain.

Out on the Prairie

2008-07-24T22:51:00.001-07:00

I bought myself another one of Rachel's shirts from over at the Red Prairie Press Etsy Shop. It's purty sweet, also Phil was modeling it, I couldn't resist, what a handsome gent (sorry ladies, he's taken, I witnessed it with mine own eyes at their weddin!)

Anyways, if you want an awesome shirt, go on over there. She has some cool stuff for baby, and some great scarves too! Someday when Red Prairie gets big enough I will quit my day job and go work for her.

This is the one I bought:

I also covet these:

"Even your emotions have an echo, in so much space..."

2008-07-23T20:24:00.000-07:00

Brain drain.

I think I had too much fun this summer, and now my brain is kind of fried. Not that it's bad, per se, but...Decisions are not being made, things are being forgotten, I haven't really tended much to my mundane life (i.e. cleaning my room or anything else, chores, whatnot). I've had plans every night, going out, putting off. It's been kind of fabulous, but I feel kind of drained, to repeat the phrase.

This weekend just about everyone and their mother is going out of town, and I might be forced to spend some time with me, myself, and I. It's fabulous, but also a little scary. I'm a bit of a herd animal, when forced to be solitary I might go kind of crazy. Maybe, at least, I will clean up my room. Then i can think straight.

The things I am thinking about are: french class in the fall, going back to france next summer, creative projects that I will probably never do. If only I didn't have to go to work every day. I'm always so sluggish by the time I get home, I can't be creative after work has taken it all out of me. That kind of worries me for French, two nights a week from 7:30-10! After a full day of work. We shall see. I guess it doesn't matter if I fail anymore, now does it?

Sunday I'm going to Gnarls Barkley at the Hollywood Bowl, which should be really sweet. I've had The Odd Couple album for awhile, which I love, but I'm behind the times and never really listened to St. Elsewhere (their previous album) when everyone was listening to "Crazy" on repeat. Bought it today, and now I am listening to "Crazy" on repeat. It's like I am 15 or something. But totally old and out of it, cause everyone was listening to "Crazy" on repeat in, like, 2006. Uh-oh.

I remember when, I remember, I remember when I lost my mind
There was something so pleasant about that phase.
Even your emotions had an echo
In so much space

And when you're out there
Without care,
Yeah, I was out of touch
But it wasn't because I didn't know enough
I just knew too much

Does that make me crazy
Probably

Thought for the Day

2008-07-21T22:30:00.000-07:00

from Emily at Emily Magazine:

There’s a difference between being honest and using “honesty” as a justification for being an asshole...

1-2-3-4, A special night out-of-doors (tell me that you love me more)

2008-07-21T00:09:00.000-07:00

Such a beautiful night! Feist at the Hollywood Bowl, the best concert I have seen at the bowl to date. I went with the two tinytinybunbuns LindseyBee and Jessie, and we met up with some good friends for a picnic and a lovely evening. I made delicious Sangria and we had cheeses and fruits and yummyness.

One of the opening acts, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, was amazing and we had a jammyjamdancinginourseatsgoodtime.

Feist herself was unbelievable, I loved every minute. She played a mystery song, something like "Who could love you more than me?" and it was so beautiful, I shed some tears of love, I thought my heart would burst right out of my chest. Neil & the bunbuns & I had a good ol' time, and I was glad to spend such a night in the warm air with good musics and love and joy in the air.

Behold

2008-07-17T18:30:00.000-07:00

This has cheered me up a little...

Tangerine Shame

2008-07-17T17:57:00.000-07:00

Remember that time I wore a dress to work and then went to the bathroom around 10am, after being at the office for two hours, and noticed for the first time that the bright orange underwear I was wearing showed right through my dress? And then I had to go around all day like that because I had no sweater to tie around my waist?

Remember that time I didn't get asked to go to a thing (a favorite, awesome thing) and felt so left out like a sad girl at the 6th grade dance?

Remember that time Hertz rentals cars screwed me over and charged me $1300 for a rental car, were big dicks about it and denied my last angry email, and I couldn't do anything but pay it?

OH WAIT, that time was TODAY.

Excuse me, I'm late for my pity party. Ta-ta!

Look What I found

2008-07-16T19:59:00.000-07:00

This tiny movie has been on my camera since I lived in New York, until TODAY, when I finally figured out how to download it on my computer. Sorry it's sideways, I didn't get as far as figuring out how to turn it. It a few seconds of Rachel (and my voice) at the Gates in Central Park.

Vegas: Miss Lindseybee's Bachelorette Party

2008-07-16T19:23:00.001-07:00

Oh boy, Summer of Glory continues! This weekend I headed off to Vegas with some fabulous ladies to celebrate LindseyBee's last month of bachelorettedom before she marries David Michael, and she and Elwood and David become an official family recognized by law & God & everybody. Woooo! It was my very first time ever going to Las Vegas!

We drove down Friday night and it was like END TIMES because it kept raining, that really scary rain-really-hard-for-5-minutes-and-then-stop rain, and we got an amazing lightening show. I thought that maybe Vegas wouldn't be there anymore by the time we arrived because the lightening just kept going right down in the middle of that big glow off the horizon! We arrived and checked into the fabulous Mandalay Bay, which was BOSS. The beds were nicer than our own at home! We were all so tired from long days at work, that we ended up just hanging out in our room, being silly, listening to music, and drinking cocktails out of straws shaped like penises that I bought especially for the occasion. We also had Sprinkles cupcakes that we brought all the way from LA, that David so kindly had given us. It was an all-around pleasant evening.

In the morning we made our way down to the pool and basically stayed there for hours. They had a giant wave pool, and a "lazy river" that you could float down. I had a lovely pina colada and laid around reading trashy mags and sunning myself. The people watching was SPECTACULAR. You really almost didn't need anything to read, because you could just watch all the crazies. We saw this one dude who had a huge vertical feather tattooed on his back, but I swear at first glance it DID NOT look like a feather, it looked like a huge vagina tattooed on his back. I nearly died. People like this ABOUNDED. It was great.

After a day in the sun, we headed over to Border Grille for a delicious dinner and out to Jet at the Mirage for some booty-shaking. It was a fabulous time and I danced like crazytown. We met up randomly with a bizarre Bachelor party, and thanks to Jessie's amazing skillz, we got free drinks and a place to sit down, and lots of funny stories including a Grizzly Bear Dancing Dude toppling over a table filled with glasses and drinks. Yikes! It was more hilarious than anything. We danced and danced, and then eventually LindseyBee & I went back to the hotel & went to this awesome bar called Red Square, which is Soviet themed. I had an amazing extra dirty Martini, a perfect way to end the night of fun!

The next day we checked out and headed back to LA, stopping to have delicious Bob's Big Boy in a town that had a giant sign saying "The Gateway to Death Valley" which was kind of scary.

I was exhausted when we finally got home, but still managed to stay up and watch "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" with Lisa, which was a perfect way to end the weekend.

My pictures are here, and Christine's are here.

True Love: Rachel & Phil

2008-07-15T17:58:00.000-07:00

Since I am doing things in order, I loaded my France pictures, so now I have to write about Phil & Rachel's wedding in New Hampshire over 4th of July weekend. Also, you just need to know about all the good times up in the Summer of Glory.

I flew in early, on a redeye arriving in Boston on Thursday morning and headed over to visit with my old friend Amy, whom I have known since I was about 14. We had a lovely day and went all over Boston, and then met up with some more Gainesville peeps Erin & Kelli for dinner. It is so lovely to have friends that despite time & distance, you can just pick up right where you left off. It was a fabulous start to the weekend.

Amy

Make way for ducklings & Lindsays!

The next morning I headed up to New Hampshire in a rental car with Rachel's friend Caritas, whom I had never met but turned out to be great company. We arrived in Keene with time to spare, so we went and got a whole trunk full of fireworks (Caritas was a bit of a pyro, but I was terrified). We headed over to a lovely BBQ and met up with some of my best college buds. Gosh, I missed them. It's hard when you are away for so long, but seeing them again was a breath of fresh air, and I was reminded just how much I love them. We all played frisbee and took a swim in the gorgeous lake, before the wedding party headed off to rehearse. The rest of us went back to our hotel and then out to dinner, where luckily our friend Jon did not die, but it was a close call! He choked on some carne asada or something at the Mexican restaraunt, and before any of us realized what was happening, his wonderful girlfriend Nogeeshik smacked him good and hard on the back and he started breathing again. As Jon said, "whoooooeeee that was gross!" or rather, "whoooeeee that was close!" To celebrate Jon's life, we had some more margaritas and then headed to the convenience store to pick up more supplies. We then spent the rest of the 4th setting off fireworks, playing wiffleball, and singing on top of the parking garage behind the hotel. Eventually we moved into my hotel room, where we all had a giant sing-a-long and I was just about as happy as I could be.

The next day was the wedding, and it was just so beautiful. I cried like a baby. Rachel looked stunning in her simple cream dress with a red sash. It was in a little wooded glen on a farm, and there was music and laughter and so much love I was about to bust.

After the ceremony, we all went to the reception and I danced more than ever. I didn't stop for a minute! It was dance party USA to the maxwhut, and I loved it.

All in all, I got to spend much more time with Rachel & Phil than I would have expected (I never really expect to see the bride or groom much at their wedding, since they're so busy). It was a real treat, and then to also see JonnyMo, Nicky G, Vanessa, Albert, Joel, Jon, Scott, DanLanePain, Ben and meet Nogeeshik, Caritas, and Tara. What a treat. And Rachel & Phil's relatives were a real riot, and their Baltimore friends were fun too. Just a place, a time, so full of love, so full of magic, so special I cannot even express with this mundane rundown of events.

All of my pictures (including a few kindly sent by Albert & Vanessa) are here, and Nogeeshik's photos are here and here.

France!

2008-07-14T21:41:00.000-07:00

Finally, I have loaded all my france pictures here!

If you watch them as a slide show, be sure to click the i so the captions will show, as I tried to describe a little what you're seeing, so you'll have some perspective.

I can't possibly recount every story, and there are some holes in my pics as Nell, Whitney, Natalie and Dan also took pictures and there were days when I did not bring my camera.

You can also view a selection of the best of all our pictures here at Whitney's website, where she's put together a little slide show of the weeks she's been at Belcastel(it has a BUNCH more awesome pictures). There is also a Chateau Belcastel website she put together (and which she wants me to explain is not finished yet, so not all the buttons work!), showcasing the incredible castle where we stayed.

All in all, it was an absolutely amazing time and I was so, so happy. Belcastel will forever be in my heart! I can't wait to return next summer.

Slow Dancer

2008-07-09T22:39:00.000-07:00

Serendipitiously, the other Lindsey from work, (Miss Lindseybee), forgot her keys today so I took her home after our workday was done. On the way to her house, we got inspired to get JR's Barbeque, and Sweet Jesus it was good. Then we finished the drive over to her house, where I got to smoosh and squeeze and love on Mr. Elwood J Kitteh, munchkin extraordinaire. He tried on my scarf and laid around and chewed on it. We had a bottle of wine and laid on the living room floor, listening to her awesome records and looking at her old high school & college pictures. We talked about how when we were all kids, time seemed to drag by, cause you didn't have much to do but be a kid. But now we're all rushing, and it would be nice to slow it down and make time to make time. It has been a long time since I just laid around and listened to music with a friend. Also, Lindseybee reminded me that I love Boz Scaggs. We listened to the whole Slow Dancer album, and it was sweet as hell. If she recycles the Boz cover into one of her Etsy journals, I will buy it! Lovely times.

Flashback: May, Beer Pong

2008-07-07T19:17:00.000-07:00

So long ago, at the end of May, I went to a Beer Pong Tournament in downtown LA with some friends. It was a fabulous time. Turns out, I'm not so great at beer pong, but I'll give myself some points for spirit. I had forgotten to download the pictures to my computer before I left for France. So, here they are!

Back in the World

2008-07-07T19:00:00.000-07:00

The first half of Glory Summer is behind me, and it was amazing in every way. I am completely jet-lagged, discombobulated, and behind in everything. Forgive me. I hope to do some justice to my experiences and share a little bit with you, but it might take a bit of time. Just know it was the best, the best, the best.

Let it go

2008-06-10T22:44:00.000-07:00

Hey kids,
After a lovely weekend with my mom in Santa Barbara, after months of toiling away at my job, after nights laying awake thinking, I am ready to go.
Off to France for two weeks. No email, no phone, just france, vin, frommage, and friends. Bon chance, bon voyage, je'taime. See you in a few. xox

If I could, you know I would
If I could, I would
Let it go

This desparation
Dislocation
Separation
Condemnation
Revelation
In temptation
Isolation
Desolation

Let it go

Sex and the Diddy

2008-06-01T23:56:00.001-07:00

Tonight Nell, Sarah, Lisa and I took ourselves to see Sex in the City. I was thoroughly entertained, so all you haters can just take it elsewhere. It was great, and such a treat to see it with some of my girls. It was really a love story about friends, the men were not the main focus, which I really enjoyed. And, it brought back all the things I always loved about the show, and gave me everything I could've really wanted in a movie-version of it.
I am not a huge label-fashion-focused person (sometimes I wonder if I did have the funds to support a fashion habit, would I even feel ok about buying a $2000 handbag or $500 shoes?), but it made me loooong for some of those beautiful, beautiful things. Fashion can be so glorious. With the realization that we could not, as of yet, obtain any unbelievable shoes or incredible bird hats, we decided to take ourselves to Diddy Reese and have ice cream and girl time instead. Good choice.

Beirut: The Sound of the World Being a Beautiful Place

2008-05-31T00:59:00.000-07:00

Tonight Miss Lindsey Bee and I had a lovely dinner & drinks at Ugo and headed over to Koreatown to see Beirut at the Wiltern.

It was so beautiful and wonderful. Beirut is special in a way I can't describe, their music makes my heart swell. Time stops and everything becomes powerful. They played a glorious set with two encores, and we left feeling elated.

After the last two weeks of strangeness and tragic sadness, it's good to remember how beautiful things can be.

Well it's been a long time, long time now
Since I've seen you smile
And I'll gamble away my fright
And I'll gamble away my time
And in a year, a year or so
This will slip into the sea
Well it's been a long time, long time now
Since I've seen you smile

Nobody raise their voices
Just another night in Nantes
Nobody raise their voices
Just another night in Nantes

Blogging Clusterf*ck

2008-05-28T18:57:00.001-07:00

First, let me say, I like reading Emily Gould. I think she's a great writer. I have spent many hours reading her posts on Emily Magazine and on Heartbreak Soup.

The New York Times Magazine published this article she wrote on May 25. It's about her blogging, her life, the rise and fall of her career at Gawker, Heartbreak Soup, the whole shebang.

And of course, people go apeshit. There's like, 1200 comments and counting, all basically making horrific accustations, calling her stupid.

Maybe writing about your personal life in such an intense and raw way, on so many media fronts all the wat to the f'in New York Times isn't the best possible idea, but Jesus, give her a break. Who takes that much time to write such horrible comments? If I don't like something I'm reading online I just move on. I guess that's not how things work.

Anyways, the article is good. Heartbreak Soup is great. Old school Emily Magazine was great. It makes me think. I mean, where are we going? What is happening as we get more and more desensitized to revealing the intimate details of our lives in such a public fashion? Kudos to you, Emily. Keep on keeping on, keep blogging, and don't let those assholes keep you down.

There are, however, some interesting counter-articles, namely this one on New York Magazine online.

Read, judge for yourself. It's fabulous entertainment, any way you look at it, and it sure is one hell of a clusterfuck.

Uber-Over-Achievers, Amazing!

2008-05-16T18:46:00.000-07:00

I like to read Design*Sponge everyday. It's very inspiring and pretty and exciting. This week, they have begun voting on their 2008 Design*Sponge Scholarship, and there are 12 undergraduate finalists. They're pretty amazing. I try to imagine what it must be like to be working at that level while still in college.

I think I am voting for Katie Jung:

Her work is handwoven. Having done weaving in college myself, I understand that these weavings are a feat of unbelievable proportion. And they are beautiful, in addition to being techinically astounding.

Check out the other finalists too, and cast your vote!

LOLBaracks

2008-05-12T00:14:00.000-07:00

I hope so!

via dieselsweeties

Weekend!

2008-05-11T23:42:00.000-07:00

Well, you already heard about Friday night.

Saturday was a nice day, went over to Amanda's for some tamale making and it was a great time. Christine took some nice pictures and you can see all of them here.

Those tamales were delicious. It took most of the afternoon and evening to make & then steam them, but there was great company and muchas cervezas, so I enjoyed myself. Dan and I left eventually and then treated ourselves to a late show of Forgetting Sarah Marshall which was funny and par for the course for the Apatow/dickjoke movie clique. I enjoyed it and it made me laugh. It also reminded me of the list of "Break-up Rules" that Aimee and I started to make awhile back, the Number 1 rule being : You can't break up with someone if they're not wearing pants. It's just not right.

Today I had a nice brunch with Mr. D and then we ran about town doing errands, and then I came home for some sewing and moviewatching. I finished my first bag with a zipper. I was really proud of myself for figuring it out without a pattern, because zippers are tricky. I couldn't figure out how to machine finish the exterior, so I hand sewed the front under the zipper. It's up in the shop. Hopefully, hopefully, I will have 3-4 new tote bags to put up this week. I have fallen behind in making any shop stuff because I've primarily been making gifts or things from other people's patterns which aren't appropriate to sell on Etsy. I guess a lot of people do sell things they make from other people's patterns, but I feel like anything I sell should be my own pattern (however simple) or at least a variation or embellished in some way to make it my own.

Celebrity LA

2008-05-11T23:36:00.001-07:00

I don't see famous people too much, but this week I have seen lots (well, four)!

Famke Janssen (Jean Grey from X-men)
Matt Ross (Albie, the crazy son of the prophet on Big Love)
both at the Landmark.
Today I saw Drew Barrymore & that Mac guy Justin Long coming out of the Bay Cities Deli.

LA! You're so famous.

Hangover City, CA

2008-05-10T11:49:00.000-07:00

Fact: Del's Saloon is a great dive bar.
Fact: Del's Saloon pours very generous drinks.
Fact: Whiskey is great.
Fact: It is not a good idea to order three Maker's on the rocks if you haven't had any dinner.

Eventually a carnitas burrito from Pili's was consumed after the fact, which was the greatest idea ever (thanks Dan) but man, I woke up with pain in my brain this morning. Thankfully it's noon now and some excedrin combined with coffee and a delicious omelet with prosciutto and brie has calmed the side effects and now I am ready to begin my day.

Whatever, I don't care (but secretly I do).

2008-05-08T18:47:00.000-07:00

You know how sometimes you (I use the royal "you" to mean, me) get all annoyed for no real reason, or I should say, no real rational reason (cause you do have reasons, they're just, you know, silly) and then that annoyance/angst just kind of pricks at you like a paper cut or a pain in your side or a cramp in your toe and won't go away and grows and grows till it just pops in your head all the time and occupies your mind? I should be socially graceful and happy and not let things get to me. I like to think about Nellie when I get like this- she is nice to everyone. I mean, everyone, all the time, even JERKS. Even people who have been mean to her or done not-so-nice things. Grace, people, that's grace. I try to have it, but sometimes I just want to be a big ol' bitch and yell and stomp and say HEY that's not fair. Or rather, I don't care if it's fair or rational or what but the world should cater to MY needs! Because of some silly, silly things that have happened some time long ago (for which the statute of limitations has run out on), but still, there it is. Smacking you in the face. I want: stomp, yell. Instead, grace. Think: grace. Grace. Be nice.
This has been a moment in the inner workings of my head. Thank you.

Sew bad, sew good

2008-04-30T22:20:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was wonderfully quiet and relaxing. I spent a lot of time just puttering around, resting, sewing, reading, and organizing.

On saturday I went to F&S Fabrics and bought some really pretty, luxurious fabric. I was only there to buy some fabric to make a new bed for Hewcat, but I ended up buying a whole bunch of pretties. I was very bad and spent too much money, but they are so gorgeous and make me happy to touch and look at. Most of them are fine upholstery fabrics that were on sale, and I couldn't pass them up. It was a steal!

Earlier in the week, I made an apron to give as a gift. I used the pattern from Amy Butler's In Stitches that Lisa kindly gave me as a gift, for no other reason than she's just the nicest roommate. I had a great time making it, although sometimes I am not so good at reading directions or measuring, so I had to rip some things out and redo them a few times, but I think it came out quite nicely. I'd had the fabric I used for a long time, and I decided to put the two patterns together and they work perfectly. It's going out in the mail tomorrow to someone special. Here's me, modeling:

Making the apron got me back into the sewing mood, so I decided to make a sun hat using a pattern from Lotta Jansdotter's book Simple Sewing. I love it! It matches the new bathing suits I bought for summer and I'll be wearing it around France in June!

I also made Hewboy a new bed. His old one was ratty and caked with hair (gross!). This one actually fits his body and looks nice. I used the floor cushion pattern from Amy Butler's book In Stitches. The old blue bed was too small for his fattyness, and he would hang off the edges. While funny, it was always sort of a pitiful sight. I think he likes the new one.

On Sunday, Lisa and I had a lovely day. We went to the farmer's market in the morning and bought flowers and strawberries. I made strawberry muffins yesterday with the leftovers (I bought way too many, and they spoil so quickly when fresh!). After that, we headed over to Lara & Justin's condo to hang out by their pool. It was fabulous! I read magazines and sunned myself, and even got in the water, which was still a bit too chilly but it was so hot out, I couldn't help it!

Sunday evening, after having made a huge mess of my studio corner, I decided it was time to rethink and reorganize my workspace. I cleaned out my hallway closets, organized all my art supplies and put them away in the closet. I got out all my fabric, and organized it by color. I dedicated boxes for ongoing projects (for example, my gazillion year long quilt ordeal) and put oversize fabric pieces in another box. Everything is now perfectly organized and labeled and everything has a place! Notions, needles, thread, everything. It was intensely satisfying once I finally finished. Now I can find everything when I need it, and I can see most of my fabric at once when I'm looking for pieces to use on projects.

I wish the weekend lasted all week.

Mah Recipes for Delishus

2008-04-30T20:06:00.000-07:00

Country Polenta & Chard Bake

Why "country" you ask? Because it makes me think of the italian countryside. Grannies making casseroles in Tuscany. This recipe is made up by me, not a granny. This is very yummy, and a good way to cook some of those leafy greens that are so pretty at the farmer's market but no one ever knows what to do with.

Ingredients:
One medium bunch of red chard with the pretty red stems

One cup of dry polenta (Polenta is finely ground cornmeal. You can buy packages of polenta in the pasta section of the grocery store, or sometimes with the grits and stuff).

Mozzarella cheese (a sliced up ball, or shredded)

Parmesano Reggiano cheese (shredded. I used fresh shredded from a slice I got at TJ's)

One can of diced tomatoes

About a cup and a half of marinara or some kind of smooth red tomato sauce (like from a jar of spaghetti sauce)

Salt & pepper

Directions:
Preheat oven to about 375 degrees.

In a big pot, boil a good bit of water (enough to cover the chard).

Trim a couple of inches off the stems of the chard, up to about 2 inches from the leaf. Drop the chard in the boiling water to blanche for 2-3 minutes. Leaves should be green but slightly wilty.

Drain the chard in your colander, but reserve about a cup of the water to the side. (don't burn yourself in the process)

In a 9X9 casserole dish, lay the chard on the bottom so the whole bottom is covered. Shake on some salt & pepper.

Pour in the pot water that you reserved ontop of the chard, so it has about 1/4" water in the dish with the chard (you might not need the whole cup).

Pour in the polenta evenly over the chard.

Put in a layer of cheesy cheese (mix the mozz & parm).

Pour in the can of diced tomatoes, and the sauce until everything is covered well.

Bake your dish in the oven for about 30 minutes. You should see some bubbling on the top when it's done.

Pull it out and top with some parm and put it back in the oven for 5 mins to melt.

Take out the dish and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes. Serve!

Holds up well for leftovers the next day. Yum.

Last Cat Post For Awhile, I Promise

2008-04-29T19:06:00.000-07:00

This weekend I took Hewbobber to the vet and GUESS how much he weighed in at?

.
.
.
.

.

.

24 lbs!

He is a Big Ass Cat.

Lazybutt.

2008-04-24T18:15:00.000-07:00

This is what I feel like these days:

a fatty bombatty cat slug.

It's probably what I look like too, minus the hair. Oh well. Working hard at work makes me not feel like going to the gym. But summer's coming, bathing suit season is around the corner. I resolve to go tomorrow. Hold me to it, internet! Now I shall go have a snack.

Fatter than Hewey!

2008-04-22T22:56:00.001-07:00

If you haven't seen this already on Lindsey's Blog, now you can enjoy it here, "The Fattest Cat in China!"

This is so, so delightful. So fat, so full of DELIGHT!

Look how lovely.

2008-04-18T23:30:00.000-07:00

Via smosch.

"Mamie, I have all ways love you and it is as true as the vine that grose....
I hope that some day we may be as one."

Glory Days.

2008-04-18T18:42:00.000-07:00

==Warning: Cursing ahead==

This summer's theme:
SUMMER 2008: Rock the Fuck Out Bitches!2@#!

And it has already started! But what? It's April, you say? Who gives a shit, I've started my summer because last weekend it was offically hot as balls in L.A., and in turn the good times have started rolling! Now, I know I have been complaining about work, and yes, it's been super hard lately, but relief is in sight as we finish the 2008 Christmas Season in the stationery industry (we work this far ahead, yes), which is our busiest season. With last weekend's Jamload of Fun in Big Bear starting things off, this weekend promises to roll right into Funtown. Heading off to dinner with some special folks in a few minutes, and then on to Laurel's for Jane Austen Slumberfest 2008. Saturday promises shopping for wedding attire, adventures the Kara Walker show at the Hammer, dinner with some great peeps, and onto a crazy party down somewhere in East LA that promises to possibly be populated with Hot Art Dudes & Various Other Crazy Peoples. Sunday is for crafting and the fabric store in preparation for weddings & babies and catching up on birthday gifts looong overdue (if that's you, sorry dude, I'm late with stuff. seriously.), and possibly the beach!

The rest of summer promises:
Rach & Phil's Wedding!
Lindsey & David Michael's Wedding!
Bill & Andrea's baby!
REM/Modest Mouse/the National at the Hollywood Bowl!
Beirut at the Wiltern!
France! CHATEAU VIN FROMMAGE SACRE BOOYAH!
Nell, Brooke, Whitney, Natalie, Dan in France!
Dublin! for a day!
Boston!
visiting Amy & Erin & Mike & maybe Heather & Ari & Tim!
New Hampshire! seeing Rach & Phil & Albert & V & Nick G & Johnny Mo!
the beach! volleyball! beers after beach!
crafts!
parties!
sundresses!
GLORY!!
SUMMER 2008: Rock the Fuck Out Bitches!2@#!

Oh, this is great.

2008-04-16T22:12:00.000-07:00

It's Angela Chase. Edited, to her greatest lines. Angela Chase wisdom. It's kind of great.

via Emily Magazine via fourfour.

Re:charge

2008-04-14T21:17:00.000-07:00

Feeling much better after a weekend of extreme happiness and joy. Mini-road trip to Bear Bear for snow tubing, bowling, lots of eating, gross jokes. Returned to town for a birthday party at The Woods bar, which should be renamed "Bowl of Sweat" bar, which was a good time despite the heat. Attempted to play beach volleyball Sunday, but instead the sand was so incredibly hot we only played 15 minutes before abandoning the courts to cool our feet in the water. Then get beers at the Shack. Evening presented itself with delicious sushi dinner and a movie. Glory. Thank the sweet Lord for weekends. Additional special thanks to Aimee, Mike-from-St.-Louis, and most definitely Dan for partaking in said Glory.
Pictures to come soon. I took pho-toes with REAL film. Shocking, I know.

Now I'm just lazing about and planning some projects for the upcoming weddings/babies/excitement that deserves gifts. Not to mention finishing gifts for people whose birthdays passed months ago. So what if I'm a little late.

State of Being: A Venn Diagram

2008-04-10T23:12:00.000-07:00

Thrify finds and more artwork

2008-04-06T19:26:00.001-07:00

I went to a couple of thrift stores a few weeks ago and found some amazing finds.
I was looking for things to destory and reconstruct and collage on, so I got a bunch of books:

Which have started to become this:

I think I need a bigger studio:

I also found some AMAZING fabric at the thrift store, which I washed and started cutting into some totebags today. Circa 1970's polyester/cotton sheets in some great prints: Mod Brown Stripes, Brown and Orange Sunset, and a great Helen Webber paisley with rabbits, kitties, and birds. Also, a great funky red & green tablecloth. Hew helped with the washing. Finished products coming soon!

Part 4: The Work

2008-04-06T18:34:00.000-07:00

So after writing all that about my experience with Sabrina (see Parts 1-3) I guess I should probably show you some of the art I have been working on. Everything is really about the process of "making," as opposed to the finished product, which is really different than my formal training in illustration. It feels kind of foreign to work with no plan, with total abandon. So far, what I've done looks kind of similar to Sabrina's work, but I think through time I will make it my own. Eventually I will make a case for the fold-out book, and I will probably add some more writing and collage to it. It's a long accordion book that I collaged and sewed together.

front

back

some pages:

You can see the rest of the photos here.

Ho Trolls

2008-04-06T12:43:00.000-07:00

Chat Convo on Friday with Whitney:
Whitney: i want one that says "hotrolls"
Lindsay: i can make it for you!!!
hahah
also JAMLOAD is a real license plate
Jeff & laurel saw it twice
also is that hot rolls or ho trolls?
i like Ho TROLLS

And then, Ho Trolls was born.