May you always shoot for the stars…be young at heart…and never stop playing with Lego! Check out the massively embarrassing score difference between you and me at Disneyland’s Buzz Lightyear ride (circa 2005)…I look forward to narrowing this gap and possibly kicking your ass someday. Even when you’re old and gray and 103 years old, I’ll always be right next to you…because I’m your lobster for life. Happy Birthday Baby!
happy birthday ak!
March 19th, 2009
orla kiely: spring/summer 2009 bags
March 12th, 2009Here are a few of my favorite selections from Orla Kiely’s new spring/summer 2009 collection of bags. If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know that I’m a die-hard fan and Orla can do no wrong in my mind. This new collection surely does not disappoint and choosing one is an impossibility. The new “Garden Tortoise” pattern comes in several different colorways…and after much deliberation…I concluded that I love them all equally. Sadly, purchasing any of these bags for myself is not an option right now…but somehow posting them here makes me feel like they are already part of my personal collection. All are available at Orla Kiely’s online shop. (Photos from Orla Kiely’s website, Detail photos from Nordstrom)
mini me
March 11th, 2009I’ve been keeping track of my runs/workouts using my Nike+ iPod sensor and it automatically downloads all of my workout stats to my Nike+ account…which is great because I can see my progress over time. The other great thing about my Nike+ account is the Nike+ Mini feature that allows me to create my very own Mini Me! When I skip workouts, my Mini Me gets sluggish and slow-moving…but she gets super hyperactive when I’m running consistently. I also love that the hairstyle is almost exactly like my real hair. Anyway, I thought that I would be even better motivated if I shared her on my site. (I know I know…I don’t run very fast but who cares?)
swooning for marc jacobs
March 10th, 2009When I was a little girl, I remember carrying around my cherished little treasures (mostly Hello Kitty erasers and pencils) in various little Sanrio-themed bags and purses. For larger items like my Winnie-the-Pooh stuffed bear (which I still have)…I hauled him and his belongings around in a large red Strawberry Shortcake overnight luggage bag. And anytime there was a chance of unexpected adventures, I would systematically consolidate all little bags into bigger bags so that I could take it all with me. It’s funny that these habits are still alive and I must admit that my addiction to bags sees no end in sight.
So allow me to share my latest obsession…the Marc by Marc Jacobs “Posh Turnlock – Dot Dome Satchel” in the prettiest and softest patent crinkle minty green leather. I remember the moment I saw this in the store out of the corner of my eye…I gasped out loud and quickly made a mad dash for the bag. I unashamedly primped and preened in front of the mirror trying out the bag in all different poses…while dear AK rolled his eyes because he had experienced this lust-at-first-sight-routine countless times before. What can I say? He’s got his obsession with Star Wars Lego and I’ve got my bags. There is also a matching wristlet/clutch called the “Big Slice” that I’ve been eyeing for quite some time as well. It’s oversized with compartmentalized interior pockets and it would be great to use during quick trips to the market, casual coffee dates, or any other time when I don’t want to be bogged down by a bigger/heavier bag. The “Big Slice” is available at Net-A-Porter for $250 and the “Dot Dome Satchel” is available at Nordstrom for $498. Both are part of the Marc by Marc Jacobs Resort 2008 bag collection. (Photos are from Nordstrom’s website and Net-A-Porter’s website, respectively)
a whole lotta lotta
March 9th, 2009I’m back from a much needed hiatus…and without further adieu…I am thrilled to introduce the amazingly talented Lotta Jansdotter and her design work in screenprinting on textiles, stationery and ceramics. Much of her inspiration comes from the natural forms, colors and textures of her native Åland (an island between Sweden and Finland). I first became a fan of Lotta in the late 1990s and I remember embarking on a special road trip from Los Angeles after she started her retail studio in San Francisco…just so that I could get my grubby little hands on some of her beautiful designs. She has since relocated to New York and her goods are available in various specialty boutiques and also through her online shop. AND she’s also got some amazing do-it-yourself books on printing and sewing (and they come personally signed by Lotta when purchased from her website). Here are some of my favorites from her current inventory…(All photos from Lotta Jansdotter’s website…clockwise from upper left: baby bib, notecards, linen dress, page from Lotta Prints book, teal textile, and small multi-purpose tray)
hanging on for dear life
February 13th, 2009Poor little tree outside of Home Depot caught my attention today while I was waiting for the rain to ease up..the silhouette of the little prickly fruits dangling from the bare branches made me think of holiday ornaments…and I smiled because cold, dreadful weather like this makes our home feel so much warmer and cozier. (Photo taken with my iPhone)
art of soopajdelux
January 30th, 2009I first met Jenna of Soopajdelux a few years ago at a craft show in Los Angeles where she was selling her paintings and prints. I was selling my own crafty wares at a table across from hers and was instantly attracted to the melancholy characters in her paintings. The more I looked at her work throughout the day, the more I was drawn to them and their peculiar mix of sadness, hope and humor. So at the end of the day, I took all of my meager earnings and purchased two tiny paintings (approximately 6×6 inches each). Jenna was incredibly nice and even gave me an extra bonus…a yarn necklace with a handmade glass pendant that had one of her characters encased inside. I certainly hope to someday commission her for a larger painting to hang in my studio. Her current body of work has expanded beyond paintings to include sculptures, objects and most interestingly…the world of vinyls. Learn more about her work at Soopajdelux. (Photos from Soopajdelux).
cheers to the ox!
January 29th, 2009Happy Chinese New Year everybody! I’ve been celebrating with my entire family for the past few days and here are some photos of the culinary delights that were enjoyed by all.
Making dumplings is a tradition that I cherish…especially when I get to make them with my Grandma. And that’s exactly what we did on Chinese New Year’s Eve. She always makes the dumpling skins from scratch and rolls each one out with a rolling pin…in perfect little circles…thicker in the middle and thinner along the edges (I have yet to master this skill). My job was filling the skins and pinching the edges together to form pudgy little crescent-shaped dumplings. Then we cooked them in a big pot of boiling water and ate them with some homemade chili sauce…yummmmm.
Then the next day there was another family potluck dinner with the other side of my family. Yes…that’s king crab, fish, spicy tuna rice bundles, rice cakes, meatball cabbage soup (secret family recipe), oxtail (for year of the Ox), walnut shrimp, avocado salmon, spaghetti with meatballs, mushroom ravioli, and so many other side dishes…including divine tiramisu for dessert. There was so much variety and abundance…it was truly a joyful and humbling experience. May this new year bring good health, prosperity and sweetness to all!
home phone makeover
January 22nd, 2009Why are modern phones always so boring?…typically either black or silver…and they look just about as exciting as a tv remote control. In comparison, these vintage telephones from the 1960s at Russell Johnson Imports are so colorful, bright and cheerful. Yes…all modern conveniences are non-existent with these vintage phones, but they sure do make up for it in overall design and cuteness. I love all these colors, but my favorite is the red one and the baby blue one. (Photos from Russell Johnson Imports)
piles of tiles by xenia taler
January 21st, 2009Looky what I found…Xenia Taler and her amazing tiles! I would definitely buy these tiles to hang as artwork because each one is like a whimsical little painting. I can also imagine installing these little pieces of art as a surface treatment for a very special tabletop. And of course they can always be grouted and installed on any interior surface just like any other typical tile application (although I think they are a bit too precious for that). Here are some of my favorites…but definitely go to Xenia Taler’s website for more tile goodies. (Photos from Xenia Taler)
