Close Shave

It's been a stressful day here in the studio meeting client deadlines and such. I really needed a break and went straight to the Little People site of Slinkachu. Close Shave, as seen above, still has me chuckling!

Collared

Lately I’ve been a bit obsessed with modern takes on jewelry and this wool felt collar necklace from Etsy seller Nervous System made my heart skip a beat. This lacy necklace is laser cut from wool felt and features an organic pattern of shifting ovals with three snap settings allowing for adjustable fit. So chic and so graphic!

Slot Machine Graphics

I dare you to start playing with the Nonsek Machine that generates rare and random graphic remixes with a simple click of a button and not get engrossed letting the software design t-shirts. They have many artists’ designs to choose from and just like playing the slots, you never know what imagery will pop up next. When you come upon a design combo you like, you can purchase the t-shirt knowing probably no else will ever have one like it. Hours of fun! Via: SFgirlbybay

Feast of 5 Senses at Ludo Bites

I knew we were in for a memorable meal when first arriving at Ludo Bites after witnessing diners rolling their eyes back in a state of tasting ecstasy. Chef Ludo Lefebvre has opened up a guerilla style pop-up restaurant for a short time this summer at the Breadbar here in West Hollywood and we were very excited to experience his food after pouring over the daily menus online and watching him in action on Top Chef Masters a few weeks ago. Nothing prepared me for the explosion of flavors that each dish brought. It was truly the best meal I've ever had here in Los Angeles. His stunning cookbook Crave: A Feast of the Five Senses was my next purchase and I'm now reading it from cover to cover, learning how to combine some of the unusual flavors he achieves in the kitchen. Personable, handsome and very much a presence in the restaurant talking to customers, serving food and sharing cooking tips, we felt like family there. If you live in the Los Angeles area, I suggest making a reservation soon. He will open up shop at another yet-to-be announced location, so get on his email list. A special thank you to Omar Kalifornia for the beautiful photos.

From the top: Cantaloupe, Chorizo and Iced Cornichon soup, Grilled Hanger Steak w/beer emulsion, black sesame miso, potato chips and charcoal oil (YUM!), Heirloom tomato salad w/red onions & feta mousse, Fried chicken in duck fat w/mashed potato & fried herbs, Caramelized cod w/black pepper butter, eggplant chutney & grilled melon w/orange, Lighting with our iPhones: the Fois Gras chocolate cupcake w/candied bacon, almonds & maple syrup. Last two photos of my cousins Alicia, Eliza, Omar & myself with Chef Ludo.

RIP Otto

Today I learned that Otto Heino passed away on July 16th. When I was a little girl and my Dad was studying architecture at USC, I was taken to many of his friends’ studios and workshops because I loved anything to do with art and being with my father. He met Otto and Vivika Heino at USC and became fast friends. I have fond memories of peeking into vats of brightly colored glazes and watching Otto and Vivika work on their beautiful pottery while my parents carefully selected a few pots to purchase. Somehow these pieces made it through raising 2 children and countless moves without a single chip. I treasure these vases, bowls and plates left to me by my parents and am blown away by how valuable and collectable they have become. I feel so lucky to have known him in my youth and have a few of his beautiful pots.

Kicking It

Reebok has released two new tribute sneakers for their Fall collection in honor of the great artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. The Fall 2009 Basquiat Reebok Collection consists of two models, the Ex-O-Fit-Hi and Freestyle Hi and has the artists' imagery from two of his paintings — Untitled (sometimes called Crown or Beatbop), 1983 and Pegasus, 1987. Available from Colette. I LOVE the black high-tops!

Almodovar Love

I’m already worked up about the new Pedro Almodovar film Broken Embraces and it doesn't even come out till December 11th in Los Angeles. The release of a trailer in English and the wonderful Warhol-esque posters will have to be enough for the time being. I also just discovered his blog and look forward to reading it this weekend.

Sale Me to the Moon

This Saturday here in Los Angeles Modernica will have their 20th Anniversary sale with tons of vintage and new items marked down up to 80%!! An expansive collection of modern design including George Nelson Bubble Lamps, Noguchi Tables, fiberglass chairs, Case Study beds, daybeds and units at extremely affordable prices. You can also shop the Modernica sale online 7am-7pm (limited items only). The event will also include antique dealers, fashion designers, music and Scratch Lounge. Come hungry. Mobile chefs from the Green Truck (organic on the go), Don Chow Tacos (Chinese fusion), Bool (Korean fusion) and the Morrison Mobile Coffee House will prepare the tastiest food & drinks for hungry shoppers. An 80% discount is too tempting for me to pass up, hope to find some goodies and have some fun too!

Sky Writing

Spotted this summer in Prague: WE, by spanish artist Jaume Plensa is a white coated stainless steel sculpture carved by laser light. In the shape of a man with an open front and incorporating characters from various languages and scripts such as Latin, Greek, Russian, Hebrew, Arabic, Hindi, Chinese and Japanese, this is monumental in it’s beauty. This sculpture was part of the ‘Transparency” project which involved open-air light art shows celebrating the presidency of the European Community by the Czech Republic during the first half of 2009. What a sight this must have been at sunrise or sunset!

Found in France

Somehow vernacular typography is even more beautiful in French, Happy Bastille Day! From the delightful French site of found typography, Jules Vernacular.

This Skull's for You

Made me smile, these crocheted skulls and argyle skull socks. The crocheted skulls are from Dewy Decimal Crafts on Etsy and the socks are from Oberon Socks. These are for you Cece at Revolution Malibu, a woman who loves all things skull-like.

Playing with Light

I stumbled upon these amazing photos of Picasso drawing with a small flashlight by LIFE photographer Gjon Mili from 1949 and was taken with the simplicity of it all and the fact that his drawing is unmistakably pure Picasso caught for moment in time, on film. No Photoshop, no fancy digital cameras. Just the artist at play and a incredibly talented photographer. Pure and simple.

In the Fold

Simply stunning! These intricate artworks by German artist Simon Schubert are created by painstakingly folding, scoring and creasing a sheet of paper. They are absolutely beautiful, I can’t stop studying them! See many more pieces of his here.

Happy 4th of July

Have a wonderful Independence Day! Photo: John Reilly/Flickr

Dripping Type

Great concept for this typographic sculpture from the portfolio of Richard J. Evans exhibited at Free Range Graduate Art & Design Show.

Bunny Hop

Very reminiscent of a Mark Ryden painting, this pleather wallet by Dumpling Dynasty has a whole bucket of vintage charm and just a touch of the bizarre. I get a great visual every time I take out my wallet to pay for something and costing only $18, this is a true great find. Dumpling Dynasty was created by illustrator Fiona Hewitt and expert in Asian Kitschology, Andy Tainton. The Dumpling Dynasty brand was inspired by years spent living in Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong, endlessly trawling the flea markets and junk shops for inspiration.