Golden California Weekend

I'm going to the Golden California Show this weekend, for the first time ever, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll find something I can afford. Considering Diane Keaton is also a fan, I'll need to really keep 'em crossed! Well, here's hoping, anyway.

Oktober!

(via losangelous.com)

Even though I hate sitting in traffic, there's a new hot dog joint in Dowtown LA that's been calling my name. They specialize in sausages (exotic ones, too, like buffalo, duck and, gulp, rattlesnake). They have Belgian beer and fries. Ah, my kind of place.

It's called Wurstküche , and it's run by two cousins--Joseph Pitruzzelli and Tyler Wilson--which is just the kind of small business I like to support. When I first heard about it from public radio I was intrigued, but it was my friend, Chad, who confirmed that it was fantastic and totally worth the drive. Apparently, he's not the only one who thinks so. The word has gotten out on all the food blogs, too, and the place often has a line to get in.

Read all about it in the article from the LA Times.

My Goodness, Grafitti!

The photo below was taken in Paris. (via flickr )



While I was in Paris over the summer, I saw all kinds of grafitti, some remarkable, some not. And then I went to a very interesting exhibit featuring the most famous grafitti artists working around Paris, which put it in a whole new context for me. My friend was strongly against grafitti, in all forms, but I think if it is done well, it can add something surprising and beautiful to the urban landscape.

The examples below are from Ontario, Canada. (via fiveprime )





...and some more examples from a gas station in my home town, Los Angeles.



(via apartment therapy )

What do you think of the trend of silhouette grafitti?

Happy Friday!

Moon Tune

For some reason, I'm in a wistful sort of mood. I've been listening to the Elizabethtown (Vol 2) soundtrack, and it's perfect for lounging and day-dreaming.

I especially like the cover of Moon River, by Patty Griffin . It made me fall in love with the tune all over again.

Here's the clip from Breakfast at Tiffany's

here.

Prints & Patterns

My goal for September was to clean out all my closets. I found lots of clothes I'd completely forgotten about. Some items were keepers, natch, but most didn't fit or were otherwise unwearable.

Despite all logic, I'm reluctant to throw certain things away. Like a pair of seersucker short shorts I wore one particularly good summer. Sentimental value? I dunno. It's a pattern of mine. I'm reluctant to throw anything away until I've used it for all it's worth.

That's when I noticed the fabric on the shorts is still good, very good. And, hey!, at one time I liked them enough to drape it across my derriere (think chocolate and turquoise plaid). I just wouldn't squeeze my body into it anymore.

Let's just say I have better judgment now, because even though I might not wear the seersucker short shorts on my body, I wouldn't mind seeing the pattern used in another way.

So, this article from the now defunct Blueprint, has inspired my next project. To upcycle those plaid short shorts into a preppy little bangle bag.



Here are the instructions, which I'm sorry to say are hard to read on this blog.



Want more ideas of new uses for old things? Here are 50 from Real Simple.

small things count

This pair of adorable photos is what you get in the snail mail when you order something from The Small Object. I thought they were so cute, so clever, that I had to scan and share them. I think I'll start a running blog entry with all the little extras you get when you order from an individual vendor. It's the personal touches that make it so special.

Rrrrr!

These biscuits, found at igourmet, are almost too cute to eat. Almost. They are made by hand in England and come in three flavors: vanilla, strawberry, and toffee. Better still, each box features a children's literary duo done up in bright pop art colors.


My favorite is the Owl and the Pussycat, which comes with the vanilla cookies.

Allo, Allo!

A sweet reminder of my days in Paris, this card holder, found at fredflare, is just what I need on my desk to keep my favorite vacation photos nearby.

Happy Friday!

It's my favorite time of year. I dream of all things warm and cozy: sweaters, piles of leaves, the welcoming glow of the fireplace. Unfortunately I live in Southern California, where the weather doesn't cooperate with the calendar.

Even though it doesn't feel like autumm at the beach, it's Apple Days in Julian, Ca. I've been wanting to go for the harvest for a long time. It lasts until October, and by then it may cool off a bit. I may just get a chance to live my sweater fantasy, yet!

What are your plans this fall?

Stamp Collecting

I can't help but fall for these retro stamps from Holland. It makes me want to start collecting stamps, in fact, from around the world. How sweet is that boy and giraffe? Find these, and more adorable office supplies, at Present And Correct. It reminds me of a British version of Three Potato Four, one of my favorite places to go for inspiration.

If you haven't gotten your fill of cool, pop art stamps from the past, then continue your search here.

Fanciful Lunch

These are some truly fanciful bento boxes I discovered at toxel while trying to find people "playing" with their food. Turns out there is a whole sub-genre of kid-friendly bento boxes in Japan.



I'm not sure if I would want to eat these after all that artistry, and, well, hard work.... but to see more, go here.

I also saw something like this at the blog Poppytalk. For the book that inspired this blog post, check out Play With Your Food.

Pretty Paper

This pretty bowl gives a fresh take on what is peaches and cream. I can easily imagine setting this out with my best china, even though it's made entirely from paper. For more beautiful bowls, go to Up in the Air Somewhere.



Why not complete the look with these pretty cutout placemats?




Find them at Delight.

The Lion Tamer

Thanks, Vera, for introducing me to the Moscow Cat Theatre . I would love to see an all-cat circus. Catch the mini-documentary on it below.



And, because I seem to be in a circus kind of mood lately, I'll include one of my favorite clips from The Magic Show.



Finally, have you ever wondered why the lion tamer uses a chair? Find out in this clip taken from the Errol Morris documentary, Fast, Cheap and Out of Control.

Have a Magical Weekend

Getting Festive

I am absolutely smitten with these laterns, first spotted at Party Perfect. If I end up having my Day of the Dead party this year, I'm going to steal this idea for the decor. Most likely in the foyer.

And, while thinking about the event, I stumbled upon this fantastic post with recipes for Aguas Frescas. I'm so glad the the festive season is just around the corner.

Here's a cozy image to get you ready for the fall: Ladak "Willem" Blanket.

Covering the 80s

I just discovered the band, The Lost Fingers, who work within the genre of "Jazz Manouche." I first heard from their debut album, Lost in the 80s, which features a fantastic cover of George Michael's Careless Whisper. This album art is from their follow-up album of French covers, Rendez-Vous Rose.

Join the Circus

Early this year, I went to this Royal/T Cafe event, Cirque du So Lame by Zippercut, with my friend, Carey, and her boyfriend, Jeff. The costumes were truly impressive. This picture, in particular, captures the whimsy and silly fun everyone was contributing to the evening. To see more photos, click here.

Happy Trails

Wow. Burning Man must have really done a number on me, because even though summer is almost over, I can't get desert road-trips and the American West out of my mind. Hence, the attraction to these gorgeous nostalgic images. -by Futurowoman Fotographie(via Poppytalk Handmade)

Here's another one:

Hippie Chic(k)

My next craft project will either be to recreate these overalls or to conjure up the jean pillow my cousin made my sister back in the day. Both are perfect in their home-made way.

If I were in the market for a new coffee table book, this tome by Barry Miles would be it. I'm captivated by the photo, and I love the simplicity of the title coupled with the retro font. After all, this is the 40 year anniversary of Woodstock.

I went to Burning Man for the first time this year and it totally inspired me to finally get a vintage camper like this one. Isn't she adorable? The camper and the girl! With all the festivals I go to, I could totally use a portable abode. And having one handy would motivate me to take more weekend trips.

Happy Camper

If I ever have the good fortune of having my very own moutain cabin, I will most certainly decorate in a vintage fashion. I am absolutely obsessed with retro camping style. Here's a very good Etsy article on how to recreate your own woodsy home, no matter where you live.

Enchanting

This enchanting bedroom, posted on The Cherry Blossom Girl, is every little girl's dream come true. (Via Creature Comforts ).


I just can't get this to-die-for photo from Ouma Clothing on Etsy out of my head.

Illustrations

What a wonderful blog by Maira Kalman, who's also given a totally inspirational speech about the creative process at TED.

Thanks to Hidden Los Angeles, another wonderful blog of sorts, I discovered it this morning. Love, love, love it.

Garden Party

Isn't this the most inviting looking garden party? I love the bright colors and the refreshing jug of lemonade. You can practically taste it. (Via Etsy ) The article shows you how to make your own version of this outdoor soiree.

Bonus link: a night time garden party.

Another outdoor activity I wouldn't mind taking part of is the San Diego Zoo's Roar n' Snore. Get out there before summer's over!

Howdy, Partner!

I really like the casual feel of these wedding invitations from the Yellow Owl Workshop. They look like a mash-up between a gig poster and a rodeo flyer.

Sweet Stuff

This sorbet, first posted at The Small Object blog, looks delicious.

On the Mend

Lately it seems there's a renewed interest in all things Blitz. Perhaps it has to do with our own economic difficulties, because they've recently reissued this 1940's British book on how to make do during tough times. Find it here .

And I may be late to the party, but my friend Christa introduced this artist and video to me at a bonfire party (turned youtube party) last night.

Old Tins

Look at how gorgeous these old tins can be when you have the right flower arrangements in them.

This is via Creature Comforts .

I'm so inspired, I might have to go out and find some of my own vintage tins. Or maybe this one from Three Potato Four would work.

What do you think? Would it be worth opening up and burning the candle? If so, what kind of flowers would you put in the arrangement?

Looking Pretty

These look like a beautiful stack of sheets, but they're business card holders by Annie42 on Etsy.

Another pretty Etsy find is this vintage candlestick from Spain.

Far Flung Places

Sometimes you can find unique jewelry and gifts at the most unusual places. This ring looks like it's right out of a buried treasure, but it hails from an on-line shop that transforms typcial nautical themes and souvenir kitsch into fine jewelry. For more summer vacation jewelry, check out the Cape May, Florida, and Hawaii collections.



For more viking and replica celtic jewelry, try the National Museum of Denmark. The above is a picture of a Fede ring, the precursor to Claddagh rings.

Bonus Link: The Plimoth Plantation has another version of the Fede ring and some interesting poesie rings.

For Friends...

One of my favorite websites is Three Potato Four. Here's a sticker book from Japan that they feature. I think these bunnies are adorable, but they also have ones with pelicans, doves, whales, and pandas.

Another great thing to share with friends is a cup of tea. I discovered this very English tea shop, Rose Bakery, in Paris because of my friend, Ellen.

The One That Got Away

Sold out. But a wonderful website to browse for new finds. Check it out here.