Bolsa Chica Wetlands

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