Quintessence Is

Berry nice. Snapped at the Los Feliz Farmer’s Market on...

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:20 -0400

Berry nice. Snapped at the Los Feliz Farmer’s Market on Vermont Avenue.

Petaluma

Mon, 20 May 2013 01:33:00 -0400

Morning light and trellises in the pretty little town of Petaluma, 40 miles northeast of San Francisco…

Weekend! I need sleep so hard. Photograph by the legendary Yale...

Fri, 17 May 2013 22:00:00 -0400

Weekend! I need sleep so hard. Photograph by the legendary Yale Joel, 1953.

The Make Up Artist.

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:30:44 -0400

The Make Up Artist.

Huntington Botanical Gardens

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:19:00 -0400

The Huntington Botanical Gardens at The Huntington in Pasadena covers 207 acres with more than 14,000 different varieties of plants among a dozen principal garden areas. Forty gardeners, a curatorial staff of seven, and more than 100 volunteers maintain the botanical collections. And their efforts do not go unnoticed. The Gardens are a magical escape from the rest of LA, lush and meticulously maintained.

I did not have the opportunity to explore all of the gardens, so I made the recently restored Japanese Garden the priority for my first visit. Love the koi-filled ponds, moon bridge and historic Japanese House – so serene.

Patience is a virtue. A striking bonsai in the Bonsai Courts within the Japanese Garden.

The scent of wisteria swells upon descent into the Japanese Garden.

‘And the tree was happy.’ Definitely some Shel Silverstein vibes here. I took a lot of pics with my iPhone, but I won’t bore you with low resolution. My advice would be to plan a visit here on a weekday afternoon during your next trip to LA. Can’t wait to get back and experience the other sections…

Yes dear?

Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:36 -0400

Yes dear?

Eye Likes What I See...

Thu, 09 May 2013 20:49:00 -0400

i-D and Harper’s Bazaar España demonstrate there are still ways to stop traffic with strong cover visuals. Eye like.

A softer Cali color palette today.

Fri, 03 May 2013 00:00:13 -0400

A softer Cali color palette today.

Staircase of succulents, you make me smile.

Thu, 02 May 2013 01:30:12 -0400

Staircase of succulents, you make me smile.

Spring 2013 Ad Campaigns: Moda Operandi

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 02:47:00 -0400

Much has been said about the smashing success of Moda Operandi, the pre-order online retailer peddling designer collections straight from the runway. I’m a fan of their savvy business model and of their co-founders: the infallibly chic Creative Director Lauren Santo Domingo and the brilliant CEO Áslaug Magnúsdóttir, whose comprehensive and resourceful ‘Finding Your M.O.’ series on The Business of Fashion imparts wisdom from her firsthand experience launching a fashion startup.

Now add to the company’s accolades a drop dead gorgeous Spring ad campaign starring über-model Karlie Kloss.

The visual pastiche and oversize flowers intimate several of Stella McCartney’s forward fashion campaigns. And the collage effect brings designer Louise Amstrup to mind…

…but Moda Operandi manages to give the campaign a look all its own: a blend of rich luxury and avant garde beauty, reflecting the e-tailer’s own M.O.

Matchy Matchy.Flower Power.Very Vintage.All of the Above.

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 02:28:08 -0400

Matchy Matchy.
Flower Power.
Very Vintage.
All of the Above.

I love this Czech poster for French film “The...

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:00:00 -0400

I love this Czech poster for French film “The Suitor,” premiering in 1962. Artist Karel Vaca keeps it colorful, kinky and collage-like. Very cool. Wish film houses still put this much creative energy toward their art work.

Spring 2013 Ad Campaigns: Lanvin Eyewear

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 00:06:00 -0400

Lanvin taps model Montana Cox for its Spring 2013 eyewear campaign and I like – the brows, the lips, the lighting and especially the specs. On a side note, seems like gradient is becoming all the rage in both fashy ads and editorials, no?

Palm Springs Blues

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 03:43:39 -0400

One of the great joys of California is discovering its many shades of blue. Depending upon the hour of the day, the sky and surroundings can change from periwinkle to turquoise to a rich indigo blue. It’s marvelous. Those colors were on full display last week in Palm Springs. Below, a few snaps from our little roadtrip adventure…

Dulce Dolce

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 17:12:00 -0400

While the weather is marvelous here in LA, I’m dreaming of more exotic fare. I haven’t been to Italy in a couple years, and I hear the Amalfi Coast calling! For some travel and fashion inspiration, I thought I’d share one of my favorite posts from venerable blogger Miss Moss. Dulce Dolce is a gorgeous color comparison matching Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2013 to vintage travel posters. “Just one quick glance over the entire collection and a myriad of things come to mind: summer holidays, the Italian Riviera, hammocks, umbrellas, hot heat, cold drinks, ripe fruit and seaside stripes.” So grab your sunnies and feast your eyes on this magnificent mashup.

A Visit to LACMA

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 07:00:09 -0400

The Stanley Kubrick exhibit at LACMA is a superb, detailed look at the director’s creative process and the meaning of his work. It’s a must see in LA. And while you’re there, do take in some of the art on the grounds – no ticket necessary.

‘Levitated Mass’ by artist Michael Heizer is a 340-ton granite megalith straddling a long concrete corridor, built for the museum.

I don’t know what this tangle of yellow is called. But I do know that kids love ‘em some spaghetti.

Here’s lookin’ at you. For no reason other than pure awe: Grace Kelly. Gotta admit...

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 10:00:31 -0400

Here’s lookin’ at you. For no reason other than pure awe: Grace Kelly. Gotta admit Gwyneth Paltrow does bear a strong resemblance, especially on the Harper’s Bazaar cover from December 1997.

(Source: We Heart Vintage)

LA at the Golden Hour

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 01:58:00 -0400

I’m never more taken by the beauty and grandeur of LA than at the golden hour. Below are a few snaps from the past week during my favorite time of day…

A bus stop in Angelino Heights. Even the city benches in LA are colorful.

Viva la gumball machines! At an old school market in Echo Park.

A shiny VW Van in Silver Lake. There’s a whole lot of LA in this shot.

Love how that pink house stands out like a flamingo in Silver Lake.

Two chic hikers cross the bridge in Griffith Park.

A lone hiker makes his way ‘round the bend.

Santa Monica Pier as the sun sets over the Pacific.

And fin. Goodnight LA. I love you.

Every night. Sunset from Griffith Park.

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 02:10:39 -0500

Every night. Sunset from Griffith Park.

Happy Valentine's Day

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 15:35:59 -0500

In this world you are loved. Love back.

(Source: Kate Spade)