Huntington Botanical Gardens
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…
Huntington Botanical Gardens
Los Angeles
travel
Pasadena
The Huntington
Botanical Gardens
• 16 May 2013 • 2 notes
Palm Springs Blues
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…
Palm Springs
Los Angeles
Travel
palm trees
Marilyn Monroe
Rebecca Prusinowski
• 3 April 2013 • 5 notes
A Visit to LACMA
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.
Los Angeles
art
LACMA
Levitated Mass
Stanley Kubrick
travel
Michael Heizer
• 22 March 2013 • 1 note
LA at the Golden Hour
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.
Los Angeles
travel
Echo Park
Griffith Park
Angelino Heights
VW
Silver Lake
Los Feliz
• 17 March 2013 • 3 notes
Spring 2013 Ad Campaigns: Céline
The Céline Spring 2013 advertising campaign was revealed recently, much to the delight of the blogosphere. Everyone, from Amanda Brooks to Garance Doré, gave a shout out to the beautiful images. And I must jump on board.
While I’m a big fan of Phoebe Philo’s luxe minimalist work for Céline, I’ve been nonplussed by the ads from the fashion house thus far. They’ve struck me as a little flat and detached, and quite frankly, after decades of Marc Jacobs, I’m a little over photographer Juergen Teller’s schtick. Until now.
Starring Daria Werbowy again this season, these pictures channel more power and femininity at the same time. Her hair is softly curled and she wears just a touch of makeup, while her clothes mix menswear basics with the sensual likes of spaghetti straps and knotted headbands. It is everything Céline aspires to: chic, luxurious, empowered, unfussy.
On a personal note, I also enjoy that the images conjure LA, with palm trees, light wood, modern stone fireplaces and assorted west coast architecture in the background. The look is natural yet rich, much like the brand (and town) itself.
Celine
Daria Werbowy
advertising campaigns
Los Angeles
Phoebe Philo
models
fashion
Juergen Teller
spring 2013
• 10 February 2013 • 2 notes
Theaters of LA
I love the retro theaters here in LA. I might dedicate an entire blog to them – and their fonts! Much like Savannah, their architecture and unchanged look give the city a distinctive cinematic air: that “Back to the Future” feel. I love researching the history behind each one. Above, The Orpheum Theater on Broadway in downtown LA.
The Vintage Los Feliz 3 Cinemas, around the corner from my home here.
theater
film
Los Angeles
Los Feliz
The Orpheum Theater
Vintage Los Feliz 3 Cinemas
travel
cinemas
• 5 February 2013 • 2 notes
Snaps From LA
I’ve been settling into Los Angeles and loving it. It’s so beautiful, so colorful, so kooky. The city is similar to New York in that there is no where else like it, with a specificity and breed of crazy that is entirely its own. I’m working from different cafes, exploring, meeting up and saying yes to everything! Each day brings new discovery and delight. Included are a few Instragram snaps from my stay so far. Above, the city from atop Griffith Park, which I walk to from my Los Feliz home.
I’m adjusting to car culture…and it’s not bad! I’m in a neighborhood where I can walk to stuff, so it’s nice to get behind the wheel and blast some Jimi Hendrix B-side from time to time (‘Crosstown Traffic’ is very relevant these days). Beyond the driving, though, it’s the cars that kill me! LA has some freaky looking cars, maybe a blog’s worth of ‘em. Above, a vintage Camaro atop Griffith Park; below, waiting at a traffic light at the intersection of Hyperion and Rowena.
Ombré carrots at the Hollywood Farmer’s Market. I hit the flea and farmer’s markets on the reg.
This made me chuckle on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “For my money, I don’t know if it gets any better than when he sings ‘When a Man Loves a Woman.’” -Bob, “Office Space.”
My pool. Yep.
Rowena is a great street to live on. Cute cars, access to excellent cafes and shops in both directions, and Rowena Reservoir, above, sublime at dusk. Stay tuned for more!
Los Angeles
Griffith Observatory
Griffith Park
travel
Rowena Avenue
Los Feliz
Rowena Reservoir
LA
cars
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Hollywood
carrots
• 31 January 2013 • 2 notes
Brook&Lyn
Ever since I laid eyes on Brook&Lyn’s bewitching “Deflected” collection, I was taken by the brand’s unexpected and original approach to jewelry design. Combining natural materials with bold shapes, their work gracefully walks the line between delicate and strong, such that one can see her own femininity reflected in its construct.
Their latest “Medaled” collection, for instance, places a large circular plated brass pendant on black or natural cord. Available in a few iterations – gold yellow or rhodium plated, featuring a trio of pendants or as a bracelet – the design is marked by its dramatic simplicity, consistent with their portfolio. Basic shapes, suspended at precise length from the neck or each other, demonstrate Brook&Lyn’s mastery of both restraint and proportion. Less is indeed more…except when it comes to the number of their pieces we own! Read more about Brook&Lyn – including their recent move to LA – here on Lo’s List.
Los Angeles
fashion
advertising campaigns
jewelry
Brook and Lyn
Jujumade
Stop It Right Now
Lo's List
• 14 December 2012
Manifesting this scenario soon: LA, bike, daisies in the basket. The lovely Anita Ekberg, 1956.
(Source: ridesabike, via theniftyfifties)
Anita Ekberg
Los Angeles
bike
California
flowers
• 11 July 2012 • 999 notes
