Deep Purple

My Palace is Under Construction

"Success consists in being successful, not in having potential for success. Any wide piece fo ground is the potential site of a palace, but there's no palace til it's built."

-Fernando Pessoa

Remember SkiFree?

Whatever it costs

Some days I miss New York City so much it makes my eyes prickle, my chest ache and my throat lump.

I sympathize with Joan Didion: "Quite simply, I was in love with New York.  I do not mean “love” in any colloquial way, I mean that I was in love with the city, the way you love the first person who ever touches you and never love anyone quite that way again.  I remember walking across Sixty-Second Street one twilight that first spring, or the second spring, they were all alike for a while. I was late to meet someone but I stopped at Lexington Avenue and bought a peach and stood on the corner eating it and knew that I had come out out of the West and reached the mirage. I could taste the peach and feel the soft air blowing from a subway grating on my legs and I could smell lilac and garbage and expensive perfume and I knew that it would cost something sooner or later—because I did not belong there, did not come from there—but when you are twenty-two or twenty-three, you figure that later you will have a high emotional balance, and be able to pay whatever it costs."

Things to be grateful for...

Think about it

Down Home Girl

"Down Home Girl" by Old Crow Medicine Show

Well I swear your perfume, baby, is made out of turnip greens
Every time I kiss you girl, it tastes like pork and beans

Even though you're wearing those uptown high heels
I can tell from your giant step you've been walking through the cotton fields

Ohhhhhh you're so down home girl

Every time you monkey, child, it takes my breath away
Well, every time you move like that, girl, I got to get down and pray
Girl, you know that dress you're wearin' made out of fiber glass
Every time you move like that, girl, I got to go to Sunday mass

Ohhhhhh you're so down home girl

I'm going to take you to the muddy river and push you in
So I can watch the water roll on down your velvet skin
I'm gonna take you down to New Orleans, down in Dixie land
So I can watch you do the second line with an umbrella in your hand

Ohhhhhh you're so down home girl

Not necessarily in that order...

Granola Map of the United States

SoCal

Aldo

Nine times out of ten when people ask me where I got my shoes, the answer is Aldo.

This is why:

Pandora

I realize that Pandora Radio is old news, but I have a soft little affectionate spot in my heart for internet radio station that caters to my preferences.

My Pandora Amos Lee station is like my little musical guru.

Dress Up

Playing dress up was my favorite thing to do as a kid. Who am I kidding? It's my favorite thing to do now!

I just discovered that H&M has a fashion studio on their website. It's like online dress up.

My productivity just went down again.

JGL and DMB on NBC's SNL. ILA.

For the record, this week's Saturday Night Live hosted by Joseph Gordon-Levitt with musical guest Dave Matthew Band was one of the best ever.

Especially the Mellow Show skit. HILARIOUS.

Now that you are deeply intrigued, you can watch it here.

Weekend update with Al Gore is also amazing... We are melting. Love, the glaciers.

Or maybe a house in the Hamptons...

I need a yacht, just so I can wear these on it.

Harvey Bags

Harvey Bags are made out of seat belts. I have been in love with them for quite some time. Particularly the big red ones (shocker, I know).

 But I gasped out loud when went to their site today and saw the new ruffled bags.

 I need a sugar daddy, or a trust fund.

Or both.

Requesting Coat Weather

As much as I adore the warm California sunshine which is currently streaming through my window in the middle of November, I may not be able to live in this perfect climate forever, simply because I will not be able to wear adorable coats like this one:

I found it on Etsy, which is my new favorite place to find unique and adorable things.

For example Pillowhappy, makes these rose pillows that I'm in love with...

WPJA

I am single, but I have no doubt that I will get married someday. Nevertheless, in my decade (yes, decade) of dating, I  have experienced more than one moment where I questioned the reality of love... especially the kind of love that would entice someone to get married.

These moments often pass quickly when I remember how deeply my parents have been in love for the last 28 years. But something that also helps is a brief perusal of the contest winners on Wedding Photojournalists Association Website.

Photojournalism is the art of capturing real moments rather than stiff portraits. And its pictures like these that foster my faith in the existence of true love.

Whatever color my thumb is, it definitely isn't green

I wish I could garden, but I just don't think I could keep delicate plants alive...

Maybe I should start with a cactus and work my way up.

Yellow and Roses, but not yellow roses

I have not yet mentioned on this blog my recent obsessions with rosettes or yellow, but this freakin' awesome shrug by Bonzie is a fabulous reason to break that silence:

So... I just wear this to work? Or do I need to throw a party so I can create an outfit to go with this? And yes, I would do that... In fact, I have.

It's the same principle that applies to fabulous shoes... When you see some outrageously adorable, but slightly off the wall shoes at some store, you get the shoes and then build the outfit around it, you don't stand there wondering what you have already that will go with it. Similarly, if you find something fabulous to wear, but don't have anywhere to where it to... you get it and then create an occasion to wear it.

Looks like I have a party to plan.

Christmas

This is where I'll be going for Christmas...

And this is what I'll be doing...

Yeah. That's what I said.

Pacific Coast Highway

*sigh*

Defiance of Logic

"There is science, logic, reason; there is thought verified by experience. And then there is California."
-Edward Abbey

Grass

"One need never leave the confines of New York to get all the greenery one wishes. I can't even enjoy a blade of grass unless I know there's a subway handy or a record store or some other sign that people do not totally regret life."
-Frank O-Hara

Heart Beat

"...There is something in the New York air that makes sleep useless. Perhaps it is that the heart beats faster here than elsewhere."
-Simone de Beauvoir

Come Alive

"Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
-Howard Thurman

Rules For My Unborn Son

Rules For My Unborn Son is another one of my favorite blogs. It's a little vintage, a little cheeky, and reminicent of a more civilized era. Definitely worth perusing.

Cool Guys Don't Look At Explosions

Shabby Apple

I came by the link to Shabby Apple by happenstance and serendipity. It has the cutest modest dresses I've ever seen. So now I'm sharing the love.

Love is a mix tape

Mix tapes are not dead.

Prom

Today I got asked to Prom*. Something I thought would never ever ever ever ever happen to me again.

*This is a "Prom" being thrown by my singles ward, not a high school prom. I'm not creeper like that.

Military Jacket

Ever since I saw This Is It, I've been desiring an old school Sgt. Pepper style military jacket. Today I found this one on Fred Flare.



And now I have a strange urge to listen to the Beatles.

Snoop BOM

Snoop's doing it, you should too.*

*This does not apply to everything that Snoop Dogg does.

So true...

Dancing to Wii Music

Should I get a 1 series or a shopping cart?

Once an English major, always an English major

Copy and Paste

Entrepreneurs

Did you know?

This blew my mind.

What Matters Most?

Love of My Life

Cutlass/Hummingbird

I'm sure I'll forget someday, but I hope I remember what this feels like when I have kids...

Hulu

If you aren't familiar yet with Hulu, you should be.

Another option is Fancast, but I prefer Hulu.

Hard Hearted

This Saturday was the local Red Dirt Art Festival, (website and promotional materials by Whitefrog) which highlights local artists. I found a photographer that I love named John Lapi.

Matt and I both really liked Anthony Hansen's work so, Matt picked up one for the office.

Its not this one exactly, but it's similar...


His stuff is made out of reclaimed metal that he welds together. It's edgy, urban, artsy, original, fun.

Colorstrology

I don't really go for astrology... But this "Colorstrology" from Pantone is clever, cheeky and fun.

01 May
Shamrock
Pantone 15-6432
Prolific
Expressive
Dynamic

YOU have a unique presence and people take notice when you are int he room. Your ability to express yourself and convey ideas only magnifies your allure. You are open to new experiences and like to be on the move. No matter how far you travel however, a restful home to come back to is important. Your personal color carries the qualities of stability and exapnsion. Wearing, meditating or surounding yourself with the color Shamrock helps you feel peaceful as you move through live and explore new horizons.

What is your color?

Hustler

I wish I were more of an artist...

... and I love neon.

Alina's True Story

This made me happy...

"Today, I ordered burritos online to pick up at Freeb!rds. I put the order name under 'Voldemort' just for fun. When I got home to eat, I pulled out my burrito and it said 'He who must not be named' on top. I'm still smiling."

HD Buttercup

While on our tour of the Southern California freeway system last week, Matthew introduced me to HD Buttercup.

It is my new favorite store and well worth the trek out to Culver City.

I especially fell in love with the Andrew Martin trunks...

Ah, the website just doesn't do the store justice. You'll have to see it for yourself.

And while you're there, stop at Skratch for lunch and Father's Office for dinner.

Just trust me on this one.

marc johns makes me happy

Girls = Evil

Of course it isn't true, but I've always thought this was clever...

Someday

These lights will inspire you...

Heels.com

Heels.com is my new favorite website.

Check it out and you'll either love me or hate me... Or both.

Five reasons to feel the love:

1. Dereon Tequila Heel
2. Steve Madden Fiesta
3. Badgley Mischka Carlo
4. Naughty Monkey Chiller (in all of the colors)
5. L.A.M.B. Zed Sandal

I know, me too.

Blog On

Who am I kidding? I love blogging.

Just because I moved back to California after spending a year and a half in New York City doesn't mean I have to stop blogging. Maybe my life now isn't quite as blog-worthy as it was then... But I'm a firm believer that your life is just about as exciting as you make it.

I don't have much patience for boredom, and my life is AWESOME.

Hence... I'm back to the blogging.

Enjoy.