LOOKIE-LIEU

EAR BUDS

I only have one tattoo. I thought that was going to change, but it hasn't...yet. The problem is deciding what you want to get done and where and how and by whom and when etc, etc, etc...and that can become a daunting task when you consider that (outside of burning it off you) it is a permanent decision. BUT, that's really part of the fun too.

Finding myself wishy-washy on the inky details but decidedly pro and primed for self-mutilation, I found myself dreaming of the perfect piercing. I had never really thought about getting my ears did, but I found myself lobe focused during conversations. My eyes would wanter to the perimeters of a person's face an I would stop listening as I gazed at their ears wondering if I could pull off a pair of studs...And again the visions came of the pair i NEEDED to have...

So here they are. I had them made for me by the good people at YouMacbeth. Half carat black diamonds set in screw back white gold settings that had been dipped in black rhodium. They only took an afternoon that was casually and happily spent in downtown LA. Now that they actually exist, I had to pony up at Claire's...

I gotta say, I'm quite happy with the end result. It's not quite a tattoo, but it works. A little luxe edge never hurt anyone (thanks to a cautious teen at the mall), and I can always get my next tat when the inspiration comes...

ARTSY FARTSY

RUBA ROMBIC VON FURSTENBERG

Deadbeat Summer - Neon Indian

I am OBSESSED...again. So many things these days are graphic and visual and hyper colored. While I am a big fan of clean, modern lines and bright shapes, too much of it creates visual noise that become drowning, boring and derivative. Into a visually exhausting sea of chaos and color I submit a clean and clear idea that may be a source of all of the deriving. In 1928 Consolidated Lamp and Glass Co. introduced it's "Ruba Rombic" collection of glassware. It so cool it could be the cover of a Neon Indian album. It blows my mind that this was done in the 20s! The natural, graphic appeal of this glass (my favorite is the fishbowl above with custom pedestal) has withstood the test of time and has made this one of the most covetable collectables around...if you can find it...

Can't seem to find any? There is a modern designer doing her thing in a similar way - this time out of clear acrylic with neon accents. Alexandra Von Furstenburg's "Voltage" and "Fearless" collections are so rad and modern that it makes me want to throw out all my furniture immediately.

This is a coffee table!

desks

EVENTS

MAKE 'EM PROUD

The first big wave of Spring travel is upon us. While I believe it is always a good time to jaunt around the globe and show off your goody bags, this is the perfect opportunity to posit a few ways to present a little more savvy and, well, taste when choosing just what bags you are going to be exhibiting around various locales. I have a current top three I'd take just about anywhere...and show anybody that was sober enough to ask...

First, we have the amazing tote by Property Of... that can fit just about anything for a quick little getaway. I travel light and hate to check bags. I could probably get a weeks worth of living into this one...I'd just have to ship anything else I got along the way home.

Next up is this adorably nifty computer bag. "Trash" by Travelteq is the perfect case to bring the most important accessory (after sunscreen) around. I love the size (enough room for a little bit more but not too much) color blocking, zippers, and shape, and it is always nice to have a computer handy without feeling like a (total) geek.

Finally, the must have excess-ory of the season...Christian Schoeler x Louis Vuitton via menswear designer Paul Helbers bags are OUT OF THIS WORLD GOOD. Hell, if I had this bag, why travel? I'd just live in it...and you could visit me.

CURRENT OBSESSION

LITTLE OBSESSED WITH KZO

KZO is an LA based brand that I have been liking for a while. Over the fall they had some amazing wovens (a specific black one that was too cute for words). DSquared was a bit literal, but this spring Joel K is direct on point to make me want to set up camp, drink around a fire, roast things, and sleep under the stars...all while looking fabooooo! Get the here.

TREND

JyCmSb

The Morning: Another Morning -...

The best kinds of creative projects happen organically. They come from a simple spark and manage to grow effortlessly in front of you. Mine literally came from a spark - I wanted to make a special valentine for my friend "Sparky." This led to a really cool capsule jewelry collection at my favorite LA store Atmosphere inspired by natural and semi-precious stones, their gemstone properties & meanings and their astrological relationship to the wearer.

In order to modernize the hippie mumbo-jumbo that can usually result from acute fascinations within this realm of mysticism, I focused on primary colors (jade, jasper, lapis, malachite etc.), geometric shapes, and asymmetry. I'm into the balance and dis-balance of two conflicting ideas making sense on a string...and if they played music, they would sound like the Moody Blues Days of Future Past.

VIDEO BREAK

SAINT AND THE ASSASSIN AW10

Check out this digital short. Produced with JW Anderson's AW/1011 collection. He is one of my favorite new designers. Once you fall in love with it too, check out the available pieces at Oki-Ni.

LOOKIE-LIEU

ADAM KIMMEL X RYAN BERKLEY

I came across two very different (from the ordinary) but similar (to each other) things in the past few days. While re-perusing through the fall 2010/2011 collections, I couldn't help but stop and admire the collection of Adam Kimmel. While the clothes aren't really my style, there is no doubt that the "sartorial luxury" is there and I heartily appreciate the sense of humor that the designer injects into his presentations.

Speaking of a sense of humor...

What makes Ryan Berkley's prints so amazing is the exceptional amount of character he can supply to each one with the aid of the little descriptions. I was laughing out loud while exploring all his available creatures...

look at this little guy - all dressed up and ready for his school picture! Or maybe he is in one of those old timey western photo booths? Or maybe he actually is old-timey. I'll go ahead and let you decide. This is the perfect gift if you know someone who likes portraits of bunnies in suits (and really, isn't that almost everyone?).

Now, take a look at some of my favorite looks from the collection and prints from gallery. Brilliant, absurd, irreverent, charming...all things an out-of-the-ordinary head in a suit should most perfectly be.

CURRENT OBSESSION

EASY RIDING THE FENCE

Look Good In Leather - Cody Ch...

So, I finally got my first leather jacket. I suppose I've been on the hunt for the perfect one for a few years now, as it is not a purchase one should just rush into. Drum roll please as I present it here....Mine is from Urban Behavior. I decided I had to have it after I toured their amazing LA showroom and it just spoke to me. It is the perfect length, the perfect feel (soft enough to roll the sleeves), and the perfect balance of simple design with the right amount of character.

Now, a leather jacket isn't quite a wardrobe staple, but more of a cherry on the top of a well styled one. Everyone can pull off a pea coat, but a leather jacket has equal potential to make a person look super cool (yay!) or like a super dork (yikes!).

Because of this double edged danger, finding the right one can be quite a journey...and it is only half the trouble. Before one even starts the hunt, they'll need to decide whether or not they even want to own one. So what we have here is not only just a style dilemma, but also a moral one.

Temple Grandin is all over the media these days thanks to HBO's biopic. Not just famous for having autism, Ms. Grandin made leaps and bounds in the humane treatment of the cattle she so dearly loved and related to. Humane is the key word here. Gaining headlines along with Temple is the term "Flexitarian." This is a newer idea in Vegetarianism where eating humanely raised meats is considered. The buzz word here is Sustainability. Is it better than fields of chemically and genetically altered veggies?

So, humane and sustain...I think I respect my coat enough to keep it around for a long time...the fact that I got a sweet deal on it helps too...I can absolve myself from any blood money guilt.

As for style...I have to admit that my main inspiration for wanting a coat as been deeply rooted in my early and thorough love for Grease 2. I desperately wanted to be a cool rider! Unfortunately, I was way more Stephanie Zinone than I was Michael Carrington. Now that I have grown up and into as much machismo as i can muster, I think my coat is the perfect marriage of both characters...

...and I suppose that too could be what I've always wanted...for this iconic couple to be together, or ever, and ever...

My coat makes me this happy.

STYLEPHILE - OBEY PROPAGANDA

FAIREY PLAY

This past weekend (Feb. 19th) was Shepard Fairey's opening reception at the Zaha Hadid designed Contemporary Art Center in my home town of Cincinnati, Ohio. To commemorate the event and his show "Supply and Demand" a limited edition poster (above) was created. Personally, I love it. I think it captures the architecture of the building, I'm into the mood of Communist propaganda, and it makes me proud of my little city...

The Enquirer/Joseph Fuqua II

Not only did we get a poster, but Cincinnati now plays host to a handful of his murals as well! Here is the artist braving the ice and snow to slap up some of his work at 13th and Main Streets. The party was a MADHOUSE with a line around the block...and down a block...and down another block... As frustrating as crowds can be, it was quite refreshing to see so many people in such a conservative town lined up to participate in something I assumed was so out of the box for them. Well, you know what they say about making ASSumptions.... The man himself DJ'ed a set and because the crowd was so large they kept the party going an extra hour and a half! Way to go CAC! Hope your prosecco hangovers weren't so bad...

Now, its funny how things always seem to line up. While shopping last week in LA, I was really impressed by the Obey Propaganda collection I saw at Atmosphere in Los Feliz. The line just keeps getting better and better!. Basic grey is one of my favorite colors for spring and Obey always has such good ones. The ultra thin sweatshirt (creature comforts crew) has to be at the top of my list of must haves...While they lack the bold graphic prints that really define the brand, the little pocket t-shirts and tanks are also amazing.

And while the jeans are terrific (loving that light blue wash!) the Juvee short are the way to go. How good is this?

ARTSY FARTSY

BUGGER OFF

Pheromone by artist Christopher Marley caught my eye recently. I'm fascinated by the continual struggle between man and nature, and this particular aesthetic posited by the entomologist/artist is a beautifully tight argument for harmony between the two. Part science project and part design concept, Marley hypnotically arranges these seemingly mystical creatures into lucid sense. The images really make you think of "Grand Design" on multiple levels.

This is not the only time actual insects have been used in art. Damien Hirst has long been utilizing butterflies in his remarkable (and my favorite) works. While Marley's work leans towards science, I think Hirst's references to religion are quite brilliant too.

But, if you aren't so crazy about real bugs, you can take the argument in a more abstract direction. Here are some examples of some ultra luxury items that can bug you out with out freaking you out...

VERSACE PLATE

CARTIER INSECT COLLECTION

Finally, If you don't like bugs at all, Marley has some FABULOUS things out of flowers, shells, fossils, and (love) minerals.

You can buy this one for me on the wesbite...