We Are Family

This past weekend my mom rented a limo & took out the fam. It was perfect, quick & unforgettable. I feel like I've already kissed 2008 goodbye!

Our champers on ice & our Reservoir Dogs shot.

The shot that sums up the evening & lessons from the master at Katana.
My mom, dad and brothers.

Lindsey & Robert rocking out in the limo & at Brass Monkey!

Another quote from one of my favorite authors...

New Year's Day: Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual. ~Mark Twain

Going To the Dogs

Happy new year everyone. Nothing like a good laugh to ring in 2009!

I was lucky to hang with skateboarding bulldogs & youtube stars Tyson and Tillman today. If you'd like to watch my in-depth report, click on my photo! ;)

Thank you Apolinar Sanchez for this screengrab!

Below is Tillman's famous youtube video.

Holiday Hijinks

For the supersized photos, click here!

It's the most wonderful time of the year... and the gift exchange was a hit!

The worst gift seemed to be the Toll House cookie dough, but we ended up baking and eating it, so really, it was the gift that kept on giving.

There were hideous trivets, a bottle of Everclear (eek!), naughty surprises and the best? Well, it WAS mine. A set of black bowls with beautiful gold detail but it was stolen in the game. Lottery tickets were a hit and so was the MAC gift set. From me, naturally.

Chistmas Caroling

What says the holidays better than karaoke? It's somehow become a Christmas tradition with me. I really need to get a karaoke machine or Rock Band. They seem silly until you have people over and then it makes perfect sense. Here I am missing another note...

George & Dana attempted Kashmir as a duet.

Jaime and Robert's reaction says it all. Brave souls to tackle Led Zeppelin.

George did much better with Wild Thing.

Dana & Robert working the dramatics during an Elton John song.

Jaime & I belting one out while the rest of the party ignores us. My hair got mussed from a highback chair. I don't think I have even one in our house. Now I know why! I snuggle in too much.

For some reason the haunting Hotel California became this lovely wistful impromtu singalong. I don't have a shot of it, but maybe that's better. I'll always have the memory.

Her mind is Tiffany-twisted, she got the Mercedes bends
She got a lot of pretty, pretty boys, that she calls friends
How they dance in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat
Some dance to remember, some dance to forget

A Christmas Toast

Here's to you... your wishes and dreams this Christmas. Another toast to your health!
Thanks dear readers for reading my little blog.

Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone you may still exist, but you have ceased to live. - Mark Twain

Perfection Through the Looking Glass

Windows may not be mirrors, but who doesn't use them to check their reflection?

At first I thought it was my personal problem for thinking our holiday windows have been falling flat. Leave it to Karl Lagerfeld to save the day. His holiday windows at Printemps in Paris feature space age marionettes dressed in and inspired by Coco Chanel. Can it get any better?

Yes! Check out the delectable fuschia & purple confections below.

Happy Holidays!

Once in a while isn't it nice to see airbrushing exposed? This is a Campari ad before and after. Either way, Jessica Alba is a gorgeous woman.

A Cool Yulia

These sweet and detailed typographic paper illustrations are by Yulia Brodskaya.
Hope you are having a great weekend. I just finished my Christmas shopping. Cheers!

Feel Good Friday

These photos make me smile and maybe they'll brighten your day too.

The above photo was taken at The Beverly Hilton at sunrise the morning of the Golden Globes nominations. The hotel that holds so many memories it makes me smile on top of the beautiful sky. I remember taking a deep breath before taking this photo. I can use it right now. Can't you? Don't the holidays have you just the slightest bit frazzled?

I finally mailed out holiday cards (they're Happy New Year just to be safe), started buying Christmas presents (not done) and planning a mini-soiree (ah, finding out everyone's email address. That should be fun). All of this while avoiding two accidents this afternoon because - after all - I am the best driver on the road.

I had some delicious dish with my bestie Caroline, topped off with dessert. That's a pear & gingerbread confection at my local haunt Taste. Great food & conversation. Is there anything better in life?

One of my favorite surprises is watching tv and spying Simba (Simby, picklepuss, aerobics instructor, kitten) peeking from the side so I'm watching her instead.

Bewitching Holiday Windows

This is the time of year I wish I lived in New York. Last year, I stood in the pouring rain to take pictures of Bergdorf Goodman's holiday window display.
This year's theme is The Seasons On Scene.

Oh my, the detail of the dress.

I'm reminded of a Sofia Coppola scene - but whitewashed.
I know it's chic to do everything in white, but can I admit I wouldn't stand in the rain for these photos?

Last year I was breathless admiring the Tony Duquette-inspired display based on the earth's elements.

Is the recession making displays more dour? Give me color, even if it isn't expensive! Tony was masterful at taking cheap materials and whipping them into opulence.

The photos are borrowed from: Habitually Chic & Paris Breakfasts.

Created Equal

Motorcycle Gang/Altar Boys

Fur Trapper/Woman With Dog

Mariachis/Elvis Impersonators French Chef/Short Order Cook
Ballerina/Boxer

Marine/War Veteran

I'm mesmerised by Mark Laita's photos at Fahey/Klein.

I love sitting with each pairing to compare their differences and similarities. I hate to project what associations I made, so I'll let the artist share what drove him:

"At the heart of this collection of portraits is my desire to remind us that we are all equal, until our environment, circumstances or fate molds us and weathers us into whom we become. America’s extremes seem to be getting more severe. The chasm between the rich and poor continues to grow; the clash between conservatives and liberals is stronger than ever; even good and evil seem more polarized. Created Equal attempts to remind us that we are all connected, no matter how separate our paths may be.”

Click here for more.

All I Want For Christmas...

Is her YSL shoes... and her entire look if we're being greedy. Spotted on Sart.

I think these are the kicks.... on sale!

Makes Me (Almost) Crave the Cold

I want to a start roaring fire in my fireplace when I see my kitten near the tree (yeah there's no skirt yet. I'm not done!).
With this most irresistible Christmas song I might be able to handle the snow.