Party Time, Excellent

This is my brief sayonara.

I will be taking a few days to prep & experience Miami Nights in all of its glory.

I'll be back - to quote our Governor - with pix, flix & all the dish Monday... Tuesday???

Twilight

These photographs by Robert Adams were taken at twilight and evoke nearly the same emotions as Gregory Crewdson or Philip Lorca diCorcia. Visually stunning but tense, melancholy and chaotic.
My favorite one is the bright carnival rides with skies about to break overhead. What a pairing.
Adams also takes daytime photographs and keeps that same emotion.
I'm realizing The Twilight Zone connection here. Another obsession of mine.

Beautiful Medusa

The outside of Medusa.The view from my couch. Robert chilling on the couch with me.

I picked out those shoes. They are perfect.
Someone hand me an Oscar.

Medusa is a new bar (restaurant too I think...) near Silver Lake. It opened a few weeks ago & reminds me of an underground cave/pub in Paris that Robert & I visited. It was the best. I remember there was a cool tomcat that sat on my lap the entire time - when I wasn't dancing.

Those are my photos above, but I'm including some photos below I found, but who knows where. (Sorry, let me know if they're yours!) I like mine though because they keep the dark mysterious corners.

I Heart Don Johnson

This one's for my photographers. Don Johnson as singer, fashion plate AND photojournalist. I can't take it. He's a triple threat!
If you need 80's fashion inspiration, here you go. Gals, there are some gems about a minute in.

Let's Get Physical

One friend quotes me as saying something I can't recall, yet I still believe I said it. As he discussed sports, I said, "I don't sweat."

Not that I don't physically, I just don't prefer to. I hate working out! I like to dance, but it's not fun when it's at the gym and presented like jazzercise. What a drag. What I like to do is walk on the treadmill while talking on the phone or listening to music, counting down the minutes anxiously.

This gym set might totally inspire me to get my workout on. My favorite piece is the headband. It seems so Wes Anderson - maybe a bit loud - but his brother created the sweet drawings on the coolest set of luggage designed by Marc Jacobs. It was featured in The Darjeeling Limited.

Mad Mad Mad Men

How have I not known about this? I am a total square in this department. (I am making the square gesture, yes)
Mad Men is set on Madison Avenue in the 60's.
Nuff said, right?
I'm obsessed with that era... particularly the glimpse we get in Breakfast At Tiffany's.
I haven't even seen an episode, but maybe I'll inspire a few of you to Tivo it like I will be doing Thursday night on AMC.
Once you see this clip you will either get it... or you won't.
For those of us who do... I understand why this was nominated for a million Emmys this year.

The Cobra Snake

Don't you wish you were on a boat right now with water pistols? Genius. These were taken by The Cobra Snake.

Let's bring this full circle. This post is inspired by the dentist. What? I know.

I hate going to the dentist. I really really really do.

So, I'm sitting in the chair nervously, getting my teeth cleaned & spied a Cobra Snake sticker on the wall of my hygenist's room.

I learn the woman polishing my grill (in the most sweet gentle way) is his mom. Only in LA, no?

She rocks. So do his photos. They always puts me in the mood to host/attend a party! One of my favorite pastimes.

Guy Bourdin Again

Guy Bourdin. Seriously, who is not influenced by him? I blogged before about Madonna's Hollywood video, but There's Dave LaChapelle's stunning photography and I just found Stella McCartney's cute homage to him in an H&M ad airing in the UK. Check it out!

Me Loves MIA

It's not like M.I.A. is new on the scene, but how could I forget the highlight of my Friday night? Her music is out of this world.
I LOVE her.

I Love LA

I totally swiped this off my brother Mafoo's blog.

It made me laugh out loud and who can't use a good laugh?

Oh, I just realized everyone who is not in California hates me now. I'm sorry.

To be fair, he's a New Yorker. I'm sure they have one of these for every state.

Well.... since I have most of the world mad at me right now, let's take it one step further and talk about how Northern California doesn't exist to Southlanders.

This is actually linked to yesterday's post. (More Kanye) Homecoming is his love letter to Chicago after all...

Last Night a DJ Saved My Life

We had the most fantastic Friday night. I forgot to take photos at dinner - the best part! - but I did remember to take photos at Teddy's.

We were supposed to go for my friend's birthday and never made it. She heard the DJs were incredible so that intrigued me. They did not disappoint. I've included a few tracks on the playlist.

I can't get enough of the throwback new wave fashion & folks were dancing and bouncing around like hippies or popping and locking. I loved it.

Rocky Mountain High

How adorable is Kanye West? He's rocking the 80's with the pushed up sleeves. Look at his belt, watch, polo shirt, pocket square! I wish he were coming to Miami Nights.

Anyway, I am dying to go to the Democratic National Convention August 25th in Denver. I'd love to cover it because my very first story was the DNC in 2000. It inspired me to do what I'm doing today.

Let's get to the other reason I want to go. Kanye West is performing! N.E.R.D and Wyclef Jean are too, but my fave song right now is Homecoming. I just can't get enough.

Photo is from www.thesartorialist.com

Mysterious Flower

What is this intricate, beautiful flower? I could hardly believe it was real when I saw it. There are at least 7 layers! You can't even see the wonderful vines that wrap and knot around the stalk more perfect than any florist's creation.

I admit I plucked this outrageous beauty from a vine when I ditched the Mr. Brainwash show after waiting in high heels for a half-hour. For an art opening. The flower was the best part of the night!

(There were plenty of other flowers, so don't think I'm so terrible.)

Music 4 Miami

Notice the new bright blue playlist to your left.
I need some good song choices for my Miami Vice party.
Thoughts???

Urban Invasion

As I was leaving Echo Park the other day, driving down Beverly, I spied two cool little pieces of street art.

Space Invader left this mosaic tile robot/video game and Mr. Brainwash left a spraypaint can of soup a la Andy Warhol to promote his Life Is Beautiful show.

The show is here through the end of July folks!

Eternal Sunshine

Sun setting over Silver Lake.

Enjoying the pool. Vamping near the pool.

Birthday cakes for Jaime & Tom.

Blowing out their candles.
Patrick & Jade in the jacuzzi.
Robert floating.From vamping to camping.


Ron on vintage Soul Train!

Great weekend by the pool at Ron & Tom's.

Happy birthday Jaime & Tom! I hope everyone is having a fab summer.
I wish summer would last forever as it is right now. Hot, steamy and sunny.

Ok, I could do with a tad less humidity, but let's not split hairs.