Happy Thanksgiving!

Aladdin the Camel & I would like to wish you a delightful day with your family or friends or on Facebook.
Please take this day to binge eat, fight with those closest to you or be grateful for everything you take for granted.

I am grateful Aladdin's growl never turned violent.

He's a performer with The Glory of Christmas at the Crystal Cathedral (and clearly has an ego).

Portraits of Curiosity

April Brimer's work. A little through the looking glass, a touch of Gregory Crewdson & David Lynch in mood. A little Halloween - the top two are my faves.

Plus, her blog is called Strange Magic. How can I resist?

View more work at her website.

Do The General Lee!

This photo series is by Vladamir Nikolic. Think of how we describe cars. Tough, sexy, rugged, rough, sleek. I always picture vehicles with personality - except for hybrids. They have no souls.

Let Them Eat Cake

My girlfriend Christy and I were bantering about Sofia Coppola yesterday and when I mentioned Marie Antoinette, she mentioned The Virgin Suicides and then I thought of Lost In Translation. Because I've been daydreaming a lot lately - a side effect of exhaustion - I realized all three films have a sense of isolation. Literally in The Virgin Suicides, but I really love the other two and how they relate to human connection.

Lost In Translation is melancholy, but of all three, seems to be the most hopeful. A non-traditional love story between two very different people at opposite places in their lives. Their relationship is brief but their connection is true.

Contrast that with Marie Antoinette. (Sure, it skims the surface of history. I know, I know.) There's such a lack of connection, the young queen seeks happiness in frivolity and excess.

Because a little excess never hurt anybody.  Did you see the video and notice the quick shot of converse at ten seconds?  A nod to Marie Antoinette's age. Sofia is genius!

Dark Dreamworlds

As an Angeleno, snowglobes are not only the most common way I view snow, it's my preferred way. That, or through the window of a toasty cabin with a roaring fire and a cup of hot chocolate in hand.

These snowglobes were created by Walter Martin and photographed by Paloma Muñoz. I'm one of those people who can't resist picking one up for a shake and then peering inside at the happy scene. But when you look closely at these works of art, there's something a little, shall we say... off.

Put Your Feet Up

This has been quite the week. Ok, I think it started with Slam Ball last Friday, then Las Vegas, then a bunch of other stuff sandwiched in between, ending with the fires. Dios mio.
I can't wait to put my feet up or at least kick up my heels and relax.
Cheers!

Freefalling

I've always wanted to try skydiving. I bungeed a few years ago, but it felt like being at the end of a rubberband. Snap! as the band stretched to its max and then I whipped back and smacked myself in the face.

The ifly simulator at CityWalk was exhiliarating and no violence was involved. With the air blowing 120 mph it took my breath away. My instructor advised me to smile with a closed mouth because it looks more attractive than a face of fear, but he didn't warn me about what I might do instead. Try as I might, I couldn't resist keeping my mouth open. Wide. I wasn't even screaming (that much.)

Now I kind of understand why dogs hang out car windows with their tongues hanging out of their mouth. It feels good. The drawback aside from looking goofy? Spit stretches across your face.

Oh and nobody tells you that starting about 12 hours later, your body will ache. I can't bear to laugh this morning because it feels like I'm being punched in the gut. So it figures, I'm working with one of the funniest people I know.

I Sense A Book Giveaway...

Wondering what's up with the grass couch? It's one of the creative ideas in Eduardo Xol's new book called Extreme Entertaining Made Simple. Fitting, since he's on Extreme Home Makeover. I interviewed him in Atlanta a few years ago. Muy caliente.

There are five books to give away, so send me a good reason why you need a how-to book on entertaining. Feel free to whine about botched parties or confess to complete ignorance on the subject. I will post the winner's responses and send the book your merry way.

Send entries to suzzo77@gmail.com Deadline is this Friday.

In the book, he talks about entertaining all of the senses. He includes intuition, my favorite sense of all. Anticipation might be likened to it. Looking ahead. One of the essentials for being a fab host.

He has the parties planned for you with ideas for invitations, menus, setting the table, mood and gifts. If the photos seem daunting, he shows you every step. There's even a cd with the book with music for each party.

Classic dinner party - He has recipes like easy tuna tartare and warm pear crumble a la mode. Check out the tall centerpieces. He says most people avoid them because they want their guests to see each other, but he says this centerpiece is part of the entertainment and it encourages you to talk to the guests sitting to your left and right. Love the throwback feel of that concept!

Margarita party - My mom and I mix margaritas the night before Thanksgiving and Christmas, so to me, margaritas are perfect for every occasion because they are festive but relaxed and social with with the loud blender, tequila and salt. It just begs for dancing and music in our house. Recipes Eduardo features are fresh mango ceviche tostadas with avocado salsa and chicken wings with chipotle and chocolate as appetizers... My mouth is watering as I type.

White party - Perfect for elegant occasions. He keep the decor cool and the food spicy with Indian influences. I love the contrast.

There's much more. By the way, the grass couch goes with the spa party idea.

This makes me want to throw another bash. Yes, it's only been two months.... but the holidays are coming. I'm considering Bollywood...

The Rat Pack

So, here's a shot from The Hard Rock Hotel's Penthouse in Las Vegas. It was Caroline's room. So jealous! I'm having issues with my memory card - eek! - so this is a little teaser. I'll have my reviews and dish in no time.
Who knew that room service included hand-feeding guests?! Yep, we're just getting started..

Virtual Insanity

I love the Princess Leia effect reporters were working on CNN's election coverage and the virtual White House with the virtual Senate seats are almost too much to handle!


CNN debuts hologram @ Yahoo! Video

Lounging at Hard Rock

I'm heading back to Vegas! I'm checking out Hard Rock Hotel's new poker lounge.

My good friend Daniel Delshad is hosting his debut poker tournament there with Dream Team Poker. The design was done by Kelly Wearstler.

Hard Rock says it's the first poker "lounge" in Las Vegas. Fine by me. Poker rooms usually seem like they're for strictly serious players. If you aren't really into playing the game - like moi - but like to watch, there's a bar and lounge area.

Now you know where to look for me next weekend.

Election Fever In WeHo

I went to the annual West Hollywood Costume Carnival last night (as Audrey Hepburn) and shot a bunch of snaps for you to enjoy. Every year a theme emerges from the event. Last year it was pirates. This year? Politics & the economy. Much scarier than ghouls and goblins, don't you think?

(The chicken is wearing a Yes on Prop 2 sticker)
Enough political costumes for you? Fair enough.