Babies Gone Wild

I went to the San Diego Wild Animal Park yesterday and captured photos of the two cutest babies on the planet! Below is a baby Rhino. He was born weighing 150 lbs, and is now nearly 500 pounds of perfection! Here he is taking a break.

This Cheetah cub is only 10 days old. Napping in an incubator looking like one of her stuffed animals. She was doing lots of stretching and sleeping.

I know I've been posting a lot of cute animals lately. I can't help it. They make me smile. Haven't gotten your fill? Check out www.cuteoverload.com. You may get a toothache from the sweetness there.

Happy Weekend!

Who hasn't seen this video? When I first heard Lady Gaga's music I didn't quite comprehend what the fuss was about. Then I saw her stunning videos and saw this. The style is off the charts, which brings me to a project by my dear friends Ron & Jaime of Woodson & Rummerfield.

It's like the video was shot at the project below. It wasn't, but it's ridiculous how similar the locations are! This is the Esquire House in Beverly Ridge with Versace's furniture line. The house is jaw droppingly beautiful. So unbelievably chic.

Ah Ah Chueh!

Yep. Still sick. Do you know how frustrating it is when you love to talk and you lose your voice? It's humbling to say the least. I'd love to say I sit and reflect and have epiphanies, but nope.

So normally Luke Chueh's work is a bit too dark for me. Those creepy teddy bears remind me of scary clowns. But when I saw this print I fell in love. The big bunny really really wants that carrot and he can't get to it. It's appropriately titled, "Reach."

The original is sold, but if you're interested in a print, it's pretty reasonable at $135.

Click here to see if there are any left at Gallery Nucleus.

Schulman, Bring Me A Dream

How I wish I were one of these two ladies lounging near the floor-to-ceiling windows while the lights of LA glitter below. Julius Schulman's photography always makes me want to live in these moments.

Julius Schulman captured this iconic photo in 1960. It is Case Study House No. 22, one of the most famous photos of American architecture. Architect Pierre Koenig and homeowner C.H. Stahl created the fabulous Stahl House, which is perched on a dangerous looking (and thrilling) edge of the Hollywood Hills.

I think this is another home. I can imagine lounging in the heated pool at midnight, sipping iced tea while gazing out at the city. Heaven.

I believe these next two photos were captured at The Frank Sinatra Twin Palms Estate in Palm Springs. Imagine the stories these walls could tell...

A snap of downtown Palm Springs in the 60's.

Seeing Stars

Here's a photo of me with my husband Robert. Most people know I'm a news reporter for Good Day LA on Channel 11.

Robert works behind the scenes at Channel 4, so imagine my surprise when I learned he'd be on the news tonight with one of our local weather legends - Fritz Coleman!

Those in the know are already aware Fritz is also a standup comedian, so get ready for some silliness if you click on the photo! He and Robert poke fun at the competition's weather device called "The Doppler."

Do ya like Robert's bandaged thumb? One day I'll tell that story too.

Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)

I'm sick today. I didn't get to spend it in bed.

Instead I was on a mission for medicine. I drove far away from home to see the best doc in the world and what felt like all afternoon waiting on my prescription.

These photos share the excitement I feel preparing to dive into bed and snuggle under cool sheets.

Most of these are from the flickr group.. bed jumpers!

By the way, the song Sweet Dreams by the Eurythmics always pops into my head when I'm sick. Not only because of the title, but because I have a vivid childhood memory associated with it. I must've been six or seven. It's like a snapshot in my mind. My mom was sitting in front of the TV watching that unbelievable video while eating from a pint of ice cream. I have no idea what else happened that day. I just remember it being a blissful moment with the incredible song playing and the mysteriously beautiful images and seeing my mother so content. It's comforting to remember it.

Dream Escape

Most blogs will be all about Oscar this morning, so I'm posting something different. By the way, I loved Kate Winslet's acceptance speech. I've always loved her. Well deserved!

Onto this show! Natalia Fabia had a smashing opening this weekend at Corey Helford Gallery.
From afar.Up close. Love!The detail is beautiful.
This is Pink. I like her tough attitude. Natalia paints her friends and I think this group might be sisters. At least that's how people were referring to them.The sisters working it in front of their painting. Rightly so. Natalia got in on the action. Love her dress and hair!

Her limited edition of lucite chandeliers hung over the guests.

More at nataliafabia.com

Toasting Oscar

First of all, let me say these beautiful photos are by Elise Thompson of laist.com. This is a link to her article. (Of course I forget my camera the day I get to do something visually stunning & ridiculously fun.)

I previewed the Academy Awards Governors Ball with Wolfgang Puck. Check out this first photo. It's a chocolate bento box dessert, completely edible and each drawer holds a different surprise. To die for!

Wolfgang Puck won my ultimate respect when he won Iron Chef America a few years ago. Plus, I love going to lunch at Spago with my mom. If you don't get it, this brilliant article from Gourmet magazine sells the experience more articulately than I ever could.

Wolfgang made mini kobe beef burgers with aged cheddar (pictured above). Check out the cherry tomato slices. He toasted the buns on a little grill. I love anything in miniature.

The theme of this year's Governors Ball is "Chinois" according to Puck (Fitting, since he owns Chinois on Main).

Sequoia Productions executed the design. The color scheme is sea foam, bronze and a hint of metallic silver. The theme is "understated elegance" because of the nation's economic crisis. Sure, the arrangements aren't over the top and the design might be a bit more pared down, but there are still 900 staff for the 1,500 guests who will be attending. Plus, this is the Oscars. I don't think anyone's expecting subtlety.

Here's the recipe for one of the drinks that will be served at the Governors Ball. If you don't drink alcohol, I'm sure this would be great with pomegranate and blood orange sodas.

The Red Carpet Fizz
1/2 oz Pomegranate Juice
1/3 oz Orange Liquor
Add Fresh Raspberries
Top with Moët & Chandon White Star Champagne

Beyond the Sea

Fog by Carl Sandburg

The fog comes
on little cat feet.

It sits looking

over harbor and city

on silent haunches
and then moves on.

Photos by feaverish on flickr.

Boulder Design

I love smooth grey stones. How they feel in your hand, perfect for skipping across the water. The sharp sound they make when they hit each other.

I love this surreal concept! Cozy wool stones. Perfect with SoCal's grey skies and crisp weather. I'm up for another nap.

For more info, these are Livingstones by Stephanie Marin

Electric Avenue

Yesterday my house had no electricity. A nasty storm knocked down power lines in our neighborhood. After making soup on my gas stove there was nothing else to do, so I napped through the outage. Quite a contrast from the sleepless nights and endless lights of Las Vegas.

The lovely view from our room.

Catching a view from a tabletop at Tryst.

Feet firmly on the ground, really wanting to jump into the waterfall. If it had been warmer...

High five!

One of my favorite indulgences. Norman Love chocolates come in flavors like peanut butter & jelly, banana nut bread, cinnamon roll, pineapple and new york cheesecake. When you close your eyes, it tastes so much like the real thing, it's unbelievable. (Plus, unlike most gourmet chocolates, these taste as good as they look.)

Remember those fuschia YSL shoes I posted just a few days ago? I spotted them paired with rubberized stretch pants everyone seems to be sporting and couldn't resist a quick snap. They are incredible in person.

Let It Ride

I'm going to Las Vegas for some R&R. Rest & relaxation? Bah! Rowdiness & revelry are in order.

Maybe we'll stop by Forty Deuce?

I love the lights of the strip, particularly the flashy Flamingo sign my dad designed.

When I was 21, my friends & I gambled at cheap slots for free drinks. Waitress?

Gambling while glam or glittery makes it all so much more fun.

My parents used to drop us off at Circus Circus, just like these tots. They'd hand us each $20 and pat our backs as they left for the casino. The best year was when my brother and I pooled our money and spent every cent scoring a stuffed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

Dean Martin running a table. Classic.

All of these images are from the LIFE photo archive, which goes from the 1750s to the present. Happy hunting here!