Hello Kitty Heaven or Hell?

Even the website http://www.cuteoverload.com/ thinks this Hello Kitty house is too much.
Yet....I still think it's cool. I admit I have a problem.
A fatal attraction to cuteness.

The Hello Kitty Townhouse Hotel is located in Taiwan and looks like a giant dollhouse. Come on, girls. Haven't you wanted to live in a dollhouse at least for a moment?

Check out the bedroom. I imagine eating ice cream in bed, sipping strawberry milkshakes and listening to saccharine sweet music like Pizzicato Five & Au Revoir Simone.

Inside this castle where only girls can be, Simba & I would sit on the couch in the living room and watch reality television marathons until bedtime. If we weren't too tired we'd have some chicas over for a slumber party.

I'd wake up to this ridiculously sweet breakfast.

Freeze Frame

American Idol Season 9.
Registration. Day One.
Rose Bowl, Pasadena

It's all about the red shoes.

Love her dreads with that sweet face.

Her vest is from Urban Outfitters. I need. Adore his prep look.

Too cool to get off their phones. Loves it.

Colorful headbands + toothy grins = make me happy

Red pants & chucks.

Piano sleeve? I die.

Sweet sandals & big bag.

He was just along for moral support. And entertainment. Yeah!

To shy shy, hush hush, eye to eye.

Emotional rocker! Love him.

Last year, the judges told him to join a band. He did. It's called Sexual Harrassment and he's back for another chance.

Love the Cali girl in her flip flops.

Charming simple look.

Smells Like Teen Spirit

My niece Paige is coming to stay with me for a few days & I want to show her some of hippest places in LA. She's a teenager who just graduated from high school & heading to college in the fall. Below are my ideas. Got any? Leave em for me in the comments section and thank you!

Swift
Set on Magnolia Blvd. in Burbank, this hidden gem is inspired by old films, vintage, & recycling. You can find original and reworked vintage clothing, purses and accessories. I especially love the clothing they sell made by local designers.

Space 15 Twenty
This is a relatively new spot across the street from Amoeba Music. It's a 30,000 square foot project by Urban Outfitters to collaborate with creative brands they find inspiring and interesting. There's an architectural art book store, a snack bar and a handful of quirky shops.
Amoeba Music
Paige is a musician so she will go crazy at this incredible music mecca on Sunset Boulevard.
Cute boys are always shopping there too, so she'll have some eye candy.



H&M on Sunset
I hear the store on Sunset is where the brand tests new designs for popularity. I love getting something before everyone else, don't you?

Wasteland

Angelina Jolie bought the dress she's wearing from Wasteland on Melrose. It cost her $26. Not only a vintage original, but stunning! I love going here to hunt for gems at great prices.

Royal T

This is such a girl's joint on Washington Blvd. in Culver City. Yeah, the waitresses look like cartoon characters but it's super fun to have afternoon tea and then check out the massive art gallery & Port-A-Party!

Yolk

I love Silver Lake. Yolk has creative gifts and it's always fun to explore their finds. Plus a drive into the neighborhood always leads me to a new fantastic hideaway.

Marc by Marc Jacobs on Melrose Ave.

Isn't M.I.A. the coolest chick on the planet? Yes. But the most fun about Marc by Marc Jacobs is the little treats you can pick up for a few bucks. Keychains, pens, bracelets, bags, scarves...etc. Paige has been there before & believe it's her fave stop, so of course we must return!

Olvera Street

I always find such inspiration here. My favorite thing to buy is Day of the Dead shadowboxes. I have a tiny Elvis in my hallway and it always makes me smile when I look at him. Good food, good treasure-hunting.

Daily Dose of Cuteness

I love baby elephants. Happy Tuesday!

These are flickr finds :)

It's A Numbers Game

If you google this - 241543903 - the search will turn up countless images of heads in freezers.  At first glance, it seems a little disturbing, but recall moments when there's nothing in the fridge and you stick your head in the freezer searching for something to snack on.

As for the origins of this number? It's become an urban legend. And if you were wondering, I want and I will take one. I'd love to have Simba's face in a freezer since I haven't seen a cat take one yet.

Photos from Flickr.

NYC You Soon

Viktor & Rolf heels scored for a song at Century 21.
Poms on the toes. Oil wells/Eiffel Towers as heels.

Best play.

God of Carnage.

James Gandolfini, Marcia Gay Harden, Jeff Daniels & Hope Davis.

Funny, thought-provoking, touching.

Worst pizza.

Don't remember the place.

It was delivery.

Check out those crazy sheets of cheese. Ew.

Mom outside the best pizzeria.

Mario Batali's Otto.

$10 diet coke via room service at Morgans.

Carnegie Hall's wall of performers.

Check out the photo with Frank Zappa's face...

That's my bro's group Alarm Will Sound performing his music.

Breathing space.

Aah.

Taking in the view from the 35th floor of the Mandarin Oriental.

Entering Le Poisson Rouge.

Lou Reed & Lyyke Li performed there.

Love both!
Alarm Will Sound's playbill on the door.

Inside the club.

My brother Matt on french horn.

Mommy & her baby.

Jazz at Birdland.

Famous performers of the past include Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis & one of my favorite artists of all time - Stan Getz.

Now for a musical interlude.

Our NY tradition. Karaoke. Get in line.

Haven't picked your song?! Too late now!

Jump in with Kate for Total Eclipse of the Heart!

Bye bye Mateo. Wuv you.