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.

How to Make Black Ornaments

1. Buy really cheap plastic ornaments (glass will inevitably fall & get batted around by cats in my case) These were 50% off at Rite Aid, but Ikea is even cheaper. I was just too lazy to make the drive Don't forget to pop off the tops.
2. A can of black lacquer spraypaint
3. A cardboard box

4. Learned on the job: An egg carton holds them in place

My next post will be the big reveal.

Playing Dress Up at Tiffany

There's a new Tiffany store opening at Americana At Brand. I'm working next Thursday, but if I didn't have to, I would totally go to this event just to play. You go!

Normally, I'm not a fan of these kinds of events because I'm a sucker. The last time I walked into David Yurman, I was only after the free glass of champagne held by the cute college student in a suit. I walked out with diamond earrings. How did that happen?!

Make like Audrey and don't buy anything extravagant. Try on outrageous jewelry and then get something like a cracker jack prize engraved.

I'm Dreaming of a Black Christmas

Ok, not everything black, but I like the idea of my white christmas tree being donned with sugar skulls and black ornaments.

A black Christmas tree. Who knew?

Truth be told, I'll probably pick up some cheap ornaments at Rite Aid & spraypaint them glossy black. I think I have a fetish for spraypainting things black. I did it with a headboard and it's so beautiful I can't stand it.

The Fantastic Fear

I love Lily Allen so much. I believe she was the subject of my first post - 550 posts ago!
This video absolutely kills me. From the trailer at the beginning, to her transport to fantasy with Moulin Rouge dancers, Alice in Wonderland feel, Baroque decor, her 60's inspired look, the balloons, ending at a Versailles-inspired estate.

We haven't even discussed the lyrics! She is such a girl with a femininist message about the pressures on gals (and guys too for sure).

The best part of the song IMHO?

Now I’m not a saint but I’m not a sinner
Now everything is cool as long as I’m getting thinner

Right?!

Fa La La Fiesta

Feliz Navidad card from Made By Girl and Fa La La card by Feterie
It's settled. While I adore the fun titles we came up with, I simply can't bring myself to host a recession-themed party. It's a bit too literal, down in the dumps. I'm going to have a feel good Fa La La Fiesta.

My menu will have to include tamales because they are good luck this time of year. I'm thinking empanadas, taquitos and who doesn't like those mini-burgers - so what if they aren't true to the theme? Margaritas and ice-cold Coronas.... I'm just getting started and welcome ideas!

The trigger was pulled when I bought Christmas lights today. I couldn't resist the red, white & green.

Here's my tip on hanging Christmas lights. Hang them down the side of your house and it's a snap. Trust me. I used to be the one - despite having brothers and a dad - who hung Christmas lights alone at my parents' house standing alone on a ladder with my trusty staple gun in hand. My work would've made Hansel & Gretel proud.

Robert asked if he could adjust his jeans before I took the photo and I couldn't resist the action shot. He did all the work (like that was a question).I took in the scenery (traffic) but when I looked up the view was breathtaking.

A terrible example - but here it is anyway - of our lights at night.

Mod Madness

The Kinks. My band crush.

Catherine Deneuve.

Edie Sedgwick with the greatest artist & publicity whore ever.

When I grow up I want to be Anne Bancroft (or Gloria Steinem). I shall have big gold streaks in my shoulder-length hair and be fabulous.

Brigette Bardot is my inspiration. Big hair, big everything! And Audrey of course.

Dear readers, even I am sick of the cutesy holiday stuff on my page. I apologize profusely.

This latest post is inspired by fellow blogger Laguna Beach Trad, who runs the most highbrow blog I'm aware of (which coming from me, isn't saying much I know).

His posts always help me detox from my Forever 21/knockoff addiction because the man truly has taste and style - two things I flirt with once in a great while.

Anyhoo, he has a great video series posted on his site about Mod style and other things, (by other things, it means I only had the patience to watch a couple).

Below is a magazine shot by the late great Slim Aarons. All of my pics are from candace wright's photostream on flickr.

Welcome Weekend

After a ridiculously long restful sleep, that face in the bottom right hand corner is my weekend inspiration.

I took this photo at Universal Studio's Whoville snow-filled playground, which is probably the closest many Angelenos are getting to snow this holiday. Organized fun for sure, but I'm such a softie for Christmas I fall for it every time.

I asked the girl in the photo to make snow angels with me and when she saw me doing them in the cold manufactured snow crusted over with ice, I'm sure it looked far from fun and a bit painful (because it was). She just backed away from me slowly.

I got up to take photos of a brewing snowball fight and just happened to catch her right before she made her first angel.

The anticipation on her face makes my heart jump.

Happy weekend!

Cupcakes For Chrysler

There was a bake sale at the LA Auto Show to raise money for the Big Three American automakers - GM, Chrysler and Ford. What a fantastic idea! Shouldn't every taxpayer get a cupcake? :)

Before the bake sale ended abruptly, $4 dollars was raised. $2 for Ford, $1 for GM and $1 dollar was donated. The donated dollar was divided evenly between the 3 companies and sent by mail directly to the CEOs.

http://www.donnymiller.com/