Oh Yeah!!!

I love this. Wacky, wild, Kool-Aid style. Scott Van Den Plas and Joe Van Wetering spotted this busted brick wall in Chicago and in their words, "took the proper corrective measures."

Chanel's Private Apartment

Vogue's look inside Coco Chanel's apartment. It includes stories and secrets about Coco's artwork, decor and superstitions! Also, how she helped revive the diamond industry with her jaw-dropping designs.

Extraordinary Machine

My body may be bruised and battered, but my soul feels strong! What a week of firsts.

I surfed for the first time today in Newport Beach. Check out the tidal wave I'm riding! First, I practiced on the surfboard in the sand. I did the pop up three times, which involves lying face down on the board and then popping yourself up with your arms in a pushup. You end up squatting sideways on the board.

Then it was out to sea! The first time I fell to my knees, the second time I rode it for a few seconds, an the fourth time I rode the little wave into the sand. My instructor Scott told me that's something to brag about... so that's exactly what I'm doing.

He's at the Newport Pier everyday at 8am. He runs the Endless Fun Surf School. He's patient and awesome and he's cheering me on in the photo.

Cirque de Suzanne

I did the trapeze for the first time today! Here's the frightening first moment.. caught on tape.

WDL gets title credit!

More Underwater Magic

Continuing the underwater theme...
I thought I'd show a fantastic video by the immensely talented Chris Cunningham to Portishead's Only You...

Modern Love

Happy birthday Beck. I don't know who took this photo, but it sure reminds me of thes underwater series, "Awakened" by David LaChapelle.

His album came out today as well and it's called Modern Guilt. It has a 60's vibe and I'm really digging the new song Orphans... right along with an old gem by The Doors I just heard today - Peace Frog. Strange name, awesome song.

Just for grins, did you know Beck's house is for sale?

Name That Couch

What are these kinds of couches called? This has been driving me crazy for a while. I always refer to them as round couches. I'm sure there's a chic name I'm completely unaware of.

I'm always reminded when I visit The Grove. I love sitting on the big comfy couch that would never fit in mi casa.

BTW, I'm not the crazy person who bundles up in the summer. This photo was taken months ago when it was still a bit chilly.

Now you realize how long this question has been haunting me!

Fear & Loathing

I wish I were in Las Vegas right now with a couple of late greats.

Mark Sandman of Morphine would be setting the mood. Hunter S. Thompson would be raising hell. But honestly, could I really handle that?

Anyway, my inspiration comes from watching "Gonzo" this weekend. The smoky, moody sounds of Morphine would've been a great soundtrack to the film.

Have a Lucky Day...

Now I'm sitting at a blackjack table
And I swear to God my dealer has a tag says Mabel
Hit me. Hit me. I smile at Mabel.
Soon they're bringing complimentary drinks to the table...

The words dance like the blues.

Trixy Pixie's Playground

These photos were taken by 23 year old Mariah Kordzadze, who is known as Trixy Pixie on Deviant Art. She is Russian but lives in Australia.
I love the mood of her work... dark yet colorful and always beautiful.
In addition to her talent, some of her favorite films make me love her even more.... Amores Perros, City of God, Amelie, The Fifth Element.

Adieu Audrey

This post is dedicated to my lovely Audrey. I named her after Audrey Hepburn when I was 19.
We spent 11 wonderful years together.
I called her my baby girl in a high-pitched voice saved just for her. She would run to me and if she was really happy to see me she would hop like a bunny. I whispered her name and she would look at me with those slightly crossed eyes - thanks to her streak of Siamese.
She was my partner in crime. I remember crying into her fur when I was in despair, or rolling her onto her back like a baby to kiss her tummy for no reason at all. She traveled with me from Downey, to Eureka via plane, then Bakersfield in a car, Atlanta in a plane and back to LA. She never got used to traveling. Even when I plied her with drugs, she fought like a lion and cried the entire time. The moment we would set foot in our new home, she was fine and back to her old happy, chill self.
In recent years, I called her my snow tiger, because in our wilderness of a backyard, she looked like a white tiger roaming the hills. She was happiest when she was outside & would roll in the dirt or fetch me a big fat mouse as a gift.
I guess now is the point when I must say what happened to her. (I am a reporter after all & I'd wonder too.) She disappeared & I'm sure either an animal took her away or she passed in peace. In reality, she was as healthy as a horse so I believe I know what really happened.
I miss my Audrey dearly.

Yes, that's Simba looking jealously at the first daughter giving me her Audrey eyes... :)

Bar 1912

You may have moseyed to The Polo Lounge at The Beverly Hills Hotel, but have you been to Bar Nineteen 12? (It's the year the hotel opened.) Here's the inside...

Here's the patio with views of BH...

It's not new, but it's new to me. It opened a year ago. The main reason I've always liked the hotel is the retro vibe & insanely gorgeous busy wallpaper below.

When I saw it plastered on Woodson & Rummerfield's walls, I knew we were the perfect trio.

For this visit, I was drawn to the hotel by the lure of popsicles as cocktails. I'm a kid at heart.

The popsicle was cute but you know I'm gonna give you an honest review. After the first bite, it fell apart. :(
The sliders rocked the house & so did Alex the doorman. Hi Alex! Shh... I had to sneak this photo of the mini burgers, so it's a bit dark..
.
Aren't they the most darling little burgers? They remind me of the hamburger transformers that used to come in Happy Meals. Remember? (As George Lopez would say.... You member!)

Robert members!

Terrific T

Royal T was a smashing good time.

Here's my jasmine tea. I was a bit scared of it. The jasmine resembled a sea urchin in the pot, but everyone else loved it. I guess the flower is a bit cute.

Me n' Caroline! The high tea service. Quiche/pastries/sandwiches. Tasty.

The Port A Party!

It's tricked out with a disco ball, lights & ipod player. The essentials.
We all crammed inside & got our boogie on.

Pop Music

Happy weekend folks. Remember this song? How can it be from 1979? It's so fab.

(It's so Calvin Harris thirty years ago.)

Draper Does It Again

Anytime I spy Dorothy Draper photos I must pounce, because she's one of my favorite designers.
These were on design*sponge & they feature The Greenbrier Hotel in West Virginia.
The first three photos are from the past, the last is present day. I love how it takes a moment to tell the difference.

Chasing Waterfalls

It's finally up! Olafur Eliasson's magnificent waterfall installation in the middle of NYC's East River. There are four waterfalls below the Brooklyn Bridge, between Piers 4 and 5 in Brooklyn, on Governers Island, and on Pier 35 in Manhattan.
Nature & architecture are a running theme. His last show The Weather Project at the Tate Modern was a feast for the senses.

Ticket Winner

The winner has been notified!

If for any reason they can't make it... my runner-up gets dibs on my pair of the Louis XIV tickets for Viper Room Saturday night!

Let me say, in the spirit of Louis XIV, the winner's secret was sexy, shocking & made me blush. So much so that I chose not to post it!!

For fun, I'll be posting some submitted secrets - anonymously of course.

Donny Miller Madness

Watch the joke artist Donny Miller pulls on Rodeo Drive.

A store is up for lease next to Dior and he puts up a 99 Cents Sale sign. Hiliarity ensues. Donny, that's why we love you so!

He happens to be debuting a video taken over 24 hours. I can only imagine. Crazy, but that's how he rolls! Here it is... scheduled to start Wednesday morning:

http://emericaskate.com/kevinalldayandnightlong/

In the meantime, let's look at some of his fabulous art....

Hot Miami Vice

Here's the first mock-up of our invite.

We were posing on Mullholland Drive when a passerby yelled out, "Miami Vice!"

I wanted to dance on the hood like Tawny Kitaen in a Whitesnake video.

By the way fashion fans, I found Robert's complete outfit at It's A Wrap in Burbank. The jacket is Hugo Boss & the pants were worn in Walk the Line. If you're an Angeleno, the place is so much fun. The loafers are his own & they're Gucci.

My dress (looks like a shirt but I hiked it up) is H&M, the shoes are Stuart Weitzman, the belt is vintage and the majority of jewelry & sunglasses are Forever 21. The tortoiseshell cuff is from Saks.

Best Little Secret Yet

Don't you love Pledge of Allegiance?


Thanks to the shoutout on myspace from Louis XIV's Brian Karscig, (top right) I have many delightful secrets to choose from.

Reminder folks, I am giving away two tickets to this Saturday's sold out concert at Viper Room.

Send me your secret and I'll pick my favorite by noon PST Tuesday! Email me at suzzo77@gmail.com

I'll be announcing the winner Wednesday. I'll also post- anonymously of course - some of the fabulous secrets!

Man's Survival Depends On His Design

That's what's printed on Richard Neutra's headstone. He's buried in the backyard of the Richard Neutra VDL House in Silver Lake. There we are in the backyard/cemetery.

He used mirrors and windows creatively throughout the house to trick the eye and give the impression of a larger space. As I walked up the stairs, for a moment it felt like the ceiling was doubly high. In the tiny bedrooms mirrors face each other to give the feeling of a hallway at the end of the room.

The windows in the house are incredible. The first photo shows floor to ceiling windows and just outside of the room a shallow pool of water. In the second, check out the gigantic sliding windows that let in the breeze. The third photo shows how Neutra played with lines, extending walls past the living space.

On the penthouse level, there are no chairs. You just lean against a pads that line the wall. Love it. There's Cassandra from coco+kelly browsing the bookshelves on the second floor.

Below is our group on the rooftop. There's Robert too... :)