How To Make a Record

I woke up after 12 hours of sleep. 1/2 a day. Pad groggily downstairs, sip a vanilla latte. Wonder who's playing the incredible blues coming out of the tv. Once my eyes can focus, the jumpy b&w video show the labor-intensive work involved in making records. The song is Will There Be Enough Water by The Dead Weather.


Below is a video from the 30's featuring Duke Ellington & record-making. Did it provide inspiration for their video?

You Can Do It: Fab Hair & Makeup

Question I always get: Who does your hair & makeup?

Answer: When I'm in studio, I get my hair & makeup done. When I'm in the field, I do it myself... and I'm usually in the field!

I love going to the makeup counter at MAC & getting my makeup done. Even better? Going to the salon for full hair and makeup. (Btw, Shannon at Jose Eber does my cuts!)

I've been dying to learn how to do different looks myself for some time and just found my teacher! Miss Chievous has fantastic tutorials on youtube.

From the the author: I am honestly not one who spends a huge amount of time fixing elaborate hairstyles, I much prefer simple and effortless looks that remain stylish but don't require a lot of patience. I also don't have many hair tools to my disposal, so I make do with a crappy hair dryer and a crappy iron for now.

Perfect!


If you do any of the looks, please post photos for me!

Dancing Machines

We celebrated Jaime's birthday this past weekend with great friends, food, birthday cake and her pup Buddy. MJ + Motley Crue on vinyl meant dancing was definitely in order.

Old Boys Club

These images are from the book Take Ivy, which is out of print & sells for outrageous bucks on ebay. The shots are from the sixties, when Japanese photographer T. Hashiyada traveled to America to photograph the fashion of ivy league schools.

I believe my obsession with trad/prep style started last winter when I heard Vampire Weekend's music. The boys with their adorable prep looks just about killed me.

A bit of googling turned up endless blogs teaching me more than I ever knew about men's fashion. The authors have impeccable taste, like the classic idea of buying the best you can afford and then wearing it into the ground proudly.

Square-toed shoes will get you kicked out of the club. Below is a do.

Two blogs mentioned recently in the New York Times are A Continuous Lean & The Trad. I have a soft spot for Tin Tin, because I remember when he first started blogging. He's always been an incredible storyteller, but when I returned today - a year later - his photojournalism blew me away. Top-notch.

Here are some snapshots from their blogs.

The tie above is from J. Press, a company that sells classic American clothing and made to measure suits. The kind of stuff you wear into the ground.

While most of em seem to be East Coasters, there are a few old boys here in the Southland. Check out Laguna Beach Trad. You'll see it's not just about fashion, but a way of life.

Chanel: Bringing Sequins Back

Don't you love when you think a style is officially retired, then a designer brings it back fresh & new? Karl Lagerfeld is working lace, sequins & beads for Chanel's autumn/winter collection and it is breathtaking.

The other day, my girlfriends and I were cringing while talking about our head-to-toe sequin & beaded gowns from high school. Then I saw these... Sigh.



Love the use of panels, which are optional on these couture creations, but how could you not?
Channeling Aphrodite.These two make me think of midnight & starry skies.

Sequins! I just bought a pair of fingerless lace gloves the other day (at Aldo) because I thought they'd be perfect for a dress-up night. Then I saw these lace gloves and stockings...

80's & 90's with bunches & strings of beads hanging from a strong-shouldered suit.

Like a virgin...
Here's where it gets romantic with a touch of the 20's.

I want it to be autumn right now just so I can sport some lace tights!

Photos from Marie Claire.

A woman should be two things. Classy and fabulous. - Coco Chanel

Let's Play Dress Up!

If you were to open InStyle magazine, which outfit would make you say: She looks fantastic! or I want that dress!

1.

2.3.

Pick one & comment here or drop her a msg at www.twitter.com/jrummerfield

Jaime is preparing for a ridiculously glam photo shoot with InStyle magazine. She'll be featured with one of her megastar clients. A beautiful young performer known all around the world. Trust me. You know her name. So does your mom & the kids around you. She's a superstar.

Don't fret about figuring out who it is. My lips are zipped. Our dilemma right now is choosing which outfit Jaime should pick!

They're all designed by Valerj Probega. The issue will be out this fall. I am DYING to choose & add commentary, but I wanna hear yours!

A peek into her fab design mind: wandrstylefile.blogspot.com/

I love this look on her. Here she is with another one of my favorite people - her partner Ron Woodsoon - at my house.

Follow Jaime's glamorous adventures: www.twitter.com/jrummerfield.

Holding Court

Courtney Oquist is a local gal born in Huntington Beach & lives in Riverside where she's working on her master's from UCR.

I stumbled across her work on Etsy. Her work is oh so girly & her prints are just $15!

In her own words:

I like to make objects and images that explore the fanciful, miraculous, fantastical and eccentric part of everydayness. Sometimes it's spooflike, sometimes its utterly, Terms-of-Endearment sincere, but it is always about opening up to what wants to be expressed through art.

I also play guitar, piano, sew, and have an adorably fluffy cat named Lily who helps out with everything. She actually does most of the work while I just watch TV. What a girl!

Explore her work & shop here!

Lucy In the Sky with Sparklers

My childhood nickname was Lucy Johnson.

Back to sparklers in a sec.
Here I am w/ @jrummerfield 4th of July 2007.

Waiting for the sun to go down for fireworks.

We didn't have sparklers that year.
Below is why I simply must have them this time around.

All Flickr finds.

Don't Stop Til You Get Enough

Curious about serious MJ fans and what they leave at the Jackson family compound? Since news crews are corralled behind gates across the street, I took some closeup snaps.

This poster is all glitter. So MJ.I'm a sucker for hot pink & blue.

Love that the roses are almost as tall as the girl carrying them :)

Wowza, no?That took some time & planning.

The frustration just jumps out at you.

Rest in peace.
The view from the memorial to our live truck.

What I look at everyday.

How I chill when I'm not on-air. Love to put my feet up & sport flip-flops because stilettos HURT!

Free Your Mind

I haven't thought of Free People clothing for a while, because I remember the brand being a bit crunchy/granola. That is, until I saw the scarf below on http://www.whowhatwear.com/

It might have a touch of hippie, but it's a little bit rock & roll. A little exploring uncovered some gems.

Speed Racer Gloves $48

The preppy tangerine color gives a twist to a tough accessory.

I have a pencil skirt like this that needs this loose blouse for summer. Can't see the shirt for sale on the site even though they featured it! Grrr.

Chain Necklace Tunic $98

Found this one though & another one.

Cape May Tee $58

Adore the front. What do you think about the back? I can't make up my mind.

Silver Distressed Chucks $148

Forget silver cuffs. Give me silver chucks!

Studded Stripe Blazer $138

This jacket with brass buttons looks dressy from afar, but a closer look reveals it's more like a sweater. Much more comfy. You could pair it with so many things.

Shake It Fringe Dress $138

I fancy fringe.

Rhythm Crystal Necklace $38

Scoop neck t-shirts just cry out for necklaces like this.

Kona Ruffle Dress $68

Not so sure about this look. Unfinished or just a bit avant garde?

Looks found at: http://www.freepeople.com/

Light Breakfast

If you woke up on the wrong side of the bed, maybe this will lighten things up?

This cluster of breakfast balloons makes me smile. Especially the eggs. Genius.

Click here for David Sykes's blog.

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 seemed a little disturbing, but then I recalled moments when there's nothing in the fridge & you stick your head in the freezer searching for something to snack on. It made it seem sweet to me.

But what do I know. I just finished watching Sarah Silverman & Nurse Jackie. Both a bit wicked.

As for the origins of this number? It's become kind of an urban legend. And if you were wondering.... yes, I want to 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.

Living the LV High Life

I am completely charmed by this car. How can you not get a chuckle? This ‘89 Oldsmobile Cutlass Sierra Louis Vuitton Limited Edition was decorated and is driven by Steve LaNasa who lives here in LA.

Here's the story behind his ride in his own words.

This is my car. It all started when the hippie who lived in the apartment behind my house lost his car. As in misplaced. When the cops showed up three weeks later to inform him that it was parked on the next block over, he graciously sold it to me for the low, low price of 250 bucks, having bought a new car in the interim. I promptly scraped off the 800 bumper stickers and went to work. First, I took it to Earl Scheib and had it given a heavy coat of "Chocolate Glitter." Then I painted the trim, wheel holes, the dash, steering wheel, and all the other interior with a heavy coat of gold enamel. After that, I spent a week in the garage stenciling the logos on with gold spray paint and gold leaf. A quick top-coat at Earl’s and I was good to go. So far, it’s been a really bad influence on me…whenever people take my picture in it, I just can’t seen to keep my finger out of my nose. And when folks pull up next to me at the stoplight and start revving their engines, I just want to floor it. And sometimes I do.

Happy week people. I'm still incredibly jetlagged but I'll get back on the blogging bus soon.

I can't remember where I found his quote!

Jetset Summer Sandals

Trish Carroll's sandals are meant to reflect the jetset heyday of the 60's when Brigitte Bardot and Jackie O were jetting from St. Tropez to Capri. Aren't these Lion Sandals ab fab? I had to have them.

Trish Carroll's sandals normally sell for around $200 - but these are part of her new line for Target called Miss Trish of Capri Collection.

They were $29.99 & they're so hot, they're already popping up on Ebay for double the original price.

They're channeling a bit of Versace don't ya think? (Okay a lot of Versace.)

Wedges are available too, but they are NOT chic. Do you really want a gander? Okay...

Don't say I didn't warn you!

So here's more info about Trish. She has designed for several major fashion houses including Celine, Ralph Lauren, Missoni and Oscar de la Renta. Her capri sandals first sold at a cabana store in the Hamptons. They're popular in Palm Beach and are also being sold in St. Barths and St. Tropez.

Here's one of her expensive pairs below... love!

Daily Dose of Cute

I love when kitties get in boxes.
I love when they feel tough.
I love when they bat at me with their paws from their box hoping I'll play with them.

This image is from http://www.icanhascheezburger.com/

Would You or Wouldn't You?

Before I pose my question, check out the shoes below.

Christian Louboutins normally sell in the range of $1000. These shoes are for sale between $159 & $179 on a website called Louboutin Mall. I was ready to bust out my credit card, but then I did some fact checking.

According to NY Magazine, while some of the photos may be authentic, the shoes you receive are fakes.

Remember when fake Louis Vuitton purses were all over the place? I'm pretty good at spotting them. (The orange leather trim & handles are usually a dead giveaway)

So, here's the question. Would you buy a knockoff that pretends to be the real deal? Is that so different from buying Cavalli and D&G inspired styles from F21 and the like?

Discuss.

Lusting After Louboutins?

Having a moment with my favorite pair of shoes.

Photo by David Oscar Flores

I only wear my prized Christian Louboutins for special occasions & baby them like an overprotective mother. They do not stay out late dancing. They go to dinner and come straight home. When their signature red soles start to wear, I plan to have one of LA's fantastic cobblers resole them.

I own one pair because they are so darn expensive! I have a few pairs of Jimmy Choos, but you can score them for 40% off at their stores. The steepest discount I've ever seen for Louboutins? 20%.

Until now. I made a fantastic little find called http://www.theoutnet.com/. They have Louboutins up to 60% off.

Hold your breath before you dive in. The site also sells Chloe, Halston, DVF, 3.1 Phillip Lim, and Jimmy Choos. That's just the beginning.

Degas' Dancers

Edgar Degas captured dancers' grace in such a soft, romantic way. It's like watching a dream.

Breathtaking.

Art is not what you see, but what you make others see. - Edgar Degas

Disclaimer: While I adore their art, shame on him, Renoir & Cezanne during the Dreyfus Affair.

I Feel Pretty, Oh So Pretty

This weekend, I helped my niece Sadie prepare for her dance recital. I pulled her waist-long hair into a ponytail atop her head, tied it into a bun and finished the ends in curls.

I stayed with her backstage as she waited to perform.

Sadie is in the middle with the puff of curls and violet rose pinned in her hair.

I love when the lights go down between performances and dancers chaotically take their places.

The little ones watching the older girls from stage left.

In the dressing rooms, a layer of hairspray hangs in the air, nervous giggles rise and fall and little girls awkwardly apply makeup.

She feels so pretty, this shot melts my heart.

Practice is a must.Adjusting a violet rose on her costume..

My little princess!

Barfasaurus

Simba & Sabrina in an undated photo.

Simba threw up on this green armchair this morning. It's my favorite piece of furniture from W&R Design.

I think plans for this barf attack have been in the works for quite some time.

Look at those eyes.

"Who me?" With a hint of, "When you're not looking..."