Visions of Sugar Plums

I woke up this morning with candy on my mind. Will Cotton is one of my favorite artists and his works are the stuff of dreams.

Will Cotton "Candy Curls"

Will Cotton "Ribbon Candy"

Kenny Scharf "Chocolate Donut in Space"

Will Cotton "Chocolate Forest"

The most special hot chocolate I've ever tasted was at Angelina in Paris. It opened in 1903 and their hot chocolate tastes like a liquid candy bar. It's so rich the whipped cream tempers the sweetness. I could only handle a few sips, but I recall thinking it was exactly what I imagined the chocolate river would taste like in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Before things get to saccharine, let's finish with Morgue Chocolates by Stephen J Shanabrook, shall we?

My Lullaby

Darling
Don't got to worry you're locked in tight
Darling
Don't got to worry turn out the light

Pillow Talk

Tonight I ventured out for Woodson & Rummerfield's event with Ankasa. The hand embroidered pillows are intensely ornate and fabulous. One partygoer told me the company does all of the stitching for Versace.

The Ankasa rep was wearing a fab necklace - which I neglected to snap - but she says they have a jewelry line arriving soon at Bloomie's if I'm not wrong...

Nobody Walks in LA

I hate crosswalks. Here in LA it's law you have to stop when a pedestrian is ready to cross the road, which sometimes leads to intense frustration if the person is talking on the phone and standing at the corner. But back to my post. I think the scariest part is being a pedestrian at night in a crosswalk.

I've covered too many stories where people - sometimes entire families - have been hit and killed in crosswalks because drivers don't see them.

This crosswalk design is by Art. Lebedev Studio in Russia.

The best part is how the lighting helps you see pedestrians from far away (when you're a leadfoot like me).

I don't live near the snow but it would also help in that situation too I assume ;)

Gotta Get Up To Get Down

Which reminds me of this ingenius video by Michel Gondry.

Erwin Olaf

Dutch photographer Erwin Olaf has a passionate love affair with life - so says his bio. I love this. These images are from Elle and his Grief series.

Visit Erwin Olaf’s website

The Mean Reds

Holly Golightly: You know those days when you get the mean reds?

Paul Varjak: The mean reds, you mean like the blues?

Holly Golightly: No. The blues are because you're getting fat and maybe it's been raining too long; you're just sad that's all. The mean reds are horrible. Suddenly you're afraid and you don't know what you're afraid of. Do you ever get that feeling?

I know I have a happy go lucky blog, but every once in a while I get in a funk. Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker).

Anyhoo, a girl needs a hand once in a while, and Santogold is doing that for me.

The first song I heard by her reminded me of Chrissy Hynde but that's just getting started. At times she channels that chick from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and can lay it down like MIA too.

I love her. She has me on my way back to this!

En Fuego

Long Live So-Cal
Lisa Maione / Make-Out

Guns and Roses
Shepard Fairey

Los Fuegos
Barretto-Co. + Bloom Screen Printing
Come Together (Offset Print)
Josh Higgins / Mike Carnevale
Hope Spreads
Frank Chimero

Firestorm, 2007
Myles McGuinness

I don't normally get that excited about posters, but these are part of the So-Cal Fire Poster Project, which will donate 100% of the proceeds to the Salvation Army, for the 2007 California Wildfire fund. I like Long Live SoCal!

This project is modeled after the Hurricane Poster Project, an effort started for victims of Hurricane Katrina. The project has raised thousands of dollars since its inception.

Tiny Bubbles

I'm dreaming of the perfect bath. Isn't it the best to have a good soak in a great bath & primp at a fantastic vanity?
This design below is by Kelly Wearstler and has remained my favorite for several years.

I love all of the storage, the simple subway tiles in an unusual pattern... the carrera marble tiles going down the remainder of the wall. (I love that the look was done a while ago and still looks smart.)

The bath below has too much baby blue for my taste, but I like the mirrors, the tile, storage and cheerful feel of the space.

A beautiful simple bath, but I don't know if I have the luxury of open sinks. Where will I store all of my makeup?!

Again the marble tiles on the wall! But is it too permanent?!

If I didn't need a tub, the shower below would be spectacular.

California Dreamin

I'm getting the design itch again...

My bedroom could totally sport this look by Jay Jeffers. I love the curtains, the headboards, the walls. I just don't understand the two huge butter/beige ovals painted on the walls...

I have a lot of green dominating the downstairs of my house with touches of blue. I'm feeling shades of grey and blue upstairs.

I might add a dash -just a dash - of this...

It reminds me of this painting by Scott Ingram I picked up in Atlanta. The best thing I brought home.

Now onto the bath...

The Jet Set

Screenshots from Hatch.

When Don Draper made his way to California on Mad Men I was in heaven. There was the outrageously decadent design, but the dreamlike goings on intrigued me too. At first they threw me off, but the more I ponder the episode, the more Gatsbyish it seems.

Word has it the site of Don Draper's rendezvous was not in Palm Springs, but rather The Fox Residence in Chatsworth. Fitting, since it's where Frank Sinatra once lived and hosted some unforgettable parties.

Did you know Sinatra's Twin Palms Estate in Palms Springs recently hit the market?

Here it is below and view the complete MLS here.

Jonathan Adler recreated these looks in his design for The Parker - which I visited & blogged about a year ago.

We Are Family

This past weekend my mom rented a limo & took out the fam. It was perfect, quick & unforgettable. I feel like I've already kissed 2008 goodbye!

Our champers on ice & our Reservoir Dogs shot.

The shot that sums up the evening & lessons from the master at Katana.
My mom, dad and brothers.

Lindsey & Robert rocking out in the limo & at Brass Monkey!

Another quote from one of my favorite authors...

New Year's Day: Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual. ~Mark Twain