Oh, Behave

My Holga is supposed to be a device so-simple-a-child-could-operate, yet I'm a grown woman still desperately struggling to figure mine out! While I love me a good light-leak, dude, of a dozen shots, only three of mine developed properly. Feeling mighty overexposed...

Pictured (from top to bottom): An old theater in San Mateo, California; Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia; my best friend's pup, Shady in San Jose

Too Much of a Good Thing

Thom Browne is best known for bringing whimsy to business suits. I quite like the geek chic look-at-my-fantabulous-socks look he's known to champion, but for Spring 2010, Browne's whimsy was more crazy than cute. See above? This outfit would probably work on a school girl... then again, do school girls wear skorts?! Hmm...

Animated

School's back in session, and I'm seeking inspiration for my second-year film from European animation like THIS Finnish one, "Urpo & Turpo Get Hungry". Yummy!

What a Man, What a Man

What a mighty good man...

HERE, HERE, and HERE.

I Want to Gobble Her Up

My favorite blogger in the whole-wide blogosphere is THIS GAL. Watch more of her HERE and read more about her HERE.
Tavi is a 13 year-old girl (often mistaken as a boy) and incredibly ODD. *massive compliment*
SO my cup of tea.

Love you, Tavi. Stalker fan letters, I shall send!

Pookie Wedding

Me and le cub at the Pookie Wedding held at the De Young.

Le cub is wearing a Benetton suit he bought for $150 and a skinny tie by Theory. He's gotten quite a bit of mileage off of it since purchasing it nearly two years ago from a Bloomies. Very Mad Men, no?

My tarzan dress is by Calvin Klein. It's got an uber-cute obi-belt that isn't pictured. Purchased for $93.00 sans tax. "Heart" Minnesota.

All Dressed Up

Tried on wedding dresses this past weekend - and did so with an entourage consisting of dear friends, Pammy, Jen, and Ems. My first appointment was made at Priscilla of Boston in San Francisco. Stepping into this bridal salon was like stepping into a prism of sparkly ponies and rainbows. The place was that girlicious. Crystal chandeliers dripped form the ceiling, pale pink velvet chairs were perfectly placed outside the main dressing room, silver end-tables and mirrors accessorized the space, and sunlight bounced off the fresh white walls. The interior of Priscilla's of Boston in SF is every girl's dream. Every girl but me! I was terrified. *shiver* White isn't exactly the most slimming of colors, and the thought of wearing something long also had me feeling uneasy...

Luckily I was assigned an understanding bridal consultant in Hannah. She was incredibly patient and attentive - actually listening to what I was looking for: Art Deco, vintage-feel, love texture, hate poof.

I left with two Melissa Sweet "maybes" in mind. Neither was the one (strapless gowns just don't look right on neck-less lil' me), but I was excited to have survived my first gown stop...

Later that afternoon, my entourage minus Ems, accompanied me to Bridal Galleria at Embarcadero. I could not have possibly had a more UNPLEASANT experience. I was assigned the bridal consultant from hell. She did not listen to what I wanted - pulling one colored, poofy gown after another - and actually inflicted a not so Pretty Woman moment upon me. (Remember Marie, Snobby Salesperson #2?) My consultant could not have been more rude or condescending. Profanity hovered at the edge of all our lips, but being the ladies that we are, we resisted. Had we not eaten right before the session, there most certainly would have been a beat-down.

I suppose it was a good thing that we sucked it up, because we eventually came across a dress - the very last one that I tried on - that I LOVED. A delicate chantilly lace gown in ivory with side button detail by Monique Lhuillier. See picture above - while keeping in mind that this model is strangely-thin and alien-like. It's clings to the body, providing no help in the form of boning or corsets, but built-in undergarments aside, it's everything I'd hoped for in a wedding dress. Nothing that a full-body flesh-toned Spanx couldn't fix :) Old-Hollywood, Art Deco glam without being fussy. Me likee.

We weren't allowed to take photos of the dress (just another neg to mention about Bridal Galleria), and even worse, my awful bridal consultant wouldn't even give me the name of the dress for fear that I'd go elsewhere to purchase it. *exasperated sigh* Whatevs... using my pea-brain and Google, I was able to locate the name of the dress: Aimee. A design from Monique Lhuillier's 2007 collection. A definite MAYBE!!!

Also pictured: A wedding dress by Carolina Herrera that I couldn't possibly pull off. It's a Transformer! (One can unsnap the bottom tier resulting in a short dress to sport later.) Somewhere, someone is doing this gown justice. Too beautiful not to post.

So You Think You Can Dance

So do the groomsmen from Karen and Jay's wedding.

Watch them bust-a-move to "Jai Ho" at the De Young HERE.

The Time Has Come

A fresh-off-the-easel painting titled "The Time Has Come". (I'll post better photos of it later.) The paint on this canvas hasn't even dried yet! To be delivered to its future owner on Saturday! And in case you were wondering, yes, that's pit hair... yes, they are hula-hooping... and yes, that's a UFO...

Breakfast of Champions

Is "Neopolitan" a flavor?

Early in our relationship, le cub asked me over the phone, "What's your favorite ice-cream flavor?"
I answered, "Neopolitan."
And the response I received was, "That's not a flavor!"

Whatever. I'm having Neoplitan ice-cream now. Strawberry, Chocolate and Vanilla, oh my! Boy, is it good...

Ooh. Did I mention that I'm going to be trying on wedding dresses on Sunday for the very first time? (Yes, right after I have a big fat bowl of ice-cream.) I'll be in the company of my fashion consultant pals, Pam and Ems... This should be fun.

Suffering Succotash

All good things come to an end. (I'm referring to summer.) School's back in session next week. This means all-nighters will be pulled once again... very soon. *sniffle* But until that day comes, I'm savoring the time that remains. I'm still on holiday! And being on holiday for me means endless evenings spent watching "Top Chef" while indulging in ice-cream out of the carton... Life's good. It could be better though. I miss le cub. As does Beans.

Pictured: "On Holiday" by Alicia Bock. Available at www.etsy.com

Taaaaar-zan!

An old friend of mine is getting hitched at the De Young Museum in San Francisco this weekend. Not only am I excited for him, I'm excited for me. I finally get to wear the cute lil' Calvin number I'd bought on-sale sans sales tax while in Minnesota. Black-satin, obi-belt, one-shoulder... Yup... just like Tarzan!

Pictured: A casual Tarzan piece from Rebecca Taylor's Spring 2010 Ready-to-Wear line. That it's cherry-red and sprinkled with flowers makes me smile :)

Three's Company

Commissioned set of three illustrations.

Each illustration represents a different passion of the client :)

Top: Baked-goods.
The client is a co-owner of Hopkins Street Bakery in Berkeley.

Center: Rare Watches.
The client buys and sells rare Rolex watches. Visit 10 Past Ten HERE.

Bottom: Food.
The client is a gourmand. He lives to eat.

All done. All framed!

Would You Like Some Grey Poupon?

Last night, I decided to go against every bone in my body and "got me some culture." Some high-brow culture. Alongside my friends Kathy and Coco (and new friend, Ben), I hit-up the Ahmanson Theater in downtown LA to catch August: Osage County. (Tickets available HERE.)

The synopsis (as written by a fancy-pants writer) reads like so:
Written by 2008 Pulitzer Prize-winner Tracy Letts, this grand and gripping new play tells the story of the Westons, a large extended clan that comes together at their rural homestead in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, after the alcoholic patriarch disappears. Forced to confront unspoken truths and astonishing secrets, the family must also contend with Violet, a pill-popping, deeply unsettled woman at the center of the storm.

But what it really was, the play, that is, was a spectacular, scintillating three-and-a-half hour long episode of "Brothers and Sisters" played by actors and actresses less attractive, yet equally, if not more talented, than the ABC cast. Dysfunctional familes are the best. Incredibly entertaining. I didn't think I'd be able to sit through the entire show without wanting to sneak-away for a Kit Kat, but I did.

A fantastic performance by the entire cast, but most notably, Estelle Parsons.

What a night.

Photo: Kathy has made new calling cards (she's a screenplay writer!), and believe-it-or-not, she wanted a doodle of her on it. So very honored.

Eureka!

Fine Little Day's ebay finds make me smile.

Sometimes I think I look like an Inuit.

The Good Life

School is back in session at UCLA School of Film, Theater and Television on the 21st.

Until then, I am furiously working away on commissions I accepted earlier this summer.

Pictured is a sneak-peek of one of a set of three illustrations to be delivered next week. My client didn't ask for the drawings to be framed, but Ribbas at Ikea are so kindly priced, I figured I'd toss them in. Will photograph the framed pieces before wrapping them up in bubble-wrap...

Gem

Jordan Ferney of Oh Happy Day sometimes posts listings for adorable, affordable homes in San Francisco. Taking a cue from her, I'm going to start posting listings for real estate gems here in SoCal. This is my first.

Get a load of THIS charming, well-staged, mid-century modern home nestled between Silverlake and Echo Park. I'm not sold on some of the interior color choices, but the home is, otherwise, lust-worthy.

A search on Trulia has this 3 bedroom, 2 bath home priced at $619K...

This is Why Girls Stay Single

My friend Jeff sent me the following link accompanied by the comment, "I don't get it. He sounds very reasonable to me. If I was a girl, I'd snatch him up in a heartbeat."

Listen to THIS short audio clip.

Hubba-hubba.

Superwomen

My best friend, Pam (my Flaring Nostrils partner-in-crime), recently made the big decision to leave her current employer in San Francisco in search for greener pastures. Wishing her the best of luck in her new job search. She's a remarkable lil' lady... and any employer would be lucky to have her.

And another shout-out is due to my dear friend, Emily. She is one of the new co-owners of Berkeley-based Hopkins Street Bakery. Today, September 12th, is the bakery's official grand-opening under new management, so if you're in the area, fuggetabout the diet and drop on by for a free cookie. Your tummy may smile.

Piece de Resistance

The final ingredient to perfecting le cub and cougar's big day is the creative vision of the beautiful and talented Rebecca Stone of Duet Weddings. Le cub and I had our first in-face meeting with her two weeks ago at Casbah Cafe in Silverlake and we totally hit it off. Since that first meeting, we've been exchanging a bevy of email. Her messages are always oozing with enthusiasm... something le cub and I adore about her. She is one of the nicest people you will ever meet.

Please take a look at what this woman is capable of. Click HERE. Collective "oohing" and "ahhing" to ensue...

P.S. Click on the image above to see the nostril hair. I don't know why I thought it'd be a good idea to post this image alongside a raving review of the lovely, classy Rebecca, but I did. Enjoy!

Secret Admirer

This corset dress by Corey Lynn Calter is so lovely. I'm just saying.

Available at Anthropologie.

Dream Team

Le cub and I are forming a dream team for our little wedding. In addition to having reserved our dream venue, we've managed to hire a totally bad-ass photographer. There wasn't anyone else in the running, really. It had to be Max Wanger.

Check out more of Max's incredibly beautiful work on his website HERE.

"Painting"

Who needs clothes when one has ART?!?

This is the latest addition to my massive three piece collection of John Smiddy, Fifi Lapin and James Jean.

Titled "A Soup Can Used to Hang Here", this silkscreen print by artist, William Anastasi, was recently hung alongside an Andy Warhol exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Cheeky.

Photo of the piece framed and hung to be posted when it actually arrives.

Daddy's Girl

My dad, my "Ba," is very observant. He says the darnest things. But he's not the only father wandering the streets, muttering quotable quotes. Meet Justin's dad. Justin is a young man I follow on Twitter. His bio reads like so: "I'm 28. I live with my 73-year-old dad. He is awesome. I just write down shit that he says."

Just the other day, Justin's dad said this:

'You don't know shit, and you're not shit. Don't take that the wrong way, that was meant to cheer you up."
12:01 PM Sep 9th from web

Want more pearls? Follow Justin and his pop HERE.

Unrequited Love

Le cougar and I have been trying to book THIS talented musician, Gabe Bondoc, as our wedding singer (oh gosh, I just visualized Adam Sandler the moment the words "wedding singer" came out of my mouth). How talented is he?!? How CUTE is he? (Er, okay. Not as cute as le cub, of course...) Anyhow, we've tried reaching out to Gabe via YouTube and have tried emailing him via his MySpace account as well, but we've yet to hear back. Deep, scarring disappointment.

Gabe, le cub and I are massive fans of your work. Huge. Ginormous. Gargantuan. Big. *arms open wide*

Holla back! Puh-puh-puh-please?

And heck, while I'm at it, I might as well confess my adoration for ANOTHER talented YouTube star, Marie Digby. Her debut album, "Breathing Underwater" is dropping on September 17th. I like the song, "Stupid For You"... says a lot about me, I suppose.

Living in a Material World

This fluttery handkerchief neckline dress by 3.1 Phillip Lim is so lovely.
Available at La Garconne for an arm and two fingers.

In Vogue

Bet you didn't know that my character's bob was designed to channel Anna Wintour. Apparently I wasn't the only one inspired by the infamous editor's trademark do. See HERE.

Really looking forward to catching a showing of The September Issue.

Bling-Bling

Le cub is back at work (consulting) and has officially moved up to San Francisco. Left behind in Burbank is a very sad cougar and puppy.

Luckily the Bay Area is not too far, so we'll still be seeing lots of each other. Really looking forward to ring-shopping the weekend of September 19th. I mean, I love my edible one, but since this relationship is going to be long-term, a ring that isn't perishable would probably be best. Beans begs to differ.

Been There, Done That

The site managers at Smog Shoppe sent me a couple links to photos of past weddings held there. Le cub and I surfed through them, and here are my favorites.

Tim + Merrill.
Pamela + Mark.
Jennifer + Joshua.
Celeste + Faisal.

Pictured: Me and le cub fully-clothed on Bondi Beach. It was, after all, winter when we were there...

Eye-Bath

More photos of Smog Shoppe. These were taken with my iPhone. Beautiful, no?

Feast on This

Le cub and cougar feasting on Harry's Cafe de Wheels' Tiger pie. Imagine a chicken pot pie, only it's not stuffed with chicken, but beef. Then top the pie off with mashed potatoes, peas, and gravy. COMFORT! Apparently loads of celebrities have dined at this historic street car. Click HERE to see the list. (My fav celeb on the list is Colonel Sanders. Hehe. Apparently he downed three pies in one visit!) I'd read about this fav Aussie haunt in my glossy Eyewitness guidebook, so when our Hop-On, Hop-Off tour bus stopped nearby, I insisted that le cub accompany me in a meal of meat pie. Yum, yummy, yum! Photos of the deliciousness we consumed HERE.

Hot Wheels

Aussies get road-rage too.

Our Hop-On, Hop-Off bus driver drove like a maniac. At one point, a Sydney public bus driver pulled over to his side to scream profanities at our driver. It was all so awesome because of the accent. I dig the Aussie accent :)

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Inspired by THIS DIY project featured on Once Wed, I spent this past Saturday working on formal invitations for my bridal party. They're not as classy as Anna's (Anna Bond of Rifle Design is the original mastermind behind the DIY project), but they'll have to do. Sent them out this morning along with dresses. Yes, we've already got dresses! Le cub and I picked out dresses for each and every single one of my bridesmaids while in Minnesota. An incredible last-call sale at Saks Off-Fifth paired with ZERO percent sales tax on clothes and shoes made for an opportunity too good to pass up. (Think $400-$600 designer frocks discounted to $93-$115) Everyone's dress is different, and therefore special!

Our House

The American Institute of Architects is hosting the "San Francisco Living: Home Tour", and get this, my San Francisco home at the Oriental Warehouse is being featured. See HERE.

All Booked

I just bought THIS book and am eagerly awaiting its arrival :)

Finished THIS book.

And ooh, finished THIS book.
Non-stop laughter. Call me low-brow.

Am currently reading THIS book.

I'm all booked.

Gorgeous photo of Ms. Hepburn taken by Mark Shaw available for a ridiculous $1800 at www.1stdibs.com

Reality Bites

Lan: I love you.
Ray: I love you more.
Lan: I know.

Typed on the back of our friends' wedding program. *Tee-hee* Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Poon!!!

Photo: cake topper by the small object.

Love Story

1941 Miles
the distance between le cub and cougar while growing up. le cub, in circle pines, minnesota. le cougar, in granada hills, california.

How We Met
on a bus ride to westwood village during when visiting ucla anderson. le cougar gave le cub her business card after a group dinner. le cub lost the card.

First Date
le cub invited le cougar to a romantic dinner over candlelight. le conversation lasted until the restaurant closed.

First Kiss
after going on dates for nearly half a year, le cub, empowered by the presence of visiting college friends, makes his move in a parking lot.

First "I Love You"
we don't remember!

The Proposal
le cub flew le cougar to australia and proposed on top of the sydney harbor bridge with no ring. a blue raspberry ring pop was, however, presented to le cougar at the bottom of the bridge. le cub and cougar are currently shopping around for an non-edible ring.

Engagement
le cougar said "yes!!!"

Going to the Chapel (Only There's No Chapel).
le cub and cougar will be married august 28, 2010.

Rico Suave

My best friend married a good man. This is him with Calbee shrimp chips shoved up his nose. Yes. He is totally awesome.

Bridezilla

Am I? Naaah!

But I am incredibly efficient.

Le cub and I have been checking out venues. While a traditional ceremony (in a church or hotel) may work for most other people, we're not "other people". We're weird. And proud of it!!!

After giving up on Malibu for ceremony & reception venues, we were forced to consider other options. It is, after all, difficult to imagine my mom and grandma enjoying the beach sun. I can see it already, my mom, grams and auntie Su-Su, donning asian mama visors (the ones that resemble welding masks) during the cougar ceremony to avoid sun spots and freckles. Sand sneaking its way into shoes would be another point of complaints. Finally, imagine the annoyance that out-of-town guests would experience as they encounter authentic SoCal traffic while stuck on the Pacific Coast Highway! Stress, bad. Relaxation, good. So nay on the beach wedding...

Luckily, we came across a superior alternative: The Smog Shoppe. (The venue recently made its way onto television in the episode of Top Chef Masters featuring Zoe Deschanel.

Once a 1980s smog-check center, Smog Shoppe is now a 100 percent solar-powered, 6,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor haven for desert plants, vertical gardens, chic vintage furnishings, and dozens of stylish, recycled, and sustainable features. The venue offers a built-in cinephile-quality THX surround sound and a 20-foot digital screen perfect for intimate or large screenings. But Smog Shoppe is not only eco-friendly, it's eyeball-friendly. It's even more beautiful in person than in photo. More photos HERE.

Venue? CHECK!