The It List

Five things I'm lovin' right now ...


David Sedaris' "When You Are Engulfed in Flames," which has made me laugh out loud for the past few days. Sedaris' memoirs are always hilarious, and I've even been compelled to read passages aloud. Yes, I know this is annoying, but H has been a good sport.


Elsie's tutorial on how to make a butterfly wreath. Can't you just imagine summoning fairytale birds and squirrels to help you put this one together?


Using tagines as storage containers, like in this Johnny Miller photo. [via beachbungalow8]


This elephant bread. Peanut butter + toast + marshmallows = delish.


This Old Spice commercial. Hands down it is the funniest TV ad I've seen in a long time. "I'm on a horse." Gets me every time!

... Much Sweeter Than Wine

It's official. A Taste of Honey vintage store is open! Thank you for helping me choose the name. And thanks in advance for spreading the word, friends! You're the best readers a gal could ask for.

Flickr Fridays #60

1. sunny day:, 2. Untitled, 3. Time, 4. three, 5. transformation [communication], 6. Untitled, 7. gluten free lemon and almond meltaways, 8. the shooters, 9. Untitled, 10. Untitled, 11. moonwalk, 12. red vinyl, 13. Untitled, 14. Untitled, 15. daylight and tulips, 16. Untitled

Today was one of those fun/productive days where I worked so hard I had to force myself to take what turned into a five-hour lunch with H just to remind myself that it's the weekend. I'm thisclose to revealing my vintage store and the winning name (along with a fun giveaway). Bear with me a few more days while I get my ducks in a row. Tomorrow: more preparations.

What about you? What are you up to this weekend?

Wish List 02.25.10

What a fun idea for brightening any room in your home. PomLove is packed with different color combos, mobiles and giant poms for any palette. It's like a paper gum machine over there, and I for one am going to need some more quarters.

Design Dialogue: Stormy Sea Necklace

When I first laid eyes on this beautiful necklace, it was instant attraction. "Why hello beautiful mint-green stones," I purred. "Why hello there, you with a neck upon which I could perch the day long," it purred back. We stared at each other in mutual adoration, but I decided to refrain. Perhaps it will go on sale, I thought. And when it does, it will be mine!

This was six months ago.

In the meantime, I pointed out the necklace to H, who called it the most hideous thing he ever saw. This did not deter my desire, but I managed to stay strong, even as my necklace's sisters were selling out in Anthropologies nationwide. "Damn you," I said the last time I visited my coveted. "Damn you for not going on sale!" I took it as a sign that maybe the Stormy Sea necklace was not meant to be.

And then, just when I had decided to give up, my pal Sara was in the right place at the right time and scored possibly the last one in the store (she writes about it here). She is a shopping goddess. Thankyouthankyouthankyou.

And now that H has seen the magic of the necklace close up, he too is entranced with its beauty. As is the theater janitor. And the interns. And other random strangers, all of whom cannot help but notice the seafoam stones lying proud and happy in their rightful spot around my neck.

Fashion Forward: Alice in Wonderland

Anyone else excited to see Tim Burton's take on "Alice in Wonderland"? I'm sure nothing can compare with the charming 1951 cartoon, but the new film looks visually stunning, and I'm a sucker for bright eye-popping colors, especially in 3D.

Dressing like Alice couldn't be easier now that clothing stores and online retailers are packed with 1880s-meets-2010 gear. It's a steampunk dream come true! Here are a few things to take with you down the rabbit hole.

Woodland Belle + Holly Rae

Tempus Fugit

Gwen Delicious + Nuka

Anthro's Precious Stones Dress + Modcloth's Calypso Skirt

Corso Como

Modcloth's Keynote Necklace + Anthro's Aniseed Skirt

Modcloth's Grammar School Knee Highs + And the Hare Necklace

Anthro's Orquidea Teapot Set + Modcloth's The Royal Park Dress in St. James

Link Love 02.22.10

I wonder whatever happened to these rubber-band balls. Back when I had a daily subscription to the newspaper my supply of rubber bands was plentiful and perhaps even too much so (hence the balls). I get nostalgic thinking about this, as I've always fancied myself a newspaper woman. But as much as I always thought I'd love my morning newspaper, I have to admit that I'm just as happy to inform myself via the Internet. I might miss the rubber bands, but I do not miss the newsprint all over my hands.

Wow, I just realized how somber that paragraph was. I'll chalk it up to the fact that I just watched "The Hurt Locker" followed by Olympics ice dancing, which would put any crazy sane person in a pensive mood.

And now some links to keep you clicking:

• A starburst clock made with junk mail. Now that's recycling.
• Check out what families around the world are eating. Everybody loves Coke.
• These cat beds made out of suitcases are flippin' adorable.
• Do you remember Fashion Plates? I made some kick-ass fashion with this toy, believe you me.
• This is what it would be like to live inside "Labyrinth." But first you must fight your way to the castle beyond the Goblin City ...
• And finally ... step by step how to make a succulent, heart-attack-inducing Danger Dog in the safety of your own home.

Fashion Rewind: Giving Up the Gun

Imagine you're the tennis champ and you love the color red. It's symbolic because you make all your opponents bleed. You aren't even afraid of Jake Gyllenhaal wearing short shorts and drinking booze. Booze from the bottle! But really, who is afraid of Jake Gyllenhaal?

(I've been watching the new Vampire Weekend video for "Giving Up the Gun," and it's pretty fun to find fashion inspiration in unlikely places like this.)

You could wear the obvious copycat outfit:



Or you could take it less literally:




And don't forget to check out the video while you're at it.



P.S. If you haven't voted for the name of my new vintage shop yet, I'd like your input. Let me know what you think here.

Flickr Fridays #59

1. Untitled, 2. Cannonball!, 3. Untitled, 4. Mashti Malone, 5. The World is not Enough, 6. map buttons:, 7. IMG_3379, 8. green shoes, 9. snip, 10. Untitled, 11. embroideryinstall1, 12. double chocolate valentine

Happy Friday, friends! It's one of those lazy overcast South Bay days, and we plan to enjoy it accordingly. Leisurely reading, strolling and gnawing on some breakfast. Later, perhaps some "Shutter Island." Tomorrow a journey to Newport Beach with a friend awaits. And, of course, more preparation for my new vintage shop.

P.S. I still need your help selecting a name! Please take a second to vote in the poll to the right or comment on this post.

Sneak Peek at My Secret Project

You've probably noticed that I've been alluding to my "secret project" for a few months now. I've been bursting at the seams to tell you what it is, but I wanted to make sure the timing was right. This included building up an inventory, a branding idea, a vision, a name. But I'm really bad at the whole picking-out-a-name thing and I need your help, which is why I should just come out and say it: I'm opening a vintage store on Etsy!

But about that whole name thing ...

I've narrowed it down to four, and I love them all equally. That's why I need your help! If you could spare a moment to give me your thoughts in the poll I'd be forever grateful (the poll's on the top right side of the blog; if you're in Google Reader you'll have to click over to the actual post to see it).



Will it be A Taste of Honey?



Neon Octopus?



Some Secrets?



Or Strange Carrots?



I'll announce your favorite name next week along with a giveaway to commemorate the store's opening. May the best name win!

The It List

Five things I'm lovin' right now ...

Bakerella's delectable-looking macaron pops. I mean, really, does it get any better than this? She says her macarons aren't perfect yet, but c'mon, they end up in your belly, not a museum. I volunteer to be taste tester. Hand over all those imperfect ones, I'll find a good home for them.


Midnight blue shoes. And I'm majorly crushing on these way-too-rich-for-my-blood specimens at Anthropologie: Sweetheart Oxfords and Halfsies Heels.

The Morning Benders' "Excuses" video. I cannot stop watching. I love the idea of cramming all my friends into a tiny sound studio and laying down a track.


Sleeping in past 5 a.m. This past week I've been on a different work schedule to cover the Berlin Film Festival, and I'm looking forward to hitting the hay at a decent time for a decent amount of hours, starting tonight! (Lovely image via Feeling Croppy.)


Fliegender's "The End" series. He snaps a photo of the still at the end of the films he watches on TV, and together they really are something amazing.

Design Dialogue: Topography

When I saw Leanne Marshall's topography-inspired fall collection I was immediately reminded of Crafterall's clever paper cuts. It should come as no surprise to you that I, the map nerd, want to model these clothes in front of walls decorated with layers upon layers of precision-cut artwork while a French photographer named Claude poses me just-so and we debate whether B&W or color works best for the mood of the shot. "Color or die!" I cry. Yes, even in my most beautiful fantasies there are oddities to endure. But I digress ...





Click here to see more from Leanne's collection.
Click here to buy Crafterall's crafts.

The Best Cookies I Ever Made ...

On Saturday afternoon I found a bag of flaked coconut in my pantry and had a lightbulb moment. I thought, what if I just made a batch of chocolate chip cookies and threw a few handfuls of coconut in it?



The recipe I put together looks a lot like this one for Chococonut Chip Chookies, only I opted to bake a softer cookie bar instead of crispier individual cookies. I also substituted honey for vanilla.



So. So. Good.

Design Dialogue: Writing's on the Mirror

photography philosophy

On any momentous occasion in my youth -- birthday, Valentine's Day, opening night of a play I was in, sometimes for no reason at all -- I could count on waking up to a soap-written message on the bathroom mirror courtesy Mom. Some variation of "Love You" and "XOXOXO." And an instant smile on my face. These memories have been dormant for years. But poof! In the past few days it's been on my mind and I can't stop thinking about this simple sentiment. So perfect and so free.

I plan on leaving H a heartfelt message this morning. It's better than chocolates or a cheesy stuffed animal, don't you think?

Blue Hues

Melissa Gray

Kamii Shoot

Photoshoot: Birthday Fun + Venice Beach

We've lived here since 2005, and yesterday was the first time we've ever been to the Venice Beach boardwalk. I know, crazy, right? We rented trikes and rode up the path until we nearly reached the Santa Monica Pier. The entire time I grinned like a fool, feeling the warm sun on my cheeks and the soft ocean breeze on my face. It was a day of smoothies, beach time, baklava, thrift store shoes and deep bookstore conversations (my favorite kind). H planned the perfect day for me. Thanks, honey!