Nylon Blogs

It’s so hard to save money, especially in a city like Los Angeles where new boutiques open up as quickly as the gas prices fluctuate.

And every other Friday when I get paid, guess where I end up?

At some new store guiltily spending money or at a gas station pumping gas.

I was planning on doing the 180- ever since I got my bike fixed and while I’m better about the gas thing, I heard about TEN OVER SIX , the new boutique on Beverly that houses accessories and only accessories.

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Woah Nelly.

So I’ve been super busy lately (hence the lack of consistent updates) and this is what I’ve been doing:

TIME MACHINE’S “BEAT IT UP” TRACK

Heads up on this awesome track by L.A.-based hip-hop group Time Machine featuring yours truly eating up the chorus. The group is comprised of three forward-thinking music makers, lyricists Jaysonic and Comel and their producer DJ Mekalek, who share a house in Echo Park that doubles as their studio. Their DIY recording studio is conducive for their sound, which I find to be very organic and raw. I’m a huge fan of their music and heck, they were recently covered on MTVU’s website and have quite a huge underground following. So I am more than honored to be on this track.

Have a listen and I’d love to know your thoughts. After all, gotta trust the Nylon blog-readers for good feedback.

Xo Diane

I never thought my wildest dreams would come true.

In fact, these dreams are transforming into nightmarish realism that human beings won’t be able to keep up with mechanical powers that be.

I’m talking about robots.

Yes.

Robots.

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So if ya’ll don’t already know, there’s this band out here in LA called The Intricate Machines (I’m lucky that two of the band members are my roommates) and they are on their way up and up! Having just released the EP, they have not only received RAVE reviews at music megafarm Amoeba, but they’ve been contacted by a few well-known and much respected music labels. Can’t divulge at the moment, it’s on the hush hush.

Anyway, tonight, they will be performing tracks from their latest album at SENOR FISH in Downtown LA for a monthly party, RERAX (which has been jumping off the last three months). Anyway- if you’re on this coast definitely check out the party and get a chance to catch Intricate Machines before they officially take over the world.

Friday, JULY 25 (TONIGHT) Free w/ RSVP @ http://www.urb.com/events
422 East First Street
Los Angeles, CA

xo Diane

As a fashion-obsessed twenty-something year old, I hate that my paycheck never can sustain my insensible shopping habits.

Unlike Cameron, Lauren, Lindsay, and the other LA girls who get photographed going to Kitson, I don’t own a single pair of $400 shoes, and still I can barely afford my rent.

But you see, being fashionable on a budget has its perks. You learn how to be creative with your wardrobe. You also evolve into a bargain hunting pro.

And if you’re into designer labels- they’re out there folks.

Be willing to get your hands dirty and you’ll end up with a fabulous find.

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Alas, the long weekends come and go. But that doesn’t mean you can’t prolong the fun. My life has been FUN lately, mainly because I’ve been seeing my long distance boyfriend from a shorter distance, and I’ve been relishing in the eternal sunshine of So Cal.
But all that sensitive stuff aside, there is much to do in LA, especially at night when all the parties jump off.

This past Friday, Squeak E. Clean’s annual Suds party was the place to be. The DJ roster couldn’t have been better with the man himself, Switch, Tittsworth, and Pubes holding down the Hollywood Car Wash grounds. And if dancing’s not your thing, then skateboarding had to be; a skateboard ramp installed for the party (courtesy of Girl skateboards) was in full effect.

A big shout out to Jody of Squeak E. Clean team and Ayden of Filter Magazine, two powerful ladays who I was more than happy to see (and reconnect with). And as I tend to overdo all the verbal stuff– here are some of my favorite photos of the night.

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Blends Downtown is always showing us good stuff (and a good time)! This Thursday, the store brings us Retrospectacle, a showcase of vintage Oakleys along with their old-school advertisements. The Blends crew will also launch their collaborative collection with only 20 limited pieces available for purchase.

And afterwards, shimmy over next door to Bar 107 for music, dancing, and fun. It’ll be your only opportunity to wear sunglasses indoors without looking a little extra.

125 W. 4th Street, Downtown LA
Show: 7 - 10 pm
after party at Bar 107 next door

Though not entirely West Coastin, Pegleg NYC sells to Kingsbury (here in LA) and I’m a fan of their whimsical designs/t-shirt graphics. Here’s one for the stay-at-home-mom (not me) or the girl who wants to clean in an endearing men’s tee (also, not me). I think I might just buy my boyfriend one and make him do the cleaning. (plastic object tee; $52)
xo Diane

Kingsbury
8366 W. 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048

When my buddy Scarlett from Starworks invited me to the Phillip Lim store opening, I was both excited and well, EXTREMELY excited. It’s a little piece of Manhattan, done up Weho style, situated across the street from my other favorite NYC transplant Steven Alan. And plus, who doesn’t love and/or appreciate Phillip Lim?

The store is a visual eyegasm. Its conceptually revealing of Phillip Lim as a brand and a lifestyle: the exterior and interior design is edgy, but handled in a controlled, sophisticated manner. It’s sharp and quirky; it means business, but what a party! I couldn’t take my eyes off the walls that seemed to be lined with three-dimensional pyramids that look fantastically like a giant never-ending milk carton. And once inside, there’s nowhere to hide. It’s spherical geometry with no corners or corridors. But you know, all this didn’t outshine the clothes. But I’m biased.

I guess there were some important people there. As you can see, I was distracted. But I’ll let the paparazzi deal with the celeb photos. Here’s a sneak peak:

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New York has McCarren Park and we’ve got the Hollywood Forever Cemetery for fun-but-sometimes-cold summer outdoor movie screenings. What’s not to love about being outdoors with your friends, chilling out on the grass, eating, drinking, while a movie plays on a screen overhead? Oh wait, subtitles.

Check out the schedule for yourself. Last Sunday, my posse and I dropped in to catch Rockers, an iconic Jamaican film entirely in Patois with tons of music, minimal violence, and really no plot. But the music was dope and we got to abuse my friend Robert’s Fuji Instapix!

I swear we’re watching the movie!

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