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:
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!
When my best friend Diana was a pseudo-Berliner (aka working abroad), she met a guy named Welfe Bowyer (Neon Sleep) who not only threw crazy parties and afterhours, he also made jewelry that she would write home about.
At that time, I got a few glimpses of what I thought was some of the coolest designs I’d ever seen. And having been to Berlin, you know the creative energy is off the charts.
Fast forward to now, Diana sent me Welfe’s latest look book for his 2008 collection. I was kind of/totally wetting my chonies looking at the images.
Add that to my wishlist, please!
I’ve been bad this month, spending money like I’ve got some. With today’s gas prices and other debilitating economic concerns, I’m surprised I’ve still got enough spunk to shop. Here’s my theory though: If you’re not shopping for sales, you’re not shopping smart. Below are some salez happening on the west worth pulling out your wallet for.
Ooga Booga Store
WHAT: June clothing sale up to 40% off
WHEN: Now until you miss out
WHERE: www.oogaboogastore.com/shop/clothing or 943 N. Broadway #203, Los
Angeles, 90012
Beautiful/Decay Sample Sale
WHAT: Sale on unreleased samples (never before seen) at 80% off
WHEN: This Saturday, 10am – 3pm
WHERE: Agenda Showroom, 635 N. Martel Ave., Los Angeles, 90036
SCOUT/LA Sample Sale
WHAT: 40% to 60% off brands like Jeremy Scott, Society for Rational Dress, and more!
WHEN: Today (Friday) until Sunday, 11am – 7pm
WHERE: 7920 W. Third St., b/t S. Edinburgh & S. Fairfax Aves.
Satine
WHAT: Sale on Chloe, Ksubi, Pierre Hardy, and more at 70% off
WHEN: Starts NOW- Until things run out…
WHERE: www.satineboutique.com or 8117 West Third St.
Los Angeles, 90048
So who doesn’t know about the Green Door?
Since it opened, Chris Breen & Alan Hajjar’s exclusive lounge has been inhabited by LA’s flyest and finest (and the not-so-finest as well, but that’s Hollywood in general).
The two–yes TWO–times that I’ve been there have been memorable. The gothic-Victorian interior lends a romantic, slightly creepy, ambiance. If the Bar Marmont was the ice-cold cool kid in high school, Green Door is her outgoing younger sister.
This summer, the Green Door’s open (or somewhat ajar) for its “Lo Hi Fi” Saturday nights, a weekly jam session featuring peeps like Chris Cornell of Audio Slave/Soundgarden, Weezer, and more doing covers of classic rock anthems and current indie favz. So imagine Weezer covering Cold War Kids and imagine being 5 feet away from the madness–need I say more? The only catch is, getting in might be difficult. My source tells me that a reservation for dinner is the way to go. Or, when in Los Angeles, do as the Angelenos do–namedrop.
Green Door
1429 Ivar Ave,
Los Angeles, CA. 90028
Hours of Operation: Tuesday – Sunday; 8:30pm – 2:00am
Reservations: 323.463.0008
I attended Culver City’s Art Walk last weekend and I was not impressed with much of what I saw. But the lackluster art aside, my friends Evan and Freddie Cerasoli’s gallery dubbed Cerasoli Gallery (formerly Lab 101) was the highlight of my trek down South.
And with all the hype around Royal T, the astroturf/foliage-covered gallery/cafe/store (yes, it’s that complicated), I had to see it for myself. While undeniably unique, the space was a bit confusing, but the schizophrenic design gives Culver City the kind of edge it needs.
Walking in, you can’t ignore the enormous giant-sized stuffed things (i.e. squid, dog, and the like). And then there’s the actual café, the enlarged Harajuku photographs, and cute waitresses like Megumi wearing cutesy maid outfits. Overall, it’s definitely worth checking out. But I might not get the Hello Kitty-endorsed Calpico next time.
Because I always hang out with them or use them for rides, I forget how talented my friends are. These are people with rad personalities doing big thangs here in LA and it’s important I give them a little shout out. Above all, they are homies (the best kind).
Diana
Her blog Systems of Operation is visually and mentally orgasmic. She’s of the truly brilliant kind and always inspires me to read and really LIVE more.
Trevor
He’s in a band, Intricate Machines, and it’s going to be F*****G (expletive!) big. He can play almost every instrument, but his steel drum action is like, woah!
Kat
She’s not just a pretty face but she’s a “supertaster”. Her palate for delicious foods is incomparable. Check out Cork and Rind, her food blog!
Christina
Her “grandmom’s pink dress” series makes you feel. Her photography does that to you. And she’s got flava. Beat that.
Stay tuned for parts II, III, IV, V, etc.
I used to have serious New York-envy. My annual escapes to “the city/big apple” always left me feeling like Los Angeles had a permanent giant “L” for “Loser” on its forehead. I’d come back and have to fight traffic on the 405 freeway, desperately wanting to wash down a really good falafel sandwich with ice cold beer at 4 am.
Fast forward like 4 years, and suddenly I’ve morphed into a Westside-Till-I-Die-gal. It doesn’t hurt that the Lakers are totally watchable this season. Anyway, I’ve narrowed down my top ten reasons why Los Angeles is kind of the bomb right now. This doesn’t mean I don’t still envy New Yorkers, just not as much.
1. The Bar Method West Hollywood. This high-intensity pilates class kicked my ASS tonight. But can’t complain because Miss Zooey Deschanel was 10 feet away, sweating. How’s that for motivation?
2. APC/Steven Alan/Alexander McQueen/Marni/Scout/Milk/Satine/Maxfield, uhm, need I say more? (see la.racked.com)
3. Late night mexican/tex-mex food. Sure, NYers have pizza and falafel and hot dogs but we’ve got tacos and burritos and bacon wrapped hot dogs (truly a Mexican import, never seen anything like it here in the States).
4. Thrift stores that haven’t been picked through. As much as I loathe driving to Orange County, I’m motivated by the great vintage frocks and Ferragamo heels that need to end up in my closet.
5. Brilliante Artistic Nail in Gardena (South Bay). This Japanese-run nail-salon trumps all the passable manicurists I’ve ever let jazz up my nails. You want glitter? a rainbow gradient? the scariest nails ever? You got it!
6. Scoops Ice Cream. I pity the fool who dares to challenge Tai (owner) to an ice-cream making contest. After all, who else can whip up foie gras ice cream and actually make it taste…good?
7. Sunshine + wine/cheese/cupcakes + the Cure/Nick Cave/Feist/Spiritualized/Radiohead (and more) at the Hollywood Bowl. Woah.
8. Biking. There’s more ground to cover if you want a real workout, less competition with foot traffic and no need to dodge angry taxi drivers. Plus, we’ve got our beloved Bike Kitchen where Monday nights’ “Bicycle Bitchin” class is a ladies only event.
9. Same sex marriages are a-ok in LA!
10. Well, supposedly P. Diddy is buying (or has bought) a house here. That’s a good sign, no?
Even though I’m a continent away, I felt the shock of legendary designer Yves St. Laurent’s recent death.
YSL has garnered adoration that spans across generations; his work is venerated and mimicked worldwide. Even my mother, who’s devoid of any high fashion sensibilities (although very fashionable in her own right), owns her very own YSL bag.
Of course it’s her favorite, still in the protective dust bag, sitting on the highest shelf of shelves. And then there’s little-ole-fashion-obsessed me, mourning the loss of an icon.
But Yves St. Laurent will definitely be remembered for decades of tasteful designs. And for creating a fashion aesthetic that still resonates today.
Read what others have to say about him.
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