Entry No.31

Jenni Kayne with son Tanner

Jenni Kayne Spring '11

The first day of Spring is technically not until March 20th but it feels like a new Spring here in LA. Spring to means beautiful sunny days, new flowering blooms, green foliage every where and best of all checking out the new fashion collections for the new season. I just checked out Jenni Kayne's new Spring '11 collection online and she never fails to deliver. The clean lines, luscious fabrics and overall classic aesthetic of her line is just up my alley. I tend to veer away from trendy clothes and with the cost of great clothes now a days, you want to know that you can build on your wardrobe for years to come. And that is exactly her philosophy. I first knew about Jenni a few years back when Domino magazine featured pictures of her home. I tried googling picks but could only come up with a few below. She started her company at the tender age of nineteen! I admire girls like her who know exactly what they want to do and do it well.

Jenni Kayne Spring '11

Jenni Kayne Spring '11

Jenni Kayne's home

Jenni Kayne's home

Jenni Kayne's home office

Entry No.30

Love, love, love this song!

Entry No.29

Attention! There is a new online magazine worth perusing. Congrats Matchbook Magazine!

Entry No.28

Just saw one of these wiz by me on San Vicente. The girl driving looked about 17 and the world's biggest Sanrio fan. Oh lord.

Entry No.27

Tea Towels from Studio Patro

Once in a while I get a little bored with the kitchen. Not with the way it functions but rather with the way it looks. When I feel like this I know there is only one cure. I need to re-accessories. With very little money you can give the kitchen a whole new feel by switching tea towels, floor runners and table linens. Here are a few I am contemplating at the moment.

Rug from West Elm

Runner from Dwell Studio

Tea towel from Heath

Table runner and linens from Emerson Made

Entry No.26

Like most Angelenos, I have a love/hate relationship with LA. I hate the traffic, the smog and the bad plastic surgery. But whenever I think about packing my bags and moving to another city or town, I quickly realize that I can't leave KCRW. It is absolutely irreplaceable and indispensable to my quality of life. This radio station has made me a better more informed citizen. Not only has KCRW elevated my taste in music but it awakened a passion for politics that I did not know existed in me. Today, I was lucky enough to volunteer for the KCRW pledge drive. I want to thank Bill, Dan and Fran for helping me log in on the computer and for not making fun of me when I fumbled on the line. If you don't live in the Los Angeles area, KCRW streams online for free and if you feel overwhelmed with appreciation, please contribute. Hearts to you all.

Best Coast is just another one of the great bands that KCRW has introduced to me. I love the Mexican quinceniera in the park.

Entry No.25

Mmmmmmm. Baked goodies from Huckleberry.

Entry No.24

Most people rarely walk in their front door when coming home. Most people drive up to the most boring Home Depot tin special and then are greeted by a huge mess of bikes, toys, boxes of Christmas ornaments, laundry, hoses.....well, you get the picture. The garage is usually terribly neglected and I don't know why more home owners don't give it a little more attention. A garage door can add architectural detail and really enhance the rest of the house. I have decided that I will be posting beautiful garage doors that are sure to bring you a smile if you were the lucky person to drive up to it everyday. These three garages are attached to beautiful Spanish style houses. My favorite is the photo above. I love the unusual and very stylish way they display an exterior light in the middle of both doors. Gorgeous.

Entry No.23

Thanks for the Choos Marc. Ha. Marc, the kid, dog and I spent last Saturday in Beverly Hills. I had to get my do done and whenever I am on that side of town I have to say hi to old shop-friends on Rodeo. I hit Jimmy Choo where my friend DJ is the manager. They are having a sale and I could not resist these little puppies. I can only justify a Choo shoe purchase when on sale as the house is still under construction and have a new baby. I love this kind of toe box. It shows just the tiniest bit of toe cleavage. Very sexy for a one inch heel, don't ya think. If you need some retail therapy there is no better than Jimmy Choo. xx

Entry No.22

When Marc and I set out to buy our second house we didn't necessarily want a fixer. But back in the Summer/Fall of '08 it was really hard to get financing and we were competing with lots of people in our price point. With the help of a friend who lived on Mandeville Canyon, we finally descended on our house on Bayliss Rd and it was quite the fixer. The house was built in 1967 and the original owner lived in it until her passing. You can tell she did a beautiful job designing the house. She had custom curtains hung in every room in shades of light blue, chartreuse and cream. Actually, that was the color scheme through out the house. Not necessarily our style. When it came time to embark on our renovation, I new 100% that I wanted to work with a professional architect and an interior designer. We budgeted the cost of both of their services for the remodel though our remodel has gone well over the original budget, but that is another story. Our house would become our biggest investment and I know there are many of you out there that would argue that any home would be an investment but bare with me. I have seen lots and lots of bad remodel jobs where it was obvious the owner of the house worked with the contractor directly and didn't take into consideration the flow, floor plan and they did not take advantage of what the lot had to offer. So the owner puts the house on the market and is angry that they did not get the same price per square foot as the beautifully designed house down the street. I used to think hiring a decorator was reserved for the rich and famous. But I have found that there are many interior designers and all work on different kinds of budgets. Some smart decorators also figured out quickly that via the internet and other technology it would be possible to design a room sight unseen and thus pass the savings to the client. What you do is send the designer photos and dimensions of the room as well as magazine clippings of designed rooms you like. Within a few weeks you get a box and in it is a floor plan and concept for the room. Now you go out and buy the recommendations at your leisure. Brilliant! Betsy Burnham is one such designer setting the trend. Check out her fresh take on west coast aesthetic.

Entry No.21

Thanks Parker for waking Mama up at the usual 6:00 am even on a Sunday otherwise I would have missed a conversation on NPR about pie making with Beth Howard. Beth has a theory that the world would be a better place if more folks gathered around to spend some time over a slice of pie. I like that thought and decided I was going to make an apple pie today. It's sad but it seems I only see my friends these days on special occasions. I figure sharing pie is as good a reason to hang out as any (as if you needed an excuse to hang with friends). Check out Beth's blog at theworldneedsmorepie.blogspot.com. She has videos of simple techniques on making pies.

Entry No.20

I finally saw Black Swan last night. Oh how I wish I had seen it during the day. This movie was so creepy that it was hard to look in the mirror later. I have a new respect for Natalie Portman. It must have been so hard to lose all the weight she had to for the role, practice ballet at a professional level and give so much emotionally. Bravo!! If you have not seen this movie yet, I don't know what you are waiting for.

Entry No.19

When my daughter was born a month early and I had to have an emergency c-section I was out of commission for a while. I was very lucky to have my in laws around to help for six weeks! They were such a big help that I don't know how I would have managed without them. My favorite part of their stay was all the home cooked meals and one of those meals stands out above the rest. My mother-in-law, Carole, made the most delicious spaghetti with tomatoes I have ever had. She said she got the recipe from People magazine from all places and that she read this particular pasta dish was the favorite of Jay Z and Beyonce (oh how I hate to name drop) who order it to go from Scarpetta in NY. This recipe is so easy to duplicate that it can hardly be called a recipe. She has made this a few times and I can hardly wait for tomato season to arrive so I can make it for my little girl. And I just found out that there is a Scarpetta restaurant in Beverly Hills. Carole and I are going to have to hit this restaurant during her visit in a couple of weeks. If this simple pasta dish can be that good I bet the rest of the menu is to die for.

Entry No.18

Fran Leibowitz is the jewish, intellectual, gay mother I never had. Lol. No seriously, life would have been easier with a character like her around. The woman can break it down like no other. Martin Scorsese directed a documentary called Public Speaking featuring Fran for HBO. I have seen this documentary about ten times and I have learned several things. I will relay three for you.

1. The worst picture of you at 25 is better than the best picture at 45.

2. Smokers do not need to be enticed to purchase cigarettes with a "sale". The addict will pay any price.

3.Connoisseurship is as important as the artist.

Entry No.17

I made cheese today! Ricotta that is. Everyone should make this, it is sooooo easy. The picture above is herbed ricotta and the recipe is Ina Garten's a.k.a. the Barefoot Contessa. The recipe is in her new book How Easy Is That. I saw her make this on the Today show a month ago. Oh Ina, you never let me down. :)

Entry No.16

Take a look at this beauty! While on caravan yesterday I walked into this amazing home on the market. It is not hard to see a beautifully designed house in LA but it is not everyday you get a chance to see a house this beautifully furnished. The owner is an interior designer and the house has been featured in Domino Magazine. The house feels young, eclectic and feminine. It's located north of Montana walking distance to R & D restaurant, Planet Blue and Pete's coffee. I am in love with this house. Here are a few pics of the house. It makes me want to buy the house furnished. What do you think?

Entry No.15

Did you know that the Whole Foods on San Vicente in Santa Monica has $1 tacos on Tuesdays? I did not either until I went grocery shopping there today after broker's caravan. I walked by the prepared food case and saw this woman carrying a little plastic container of neatly assembled carne asada tacos with all the trimmings, e.i. cilantro, chopped onions and salsa. I asked her where she got them and she pointed to the area behind the case. I could not have ordered four tacos fast enough. I can't explain to you how this news makes me very happy. I am hitting this Whole Foods every tuesday after Tuesdays broker's caravan!

Entry No.14

After lunch we headed back to Jow's apartment in Los Feliz. I become nostalgic when I am on this side of town. I used to live up Beachwood Canyon many years ago and Los Feliz was my old stomping grounds. My favorite thing to do on this side of town is drive around and see all the older homes. There are so many spanish style houses with sprawling front yards and big craftsman bungalows. I find it weird that for as east as Hollywood is, I never needed air conditioning when I lived there, not even in my car! Some how there seems to be a cool breeze that runs through those neighborhoods. Maybe it has to do with it's proximity to the canyon. I had to take a few photos of the outside of Jow's apartment building. It's so pretty.

Entry No.13

Parker, Mochi and I trekked across town to Los Feliz to visit my friend Jow and have some lunch at Viet, an organic Vietnamese restaurant in Atwater Village. She took me to Viet over a year ago after an early jaunt at the Pasadena Rose Bowl Flea Market. I have had a lot of Vietnamese food and this place is hands down the best. The last time I was there I was very pregnant and ordered the spicy sardine sandwich and the chicken pho. The pho's broth was so clear and very fragrant and the sardine sandwich was stuffed with shredded carrots, onion and what I think was jicama. Amazing. This time I only had the sandwich and sipped on a lovely penny wort and apple concoction. I should have brought an order of the pho to go. Delish!

Entry No.12

I am going to try to get in to the Annenberg Community Beach House Pool tomorrow. It will not be easy if the day is as beautiful as it is today. Adult admission is $10. It's located on the beach off the PCH just south of Channel Drive. I visited once last summer and I could not believe how beautiful the grounds are. It still feels relaxing though there are lots of kids in the pool. This place is a must see. I am crossing my fingers we get in. Tootles!

Entry No.11

It is a pleasant 75 degrees here on the west side of LA and the day beckoned for everyone to come out and play. I decided to blow my work out at Equinox at the Blue Plate Oysterette in Santa Monica on Ocean Drive. Marc accompanied me along with Ms. P. Marc ordered the ahi tuna sandwich and I ordered the lobster roll both served on brioche and we both shared the ahi tuna crudo. We washed it all down with a couple of Stellas. Ms. P had the child's plate salmon with mac and cheese. After lunch we walked across the street to Palisades Park. It's a park that stretches for several blocks along Ocean Avenue. We took some cute pics of Ms. P for her invites. All in all, I would say I had a perfect day. Until next time. Ta ta.

Entry No.10

The Sartorialist blog has become an addiction for me, well I confess, not just this blog. Whenever I feel like I don't know what to wear and I need a little inspiration I turn to this blog. I can't get enough of the stylish people walking around in various cities such as New York, Milan, Paris, Tokyo. Scott Schulman began posting photos of these folks a few years ago and his blog has become a sensation. You never know where your hobbies can lead and in Shulman's case he could not have dreamed he would get a chance to put out The Satorislist book and the opportunity to photograph a DKNY campaign. What makes the photos so great is that they appear candid and you get a sense you are there when the photo was taken. In LA there is never a lack of people prancing around wearing the latest trendy tops, pants, whatever and sad to say, they usually don't look so good, though it is clear they spent a lot of money. And that might just be what they are trying to project. Fortunately, The Satorialist celebrates the personality and spirit of everyday men and women who care about style. A guy could be wearing a simple pare of Levis, a white t shirt, black chunky boots and a humble pea coat but he can look so incredibly cool. It's the cut of the jeans and how the pea coat drapes over his torso that makes him look impeccable. I can go on and on. Check out a mini documentary of a day in the life of Shulman's blog.

Entry No.9

Those on the west side woke up to a quintessential sunny, clear California day. I don't know where it came from. All I knew this a.m. was that I was going to take advantage of this glorious day and get one cute photo of my baby girl for her 1st birthday party invites. Normally she is pretty cooperative but I couldn't coax a smile from her this afternoon. I took her to a wonderful park in Pacific Palisades and there were tons of kids. "P" was mesmerized with all the tots running around and could give a hoot if mommy was making goo goo gaa gaa sounds to get a reaction. I hung in the towel around 4:30 in the afternoon and could hardly believe how warm it was. So we headed out for a post photo shoot ice cream cone at Sweet Rose Creamery in the Brentwood Country Mart located at 26th Street and San Vicente. Aaaaah, soooo refreshing. I had the salted carmel and Rosa shared her horchata ice cream with the little one. Round two of photo taking tomorrow sans the ice cream.

Entry No.8

My girlfriend Charlotte and her mother Mary Charlotte invited Marc and me to dinner at Osteria Mozza last night. The restaurant is located on the corner of Highland and Melrose in LA and not an easy trek from Mandy Canyon. It took some weaving and bobbing in traffic so to speak but it was sooooo worth it. I don't make it out to that side of town often because traffic is so bad. I know it is a pathetic excuse but what can I say. Anywho, the restaurant is gorgeous with super high ceilings and a large cheese bar in the center of the front dinning room,plenty of eye candy all around with people watching to boot. Zoe Saldana was sitting down at the table next to us. Yes, she is that pretty in real life and that skinny too. The real star at the restaurant was the food as it should be. Omg, I had the grilled octopus and potato salad and I am still savoring it this morning. It was perfectly cooked, tender and not chewy. We shared a couple of plates of burrata, one with braised leaks and another on a crostini. Next I had the grilled leg of lamb. It was served in as small tower of very thin sliced meat served on israeli couscous with a lemony yogurt sauce. And we ended the meal with chocolate hazelnut gelato, a slice of chocolate torte served with an assortment of chocolates and a plate of assorted cookies. It was absolutely heaven. Thank you Charlotte and Mary Charlotte for a wonderful evening full. xx

Entry No.7

I just finished reading The Bucolic Plaugue. I love, love, love this book. The book is about a successful gay couple living in New York City and their purchase of the Beekman Mansion in upstate New York. They soon become fruit and vegetable farmers, goat caretakers and proprietors of a mail order goat's milk soap business all while keeping their day jobs. The book documents their trials and tribulations of fulfilling their dreams of living the simple life but there is no short cut to seeing their vision through. They star in their own reality tv show called The Fabulous Beekman Boys and I can hardly wait to tune in. Below is a youtube video of the show. It looks hilarious!

Entry No.6

Jan/Feb 2011 | Lonnymag.com

I remember where I was the moment I found out Domino Magazine was closing shop. I was sitting outside Broadway Deli at the 3rd Street Promenade with an interior designer. One of her interns had called her during our lunch to tell her the news and when she told me my heart sunk. It was my favorite magazine. I remember how restless I would feel when I subscription was late in the mail. I felt a terrible loss and one I knew could not be filled. I know there are a million shelter magazines out there but none did what Domino did. It was young and fresh and eclectic. It seemed to me that the people who worked there were fun and loved what they did. I wondered if they would start another magazine just like Domino and I am happy to say that some of the folks from Domino have started an online magazine called Lonny that is just as awesome as Domino. They have been around for about a year now and you absolutely must check it out.

Entry No.5

I am a lucky girl. My in-laws live in Mill Valley, CA and I spend quite a bit of time there lately now that my house is under construction again. One of the first things I do when I visit is pop into my two favorite shops in the world. One is Summer House and the other is Tyler Florence. This shop is gorgeous. I love sitting in the library in the back of the store and sitting in the brown leather chesterfield sofa while flipping through cook books. I can not leave the shop without his California Putanesca sauce. It tastes incredibly fresh! Here are a few photos of his shop and his home kitchen in Mill Valley. I am a sucker for neutral black and white kitchens.