TERRARIUMS FROM TERRAIN

Don't you just love terrariums? I have a couple in my house and they always seem to bring a smile to my face. They add texture and life to any room, look great grouped together or all alone. Terrain has an entire section devoted to terrariums, including everything you need to make your own...



{photos via apt therapy and ny times}

MY SWEETEST DAY WITH PHIL DONOHUE

Who: Phil Donohue, Writer/Director/Iced Tea Aficionado & boyfriend of Miss Figueroa-Kulp
Where: Greater Los Angeles County
When: Thursday
 
1. Philippe’s. As a general disclaimer I feel that it would be a bit disingenuous of me to refer to my prospective day as my “Sweetest” for nothing I will be partaking in will be the least bit sweet. So, for the sake of accuracy, I would like to dub this My ‘Savory’ Day which will begin at the leisurely hour of noon. I will wake from my modest adobe here in lovely South Pasadena and take a brief ride on the Gold Line to Philippe The Original, the purveyor (and in my humble view originator) of the French Dip sandwich. Philippe’s embodies what Los Angeles once was and I what I like to pretend it still can be. My order in perpetuity is the hand carved Leg of Lamb with Blue Cheese, double dipped in Au Jus for maximum saturation, a side of Potato Salad, and two Iced Teas, which will be the first two of many to help sustain my life force throughout this most savory day. Since it’s Thursday I will be perusing the L.A. Weekly to mentally catalogue the possible festivities of the upcoming week.

2. South Pasadena Farmers Market. I can only enjoy a day as decadent as this one will prove to be because of my weekly pilgrimage to my local Farmers Market. Unlike any other Farmers Market that I am aware of, the South Pasadena incarnation does not end before I wake and stays open until roughly 8 pm. One Miss Figueroa-Kulp will join me in the picking of fresh produce that will hopefully cleanse my body with the only semblance of nutrition my insides have just recently begun to see. After this decidedly green act is complete I would like to sit out on the patio of Nicole’s to share a bottle of  Etienne Dupont Organic Cidre, a newfound favorite, while soaking in that famous So Cal sunshine through the particle polluted air.

3. The Sunken City. In my perpetual state of wanderlust, part of the joy I get out of my love/hate relationship with the city is attempting to uncover gems buried within the various municipalities in this sprawling clusterfuck known as Los Angeles. Lately I have been gravitating to the harbor towns of San Pedro and Long Beach and one of the standouts of all of my urban-exploratory endeavors has been the Sunken City. Although most popularly known as the backdrop where John Goodman spreads Donny’s ashes onto the face of The Dude in The Big Lebowski – for me, the Sunken City most encapsulates the beauty, and wrath, of nature combined with the thrill of trespassing. In its most literal form, the Sunken City is a stretch of the San Pedro coastline that inexplicably sank into the sea below. What is left are the jagged remnants of homes, road ways, and street car lines adorned with graffiti that concretize a more objectively accurate definition of “street art”. Although not particularly legal (you have to jump a small concrete wall at Point Fermin Park before sliding through a small hole made under a metal fence) nor particularly safe, I will be damned if there is a better place to enjoy the setting sun.

4. Joe Jost’s. The Dive Bars in Long Beach have an unsullied reputation for being actual, un-ironic dives. The only downside to this is many base their patronage on the likelihood of whether or not they will be stabbed – a thrill for some, a deal breaker for others. One establishment you have a pretty strong chance of not being stabbed is Joe Jost’s. Not unlike Philippe’s, this bar embodies a by gone era – a true blue-collar watering hole (sharing its namesake and building with a bait and tackle shop for Christ’s sake) is one of the oldest continually operating bars west of the Mississippi. The bar snacks also hearken to a nearly, and for some gladly, forgotten era; Pickled Eggs served with Hot Sport Peppers with a dash of pepper on a bed of pretzels or Joe’s Special – a Polish Sausage stuffed with a pickle spear topped with a slice of Swiss Cheese with Mustard on Rye Bread. These may not sound all that appetizing on paper but are hard to avoid while drinking down a slightly less than delicious Busch Draft.

5. Beachwood BBQ. I am mostly likely overextended at his point but I will not let that thwart my final act of decadence. Beachwood BBQ in neighboring Seal Beach has become an unlikely choice for my frequent visits as per its proximity to my home. Yet, unlike most restaurants, where I tend to return on the basis of re-experiencing my favorite dishes, the entire menu of Beachwood is so indulgently delectable I have hardly scratched the surface. With that being said artery clogging delights I have yet to try such as the Tater Tot Casserole; a dish served with Porcini dusted Taters cooked in Duck Fat and topped with Smoked Cheese Curds and Duck Gravy, would be the appropriate dénouement to this most savory day. After a dish like this it is unlikely I will be able to do much anything but be filled with regret and look forward to a much necessary detoxification regimen. 




{photo of phil by james zimmerman, sunglasses, camera, sunken city, philippe's}

A LITTLE GLITTER

It looks like Glitter Guide will be launching later this month {fingers crossed} and I couldn't be more excited. Glitter Guide will be covering more then just things that sparkle, but in honor of our namesake I thought I would pull together some glittery pieces fit for a "glitter girl's" closet...

1. J. Crew Sequined Dress $600
2. Sequin Harem Pant $499.99
3. All Saints Tavi Dess $280
4. Jeffrey Campbell Glitter Platforms $139.95
5. Tara Mathews Beaded Bikini $490
6. Jeffrey Campbell Glitter Oxford $129.95
7. Cute Beaded Bracelet $6.80
8. Coiled Snake Ring $138
9. All Saints Narnia Top $135
10. Striped Metal Clutch $148
11. Disco Sequin Shorts $250
12. Charm Pump $325
13. The Lake and Stars Bustier and Brief $210
14. Hibiscus Beaded Sandals $56
15. Vince Sequined Mini Dress $425
16. Crystal Sun Necklace $98
17. Vince Sequin Cami $295
18. Shimmering Tweezers $1.80
19. Glass Earrings $45

CHIC OFFICE FURNITURE. UNDER $300

I do apologize, 'cause I've got office on the brain. James and I are three weeks away from moving in and I feel completely unready. There is so much I want to accomplish before he moves in, like clean out the garage, sell things on craigslist, re-paint certain rooms, buy furniture for my office/dressing room, buy matching hangers {hey, if my clothes are going to be out on display, they better look good}. Most people get to move somewhere new together, but since James is moving in with me, I wanted it to still feel new to us. 
The past month has been insanely busy, which means house stuff has not been on the top of my priority list. Ah well, at least I am busy doing things that make me insanely happy {ie. blogging, workin' on branding projects, photoshoots and glitter guide}. Since I've been so hard at work, and I am getting ready to have my very own office, I've been on the hunt for chic office furniture that doesn't cost a zillion dollars. Well guess what? I think I found some, and it's all under $300... 
 
One. Vika Amon Desk $99.99 + Ripple Office Chair $299
Two. Industrial Steel Chair $129 + Pratt Desk $224.99
Three. Besta Burs Desk $249 + Macau Armchair $279
Four. Eames Chair $229 + Sawhorse Desk $249.99
Five. Go-Cart Desk $149 + Louis Chair $299
Six. Aluminum Office Chair $225 + Campaign Desk $229.99

SWEET STYLE. HUNTINGTON GARDENS

The boyfriend's parents were in town this weekend, so we decided to show off this fine city of ours and take them to some of our favorite places, along with some places we've been meaning to check out. Saturday was pretty perfect, we had brunch at Canelé, spent the afternoon at The Huntington Botanical Gardens, had dinner at Umami Burger, and went to see the Fleet Foxes. The Huntington Gardens in Pasadena is one of those places I've been meaning to visit for ages. Annie even included it in her "sweetest day," and for good reason- It is 207 acres of botanical gardens, with 14,000 different varieties of plants. It's truly a breathtaking sight, especially right now with the roses in full bloom. Although, I think my favorite part would have to be the hot house. I have a weakness for succulents, I just love the colors and textures. I will definitely be coming back here since the admission is free the first Thursday of every month. It is just the place to go when you need to get away from the city and reconnect with nature...
 
wearing: 
vintage levi's jean jacket
h&m flower pin and belt
foley and corinna bag
pink studio sandals
f21 bracelet
wendy mink ring
rayban clubmasters

MY SWEETEST DAY WITH HOLLEY FAIN


WHO: Holley Fain, Actor/Constant Seeker or Low-key Environs
WHERE: The East Side
WHEN: Friday
1. Coffee at Intelligentsia. My boyfriend and I live in Eagle Rock, on the east side of LA. We love that we're pretty much equidistant between Silver Lake and Pasadena, but still get to enjoy the uniqueness and "rough around the edges"ness of Eagle Rock.  It's a nice mix. We are both actors and if the day is not filled with jobs or auditions, we like to take our time getting coffee (for the boy) and tea (for me) at Intelligentsia in Pasadena. Nicest/best dressed staff you'll ever meet! Their space on Colorado is gorgeous, so we'll grab a seat at one of the beautiful wooden tables and read, or set up shop by the huge windows towards the front and people-watch. They also serve delicious muffins from Cake Monkey- the banana wheat germ is my favorite (it's amazing, I swear!)


2. Bikram Yoga. In the afternoon, I'd head to a Bikram Yoga class. It's a brutal 90 minutes of heat and sweat and self-discipline but no other form of exercise has done for me what Bikram has. I go to the Bikram Yoga Silverlake studio in Atwater Village, where every single teacher is lovely and a joy to take class from. They all have such a warm, inviting, not-at-all-intimidating vibe there. I try and make Ashley's class whenever I can...I always leave feeling a little stronger than when I came in.


3. Read on the Porch. After yoga, I'd come home and sit in the rocking chair on our front porch and read for at least an hour. We're perched up on a hill, so late afternoon/early evening provides a peaceful time to take in the breathtaking, unobstructed view. It's such an interesting combination of nature and city life- mountains, highways, brightly colored houses nestled in hillsides. Our neighbors across the street are about the sweetest family you could imagine, so getting a wave or two from them is always a nice plus, too.


4. Dinner at Blair's. Dinner would be at Blair's in Silver Lake. My absolute favorite. My boyfriend and I go there for any occasion we can think of, from our 2 year anniversary to just a boring midweek evening in desperate need of a pick-me-up. The restaurant is cozy and candlelit, with a waitstaff that is consistently polite and attentive. I pretty much always order the truffle mac and cheese, the kale salad, and the salmon. Then if my boyfriend just happens to get the french fries with jalapeno ketchup well, then...of course I help him out. It's a large portion, you guys. I do it for love.

5. Drinks at The Black Boar. After dinner, we'd head back to Eagle Rock for drinks with friends at The Black Boar. This is our new favorite spot! It's got a really great lodgey feel to it- a fireplace, stone walls, wooden beams overhead.  It's a perfect place to have one too many beers and laugh late into the night with a big group of friends. 


{photo of holley by Jordan Matter, mugs, eagle rock}





NESTING. OFFICE/DRESSING ROOM

Well now, somehow it is May already which means the boy is moving in in less than a month! My adorable roomie is still living with me so I can't actually start making changes to my new office/dressing room until next month. But, I have a few ideas- here is my inspiration}. I will be using some pieces I already own mixed with some new pieces and some practical pieces {it does have to be functional after all}. So far there is a lot of white, which will be nice to highlight some more colorful accessories and textiles. Especially since a lot of my clothing will have to be out on rolling racks. I also plan on making an inspiration board to hang magazine clippings, graphics and whatever else is making me smile, so that is sure to add color...
 
1. Zig Zag Rug $69
Remember this beauty I blogged about last week? Well it already arrived and I am madly in love.
This pendant is whimsical and fun and lets face it, the price is right.
3. Parsons Desk $299
I already own this desk and I love it. I will be moving it from it's current home in the kitchen.
4. Kassett Box $5.99 for 2
I love the idea of getting a bunch of these to hide papers and accessories. They also fit perfectly in #6.
I have a few of these chairs with arms around my dinning table, so the armless version would fit right in. I might throw a sheepskin on top to make it extra comfy for long hours in front of the computer.
I might have to get two of these to store books, shoes and whatever trinkets I want to display.
This is not my ideal, but I already have something very similar in my garage. We want to be able to have guests come and stay, so this little pull out couch will be just the thing.
This lamp comes in so many fun colors. The room is looking a little too white on white so a pop of color like this is very needed.
I collect vintage matchbooks because I am constantly inspired by the colors and graphics. I just purchased a few without the matches inside to hang on my wall.
This chair reminds me of my high school days, but a tad more grown up in cognac leather.

ROCK & ROLL PHOTOGRAHY

Tomorrow evening I am attending the opening party for my dad's rock and roll photography exhibit at the Museum of Ventura County.  It will feature over sixty of his well known photographs of 1960's rock and roll legends. I have been archiving this collection for the past six years, scanning the original negatives, color correcting and retouching them back to their original glory. So this means a lot to me as well. If you live in the Ojai/Ventura area you should absolutely check it out. The exhibit will be up for public viewing May 6th-June 19th. My dad will also be giving two talks about his life as a celebrity and rock and roll photographer on Thursday May 26th at 5:30 and again at 7pm. He has had an incredibly interesting life and loves telling incriminating stories, so it wont disappoint. If you can't make it, you can still view and purchase his beautiful photos via guywebster.com       


Just a few photos from the exhibit...

WANTED. BEACH DAY

Stumbled upon these insane photos of Isabel Lucas the other day and I instantly started dreaming of a late afternoon walk on the beach. I love the high-waisted shorts paired with varying neutral shades and a little pop of pink in her hair. Simply stunning...
Two. Basa Surf Bikini $202
Four. Rose
Five. DV by Dolce Vita Sandal $59.95


{photos via here, here and here}

MY SWEETEST DAY WITH ANNIE ECKHART

WHO: Annie Eckhart, Receptionist/Aficionado of all things cozy
WHERE: The Eastside
WHEN: Sunday

1. Brunch at Local. Sunday is my sweetest day because it’s the only day of the week my man and I both have off. We usually sleep in and lounge in bed before getting up and heading over to one of my favorite brunch spots…Local. I like to meet friends there and drink cup after cup of their amazing coffee and sit in their cozy outdoor patio. They have the nicest staff who are super knowledgeable about the food they serve, which is of course all “local”. Whether I am feeling like a vegetarian or a carnivore this is a great spot to go.


2. Atwater Village Farmer's Market. After our yummy brunch we drive to my favorite farmer’s market in Atwater Village. It’s not too big, not too small and the vendors have a wonderful selection of produce, flowers, tamales, coffee, nuts, honey, etc, etc! We stock up on some fruit, veggies, beautiful flowers for the house and last but not least… greens (my hubby is quite the Vita mix guru and we juice all week long). I’ve lived in LA for over a year and a half and each week I am still pleasantly surprised about the amazing produce that grows here year round.

3. Huntington Botanical Gardens. After the farmer's market, we’ll head home and put the produce away while packing a quick snack basket and some Pellegrino. Then we are off to Pasadena and the Huntington Botanical Gardens. This place is over 200 acres and has more than 14,000 different varieties of plants. I love to walk along the paths until I need a rest and then I lay down a blanket on the lawn, read my book, snuggle with my guy and snack…

4. Dinner at Malo. After we’ve soaked up some sun- we head home to change clothes and then over to MALO to meet friends. We love their tacos and I enjoy a margarita or 2! They also have the yummiest chips and a chocolate salsa that arrives to the table warm, mmmm… enough said.

5. A Walk Around Silver Lake Reservoir. Once filled up on tacos, we are ready to go home and take a stroll (across the street) around the Silver Lake reservoir to walk off all of the day’s great food. The cool night air feels so good and the smell of the flowers is so pungent! After the walk, we get cozy on the couch and drink some Kukicha tea…I wish every day was a Sunday!

{photo of annie by charles eckhart, flowers, plants, malo sign}

FIESTA TIME

Cinco de Mayo is one week from today, and while I know it isn't an actual Mexican holiday, it's a fun excuse to gather with friends and drink margaritas. You won't catch me braving the crowds at my local Mexican restaurant, but the thought of throwing a colorful fiesta of my own sounds muy bueno...  

1. Margarita Glasses $49.95 for 6
2. Poppy Pom Pom $4.50
8. Peacock Plate $23.60
9. Mini Luminaria $7.72
10. Paper Poppies $13

SPRING IN MY STEP

Is it just me or does it feel like spring has sprung? The weather in LA, although windy, has been really quite lovely. Most years it feels like we completely skip spring all together and jump head first into summer. I have always been more of a spring/fall gal. I love in-between weather. It allows for interesting layers and breezy sunny days. Yes, this weather is suiting me just fine. You might even say I have a...  
IIII. Bernardo Vintage Couture Sandals $295

GIFTS FOR MOTHER'S DAY

Mother's Day is less then two weeks away and it is so important for her to know how much you appreciate all she does. Wondering what to get her this year? Here are some sweet gift ideas sure to make mom smile...

8. Seed Bombs $6
10. Recipe Cards $12
11. Book Boxes $25.96
12. Message on a Bottle $59.60 for 3

MY SWEETEST DAY WITH KRISTINA GOULD DUNCAN


Who: Kristina Gould Duncan, Creative Director for Barbie/Mother of newborn Arlo James
Where: The Westside
When: Saturday

1. Palisades Park. Because I work crazy work weeks, my favorite day is definitely SATURDAY. My husband and I live in Santa Monica and start the day with a nice long walk along Palisades Park overlooking the ocean. Both of us grew up in New England, so the novelty of walking along the Pacific in the early morning sun with a big cup of tea never seems to get old!

2. Santa Monica Farmer's Market. On Saturday mornings we change up our route to walk up Arizona Ave so we can peruse the Santa Monica Farmers Market. One of my favorite things to make is big salads with fresh veggies and herbs, so stocking up on local greens from the Coleman Farms’ stand is a must. It’s a great opportunity to strike up conversations with the vegetable vendors and learn new and interesting ways to prepare their veggies. We also love to buy local honey, dates, and olives here.


3. The Malibu Kitchen and the Beach. Once home and unpacked, we love to drive up the coast for a day outdoors in the sunshine. With a quick stop at the Malibu Country Mart to get a picnic lunch from The Malibu Kitchen (we both usually set out to get something healthy, but both walk out with the pulled pork sandwich – it’s just toooo good!), we head to our favorite beach, El Matador. It’s just north enough from the city that it’s rarely crowded, and it feels like a real escape. It has gorgeous rocks to look at and nice long stretches for walking


4. Dinner and a Movie. At night, I love love love to go to the movies. Not only do I try to support our favorite local Santa Monica theater, the Laemmle on Santa Monica and 2nd, they always have something interesting playing. It’s also one short block away from the Blue Plate Oysterette. A tall glass of white wine, a half dozen oysters, a lobster roll and a slice of key lime pie to split is our typical order!  It’s great to sit outside on the patio at sunset with a big cozy sweater and then walk over to the movies to top off a perfect day on the west side of LA.


{photo of kristy by catharine anderson, berries, figs, projector}


LADY ON THE MOON

I just got back from a beautiful night in Ojai with the boy and some friends. We went to Ventura to see Broken Social Scene and then spent the night at my family's home. It is my favorite time of year in Ojai. The orange blossoms are in bloom and the whole town smells intoxicating. It is so important to get out of LA every so often, even if it's just for a night. I always return feeling sightly more clear headed and happy to return to my sweet little house.  

{lady on the moon 1923, via here and here}

Aren't these photos lovely? I adore them. I have always had a thing for the 1920's. My sister told me they reminded her of me. I think they look quite like Rose Byrne.