What he said

" Chocolate brown and baby blue are perfect together. They’re uptown, they’re downtown, they’re classic and fashion forward."- Jonathan Adler (see #8).


This Apartment Therapy post spells it out in. Buy these office supplies here.

Sound Check

Just got introduced to Seeqpod-- which makes it really easy to check out new music. Go to it now and and run some of my summer song picks through it. It does all kinds of awesome things including letting me tell you to listen to this song here.

thanks K.C.!

Just Like a Country Store

....but at your computer. I dig the look of McMaster and Storm (thanks to Chi for pointing them out). Plus they've got really cool retro and old timey things. My first order will probably be this stapler... in pink.

Hey, that was my title

Jello Time.. this is really, truly great
via Swiss Miss

By Its Cover

Although it sure looks purdy, I've sort of been internally snotty about arranging books by the color of their covers. Mainly because it's what's on the inside that matters, right? Right. Well, I decided that I could justify it for a few of my novels. And I love how it looks. This is a picture of the top two shelves of my newly installed bookshelves.

Deal Time

Oh man, everytime Chronicle has a sale I have to restrain myself. Type in Friends at the checkout and get 30% off + free shipping through august 3rd. One of these and these, please.

Hammer Time.

I was lucky enough to attend the Always On Summit. There were really interesting people and ideas-- my head will be spinning for weeks. My favorite part was the panel of rappers. That's right, and I managed to pose for pix with all of them. Hammer is a blogger too!
Mr. MC Hammer + Me!

Jello!

Jello-Fest '08 was a lot of fun. People came up with the most amazing things. Some were really tasty, some were beautiful, all were great. You can see all the pictures here. A few examples.
Claire made her own cookie cutters for the Western United States:Derek cast his own face:
Karisa and McKay made hands out of almond Jello (so creepy, but genius):
Kai dug out his grandma's recipe:and I managed a beehive:
Start plotting for next year-- I think this one is going annual. I've been looking for something to replace Curry fest, and Jello fest looks like it'll do the trick

Talent Friends

David Sedaris sometimes refers to the "Talent Family", or his super talented siblings. I sort of feel that way about my friends. The best is when people you know from random places converge. Example: Gabby married a guy I grew up with and more recently started Kirtsy. I met Jordan (sister of Gabby) because her husband grew up with an old roommate of mine. Juliann and I met in a bookbinding class in college. When BlogHer was in town last week, Gabby and Jordan asked me to make buttons for the Kirtsy party at Guy Kawasaki's house. Juliann was rocking the photobooth and took all these amazing pictures. She makes everyone look so hot! See them all here.

Button, button...

everybody loves the 'stache!

I'm in love

with the details of this picture. For one thing Foxes = the next "big" animal (I'm predicting). Also, I love unicorns. Plus I think "Choose Your Own Adventures" are going to make a comeback.

From The Selby's "At Home" series. This is from "Leyla, Ben and Tiger-- Heartschallenger band and ice cream truck owners at home-- NYC-- July 3 2008.

I want to be adopted

... by this house. Some say that it's never meant to be, but I think that it would work out just fine. I've always thought the Something's Hiding in Here posse is cool, but their house blows me away.


DesignSponge highlighted the house, but you need to see all the pictures here. AMAZING.

True Love + Junk Food

= My friend Juliann Wheeler's amazing engagement pictures of Tom and Sarah. I was planning on heading down to the boardwalk tomorrow, and seeing these makes me want to bust out my new Diana Camera. P.S. Jordan beat me outa the gate on posting these pix-- so although this looks like a copycat post, it's O.G. the world needs to know about J.W.'s amazing Pix!

New Ones

Sometimes the universe surprises me with ease of sympaticoness for new friends. Exhibit A: Nikki and Tiffany (the blonds pictured below-- the guy is from Alberta Cross) . I could go on about how talented and hilarious these two are, but I will not. Instead I will refer you to the first episode of their podcast: Punk the Recession. Check it out.

How Sweet It Is

Spotted at the Renegade Craft Fair: these witty Obama prints. Buy one here:

Fancy Pants Food

I got to be a guest at the Ladies' Activity Club. A chef from Aqua taught how to make the most delicious and beautiful appetizers. Cubing watermelon and heirloom tomatoes into 1/2 cm cubes is not something I'll be trying at home but it was fun.

Shiny Little Knobs

Wires, and so many buttons. After living in Silicon Valley forever, I finally made it to the Computer History Museum. It was really entertaining. The docents are all these old retired guys who bone up on the history of the computer in order to qualify for the job. They can answer pretty much anything you ask. And some of them have very awesome fashion sense. Full set of pictures here.

Does it Taste Better?

Spotted these beautiful bottles in SF the other day. Pretty, yes. Worth $10? Not in my book.. but I like the idea-- and it would be a nice vase. Christian Lacroix's design looks very similar to some of Ikea's recent work, no?

Throw Me a Bone

Spotted: Doggy front pack in a Burberry plaid. I maintain there is no way the dog can be happy, but the owner claimed Fido loves it. Buy them here.

New Kid

I recently updated my friends and foes links to included the super talented Monica. She's done stints at Real Simple and Sunset. Her blog is killer-- she does a project, highlights the fabulous end result, and provides the nitty gritty how to's. She's so good at breaking down projects that I'm even considering a little wood working. Check her out!

Come on and let me see you jiggle it. . .

Just a little bit. I love Jello. I never eat it, but I'm sort of obsessed with Jello creations. I typically think of them as low brow-- a kind of folk art, perhaps. But no, the Brits are bringing back classy Jellys (as they insist on calling them). For those of you in the Bay Area, I'll be hosting my annual Jello Creation Party (no catchy name for it yet) and you're invited. The catch is that you've got to make something outa the Jello. You can see past Jello exploits here.

Weekend Update

This was one of those rare perfect weekends where I didn't work, did many fun things, and spent time with people I really like. Activities included:

-Painting blank Matryoshka dolls (I brought them back from Russia, but you can buy them here) with the amazing Amanda.
-Taking a long walk to the local flea market and finding some great Christmas presents (yes, I plan ahead).
-Going to the Renegade Craft Fair's first SF appearance. I met so many talented people, was inspired by all the creativeness, and got a few gems.
-A surprise visit from a bike repairing friend who fixed my ailing cruiser.-Spontaneous trip to the MoMa to see the Frida Kahlo exhibit. I've never been a huge fan, but I now like her a lot more. I like her connection to San Francisco, her commitment to her indigenous roots, her style, and pity her tragic life.
-Church
-Crock Pot Sunday-- delicious food and really great people, orchestrated by the social genius, Rebecca.

Not a Peep

Top secret project coming at you all soon. Here is a sneak peek.. but that's all you're going to get

Thank Heaven

Even though the fact that the whole world is starting to look the same (I about died when I saw a Starbucks in Bali) I have to honest and admit that I'm always happy to see a 7-11. Today on 7/11 they give away little slurpees, which I think is killer. If you haven't gotten yours, head out now. When I was in Singapore I found these new, mysterious, and fairly delicious treats at a 7-11 in the airport. Maybe when I grow up I'll buy a franchise.
(in case you can't tell these are pea flavored potato sticks-- genius)

To Cap it All Off

My friends and I were just discussing how we all feel like the best shape we've ever been in was when we were swimming a lot. This led me on a hunt for cute swim caps (since none of us are racing anymore, a little style can't hurt).
Turns out other people have swim caps on their minds as well. Joy turned me on to these amazing pictures by Koto Bolofo. I haven't found those exact caps yet, but here's some really good (and cheap!) alternatives:

The minimalist. (scroll down a bit to the bubble head crepe cap). It's the chin strap what does it for me.

I love the sculpted flowers on the "Latex Flower Swim Cap" (from the same site as the bubble head crepe cap)
This site has some good floral options, but their pictures are all copyrighted

As always, an ebay search turns up great stuff. In this case, most of the "vintage ones" are actually just the ones I've listed above. This one is dreamy though.

Style Cribbing

Last night I saw Tilly and the Wall at the Great American Music Hall (my favorite SF Club). The show was really great-- one of those where the band and the crowd were all feeling it. I also interviewed Nick from the band here.

The point of this post is not to get you to listen to them (though you really should), but rather to go out on a limb. I'm just gonna go out and say it. There are some people that have super unique and amazing style, and they end up being influential. I felt that way about Gwen Stefani when I saw her perform in 1993-- way before she'd launched L.A.M.B. And I felt it last night watching Kianna Alarid perform with Tilly last night. She's who we're all going to be dressing like soon.

This is the most representative picture I can find of her super unique and awesome style, though she is way cuter in real life. As my friend Rebecca describes the feeling it's mainly stuff "I'll be comfortable wearing in maybe 6 months". Things to crib from this picture include:

1. Pin up girl style bob and finger curls
2. Platinum is blah, white is rad
3. If you're going to get a tattoo, a super hipster Spanish "Mom" is definitely the way to go.
4. What is matching? Bold colors and patterns together.
5. Opaque (or shiny) tights and leggings make everyone's legs look rocking, and make it possible to pull off some tops you wouldn't be able to otherwise.
   
6. No freckles, no problem-- paint some on!

Let me leave you with my favorite number from last night, Beat Control-- which is a super dancy '80's type number that I la-la-LOVE.

Hate to Say

I told you so, but I'm definitely not above it either. Remember way back when Ali gave me a nice little shout out? You may have noticed the horse ribbons. I've been pimping these to friends for the last few years. Something about the style, the ribbon, the glory of winning-- who knows what-- captured my imagination. I've been looking for ways to incorporate them into my house, my totes, and my outfits.
Turns out, I'm now in good company-- that of bloggers and Teen Vogue editors alike. Jessica Grindstaff is the artist behind the ribbons in the Teen Vogue shoot, and I've got to give it up for her twist.

ant some of your own? I've been known to part with some of my vintage stash on occasion, or you can try this ebay search.

4th of July

Small towns are the very best places to spend the 4th of July. We went to Sonora and it was amazing. Watermelon eating contests, pie eating, greased pole climbing, stage coach rides and the most patriotic get ups ever. We even spotted the most patriotic car in California. I'm really tempted to spend every single 4th there from here on out.

Patriotic Mustache

Patriotic Cheese Head

Not surprisingly, this was a PT cruiser

More Pix here

Shop Free

I've vowed to not buy any clothes month. If I wasn't feeling ascetic, and money was no object, I think this would be a swank outfit for the 4th.



p.s. Click on the picture and it will take you to polyvore, which has the deets on where to buy everything

Rebel With No Cause

Turns out that simultaneously chewing gum, taking a picture, and breaking the law in broad daylight requires a lot of concentration. Which, coincidentally makes me look pretty tough, eh? Singapore!