So John picked them and is in the process of making grape jelly, even though we were told that they weren't good for eating. He found a recipe on the internet. I'll let you know how it turns out.
31 August 2010
life in topanga
Our wild California grapes (Vitis - "Rogers Red") bore tons of fruit this summer. I guess because of all the rain we had in the winter.
So John picked them and is in the process of making grape jelly, even though we were told that they weren't good for eating. He found a recipe on the internet. I'll let you know how it turns out.
So John picked them and is in the process of making grape jelly, even though we were told that they weren't good for eating. He found a recipe on the internet. I'll let you know how it turns out.
trip to big bear
I played hooky from unemployment (is that possible?) last week and joined some friends who have a cabin in Big Bear. We had cloudy weather with rain and mild thunderstorms. But that didn't stop us from going on several hikes.
The clouds were building for a bigger storm as I left on Thursday.
The clouds were building for a bigger storm as I left on Thursday.27 August 2010
hens in america
In light of the recent egg recall, I thought these were interesting statistics from the NY Times to share. They show how egg-laying hens - not chickens raised for meat - are confined on American farms. No wonder we have a salmonella outbreak.
19 August 2010
clothes for a cause
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt launch charitable childrenswear
LOS ANGELES, 17 (EUROPA PRESS)-Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt want to launch their own childrenswear line based on the styles of their own children. Proceeds from the clothing sold will be entirely donated to the couple's own charity.
Brad and Angelina have three adopted and three biological children together. These six children’s favourite clothes will be the basis for the most famous Hollywood couple’s new childrenswear collection to be launched shortly.
The actor has apparently spent the last week going from meeting to meeting in Italy to complete the collection. But the best news is that the project was announced to be fully charitable; all benefits raised from the clothing sales will be donated to the charity that the couple created, 'The Pitt-Jolie Foundation. "
LOS ANGELES, 17 (EUROPA PRESS)-Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt want to launch their own childrenswear line based on the styles of their own children. Proceeds from the clothing sold will be entirely donated to the couple's own charity.
Brad and Angelina have three adopted and three biological children together. These six children’s favourite clothes will be the basis for the most famous Hollywood couple’s new childrenswear collection to be launched shortly.
The actor has apparently spent the last week going from meeting to meeting in Italy to complete the collection. But the best news is that the project was announced to be fully charitable; all benefits raised from the clothing sales will be donated to the charity that the couple created, 'The Pitt-Jolie Foundation. "
18 August 2010
who would have thought . . .
Calvin Klein dislikes fashion trends
LOS ANGELES, 16 (EUROPA PRESS)- The legendary designer who gave his name to the prestigious brand, Calvin Klein, has said that fashion trends make "no sense" and also admits he was delighted to have escaped the world of fashion because he hated trying to keep up with all the latest styles.
Calvin Klein no longer works in the fashion industry. The designer insists he will not miss it, “fashions change so quickly, as soon as you see them, they go out of style again”.
Currently the Calvin Klein brand is enjoying a steadily increasing success thanks to advertising campaigns featuring the two beauties, Zoe Saldana and Lara Stone. But the designer, who sold his business in 2002, refuses to take any merit.
"I have nothing to do with it. I sold the company," he told the U.S. magazine 'New York'. Earlier this year, he confirmed that the Dutch model Lara Stone would be the new face of Calvin Klein.
After signing an exclusive agreement with the company to star in their campaigns for Calvin Klein Jeans, Calvin Klein Collection and 'CK' Calvin Klein, the supermodel said: "It's like being part of a family."
LOS ANGELES, 16 (EUROPA PRESS)- The legendary designer who gave his name to the prestigious brand, Calvin Klein, has said that fashion trends make "no sense" and also admits he was delighted to have escaped the world of fashion because he hated trying to keep up with all the latest styles.
Calvin Klein no longer works in the fashion industry. The designer insists he will not miss it, “fashions change so quickly, as soon as you see them, they go out of style again”.
Currently the Calvin Klein brand is enjoying a steadily increasing success thanks to advertising campaigns featuring the two beauties, Zoe Saldana and Lara Stone. But the designer, who sold his business in 2002, refuses to take any merit.
"I have nothing to do with it. I sold the company," he told the U.S. magazine 'New York'. Earlier this year, he confirmed that the Dutch model Lara Stone would be the new face of Calvin Klein.
After signing an exclusive agreement with the company to star in their campaigns for Calvin Klein Jeans, Calvin Klein Collection and 'CK' Calvin Klein, the supermodel said: "It's like being part of a family."
16 August 2010
10 August 2010
the new american porch
L.A. gallery opens a door to 'The New American Porch'
Architect Davida Rochlin only started to think about the new American porch after devoting much of her life to pondering the old American porch. She spent her childhood in a Craftsman house that had "all kinds of porches," she said. As a graduate student in architecture at UC Berkeley, Rochlin traveled across the country studying verandas, balconies, stoops, back porches, front porches, sleeping porches, screened porches, wrap-around porches, you-name-it porches -- all for her master's thesis. If you saw a study on American porches, whether in Charles Moore’s 1983 "Home Sweet Home: American Domestic Vernacular Architecture" or in a Fine Homebuilding book, the chances are good that it was by Rochlin.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The New American Porch" exhibit will run at the pop-up L.A. Archive Gallery through Aug. 28. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday at 11973 San Vicente Blvd., No. 101, Los Angeles.
-- Emily Green
Read more here.
08 August 2010
nursery mobile
John's niece is expecting a little girl next month so we made her a mobile for over the crib. The idea came from a posting on Orange Beautiful. John drew the animals and I formatted them with the name of each animal on the back. I think it turned out pretty cute.
05 August 2010
bag as art or art as bag
Made with vintage oil paintings, Leslie Oschmann from swarm has fashioned a series of beautiful carry bags with leather handles. Each one is unique and handmade.
A combination of portraits, landscapes, and still life vignettes juxtaposed with patterned paper and fabric inserts (as seen above).
I love every single one of these bags and I know they are going to walk out her door (almost all of these shown above are already sold!). Leslie is in the process of making more so if you would like one (or ten for your store), email Leslie directly for more details.sexy clothes shopping
Women subconsciously buy sexy clothes during ovulation
MADRID, August 4 - Researchers at the University of Minnesota, United States, say that women that are ovulating tend to buy more sexy clothes, even sometimes subconsciously, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of Consumer Research.
According to researchers of this curious finding, the reason for this "sexy" choice is not to impress men, but to "outperform the rest of women, which these days seem more attractive than them and are considered as rivals" says Kristina Durante, author of the study.
In the investigation, which sought to study how hormonal changes affect consumer behaviour, presented a series of photographs of other women to a group of women. They were then asked to choose the preferred clothes and accessories.
Thus, it was observed that most participants chose the "sexy" accessories on those women who appeared less attractive or came from areas far from the participants’. Therefore they "were not seen as competition." Furthermore, these patterns of behaviour were only observed in women who were ovulating.
These results have practical implications for retailers since an ovulatory cycle will impact women consumers’ buying habits.
So Durante says, “for five to six days every month, women are especially prone to buy products and services that will improve their physical appearance," not only clothes or accessories but also cosmetics and bodycare products.
MADRID, August 4 - Researchers at the University of Minnesota, United States, say that women that are ovulating tend to buy more sexy clothes, even sometimes subconsciously, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of Consumer Research.
According to researchers of this curious finding, the reason for this "sexy" choice is not to impress men, but to "outperform the rest of women, which these days seem more attractive than them and are considered as rivals" says Kristina Durante, author of the study.
In the investigation, which sought to study how hormonal changes affect consumer behaviour, presented a series of photographs of other women to a group of women. They were then asked to choose the preferred clothes and accessories.
Thus, it was observed that most participants chose the "sexy" accessories on those women who appeared less attractive or came from areas far from the participants’. Therefore they "were not seen as competition." Furthermore, these patterns of behaviour were only observed in women who were ovulating.
These results have practical implications for retailers since an ovulatory cycle will impact women consumers’ buying habits.
So Durante says, “for five to six days every month, women are especially prone to buy products and services that will improve their physical appearance," not only clothes or accessories but also cosmetics and bodycare products.
trends
Mudpie : Origin - Male & Female - Autumn/Winter 2010-2011
Times of uncertainty often force us to consider our roots. Rich in tradition, ritual and cultural identity, Central and South American countries draw strength from preserving a traditional way of life. Spiritual beliefs, ancient lore and customs are deeply ingrained in the foundation of such societies. As economies across the continent grow and stabilise, contemporary culture booms on the international scene and is undeniably influenced by the practises of old.
Fashion interpretation
South America is the key influence behind this palette with a base of rich and earthy spice tones. Intense cayenne pepper orange and smoky paprika red sit with the deepest shade of coffee while in contrast, Amazonian blue and a warm nectar shade brightens the mix. Silhouettes follow clean, proud lines while chunky embellishments and bold, statement graphics nod to the influences of the Aztec, Mayan and Egyptian cultures. The prestige of equestrian sports combine elegant shapes with the rustic qualities of natural fabrics and traditional aesthetics. Prints and graphics use vivid turquoise and dazzling magenta for pleasing clashes in an otherwise earthy palette. Graphics take on a naive quality while handcrafted elements reference traditional South American artisan techniques with embroideries, fringing and ethnic embellishments.
Times of uncertainty often force us to consider our roots. Rich in tradition, ritual and cultural identity, Central and South American countries draw strength from preserving a traditional way of life. Spiritual beliefs, ancient lore and customs are deeply ingrained in the foundation of such societies. As economies across the continent grow and stabilise, contemporary culture booms on the international scene and is undeniably influenced by the practises of old.
Fashion interpretation
South America is the key influence behind this palette with a base of rich and earthy spice tones. Intense cayenne pepper orange and smoky paprika red sit with the deepest shade of coffee while in contrast, Amazonian blue and a warm nectar shade brightens the mix. Silhouettes follow clean, proud lines while chunky embellishments and bold, statement graphics nod to the influences of the Aztec, Mayan and Egyptian cultures. The prestige of equestrian sports combine elegant shapes with the rustic qualities of natural fabrics and traditional aesthetics. Prints and graphics use vivid turquoise and dazzling magenta for pleasing clashes in an otherwise earthy palette. Graphics take on a naive quality while handcrafted elements reference traditional South American artisan techniques with embroideries, fringing and ethnic embellishments.
02 August 2010
mitch miller :: good night
Mitch Miller, Maestro of the Singalong, Dies at 99
NY Times; Mitch Miller, an influential record producer who became a hugely popular recording artist and an unlikely television star a half century ago by leading a choral group in familiar old songs and inviting people to sing along, died Saturday in Manhattan. He was 99.
NY Times; Mitch Miller, an influential record producer who became a hugely popular recording artist and an unlikely television star a half century ago by leading a choral group in familiar old songs and inviting people to sing along, died Saturday in Manhattan. He was 99.Read more here.
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