a heroine for the 21st century

Lady Gaga goes political in Maine. “If you are not honorable enough to fight without prejudice, go home,” she told the crowd at a rally to repeal DADT.
Read it here.

sony prop auction

Although it was designed as elegantly as a Craigslist posting, the recent two-day online auction of items from Sony Pictures' vast property department by liquidation firm R.L. Spear offered some incredible deals.

Among the finds: garden statuary, pots and Tiki heads, above left, and a rainbow of midcentury metal lawn chairs with shell shaped backs, above right, that is part of a huge stash of patio furniture. For adventuresome landscapers, there is a grove of lawn ornaments, traffic signs and parking meters.

Oddities such as a giant bear wielding a mallet and a black painted bust of Richard Nixon make the life-size bearded warlords, right, and phosphorus green bobbin chairs, far right, look tame.

I bid on two Kartel file cabinets, left, but a bidding war started and I couldn't compete. I lost out on the canvas army cots, right, by 50 cents because I wasn't paying attention - very sad.

So this is what I ended up with - nine garden pots, four of which I'm giving to the neighbors. I only paid $63 for all of them.

And here's what I've done with them so far:

Succulents on the lower stairway.

Coral Fountain at the front door.

And these I haven't figured what to do with yet.

rue : new online magazine

Today was the launch date for the new online shelter magazine, Rue. It's decent; heavy on content, light on ads. That will probably change as time progresses but hopefully the content will stay. Check it out here.

postcard from provence

The Rhône at Avignon
21cm x 13cm (8"x5"), oil on gessoed card

Today's painting will be sold by auction - auction starts today at 8pm GMT
and ends on Thursay 16th September at 8pm GMT (4pm EDT / 1pm PDT)

Starting price: $100
To register or login to the auction visit: http://auction.shiftinglight.com

tinker bell and the great fairy rescue

Here's the preview to the next Tinker Bell movie that John worked on. It's being released at The El Capitan Theater for two weeks only that starts today and runs until the end of the month. It will be available for purchase as a DVD starting September 21st. It's pretty cute, even for adults!

This is John's "Pixie Preview" that he wrote and directed about this latest movie.

feed the kids

GAP releases bags to FEED U.S. school children

Co-designed by FEED project founder and Patrick Robinson, Gap's EVP of Global Design, canvas bags will be sold throughout all U.S. Gap stores by September 20 to support nutrition in America's schools.

This is a limited edition collection costing $29.50 for the tote, $39.50 for the bucket bag and more styles priced up to $98 which will be featured at the label’s NYC pop-up shop. $5 from each bag sale will go to schools. It is the teachers who choose where the money ends up, according to the equipment they most need to create a healthy eating culture.

These bags are not available online, only in GAP stores.

By Rosie Hart

a tale of two restaurants

There seems to be a mini-trend with Los Angeles restaurants; re-invigorating old, established eateries that either don't have a very good reputation for their food or have simply fallen off the radar but seem to stay in business because of their location or their age. The most recent examples are Gladstones, Saddle Peak Lodge and Inn of the Seventh Ray.

I recently had a friend visit so we tried two of these.

SADDLE PEAK LODGE

I'd heard a lot about this place, mostly how expensive it was. But a new chef came up with the idea of a happy hour menu that is a fraction of their normal prices along with half price drinks. It was superb! The menu is all about game so you can't be a vegetarian here. Now I want to go back for the weekend brunch.

Read the LA Times review here.

INN OF THE SEVENTH RAY

Don't bother! Our obnoxiously precocious waiter tried to explain how duck could be vegan, then let it slip that it was really tofu. The food was OK but not great. The prices were way too high. We probably won't go back.

Read the LA Times review here.

Still to visit is Gladstones, which has probably undergone the most extensive face-lift.

banning of sandblasted jeans

Levi Strauss & H&M ban sandblasting

Distressed jeans are the goal for any sandblasting apparel worker. The two labels ban this potentially very harmful finishing technique due to the exposure of the toxic crystalline silica component, effective from September 8.

Levi's distressed denim

Counterfeit operations are the real problem as the factories do not tend to implement the correct safeguards for the workers. So despite H&M and Levi's rigourous health and safety precautions, a ban has been put in place, effective immediately to take a stand in the industry, so other companies can eventually follow suit.

Ethical concerns of denim manufacturing is a hot topic. Fibre2fashion reported in July this year that the making of one pair of Levi 501s required almost 920 gallons of water, 400 mega joules of energy and expelled 32 kilograms of carbon dioxide. Levi's said this was equivalent to running a garden hose for 106 minutes, driving 78 miles and powering a computer for 556 hours. While more than 520 million pairs of jeans are sold in USA alone each year environmental regulations in less developed countries are particularly insubstantial.

Sandblasting worker. Photo : Corbis

Alternatives to silica sandblasting for “worn” denim techniques still consist of repeated washing and rinsing and bleaching, chemical blasting with toxic substances, dye stripping or bleaching with potassium permanganate.

Karl Gunnar Fagerlin, Production Manager at H&M says monitoring the practices’ standards at all levels of the supply chain, particularly with subcontractors has proven difficult for the label so any purchasing or retailing of sandblasting will no longer take place and from the end of the year active production of this type will have disappeared completely.

By Rosie Hart

life in topanga

Wild grape jelly - part 2

Sterilizing the jars.

The bubbling brew.

It was so hot that day, John cooked outside on the grill.

The fruits of his labor!

autumn/winter 2010-2011

Mudpie : Cleanse - Male & Female

Technology and simplicity combine in response to a compelling need for a fuss free, efficient way of life. The extreme formations of deconstructivist architecture and the visionary designs of retro futurism join for a juxtaposition of linear compositions and fluid lines. Softening the trend, the harmony of light reflects a sensual approach to eco issues and organic influences which are integral for a peaceful morality.

Fashion interpretation:

A sense of serenity is evoked with inspiration taken from the tranquil East, the fluidity of water and minimalist architecture. Essentially a muted palette, the base fuses subdued lilac, steel grey and a cool flesh tone, freshened with fragrant tarragon and a versatile deep midnight blue. A tonal palette ensures a utilitarian approach to graphics and prints with geometric shapes and linear designs reflecting the ethos of futuristic visions. Eastern aesthetics are embraced with wrap-around styles, voluminous trousers and subtle use of print and pattern. Spiritual practices and the sanctuary of nature enhance themes introducing a sense of fragility, interpreted with intricate and refined detailing. Sensual designs are complimented by soft, sweeping fabrics with dynamic flashes of colour breaking through an otherwise subdued palette.

the audacity of taupe

I just couldn't help myself. That title is so terrific - I think coined by Arianna Huffington - that I had to post it here.

The NY Times asked several people to comment on Obama's re-do of the oval office. Read their comments here. I personally think it looks terrible.

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.

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.

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.

To see a larger, more legible version click here.

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. "

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."

life in topanga

Birds at the bird bath.

It was 99 today!

lonny no. 5

The new Lonny mag is here.

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.

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.

The clip mobile is available here for $15 or here for $9.95 if you want to make one yourself.

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.

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.

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.

Read more here.