benediction

Dear God,

Today while logging into Facebook (is a trademark sign needed for this kind of mention?), I noticed that I was sent a new message. Upon digitally opening my cyberspace "mailbox", I noticed that Jason Stern from UCLA Radio sent me a congratulatory message. Apparently, the contest I had entered closed. And by the will of the good Lord, I had won a pair of tickets to the Mirah/the Blow show tonight.

And now, I'm sitting at work, flashing my toothy smile at the computer screen as I count my blessings. These two artists are some of my favs! And gee golly, I just love winning things. Diana, my bff, and I will drive over to the Fonda and think of you, Lord. And like superstars, we will park in a spacious lot where we'll charm the parking attendants into giving us the Chinese discount (50% off, baby!). And you know what, just because I'm in a good mood, I'll even buy Diana a bacon-wrapped hot dog for kicks after the show.

Much love, G.

Di xoxo

candyman

I just got back from the Northwest. Beautiful, beautiful weekend, from complex sceneries to just falling in love all over again, that's also complex, no? But besides all that, I finally hit the slopes after a 3-year hiatus. And of course, after thinking I was ill, I eat it, hard. So now, while recovering, I'm you-tubeing favorite videos of all time.

On our drive back to Seattle, we hear this on the only station not stuck in 2006. Paul impressively recited all the lyrics, perfectly.



What's not to love- overalls, synchronized dancing, cheezy backdrops, flat tops, and the sideways caps....Oh, a little shout out by the eponymous Tone Loc...

Holla if you know what I'm talking about.

Patent is the new black

There's nothing better than patent leather in the Spring time. So stock up on your p.l. We've all got to throw on a bit of shine sometimes...


Pierre Hardy side buckle tote


Roberto Cavalli patent leather horse belt


Repetto for men


3.1 Phillip Lim patent leather tote bag via



Marni elasticated strap ballet flat

add this to every meal

I'm really lucky because I have a cool job. It's not always cool because I occasionally file, lift heavy boxes, pick up the phone in my monotonous "It's Diane, can I help you?", and know the mailroom pretty well. But for the most part, it's friggin cool. The last three days, a colleague and I spent our time in SD attending the Fancy Food Show. (we also had really good meals, and chilled out in our own luxurious hotel rooms!) I can't even begin to describe what this show is like- it's a gathering of all things food-related. It's like MAGIC or POOL for edible goods. Vendors from around the country come, display their ware, and sell- sell- sell. And you know, as press, we were treated pretty decently. I can't even begin to list all the bbq sauces/mustards/honey/salts/syrups/chocolate/cheeses I tasted. The best part is: Two days of grazing, and not a pound heavier. I think from now on, I will subsist only on condiments. Anyway, I'll stop bragging now but I'll leave you with the most bizarre (but perhaps most genius) product I had a chance to try at the show:



Pretty self explanatory no?

See- baconsalt.com

color me badd

Nothing wrong with color, especially not here!

shopaholic

To get or not to get: Turntables. That is the question.

i miss Taiwan

Inspired by Diana's post from Taiwan, I'm reminded of my last trip there (almost 2 years ago)! Though I was caught the traveling bug and was sick for most of the trip, I had some adventures there. I went up to Yang Ming Mountain for some indigenous chinese food, cooked mountainside in dilapidated kitchens. I saw Mt. Eerie (of the Microphones) perform at this underground bomb-shelter of a music venue. And went chinese-indie-music crazy at the adjoining music store. It's weird how at the time, that was the only one of its kind. But I'm sure that now, with the whole indie/hipster-craze, that stuff is all over the place. Can you confirm this Di?

the illest mag

his is why I love Japanese magazines- the following spreads (from REINA magazine) are perfect examples of why Japanese fashion publications "reinabove" ours (see- reign above). Concise, but not streamlined. An entire page dedicated to essential pieces for the closet. Following the initial catalogue of stuff are spreads of the model actually putting the pieces to work. What's amazing is, Japanese mags (some) always have the most experimental stylists.







A concept fashion spread/shoot that I also love (from REINA magazine as well)






T

Disney Concert Hall? really?

On Thursday, January 17, Man-Machine in the Digital City is a visual and sonic experience featuring The Cornelius Group - Synchronized Sensuous Show - a rare, live performance by Tokyo's Cornelius. Dubbed the "Japanese Beck" and the "21st century Brian Wilson," Cornelius brings to Walt Disney Concert Hall this legendary live show, known all over the world for its spectacular visuals, perfectly synchronized to the performance. Cornelius (the name is an homage to the Planet of the Apes) is the brainchild of Japanese multi-instrumentalist Keigo Oyamada, one of the most sought after producer/remixers in the world. From the most populous metropolitan area in the world (Tokyo), Keigo's dynamic music is a soundtrack to city life, having evolved within an intensely urban scene. With his 2007 release, Sensuous, Cornelius explores dazzling atmospherics, bursting with electronic ?pulse waves, wood-grain acoustics, minimalist interludes and raw guitar freak-outs. This disciplined, but wildly experimental sound is at the core of the Synchronized Sensuous Show. He dissects layers of technology, sound, and visual stimuli to form a kaleidoscopic landscape of electronic psychedelia.

lowriding

I know I know, 3 posts in one night (not to mention it's 2 am) is a bit excessive, but I'm maximizing my one opportunity to get some thoughts in. Not sure if you've noticed, I post like once every 2 months.

Having spent the morning inside today (oh- the rain, the RAIN!), I channel surfed and found myself completely engulfed in Sunday Driver , a documentary about Compton's Majestics, LA's oldest lowrider club (yes, a club). When I was younger, I lived in Montebello in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood. And even at the age of 6, I was aware that there were giant cars that bounced up and down to loud music. Since then I've learned that there is a whole culture around hydraulics, and like the whole fixed gear/bmx/harley/vintage car craze, the lowrider one is just as intense, if not more socio-economically driven.

The documentary focuses on several members of the Majestics, many former gangbangers, and their association with one another, the car culture, and even the LAPD. (In the end, you find out that club president Gangster is arrested for drug possession). Throughout the 80's, the lowrider trend existed as an extension of gang life. With crime rampant in south LA, lowriders picked up flack for being vehicles for deaths and destruction. But now, the scene has evolved into a simple obsession for Compton-dwellers (and strangely the Japanese, but more on that later). Throughout the doc, you see people competing jumps on their cars and people going all out on the customizations.

The lowrider scene in Japan is bizarre. I'm sure we've all seen Japanese lowrider zines out and about featuring immaculately designed cars and Japanese car afficionados decked out in Compton fashion. Big tees, locs, dickies, the whole lot. This is mentioned in the documentary very briefly. Just when you thought the Japanese reggae culture was intense...

a wing and a horn

I was going to write a piece about Wings + Horns for the Nylon blog, but thought I'd gussy up my blog with a sneak of this amazing amazing Canadian menswear brand, and the store that sells this brand exclusively.

My boyfriend, whose fashion sensibility is enviable, is a big W+H fan. We stumbled upon Roden Gray while ransacking Gastown for good shopping. The store was doing some major winter-cleaning because the sale was off the HOOK, so to speak.


Rack of Japanese stock


That wooden display block was created by the store's owner, Rob, who actually had to carve at the wood, and then torch it to create the beaten, charred look. The photo doesn't quite capture the artistry that went into his woodwork. Not only are these huge, they are chic and seem $$$. Rob was so nonchalant about it, I just stood there agape, wishing I was that creative.

Anyway, it's not worth posting up pics of any W+H pieces from the previous lines since the stuff to come is probably 10 x's more rad. But here's a peak, courtesy of the Roden Gray blog.

Wings + Horns & Dayton collaboration

my journey to Vancouver

With Seattle being only a measly 2 hour-drive away, Paul and I thought it'd be worthwhile to take a trip up to good ole Vancouvie for some colder weather and better Chinese food. Having never been to the big V, I wasn't sure what to expect. The drive north was beautiful and vegetation was visibly in abundance. There were several lonely farmhouses dotting the greenery and by lonely, I mean deserted. Both Paul and I agreed to stop by for a few beauty shots in the future when the skies aren't so dark and wide open.













It was an amazing drive and filled with snacks, hand-holding, and nervous fumbling for our passports at the border.