Feeling Fine at 29

So, my birthday was last Sunday and I'm turned the big 2-9. I'm not quite sure how I feel about this number. It seems like the last year of your 20s is the last chance to make mistakes, but 30 seems like a fresh new start. Last year I made this list of all the things I wanted to accomplish as a 28-year-old. I'm semi-proud of myself for accomplishing half of them. I've made a new list for this year. Hopefully I can stick to it!

29 things to do at 29

1. read a ayn rand novel
2. learn how to garden
3. visit Austin, TX
4. take a photography class
5. d.j.a party
6. write a musical (i've started but haven't finished!)
7. ride in a hot air balloon
8. learn to drive a stick shift
9. take vitamins every day
10. start an arts and craft night
11. save more and spend less
12. send more snail mail
13. think harder about getting a tattoo (still thinking!)
14. take tap lessons!
15. visit my best friend in india
16. go to motorcycle school
17. AND purchase a vespa!
18. teach scout how to swim
19. do the dishes every night and do not leave them until the morning (i'm so bad at this)
20. create a chalkboard wall in my house
21. go apple-picking in the fall and bake a pie
22. go to bed earlier - 11 PM style
23. watch less tv
24. take more twilight hikes
25. think about curbing my anthropologie obsession
26. take a group-friend trip to lake arrowhead. canoe!
27. go wine tasting (i've never been!)
28. direct a music video
29. call my grandparents more

Loving this ....

La PhotoCabine is a free online photobooth application where you can take photo's of yourself and the interface turns them into a vintage looking photobooth strip! You can even print out and keep them! Check out their flickr stream here, and to make sure you get the full vintage photobooth experience, make sure you have the volume turned up!

Music Mondays: Fitz and the Tantrums

{Six killer musicians, five dapper suits, some serendipity and one vintage organ.}

Hello everyone and Happy Monday! The birthday party was a smashing success! Thank you for all your kind words and birthday messages. Today's Music Monday features my new favorite band, Fitz and the Tantrums. The Los Angeles based band embraces vintage Motown sounds with a modern twist and creates soul-pop gems without employing a single guitar. Frontman and songwriter Michael Sean Fitzpatrick, aka Fitz, bases his compositions around vintage organ and piano arrangements, with his vocals amply supported by alluring co-singer Noelle Scaggs. The band’s debut album, Pickin’ Up the Pieces, is pretty close to perfection. Enjoy!

Ain't No Party like a Ban-do Party!

Oh my goodness oh my goodness (said in the tone of little orphan Annie) check out this adorable video of the bando girls celebrating their 2-year anniversary! Shark Pig has done it again and shot the most amazing video ever. If my birthday party looks anywhere near this on Saturday night, I'll be happy! Happy Friday to you all!


ain't no party like a ban.do party from Shark Pig on Vimeo.
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The Song is "Solitaire" by Lipstick Homicide courtesy of Public School Records.

It's My Party

It's my Birthday on Sunday (yes, I'm getting old) and every year I throw a theme party for my friends. This year it's Prom and Chucks (converse!) and my adorable friend and graphic designer, Hollin designed my invitation. (I only send them snail mail!) I took the original photograph of another artist friend, Anne, and Hollin worked her magic to make it look amazing! I am so very excited for Saturday night and am so thankful to all of the help I received in planning this year's event. Here here!

Loving These ....

I love these pocket notebooks by Scout Books! I especially love their custom option. Check out the sketches inside of this one by Portland based artist, Mia Nolting.

Palm Springs: A Photo Diary

Palm Springs was everything I could of hoped for and more! We spent the weekend lounging in the pool, listening to Neko Case & The National (perfect desert music, I must confess), and played board games until the cows came home. We had chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast, watermelon for lunch and barbecue chicken for dinner. The only time we left the house was to take a field trip to The Ace Hotel for a midnight cocktail under the stars. I do believe I returned home three shades browner, two pounds heavier and an infinitely and thankfully more relaxed.

Goodbye Summer

This weekend marks the official last weekend of Summer. (It's Sept. 21st to be exact) And I'm going to live.it.up.  Four girls, three cars, two dogs and one boy are headed to Palm Springs for a weekend of pure relaxation. I plan to swim, eat, sleep; rinse and repeat.  There will popsicles and watermelon and barbecue chicken and sparklers and everything else that sings Summer. And when we return, Fall shall be upon us and another chapter shall begin.

So, so long Summer.  You've been swell!

Cartolina: A new iphone app you need

Apple has released a new iphone app today called the Cartolina.  The Cartolina is all about sending brief but beautiful messages to your friends and is a gorgeous alternative to a plain email or text message. You can choose from the selection of designs, customize your message and send. The Cartolina app supports multiple languages, allows you to send to multiple recipients and includes a customizable calendar. Automatic reminders from the calendar mean you'll never miss another birthday! Pretty-up someone's inbox with a Cartogram from the Cartolina iPhone app and enjoy!

Loving these ....

Beautiful new chocolate bar wrappers designed by typographer Kate Forrester for Portland, Oregon chocolate company Moonstruck. They are almost too perfect to open up!

Today, in favorites

My favorite letter is K.

My favorite number is twenty-two.
My favorite color is magenta.
My favorite flowers are ranunculus.
My favorite place is Camp Nellie Huckins.
My favorite animal is an elephant.
My favorite smell is tied; stargazer lillies and home-made chocolate chip cookies.
My favorite season is fall.
My favorite food is sushi.
My favorite show is 30 Rock.
My favorite candies are Reese's Pieces.
My favorite movie is Lost in Translation.
My favorite time is 11:22.
My favorite band singer is Jenny Lewis.
My favorite band is Tegan & Sara.
My favorite drink is Orangina.
My favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird.
My favorite word is fortuitous.
My favorite thing is Scout.

What are some of your favorite things? Please do share!

Music Mondays: The Arcade Fire

I have to be honest. This MAY be the coolest thing I've ever seen in my life. After a three year break, the Montreal multi-piece Arcade Fire returns with their new album, The Suburbs.  To promote their record, Arcade Fire has created an interactive music video to one of their new tracks, We Used to Wait. Simply click here and enter in the address of the home you grew up in and you're mind will be blown. I mean it. At the end make sure to write the postcard to your childhood self.  And make sure to keep some tissues near by. This one tugs at the heartstrings. Enjoy and Happy Monday!

Fall Movie Preview

I work in the film business, so seeing movies is a part of my job. I always get extremely excited for the movies coming out in the fall because they tend to be of a higher caliber than the Summertime popcorn flicks.  Here are my most anticipated films for the Fall season. Click on the movie titles below the posters to watch the trailer. Which movies are you looking forward to? Enjoy!

THE SOCIAL NETWORK

NEVER LET ME GO 

IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY

LET ME IN

EASY A

THE BLACK SWAN

Loving these ....

New perfume from Twigs & Honey called RumpledCake! Isn't that just the sweetest name ever? I adore this packaging too! RumpledCake smells like violets and tea tree with a dash of sandalwood and rose. I can't wait to treat my nose to this smell in the near future!

Modern Day Dorothy

If you know me at all, you know that the Wizard of Oz is my favorite movie in life. I dress up like Dorothy every Halloween (with legit ruby slippers!) and now that I have my own Toto, I feel complete! I stumbled upon this Modern Day Dorothy outfit this morning via A Beautiful Mess and couldn't resist sharing it with you!

modern day dorothy by elsiecake featuring cotton tops

Giant Polka Rhianna Dress by Motel**
$70 - topshop.com
Topshop dress »

Boyfriend Cardigan
$158 - lagarconne.com
Cotton tops »

Red Rocking Horse Platform Wedge by Vivienne Westwood Access
120 GBP - my-wardrobe.com
Vivienne westwood accessories shoes »

Vintage Macalester Bag
$40 - modcloth.com
Vintage bag »

Black Apple Pendant
90 EUR - pret-a-beaute.com
Kenneth jay lane necklace »

French Bulldog Puppy Blog » General
geocities.com

♥

My Dearest Girl Scout,

You are the best decision I have ever made.

Love,
Your Mom

Pali House Paradise

The Pali House in West Hollywood, CA is one of my absolute favorite spots and one of the only bars that I will cross La Brea to go to. I brunch, lunch and drink here. It is an urban lodge with a french industrial twist that screams lounge by the fire. sip on a kir royale. listen to cat power remixed by the DJ. order oysters on the half shell. If you live in Los Angles and haven't visited the Pali House please do, and report back. And if you're a regular like me, I look forward to meeting you by the vintage bicycles or photo booth with a champagne cocktail in hand.

All photos taken with the ToyCamera for iPhone. Mode: Random. Vignetting: on.

Sugar & Spice

Two magical things happened last night: the new Jenny Lewis LP made its way onto my record player and Magnolia Cupcakes from the newly opened store in Los Angeles were brought into my new home. I listened to the record about 17 times (switchblade is as of date, my favorite jam) and tore through a menagerie of deliciousness featuring s'more, salted caramel and ding-dong flavored cupcakes. It was a decadent night and even though my stomach hurts and my ears are ringing a wee bit today, it was all totally worth it.