Corner View: Spring

In most places Spring=Rain=Umbrellas.
This was very true when I was in London last week!
Here in L.A.- the rain comes in the Winter- however, as I write this (on Monday night), we have a 60% chance of rain for today.
See more of Spring here.

London: Art

During the install of T's show.

Above & Below- a really lovely Robert Mapplethorpe construction. A "Gold Star" made from black wood (ebony?) and gold-colored mirror.
Can be hung as pictured, or, upside down (al Diablo). I am trying to look a little like Mapplethorpe here. My hair looks the part, at least ;)

Outside the gallery. Night. On the street.

The opening.

We spent a lot of time at the gallery, installing T's work for the show, and of course on the evening of the opening itself. I try to do a good job documenting. Each opening has it's similarities and differences. With every opening, I am amazed at my husband's hard work, the hard work of his gallerists & their talented teams, and how it all comes together in the end, beautifully presented.

London: Food

Room Service. Very, very Indulgent at our very, very lovely hotel (Thank-you Alison!!).

Had to have the Fish & Chips. At a pub, of course. Tomory had the Bangers and Mash:
I find the photo that I took of this dish to be slightly repulsive, but Tomory said it was very good!

Cute little Greek place that David & Madeleine (my in-laws) took us out to (thank-you David & Madeleine!!).

The real reason for this post : Tayyab's. A little 100% Halal Pakistani-Punjabi restaurant in London's East End. Holy freaking H-E- Double Hockey Sticks.
The most crowded restaurant per patron per square foot I have ever seen. They don't take reservations. They told us the wait would only be about a half hour. It was closer to 2. In the cold & rain. I was so hungry I think my stomach ate itself while I was waiting.
Sounds like a nightmare, right?
It was heavenly.
Once it was our turn to be seated, the service was incredibly prompt. Every dish was made to perfection. Amazing.
Worth a 2 hour wait, in the cold and rain, while your stomach eats itself.
If you are ever in London, you must go (Thank-you Alison!!).

Tayyabs, 83-89, Fieldgate St. London E1 1JU
http://www.tayyabs.co.uk/

This Side of the Pond

That was so quick. I'm back, and boy am I jet-lagged.
London was wonderful, but I didn't get a whole lot of exciting shots:
Tomory's show took more time than expected to install- and we really only went walking around London on Friday & Saturday.

I did make it to Liberty, and will have a Liberty-related giveaway sometime this week.

I need to tell you about art, a couple of nice restaurants, so much!
Here are a couple reviews of the show.

Now I have to drag myself into the shower, and scrounge up some dinner, and try not to fall asleep too early tonight!
Hope you all had a wonderful week.
xo

From the Weekend, March Edition

Above: Sunday Brunch- a chilled soup made with rutabaga, kale, and creme fraiche was served along with sweet and savory crepes.

Below: the Work of Judy Ledgerwood at 1301 PE.

all images below: J.Ledgerwood/ 1301 PE

Off to London at the end of the day today. Be back soon! I get really, really nervous flying, so think good thoughts for me.

The Smallest Kimono

I can finally post this! I made this tiny kimono for my friend's newborn as a little gift- we just went over to see him for the first time today (I didn't want to ruin the surprise- my friend reads my blog).
I made it using Heather Ross' pattern from her book.
It's easy, and a great way to use up smaller scraps of fabric.
The body is made from Nani Iro 2008? '09? Pocho, and the trim was initially purchased from Superbuzzy (forgotten the maker).
Really fun little project.

Hadley Holliday/ Style Section LA

Photo Credit: Robert Wedermeyer/ Style Section LA

My friend Hadley Holliday featured at Style Section LA!

Merci

photo directly above courtesy of Clare Vivier/ taken by Heather Taylor

Inexplicably more than the sum of it's parts. It's just a simple piece of engraved metal strung on a scrap of Liberty fabric- but why do I want one so much? Maybe because of it's cool-girl Parisian connection? Because it's sold out? I'm going to try to see if they have any in London.

If so, I sense a blog give-a-way coming on. Stay tuned.

Last Year at Marienbad

all images: stills from Last Year at Marienbad

This is one of those movies that I'd heard about- heard many references to- but had ever actually seen until a couple nights ago.

It's well known (within certain circles) for a reason: it's enigmatic, of it's time yet classic, beautifully shot.

It's been endlessly parodied and has been an influence on filmmakers from Kubrick to Lynch.

As I was watching the film, I found myself admiring the wardrobe of the female protagonist, "A", played by Delphine Seyrig. I literally wanted every single outfit the character wore. I thought "I'm 36 years old -a grown woman- this is how I should be dressing (ok...maybe a feathered cape or bed jacket isn't exactly practical...but they are undeniably glamorous) !

I guess this is a pretty well-known fact about the film, but only one I discovered until after viewing it in it's entirety: Coco Chanel designed all of Seyrig's costumes for the film.
Chanel! Of course. Of course I wanted it all. Damn. Makes sense. Coco Chanel is Coco Chanel for a reason.

Better start saving my pennies!

(and)

R.I.P Alex Chilton

Corner View: Front Door

A little story.

See more doors here.

lavender & honey bee

new fennel

quince blossoms

ant with sage blossoms

She's got everything she needs
She's an artist, she don't look back
She's got everything she needs
She's an artist, she don't look back
She can take the dark out of nighttime
And paint the daytime black.

You will start out standing
Proud to steal her anything she sees
You will start out standing
Proud to steal her anything she sees
But you will wind up peeking through her keyhole
Down upon your knees.

She never stumbles
She's got no place to fall
She never stumbles
She's got no place to fall
She's nobody's child
The Law can't touch her at all.

She wears an Egyptian ring
That sparkles before she speaks
She wears an Egyptian ring
That sparkles before she speaks
She's a hypnotist collector
You are a walking antique.

Bow down to her on Sunday
Salute her when her birthday comes
Bow down to her on Sunday
Salute her when her birthday comes
For Halloween buy her a trumpet
And for Christmas, give it a drum.

Rest in peace, A.V. W. 1972-2010.

Major love for this insane print & jumpsuit.

Could I actually wear this? That is the question.
Would I look like a clown on the lam? Or would I look like I stepped out of Ossie Clark era London?

All images above & below courtesy of Creatures of Comfort

This coat is just perfection. An interesting twist on the military trend. A very versatile design. Go here to see more permutations.

Jumpsuit & coat designed by Rachel Comey.