Laurel Canyon Country Store

Matt's college roommate is in town from the east coast this week and we've been having a blast showing him and his gf around town. I love it when visitors have more than a day or two to spend visiting so they can get a real sense of L.A. We took them on a very smokey hike yesterday in Fryman Canyon then got sandwiches at the famous Laurel Canyon Country Store where all the rock stars used to get their groceries in the 60s. No sign of Joni, David Crosby, Zappa or Three-Dog Night at lunch, but maybe next time.

I say tomato, she says Shun U2 Ultimate utility knife

Last Saturday Matt and I attended an outrageous dinner party at The Foodinista's house. I brought some heirloom tomatoes and watermelon over to toss a quick and easy summer salad to go along with their killer grilled heritage pork chop with French feta salsa verde. I got into the dreamy kitchen (which is so genius because they designed it around their French grey Heath ceramics dinnerware) and asked if I could use a knife to slice the produce. First of all The Foodinista keeps her knives organized in two drawers, one for German, one for Japanese. Second of all, she doesn't fool around when it comes to the knife department. She promptly handed me the Shun U2 Ultimate Utility Knife and man does that thing slice through a tomato. Never slice without it.

photo of the tomato, watermelon salad via The Foodinista.

Le Provence

I'm absolutely loving the charming goods the good people from Kiosk brought back to their store from the south of France. Above is Le Humidifier ($31). It hangs on the side of the radiator and requires no electricity just regular intervals of water. The stoneware is not sealed with any glaze which makes it porous and allows the steam to exit. Fantastique! Below: wire dish cover ($20), which I can appreciate as last night our wine was under attack by kissing bugs; vintage postcards ($11); Mikado ($6)--the perfect game to go along side some Pastis and coffee ice cream. Have a great weekend!

1974!

Super 8 - 1974 from Jarbas Agnelli on Vimeo.

Super 8 Film is so great, I'm really loving this film circulating the Internets.

Ige Designs

Ige Designs is one of my favorite curiosity shops ever. It's super fantastic because everything in there seems or is a one-of-a-kind. From quirky toys to gorgeous glassware, owner Helene Ige really has a rare talent. Check out the store in L.A. at 7382 Beverly Blvd.

The Lion

Flawed. Gifted. An era has ended. RIP EMK.

James Perse Home Collection

There's something really nice about a pure white couch and simple honest furniture, which is why I'm really liking the new James Perse Home Collection. Perse also makes some great (and random) limited edition items like ping pong tables, dog bowls, and beer bongs—which we saw last night in the home of this article's writer who took one home from the opening party. All available exclusively at JP boutiques which you can find by clicking here.

Industrial Strength

I'm loving Tom Dixon's new screw table ($1200) that also comes in a side-table size. Heavy cast iron tripod + giant screw + marble slab = genius. And the best part is you can adjust the height lazy Susan style when ever you want. Available at ABC Carpet and Home.

Bubble Lamp Sale!

L.A. peeps, heads up! If you're in the market for a George Nelson bubble lamp but never wanted to pay full price ($225-$1400) you may be in luck. Modernica is having a half off, open box sale tomorrow, August 22, from 10am to noon. They're offering Bubble Lamps that have been rented for TV shows and movies (nothing with tears or anything dirty).
There will be lots of medium saucers and a wide variety of other styles and shapes. Go score some sweet deals!!!!

Bubble Lamp fire sale at the Modernica Warehouse
Saturday, August 22nd, 2009
10am-12pm
2118 E. 7th Place
Los Angeles, CA 90021

The Villas at Rancho Valencia

Here's an idea that makes sense: instead of spending five million big ones on a vacation home, spend $515K. The Villas at Rancho Valencia are a cluster of twelve haciendas on an Auberge resort in North County San Diego (five minutes from La Jolla) where residents can buy-in for a 1/8 ownership. So, that's 3500 square feet of your own space AND all the amenities of a five star hotel, that by the way, is the #1 tennis resort in the world.



Rancho Valencia has 18 deco-turf hard tennis courts surrounded by lush greenery and citrus trees.



Chef Barclay Dodge gives a quick presentation on how to make his airy gnocchi in one of the Villa kitchens. Imagine having room service access to this guy's genius from your own house.

All Villa owners also have box seat tickets to the Del Mar horse track, a San Diego instituion, where you might see a few fellows like these guys (William Quigley, Bing Crosby and Pat O'Brien) and you might win a few bucks.

Chillin like a villa villain

I'm off to San Diego to check out The Villas at Rancho Valencia today. It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it. Back later this week!

Bike engagement!

One of my BFFs, Ashley, just got engaged this weekend while biking with her boyfriend 150 miles from Seattle to Vancouver! They had almost no room for any sort of luggage so Griff put the ring in Ashley's shirt thinking, she's never suspect, and she didn't! Risky! So unknowingly she was crossing the Canadian border with some engagement ice in her own back pocket. How crazy is that!? Congrats Ash and Griff!!!

New Stone Age

If I could make a "dream goodie bag", yes, I just said that, it would all be stuff from New Stone Age in L.A. Incredible little do-dads. And their friendship bracelets are some of my most favorites around. 8407 W. 3rd St., LA.




Sparklers in both the giant and mini sizes!

Les Paul 1915-2009

The inventor of one of the most recognizable designs in Rock and Roll died today. His timeless Gibson guitars will surely live on for generations.

Zelen Home

After spending a day in Palm Springs talking about linens for our wedding with my mother I was ready for an intravenous injection of vodka, scotch, gin, Valium...whatever you got, really. Maybe the curators and buyers of Zelen Home have had similar experiences--I noticed a lot in the way of booze and guns. Check it out for yourself online (limited selection) or in-person at 8055 Beverly Blvd in L.A., right next to Twentieth and my old gym. Sweet.

Babies!

Designing a baby's room must be so incredibly fun. It's free reign to go a little crazy with color, sculpture, paint and all that cool stuff that you would never put in your bedroom because you're too old. I saw this PukaPuka mobile ($68) today (via Swiss-Miss) inspired by Spring blossoms and thought, "could this work over MY bed?"