>> VJ Day in kodachrome

Matt's grandfather sent us a link to this amazing footage shot in Honolulu on August 14, 1945. He said it was much the same scene in Los Angeles that day. Incredible. And more than appropriate viewing for Memorial Day weekend.

>> summer has arrived

I'm not even sure if this round-up makes sense, but I like it. Above photo of skateboarder Danny Bearer screams summer (and awesomeness) and I've heard those shirts are on their way back. YES! Bertoia side chair ($605); vintage surf trophies; striped vans ($52); coin bank ($25)—I picked this up at Inheritance on Beverly Blvd (formally called Zelen Home), I put it at the bar and am expecting tips for well-mixed cocktails.

>> hable hand printed posters

Speaking of cool posters, I've been meaning to post Hable's new line for a while now. I especially love the above metallic gold cookies ($195) and metallic gold geraniums ($195), both are 19" x 25" and produced in a limited stock.

>> claire nereim

I'm loving this L.A.-based artist Claire Nereim and her etsy shop a whole lot! Especially these two 19" x 25" forever calendars that list month numbers next to the corresponding blooming flower, such a cool idea! Left: California flowering trees ($50); right: native California wildflowers ($50)—although I feel like I've been seeing a lots of 3's this 5.

>> picnic in the park

I know it's only Tuesday but I'm already set to picnic (and drink Whiskey Sours) while we screen North By Northwest on Saturday night at The Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

King-sized 40 oz. Thermos ($25); custom LL Bean boat and tote ($45); SLVDR sweatshirt ($84); Oliver Peoples sheldrake optical frames a la Cary Grant; TOMS denim Lindsley slip-ons ($85); Utility Canvas quilted throw ($145); Preserve recycled and reusable on-the-go cutlery ($5 for set of 24).

>> polaroid swinger

Do you ever zone out while internetting, and then you realize you're on some esoteric vintage photo site webmastered by Camera Danny from Dubuque, with literally no idea how you got there? At some point last night I found myself obsessing over the Polaroid Swinger camera which was in production between 1965 and 1970 and sold for just $19.95. Isn't it cool looking!? Ali MacGraw did at least one of their TV campaigns, Meet the Swinger, where the jingle tells you that "It's more than a camera, it's almost a life." Almost a life, I can certainly relate to that.

>> wknd

I want my weekend to be like these photos.

>> office love

Check out my home office on the Herman Miller Lifework blog! Incidentally I'm loving my Herman Miller Setu task chair, and my back is loving it even more.

>> patio perfect

We revamped our patio last weekend with the help of some grey Ikea pots ($15) and succulents from Anawalt. Morning coffee with the scent of lavender = heaven.

>> nothing but blue skies

Public D1 bike ($600); Best Made Co. Axe ($200); Happy Socks ($10); Magritte by David Sylvester ($35); Partners & Spade and Fresco studios' (which monograms Goyard's bags) table lamp (TBD); Sydney Albertini Dipped Pasta Bowl ($250); Tretorn Skymra women's sneaker ($70).

>> wear and tear

Some things just look so much better when they're beat up.

>> geometric fruit bowls

Powder coated steel is surely the material du jour. I'm loving these fruit bowls by Peter Hils ($48 each). They arrive flat and can be shaped like origami in several forms. 11.5" diameter.

>> merkled pot rack

How cool is The Merkled Pot Rack ($325)!? It's made from salvaged steel loom ends collected from a weaving company ten blocks from the Merkled's Portland studio. Apparently the powder coated Merkled Pot Rack can hold the lightest whisk to the heaviest cast iron skillet. It comes in the standard L-shape for corner installations or a U shape for over an island and in white, orange or the above ice blue.

>> big daddy's antiques

Chris Shelly invited me into the new Big Daddy's Antiques showroom space in West Hollywood yesterday. It's full of industrial furniture (some new, some old), found objects and art—all of it curated by Shane Brown who travels through Asia, Europe and the U.S. They also have a giant warehouse downtown (13100 S. Broadway) that I've heard is a fun visit. Thanks Chris!

>> tomboy style

Please check out a fun side project I'm working on called Tomboy Style. It's also updated regularly and I'd love to see you over there as well!

>> my vans

I was trying to free up some closet space yesterday and came across too many pairs of Vans. Instead of throwing anything away or getting anywhere organizationally, I photographed them and made an even bigger mess. How productive.

>> be still pillows

I'm loving this Aussie-based Etsy shop. Great pillow covers at great prices! All of the above are 18" x 18": grey ikat linen and silk cushion cover ($44); black and white striped cushion cover ($32); safari pure silk cushion cover ($54), shipping to the US is $11.

>> bird is the word

While eating dinner at my in-law's last night a mallard flew right into their pool. We released Harrison and their English Springer Spaniel which prompted it to safely (and very quickly) fly away. Apparently they will use your pool like a toilet if you don't take action—rude. It made me think of how many vintage decoys I've been seeing around lately at design shops like Jayson Home & Garden, Lost & Found and Terrain. Look at this American Wigeon Drake Canvas Over Wire Decoy ($200)!

>> happy mother's day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mamas out there. My mom circa 1977, takin' care of business.

>> tom dixon offcut stool

I've been design crushing on Tom Dixon since his copper pendant lamps hit the scene four or five years ago and it's not waning, at all. His new offcut stools ($235) are constructed from furniture waste generated during the manufacturing process. The legs are usually discarded irregular pieces of wood called "waney edges". Plus, no glue or screws are used, it's all held together using wooden pegs. Totally utilitarian. Love it.

>> cxxvi bandannas

I like these bandannas ($30), but what do I do with them?

>> tennis, anyone?

1930-40’s J C Higgins Tennis Ball Can ($75); Tannis Hegan canvas duffle ($430); Stop Talking cards ($10 for set of 25); Stella McCartney tennis shorts ($80); vintage linen cocktail napkins ($8 for four); Rod Lavers in vintage gray jersey.

>> fallingwater legos

The Frank Lloyd Wright Fallingwater Lego kit ($82) totally rules and since it's for ages 16+ (811 pieces!), I didn't feel like a total loser that it took me hours upon hours to complete. In fact, it put me in a zen-like state of happiness. Adult Legos, it could be the new Prozac.

>> down east doormats

The problem: Float-rope, a rope used by lobstermen to tether traps together on the ocean floor, can entangle and kill whales. The solution: The Maine Float-Rope Co. makes doormats ($50) out of them, while providing the Maine lobstermen with money to replace the float-rope with a new silk rope. I love these doormats, and they're completely indestructable, weatherproof, easy to clean and quick drying. They'd be great at a summer house or on a boat. Hand made in Maine!

>> partners + spade

Possibly the two coolest items ever.

Umbrellas from India ($200) and handmade arrows by Fredericks & Mae ($90). Email sales@partnersandspade.com to purchase.

>> venice garden + home tour

It was ideal! We walked around for hours checking out people's homes and gardens on a beautiful Saturday in Venice.


The house with living walls and a roof top garden also graced the cover of the LA Times' Home section two weeks ago. See more pics here.

This back office is on wheels, because if it's on wheels it's technically categorized as a piece of furniture and therefore doesn't require a building permit. Hmmmm.


Indoor succulent gardens!

A few corrugated cardboard pieces by Frank Gehry, The Wiggle Chair and The Easy Edges Low Table, both designed in 1972.

Vegetal chair by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec designed in 2008.

Case study 30" bar stool with fiberglass shell.




One of our favorites.



Definitely our favorite and it had a vintage Porsche to match!

And that's Matt riding shotgun in our friend's 1932 three-wheeled Morgan. Thanks Ryan and Alex!

>> blue plate oysterette

I don't really want to admit how many oysters I've consumed in the past 48 hours at Blue Plate Oysterette. I stepped up my obsession with the place last night by taking photos in the bathroom. That floor-to-ceiling nautical-themed collage is pretty dang cool.