>> nesso lamp

I watched Kramer vs. Kramer for the first time this weekend, and yes Hoffman and Streep were superb, but that apartment was per-fect-ion. How great is the Nesso Lamp ($380) designed by Giancarlo Mattioli in 1967? I want to get that exact lucite side table too, only then not leave my husband and 6 year old son. I also noticed the Nesso Lamp has a starring roll in Roger Sterling's new office on Mad Men, although that is supposedly 1965, two years before the lamp was designed...Mad Men mistake?

>> reaganing

Reaganing: the action of the verb "to Reagan"; being able to fix all problems flawlessly within a 24-hour span.

Vintage lacoste cardigan ($24); 2B radio ($350); life saver; regimental necktie ($60); vintage phone ($215); Stetson wool felt hat ($62); western utility shirt ($98); jelly beans.

>> very nauti

I LOVE these plastic cocktail anchors ($20 for set of twenty) from the new brand Nauti & Co.. They also make a sterling silver version that I wouldn't mind spearing an olive with now and again ($175 for six). Inheritance is carrying the line in L.A., and I may just head over there tomorrow.

>> sister corita

Before I started heavily researching Sister Mary Corita (a.k.a Frances Elizabeth Kent), I knew just that she was a Catholic nun that worked at a school down the street from our apartment during the 60s and 70s and made serigraphs based on advertising images and visuals of the time—I basically thought of her as a lesser-known west coast Andy Warhol...that was also a nun.

There's so much more to the story, and I certainly don't have the authority or space to write about her here and now (but there's a great book on the subject if you're really interested), but I find her incredibly fascinating. From her rebellion against the Catholic church to the fact that she and Charles Eames were both friends and inspiration to each other, Sister Corita's story is a trip.

Several of her silkscreens are on sale to the public still, at the Immaculate Heart School on Western Ave and Los Feliz Blvd (basically where AFI is). MOCA has recently bought up a bunch of them along with some art collectors, but they are still extremely accessible. All it takes in an appointment. Are they cheap? That depends on who you're asking. No, they're not cheap in the sense that the price range is roughly between $800 and $3,000. Yes, they are very cheap in terms of art collector prices and how their projected value will hold up over time.

Matt and I are celebrating our first anniversary this weekend, which is traditionally celebrated with paper, so we picked out a 1966 Sister Corita serigraph yesterday! Buying art can be intimidating and scary (to me), but what was really great about this experience is that all of the profits from their art sales go to local charitable causes as they did when Sister Corita was there. Check out more here.

p.s. Happy 1st anniversary, husband. x

>> stripes over manhattan

I found this map somewhere on the Internets (I think from Even Cleveland); how accidentally awesome is the jagged pattern made by the stripes!? Have a great weekend!!

>> road trip to santa cruz

Matt and I like taking weekend road trips, especially in the Jan/Feb off-season. This year I kind of have a hankering to go to Santa Cruz. I remember it being pretty great when I was 18, back when getting into a jazz club underage was "the ultimate". Built by Wendy tee ($45); flea market beads; trail jacket ($261); neckerchief ($13); soft sole mocs ($38); California field notes ($10 for set of three); Stanley water bottle ($36); Ella Dish collar and lead ($68); L.L. Bean signature duffel ($135); Blackbird vintage shades ($353).

>> the spoils of etsy

During the process of writing this post, I bought the first item, sorry. Blue blanc + rouge wooden flag ($30...but sold) circa the 1930s; 1960s Roly Poly cocktail glasses ($195 for six); lucite and wood magazine rack ($100); vintage aviators ($12).

>> commune chocolates

Has anyone started their holiday shopping yet? Because this is on my list, big time. The newly released Commune chocolates combine two L.A. powerhouses: Valerie Confections, who's cakes and sweets will live in your dreams after one bite (just ask The Foodinista who said "I do not exaggerate when I say it is now my favorite cake on offer in the entire city of Los Angeles.") and the design geniuses behind The Ace and The Standard Hotel, Commune Design. The result is a limited edition box of dark chocolates (49 pieces, $49). The design replicates classic Byzantine tiles and the chocolate replicates, nay, is what I want for my last meal. No joke.

>> tanya aguiñiga

I'm really loving Tijuana-born/Los Angeles-based artist Tanya Aguiñiga. Gotta have that jersey knot bracelet ($40, currently sold out on her Big Cartel site), the seating trays and the Alaska chair. In L.A. you can find Tanya's goods at A+R in Venice, ReForm School in Silver Lake and at Reform Gallery on La Brea.

>> paul + linda (yes, again)

I love how nerdy these two are.

>> tiny toddler chair

How do parents resist the cuteness of toddler furniture? I saw this mini mid-century chair at a vintage store on 4th street in Long Beach (forgot the store's name, but it's right next to Number Nine Noodles). I almost justified the $145 price tag by saying I'd give it to my favorite toddler but logically walked away unscathed. But it was hard. Very hard.

>> I'm OK, you're EPK

This is a hilarious video in which Adam Goldberg makes fun of himself and Merritt Lear is a comic genius making fun of everything "quirky" and "indie". I can't take it, too good.

>> voy tarde

I've been having one of those weeks with so many moving parts and work to do and all of that, that I've been going a little nuts...like a rabbit? Is that a common phrase? I don't think it is. But, I have been seeing a lot of rabbits around, both outdoors and in stores. Rhyme! Ok, I promise there will be way cooler postings coming soon.

>> sharon suh photography

Rules! Check her out!

>> hi

First thing that happens when I have a yard: assemble tee-pee.

>> current obsession: crafting community

I know I'm not the key demographic for this as I am neither a child nor a mother, but, I'm totally and completely obsessed with Crafting Community, a weekend of hip arty and good old fashioned family fun hosted by Kimmel Kids and Kid Concierge. This time (and don't worry they happen throughout the year) 75 families headed for The Ace Hotel in Palm Springs for fun events, pool time, and plenty of activities to keep the little ones (and big ones) muy occupado.

Splendid, the weekend's main sponsor, set up a pop-up shop at the hotel where kids (and...ahem, grown-ups) could design their own scarves! You pick four fabrics, staple them to a sheet and the seamstress gets cracking on it. I'm wearing mine right now.



The schedule of activities and classes is massive and includes DJ-ing 101, spin art on old LPs, fort building classes (OMG!), Skate-Or-Dioramas, underwater photography, garland making, succulent assembly, friendship bracelet classes and good old macrame.

This is literally too cool for school. For more info: click here!

>> wknd

Headed to Palm Springs with my friend Alex in about an hour where we will magically step into this Slim Aarons photo.

>> living architecture

Just back from the west coast book launch of Living Architecture ($75), a beautiful Assouline tome chronicling 20 of America’s most innovative and iconic houses of the 20th century. Your coffee table with thank you for it.

>> alexander kori girard

Loving these prints (gouache on giclee) by artist Alexander Kori Girard.

>> case study #22 chaises

The Case Study #22 chaise collection was designed in 1939 and manufactured simply from stainless steel, powder coat and marine cord. The design has held up for over 70 years and is today built in the exact specifications of the originals. If you're worried about outdoor furniture going out of style, I'd say you can safely bet on these guys ($550 for lounge chair and ottomon, $1,295 for chaise).

>> stephen stills: bad ass mother

Solid.