>> keeping an eye on...

Deep inside The Brentwood Country Mart lies one of the coolest global shopping destinations in Los Angeles. The phrase "well-edited" doesn't really cut it here because the space is no bigger than a postage stamp. The Monocle Shop opened their only U.S. store in April as a pop-up shop, but since it was doing so well they decided to keep their doors open indefinitely. For those of you who aren't a Japanese tycoon, Portuguese socialite or Richard Branson, The Monocle is an online and print magazine (since 2007) that focuses on global affairs, business, culture and design—some have called it The Economist meets GQ. The magazine has two retail stores (the other in London) that sell branded items, special editions, works by contributing artists and generally cool man merch. The coolest thing for me though, was walking in and noticing that one of the associates is a fellow Panther. Thanks Erin!

The Monocle Shop
225 26th Street
Santa Monica, CA.

P.S. Check out some of the Monocle editors posing for J.Crew

>> watch the birdie

I'm enamored with Bill Samios' Watch the Birdie birdhouse ($400). It's hand silk-screened birch plywood and references the effect the military can have on the natural environment, specifically birds. I'm not going to lie, I just think it looks really really cool.

>> on my radar

Just a few fun things that I've been eying...Above: Santa Monica Civic Auditorium ($800) by Alexandra Becket. Below: Bodum's Bean French Press ($70), comes several other great colors; Gold Moroccan Pouf ($260); Virginia Johnson Shark Scarf ($68).

>> woah!

I was watching Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure Last night (yep!) before heading out for tacos and thought, "woah, Bill's mom has some most excellent patio furniture!" Can you believe that movie came out 20 years ago! Totally bogus!

You go Mrs. Preston!

>> vintage land rover

I think this is a 1950s-1960s Land Rover Series IIa parked outside my apartment. Such a cool ride.

>> bands of leather

It seems like leather friendship bracelets are the best thing since sliced thread. (Woah doggie). Above is the Col. Littleton Camp Bracelet ($28 + engraving which runs btwn $8-$11) which you can get in the above nickel silver or brass. Saw these in the latest issue of Lonny Magazine. So fun! I want one! Then there's the below Steven Alan De Palma Leather Friendship Bracelet ($75) available in two colors. It comes as one long piece meant to be cut in half with your best friendy.

>> diana+ MEG edition

I'm thinking I need a little bit more lo-fi in my life. I love love love this "Meg" Diana camera ($180), one of two White Stripes editions of Lomography cameras. The all-plastic Diana camera is a cult legend and dates back to the early 1960s. It's famous for dreamy, radiant images and it's been faithfully reproduced and made even cooler with the help of Meg White.

>> holy shnikes

Check out this brand spanking new Cole Haan with Nike Air Air Colton Saddle Shoe ($198, coming out soon).

That's James Bond of Undefeated rocking a pair at his Los Feliz home with his two kids. Gotta love those mini Bertoia chairs ($89). Thanks Alex!

>> strong boalt

I know it's hitting below the belt to call out how great the weather is in mid-February, but it is so freaking gorgeous here in L.A. today, I had to say it. All my windows are wide open and the birds a chirpin'. In that vein, I'm really digging the new Palm Beach company Strong Boalt who make really handsome men's trunks. I love their old-school style and the faded bright colors. I think the Mister might have a pair of these coming his way soon. All trunks are $115 and shipping is free!

>> i was under your porch

I can barely take looking at this Shaggy Dog card ($4).

>> a muddy and bloody dinner party

On Saturday we had a little dinner party and it was one of the first times we were able to use our new Mud Australia tabletop which came from our TableArt wedding registry. We are so appreciative of Walter Lowry, TableArt owner and tabletop God. He takes great care to help couples really get the best bang for their buck and find their style, even if they think they know it already. Thanks Walter!

We got really lucky with dinner, the Chile-braised short ribs were literally falling of the bone, but you can read more about the menu from one of the guests, the one and only Foodinista.

>> sharp as shun

While preparing for a dinner party this weekend I almost amputated my right index finger while washing the new Premier Shun Chef's knife ($150). I initially cursed the knife while losing quarts of A-positive in the kitchen. But once I was bandaged I felt an apology had to be made, look at how pretty that thing is! I hate you, but you're so beautiful. The handle is gorgeous and the blade is stunning, if perhaps extremely lethal. Shuns are handcrafted by expert artisans in Seki City, Japan, hand-hammered with a technique known as tsuchime, and you can trust me, they're razor sharp.

>> standing edison lamp

I was so sad to hear the news a few days ago that Auto, one of my all time favorite shops in New York, closed their doors. To look on the bright side, I checked out one of my new favorite NYC design shops online, Haus Interior, and found this unreal Standing Edison Lamp ($185). And of course I love that dog who is sleeping like a human.

>> vintage barware

I know I've gushed about how great the antiquing in Orange, California is before—but seriously that place is a freaking gold mine! I found this set of six vintage tumblers for $18 yesterday (among several other things). I'm guessing they're from the 50s or early 60s, all I know for sure is that they really class up our CB2 bar...a lot. To get to the main drag of stores start at the hasn't-changed-since-1955 intersection of Glassell Ave and Chapman Ave in Orange, seriously it's like Back to the Future, but it's cute and there are tons of great lunch spots too.

>> marimekko and mom

I found this old photo of my mom the other day. Of course my first thought was, "where is that piece of art!?" The answer as I suspected was: tossed by the wayside by the time 80s came rolling through. It's an early 70s Marimekko print on fabric. Sigh. I love the photo though. The sweater, the print, the seventies.

Above is the Marimekko Sateenkaari fabric available from the Spring 2010 collection. Thanks anonymous commenter for that!

>> scout books

Digging this Portland-based company, Scout Books, who make pocket-sized notebooks that you can easily design yourself on their website. They're also made from 100% recycled papers and soy inks. And you can choose from blank paper, lined, or my personal favorite: grid. Custom notebooks start at $195 for a set of 50, but there are some already designed books that are pretty snazzy, and the price is pretty snazzy too (just $10 for a three pack + free shipping anywhere in the US of A). But don't you want to design your own? I do.

>> l.l. bean signature collection

I'm getting really excited about the new L.L. Bean Signature Collection coming in March. So far there are some pretty awesome pre-launch items, like the limited edition waxed canvas LL Bean hunting boot ($129), and the Textured Pullover ($79).

>> medal detectors

Of all the many meals we consumed over the weekend, the four of us agreed last night while sipping a Sauternes that the best bite of the past 48+ hours went to the yellow tail sashimi "croque madame" at Hatfield's. Silver medal to the potato taco at Lotería Grill and the bronze was awarded to the special Sunday fried chicken at Chateau Marmont. The best design element of the weekend also went to Hatfield's with the above honeycomb-shaped chandelier/light sculpture. All that said, it is very tough to compete on any level with a warm Valentine's Day night spent on the patio of The Chateau Marmont with great friends.

>> wknd

My friends Kim and CJ are in town from New York so we're going to show them all around and really lay it on thick, starting tonight with dinner at the new Hatfield's. I think Kim and Siege totally look like Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate did in 1968, except CJ is way taller. Have a great weekend!

>> mount cook

My brother and sister-in-law just casually sent this photo to me after they landed via glacier plane (notice the plane has skis) on Mount Cook, the highest point in New Zealand. I, on the other hand, am headed to a strip mall in The Valley in station wagon to buy Drano.

>> ana meier for meier/ferrer

Last night I went to the launch of Ana Meier for MEIER/FERRER, a new furniture collection that...I want. Clean lines, warm tones, bold geometry—just beautiful furniture. I think Ana Meier (who's 27!) said it best in a W Magazine interview a few months back, "I think a lot of the modern furniture that’s out there is [all] the same. My pieces are modern, not stark. They’re comfortable.”

I totally agree. I guess talent is genetic as Ana's father, Richard Meier, is one of the country's most prominent architects. The Melrose Place gallery Lead Apron will be displaying the 15+ examples of the new line for the next three weeks. Excuse the bad photography, it was totally packed.





Guess what else!? There were several Cy Twombly pieces on the premises (OMG!), and wow, the furniture really looked good with the art.



The keytar-clad trio The You Know Who played a few fantastic sets. Keytar.

And there were some pretty great sartorial sightings in the crowd, like Jack Merrill, who was wearing an amazing 1970s Alexander Sheilds for I. Magnin blazer.

If you're in L.A. get yourself to 8445 Melrose Place.