This is the thing: BLACKBURN AND SWEETZER has moved, not in geographical terms, but online. You can now find it at blackburnandsweetzer.com, with three roomy columns and a new and snazzy header. And the shorter URL is just better. The site is still in the works, but I posted on both sites today and I really don't want to continue that whole thing. So, please come with me! Consider it growth. Consider it a slight change of pace. I hope you think of it as an upgrade too.
Um, adorable. Creator of pretty underpinnings and sweet sleep clothes, Eberjey has a line of clothes for baby. Though I'm a firm believer in not spending a ton of money on baby clothes, there are special moments when the Time Out Crochet Trim Cami and Pant Set ($75, left, eberjey.com) or the Knit Wit Baby Footie ($33, right, eberjey.com) would make an irresistible gift. You just have to take a lot of pictures before baby grows out of the ensemble.
From pillows and rugs to handbags and glassware, Angela Adams has carved out her own stamp of simple, modern design. These Robin's Egg Munjoy Rock Glasses ($32 for set of four, angelaadams.com) remind me of a set of fantastic vintage glasses some friends bought me and the husband, two of which I have sadly broken while washing. Though I regret my clumsy handling, I would be pretty pleased to add AA's set to the cupboard.
Arm Stella McCartney with some navy twill and this is what you get - not some everyday cotton casual, but this Funnel Neck Empire Cut Coat ($1,345, intermixonline.com). Wear it closed or vented and open, either way the chic factor is high. The big navy and silver buttons add a vintage deco appeal, while the cut is perfect over slim jeans or the short, swing dresses of the moment.
Each time I go into Anthropologie, I have to check out the latest and greatest aprons. If you haven't seen the stock of aprons and half aprons in sunny retro designs, check them out online. Incredibly functional - many have deep side or front pockets - the aprons are great gifts, especially for someone who really cooks. This Crab Apple apron ($32), in poplin with little apples and striped trim, is my favorite right now.
Anonymous, who just left the following comment: 'It's official... The city denied Little Next Door to stay open til 9:30PM :('
I'm desperate to know more! What's the deal? What about all the restaurants open till late? I didn't know they were trying to stay open till 9:30PM, but I've been telling everyone I know that I wish they'd morph into a wine bar at night. It would be a great addition to the area if it did. Why is the city denying us more Little Next Door?
Can you comment further or email me??? Or does anyone know more about this?
This Sunday, August 12th from 1:00PM-5:00PM, get crafty at the American Institute of Graphic Arts' Craftivism event downtown at Santee Alley. It's $10 to get in - proceeds go to the AIGA Scholarship Fund - and that also gets you two drink tickets. Check the site for all the participants.
I haven't tried this out, but I'm a fan of L'Artisan fragrance so this new and first-ever line of organic bodycare from the French company intrigues me. Called Jatamansi - which includes Bath Milk ($75), Body Cream ($125), Body Oil ($95), and L'Eau de Jatamansi Natural Spray ($145) - it's described as employing "the rarest, richest, and most biologically pure of the mythical plants to place at the heart of its distinquished formulas," namely, Himalayan Nard, or Jatamansi in Sanskrit. You can count on luxurious from L'Artisan and I expect no less from the bodycare, and everything but the Natural Spray is available right around the corner at Luckyscent on Beverly. At the very least, you can snag a $4 sample of the Body Oil from Luckyscent, which most people's budgets would allow. You can also buy online from L'Artisan.
Think most already know about this, but just in case. All the info is above, or click here.
Got $250? Obama supporters in the 'hood might want to catch the candidate tonight, August 9th from 7:30PM-9:30PM at Area on La Cienega. RSVP-slash-give-bucks here. By the time the election actually comes around, Obama and Hill are gonna be schmoozed out. Or maybe they just have Obama and Hillary robots that attend these events... that would explain a lot.
If I lived in Eagle Rock, I would spend a lot of time at the Colorado Wine Co. (But, let's be honest, Eagle Rock is really friggin far away!) But I digress... The owners are cool and unpretentious and have a good sense of humor. The wine spot's upcoming event exemplifies all three qualities: the White Trash Wine Tasting on Saturday, August 25th from 4:00PM-6:00PM ($20). Find out the best pairing with pigs-in-a-blanket or the ever-popular Cool Ranch Doritos, among others. You can even get a shirt in remembrance from cafepress.com, which offers different styles for men, women, and even baby ($13.99-$20.99). To get trashed, RSVP to info@cowineco.com or (323) 478-1985.
This is not to publicize this event. Think of this as a message from the Emergency Broadcast System. Code red! Fellow 'hoodies: stay clear of Kitson - I would play it safe with at least a mile radius - Thursday, August 16th because Paris will be making an in-store appearance from 1:00PM-3:00PM to pub her new clothing line. Finally, finally, you can look like a classy lady a la Paris. To me this is a real f*ck you: in order to gain front-of-line access, you have to buy a $100+ voucher for the line beforehand. My guess is there will be at least a hundred teeny-boppers who will do this - charged straight to mom and dad's credit card - and then what good is it? But, see, Paris is really thinking of the kids, not only is she trashing them out but part of the proceeds go to the Children's Hospital.
Known for Homework on La Brea - that boutique steeped in modern and functional design pieces for the home - owner Laser Rosenberg is a designer and artist himself. His collection of collages will be exhibited at Harmony Gallery Fine Art & Rare Books from August 11th-September 15th. Catch the opening reception Saturday, August 11th from 7:00PM-9:00PM.
Seeing a woman look this chic in a leather skirt or pants always makes me nostalgic for Paris, where at twenty I was stunned at my longing for black leather, and not solely in the form of a jacket or handbag. This ensemble is from Rag & Bone - a High-Waist Leather Skirt with slit pockets and seaming up the front and a cummerbund effect at the waist ($698, neimanmarcus.com) and an asphalt gray silk georgette Wrap-Neck Blouse with button cuffs ($240, neimanmarcus.com). The model's blunt bangs make me nostalgic for bangs, but no, I will resist that temptation, which inevitably ends in a whole annoying growing-out situation...
Set to open at the end of August, Boule at 420 N. La Cienega is opening an Atelier at 408 N. La Cienega that will serve pastries, tartine sandwiches and the like for breakfast and lunch, along with its usual chocolates, ice cream, and other sweet treats. In the new Boule Atelier, you'll be able to watch the chefs and chocolatiers at work through large windows into the kitchen; the space will also be used for cooking and baking classes and as a production facility. The original Boule storefront will then move to 413 N. Bedford Drive in Beverly Hills in September or October.
Time to gear up for the Nike Run Club Remix - this time out, Naughty By Nature, Sir Mix A Lot, The Sugarhill Gang, and Dawn Robinson of En Vogue will perform, with MC Hammer the finish line performance. The race kicks off at 9:00AM, September 15th at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (sign up before August 28th and it's $31 and $39 after). Above is the schedule for Nike Run Club leading up to the big five-mile race; note the club meets today at 6:30PM at Pan Pacific Park on Beverly and will meet each Wednesday, same time, through September 12th. Even if you're not doing the race, this is a great free way to work out. It was voted best free workout motivation for the recent Los Angeles mag Best of LA Issue... OK, I wrote it, but still, the mag took my judgment, shouldn't you?
Alisa Loftin, owner of neighborhood Aero & Co., not only identifies talented new designers but also champions their collections season after season as they grow. Loftin has carried Figmint, designed by Maxine Dillon, from the beginning and, if you're an Aero & Co. frequenter, you've seen the label become more and more sophisticated, Dillon's POV stronger and more refined. The fall '07 collection maintains Dillon's ability to create structure that looks effortless in combinations of silk, twill, and wool. Pieces layer with ease and surprise with details like striped hoods, funnel necks, and voluminous pleated pockets. Check the line in-store at Aero & Co.
Maybe if I was an owner rather than a renter I would be more apt to follow through on daydreams like painting a wall saturated ocean blue and applying a romantically curlicued Sparrow Wall Sticker ($120, designpublic.com). Hey, but you can. Ferm - which means 'clever' in Danish - creates wall stickers and wallpaper that inspire with branch and feather prints among them, and even a quirky Finger Print Wall Sticker.
Up to 65% off pretty little things online at Agent Provocateur. You have to calculate from pounds to dollars, but that's a small price for such lacy, frilly, silky underpinnings.
Pretty simple, print this coupon out and get an additional 15% off summer sales at Holiday Boutique on Montana in Santa Monica.
