jim jarmusch

These are must see films from American independent filmmaker, Jim Jarmusch.

QUENTIN SMITH

Quentin's Smithshop combines design and craft in one. His selections are not just objects and furnishing but are truly unparalleled rich pieces with functionality. I met Quentin Smith this summer during my trip to San Diego. He is designing furniture and has been running a great blog that you should check out. Some of my favorite posts are 'en vogue', his thrift store find of the day - August 1960s textile, and for sure his shoes of the summer.

Keep following his blog and check out his designs:
http://quentinjsmith.blogspot.com

white sangria

This recipe goes down easy. It is a great drink, espcially for a party on a hot day when everyone will be drinking this refresher like water. Cheers!



Fruits best for white sangria:
1 bunch (large handful) Green grapes
1-2 Ripe pears, sliced
2 ripe Peaches, sliced. No need to peel.
1 small Nectarine
2 light colored plums, sliced or diced. There are nice golden ones available.
1 Lemon, sliced. Whatever fruits you choose don't forget the one lemon.
1/2 cup sugar
1 bottle Sauvignon Blanc wine.
1 cup Cointreau or Grand Marnier
1 cup Citrus Vodka (you choose your favorite brand)
Optional: 1-Liter Club Soda

Put the fruit in the large pitcher. It takes up quite a bit of room so the largest pitcher will be best, or split it into two regular-sized pitchers.

Add 1/2 cup sugar and the bottle of Sauvignon Blanc wine.

Stir the wine and the sugar with the fruit. You want the sugar to dissolve.

Add the Cointreau or Grand Marnier and the Citrus Vodka. Stir again. This is where you stop if you want the stronger version. Try to make this 30 minutes ahead of the party so the flavors blend. For the lighter version add the club soda. Stir again and you're ready to rock.

Enjoy!

knitta please

Knitta began in August 2005, when the soon-to-be-Knittas were discussing their frustration over unfinished knitting projects: half-knitted sweaters and balls of yarn gathering dust. That afternoon, they knit their first door handle. Then it dawned on them… a tag crew of knitters, bombing the inner city with vibrant, stitched works of art, wrapped around everything from beer bottles on easy nights to public monuments and utility poles on more ambitious outings. With a mix of clandestine moves and gangsta rap — Knitta was born! Today, Knitta is a group of ladies of all ages, nationalities, and… gender. These knittas have gotten France, Sweden, LA, New York, Seattle, Germany, San Francisco, Montreal, El Salvador, even the Great Wall of China

Les Paul

Les Paul, outstanding guitar player, entertainer and inventor, passed away August 13 at age 94. One of the foremost influences on 20th century sound and responsible for the world's most famous guitar, the Les Paul model, Les Paul's prestigious career in music and invention spans from the 1930s to the present. Though he's indisputably one of America's most popular, influential, and accomplished electric guitarists, Les Paul is best known as an early innovator in the development of the solid body guitar. His groundbreaking design would become the template for Gibson's best-selling electric, the Les Paul model, introduced in 1952. Today, countless musical legends still consider Paul's iconic guitar unmatched in sound and prowess. Among Paul's most enduring contributions are those in the technological realm, including ingenious developments in multi-track recording, guitar effects, and the mechanics of sound in general. He influenced the sounds of many musicians incuding Slash, Pink Floyd and Steve Miller (whom he was godfather to).

Little Dancer

Etsy.com

Etsy.com is an amazing website I have just been introduced to. It is to buy and sell anything and everything handmade. I have found some amazing jewelry on there. Some of my favorite items were the leaf headband, poppy clutch, and peanut ring. If you're overwhelmed byt he selection... try looking at the editors picks to narrow down some of the amazing stuff that is sold through this website. http://www.etsy.com/article_listings.php?ref=fp_nav_editors Browse around and get inspired to handcraft your own jewelry, bags, clothing and other great stuff!

The Joy Of Painting

The other morning I was watching pbs and to my delight who came on... yes our dear ol' friend Bob Ross. That man is a god. I really wanted to publish a piece of his magic onto my blog but unfortunately all I could find were others trying to master his amazing grace of painting. Watch him whenever you can!

GOOD NEWS FOR ALL!

Although Polaroid stopped their production back in 2008, there was a major inititative by The Impossible Project to keep our fun and instant images alive. They actually purchased machinery sold from Polaroid's factories in order to continue production of Polaroid film! Now, in partnership with Urban Outfitters, a limited edition 700 hand-numbered deadstock Polaroid camera kits will be sold beginning this friday. The exclusive Special Edition will include one pack of Polaroid Instant Film and including the Polaroid ONE600 Classic. UO will also be selling Instant Polaroid film. Find it at www.wallpaper.com (Exclusive to London and the US)

3 Days of Peace & Music

This is a little tribute to The Woodstock Music Festival, also known as "An Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music". It took place August 15-18, 1969.

Chan-wook Park

Chan-wook Park, the famous South Korean director, is coming out with a new film. Thirst which is out in theaters in Korean cinema is his next big success after his quite amazing film Old Boy. If you have never seen Old Boy (올드보이) I would say its a must. It is kind of a disturbing film but he really finds a creative cinematic way to unfold the trials of Oh Dae-Su, dealing with vengeance. His new movie Thirst picks up on this new vampire craze, but if its as creatively genius as Old Boy, lets see it!

outnpb.com

Check http://outnpb.com/ to find great drink specials in Pacific Beach every day.

Ansel Adams: A Life's Work

MoPA (Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park San Diego) brought Ansel Adams: A Life’s Work (May 23 – October 4, 2009). The exhibition will feature the life’s work of Ansel Adams, the most celebrated American photographer of the 20th century, from his most infamous and iconic pieces to his lesser known masterworks.

Not in SD?? The University of Arizona holds the archives of Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, Garry Winogrand, Harry Callahan, and others. Its really an amazing collection.

Tel Aviv Happy Hour

Welcome Tel Aviv to the wonderful world of happy hour.... You can't beat cheap drinks and half priced food in the late afternoon. Thanks to these establishments for providing our city with a little evening fun:

Florentin 10 (10 Florentin Street)
Lenny's (7 Vital Street)
John Doe (4 Malkhei Israel Street)
Gilda (64 Ehad Ha'am Street)
Mike's Place (86 Herbert Samuel Street)
Mate (226 Dizingoff Street)
Mate (2 Vital Street)
Silon(89 King George Street)
Elwood Bar (57 Ben Yehuda Street)
Eliezer(186 Ben Yehuda Street)
Emily Resto Bar(22 Nahalat Binyamin Street)
Betty Ford (48 Nahalat Binyamin Street)
Cordovero (21 Cordovero Street)
Bukowski (39 Frischman Street)
Strasse (30 Pinsker Street)
Rothschild's Kitchen (37 Rothschild Street)
Hudson Brasserie (27 Habarzel Street)
Molly Bloom's (100 Hayarkon Street)
Leo Bloom's (24 Raul Wallenberg Street)
Maraboo (14 Aba Hillel Street, Ramat Gan)

9:50pm

9:50pm every day of the week you can watch fireworks bursting from Sea World. It's a beautiful sight sitting on the roof of a mission beach house watching fireworks every night....

Narwhal

The narwhal, a species of whale, are massive amimals found in the arctic. The mystical belief was that narwhal tusks were the horns from the legendary unicorn. These horns were considered to have magic powers so Vikings and other northern traders were able to sell them for many times their weight in gold. The tusks were used to make cups that were thought to negate any poison that may have been slipped into the drink. During the 16th century, Queen Elizabeth received a carved and bejeweled narwhal tusk for £10,000—the cost of a castle at the time.

If you want you can show your support for the Narwhal on facebook:

http://apps.facebook.com/causes/4390

Smeeks Treats

Smeeks The cutest candy shop ever! No really it's adorable and you can actually buy candy for 5 cents. Bonus... there is a photo booth where you can take photo-strips of good ol' fashion fun with your friends. They opened at Central and Camelback (along with Frances and Stinkweeds (record shop)), and sells just about everything you could imagine in a candy shop; candy, soda, party supplies -including personalized party hats, toys, and lunch boxes.

Karma

Karma necklace comes on card that reads "karma - what goes around, comes around...wear your necklace as a reminder to keep the circle positive, peaceful and loving." Sold at Frances Boutique: $65.

Brazillian Toyota Commercial SOOO FUNNY

Totally 80s Vintage

I found this dress I love. Of course it's toally 80s and of course it's totally metallic. Vintage 80's Pierre Cardin Metallic & Cotton Mini Dress. It's great, inspired by Mondrian.

Good Eats and Best Treats in Phoenix

Good Eats and Best Treats in Phoenix:

1. AJ's Fine Foods: for $2 Ice Tea
2. Cibo: Its Urban Pizza - what that means.. it's great Italian food served up in the cutest renovated house on 5th avenue down town, I love this place! http://www.cibophoenix.com/cibo.html
3. La Grande Orange: all i have to say... commuter sandwich
4. Hana: Japanese eatery with the best sushi in phoenix I always order the spicy tuna, of course, and a can of their green tea (:
5. Sierra Bonita Grill: Not only is it the absolute local eatery for central phoenix, they're serving up amazing carne asada (: If you go you have to order the guacamole... and of course the staff there is the best - word has it they'll be having a farmers market Monday evenings starting in November http://www.sierrabonitagrill.com
6. Tammy Coe Cakes: Amazing treats and delicious cakes. Really. You must try them.
7. Filibertos: Nothing better than bean and cheese burrito for under 5 bucks (I prefer shredded lettuce and lots of hot sauce in mine)
8. 5&Diner: I mean is there anywhere else to go after 9pm? Besides you can be sure every time you go you'll walk away with a new decorated diner hat, have had a reunion with some old friend you haven't seen in ages, and slurped up a delicious shake
9. Palette: Breakfast anyone? Located in the Cavness House, a historic home with a cute front porch and a yard that functions as one big patio, the restaurant has a laid-back setting.
10.Simply Bread: Best bread in Phoenix by far (besides my mother's). I have to tell you to try the raison challah.. its so yummy

Home Sweet Home

My Favorite Things to Do in Phoenix:

1. Phoenix Public Library: new books every week!
2. SMOCA (Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art) Thursdays are free for Students and of course after you must go to Orange Table for the best sandwiches
3. Visiting Frances Boutique to see all their cute new items, fun accecories and great selection of string dolls as well as visiting our favorite gal working there Julie
4. Swimming Pool, mine - yours it doesn't matter to me
5. Driving the streets, there is nothing better than driving around central phoenix with some good music - you can come up with a lot of adventures driving around.. like making some juice??

Window Browsing??

Chashama is a storefront gallery at 217 East 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan. It is one of twelve spaces run by an arts organization that provides low cost space for artists of many genres to create work, rehearse, and perform. Ms. Newman performed her work, “Blue,” an investigation of a primary color, at the venue in July. It was her first window performance.

This space sure gives a new meaning to storefront browsers. I just love when people blend mediums and create new inetresting ideas for art, fashion and entertainment.