What does $25 dollars get these days?

Socks? A dinner for four at McDonalds? A hour long foot massage with back and shoulders?????

Yes. There are a bunch of foot massage places popping up around the city but this is my favorite:


Hidden in a plaza with less inviting places to visit; it is true looks can be deceiving. Upon entering you will find 8 huge reclining chairs with 8 Chinese men ready to make you feel wonderful. If you don’t like strange Chinese men rubbing your feet, stop reading now. A 20 minute back rub and a 40 minute foot and leg rub is all included in the $25 fee. They know what they are doing, hitting all the right spots, diminishing knots and using pressure points to relieve your stress and can you beat $25? (doesn't include tip)

I’ve been on the pant search for the last couple weeks. A tiny seed was planted in my brain that I needed more pants and the seedling grew into a monster weed that has eaten away at my brain. Not able to think about anything else but the necessity of new pants and with a time constraint (I had a hour to pick up my girlfriend for our dinner at Red O) I decided on a favorite: Madison on Melrose. A store front a few doors down had an inviting sign that read: up to 90% off...

The front of the store had beautiful flowing pieces, silk pants, long skirts, capes, and dresses. I pulled a few pieces from the front and started a dressing room. As I walked further back, I realized there was a huge selection on sale. Why would anyone in their right mind spend $375 on a pair of pants when there was a similar pair four steps away for under $100.

I perused the sale racks and grabbed several pants and a few dresses. The saleswoman informed me that these were all samples. First pair of pants - black high-waist thin silk pants. Fit me perfectly. Second pair - navy silk pants also high-waist but looser in the hips and legs. Fit me perfectly. Third pair - black high-waist cigarette pants with a sheen. Perfection.


There were two other women in the store, trying on piles of clothes. One woman was beautifully older and another was about my age. Its clear that Duuya’s pieces work with any age. The saleswoman kept referring to the pieces as her’s so as I was compensating her for my finds, I asked her if she was in fact the designer. She was! Jaga Buyan, originally from Mongolia has made Los Angeles her home and continues to design minimal and simple silhouettes. Visit her store on Melrose, I know you wont be disappointed.

Some would say the Asian population got jipped. Our men are rumored to have small penises, the women: slanted vaginas. While the former is heresy (I am not authorized to tell you the exact truth) it is proven that we have small, slanted eyes and usually thin eyelashes. My upper lid is a sad excuse of eyelashes while my lower is non-existent. I went through a fake eyelash stage but unless you are wearing a lot of black eyeliner and only wearing them against a very dark veil of a nightclub - they are quite obvious and not in a good way. I had entertained the idea of eyelash extensions for awhile but never tried them - until yesterday.

After some research, I noticed that eyelash extensions based in Hollywood and Beverly Hills were quite high compared to other salons. Who would have thought! After some Yelp research I found a salon in Westwood, close to my office that had high reviews about their eyelash extensions and the deciding factor: they offer a full set for $99 on Tuesdays and Sundays. (Full price is $200)


Since I have limited eyelashes, it only took a hour and a half, not the usual 2 hours. It is only Day two but I am in love with how they look. I will keep you updated on their upkeep, etc... Hopefully I wont post three weeks from now with a picture of a bald eyelid. But aren’t they pretty right now?

Facebook rules the world. It allows us to participate in obsessive-compulsive behavior, it feeds our insecurities and sends our emotions soaring. What has the Internet made us?

Stark, raving MAD!

And I don’t mind that.

I used to dance at Avalon. For all of those who don’t know what Avalon is – it is a house/techno nightclub that was formerly the Palace and still caters to concerts and events. I started dancing there in 2007 from boredom and the necessity of finding friends besides my boyfriend (at the time). I no longer shake my booty or TRY to shake my booty on the stage but curiosity strikes me sometimes and I wonder who is. Facebook pictures led me to Rocka Chic. Hot girls that make any party prettier.  Beautiful girls are not hard to find in the city of angels but beautiful girls that can make their own costumes? I am in love. Scantily-clad disco balls to Victorian Virgins. Their disco ball gaga-esque costumes got me hooked...

and when I visited their site I found this picture among their costumes.

All Rocka Chic Photos courtesy rockachic.com

I emailed them immediately and asked for a remake of their hat: a Gothic veil with piercing crystals in all the right places. All I need is a place to wear it to… any suggestions?

FCUK was a brand that I equated with over gel-ed, spikey hair, tanned boys that originated from Staten Island. Worn by many in college, the thought of FCUK Women’s wear never crossed my mind. And seriously I think we are all old enough to see the words FUCK spelled out correctly despite their clever inversion.

Last night, I was reintroduced to French Connection. No spikey hair in sight, more tousled, “I don’t care how I look but I really do”, Hollywood hair - which I will take any day. Shadow PR threw “French Connection Invites you to Celebrate Fall” at the Soho House. I wore my new Nomia dress but still felt less attractive then what surrounded me. There is something about an event in this city that brings out the best looking girls and I was in the company of six beautiful women!

By the end of the event I was looking at FC’s Autumn/Winter Collection and I was impressed. I thought maybe the several dirty martinis at Boa and a couple Svedka cocktails at Soho may have impaired my judgment so this morning, I was interested to see if I still held the same new-found affection for FC.

And I do. I still think they have some notable pieces. Any designer within their price-range and mainstream market will have pieces that try to fit a trend and don’t work.   

Thanks to a Facebook friend and real-life acquaintance: Shoddy,  I stumbled upon Shakuhachi. Self-Taught Aussie designer Jessie White launched Shakuhachi over a decade ago. She lives in Bali and has slowly expanded her brand. Inspired by original artwork and films her collections offer a sweetness with a twist - literally a twist. Pairing floras, neutrals, mesh, and twisted jerseys with knits - I am once again in love.

Her fall collection will be featured this month in Urban Outfitters' high-end capsule shop (look for it at the Soho and Union Square locations), and the fall collection will be stocked at Blue & Cream and Pixie Market.


Her S/S 2011 line is not available yet but here is a sneak peak!


You can pre-order on some Australian sites and Revolve has some pieces from earlier collections on sale. Is it me or is Australia producing a lot of amazing designers lately?

A step away from fashion and a step towards some current events. Last week San Francisco Federal Judge Vaughn Walker overturned Proposition 8 claiming it was unconstitutional. He had stayed the verdict to allow Proposition 8 supporters otherwise known as Assholes, to appeal. While an appeal is eminent and will be heard in Ninth Circuit and eventually (most-likely) the Supreme Court, this ruling is a sign and a step forward. The stay was lifted today BUT legal marriages will be held until August 18th. While there is still a chance for an appeal to be filed in between now and August 18th, I am holding my breath and hope all the proud Rainbow Flag flying Californians who are ready to get married are specifically prepared on August 18th. I knew I moved here for a reason. Go Homosexuals and Go California. Hooray!

Before Los Angeles I never partook in Farmers Markets. Growing up on a mini-farm, our garden was a form of punishment. I was sent to the garden to sit in the dirt and weed after I received a low grade in Math or was escorted  home by the police. I was and am extremely ‘girly’ when it comes to insects and my mother knew this. Sitting on a foam garden pad, imagining insects crawling from every weed I pulled would leave me in hysterical tears. I wasn’t a country girl and I will never be but I love fresh vegetables. My idea of cooking is chopping up fresh vegetables, throwing them on a platter with some salt on the side. Delicious.

The Hollywood Farmers Market on Sunday is massive and allows for a lot of variety but it is also on a Sunday - which means waking up at a decent time. I have wished that at least one Farmers Market would cater to professionals or party-goers or professional party-goers by opening at night. We live by the Hollywood Bowl and on my way home from work in the beginning of the summer I saw signs for YAMAHSIRO’s Farmer’s Market - which is literally less than four minutes away - walking distance. The first couple weeks the market was extremely small and had limited attendance. Last week, we went again for the first time in a month or so and it was ridiculously packed!!! Same vendors, plus a few more, live music, yummy tacos, crepes, and alcoholic beverages. They are now offering shuttle service due to the overwhelming attendance rates.

Due to the increased interest in our Thursday evening Farmer’s Market we’re now offering free parking and shuttle service during Market hours. You can now park at the Fifth Christian Science Center (7107 Hollywood Blvd.) and take our complimentary shuttle up to the Market from 5:30-9pm. See our parking flier for more info.


Get their early if you want a seat and stay till they close.    

I used to love Mariah Carey. The Musicbox, Dreamlover, Hero days. I would sit in my room trying to emulate those high pitched notes or screams, which would result in my father bounding down the hallway, swinging open my door with a little more strength then the door deserved, and issuing a look towards me that a child knows all too well - a.k.a.  shut the fuck up.


Looking back on my youth, I don’t regret my love for Mariah Carey or my screeching reproductions of her hits but I do regret that I didn’t learn how to sew. I should have just paid attention in Home Economics instead of making my boxer shorts sans leg holes. Here I am in my late twenties, I am a lady, I think and I don’t know how to sew. I don’t know how to cook either but there is nothing I regret about that.

There is something nice about knowing that you can create something. I have always felt an urge to make garments. I’ve ripped, tied, hand-sewn, even stapled throughout my life.

Last week I took a sewing lesson at Hands-ON 3rd with Jessica. Hands-ON 3rd is a cute little workshop. They offer different classes - sewing classes, knitting classes, classes for kids and adults. Under the supervision of Jessica and her little puppy, Bella - I made a tote with some hideous fabric that is so ugly I think it almost looks good. Thick handles, lining and two hours of work I walked away feeling somewhat accomplished. www.handson3rd.com


Stay tuned for the next project.

Nomia, oh, Nomia, where art thou Nomia?

There isn’t a lot on Nomia, as far as I can tell it is only available in NY and on a couple online sites with limited inventory. See website here.  

Yara Flinn is the woman behind Nomia, which means Naiad nymph. I’d call this label up and coming? (for all I know its super hot in NY just not apparent online) Small distribution but a smart line.

Clean, simple, semi-classic with a twist. Alexander Wangesque and Helmut Langesque. I understand why it is mostly in NY, it exudes NY style. But I’d like to hope Angelenos could get behind it as well. Not all, but most of her pieces are very versatile from office to night wear. Many of her dresses when worn with tights or a blazer could get you far in the professional world and as soon as the clock hits 5 p.m. the blazer is off, the tights are off, and stilettos are put on.


 And the rest, not appropriate for office wear, is still simple but edgy. See-through panel leggings, tight pants paired with a sleek top and mesh galore. I love Nomia and I need those leggings!