DEGREES OF HYSTERIA

“Small Gift” SANRIO’S 50th Anniversary Celebration

Friday night Sanrio kicked off “Small Gift”, its 50th Anniversary celebration. A marvelous display that verges on sensory overload; a deluxe carnival, big top extravaganza being held at Barker Hanger in Santa Monica. Small Gift makes its home in Los Angeles until November 12 and features a ferries wheel; game booths; a miniature golf course; a make-over booth by Sephora, using the new Hello Kitty line which will debut in January 2011; a pop-up shop; photo booths where guests can dress as their favorite SANRIO characters; and an art gallery, featuring art by some of the hottest artists, such as kozyndan. They will also be offering interactive workshops, and exclusive theme days that give one an ever greater reason to get out the party clothes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This carnival is all about food and has numerous fancy food trucks, as well as big name vendors such as Beard Pappas, Yogurtland, and Pink’s Hot Dogs. There is also a classic carnival concession stand that has both pink and blue cotton candy, popcorn, and snowcones…. YUM! And yes, they have wine, beer and iced green tea to wash down all of the goodies with.

Sanrio has always had the magical ability to bring out the creative, youthful, energetic side in all of us, despite our ages or our differences. Small Gift is an immersion into this transformative state of childhood bliss.

• What: Small Gift Los Angeles
• Where: Barker Hanger: 3021 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90405
• When: November 12 – 21, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHOLARLY MUSINGS

The Captive

 

“A jealous lover exasperates the woman he loves by depriving her of a thousand unimportant pleasures, but those pleasures which are the keystone of her life she conceals in a place where, even at moments when he thinks that he is showing the most intelligent perspicacity and third parties are keeping him most closely informed, he never dreams of looking.”

 

–The Captive, by Marcel Proust (1941)

SCHOOL NIGHTS

Wisdom Is Where You Find It

Despite all of the temptations, sometimes it is best to stay home and take time out for some self-reflection. This evening I gave myself the luxury of staying in. Dressed in my favorite pajamas, I made myself a cup of Yogi Tea. The fortune on the teabag was inspirational and seemed so very perfect… There are signs everywhere and in everything we do… We simply need to be open to receive them.

DEGREES OF HYSTERIA

Why It’s Bone China, Darling!

Yes, I know it is edgy, but Alex Garnett’s, ‘Goliath’ Pendant Skull Lamp is made of bone china! Who doesn’t love gorgeous, little, unexpected, over-the-top things that are conversation starters?!

This would make a glorious bedside table lamp!

CHARMING & GORGEOUS

Salons Are Back In Fashion… Thank Heavens!

Today I spent a gorgeous Sunday afternoon at the monthly Antebellum Tea Salon. It was my first time attending the Salon, which is held at Chado Tea Room‘s H-Wood location; providing the perfect setting for a beautifully civilized afternoon. Rick Castro, the man behind the Salon, has turned his role as host into an art-form. He is charming, sophisticated, well-spoken and has curated a wonderful blend of personalities that make this one of LA’s best kept secrets. The conversation was sparkling, the tea was top-drawer (over 300 varieties to choose from), the nibbles divine, and the setting was so exquisite that we all forgot we were in the middle of Los Angeles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Artist Raymond Sandoval was in attendance at the Tea Salon, as was some of his artwork from his Dia de los Muertos exhibition. Following the high tea, a group of us headed over Antebellum Gallery for the final night of his exhibition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Antebellum Tea Salon occurs monthly; dates for the December event will be published shortly. Also, you can expect to see Albertine & Odette joining forces with Rick Castro to bring you a special Salon in early 2011. We hope that you will attend, and assist us in ushering the art of entertaining back into fashion. Stay tuned…

EXTRAORDINARILY SACRED

Words Of Grace and Beauty

 

“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.

If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”

– Mother Teresa

GENTLEMEN

Gorgeous Clothing That Makes Me Dream About All Of My Favorite Men

The GalaabenD Spring/Summer 2011 collection by Japanese designer Miki Okawara is the height of young (which includes, young at heart) and fabulous! This exquisite clothing is clearly meant for boys and men with style who wear clothes and never let the clothes wear them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos by Fashionsnap @ GalaabenD Flag Ship

CHARMING & GORGEOUS

Words of Wisdom from Zsa Zsa Gábor

Spend More Live Longer

“Not only does a wife who spends money well prove to everybody else that her husband is successful, but she proves it to him, too. Her husband feels that he is important to her and the family, because without him they would all be in financial hot waters. If a man feels he is needed for his work, he will then stay busy and happy and probably live to be as old as Paul Getty. Except he never learned how to spend his money, and he still doesn’t know you can’t take it with you. Some beautiful woman should explain that to him.

Men do live longer if they have interesting work to do. I definitely believe this. Let’s say a man works terribly hard and piles up a lot of money. What happens then? Some morning when he’s in his late forties or fifties, he says to himself, ‘What the hell am I working for? I don’t need any more money.’ So he decides he will retire early and enjoy himself. But the trouble is he can’t enjoy himself if he retires, because for most successful men, their work is enjoying themselves. Suddenly he has nothing to do and his life hasn’t any meaning for him and he shrivels up and dies. It’s a big tragedy for him and also for his poor wife.”

 

Don’t Be Vulgar, Darling

“It’s not an easy job for the wife to learn to do all this shopping. It takes time and study for you to develop your good taste in buying things. Never pick up something that is vulgar and buying it will do your husband more harm than good. People will say he’s nothing but a nouveau riche and laugh at him instead of respecting him for his success.

For example, don’t ever buy a conspicuous colored Rolls Royce. A friend of mine bought a pink Rolls Royce and her husband could never use it going to the office, because it was too loud, so he had to take a taxi. It would have been better if she bought a black one. Then he could have gone to the office in it and everyone would have been impressed. And when he was out of town the wife could have been driven around by her boy friend in it and nobody would have noticed.”

 

–How to Catch a Man · How to Keep a Man · How to Get Rid of a Man, by Zsa Zsa Gábor (1970)

DEGREES OF HYSTERIA

I Heart This HAUS

Designed by Alexander Lotersztain, the HAUS series consists of three unique pods, based on the beloved fairy tale, The Three Little Pigs; only they appear to be rather more glamorous abodes than I recall any of the piglets having. Lotersztain partnered with Corian by Dupont, Bisazza, Laminex Group and Euroluce in the creation each think-tank.  They certainly offer an aesthetically pleasing, yet cozy, space for collecting one’s thoughts or for delving into  intimate conversation and creative discussion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

photos by Florian Groehn

 

 

 

DEGREES OF HYSTERIA

The Artsy Crowd

Last night I had the pleasure of attending Ghost Stories: A Night of Happenings and Hauntings at the “risk-taking fine arts enterprise”, Beacon Arts, which featured indoor and outdoor events, all well-curated and curious. Below are some images of things, moments and people that attracted my eye.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The exhibition is open Tuesday-Saturday through November 6, with a closing reception on November 7.