SCHOLARLY MUSINGS

Odette Swann

“Then it was, stepping onto the fine gravel of the avenue, that Mme Swann would make her entrance, as late, languid, and luxuriant as the most beautiful flower, which never opened until noon, the outfits that gave her a bloom of radiance, and which, though they were always different, I remember as mainly mauve. The bright moment of her flowering was complete with, on an elongated stretch of stem, she unfurled the silky vexillum of a broad sunshade blending with the full-blown shimmer of her frock. She was accompanied by a whole retinue: Swann was there, as were four or five other clubmen who had either dropped in to see her that morning or whom she had just encountered. And the black and grays of this disciplined formation executed their almost mechanical movements, lending an inert frame to Odette, they made the woman, the only one with any intensity in her gaze, appear to be staring past them all, looking straight ahead as though leaning out of a window, and made her stand out, fragile and fearless, in the nudity of her gentle colours, as though she were a creature of a different species or of some mysterious descent, with a suggestion of something warlike about her, all of which enabled her single person to counterbalance her numerous escort. Beaming with smiles, contented with the lovely day and the sunshine, which was not yet too warm, with all the poise and confidence of a creator who beholds every thing that he has made and see it is very good, and knowing (though vulgar passerby might not appreciate this) that her outfit was more elegant than anyone else’s, she wore it for herself but also for her friends, naturally, without show but also without complete indifference, not objecting if the light bows on her bodice and skirt drifted slightly in front of her, like pets whose presence she was aware of but whose caprices she indulged, leaving them to their own devices as long as they stayed close to her, and as though her purple parisol, often furled when she first emerged into the avenue, was a posy of Parma violets, it too at times received from her happy eyes a glance which, though directed not at her friends but at an inanimate object, brimmed with so much gentle goodwill that it seemed to be a smile.”

-Marcel Proust, In the Shadow of Young Girls in Flower (1919)

CHARMING & GORGEOUS

The Healing Power of Flowers

When I have quiet time I like to arrange flowers. I buy myself flowers at least once a week. I choose a time when I know I have as long as I want to selfishly fuss over them. Creating something beautiful and enjoying the fruits of your labour day after day is a joy I treasure…. Buy yourself some flowers this weekend!

My Saturday Morning Bouquet

“Smell it is a potent wizard that transports us across thousands of miles and all the years we have lived… instantaneous and fleeting, cause my heart to dilate joyously or contract with remembered grief. Even as I think of smells, my nose is full of scents that start awake sweet memories of summers gone and ripening fields far away.” -Helen Keller

SCHOOL NIGHTS

Pho… And More Importantly… Pho Cafe 

Some nights you need comfort food. One of my comfort foods is Pho. There is something soothing about a beautiful fragrant bowl of clear broth with tender thinly sliced pieces of meat, topped with aromatic herbs, sweet bean sprouts and a mound of steaming hot rice noodles. My favorite location for this Vietnamese masterpiece is Pho Cafe, located in Silver Lake. The food is clean and has the perfect balance of flavors and spices. I always order the Number 11 (with rare beef and meatballs). The appetizers are divine as is their selection of beers and sodas.  The space itself is elegant in its simplicity. The crowd is made up of local hipsters and eccentric types, which keeps the eyes wandering and the conversation flowing. 

2841 West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles 90026 

The Laid Back Scene

 

Keeping It Simple

 

Deliciousness

 

Beers With Stylish Labels

CHARMING & GORGEOUS

Sweet Treats 

“When I am an old woman I shall wear purple 

With a red hat which doesn’t go and doesn’t suit me 

And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves 

And satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter.”
  

— Jenny Joseph 

 

The mild climate is a lovely time for sunset barbeques with your favorite people. There is something indescribably luxurious about an impromptu outdoor dinner that no one has fussed and fussed over, where someone rings you from the market, saying they have just decided to have people over. Somehow you come up with something fabulous to bring (recipe below). When you arrive everyone is relaxed and there is this intoxicating buzz of excitement, since it happened all so unexpectedly. The smell of fire and food, the scent of the hot sun on warm freshly dressed bodies. As the sun sets and the sultry-ness of the mood permeates, help foster the ambient perfection with gourmet ices. They never fail to bring a smile, be it naughty or nice, to every guest’s face. 

Albertine & Odette’s Re-Mastered Ginger Margarita Popsicles 

3/4 c. sugar 

3/4 c. fresh squeezed lime juice 

1/2 c. water 

2 TBSP fresh squeezed lemon juice 

2 TBSP fresh squeezed orange juice 

1 3 inch piece of ginger, peeled 

2 TBSP of tequila (preferably Don Julio Anjeo) 

2 TBSP Grand Marnier 

Chipotle Powder 

Lavender Salt 

1. Use a fine grater and grate ginger into a sieve, placed over a bowl. Press the solid ginger to extract juices. Set aside 1 teaspoon. 

2. Combine sugar, lime juice water and lemon juice and orange juice in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and allow liquid to cool. 

3. Place cool liquid into a blender with 1 teaspoon of ginger juice, tequila, Grand Marnier and one wedge of lime. Process mixture until smooth. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze until hard (overnight is ideal). 

4. Serve with chipotle powder and lavender salt for garnish

ESOTERIC ESSAYAGES

TRAYF

Vintage clothing is one of my passions, or perhaps one could say, addictions. Half of my wardrobe is vintage. Open only three weeks, TRAYF is one of my new favorite spots. The store is a well curated collection of quality pieces that are insanely stylish. The owner Geneva is like a walking encyclopedia of fashion. She remembers every great collection by every great designer for the past 60 or so years. Her knowledge is evident by the clothing that is on display in the store and the expert advice she dispenses. What is even more exciting is that TRAYF carries a large selection of men’s vintage clothing. As new pieces come in every week, I am putting TRAYF into my regular rotation.

TRAYF CLOTHING :: LOS ANGELES.

507 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Earrings & Things

Cool Art Books

A Vintage Shopper's DREAM

Groovy Art In The Dressing Room

CHARMING & GORGEOUS

Emu Re-Trouvé Collection

With the Memorial Day Weekend upon us, officially kicking off all things Summer, my thoughts are on outdoor entertaining. The geometric collection composed of tables, chairs, armchairs, poufs and vases designed by Patricia Urquiola is just the thing one needs to bring a little vintage elegance to outdoor living this summer. The pieces are available in orange, turquoise, yellow, green, and for those of you who prefer to keep it simple, white and black. Cushions come in a wide array of colour variants to match any mood or theme.

emu americas llc.

EXTRAORDINARILY SACRED

Hôtel Particulier Montmartre

I fall in love daily, moment by moment, with places, things… as if possessed, haunted by them… Places I have never been I feel a strange connection to, as if I know them and their secret history and they in turn, know me through and through. I long to be close to them and bask in their brilliance…

Hôtel Particulier Montmartre.

DEGREES OF HYSTERIA

“You Don’t Know The Power Of The Dark Side”

The Vader Project comes to Los Angeles on Friday, June 11 for an opening night party and auction preview, followed by a catalog signing on Saturday, June 12 featuring 20 of the participating artists; with the auction taking place at Freeman’s Auction House, Philadelphia on July 10.

100 well known, of merit underground artists have participated in creating their own interpretation of one of pop culture’s most recognizable symbols. The results are… frankly… staggeringly brilliant!

For details visit: THE VADER PROJECT.

ESOTERIC ESSAYAGES

Whimsical, Sculptural Jewellery

I love oddly curious statement pieces. No ordinary ring will ever encircle my finger! I want everything I wear to have a soul, a story, and the ability to spark conversation. Alidra Alic creates works of art that straddle the line between sculpture and contemporary jewelry.

alidra alić contemporary jewellery.

DEGREES OF HYSTERIA

the AIO coffee

I am a big fan of milk teas with boba. This afternoon I stopped by what used to be a Lollicup to get my fix. To my astonishment, the space has been luxuriously transformed. Koreans love to “BLING” things out and I ❤ them for it! What used to be a bright, spare boba tea house is now a dark, sexy, outrageously over-the-top nightclub-esque place to sip your tea/coffee and make yourself comfortable for hours! The service here is impeccable. I can never make up my mind about which flavor of milk tea to get and often request to have an infusion of two flavors. Most places look at me like I am insane or speaking in clicking noises… Not only did the adorable AIO girls happily grant my wish, they asked me to taste test my drink and promised to alter it until it was perfectly to my liking (it was surprisingly perfect upon first sip). Great service, along with the chandeliers, deluxe wallpaper, purple tufted booths, and real china tea cups make AIO Albertine & Odette’s new favorite late night spot! Oh… and did I mention it is open until 2:00 A.M. seven days a week?! Their motto is: Taste Talk Play! We can get into that!

3805 West 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90020 (at Hobart Boulevard)

Thank Heavens Someone Is Using China!

Everyone Deserves Good Lighting

Delightful, Attentive Ladies Of AIO

They Have Everything You Could Want At 2:00 A.M.