Wigfield gives good opening.

And the best opening line of a book ever goes to...

"Words cannot describe all the things that I have left to write."
-Russell Hokes
(fictionalized author of Wigfield)
(actually written by Amy Sedaris, Paul Dinello, and Stephen Colbert)

Beautiful Things: Peter Beard. Photography and collage collide.

I had the chance to flip through Peter Beard's book in Taschen this afternoon (god forgive me for spending part of a Saturday at the Grove).Though I spotted it on my way out and only had a moment with it, I was captivated by the imagery. Nudes make me happy. Collage makes me happier. Beard's work does the trick on both counts.

Harry Potter...only better...via the wonderful art of puppetry!

I have never seen a Harry Potter movie. Nor have I read a book. Nor do I think I will.

However, I could probably watch this video over and over and over. All. Day. Long.

I have never seen a Harry Potter movie. Nor have I read a book. Nor do I think I will.

However, I could probably watch this video over and over and over. All. Day. Long.

For all the beautiful, lonely people.

Daul Kim, a Korean model-just 20 years old, killed herself the other day. On her blog, she'd recently written...

i just know

the more i gain

the more lonely it is

In a previous entry, she had posted this cartoon version of one of my favorite books from childhood, The Giving Tree, which I never knew existed and am happy now to know exists.

Farewell to all the lonely, beautiful people.

Ms. Kim.

Mr. Silverstein.

The tree.

The boy.

Design Dish: literary Louis Vuitton

You can't afford a new Louis Vuitton purse this season. Don't worry--neither can the majority of American citizens. But you can probably manage to score a copy of 'Louis Vuitton: Art, Fashion and Architecture.' And the good news--the book, which documents LV's collaborations with stellar artists (including Frank Gehry, Takashi Murakami, David LaChapelle and Stephen Sprouse) over the years won't go out of style as soon as this season's newest handbag.

The book's on sale at major book retailers. But pop into a Louis Vuitton boutique or visit the brand online  and find the deluxle edition designed by Takashi Murakami, the man of a million bright colors and cutesy alien creatures himself.

Buy the book on Amazon.

Pauline Parry: Hostess with the Mostess

There are few things in life that I enjoy more than eating. Well, sure, there are a couple of things I'd prefer to chowing down--I mean, I'm not a hedonistic pig, for goodness sake. But, for the sake of this piece, let's begin with the fact that I do love to eat. And I love, love, love a good party. Which is why yesterday's event [at the gorgeous new event space, High Profile Productions], celebrating the very first book penned by Pauline Parry (the hostess with the mostess and owner of Good Gracious! Events), was such a treat.

The book, 'FOOD FUN LOVE: PARTY STYLES,' contains tips on entertaining and recipes for those daring enough to do the cooking on their own. I, myself, am not such a master in the kitchen, but for those of you with a bit more culinary coordination, I implore you to buy the book, throw a party, and invite me over. If your version of Pauline's mac and cheese hors d'ouevres is anything close to yesterday's sampling, I will gladly attend and will likely stay til you kick me out.

Thanks to Sarah of Pink Cloud Events for inviting me to tag along!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar turns 40.

Don't miss author Eric Carle when he celebrates the 40th anniversary of a storybook classic at the LA Times Festival of Books later this month.

I'm personally hoping for a picture with the caterpillar...maybe a hug...maybe, just maybe, a lunch date together.

Toymaker Mattel takes a stab at telekinesis.

Recently, I've been plagued with the things I can't do. Not the things I never learned to do--like rise to prima ballerina status, save money, or speak Spanish--but rather, the things I can't, could never have, and will never be able to do. The other night, for instance, I tried to read my boyfriend's mind. Like, really tried. And just today at lunch, I was wondering what it might take for me to lift my tray off the table. How much energy would it take for me to lift one empty plate, some leftover corn and the cardboard box that had held my microwavable entree? My efforts to levitate the tray and its contents were failed.

I don't know if I read Matilda one too many times or if my great aunt's claims of levitation spooked me, but I've always felt my life would be a little closer to complete if I could control these body and mind functions.

Well, it appears, we are now one step closer to granting mind control powers to the masses. Mattel, the maker of kiddy favorites like Barbie and Hot Wheels, has launched Mindflex at the recent Consumer Electronics Show. The game allows users to move a ping-pong-sized ball through the space with their minds. While I'm not sure how appropriate the game is for kids, nor how long the entertainment would last, I'm intrigued. I want one. I think need to have one.

And on a side note, I'd really like to know how Mattel has not yet been condemned for separating its game list into Girls and Boys games. Seriously? It's 2009. Hotwheels aren't just for boys anymore. And last time I checked, the classic Magic 8 Ball wasn't a chick thing.

New York Times: Mattel Channels Obi-Wan "Stretch Out With Your Feelings"
Crunchgear: Hands on with Mattel's weird Mindflex Game

Special delivery. One rich bitch.

When talking of the things I'd never done before, I used to be able to count ordering items off the radio amongst them. That was before last Saturday. Maybe it's been the general economic climate. Maybe it was a suspicion that my employer would file for Chapter 11 just two days laster. Or maybe it was just the early morning, pre-caffeine haze clouding my judgement. But as I drove along, listening to the paid programming that's airing more often now on my am news station, I was enraptured.

Loral Langemeier was being 'interviewed' on the air about her wealth-building philosophies--essentially that each of us can be rich--a millionaire, she'd say. And it's by capitalizing on things you're already doing. Let's say you're always watching the neighbors' kids...start a day care business. Perhaps you just love to knit...start ebaying those scarves in your closet (just because your family thinks they're awful doesn't mean someone in Alaska won't need one come winter). Or maybe you're already sleeping around town like a wild rabbit...well, get paid for those hours honey!

Since I already have hobbies--I like to write, I like taking walks, I like cleaning my sock drawer--I figured one of these interests might be sellable. Why not start a business of separating out my tall socks from the short ones?

I arrived home tonight with a reminder of this car ride--the call I hurriedly made and the conversation I had with a gentleman who asked what my financial goals were, tried to sell me a 'free' series of books and cds, and gladly took my VISA number. My book and CD (free, but for $9.99 shipping and tax) had arrived!

It was only now that I thought to do a little research on Loral. I've learned that her company, Live Out Loud, doesn't take too kindly to cancellations and isn't that keen on refunds. One woman calls her 'a crook.' Another warns that she'll 'sleep with your husband.' Well, luckily I'm not married. And I don't have much to steal. But needless to say, I might have looked into this before I provided my home address and banking info to her cronies on the phone.

In the event that I am evicted next week due to overdue payments I didn't realize I'd owe to the 'Loral Langemeier Knows I'm an Idiot and Will Buy Anything' Foundation, I'm going to get to reading my free 'Millionaire Maker' book tonight and listening to the free CD as soon as possible.

Here's to a richer tomorrow,
Your friend [the sucker] Jessie B. R.