Design Dish: Zac Posen and his amazing horrific runway.

It's NY Fashion Week. And I'll admit that I've been paying less than a ton of attention. But I have love for Zac Posen--perhaps it's my admiration for his huge success at such a young, young, young (god, what am I doing wrong?) age or maybe it's his boyish good looks. Mostly it's the wearability of his fashions (ok, ok--his good looks too).

But this week's show completely confused my tastes. Some pieces made me want to run out and spend money I don't have. And others made me glad that Zac Posen is not in my price range.

THE GOOD...

If I had killer abs, teeny tiny breasts and balls to the wall confidence, I would wear this piece. In reality, I have none of these things. But I would still buy it. And try it on each night for myself. And covet it.

If I weren't a vegatarian, I'd wear blue fur every day. I'd sleep in it too.

Dresses like this make me wish for more cocktail party invites. (That's not necessarily a hint. But sure, I'll come to your party.)

THE BAD (AND/OR UGLY)

The 80's are back. And they're way worse than ever. Hey la, hey la, the 80's are back.

If even the model looks slightly too curvy in this piece, that's surely a sign that none of us should buy this, yes?

If an ostritch were shot multiple times as target practice, tied with a bow and stuffed with a skinny blonde, I imagine it might look something like this.

Zac, I still heart you. But not so many cut-outs. Please god, not so many cut-outs.

[Image Credit: John Aquino via WWD]

Design Dish: Ungaro drinks the Lindsay Lohan Kool-Aid

When I heard last week that design house Emanuel Ungaro had tapped Lindsay Lohan to be its new 'Artistic Advisor,' I had to wonder--who was on drugs--Lohan or Ungaro?

I'm thrilled to hear that Tim Gunn agrees with me. “It’s got to be a publicity stunt!...Or a crack-smoking board of directors?”

You go, Tim. You go.

[via NY Mag]

Steals & Deals: The Hollywood Corner (cause cheap is chic)

The Hollywood Corner, the restaurant formerly known as Doughboys, which was formerly known for its location on 3rd Street, is one of my favorites for weekend brunch. They have soyrizo and other awesome faux meat products on the menu which is reason enough to go. Then they've also still got the killer Red Velvet cake that put Doughboys on the map (thank you Oprah!). But best yet, they're always making nice with their customers and their customers' wallets.

They've got the loyalty program which gives you back a $5 credit for every 100 you spend (which basically means, 'hey--you risk obesity and high blood pressure with the amount of food you inhale every time you come here--which is often--so we feel we owe you a few bucks in return).

And then they've also got great deals once in a while like this month's coupon for 25% off everything on the entire menu. Yes, it's only valid between 7 - 11 am. But don't you think you could stand to wake up at a decent hour for once anyway?

Here are a few of my fave vegetarian dishes off the menu...

>> The Corner Breakfast Burrito
>> Quinoa Cakes Benedict
>> Mediterranean Veggie Omelet
>> Roasted Tomato Fennel Soup
>> Veggie Burger

So get yourself up early next weekend and go get a buck off your breakfast. And save room for dessert...

The Hollywood Corner
1156 N. Highland
Hollywood, CA 90038

[Image credits: The Corner]

Colors & Kookiness at LACMA

Last night I went to LACMA for its free live Jazz Fridays. Snooky Young was on stage before a packed house. But between the filled rows of seats, the cameras flashing, and the museum's security fascists, it was hard to see the stage. So I gave up trying and walked the grounds with Snooky's jazz sounds in the background.

Despite the end of summer upon us, the courtyard and lawn of LACMA are still in full, colorful bloom with public art installations, brightly hued sculptures and strangely sheared visitors.




(Mom never knew that I was used as a skate...And that is why my nose is scraped.)

art in LA: Doug Aitken gives you something to do after dark.

You're just winding down after your first date with whatshis/herface. You're completely head-over-heels in-like and you could [probably] muster up some additional points of interesting conversation if you could only figure out where to take him/her next. After all, it's surely too soon to ask him/her to come back to your place to check out your...um...art collection...right?

Enter Doug Aitken's public art installation, up today through October 17th after sunset. Now, how romantic is that? Granted, Aitken's project likely has after-hours hours because the medium is projection. But it's a killer added bonus that you now have a great place to end your date through the middle of October.

DOUG AITKEN - migration

Internationally renowned artist Doug Aitken's first monumental public
project in Los Angeles seen from Santa Monica Boulevard at Almont Drive,
from sunset to sunrise September 12- October 17th.

Part of LAXART's Public Art Initiatives with ForYourArt - L.A.P.D. (LA Public Domain) and the City of West Hollywood's Art on the Outside
Program.

Design Dish: Anna Sheffield for Target (or Ugly Things For Those Who Can't Afford the Real Thing)

The opening screen for designer's Anna Sheffield jewelry collection at Target tell us to 'Expect Vintage Gone Modern at Throwback Prices.'

This all sounds great. I click to 'Shop the Collection.'

And then, friends, I find this...

And this...

And Iwonder if, by 'Vintage Gone Modern at Throwback Prices,' they really mean 'Modern Gone Ugly at Inflated Prices Cause Anything but Free Would be Too Expensive for This Junk.'

I'm ok with this 'Bird and Scissor Earring Set.' But I can't figure out what birds and scissors have to do with each other. Nor, why I have to buy them as a set. Maybe I like birds, but don't want to wear a pair of shears on my lobes.

It's all nonsense to me. Why does 'Design for All' have to translate to 'Ugly Things For Those Who Can't Afford the Real Thing.' Give me quality design or give me nothing at all, thank you.

To shop the real Anna Sheffield, visit her website. Cause it's true--you get what you pay for.

The Pictures: The September Issue

I learned the meaning of the 'September Issue' when I worked for W Magazine way back when. This issue was always the biggest (at least it had better be). It had loads and loads of new ads featuring the freshest/gaudiest/shiniest new bags & baubles of the season. It was the raison d'être for every fashion magazine worth its wait in Gucci purses.

Tomorrow, The September Issue, the documentary hits theatres in LA.

Tonight, we (the LA Times) hosted an advanced screening of the film. I saw it. I gasped. I laughed. I would see it again.

Some notes from the film...

* Andre Leon Talley seems like he was the chubby kid nobody liked and now he's taking it out on the pretty people. I am not wild for him. Though he is supremely wild about himself.

* Grace Coddington's got a mouth on her. And I like it. I also like that she feeds her models pie before they've got to squeeze into corsets.

* Charlie Churchward, the mag's Design Director is the most extreme kind of yes man. Throughout the film, I wanted to collect funds and purchase him a spine. (It turns out that Charlie actually resigned from Vogue after 14 years in June of 2008, but he had stayed on to finish the September issue. Thank god for him.)

* Vogue's elaborate shoots, as documented in The September Issue, are especially ironic now as Conde Nast's McKinsey consultants will likely recommend slashing budgets for the ginormous budget projects. (NYO)

* I love that the Vogue editors talk smack about slutty Sienna Miller's hair for a good part of the flick.

* Anna Wintour may be snagging all the interviews and press around The September Issue's premiere. But it's Grace Coddington that's the star of this movie. She's got vision. She's got style. She's got major sass.

The September Issue almost makes you think that fashion is important. Go see it.

Steals & Deals: Free Starbucks Smoothie...

Because I love you. And because it's Thursday. (But if Monday hadn't been off, today would actually be Wednesday. Which is hump day. And really rough on everyone.)

This was sent to me by a pal. I do believe it will work if you print it out and take it to your local Starbucks. Thank you Starbucks. And thank you pal who sent it.

Enjoy!

UPDATE: Apparently, you may need the physical coupon for this to work. I still have faith that this one works. But would hate to send you traipsing down wayward paths without a warning.

We Like to Party: HBO's 'Bored to Death' (+ food. a lot of food.)

The great folks at Cornerstone/Fader invited me to stop by the screening party for HBO's new comedy Bored to Death tonight.

Why this party was fantastic...

a. It was held at one of my fave LA venues, Smog Shoppe (don't try to Google it unless you're looking for an LA smog check). Smog Shoppe makes better use of new urban garden trend, Woolly Pockets, than any hipster DYI fan ever could. In other words, its landscaping, as well as its fun, vintagey decor, rocks.

b. Cute boys served us pizza, courtesy of Larchmont's Village Pizzeria.

c. Let's Be Frank had a cart on site serving up, well, franks. BREAKING NEWS: Let's Be Frank does serve veggie dogs.

EVEN BIGGER BREAKING NEWS: They are the best fake meat product I've ever ingested. Cross my heart or hope to give up all soy products.

c. The bar understood us all to be the classless younguns we are and served up beer and wine in branded mugs. Just like I serve up my own Two Buck Chuck at home. First class all the way.

d. Polite in Public was on hand to capture us all looking like giant idiots.

e. The lovely DJ Valida kept us moving with tunes...thereby burning off every single calorie ingested throughout the evening. True story.

f. They showed an advance screening of the first episode of Bored to Death, starring odd but funny-man, Jason Schwartzman, the hysterical Zach Galifianakis (who, truth be told, did not shine in this episode), Curb's Ted Danson, and penned by the fantastically talented writer and performer, Jonathan Ames (who gives the main character his own name. suave. real suave). And that, of course, is why we all came. (Nothing to do with the free food or anything like that. No, seriously.)

The show was genius. Ok, perhaps not genius. But smart--very smart.

And I'll end with the best snippet of a line from the show, as delivered by Ted Danson's character ...Bored to Death is like 'Death by a thousand dull conversations.'

UPDATE: Wanna get in the spirit of the show before it airs next week? Take a listen to the catchy theme song, written by Schwartzman and Ames themselves and performed by Coconut Records. Give a listen here.

The RSVP Line (Weekend Edition): Fashion's Night Out + Princess Bride + Volunteer

Here's what's happening this weekend, from shopping to screening to doing very, very good by some kiddies in need...

THURSDAY, September 10th

* New York's Fashion's Night Out may have Anna Wintour, Mayor Bloomberg and the cast of Hairspray, but Angelenos want to shop as well. Our very own LA FASHION'S NIGHT OUT is tomorrow. With fashion staples like Neiman Marcus, Fred Segal, 3.1 Philip Lim, American Rag Cie, and TOMS Shoes and Trovata amongst those participating, LA measures up quite nicely. Peep the entire schedule of events c/o LA Times' Image Section. Go forth and stimulate the retail economy in style.

FRIDAY, September 11th

* Remember that fairytale flick from the 80s? The one with a warthog, a giant, Mandy Pantinkin and the awesomely happy ending? Well, THE PRINCESS BRIDE is screening for FREE this Friday--the first of a Brand X sponsored Friday night screening series at the Santa Monica Pier. Tickets are comped, but you've got to pick 'em up. Click here for info on when and where.

* Also this Friday, live Jazz at LACMA. Bring a blanket, a bottle of wine and a hot date and get cozy on the lawn. It's [almost] like going to the Bowl but without the stacked parking.

* And photographer Marco Bollinger celebrates the opening of his show at Frank.Studio at Bergamot Station from 7 - 11 p.

SATURDAY, September 12th

* Do something worthwhile this weekend. 826LA, the rad non-profit that helps foster creative and writing skills in the wee ones, is accepting new volunteers. This Saturday is a NEW VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION AT 826LA EAST. Sign up for the session and join me there.

So you think you can draw?

You can't dance. You can't sing. So, here's a competition for you [other] artsy kids. Brand X is holding a contest for to design their Nissan Cube. That would mean your rad artsy-fartsy design riding around town for the rest of the year. Since yours truly has as much artistic talent as a dead horse, I'd love for you all to enter!

Visit the pub's Ning site to read the rules and enter to win!

Food Find: Toast [+ Eggs + Lunch + Crowds]

For four years, I have driven past Toast Bakery & Café on 3rd Street and I have observed lines down the block, waits that seem to go on for over an hour, and, quite frankly, food that looks about the same as any other breakfast spot in town (oh, and crowds about as average looking as any other spot as well).

Having the day off today and waking up by 9 am, I decided to find out what all the fuss is about.

9:24 am – I drove by in search of a spot and the outside seating still looked pretty open. Score.

9:28 am – After parking, I returned to find—you guessed it—NO tables left outside and a small crowd already starting to form around the hostess stand.

9:30 am – Get sat at a high top inside. A) I hate high tops—I always feel like I’m going to fall off my stool. B) Though I can’t tell where the odor is coming from, it smells distinctly like dirty dish water at my table. I guess this is where solo customers get sat. Come alone—leave wanting to vomit.

Though my food was fine--I ordered 'The Garden,' an asparagus, broccoli, shallots, veggie sausage and mozzarella scramble--it wasn't spectacular. And my diet coke could surely have come from any fountain around town. Where was the Toast touch? The magic that had people lining up here every weekend as if gold nuggets were being served with their $10 omelets?

Sure, I noticed that cappuccinos were being served with cookies. That’s a nice touch, ok. But I don’t drink cappuccinos, so, unless my Diet Coke is served with a dollar from the pop fairy, color me uninterested.

I ate quickly. I had come with the intention of eating at a leisurely pace. Sitting with my book for a few minutes after my meal just to savor the fact that I had a table and the folks in line outside did not. But the smell emanating from what I now discerned was probably the coffee maker-slash -bar in front of me was becoming unbearable.

10 am - I left--and not a moment for my nostrils too soon--passing a throng of people on the way out--all waiting to be sat at the infamous, underwhelming Toast.

Do you love Toast? Did I order the wrong thing on the menu? Please let me know! I'd hate to think that this many people in LA keep returning for mediocrity and a mere scene.

[Image Credit - Exterior shot c/o Toast; Food and bar shots c/o Yours Truly]

The RSVP Line: Forbidden Forest Pops Up at Royal/T

I am super excited for the schedule of workshops and events at the closing day of the Forbidden Forest Pop Up Shop this Saturday at Royal/T! A day of fairies, woolly things and moose heads--now who in his right mind wouldn't find that appealing!?

Hope to see you and your green thumb there...

xx * jessie b. r.

Forbidden Forest: A Community Gardening Experiment

Get cultivated as Royal/T and Friends greenthumb, seedball, earthcluster, moss wall and urbanfarm our Pop-Up Shop into The Forbidden Forest, a garden-lab of improvised growth.

Stop in anytime to see the Woolly Pockets installation, take in the greenery, have a Botanical Bliss Cocktail...and don't miss these exciting CLOSING DAY EVENTS:

Saturday, September 5, 2009

12PM Flower Fairy workshop, taught by Tenaya [RSVP Keyword: FAIRY] | Material cost $5
2PM Moss Grafitti [RSVP Keyword: GRAFITTI] | Material cost $5
3PM How to make a moose head out of Boston Fern. [RSVP Keyword: MOOSE]
with Miguel Nelson of Woolly Pockets, "The Good Life Grows in Pockets!"
4pm Terrarium-making workshop with Zippercut [RSVP Keyword: TERRARIUM] | Material cost $25
5pm Seed Bomb [RSVP Keyword: SEED]| Material cost $5
6pm African Dance Class [RSVP Keyword: DANCE]| FREE!
8PM Terrarium-making workshop with Zippercut [RSVP Keyword: TERRARIUM 2] | Material cost $25

DJ Frankie Inglese will be spinnin' at the deck!
PLUS! @VisionaryBoutiq (the " Eco chic boutique on Wheels") is going to be there.

LaughTrack: Mandy Moore Gives Your Vagina Wings.

Mandy Moore's been trying to lose her good girl image since A Walk To Remember. We get it. She's a full grown woman now. She's married. She plays edgy bit roles in shows like, um, How I Met Your Mother.

But did you really think a spoof ad for high-energy douches would fast track you to bad girl infamy, Mandy? I'll have to ponder that while I go throw up a little bit in my mouth.

Red Bull Energy Douche with Mandy Moore from Mandy Moore

Life in clubLAnd: the gays cum out to Fubar + a Flip exclusive!

Whenever my friend J comes to town, I somehow end up at places I could never possibly have imagined ending up at. Example No. 1 - Santa Monica after sunset. (Uchhh--I shudder.) Example No. 2 - gay bars in Weho at last call.

Last night's cavorting across town ended up with us at Fubar. Never been to Fubar? Take another look at the picture above. Now imagine the fellow with a sheen of sweat upon his torso and his shorts a lot lower down the totem pole, so to speak. To illustrate the absolute funk of the place, let me share with you this true story. At one point, between gawking at hard penises and the gays who love them, and dancing to pop music like the fag hags we must have appeared to be, I spotted a quarter on the floor. I didn't give that 25 cents a second thought. I left it on the floor. I know that doesn't sound impressive. But I'm an underpaid 20-something. I pick up quarters. Heck, I pick up pennies. But not there. Not at Fubar. You don't pick up anything at Fubar unless you're looking for some up close and personal exposure to human secretions.

Not gonna lie though. I'd go back. Despite the watered down drinks and wall to wall smell of sex, there was better people watching there than we'd found earlier at Hollywood's latest gathering spot for all things tacky, Guys and Dolls.

I'll leave you with this--one of my first hard-hitting interviews shot on the new Flip camera. I ask J the questions that really matter. Are ghosts real? Has your Hollywood dream come true? All this plus a shot of newlyweds John and Jane Doe as they exit the Loews Santa Hotel...



[Image Credit - Shadowscene via Fubar]

Puppets and perversion in Puppet Up!

I would generally steer as clear away from nightclub, Avalon Hollywood, as possible as I like to keep a healthy distance between myself and the ecstasy-influenced masses that frequent the club. But last Saturday night, I made an exception for the [pre-club night] showing of Puppet Up! Uncensored--where dozens of puppets (and their human puppeteer companions) took the stage at for an evening of improv, perversions, and occasional break-out into song. Patrick Bristow--who you might know from any number of roles (seriously--the dude's been in, like, everything--just check out his imdb page)--hosted the evening and led the cast through hilarious, audience-inspired scenes.

Even KTLA reporter Allie McKay was in the house and made a surprise visit to the stage. And when I say 'surprise,' I mean she was in total shock to be called up and I hope that she's fully recovered. I don't know if she had stage fright or if she is really and truly scared of puppets. But kudos to the lady for getting up and 'puppeting up.'

Don't miss the next show of Puppet Up! on September 19th. Click here to purchase tickets. Or check Goldstar to see if they offer half price tickets again for next month. Cause everything's better cheaper. Well, except for vodka and hookers.

Design Dish: Tim Gunn - Fashion guru. Comic book hero.

As every comic book character on God's green earth seems to be making the jump from page to screen lately, other characters are making it from real life to the printed page.

Tim Gunn, former Parsons chair and recent reality star of Project Runway, is now to be immortalized by Marvel Comics in an eight-page comic called--what else--Loaded Gunn. Gag.

Wow. That is all I would like to say. Wow.

Find out more about this comic disaster on Marvel Comics News.

[via WWD]

We Like to Party: M.I.A. makes a [late] splash in Downtown LA.

Last night, M.I.A. hit the stage at Downtown LA's Lot 613 warehouse. Mind you--doors were an hour late. Mind you--she didn't actually hit the stage til after 1 am. After what seemed like hours and hours (and hours) of openers, including Pase Rock, Blaqstar, and much beloved local DJ acts like Them Jeans. And mind you--this is as close as I personally got to the singer...

(For those of you who are thinking--why, that looks like mere projections on a wall outside of the main venue--you'd be correct.)

But all in all, I'm not mad at last night. The crowd was not 14 years old. The lines for the bathroom weren't too long (which can make or break a party for me). I got to see firsthand that M.I.A. lost the baby weight. And I discovered that Monster makes water--that's right, just plain water--in a can. Rockin.

Thanks to my amazingly hip friends at Dance Right for bringing cool (and me) to DTLA.

The RSVP Line: Soi-Meme, an eco-bridal salon.

Those of you who know me know that I'm second-most obsessed with weddings (Obsession No. 1 has, and will always be, babies). I'm not that into romance. And I certainly have no plans for my own nuptials anytime soon (unless you know of an eligible and willing bachelor that I don't). But something about 2 people...tying the knot...announcing their love before all their closest family and friends (which, incidentally, seems like a great deal of pressure)...well, it just melts my heart.

But weddings are generally also frivolous, expensive, and produce a giant, shit-ton of waste. Which is why an eco-wedding is so much chicer than not.

So, please join me this Saturday at Soi-Meme, a day-long eco-bridal salon, produced by my lovely lovelies at Pink Cloud Events.

Tickets are only $25 and include amazing workshops, complimentary organic beverages, hors d’oeuvres, great DJs, a resource guide and loads of giveaways.

Plus, if you register online now, you'll be entered for a chance to win a free 4 night stay at a private eco-villa resort in Tulum, Mexico by Azulik. (I expect, of course, to be your plus one on this trip if you get lucky.)

Soi-Meme
Saturday, August 29
11 a - 4 p
JACCC - 244 South San Pedro, Los Angeles, CA (Little Tokyo)

Design Dish: Balls by Baleri Italia.

Waiting last night at the Apple store for the Genius Bar, I popped a squat in the kiddie section (where, mind you, I could not figure out how to open up any of the games supposedly suitable for six year old children). I took a seat on a pint size bean bag and thought, wow, Apple does even their kiddie seats right. This well designed bean bag was sleek. It was firm. It was exactly what I needed 3 or 4 of in my studio for guests. I peeked underneath to get a look at the tag and jotted down the designer--Baleri Italia.

Turns out these little 'bean bags' are not so little in the cost department. They're several hundred dollars each. Which means I won't be picking up one, let alone 3 or 4, anytime soon. But peeping some of the other designs--like the skull version below--they are officially a new obsession.

Perhaps I can afford one for my own child if I start saving now--perhaps by the time he goes off to college?

Signs of the Time.

Seen around town this weekend...

Most of you have never actually sat on a bus bench before (never having rode LA's public transportation system, ya gas guzzling earth-killers). But perhaps you've caught some of LA's most impactful marketing messages on their backs.

This ad, touting Pastor Shepherd's Prayer Hour, caught my eye. Maybe it was the bug-eyed stare of a cult leader. Or maybe it was the combination of multiple offensive pastel colors. But I was moved to drive around the block a second time to snap this picture.

Upon investigation of the supposed Pastor's website, I found this inspired promo video from the Pastor himself.

I assume Pastor Shepherd is a comedian and not a holy man. Though some might not find there to be a difference between the two anyway.

Later in the weekend I came across this sign seeking a missing girl, Elizabeth Vega. Now, I am not a heartless bitch. I think it's absolutely terrible that this family's daughter has gone MIA. I do, however, wonder if they might have found a more dignified picture of their FIFTEEN year old to post all over East Hollywood--one without, let's say, the bared midriff and 'take me now' pose.