My 1st Trip to Clifton’s
December 5, 2010
I can’t believe I actually made it to Clifton’s. I’ve been dying to go for years, but this weekend I actually made the trip. And what a trip it was! It kind of reminded me of my favorite tourist trap restaurant in Denver– Casa Bonita. No, South Park didn’t make up this famous Colorado treasure- “The Disneyland of Mexican Resturants”. It exists. Back to Clifton’s.
Here’s a bit of history from Wikipedia:
Clifton’s Cafeteria, once part of a chain of Clifton’s restaurants, is the oldest surviving cafeteria style eatery in Los Angeles, California, and the largest public cafeteria in the world.Founded in 1931 by Clifford Clinton, the name was created by combining the first half of “Clifford” and the last half of “Clinton” to produce the name “Clifton’s”.The design of the restaurants included exotic decor and facades that were “kitschy and theatrical”….
..The restaurant chain was noted for each facility having its own theme, and for helping out those who could not afford to pay. The owner never turned anyone away hungry and maintained a precedent known as “Clifton’s Golden Rule”.
Here’s a little photo tour of my visit:
Back lit photos
Raddest wallpaper ever.
My Favorite
Floor Plans
Ephemera
Old School Highchair
Miniature chapel with push button sermon-meditation in a forest.
Faux exterior interior
Fun people watching!
The End. I’ll be back.
Beautiful Things….
November 24, 2010
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I’m so excited! It’s one of my favorite holidays. In honor of the holiday, I decided to post some beautiful Native American decorative items.
As a child, my family and I traveled to Santa Fe and Taos quite a bit. It was a short trip from Denver (where I grew up). I remember all the beautiful jewelers who lined the sidewalks selling gorgeous turquoise rings and necklaces. I remember going to the studio of a famous rug maker, where my parents bought a one-of-a-kind rug that’s sure to become a family heirloom. And most of all, I remember the colors. Slight tangent–I’m totally digging OPIs “Teal The Cows Come Home” and “Yodel Me On My Cell”
These two colors remind me of the different shades of turquoise I saw in my New Mexico travels. Jewel tone nail polish is super in right now.
Okay- back to more beautiful Native American items:
This early 20th century basket is currently on display at The Autry. There’s actually a whole Art of Native American Basketry exhibit there right now. I love it. It’s gorgeous. I want it.
Below find a few Antique Navajo rugs (I scoured the net to find some favorites–jackpot on ebay and Daltons.com):
There are so many beautiful Native American textiles. I could go on forever. Total new trend–look for those vintage navajo rugs at your favorite flea market! I mean suzanis and ikats are on their way out. It’s all about Native American design and pops of multiple bright colors. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
I’m Watching…Orthodox Jews Smuggle Ecstasy
November 1, 2010
Since I’m obsessed with that National Geographic show “Locked Up Abroad“, I decided to watch a recommendation from netflix: Holy Rollers. It came out this year and premiered at Sundance–but apparently it only grossed $302,886.* I’m about halfway through the Jewish Drug-Smuggling movie, and I’m quite enjoying Jesse Eisenberg’s(Social Network) performance as the naive protagonist. And, there’s a really hot guy in it- Justin Bartha (The Hangover), who plays the bad-boy neighbor.
From IMDB*:
In Brooklyn, a youth from an Orthodox Jewish community is lured into becoming an Ecstasy dealer by his pal who has ties to an Israel drug cartel.
I can’t recommend the movie as I have finished it yet. But, I love the premise and it’s based on true events. Check out the trailer below.
BUKOWSKI IS HERE!
October 11, 2010
I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday present. Okay, there are still a few things on the list I’d love…..But,there’s a BUKOWSKI exhibit going on right now in Pasadena at The Huntington Gardens/Library/Museum.
From the website:
This fall, The Huntington presents a much-anticipated exhibition on the life and works of Charles Bukowski, drawn from the archive of his papers donated to The Huntington by his wife, Linda Lee Bukowski, in 2006. “Charles Bukowski: Poet on the Edge” opens Oct. 9 in the West Hall of the Library and continues through Feb. 14, 2011.
Among the rare items on view in the exhibition; will be first editions of his works; corrected typescripts of poems and novels; original drawings by Bukowski; correspondence and fan mail; large-format printings of his poems produced by the Black Sparrow Press and other fine printing houses.
In addition, Linda Lee Bukowski is graciously lending a number of iconic items, including Bukowski’s manual typewriter, an original oil portrait by John Register, and very scarce early books.
I love that Bukowski lived a few blocks from my loft. His writing was heavily influenced by downtown Los Angeles.
When I read his poems I imagine which building he was writing from. I know he worked at the Terminal Annex Post Office down the street, and frequented downtown bars like Crabby Joe’s. If you’re really interested in Bukowski’s LA life (like me), you can take Esotouric’s awesome Tour: Haunts of a Dirty Old Man: Charles Bukowski’s Los Angeles. One day–I’m going to do it. But for now, I think I’ll head to The Huntington Gardens on the first Thursday of the Month (as admission is free and that’s how Bukowski would do it).
Photos from the Beach
September 20, 2010
Must Watch This….
September 8, 2010
Projection on the Beurs van Berlage Building
3D projection (by Samsung) on the façade of the Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam. May 2010.
So rad.
Shooting Strangers…Stumbled Upon Site of the Day
August 12, 2010
Shooting Strangers in Orchard Road; Photography by Danny Santos II
Today I stumbled upon this cool website, where photographer Danny Santos II posts his portraits of complete strangers taken in Orchard Road, Singapore. Some of the photos are candid, which I tend to gravitate towards–since this is how I like to shoot. I like capturing moments that are not posed in anyway. Santos also shoots staged portraits of strangers, which are quite nice, as well.
“One of the reasons I love shooting in Orchard Road is that it’s teeming with good-looking people frequently walking around, almost strutting… especially on the weekends. Even with relatively modest getups, the air of confidence is often noticeable from their head-turning allure down to their subtle swagger. Early on in my candid shooting exploits, it was this crowd that I wanted to capture.”
Check out some of his photos below:
Candids:
Street Portraits:
Stranger #19
Stranger #44
Stranger #7
Colorado Girls
August 8, 2010
Everything I love and hate about Colorado (yep-that’s where I’m from). I don’t think this video will be funny for anyone who hasn’t spent a lot of time in Denver. But , for everyone else—click play above. Fun memories. OMG. I’m like totally glad I like live in California now.
Stumbled Upon Site of the Day…
July 29, 2010
I just stumbled upon a super cool blog. I don’t know much about this guy from Seattle–but he’s pretty rad.
From his about section:
“I’m just a guy who decided he was tired of doing absolutely nothing and wanted to try one small step up from that.
My name’s Kyle Hepworth and I do one something a week in Seattle.”
So in his most recent post, this guy Kyle, shows you how to make Mario Bros. Coins and put them up all over the city (LOVE this). He’s quite a creative cat—look at his truckstache. I wish there were more entries….dig his style.
*Photo property of Kyle Hepworth
Loving KULULA-The Art of Airline Travel
July 18, 2010
I love this airline. I’ve never been on it–but it seems like Kulula makes traveling fun….okay, maybe not as exciting as traveling first class a la Carrie Bradshaw and her gang in the most recent Sex and the City movie, but fun!
Who knew there was a witty airline out there?
The graphics/art on the airplanes are fun, and so are the (usually) boring announcements:
| “Please pay attention to the safety announcement, because you will be writing a test shortly”. |
|---|
| “If you are caught smoking, you will be asked to leave the aircraft”. |
| “You could be fined up to R7999 for smoking on the plane, and for these prices you could be flying SAA” |
| “Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve reached cruising altitude and will be turning down the cabin lights. This is for your comfort and to enhance the appearance of your flight attendants.” |
| “Me Tarzan, You on hold”, when phoning Kulula and being put on hold. |
| “To operate your seat belt, insert the metal tab into the buckle, and pull the belt tight. It works just like every other seat belt; and, if you don’t know how to operate one by now, then you probably shouldn’t be allowed out in public unsupervised.” |
| “There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only 4 ways out of this airplane.” |
| “In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, masks will descend from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask, and pull it over your face. If you have a small child travelling with you, secure your mask before assisting with theirs. If you are travelling with more than one small child, pick your favourite.” |
| “Your seat cushions can be used for flotation; and in the event of an emergency water landing, please paddle to shore and take them with our compliments.” |
| As the plane landed and was coming to a stop at Durban Airport, a lone voice came over the loudspeaker: “Whoa, big fella. WHOA!” |
| “Please be sure to take all of your belongings. If you’re going to leave anything, please make sure it’s something we’d like to have.” |
| “Ladies and gentlemen, we have landed in Cape Town . Please take all your possessions. Anything left behind will be shared equally between staff. Please note we do not accept unwanted mothers-in-law or children.” |
| “As you exit the plane, make sure to gather all of your belongings. Anything left behind will be distributed evenly among the flight attendants. Please do not leave children or spouses.” |
| “Kulula Airlines is pleased to announce that we have some of the best flight attendants in the industry. Unfortunately, none of them are on this flight!” |
| “Welcome to Johannesburg, if this is not where you were intending to go then you have a bit of a problem.” |
