My oh my Ms Jones

Wow - what a show last night. This 62 year old woman ROCKS!! 5+ costume changes and this video shown 3 stories high.....

A Time to Get

on this blog....its a great read....http://www.atimetoget.com/
I had a nice image from the blog but blogger has crashed my IE 3x while attempting to add an image- so I am OVER it!


sorry for the minimal post - my energies are focused on a late afternoon meeting and Grace
Jones and Dengue Fever at the hollywoodbowl.com

TGIF!

What a bag, bags....

Beth Springer has a wonderful collection of hangbags, totes and clutches....handmade in my little hood of Venice, CA....I am coveting one myself.

Here's a little more info about her collection which makes her bags all the more beautiful!

My ethos: Do no harm. I am big believer in environmental sustainability, so my bags are made with nature in mind. Because I want to tread lightly on the earth, I employ the principles of reduce, reuse, recycle to every aspect of my business. The goal is to get as close to zero waste as possible.

To that end,

I design:
using no extraneous hardware. Metal feet are absent on the bottom of my bags because

1) those little metal feet use our precious natural resources, require a highly toxic process to coat, and do not biodegrade

2) feet are redundant on my bags because the leather I use can sustain long years of use without wearing through. using all remnants. I endeavor to use the entire hide.
Made using no filler- most leather bags today use a thinner leather to save money, and then back that leather with vinyl. It is a hidden environmental disaster.

Made with vegetable dyed leathers- vegetable dyed leathers are colored with plant dyes. No chrome is used.with leather that is by-product.

No exotics are used.

http://www.bethspringer.com/

Newsworthy???

because there is nothing more pressing in the news today than Prez's choice of jeans.....

“Those jeans are comfortable, and for those of you who want your president to look great in his tight jeans, I’m sorry — I’m not the guy. It just doesn’t fit me. I’m not 20.” President Obama speaking with Meredith Viera in an NBC “Today” show interview

I am a proud American and lived in a few other countries. But jesus, sometimes America, you are an embarrassment!

I Heart ERF

Eco Resplendent Finds for your Environmentally Responsible Future.Rounding up the best of the eco interwebz - erf. RECOGNIZE!

Wow - what a great blog, formatting, info - it has it all. Take a look for yaself....http://thisiserf.com/

Seis

Ollie is 6 - soo crazy that I have managed to take good care of anything for 6 years! Love my pooch!

TGIF and happy weekend to all!

Ask and you shall receive....

A few blog posts ago I mentioned my interest in sampling Border Grill Mobile Truck - full post is here http://goldandsilverstars.blogspot.com/2009/07/food-trucks.html....while wrapping up a most exciting brainstorming session with Sean Knibb of Knibb (stay tuned with this one!). Lo and Behold up rolls the Border Grill Truck - so of course we had to wrap the meeting with eats and vino - Thumbs up on the BGT!

Very Crafty...

http://www.pixability.com/ - great niche video production service. They should partner up with the Video SEO group.

On a side note, I am dying to get a FLIP chrome!!! Anyone want to gift me one, I am happy to film and blog your event, product, anything in exchange for the FLIP

wow, that didn't sound too desperate did it?

Viva La France

It's Bastille Day...ahhh France, the home of - Champagne, Brie, Macaroons, Pepe Le Pu and fabulous French Fashion.

The Wiki beat on Bastille Day

Bastille Day is the French national holiday, celebrated on 14 July each year. In France, it is called Fête Nationale ("National Celebration") in official parlance, or more commonly le quatorze juillet ("14 July"). It commemorates the 1790 Fête de la Fédération, held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789; the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille fortress-prison was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern nation, and of the reconciliation of all the French inside the constitutional monarchy which preceded the First Republic, during the French Revolution.

Food Trucks

...are all the rage. I am really excited to cross paths with the new Border Grill truck one of these days.

On Friday, I tried Fish Lips Sushi. I have to say sushi is probably the LAST thing I would be willing to test via truck service. But since the folks from Tortoise brought the truck I figured it was safe.

Safe and GOOD! And very reasonably priced. Check out the website to see when it's heading your way - http://www.fishlips-sushi.com/

Jay Mark Johnson

Exhibit opening Thursday July 16th at Ace Gallery....'Johnson produces photographic images that challenge the norms of perception. Employing a process that is distinct from conventional photography, he creates works that merge the recording of space and time into a single, linear “spacetime” continuum. The resulting photographs are akin to both seismographs and electrocardiograms in that, as timelines, they begin on the left and end on the right. The horizontal length of the image conveys an uninterrupted and fluid measurement of a brief span of time, varying in duration from 10 seconds up to 45 minutes. '

Don't miss out on this exhibit!

Holly Vesecky...

...is a Floral Stylist - but the title really does not do her justice. Her work is incredible and last night I was lucky enough to have a studio tour and leave with some stunning Peonies & Dahlias (thanks Becky and Vicki). Visit her website - http://www.hollyflora.com/

LA Fashion Bloom

Art + Fashion....you know I'm there! As in the case with tonight's opening of LA Fashion Bloom @ Taylor de Cordoba Gallery

Friday, July 10 - Saturday, August 8

Taylor De Cordoba is pleased to present L.A. FASHION BLOOM, a temporary fashion boutique installed in a contemporary art gallery setting. In lieu of a traditional "summer group show," gallery co-owner Heather Taylor has curated a selection of artfully installed pieces by five Los Angeles-based fashion designers:Melissa Coker of Wren - clothing designerAnnie Costello Brown - jewelry designerJesse Kamm - clothing designerGregory Parkinson - clothing designer Clare Vivier - handbag and accessory designer

All items will be available for purchase and a portion of proceeds will be donated to P.S. Arts, a local organization dedicated to restoring arts education in public schools. The designers will be featuring pieces from previous seasons in addition to debuting new fall items. Some of L.A.'s most sought after design talent will transform the space from gallery into boutique. Local artist and Reorganica designer, Tony Brown, has created reclaimed wood store fixtures. Vintage lighting and accessories are courtesy Empric with floral landscaping designed by Holly Flora.

L.A. FASHION BLOOM will exist for one month.

Brett Weston, Garrapata

Over the weekend, while in lovely, Santa Barbara. A beautiful weekend of fab weather, shopping, walking, and EATING and DRINKING VINO! I checked out the Brett Weston exhibit (son of Edward). I was mesmerized with this photo and plan to take a road trip to Garrapata Beach as soon as possible.

Really...go see this movie + coupons

I know I already blogged about Food Inc but its worth repeating and there is a free screening coming up for my LA peeps

Thurs., July 16, 2009 at 7:30 pm: Laemmle Sunset 5, 8000 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood

Go to Stonyfield’s website lets you get coupons from a whole bunch of organic companies, from Stonyfield itself to Nature’s Path cereals to Amy’s organic cake.

Happy 4th

I love this flag by Alabama Chanin....it's been a very Americana week thus far with the passing of the Icons Farrah and Michael - R.I.P

Enjoy the holiday however you choose to spend it!

Do you TMZ

Living in LA, the news of MJ's passing was prime time. TMZ was the first to report his death. When I first heard this report, far before LA Times, CNN, AP and many other outlets I was very skeptical. But we all know now, they were the breaking source.

How do you feel about this? Do you even care? Personally, I don't have much of anything nice to say about this operation....

Courageous Pablo

Pablo Thrailkill Castelaz, the son of Jeff Castelaz and Jo Ann Thrailkill, brother of Grady Gallagher, passed away at home on Saturday, June 27 after a 13-month struggle against cancer. Services will be held Wednesday, July 1.

The magnificent six years and six days that were Pablo's life touched many. His brave journey began when he was diagnosed in May 2008 with Wilms' Tumor, a rare form of cancer. From the start, the family honestly and courageously documented Pablo's fight on the PABLOg, a daily diary that, over the course of the year, has evolved into a destination for countless families facing similar difficult questions and challenges. Pablo's life remains a beacon for hope, and has inspired an outpouring of goodwill and solace from an ever-growing community that spans the globe.

The Pablove Foundation was established shortly after Pablo was diagnosed and will continue to serve in his loving memory. The Foundation makes annual contributions to fund cancer research and treatment at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles' Saban Research Institute, one of the top cancer research facilities in the United States. Pablove supports music and arts programs, and sponsors play rooms and activities in the soft tumor units at CHLA. Jeff, Jo Ann and brother Grady would like to express their gratitude for the immeasurable love and support from their family and extended community.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please visit Pablove.org to make a donation.

Campanile

Last Friday (which seems like ages ago!) I went to Campanile. This beautiful restaurant was built in 1926. Charlie Chaplin had planned to use the building (this is an understatement and no picture would do justice) for his offices. The food ain't have bad either - Campanilerestaurant.com

To the idiot realtor who managed to lock a screen door that only locks from the inside - ya gonna pay for that?

Indisposed

After much success in NYC @ ICFF, Indiposed comes to Lala land. 15 innovators were asked to create objects that could be mass produced AND are environmentally responsible. The exhibit will display the solutions. I will be stopping in for a gander tonight.

I believe it opens to the public tomorrow....

Eco Theory

Today, someone asked about my thoughts on green, eco, conscious, etc, etc. For me its always been,small changes make big impacts. I think you may even find a video blog on causecast.org where I say just that. Combine that with a touch of sustainability (of design) and that's all we can ask for. Of course, there are those than can do more but the above can be achieved with very little change of lifestyle.

In the case of fashion and sustainability - buy a well crafted, classic shape, excellent materials and in the case of a handbag you've got a keeper. Take the Longchamp Cosmos above as an example...

Beyond Yoga

If you if aren't already a fan of Beyond Yoga and Jodi Guber there is no time like the present....

Beyond Yoga has created a limited edition charitable tote in order to raise awareness and the The Art of Elysium. The perfect tote for working out, going to the beach, or just running errands, the "i am beyond..." self expression campaign will allow women to create a personal statement about themselves via a blank tote or choose from one of the creative options available on the Beyond Yoga site. The colorful and creative totes are available for sale now at www.iambeyond.com, with 30% of proceeds to benefit The Art of Elysium.

The Art of Elysium, a non-profit organization that encourages working actors, artists and musicians to voluntarily dedicate their time and talent to children who are battling serious medical conditions.To guarantee yourself a bag please submit your order by JUNE 25th!

The "i am beyond..." bags will be sold exclusively on the Beyond Yoga website

Time to take out the trash!

Had enough of Speidi and their antics??? Go on eonline.com

Beginning today through Sunday, June 21, we are putting it to the fans to decide whether to banish Heidi and Spencer from E! forever, or at least until they do something truly newsworthy (WHICH MEANS NEVER). Or let us know if you want to see their every move documented. Vote in our online poll to declare E! a Speidi-free zone. Results will be announced on E! News Monday at 7/6c.
Al Roker was joking when he said he'd "hit them with Mace and tie them up." We obviously don't condone that craziness at all, but if you can irritate the unflappable Roker that much, well, you've got to be pretty annoying.
So let's settle this like adults: Have you had enough Speidi or would you like some more? We'll do as you wish.
The choice is yours.

Back to the Bub...

Off to Boulder for the Lohas Forum for the remainder of the week. Looking forward to catching up with old friends and making new connections!

Have a great week!

A Don't Buy - Current Elliott

In the 3 or so years of my blog I have never posted a 'negative' so it would obviously take a lot to get me to this point!

DON'T buy Current Elliot Jeans! And here's why...

Back in Feb, I purchased a pair of the ubiquitous boyfriend Jean. I was really excited for the jeans, they were soft, comfy, I could dress them up or down. They were over $200 - not cheap but not super expensive. In March, a hole started to form in the middle of the leg. This was a manufacturers or fabric flaw - no biggie, happens all the time. I will call up and expain the situation. Since I live in LA and they are based in LA I am sure we can deal with this easily.

This is not why I am saying not to buy CE, it's what follows....

The jeans did not need to go back to the store, its was a fabric flaw. I call the showroom and the rep, I know her name but will leave it off, was completely rude and basically cut me off mid-sentence. 'We don't deal with the public you need to return them at point of purchase.' Wow, that was rude but maybe this chica is having a bad day.

Ok, I will do that....so a month passes and the store repeatedly contacts this rep asking for an RA (return authorization) over and over with no reply. Finally, after a month or so, she issues the RA and then another month goes by. Now, its taken longer for the jeans to be replaced than I've worn 'em. At this point, I am so frustrated and the store is stuck. They are even telling me how frustrated they are with the rep.

I call the showroom once again, explain the situation and this rep gives me such attitude and a lecture about how she does not work with customers directly. She was hands down the rudest person I have ever spoken with in a customer service role. Ok, that's the second time she has been a B**CH to deal with, not acceptable.

Even if you don't work with the 'public' there is a pleasant or even decent way to pass along this information.

Fast forward to JUNE - HUMMM How many months was that? and I have a replacement pair.

This is the WORST case of customer service I have ever experienced! I work in a business development/sales role and have years of sales and retail experience through high school and college. I know what I am talking about. Given the economy and all the people out there dying for a Job I would recommend CE find a replacement pronto!

So don't buy CE jeans because if something happens to your jeans I would not want you to go through what I just did!