Oh, How I Love Star Gazing.

When I initially moved to Los Angeles last year, I moved without my Bunnie. I was cast in a theater production in Santa Monica, and I had to move out quickly to start rehearsals. Bryan had some commitments to wrap up, so he joined me four long months later. At any rate, I required a room mate and I ended up being connected with two lovely ladies.

Catherine {one of the mates} worked at the best gelato shop in L.A. called PAZZO click {HERE} for info. One evening we were enjoying gelato during her shift, while solving a cross word puzzle. When who should walk in? But Geena Davis and her entourage. One of her cronies was 'Javier' the gay, Dean and Deluca Manager from Felicity.

I was stunned at how tall the woman is (six feet!) She had her hair in "Heidi" braids and wasn't wearing a stitch of make-up. And yet, she looked positively radiant. Her skin is annoyingly luminescent. She caught me staring twice, and both times she smiled back. When she left, she said good-bye to us all. Oh, Geena!

Mouse Belt Infatuation.

Sea of Shoes is one of my daily reads. I don't always see eye-to-eye with her shoe selection {I hate platforms.} But I do enjoy the fact that she unites vintage with fresh pieces. One of my favorite accessories that she owns, is the infamous golden mouse belt. My chums Rachel and Melissa are probably sick of hearing me talk about it. I want it oh-so much!

Sarah Jessica Inspiration.

One of my favorite questions to ask is,

"Who is your fashion inspiration?"

One of mine is SJP. I love her look on and off the screen.

She's fearless, her choices are always interesting

and she understands her body type and accentuates the assets.

When I need inspiration for my wardrobe,

I pull out my SEX IN THE CITY KISS AND TELL book.

My personal motto has become,

"Don't wear what's in, wear what works."

This insures you won't be wearing the same thing as the gal next to you.

So tell me, who inspires your fashion?

Procrastination Station: Calendar Cover.

Call it the effects of education,

but I still use an academic calendar.

Yesterday afternoon, I decorated the front cover.

Oddly enough, the design morphed into

something strangely symbolic to my life.

It makes my heart dance every time I see it.

Don't you just love creating beauty?

Hoot in Pursuit.

Saturday past, I happened upon a charming, carved wooden owl. {I'm slightly owl obsessed} Being prudent, I assessed that I shouldn't purchase him. By Sunday I knew I had made a grave error. I told Bunnie of my plan to return to the store.

At the store this afternoon I looked high and low, but couldn't find the little guy. Defeated, I slunk to the door only to find Mr. Hootkins perched on a clothing rack! I felt like I had just won a Scratchers ticket.

Showing off my latest conquest,

whilst donning my sea foam culottes.

Great Audition.

I sort of felt triumphant this morning.

I had a great audition.

That's all.

image from telegraph/co/uk

Dreaming of Fall Travels.

I am impatiently looking forward to October. "Why?" You might ask. Well, that is when Bryan and I will be going to Montreal and Quebec City! I can't wait to go on my first holiday outside of the states! And oh, how I desperately miss fall leaves. I can't wait to collect a few and press them in my journal. I wish we were packing and leaving tomorrow. I can't wait to meet the ever snooty, and fashionable Quebecois. {Le sigh!}

Hollywood History 101 or Yazzie Gallery.

Bunnie and I absolutely adore art, and specifically paintings. We have recently procured some great pieces from thrift shops, antique stores and inheritance from family. Above is a growing silhouette found in our parlor.

My prized jewel is the haunting painting below. I love the curious smirk the subject has on her face. I was instantly drawn to the piece when I found it at a Silverlake Antique shop. Come to find out, the painter was Francis Farmer! Francis was a Hollywood starlet from the thirties.
Isn't she the most delicate flower you've ever seen? Miss Farmer was notorious for being a "rebellious star." Paramount Studious tried to dictate who she dated {handsome leading men} she found them widely boring. Francis ultimately became restless with the roles she was offered. She felt the roles were more about her beauty than for any sort of substance.

Yet another tasty tidbit, she was thought to have been an alcoholic and mentally unstable. Miss Farmer was hospitalized in a mental health unit against her will for seven years! Miss Farmer was undoubtedly a beautiful actress that lived a fascinating life. For more Francis Farmer background, go {HERE.} I'm certainly glad I have a piece of the legacy she left behind.

Gossip. Labels. Perceptions.

I recently overheard some of my co-workers describing our peers based on appearance, traits, or interests.

1. "You know Kate-she's the heavy set one?"
2. "Shelley....the lesbian."
3. "Remember Jack, he's the freak that's really into LARPING."

You get the general gist. The point is, like an artist creates a caricature based on an exaggerated feature. Our peers emphasize a quality, then compartmentalize each of us. When compartmentalizing, why are the traits highlighted usually our worst characteristics?

What are the town criers saying about me and you both? As a kid, and a teen I would forever make fun of myself to beat anyone to the punch. I would make my class laugh at my foibles. When does it stop being funny? And when does it start being just another hurtful label and opportunity for snarky comments? What are your thoughts? How are you perceived?

P.S. The roles I audition for, my characters are usually described as: "Plain, Not Sexy, Approachable, Kid Sister Type, Girl Next Door, Not the modeling type, Not Glamorous."

Cooky for Cookies.

1.

2.

3.

I was in the neighborhood.

And so I stopped for a macaron.

The magic of the macaron never ceases to delight.

What is a macaron? 

Click {here} to indulge along with me.

What is your poison of choice?

Oh, to be a Home Owner in L.A.

Bunnie and I are reaching that twenty-something portion of life where we want to be home owners. The trouble is...the home we want isn't for sale, and it's located in Los Angeles! The homes in our desired neighborhoods are a tad-bit ridiculously priced.
This is the home of my dreams! The features I enjoy are as follows:

• Adorable 1950's architecture
  
• The color scheme of white on white.
  
• THE PORCH! I pine for a porch to watch our future bunnies playing in the yard. We will sip lemonade and nibble my oatmeal, chocolate chip cookies while taking in the good life.
  
• The elegant, white roses lining the walk.
  
• Location, Location, Location. This gem is walking distance from Hilhurst and Vermont, in Los Feliz. Which is where the Yazzies are forever shopping, eating, and visiting the library. This hidden sub-city is central to every where in L.A.
  

My pal Suener related an encouraging story last year. Apparently when Sunny and Cher were young, and dirt poor, they would dream together. There was a beautiful mansion they would frequently go visit. They would sit on the curb together, holding hands, planning their future lives in that space. Well guess what happened? They eventually bought their dream home. I'm a firm believer of visualization techniques. Some day our housing dream will come true.
And now, the creepy portion where I take visualization too far. This is me posing in front of my dream home!! Excuse the above picture where I look like an elf from LORD OF THE RINGS.

The House+Ashley+Bryan=Eternal Love

Is anyone else this creepy? Do you visit your dream home frequently?

Craving the Open Road.

I've been on two desert road trips this summer.

And...I sort of want to hit the road again.

• I want to experience the desert's {monsoon season}
• Search for oddities, vintage treasures, and local-yocal hang-outs.
  
• Prince, Depeche Mode, Hot Chip and M.I.A. will blare from my speakers.
• I'll stop frequently for cherry limeades, post cards, and photo opps.

Want to join me?

A Perfectly, Pinkish Sky.

Imagine dusk with a perfectly, pinkish sky.

Two lovers pacing city streets. 

Hand-in-hand, she gently stole a kiss.

His flinty eyes began to dance.

The night was designed for them to pluck.

And so they did.

Dancing as music encompassed them,

laughter ultimately collected the pair.

He looked at her.

She gazed at him.

Their finger twain, their heart's crossed.

They knew they were in love.

Enjoy.

I am so looking forward to a lovely summer weekend. What's on the agenda?

• Worky-work this afternoon.
  
• Attending a concert {@ the echo} with Bunnie.
  
• Auditioning for a spec-commercial tomorrow.
  
• Farmer's market.

Image taken from www.static.thefrisky.com

Do you have any summer-rific plans?

Doors.

I find that doors keep shutting on me.  I can't help but notice, the common denominator with this phenomenon remains to be me.  I'm trying to muddle through this dry spell, but I obviously prefer it when doors are opening.

A quote that lifts my spirit; 

"From my life coaching seat, I've noticed that the primary difference between successful people and unsuccessful people is that the successful people fail more."

-Martha Beck

My best friend Amber often tells me that everyone has different pieces to life's puzzle; career, family, spouse, health, financial, friends, etc.  I'm fortunate because I have many pieces, but I seem to always focus on the gapping, missing piece that I desire.  Are doors opening or closing for you? I want to hear about both of them.

Harold James Potter.

After a two-and-a-half year wait, Potter fanatics came out from the wood work to attend the midnight showing of the Half-Blood Prince. The long wait in line was 3/4 of the the fun!
The above fans looked absolutely amazing.  We had a five hour wait, so they had an abundance of time for photo opportunities.  
I convinced six of my nearest and dearest to stay up late on a school night, to join in the mid-summer madness.  They were dolls to indulge my childish whims.
And the movie review?  This is a tough one.  The Half-Blood Prince was my favorite book from the series, therefore my expectations were sky high.  I enjoyed the movie.  However, I wished the final battle scene would have been elongated, and shown more epoch sensitivity at it's conclusion.  That being said, I throughly enjoyed the preceding.  I laughed my head off, which was a great contrast to the conclusion.  Over all, I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

POLAROIDS...FINALLY!

Due to my long-term feud with technology,

I can't figure out how to scan my summer polaroids.

However, I adore the blurry, dreamlike 

result of my creative alternative. 

What are your thoughts?

You do have SOMETHING to Wear.

This brilliant, Brooklyn based artist is all I can talk about right now. Imagine wearing one dress for 365 days. Boring?  Hardly.  This sassy lady utilizes vintage, hand-me-downs, and self-made accessories to make her "uniform" anything but dull.  This fashionable effort is to aid the Akanksha Foundation.  Find out additional information, and see her daily duds {here.}
I am completely in awe of this woman.  I often feel that I have "nothing to wear."  Which is utter and complete rubbish.  The secret to fashion success is key, classic pieces, paired with delightful accessories. Perhaps we can all take a page from this splendid, frugal,  living art.

Couple's Skating.

I happened upon this vintage, 

couple's skating picture.  

I couldn't help but snicker.

Isn't Life Grand?

Recently I observed that friends and family rarely call, write, e-mail,  or even offer a hint when life is going smoothly. Why is it we call our mates when things are going poorly, but we fail to phone when life is great?

I'll go first:  I had a great audition yesterday, Harry Potter opens this week, I have amazing friends, I love Los Angeles, my puppy is perhaps the cutest in town,  and finally....the massive crush I have for my husband persists.  In short, I'm content and extremely happy.

Tell me, what is currently making you over the moon happy?

Maya.

In college I read I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS by Maya Angelou.  The heart breaking tale completely changed me.  After that read, I fell in love with Ms. Angelou.  What a beautiful, strong inspiration she is to women everywhere. I've been on the waiting list at the library for over three months to read her new book, LETTER TO MY DAUGHTER.  I often reference her quote below;

"You can't use up creativity.  The more you use, the more you have."

- Maya Angelou

Take a Hike!

Are you sick of trekking the elliptical machine at the gym?  How about climbing a real mountain? My dear friend Matt invited me to go for a hike at Bronson Canyon. {Click for info.}  

The hike was rigorous but completely beautiful.  It was lovely looking in to the horizon and spying down town Los Angeles, as well as the Hollywood sign to our immediate left.

This was a fun, free Los Angeles activity to take on.  Hikers brought their friends, dogs, children, you name it.  Rumor has it that celebrities often hike this secluded trail!  I can't wait to hit the trail once more.  Thanks for the healthy suggestion Matt!

Where's your favorite place to hike, or your no-gym-required exercise?

LACMA.

I had a love affair with LACMA {click for info.} yesterday. My maiden voyage to the captivating museum was completely inspiring and satisfying. To my pocket book's squealing delight, I discovered that the museum is donation only after 5pm daily! 

If you are looking for something fun to do in Los Angeles this summer, make it a point to stop by the museum. The exhibits are fantastic right now. I particularly enjoyed the paintings and sculpture above, Andy Warhol's exhibition and a few other treasures that can only be seen to be understood. I will mark LACMA off of my L.A. to do list, but I dare say....I'll be frequenting this new found treasure often! Where's your favorite museum located?