sss: small space solutions

lets face it: not everyone can execute sss like gary chang. when i first walked into my then empty would be studio i scratched my head at what i can possibly fit into the diminutive place without it looking cluttered and constantly messy. with the help of several sites, such as apartment therapy, it proved that there are a myriad of creative possibilities especially when you have the least amount of square footage to work with. you truly learn the meaning of maximizing every inch and adore all products with built in storage. from the compilation of interiorspiration clippings, here are the ones that stuck out the most for sss that fused creativity and functionality...

{ladder accessible top to bottom shelves with a curtain}
{ample shelf space adorned with frames and decor to keep it aesthetically pleasing} {tucked in seating when not in use + storage ottoman}
{walk in closet converted into a bed, storage on top + below}
{glimpses of my sss attempt...}

indulge, indeed

some make lists for essentially everything and i would classify myself as one of these individuals. lately the list i have opted for are all things i currently care to indulge in. whether it is an adorable take on a popular dessert or a simple picnic in the park, these things are hopefully bound to come to fruition by the end of the summer...along with the angeleno adventure list still in affect as well!

{longing for warm LA weather and at least one bike ride along the beach}
{concert & fireworks at the hollywood bowl...which will surprisingly be a first time visit}
{picnic in the park- or even backyard - with some good food, good company, and good book} {an apparent east coast classic that is making its way to LA}

LA spots: they just blow

they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. with that in mind, it wasnt long before the surge of salons that just blow{dry}, a la drybar, were popping up on every corner. after at least one visit to many variations around the city, here are some of the top picks:

drybar - various cities: the salon that sparked the trend (in LA that is), remains at the top and based on how fast they are expanding, they are bound to be blowing to a city near you. flawless execution and impeccable branding.

bubble blow - brentwood: $50/month membership which equates to $25/blowdry. inside the spacious location, they also offer 'make-up and go' concept as well as an adorable boutique called jane where nothing is over $100. for a night on the town or a special evening, this can be your one stop shop.

yoshi's haute air - 'some like it haute' at this blow bar where where the standard prices far exceed the moderately priced blowout options for $35 not to mention the most refreshing cucumber water in town!

have yet to try: style bar - beverly hills: newly opened and ultra chic with a simple concept. 3 services at $33 each all performed in less than an hour. make up, mani/pedi, blowdry.

go ahead, get blown away.

{bubble blow / makeup & go}

weekend wonder words

{something that puts a smile on a face: receiving balloons for no particular occasion}

last night i attended a gala honoring my former boss where memorable quotes and wise tid bits were overflowing. among the favorites was from a fellow award recipient, stacia robataille who founded the charitable organization, echoes of hope:

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

midnight snack

every midnight from now till may 10, enjoy a martini inside the luxe beverly wilshire for a not so luxe price tag of a mere fifty cents in celebration of their fifty year anniversary residing in the 90210. dont arrive at 12:21 because this midnight snack will be over after 19 minutes and 61 seconds after the clock strikes 12.

natural highs

it has been nearly a year since the initial quest for nude shoes was carved out but there has been a pair i recently discovered that may have finally put a halt on the never-ending search. rounded at the toe with a hidden wedge and a tassel with stitching along the back, these super soft suede soles by dolce vita are surprisingly as comfortable as can be. that doesnt mean other 'natural high's' cant be scoped out, such as some of these nude picks...

1. DV by Dolce Vita 'Toni'
2. Stuart Weitzman 'Alex'
3. Giuseppe Zanotti Strap Wedge
4. Dolce Vita for TARGET
5. DVF 'Opal'
6. Aldo 'Longtin'
7. Corso Como 'Decoy'
8. Lanvin Nude Single Strap
9. L.A.M.B 'Kapono'
10. Dolce Vita 'Jade'

invisible man

now you see him, now you dont. the talented lui bolin that is. in his collection titled "hiding in the city", this chinese artist manages to camouflage himself in essentially any surrounding, from graffiti on a wall to a supermarket aisle to brick & rubbish. after working up to 10 hours on perfecting a single photo, his work is so detailed and believable that passer by's dont realize he is there until he makes slight movement. these images sure take "where's waldo" to a whole new level. the reasoning on how & why he started is just as interesting as his art: in 2005, the government shut down his art studio so this is in an effort of "not fitting in to modern society" and a protest against the action of the chinese authorities. rebel on, invisible man.

color me good: nail color gel

it is no surprise that manicures last a mere few days and sometimes dont even manage to get into the car in a chip-less manner. i heard about a new service nearly all nail salons are now offering called color gel that lasts for an average of two weeks so curiosity made me try it immediately. after countless encounters with your hands entrenched in water, this nail application will remain flawless. the process involves two coats of polish applied one nail at a time and placed under an ultraviolet light before the top coat is applied. it runs for a little bit more than the average manicure and takes about an hour but this outlasting shiny perfection will prove to you that the extra dime and time was very well spent...

INteriorSPIRATION: nyc edition

sometimes interior inspiration (aka INteriorSPIRATION) doesn't have to only come from lavish estates and hard to achieve images in magazines. case in point: a recent visit to nyc, where my friends quaint apartment was filled with tons of inspiring pieces that were effortlessly chic and easy to attain. some favorites included a set of nine framed wall decor in the living room that was made from none other than lace from a fabric store; gold accents such as an ornate mirror and coat hanger with a turquoise painted backdrop; a flowery pillow that embodied femininity and looked perfect in front of the brick wall; as well as a chic take on a cork board - 4 pieces brought together and home to inspiring images & quotes, photos, schedules, and reminders. looks like i just might be adding a few of these images to my vision board...

weekend wonder words

crafted by taylor

problem: with social media outlets such as facebook along with digital photo sites such as kodak gallery being so prominent, several of us, myself included, lost the routine of actually printing out photos and even more so, pulling it together in a somewhat creative fashion. solution: crafted by taylor. these hand crafted books are distinctively unique and certainly differentiate themselves from traditional scrapbooks. to start, standard paper is replaced with none other than lunch paper bags which allow a pull out of your choice of either a favorite quote, memorabilia, keepsake, or photo. every aspect ranging from the embellishments, photo positioning, paper, fonts, down to the ribbon, are all perfectly crafted together in a treasured bundle that will be hard to put down. with a keen vision and attention to detail, get ready to have your memories transformed into creative bits of art; one page at a time...

attention please

attention. an aspect of life some people need more than others. especially if you happen to be a new product yearning for some new eyeballs. days of traditional advertising is a strategy of the past. afterall, as an average consumer, what would grab your attention more: a magazine clipping/billboard or a multi-faceted interactive marketing campaign that would have heads turning? whether on a simple bag or splattered across a building, these images alone are attention grabbers without even viewing it live. looks like more brands are hopping on the ikea invasion train.

brick & chandelier

it was a recent visit to the lovely glendon bar & kitchen in westwood which made me adore the dynamic duo of exposed brick walls and charming chandeliers. the rugged yet classic look of red (or white) brick complimented by the glamorous touch of a luminous chandelier fixture contrasts one another in a unique yet fitting way. {in addition to the brick/chandelier decor, the lively ambiance of glendon bar & kitchen also offers appetizing bites including specialty pizzas (try the glendon) and mouth watering starters (try the sweet potato french fries), not to mention a drink menu that categorizes its selections by first, second or third date}

weekend wonder words

local gem: basement tavern

sometimes the best things in life are somewhat hidden. same theory applies for those random city gems you come across from time to time such as the basement tavern at the victorian on main street. with a myriad of dine/drink options in santa monica, this speakeasy style bar in the basement of a 19th century home is not your typical find. decked out with studded leather chairs, lighted candelabras and best of all playful chalkboard walls, the tavern boasts a new live band each and every night. the diverse crowd, daily happy hour till eight, and secret entry passage, mixed with the fact you can bring your choice of outside bits n nibbles, makes this a basement you might actually want to be stuck in.

{tasty tip: every tuesday an array of food trucks line up in the parking lot so you can grab a bite and head to the basement. food trucks & cocktails unite}
{tucked away at the victorian on main street}

twenty eleven

wishing everyone a twenty eleven filled with fresh starts, exciting surprises, meaningful moments, endless possibilities and eternal growth. with the first decade of the new millennium behind us, lets "cheers to a new year and another chance to get it right" -oprah

LA spots: sushi

there are not too many foods you can eat constantly without feeling an overkill. sushi is certainly at the top of this list. ...everything from the way that it is presented to its bite size portions, eclectic variety, and most of all the fact that it does not put you in a dreadful food coma afterwards. in LA, there are as many sushi spots as nail salons and starbucks. of course, katana and katsuya are safe choices for food and ambiance, the following options steer away from the pretentious vibe and are more sensitive on the wallet. here are the ones that made it to the top of LA spots: sushi edition.

tatsuki - spicy tuna heaven. one of the first sushi establishments in the san fernando valley, this quaint spot will have you craving for all things spicy tuna. must try: spicy tuna cut roll (not your typical), gorgeous roll

shibuya - this calabasas spot that has about a mere 20 seats does not take reservations and is always packed. although i have only been once, it is clear to see what the hype is about. must try: albacore sushi. melts in your mouth.

chiba - dont be alarmed by the location. this hidden gem tucked away in a shopping center near saticoy and coldwater canyon is known for its unbeatable quality. been around for years, once you discover this place, you become a fan. must try: kb2 roll, salmon roe with quail egg

fat fish - extended happy hour is an added bonus at this west hollywood sushi spot that is always sure to be packed with locals and after-work groups. must try: tuna tar tar, baked salmon hand roll

miru - located in a strip mall in beverly hills, miru offers happy hour until 9:30 and has an extensive sushi menu with a long list of specialty rolls. must try: bently, chanel, prada. yes, this place is different.

yen - two words: mushroom poppers.

weekend wonder words

one of the best questions i have heard in a while...

ever transformable room

speaking from experience, sometimes it seems impossible to fit more than a bed and a few furniture pieces into a confined space without making it look too cluttered and even smaller than it actually is. imagine living in hong kong where a few hundred square feet apartment is the norm and yet extremely expensive. no one has maximized on the circumstance more than the self proclaimed "domestic transformer". with a mere 344 square feet, gary chang managed to achieve a whopping 24 different rooms - all by just sliding panels and walls. this architect takes utilizing every inch to the next level. hammock included.

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beverly hills as bryant park?

is the most famous zip code in the world trying to emulate Bryant Park? On November 6th, 2010 the first-ever Beverly Hills Fashion Festival will offer consumers a fashion insider’s view of the glamorous industry in one of the most glamorous cities. Hosted by TV personality Jonathan Antin, the inaugural launch event will be both a fashion and retail experience featuring new and established designers from LA and around the globe. A day long schedule of fashion shows, pop up boutiques, beauty and fashion product sampling, interactive promotions and food court with gourmet food and beverages will be the backdrop to exclusive fashion shows from Elie Tahari, William Rast, H. Lorenzo and more! click here to experience a taste of fashion week in the 90210