Cake With Giants

 

Nice whimsy prints by Cake With Giants---graphic designer out of Australia. She also manages All the Mountains, one of my top favorite blogs.

What is this 'Vintage' you speak of?

 

I had to laugh when, yesterday, I was in a place I never go: the designer purse section of Bloomingdale's. Hell, I don't even go into Bloomingdale's. And hardly ever is the mall the place for me to shop unless it's for Madewell. Anyways, by some sudden impulse I took my mother to look at purses that cost more than a month's rent. I have to admit, they are extremely well built and serve as pleasant eye candy. On our way out a woman stopped me and asked about the purse I had slung over my shoulder. My beat-up "vintage" Esprit leather bag, bought a few days ago for twelve dollars. I told her where I found it and when I said the price she couldn't believe it. She looked stunned, as if she didn't know you could buy things second-hand that looked moderately stylish. The word 'vintage' seemed entirely foreign. "How do you get to this Long Beach," she asked, as if it was a far away land."Look it up online," was all I could repeat. I only hope that she makes it out to La Bomba and discovers that buying things on the cheap is better economically, environmentally, and aesthetically.

Pictured above are all pricey-er vintage finds from Dear Golden Vintage. Good thing everything I want listed above is already sold. Vintage only comes in quantities of one.

In the Mate

 

It is only now, after moving back from Berkeley to Southern California, that I have discovered the power that is Yerba Mate. The first image is my homemade attempt at making it iced with a bit of mint leaves. The directions say that there is no need to heat the water first before chilling. So, I didn't. Though, I was skeptical. I feel that it could have tasted stronger and more well-rounded. I recommend making it hot first. You are also not supposed to boil the water when serving it hot, just as many teas come in individual brew temperatures. I boil it anyway. Sorry if I am breaking all of the Yerba mate rituals. I also add some honey to balance the bitter. 

There are an abundant number of Yerba Mates: smoked, unsmoked, flavored. I started with an Eco Teas mate for the sake of being different from the standard Guayaki. (Purchased at Mother's Market.) The unsmoked flavor is just right, but the loose leaf of this brand comes fairly loose. I end up drinking a lot of the plant that I'd rather only steep.

Have You Heard?

 

 

1. Arthur Russell sings "A Little Lost"
2. Jens Lekman covers "A Little Lost"
3. Arthur Russell Documentary Teaser for the film Wild Combination.

So why am I only discovering Arthur Russell's great talents now, 19 years after his death?

To the Woods! (of Los Angeles)

Yesterday, before the concert (which  I attended with my mother), we went to get dinner at Masa on Sunset. You know, the place you always walk by on the way to the Echo. It looks cozy and I can't remember if I had eaten there before or not. Is that a warning sign to steer clear? Well, I clearly had not tried anything much if I had even gone there. The pizza was delicious! We split the 'Santa Ynez'--spicy and sweet---jalapenos and pineapple with prosciutto. mmmmmmmm. That picture of the table is not my cup of juice, but glass of Riesling served in such cup.

We then headed for a quick wake up beverage at Casbah cafe. The piping chai tea and lemon cake were excellent. Though the cake was a little burnt, which I liked. I thought for a moment that I saw the younger sister of Puro Instinct at the cafe doing her homework. Guess I'll never know if it really was her.

I had two new experiences yesterday--seeing Fleet Foxes live and seeing them at the Greek in Los Angeles. I hate to say that it was a religious experience. It wasn't. But I would agree that it was close to enlightening. The show altered something inside me. The instruments, melodies, voices perfectly fit the venue. Ok, the Greek in Berkeley probably would have been ever so slightly better. But just picture Fleet Foxes: and behind the tall trees the moon hung, ready for autumn. Griffith Park's ridged mountain silhouette framed the stage. Infinite stars and western patterns was as expected for their visual backdrop. Robin's vocals, like honey, were an addicting high. When the concert ended, I only wanted more.

Funky Fonts

I went scavenging in my kitchen and this is what I found.

The Mouth, It Waters

Thank you {wit + delight} ! This sounds like the best thing ever. I'm going to quit eating until I have this--and only this--savory sweet indulgence. Bad idea? I think not.

j'ai trouvé!

French design label Sessun has a beautiful blog. So beautiful that it makes me read French impulsively, uncontrollably and look up words I do not know--something I should be doing but hardly ever do without the force of my French teacher. And what a lovely addition--the blog is written in French with English translation below. I am not taking the easy way out by reading only the English. That would be just half the fun.

+ A Few More

 

First signs of FYF: danger.

 

Rocker Grandma

 

Ashley snuck in the party.

 

Dan has the coolest camera.

I Like Girls

A classic

From the new album coming out this September!

Yesterday's FYF was great--minus the usual bumps of dirt, heat, bodies and cigarette smoke so thick I forgot I was outside. Thank you Ashley for introducing me to Purity Ring. Though I could not see that well it didn't matter--I was dancing. Future Islands was energetic as always. But Girls made the night with rose-adorned microphone stands and bold female backup choir. I love Girls. But probably not as much if they were not from San Francisco!

80 Degrees and Approaching Sweater Weather

 

Frolic found a great Portland designer Hetterson, just in time for fall. Make sure your elbows are padded and your jackets--tweed.