Today was my birthday and I met it with mixed reviews. I wish I were someone that could be proud of aging but a facial peel that “makes you look ten years older before you look ten years younger” coupled with heavy news regarding someone’s health just kind of made the day a bit of a bummer. Dinner at Matsuhisa and a maxi dress from Trico Field (for me, actually – and only twenty dollars more than the same style for a five year old!) certainly livened my mood. So would this red paper pouf chandelier – a perfect party decoration for any occasion. But mainly I just hate turning 34. Yup, I said it. 
Archives for category: Art
On our trek to the Urs Fischer exhibit at MOCA (a must-see if you have children here in LA,) we noticed a thriving skate culture Downtown. It’s far from the groovy Hugh Holland Laguna Beach era, but it’s today’s urban LA at its best. This Isabel Marant board – sold at her boutiques – is certainly Melrose Place at its best. Put your little guy on it and let him cruise down the gritty streets of Bev Hills. Later, skater.
Ahh, the family crest. We all have one, don’t we? Sha right. I just discovered the brilliant artist Happy Menocal who not only makes the most lovely water color note cards but also creates custom heraldry for families and new unions (read: a super sick wedding gift!) With beautiful, muted shades and whimsical designs, it’s like Leontine Linens on crack – which, to a monogram freak like me, is just heaven. 
Finding decor for a child’s room that’s not too precious, too sweet, or too baby-ish can be something of a challenge. I always think that art that’s both grown-up but campy at the same time works wonders as the kitsch element speaks to a kid’s natural sense of whimsy. I’ve loved the kooky UK-based artist Kate Jenkins for some time. She makes these humorous crochet pieces, some of which you can buy as prints. I think this piece is hilarious, colorful and festive enough to deck the wall of any novice sushi eater. Wasabi optional. 
…Somebody’s watching me. I just love a good over-sized animal image in a child’s room. And there are so many good ones from which to choose. Whether it’s a cutesy giraffe (been there, but still) to a growling bear (for siblings, perhaps) they will all add a little extra flavor. Just recently, I discovered these owl pictures from John Pusateri. But since they’re drawings rather than photos, they’re less precious and more artsy. Can I get a whoot, whoot.
I’m kind of ghetto when it comes to wrapping paper. Yes, I linger over the $4-per-sheet designs like all the other crazies at the art store but when it comes down to it, I just can’t do it (especially with little kids who could give two shits about the way gifts look from the outside.) But then the Ouef Gift Guide came to the rescue of my presentation dilemma. You can download these “face designs” that you color, cut and paste onto brown kraft paper (which is like, 7 duckets per roll on amazon,) and then you have these almighty looking gifts that have style and major personality. And…you won’t hear register sounds go off when the paper gets ripped to shreds.
I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving! While I truly enjoy contributing to the feast (maple glazed, marcona almond topped root vegetables and bacon and kale salad,) I discovered that I do not like being in charge of the turkey. It’s as if the fate of everyone’s Thanksgiving lies in my hands: the constant basting, brushing, temperature taking. And then repeat that every half hour for a thousand hours. But then it was done and gorgeous and Jon took ten Hipstamatic pictures of it from every angle. We were proud parents. This weekend oficially kicked off the holiday season – a time of sharing, giving and helping. These Dear Hancock note cards are festive but not at all corny and will be essential for December. Just sign here.
It’s no secret that I despise Face Book. Yup, I’m on it and I check it frequently. But every time I go on, I throw up in my mouth. How much validation does one need about their marriage, their children, their professional success….Every day. My brother jokes about the “singles” counterpart to all of the annoying parents. Let’s just say it has to do with a lot of status updates on sunsets and cocktails. And to round it out, my husband has a habit of quoting really bad lines from movies. And fittingly, the winner of his bad quote list goes to….“Drop…the ‘the.’” Below, the much hyped over Instagram camera. Get it. And then just post them on the fridge!
It’s no secret that I am anti-refined sugar for both grown-ups and kids. I know, I know – agave and all that shit is practically just as bad – but I still feel as if the alternatives are the lesser of two evils. And since my kids have a birthday party or two every weekend, they’re not exactly deprived. While in New York, I stumbled into Papabubble on Broome and fell in love with the hand-sculpted candy I watched being configured on heated tables. The result was my asking them to ship custom “R” lollipops for Rafi’s birthday, to which Jon accused me of being cray cray. In any event, sweetness trumps principle in this case and I’m cool with that. Hopefully my fellow haters will be as well. Take a lick!
You know how you forget everything when the next baby comes? Today I asked a friend what toys her one year old likes to play with. Even though my baby is number three, I too, seem to have amnesia. She was like, A shape sorter, This wooden drum thing, Blocks….Oh of course! Blooockkkss. That would make sense. And so I went on a hunt for the coolest blocks. Achieved! These Severin Millet objects are just about the most beautiful things I ever did see for a child (ages one and up!) Sadly I am told they are just for the artist’s gallery but you can buy a poster of the blocks. Which no, is not a fun toy for a baby.
