La Vie En Rose

Have Yourself a Helluva Holi-Daze

As you likely can tell from the dearth of entries as of late, I'm soaking in all the hoopla that comes at this time of year.

It's some work, some play. In between, it's sneaking in whatever moments of revelry, rest, relaxion and massage possible.

What a holiday season it's been!

At A+R, the lead up to G-Day (Gift Day) brought in an invasion of clients steady and new, and most all beyond cordial and sympathetic as we madly wrapped their packages, checked them out and sent them on their way...some more than once. One brought us chilled iced teas; another sweets. Thank you to all of our wonderful supporters.

Of course, much gratitude to our amazing team: Rafael, Gina, Melanie, Katie, Annie, Dani and, in our warehouse, Danny, and, online, Magnus. You have helped us in more ways than you can imagine.

Big kisses and a bubbly toast to all those friends and family, acquaintences and strangers who make life so delicious, fun, meaningful and inspiring for Andy, Nina and me.

Happy Holidays. Happy New Year.

Back in 2012 with a new web design and other good stuff.

xRose

p.s. Thanks Cheyann for the image...and sorry for "borrowing" it! Too good not to do so...

X-mas Song, L.A. Style

Keep your carolers. The only songs I'm in the mood for right now are off the 1980 album "Los Angeles" by one of the greatest bands of all time, X. 

Excene Cervenka, John Doe, DJ Bonebrake and Billy Zoom performed the album in its entirety tonight at a show I unfortunatley had to miss due to my book signing. Yes, folks I was scribbling my finest John Hancock for the likes of Zsa Zsa Gabor's husband, Prinz von Anhalt, and other Beverly Hills locals instead of getting bashed around in the pit at an X show. Which brings to mind track seven of this masterpiece, "Sex and Dying in High Society"... 

The band is making the rounds as part of its somewhat annual "Xmas Traveling Rock & Roll Revival" tour. They're also promoting the reissue of their 1986 rockumentary "X: The Unheard Music." That DVD is definitely on my Santa list.

While there's no way I can make Friday's show at the Santa Monica Civic, I do have to admit that the December 28 show at Buck Owens Crystal Palace in Bakersfield could truly be an experience...

p.s. One of these days I'll dig up the 2003 Q+A I did for WWD with Exene on her seminal style.

"Going Green 1949 Style, Bitch!" Ice Cube+The Eames

 

There are many truly inspired facets to the city-wide art celebration that is "Pacific Standard Time." One that simply shines is the short film featuring rap icon Ice Cube taking a ride to the Eames House and kicking back inside while he connects the legacy of the influential couple to that of the modern green movement and even the art of mash ups.

Ice even manages to rattle off the relatively unknown point that he studied architectural drafting before founding NWA.

From his opening quip regarding L.A.'s less than stellar examples of architectural landmarks to his finishing words about what's really at the heart of critics' gripes, I couldn't agree with my fellow Angeleno more.

Thanks to A+R team member Katie Zoretic (and a gal with a pretty cool blog of her own, so check it out) for bringing this jewel to my attention!

An Affair To Remember

A book signing is always more fun than work given all the kind folks who turn out to celebrate a project that always ends up a labor of love above all else.

My recent bash at Caulfield's was amazing, and I do promise to post those pics very soon. Saturday night's follow-up signing at the latest installment of the vintage marketplace A Current Affair proved a memorable pleasure in its own way. While I was most certainly there to talk about The Extraordinary Difference and sign copies, I managed to slip away from the table a few times and dash into nearby vendor booths to do a bit of damage to the card.

And damage I did. I came away from the night with a 1960s-era hot pink shorn velvet turban by Christian Dior; a gold, pearl and colored "gem" Indian necklace that makes quite a statement; a leopard lady top; a Catherine Ogust smock splashed in red, yellow, blue and green that reminds me of Paul Rand's book cover for Design, Form and Chaos; a 1930s-inspired chocolate velvet coat from Les Habitude; and three party frocks, all heavily threaded in gold, thanks to Monika Dickerson. I slipped out of the vintage leopard YSL dress I showed up in and into one of the new gilded dresses early in the evening. A couple hours later, I scored a shiny gold metal belt and a leopard pendant that I quickly threw on!

Thank you to everyone who turned out, bought books and shared so many kind words (wish I'd taken photographs of all of you!). And a big THANK YOU to Richard Wainright and Joey Grana and their really lovely crew for inviting me to share my book at their event.

 

I was invited to choose 10 looks from the three dozen vendors exhibiting. The theme was holiday frocks, and this one probably got me going for the gold (as in the three dresses, the belt and the two necklaces I bought—all very much gleaming in the shiniest way). In the end, I forgot to get it!

Loved the Lanvin necklace! Loved the Roberto Cavalli Grecian gown, and especially the color. Ditto the bluish purple of the ostrich coat.

Photographer Ramona Rosales (who shoots the Current Affair images and, coincidentally, A+R's press images), Meow Vintage owner Kathleen Schaaf and their pal

 

This doll with flawless style is Liz Baca. She came down from Oakland for the weekend event, and does the vintage fashion show circuit and sells to private clients through her The Goods business. She shared her gossamer pink coat (seen below) for my showcase and pooch Boo with guests.

 

Heather Petrey of LAFashionSnob.com was there to help her pal Sandra Mendoza-Daly with her booth, Debutante Clothing. Like so many folks there Saturday night, Heather and Sandra's enthusiasm was just charming.