Big Sur, Baby, Big Sur!

FiVE YEARS?! It's a record! Billy & I are going to Big Sur for five days to celebrate our five year anniversary & plan our wedding there next year. I have a feeling there will be more relaxing than planning, but a little TLC never hurt anyone, right? I'll be back next week with a new feature for the blog called L.A. WEEKLY & the link to my Big Sur Wedding blog, so you don't have to keep hearing about all that crap here. Peace!

The Birth of Foho

So, Foho is the new Boho? Interesting... LOVE the style. Can only laugh at the new slang... Makes me think of a "faux ho", ya know? CLiCK HERE to see what I mean.

New Smashing Pumpkins

Are there any Smashing Pumpkins fans left out there? Any one curious about what Billy Corgan's been up to lately? If so, you can stream "Tarantula" the new single from the upcoming S.P. album,"Zeitgeist" when you CLiCK HERE.

They're Back!... Jack & Meg

Announced only 48 hours before they went on, after a two year hiatus, The White Stripes made their live return last night in Jack White's new hometown of Nashville, Tennessee at "The Cannery Ballroom". Apparently, they opened with, "Icky Thump" the title track from their upcoming album, rocked through the high points of their past ten years together & then finished with "Wasting My Time"- before following up with, as an encore, Jack returning to the stage with a Polaroid camera, which he pointed at Meg and then the crowd before launching into a head banging version of 'Dead Leaves And The Dirty Ground'. Sounds breathlessly good to me. Wish i was there.

Joan Uemura Shure's Om Butterfly

"Accessories For The Goddess"... this is the theme behind, OM BUTTERFLY, Joan Uemura Shure's line of delicate, ornate jewelry with features like sterling silver talismans & precious to semi-precious stones configured to make manifest the names they embody- names like "grateful", "lotus" and "namaste". The former creator & front woman for rock band, "Seven Violet Way", turned to jewelry making as an extension of her devoted practice as a Yogini & literally chants her good vibes into each piece as she's making it. Seriously, what more could you ask for?
CLiCK HERE to shop OM BUTTERFLY...

Joan's band, Seven Violet Way" had a song, "I Should've Known" on L.A. WOMAN : SONG BOOK ONE, the compilation CD I put together a couple of years ago. You can listen to it HERE.

Cannes Film Fest 2007

Just Jared has such great event coverage. I love the individual photo galleries for each star or star-couple, like these for the current Cannes Film Fest... Devon Aoki, Jake Gyllenhaal with Chloe Sevigny , Julianne Moore, and Jude Law with Norah Jones.

Madonna For Live Earth UK

Madonna wrote a new song called "Hey You" that she co-produced with Pharrell Williams, which you can hear for FREE exclusively on MSN, but only for the next seven days. She will then perform it live at Live Earth U.K., which will also include performances by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Genesis and the Beastie Boys. CLiCK HERE to have a listen...

Lord Of The Flies Style Reality

(pic from the 1990 "Lord Of The Flies" movie for which Balthazar Getty was discovered & given a starring role.)

CBS has a new reality show, tentatively called "Kid's Nation", in the works, which is basically a human behavioral experiment ala Lord Of The Flies. Forty 8 - 15 yr-olds will , in forty days, build their own society, complete with laws, leaders & economy from scratch. They will be given challenges like choosing between Nintendo or food & supplies. I have a feeling that, if executed well, this show could be huge. The concept sounds dangerous & more interesting than most reality shows, which is probably why the producers kept the details of this one hush hush for so long. CLiCK HERE to read the rest of the story...

Biba Girls Know What's Up

If you love fashion, this article on the "Queen Of Biba", Barbara Hulanicki, the co-founder and designer of the trend-setting 60s label & boutique, is a MUST-READ. Her autobiography, "From A to Biba", will be re-released next month, telling the story of how she and her late husband created the beloved retail giant, and, until then, THiS Telegraph story is just juicy enough to hold you over.

Win Butler Speaks

CLiCK HERE to read a good-n-long Pitchfork Media interview with the Arcade Fire's Win Butler, in which he discusses, among other things, sinus infections, religion, art, U2 & Bruce Springsteen.

Miranda July At The Hammer

Filmmaker-performance artist, Miranda July, of "Me & You & Everyone We Know" fame, has written a book of quirky short stories called, "No One Belongs Here More Than You", which she will be promoting with a national tour, kicking off tomorrow night at The Hammer Museum, home to many a hipster happening. Her reading promises to be one of those dazzling see & be seen Hollywood nights for up & coming up & comers and, if that doesn't interest you, no doubt, July's material, which is the whole point, will. Oh & did I mention admittance is FREE? Just be sure to stash a few bills for parking & the requisite beer in a plastic cup.

Santa Barbara Happiness

Mother's Day weekend in Santa Barbara is a very good thing. You should try it some time. We had such a blast (on my down-time from work, which was also pretty cool) & then marveled at how chill-spoiled-stuffed (Mahi Mahi burgers, Tiger Shrimp pizza & salt water taffy) we felt the whole drive home. Life is sweet! Check out our humble trip photos...

My two favorite people walkin' on the sand...

The Worker Bee cafe in Carpenteria has AWESOME breakfast & great mom-n-pop shop vibes...

The beach house has such an adorable front yard...

And a breath-taking backyard view...

A very friendly local...

Billy's sexy fedora-sportin' silhouette...

Beach House, Baby, Beach House

Off to Santa Barbara to write lyrics again. Bringin' the lil fam with for the weekend. Be back in a few. Happy Mother's Day one & all!
(pic from our last trip)

Pete Doherty The Artist

What is up with some people's obsession with blood? I just don't get it. Pete Doherty is obviously one of those people and proves it by naming his upcoming art show, featuring his own red stuff, "Bloodworks". I wanna say "to each his own", but this gives me the shivers & not in a good way.

Sienna Miller The Designer

Shown in a Georgian house in London this week, twelve8twelve, Sienna & Savannah Miller's new fashion line made it's formal debut. Like a lot of the clothes Sienna wears, these are best seen on a very stylish woman with a lot of confidence rather than hanging limp on a mannequin. They're cool but don't really translate well on the rack, because they also happen to be a bit fussy.

Drew Barrymore UN Ambassador

Drew Barrymore is one of those people who really seems to have a big heart & compassion for others. So, it doesn't surprise me that she's just been announced as a UN Ambassador Against Hunger with a focus on getting children fed in school. That's one more gold star for this passionate, energetic lady in my book. Of her new title & duty she says “I am honored and humbled to accept this challenging and rewarding assignment... I can’t think of any issue that is more important than working to see that no schoolchild in this world goes hungry.” Nice.

CLiCK HERE to check out another recent story, which further substantiates Ms. Barrymore's beauty inside & out.

Jessica Simpson's Blonde Ambition

Jessica Simpson is trying to be a movie star, but can she be a convincing actress? Do we know her too well as "Jessica Simpson" to accept her as anything but? Dunno, but here's a sneak peek at her upcoming film, "Blonde Ambition", so you can decide for yourself...

Mary Kate Olsen = Mini Fiona Apple

I definitely do not love everything the Olsen twins wear, but I do like a lot of what Mary Kate puts together. I especially like the big, bold rings she likes to accent her outfits with. I do that myself. This leopard number she wore to the Kate Moss for TopShop opening is bad ass. I love the shlumpy sexiness of it all. CLiCK HERE to visit Popsugar for more pics.

Angelina Jolie's International Mug

(Angelina Jolie illustration by KOSHi)

Since she's known for giving a third of her income to charity, I think it's a very good thing that Angelina Jolie is selling out. She'll be promoting face powder & liquid eye shadow in Shiseido's Japanese fall campaign. "They" say that we won't be seeing the ads here in the states, but, with the world wide web regularly giving it to us like it does, I seriously doubt that.

CLiCK HERE to read a most excellent-sweet-funny interview with Angelina Jolie for Reader's Digest.

UPDATE: This proves my case in point...

(Damn, Youtube is quick to get this stuff)

Hi Fructose Is So Sweet

If you like art magazines, Hi Fructose is one you definitely need to know about. It's always stuffed with the best low brow art & is printed on thick, luxurious paper, which does make a difference in the whole zine consumption experience. The upcoming issue is a great place to start, because it features the work of Amy Sol on the cover & Lori Earley on the inside, two of the most talented painters on today's scene.

Gen Art Makes It Happen

Getting a Gen Art membership is so worth it, if only for the insider premieres and sponsored art events. For aspiring "somebodys", it's all about the elbow rubbing. With Gen Art events having previously helped launch brands like Zac Posen, Rebecca Taylor, Chaiken, Vena Cava, & Rodarte, it's become renowned for giving deserving up & comers a much-needed career boost, which is the point behind the upcoming Gen Art Styles 2007 emerging designer competition and awards show. This years event will be held May 22 at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom, hosted by stylist & red carpet commentator, Robert Verdi. Nominees include Kate Wendelborn, Patrick Cupid, London-based Julia Clancey, Ohne Titel by Flora Gill & Alexa Adams, Jolibe, and Wanda Marie Sanders, among others.

Austin City Limits This Fall

Check out the line up for September's Austin City Limits fest. It really says it all... The White Stripes, Arctic Monkeys, Muse, The Arcade Fire, Bjork, Bob Dylan, Queens Of The Stone Age, The Killers, Kaiser Chiefs, Bloc Party, Amy Winehouse, LCD Soundsystem, Regina Spektor & Spoon.

Ashley Judd's Got Brain

Gorgeous, multi-talented, 39 year old smarty pants, Ashley Judd just graduated from the University Of Kentucky with a bachelors degree in French. This girl is one helluva role model.

Los Feliz Much Better Now

Over 800 acres were burned in yesterdays' Los Feliz fire, but every home was spared, as well as the animals at the zoo, The Griffith Observatory & The Greek Theater. So, I guess that there are some happy endings to this story. I know the firemen er- fire-people worked their hearts out to save every house & beloved public hang-out. So, us Angelenos own them all a BiG FAT THANK YOU!

KOSHi LUVS... Soko

A girlfriend o' mine just forwarded me this new singer-songwriter's Myspace page with full confidence that I would fall in love. Ah... she knows me well. I did. Soko, the said singer-songwriter, is an elfin French crooner with major chops. Her song "The Dandy Cowboys" starts out with this small, warbley, oh so vulnerable voice before bursting into a chipper saloon-style toe tapper, and the lyrics are priceless. Her coolest tune, "I'll Kill Her", is a brilliant combination of talking with just a touch of singing that really emphasizes a sardonic, restrained rage at another woman stealing her man. Did I mention her charming accent? You can really hear it on this one. "Take My Heart" is precious & simple. Love the chimes. Love the girl. Ladies... listen up... it's time for some Myspace action. CLiCK HERE to hear Soko & watch a couple of her videos. You can thank me later.

HOT HOT HOT Senior Citizens

Check out best buds (& two of my favorite beauty role models), Jane Fonda & Gloria Steinem, at the premiere for "Georgia Rule". What sexiness is this?!

Please please pretty pleeease, God, let me age like they do!

Mike Skinner Talks Alot

Hotty Hot rapper-musician, Mike Skinner, just made this video, joking about his last album, talking about his upcoming live record & jamming on Razorlight's "Golden Touch". Try to hang with his rambling monologue so that you can make it through to the music. It's sweet.

BUST Magazine Preview

I love the online flip book trend. Check out THiS preview that BUST magazine did for their upcoming issue, profiling Chloe Sevigny & Patti Smith...

R.i.P. Dante's View Garden

I'm trying to blog about the fun, silly stuff to keep my mood light tonight, but I can't shut off the news, which I usually avoid like the plague... The fire I told you about, the one that's eating the heart & soul of the Hollywood Hills is spreading like, well, wild fire. It just consumed the historic garden at Dante's View & has left 2000 people without power. Homes, big, unique, vintage homes, are being threatened as it has now torched over five hundred acres & shows no sign of slowing down. I can't take the suspense. I CAN'T TAKE iT! My town! Billy just hopped in the car with his shovel to go volunteer. I hope he stays safe & doesn't try to pull any super hero stunts. I know he loves this place as much as I do & that he can get quite emotional. So, I can't blame him. We've spent countless hours sipping coffee & driving these hills for the views & fantasy house hunting. So so sad.

Los Feliz In Big Trouble

Eva Mendes Is Smokin' Hot

And.... if Jessica Stam is Best Dressed, Eva Mendes is Hottest Tamale... that creamy skin offset by 60s bombshell makeup, the dress, the hair, the sex-bomb confidence. It's enough to make a straight girl question everything.

Jessica Stam is a Goddess

I can't believe I missed her photo last night(maybe she showed up late?), but the drop dead gorgeous super model, Jessica Stam was BY FAR the best dressed at last night's Costume Institute Gala. How killer is this dress?

Los Feliz In Big Trouble

I am FREAKiNG OUT! This is the view from my front yard as I watch my beloved East Side hills burn up. Earlier in the day, the flames were threatening the zoo, so I was, of course, very worried about the animals. However, the fire is now moving away from the zoo toward the Griffith Observatory, which is equally upsetting. The Observatory is one of the crown jewels of the Hollywood Hills & they just spent years and a fortune remodeling it. AND and and, the worst news of all, the wind-fueled flames are only one hundred yards away from the Greek Theater, my all time favorite venue for live music. I look forward to seeing the White Stripes there every time they come through town & already have tix to see The Arcade Fire there next month. This is just terrible... three hundred plus beautiful acres of Griffith Park gone bye bye... one of the happiest, most romantic places to drive-ride-hike. Gone. Gone. Gone.

Best Dressed On The Red Carpet

Everybody who is anybody showed up to show off on the red carpet at tonight's MET Costume Institute Benefit Gala. Of course, most bloggers are going to post pics of such traffic-yeilding celebs as Jessica Simpson, Lindsey Lohan & the Olsen twins, but I prefer to focus on the most stylish among them...
(Who knew Sandra Bullock could be such a stunner?)