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Outing Forever 21's Sins on Fashion's Night Out

September 6, 2012 3:04 PM | filed in: business, gripes, los angeles design

September 6 is Fashion's Night Out, the industry's global initiative to "restore consumer confidence" and "bring the fun back to shopping." Fashion is a tricky thing: We all want it, but we can't all afford it. When I hear people talk about how expensive clothes are or how they get all of their wardrobe at Ross, I think of two films: First, I am reminded of The Devil Wears Prada. When Andy ignorantly scoffs as the magazine staff debates which of two similar turquoise belts to use in a shoot, Meryl Streep's Miranda Priestly delivers a great speech to explain...

Whistle While You Work

December 2, 2010 10:47 PM | filed in: illustration, los angeles design, web development

Okay, I'm not whistling while I work... I'm downright singing out loud to some Natalie Cole while I work. On recent evening, instead of sitting on the sofa with the laptop, half-watching television while I work, I've been escaping to the office and turning up iTunes while I work. I think I've been more productive. Even though I can't listen to music without singing, this kind of multi-tasking (belting and coding) seems to work better than the TV-and-laptop combo.So anyway, I've been whistling singing quite a bit over the past couple of months (since last I updated the site). Here's...

Carpool Couple

April 20, 2010 9:57 PM | filed in: los angeles design

It's been a rough few days. We've been getting up at 5:00am so we can exercise with the dog and both get ready in time to hit the road by 6:45. Then we drive (slowly) to get me to an office in Burbank by 7:45 so Dan can get to an office in West Hollywood by 9:00. When he leaves work (quittin' time is 6:00pm, but today he didn't get out 'til 6:30), we reverse the process. Today I had to get out of the office at 7:00pm so it could be locked up, so I decided to walk to...

Shout-Out on the Radio!

March 22, 2010 11:08 AM | filed in: graphic design & business, los angeles design, web development

When my client Tuck Self interviewed another of my clients, Nikki Nokes, about her book Maybe It's You, somehow I came up! They called me "amazing" and "a mind reader." Cool. About Tuck: Her show, Claim Your Voice, Own Your Life, features women who live with bold self-expression. Topics are centered around personal growth, alternative health, and spirituality. Check out this radio talk show for women!About Nikki: Maybe It's You is a book of advice (based on research) about how single women can become successful daters--and get "unsingle." She includes videos and blog entries with dating advice for women.Want in...

Thank You for Trying, Las Vegas Art Scene

March 6, 2010 4:05 PM | filed in: art, just for fun, los angeles design

This weekend, I am in Las Vegas for some family stuff. For once, our visit has coincided with the city's First Fridays gallery night, during which a normally super-sketch neighborhood becomes a welcoming stretch with open doors for art patrons. We decided to check it out while we had the chance, since our impromptu gallery visits here have always resulted in a disappointed "Oh, they're closed. Again. Or still. Or for good." The first stop was an old, two-story factory building that has been converted into a maze of mini-galleries. There must be close to 50 vendors in this building...

When It Comes to Work, Always Overprepare

January 5, 2010 4:40 PM | filed in: los angeles design, photography

Right before Christmas, I did a product photo shoot with the fine creative team at ferroconcrete. I was anxious to see their office, since a) I'm always curious about the spaces in which other designers work, and b) the work on their site shows a sleek, modern aesthetic. Indeed, their loft space at The Met is just the kind of office I'd like to have... tall ceilings, tons of windows, concrete floors, and that touch o'Ikea that's a pre-requisite to loft living/working. (Also, The Met has a cool entrance feature, where blocks on the ground light up -- and sound...

Showing Up is Half the Accomplishment, Right?

December 20, 2009 10:12 AM | filed in: inspiration, just for fun, los angeles design

A few weeks ago, I registered Dan and myself for a Sunday-morning 5K Jingle Bell Run. A friend of mine has a family tradition of doing a Jingle Bell Run in Illinois every December, so I was familiar with how it goes: Everyone shows up in Christmas costumes, wears jingle bells, and generally has a good time while they race the short trail. I've never taken part in it myself but have wanted to, so this year, we decided a West Coast branch would be established. I registered without knowing that the weekend would be one of our busiest in...

Have a Happy (Stylish) Halloween

October 31, 2009 10:27 AM | filed in: inspiration, just for fun, los angeles design

Who doesn't like Heidi Klum? She sure has plenty to be jealous of. Her modeling-cum-hosting career and body-that-bounces-back-from-pregnancy-like-no-one's-business are enviable enough that most people (women, at least) could easily relegate her to the "bitch" bin... but then she talks about her family or does an interview and once again reveals herself as a kind and good-humored person. Her nature is amplified every year at Halloween, when she steps out in well-executed (usually nerdy... I mean, this year, she was Eve's apple to Seal's Eve) costumes for her annual bash--and acts like a total geek on the red carpet, knowing full...

The Problem with Spec Work... Again, for Those Who Didn't Hear

October 16, 2009 7:59 AM | filed in: business, graphic design & business, gripes, los angeles design

What is "spec work" and why is it bad? "Spec" stands for "speculative." Spec work is "work done prior to engagement with a client in anticipation of [possibly] being paid," according to AIGA. (Boiled down: Spec is knowingly working without a guarantee of compensation.) Spec work can be disguised as: • Pro bono/volunteer work - This is work usually performed for not-for-profit or struggling organizations. Companies tout the good feelings associated with voluntarism.• Contests - People submit their designs to a judging panel on the chance of winning a (usually small) prize. Even large companies pull this one. We've all...

Three Movies with Really Nice Palettes

October 15, 2009 9:18 PM | filed in: art, graphic design & business, inspiration, los angeles design

Some movies are visually memorable because the director uses a limited palette (or applies a filter to mute colors). Here are three favorites: Swept Away: Yes, everyone knows what a crapfest this movie was, but no one can confidently deny the beauty of the cinematography. And when it comes to the palette... Look! Even when they were in a lifeboat drifting toward a vacant island, the male star happened to be wearing some navy blue. Palette: tan, brown, gold, cream, navy blue, blackSky Captain & the World of Tomorrow: This was a so-so movie, but the overall look was remarkable...

Countdown to Civilization?

August 21, 2008 10:31 PM | filed in: gripes, hopes & dreams, los angeles design

We're almost there. One of these days, soon--perhaps even within a week--, our home will have an active phone line (our impending "launch date" only required that I virtually threaten AT&T with cancellation and no future business if they didn't figure out the problem) and high-speed wireless Internet access (oh, that's a dandy, too). Then, sometime after that, we hope to have hot water. We have found that leaving the setting on cold actually results in warmer water than turning it to hot; Dan cleverly determined that the cold water pipes run along the roof, while the "hot" supply is...

Hey, My First Earthquake

July 29, 2008 10:30 PM | filed in: gripes, los angeles design

Weird. Everything is fine.

You Know What's Fun?

July 10, 2008 10:25 PM | filed in: inspiration, just for fun, los angeles design

Carmina Burana at the Hollywood Bowl.Baritone Eugene Chan (a last-minute replacement!) was AMAZING.

Home Sweet Home

July 2, 2008 10:27 PM | filed in: art, just for fun, los angeles design

So, we are finally in our new place. There's a lot to do before it feels homey, but we've slept here five nights and feel like it's our place... Yesterday we bought a big-ass sofa, the Lancaster from Restoration Hardware. We've been wanting it for a couple of years, and the kicker is that we negotiated the price down and got a couple thousand off the regular price! Cash is king. The bad part is that we have to wait six weeks to have it made. We have no internet right now, so I am not able to keep up...

Our New Place

July 1, 2008 10:23 PM | filed in: just for fun, los angeles design, photography

As of July 15, we will be living at Daly Street Lofts. Home sweeeeet home! Check out these pics of the new digs: More images at Flickr

So Excited...

May 24, 2008 10:20 PM | filed in: art, los angeles design

Last weekend, we bought a couple of paintings by Chase Osborne and a third by Mike Bilz (who looks like he could be my brother, by the way... definitely has some Viking blood). I think we get to pick them up today. There's not much space on our walls, but I'm sure we'll manage.

In the Works...

May 4, 2008 10:08 PM | filed in: art, business, los angeles design

...so much! I will give updates soon. I was sick on Friday and spent the whole day in bed or on the sofa. Yesterday we ran around a lot -- meeting with friends to discuss plans about a top-secret project, flying to Dan's art opening downtown (he sold 13 pieces last night!), and attending a closing party for a show he was part of in Costa Mesa. Today is all about catching up on work and relaxing in pjs. Back to work...

Guess Which Jackson* I Saw Today?

February 23, 2008 9:44 PM | filed in: just for fun, los angeles design

Jermaine.He parked his Rolls-Royce next to my Ford Focus hatchback and went into Subway. At 9:30am. (I was in the same lot to go to the bank.)Dan pointed out that upon acquiring a certain car, you're no longer allowed to patronize certain establishments. His exact words were: "Ooh, classy gentleman. For lunch, he will drive his Bugatti Veyron to Church's Chicken... for dinner, his Bentley BACK to Subway. Why doesn't he just go off-road mudding while he's at it?"*Jackson as in "of the Jackson 5."

Tonight Was Caaarrrraaazy

February 14, 2008 9:36 PM | filed in: art, los angeles design

So, tonight was the first Thursday of the month, another Downtown Art Walk... so instead of the usual Thursday-night activity (um, non-activity), we were at The Hive manning Dan's studio. As previously mentioned, I don't care for Valentine's Day, so that wasn't a big deal, but I am on the brink of sickness, very tired, and very behind on work.Things started slowly, but it really got busy, and since the curator was busy running around to help clients, I lent a hand in the store. I reached way back in my subconscious and pulled out my retail experience -- and...

So Much to Do, So Little Time...

February 7, 2008 9:29 PM | filed in: business, just for fun, los angeles design

What a week. Actually, what a month. Things have been hecticker than hectic here... and that's how I like it. Sort of. Nothing is worse than sitting around with nothing to do. (Of course, I haven't had nothing to do for many, many years.) Having too much to do is a little stressful, and I often feel like my overall productivity decreases if there's too much on my plate... like my brain thinks about all there is to do and has trouble focusing that energy on actually doing that all.Anyway:How about Super Tuesday?I have a confession to make so I...

Isn't It Kind of Hilarious When...

January 18, 2008 9:19 PM | filed in: gripes, just for fun, los angeles design

...someone can be seen publicly being swallowed by a cult, but he has no idea? If you haven't seen the Tom Cruise KSW (Keep Scientology Working) video, you HAVE to go to Gawker.com and check it out. I guess he IS a raving lunatic and is so far gone that he believes he and other Scientologists are the only ones who know the "realities of the world." I'm sure if you sat with him and had a conversation about the criteria that qualify a group as a cult, Tom would reject those criteria because they aren't endorsed by Scientology. "We...

Yeah, I'm the Crazy One

January 16, 2008 9:11 PM | filed in: art, just for fun, los angeles design

The other night, Dan and I had plans to go down to his gallery for an event after I got off work. The artist who shares his space, Macsorro, asked us to pick him up on our way; he said he'd wait at an intersection near our house. I thought I'd save a few minutes by picking up Macsorro* if he was waiting at the designated spot when I passed it on my way home to get Dan. I had only met him once and couldn't remember what he looked like, but Dan gave me a brief description on the...

Downtown LA Art Walk

January 11, 2008 8:59 PM | filed in: art, los angeles design

Each second Thursday of the month, downtown LA crawls with hipsters and collectors looking to get drunk on plastic cups of red wine... and hot new art. The monthly Downtown Art Walk is sponsored by LA, and the City and included galleries make it easy for people easily rattled by the gritty downtown scene: Free shuttle service circles a loop lined with about 30 galleries, and most are open for extended hours for the after-work crowd. The City also provides a map to aid in self-guided tours. On Art Walk nights, I'm usually at The Hive Gallery, where Dan is...

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