Posts from — October 2012

Stickers, pencil cases and erasers that smell like candy pretty much sum up the 5th grade for me and launched my life long love affair with Hello Kitty (and cats, in general).





Known Gallery hosted a book release and art show last week filled with paintings, sculptures and prints of our beloved childhood cat friend. The space was happy, bright and nostalgic – The show mixed in a few of my favorites RISK, Shepard Fairey, 64 Colors and Niagara. If you’re a fan and love design, check out .

After piling food on to my plate and eating like it was the last supper, I can’t believe I had the audacity to get up for seconds. It was that good. Melissa’s Produce kindly extended a delicious lunch invitation over to me (and my over-active taste buds) to help them celebrate the launch of interior designer Nathan Turner’s book American Style: Classic Design & Effortless Entertaining.





The key word being effortless for me. I love to set a beautiful table but without fuss, and too much (of the boring) formality like the perfect china and silverware. During my years curating/coordinating art-related events for museums on a budget I learned how to make simplicity work. But can’t say I’ve incorporated much of that “use your resources” creativity at home. I suffer from “floral centerpiece” syndrome. I got some great ideas though – like using herbs and vegetables as table decor. I suggest you check out Nathan Turner’s book to get some great ideas for your table settings and party it up (even if it’s just you!)

It was a Latina Magazine and Cover Girl celebration two weeks ago at the London – It was all about the perfect eye. I got to try Cover Girl’s Perfect Point Plus and Lash Blast Volume mascara.


I have very thin lashes that prefer facing south so I need all the help I can get when it comes to enhancing my eyes. My eyes are large and my lids heavy – of course my lashes would be sparse. Can’t have it all, can we? I typically use a black eye shadow and slanted edge brush to create a thin swoop above my lash line to help even things out a bit – but the pencil worked great too. I don’t do much blending during the day, but the Perfect Plus is great for that if you’d like to try a smokey eye. The Lash Blast Volume mascara didn’t clump either and easily came off with makeup remover. And my lashes looked full, which works great because unless I’m heading to a special event, I don’t have much time to glue on individual lashes. And as always, Latina Magazine threw a great party, comparable to the 15th anniversary party I attended last year.

A few weeks ago I headed to Samuel Freeman with my fellow art-loving friend Terah to check out the solo exhibition Masami Teraoka: The Cloisters Last Supper.




The exhibition featured many new paintings including a few monumental triptych pieces, which hung beautifully in the gallery. The Cloisters Last Supper exposes “after the sins have been revealed” – A very thought-provoking and sinister view of the church’s sex abuse scandals. Having grown up Catholic, and having my own faith vs. denomination views, I found the 15th century European aesthetic to be comfortable and familiar – but the actual narrative stayed with me long after. Can’t say I’ve seen such an explicit yet beautifully articulated perspective on a topic so controversial. Falling within the parameters of what happens when two worlds collide, Teraoka’s earlier watercolor Japanese inspired AIDS Series paintings can also be seen throughout the gallery space. If you’re in LA, the shows goes down this weekend.

My teen years were not easy. I was different – a bit eccentric, a bit nerdy and a bit awkward. This was ammo for neighborhood bullies. The more confident I was, the more they found to criticize – “skinny, flat chest, ugly.” I was teased, bullied and threatened on a regular basis. I was always thinking and observing everything around me. I had a big heart and big dreams, and I quickly learned how to protect it. I loved art. I loved playing with fashion. And, even though my demeanor became very self-protective, the way I felt was not going to change. [Read more →]

I’m not into the stereotypical Vegas thing, at all. I don’t gamble and I’m not sure I want to sit through a Celine Dion concert. However, the opportunity to see friends and maybe learn a thing or two – I’m so there …

I’m still getting over doing the Dougie as per Doug E Fresh himself at this year’s Blogalicious – A conference designed for influential multicultural women. It’s fellowship, celebration and plain old fun. I was happily spared of “The Strip” happenings. All the good stuff took place amongst a circle of friends and the awesome women who were there to share their inspirational journeys. I also can’t think of a place better than the Red Rock to take in a ‘luxury in the desert’ experience. Between the wandering about escapades with Ms. Presley’s Pantry herself and a spa day with the Ana and Roxana, I’m ready for the next few weeks of work.

A few days ago, when I uploaded our Blogalicious pictures onto the , I noticed I either needed to “powder my nose” more often (which is a feat because it really doesn’t occur to me when out with friends) or invest in some sort of shine free product. Coincidentally, Neutrogena recently sent me their Shine Control Line. Are they giving me a hint, maybe? The products are formulated with rice protein technology and is supposed to be shine-free for 8 hours. I haven’t tried it yet, but will let you know when I do.

(Book -The Hunger)

Who mixes pumpkins with oranges and mangos? It’s October, for crying out loud. Mangos are out. Pumpkins are in. I should stick to one seasonal theme, but Los Angeles has been behaving like mid-July. I’m hella confused. I’m still sipping on refreshing drinks while my east coast friends talk about cider and apple pie. Plus. I’m still in Vegas mode. The palm trees keep telling me to add some kick to my soda and grab a hammock. I combined Hansen’s Natural Mango Orange with red wine and created a sorta Wine Crush so fit for Summer, I can feel the ocean breeze. But I’m so happy that fall is upon us. And I cannot wait for Los Angeles to say “My bad, it’s Fall I’ll cool down now.” For now, I will thoroughly enjoy my drink – while I stare all the Fall fashion I cannot wear. After all, in a few day I will be officially be the mother a teenage boy. Bottoms up!