Urban Light

Art installation by Chris Burden.

In front of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

From any angle.

Day or night.

Canals of Venice

Have you been to Venice?

The boardwalk.

Muscle Beach.

Performance artists.

Better yet, did you walk through the canals. Oh, the canals.

Quiet and peaceful on a Sunday morning. Let's take a stroll.

A nod to its counterpart in Italy.

Modern architecture. Metals. Shine.

Around the bend.

A touch of Mediterranean.

Basic boats and boats with flair.

Outdoor living spaces.

Ducks in the water. Ducks on the path. Ducks on the docks.

Transported to another place and time.

Until, suddenly, we are startled to be back.

In Venice.

Venice, California.

And it's as though we never left.

Wall Statement

Printed on the side of a building, off Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles.

A lovely message.

...the uncommon beauty of common things.

And the Oscar goes to...

A pre-planned trip to Los Angeles coincided with the Academy Awards weekend. 

The Oscars rate much higher for me than the SuperBowl.

So I had to check out the action.

This is the last time the event will be held at the Kodak Theatre as Kodak has declared bankruptcy.

Highland was blocked off. Traffic was heavy. And the STD billboard loomed larger than the Oscar poster.

The lucky spectators are already sitting in the viewing stands as I type this.

Beautiful weekend for this event.

He said YES and then he said NO.

So Billy got the gig.

ABC is broadcasting live in just a few hours.

Robin Roberts was busy prepping yesterday afternoon.

Her sweats will be transformed into a gown.

Stand-in Sandra Bullock was used for testing sound/lighting.

Inside the Kodak building but behind the security-guarded barriers.

Everybody wants a photo with the gold statuette.

Promos being taped ahead of time.

It took a very large press pass to get inside.

Which film will get Best Picture in 2012?

OPI Nail Colors

For years, I have been wearing Revved Up and Red-y on my toes.

Adding a coat of sparkle during the holidays.

While sitting in the chair, I was told about a lawyer who consistently wore muted tones on her fingernails (in case the judge would disapprove) until she was convinced to wear bright red to a party (with the promise of a free color change the next day if she would just 'go for it'). She did. She loved it. And now wears red inside the courtroom.

I believe this story was a subtle hint to pick a new color.

I walked out in a shade of coral called Lunch at the Delhi.

What color are you wearing?

Super Fancy Cake

In January of 2010, I found a gorgeous cake while perusing the internet.

Printed the recipe.

Out came 17 pages.

SEVENTEEN PAGES.

Ok, a lot were pictures, but still, rather daunting.

So I set it aside and thought one day I will make this 17-page, 4-layer, need a blow torch, pastry cream-filled concoction.

This weekend I did.

Here is the link:

        Coconut cream cake with toasted meringue frosting

And a few shots along the way (after the cake was baked, sliced, filled).

Recipe is front and center during the entire process.

My niece helped make the 'globs'.

Almost done and looking 'glob-tastic'!

Blow torch - check. Safety goggles - check. Cake, ready to torch - check.

So excited that we didn't set the entire cake on fire...

Pretty as a picture and delicious to boot!

San Elijo Lagoon

Off the 5 Freeway. Exit Manchester. Head west.

It will be on your left hand side.

There is parking inside the gates.

Very specific parking.

For those that carpool and those that drive alternative fuel vehicles.

And then the rest of us.

Stop by the Nature Center.

Head up to the observation deck.

Walk the paths.

Sit on a bench and see who walks by.

And then admire their hand-carved walking sticks.

Learn a little something.

Try to spot a duck or two.

The place is dog friendly (must be on a leash), kid friendly (paths are flat and can handle strollers) --- good for all ages!

Rainy Day Gear

It has rained every day this week.

Every day.

To the point where homeowners trouble themselves to turn off their automated sprinkler systems.

Yet the kids walking to and from school in this area:

   a)  remain optimistic because they were raised in sunny So. Cal.

   b)  don't own a weeks' worth of long pants

   c)  are much too cool to carry an umbrella

Pillow Cases

The pillow cases stacked in our linen closet could be considered eclectic.

There is a vintage set from Grandma.

With cross-stitch hearts and scallop edges.

At the other end of the spectrum is this modern print from the Finnish company Marimekko.

For a bit of elegance, there is a crisp white set.

Complete with ties and top-stitching.

It occurs to me that our bed linens 'dress up' in many more styles than we might indulge ourselves.

At least in my case.

One peek in my clothes closet and drawers affirms that I have one distinct style.

But oh, I am beginning to think.... it would be much more fun to dress with the abandon that my pillow cases do!