Monthly Archives: October 2010

Hollah! weenie

Exhausted!! I just got home, it’s been a long but super fun day. I started on my costume around 11am. I am Mrs. Procrastinator when it comes to getting ready. I somehow get wrapped up in doing my hair and makeup and it ends up taking HOURS!! I feel like putting on make up is my primal ritual, similiar to Joan Crawford’s regime in Mommy Dearest, it feels cathartic for me. I would go without food so I could buy a new shadow. I have trouble walking past a Sephora without peeking in. I really get stopped on the street by folks inquiring about my makeup. Well, today I used a TON of makeup so I decided to document what went into my 60’s look.

 

Fresh faced, I use Eucalyptus & Tree Tea oil facial wash from The Body Shop
 
My foundation is heavier than I would wear regularly. I knew I would need long term coverage so I broke out the what Antz likes to refer to as “Clown face” My everyday base: Smashbox Tint w/SPF 45, MAC Prep + Prime *for my eyelids, this is what keeps my eyeshadow bright* and I use my MAC concealer brush to apply the base *I try not to use my fingers to apply makeup because it smudges and adds oil to my face.*
 
After applying Smashbox Photo Finish primer *the best for photos, diminishes oily T-zone* I used Nars  foundation in Tahoe, mixed with Smashbox in Medium M2, I also used MAC Studio Sculpt concealer to cover my dark undereye bags and MAC Select Cover-Up as my highlighter *on my jaw bone and bow bone* 
 
I hardly use liquid liner because I pretty much use my MAC Kohl eyeliner in Smolder everyday but since I wanted a Bridgette Bardot eye, I lined my upper lid with Urban Decay liquid liner in Revolver. Lower lids I used Nars eyeliner in Black Moon *for my wings*
 
I only wear falsies for special occasions so they are perfect for a 60’s look *love that period in fashion* I like fake lashes by Japonesque these have a crisscross pattern and a hint of shimmer *I have a pair by Makeup Forever with feathers on them, they are mega fierce*
 
An hour in…I even used lip liner *which I never do because my lips are crooked* Nars lip liner in Jungle Red
 
 
So what kind of weirdo uses 3 mascaras?…this guy! I start with MAC Prep + Prime to plump up my puny lashes, then I apply my falsies *which always makes me cry so I have to reapply several coast of foundation and eyeliner* next I use Maybelline XXX *they are the BEST for mascara* and finish with a coat of Great Lash *and pray I don’t look like Tammy Faye Baker*
 
Shadow is my favorite part. I usually love to go nuts with wacky colors but since I was going for a conservative look, I chose warm browns: Nars Duo in Balthazar, Nars shadow in Goldfinger to highlight and MAC in Amber Lights and Coppering. I typically use Nars brushes for a majority of my makeup but for my eyes I am partial to my Chanel brushes. They cost an arm and a leg but they are totally worth the investment *I will hand them down to Liv* The secret to blending and making a dramatic eye is well-kept brushes, I wash my brushes with baby shampoo and let them air dry overnight. The better quality your brush, the less product you end up using. This is as close as I will ever get to wearing Chanel. 🙁
 

Next is blush: Nars in Amour and I wait till I have finshed my hair before I put on my lipstick *blow drying my hair is not fun when I have lipstick on*

Hair products are my crack, I am a sucker for great hair products, I use Bumble & Bumble Smoothing Creme prior to blow drying, then after I flat iron it to death I use a serum to control my frizz. Because I had my Snookie pomp going on I used Sebastian holding hair spray which holds without feeling like glue.
So I finish with MAC Fix+ Mist *it’s supposed to set your face so your makeup won’t run/streak but I think I got tricked into buying a $19 bottle of water*
 
Here’s my final face *along with my lovely fairy*
 
 
 
We made it to Antz job just in time for the costume contest
 
 
My vote goes for Monkey Business Antz *why did he think his banana was a cell phone?*
 
Banana vs Monkey
 
Dave was some dude from Resident Evil
 
Never found out who Jack was
 
Story was adorable Hit-Girl from Kick Ass *sooo appropriate for her*
 
Nic was a convict *I think she was channeling Lil’ Wayne* but she was carrying a butcher knife…?
 
Vinnie was awesome as Ash from Army of Darkness, his chainsaw even worked!

 

 
 Natalie and Tom *also from Resident Evil*…ahhh those gamers!!
 
Heather is a wench… what? she is!!
 
Leslie, I mean Emily the Strange and kitty Joice *super cute*
 
Godmom and Liv
 
Cheer Squad *they won 2nd place*
 
Jem is truly outrageous!!
 
Jeff is a Batman fanatic *last year he won as Two-Face* he actually shaved his hair into a question mark.
 
Jeff is serious about his Batman
 
Alas, the winner *umm, forgot her name* but she deserved it, the game actually worked!!
 
She is known for her awesome costumes, last year she won as this…
 
she said she was retiring from the contest because she wanted to give someone else a chance to win, haha! After the contest Liv and I hung out in Antz office while he finished up some work.
 
He has quite the toy collection *most of these were his when he was a little boy*
 
Then it was time to head over to the Nickelodeon Studios party in Burbank.
 
I made myself right at home with the food booths

 

 
Family Portrait
 
 
Ok, this guy rules at life, He had the BEST costume I have ever seen. This shit deserves a drumroll….
BEETLEJUICE
 
I grabbed him for a pic, his hat spun around and lit up, it was SUPER RAD!!!
 
I love the Team Zissou crew *one of my favorite movies*
 
This guy was awesome, I think he was Grady from The Shining *my #1* but it wasn’t clear because he was a bellhop and Grady was the caretaker…either way he had an awesome suitcase with stickers from the Shining so he was alright in my book.
 
 
Antz and some random guy
 
Leela from Futurama
 
Story came with us but left early because she had to walk her doggie.
 
There was tons of activities *face painting, pumpkin and cookie decorating, slime making, that’s Nick for ya*
Inside the whole office was converted into a series of mazes. The first ones were pretty lame but they had a Alice in Wonderland one that was really cool.
 
There was an actual rabbit hole that you have to crawl through
 
That’s Antz monkey mask in the pics, he didn’t even know it was in the way

 

 
There was close to 12 mazes total and at the end of each one they gave out candy
 
Our Loot! We weren’t greedy *this time*
 
We hung out in the lounge with Leslie & Stephen *not that many folks from Antz job came*
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
A bunch of folks came up to us to tell us how adorable Olivia is, one lady even took pictures of her. She had a ball! We were so happy to have her with us this year *for the past 10 years we’ve been saying how cool it would be to bring a baby to an event like this* Sadly there was no Yo Gabba Gabba! characters but we had a blast anyway. I can’t believe we have 2 parties tomorrow and we are taking Antz sister to the animal shelter to help her pick out a new kitty. Then Sunday we are going to the Venice canals to trick or treat, Whew, I am super tired. Mix tape Friday will have to take a rain check for next week.
 
Yawn,
Nighty Night!!

Halloweeners

Yep, I am queen of the double entendres! So last night Antz massacred some fabric trying to sew together a monkey costume. The more he worked on it, the worse it became, it was not working. Poor baby, he kept asking me what I thought and I gave him one of these

*I LOVE that face!!* Aimee and I say that to each other like 500 times a day. So he went to bed a bit sadders about his lame costume. I kept telling him, he could always break out the Leprechon look if he can’t come up with anything. Well, my dear husband is King of throwing something random together, he was hell bent on being a monkey so he was up early putting together what he likes to call

“Monkey Business”
He made the banana, and borrowed my Uggs! *should I be bummed that my hubby fits my shoes*
Complete with tail, I don’t know how he does it, total MacGuyver move.

He just aimed me that noone at work knows who he is, they think he made the monkey head *he bought it from a Thrift shop last night* Haha, I think he looks very Paul Frank chic, he pulled it off *again, at the last second*

But to be honest we both know we could have done better this year. We usually go all out for Halloween but next year will be a family costume. Liv is wearing her fairy costume *hooray for laziness on my part*

I need to jump in the shower and start on my makeup, I will try to get as many pics as I can but Antz isn’t here to be my photographer *Boo!* I am going to Antz job early so I can take pics of the costume contest and then we are going to the Nick party. You’ll have to forgive me but Mixtape Friday may be delayed until tonight *My Halloween Hits*. Later Skaters!!

P.S. Thankies to my 9 lovelies, I appreciate you taking time to read about the chronicles of a dork like me!!

Halloween Costume dress rehearsal

Well, I am going to be a 1960’s housewife à la Mad Men. I wanted to keep it a secret until I was in full costume until I saw I blabbed about it here. Shows how well I can keep a secret. So, my vision was retro refinement. I pulled out my beauty school arsenal and instantly added 12 inches to my hair.

I wish my hair would grow this long *it was pretty full and long when I was a kid*
This is the look I was going for…
 Yet this is closer to my result
I attempted to sew a petticoat of black tulle to give my dress more volume but it came out terribly. Antz convinced me to go without it. I am not so happy with the total look but maybe some crazy makeup and if I can find my fake cigarettes, I’ll resemble someone from the 60’s.
Gasp, I hope I don’t embarass myself *won’t be the first time* at least I am going for comfort over style. I have a pair of badass black pumps but I refuse to have my feet kill me and I don’t want to topple over while holding Olivia. Antz picked up a costume after work and he’s working his magic now. He sure knows how to make it work at the last minute.

Time for a Real-i-ty check

See what I did there? So reality has been setting in and it’s time for me to face realty facts. The first, we may not be able to sell our house in the next 4 years *our neighborhood is in a ridiculously low price range* so selling at a profit is laughable and second fact, even if we were able to sell *by some miracle* my dream house may not be for sale. So faced with these unwanted truths, I need to come up with a serious game plan. Four and a half years isn’t that much time in California real estate. When we started looking to buy *way back in 2005* we spent every weekend *and some Thursday evenings* for a year and a half at open houses. By the height of the cuuurazy housing bubble, we were putting in offers on houses sight unseen and even considering 1 bedroom/1 bath just to get into our desired neighborhood *back then we wanted Eagle Rock*. That was the old days, the sensationalism is now gone, people are taking their time, loans are harder *close to impossible* to get. We are stuck smack dab in the middle, too poor to be rich and too rich to be poor. I keep hearing my Mom’s voice in the back of my head telling us to wait to buy. Well if it were up to her, we would have built our own mini-estate on her 10 acres *complete with pool* in Apple Valley yet she still isn’t convinced that Antz 4 hour daily commute isn’t fathomable. The neighborhood I want to move into has pros & cons, even if we were in a position to buy, I only have eyes for my lovely dream house

Although I would have to paint a red door *Chinese tradition says red doors bring prosperity & luck* and address the lack of a step issue.

I really wouldn’t want to even live in Atwater Village unless I bought that house *the brat in me is alive and well* Everyone keeps telling me I’ll find another house that is better but I have done my research, there are very few houses that have all the amenities I am looking for.

Dream House Pros:

LOCATION – not only in Atwater Village *the area with less crime and nicer homes*, but within walking distance to Glendale Blvd shops, in close enough walking distance to Los Feliz shops and restaurants, far enough from heavy traffic, sweet area full of families. We have walked there often and met rad, friendly people like us! In the vicinity of Griffith Park, great schools *Liv’s Preschool* and less than 10 minutes to Antz job. Yet it’s still close to all our regular places; Fresh & Easy, In & Out, my dry cleaners ans car wash, we already know a rad couple who live in the neighborhood, the Americana & less than 20 minute drive to Olivia’s future elementary school. That has me sold already!!

1920’s Spanish style – Although I am more of a Craftsman bungalow type girl, this Spanish has the most unique features

the fireplace is super awesome *and it works*
I love the 2-story bathroom

Rumor has it, an architect once owned the house and added the 2nd story in the bathroom because there was a lack of natural light. I love the height of the ceiling but the baby blue must go! I can live with the light fixture for now.

I love the arches and Moorish details
Barrel ceilings
Not a fan of the previous owner’s furniture but I could see our style fitting cohesively with the house. The faux paint has got to go. Every room in this house needs paint and new flooring.
This huge arched window in the living room is my favorite feature.
Formal dining room, yet open to the living room so I can complete #6 on my Life list.

Small yet perfect for me *the non-chef* galley kitchen with eat-in breakfast nook. I LOVE the retro stove and stone flooring

I have never been a fan of granite, I would most likely install marble countertops and cement tile backsplash
I’ve always wanted a dutch door, which I would paint pink.
Although I admit, this is more like my dream kitchen!!
white, bright with an island

It’s an older home *which gives it room for renovation* but has so much character and surprises. The house has room for improvement but we won’t have to sink most of our money into big structural *not fun* projects like our house does. Besides paint, refinishing the floors, decor, new light fixtures and window treatments, it’s move in ready! So many sweet elements make this house my absolute favorite!

this space off the master has so much potential

SECURE/PRIVACY – After spending the last 4 years in a secluded property *well at least in our backyard* a private living space is a necessity. This house already has an alarm installed and although the fence needs replacing in the front yard, it’s gated. Our old apartment’s balcony faced 3 other apartments and it was awkward sitting out there with 3 other people staring at you. The backyard has total privacy and high trees and bushes to keep the looky-loo’s at bay. As well as, a locked front gate to stop the unwanted solicitors.

Look how happy this guy looks by the pool!

GUEST HOUSE – I used to think a guest house is unnecessary but this one is a total bonus. With my Mom/Mom-in-law, BFF, and friends who tend to get drunk and are unable to drive home, this has become a must have. I also like the idea of having an entertaining space that won’t wreck our entire house *as well as guests not using our bathroom, yecch* When we visit our friend Keith’s to go swimming, I always feel weird using his *very manly* shower so I always fantasized about having the perfect guest bathroom, with tons of towels, guest toiletries and a dryer right there to throw their wet bathing suits in.

It’s a large space with room for a sleeper sofa and a bar
I would also use the guest house as a craft space

2 BEDROOMS/DEN – Since our family is now VERY complete, I know exactly how much space we will need. We have 2 bedrooms now but Antz lost his separate office when we converted into Liv’s room and I never had an office space *I have a tiny desk in our bedroom* of my own so I roam around the house on my laptop. I would love a den that would serve as our family multi-purpose room *both our offices, our TV room and a casual hangout room* I love the layout, it’s perfect for our needs.

The media center is hidden behind the doors
This is a nice outdoor space for a lounge set

POOL/PRIVATE BACKYARD – I grew up swimming everyday. I need to be in the water. I want to teach Olivia to swim like a fish. Not having a pool in California is like not having air conditioning in Las Vegas. I have searched every single house *thanks to Google Maps* in Atwater Village and of the 20 or so that have in-ground swimming pools, this house is the only one that has all the requirements I need. I want a small enough pool that it doesn’t feel like a chore to maintain, round shaped and it’s already set up with solar heat. There was another pool house a few blocks from this house for sale but it was much smaller, didn’t have a guest house, traditional style *yawn, boring*  the backyard didn’t have any grass *concrete is lame*, the pool was outdated and lined in brick and no privacy. I even considered scheduling an appt. just to see it but Antz and I walked past it one evening and saw the condition of the house and the street it was on and were totally turned off. Now look at this beauty…

The only thing I would change is converting it to a salt water system

I LOVE that the previous owner had this sanctuary area off of the master bedroom *so something I want to do* and although there is more trees than I would care to have, it feels very tranquil. I would add a water feature or even a pond. That is something I haven’t found in other houses, the feeling of a resort in your own backyard. Although our house has beautiful 180 views, you have to look past the dozens of rooftops and crappy surrounding houses. It may be worth not having the hillside views to not hear my *eye roll* horrible neighbors.

I LOVE the outdoor fireplace, *after a makeover* it will be perfect for roasting s’mores!!

Well, believe it or not, there are some Cons to consider.

Sustainability of the neighborhood – I worry that the recession will continue to force all the Mom & Pop shops to close on Glendale Blvd which would negate the charm about Atwater that we love. So many of my favorite shops *Coldstone Creamery {which I know isn’t a M&P but I love their ice cream} Black Maria Gallery, Amelia Fitzwater {cutesy shop} and All Aboard boutique* have already closed which sucks. There still is a strong community energy that we don’t have in Highland Park. People actually smile and say “hi” when you walk past them. There are community activities *an active Neighborhood Council, Atwater Summer Nights, Trick or Treating, Christmas Tree Lighting and Movies in the Park* besides crappy garage sales and taco trucks that’s all Highland Park is famous for. As you saw last week, even celebs frequent the area and I have read that Canele is owned by a celeb’s wife.

CRIME – No matter where you go, it’s still LA, there is still crime/homelessness. Antz and I have spent alot of time in the area and have always felt comfortable walking around *particularly past dark* but there is the seedy area near the LA river that bothers me. I have read about homicides, burglary, cars being broken into or windows being smashed and there’s a paint your curb scheme constantly happening. It’s less crime than Highland Park but enough to keep the doors locked and the alarm set.

NO GARAGE – I have been spoiled having my garage at this house, as little as I use it *I just shuttle in and out of my car and occasionally take out the garbage* not having a garage to park my car seems tragic. I have a solution to this problem but it would take space away in the backyard that I wanted to use to set up a play area for Olivia.

Use this grassy corner

To build a 10 x 10 Modern Shed *similar to this* in the backyard corner

We need the storage and ideally a space for home improvement projects. Antz has always parked his truck on the street so I would park my car in the driveway. It’s all about compromise!

ONE BATHROOM/TINY CLOSETS – Currently, the house has only 1 bathroom. I vowed to never live with one bathroom again. Liv will one day need her own bathroom, and I would love a huge master bathroom. The bright side is, we could add a guest bathroom to the guest house. The not-so-bright side is who wants to go to the guest house to take a shower? That leads me to the small closet space problem. I have monopolized our bedroom closet *I swear, I do not have that many clothes* so Antz has been using the office closet well, now that we have an addition to our clan, he is now sharing the tiny closet with his daughter. In the near future, that will no longer be an option and Antz will have to keep his clothes in the backyard. This house has even smaller closets *love how economical those folks in the 20’s were* BOO!

The spacious master bedroom closet, no I’m serious!
The second closet in the den

So despite having the closets outfitted by Easy Closets and condensing our wardrobes to the bare minimum, I will be pretty miserable with the closet space and storage. We are bursting at the seams now, I can’t imagine not having more closet space in our future home. I have always envisioned an adorable closet like this one

01_rect540

I would love to have a craft closet like this one

PRICE – Bah, this one grumps me out the most. It always boils down to money. I can rationalize till the cows come home but the fact is, I don’t know if *who am I kidding, I know* we can afford this house. Purchasing our house was a breeze, we had a good mortgage broker, decent credit, we had a pre-approval letter for $600k fromt he bank, a drama-free closing and we were able to negotiate *thanks to our wonderful agent* so we got all of our closing costs back at escrow. The time’s they are a’ changing! Even if, we sold *which I have no clue how that can happen* we would have to sell at a loss which leave no profit to use as a 10 or 20% down payment. And even if, the house was for sale Zillow is zestimating the value at $723k. It is literally is the most expensive house on the block. We would have to be able to afford that price range and getting a 30 year fixed mortgage today is near impossible. Olivia’s school tuition/my travel plans,  spending money to repair our house to sell…we can’t afford it! I know what’s in my heart and I know this Atwater Village house is in my heart. I am used to challenges and making things happen. For the first time ever, I am completely clueless how I can make this happen. I am beyond grateful that we have our modest little house. I am beyond happy my hubby has an awesome job that provides us the luxury of me being able to stay at home and take care of Liv. I am so counting my blessings that we are happy and have more than we need. I just want to provide Liv with a safe environment that allows her to have a rad childhood. I don’t see that happening here. There are no parks I would take her to around here. I can’t take evening walks with her around this area *so not safe and full of barking vicious guard dogs* and we spend so much of our time in Atwater Village that I feel like such a poser, why can’t I make this work??!!

meh?

Olivia Lily’s nursery revisit

My little girl isn’t so little anymore, she is 21 years weeks old!!. I can’t even recognize her from her birth photos.

*Sorry, this is Back to the Future Liz, I know this is cheating but I needed a post with all her weeklies*
Liv was more interested in reaching for my camera than posing, it was a hilarious shoot this week!!
I have been spending so much time in the nursery, I thought it would be nice to see the difference from 5 months ago. Liv’s nursery was even featured on Lil Sugar and OhDeeDoh. This was Antz old office back in March 2010.
The man cave Before
Why we painted it in that awful red and brown, I’ll never know. Maybe we were watching too much of The Shining!

I love how fresh paint can transform a room!
I think the neutral furniture palette was a wise choice. The furniture won’t be dated in 5 years and the accessories bring the color to the room so if we want to change colors everything will be cohesive.
The handmade mobile of us. Created by Anthony after hearing me moan and groan about ugly mobiles.
 Her tiny closet
Before
After *I was 6 months preggers at this point*. Today it’s packed to the top!
You’ve come a long way, BABY!
I can’t wait until next March so we can work on the kitchen, bathroom and garage.
It is beyond ridiculous how excited I am about this outfit Antz found on Etsy for Olivia to wear to Yo Gabba Gabba live show next month!! OMG!! So flipping cute!!

I am ordering it as soon as I find out if she can make it in Liv’s size because her shop only has size 12 months and up. HAPPY HAPPY!!

Oh, how does my garden grow!

Last week we had some rainy weather and it helped our sad back yard garden.

We are growing mushrooms!! Hope there’s some gnomes living in there too

This is making me excited for spring because *hopefully* Liv will be walking and she can play outside. We have to get her a playset with a swing. I’v been agonizing over her Christmas list. I have a 10% off discount at Target but I really can’t find anything I like much *with the exception of the Fisher Price vintage toys* and this nap set.
I wish Liv was old enough for this mega cute outfit from Nordstrom. I know it will sell out by the time she can fit it. I would wear it, if it came in my size!

Paranormal Activity 2 *was a bust*

Yesterday we went to Pasadena to use a gift card I got from the Right Start. Since we were in the area, we stopped by my favoritest store in the world *which of course is Anthropologie* to check out the kid’s clothing line. The saleswoman told me they always have kid’s clothes at holiday time so I know they are out for a limited time. Hopefully, I’ll score some good stuff on sale *which she won’t be able to wear for a few years*

Me having my typical Anthro freak out, I love to sniff everything!!!

It was so difficult to not buy everything in this corner!!

I love this hat for Liv!!

I tried to get my jump photo of the week but Antz couldn’t get a good one of me. I had to take one of him since he told me I needed to improve on my jumping skills. I am convinced it’s my photography skills that captured this awesome jump!

So we were looking for where to eat lunch and I wanted Bob’s Big Boy for brunch *that’s alot of B’s*
however Antz wanted Chipotle so I gave in. We hadn’t eaten there in a while and I wanted a quesidilla.

I can’t get enough slobber kisses!!

We finally bought the Fisher Price Vintage toys I’ve been wanting for some time now for Liv’s Christmas presents.

Since I had a gift card I was thinking of getting her a Bumbo seat but The Right Start only had a Bebe Pod by Prince Lionheart.

We had to put Liv in it because although the box says 3-12 months we along with the sales ladies agreed she’d definitely outgrow it by the time she was 6 months. We also made the discovery that based off of Liv’s height, she may be outgrowing her car seat soon than expected. I really like this convertible seat from Clek that we can take to London since it folds as a backpack and it got great ratings on Amazon.

I also picked up some Diaper Dekor refills and more Mustela moisturizer *love how yummy it smells*. As we were leaving Antz mentioned that they didn’t have any Yo Gabba Gabba! toys so I got the brilliant idea that we need to make an outfit for Liv to wear to the show in November. Crafty Antz said let’s go to Michaels and get some felt and I’ll make a Brobee shirt. We picked up the felt *for a whopping $3* and made it home in time for his sister Debra to arrive to babysit Liv.
We rushed to Paramount and just missed the first 5 minutes of Paranormal Activity 2 *but we didn’t miss much* We saw the first one and I thought that one was much scarier since it was original and we didn’t know what to expect. The second one was just a lot of the same with a lame ending. Almost everyone in the theater hung out until the credits were over expecting more to happen *a bunch of nothing, so I guess that leaves it open to a part 3, BOO!*
We went home and Debra had made spaghetti for us for dinner, so we ate and had some red wine *Yellowtail, I believe* and I made cookies. Deb hung out for awhile which was fun and we had a nice time. We had a chance to catch up on our DVR shows and made it to bed before midnight *hence no post last night* Another quite boring day in my life but I am perfectly content. I am smacking myself for slacking on sewing my fabric for my Halloween costume. I also just found out that not everyone from Antz job was invited to the party this Friday so we don’t know who will be there *LAME* If noone we know is going we just might slag it off and stick to our original plan of Trick or Treat on the BOOlevard in Atwater Village. Although, there is a high possibility that Nick Jr. characters *crossing my fingers Yo Gabba Gabba* may be at his company party and I can never pass up a photo op!! You know what’s sucks?? I had this Brobee pillow in my Amazon cart and today I checked it and the price went from $16 to $30!! *LAME TO THE MAX!!*

Getting Down in Downtown *Boy, was that lame*

Ok, sorry for the corny title but today we met Carlos & Steph in his clothing studio in Downtown. Carlos and his friend has a men’s loungewear line called Necessary Baggage *we went to their launch party back in January* For years I have wanted to check out a loft in downtown and today I got my wish. Carlos’s studio is just a few blocks from Mac & Cheeza. His place is super rad..

Carlos’s building *sooo awesome, marble everywhere*

Looks like my kind of place….I need a snack town in my house!!
These stairs were amazing but they gave me vertigo

I love this antique sewing machine. I wish I knew how to sew!! I’ll be hand sewing my Halloween costume tomorrow.

I adore treasures like this fabulous mail box, why don’t they make cool stuff like this anymore?
 Carlos’s clothing line *Buy some for your guy, they are super cool!!*
This is my absolute favorite building in downtown, I want to live there *in my pretend life*

We shopping for fabric for my costume *love the neon animal prints*
I love this fabric, so creature-looking. I really want Antz to be Brobee or Dj Lance for Halloween but he is still undecided.

That is one fuckin’ huge bag!!

Check out the Antoine Dobson sunglasses *I should have bought them!!*
FABulous!!

Antz made these super rad caricatures of them for their wedding programs. He is so amazingly talented *swoon*
Well, I have tons more pictures to upload to flickr so I’m calling it a night. I am really looking forward to seeing Paranormal Activity 2 tomorrow, Aimee saw it with Holden tonight and she said it’s majorly scary. I am definitely a screamer so I will be breaking Anthony’s hands and sleeping with the lights on!!
I leave you with my Homeboy…so you can run and tell dat *haha*

The Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros

Tonight Antz took me to one of my favorite eateries, Alcapulcos in Atwater Village. I was cramming chips and salsa down my throat so much my jaws hurt. So we decided it would be wise to take a brisk, evening walk after our meal. As we were sauntering down the boulevard, I joked to Antz that guy in the Vietnamese noodle restaurant looked like Bret from Flight of the Conchords. Antz said THAT REALLY IS BRETT!! I did a serious double take and indeed it was Bret McKenziein *my* Atwater Village slurping noodles. I smacked my forehead and said D’oh because I foolishly left the Nikon at home *didn’t think I needed to schlep it around* and I wasted the battery on the Canon Powershot taking pics at Alcapulcos so my only option was my crappy iPhone camera. I asked Antz to take a pic but it didn’t come out so great.

He kept urging me to go inside and ask for a real picture but I really didn’t want to disturb his meal *or his 2 friends*. We seemed to be the only folks fawning over him and suffice it to say, we spent an hour walking back and forth past the window. I tried to casually video him but it came out terrible. If you haven’t heard of FOC please watch the following video *watch it even if you have heard of them, if you please*

Well, I chickened out on yet another celeb photo op. BOO! Tomorrow we are meeting Carlos & Steph at his studio in downtown *so excited to see it* and shop for accessories for my Halloween costume. I am sort of bummed because our friends are going to Knott’s Scary Farm but Antz & I have been almost 10 times and we are pretty burnt out on it.

Sunday Antz sister, Debra is babysitting Olivia while we go to Paramount to see Paranormal Activity 2. I am sure it’s going to creep me out because it shows a little baby being tormented by a demon *EEEP!*

Mix Tape Fridays Vol. 4

That’s right, Mix Tape Fridays is back and better than ever! I sound like an Infomercial but I just downloaded a bunch of stuff from iTunes this week that I am excited about.

This first one is more of an Antz favorite. He has a penchant to what I like to call “Music to slit your wrists to”. Pretty melancholy, sad-sack tunes *hence his love of Radiohead* But I can’t say I dislike this chick. I downloaded her Covers album and it’s pretty rad

“Troubled Waters” Cat Power

I have liked this band for a few years now. They are definitely on my bands to see live list. Groovy tunes.

“Golden Skans” Klaxons

Sometimes I am in the mood for some happy music. This band is pretty mainstream and this is what I consider an “oldie” but they aren’t too annoyingly trendy *or maybe they are*. Oh well, I’ve been rockin’ out to this song all week.

“A-Punk” Vampire Weekend

Nothing makes me happier than a sweet 80’s tune. Aimee & I are both pretty much obsessed with the movie 16 Candles. I know every single song on the soundtrack but I just downloaded these guys yesterday when Aimee came over. We were totally geeking out!!

“If You Were Here” Thompson Twins

Contrary to popular belief, I am an undercover Rockabilly chick…I like a bunch of psychobilly bands and enjoy partaking in East LA cholita fashion, example: *ok, bad example, can’t seem to find the photo I had in mind, but here’s me and Flav*

“Haunted Cathouse” Nekromantix

I think it’s blasphemy for anyone to even attempt to cover a Björk song *I’m looking at you Thom Yorke* but Aimee brought a cover to my attention that I didn’t throw a major eye roll at. It seems that Björkie was being honored and Swedish pop singer Robyn *who I loveeee* sang a tribute to her. So hauntingly pretty, I am looking for it on iTunes!!

“Hyperballad” Cover of Björk by Robyn

So of course Antz & I have been playing ridiculous amounts of Music is Awesome but this is not your ordinary kid’s singing “the farmer and the dell”. There are such amazing bands *The Shins, Ladytron, Of Montreal and Biz Markee* to name a few. I fell in love with this band from watching YGG, I would be interested to hear more from them.

“Listen” Paco

Let’s get in the spirit of Halloween with some Nightmare Before Christmas covers. The first one is a chick I adore and had the privilege of seeing live a few years ago. Too bad she only puts an album out once every 4 years. She’s a total recluse/weirdo but her voice is fantastic.

“Sally’s Song” Fiona Apple

The next NBC cover is a band I really like *Antz can’t stand them* but I really love the lead singer Brandon Flowers *but only in a gay way*. It’s as pop as I like to get.

“This is Halloween” Panic at the Disco

And now, the song of the week!! I have massacred this song. I play it non stop *much to Antz dismay*. Since it appears to be covers week *not intentional* Here’s a cover of a song I normally didn’t like *not a fan of the original band* but the band covering it is super rad!! I love their take on it, so melodic and whimsical. Give me anything with an orchestra and a singer who can actually sing and I am happy happy. Yay!

“When You Were Young” Cover of The Killers by The Noisettes